Snape

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Severus Snape
Alias(es)	Half-Blood Prince 43 340
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Dumbledore's cause; formerly associated with the Death Eaters as Dumbledore's spy 9 209
Occupation/Role	Hogwarts Potions professor; Head of Slytherin House; Occlumency instructor to Harry Potter 209 340
First Appearance	Chapter 8

Background

Snape was a Slytherin student who developed exceptional magical ability early, creating several hexes and inventing the Dark spell Sectumsempra while still at school. He also independently improved on standard potions research and adopted the name “Half-Blood Prince.” 43

His school years were shaped by conflict with James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. Snape believed the Marauders nearly killed him through the werewolf incident, and the memory continued to fuel his hatred of Lupin and Sirius years later. 41 363

He later operated among Voldemort's followers as a spy for Dumbledore. His highly developed Occlumency allowed him to conceal his true thoughts, presenting Voldemort with memories of loyalty while protecting his allegiance to Dumbledore. 9 209 240

Appearance

Snape habitually wears austere black clothing and carries a perpetually stern, unhealthy-looking appearance. 8

• Black, greasy-looking hair. 8
• Hooked nose and sallow complexion. 8
• Usually moves quickly and speaks in a slow, cutting drawl. 186 247
• Frequently keeps his wand immediately accessible. 353

Personality

Snape is intensely private, exacting, and easily provoked by reminders of his past. He holds grudges for years, particularly against Sirius, Lupin, and James Potter, whose resemblance in Harry repeatedly tests his self-control. 93 101 363

Despite his cruelty in the classroom and his contemptuous manner, he repeatedly acts to protect students when danger is immediate. He shields Ron and Hermione when he believes Sirius and Lupin may be threatening them, treats Harry's mental crises, and follows Dumbledore's instruction to watch over Lily Potter's son. 74 182 358

His loyalty is pragmatic and difficult to read. Snape is willing to deceive Voldemort, endure Ministry suspicion, and cooperate with Dumbledore, but he resents being judged or excluded because of his Death Eater past. 206 334 354

Abilities & Skills

Potions Mastery

Snape is a potions genius whose work is trusted even by those who dislike him.

• Improved the Wolfsbane Potion used by the person posing as Remus Lupin. 32
• Supplies Narcissa Malfoy with Wolfsbane Potion after Lucius Malfoy's death. 91
• Creates and administers specialist potions, including a banned Strong Obliviation Potion capable of erasing roughly a week's memories. 159
• His potions can relieve severe soul-related pain and preserve mental clarity. 230 239
• Maintains substantial wealth through his potions work, including finished potions, ingredients, and research materials. 171 261

Legilimency and Occlumency

Snape is an accomplished mind magician, though he considers indiscriminate Legilimency an act of hostility.

• Uses Legilimency to uncover the manipulated memories of injured Hit Wizards and identify Dewey Jones's involvement in the Hogwarts incident. 82
• Probes Harry's mind while investigating his scar, dreams, and connection to Voldemort. 91
• Teaches Harry Occlumency through direct mental attacks, exploiting lapses in Harry's concentration to force him to strengthen his defenses. 219
• Resists the influence of Ravenclaw's Diadem Horcrux by sealing his mind with Occlumency. 192
• Uses false memories of loyalty to survive Voldemort's scrutiny. 240

Spellcraft and Dueling

Snape is a fast, precise duelist with a repertoire that includes original and silent magic.

• Created Sectumsempra, a silent cutting curse described as an invisible blade capable of piercing a Giant's skin. 43 127 128
• Created Calm and Tranquil, a spell used to settle an agitated mind; he applies it while attempting to stabilize Harry during a mental crisis. 182
• Disarms and confiscates the wands of multiple students with clean, efficient spellwork during Draco Malfoy's assault on Harry. 407
• Demonstrates rapid wand-drawing and silent-casting readiness when confronting suspected threats. 34 127 353

Household Magic and Security

Snape maintains Spinner's End without a house-elf and is highly methodical in both domestic magic and defensive preparation.

