Re: Severus Snape 2/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 01:59:09 UTC
Severus started school at Hogwarts on September 1, 1971, along with Lily Evans. It is on the train that he first encounters James Potter and Sirius Black. When Severus expresses a desire to be sorted into Slytherin and wanting Lily to join him there, James interrupts and, for the first time, takes notice of the pretty young Lily. From that day forward there was an intense dislike shared between James and Severus due to their choice of Houses and their vying for Lily’s affection.
Severus is sorted into Slytherin as he wanted but Lily is sorted into Gryffindor along with James, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. As the years passed, Lily and Severus remained friends but the friendship did become more and more strained because of Severus’s interest in the Dark Arts and his later interest in joining the Death Eaters. Severus was happily welcomed into Slytherin and appears to have been treated nicely by Lucius Malfoy as well as his fellow Slytherins. Tensions, though, continued to increase between James and Severus due to Severus’s anti-muggle feelings and following around Blood Purists and James’s haughty, loud, and popular nature.
The hatred between Severus and James reached a boiling point during their Fifth Year when James used one of the spells Severus invented to lift him into the air by his feet and threaten to take his trousers off. Lily happened upon the scene and ordered James to leave Severus alone. Humiliated and enraged, Severus lashed out at Lily along with James, calling her a ‘mudblood’. This was the final straw in Severus and Lily’s friendship and is recalled by Snape as his worst memory.
Later, though, James does save Severus’s life. Severus, curious as to why Remus Lupin would disappear around the full moon, was tricked by Sirius Black into visiting the Shrieking Shack while Lupin was there and transformed into his werewolf form. When James found out what Remus had done he raced to the Shack in time to warn Severus thus saving his life. While Severus always viewed this act to have been driven merely by James’s desire not to get in trouble it is more likely that James truly didn’t want Severus severely injured or killed.
Severus Snape 3/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 02:01:37 UTC
After graduating from Hogwarts in 1978, Severus joined the ranks of the Death Eaters and championed for pure bloods despite his own mixed blood and his continuing, though hidden, love for Lily Evans, a muggle born. In early 1980, Severus served as Lord Voldemort’s spy and heard Trelawney’s prophecy of who would eventually defeat the Dark Lord. He did not hear to whole conversation because he was caught listening in but he heard enough to report back to Voldemort. Much to Severus’s horror, his master took the prophecy to mean that the son of James and Lily Porter would be the one to defeat him and, therefore, the whole family had to die.
Severus begged Voldemort to spare Lily but he refused to listen. Desperate, Severus searched out Dumbledore and begged him to protect Lily. Dumbledore, repulsed by Severus’s disregard for the lives of James or the child, Harry, at first refuses to help Severus. It is only when Severus changes his request to protection for the whole family that Dumbledore listens to the request. In return for the Potters’ protection Dumbledore asks Severus what he will give to which he replies, “Anything.” As a result Severus changes his allegiances and becomes a member of the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore promises to protect the Potters.
However, the Potters’ Secret-Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, betrayed them and gave the location of their hiding place to Voldemort. On October 31, 1981, the Dark Lord murdered James and Lily Potter and attempted to murder Harry. He failed to kill Harry, though, and as a result was sent into hiding - many believing him to have died that night until his rebirth.
I’m going to borrow from the movie here and say that Severus did go to the Potters house in Godric’s Hollow. This is the only part I will use from the movies as I think it would make sense for Severus to rush to the scene to see with his own eyes that which he was promised would not happen. If necessary I can remove this part from his history. Aside from this one scene I will be relying solely on the books for his background.
Severus is devastated at the death of his childhood love and initially lashes out at Dumbledore for not keeping his word to protect the Potters but Dumbledore points out that there was nothing he could have done to save James and Lily from their fates. Full of sadness, Dumbledore asks Severus to help him protect Harry from the Dark Lord. Severus is positive that Voldemort was killed and was in fact the only Death Eater who did not seek out the man after his perceived death. Dumbledore, however, is convinced that Voldemort would rise again someday and when that time came Harry would be in mortal danger. Severus is extremely hesitant to agree to Dumbledore’s request but finally agrees. By remaining at Dumbledore’s side, Severus avoided the fate of most of the Death Eaters - Azkaban.
