Greasy Git
When I read fic I do this thing, which I'm sure I've talked about before, where I have a spreadsheet and make notes for myself as I go. The header information, link, favorite quotes, what worked for me and what didn't, what was hot, what was funny, etc. That sort of thing.
Well. When I was reading in HP, I had a column titled "explanations for Snape's unsavory physical appearance." Because when your BSO has canonically greasy hair, sallow skin, yellow teeth, and is likened to a bat... that's something that authors often feel the need to negotiate somehow. Whether to fix it or explain it or fetishize it or whatever.
So I thought you might enjoy the fruits of my obsession. These quotes are of course not exhaustive, because I haven't read everything, and because as time went by my notes became less and less thorough. And I don't intend to make fun at all! These are all stories that I enjoyed. ♥ It just amuses me, the range of ways we address The Problem of Snape's Hair.
I have not listed the warning, rating, or pairing information for these stories; if you click the links please pay attention to the headers.
His hair is not actually greasy at all.
This is a cliche now, but it didn't feel that way when I was first reading it.
He had high cheek bones, thin lips, but dark, sharply shaped eyes that drew people in. The hair wasn't greasy... just lanky, and too long, and almost silky to the touch when he rubbed the ends of it between thumb and forefinger.
- Patesco by Kelex and Ladyflowdi
Harry reached out and gently touched the back of Snape's head, bending it forward as his fingers stroked the silky black strands. Not greasy at all, but smooth, silky, lush, so dark and full, like midnight, like ink, so black, no wonder it looks wet, but it's not, it's soft...
- Virulentus Somnium by Salix
Snape's hair brushed tinier fingers on whip-marked flesh, the black strands not greasy as commonly suspected but corn silk fine and thin enough to lash.
- A Perfect Circle by Gwendolyn_Flight
Lupin reached out almost tentatively and began to run his hand softly through Snape's hair. He seemed surprised to discover Snape's hair wasn't greasy, as everyone thought-only silky, sleek, and exceptionally shiny.
- Staffroom Seduction by DovieLR
When he had started stroking his strong, gentle palms up and down her back, she didn't know, nor was she quite sure when she had started stroking his hair, which was incredibly soft and not nearly as greasy as she'd supposed, just very cool and silky as she ran her fingers over his scalp, sliding the strands between her fingers.
- Matrimony by ladyofthemasque
At first glance, he did appear to be a horrible greasy git who tormented students for personal pleasure. But appearances were often deceiving.
His hair was actually quite soft and silky, at an almost romantic/roguish length, and when pulled back from his face revealed beautifully carved cheekbones and an aristocratic nose.
- In the Potions Classroom by happilyjaded
From this position she could smell his hair, which did not come off as greasy at all. It was more like a mix of cedar and sweat. Surprisingly arousing at the moment in fact.
- Just A Kiss by Ezzie
His hair was spread across the sheet, laying in tangles around his head. Harry was amazed to find that Professor Snape’s hair did not look greasy at all.
- And Then There Was Harry by Menecarkawan
A wing of dark hair had fallen forward over Snape's cheek. Unthinking, he reached out to push it back. He'd never touched Snape's hair before. It was surprisingly soft. Not greasy, but shiny.
- Till Break of Day by Minx
Shaking all over, he turned his face just a little to the left so that his nose nudged the silky black strands of Snape’s hair. Not that greasy after all, he thought half-hysterically, just soft. . . just very soft. . .
- Almost, At Times, The Fool by Telanu
He had just washed, but Snape's hair looked as limp and grungy as ever. After some consideration, Hermione felt that his hair was probably naturally shiny, not greasy at all.
- Dark Land by Tegan
She gathered him up and held him, stroking his hair. Odd, she used to think it was greasy and unkempt but now she knew that was just the way it appeared. It separated naturally. He wasn’t vain enough to try and make it look any different.
- Summer Series by Kronae
No matter how often he bathed, nothing could remove the sallow cast his potion fumes gave his hands and face, and even though the hair he had tied back in a ponytail had just dried, it was so glossy as to appear greasy. And even if all of that hadn't been true, the fact was that the long-nosed, thin-faced man staring out of that mirror at him was just plain homely.
- Growing Pains by Tira Nog
"Who'd want me, looking like I do?" He shoved a handful of greasy hair back. "Who'd want me period? Greasy, snivelly, snide Severus Snape, humiliated daily by James Potter and friends."
