23 she/her✧ Wandering through the shadows of the Half-Blood Prince ✧✧Expect deep thoughts and defenses of him✧
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“He doesn’t like anything, much,” said Snape. “Severus?” A little smile twisted Snape’s mouth when she said his name.
It baffles me how some people still see nine year old Snape as this creepy, obsessive stalker fixated on Lily. I mean, just look at that tiny smile he gives when Lily says his name! That’s not the smile of someone plotting or obsessing—it’s the pure, simple reaction of a lonely little boy.
Think about it. Severus Snape, a child who’s grown up without much love or attention, finally hears someone he cares about calling him by his first name in such a familiar, affectionate way. Of course, he lights up. That small smile says it all he’s thrilled, maybe even a little overwhelmed, to feel a genuine connection with someone who sees him as more than just a troubled boy. It’s not creepy; it’s heartbreaking.
In that moment, Snape wasn’t a stalker or a villain. He was just a kid craving kindness and friendship. So how could anyone look at that scene and not see the tragedy behind his smile?
Severus Snape as a father?
So I’ve been talking with one of my HP friends and he brings up this scenario.
-Severus Snape as a father.
Now, to be honest, I can’t really see Severus as a dad. Maybe he had imagined such a scenario with Lily, and it would have probably come true if Lily and Severus had ended up together. But then when I look at Severus’s own dad, Tobias. Him being neglectful, angry and might have even physically abused both his wife and son. His parents fighting often. So he didn’t have the happiest of childhoods. And is one of the many reasons that caused the bitterness that is Severus Snape. So concluding that, I don’t see Severus Snape being a father. But that doesn’t mean that he would be a bad one, I would like to imagine him becoming the type of father that he would have wanted to have himself. Being the father he never had, being supportive of his child’s magical abilities, trying to not raise their voice at them. Providing them with everything they needed, because with his salary I imagine he could easily do that. And we don’t really see or hear anything about how he spends his salary. He still lives in his childhood home in Cokeworth. And still affords to feed himself and clothe himself, which is evidenced by the black robes he wears. (I really like the pointed toe shoes he wears tho, like real fancy).
Imagine a world where Voldemort wasn’t a thing, and everything was peaceful.
So if Lily and Severus had come together, Severus would be overjoyed. He would have asked her to marry him, and maybe at some point had a child together. Severus would have moved into a different place with her, not having much reason to stick around Cokeworth, and rather having a fresh place for a new start. Lily, I think would be the person who would have brought up the subject of having a child with Severus, and Severus wouldn’t object to Lily’s desire. Eventually getting her pregnant. Now during a pregnancy I believe Severus would be stern with Lily, thinking of the safety of their child. Trying to forbid her to use any stairs or anything that could be potentially dangerous. Lily of course trying to reassure him that everything will be fine. Severus would definitely be over protective. Having loved Lily for so many years and then finally them coming together would definitely come with over protectiveness. After 9 months of constant ‘’Be careful Lily’’ and ‘’Let me do it! You might harm yourself and the child’’ the baby is born, boy or girl I don’t really know. Severus would be fascinated by the fact that the child resembles him strongly, assuming the child would be born with black hair. He would definitely feel proud of not only himself but of Lily, for all the hard work she put into this pregnancy. But I don’t think Severus would want more than just one child. At first he wouldn’t really know how to interact with the baby until Lily guides him on how to do so, teaching him how to correctly hold the baby and such. And Severus squirming away from diaper changes and baby puke lol. I’m not sure about Severus being someone to hold their child unless wanted and or needed. As the child grows and starts exhibiting magic, Severus would be relieved to know that his child is a witch or wizard. He would most likely had started educating them in magic before their letter to Hogwarts even came. I think Severus would have a tiny problem containing his anger when the child did something that wasn’t allowed, but didn’t yell, mentally and or physically harm the child in any way. He would realize that a part of his father may have imprinted into his own head and he tries even harder to be a good dad.
(So on the whole ‘just because I was raised by an a-hole doesn’t mean I’ll be one myself’ it’s a thing that has happened to so many people around the globe, but it doesn’t mean that it happens to everybody. People that have crap parents often turn out to be amazing people. My fathers father was quite cheap with his money and had a hard time being loving around my father and therefore often pushed him away whenever my dad needed something from him, and in turn my father became the same way around me, it’s a crap example I know. But it affected my life in a way where I thought my dad never wanted me or even loved me, and I had to tell him this, which broke his heart, because he did indeed love me, he just wasn’t sure on how to show that, so I eventually became the same way, I’m not sure on how to show my family that I love them, so I don’t really, except my mother. I hug my mother, like a lot, cause like she’s a champ, she deserves like a whole spa week every week!)
Severus would maybe teach potions at Hogwarts, not quite sure about that. Since people say he only really got the position from Dumbledore after he joined his side. So maybe he would still teach potions there, his child would show a lot of promise in different subjects and he would feel proud. He would have had a difficult time in how to show them that he loved and cared for them, but eventually would get over that obstacle, he doesn’t say it willy nilly, but he means it every time he does. The child highly appreciates this, and in turn tells him that they love him too. This would sting Severus in the heart, but in a good way. Having his own child say that they loved him. Let alone him telling the child that he loved them. Something that never would have happened in his life as a child. The child might be curious about their grandparents, and Lily would freely divulge on how her own parents were, even visiting them and them getting to know the child and such. But Severus would be very reluctant on sharing the story of his parents. And would rather not discuss it, telling the child that he had a hard time dealing with them, and would rather not bring them up. Lily comforts Severus on this and helps him tell their child about it’s paternal grandparents. In turn the child just hugs it’s father and tells him that everything is okay because he’s got Lily and the child itself. Which would make Severus feel better about everything. I would like to believe that Severus would eventually just sort of forget his own home life after raising his child with Lily for so many years, maybe they had a second one, who knows. And Severus would actually smile more often than he allows. Severus would be genuinely happy, and not afraid to show off the fact that he is happy. Minerva would definitely come over for tea.
