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.

The Half-Blood Prince

In the sixth book in the series, Harry is lent a Potions textbook from the class storeroom, and discovers that someone has written alterations beside the potions. The book is inscribed 'Property of the Half-Blood Prince' and also contains notes about jinxes, all written in the same handwriting. The alterations all prove to be very good and help Harry to become best potions student. He attracts the attention of potions master Horace Slughorn, who compliments Harry for having inherited his mother's outstanding ability at potions. Harry discovers that some of the jinxes written into the book were created by Snape, who was a classmate of Harry's mother Lily Evans when they were both taught potions by Slughorn.

Related Topics:
The sixth book in the series - Potions - Textbook - Horace Slughorn - Lily Evans

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Harry and company try to find out the identity of the "half-blood prince" and suspect first Snape's mother Eileen, then Snape himself. Snape finally confirms that he was the Prince, during his escape from Hogwarts after Dumbledore's death.

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The nickname derives from his mother's maiden name of Prince, and from his father's having been a Muggle, making Severus himself a 'half-blood'. This term is considered an insult by some in the wizarding world, especially among Voldemort's followers and in Snape's own Slytherin House. It is not clear how he came to receive the name, or who would have used it. Remus Lupin, when questioned by Harry, knew nothing of the name despite also being a classmate, suggesting that it may have been known to very few.

Related Topics:
Voldemort - Slytherin - Remus Lupin

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