Lupin knelt beside Snape and touched his hair with two fingers. Despite its appearance, the strands were soft and sleek.
- Running Toward, Running Away by Laura Smith
Ok, he's greasy, admittedly. But it's clean grease.
His hair might look greasy, but it did not smell unwashed; and although his teeth were yellowed, his breath was never sour. Indeed, for all that he spent his days handling noxious substances and stirring bubbling cauldrons, his robes were unstained and his hands, while rough, quite clean.
- Personal Risks by R.J. Anderson
Contrary to popular opinion about the school, Snape not only bathed but he also washed his hair. Relentless teasing in his youth had giving him an almost fanatical fixation with personal hygiene, he was, if nothing else, remarkably clean. Unfortunately his hair and skin really didn’t care what he did and despite his regular ministrations, he looked greasy, he always would. Anyone who actually got close enough to him would attest that he certainly didn’t smell bad, in fact, he actually smelled very good.
- Objects of Desire by Azrael
"I'll have you know I washed it this morning." [...] "It is and forever will be slick, no matter what I do. Just as your hair will forever do whatever it pleases. One of the lovely side effects of magical blood, I'll wager."
- What E'er Therein Is Promised by Deeble
It would probably stun the entire student body if they had any clue as to just how often Severus showered. He was, in fact, a bit of a clean freak, but his naturally oily skin and hair, combined with the time spent bent over hot cauldrons, made it impossible to look as well-groomed as he actually was. He had given up caring about his appearance years ago, but he couldn’t stand feeling unclean.
- A Terrible Temptation by FriendlyQuark
Or with hygiene taken to aggressive lengths: he's greasy only because he's too clean.
Contrary to popular myth, Severus was pernickety about hygiene: the recalcitrant oil of his hair was aggravated into overproduction by ceaseless washing; shampoos, both natural and magical, have developed a lot since, but too late for him to benefit.
- To Sever the Lining from a Cloud by Textualsphinx
"I have always used a bar of soap for my hair and it works just fine for me."
"A bar of soap dries out your hair, causing your scalp to produce more oil to compensate for the loss of oil. You should really use shampoo instead of a bar of soap."
- Criminal Ravishment by Corazon
Thank god Snape's reputation for poor personal hygiene was undeserved. The twit's hair wouldn't be so greasy if he didn't shower three times a day, minimum!
- Throwing In The Towel by Sushi
It's a special conditioner, else his hair would be unmanageable.
"Severus... Why does your hair always look like that?" [...]
He could hear the sigh from across the room and then the answer, "My father disapproves of curly hair on men."
Harry felt his eyebrow raising. That was not the answer he'd expected.
"Your hair is curly?"
"Ringlet curly, yes. No can we get some work done before Defense?"
- The Return of the Prodigal by Lachesis
Veronica reached up to touch one of his oily locks, but hesitated. "Why exactly does it look like that?" [...]
"It's the Macassar oil I put in it every morning. If I don't my hair looks like, well, yours."
Veronica touched the bath cap covering her long, curly hair self-consciously.
- The Badger and the Serpent by Christina Teresa
Her thumb came to rest on the high jut of his cheekbone while her fingers slid across his temple and into his hair. His hair turned out to be fine as a small child's, slippery with some treatment that felt silky to her fingertips.
- Hinge of Fate by Ramos
Or it's an occupational hazard.
His hair was coarse and thick and, yes, sometimes even greasy. It was the price one had to pay for being a Potions master.
- Love is the Fire in Which We Burn by kira-nerys
Near-constant exposure to the fumes of his students' cauldrons gave him a somewhat greasy, waxy look that Harry had come to assume was his normal state of dishabille, but apparently after his evening bath he ended up looking almost human.
- Rite of Passage by Rushlight
He knew that the students of Hogwarts thought that he never bathed, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, hours of standing over boiling cauldrons and breathing in botched potions in the classroom would reduce his hair to an oily mess, and his complexion would become noteworthy for its sallow hue. Therefore, the first thing he always did when classes were over was to take a long, steaming shower.
- Shattered by Adriana
His nose was proud but beaky, his hair was usually limp from potion fumes, his clothing often smelled of brimstone and things far less savory, and bleaching charms made his teeth ache; he was condemned to bear their natural yellowish color.