This is just how I would imagine dad Severus being like. I would love to see what other people think dad Severus would be like.
To be honest, I don’t believe Severus could ever father a child that wasn’t Lily’s. No one really knows what he did with his time in between Lily’s death and his own. But I doubt he sought the company of other women, Lily being the only important woman in his life. Forever mourning her loss and such. So writing this made me a little sad. I would love to read fanfictions about stuff like this. I read once a small story about Severus and the mirror of Erised, and it almost destroyed my tear ducts, cause we all know what he would see in that mirror. Not only would he see Lily, but I believe he might have seen his own family in a happier reality, where is father actually loved and cared for him.
If I were to stand in the mirror of Erised, I normally would say that I see nothing but myself, but realistically. I would probably see my own father telling me that he loved me. Or that he was proud of me for something. I would probably be surrounded by friends, popular, beautiful. And all that sentimental stuff. But in recent years I’ve come to terms with myself, the fact that I’ll forever only have a couple of trusted friends, which is more than enough for me. That my dad will always have trouble articulating himself, and that I will always look the same. So if I were to look into the mirror today, I would see nothing. I would love to see other people talk about Severus Snape as someones dad. What his life would have been like had he and Lily gotten together.
Eyes That Held the Truth:
The green eyes found the black, but after a second, something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them fixed, blank, and empty. The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more.
I hadn’t revisited Snape’s death scene in the book for a long time, but recently, I stumbled upon the lines describing his final moments in a post, and something struck me something I had never noticed before: Snape dies with his eyes open.
Given how central his eyes have always been in shaping our perception of him, I began to wonder if there was a deeper meaning behind this detail. Could his open eyes in death carry a message of their own? Here are a few thoughts that came to me:
1. A Search for Redemption:
The fact that Snape dies with his eyes still open might suggest that, even in his final breath, he was still searching — for redemption, for forgiveness. He spent his entire life trying to atone for past mistakes, but he never truly found that closure. He never heard Harry forgive him, and his sacrifices went largely unnoticed. His open eyes could be a sign that he dies with some things left unfinished, especially when it comes to being at peace with himself.
2. The Eyes as a Mirror to the Soul:
We’ve all heard the saying that “the eyes are the window to the soul,” and in Snape’s case, this feels especially true. In life, his eyes were filled with depth and secrets, but in the moment of his death, they become “blank and empty.” It’s as though everything that made Snape who he was the pain, the complexity, the hidden truths — vanished in an instant. His soul, once so guarded, has left, and all that’s left behind is a body, an empty vessel.
3. Unfinished Love:
Snape’s final moments, staring into Harry’s green eyes, feel like a tragic symbol of his undying love for Lily. Those green eyes — the very ones Harry inherited from his mother are the last thing Snape sees. It’s as if he’s holding onto that connection, even in death, unable to “close” the chapter of his life that revolved around her. His eyes remaining open suggests that, emotionally, he never found closure. Even in death, his heart still longs for her.
4. Harry’s Role in Snape’s Life:
It’s significant that Snape dies looking at Harry. Harry represents so many things for Snape — both his deepest pain, as the son of James, and his chance at redemption, as the child of Lily. In many ways, Harry is the center of Snape’s story. His open eyes, fixed on Harry, reflect the complicated emotions Snape felt toward him. Even in death, Snape is still connected to Harry, unable to fully let go of all the feelings he carried for him. He remains fixated on Harry even after death, just as his eyes had been for the past 19 years, always watching over him, always saving him.
5. A Final Moment of Truth:
Throughout his life, Snape was a master of concealment, always hiding his true emotions, always playing his cards close to his chest. But in death, with his eyes wide open, there is no more hiding, there’s no more control. His eyes are wide open, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. his final act stripped of all the secrecy and control he held onto so tightly. His open eyes are like the truth revealed at last — nothing left to conceal, nothing left to protect. It’s a moment of raw honesty, where his story can finally be understood.
Wait, who told them Snape fans would even want to attend such a party?
Trust me, we prefer more meaningful company... like complex characters and actual depth.
I saw one tiktok video from a Marauders fan with the caption that they wouldn't invite any Snape fans to their Marauders era party.
Girl, let's be honest, you look like the kind of person who would have bullied me in high school and then resented me for refusing to help with math, what party are we talking about 💀💀💀
I read your post about Regulus but I gotta say, I’m not totally on board. Just ‘cause he was the ‘good son’ doesn’t really mean he was loved, you know? A lot of the time, being the perfect heir—joining the Death Eaters keeping up the family’s image is more about duty than being genuinely cared for. It doesn’t mean he was happy even if his parents were proud of him for it.
