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Out of all the moments of Snape's bravery, I find saving Lupin from a Death Eater (Battle Of The Seven Potters) the most prominent and fascinating one, mainly because it not only showed his bravery but also his selfless, self-sacrificing nature and his way of valuing human life he eventually came to acquire. It also further affirms Snape's words "Lately, only those whom I could not save." He started to value people's lives, so much so that he risked his own to save someone else's, even when that "someone" never really cared about his life. I feel like this scene is not discussed enough while talking about whether Snape was good or not. This scene alone is quite significant in Snape's growth, such that just by looking into it, half of the claims of Snape being the evilest person in the series goes down the drain.

What was going on in Snape's mind when he tried to save Lupin during the chase is a very intriguing question indeed. Snape aimed his self-invented signature spell at one of the Death Eaters, in his heart and mind he knew it will hit him and Lupin will be saved and simultaneously, he also knew that he will receive serious wrath for that or worse: death because there was no other ending after that. Voldemort and the Death Eaters probably knew about Sectumsempra and they sure would have easily found out or have seen already as to who hit that particular Death Eater.

Snape was under no obligation to save Lupin during that chase. He could have easily rejoined Voldemort's side and quit being loyal to Dumbledore. He knew he wouldn't get any recognition or praise for that, quite the contrary, he definitely would have gotten subjected to torture after that, had the spell hit the intended target. The moment Snape aimed his spell at that Death Eater, knowing full well the consequences that would ensue, was the moment some of the most common anti-Snape claims were turned to nothing but mere imperceptive blabberings:

Snape wasn't loyal to Dumbledore or Lily's memory.

Snape was lusting after fame or applause for fighting for Dumbledore.

Snape was solely doing it because Lily was harmed by Voldemort and not because he thought that was the right thing to do.

Snape only cared for Lily.

Snape was worse than the Marauders. James was better than him as Snape would never save any of them if they were in danger unlike James who saved his life.

Snape risking blowing his spy cover and going out of his way to save, probably one of the many people who treated him unfairly and whom he also believed to be the person involved in the Shrieking Shack incident (something which traumatized him for life), is no doubt an exceptionally impressive and noble act and strengthens his already crucial redemption arc.

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The entire point of Snape’s character is to show that someone socially unpleasant and physically unattractive, someone mean, petty and vindictive can also be brave, self-sacrificing, devoted, brilliant and morally righteous, where it counts the most. That behind all the snark and bitterness there’s a story, that explains where his pain and prickliness comes from. That your caricature villain Death Eater has hidden depth and can be a man who has laid his life to right the wrongs he committed. That’s a moral lesson of revealing his true alliances, for God’s sake. That there’s a line between being dark, twisted, bitter and unfair and being actually evil. And you should not confuse the two. Harry’s greatest power is the power of love and when he names his child after Snape, he shows that Severus Snape, as he was, IS worthy of appreciation, worthy of love. This is a message the books carry.

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Snape’s Worst Memory, OotP. Only a heartless can read that chapter and not sympathise with Sev. It was horrific, horrific bullying. Half of James stans wouldn’t have existed nor would’ve the ‘it was not bullying but riVaLrY’ theory. 🥴

Which Snape scene or moment from the books do you wish was included in the film?

The Prince's Tale in its proper form

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The teenaged Sirius had plastered the walls with so many posters and pictures that little of the walls’ silvery-grey silk was visible. There were many pictures of Muggle motorcycles, and also (Harry had to admire Sirius’s nerve) several posters of bikini-clad Muggle girls; Harry could tell that they were Muggles because they remained quite stationary within their pictures, faded smiles and glazed eyes frozen on the paper.

Meanwhile Severus after scanning through Sirius’s bedroom in DH :

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I’ve been seeing a lot of hate, so I just want to spread some positivity.

