Severus Snape explained: his loyalty, his love and Always
Spoilers ahead: this article discusses the ending.
Severus Snape explained is the story of a man the books spend seven volumes making you distrust. Severus Snape explained in full shows how one memory in the final story turns the series' cruelest teacher into one of its bravest figures.
Snape was created by J.K. Rowling and played by Alan Rickman in all eight Harry Potter films. Rowling chose Rickman herself and gave him information about the character's future long before the books finished.
Severus Snape explained: who he is
Snape teaches Potions at Hogwarts, later Defence Against the Dark Arts, and becomes headmaster in the final book. He is the son of a Muggle father and a pure-blood witch, and is revealed as the Half-Blood Prince, owner of the annotated textbook Harry uses in his sixth year.
To Harry, he is cold, unfair and seemingly loyal to the dark side. He was once a Death Eater, and he kills Dumbledore in front of witnesses.
Lily and why he hated Harry
Snape loved Lily Evans, Harry's mother, from childhood. She married James Potter, who bullied Snape at school. Harry looks like James but has Lily's eyes, and Snape's treatment of him mixes old resentment with grief.
After passing a prophecy to Voldemort that put the Potters in danger, Snape begged Dumbledore to protect them and became a spy for Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix. His Patronus is a doe, the same form as Lily's.
The meaning of Always
In Snape's memories, Dumbledore realises Snape still loves Lily after all these years. Snape answers with one word: "Always." In the film, the scene plays after Harry sees the silver doe and understands that everything Snape did for him came from that love.
Rickman had hinted since 2011 that Rowling told him a small secret before filming. In 2016, Rowling confirmed it when asked by a fan: "I told Alan what lies behind the word 'always'." Producer David Heyman said Rickman sometimes told directors he could not play a moment a certain way because he knew what was coming and they did not.
His death and the memories
Voldemort has his snake kill Snape in the Shrieking Shack, believing it will give him control of the Elder Wand. As he dies, Snape gives Harry his memories. They reveal that he protected Harry for years and that killing Dumbledore was planned by Dumbledore himself.
In the epilogue, Harry names his son Albus Severus and calls Snape probably the bravest man he ever knew.
Hero or not
Rowling called Snape a gift of a character. She has described him as immensely brave and a very flawed hero, perhaps an anti-hero, but not a simple good man. He bullied children and acted out of personal love rather than principle.
Rickman's performance is a big reason the reveal works on screen. Because he knew the ending early, he could play Snape's coldness with a hint of something hidden, without giving the twist away. Viewers who rewatch the films after the final instalment often notice small pauses and looks that only make sense once you know about Lily.
- Brave: he spied on Voldemort for years at great risk.
- Cruel: he took his grudges out on students.
- Loyal: to Lily's memory above everyone else.
Questions people ask
What does Always mean in Harry Potter?
It is Snape's answer when Dumbledore asks if he still loves Lily after all these years.
Was Snape good or bad?
Rowling calls him a very flawed hero. He protected Harry but was cruel to students.
What secret did Rowling tell Alan Rickman?
She later said she told him what lies behind the word always, meaning Snape's love for Lily.
Why did Snape kill Dumbledore?
Dumbledore asked him to, knowing Voldemort had ordered Draco Malfoy to kill him. It spared Draco and spared Dumbledore a slow death from a cursed ring.