I believe the reason fans create headcanons for characters like Draco and Regulus, imagining that they joined the Death Eaters due to torture or coercion, is because they don’t have a clear understanding of Voldemort's position within the pure-blood society. They assume that from the beginning, Voldemort was seen as a snake-like, crazed terrorist and murderer by the wizarding world.
But as I’ve explained in this post, Voldemort, especially during the First Wizarding War, was a charismatic and influential leader, almost like a celebrity. He rose to power with promises of restoring greatness to the wizarding world, and as mentioned in the books, much of the wizarding society supported him. For many, especially the youth, joining the Death Eaters wasn’t seen as shameful or horrifying. On the contrary, it was exciting and prestigious, like getting accepted into an elite university.
Regarding your argument, I think fans are free to create their own theories and headcanons about their favorite characters. However, it's important to remember that these are just fan interpretations, not canon. It doesn’t make sense to compare fan-made headcanons with the canon traits of another character like snape. We could create similar headcanons for any character. For instance, we could speculate that Harry Potter suffered sexual abuse from his uncle, or that Percy Weasley was the result of an unwanted pregnancy, which is why Molly never seemed to favor him. But in the end, what truly matters in analyzing canon characters is the author's intent and the clues provided in the actual story. This is especially important when discussing side characters like Regulus Black, where we have fewer details. We need to focus on the purpose the author had in creating the character and the information given in the story.
J.K. Rowling didn’t intend for Regulus Black to be a victim of abuse or neglect. She didn’t suggest that he joined the Death Eaters because his mother tortured him with the Cruciatus Curse. If that had been the case, Rowling would have left clear hints throughout the seven books. But that’s not the story she wanted to tell. Instead, she portrayed Regulus as the favored son of a fanatical pure-blood family, loved and admired by his parents, to the point that it made his older brother jealous. She wanted to show how deeply Voldemort’s ideology had permeated wizarding society, to the extent that young people idolized him like a celebrity. The fact that Regulus willingly offered his house-elf to Voldemort for a dangerous mission tells us a lot. It shows how much Voldemort trusted him and how far Regulus was willing to go to prove his loyalty. But as Rowling mentioned in interviews, Regulus wasn’t ready for the harsh reality of the Death Eaters’ world. He quickly realized that the real Voldemort was far from the idealized image he had in his mind. At that moment, Regulus transformed from a misguided teenager into a brave man, trying to make amends for his mistake by sacrificing his life.
Reducing his story to that of an abused teenager takes away the depth of his character and diminishes the impact of his redemption arc.
Are you serious? Snape was a total jerk, and you're defending him while trashing Barty Crouch Jr.? Barty was literally set up by his own dad and never even got a real chance! Snape just bullied kids for years and suddenly we're supposed to call him a hero? Get over it you’re so wrong on this one.
Greasy or Oiled? A Translation Twist
When I first read the Harry Potter books in my native language, I had no idea that Snape’s hair was being used as a way to mock and belittle him. Quite the opposite, I actually thought he was someone who cared about his hairstyle and aesthetic appearance and was trying to keep up with 1990s trends! like these:
In the English version of the books, Severus Snape's hair is famously described as "greasy," giving off a certain image of neglect and uncleanliness. However, in the translation to my native language, his hair is described as "روغن زده" (oiled) instead.
This is the Persian translation of the book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Well, I’m not sure what the exact equivalent of "روغن زده" (oiled) would be in English, but in my language, this adjective is used when someone applies special oils to their hair for styling and beauty purposes.
This subtle shift in wording changes the way we perceive Snape's appearance. While "greasy" makes you think of someone who doesn't take care of themselves, "oiled" feels more intentional, like Snape might have styled his hair that way on purpose. It’s almost as if Snape would wake up every morning, take a refreshing shower before classes, then sit down in front of a mirror in the dungeons to start his precise and delicate oiling ritual, carefully styling his hair to perfection.
Maybe Snape really was indulging in a bit of hair oil therapy or just trying to keep his locks in line with the trends of the time. But, of course, Harry’s biased perspective ruined any chance of appreciating the poor man’s grooming efforts. Who’s to say?
Marauders fandom logic when it comes to the werewolf prank is this: even if Snape had been killed, you couldn’t blame Sirius because he didn’t force Snape to go to the Shrieking Shack. It was Snape who wanted to stalk the Marauders and find out their secret It was his own fault...
If we’re going to blame Snape for following the Marauders and say he "deserved" to be killed by the werewolf prank because he was too suspicious, then shouldn’t Harry Potter also "deserve" to be killed by Malfoy’s curses in bathroom?
Or maybe Harry deserved the bullying and the worst things because he used his invisibility cloak to stalk Malfoy at Slughorn's party, trying to spy on him and eavesdrop secretly.
After all, Harry is the one who followed Malfoy, got suspicious, and tried to uncover what he was doing, right?
How can we justify praising Harry’s curiosity and bravery while condemning Snape for doing the exact same thing? The double standard is disgusting.
Just a reminder: Snape was a year younger than Harry during the werewolf prank.
I’m really worried about the new generation of Harry Potter fans. They don’t even know that Harry Potter is originally a series of seven books by J.K. Rowling, not just some fanfiction on AO3! I think, soon enough, even the name and story of Harry Potter will be erased from its own narrative. No one will remember the tale of an orphaned boy discovering the wizarding world and getting caught in the battle of good versus evil. All that will remain are the ridiculous, over-the-top drama and fanfiction about the Marauders.