Dumbledore made Severus the Potions Professor at Hogwarts - the Potions Master - and that has been position for ten years despite his repeated attempts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
As the years go by Severus shows repeatedly how much he hates James Potter even in the other's death through his treatment of Harry Potter. However, Severus helps Harry over and over, trying to teach him how to keep Voldemort out of his mind. Harry is able to see some of Severus's memories and starts to learn why Severus came to hate James.
Severus Snape 4/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 02:58:03 UTC
During Harry's Sixth Year, Severus finally gets the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. The Wizarding World is on the edge of war and Harry is in the middle of it. Dumbledore and Harry are hunting down Horcruxes while Draco Malfoy is given the task of murdering Dumbldore to save his family from Voldemort.
Unknown to Harry, Dumbldore is already dying, having been cursed by on the Horcruxes. Severus slowed the progression of the curse but was only able to give the Headmaster a year to live. Dumbldore knows that Draco has been charged to kill him and insists that Severus takes Draco's place in order to save the boy's soul.
However, Draco refuses to let Severus in on what he is doing and so it is a surprise when the Death Eaters lay siege to Hogwarts. Dumbledore and Harry return from a journey to retrieve Slytherin's locket and see the Dark Mark over the castle. They run back to the school to try and help - but Dumbledore knows he is also running into a trap. Dumbledore tells Harry to get Severus. Harry does as asked but is then forced to watch in horror as Severus kills Dumbledore.
Severus Snape 5/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 03:31:21 UTC
Severus becomes the new Headmaster of Hogwarts and under his rule life for students becomes unbearable. However, it was supposed to be worse. Dumbledore made Severus promise to protect the students to the best of his ability once he became Headmaster and he does just that. He gives out punishments that are actually rewards - sending students to help Hagrid when they stepped out of line. He keeps the Death Eaters from taking full control of Hogwarts while keeping up his ruse with Voldemort.
When Harry returns to Hogwarts to finish the search for Horcruxes Severus makes his exit from the scene, knowing that his time there is at an end. But Voldemort isn't finished with the man he still believes is his devoted follower.
Voldemort is unable to use the Elder Wand to its turn potential after taking it from Dumbledore's grave. He believes that the wand must pass through the killing of the previous owner by the new owner. He believes that since Severus was the one who killed Dumbledore he must kill Severus to take full possession of the wand.
Unfortunately, Voldemort does not know how wand magic really works. Wands pass through dueling and since Draco was the one who disarmed Dumbledore the night he died the wand's ownership passed to Draco. And then Harry disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor and by doing that Harry took full possession of the Elder Wand.
Still, Voldemort orders Severus to him in the final battle of Hogwarts and murders Severus. Harry witnesses the murder and finds himself drawn to Severus's side to try and help him. Severus, knowing he is dying, gives Harry all his memories in order to give Harry the finally keys to destroying Voldemort and saving his own life.
Severus Snape 6/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 04:01:18 UTC
Harry views the memories and finally sees where Severus's loyalties had always laid and the love the Potions Master had held for his mother. With the knowledge necessary to destroy Voldemort - the knowledge that he has to die to kill the Dark Lord and knowing how Severus had objected to Dumbledore basically leading Harry like a pig to the slaughter - Harry goes to meet his fate.
With a wand that couldn't work to its full potential and the tie to life Voldemort gave Harry the night he killed his parents Harry was able to return to life and survive the Killing Curse once more. This time, though, all the Horcruxes were destroyed and Harry was able to defeat him once and for all. However, before he did, Harry revealed to Voldemort and all those fighting what Severus had done and who his loyalties had belonged to.
After the final battle life went on in the Wizard World and Harry later made sure that Severus's portrait was hung up in the Headmaster's office along side all the previous Headmasters. Additionally, Harry later named his youngest child after Dumbledore and Severus as a tribute to the sacrifice both men made to save all of them.
