Snape

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Severus Snape
Alias(es)	Professor Snape; “Old Bat” (registered name at Chaos’s Wish) 649
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts; formerly a Death Eater; works under Albus Dumbledore’s direction 150 670
Occupation/Role	Hogwarts Potions professor; potion researcher; occasional Duelling Club instructor/guest 147 212
Status	Alive 789
First Appearance	Chapter 137 137

Background

Snape was formerly involved with Voldemort’s Death Eaters. After realizing that his actions had harmed Lily Evans, he confessed to Dumbledore, begged him to protect Lily’s child, and agreed to serve as Dumbledore’s inside man. Following Voldemort’s disappearance, Dumbledore vouched for him and kept him at Hogwarts. 150

His greatest regret is having called Lily a slur that ended their friendship. A dose of Drunken Dream Potion traps him in an idealized dream where he never insults her, exposing how deeply he wishes that moment had never occurred. 345

Snape also bears lasting trauma from his school-era conflict with the Marauders. Sirius Black deliberately led him through the passage beneath the Whomping Willow, where Snape encountered the transformed Remus Lupin. The experience fuels his enduring hatred of Sirius and his hostility toward Lupin. 670

Appearance

Snape is a hook-nosed man with greasy long hair, typically dressed in black wizarding robes. His pale, severe face and gloomy presentation contribute to his intimidating presence. 575 770

• Hooked nose 770
• Greasy, long dark hair 575 770
• Black wizarding robes 770
• Frequently described as pale-faced or corpse-like in demeanor 167 670

Personality

Snape is harsh, sarcastic, and easily provoked—particularly by Black, whose confidence reminds him of James Potter. His resentment often manifests through cutting remarks, unfair point deductions, and attempts to undermine students he dislikes. Dumbledore’s review of student memories confirms that Snape had repeatedly insulted students and their families in Potions lessons. 147 163 214

Despite this cruelty, Snape is capable of shame and change. After Dumbledore confronts him with the consequences of his conduct, he publicly apologizes to the student body and promises to teach more fairly. He later agrees to rules intended to make his awarding and deduction of House points impartial. 168 211

His attachment to Lily remains his central emotional vulnerability. It drives his conflicted protection of Harry Potter, his willingness to work for Dumbledore despite resentment, and his interest in Black’s proposed experiment to create a daughter using Lily’s genetic material. 272 537 669

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is regarded by Dumbledore as Hogwarts’ finest Potions professor. He can identify complex formulas, analyze unusual ingredient interactions, and brew advanced restorative and protective potions. 670 719

• Identifies Black’s experimental formula as a rare life-extending potion. 471
• Recognizes the value of combining toxins in exact proportions to create a beneficial result. 471
• Keeps healing potions, antidotes, and curse-clearing preparations ready for dangerous situations. 652
• Brews Wolfsbane Potion for Remus Lupin despite personally detesting him. 670
• Supplies Nutritional Potions during Black’s rapid physical evolution after a Dementor attack. 719
• Agrees to assist Black in preparing a paper for a newly developed potion formula. 471

Defensive Magic and Duelling

Snape is an experienced duellist with sharp combat judgment. During the Duelling Club’s demonstration match, he quickly recognizes Quirrell’s defensive limitations and defeats him by breaking through his Shield Charm with a Disarming Charm. 216

• Uses Stupefy, Protego, and Expelliarmus effectively in live duelling. 216
• Exploits openings in an opponent’s defensive casting. 216
• Counteracts Quirrell’s attempt to curse Harry Potter’s broom during a Quidditch match. 272
• Uses non-lethal spells while pursuing Black through Hogwarts, though his anger causes McGonagall to intervene. 535

Occlumency

Snape is entrusted with teaching Occlumency to Black so that Voldemort cannot use Legilimency to test Black’s loyalty. During one lesson, Black accidentally accesses Snape’s memories, causing Snape significant emotional distress. 337 340

• Instructs Black in mental defenses against Voldemort’s Legilimency. 337
• His memories are sufficiently painful that Dumbledore takes over Black’s Legilimency instruction after the accidental intrusion. 340

Dark Arts Knowledge

As a former Death Eater, Snape possesses substantial knowledge of the Dark Arts and understands Voldemort’s methods well enough to recognize the danger of his attempts to recruit Black. 272 337

• Bears the Dark Mark from his Death Eater past. 344
• Recognizes the written method for casting the Cruciatus Curse. 337
• Understands that Voldemort may use Legilimency to probe a prospective follower’s loyalty. 337
• Is familiar with Voldemort’s ability to cast lethal magic without unnecessary gestures or spoken incantations. 651

