Skip to content

MuggleNet

  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Site
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • History
    • Meet the Team
    • MuggleNet Live!
    • Press
    • Publications
    • Special Projects
    • Volunteer with Us!
    • Year in Review
  • Podcasts
    • Alohomora!
    • Full Circle
    • LITHAPPENS
    • Potterversity
    • Promptly Potter
    • SpeakBeasty
  • Harry Potter
    • Book Quotes
    • Book Series
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Film Series
    • Hogwarts Library
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • Fantastic Beasts
    • Book
    • Coloring Books
    • Film Companions
    • Fantastic Beasts Film Quotes
    • Film Series
    • Little Things
    • Music
    • Video Games
  • The Quibbler
    • Owl Post
    • Bathilda’s Notebook
    • The Department of MYTHteries
    • The Dirigible Plum
    • Into the Floo
    • Muggle Studies
    • The Pensieve Papers
    • The Three Broomsticks
    • April Fools’
    • The Quibbler Vault
  • The Daily Prophet
    • Book Trolley
    • Editorials
    • Event Reports
    • Exclusive Interviews
    • Features
    • Giveaways
    • Listicles
    • Merchandise Reviews
    • Movie Reviews
    • Television Reviews
    • Theater Reviews
    • Wizolympics
  • Muggle World
    • Charity
    • Exhibitions
    • J.K. Rowling
    • MinaLima
    • Quadball
    • Studio Tours
    • Theatrical Play
    • Theme Parks
    • Wizarding World Digital
  • Fans & Fun
    • Crazy Caption Contest
    • Fan Focus
    • Fandom
    • Fandom Sortings
    • Fandom Timeline
    • Fun Lists
    • Games and Trivia
    • GNOMEs
    • Potter DIY
    • Potter Weddings
    • #PotterItForward
    • Rosmerta’s Recipes
    • Song Parodies
    • Wizard Rock
    • Wizarding Wordle
  • Features / The Daily Prophet

Severus Snape: What It Means to Love

by Nicole Rivera · January 25, 2014

Professor Severus Snape went from one of our most loathed characters, a character Harry, Ron, and Hermione couldn’t stand, to one of the most loved. Harry even names one of his children after him. (Definitely didn’t see that one coming upon reading Book 1.) But why?

Most of us, especially avid rereaders of the series, should be able to answer: Love. But I want to dig a little deeper here. Love is a main theme of the books, but as readers, I feel we experience that transforming love like no other in our own change of feelings for Snape.

My view of Snape changed upon his death, upon entering his mind and learning “The Prince’s Tale.” Snape, for all he did wrong to Harry, loved. He loved with such power and force that he was able to lay aside his hatred for James Potter – the boy who won Lily Evans from him – and die to save the son who looked exactly like James (except for the eyes).

Wait. Hold up a minute. Did I miss something? (Anxiously riffles through Deathly Hallows.) Snape died for Harry?

Yes.

Source

Source

The moment Dumbledore died, Snape had no obligation to keep his promise to protect Harry. His secret love of Lily had gone with the man he made the promise to. It was his love of Lily that kept him to the promise he had made to Dumbledore – to protect Harry at all costs. His love for Lily drove him to ensure Harry received the real sword while keeping it from Bellatrix’s vault. His love for Lily drove him not to change his loyalty for Voldemort’s sake, for his own well being. And when he died, he had no obligation to pass on the memories to Harry. He died for Harry – his enemy – by dedicating his life to keeping him safe because of his love for Lily.

That is what it means to love. That is the power of love. Love changes us. Love changed Snape from Death Eater to saver of lives- all lives.

He saved Hermione, the Muggle-born, in Half-Blood Prince by keeping her from the fight in the castle. He saved Draco by killing Dumbledore, and became an enemy to all those who had become his friends. And he saved Harry by defying the master he originally chose over Lily – his plans to become a Death Eater are what spurred Lily to end her friendship with him for good.

Source

Source

Snape became the wizard we love, who even Harry loved, because of the woman he loved – the woman who also gave her life for Harry and defied Voldemort.

Love, especially sacrificial love, is a magic that even Muggles are capable of. It is living, and even dying in extreme situations, so that others might have a better life.

Martin Luther King, Jr. lived and died for all races to stand side-by-side in equality. President Lincoln lived and died to end slavery. And those of Christian faith believe Christ lived and died for everyone’s freedom from death.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

– Jesus

Lily did it. James did it. Dumbledore did it. Fred did it. Lupin and Tonks did it. Harry did it. Snape did it.

Love has the power to change everything if we will first let it change us.

Social:

  • Next story “Alohomora!” Episode 67: “Hootin’ Harry” – now available!
  • Previous story Harry Potter celebration: Warm Butterbeer review

MuggleNet Archive

Important Dates

July 2025

Mon, Jul 7

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 movie (London premiere)
Recurs yearly

2011

Tue, Jul 8

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire book
Recurs yearly

2000

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban book (UK)
Recurs yearly

1999

WWoHP Diagon Alley at Universal Orlando's anniversary
Recurs yearly

2014

Wed, Jul 9

David O'Hara's birthday
Recurs yearly

Albert Runcorn

Thu, Jul 10

Fiona Shaw's birthday
Recurs yearly

Petunia Dursley

Fri, Jul 11

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie (US)
Recurs yearly

2007

MuggleNet podcasts are sponsored in part by Secretlab.

Thanks to its research-backed ergonomic design, including a proprietary 4-way adaptive lumbar support system, the Secretlab TITAN Evo Harry Potter Edition will comfortably support you even when you’re up to no good.

Did You Know

Nearly Headless Nick died on October 31, 1492, after being hit in the neck 45 times with a blunt ax.

Potter History

November 7, 2010 – The official Harry Potter website announces that Alexandre Desplat will return to compose the music for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.

Potter Quote

“She’s been breaking into your broom shed in the garden since the age of six and taking each of your brooms out in turn when you weren’t looking.”

MuggleNet is an unofficial Harry Potter fansite.
Please email us if you have any questions or concerns.
© 1999–2025 MuggleNet.com. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | COPPA Policy | Terms of Use | Feedback


MuggleNet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Bookshop.org's affiliate program, affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and bookshop.org.