Severus Snape 7/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 04:05:03 UTC
[ Personality ] : First and foremost - Severus Snape is an asshole. He is so let's just get that out there right now. He was willing, at first, to let Harry and James die in exchange for Lily. That takes some serious self-centeredness - he was willing to let a baby be murdered. Yeah, nice guy, right?
Snape wasn't redeemed the moment he promised Dumbledore anything in exchange for the Potter family being spared. Oh no. He only pleaded for the whole family after Dumbledore pointed out how unbelievably evil his initial request was.
After the death of James and Lily, though, Snape gave his word to Dumbledore once again - to help him protect Harry. As time went on and years passed Severus did come to think of more than just himself. It would seem that the love that Lily had sparked in him when he was a child finally took root and grew. He had to lose the one person he valued most in order to learn what he was never taught by his parents - compassion and putting others before himself. Even once it was taught, though, he never knew how to properly express it. He opted for cruelty and childish behavior as an outlet for his frustrated and stunted emotional growth.It is unlikely that Snape ever was a true, loyal, and devoted Death Eater as he was the only known Death Eater who could produce a Patronus. Throughout the various battles (with Harry Potter and McGonagall to name two), Snape is shown as fending off attacks but not truly fighting back - he even went so far as to attempt to save Remus Lupin during the transport of Harry in Deathly Hallows. Unfortunately, as he was flying at the time with the other Death Eaters and they were in the midst of a battle his aim was knocked off and he hit George Weasley by accident.
Snape did what he could to protect the students of Hogwarts and Harry himself during the final battle. He is even quoted in Deathly Hallows as expressing a desire to save lives rather than take them - "Don't be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?" "Lately, only those whom I could not save," said Snape. He stood up. "You have used me."
By those comments it could be inferred that Snape never took a life. However, it could also mean that he had watched many die during the First and Second Wizarding Wars. This point is never clarified. I am more inclined to think that he never took a life. The Death Eater bit was his pathetic attempt at gaining power and respect through fear. He did not have the strength of conviction that his fellow Death Eaters had - the ability to kill. The only person he killed was Dumbledore and that was done at Dumbledore's request.
By the time of Half Blood Prince Snape was completely loyal and devoted to Dumbledore and their cause. While their initial bond came from Snape's own selfish desires it seemed to develop into deep respect and even, on some level, friendship. His heart was changed by love and remorse but this was constantly at odds with his selfish, petty nature leading to a deeply conflicted man.
While he turns out to be a hero in the end, Snape made some horrific mistakes along the way to heroism - mistakes that were no one else's fault but his own. Snape is a product of his environment. He seemed to adopt the mindset of his father which was distant and emotionless and perhaps it was his father who caused Snape’s dislike of muggles in the first place.
If he had had a supportive family he would have survived the bullying of classmates and perhaps come out just fine. If he had had a good life at school it may have balanced out his awful home life. As it is, Snape had neither a good home life nor a good life at school. Small wonder it is then that he latched onto the first group that came along who treated him kindly - various Slytherins who would eventually become Death Eaters.
Severus Snape 8/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 04:06:36 UTC
Certainly, Snape was driven in part to do some of the things he did but his behavior was still childish at times especially toward Harry. While he was a good teacher in terms of knowing his subject and getting students to learn he did so by being mean-spirited and, at times, cruel. It would seem that he did not like children and would have been happier living out his life in solitude. As it was, though, he did not do that and continued as a teacher. As he grew older and despite not liking children, Snape did not want them harmed as evidenced by his promise to Dumbledore to protect the students of Hogwarts during the Battle of Hogwarts.
What it comes down to is this - his behavior is understandable but not justifiable. The conflict between who he should have been and what he actually became is what I am trying to get across here because to do otherwise would be a disservice to his character. I think Snape's redemption is a perfect example of some of Dumbledore's final words to Harry in Deathly Hallows - "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love."
It was love that drove Snape to Dumbledore's side and love that kept him there until it wasn't just love of one woman that kept him there. In spite of how weak he had been Snape rose to the occasion and finally became the man he should have been all along. The change was so pronounced from his first sad and self-centered request to spare only Lily's life that even Dumbledore wondered if perhaps they sorted children into Houses too soon - leading one to believe that he now believed that Snape was never really a Slytherin. One wonders what he would have become had his influences been better.