Relationships

• Albus Dumbledore — Employer, protector, and manipulative benefactor. Dumbledore kept Snape at Hogwarts after his defection, later compelled him to apologize for mistreating students, protect Harry, and brew Wolfsbane for Lupin. 150 168 669 670
• Lily Evans/Potter — Snape’s former dearest friend and enduring regret. His guilt over losing her continues to govern many of his choices. 345 463
• Harry Potter — Lily’s son. Snape hates Harry’s resemblance to James Potter but insists that he does not want Harry dead and agrees to protect him. 272 669
• Black — Initially hostile toward Dumbledore’s favored student and repeatedly attempts to target him in class. Their relationship develops into an uneasy partnership involving Quirrell surveillance, potion research, business negotiations, and Chaos’s Wish commissions. 147 272 471 534 648
• Remus Lupin — Former school-era enemy whose werewolf transformation traumatized Snape. Snape nevertheless agrees to brew Wolfsbane Potion so Lupin can teach safely. 670
• Sirius Black — Longstanding enemy from Snape’s school years. Snape believes Sirius escaped Azkaban to threaten Harry and agrees to protect Harry in response. 669 670
• Quirinus Quirrell / Voldemort — Snape monitors Quirrell, later learns Voldemort is possessing him, duels Quirrell publicly, and counters Quirrell’s curse against Harry during Quidditch. 216 272
• Agatha — Accompanies Snape and Black on Chaos’s Wish commissions; she recognizes Snape’s constant combat readiness at a glance. 644

Story Role / Major Arcs

Potions-Class Conflict and Public Apology

Snape singles out Black during his first Potions lesson, misnames him, questions why Dumbledore trusts him, and looks for reasons to find fault with his work. 147 When Snape deducts Hufflepuff points without a clear justification, Black openly challenges his fitness to teach. Snape responds by threatening expulsion and deducting further points. 150

Dumbledore investigates the incident through student memories and finds a pattern of Snape humiliating students. Faced with the school’s hostility and Dumbledore’s intervention, Snape publicly apologizes and promises to reform his conduct. 163 168

Quirrell Surveillance and Harry’s Protection

While secretly watching Quirrell, Snape is wounded by Fluffy while investigating the Philosopher’s Stone protections. Black heals him and reveals that Quirrell is possessed by Voldemort. 271 272

Snape is angered by Dumbledore’s decision to leave Voldemort in place for the prophecy’s sake, especially because it places Harry in danger. During Harry’s Quidditch match, Snape counters Quirrell’s broom curse while Black secretly supports the effort. 272

Potions Research and Cooperation with Black

Black later summons Lily’s soul so Snape can speak with her, forcing Snape to confront his grief directly. 462 463 Their relationship becomes more professionally productive when Snape studies Black’s life-extending potion formula and agrees to help prepare it for publication. 471

The cooperation remains volatile. Black steals Snape’s new cauldron for hot pot, haggles over Basilisk materials, alters business agreements, and repeatedly provokes Snape into chasing him through Hogwarts. 472 504 534 535

Chaos’s Wish Commissions

Snape joins Black and Agatha at Chaos’s Wish in Knockturn Alley, where they accept bounty commissions involving Dark Wizards, hostages, and stolen gold. 648 653 Though Snape is wary of Black’s power and manipulation, he continues working with him for Soul Ash, money, materials, and their planned experiment. 647 648 669

Lupin’s Appointment

Dumbledore offers Snape the Potions position rather than the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, then reveals that Remus Lupin will receive the latter. Snape is furious, both because he wants the position and because of Lupin’s werewolf condition and their shared history. 670

He ultimately agrees to protect Harry from the escaped Sirius Black and brew Wolfsbane Potion for Lupin, despite receiving no promise of reward from Dumbledore. 669 670

Notable Quotes

“I hate him, but that does not mean I want him dead!” 272

“I would not mind taking on the teaching duties of both subjects, and drawing only one salary.” 670

“I can brew the Wolfsbane Potion too. As for Lupin... I’ll try to restrain myself and not get into a fight with him...” 670

Trivia

• Snape registers at Chaos’s Wish under the name “Old Bat,” a nickname originally given to him by Black. 649
• Black’s use of Snape’s name, “Severus,” regularly irritates him. 535 577
• Snape’s treasured new cauldron is stolen by Black and used for hot pot in the Room of Requirement. 472
• He is so visibly associated with a dark, brooding appearance that Lockhart becomes nervous when a newspaper description of one of Lockhart’s victims strongly resembles Snape. 575