Snape

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Severus Snape (斯内普) 875
Alias(es)	“Old Bat”; “Bat” 20 59
Species/Race	Half-blood wizard 1100
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Order of the Phoenix; Death Eaters (as a double agent) 875 957
Occupation/Role	Potions Master; Head of Slytherin House; Defense Against the Dark Arts substitute professor 746 789
Status	Active 1091

Background

Snape grew up in Spinner's End with a Muggle father and a pure-blood witch mother. His parents argued constantly, and he recalled his early life as colorless until he met Lily Evans, a young witch whose friendship became the defining bond of his childhood. 1100

At Hogwarts, Snape endured sustained bullying from James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew. His aptitude for Potions and Dark Magic drew Lucius Malfoy's admiration, but his increasing association with Dark Magic and the future Death Eaters alienated Lily. Their friendship finally fractured after he called her a “Mudblood” during a public humiliation by James. 875

After graduation, Snape joined the Death Eaters. He overheard part of the prophecy concerning Voldemort's future defeat and delivered it to Voldemort, only to realize the target could be Lily and James Potter's child. He defected and became Dumbledore's double agent in exchange for Lily's protection; Lily's death left him consumed by guilt and bound to protecting Harry. 875 381

Appearance

Snape has a severe, spectral appearance that reinforces his intimidating reputation at Hogwarts.

• Hooked nose and black eyes 16 1161
• Long, greasy black hair 959 1123
• Sallow or waxen complexion 57 459
• Usually wears flowing black robes, often compared to a bat's wings or cowl 20 724

Personality

Snape is cold, sarcastic, proud, and intensely controlling. As a teacher, he regularly humiliates students, especially Harry and Gryffindor pupils, exploits minor mistakes for point deductions, and uses detentions or public embarrassment to assert authority. 40 204 891

His hostility is not indiscriminate. Snape is meticulous in his work, fiercely protective of his professional competence, and visibly angered when his authority or private affairs are mocked. Vincent Wayne's schemes, the Boggart prank, and Umbridge's inspection all provoke unusually strong reactions from him. 57 99 724 959

Beneath his cruelty, Snape is capable of loyalty and protection. He repeatedly intervenes when Harry is in danger, heals Dobby after wounding him, and continues working against Voldemort despite the personal cost. 20 153 800

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is an exceptionally skilled potioneer with extensive knowledge of healing, enhancement, and dangerous magical substances.

• He uses Vulnera Sanentur to heal the wounds he inflicted on Dobby. 20
• He provides Vincent and Hermione with Miracle Potion after rescuing them from werewolves. 1095
• His office contains regulated ingredients including concentrated Acromantula venom, Silencing Bird feathers, memory potions, and other restricted materials. 57
• He can prepare pain-relieving potions for severe Dark Magic injuries, though some effects are only temporary. 1262

Legilimency and Occlumency

Snape is recognized as a master of Legilimency and Occlumency.

• He forcefully enters Harry's mind during attempts to make him clear his thoughts and resist the influence of Voldemort's soul fragment. 459
• He cannot read Vincent Wayne's mind, as Vincent is a natural Occlumens. 132
• His ability to read others contributes to his distrustful, controlling nature. 132

Dark Magic and Counter-Curses

Snape possesses advanced knowledge of Dark Magic and its countermeasures.

• He casts Sectumsempra on Dobby before reversing much of the damage with healing magic. 20
• He detects the lingering presence of Dark Magic and investigates threats within Hogwarts and the Forbidden Forest. 353 1095
• He employs transfiguration offensively in duels, including turning a doorframe into restraining chains and manipulating terrain against Quirrell. 350 1161

Duelling

Snape is an experienced combat wizard who reacts quickly under pressure and is proficient with nonverbal magic.

• He duels Quirrell after breaking into his office, disarms him, and continues the confrontation into the corridor. 1161
• He withstands Vincent's smoke-assisted ambush through patience, defensive spellwork, and close-quarters experience. 132 134
• He confronts and disperses a werewolf pack with powerful light-based magic. 1095

Patronus Charm

Snape can produce a corporeal doe Patronus.