Snape is still a man torn between the world of muggles and the world of wizards. His love for Lily has never wavered but it is always at odds with the Pure Blood beliefs he took on as a Death Eater and his dislike of Muggles. As such, his personality is abrasive and he refuses to suffer fools in silence. He is an adult in terms of age - 38 - but he is still a child emotionally and will often react to situations in a childish manner. His lack of emotional development is not his fault - it can be traced back to his family life - but it still doesn’t excuse his behavior.
Severus Snape 9/?halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 04:22:56 UTC
[ Strengths/Weaknesses ] : Severus is a brilliant wizard. He has invented his own spells while still in school and even showed great magical abilities prior to starting at Hogwarts. He prefers his own company over the company of others. He opted to keep his office in the dungeons even after Slughorn took over as the Potions Master and he took over Defense Against the Dark Arts illustrating his desire for solitude.
He is gifted in the subject of potions and is able to come up cures and treatments that no one else prior to him could. Additionally, he is an accomplished duelist as illustrated by his ability to fend of attacks effectively without harming the other wizard.
Severus's weaknesses are many. He is a spiteful man who only has the ability to love one person - Lily Evans. His ability to love Lily while being one of his greatest strengths is also one of his greatest weaknesses because it can be used against him. Additionally, he has no emotional skills or social skills. He pushes away anyone who wants to care about him and is just a plain nasty person. His attitude is his other big weakness.
[ Other Important Facts ] : Snape has the Dark Mark on his left arm but keeps it covered at all times by the long sleeves of his robes.
Severus Snape 10/10halfbloodalwaysDecember 26 2011, 04:25:34 UTC
[ Sample ] : In the days, months, and years since the death of Lily Evans, Severus Snape had realized many things about himself. First, he hated his job. Teaching children in the same school he had endured torment in and lost friendship in was really the last place he wanted to be. Spinner’s End seemed a more pleasant prospect even if it did mean having to put up with his aging parents.
The Snapes weren’t too much trouble for their son, though, as he could usually ignore their babbling. It was harder for Tobias to scream and yell now that his body was giving out on him. Still, the sour man tried to exert some control over his wife and child. His efforts were in vain as he was, for the most part, unable to walk and his attempts at movement often resulted in nothing more than a darkly amused ‘hmph’ from his son. Life wasn’t so lovely when the shoe was on the other foot.
Still, he cared something for them and made sure they had a nurse who came around and assisted them daily. Severus detested his father and did not think much of his mother since she never stood up to his father but he wasn’t about to let them wallow in their own filth. He wasn’t quite that cruel - though the idea had crossed his mind more than once as an option.
The second thing he learned was that having a conscience was a pain. As much as he would have preferred to hex various individuals, including his own students, he refrained out of some faint concern for the well-being of others. It had been so easy to do before - to come up with new spells for punishing those who upset him - but now it seemed he had less desire to harm and more desire to be left alone.
The final thing he had learned was how lonely he was. In the solitude of his office, he now reflected on this fact and how he had no one to blame but himself for it. That was the worst part - he needed only to look in the mirror to see the person who brought this loneness upon him.
He withdrew a scrap of paper from his robes and read over the words for what had to be the millionth time. Without looking at the paper he knew the words but there was something about holding that bit of paper that comforted him. It was a connection - something she had touched so long ago - that linked him back to a much happier time in his life. Happiness, though, was a relative term when it came to Snape and as he replaced the note to its place he eyes seemed to dampen but he would never allow the tears to fall.
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Severus is sorted into Slytherin as he wanted but Lily is sorted into Gryffindor along with James, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. As the years passed, Lily and Severus remained friends but the friendship did become more and more strained because of Severus’s interest in the Dark Arts and his later interest in joining the Death Eaters. Severus was happily welcomed into Slytherin and appears to have been treated nicely by Lucius Malfoy as well as his fellow Slytherins. Tensions, though, continued to increase between James and Severus due to Severus’s anti-muggle feelings and following around Blood Purists and James’s haughty, loud, and popular nature.
