Severus Snape

Half-Blood Prince

Professor of Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts, later also serving as Headmaster of Hogwarts. A key figure who operated as a double spy between the Dark Lord Voldemort and the Order of the Phoenix.

Quotes

  • Always
  • Look at me
  • Mudblood
  • You look exactly like James
  • Please, Harry. Look at me

Trivia

  • Snape called himself the 'Half-Blood Prince', derived from his mother's maiden name and his mixed-blood status.
  • Master of Occlumency, constantly uses mind-hiding magic to prevent others from reading his thoughts.
  • His character is inspired by teachers that author J. K. Rowling once disliked.
  • Alan Rickman knew Snape's full backstory before the ending was revealed and incorporated it into his performance.
  • His Patronus is a doe like Lily's, symbolizing his deep love.
  • Takes a harsh attitude toward criticized students but shows leniency to Slytherin house students.

Alternate names

Snivellus Snivelly Half-Blood Prince Sev

Tags

wizard professor anti-hero Slytherin house double agent half-blood potions master dark arts Hogwarts headmaster Order of the Phoenix

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Profile

Species
Wizard (half-blood)
Gender
Male
Birthday
January 9
Birth year
1960

Appearance

Overall appearance
Sallow complexion with a large hooked nose and black hair to the shoulders, parted on both sides. Has yellowish uneven teeth. Wears heavy black robes and is often likened to a bat due to his dark appearance.
Eye color
Black
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • large hooked nose
  • yellowed teeth
  • black hair to shoulders
Iconic items
  • black robes
  • wand
  • Half-Blood Prince's book (textbook)

Personality and abilities

Core personality
complex
Detailed personality
Sour and strict with himself and others, dislikes showing emotions in front of people. Harbors mistrust of people and anger from his school days, drawn to the Dark Arts. On the other hand, honorable and carries loyalty and love to a fanatical degree as a double spy.
Keywords
  • sour
  • loyalty
  • calm and composed
  • jealous
  • honorable
  • complex
  • cunning
  • devoted
Motto
Always
Talents
  • potion brewing
  • Dark Arts knowledge
  • Occlumency (mind-hiding magic)
  • Legilimency (mind-reading magic)
  • spell development
  • dueling
  • double agent information manipulation
Skills
  • Potions professor
  • Defence Against the Dark Arts professor
  • Occlumency instruction
  • Unbreakable Vow magic
  • nonverbal spellcasting
  • flight (without wand)
Motivation
To protect his love for Lily, inherit her dying wish to protect Harry, atone for his own mistakes, and achieve peace in the wizarding world.
Habits
Engages in persistent bullying and strict instruction but continues to hide his true feelings.
Favorite places
Hogwarts
Favorite colors
black
Disliked situations
betrayal, lies, being misunderstood

History

Backstory
Born January 9, 1960, in a rundown home at Spinner's End. Father was a Muggle, mother a pure-blood witch; from childhood, used Occlumency to hide emotions. After entering Hogwarts, sorted into Slytherin house and became rivals with classmate James Potter. Childhood friends with Lily Evans, but their relationship deteriorated due to his inclination toward the Dark Arts. As an adult, became a Death Eater, but to protect Lily, cooperated with Dumbledore as a double agent. Ultimately killed due to Voldemort's misunderstanding, but entrusted the power of a mother's love to Harry; his loyalty and complex emotions shocked many.
Debut date
June 26, 1997
Work title
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Media type
Novel

Hogwarts enrollment

Significant event
Hogwarts enrollment
Description
In September 1971, enrolled in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Slytherin house.

Inclination toward Dark Arts

Significant event
Inclination toward Dark Arts
Description
From student days, inclined toward Dark Arts and pursued pure-blood ideology.

Joining Death Eaters

Significant event
Joining Death Eaters
Description
After graduating from Hogwarts, swore loyalty to Voldemort and became a Death Eater.

Becoming a double agent

Significant event
Becoming a double agent
Description
To avert the danger of Lily's death, sought salvation from Dumbledore and operated for both Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix.

Appointed Hogwarts headmaster and death

Significant event
Appointed Hogwarts headmaster and death
Description
Under Voldemort's regime, appointed headmaster of Hogwarts. On May 2, 1998, suffered a fatal wound from Voldemort's attack and died.

Relationships

Tobias Snape

Father

Muggle father. Dysfunctional family that influenced Snape's childhood.

Eileen Prince

Mother

Pure-blood witch mother. Valued his maternal lineage, origin of the 'Half-Blood Prince' name.

Lily Evans

Childhood friend

Childhood friend and sole confidante. Estranged due to path toward Dark Arts, but love for her remained unchanged.

Albus Dumbledore

Mentor

Entrusted him with double spy role and built a deep bond of trust.

Draco Malfoy

Protector

Entered Unbreakable Vow as his protector.

James Potter

Rival

Rivalry that also affected his feelings toward Harry.

Death Eaters

Death Eaters: leader

Order of the Phoenix

Order of the Phoenix: unknown

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: strategist

Media appearances

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Novel / Supporting

1997 first edition

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Movie / Supporting

2001 film release

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Movie / Supporting

2007 film release

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Movie / Supporting

2011 film release

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Stage play / Supporting

2016 premiere

Harry Potter series games

Game / Supporting

Voice cast and creators

Takaya Hashi

Voice actor
Takaya Hashi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Japanese dub of films

Hibiki Noguchi

Voice actor
Hibiki Noguchi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Japanese dub of Deathly Hallows Part 2 (young version)

Chafurin

Voice actor
Chafurin
Language
Japanese
Version or series
game version

Alan Rickman

Voice actor
Alan Rickman
Language
English
Version or series
original film version
Notes
No replacement after death

Alec Hopkins

Voice actor
Alec Hopkins
Language
English
Version or series
Order of the Phoenix film (student era)

Benedict Clarke

Voice actor
Benedict Clarke
Language
English
Version or series
Deathly Hallows Part 2 film (young version)

J. K. Rowling

Creator name
J. K. Rowling
Role
Original author

Related goods

Severus Snape figure

Item name
Severus Snape figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Potions set

Item name
Potions set
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

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