It might be surprising, but in the canon and the books, Regulus Black was this kind of teenager:
His face and appearance: described in Half-Blood Prince (in Slughorn's picture) as "smaller, slighter, and less handsome" than Sirius.
The photo on the right is Regulus Black in the Deathly Hallows movie; the photo on the left is Regulus Black from J.K. Rowling's official website.(wizardingworld.com)
His ideology: “Beneath this was a collection of yellow newspaper cuttings, all stuck together to make a ragged collage. Hermione crossed the room to examine them. ‘They’re all about Voldemort,’ she said. ‘Regulus seems to have been a fan for a few years before he joined the Death Eaters ...“ (Harry potter and deathly hallows book)
His status in the family: The golden child—obedient, loyal to pure-blood ideals, and the one who didn’t rebel like his older brother.
He was younger than me, said Sirius, ‘and a much better son, as I was constantly reminded.’ ‘But he died,’ said Harry. ‘Yeah,’ said Sirius. ‘Stupid idiot … he joined the Death Eaters.“ (Harry potter and order of phoenix book)
unlike snivellous regulus actually got abused by his mother and got casted the crucio curse multiple times to make regulus obey walburag and snivilus isnt even confirmed to have abusiev or neglective parents....sirius almost died because snivellous casted the flipping spell that he made to curse sirius and peter....he also bullies barty and regulus and bullied remus for his dyslexia....thats why the marauders bullied him in the first place. james just used the spell against him in the books for revenge bceuz he used it on pete and sirius on the tree thing when remus and james werent looking...reggie got casted sectumsempra when james was gone and he also bullied nevile and harry... he was so obsessed with lily and lily wanted to die because of it. lily tried to kill herself and she forced herself with snivellus because she believed that snivvy would change...and wdym james was a sexual assaulter???????snivvy literally lifted lily's skirt and forced himself inside her......he was obsessed with lily...and when they broke off he used charity as a coping mechanism....minevra did nothing wrong she was fair unlike snivellous and for all i know severus chocked reggie once and james wanted to kill him thats why he bullied him in the first place. he shouldnt stick his greasy hair and ugly nose in the first place on sirius and remus conversation about the full moon...he should be glad that prongs saved him and regulus treated his scars even though snivellouse tried to kill him. snivellousse stole the marauders map for malicious resons and stalked lily... yu didnt read the books and use fanfics for prof....stop spreading misinformatio
I can't explain how wrong this is. Please tell me this is satire, or I will truly kms.
"Bullied Remus for his dyslexia." I think I have an idea on what fanfiction have you read. Please consider reading the real books and stop using ATYD along with other fanfiction to make this.
And are you on something...?
The Hidden Tragedy of Snape's Sacrifice is He Died at 20, Not 38
Where does the idea of selfish Severus Snape and his possessive love come from? Do people really believe that Snape died in the Shrieking Shack at 38, at the hands of Voldemort? Do they honestly think that, until he was 38, he lived a normal, happy life, full of hope and dreams, right up until that last minute when everything was suddenly ripped away from him?
Snape didn’t just die in that moment. His life ended 18 years earlier, when he was 20 years old, standing on a hill in front of Dumbledore. That’s when he gave up everything—his freedom, his future, and his life—in exchange for the safety of the Potter family: James, Lily, and Harry.
From that moment on, Snape no longer lived for himself. He had no control over his own fate; his life had been bargained away to protect others. Every step he took after that was part of a long, ongoing sacrifice.
People say they don’t like Snape because he didn’t make up for his mistakes the way he should have, that his redemption arc wasn’t complete. Excuse me? I’m not sure what more a person can give than their life. What’s more precious than their time and youth? What’s more important than their freedom? Snape sacrificed all of that—what else did he even have left to give?
He was barely out of his teenage years when he chose to give up everything—his youth, his dreams, his ambitions, even his loyalty—for people who didn’t care about him. Yet, Snape stayed on that path with unwavering courage for the next 18 years, never backing down.
In truth, Severus Snape was a boy who lost his life at 20. The only thing is, they didn’t bury him until he was 38.
Unfair Comparisons (part 3)
Here are descriptions of two boys from HP books. It’s hard to believe, but Harry Potter fans claim that boy number one had a very tragic and difficult childhood, suffering abuse, violence, and neglect from his family. These hardships caused him to experience a tough and insecure adolescence, eventually leading him to join the Death Eaters under pressure. On the other hand, fans claim the boy number two is a racist and a professional killer, who in his youth tried to join the Death Eaters in order to freely torment Muggles with dark magic.
1- Regulus Black:
Beneath this was a collection of yellow newspaper cuttings, all stuck together to make a ragged collage. Hermione crossed the room to examine them. ‘They’re all about Voldemort,’ she said. ‘Regulus seems to have been a fan for a few years before he joined the Death Eaters ...“
He was younger than me, said Sirius, ‘and a much better son, as I was constantly reminded.’ ‘But he died,’ said Harry. ‘Yeah,’ said Sirius. ‘Stupid idiot … he joined the Death Eaters.“
2- Severus snape:
Suddenly Harry’s mind was teeming with memories that were not his — a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark-haired boy cried in a corner. …
Two girls were swinging backward and forward, and a skinny boy was watching them from behind a clump of bushes. His black hair was overlong and his clothes were so mismatched that it looked deliberate: too short jeans, a shabby, overlarge coat that might have belonged to a grown man, an odd smocklike shirt.