The hatred between Severus and James reached a boiling point during their Fifth Year when James used one of the spells Severus invented to lift him into the air by his feet and threaten to take his trousers off. Lily happened upon the scene and ordered James to leave Severus alone. Humiliated and enraged, Severus lashed out at Lily along with James, calling her a ‘mudblood’. This was the final straw in Severus and Lily’s friendship and is recalled by Snape as his worst memory.
Later, though, James does save Severus’s life. Severus, curious as to why Remus Lupin would disappear around the full moon, was tricked by Sirius Black into visiting the Shrieking Shack while Lupin was there and transformed into his werewolf form. When James found out what Remus had done he raced to the Shack in time to warn Severus thus saving his life. While Severus always viewed this act to have been driven merely by James’s desire not to get in trouble it is more likely that James truly didn’t want Severus severely injured or killed.
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Severus begged Voldemort to spare Lily but he refused to listen. Desperate, Severus searched out Dumbledore and begged him to protect Lily. Dumbledore, repulsed by Severus’s disregard for the lives of James or the child, Harry, at first refuses to help Severus. It is only when Severus changes his request to protection for the whole family that Dumbledore listens to the request. In return for the Potters’ protection Dumbledore asks Severus what he will give to which he replies, “Anything.” As a result Severus changes his allegiances and becomes a member of the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore promises to protect the Potters.
However, the Potters’ Secret-Keeper, Peter Pettigrew, betrayed them and gave the location of their hiding place to Voldemort. On October 31, 1981, the Dark Lord murdered James and Lily Potter and attempted to murder Harry. He failed to kill Harry, though, and as a result was sent into hiding - many believing him to have died that night until his rebirth.
I’m going to borrow from the movie here and say that Severus did go to the Potters house in Godric’s Hollow. This is the only part I will use from the movies as I think it would make sense for Severus to rush to the scene to see with his own eyes that which he was promised would not happen. If necessary I can remove this part from his history. Aside from this one scene I will be relying solely on the books for his background.
Severus is devastated at the death of his childhood love and initially lashes out at Dumbledore for not keeping his word to protect the Potters but Dumbledore points out that there was nothing he could have done to save James and Lily from their fates. Full of sadness, Dumbledore asks Severus to help him protect Harry from the Dark Lord. Severus is positive that Voldemort was killed and was in fact the only Death Eater who did not seek out the man after his perceived death. Dumbledore, however, is convinced that Voldemort would rise again someday and when that time came Harry would be in mortal danger. Severus is extremely hesitant to agree to Dumbledore’s request but finally agrees. By remaining at Dumbledore’s side, Severus avoided the fate of most of the Death Eaters - Azkaban.
Dumbledore made Severus the Potions Professor at Hogwarts - the Potions Master - and that has been position for ten years despite his repeated attempts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
As the years go by Severus shows repeatedly how much he hates James Potter even in the other's death through his treatment of Harry Potter. However, Severus helps Harry over and over, trying to teach him how to keep Voldemort out of his mind. Harry is able to see some of Severus's memories and starts to learn why Severus came to hate James.
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Unknown to Harry, Dumbldore is already dying, having been cursed by on the Horcruxes. Severus slowed the progression of the curse but was only able to give the Headmaster a year to live. Dumbldore knows that Draco has been charged to kill him and insists that Severus takes Draco's place in order to save the boy's soul.
However, Draco refuses to let Severus in on what he is doing and so it is a surprise when the Death Eaters lay siege to Hogwarts. Dumbledore and Harry return from a journey to retrieve Slytherin's locket and see the Dark Mark over the castle. They run back to the school to try and help - but Dumbledore knows he is also running into a trap. Dumbledore tells Harry to get Severus. Harry does as asked but is then forced to watch in horror as Severus kills Dumbledore.
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When Harry returns to Hogwarts to finish the search for Horcruxes Severus makes his exit from the scene, knowing that his time there is at an end. But Voldemort isn't finished with the man he still believes is his devoted follower.
Voldemort is unable to use the Elder Wand to its turn potential after taking it from Dumbledore's grave. He believes that the wand must pass through the killing of the previous owner by the new owner. He believes that since Severus was the one who killed Dumbledore he must kill Severus to take full possession of the wand.
