Severus Snape and Lily Potter shared the same Patronus, a doe, due to their deep, unrequited love. Snape’s love for Lily was a profound emotional experience that influenced the form of his Patronus. In Harry Potter, Snape’s doe Patronus revealed that he had been in love with Lily Potter and helped Harry find the Sword of Gryffindor.
Snape’s love for Lily was so strong and deep that it had a great effect on his Patronus, taking the form of Lily’s. The main reason for their shared patronus is that Snape felt deeply connected to Lily and wanted to protect her even after her death. However, Severus’s love was devastatingly unrequited, and Lily’s true love was James Potter.
The first time we see Professor Snape’s Patronus, we don’t know whose it is—and neither does Harry. In the Deathly Hallows chapter aptly titled “The Silver Doe”, the creature appears and changes its form depending on when he first cast the spell.
Although no two patronuses are the same, Snape just has the same animal as Lily for a patronus because he loved her. The reason Snape has the same patronus as Lily’s is because he was deeply in love with her and the grief and guilt he felt after her death may have caused his patronus to change into a doe or already was a doe depending on when he first cast the spell.
Some fans argue that Snape’s Patronus changing to match Lily’s was creepy and not a show of genuine love. Instead, they believe that Snape’s doe represented perfect identification, as opposed to a male/female deer. A wizard’s or witch’s Patronus can change shape to match the Patronus of someone, and this is why Snape and Lily share the same Patronus.
📹 Why Dumbledore Said ‘After All This Time?’ to Snape – Harry Potter Explained
Hey everyone, Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re going to be discussing Severus Snape, …
Why didn’t Lily love Snape?
By the conclusion of their fifth year, Snape effectively terminated their friendship by referring to Lily as a “mudblood,” thereby rendering any further interaction between them unfeasible.
Was it Snape’s Patronus that saved Harry?
The disquiet of Harry and Hermione in the aftermath of the events in Godric’s Hollow and Ron’s quest to locate them was reunited by Snape’s Patronus, the Silver Doe, which evoked his mother’s Patronus. This Patronus also led Harry to the Sword of Gryffindor, which could have been instrumental in the destruction of the Horcrux locket, thus rendering it a valuable asset.
Did Snape love Harry or just Lily?
Severus Snape, a half-blood wizard, grew up in an unhappy family but found solace in a witch named Lily Evans. After Lily’s death, Snape took up a position at Hogwarts as Potions master under Dumbledore’s protection and began his secret mission to protect his mother’s son, Harry Potter. Snape had a job to do, and during Harry’s first year, Dumbledore and Snape suspected Professor Quirrell, a fellow teacher, of trying to steal the Philosopher’s Stone.
Snape was clever and saw through Quirrell’s plans, which involved setting trolls loose in the dungeon and trying to jinx Harry Potter’s broom during a Quidditch match. Snape’s love for Lily Evans and his ability to see through Quirrell’s plans made him a valuable character in the story.
Did Snape love Lily romantically?
Severus Snape, a character from Harry Potter, spent most of his life in love with Lily Potter. His love for Lily was the driving force behind many of his decisions and friendships. Snape’s actions played a significant role in the overthrow of Voldemort, persuading Voldemort to give Lily a chance to save herself. He also protected Harry during his school years, risking his life as a double agent. Snape was involved in Dumbledore’s plan for Harry and ensured he had the sword of Gryffindor when needed. Snape also gave Harry his memories, helping him understand how to end Voldemort’s reign of terror.
Snape’s love for Lily was crucial to his motivation to do good, as it led to the creation of Harry Potter and the eventual existence of The Boy Who Lived. Without Snape’s love, the story of Harry Potter would have been different, with Snape’s friendship with Lily and the destruction of Voldemort’s Horcruxes.
Was Snape’s Patronus protecting Harry?
Snape and Lily’s shared desire to protect Harry at Hogwarts may be reflected in their Patronus, which is created due to strong emotions. Snape’s untrustworthy character is revealed to be his best interest, despite his grudge against Potter’s father. He casts the Patronus to guide Harry to the Sword of Gryffindor, reflecting their strong desire to protect Harry. Snape’s role as a double agent makes him notoriously untrustworthy, but his innocence is confirmed when Harry watches his memories.
His Patronus, a doe, represents his good intentions, proving that he was never inherently evil and aimed to maintain goodness for Harry’s mother. The Death Eaters never intended to use the Patronus Charm, unlike Snape.
Why is it curious that Snape’s Patronus was a doe?
The Patronus of Snape, which is represented by a doe or female deer, is interpreted as a representation of Lily, a woman with whom he was intimately involved and from whom he was ultimately separated. This alteration in his guiding light is indicative of his affection for Dumbledore and his unwavering fidelity to Snape.
What is the rarest Patronus?
The 12 Rarest Patronuses in the Harry Potter world, including the Albatross, represent various animal or creature native to the Wizarding World. The Patronus of a person is their most powerful guide, protector, and charm against the worst creatures, Dementors. There are around 142 potential Patronuses assigned to a person, with some being more coveted for their strength, meaning, and rarity. Pottermore. com offers a list of these rare Patronuses, which can help identify their personality traits.
The open-world Harry Potter RPG, Hogwarts Legacy, is now available to play and is dominating social media platforms like Reddit and Twitch. Both long-time fans and newcomers are jumping back into the lore of the beloved franchise, with many discovering their Patronus through The Wizarding World’s online quiz. The Patronus of a person represents their innermost character traits, standing up for them when needed and shouting “Expecto Patronum!”
Why was Dumbledore shocked about Snape’s Patronus?