- Contemporary Magical Innovations, by H. Granger by kai
"Severus is not gross, Harry James Potter," she snarled, brown eyes flashing.
"Greasy hair," Ron squeaked [...]
"It comes of working with potions all day, you imbecile," she snapped.
- Must Be Love by opalish
The nice thing about working in Potions, he decided, was that it was good for your skin. For all that he heard Gryffindors bitching about how 'greasy' Severus was, he was actually quite clean when not hovering over cauldrons all day, and it did wonders for keeping his skin young and soft and feeling most magnificent to kiss.
- Lack of Morals by Kat Reitz and Tzigane
Early on in their relationship, Hermione had realized that Snape's hair wasn't greasy; it was extremely fine and silky, and with the humidity from the cauldrons, it lay perpetually limp against his head.
- A Matter of Honor by Amy McWilliams
Despite her best efforts, despite the regular baths that he took alone now, soaking for hours while she paced nervously outside the bathroom, it seemed the constant exposure to dark arts and years of potion making had turned his cells into an irretrievable oil producing factory.
- Sixty Mondays by Spyke Raven
"Greasy git," he muttered under his breath. "Why don't you go wash your hair?"
"I did this morning, and last night, and the morning before that as I have every day for the last thirty years. Had you done any work in Potions, you would understand why."
- The Last Dance by Sushi
Or it's not a result of potions fumes; it's protection from potions fumes.
The ebon locks were surprisingly soft and silky, and not a bit greasy or stringy once the man had been out of the Potions laboratory for several days. In their conversations, Harry had learned that the 'grease' was actually a protective salve, and that Severus was actually quite vain about his hair, though he would never admit that aloud.
- Seeking the Star by Alioth
"About my hair," Snape said when he drew back, his voice as calm as though he'd done nothing more interesting in the last few moments than deliver a Potions lecture. "On class days, I coat it with an oil-based ointment to prevent it from absorbing fumes. I put some on my skin as well, generally. I used to leave the ointment on for days at a time..." He gave Harry a significant glance. "I thought it might be a bit off-putting, so now I spell the coating away when I return here each evening."
- Cambiare Podentes: Invocare by Jordan Grant
"I noticed that it contains hydrogen peroxide, which damages the hair structure, so it the hair gets even more frizzy." [...] "Try olive oil. It works lots better and doesn’t contain alcohol." [...] "Or did you think I never wash my hair? Apart from being naturally oily, it needs the protection. Otherwise, I might already be bald."
- From Hell by Pigwidgeon37
Most heartbreakingly, it's a result of abuse or trauma.
He lets his hair grow, careless and tangled, sweat-choked and greasy. It hurts him, I think, to touch or brush or even seem to cherish an instrument used in his degradation.
- Pensieve by Spyke Raven
A hand grabbed Sev's head by the hair and slammed it against the wall. The little boy yelped and held up his hands. "Let go, please, just let go of my hair. I'll do anything you want--"
"Shut up. Don't you understand that I'm trying to help you?" Eversor yanked his hair. It was a bit longer now than it had been. "And what did I tell you about washing this?"
- Civil War by Sushi
Not that anything was going to get the oil out of his skin and hair for good, short of an extended, painful, and costly stay in St. Mungo's, but he couldn't help trying. [...]
"And hair and skin aren't supposed to exude enough oil to power a fleet of Muggle motorcars, either," he told her, blinking soap out of his eyes. "But thanks to Mother and her teaching methods---"
- Pawn to Queen by Riley
That seemed to melt the other boy, who promptly pulled him close again, burying his face in black hair gone horribly oily. Severus hadn't washed it since Tom had told him how soft and lovely it was.
- Lack of Morals by Kat Reitz and Tzigane
Alarmed by what they thought were symptoms of a disease, his parents took him to see every specialist there was on the Isle and on the continent-after all, they could afford it-and Severus was charmed, potioned and healed until his skin and teeth took on a yellowish tone and his scalp began to secrete excessive quantities of oil in silent protest.
- From Hell by Pigwidgeon37
Or it's self-protection, designed to keep people at bay.
I’ve never cried for help, and until this year did not seriously consider taking my life because it would have been an ungrateful slap in the face for Dumbledore - and for my colleagues who put up with me so patiently, never prying with their sympathy, but letting me know they were there for me: even though I made myself hateful, deliberately repellent body and soul, to ensure I wouldn’t elicit love, or even liking.