Unfortunately, Voldemort does not know how wand magic really works. Wands pass through dueling and since Draco was the one who disarmed Dumbledore the night he died the wand's ownership passed to Draco. And then Harry disarmed Draco at Malfoy Manor and by doing that Harry took full possession of the Elder Wand.
Still, Voldemort orders Severus to him in the final battle of Hogwarts and murders Severus. Harry witnesses the murder and finds himself drawn to Severus's side to try and help him. Severus, knowing he is dying, gives Harry all his memories in order to give Harry the finally keys to destroying Voldemort and saving his own life.
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With a wand that couldn't work to its full potential and the tie to life Voldemort gave Harry the night he killed his parents Harry was able to return to life and survive the Killing Curse once more. This time, though, all the Horcruxes were destroyed and Harry was able to defeat him once and for all. However, before he did, Harry revealed to Voldemort and all those fighting what Severus had done and who his loyalties had belonged to.
After the final battle life went on in the Wizard World and Harry later made sure that Severus's portrait was hung up in the Headmaster's office along side all the previous Headmasters. Additionally, Harry later named his youngest child after Dumbledore and Severus as a tribute to the sacrifice both men made to save all of them.
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First and foremost - Severus Snape is an asshole. He is so let's just get that out there right now. He was willing, at first, to let Harry and James die in exchange for Lily. That takes some serious self-centeredness - he was willing to let a baby be murdered. Yeah, nice guy, right?
Snape wasn't redeemed the moment he promised Dumbledore anything in exchange for the Potter family being spared. Oh no. He only pleaded for the whole family after Dumbledore pointed out how unbelievably evil his initial request was.
After the death of James and Lily, though, Snape gave his word to Dumbledore once again - to help him protect Harry. As time went on and years passed Severus did come to think of more than just himself. It would seem that the love that Lily had sparked in him when he was a child finally took root and grew. He had to lose the one person he valued most in order to learn what he was never taught by his parents - compassion and putting others before himself. Even once it was taught, though, he never knew how to properly express it. He opted for cruelty and childish behavior as an outlet for his frustrated and stunted emotional growth.It is unlikely that Snape ever was a true, loyal, and devoted Death Eater as he was the only known Death Eater who could produce a Patronus. Throughout the various battles (with Harry Potter and McGonagall to name two), Snape is shown as fending off attacks but not truly fighting back - he even went so far as to attempt to save Remus Lupin during the transport of Harry in Deathly Hallows. Unfortunately, as he was flying at the time with the other Death Eaters and they were in the midst of a battle his aim was knocked off and he hit George Weasley by accident.
Snape did what he could to protect the students of Hogwarts and Harry himself during the final battle. He is even quoted in Deathly Hallows as expressing a desire to save lives rather than take them -
"Don't be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?"
"Lately, only those whom I could not save," said Snape. He stood up. "You have used me."
By those comments it could be inferred that Snape never took a life. However, it could also mean that he had watched many die during the First and Second Wizarding Wars. This point is never clarified. I am more inclined to think that he never took a life. The Death Eater bit was his pathetic attempt at gaining power and respect through fear. He did not have the strength of conviction that his fellow Death Eaters had - the ability to kill. The only person he killed was Dumbledore and that was done at Dumbledore's request.
By the time of Half Blood Prince Snape was completely loyal and devoted to Dumbledore and their cause. While their initial bond came from Snape's own selfish desires it seemed to develop into deep respect and even, on some level, friendship. His heart was changed by love and remorse but this was constantly at odds with his selfish, petty nature leading to a deeply conflicted man.
While he turns out to be a hero in the end, Snape made some horrific mistakes along the way to heroism - mistakes that were no one else's fault but his own. Snape is a product of his environment. He seemed to adopt the mindset of his father which was distant and emotionless and perhaps it was his father who caused Snape’s dislike of muggles in the first place.
If he had had a supportive family he would have survived the bullying of classmates and perhaps come out just fine. If he had had a good life at school it may have balanced out his awful home life. As it is, Snape had neither a good home life nor a good life at school. Small wonder it is then that he latched onto the first group that came along who treated him kindly - various Slytherins who would eventually become Death Eaters.
