Snape

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Severus Snape (斯内普)
Species/Race	Wizard
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Slytherin House
Occupation/Role	Potions Professor; Head of Slytherin House; former Death Eater and Dumbledore’s undercover agent 18 133
Status	Active; remains at Hogwarts by the novel’s conclusion 375
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Background / History

Snape was sorted into Slytherin as a child, while Lily Evans—whose friendship and later loss remained central to him—was placed in Gryffindor. He was defensive about his mixed heritage: his mother was a Slytherin witch, while his father was an ordinary man. In Slytherin, he befriended Avery, another boy from a troubled background. 115

As a fourth-year, Snape was among the strongest students in his year at cursework, though Avery surpassed him at reading danger in combat. Snape’s pride, unresolved feelings for Lily, and hatred of James Potter drove him to pursue strength. He was already an exceptional Potions student and brewed healing potions for Avery and Mulciber after their failed attempt to avenge him. 116 117

Snape’s friendship with Avery deteriorated after Avery and Mulciber chose to follow the Dark Lord. Snape rejected their path, contacted Dumbledore, and prepared to leave. After Voldemort’s fall, he became Dumbledore’s undercover agent and ultimately chose to preserve the peace associated with Lily’s sacrifice and the next generation’s future. 117 118

Appearance

Snape is a sallow-faced wizard whose severe, bat-like presentation reinforces his intimidating reputation. He typically wears long black robes, keeps his dark hair hanging around his face, and carries himself with rigid, deliberate control. 15 113

• Greasy, long black hair, later notably smoother after using shampoo gifted by Klein 15 75
• Sallow complexion and hooked nose 15 16
• Long black robes that trail near the ground; students often compare his movement to floating 113
• His face and figure become rounder over time, a change Klein repeatedly teases him about 113 288 323

Personality

Snape is stern, exacting, and openly contemptuous of incompetence. He considers potion-making a profound discipline rather than a subject for casual students, and his teaching philosophy is unforgiving: students who fail to understand are treated as unprepared rather than accommodated. 15 121

His favoritism toward Slytherin is blatant. He awards easy points to Draco Malfoy while setting impossible historical questions for Gryffindors, repeatedly deducting points from Harry, Ron, and Hermione. 248 249

Behind that hostility, Snape is fiercely protective of the people and responsibilities he considers his own. He defends Klein before the Ministry, invests substantial time in his education, worries that extracurricular activities will distract him from study, and quietly takes pride in his progress. 20 25 50 159 His concern is usually concealed behind threats, criticism, or brusque instructions.

Abilities & Skills

Potion-Making

Snape is a renowned Potions Master with a demanding eye for precision. He was already capable of brewing his own healing potions as a student and later becomes Klein Grindelwald’s principal mentor in the subject. 117 25

• Perfectly identifies Klein’s flawless potion work despite actively looking for faults 16 25
• Brews and teaches the New Hemostatic Potion during Klein’s private lessons 25
• Assigns research problems beyond standard texts, such as identifying a tenth use for Sheep Liver Fruit 19
• Recognizes Klein as a potential successor after witnessing his rapid technical and creative growth 159
• Owns custom-made cauldrons and crystal bottles for potion work, indicating both wealth and professional standards 113

Cursecraft and Dueling

Beyond Potions, Snape is an accomplished curse inventor and a skilled combat wizard. His past reputation and Dark Mark cause others to associate him with dark magic, though he refuses to let outsiders dictate whom he may teach. 79 133

• Invented several spells in his youth 79
• Uses chained disabling curses such as the Petrifying Curse and Bone-Shattering Curse in combat 143
• Casts Shrink the Ground into an Inch to bypass Klein’s Divine Guard Knights and appear behind him 143
• Retains enough composure in a public duel to assess Klein’s abilities rather than react angrily when his own curses fail 143 144
• His conventional curses prove ineffective against Klein’s Divine Guard Knights, forcing him to target Klein directly instead 143