["He means that hair of his was intentional?" Madam Hooch whispered to Sprout.]
- Letter from Exile one Merciful Morning by Textualsphinx
Hermione always suspected that Snape's greasy appearance had more to do with the number of hot cauldrons he worked with, combined with a desire to foster an unappealing image and a possible propensity to be naturally oily, as opposed to a failure to attend to personal hygiene. For Heaven's sake, given the amount of time he spent hovering near them in class, the students' noses would have noticed long ago if he neglected to attend to his personal hygiene.
- Teacher, Teacher by Moaning Myrtle in the Loo
Makeover!
His hair, far from its usual lank, greasy appearance, was a shimmering curtain of silk. His skin was no longer sallow, but warm and clear, his eyes bright. Even his teeth, as he talked, flashed whiter. The harsh lines scoring his face had eased in the night, making him look at least five years younger.
- Rats' Alley by Fabula Rasa
To her surprise, he cleaned up reasonably well. Still pale and unprepossessing, but better than she’d have expected. Especially his hair. It seemed to get gradually less lank as the week went on. In fact, he was really quite fastidious about his personal habits, which made her wonder what exactly he had used on his hair at Hogwarts.
- The Other Side of Darkness by Abby
Snape never cared much for anything Muggle in nature. Except perhaps the few dozen or so novels he kept for nights he couldn't sleep. Or the cosmetic products that finally rid him of that damned oily hair and dry skin that had plagued him for decades.
- Still Life by The Treacle Tart
He didn’t even look the same here. Without the voluminous folds of the billowing black cloak he looked smaller. While he was still tall, he wasn’t the towering, glowering menace of the classroom. His long black hair, always so lank and greasy-looking at school, was fine and silky with rainbow highlights in the sun.
- After the Battle, Healing Begins by Islandsmoke
"Your skin is almost normal already, and your hair isn't limp and oily. The physical changes happened overnight, literally."
- Eternal Bonds by Rowaine
He had taken to looking at his reflection, wondering whether there was anything he could do to improve his appearance. Listening to the students had given him clues as to what he needed to do. The teeth were beyond straightening, but he could and did clean them regularly. He had experimented with something called Shampoo, and now his hair was glossy and clean. Even the children had noticed the improvement, and he had overheard some of them speculating that he had a girlfriend.
- The Arithmantic Dating Agency by Shiv5468
He continued to use Ron’s shampoo, begrudgingly admitting he liked the way it worked. His softer, thicker hair seemed to soften the harsh lines of his face, which was fuller than it had ever been in his life. While still lean and trim he was no longer skeletal. Severus Snape looked and felt like a different person, and he needed that today.
- The Tao of Diogenes by The Treacle Tart
He was about six feet away, leaning against one of the desks with his arms folded. He wore a heavy black sweater and trousers. His hair no longer looked greasy. I found myself staring at him and my mouth may have been open. [...] It wasn’t greasy. It was silky. He must have washed it, because it was a known fact that he usually sported greasy locks. Thankfully, not today.
- Singularity by Kabochon
Snape’s hands were quite elegant, long fingers milky white with neatly trimmed nails. The stains were gone. He then noticed that Snape’s hair was shiny clean as well. It looked baby soft and curled gently at the ends.
- Just A Few Letters Off by Devi, the Wynter Wytch
And the treatment I personally am most fond of: Snape is, just. He's just really greasy.
It wasn't as though Mr. Filch didn't see him every day, all oily face and unkempt hair. He wasn't foolish enough to believe there was any chance of actually improving his looks. But, he thought, he didn't have to make them any worse either. So he combed his hair carefully and blotted the oil off his face with a spare piece of parchment before plucking up the courage to stand in front of the mirror.
- Blind, Deaf, and Dumb by delphi
Absentmindedly, he twirls Snape's hair around his finger. It's greasy and slick and won't curl right.
- As Children Often Do by Lux
Snape always looked nervous, cagey, sallow cheeks flushed and hands like brittle birds swallowed by the blackest night. He was too dark, too gutted, skin like dripped wax and hair a lank fall of black on black. He never wore his robes well, cloth hanging from sharp shoulders and cutting straight down in two parallel lines to brush the floor. A scent hung about him, too, acrid and disagreeable. He smelled, Lucius decided, like the pickled livers and dried flesh he cut and mixed and melded into potions, old and dead and *sharp*.