"Oh yes, they’re arguing", said Snape. He picked up a fistful of leaves and began tearing them apart, apparently unaware of what he was doing. "But it won’t be that long and I’ll be gone". "Doesn’t your dad like magic?" "He doesn’t like anything, much", said Snape.
One of the boys sharing the compartment, who had shown no interest at all in Lily or Snape until that point, looked around at the word, and Harry, whose attention had been focused entirely on the two beside the window, saw his father: slight, black-haired like Snape, but with that indefinable air of having been well-cared-for, even adored, that Snape so conspicuously lacked.
J.K. Rowling: Well, that is Snape's tragedy. Given his time over again he would not have become a Death Eater, but like many insecure, vulnerable people (like Wormtail) he craved membership of something big and powerful, something impressive.
I love both Regulus and Severus, and I believe they were both brave boys who made mistakes and tried to make up for them by risking their lives. But there’s something in the fanbase that bothers me regarding these two characters. It’s that Snape’s story is erased from him and given to Regulus Black. I haven't found any evidence of Regulus being tortured or forced to join the Death Eaters, as described in the books. He willingly joined Voldemort because he was fan of voldemort. Moreover, according to Sirius, Regulus was well-liked within his family, and his parents not only didn’t mistreat him, but they actually loved him more than Sirius.
I’m tired of constantly seeing people say that Regulus was a saint while Snape was a sadistic murderer. I can’t believe people can read these lines from the books and still claim that Regulus was tortured with the Cruciatus Curse and abused by his family in childhood, which forced him to join the Death Eaters due to his traumatic upbringing. But Snape? Oh, apparently, he was born to be a racist, torturer, sadist, and murderer from day one.
Aren’t you tired of these ridiculous double standards? Aren’t you fed up with constantly insisting that fanfictions and TikTok videos are canon?
If James had really changed, and it was actually Snape who was relentlessly attacking him in their seventh year, why would James hide something so important from Lily? Why wouldn’t he just be honest and tell her that he wasn’t doing anything to Snape, but it was Snape who kept attacking him and bullying him for no reason? What better chance to prove to Lily that he had grown as a person, and this time, Snape was the one at fault? Do you really believe someone like James Potter would miss a chance to prove his innocence and blame Snape?
The only conclusion we can draw is either Sirius and Lupin were lying, and James hadn’t changed at all—still unfairly bullying Snape. Only this time he was hiding it. Or The relationship between James and Lily was extremely toxic. James was a dishonest and liar boyfriend, and Lily was a girlfriend who never fully trusted James. Even if James had confessed that he was innocent and being harassed, she still wouldn’t have believed him.
forever grieving the life i couldve had- the person i couldve been- had it all never happened to me
As I read this text, the song Forever Young by Alphaville started playing in my mind as if every word echoed the melody. It felt like Snape’s life: frozen in the past, forever young, yet never free.
He carried the weight of lost dreams, never allowed to become the man he could have been. He was always a boy trapped in the shadows of the past.
Something about Snape, 31-38, with pure black hair, not a single sign of white, despite that being the age most people start going grey
Something about how he had the full dark hair of youth and died like that
Something about how he never truly grew up like he should have
Something about how he was always stuck there in the past, stuck as that Snape boy from Spinner's End, stuck as Snivellus the boy who the Marauders hated for just existing
Something about how he died there in the same place he nearly died as a boy
Something about how he died in that place, bloodied and wounded, raven black hair, no difference between him and his boyhood self
Something about how that black hair was perhaps a sign that he was still living in the past, that a piece of him was eternally frozen at 21, at 16, at 15, he died a man yet he wasn't one, he wasn't a boy but not quite a man
Something about how his portrait among all the other heads of Hogwarts is the only one whose hair is fully dark, whose face isn't lined with age.
Next to them, he is a boy. Perhaps he always was.
I was thinking about how heartbreaking it is when your favorite character becomes the author’s punching bag.
Yes, I know it was J.K. Rowling who gave us Snape, but sometimes I wish the creation of Severus Snape had gone differently. I wish this fascinating, complex character had been the brainchild of a different writer—someone who would have treated him with kindness, someone who truly understood and cared for him. A writer who would have approached his complexities and psychological wounds with patience and insight, someone who would have given him an entire story of his own, one that ended with healing and love.
Not a writer who projected their own frustrations and anger onto him, using every opportunity to humiliate and punish him.
If you've ever read J.K. Rowling's interviews, you can easily sense the deep resentment and anger she's projected onto Snape. It’s hard to miss how much of that negativity she’s funneled into his character.
I believe the reason is that Lucius Malfoy and other pure-blood families had a different perspective on Voldemort during the First War, and even in the early stages of the Second War. We tend to think they saw him as the snake-like, sadistic terrorist who loved killing innocent Hogwarts students from the very beginning, but that’s not true.
To people like Lucius Malfoy, Voldemort was a powerful, smart and charismatic savior of the wizarding world, a restorer of the golden age of wizarding history. Like most dictators in the real world, Voldemort first recognized the needs of the people and then seduced them with attractive promises, convincing them that he would solve all their problems. The books explain how skilled Voldemort was at this kind of brainwashing.