Teaching and House Leadership

As Head of Slytherin, Snape is deeply invested in his House’s standing and in the advancement of its most talented students. 18 50

• Gives Klein detention, extra assignments, and private instruction as the “price” of mentorship 18
• Prioritizes foundations, diligence, and practical control over empty reputation 25 113
• Publicly takes responsibility for teaching Klein controversial magic when Moody confronts them 133
• Intervenes when Cedric suggests Klein duel another student, later personally dueling Klein to demonstrate that magic must be treated seriously 142 143

Relationships

• Klein Grindelwald — Student, protégé, and eventual trusted equal. Snape begins by disciplining him, then provides intensive Potions mentorship, defends him against officials and critics, and takes visible pride in his achievements. 18 25 133 159 323
• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster, ally, and fellow protector of Hogwarts. Dumbledore persuades Snape to mentor Klein and consults him on threats connected to Voldemort and Avery. 18 50 118
• Lily Evans — Snape’s childhood friend and enduring emotional attachment. Her sorting into Gryffindor disappointed him, and her memory shapes his later choices. 115 116 118
• Avery — Former Slytherin friend and roommate. Their childhood bond collapsed after Avery embraced the Dark Lord; Avery later returns as an enemy who openly vows revenge against Snape. 115 116 117
• Harry Potter — Hostile student relationship. Snape repeatedly humiliates and penalizes Harry, whom he associates with James Potter, while Lupin believes Snape nevertheless cares about Lily’s child. 15 249 253
• Remus Lupin — Long-standing adversary. Snape distrusts Lupin’s werewolf status, treats him with open disdain, and uses a substitute class to imply Lupin’s secret to students. 220 231 248
• Alastor Moody — Antagonistic professional relationship. Moody accuses Snape of teaching Klein dark magic; Snape refuses to be intimidated and supports Klein’s right to choose his own path. 133
• Gilderoy Lockhart — Professional rival. Snape resents Lockhart taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts post and enjoys his humiliation at the Magic Summit. 51 75 79 81

Story Role / Major Arcs

Klein’s Potions Mentor

Snape’s relationship with Klein develops from disciplinary detention into formal mentorship. After Dumbledore reveals Klein’s difficult past and unusual potential, Snape agrees to teach him privately. He recognizes aspects of his younger self in Klein and pushes him through demanding assignments rather than offering easy sympathy. 18 25

Snape continues to monitor Klein’s priorities as his fame grows. He objects to the Mutual Aid Society and Quidditch recruitment because he fears they will interfere with Potions and curse studies, but he ultimately respects Klein’s choices and achievements. 50 159 160

Conflict with Avery and Renewed Resolve

Avery’s reappearance forces Snape to confront his Slytherin past, his former Death Eater associates, and the choices that separated him from them. Though Avery threatens to kill him, Snape remains calm and recommits himself to protecting the peace rather than returning to his old ambitions. 115 116 118

The True Wizard Duel

At a Mutual Aid Society event, Snape takes Klein’s place as an opponent after recognizing that no student is suitable. He uses the duel to teach the gathered students that magic is not entertainment. Although Klein’s summoned knights overwhelm Snape’s initial curses, Snape outmaneuvers him with teleportation magic; Klein then provides an opening for the duel to end without publicly humiliating his mentor. 142 143 144

Later Support for Klein

Snape remains a consistent source of criticism, protection, and encouragement for Klein. He warns him against arrogance after his success at St. Mungo’s, offers opportunities for further growth, backs him during accusations of dark magic, and even gives him dance instruction before the Hogwarts Christmas Ball. 58 113 133 323

Notable Quotes

“I can teach you how to bewitch the mind, how to ensnare the senses. I can teach you to win fame, to brew glory, and even to cheat death.” 15

“Don't let the outside world interfere with your heart. Walk in the direction you believe is right. Remember, Slytherin stands behind you.” 133

“A True Wizard Duel is by no means a ridiculous farce. Magic must be treated with seriousness.” 143