• His Patronus joins Harry's doe Patronus in holding back Dementors while protecting Harry and Sirius Black. 800
• The shared doe form is tied to Lily Evans, the central connection between Snape and Harry. 800 875

Equipment / Items

• Wand — used for Potions work, duelling, healing, Legilimency, and transfiguration. 20 1161
• Potions office and ingredient stores — includes regulated materials and memory-related potions. 57 702
• Mithril briefcase — contains an office key and protective shields. 702
• Alchemy potion-tool set — sent to him by Vincent Wayne; Snape criticized its craftsmanship but kept the set. 99

Relationships

• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster, confidant, and handler in Snape's role as a double agent. They cooperate against Voldemort but frequently disagree over Harry and Dumbledore's “Savior Nurturing Plan.” 353 381 1262
• Lily Evans — Childhood friend and the person Snape loved most. Their friendship ended after Snape embraced Dark Magic and used a blood-purity slur against her; her death shaped his later choices. 875 1100
• Harry Potter — Son of Lily and James Potter. Snape openly targets and humiliates Harry, yet repeatedly protects him from mortal danger. 20 40 153
• James Potter — School-era bully and Lily's eventual husband. James's treatment of Snape fueled Snape's enduring resentment toward Gryffindor and Harry. 875
• Remus Lupin — Former schoolmate and longstanding adversary. Snape distrusts Lupin, exposes his werewolf condition in class discussions, and is implicated in weakening his Wolfsbane Potion. 188 440 1100
• Sirius Black — Former Marauder and school-era enemy. Their hostility continues into adulthood, including during Order of the Phoenix meetings. 957
• Lucius Malfoy — Former senior student who admired Snape's talent and later remained closely connected to him. Snape agrees to look after Draco, though he does not particularly like him. 875 798
• Draco Malfoy — Son of Lucius Malfoy and a Slytherin student under Snape's protection. Snape favors Draco academically but still shows frustration with his behavior. 179 756
• Vincent Wayne — Persistent student rival. Vincent repeatedly schemes against Snape, while Snape attempts to punish, expose, or outmaneuver him; despite this, Snape has also rescued Vincent from danger. 99 545 1095

Story Role / Major Arcs

Quirrell Investigation

Snape suspects Quirrell's connection to Dark Magic and repeatedly searches or confronts him. He urges Dumbledore to abandon the plan to groom Harry as a savior, believing Quirrell poses an immediate danger. 353 1161

During Dobby's attempt to drive Harry from Hogwarts, Snape takes Harry into the castle at night, shields him from an ambush, interrogates Dobby, and heals the house-elf after using Sectumsempra. 20

Conflict with Students

Snape's teaching becomes a central source of tension at Hogwarts. He targets Gryffindor students with unfair deductions, detentions, and humiliating questions, while his feud with Vincent escalates into pranks, public-relations schemes, classroom confrontations, and official investigations. 40 99 204 545

Lupin's Wolfsbane Incident

Snape deliberately weakens Lupin's Wolfsbane Potion, leading to Lupin's transformation and subsequent chaos. Vincent and Hermione uncover Snape's involvement, deepening the students' distrust of him. 440

Ministry Custody and Return

Snape is suspended and later taken into Ministry custody amid accusations and suspicion. His trial is ultimately cancelled for lack of evidence, though he remains under surveillance after returning to Hogwarts. The students welcome him back enthusiastically; Snape is visibly uncomfortable with the celebration. 183 465

Defense Against the Dark Arts

When assigned Defense Against the Dark Arts, Snape displays a more practical and, at times, unexpectedly patient teaching style. He teaches defensive spells, drills students in duelling, and eventually awards Gryffindor points for successful work. 746 1091

Notable Quotes

“If you don't want to die, you'd better be quiet.” 20

“Although it's unpleasant, I will protect them.” 153

Trivia

• Neville Longbottom's Boggart takes Snape's form, reflecting Neville's fear of him. Neville defeats it by imagining Snape in his grandmother's clothes. 672
• Snape's doe Patronus is the same form as Harry's. 800
• He is described as the youngest Head of House in Hogwarts history. 153