They supported Voldemort, believing that his rise to power would save and revive the wizarding world, purging it of Muggle-borns and blood traitors who were weakening and corrupting magic. We see in the books that Draco, following his father’s views, grows up thinking that people like Dumbledore are leading the wizarding world to weakness and ruin. In contrast, a hero like Voldemort is fighting this foolish old man and wants to restore power and glory to the wizarding world, promoting pure-blood supremacy and elevating families like the Malfoys to the peak of wealth and respect in society. This is why Draco feels so proud and satisfied about joining the Death Eaters in the sixth book.
For Lucius Malfoy, it was a source of pride and happiness to see his son supporting Voldemort’s cause, believing he was fighting to improve the wizarding world and save it from fools like Dumbledore. This was especially important since Draco was his only heir, the continuation of the Malfoy family, and it was crucial for him to remain loyal to the family’s old traditions.
Everything seemed fine until Voldemort’s extreme views, his hunger for power, and his obsession with killing Harry Potter began to threaten the Malfoy family and put their only son in danger. That’s when they started to feel the danger, and the seeds of distrust and betrayal toward Voldemort began to grow within the family.
i think it's a bit weird how many people insist that lucius malfoy was not abusive to draco..? like yea he wasn't physically abusive like tobias snape for example, and he did spoil draco and probably loved him but he was still emotionally abusive or at least... absent, i guess? neglectful? like at the end of the day allowing your son to be groomed into a cult won't win you a dad of the year award idk.
Me when I'm writing a meta about Snape's death and realize that when Voldemort summoned him for the last time, he probably knew he was going to die and was thinking about how, from the very beginning, it was his fate to be killed in the Shrieking Shack:
I’ve been thinking about how hypocritical James Potter and Sirius Black are, and how they constantly display double standards.
I honestly can’t understand how these two bullies can being defenders and fighters against racism.
I mean, how is it possible for someone to understand that a person’s blood status isn’t something they choose and therefore should be respected, and that no witch or wizard should be discriminated against or humiliated because of it, but at the same time, fail to realize that a person’s appearance is no different? Just like blood status, it’s not something anyone chooses, so it should be respected as well and not made the target of ridicule and bullying. How can he not understand the similarity between the two? Is he really that dumb?
How can James claim to be more ethical than Snape or other Death Eaters, and boast that he would never call someone like Lily a horrible name like “Mudblood,” yet for his own amusement and that of his friends, he calls Snape “Snivellus” since they were eleven? If both names are meant to degrade and mock, what difference does it make whether you're referring to someone’s blood status or to their vulnerability, sadness, or tears?
What are your thoughts on Lily? I think she recieves too much hate. I get that she’s a flawed character but the way people are discussing her is like she’s a complete bitch and has been thhrougout her friendship with Sev, which I don’t agree on.
Thank you for asking this question. I had written a long meta about the relationship and friendship between Severus and Lily, but it became so lengthy that I wasn’t sure how to post it. Now, I've separated the parts that focus more on Lily’s character and written them here.(Yes, it's still long but it's shareable now)
I enjoy Snily fanfics and absolutely love Lily’s characterization in them, but I have different feelings about canon Lily. I’m not anti-Lily, but I don't think she holds any significant moral superiority or special virtues compared to other characters in the books.
Most of what we know about Lily comes from when she was 15. Yes, it’s admirable that she sacrificed her life at 21 to save her child, but that doesn’t necessarily say much about her character. Many mothers of any age and from any part of the world would do the same for their children. We don’t know how much she matured or grew as a person. We don’t know if she was satisfied with the choices she made as a teenager or what her feelings toward Severus were in her final days. That’s why I base my judgments on 15-year-old Lily.
I see her as a warm, charming, and somewhat immature girl who, coincidentally, really enjoys positive attention (though not to the extent that James does).She tries to be kind to everyone to be liked, yet feels that other girls don’t really like her and are envious. Unlike her son, she doesn’t have a complex moral code, she tends to see the world in black and white like her sister Petunia. To her, you’re either on her side and therefore her friend, or you’re against her and her enemy. She’s the type of person who can easily attract people at first glance but struggles to form deeper, more meaningful connections with them.
I think part of the reason people dislike her is that they see her as more than what she is and have high expectations of her. Fanon often portrays Lily as a girl from a high-status, wealthy family, a feminist, strong, and independent woman, which makes people expect her to have been able to solve many of the issues she faced. However, in canon, she clearly doesn’t have any of these traits. We don’t even know if her family was rich or poor, but since she lived near Snape, it doesn’t seem like there was much of a class difference between their families.
Yes, canon Lily is lively, smart, and kind, and she gets good grades, but that’s different from being ambitious, powerful, or having feminist or progressive views.
Lily marries and has a child immediately after finishing school, before she truly reaches intellectual and emotional maturity. In canon, we don’t see her play a significant role in the war, undertake any special missions for the Order, or even hold a notable job or career before having Harry. She fits more into the traditional role of a wife and homemaker. I think if she had survived and the war ended, she would have lived a life very similar to Molly Weasley (though not with as many children). She’d be a loving wife and warm mother. Of course, she would likely spoil her child more than Molly does, letting him off the hook easily. Like Petunia, she would overlook her child’s mistakes unless it involved dark magic.
