Severus

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Severus Snape
Alias(es)	Little Bat; Snape
Species/Race	Wizard; half-blood; descendant of the Prince family 320 329
Gender	Male
Affiliation	House of Malfoy (ward/guest); Slytherin House; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry 246 350
Occupation/Role	Hogwarts student; aspiring Potions Master 261 349
Status	Alive
First Appearance	Chapter 241: “Moving Out”

Background

Severus was raised in Spider's Alley by his Muggle father, Tobia, and his witch mother, Eileen Prince. His childhood was marked by poverty, Tobia's alcoholism, and domestic abuse; Eileen tried to reassure him that his father loved them despite his behavior. Severus understood from Eileen that he was a wizard, yet came to associate magic with the suffering in his home. 241 247 249

After Eileen killed Tobia and died in the burning Snape home, Tom Riddle found Severus and brought him to Malfoy Manor. Eileen's final instruction was that Severus retain the Snape surname, as the Prince family would not accept a half-blood heir. 246 Severus initially refused to accept that his parents were gone and reacted to Tom's explanation with fear, anger, and defiance. 247 248

At Malfoy Manor, Severus lived among Tom, Abraxas, Brutus, and Lucius Malfoy. He repeatedly feared that he was only being kept as a useful servant, prompting his determination to become a Potions Master and secure his own worth. 261 330 Tom nevertheless treated him with unusual patience, told him about Eileen's skill as a potioneer and Quidditch player, and encouraged him to investigate his maternal heritage. 328 329

Severus learned that the Princes were an ancient pure-blood family renowned for producing Potions Masters, but that Eileen had disappeared after the family's last Potions Master lost the ability to brew. He later traced clues in Eileen's books to Prince Manor in North Yorkshire, where only his magical signature could access a hidden realm. 329 321 322

Appearance

Severus is a thin, dark-haired boy with dark, obsidian-like eyes and a prominent aquiline nose. 243 328

• Shoulder-length black hair 248
• Often described as scrawny or frail-looking 243 319
• Dark eyes that others compare to obsidian 261
• Uses a cedarwood wand with a dragon heartstring core 346

Personality

Severus is proud, sharp-tongued, and intensely resistant to pity. Even as a child, he rejects charity, resents being treated as a dependent, and reacts fiercely to anyone who suggests he is a servant or a Malfoy subordinate. His ambition to become valuable is rooted in his fear of abandonment. 243 261 330

He is reserved and distrustful of friendship, believing strength is more reliable than affection. While Slytherin hostility and isolation hurt him, he often presents himself as indifferent and chooses to endure hardship alone rather than accept protection. 350 351 361

Beneath this harsh exterior, Severus is deeply attached to the memory of his parents, especially Eileen. He protects her legacy, tends the herbs she planted in the Forbidden Forest, and is moved by evidence that his parents once shared happier lives. 382 402 454 He also demonstrates empathy toward orphaned children and toward Remus Lupin, whom he refuses to blame for the Whomping Willow incident. 499

Abilities & Skills

Potions

Severus is dedicated to potion-making from childhood and aims to become a Potions Master. His interest is shaped by Eileen's legacy and the Prince family's historic reputation. 261 329

• Studies potion texts and recipes independently. 261 355
• Recognizes the correct preparation of Boil-Cure Potion ingredients. 355
• Receives practical guidance and annotated recipes from Tom Riddle. 274
• Administers restorative potions to Lucius when instructed. 333
• His potential as a future Potions Master is recognized by Abraxas and Lucius. 262 293

Dark Arts and Silent Casting

Severus displays strong aptitude for Dark Arts and develops spells intended to be difficult to detect or counter. Tom considers this aptitude stronger than Severus's talent for potions. 454 476

• Casts the silent Incarcerous Curse to restrain James Potter. 478
• Develops an interest in creating magic without visible spell-light. 454
• Uses a dangerous cutting spell in the Whomping Willow incident; the spell injures Remus Lupin and causes backlash to Severus. 480 482
• Is capable of infiltrating Gryffindor Tower with Polyjuice Potion and stealing the Cloak of Invisibility. 360

Herbology and Magical Research

Severus investigates the plants Eileen left in the Forbidden Forest and seeks to understand their intended purpose. 402 454

