Snape

Biodata

Name	Severus Snape (斯内普)
Alias(es)	Professor Snape
Species/Race	Half-blood wizard 168
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Slytherin House; later aligned with Skylar Malfoy 169 204 240
Occupation/Role	Potions master; Head of Slytherin House; Deputy Headmaster during Dumbledore's disappearance; later Acting Headmaster 169 674 6
Status	Active; serving as Deputy Headmaster during the Hogwarts emergency 674
First Appearance	Chapter 6 6

Background and History

Snape is a half-blood wizard whose pursuit of Dark Arts and power once led him into Voldemort's Death Eaters. He later changed sides because of the woman he loved, but his cooperation with Dumbledore is portrayed as conditional: he follows Dumbledore's orders to protect Harry Potter, whom he personally hates 168.

He became the youngest Head of Slytherin House in Hogwarts history and built a reputation as a Potions master, although his broader magical talent—especially his spell invention—often goes unrecognized 169. Lucius Malfoy, an older schoolmate with whom Snape remained close, asked him to look after Draco and Skylar Malfoy at Hogwarts 77.

Snape recognized Skylar's potential early, supplying him with his own student-era Potions notes and allowing him to study beyond his year level 77. When Skylar later reveals foreknowledge of Snape's eventual fate, Snape agrees to assist Skylar's allies and provides a recommendation for the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship 204. By the Triwizard Tournament period, he is described as having already become one of Skylar's people 240.

During the crisis caused by Dumbledore and Harry's disappearance, Snape becomes Deputy Headmaster 674. A later research note states that after Voldemort takes control of the Ministry in 1997, he forcibly appoints Snape as Hogwarts's Acting Headmaster; the castle recognizes the appointment and permits Snape access to the headmaster's office 6.

Appearance

Snape is consistently presented as a severe, intimidating figure whose dark clothing and manner make him resemble a “brooding bat” in the dungeon light 576.

• Billowing black robes that move “like a dark cloud” as he enters class 74.
• A cold, gloomy expression and dark, frightening gaze 74 168.
• A low, silky voice that can turn sharply hostile without warning 168.
• His presence alone is usually enough to silence an entire classroom 543.

Personality

Snape is aloof, exacting, and openly intimidating as a teacher. He sets high standards, especially in Potions, and shows little patience for students he considers lazy or untalented. His criticism of Harry is particularly personal and public, while Slytherin students benefit from his clear favoritism 74 220 543.

Behind that reserve, Snape is emotionally reactive when confronted with loyalty, love, or his own fate. He calls Skylar “foolish” for risking himself for Meredith, yet his reaction suggests that Skylar's devotion reminds him of his own past 168. Skylar's revelation that Snape is destined to die branded as a traitor also visibly unsettles him 204.

His loyalties are pragmatic rather than uncomplicated. He is neither wholly devoted to Dumbledore nor defined solely by his former allegiance to Voldemort; his choices are shaped by self-preservation, old attachments, and his determination to protect Harry 168.

Abilities & Skills

Potion-Making

Snape is a renowned Potions master and an exceptionally demanding instructor.

• His student notes contain practical improvements to standard potion-brewing procedures, including methods that differ from textbook instructions 77.
• He teaches difficult preparations such as the Draught of Peace and expects precise ingredient order, quantities, and stirring counts 543.
• He mentors Skylar in advanced potion theory and is impressed by Skylar's formulas and ideas 204.
• He provides Skylar with a recommendation letter for the Wizarding Schools Potions Championship 204.
• He is selective about entry into his N.E.W.T.-level Potions classes, accepting only the strongest students 543.

Spell Invention and Magical Research

Snape possesses exceptional talent for developing and modifying magic, particularly hexes.

• He is credited with creating the Toenail-Growing Hex, Langlock, Muffliato, Sectumsempra, and Levicorpus 169.
• His research notes demonstrate the ability to deconstruct spells and restore them into more primitive, more powerful forms 169.
• His magical creativity was significant enough to earn Voldemort's appreciation despite Snape's half-blood status 169.

Dark Arts and Combat Magic

Snape's raw magical power places him among Hogwarts's strongest professors, alongside the other Heads of House and below only Dumbledore in the school's hierarchy 32 362.

• His experience as a former Death Eater gives him extensive knowledge of Dark Arts and practical combat 168 362.
• He is considered an exception among Hogwarts's Heads of House because of his deep Dark Arts study and real-world experience 362.
• He takes part in investigating threats within Hogwarts, including an overnight search of the castle during a security incident 82.

Healing and Curse Treatment

Snape is capable of treating severe magical injuries, though not every curse can be fully cured.

• He attempts to treat Dumbledore's hand after it is burned by Morgan le Fay's unnatural Hellfire 665.
• He contains the injury and prevents it from worsening, but cannot fully remove the lingering force within it 665.

Relationships

• Albus Dumbledore — Headmaster and former handler. Snape follows Dumbledore's orders primarily to protect Harry, though their relationship is strained and Snape openly opposed at least one of Dumbledore's staff appointments 82 168.
• Harry Potter — A student Snape personally dislikes but continues to protect because of his past commitments. He regularly humiliates and penalizes Harry in Potions class 74 168 543.
• Skylar Malfoy — A gifted Slytherin student Snape supports with advanced notes, mentorship, and a Potions Championship recommendation. Skylar later recruits Snape into his own network 77 204 240.
• Lucius Malfoy — Former schoolmate and close associate who asks Snape to look after the Malfoy brothers at Hogwarts 77.
• Remus Lupin — Snape is openly hostile toward Lupin and objected to his appointment at Hogwarts 73 82.
• Voldemort — Snape was formerly loyal to Voldemort as a Death Eater before changing sides for personal reasons 168.
• Order of the Phoenix — Snape later serves as one of Skylar's spies within the Order 665.

Notable Quotes

“Fame truly can make people lose sight of themselves...” — to Harry Potter 74

“Unlike certain low-IQ individuals, he has at least proven himself to be somewhat useful.” — congratulating Skylar Malfoy on winning the Potions Championship 543