- Ugly Boys by Khirsah
This entry was originally posted at http://gnatkip.dreamwidth.org/9511.html. If you feel moved to comment, please do so there:
Well. When I was reading in HP, I had a column titled "explanations for Snape's unsavory physical appearance." Because when your BSO has canonically greasy hair, sallow skin, yellow teeth, and is likened to a bat... that's something that authors often feel the need to negotiate somehow. Whether to fix it or explain it or fetishize it or whatever.
So I thought you might enjoy the fruits of my obsession. These quotes are of course not exhaustive, because I haven't read everything, and because as time went by my notes became less and less thorough. And I don't intend to make fun at all! These are all stories that I enjoyed. ♥ It just amuses me, the range of ways we address The Problem of Snape's Hair.
I have not listed the warning, rating, or pairing information for these stories; if you click the links please pay attention to the headers.
His hair is not actually greasy at all.
This is a cliche now, but it didn't feel that way when I was first reading it.
He had high cheek bones, thin lips, but dark, sharply shaped eyes that drew people in. The hair wasn't greasy... just lanky, and too long, and almost silky to the touch when he rubbed the ends of it between thumb and forefinger.
- Patesco by Kelex and Ladyflowdi
Harry reached out and gently touched the back of Snape's head, bending it forward as his fingers stroked the silky black strands. Not greasy at all, but smooth, silky, lush, so dark and full, like midnight, like ink, so black, no wonder it looks wet, but it's not, it's soft...
- Virulentus Somnium by Salix
Snape's hair brushed tinier fingers on whip-marked flesh, the black strands not greasy as commonly suspected but corn silk fine and thin enough to lash.
- A Perfect Circle by Gwendolyn_Flight
Lupin reached out almost tentatively and began to run his hand softly through Snape's hair. He seemed surprised to discover Snape's hair wasn't greasy, as everyone thought-only silky, sleek, and exceptionally shiny.
- Staffroom Seduction by DovieLR
When he had started stroking his strong, gentle palms up and down her back, she didn't know, nor was she quite sure when she had started stroking his hair, which was incredibly soft and not nearly as greasy as she'd supposed, just very cool and silky as she ran her fingers over his scalp, sliding the strands between her fingers.
- Matrimony by ladyofthemasque
At first glance, he did appear to be a horrible greasy git who tormented students for personal pleasure. But appearances were often deceiving.
His hair was actually quite soft and silky, at an almost romantic/roguish length, and when pulled back from his face revealed beautifully carved cheekbones and an aristocratic nose.
- In the Potions Classroom by happilyjaded
From this position she could smell his hair, which did not come off as greasy at all. It was more like a mix of cedar and sweat. Surprisingly arousing at the moment in fact.
- Just A Kiss by Ezzie
His hair was spread across the sheet, laying in tangles around his head. Harry was amazed to find that Professor Snape’s hair did not look greasy at all.
- And Then There Was Harry by Menecarkawan
A wing of dark hair had fallen forward over Snape's cheek. Unthinking, he reached out to push it back. He'd never touched Snape's hair before. It was surprisingly soft. Not greasy, but shiny.
- Till Break of Day by Minx
Shaking all over, he turned his face just a little to the left so that his nose nudged the silky black strands of Snape’s hair. Not that greasy after all, he thought half-hysterically, just soft. . . just very soft. . .
- Almost, At Times, The Fool by Telanu
He had just washed, but Snape's hair looked as limp and grungy as ever. After some consideration, Hermione felt that his hair was probably naturally shiny, not greasy at all.
- Dark Land by Tegan
She gathered him up and held him, stroking his hair. Odd, she used to think it was greasy and unkempt but now she knew that was just the way it appeared. It separated naturally. He wasn’t vain enough to try and make it look any different.
- Summer Series by Kronae
No matter how often he bathed, nothing could remove the sallow cast his potion fumes gave his hands and face, and even though the hair he had tied back in a ponytail had just dried, it was so glossy as to appear greasy. And even if all of that hadn't been true, the fact was that the long-nosed, thin-faced man staring out of that mirror at him was just plain homely.
- Growing Pains by Tira Nog
"Who'd want me, looking like I do?" He shoved a handful of greasy hair back. "Who'd want me period? Greasy, snivelly, snide Severus Snape, humiliated daily by James Potter and friends."