The video illustrates the profound depth of affection between the protagonist and Lily Potter, despite the passage of nearly 17 years since her demise. It demonstrates that she continues to occupy a unique and cherished position in their hearts.
Why were Snape and Lily’s Patronus the same?
Severus Snape’s love for Tonks had a lasting and tear-jerking effect on his own Patronus, which was revealed to be a doe after Snape’s death. Harry explained this to Lord Voldemort in his final battle with him. Hermione Granger’s Patronus, a silver otter, was gambolling around her, despite her busy life. Hermione’s Patronus was said to be the awakened secret self that lies dormant until needed.
The connection between Hermione’s otter Patronus and her feelings for a certain Gryffindor is not entirely clear. Otters and weasels belong to the same mammal family (the Mustelidae), so it’s possible that Hermione and Ron’s love was reflected in their Patronuses. Hermione ends up marrying into the Weasley family, and her Patronus is a otter. Ron’s family home is in Ottery St Catchpole, suggesting that their love was reflected in their Patronuses.
Why is Snape’s Avada Kedavra blue?
Snape unleashes the Avada Kedavra curse, which, due to the necessity of technical proficiency and a particular intention in the casting of the three Unforgivable Curses, exhibits a distinct hue that deviates from the typical intense green.
What was Snape’s original Patronus?
The Patronus of Severus Snape, a doe, never expressed love for Lily. Furthermore, no evidence exists in the source text, nor can it be found in any of the appendices, indicating that Snape loved Lily. Additionally, Dumbledore, who also referenced his affection for Harry, made a similar reference to love.
📹 All 13 Times Severus Snape SAVED Harry – Harry Potter Explained
Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’re covering every time that Severus Snape SAVED Harry Potter. While, of course, it is …
I think another reason why Dumbledore was both shocked and moved to tears, is because this shows that not only Snape still loves Lily, he still hasn’t accepted her death. It became clear at that moment that Snape would never be able to proces it and would never be able to move on. In a way, it weren’t just the Potter’s lifes that were ended that day, Snape died as well, though his body and mind kept going on.
I feel like people are confusing the fact that Dumbledore already knew that Snape loved Lily. The commentator brought up the point that there is a controversy with the fact that Dumbledore wouldn’t have entrusted Snape if he had doubted his love for Lily. Dumbledore wasn’t shocked by the mere fact that Snape loved Lily, but by the fact that he still loved Lily at that moment with a depth that shouldn’t exist for the amount of time Snape was separated from her. It was at that moment Dumbledore truly understood that he wasn’t protecting Harry out of obligation to a past lover, but out of a much more powerful, deep love for Lily that has never wavered in strength.
I feel badly for Snape. Loving somebody so deeply and knowing they Don’t Love you back is the most horrible feeling. And having that person die knowing they loved someone else is horrible. And carrying that love throughout the years. Snape was a broken man. A flawed man. If anybody in this world can relate to one character in the movie it has to be Snape. He’s a normal vulnerable and flawed man. No matter how masculine we want to be we can’t hide the fact that we are all vulnerable and flawed. We’d be lying to ourselves to say anything different.
Snape became a spy for Dumbledore the night he warned him the Potter family was being targeted, NOT after Lily’s death. By “way forward” Dumbledore meant “way forward through grief” not “come to the Light Side and leave the cookies.” In fact, Harry sees in Dumbledore’s office the memory of Dumbledore telling the court that Snape turned before Voldemort’s defeat and spied on him.
I loved that scene because it showed that Dumbledore, the great champion of love, could still be surprised by the depths of it. Dumbledore clearly assumed that Snape’s love for Lily had waned, much like his own love for Grindelwald had. He underestimated the depth of Snape’s unrequited love for Lily.
I dont think Lily herself ever recognised the depth of Snape’s love to her. She got carried away by superfluous external factors like Snape calling her mudblood. But she never considered the pain James and his friends bestowed on Snape or their bullying him. This makes Lily an easily influencable character.
I believe Dumbledore was surprised because the guilt over Ariana’s death is what made Dumbledore the man who he is. Dumbledore saw parallels between himself and Snape and assumed that it is Snape’s guilt over Lily’s death rather than his love for Lily that is driving him to protect Harry. Unlike Dumbledore, Snape never sought a redemption.
Last month when I read that part in deathly hallows, somehow, I found a new meaning, which was that Snape did care for Harry, but he hid it because he didn’t want to accept it, thus why he was so mean to Harry yet, he protected despite their loathing for each other when it really counted it. Not for something he was angry when Dumbledore reveled to him that Voldemort was to kill Harry, and why, when Snape had enough of Dumbledore, he continued to aid him. Sure. He loved Lily like the first day he met her, but he cared for Harry as he could see her in him.
Because Dumbledore underestimated Snape’s feelings for Lily. Dumbledore was shocked and moved to tears to realize that Snape TRULY loved Lily, whereas he always thought Snape being incapable of it and saw it more like an obsession, because…prejudice against Slytherin. Dumbledore finally realized he took someones REAL feelings and played around with it all this time.
Honestly, about the first 5 times I watched this scene I thought “After all this time” was about the spirit of Lily somehow be surviving or connected to both Snape and being the guide for Harry for that sword. Like that patronus was the visual representation of the love between Snap and Lily. I figured it then out to be indeed Snape true loyalties and the patronus confirms it but I did not know every minute detail until now. And that is why I love both Harry Potter movies as well as the Fantastic Beasts. There is so much more deeper meanings than the regular big movies these days.
