Snape

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Severus Snape
Alias(es)	Professor Snape; Snivellus
Species/Race	Wizard
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Hogwarts; Order of the Phoenix; Death Eaters as a spy
Occupation/Role	Potions professor; double agent; later Defence Against the Dark Arts professor
Status	Alive after being revived by Tver
First Appearance	Mentioned as a protector of the Philosopher's Stone 46; appears confronting Tver 60

Background / History

Snape is one of Hogwarts' most suspicious and sharp-eyed professors. During the Philosopher's Stone incident, Quirrell identifies him as the only person watching the protected corridor, confirming Snape's role in guarding the Stone 46. At Harry's Quidditch match, Snape counters Quirrell's broom-jinxing spell, though his fixation on Harry prevents him from noticing Quirrell directly behind him 48.

His relationship with Tver Fawley begins in open hostility. Snape confronts Tver after noticing his unexplained absence, suspects him of involvement with Quirrell and the Stone, and warns him not to invite suspicion 60. He later catches Tver and Quirrell near the fourth-floor corridor at night and remarks on the Three-Headed Dog guarding the area 70.

Snape remains wary of Tver through the Chamber of Secrets crisis. After inspecting Tver's office, he recognizes that Tver's dark magic knowledge surpasses his own and nearly guesses one of Tver's secrets from a Muggle history book 107 108. He warns Tver to stay away from Harry and mentally ranks him as a threat second only to Voldemort 108. His suspicions intensify after the Petrification attacks, leading him to accuse Tver before Dumbledore, though Dumbledore argues that Tver has no reason to attack the victims 121.

When Dumbledore leaves the castle, he assigns Snape to protect the students and watch the third floor for signs of the Chamber of Secrets entrance 148. Snape discovers Hermione disguised as him with Polyjuice Potion outside Fawley's office and is forced into battle when the Basilisk appears. He injures it with Sectumsempra and Transfiguration while protecting the students, but is petrified after opening his eyes to react to Harry's cry 148. Tver later privately admits that despite their clashes, he admires Snape's dedication and does not want him harmed 147.

During the renewed war against Voldemort, Snape continues to serve as a key spy. Dumbledore assigns him to investigate former Death Eaters after learning Voldemort may be trying to resurrect himself 345. The Order relies on his intelligence, though Snape grows concerned when Voldemort withholds information from him for the first time 442. Voldemort later orders him to focus on Hogwarts and gather intelligence on Harry, Dumbledore, and other major figures there 528 529.

Snape eventually struggles with the burden of spying and his guilt over Lily Potter's death. In a private discussion with Dumbledore and Tver, he objects to plans that risk Harry's life to destroy the Horcrux inside him, showing rare emotional agitation 524. Tver encourages him to stop serving as a spy and instead devote himself to Potions, but Snape insists he will only consider that after Harry and Voldemort are dealt with 524.

Before the final battle, Snape receives the Resurrection Stone from Tver and prepares to use it to stir Voldemort's soul, triggering Peter Pettigrew's hidden curse inside Voldemort's mind 609. He accepts that this will likely lead to his death, then leaves Hogwarts at dawn and appears to return to Voldemort 609 610. After the war, Harry explains to the students that Snape had been protecting him and all of them, driven by remorse over the prophecy and Lily's death 611.

Snape nearly dies during the final plan, but Tver returns from Limbo and revives him 615. Afterward, Snape feels more at ease and acknowledges that the war is over with Tver's return 615. In the aftermath, he unexpectedly declares his intention to become Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, shocking Sirius and even Dumbledore 627. He later proves to be genuinely competent in the subject, though still unpleasant enough that Harry and Ron find him hard to defend 638.

Appearance

Snape is consistently associated with darkness, coldness, and bat-like movement. He appears suddenly from shadows, wears black robes, and has a presence that can drain the mood from a room 60 107 187.

• Cold, dark eyes and a habit of staring students down 60 107 188
• Black robes; described as drifting away like a bat 108
• A gloomy aura that fades somewhat after the war 638
• Mocked by Sirius as having hair like "greasy seaweed" 408
• His Boggart-forced image in a green lace dress with a vulture hat becomes school gossip 187 188

Personality

Snape is sarcastic, suspicious, and sharp-tongued, often using insults as casually as conversation. He mocks Karkaroff's cowardice, Sirius's intelligence, and students' behavior with equal ease 372 408 441. His presence alone can silence a lively Great Hall 187.

