Snape

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Severus Snape (斯内普)
Alias(es)	Professor Snape
Species/Race	Human wizard
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts; Slytherin House; Order of the Phoenix; Death Eaters (undercover contact) 8 21
Occupation/Role	Potions Professor; Head of Slytherin House 15 35
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Snape was a veteran of the wizarding war and a proven member of the Order of the Phoenix. He overheard and secretly passed on part of Trelawney’s prophecy, leaving him burdened by responsibility for the deaths connected to Voldemort’s attack on the Potters 8 22.

Despite being a Hogwarts professor, Snape retains contact with Death Eaters to monitor Voldemort’s movements rather than out of loyalty to their cause. His hatred for Voldemort remains intense, and hearing that a new student is named Tom Riddle nearly drives him to attack the child before Dumbledore restrains him 8 21.

Dumbledore assigns Snape to watch over Tom Riddle and Harry Potter after both are placed in Slytherin. Snape accepts the assignment reluctantly, arguing that Slytherin operates by survival of the fittest 15.

Appearance

Snape is a middle-aged man with oily hair and an imposing, bat-like presence in the classroom.

• Oily-haired 7 20
• Usually wears flowing black robes 20 31
• Moves quickly, with his robes described as resembling an old bat skimming the ground 20
• His expression is frequently gloomy, severe, or openly displeased 21 43

Personality

Snape is strict, sarcastic, and quick to anger, particularly where Tom Riddle’s name or Voldemort are concerned. His first instinct upon hearing of the new Tom Riddle is vengeance; he imagines using curses more painful than the Killing Curse before Dumbledore stops him 8.

He is also deeply prideful about Potions and recognizes exceptional talent even when he dislikes its owner. Tom’s answers in their first Potions lesson force Snape to acknowledge his ability, though Snape remains hostile and attempts to hide that respect behind sarcasm 20 21.

Snape’s emotions are strongly tied to Lily Potter. Harry’s eyes repeatedly restrain Snape from voicing the harsher insults he intends, while Tom’s interpretation of Snape’s potion questions provokes memories of Lily’s death 21.

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is an authoritative Potions expert whose approval carries exceptional weight in the field. He demonstrates advanced brewing techniques in class and maintains a valuable private stockpile of rare ingredients 20 21 43.

• Correctly identifies and teaches the Draught of Living Death 21
• Teaches detailed preparation methods for the Boil Cure Potion 35
• Possesses rare and expensive ingredients, including Wolfsbane root and peppermint 43
• Recognizes Tom’s unusual aptitude for potion theory and brewing 20

Advanced Spellcasting

Snape is a capable wizard with the speed and spell control expected of a senior Hogwarts professor and former wartime combatant.

• Uses magic to rise through the trapdoor chamber as black smoke 31
• Casts Colloportus to hold Fluffy’s door shut after being attacked 31
• Is sufficiently dangerous that Fred and George consider being caught by him worse than being caught by other staff 31
• Plans to train Draco in offensive spellwork for the Dueling Club 43

Undercover Intelligence

Snape maintains a dangerous position between Hogwarts and the Death Eaters, using his contacts to watch for Voldemort’s return 21.

• Investigates Quirrell independently after becoming suspicious of him 15
• Inspects the protections beneath Fluffy’s trapdoor 31
• Immediately suspects a Death Eater intrusion after the trapdoor incident 31

Relationships

• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster and wartime associate. Dumbledore repeatedly restrains Snape’s suspicions toward Tom and entrusts him with watching Tom and Harry in Slytherin 8 15 22.
• Tom Riddle — Initially regarded as a possible reincarnation of Voldemort because of his name, magical affinity, and Sorting. Snape later recognizes Tom’s Potions talent but still seeks to curb his arrogance 8 15 20 43.
• Harry Potter — Connected to Snape through Lily and James Potter. Harry’s resemblance to Lily prevents Snape from fully venting his anger on him 8 21.
• Draco Malfoy — Favored student and son of Lucius Malfoy, whom Snape considers an old friend. Snape agrees to tutor Draco so he can challenge Tom in the Dueling Club 43.
• Quirinus Quirrell — A colleague Snape finds increasingly suspicious and intends to investigate 15 21.
• Voldemort — Snape’s hated former master. His loathing drives his immediate suspicion of Tom Riddle and his continued surveillance of Death Eater activity 8 21.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Tom Riddle’s Enrollment

Dumbledore warns Snape that a child named Tom Riddle will attend Hogwarts. Snape reacts with near-violent certainty that the boy must be Voldemort, but Dumbledore insists that Tom is a separate student 8.

Tom’s Sorting into Slytherin, combined with the Sorting Hat’s declaration that he is a “natural Slytherin,” worsens Snape’s suspicions. Dumbledore counters with the fact that the Quill of Acceptance and Book of Admittance would not record the same person twice 13 15.

First Potions Lesson

Snape attempts to embarrass Tom with difficult, out-of-scope potion questions. Tom answers them correctly, explains their properties in detail, and interprets the symbolic meaning of Snape’s ingredients, earning Snape’s unwilling respect and exposing painful personal associations 20 21.

Fluffy Incident

While inspecting the protections beneath Fluffy’s trapdoor, Snape is attacked after Tom and the Weasley twins interfere with the magical harp. Snape mistakes the intruders for Death Eaters, while Dumbledore conceals the students’ involvement 31.

Theft of the Potion Ingredients

Tom, Quirrell, and Voldemort steal a large quantity of ingredients from Snape’s private stores, using toxic materials as misdirection. Snape responds with fury when the Aurors fail to identify the thief 38 43.

Draco’s Training

After Draco seeks help to defeat Tom in the upcoming Dueling Club, Snape agrees to personally teach him offensive spells. He sees Draco’s request as both repayment for Lucius Malfoy’s past kindness and an opportunity to humble Tom 43.

Notable Quotes

“Slytherin is a house for the strong. Survival of the fittest has always been the rule.” 15

“I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even put a stopper in death.” 20