Rowling told us a very unique and great way of how to show love of one character to another. Without kissing, hugging and other physical actions. But through magic. We only saw a few minutes of Snape and Lily relationships and despite this the love Snape had for her feels so natural, that you actually believe it. This is truly impressive
Looking back at this scene after knowing Alan Rickman died, make this even more sad. He played the character so well and portrayed him perfectly. The sadness in his eyes when he shows he cares about Harry because of his love for Lily is so touching. I felt that deep inside, he always couldn’t help himself but love Harry too because of Lily, even though outside he showed he hated him because of his father James. The half blood Prince was truly in love with her…
You put forward a well-reasoned case, and to be honest, I’d never considered that line before. Your explanation is right on track. But that Patronus was the answer to his question of caring for the boy. Everyone had had a loved one killed by Voldemort, and they all knew the pain and rage that kept their emotions alive, much as Snape’s had endured. This wasn’t particularly unique among adults. Dumbledore saying, “Don’t tell me you’ve grown to care for the boy,” is a sarcastic joke. It’s a given to Dumbledore that, of course, after being part-guardian for 6 years, being his tutor, perusal him grow, and getting to know him, Snape cares for Harry. It’s meant to poke fun at Snape for feeling for Harry despite his facade. This is what Snape responds to with a Patronus. The Patronus is Snape telling Dumbledore this is 100% for Lily – which is another way of saying 0% for Harry. I believe Dumbledore is surprised not in his deep love for Lily, but his absolute indifference to Harry. Snape was still, after all this time, only in it because of just the one murder. At least either way the answer’s still good enough to trust him.
I loved book Snape as a character because he is so wonderfully written but I never liked him as a person, still don’t. But the patronus for Lily made me emotional ngl. Not even just about the fact that he still loved her so much after so much time had passed but the fact that clearly nothing in his life other than Lily had given him the happiness to be able to conjure the patronus in the first place.
I just bawled perusal this article. That one word, and the way he says it, always hits me so hard. From the beginning I always understood why Dumbledore was shocked in this scene which is precisely why it hits even harder when Snape shows him his patronus. To love so deeply and so fervently after so long, knowing that person is forever gone. That sadness and pain is too much. My goodness, I cannot seem to contain myself right now. 😥💔
No idea why people wouldn’t understand this scene when its spelled out pretty clearly. There used to be old time values of actually loving someone, waiting for them, devoting your life to them. One can point out they are invoked in the traditional marriage vows…….but considering the downturn in todays values, traditions and ethics……….many can’t understand those old values, especially in an age where newer generations are too busy to read history or embrace the old values that used to be common place…….of course long before the problematic crap of psycho’s and stalkers of today.
He may have truly loved lily … but he only loved her. He did not bare any love towards anyone else, nor anyone she cared for. It is touching to see how deeply he still cared for her …but … that doesn’t change the fact he was a terrible person. Tormenting children and being a bitter asshat, especially towards the only remaining living blood of the one you love. Neville’s parents were tortured in front of him and yet his bogart fear was snape. That says something and it’s not in snape’s favor.
it’s amazing how people see Snape’s “love for Lily” as this redeeming quality. Couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s creepy and selfish. The only reason he did anything good was because he was a 30 year old man still obsessing about someone from his teens. He made a choice that helped the good guys, but at the end of the day he’s still a terrible person.
I think Dumbledore was surprised only because of one reason: he never himself thought or absolutely forgot what people’s feeling and emotions truly are. He was a remarkable wizard and the greatest strategist but while he was thinking about the plan how to defeat the enemy, he couldn’t think of people’s sentiments. The Snape’s words brought him back to earth for a moment.
I think, for clarification, Snape switched sides before Lily’s death. He asked for help to “hide them all” and then responded “anything”. Also, we should not forget that JKR revealed to Alan Rickman the storyline at the film’s outset. Only he, in the cast, knew the reveal; this led to an outstanding portrayal on all accounts.
When you truly love someone, the feeling does not weekend or become smaller or less important with time. It doesn’t fade, the grief of loosing that someone doesn’t feel less dreadful. It stays all and the same. You just don’t think about it as often. But it never, never goes away. Not even a slight bit of it.
I’m one of those people who fail to see how anyone could possibly have misunderstood this fact. I mean pairing it with the rest of this sequence you can clearly see how much he loved her even on the day she died and I thought it was pretty clear he was willing to help Harry not to honor her memory but because no matter what he still loved her and looking into his eyes he is reminded of her.
I can tell you that I never cried harder when i read the word always. I have loved a girl once as deep as snape must have. I have lost her almost 10 years ago due to a bad choice. I can feel the grief and the pain that snape utters when he says the word always. he made a bad choice by calling her a mudblood. THAT and THAT alone was his mistake with lily. That is the moment he always grieved, although he will never have a relationship with, never maybe even had a chance, who will tell. That moment alone was the moment he lost her. I lost my love because I said “no” one to many times. I will not go into detail here, but that last No is what broke her love for me, not mine for her. I have let her go, but will never stop loving her. Ever. Love doesn’t mean that you stop loving someone when the relationship is over. Love means that you can see her become happy and love someone, while you remain alone. Seeing Harry Must have hurt Snape, knowing that that is the boy of his love and another man. I don’t know if snape commented on harry’s eyes, but he must have seen, like all the others, that those were the colour of his mother. Snape always put on a stern, hard exterior, but that was just facade… I can tell you that he must have cried a lot when he was alone. I can tell you all the povital points in harry potter where he did things behind the scenes or must have done, to protect harry, because of his love for lily.
That’s the same thing that happens when you loose the person closest to you. It never heals or goes away like people tell you it will, don’t be upset with them, they’re just trying to help when in reality it doesn’t lol. It does get better but not the way you think. You will carry this hole in your diaphragm or soul suppressing the pain via choking it down until the day you die. RIP Michael my 1 year older brother, 2 days after the best Christmas 2008.