Lupin knelt beside Snape and touched his hair with two fingers. Despite its appearance, the strands were soft and sleek.
- Running Toward, Running Away by Laura Smith
Ok, he's greasy, admittedly. But it's clean grease.
His hair might look greasy, but it did not smell unwashed; and although his teeth were yellowed, his breath was never sour. Indeed, for all that he spent his days handling noxious substances and stirring bubbling cauldrons, his robes were unstained and his hands, while rough, quite clean.
- Personal Risks by R.J. Anderson
Contrary to popular opinion about the school, Snape not only bathed but he also washed his hair. Relentless teasing in his youth had giving him an almost fanatical fixation with personal hygiene, he was, if nothing else, remarkably clean. Unfortunately his hair and skin really didn’t care what he did and despite his regular ministrations, he looked greasy, he always would. Anyone who actually got close enough to him would attest that he certainly didn’t smell bad, in fact, he actually smelled very good.
- Objects of Desire by Azrael
"I'll have you know I washed it this morning." [...] "It is and forever will be slick, no matter what I do. Just as your hair will forever do whatever it pleases. One of the lovely side effects of magical blood, I'll wager."
- What E'er Therein Is Promised by Deeble
It would probably stun the entire student body if they had any clue as to just how often Severus showered. He was, in fact, a bit of a clean freak, but his naturally oily skin and hair, combined with the time spent bent over hot cauldrons, made it impossible to look as well-groomed as he actually was. He had given up caring about his appearance years ago, but he couldn’t stand feeling unclean.
- A Terrible Temptation by FriendlyQuark
Or with hygiene taken to aggressive lengths: he's greasy only because he's too clean.
Contrary to popular myth, Severus was pernickety about hygiene: the recalcitrant oil of his hair was aggravated into overproduction by ceaseless washing; shampoos, both natural and magical, have developed a lot since, but too late for him to benefit.
- To Sever the Lining from a Cloud by Textualsphinx
"I have always used a bar of soap for my hair and it works just fine for me."
"A bar of soap dries out your hair, causing your scalp to produce more oil to compensate for the loss of oil. You should really use shampoo instead of a bar of soap."
- Criminal Ravishment by Corazon
Thank god Snape's reputation for poor personal hygiene was undeserved. The twit's hair wouldn't be so greasy if he didn't shower three times a day, minimum!
- Throwing In The Towel by Sushi
It's a special conditioner, else his hair would be unmanageable.
"Severus... Why does your hair always look like that?" [...]
He could hear the sigh from across the room and then the answer, "My father disapproves of curly hair on men."
Harry felt his eyebrow raising. That was not the answer he'd expected.
"Your hair is curly?"
"Ringlet curly, yes. No can we get some work done before Defense?"
- The Return of the Prodigal by Lachesis
Veronica reached up to touch one of his oily locks, but hesitated. "Why exactly does it look like that?" [...]
"It's the Macassar oil I put in it every morning. If I don't my hair looks like, well, yours."
Veronica touched the bath cap covering her long, curly hair self-consciously.
- The Badger and the Serpent by Christina Teresa
Her thumb came to rest on the high jut of his cheekbone while her fingers slid across his temple and into his hair. His hair turned out to be fine as a small child's, slippery with some treatment that felt silky to her fingertips.
- Hinge of Fate by Ramos
Or it's an occupational hazard.
His hair was coarse and thick and, yes, sometimes even greasy. It was the price one had to pay for being a Potions master.
- Love is the Fire in Which We Burn by kira-nerys
Near-constant exposure to the fumes of his students' cauldrons gave him a somewhat greasy, waxy look that Harry had come to assume was his normal state of dishabille, but apparently after his evening bath he ended up looking almost human.
- Rite of Passage by Rushlight
He knew that the students of Hogwarts thought that he never bathed, but nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, hours of standing over boiling cauldrons and breathing in botched potions in the classroom would reduce his hair to an oily mess, and his complexion would become noteworthy for its sallow hue. Therefore, the first thing he always did when classes were over was to take a long, steaming shower.
- Shattered by Adriana
His nose was proud but beaky, his hair was usually limp from potion fumes, his clothing often smelled of brimstone and things far less savory, and bleaching charms made his teeth ache; he was condemned to bear their natural yellowish color.
- Contemporary Magical Innovations, by H. Granger by kai
"Severus is not gross, Harry James Potter," she snarled, brown eyes flashing.