Loving Snape is perfectly fine and valid. Loving him because writing for him is a good way for you to vent is valid. Loving him because you can relate to parts of his story and his experiences is valid. Loving him because he’s a comfort character that brings some joy to your life is valid. Loving him because he’s a well rounded, nuanced character is valid. Loving him because you can see a diamond in the rough and enjoy what you can do with him in fics is valid. Loving him because he’s a bad bitch and you like a brooding, attitude ridden snarky character is valid. Loving him because of the change he undergoes in canon and the redemption and forgiveness ingrained in his character is valid. Loving him because of the dynamics he does have or the possible dynamics he can have is valid. Loving him because you love his aesthetic or love the way he talks is valid. Loving him because he’s a longtime hyper-fixation or special interest is valid. Loving him because you started getting involved in arguments with Snaters who were being irrational and somehow wound up being attached is valid.

Loving him for all the above at once is valid. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a character that makes mistakes, it’s not immoral to love characters that make mistakes. People trying to make you feel bad because of their own dislike of a character are just lashing out and likely are insecure in some fashion.

Keep loving Snape, it’s not hurting anyone, no one else is entitled to changing your opinion on him, don’t let anyone rain on your parade and peer pressure you into being ashamed of the things you like.

I love the Snapedom even if I’m not always so active on this blog. Every time I check the Snape tag, I inevitably see Snater hate and the same old arguments, and that can be tiring. But I love all the fanart and fics and metas that I see! Everyone who frequents the tag is smart and creative and I appreciate you!

Much love!

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where can i sign the petition to change the spelling of Severus Snape to Saviour-us Snape?

sums up his character

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albus severus potter, you were named after two men who taught me how difficult it is to distinguish between good and evil, because every human being has the capacity for both inside themselves. i spent my life idolizing one and vilifying the other, but it wasn’t until i was older that i realized the enormity of the choices they were forced to make and the guilt and regret they carried with them their whole lives. they were both like me, ambitious and stubborn and lost, but they devoted their whole lives to protecting me, and i’ll forever be grateful for that. without them, you would never have been born, and if there’s one thing i want you to remember, it’s that you are always capable of selflessness and bravery, even when it seems impossible, because they were. they were not perfect people, but they were stronger than i ever knew, and they taught me that the choices you make, however small, however misguided, matter. they matter after you’re gone. they matter to the world you want to change, and making the right choice after you’ve made the wrong one, hard as it is, is how we grow. so remember that. be brave, albus severus. you don’t have to be a gryffindor to know what that means.

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Thank you for the tag @primalmonkey

Rules : “Reblog with the meaning of your username, your favourite colour and tag atleast 5 people who put something on your dash that made you smile.”

Story of my username :

I think my username is pretty much self-explanatory for Severus Snape fans. A repeatedly mentioned feature of Severus’ appearance throughout the HP series was his long, billowing black cloak. That cloak billowing behind him gave him a such a dramatic appearance when he walked and I just love that. His black aesthetic was on point. I mean look at him, what a swagger!

My favourite colour :

Black

Tagging : @pet-genius @potter-n-potions @malakian @royalydamned @ottogatto @bloatsome (no compulsion at all)

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Sometimes I think that if Lily hadn’t died and if Severus didn’t feel responsible for her death, Severus would have got into a relationship with someone else.

If his love for her was romantic, he had accepted that Lily didn’t want anything to do with him. He had left her alone when she cut him off. He had accepted that his and Lily’s paths wouldn’t converge again and she was married to someone else. So if Lily hadn’t died due to his own actions, I highly doubt that he would have remained single for the rest of his life.

No matter his love for her was romantic or platonic, guilt came into play with her death. When Severus realised that his own actions had inadvertently caused her death, he got engulfed by waves of overwhelming guilt. Guilt is a very strong feeling, especially when you feel responsible for the death of the first and only genuinely caring friend you ever had in your life. This intense feeling of guilt and remorse is what made him commit and devote the rest of his life to her cause. He made it his life’s mission to honour her sacrifice by protecting whom she died protecting — her son Harry Potter, and thereby expiate his guilt. I think maybe this was the reason why he kept himself distanced from relationships, so that his devotion to his mission wouldn't falter. He felt he deserved to live and die alone.

‘You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he realised how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the prophecy, Harry. I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he returned –’

~ Dumbledore, Half-Blood Prince.

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Repeat after me — James and Sirius bullied Severus for no good reason.

Severus had done nothing to deserve to that horrific bullying.

