Post by Hermy on Jun 27, 2006 15:28:43 GMT -5
NAME: Severus Snape
AGE: 38
BIRTHDAY: January 9
HOUSE: Slytherin while in school; now Head of Slytherin
Severus Snape is an unusual character. His life is one made up of mystery and ambiguity. He is highly unlikeable, yet two of the most powerful wizards ever trust him. He has no social skills, nor any desire to have any. But he is a powerful and brilliant wizard.
Perhaps Severus' childhood sheds light on these contradictions. He is a half-blood, born to a witch mother and a muggle father. His father was a cruel and domineering man who intimidated, and possibly abused, Severus' mother. He aslo intimidated Severus. As a child, Severus closed himself off from the world to hide, focusing on his strengths. By the time he entered Hogwarts in his eleventh year, he already had mastered some powerful magic.
Unlike Harry's happy entrance to Hogwarts, Severus' arrival did nothing to make him happier. Once there, he was teased by the more popular students - about his greasy black hair and his large nose. Some of those students happened to be Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James Potter. It is also thought that Severus had a crush on Lily, Harry's mother, because she was often nice to him. However, it was at this time that Lucius Malfoy, a powerful older dark wizard at Hogwarts, took Severus under his wing.
Being Severus' only "friends," the dark wizards easily sucked him into their world, plotting against others. When Severus finished school, it was a natural step for him to rejoin those folks - as a Death Eater. After joining up with Lord Voldemort, Severus just happened to overhear the Prophecy that was made concerning Voldemort and a child. He fled to tell Voldemort - though he had not heard the entire prophecy. This led to Voldemort killing the Potters - and supposedly led to Severus' change of heart. He later came to Dumbledore and begged for a second chance.
Dumbledore granted his wish - and made him a professor at Hogwarts, though not teaching the subject Severus wanted. He wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Dumbledore feared that it would be too easy for him to be lured back to the wrong side that way, and made him Potions teacher. Although Severus reapplied for Dark Arts each year, he remained in the Potions classroom (until Half-Blood Prince).
Because of James Potter's teasing, Severus has never liked Harry. Harry has also never liked him. But Severus has saved Harry's life several times, despite his hatred for the boy. Severus also remains loyal to Dumbledore, the only man who trusted him. When Voldemort came back to power and the Order of the Phoenix reformed, Severus was used as a spy for the Order. He returned to Voldemort as a Death Eater, claiming his value as someone who had the inside track to Dumbledore.
Harry and Ron never trusted him, though. Dumbledore, however, placed his greatest trust in him. Who is he really spying on? We'll find out in the last book. Until then, we can only guess. However, it's my belief that he is faithful to Dumbledore. Dumbledore is the only person who never doubted Severus, who always believed in his abilities and brilliance. And while Severus is not a people person, one thing he's always wanted was a little acceptance. And he always got that, unquestioning, from Dumbledore.
AGE: 38
BIRTHDAY: January 9
HOUSE: Slytherin while in school; now Head of Slytherin
Severus Snape is an unusual character. His life is one made up of mystery and ambiguity. He is highly unlikeable, yet two of the most powerful wizards ever trust him. He has no social skills, nor any desire to have any. But he is a powerful and brilliant wizard.
Perhaps Severus' childhood sheds light on these contradictions. He is a half-blood, born to a witch mother and a muggle father. His father was a cruel and domineering man who intimidated, and possibly abused, Severus' mother. He aslo intimidated Severus. As a child, Severus closed himself off from the world to hide, focusing on his strengths. By the time he entered Hogwarts in his eleventh year, he already had mastered some powerful magic.
Unlike Harry's happy entrance to Hogwarts, Severus' arrival did nothing to make him happier. Once there, he was teased by the more popular students - about his greasy black hair and his large nose. Some of those students happened to be Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and James Potter. It is also thought that Severus had a crush on Lily, Harry's mother, because she was often nice to him. However, it was at this time that Lucius Malfoy, a powerful older dark wizard at Hogwarts, took Severus under his wing.
Being Severus' only "friends," the dark wizards easily sucked him into their world, plotting against others. When Severus finished school, it was a natural step for him to rejoin those folks - as a Death Eater. After joining up with Lord Voldemort, Severus just happened to overhear the Prophecy that was made concerning Voldemort and a child. He fled to tell Voldemort - though he had not heard the entire prophecy. This led to Voldemort killing the Potters - and supposedly led to Severus' change of heart. He later came to Dumbledore and begged for a second chance.
Dumbledore granted his wish - and made him a professor at Hogwarts, though not teaching the subject Severus wanted. He wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Dumbledore feared that it would be too easy for him to be lured back to the wrong side that way, and made him Potions teacher. Although Severus reapplied for Dark Arts each year, he remained in the Potions classroom (until Half-Blood Prince).
Because of James Potter's teasing, Severus has never liked Harry. Harry has also never liked him. But Severus has saved Harry's life several times, despite his hatred for the boy. Severus also remains loyal to Dumbledore, the only man who trusted him. When Voldemort came back to power and the Order of the Phoenix reformed, Severus was used as a spy for the Order. He returned to Voldemort as a Death Eater, claiming his value as someone who had the inside track to Dumbledore.
Harry and Ron never trusted him, though. Dumbledore, however, placed his greatest trust in him. Who is he really spying on? We'll find out in the last book. Until then, we can only guess. However, it's my belief that he is faithful to Dumbledore. Dumbledore is the only person who never doubted Severus, who always believed in his abilities and brilliance. And while Severus is not a people person, one thing he's always wanted was a little acceptance. And he always got that, unquestioning, from Dumbledore.