• Identifies Sniffing Illusion Grass, though its potion use is unknown. 403
• Deduces a location clue to Prince Manor from Eileen's notes on Gillyweed and Polyjuice Potion. 321
• Gains access to a hidden realm that Tom cannot enter because of Severus's distinct magical signature. 322

Equipment

• Cedarwood wand with dragon heartstring core — acquired from Ollivander; Severus is angered by the wandmaker's prank during the selection process. 346
• Lucius's pocket watch — a treasured memento of Lucius's mother, entrusted to Severus as a sign of trust. 293 318
• Black cat — given by Lucius before Severus returns to Hogwarts. 347
• Nagini — a pet snake gifted to him by Lucius. 346
• Invisibility cloak — used during a holiday excursion into the Forbidden Forest. 402
• Keys to a Gringotts vault and a Hogsmeade house — secretly given to him by Brutus. 378

Relationships

• Eileen Prince — Mother. A talented potioneer and former Slytherin whose disappearance and death define Severus's search for identity, family history, and Prince Manor. 246 328 329
• Tobia Snape — Muggle father. His alcoholism and abuse traumatized Severus; Eileen ultimately killed him before dying in the fire that destroyed their home. 241 246
• Tom Riddle — Guardian and mentor. Tom rescues Severus, shelters him at Malfoy Manor, supports his magical studies, and takes a particular interest in his potential. 246 322 454
• Lucius Malfoy — Closest friend and frequent rival. Their relationship begins with Lucius treating Severus as a potential asset, but develops into mutual protectiveness, trust, and unresolved romantic attachment. 261 293 465 528
• Brutus Malfoy — Supportive elder figure. Brutus comforts Severus after his parents' deaths, gives him keys to independent resources, and treats him with warmth. 247 378
• Sirius Black — Childhood acquaintance with a guarded, argumentative connection. Sirius attempts to reach out to Severus, while Severus consistently rejects the idea of friendship. 316 355 361
• Remus Lupin — A tentative ally. Remus tries to befriend Severus, and Severus later shows empathy toward him despite their conflict involving dark magic. 356 499
• James Potter — Rival. Their hostility repeatedly erupts into fights, potion accidents, and a duel connected to the Whomping Willow. 356 454 478
• Archibald Knickle — Potential Prince-family claimant. Severus refuses to surrender Eileen's inheritance to him and resents his attempts at influence. 369 370 379

Story Role / Major Arcs

Childhood and Loss

Severus grows up in an abusive Muggle household, where his mother's fading connection to magic cannot protect either of them. After the deaths of Eileen and Tobia, he is removed from Spider's Alley and taken to Malfoy Manor. 241 246

Life at Malfoy Manor

As a dependent of the Malfoys, Severus struggles to reconcile their protection with his belief that he is being cultivated for usefulness. He commits himself to potions and repeatedly insists that he will not become anyone's servant. 249 261

Prince Legacy

Severus researches Eileen's history, discovers the significance of the Prince family, and follows her hidden clues to Prince Manor. His heritage becomes politically important when Archibald appears as another potential claimant. 320 321 369 370

Hogwarts and Slytherin

Severus enters Hogwarts determined to join Slytherin and is sorted there. As the only half-blood in his year, he is isolated by pure-blood prejudice and assigned a decaying dormitory, but refuses Lucius's offer of better accommodations. 349 350 351

Conflict with the Marauders

Severus's antagonism with James Potter escalates through Potions-class fights and direct confrontations. He steals the Cloak of Invisibility, develops increasingly dangerous magic, and becomes involved in the Whomping Willow incident that leaves both him and Remus injured. 356 360 478 480

Separation from Lucius

As Lucius prepares to leave Hogwarts and fulfill his family obligations, Severus acknowledges him as his only friend. Lucius's engagement and later wedding invitation cause Severus lasting pain, while Lucius ultimately loses the ability to feel love for others despite retaining his memories. 465 528 533

Trivia

• Severus dislikes being called a Malfoy servant or subordinate more than almost any other insult. 261 421
• He initially believes he may be unfit for Slytherin because he is a half-blood. 329
• He considers the Malfoys' teasing childish and often calls Lucius a “white-feathered chicken.” 274
• His desire to return to childhood reflects his discomfort with the abrupt loss of his family and home. 328