Snape

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Severus Snape
Species/Race	Wizard
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Dumbledore's side; covertly embedded among Voldemort's Death Eaters
Occupation/Role	Potions professor; former Death Eater; double agent
Status	Alive 249
First Appearance	Chapter 17

Background / History

Snape was a solitary student interested in Dark magic during his Hogwarts years. His conflict with James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew escalated from pranks into repeated violence against him. Lily Evans defended him, but Snape insulted her with the slur “Mudblood,” ending their relationship and setting them permanently on separate paths. 225

As a Death Eater, Snape overheard the first half of a prophecy concerning a child who would defeat Voldemort and reported it to him. When Voldemort selected Lily and James Potter as his targets, Snape begged Dumbledore to protect them and became a spy for Dumbledore's side. Wormtail's betrayal led to the Potters' deaths regardless, leaving Snape consumed by guilt, regret, and hatred for both Voldemort and himself. 223 225

He later taught Potions at Hogwarts, where his hostility toward Harry was shaped by Harry's resemblance to James. Despite this, he covertly protected Harry on several occasions and continued supplying intelligence to Dumbledore while maintaining Voldemort's trust. 17 21 182 192

Appearance

Snape is a pale, severe-looking wizard whose habitual black robes and grim manner make him resemble a bat or a corpse in the eyes of Hogwarts students. 36 115 223

• Greasy black hair that hangs around his face. 115 245
• Usually wears flowing black robes. 36 115
• Has an icy stare and a generally corpse-like expression. 17 223
• Was severely burned while helping Voldemort escape Canopus's attack. 217 218

Personality

Snape is bitter, sharp-tongued, and deeply resentful of the Marauders, particularly James Potter and Sirius Black. His anger toward Harry often manifests as harsh classroom treatment, public humiliation, and point deductions against Gryffindor. 17 115

Beneath his hostility, Snape is driven by guilt over Lily's death and an intense desire for atonement. He does not seek gratitude or forgiveness for his service, believing that his suffering is already a punishment for his past actions. 123 223 225

He is patient, calculating, and capable of sustaining a dangerous double life for years. Even when Voldemort suspects a traitor among the Death Eaters, Snape maintains his cover while secretly passing intelligence to Dumbledore. 177 182 192 202

Abilities & Skills

Potion-Making

Snape is an accomplished potioneer who maintains Hogwarts' Potions classroom and is trusted to prepare difficult or dangerous brews.

• Brewed a potion that recreates the Dark Mark's burning sensation for Canopus's plan against Peter Pettigrew. 123
• Tested the Dark Mark potion on himself, suffering severe pain after misjudging its dosage. 123
• Provided antivenom and restorative treatment during the poisoning of Durmstrang students. 184 192
• His Potions instruction produces strong results from Harry when he is unable to interfere during an examination. 87

Legilimency and Mental Magic

Snape can use Legilimency to enter another person's mind.

• Attempted to use Legilimency on Harry during their confrontation at St Mungo's. 223
• Was met by Harry's advanced Occlumency, causing both wizards severe pain. 223

Dueling and Dark Magic

Snape is a capable combat wizard with access to self-created Dark magic.

• Countered Quirrell's curse on Harry's broom during the Gryffindor–Slytherin Quidditch match. 21 22
• Created Sectumsempra, a Dark spell that inflicts severe, continuously bleeding wounds. 249
• Was forbidden from using Dark magic during a later battle because the defenders needed prisoners alive. 249
• Helped treat cursed victims and defend Hogwarts during Voldemort's return. 184

Espionage

Snape operates as Dumbledore's embedded agent within Voldemort's organization.