Sirius doesn't contradict Harry’s observation. Infact, he accepts it by saying he is not proud of it. Forget about this conversation between Harry and Sirius, if you just read the SWM chapter with attention, it would be clear that they attacked him for entertainment, out of boredom. And there are clues in the text that Severus was regularly attacked by James and Sirius.

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Severus died believing his truth will be buried with Harry Potter. He died believing the world will never know about his sacrifices & he will always remain the man who killed Albus Dumbledore. Yet people question his bravery & selflessness. His character growth >>>>>

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This reddit post is gold. It’s strange that only Severus Snape gets called out so much for his behaviour to his students when in reality other Professors also have often behaved in a very objectionable way with their students and got away. Clearly, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry didn't have the healthiest teacher-student norms. We shouldn't turn a blind eye to others’ conduct.

PS : I’m not excusing his behaviour. He was a dick to some students. But if you want to criticize Snape for his behaviour to students, you can, but kindly remember that the other Professors weren’t saints either. Won’t say much further but make sure you go through this canon-supported reddit post entirely and without bias.

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Some subtle clues in text that Severus Snape felt ashamed of being a DE in past.

#1. Goblet of Fire - The Egg and the Eye

‘Course Dumbledore trusts you,’ growled Moody. ‘He’s a trusting man, isn’t he? Believes in second chances. But me – I say there are spots that don’t come off, Snape. Spots that never come off, d’you know what I mean?’

Snape suddenly did something very strange. He seized his left forearm convulsively with his right hand, as though something on it had hurt him.

Moody laughed. ‘Get back to bed, Snape.’

‘You don’t have the authority to send me anywhere!’ Snape hissed, letting go of his arm as though angry with himself.

(See, he feels ashamed of having that Dark Mark, he feels “angry with himself” for being a DE in the past.)

#2. Deathly Hallows - The Prince’s Tale. (although HBP’s timeline)

“Information,” repeated Snape. “You trust him … you do not trust me.”

“It is not a question of trust. I have, as we both know, limited time. It is essential that I give the boy enough information for him to do what he needs to do.”

“And why may I not have the same information?”, asked Snape.

‘I prefer not to put all of my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spends so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort.’, said Dumbledore

‘Which I do on your orders!’

( He felt he deserved to know about the information because he was a true Order member at heart. He doesn't want to associate with Voldemort at all but he has to do it only because Dumbledore wants him to spy on Voldemort. He does not want to “dangle on the arms of Voldemort” even as a spy. He wants to completely dissociate himself from DEs.)

#3. Deathly Hallows - Sacking of Severus Snape

‘I was under the impression,’ said Snape, ‘that Alecto had apprehended an intruder.’

‘Really?’ said Professor McGonagall. ‘And what gave you that impression?’

Snape made a slight flexing movement of his left arm, where the Dark Mark was branded into his skin.

‘Oh, but naturally,’ said Professor McGonagall. ‘You Death Eaters have your own private means of communication, I forgot.’

( He is so ashamed of having that Dark Mark that he just merely hints at it in a very subtle and physical way rather than acknowledging it with words. Up till that point, he was answering in words.)

These are three of the instances that indicate how much Severus Snape, after change of sides, loathed to be even associated with Voldemort and his Death Eaters, to a point where he felt ashamed to acknowledge his Dark Mark! He merely hinted at his Dark Mark, in a very subtle and physical way, rather than flaunt it using words. How much Severus didn’t want to “dangle on the arm of Lord Voldemort” even as a spy but he didn’t really have much of a choice, did he? —

“Well, you don’t just hand in your resignation to Voldemort. It’s either a lifetime of service or death”.

To Severus, a third option - being a double agent spy pretending to be Voldemort’s supporter whilst actually secretly working against him - was presented by Dumbledore, which he agreed to do not once but twice (1st war and 2nd war).

But Severus was a human, afterall. Even the pretense of supporting the evil could be very taxing and it’s evident from the above three instances. You feel sorry for this man but you also know that he was, afterall, paying the price of his own terrible mistake that he commited around couple of decades back as a teenager. You feel sorry for him, but you also feel appreciative of the fact that this man was willing to do and sacrifice anything and everything to atone for his mistake, that he never made excuses or ever backed off from the difficult road of atonement, and in the end, paid even the ultimate price — his life.