Interesting to me that so many are so convinced that it is so obvious that it was Snape’s love for Lilly that evoked the reaction from Albus. If you look at the context of the conversation, he wasn’t just saying it was for Lilly; Snape was making a point of saying that it was NOT for Harry. After all this time, he was motivated ONLY by his love for Lilly. Harry, after all this time, still meant nothing to him. Both of those things are tragic. Both were part of Dumbledore’s response, or would have been if Dumbledore were a flesh and blood person.
Personally I think Dumbledore always understood Snapes devotion and love to Lilly. I think Dumbledore was surprised to know that Snape actually transitioned that love and protection to Harry, even though he had an outward demeanor if hating him. I think Dumbledore is really saying: “After all this time, you really loved Harry?”
I like to think that even though Snape always said he hated Harry, and even though Snape says to Dumbledore (You think I care) “For HIM?!” before casting his Patronus, there’s still a part of Snape that grew to care for Harry. Snape stepped in and saved him multiple times throughout the years, in their occlumency lessons Snape and Harry both got a window into each other’s memories and souls, in the Half Blood Prince Harry genuinely admires the person behind the notes in that potion book and Snape knew he had been reading those notes and probably was a little flattered(?) at that. Obviously, every time he looked at Harry he was reminded of Lily, but Dumbledore says that Harry shares more in common with Lily than just his eyes, his genuinely good heart came from Lily. Quite frankly, I do not see how Snape doesn’t care for Harry more than just a little bit by the end of all the books, but Snape is a complicated character who struggles with understanding his feelings. Snape’s memories that he gave to Harry when he died need only have contained the information about Harry being the last horcrux and needing to die, but Snape wanted Harry to see all the moments where Snape was a good man, that it was he who gave them the Sword of Gryffindor, the conversations he had with Dumbledore where he relented his dark side, his loyalty to Dumbledore and the fact that he had grown a heart.
Snape has by far the best character ARC in the entire series which is even more impressive when you consider how little of it there is. Honestly think if anyone had the ability to surpass Dumbledore it would have been him, with enough time ofc. He was right behind him intelligence wise imo and only experience separated them when it came to power. Alas we will never know
All the way in Book 3, Sirius told Harry “Snape always seemed to be especially jealous of James… probably because of how good a (quidditch) flyer he was” but it’s like even at that point it’s such a huge clue for us because Snape doesn’t seem like the kind of person who ever really cared about quidditch… it had to be lily
i think it also had to do with he actually began to care for the boy. and while he tried his best to detest or portray disdain for Harry because of his father he couldn’t help but love the quality’s harry shared with his mother of screen/page. Harry had his mother’s eyes and surely snape could have moments where he thought to himself “Lily you would be so proud of the man your son is becoming”
This makes it even more sad that he died and never really knew if Harry sacrificed himself and defeated Voldemort. It also makes his commitment to evil and the dark arts greater than we thought. If he loved her this much you’d think her leaving him would make him see sense. It took her dying for his beliefs to change
U are right on everything except for when Snape change Allegiance. The scene where Snape is on his knees stating “Don’t Kill Me” then he explains Lord Voldemort is going to kill Lily & Harry’s father. Dumbledore standing over him responded “What Will U Do For Me” Snape states “ANYTHING” then later goes into the scene U just depicted & shown.
I hate when people are so condescending and pretentious in their comments . Obviously Snape loved Lilly and the conversation was about love, but from the movies alone it is not clear why Dumbledore was SUPRISED by this. To my knowledge, Dumbledore knew Snape loved Lilly so I didn’t understand the shock. This youtuber did a great job of explaining that it was that Snape’s love was JUST AS STRONG, even now… even 17 years…real and true. I understand now that Dumbledore probably just viewed Snape’s love for Lilly as obsession, lust, admiration, etc… like how most people would express how they have strong feelings for someone…but it was REAL, deep… because the only way his patroneous would stay the same is if Snape had never moved on if his love and pain was just as deep from the day she was killed. And that’s what is powerful. I am not stupid for not understanding that.
I havent even watched this theory and I think I know what he meant. If you love somebody enough, your patronus changes to match theirs. Dumbledoor said, “After all this time?” Because he was referring to the patronus still being a doe. I just finished perusal it, and surprisingly he thinks the same thing!
After perusal the death scenes of Snape who is my favorite character from the 1st hp movie I became very sad..I always thought why he died..Why Jk Rowling made him die..But now I realized one thing that Snape actually died the day when Lilly died..but physically his body remained alive to protect the son of his love..so when at the end, the need for harry’s protection has gone then death was a release to Snape and again a chance to meet Lilly in heaven..
This is a spot on article! Everyone says this is the most famous scene, but no one explains what actually means! Thank you for that! Can you please make a article for the different teachers offices…there are so many artefacts which we can explore! And I still can’t find information about the writings on the arcs in Snape’s office..: anyone??
well, I once thought it might have meant harry. Maybe before that moment Dumbledore thought it was because harry was lily’s son that Snape protected him not thinking that Snape really cared for Harry. However after that moment, Dumbledore realized that Snape was seeing Lily through Harry and he also cared for Harry as well. I thought though he said harry was just like his father and never mentioned his resemblance to his mother, he somehow knew and felt the resemblance which was proved in his dying moment. He looked at Harry’s eyes saying “you have your mother’s eyes”. I think this scene could be ambiguous because even though we know that it is about Snape’s love for lily, what Dumbledore meant by saying ‘after all this time’ can be interpreted in so diverse ways. But I think I prefer it this way because it makes this world ‘always’ so romantic and this is one of the reasons why I like this scene best in Harry Potter.😊
I think a lot of people see this as him caring for Harry. Snape says “For Him?” And casts his doe and doesn’t give more of an answer than that. People argue whether or not the lack of answer leaves it up for interpretation, but it doesn’t. The casting of a doe is the answer. If Snape cared for Harry, then his patronus would have become a stag and not kept Lily’s doe form, so no Snape didn’t care for Harry, at least not deeply. In the movies… maybe, but the way it is written in the books, no.
