Snape

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Severus Snape (斯内普)
Alias(es)	Half-Blood Prince; “Good Uncle” / “Professor Uncle” (used by Ian Prince) 72 85
Species/Race	Wizard
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Slytherin House; Albus Dumbledore
Occupation/Role	Hogwarts Potions Professor; Head of Slytherin House; Potions Master; Dumbledore’s double agent 9 12
Status	Active 302
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background

Snape was formerly a Death Eater who followed Voldemort, but became Dumbledore’s double agent. His former allegiance remains central to his intimidating reputation and to students’ fear of him. 9 273

He is a blood relative and legal guardian of Ian Prince. Dumbledore had an agreement with Snape concerning Ian’s future, though Snape objected intensely to Ian’s dangerous Legilimency talent and wanted him to have an ordinary life. 16 99

Before Ian begins Hogwarts, Snape retrieves him from Wu’s Orphanage, escorts him into the wizarding world, funds his school supplies, and arranges a small house for him in Hogsmeade. His expensive purchases and practical assistance contrast sharply with his cold, sarcastic manner. 9 11 12 15

Appearance

Snape is a thin, severe-looking wizard whose black robes and hostile bearing make him resemble a bat emerging from the shadows. 273 297

• Black eyes and a hooked nose. 273
• Long, greasy black hair. 300
• Habitually wears heavy black robes. 273 297
• Has a gloomy, intimidating expression and a sharp, acidic voice. 9 273

Personality

Snape is stern, sarcastic, and exacting. He openly disdains Gryffindor recklessness, harshly enforces school rules, and deliberately uses his reputation to place students under psychological pressure. 9 66 273 274

His cruelty is tempered by a strong protective instinct. He worries about Ian’s safety, repeatedly intervenes when Ian uses dangerous magic, and fears that Dumbledore might treat Ian as another dangerous prodigy rather than as a child with the right to choose his own life. 16 84 120 274

Snape is deeply suspicious of Dumbledore’s plans. While he recognizes Dumbledore’s power and often follows his orders, he objects when Dumbledore risks students or withholds information. 81 84 121

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is a world-renowned Potions Master with extensive knowledge of both standard and obscure formulas. His annotated textbooks contain improved brewing procedures, original spells, and detailed explanations that dramatically advance Ian’s potion studies. 31 75

• Brews and administers Veritaserum and other interrogation potions. 81
• Creates and revises potion formulas, including a temporary Squib Revival Potion. 102
• Recognizes potion ingredients, brewing order, and specialized containers for ancient recipes. 97 301
• Prepares detailed teaching notes that anticipate common student errors and countermeasures. 300
• Uses Harry as a subject for potion testing after taking Ian’s processed ingredients. 251 252

Spellcraft and Dark Magic

Snape is an exceptionally gifted spell creator whose abilities extend well beyond potion-making. He created Sectumsempra and its countercurse, a feat regarded as evidence of extraordinary magical talent. 75 273

• Created or documented the Sectumsempra, Tongue-Tying Charm, Silencing Charm, and Inverted Golden Bell Charm. 75
• Uses a specialized binding spell that freezes Hermione, Ron, and Neville in place. 273
• Can cast powerful destructive magic capable of blasting apart ancient trees and gouging trenches through the Forbidden Forest. 279
• Transforms into Black Mist to fly while carrying Hermione. 278
• Uses Memory Charms and other unsanctioned magic when investigating threats within Hogwarts. 81

Occlumency and Magical Detection

Snape possesses formidable Occlumency, though Ian’s Mind Perception is powerful enough to bypass it and leave Snape unsettled. 16

• Detects Ian while he is concealed by a Disillusionment Charm. 123
• Enchants Ian’s wand with a monitoring trick that alerts him when Ian casts magic. 123 124
• Identifies lingering Fiendfyre traces and judges the degree of control used over the cursed fire. 277
• Recognizes irregularities in magic, transformations, and apparent identities. 280

Magical Scholarship

Snape’s work in potions requires knowledge of ancient magical systems and Fantastic Beasts. He is particularly knowledgeable about dragons and recognizes when a creature’s power exceeds known species. 278 279

• Identifies the dangers and limitations of Fiendfyre. 84 277
• Knows the components and workings of Polyjuice Potion. 280
• Teaches Hermione about potion plants and corrects her field knowledge while searching the Forbidden Forest. 277
• Understands magical constraints within Hogwarts and recognizes when unknown magic violates them. 296

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wand — Used for combat, restraints, surveillance charms, Memory Charms, and advanced spellwork. 81 123 273
• Annotated Advanced Potion-Making — Contains Snape’s refinements to potion formulas and descriptions of several self-created spells. 75
• Potion stores and cauldrons — Maintains a large supply of ingredients and experimental brews in his office. 81 109
• Marauder’s Map — Uses a confiscated map to track Quirrell and monitor activity in Hogwarts. 124