• Manipulated Igor Karkaroff into reporting any contact from Voldemort. 177
• Secretly delivered extracted memories to Canopus rather than meeting Dumbledore directly, minimizing Voldemort's suspicion. 182
• Used Voldemort's trust to gather intelligence on Death Eater movements and operations. 192 196
• Preserved his cover by aiding Voldemort's escape from Canopus, suffering severe burns in the process. 217 218 223

Relationships

• Harry Potter — Snape despises Harry's resemblance to James Potter, but covertly protects him; Harry later learns that Snape became Dumbledore's spy after Voldemort targeted Lily. 17 21 223
• Lily Evans Potter — Snape's childhood friend and first love; their friendship ended after he called her a “Mudblood,” and her death became the source of his lasting guilt. 223 225
• Albus Dumbledore — Snape's handler and confidant in his work as a double agent; Dumbledore trusts him despite widespread suspicion. 177 182 202 223
• Lord Voldemort — Snape's former master and later espionage target; Voldemort repeatedly trusts Snape with sensitive assignments until Snape openly betrays him in the final battle. 192 202 238
• Sirius Black — Former school enemy and Harry's godfather; Snape remains infuriated by Sirius long after Hogwarts. 17 245
• Canopus Black — Initially clashes with Canopus over his treatment of Harry, but later assists Canopus's plans and shares intelligence with him. 17 123 182 192
• Igor Karkaroff — A frightened former Death Eater whom Snape pressures into revealing future contact from Voldemort. 177

Story Role / Major Arcs

Hogwarts Potions Professor

Snape's first Potions lesson establishes his hostility toward Harry. He questions Harry with advanced potion theory, ignores Hermione's attempts to answer, and deducts Gryffindor points while Canopus challenges his conduct as a teacher. 17

During Harry's first Quidditch match, Snape counters Quirrell's attempt to curse Harry's broom. Harry and his friends nevertheless remain suspicious because of Snape's injured leg and his threatening confrontation with Quirrell over the Philosopher's Stone. 21 22 29

The Marauders' Legacy

When Harry asks about James Potter and the Marauders, Snape calls James arrogant and condemns the Marauders as people who enjoyed others' suffering. His reaction confirms that his resentment toward Harry is inseparable from his school-era conflict with Harry's father. 115

Peter Pettigrew Operation

Canopus approaches Snape for a potion that can reproduce the Dark Mark's burning sensation as part of a plan to pressure Peter Pettigrew into confessing. Snape cooperates despite their tense exchange, and reflects on whether sinners inevitably receive punishment. 123

“At least I'm sure you've already received yours.” 123

Double-Agent Work During Voldemort's Return

Snape frightens Karkaroff into acting as an informant, then secretly sends Dumbledore intelligence through memories hidden in the Hogwarts grounds. 177 182

After Voldemort returns, Snape explains his delayed arrival as necessary to preserve Dumbledore's trust. Voldemort accepts the explanation and allows him to remain among the Death Eaters, enabling Snape to continue feeding information to Canopus and Dumbledore. 192 196

Sacrifice at the Medicine Garden

During Canopus's battle with Voldemort, Snape orders the Death Eaters to dismantle their Anti-Apparition Jinx and physically helps Voldemort escape. He is left severely burned and near death, but the incident strengthens Voldemort's belief in his loyalty. 217 218 223

Revelation and Final Betrayal

Dumbledore reveals to Harry that Snape overheard the prophecy that led Voldemort to the Potters, then became a spy after realizing Lily was in danger. Harry cannot forgive Snape, but comes to understand that Snape's service is rooted in love, guilt, and remorse. 223 225

During Voldemort's defeat, Snape reveals his true allegiance by drawing Gryffindor's sword from the Sorting Hat and killing Nagini. 238

Postwar Life

After Voldemort's fall, Harry chooses to tell Snape that Lily was glad he had returned to the right path, though Harry still wants no further relationship with him. 241

Snape remains at Hogwarts as Potions professor. Students begin treating his harshness as evidence of hidden kindness, much to his frustration, while he continues warning Canopus about suspicious activity among pure-blood families. 245

Trivia

• Snape's self-created spell, Sectumsempra, is described as causing wounds that do not heal and bleed continuously. 249
• He regards his own suffering as punishment for his role in Lily Potter's death. 123 225
• After the war, some Hogwarts students interpret his insults and harsh demeanor as evidence that he is secretly kind. 245