Perhaps some new questions to answer. 1. What would have happened to the Dursleys had they not departed with the Order at the start of the Deathly Hallows. 2. What happened to Crookshanks after the halfblood Prince? 3. Did the ministry really gain acces to Grimmauld Place when Yaxley co apparated with the trio after the infiltration of the ministry? 4. What happened with Kreacher between sept 97 and the battle of Hogwarts? (and after the battle)
I remember Snape shifting allegiance before the Potters were murdered. When he realized he had put Voldemort after them when he told him the part of the prophecy he overheard he meets with Dumbledore and offers anything in exchange for Dumbledore hiding THEM all. There’s a shift in Snape’s love for Lilly. He had already asked Voldemort to spare her. So if he merely wanted her, he already had a deal to get that. But he wasn’t satisfied with that because he actually loved her. He asks Dumbledore to hide not only her but the man he hated and a son that was to his eyes the constant reminder of her choosing James and not him. Snape’s love for Lilly is vital to the story. A lot has been said about the protection Lilly gave Harry but her love was able to give that protection bc of another love, Snape’s. James also died protecting his family yet there was no protection then. Why? Bc Voldemort already decided to murder him . Lilly on the other hand didn’t have to die. Voldemort wasn’t intending to kill her. He even tells her to step aside and that she doesn’t need to die. All bc of the deal he made with Snape out of his love for Lilly
It was also at that moment a Gryffindor could look at a Slytherin beyond generationally fueled prejudices and stereotypes and that must have made him realize how blinkered views never really let you appreciate people for how complex they can be. It is also a meta moment when Dumbledore speaks for readers of fiction to see how meaningfully beautiful a character paradox can be. A scene that marks the ingenuity of JKR. I fall in love with it every time I read it.
I think the scene secretly means that snape was harry’s true father…. I think the matching patronus not only meant love……. but a mate…. I think the real reason snape hated James was bc snape was a death eater and couldn’t risk anyone knowing of his relationship with lily……. and perhaps snape fathering harry was a secret that only he, lily, and James knew of….. and James ultimately could not protect her………which also explains snapes commitment to protect harry with his life…..probably not true, but it would have been one hell of a plot twist
Excelente article, as always ;), I just came up with a different theory, as you said the patronus matches that of the person you love so perhaps Snape’s patronus didn’t match lily’s but Harry’s. so when albus says: after all this time Albus means: have you grown to love the kid “after all this time” He had literally just said: have you grow to love the kid. or something along the lines And when Snape answers: always He really means: I have always love him, as he is lily’s son. Thanks for your articles they’re awesome.
to me this entire exchange gave off a hidden meaning. To me I felt as if Snape and Lilly were soul mates who never got to be together, regardless his love for Lilly was always his motive. he was willing to beg for the life of a man he hated for the sake of the woman he loved. yes his motivation was to protect Lilly but he knew how much she loved James and he asked that all three of them be hidden not just Lilly. Also I feel that the fact that he didn’t admit to caring for Harry was telling. I’m certain he did care but refused to admit it even to himself.
I feel that was a no-brainer. Maybe it’s due to the fact I read the books as an adult. As a school teacher I was always deeply impressed with how many true mature themes were developed in the story. That’s Rowling’s gift, a story with layers of accessibility. Good youth oriented authors always are: Judy Blume, Roald Dahl, and even Dr. Seuss. The stories are meant to be read again and again over time because it provides so many opportunities to see the characters in a different light. There is also something to be said of Snape as a character and Alan Rickman’s portrayal. We know now that Rowling specifically told Rickman at the very start Snape’s role in how the story would end. Those two scenes in Deathly Hallows (his death and the memory in the pensive) were the penultimate moment not only for Snape but for Harry as well. That was why he was able to so freely face Voldemort. Ultimately he already knew he was going to be ok. Great article. I love talking HP.
Could it not to be assumed that his shock and bewilderment came from the fact that Snape, truly had come to care for Harry? The fact that the Doe was then indicative of the fact that Snape, in lieu of a mother and a mother’s truest and most sacrificial protection, became that for Harry? I definitely agree that there would in fact have been some depth to the shock of still passionate love for Lilly in Dumbledore’s response too. Excellent article.
I also think it resonates with the story of Dumbledore. I think it is pretty clear that after Grindelwald Albus never romantically loved anyone. So it is unimaginable for him to do so. Albus became a cold master schemer totally detached from his own feelings and Severus recalled him it is possible to fight for the one we loved. It is also an existential proposition.
Could you make a article, explaining how the Dursleys are the misunderstood heroes/victims of the entire series! They took Harry in, and then were corrupted by the fact, that Harry was an Horcrux! They were probably cohersed into taking him in, but they did take him in and are the reason Harry was safe up until he went to Hogwarts! Not only that, but they could have had much happier/content lives, if they had not been in his presence for all those years. They probably even felt better in themselves when he wasn’t around them, which would have made them resent him even more. Just think it would be an interesting subject to cover.
