Summary
When mostHarry Potterfans think of their favorite characters, Severus Snape might not be the first that comes to mind for most people. Sitting in an incredibly grey area throughout most of the series, many fans of the films had no idea what to make of Snape. He was often set up to appear as an antagonistic force, and yet each of his actions seemed to aid Harry Potter in his journey to defeat Voldemort.
He may seem like some guy who was simply pining for Harry’s mom the whole time, but Snape is so much more than that. The man was one of the most important figures in theHarry Potterseries thanks to his ability to tiptoe on both sides of the wizarding world’s conflict, acting as an important ally for both Dumbledore and Voldemort.
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Who Is Severus Snape?
Severus Snape is one of the most famous members of the Hogwarts staff throughout theHarry PotterSeries. Acting primarily as the head of Slytherin and the Potions Master of the school, Snape was a key figure in fostering the next generation of Slytherins while ensuring all students in the school had the potential to become competent potion brewers. He would eventually take the role ofDefence Against the Dark Arts teacher, and even later he’d become the Headmaster of the school, but he was so much more than just a simple teacher.
Snape was a complex figurewho fought for both sides of the wizarding world at various times. At one time, Snape was a member of Voldemort’s Death Eaters, and at another point in time, he was a member of the famed Order of the Phoenix. This duality positioned Snape as one of the most powerful wizards alive considering he was deeply trusted by the greatest dark wizard to ever live, Voldemort, and one of the greatest wizards to ever exist, Dumbledore.
Despitethe usual attitudes of Slytherins, Snape was a half-blood. This, among other issues, led to him being bullied in school, something that would push him down a darker path. Despite that, he was a promising student, causing many to take interest in him, though unfortunately, the woman he loved would not give him the same interest. Later in life, he’d do what he could to aid Harry and Dumbledore against Voldemort’s second rise to power, though he would eventually be killed by Voldemort himself. Despite dying a brutal death, Snape would be recognized as one of the greatest heroes in the wizarding world by both Harry Potter himself, and fans of the series as a whole.
What Did Snape Do During The Harry Potter Series?
During Snape’s early life, he befriended Lily Evans, the woman he’d love for the remainder of his life. Unfortunately, she’d end up falling forthe man who brutally bullied him throughout his Hogwarts years, and those two would end up conceiving Harry Potter. Bitter from his time at Hogwarts despite his immense skill, Snape would become a Death Eater during the first Wizarding War. Thanks to Snape’s spying, Voldemort would turn his attention to the Potter family, causing the Death Eater to turn to Dumbledore for help in keeping Lily Evans safe. It was this period that would see Snape becoming Dumbledore’s trusted right-hand man, and Snape would resolve to ensure Harry Potter would defeat Voldemort no matter the cost.
Snape would then go on to become the potions master and head of Slytherin for over a decade. Once Harry Potter began attending Hogwarts, Snape was always trying to keep the boy safe, especially in his first year when Snape would try to thwart Quirrell’s attempts on Harry’s life. Dumbledore would then continue to call on Snape to protect Harry, be aware of the boy’s whereabouts, and teach him whatever vital skills he’d require in the fight against Voldemort,something that included Occlumency lessons.
Eventually,Snape would be the one to kill Dumbledoreas that was the dying Headmaster’s final request. This made it appear as if Snape were on Voldemort’s side and it ultimately set the stage for Harry to defeat Voldemort in their final duel. Unable to directly assist Harry any further, Snape would play the part of a Death Eater, taking control of Hogwarts for Voldemort until he would be forced to flee. Voldemort would kill Snape to, as he believed, become the master of the Elder Wand, but luckily, Harry was able to claim some of Snape’s memories in order to understand that he’d be on his side since before he was ever even born.
Was Snape The Most Important Character?
A serious case could be made for Snape being the most important character in the entireHarry Potterseries. He may not be the one who wins the climactic battles or the one who openly struggles against villainy, but he is always manipulating things for the better. Had Snape not killed Dumbledore, Draco could have been lost entirely, or worse,killed by Death Eaters. Then there’s the fact that, without Snape, Voldemort would certainly have figured out who the Elder Wand’s true allegiance was to and fixed the issue immediately.
Throughout the entire time Harry is at Hogwarts, Snape is helping to teach him the skills he needs in order to best Voldemort. All of this stems fromSnape’s love for Harry’s mother, something that allowed him to do good. The power of love in the series is the strongest force of them all, and Snape’s love allows him to set aside his hatred for Harry’s father, and in turn, the boy who resembled him, in order to do right by Lily. If Snape had been just a touch more hateful,his redemption arc would have never occurredand things would have gone very differently.
His skill as a wizard allowed Snape to be the deepest double agent possible, making all the right decisions to play by sides, ultimately always aiding Harry. A great example of Snape’s heroic skill and importance is his brief duel with Professor McGonagall, in which he takes out both Death Eaters that are present by deflecting her attacks. Only after all danger to Harry and the students of Hogwarts are down does he flee from the castle. Many already feel Snape deserves so much more credit from theHarry Potterfanbase, and it’s not hard to see why.