I understand that most people in the wizarding world marry young, but we have characters like Minerva McGonagall, who remains independent, even refusing to change her surname after marriage. In Fantastic Beasts, we see women who, despite the war, maintain their roles as strong, independent individuals whose identities aren’t solely tied to being someone’s wife or mother. So, Lily isn’t an exceptional character in this regard. She’s more like the average woman of her time. When we view her as a very average woman, rather than the amazing, powerful, modern figure seen in fanfics, her behavior becomes much easier to understand.
As for her marriage, I can imagine what was going through her mind: everything with James Potter was easier, simpler, and more stable because, from birth, everything was handed to him. He doesn’t need to work hard for happiness or a future, as his high social status and vast family wealth are guaranteed. He probably promised Lily a successful marriage and a sweet and happy family, perhaps even on their first date, filling her with hope for what was to come. It’s only natural that a teenage girl like Lily, who sees the world in black and white and has a fragile social standing in the wizarding world, would quickly decide that marrying someone like James Potter — who is at the pinnacle of her moral scale ( he doesn’t use dark magic) — was the best choice for her future. This pattern of marriage reminds me of Petunia. She marries her boss, who is also much older than her because he can give her the stable, normal life she dreams of, with a secure income.
Sometimes I think the way Lily chose James and how Snape chose Voldemort are similar. Both were teenagers who made these decisions to secure their place in the wizarding world and cover their insecurities. Lily is fortunate to have an easier life than Severus, and as a woman, she can rely on the support of a wealthy and pure blood man. Snape, on the other hand, didn’t have Lily’s privileges. He had to work hard to secure his place, offering his life and loyalty to Voldemort, who promises him acceptance, security, and protection in return.
I also disagree with the idea that Lily is responsible for all of Snape’s problems or that if she had stayed friends with Severus, he wouldn’t have joined Voldemort:
Snape’s life was far more complicated and difficult for Lily’s presence to magically fix everything. Rowling says Snape sought acceptance, security, and peace. Clearly, Lily couldn’t provide those things for him (after all, she was just 15). Snape needed a strong, father-figure type of support at that age. Teenage Snape, contrary to those who want to portray him as obsessed with Lily, had a proud and independent personality. He didn’t base his entire life around Lily’s presence or absence. Yes, he apologized for his mistake, but when Lily threatened to leave him, he didn’t make any effort to change his circumstances. That’s why I don’t believe the people who say Snape only switched sides because of an obsession with Lily. His love for her lit the path for him later in life, but it was Snape who gave that love the power to guide him and help him grow.
Snape Artists Deserve Better
Since joining the Snape fandom, I’ve noticed something that really stands out. Compared to other character-based fan communities, the Snape fandom feels overlooked. There’s also a lot of negativity aimed at him, mostly stirred up by Marauders fans and "Snaters." This creates a tough environment, especially for artists and creators who focus on Snape. Unfortunately, their work doesn’t receive the recognition or support it deserves, which can be really discouraging.
I’ve seen so many amazing Snape artworks—pieces that have clearly taken tons of effort and time—get completely ignored. Meanwhile, similar artwork of the Marauders (including characters we barely know anything about like Marlene, Mary, and Dorcas… ) gets thousands of likes and shares in just a few days, quickly spreading across social media platforms. This isn’t just about Tumblr Art, either. The same thing happens with Snape videos on TikTok. They often don’t get the attention they deserve, no matter how well-made.
What’s worse is that even casual Harry Potter fans—those who aren’t part of the Snape or Marauders fandoms—are afraid to post anything about Severus Snape. They worry about the backlash they might face. If they decide to write about him, draw him, or make a video, they often feel like they need to constantly explain that they’re not "Snap supporter" or "Snape fan" and that they’re just creating art. Otherwise, they’ll get bombarded with nasty comments.
This whole situation has made artists hesitant to spend time on Snape-related content. They know it either won’t get the attention it deserves or they’ll face a wave of negativity that makes them regret ever posting it. It’s really sad to see so many talented artists being pushed away because of this toxic environment.
I totally feel for these artists, writers, and overall Snape content creators. Sharing your work takes a lot of courage, especially when you know it might be met with negativity. Art is meant for expression and creativity, so it's tough when those who put their heart into it feel like their work isn’t appreciated.
I don’t know how much longer this toxic atmosphere toward Snape, his fans, and the artists who create content about him will last, but it’s just not fair. Every artist deserves to share their work without fear and get the recognition and support they’ve earned.
i love your posts so so so so much! especially the one with the “undoubtedly its a beautiful moment” quote! i read it a while ago and i cant stop thinking about it :) i hope you know that i look up your blog everyday i open tumblr just to see what you posted about sev (not in a creepy way) :3
Aww, thank you so much! 🥺💕 I’m so glad to hear that you love my posts. Your message just made my day! 💖 To be honest, I’ve always had a lot of feelings and thoughts about Snape, but I didn’t think sharing them would be interesting to others. Seeing messages like yours really makes me happy that I started this blog.
Your eyes, though, were beautiful, When I gazed into them, Years stretched between me and death.
Talking about Snape as a child who was clearly abused, neglected, and exposed to domestic violence… -But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about Snape's first meeting with Lily and his attempts to make friends as a lonely nine-year-old… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about how Snape was ridiculed and humiliated for his appearance and poverty, with his bullies even naked him in public… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about how a twenty-year-old Snape was willing to do anything to keep the Potter family safe, and after Lily’s death, he wished he had died… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about the Half-Blood Prince, Snape’s talent in potions, Dark Arts, and inventing spells… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about Snape’s traumatic flashbacks in the Shrieking Shack, where despite recalling horrific memories, he was still willing to go there to save the kids… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about the Unbreakable Vow and how Snape was ready to risk his life for Draco… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
Talking about his twenty years of loyalty, courage, efforts to save Harry Potter, and accepting his own death to protect others… - But he bullied children, didn’t he?