It also shows how Dumbledore, who was talking to Harry about love didn’t understand love. It wasn’t until he was dying, what his manipulation had cost himself, he only saw people as tools for the greater good, and that he loved no one. If he had lived, likely he would proclaim Harry as a dark wizard for defeating Voldemort.
I always understood that scene as a reaffirmation of sorts, a reminder to both Snape and Dumbledore. Similar to how I believe that Dumbledore never got over Ariana’s death and his own feelings of responsibility for it, and perhaps Grindelwald, he knew Snape never got over Lily, and he wanted to remind both of them why they are fighting and why he was asking Snape to perform such a difficult task, one that would cost Dumbledore his life and Snape his soul and his own life. That was always my take away from that. Two broken soldiers, making a suicide pact, and reminiscing on their reasons.
I think it goes even deeper than that. Snape’s patronus was a doe, while James Potter’s was a stag. Its a gender compatibility issue of both patronuses. It suggests that even from the beginning, Snape and Lily were doomed from the start- star crossed- due to sharing the same gendered patronus. For instance, if James’s was a doe, and Snape’s was a stag, he’d end up with Lily instead.
I think another theme that is important about this scene is that Voldemort was born without love in his life. His mom used a “love potion”(artificial love) to have a child with a person that didn’t love her back. Voldemort has always been absent of love and his soul split, taken away from killing people for his own immortal benefit. On the other hand Snape sacrifices his own life for the enduring love of his friend Lily, this makes the soul stronger. This love is the mysterious magic that is stronger than an empty vessel. I think Dumbledore is surprised by this love and this magic, which I believe comes as a question from Death itself in disbelief. Harry understands this from this memory and sacrifices himself for the love of his friends and people he has met in the Wizarding World and will follow Snapes path forward. The only way to visit Death as an old friend.
I don’t think there was a person Dumbledore trusted more than Snape. It really shows you that Dumbledore’s greatest strength is his wisdom. He knows what evil looks like. Whiles many people would mark Snape for good based on his past affiliations with Voldemort Dumbledore took him in and trusted him above anyone else.
I have a theory. So I watched an old interview with the cast of Harry Potter and in Rick Marvin’s interview he said he was thinking of quitting towards the end of the second movie. However, he played as Snape so well that the J.K Rowling persuaded him to stay on as Snape by hinting at Snape’s biggest secret by giving him one snip of a line. I think it was “You’ve done all this for her? all this time?” ” Always.” at least thats what I think. He never repeated it to anyone else and even his fellow cast members didnt know what it was, but I think it was this one because Rick said the line gave him a hint of Snape’s possible redemption.
Iv’e seen so many people trying to justify their hate for Snape by dismissing his love for Lilly as not real or just a teen crush and thus he is evil not good. But this scene makes it so clear that is not true. I thought it was obvious that Dumbledore meant Lilly and the scene actually convinced me that Snape that was good. His patronus is a constant reminder of his happiest memory. Because they are the same thing. Lilly’s patronus was a doe too, to mirror James’s Stag. I love the movies, i really do and Alan Rickman but I don’t think the movie really captured the anguish of Snape. In the books he shouted, in the movies because of editing he barely whispered. I only cried when reading the book.
I’ve had my fair share of relationships with girls, 2 x 3 year relationships a 1 year relationship and a bunch of flings (im only late twenties) There was this one girl I was seeing for a month who dumped me & it took me all year to get over it wheras with my actual relationships I was over them in no time I only knew her for a month and its been years but the scene between dumbledor and snape ‘after all this time’ … ‘always’ reminds me of her
It was quite normal that people who didn’t read books will not understand this part truly.. Because in 5th book this has been demonstrated when tonks patronus changed into werewolf because she loved lupin but lupin was not accepting her although he loved her too….it was remorse and lamenting that changed her patronu…hence, snape was still lamenting for lilly potter’s death after all this time…. .i guess it was told in 5th book that patronus can change due to remorse….but they skip that imp part altogether in the movie…thereby missing out a imp piece of info that later became a pre requisite for most iconic scene.
It was the one moment in the fifth year when Harry was able to get into the head of Severus Snape on the night when Sybil Trelawney was dismissed. In my imagination, totally respective to the actual Harry Potter timeline, Harry somehow learns legilimancy and breaks into Severus’ mind, observing this exact exchange. I know it couldn’t really happen that way, but I always felt it would be a much more adjustable outcome if Harry was already aware that Professor Dumbledore had prearranged for Severus to kill him and that Severus actually loved Harry‘s mother. Nobody ever made known whether his Petronas had some other corporeal form other than Lily’s doe, did they? It would be fascinating to see what shape it took before.
what i loved most about snape during the scene with the werewolf? like he literally JUST woke up after getting blasted unconscious by harry, and when he first grabbed him after coming out of the tree? he looked like he wanted to kill harry for what he did, BUT, the moment he saw the werewolf his first instinct was nothing other than “Get the kids behind me!” and shielded them with his own body…literally protecting them was more important than his anger…and to see one of the most dangerous creatures in his world and literally have the mindset to keep himself between that his students without a single moment of hesitation? my man snape, save some big ass balls for the rest of us
Having read the books, I honestly don’t think Snape actually hated Harry. Even though Harry looked alot like James, there was alot about Harry and his actions that were very much Lily. Snape had to be openly hostile to Harry to maintain his ruse. But in truth, I think he actually saw Harry alot like the son he never had. I think that is exactly why he told Dumbledore he didn’t want to do this anymore. Harry had lost his parents, and as much as Snape hated Serious, Harry had lost him as well. And the idea that most likely he would have to kill Dumbledore with Harry as a witness, with Snape having no time to explain why, actually hurt Snape. He knew that Harry would be alone, with no one he could call family aside from Hermoinie and Ron. That is also why he was so angry when he found out that Harry would have to die. He was appalled that Dumbledore had raised Harry like a pig for slaughter. In truth, aside from the role he had to play as a double agent, I think he actually loved Harry. Many of his attempts to save him seemed instinctual rather than it “was his job” to save him. When he shielded thr kids from a transformed Remus, it was instinct. Harry was Lily’s son. A son, that if things had been different, could have been his. I think, beneath the facade, Snape actually was proud of Harry. Yeah, Harry likely drove him crazy, like any son would, but he did great things in spite of his youth. The incident with Ron and the poison, and Harry using the bezore. That was one of the first lessons Snape ever taught Harry.
