Severus Snape

Severus Snape (born January 9, 1959) is a fictional character in the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. He was appointed Potions teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry shortly after graduating from the school, and became Head of Slytherin house.

Loyalty

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The question of Snape's ultimate loyalty is one of the most significant unresolved issues in the Harry Potter series following the publication of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. According to Sybill Trelawney, Snape was the eavesdropper during her interview with Dumbledore in the Hog's Head. At the meeting, Sybill unconsciously delivered a prophecy regarding Voldemort and a foe who had the power to vanquish him. Dumbledore admitted to Harry that there was an eavesdropper or informant who was ejected from the premises, before hearing the entire prophecy.{{HP5}} From the information given to him by Snape, Voldemort identified Harry as the subject of the prophecy and, seeking to kill the infant Harry, murdered Lily and James Potter. Snape therefore bears indirect responsibility for the deaths of Harry's parents.

Related Topics:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Sybill Trelawney

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The additional information that Harry learns from Trelawney about Snape's involvement in the sequence of events leading to the death of his parents gives him further reason to doubt Snape's true loyalties. Trelawney has no recollection of either of the prophecies she has made. She therefore does not realise the significance of Snape having interrupted her interview with Dumbledore at the Hog's Head Inn during the delivery of her first prophecy.

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Snape is a respected member of the Order of the Phoenix, but he kills Dumbledore using Avada Kedavra, one of the Unforgivable Curses{{HP6}}. He duels with Harry before fleeing Hogwarts with the Death Eaters, demonstrating his ability as a wizard by foiling all the hexes aimed at him, and taunts (or warns) Harry about his lack of skills, notably in Occlumency. He prevents the other Death Eaters from killing Harry, saying that it is not the Dark Lord's wish. He apparates with the Death Eaters, drawing them rapidly away from Hogwarts without inflicting further damage on the castle or staff. His conflicting actions have given rise to intense speculation amongst readers whether, or to what extent, Dumbledore might have planned, or anticipated, his own death.

Related Topics:
Order of the Phoenix - Dumbledore - Avada Kedavra - Death Eaters

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The reflexive distrust of Snape exhibited by Harry and Ron is in stark contrast to the views of Dumbledore, who repeatedly makes clear that Snape has his full confidence. Dumbledore never made explicit the reason for his trust. At Igor Karkaroff's trial, seen in Dumbledore's Pensieve, Dumbledore testifies that Snape joined the good side before Voldemort's fall, at "great personal risk"{{HP4}}. Throughout the series, Snape's sinister personality and antagonism towards Harry have been juxtaposed with his occasionally heroic actions in Harry's defence. His history of divided loyalty to both the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix, and his actions in apparent support of both sides, make him one of the most morally complex characters in the series.

Related Topics:
Igor Karkaroff - Pensieve - Death Eaters - Order of the Phoenix - Morally complex

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