Beneath his cold exterior, Snape is deeply protective. He claims his only task is protecting Harry, but Dumbledore entrusts him with the safety of all students, and Snape obeys despite complaining 148. During the Basilisk attack, his first concern is that the children are still in danger 148. He is also shaken by plans that could sacrifice Harry to remove Voldemort's Horcrux 524.

He is obsessive about past guilt, especially Lily Potter and the prophecy. Tver identifies Snape as the person he worries about most in the war against Voldemort, because Snape's drive is rooted in making up for his past mistake 589. Snape insists the past cannot be changed and that reconciliation has no meaning, but his reaction to the Resurrection Stone and Lily's lingering magic shows that the past still weighs on him 524 584 589.

Snape respects strength even when he dislikes the person possessing it. He remains hostile toward Tver, yet repeatedly acknowledges his danger, power, and insight 108 127 609. After being revived, he thanks Tver for saving him while still remaining guarded 615.

Abilities & Skills

Potions

Snape is a Potions expert and is repeatedly associated with high-level potion knowledge.

• Immediately identifies the use of Polyjuice Potion when he sees Hermione disguised as him 148
• Produces Wolfsbane Potion for Lupin, while also using its delivery to hint at Lupin's werewolf identity 253
• Tver wants him to become a professional Potions master and help develop treatments for difficult ailments 524
• After the war, Snape gives Tver years of improved Potions formulas 629

Dark Arts and Sectumsempra

Snape is highly proficient in Dark magic, though he has avoided using much of it for years.

• Once spent every day reading Dark magic books and recognizes Tver's collection immediately 107
• Uses black magic during his duel with Tver to dismantle a powerful tornado 127
• Uses Sectumsempra repeatedly against the Basilisk, cutting through its hide and forcing it back 148
• Harry later uses Sectumsempra, which Voldemort recognizes as Snape's spell 614

Dueling

Snape is a powerful but rusty duelist who regains his edge after fighting Tver.

• Challenges Tver to a public dueling demonstration and shows excitement during battle 127
• Uses wide-area Shield Charms and repeated defenses to weaken Tver's large-scale attack 127
• Transitions with Tver into conventional combat magic, demonstrating proper tactics for students 127
• Secretly trains after the duel, hoping for another chance to fight Tver 148
• By Tver's assessment, Snape is one of Hogwarts' three strongest professors 589

Espionage and Intelligence

Snape serves as a double agent and provides crucial intelligence against Voldemort.

• Dumbledore assigns him to investigate whether former Death Eaters have disappeared during Voldemort's resurrection plot 345
• Dumbledore tasks him with spying on Voldemort after Voldemort's return 409
• Reports Voldemort's interest in Dementors, vampires, and giants 442
• Voldemort trusts Snape enough to value his intelligence and assign him Hogwarts-focused information gathering 528 529
• Snape recognizes that Voldemort withholding information from him may mean either exposure or a major hidden scheme 442

Occlumency and Legilimency Resistance

Snape is treated as a master of mental secrecy, though Tver and the founders operate at even higher levels.

• Dumbledore expects him to teach Harry Occlumency to reduce Harry's connection with Voldemort 524
• Tver remarks that Snape and Dumbledore both possess masterful Occlumency when discussing the Resurrection Stone 584
• Tver's insight into Snape's heart unsettles him because it bypasses the defenses Snape normally relies on 609

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Wand — used in duels, patrols, and Basilisk combat 127 148
• Resurrection Stone — secretly given to him by Tver to help trigger Peter Pettigrew's curse in Voldemort's soul 609
• Improved Potions formulas — collected over years and later handed to Tver after the war 629
• Wolfsbane Potion — prepared for Lupin, though Snape also uses its delivery to expose Lupin indirectly 253