Snape didn’t just save Draco’s life for Harry’s sake. He made an unbreakable vow so if Draco had died then snape would have as well. And I’m sure he wouldn’t allow Draco to just die even if he hadn’t lol. But yes he was aware he had his potion book at that moment because he recognized the spell used on Draco
My favorite time you mentioned is when he saves Harry from becoming a murderer. I never really thought about it that way as “saving him”, but especially with how throughout the books they talk about his whole soul vs Voldemort’s broken soul being such an important idea. It’s a really good point. That one whoopsie spell could have derailed everything. Again though…blame would have found its way back to Snape ha ha
Snape did not give Harry his old potions book, nor did he knowingly allow Harry to keep it. The book was left behind in the potions classroom. Harry wasn’t expected to take potions that year, so Snape would have no expectation that Harry would ever get it. After Harry used sectum sempra on Malfoy, Snape knew that he must have gotten it from the book. He demanded that Harry give him his potions book, in an effort to get it back from him. Harry hid the book, and gave Snape Ron’s copy instead. Snape absolutely did NOT want Harry to have that book.
It blew my mind that Snape was the biggest hero save Dumbledore and Harry himself. Without Snape Harry would have failed a million times over. Snape also kept Harry quiet in the astronomy tower, deflected spells into 2 death eaters before making his escape. Snape is one of the complex characters I have ever seen.
What makes Snape such a fantastic character is that he never divulges his true nature directly to anyone except Dumbledore, leaving the rest of the characters in the series in a constant state of doubt regarding his allegiance. Even when Snape is killed, it was only through the exploration of his memories in the pensive that Harry realized his true intentions, with Snape never divulging these facts directly. Ironically, the person who came closest to doing so was actually Dumbledore, all the way back in the Philosopher’s stone; When Harry is discussing Quirrel’s inability to touch him, Dumbledore mentions how Voldemort’s most fatal flaw is his failure to understand and accept love as a branch of magic- serving as a crucial plot point moving forward. However, this point, despite never being directly implied, is the same exact reason for Snape’s decision to leave Voldemort’s side and work under Dumbledore to bring him down- His unwillingness to heed Snape’s request to leave Lilly unharmed, as well as his failure to understand the consequences of ignoring Snape’s love for her. It was referenced to Harry, but this simple fact concerning Voldemort’s nature indirectly explains Severus’s motives from the very first book. He’s an imperfect character, his love for Lilly- his desire to do good in her name- clashing with his hatred for James and his more negative emotions, never once one completely trumping the other until his last breath. He’s an imperfect character, and that’s what makes him perfect
Snape went from being my most hated character to my most loved. He really loved nothing more than Lily. He revealing to Dumbledore that his patronus was now a doe brings a tear to my eye. Seeing Lily in Harry’s eyes may very well have saved his life. He looked so much like James, but Snape could only see Lily when he looked into his eyes.
Under the broad umbrella, in the final movie – Snape is dueling with McGonagall and, rather than actually confront her, he sticks to just defending her attacks, and even redirects one to take out two death eaters behind him, which absolutely helps Harry, just indirectly. Not sure if that happened in the book, but it’s a ‘blind and you’ll miss it’ moment that I thought was really clever. Also, Rickman’s acting is superb, showing that he’s really still troubled by all he’s had to do.
I feel like Snape must have put a charm on the book for whoever opens it becomes severely infatuated with it. Like how Harry was constantly reading it like his life depended on it. Harry finished reading the book, but he finished it pretty quickly which was Snipes’ plan as to get him prepared as soon as possible to defeat Voldemort.
Well when Snape allowed Harry to keep his potions book, remember Dumbledore asked Harry to get close to the potions teacher. I think Snape or someone planted Snapes book in the closet knowing they didn’t have potions books yet. Thus making Harry shine in the eyes of the potions teacher and helping him complete the task set forth by Dumbledore.
I would argue that Snape did care for Harry Potter. He just could never show it. Remember any hint that he was warming up to the boy. Would make everyone question his allegiance. He had to be antagonistic until the end. He had to be viewed as loyal to only one and one person, lord voldermort. This is why when you saw Professor Burbage beg for Snape to save her. All you could see is agony in those eyes as he could do nothing but sit their. That is the life of a double agent. Your overall goal is more important then anything else. And you cannot break character for just a second. it is not a pleasant job.
Snape also helps Harry again in The Order off the Pheonix. Umbridge catches him using the fireplace in her office to reach out to Sirius, who he had a vision of being tortured by Voldemort at the department of mysteries. When being interrogated, Snape shows up and Harry tells him “he’s got padfoot at the place where its hidden”, referring to the prophecy. Snape feigns incredulity and leaves to alert Dumbledore and the order so they can intercept the death eaters and save the students’ lives at the department of mysteries.
I like how Snape was a better teacher when he was actively not teaching. Like he was such a dbag anytime people were actually around him the only thing you’d be likely to learn from him is that he hates you and is possibly hinting at poisoning your pet. But get his old book or watch him in the dueling club and you pick stuff up like your a genius student with the world’s best teacher.