"Greasy hair," Ron squeaked [...]
"It comes of working with potions all day, you imbecile," she snapped.
- Must Be Love by opalish
The nice thing about working in Potions, he decided, was that it was good for your skin. For all that he heard Gryffindors bitching about how 'greasy' Severus was, he was actually quite clean when not hovering over cauldrons all day, and it did wonders for keeping his skin young and soft and feeling most magnificent to kiss.
- Lack of Morals by Kat Reitz and Tzigane
Early on in their relationship, Hermione had realized that Snape's hair wasn't greasy; it was extremely fine and silky, and with the humidity from the cauldrons, it lay perpetually limp against his head.
- A Matter of Honor by Amy McWilliams
Despite her best efforts, despite the regular baths that he took alone now, soaking for hours while she paced nervously outside the bathroom, it seemed the constant exposure to dark arts and years of potion making had turned his cells into an irretrievable oil producing factory.
- Sixty Mondays by Spyke Raven
"Greasy git," he muttered under his breath. "Why don't you go wash your hair?"
"I did this morning, and last night, and the morning before that as I have every day for the last thirty years. Had you done any work in Potions, you would understand why."
- The Last Dance by Sushi
Or it's not a result of potions fumes; it's protection from potions fumes.
The ebon locks were surprisingly soft and silky, and not a bit greasy or stringy once the man had been out of the Potions laboratory for several days. In their conversations, Harry had learned that the 'grease' was actually a protective salve, and that Severus was actually quite vain about his hair, though he would never admit that aloud.
- Seeking the Star by Alioth
"About my hair," Snape said when he drew back, his voice as calm as though he'd done nothing more interesting in the last few moments than deliver a Potions lecture. "On class days, I coat it with an oil-based ointment to prevent it from absorbing fumes. I put some on my skin as well, generally. I used to leave the ointment on for days at a time..." He gave Harry a significant glance. "I thought it might be a bit off-putting, so now I spell the coating away when I return here each evening."
- Cambiare Podentes: Invocare by Jordan Grant
"I noticed that it contains hydrogen peroxide, which damages the hair structure, so it the hair gets even more frizzy." [...] "Try olive oil. It works lots better and doesn’t contain alcohol." [...] "Or did you think I never wash my hair? Apart from being naturally oily, it needs the protection. Otherwise, I might already be bald."
- From Hell by Pigwidgeon37
Most heartbreakingly, it's a result of abuse or trauma.
He lets his hair grow, careless and tangled, sweat-choked and greasy. It hurts him, I think, to touch or brush or even seem to cherish an instrument used in his degradation.
- Pensieve by Spyke Raven
A hand grabbed Sev's head by the hair and slammed it against the wall. The little boy yelped and held up his hands. "Let go, please, just let go of my hair. I'll do anything you want--"
"Shut up. Don't you understand that I'm trying to help you?" Eversor yanked his hair. It was a bit longer now than it had been. "And what did I tell you about washing this?"
- Civil War by Sushi
Not that anything was going to get the oil out of his skin and hair for good, short of an extended, painful, and costly stay in St. Mungo's, but he couldn't help trying. [...]
"And hair and skin aren't supposed to exude enough oil to power a fleet of Muggle motorcars, either," he told her, blinking soap out of his eyes. "But thanks to Mother and her teaching methods---"
- Pawn to Queen by Riley
That seemed to melt the other boy, who promptly pulled him close again, burying his face in black hair gone horribly oily. Severus hadn't washed it since Tom had told him how soft and lovely it was.
- Lack of Morals by Kat Reitz and Tzigane
Alarmed by what they thought were symptoms of a disease, his parents took him to see every specialist there was on the Isle and on the continent-after all, they could afford it-and Severus was charmed, potioned and healed until his skin and teeth took on a yellowish tone and his scalp began to secrete excessive quantities of oil in silent protest.
- From Hell by Pigwidgeon37
Or it's self-protection, designed to keep people at bay.
I’ve never cried for help, and until this year did not seriously consider taking my life because it would have been an ungrateful slap in the face for Dumbledore - and for my colleagues who put up with me so patiently, never prying with their sympathy, but letting me know they were there for me: even though I made myself hateful, deliberately repellent body and soul, to ensure I wouldn’t elicit love, or even liking.
["He means that hair of his was intentional?" Madam Hooch whispered to Sprout.]
