Summary
Severus Snape is one of the most layered characters in theHarry Potterfranchise. InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, it was shockingly revealed that Snape has beenworking as a double agent for Dumbledoresince the First Wizarding War. However, the character was tragically killed by Voldemort before Harry could uncover and reveal the truth about Snape and his friendship with the late Lily Evans (Harry’s mother). Snape has one of the most tragic stories in the series; however, little is known about his backstory.
Throughout theHarry Potterfranchise, there are hints about Snape’s childhood, particularly inHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While the movies gloss over the character’s early memories, the books offer information about Snape’s parents and his life before Hogwarts. These details can reveal a lot about Snape and can even connect the Potions Professor to Harry Potter himself, proving that the pair have more in common than meets the eye.
Who is Snape’s Mother?
As revealed inHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Snape’s mother was a witch named Eileen Prince. Eileen was from a pure-blooded wizarding family, but she decided to marry a Muggle – a decision deemed controversial by her family.
Snape had a close relationship with his mother, as shown by the nickname he chose. As revealed at the end ofHalf-Blood Prince,Snape used to refer to himself as‘The Half-Blood Prince’and was the owner of the potions book Harry had been using. Prince was his mother’s maiden name, hinting at the distance Snape felt from his father. Snape had a tempestuous relationship with his father, a subject which is explored inHalf-Blood Prince.
Who is Snape’s Father?
Snape’s father was a Muggle named Tobias Snape. As Harry Potter fans will know, the term ‘Muggle’ means a “Non-magical person.” Because of this, Snape was a Half-Blood, just like Harry Potter and the Dark Lord himself.
Tobias was an aggressive, malicious individual. He treated both his wife and his son poorly, largely due to his hatred of magic – despite being married to a witch and having a magical child. Tobias would frequently yell at Eileen, forcing Snape to leave the house to escape the pair’s arguments. Snape’s unhappy childhood is explored in theDeathly Hallowsbook when Lily Evans asks Snape about his parents and if they’re still arguing:
‘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.’
Through these flashbacks inDeathly Hallows, it’s clear that Tobias was a detestable individual, which is why Snape often referred to himself by his mother’s maiden name, Prince. While many details of Snape’s childhood are obscured, it’s evident that his relationship with his father was virtually non-existent. Inan article published by Wizarding World(formerly Pottermore), Tobias is named as one of the worst fathers in theHarry Potterfranchise.
What was Snape’s Childhood Like?
Because of his father’s aggression, Snape had a deeply unhappy childhood. In theDeathly Hallowsbook, there are allusions to Snape being neglected as a child. By using the Pensieve, Harry witnesses Snape’s first meeting with Lily Evans (the girl who would become Harry’s mother) and her sister Petunia:
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 […] Harry moved closer to the boy. Snape looked no more than nine or ten years old, sallow, small, stringy.
It’s clear that Snape was unhappy as a child. While Snape had a close relationship with his mother, it’s implied that both of his parents neglected him, which led to Snape being unable to take care of himself while at Hogwarts. InOrder of the Phoenix,Harry witnesses a memory ofSnape being bullied by James Potterand the rest of the Marauders. James hangs Snape upside down in the air:
James whirled about; a second flash of light later, Snape was hanging upside down in the air, his robes falling over his head to reveal skinny, pallid legs and a pair of greying underpants.
The flashbacks inDeathly Hallowsillustrated that Snape longed for his escape to Hogwarts and was eager to leave his unhappy home behind, just like Harry Potter when he lived with the Dursleys. However, during his time at the Wizarding School, Snape was subjected to bullying by the Marauders, creatinga festering hatred for Harry’s father.
Fortunately, Snape found comfort in his friendship with Lily Evans. As a Muggle-Born, Lily’s magical abilities made her the odd one in her family. Her sister, Petunia, wasdeeply envious of Lily’s powersand dubbed her a “freak.” Because of this, Snape and Lily were both perceived as outcasts and quickly became friends.
However, at Hogwarts, Snape and Lily’s friendship gradually fell apart. This was largely because of Lily’s relationship with James Potter, which was a cause of extreme jealousy for Snape. Things came crashing down when Snape called Lily “Mudblood,” a slur used against Muggle-born witches and wizards. Deeply hurt by his comment, Lily grew angry and distanced herself from her former friend. Once again, Snape was faced with isolation and only found comfort through his magical abilities, as seen inhis potions notebookinHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
What Happened to Snape’s Parents?
Once Snape arrived at Hogwarts, his parents are no longer mentioned. Because of this, some fans have inferred that both Eileen and Tobias passed away during Snape’s later years at Hogwarts. Duringthe First Wizarding War, Snape lived alone in his childhood home. At this time, Snape would have only been in his early twenties, meaning that it’s plausible that both his parents passed away during his time at Hogwarts.
While it’s not explicitly known what happened to his parents, it’s evident that Snape’s unhappy childhood shaped his later life. His melancholy childhood and miserable time at Hogwarts resulted in Snape’s interest in dark magic. Ultimately, this led to Snape joiningVoldemort’s villainous army of Death Eaters. However, the death of Lily Evans created a sharp realization for Snape. He snapped out of his villainous mindset and decided to become a double agent for Dumbledore – a courageous decision and an outright betrayal of the Dark Lord.
Sadly, Lily’s death destroyed Snape.His love for her was unrequited, resulting in Snape’s festering grudge against Harry. However, as Snape’s unhappy childhood proves, there are many similarities between Snape and the ‘Chosen One,’ making him one of the most significant characters in the entire franchise.
