Severus Snape is a true hero in the Harry Potter series, and his story begins long before the main events unfold. He has the most complex journey of any character, filled with surprises that keep both Harry and the audience guessing his true loyalties. It isn’t until the final book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, that the truth is revealed: after Lily Potter was killed by Lord Voldemort, Snape secretly pledged his allegiance to Albus Dumbledore, driven by his long-held love for Harry’s mother.
Okay, let’s talk about Snape. Honestly, watching the films, it’s clear he spent Harry’s entire time at Hogwarts subtly looking out for him, even though he seemed to actively dislike the kid! From undermining Quirrell to ensuring Harry had the Sword of Gryffindor when he needed it most, Snape was always there, working from the shadows. But digging deeper, it’s amazing to realize his protection of Harry actually began long before Lily’s death. In a really surprising twist, he inadvertently set in motion the events that made Harry ‘The Boy Who Lived’ and ultimately led to Voldemort’s defeat. It’s a complex character arc, and a truly fascinating reveal when you piece it all together.
How Snape Saved Baby Harry Potter’s Life
Harry survived because of a protective spell cast by his mother, Lily. As Dumbledore explained, this protection was powered by Lily’s love for her son. She sacrificed herself to save him, and that sacrifice shielded him from Voldemort’s deadly curse. However, this protection weakened over time and eventually failed when Voldemort fully returned in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It’s important to note that Snape also played a role in this protection.
The magical protection that saved Harry required a selfless sacrifice: someone had to willingly give their life out of love for another. It wasn’t enough for someone to simply die for another; they had to choose to save that person, even at the cost of their own life. J.K. Rowling explained in an interview with Mugglenet that this is why James’ death didn’t work. Lily made that choice, but she was only given the opportunity because Snape pleaded with Voldemort to spare her. After hearing the prophecy and understanding its implications, Snape asked Voldemort to let Lily live, and Voldemort granted her that choice – which she rejected. Voldemort then killed her, but because of her sacrifice, Harry was protected.
Snape’s story becomes even more complicated when you consider he’d have sacrificed Harry to save Lily, but ultimately ended up protecting Harry and destroying his former master. The puzzling part is why Voldemort would spare Lily in the first place. He was a ruthless killer who didn’t understand love, and leaving her alive could have been dangerous, considering her magical power and connection to the Order of the Phoenix. While Voldemort greatly valued Snape’s loyalty and might have believed he could control or later exploit Lily, it was an unusual decision for him – and ultimately, it led to his downfall.
The Harry Potter movies are available to stream on HBO Max.
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2025-10-20 23:40