- Letter from Exile one Merciful Morning by Textualsphinx
Hermione always suspected that Snape's greasy appearance had more to do with the number of hot cauldrons he worked with, combined with a desire to foster an unappealing image and a possible propensity to be naturally oily, as opposed to a failure to attend to personal hygiene. For Heaven's sake, given the amount of time he spent hovering near them in class, the students' noses would have noticed long ago if he neglected to attend to his personal hygiene.
- Teacher, Teacher by Moaning Myrtle in the Loo
Makeover!
His hair, far from its usual lank, greasy appearance, was a shimmering curtain of silk. His skin was no longer sallow, but warm and clear, his eyes bright. Even his teeth, as he talked, flashed whiter. The harsh lines scoring his face had eased in the night, making him look at least five years younger.
- Rats' Alley by Fabula Rasa
To her surprise, he cleaned up reasonably well. Still pale and unprepossessing, but better than she’d have expected. Especially his hair. It seemed to get gradually less lank as the week went on. In fact, he was really quite fastidious about his personal habits, which made her wonder what exactly he had used on his hair at Hogwarts.
- The Other Side of Darkness by Abby
Snape never cared much for anything Muggle in nature. Except perhaps the few dozen or so novels he kept for nights he couldn't sleep. Or the cosmetic products that finally rid him of that damned oily hair and dry skin that had plagued him for decades.
- Still Life by The Treacle Tart
He didn’t even look the same here. Without the voluminous folds of the billowing black cloak he looked smaller. While he was still tall, he wasn’t the towering, glowering menace of the classroom. His long black hair, always so lank and greasy-looking at school, was fine and silky with rainbow highlights in the sun.
- After the Battle, Healing Begins by Islandsmoke
"Your skin is almost normal already, and your hair isn't limp and oily. The physical changes happened overnight, literally."
- Eternal Bonds by Rowaine
He had taken to looking at his reflection, wondering whether there was anything he could do to improve his appearance. Listening to the students had given him clues as to what he needed to do. The teeth were beyond straightening, but he could and did clean them regularly. He had experimented with something called Shampoo, and now his hair was glossy and clean. Even the children had noticed the improvement, and he had overheard some of them speculating that he had a girlfriend.
- The Arithmantic Dating Agency by Shiv5468
He continued to use Ron’s shampoo, begrudgingly admitting he liked the way it worked. His softer, thicker hair seemed to soften the harsh lines of his face, which was fuller than it had ever been in his life. While still lean and trim he was no longer skeletal. Severus Snape looked and felt like a different person, and he needed that today.
- The Tao of Diogenes by The Treacle Tart
He was about six feet away, leaning against one of the desks with his arms folded. He wore a heavy black sweater and trousers. His hair no longer looked greasy. I found myself staring at him and my mouth may have been open. [...] It wasn’t greasy. It was silky. He must have washed it, because it was a known fact that he usually sported greasy locks. Thankfully, not today.
- Singularity by Kabochon
Snape’s hands were quite elegant, long fingers milky white with neatly trimmed nails. The stains were gone. He then noticed that Snape’s hair was shiny clean as well. It looked baby soft and curled gently at the ends.
- Just A Few Letters Off by Devi, the Wynter Wytch
And the treatment I personally am most fond of: Snape is, just. He's just really greasy.
It wasn't as though Mr. Filch didn't see him every day, all oily face and unkempt hair. He wasn't foolish enough to believe there was any chance of actually improving his looks. But, he thought, he didn't have to make them any worse either. So he combed his hair carefully and blotted the oil off his face with a spare piece of parchment before plucking up the courage to stand in front of the mirror.
- Blind, Deaf, and Dumb by delphi
Absentmindedly, he twirls Snape's hair around his finger. It's greasy and slick and won't curl right.
- As Children Often Do by Lux
Snape always looked nervous, cagey, sallow cheeks flushed and hands like brittle birds swallowed by the blackest night. He was too dark, too gutted, skin like dripped wax and hair a lank fall of black on black. He never wore his robes well, cloth hanging from sharp shoulders and cutting straight down in two parallel lines to brush the floor. A scent hung about him, too, acrid and disagreeable. He smelled, Lucius decided, like the pickled livers and dried flesh he cut and mixed and melded into potions, old and dead and *sharp*.
- Ugly Boys by Khirsah
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