It's crazy that the anti Snape people always generally come and comment under the posts explaining that Snape is not a Nazi, fascist, supremacist and incel, all to say that he is Neville's worst fear, as if that was a magic card ? This is already an argument which is not one and which once again generally has nothing to do with the subjects discussed. Not only that but it is something that is false because this entire argument is based on deliberately misreading the passage in question.
I Was Bullied Too, So Why Didn’t I Turn Out Like Severus Snape?
I came across an anti-Snape post where someone shared their experience of being bullied in school. They said that even though they were bullied, they were able to overcome it, which is why they admired James Potter—because he changed and stopped being a bully. However, they hate Snape for not being able to move on from his past.
Everyone has the right to hate or love the characters based on their taste but What bothers me is how people often compare their own trauma to others' and disregard the genetic and environmental differences that shape us as individuals. I’ve decided to write a long post comparing my own life with Snape’s—two people who were both bullied as children. it was difficult for me to write this post, but I hope this comparison shows that not everyone who experiences bullying ends up the same. The variances in our upbringing and support systems play a crucial role in shaping who we become.
When I was seven years old, I was mocked and humiliated by a group of older girls on the school bus (they were eleven at the time). They made it clear that they bullied me because I was smaller and weaker than them. They treated me in a way that made me believe I deserved their bullying. I thought a weak and ugly girl like me was deserving of all their humiliation. They would mess up my hair, pull it, and ridicule me for having messy and ugly hair. Whenever I cried, they laughed. They didn't even let me be friends with other girls. To torment me further, they would point at me, whisper to each other, and giggle, making me feel even more isolated. I had allergies and a runny nose, and they wouldn’t let me wipe it, which they used as another reason to belittle me, saying I was disgusting. Even if there was an empty seat, they wouldn’t let me sit with them because I was "gross." I was terrified of them, hated school because of them, and cried every morning, begging not to go to school.
But why didn’t I turn out like Severus Snape?
1- I grew up like a normal child in every other aspect of my life. I was cared for and valued. I always had birthday parties with cake and gifts. I was praised when I got good grades. I had friends outside of school to play with, went on family vacations, and had fun times. From childhood to adulthood, I’ve had a safe home, enough sleep, good food, and a loving family.
2- I had parents who loved and cared about me. When my mother found out about the bullying, she went to the school and demanded they stop it. My parents also enrolled me in a private school to protect me from further bullying. When I started having nightmares and trouble sleeping, they took me to a child therapist.
3- My grandparents adored me. I would stay at their house when my parents were at work, and they made my childhood even more joyful. I always had safe arms to run to. Plus, my aunts and uncles cared for me and regularly took me to parks and other fun places, showering me with gifts and making sure I enjoyed my time.
4- My family had a respectable place in society, and I was never shamed or humiliated because of my family's circumstances. My father cared for me, my sister, and my mother, and he worked hard to provide for our needs. He respected my mother, and I never witnessed any abuse from him toward her.
5- My family had a stable income, and I always had new, appropriate clothes to wear. I never had to worry about poverty, hunger, or wearing hand-me-downs that would make me feel inferior to my peers.
6- My bullies mocked me, but they never caused me serious physical harm. I never feared for my life or sexual assault at school. The bullying was short-lived, lasting less than two years, and by the time I was a teenager, it had completely stopped. As I grew older, I made plenty of good friends and was popular among them. I have many fond memories from high school with my friends.
7- As a teenager, I didn’t worry about my future. My concerns were not about surviving a war, avoiding humiliation, or escaping poverty. I was free to plan my life, knowing I would go to university and study what I loved. Whenever I needed help, I knew I could count on my family—they were always there to support me.
8- I’m a psychology student, and studying this field has completely shifted my perspective on myself and others. It has allowed me to see the world with greater depth and empathy. I’ve become better at recognizing not only my own psychological wounds but also those of others, which has helped me connect with people on a deeper level. I've also sought therapy, both in-person and online, and have seen positive results. While I still struggle with some issues from my past—like feeling insecure about my appearance, doubting people’s motives, and having a hard time trusting—I’ve learned how to manage these feelings fairly well.
All of these factors combined have shaped me into someone different from Severus Snape. Yes, I was bullied, but I didn’t turn out like him because, unlike Snape, I was given numerous opportunities to grow, to experience love and joy, to heal, and to find pleasure in life.
Now, It’s much easier for someone like me to be kind and nice to others, to love people, to forgive myself and others, and to move on from those who don’t like me. It’s easier for me to see the world and people not as threats but with a more mature and balanced perspective. but I’m under no illusion that I am a better and more worthy person than Severus Snape or anyone like him who didn’t have the chance to heal. I simply know that I’ve been luckier, and for that, I’m grateful. But I never want to dismiss or belittle the suffering of others or blame them for their psychological struggles.
I can’t say for certain what I would’ve done in Snape’s exact situation or how bitter I might’ve become. But I’m certain of one thing: I could never be as brave or as selfless as Snape was, sacrificing his own life so readily for others. I know that I could never be a hero like him.