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“Don’t be shocked, Severus. How many men and women have you watched die?”, said Dumbledore.

‘Lately, only those whom I could not save,’ said Snape.

This conversation happened during Half-Blood Prince’s timeline. By the time HBP started, Voldemort and his Death Eaters were already inflicting open havoc, terror attacks and killings in both wizarding as well as muggle worlds. For example, in HBP’s chapter 1 : The Other Minister, we learn that the Death Eaters had collapsed The Brockdale Bridge in London, were creating ruckus in the West Country and were attacking and killing various wizards and witches in the wizarding world too.

Notice Dumbledore’s choice of words : “Men and women” which implies the victims (mainly adults) of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and not the children of Hogwarts who were more or less safe under their protection. Severus’ usage of the word “lately” implies his attempts to save people from the then recent terror attacks being carried out by the DEs. Dumbledore asked him that particular question after Snape expressed shock at the former’s revelation that Harry was going to die at Voldemort’s hands, that is, Harry was also going to become Voldemort’s victim like many other men and women.

Severus Snape, without giving a damn about his own life, tried to save as many lives as possible, as much as he could. His answer carries a tone of regret — regret of watching those die whom he could not save. How risky was it for him to do that considering he was a double agent pretending to be on Voldemort’s sides. This was nothing but his intense will to atone for his past mistake of joining the DEs.

And those were not empty words. If he were lying, Dumbledore would have objected. There is an evidence that Severus’ words were not empty words :

Now Harry was flying alongside Snape on a broomstick through a clear dark night: he was accompanied by other hooded Death Eaters, and ahead were Lupin and a Harry who was really George … a Death Eater moved ahead of Snape and raised his wand, pointing it directly at Lupin’s back –

‘Sectumsempra!’, shouted Snape.

But the spell, intended for the Death Eater’s wand hand, missed and hit George instead –

Saving Remus Lupin’s life was a massive risk for him, considering the fact that Lord Voldemort was himself participating in the Battle. I mean look at this guy’s damn guts : he was intending his own invented curse towards the Death Eater’s hand! woah!! Dumbledore had warned Severus to “play your part convincingly” if he were to participate in the Battle, but he still recklessly tried to save Remus’ life without caring about anything else. Saving Remus or other people had nothing to do with Lily! He wouldn’t even get recognition for saving him but he nevertheless did it because - believe it or not - Severus Snape had a moral conscience.

People who misunderstand Snape’s character say that SnApE lOvInG LiLy cAnNoT bE hIs reDemPtioN aRc. No goddamnit his redemption arc were the actions he took to make up for his past mistake of joining the DEs in his teenage. His redemption arc consisted of the lengths to which he went to ensure terrorist Voldemort’s defeat. Keeping Lily safe was just his initial motivation to change sides. Expiating his guilt over delivering the prophecy, which eventually caused Lily’s death, was his motivation behind protecting Harry so religiously all those years. Lily was not his redemption arc.

His redemption arc were the brave, selfless, heroic actions he took to make up for his 2 years of past as a Death Eater.

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First of all, many people wrongly say that Snape knew that the prophecy meant the Potters when he heard it and he still reported it to Voldemort knowing that it meant the Potters so that he could have Lily for himself.

Truth - When Snape heard the prophecy, he had no possible way to know which boy the prophecy might refer to.

‘Professor Snape made a terrible mistake. He was still in Lord Voldemort’s employ on the night he heard the first half of Professor Trelawney’s prophecy. Naturally, he hastened to tell his master what he had heard, for it concerned his master most deeply. But he did not know – he had no possible way of knowing – which boy Voldemort would hunt from then onwards, or that the parents he would destroy in his murderous quest were people that Professor Snape knew, that they were your mother and father –’,

~ Dumbledore told Harry in HBP.

When Severus came to know Voldemort had chosen the Potters, Severus had 3 options as far as asking Voldemort favours was concerned :

1) Do nothing. Ask Voldemort nothing. Save himself and let all the Potters die.

2) Ask him to spare the whole family including Harry Potter, the child who is destined to kill Voldemort according to the prophecy. This would imply that Snape does not care about his boss Voldemort’s safety. Then, the three Potters and Snape will be dead.