You could make a article about casting magic. Is it enough just to say the magic spell and maybe wave your wand correctly or you need something else? I mean theres e.g. Petrificus Totalus. Why not everybody using this during duels, you could easily win duels by freezing the opponent. Its not even a dark spell or something more complex stuff.
One of my favorite scenes, in all the movies, is when Snape looks like he wants to punch Harry in the face when out during the full moon. But as soon as he sees Lupin transformed, he immediately sticks his arms out as though to shield the kids. That instinct to protect even when he is so angry at them just made me happy when I saw it.
8 and 9 are both weird examples in the books he doesn’t allow Harry to keep his book he suspects somthing is up but doesn’t know until 9 when Harry uses his spell on Draco at which point he helps Draco then demands Harry get his school books Harry the takes Ron’s book and hides the half blood prince book in the room of requirement before returning back to the bathroom to meet snap
The bit with the Veritaserum just made me wonder; could Harry actually have told Umbridge where Sirius is? Since he was at Grimould Place, and Harry was not a secret keeper of the place, he may have been able to say London, but not name the address or place. But with Veritaserum, had he taken it, which would have been stronger? The Fidelius charm, or Veritaserum?
Please go back to identifying the “film only” parts. In PoA, all Snape did was conjure floating stretchers for the trio and Sirius to return them to the school (a decent act as he could have left them behind). He did not, however, stand between the trio and Lupin after he transformed into a werewolf. In fact, he didn’t even wake up until only Ron remained (who passed out by then)..
I have another theory that would mean Snape saved Harry 14 times. Though it is not labeled canon, when Snape asked Voldemort to spare Lily what if Voldemort agreed, he did tell Lily to step aside rather than just kill her, after all. When he killed m Lily, whether or not she actually jumped in front of Harry as he cast the killing curse, the reason why his next curse saved Harry and destroyed his body was because in a way him promising to spare Lily was something like an unbreaking vow. What if this was another form of ancient magic? When Voldemort agreed to spare Lily only to kill her in the end, magic reacted to his breaking his oath. So even if it was Lily’s sacrifice that saved Harry, Snape pleading for mercy being ignored is what destroyed Tom the first time and gave the world peace for over ten years.
It’s interesting that movie Severus is different from book Severus, despite being similar. I think this is proof that movie Severus wasn’t as bad as his novel counterpart was, especially since he never really yells or expresses high emotions in the movies like he does in the novels, nor bullies other students aside from Harry. I wonder if Rowling and the writers did this because maybe she felt that was where she may have went wrong with the character, that maybe she made book Snape a little too unlikable and mean. Regardless, Alan Rickman was a great choice for the character, and he did an amazing job portraying him. Maybe it’s because I was reading the books when the movies were coming out, but I always imagined Alan’s look and voice whenever Snape was on the pages.
I think you could consider the killing of Dumbledore a save. Harry was under the floor and about to intervene when Snape came up and stopped him. This saved Harry 2 ways. Even if Harry had stopped Drako one of the death eaters would have gotten Harry. Secondly, Snape killing Dumbledore made Snape master of the elder wand and hampered voldemort from finishing off Harry during their 1st encounter.
If I remember correctly in the first movie when the his class is starting, when Snape is asking Harry if he knows what all the different things are and what they do.. I believe he told Harry that a “bezoar” was an antidote for many poisons… Or something of that nature… Later saving Ron with that same antidote. (Not exactly saving harry as much as he saved Ron…) But still definitely helped him
Not sure if it happens in the books, but in the first movie during first potion class when Harry fails to answer any question he says fame isn’t everything could also be seen as helping him, cause up to that point everyone practically fell on their knees in front of Harry and Snape by showing he knows pretty much nothing ensured fame wouldn’t get into his head
For me, him being the one who started the chain of events that gets his crush killed voids all the good. He was the death eater, he heard part of the prophecy and went to tell Voldemort. I still feel weird about the whole dynamic of his love being one sided too, “always” is a little creepy to me unless he is only addressing his guilt for what he did to the one he loved, not just his unrequited love for her. I’m not naming my son after a guy who got my mother and father killed.
I think it is even possible that Snape simply cared about Harry and that was the reason why he was trying to correct him when Harry was reckless like his father, because he was in constant danger. So maybe he didn’t have any mixed feelings. Parental figures are often severe with the children they care about. All this time Snape would have to also hide all of his care and pretend to loathe him because… you know who… was still out there and bound to come back. Snape would have precise instructions from Dumbledore for even the first year Harry comes to Hogwarts. Noticed how much Snape makes sure to mock and hurt Harry in classes for Malfoy to see and surely report home?
In the beginning of chamber of secrets, when Harry and Ronald reach school late in ronalds car, severus was well prepared to send Harry back home just in the excuse of damaging the tree and arriving late and flouting wizardry rules. Under this pretext, he could keep Harry away from Hogwarts thereby protecting HIM FROM THE MONSTER OF THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS.
Severus Snape is hands down the best character in the whole series. Not only was he highly intelligent (convinces Voldemort he’s loyal despite despising him for Lily’s death, keeps his true intentions secret to everyone besides Dumbledore in case of his double agent status getting leaked to Voldemort) he was also loving towards Harry, Hermione and Ron. He always looked out for their safety no matter what. I truly think he actually did love Harry given his memories in Deathly Hallows. Harry was like a son to Snape. He was Lily’s son and he saw Lily in him. How loyal he was to Lily and how much he loved her is just heartbreaking. The character is so tragic, brave and beautiful. Love Snape.