Snape

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Severus Snape (斯内普)
Alias(es)	Half-Blood Prince 268
Species/Race	Half-blood wizard 305
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts; Dumbledore's circle; Death Eaters 249 317
Occupation/Role	Potions Professor; Head of Slytherin; Duelling Club co-founder; Dark Arts instructor 55 268 304
Status	Alive; last depicted fighting alongside Voldemort's forces against Dumbledore 318
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Background / History

Snape attended Hogwarts alongside Li Wei and was known in his youth as the handsome “Half-Blood Prince.” He sought to draw Li Wei into studying Dark Arts with him, but Li Wei refused to take sides in Snape’s conflict with James Potter and his friends. Snape’s inability to win Lily Evans’s affection remained a lasting source of resentment and regret. 7 15

He once embraced pure-blood ideals and became a Death Eater, though he later came to reject the pure-blood families’ arrogance and opportunism. After realizing Voldemort intended to target Lily’s family, he sought Dumbledore’s help too late to prevent her death. 305 306

By the time of Li Wei’s arrival at Hogwarts, Snape is a Potions Master, Slytherin Head of House, and a secret informant connected to Dumbledore. The strain of Legilimency, falsified memories, and his unresolved guilt leaves him isolated and emotionally exhausted. 249 266

Appearance

When Li Wei first meets him again, Snape has become visibly older and neglectful: portly, slack-faced, gray at the temples, and marked by greasy black hair and heavy robes. 7

After Li Wei confronts him about the example he sets for students, Snape uses his own potions and grooming to radically alter his appearance. 265 267

• Greasy black hair and a pale, exhausted complexion before his change. 7 267
• Deep-set eyes, prominent under-eye shadows, and a perpetually severe expression. 267
• Later wears a fitted three-piece Muggle-style suit instead of his usual voluminous black robes. 267
• Uses potions to smooth wrinkles, sharpen his jawline, and restore a younger appearance. 267 268

Personality

Snape is intensely proud, sarcastic, and quick to interpret vulnerability as weakness. His hostility toward Li Wei initially stems from professional envy, old school grievances, and Li Wei’s perceived indifference toward Lily. 7 11 49

Despite his cruelty, he is capable of concern. He warns Li Wei about the dangers of Dark Arts research, brews Wolfsbane Potion for Lupin, and repeatedly considers sacrificing himself to oppose Voldemort. 15 188 305

Li Wei’s influence gradually pushes Snape to confront his self-neglect and isolation. He begins to care about students’ opinions, restrains himself from lashing out at Neville, and actively seeks advice on becoming a better Head of House. 264 266 268

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is Hogwarts’ Potions Master and possesses advanced practical knowledge of potion brewing, magical ingredients, fragrances, and restorative formulas. 268 280

• Brews Wolfsbane Potion for Remus Lupin. 188
• Produces beauty, anti-aging, and skincare potions that dramatically restore his own appearance. 267
• Designs workshop recipes including the Color-shifting Potion, Long-lasting Fragrant Aroma, and Trace-less Bonding Potion. 280
• Recognizes basilisk venom as an exceptionally valuable potion ingredient. 66

Duelling

Snape is a highly capable duellist and co-founds the Hogwarts Duelling Club to give students practical defensive training. 55 269

• Uses Protego and Confringo to counter Li Wei’s stone-pillar trap during their exhibition duel. 55
• Employs Expelliarmus, Levicorpus, and other rapid offensive spells in his confrontation with Sirius and Lupin. 189
• Wields Sectumsempra as his signature spell and uses it against Dumbledore. 55 318
• Is decisively outmatched by Li Wei during their Duelling Club demonstration. 55

Legilimency and Mental Discipline

Snape is a Master of Legilimency who relies on mental control to sustain his dangerous position between Dumbledore and Voldemort. 305

• Reads Lupin’s surface emotions without consent to identify the black dog as suspicious. 189
• Seals his own mind and forges memories and sensations to protect his secrets. 249
• Fears that even his skill may be insufficient to deceive Voldemort indefinitely. 305

