13 little-known facts about Severus Snape that 'Harry Potter' fans probably don't know

Stephanie AsheAug 28, 2020, 21:53 IST

Alan Rickman played Snape in the "Harry Potter" films.Warner Bros.

Severus Snape is one of the most divisive characters in the entire "Harry Potter" series.
He was a double agent, so many character details were kept a secret, and little is known about his life outside of Hogwarts.
However, it is known that his mother was a witch and his father was a Muggle, which led to the moniker "The Half-Blood Prince."
Snape's first and last names also have significant meanings for the character.

Severus Snape is one of the most highly-debated characters in the "Harry Potter" franchise.

On one hand, he was a vindictive bully. But on the other, he was living a secret double life as both a Death Eater and a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

Prior to using her platform to spread transphobic messages, the series' controversial author J.K. Rowling was known to use Twitter, interviews, and the official Wizarding World website to expand the "Harry Potter" canon beyond the seven books.

With both the original series and this supplemental information in mind, here are 13 little-known facts about Snape that even die-hard fans may have missed or forgotten:

Warning: This slideshow contains spoilers for the "Harry Potter" book and film series.

His first and last names loosely translate to mean "stern" and "disgrace," respectively.

The meanings behind his first and last names are significant to his character. Warner Bros.

Alan Rickman almost didn't play Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" movies.

Tim Roth (left) is known for movies like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction." Charley Gallay/Getty Images; Warner Bros.

He was possibly the only Death Eater to conjure a Patronus.

Snape's Patronus took the form of a doe. Warner Bros.

Snape pretty much fits the description of a Potions Master to a T.

Professor Snape taught Potions at Hogwarts for many years. Warner Bros.

His father was a muggle.

Snape started using the pseudonym "The Half-Blood Prince" in school. Warner Bros.

He didn't have the easiest childhood.

Snape's family seemed to live in an underfunded part of town. Warner Bros.

Snape may have ended his relationship with Lily Evans by calling her an offensive name.

Lily and Severus were close friends as children. Warner Bros.

Snape taught Potions partly because Rowling hated chemistry.

Snape excelled at Potions when he was a student at Hogwarts. Warner Brothers

Snape was one of Slughorn's favorite students when he was at Hogwarts

Professor Slughorn was the Potions Master when Snape was a student. Warner Bros

His final words differ in the final movie compared to the book.

Snape died in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2." Warner Bros.

He's neither all good nor all bad.

Snape is a gray character in the "Harry Potter" fandom. Warner Bros. Pictures

Snape evidently smells like bitterness and old shoes.

In case anyone was curious, the author came up with an answer to how Snape smells. Warner Bros.

Rita Skeeter probably wrote a tell-all about Snape.

Miranda Richardson played Rita Skeeter in the movies. Warner Bros

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