3) Ask him to spare atleast the mother Lily. Also Snape could give an excuse for asking to spare Lily because she was female, so Snape gave Voldemort an excuse that “he just desired her” (as revealed by Voldemort to Harry in the war in DH). But what excuse would Snape give Voldemort to spare Harry and James?

“You know what I mean! He is going to hunt her down - kill them all -”

~ Snape to Dumbledore in the Hilltop.

He was still not convinced even after asking Voldemort to spare Lily. He thought Voldemort was going to kill them all so he took that extra mile by defying the Dark lord taking a huge life risk and going straight to - guess whom - leader of the enemy side, Albus Dumbledore.

Severus came to Dumbledore knowing that Voldemort will kill them all. While coming to Dumbledore for help, I’m sure he was not stupid to think that Dumbledore would be going to take steps to hide just Lily and not her entire family.

Then, Dumbledore tried his best to manipulate Severus and get him to his side, hence Dumbledore made Severus feel as bad as he could by using insulting, false allegations against him. Severus was in a submissive position in front of Dumbledore, so he could not reply back much in defensive.

So in the end, Severus Snape agrees to give “anything” to Dumbledore in exchange of “hide them all, then. Keep her-them safe, please.” If he just wanted Lily for himself, Severus would not have agreed to give ‘anything’ in exchange of hiding them all.

‘Hide them all, then,’ he croaked. ‘Keep her – them – safe. Please.’

‘And what will you give me in return, Severus?’

‘In – in return?’ Snape gaped at Dumbledore, and Harry expected him to protest, but after a long moment he said, ‘Anything.’

Honestly, if he just wanted Lily, he could have ditched Dumbledore after this Hilltop conversation because Dumbledore was obviously going to hide them all.

Not just that, he felt so remorseful and guilty about delivering the prophecy that he agreed to devote the rest of his life in honouring Lily’s sacrifice/death by protecting her son. First of all, Lily was dead and gone, so it was not like he could “have” Lily by continuing to stay in the light side. Being in the light side offered him no incentive other than to atone for his past mistakes.

‘You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he realised how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the prophecy, Harry. I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he returned –’

Dumbledore to Harry in HBP

"He wanted Lily for himself, he only asked to save all of them after Dumbledore was disgusted with him."

“You know what I mean! He thinks it means her son, he is going to hunt her down — kill them all —”

“If she means so much to you,” said Dumbledore, “surely Lord Voldemort will spare her? Could you not ask for mercy for the mother, in exchange for the son?”

Snape's already warning him about them, only Dumbledore decided to interrupt Severus and put words in his mouth. It is true that Snape's primary concern was Lily, but it's foolish to think that he held any power to bargain with Voldemort for exchange.

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How Snape Haters Think The HP Books Were Written

Professor Snivellus bounced into the Potions room menacingly, glaring at everyone and everything with murder in his eyes. He slammed the door on Neville’s face and said “Oopsie doopsie!” while flaunting his robes for the world to see.

“Today,” said Professor Snivellus, “we’re going to learn about how I’m such a great person and why Lily Potter belonged to me.”

“Wait, Professor,” Hermione said, “shouldn’t we be learning potio—“

“OH MY GOD, I’M SUDDENLY DEAF!” screamed Professor Snivellus. “A filthy Mudblood has opened her mouth and she has ugly teeth! 100000 points to Gryffindor!”

Hermione was traumatized. Every single day after that class, she lay crying in bed, Professor Snivellus’s words replaying in her mind. Neville and her ended up starting the “Therapy From Potions Class” club.

“Let’s start with something else then. Longbottom, give me your toad.”

Neville handed Trevor over to Professor Snivellus, who promptly threw the toad out the window.

“YEET,” said Professor Snivellus, “I’m such a great teacher.”

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Exactly. Both of them should’ve gone like, “Fuck the war and let Voldemort do whatever the shit he wants with Britain. Let’s go to North America and settle down there in peace”.

The amount of hate and character assasination both Snape and Dumbledore receive on a daily basis in this fandom is insane. Makes me wish for a fanfiction where these two would say fuck the war and leave eveything.