Relationships

• Ian Prince — Blood relative and legal ward. Snape acts as Ian’s guide, provider, disciplinarian, and reluctant protector; their relationship is marked by constant sarcasm, distrust, and genuine concern. 9 16 84 99 120
• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster, longtime associate, and former master. Snape follows Dumbledore’s plans but increasingly doubts his judgment and hidden motives. 16 81 283 295
• Marcus Flint — Slytherin student whom Snape interrogates after the murder of Ronnie Erich; Snape discovers Flint had been controlled by the Imperius Curse. 81
• Hermione Granger — Initially intimidated by Snape, Hermione later works with him during the Bronze Door crisis and temporarily impersonates him to teach Potions. 273 296 300
• Harry Potter — Snape frightens Harry and takes him to his office for dangerous potion research, including testing involving ingredients taken from Ian. 251 252
• Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom — Students Snape catches breaking curfew; he binds and intimidates them, then later captures them after they break into his office. 273 274 300
• Gilderoy Lockhart — A colleague Snape dislikes but assists with potion questions through Hermione’s impersonation of him. 301

Story Role / Major Arcs

Ian Prince’s Entry into the Wizarding World

Snape retrieves Ian from the orphanage and introduces him to Diagon Alley. He purchases Ian’s school supplies, arranges his accommodation, and warns him that using Mind Perception carelessly could provoke dangerous wizards. 9 10 11 12 15

After discovering Ian’s natural Legilimency, Snape confronts Dumbledore in alarm. He argues that Ian’s talent makes him a target and insists that no one has the right to dictate Ian’s life. 16

Dark Magic and Ian’s Education

Snape discovers Ian experimenting with Inferi-related Dark Magic and challenges him to reproduce a difficult spell. Ian’s effortless casting of Sectumsempra forces Snape to reconsider his skepticism, leading to grudging respect and a warning not to use Dark Magic at Hogwarts. 31 32 33 34

He continues to monitor Ian’s increasingly dangerous studies, confiscating materials, threatening punishment, and repeatedly attempting to curb Ian’s use of Fiendfyre and other curses. 84 85 100 123

Ronnie Erich Investigation

Following the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor’s death, Snape interrogates Marcus Flint with Veritaserum and other potions. Dumbledore reveals that Flint was under the Imperius Curse, then takes him away as bait for the true culprit, a plan Snape openly condemns. 81

Fiendfyre Incident

Snape arrives after Ian kills Aflesen Carrow with Fiendfyre to stop the destruction of Hogwarts. Though horrified by Ian’s control over such vicious magic, Snape’s immediate concern is preventing Dumbledore from expelling or imprisoning Ian. 84

Forbidden Forest Dragon Search

When Hermione reveals that Ian has gone to confront a Dragon-like creature in the Forbidden Forest, Snape abandons Ron and Neville and urgently takes Hermione to find him. He navigates the forest, analyzes Ian’s Fiendfyre traces, and reveals powerful combat magic and Black Mist flight. 274 277 278 279

Bronze Door Crisis

Snape accompanies Hermione and Dumbledore during the investigation of the Bronze Door. An alternate Dumbledore forcibly invades Snape’s mind, provoking intense rage and leaving Snape shaken. 285

After Dumbledore enters the Bronze Door to rescue Ian and fails to return, Snape protects Hermione and accepts that Dumbledore is their best chance of bringing Ian back. 295

The Inverted Golden Bell Humiliation

Rirym traps Snape upside down in a modified Inverted Golden Bell Charm. Unable to break the spell, Snape is forced to rely on Hermione, teaches her the countercurse and potions, and attempts to conceal his humiliation from the rest of Hogwarts. 296 297

While incapacitated, he guides Hermione through impersonating him with Polyjuice Potion so that his Potions classes can continue. His detailed notes reveal his thorough preparation and understanding of student behavior. 300 301 302

Notable Quotes

“Severus, you need him. He does not need you.” — Dumbledore to Snape 16

“Prince, he is not a Savior. He is a victor!” 84

“Dumbledore is always right. Trust him.” 295

Trivia

• Snape is so protective of his reputation that being seen hanging upside down in his office is more alarming to him than the physical discomfort of the curse. 296 297
• Despite his hostility toward Ian’s Dark Magic, Snape’s own annotated textbook contains several self-created curses. 75
• He repeatedly pulls Ian’s hair, causing Ian to suspect that Snape intends to use it for Polyjuice Potion. 85 101
• Ian considers Snape’s harsh warnings and punishments to be an unconventional method of motivating him to grow stronger. 100