• Sorts potion ingredients with meticulous precision. 353
• Reinforces the wards on his home whenever he returns during holidays. 353
• Detects an intruder immediately when the protections at Spinner's End are triggered. 353

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wand — used for potions work, Legilimency, dueling, and household magic; Dumbledore temporarily confiscates it during Snape's confrontation with Sirius. 186
• Potions laboratory — his primary workspace at Hogwarts and a site he refuses to let Ministry agents search. 389
• Private Gringotts vault — contained his personal fortune until Dewey Jones infiltrated it using Nifflers. 171
• Ancient potions book — granted by Voldemort after examining Snape's memories. 365
• Magical notebook — supplied by Voldemort and later used in Snape's plan involving Draco and Harry. 389

Relationships

• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster, handler, and protector of Snape's position. Dumbledore trusts Snape with Harry's protection and repeatedly directs him to act against Voldemort, while also admonishing his prejudices. 74 186 358
• Harry Potter — hostile teacher and reluctant protector. Snape's resentment toward James affects their relationship, but he investigates Harry's scar, treats his crises, and teaches him Occlumency. 74 89 219
• Lily Potter — Her memory is central to Snape's determination that Harry survive; he regards Harry as her only remaining blood descendant. 74
• Remus Lupin — longstanding enemy. Snape's fear and hatred of werewolves stem from the Marauders' school-era incident, leading him to threaten Lupin with Sectumsempra. 34 128 363
• Sirius Black — bitter school-era rival. Snape knows Sirius is innocent but still wishes to see him returned to Azkaban, and their confrontations repeatedly become violent. 247 363
• Draco Malfoy — son of Lucius Malfoy, whom Snape promised to assist if Draco became involved with the Death Eaters. Snape refuses to teach Draco how to kill werewolves directly, later teaches him Occlumency, and entrusts him with a plan against Harry. 77 389
• Voldemort — former master who believes Snape is his infiltrator within Hogwarts. Voldemort relies on Snape for intelligence, orders him to obtain Harry's blood and research the Deathly Hallows, and remains unaware of Snape's true Occlumency. 240 365
• Dewey Jones — Snape identifies Dewey as an ambitious former Death Eater and consistently suspects his connection to Voldemort. Dewey later steals Snape's Gringotts gold and frames him publicly as a sponsor. 8 171 206
• Narcissa Malfoy — turns to Snape for a discreet supply of Wolfsbane Potion after Lucius Malfoy's death. 91

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hostility toward “Lupin”

When Dewey Jones impersonates Remus Lupin at Hogwarts, Snape immediately opposes the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. His hostility is rooted in Lupin's werewolf nature and the Marauders' treatment of him at school. He escorts “Lupin” to his room, threatens consequences for mistakes, and repeatedly attempts to provoke him. 32 34 79

Snape later demands that “Lupin” train Draco Malfoy to kill werewolves, using Draco's safety and Lupin's guilt as weapons in their personal feud. 77 90

Harry's Scar and Occlumency Training

After Harry's scar begins reacting violently, Snape investigates alongside “Lupin.” His concern becomes genuine when Harry describes vivid dreams connected to Voldemort and the Chamber of Secrets. 88 89

Dumbledore assigns Snape to teach Harry Occlumency. Snape initially considers Harry too young and finds the boy's hostility maddening, but he continues the training as Harry's mind link with Voldemort becomes increasingly dangerous. 92 93 159 219

Dewey Jones Investigation and Ministry Scrutiny

Snape's Legilimency investigation of the Hit Wizards exposes evidence that Dewey deliberately planted. Although Dumbledore rejects Snape's initial conclusions as part of a simple conspiracy, Snape continues to connect Dewey's actions at Gringotts—including the Basilisk and Acromantula—to Voldemort's methods. 82 85 186

Rita Skeeter later publishes allegations that Snape funded Dewey and remains allied with the Death Eaters. The Ministry summons him for questioning, forcing him to confront former students while maintaining an outwardly controlled demeanor. 206 209

Double Agent under Voldemort

Voldemort eventually contacts Snape through Peter Pettigrew and examines Snape's memories. Satisfied with what Snape allows him to see, Voldemort rewards him with an ancient potions book and orders him to obtain Harry's blood and search Hogwarts' Restricted Section for clues about the Deathly Hallows. 363 365

Snape reports the encounter to Dumbledore, preserving his role as Voldemort's apparent spy while remaining committed to Dumbledore's protection of Harry. 358 363

Later Hogwarts Conflicts

Snape continues to clash with Sirius, including a public duel with Sirius disguised as Lupin that requires McGonagall and Flitwick to intervene. 247

During Draco Malfoy's violent attack on Harry, Snape acts immediately: he disarms the students involved, confiscates their wands, and personally brings Draco and Harry to the Hospital Wing. 407

Trivia

• Snape addresses Dumbledore by name rather than title. 8
• He does not have the money or influence required to purchase and train a house-elf, contributing to his mastery of household magic. 353
• Dewey Jones considers Snape's private vault insufficiently protected and successfully steals its gold using Nifflers. 171
• Snape's hatred is described as enduring even when Dark magic itself cannot resolve it. 363