Relationships

• Tver Fawley — rival, colleague, and eventual savior; they clash constantly, but Tver respects Snape's dedication and revives him after the final battle 60 108 147 609 615.
• Albus Dumbledore — commander and trusted superior; Dumbledore says he could entrust his life to Snape and repeatedly relies on him for protection and espionage 148 345 409.
• Harry Potter — protected student and source of painful guilt; Snape shields him because of Lily and later objects to any plan that risks Harry's life 48 524 611.
• Lily Potter — former close friend whose death drives Snape's remorse and redemption; references to her still disturb him deeply 108 524 611 615.
• Sirius Black — old enemy and frequent verbal sparring partner; their insults continue even after Sirius is accepted at Hogwarts 408 409 589 627.
• Remus Lupin — colleague he resents; Snape provides Wolfsbane Potion while hinting at Lupin's werewolf identity 187 253.
• Hermione Granger — student he catches disguised as him with Polyjuice Potion; he is impressed by her nerve but disapproves of her methods 148.
• Draco Malfoy — Slytherin student under his authority; Snape deducts points from Draco as well as Gryffindor when Draco makes noise during detention 107.
• Voldemort — former master and enemy; Snape acts as a trusted spy within his ranks and ultimately risks death to undermine him 528 529 609.
• Peter Pettigrew — hated former traitor whose final curse becomes central to Snape's last mission against Voldemort 609.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Philosopher's Stone

Snape guards the Stone's protections and counters Quirrell's spell during Harry's Quidditch match 46 48. His actions are misread by Harry and the others, who suspect him of villainy while he is actually protecting Harry 48.

Suspicion of Tver

Snape becomes one of the first professors to seriously suspect Tver. He confronts him repeatedly, investigates his office, studies his books, and warns him away from Harry 60 107 108. This establishes Snape as both an antagonist to Tver and one of the few people capable of pressuring him intellectually.

Chamber of Secrets

Snape helps Dumbledore reason that the monster may be a Basilisk and accepts the task of guarding the third floor 148. His Basilisk battle proves his courage and combat skill, but he is petrified while trying to protect the students 148. The incident also strengthens Tver's respect for him 147.

Dueling Club and Recovery of Combat Edge

Snape forces a duel with Tver before the students, revealing that his combat skills have grown rusty but remain formidable 127 128. The duel motivates him to train again, and Tver later notes that Snape's stagnant strength begins breaking through after that fight 148 589.

Second War and Espionage

Snape resumes dangerous double-agent work, gathering intelligence from Voldemort while Dumbledore and Tver build their response 409 442 528 529. His information remains valuable, but Voldemort's secrecy places him under increasing danger 442.

Harry's Horcrux

When Dumbledore reveals that Harry contains a Horcrux, Snape reacts with rare emotional intensity and condemns any plan that amounts to sending Harry to die 524. Dumbledore's explanation of Lily's protective magic steadies him, but also reopens his grief 524.

Final Mission and Revival

Tver entrusts Snape with the Resurrection Stone and the task of triggering Peter Pettigrew's curse inside Voldemort's soul if Harry must face Voldemort too soon 609. Snape leaves Hogwarts and appears to defect, but this is part of his sacrificial mission 610 611. Tver later returns from Limbo and revives him from near death 615.

Postwar Teaching

After Voldemort's defeat, Snape declares that he will take over Defence Against the Dark Arts 627. Sirius is so shocked that he suspects an impostor, but Snape's immediate insult convinces him otherwise 627. Snape becomes a capable DADA professor, though his personality remains unpleasant to students 638.

Notable Quotes

"Do not think that because you have gained Dumbledore's tolerance, I will lower my guard against you." 108

"The moment I discover a problem with you, I will deal with you without hesitation." 108

"Just wait. I will show you my true strength!" 108

"You mean the courage to send him to his death, don't you?" 524

"There is nothing to reconcile or not reconcile. The past cannot be changed, so reconciliation no longer has any meaning." 589

"Of course, I'll be taking over the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor." 627

Trivia

• Snape's Boggart-related image in a green lace dress with a vulture hat becomes major Hogwarts gossip 187 188.
• Tver photographs Snape while he is petrified, believing Snape will surely be grateful later 155.
• Snape dislikes sweets, making him feel out of place while Tver and Dumbledore eat cakes during a serious discussion 524.
• Tver considers Snape an ideal candidate for monitoring governments after the war because of his strength, experience, and methods 589.
• After being revived, Snape's gloomy aura fades considerably, but his personality remains recognizable 638.