Dark Arts Knowledge

Snape has extensive knowledge of Dark Arts and views them as powerful, precise, and dangerously efficient magic rather than inherently useless taboo. 304

• Is suspected of using the Duelling Club to provoke Harry’s Parseltongue ability into public view. 56
• Teaches the first experimental Dark Arts lesson alongside Li Wei. 304 305
• Explains that Dark Arts can rapidly increase power through malicious intent and repeated practice, while warning students of their danger. 304

Relationships

• Li Wei — Former classmate, professional rival, Duelling Club co-founder, and eventual source of personal guidance. Snape initially resents him for taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, but later seeks his help in changing his relationship with students. 11 49 264 265
• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster, confidant, and central figure in Snape’s covert role against Voldemort. Snape is deeply loyal to him but resents being excluded from information about Horcruxes and Dumbledore’s injury. 11 244 249
• Lily Evans — Snape’s unresolved love and the emotional center of many of his regrets. Mentioning her name still provokes an intense reaction from him. 7 280
• Harry Potter — A student Snape associates with James Potter and initially treats with contempt, though Lily’s eyes repeatedly unsettle his hatred. 65 113
• Sirius Black — Longstanding enemy. Snape attempts to kill Sirius after learning his identity, convinced that Sirius betrayed the Potters. 189 190
• Remus Lupin — Former school rival and reluctant colleague. Snape brews Wolfsbane for him, but remains cutting and distrustful. 188 189
• Voldemort — Former master whose return forces Snape to resume a dangerous performance of loyalty. Voldemort accepts Snape after testing him and chooses not to possess him. 305 317

Story Role / Major Arcs

Li Wei’s Return to Hogwarts

Snape meets Li Wei with immediate hostility, mocking his appearance and questioning his fitness to teach. He confronts Dumbledore over Li Wei’s appointment, then independently offers to keep watch over his former classmate. 7 11

His suspicion develops into reluctant concern when he warns Li Wei that Dark Arts research and Dumbledore’s interest may place him in danger. 15

Duelling Club and the Chamber of Secrets

Snape proposes establishing a Duelling Club with Li Wei, McGonagall, and himself. Their public duel becomes the club’s opening demonstration, ending with Snape’s defeat and his promise to use Sectumsempra next time. 49 55

During the Chamber of Secrets crisis, he investigates the basilisk’s corpse, notices the missing venom glands, and deduces that Li Wei had confined the creature with a powerful suppression spell. 66

Gradual Change at Hogwarts

Snape slowly becomes more involved in Li Wei’s educational reforms. He accepts that the Duelling Club belongs to both of them, reflects on his former arrogance toward Li Wei and Lily, and becomes curious about Li Wei’s approach to magic. 80 104 110

His later decision to improve his hygiene, clothing, and conduct transforms his standing among students. What begins as competitive resentment becomes a genuine attempt to become more approachable and worthy of respect. 264 265 268

Horcruxes and the Spy Question

Snape learns that Li Wei knows about Voldemort’s Horcruxes, exposing how much Dumbledore has withheld from him. He struggles with humiliation, fear, and the burden of his role as an informant. 244 249

When pure-blood families seek Voldemort’s revival, Snape volunteers to pose as their ally and return as an inside man. Li Wei refuses to permit the sacrifice, forcing Snape to confront whether he can still survive the life of a spy. 305 306

Voldemort’s Return

Snape provides Voldemort with a heart stimulant and survives a loyalty test by refusing to surrender his body for possession. 316 317

When Dumbledore confronts Voldemort and the Death Eaters, Snape attacks Dumbledore with Sectumsempra, maintaining the appearance of loyalty before Voldemort’s followers. 318

Notable Quotes

“It’s our club—not yours.” 110

“I will feign cooperation, making them believe that I—Severus Snape—am still the Dark Lord's most loyal servant. I can be your inside man.” 305

Trivia

• Snape’s transformation is so extreme that students initially mistake him for a new professor. 267 268
• His insults eventually become a popular student meme format; even his sarcastic outbursts are treated as entertainment rather than feared. 280
• Li Wei publicly addresses him as the “Half-Blood Prince” after his transformation. 268