Reply
What it comes down to is this - his behavior is understandable but not justifiable. The conflict between who he should have been and what he actually became is what I am trying to get across here because to do otherwise would be a disservice to his character. I think Snape's redemption is a perfect example of some of Dumbledore's final words to Harry in Deathly Hallows -
"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love."
It was love that drove Snape to Dumbledore's side and love that kept him there until it wasn't just love of one woman that kept him there. In spite of how weak he had been Snape rose to the occasion and finally became the man he should have been all along. The change was so pronounced from his first sad and self-centered request to spare only Lily's life that even Dumbledore wondered if perhaps they sorted children into Houses too soon - leading one to believe that he now believed that Snape was never really a Slytherin. One wonders what he would have become had his influences been better.
Snape is still a man torn between the world of muggles and the world of wizards. His love for Lily has never wavered but it is always at odds with the Pure Blood beliefs he took on as a Death Eater and his dislike of Muggles. As such, his personality is abrasive and he refuses to suffer fools in silence. He is an adult in terms of age - 38 - but he is still a child emotionally and will often react to situations in a childish manner. His lack of emotional development is not his fault - it can be traced back to his family life - but it still doesn’t excuse his behavior.
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Severus is a brilliant wizard. He has invented his own spells while still in school and even showed great magical abilities prior to starting at Hogwarts. He prefers his own company over the company of others. He opted to keep his office in the dungeons even after Slughorn took over as the Potions Master and he took over Defense Against the Dark Arts illustrating his desire for solitude.
He is gifted in the subject of potions and is able to come up cures and treatments that no one else prior to him could. Additionally, he is an accomplished duelist as illustrated by his ability to fend of attacks effectively without harming the other wizard.
Severus's weaknesses are many. He is a spiteful man who only has the ability to love one person - Lily Evans. His ability to love Lily while being one of his greatest strengths is also one of his greatest weaknesses because it can be used against him. Additionally, he has no emotional skills or social skills. He pushes away anyone who wants to care about him and is just a plain nasty person. His attitude is his other big weakness.
[ Other Important Facts ] :
Snape has the Dark Mark on his left arm but keeps it covered at all times by the long sleeves of his robes.
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In the days, months, and years since the death of Lily Evans, Severus Snape had realized many things about himself. First, he hated his job. Teaching children in the same school he had endured torment in and lost friendship in was really the last place he wanted to be. Spinner’s End seemed a more pleasant prospect even if it did mean having to put up with his aging parents.
The Snapes weren’t too much trouble for their son, though, as he could usually ignore their babbling. It was harder for Tobias to scream and yell now that his body was giving out on him. Still, the sour man tried to exert some control over his wife and child. His efforts were in vain as he was, for the most part, unable to walk and his attempts at movement often resulted in nothing more than a darkly amused ‘hmph’ from his son. Life wasn’t so lovely when the shoe was on the other foot.
Still, he cared something for them and made sure they had a nurse who came around and assisted them daily. Severus detested his father and did not think much of his mother since she never stood up to his father but he wasn’t about to let them wallow in their own filth. He wasn’t quite that cruel - though the idea had crossed his mind more than once as an option.
The second thing he learned was that having a conscience was a pain. As much as he would have preferred to hex various individuals, including his own students, he refrained out of some faint concern for the well-being of others. It had been so easy to do before - to come up with new spells for punishing those who upset him - but now it seemed he had less desire to harm and more desire to be left alone.
The final thing he had learned was how lonely he was. In the solitude of his office, he now reflected on this fact and how he had no one to blame but himself for it. That was the worst part - he needed only to look in the mirror to see the person who brought this loneness upon him.
He withdrew a scrap of paper from his robes and read over the words for what had to be the millionth time. Without looking at the paper he knew the words but there was something about holding that bit of paper that comforted him. It was a connection - something she had touched so long ago - that linked him back to a much happier time in his life. Happiness, though, was a relative term when it came to Snape and as he replaced the note to its place he eyes seemed to dampen but he would never allow the tears to fall.
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