It depends on who you ask. There are some who argue that Snape was in love with Lily Potter, though his love for her is often seen more as an obsession than a genuine romantic feeling. Snape was almost certainly in love with the idea of Lily and held her in a deeply venerated regard that likely bordered on obsession.
After all, Snape was willing to risk his own safety by joining the Death Eaters in order to protect her and her family.
Snape was also a highly passionate and loving person, and his behavior could easily be read as obsession. His intense devotion to the Order of the Phoenix and Dumbledore’s cause, willingness to risk his life for theirs, and his loyalty even after Dumbledore’s death all suggest that his feelings transcend an everyday deeply felt interest.
Ultimately, it is impossible to definitively answer if Snape was in love or obsessed. The truth likely lies somewhere in between—he was both in love and in deep admiration and devotion to what Lily represented.
Was Snape’s love for Lily Platonic?
No, Snape had a deep, romantic love for Lily Potter (née Evans). This is evidenced by a number of remarks throughout the Harry Potter series, as well as the fact that Snape named his child after her.
Snape first met Lily when they were children at Hogwarts and a deep, friendly bond developed between the two. That bond grew into a romantic relationship as they grew older, and Snape developed a deep, passionate love for her.
He was so enamored of Lily that he actively sought to emulate her and do anything for her happiness; for instance, he joined Voldemort’s Death Eaters in order to protect her from them. Though Lily and Snape ultimately broke up and she married James Potter, Snape perennially held a torch for her, even going so far as to name his only (known) child after her after her death.
The depth of Snape’s love for Lily was such that it survived even his death and the deeper love he felt for Harry Potter. Clearly, Snape’s feelings for Lily were much deeper than platonic.
Why does Snape love Lily?
Snape’s love for Lily Potter goes far beyond what most could understand. It is a deep, powerful emotion that he has always felt and cared for from his earliest days attending Hogwarts. While it may never have been officially stated, it is clear that Snape has a deep affection for Lily and it is likely rooted in admiration and love.
The two first met when they both attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, although they experienced a rocky start due to the fact that Snape was a half-blood wizard and Lily a muggle-born witch.
Despite this, they found common ground and even became friends, although according to Severus Snape’s own words, “Somehow, Lily and I became friends, close friends”.
Over time, Snape developed a deep love for Lily. This love became even stronger when James Potter, Lily’s future husband, started bullying him, while Lily chose to stand up for him and protect him from the bullies.
Snape’s admiration for her only deepened when he witnessed her incredible skill and talent in the magical world. Furthermore, Snape was in awe of Lily’s capacity for kindness and her strong moral compass, something that Snape deeply respected and cherished.
Snape’s deep love for Lily was such that he even made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Harry Potter, despite his longstanding feud with the Potters. He chose to protect a child who he knew would grow up without its parents, simply because he cared deeply for Lily.
Despite all this, Snape was never able to receive the love he so deeply desired from Lily, but his love for her has gone down in history as one of the greatest and most unrequited romances of all time.
What was Snape’s Patronus before he loved Lily?
Prior to Snape falling in love with Lily, it is unknown what his Patronus was. Rowling has not provided an answer, so it remains a mystery. However, based on Snape’s character, it is possible to make some educated guesses.
Snape was a complicated character, and he often struggled with powerful emotions and difficult decisions. Therefore, it would likely be that his Patronus was a reflection of his internal turmoil. He could have had a Patronus symbolising darkness and death, such as a black cat, a raven or a snake.
It is also possible his Patronus could have been something from the animal kingdom such as a wolf, a Panthera, or even an owl.
We cannot speak for certain, but whatever Snape’s Patronus was before he fell in love with Lily, it is certain that it changed when he was smitten by her charm and charisma. After their relationship blossomed, Snape’s Patronus became an animal closely linked to Lily: a doe.
The doe symbolised his undying devotion and love for her, until the very end of his life.
Did Snape care for Harry or Lily?
Yes, Snape had a deep care and affection for both Harry and Lily. He had loved Lily since they were both children, and his feelings for her never changed even after she married James Potter. Snape also deeply cared for Harry, though he did not show it.
He ultimately sacrificed himself to protect Harry due to a vow Snape made to Lily. He was also willing to use his magical abilities to help Harry in situations that were not of his own doing. Though Snape often seemed gruff and unapproachable, it was out of protection for Harry and his love for Lily that drove his every action concerning them.
Why did Lily choose James and Snape?
Lily Potter chose James Potter and Severus Snape to both protect and seek assistance for Harry Potter due to the fact that she trusted them both and believed they would be the most capable of completing the task.
James was someone Lily had been close to all her life; she was in love with him and trusted him unconditionally, so believed that he was a dependable ally for her son. She knew he would defend Harry at any cost and make sure he was safe from harm, so entrusting him with her son’s wellbeing was the obvious decision.
Additionally, she chose Severus Snape to look after Harry because she had come to understand how difficult his life was and the strength of his feelings for her and her family. She knew he was a brilliant wizard and could rely on him for help if needed.
Furthermore, she knew deep down that Snape had a good heart, despite his tough exterior, so believed he could be a depending ally against the dark arts to keep Harry’s safety as priority.
In the end, Lily chose James and Snape to both look after and protect Harry because of their strong magical abilities, loyalty and willingness to protect him no matter the cost.
Did Lily have feelings for Snape?
As per the books, there is no indication that Lily ever had any romantic feelings for Severus Snape. In fact, when Lily and Snape were in school together, she was known for being vocal about disliking him and being one of the most vocal critics of his behavior.
Even when Harry was staying with Snape and Lily’s feelings towards Snape had begun to change – moving from disliking him to merely tolerating him – it is still not confirmed whether or not she had any romantic feelings for him.
Ultimately, it can be said that while Lily may have softened her stance towards Snape, she still never had any romantic feelings for the Potions master.
Why is Snape’s Patronus special?
Snape’s Patronus is special because it is not just any ordinary animal, but a doe – the same type of animal that appeared to him in a dream and represented his beloved, Lily Potter. This symbolises Snape’s unending and unconditional love for Lily, even in death.
Additionally, it is also a sign of strength and resilience as it takes a great deal of emotional strength for a wizard to conjure a corporeal Patronus and do so consistently. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore explains to Harry that Snape’s Patronus is proof of the strength of his feelings for Lily, suggesting that Snape’s Patronus holds in it deep and powerful memories of the past.
As such, Snape’s Patronus holds a special place in the hearts of Harry Potter fans everywhere, symbolising a deep and poignant love that transcends life and death.
Why was Lily’s Patronus with Snape?
Lily’s Patronus taking the form of Snape is an incredibly powerful moment in the Harry Potter series, as it symbolizes the immense love Lily had for Snape. This moment has included themes of redemption, the power of love, and has even been a source of comfort for readers and viewers alike who have experienced traumatic events in their lives.
Lily’s Patronus taking the form of Snape symbolizes the intense love and loyalty she had for him, even in the face of intense prejudice and negative feelings against him by those around her. Even though she had the power to protect her son Harry with her Patronus, she courageously chose to cast it in Snape’s form, showing that her love for Snape was still greater than anything else.
The moment also ties into themes of redemption as it shows how Snape is ultimately forgiven for previous transgressions by Lily. It’s a powerful moment of grace, showing that even the deepest wounds can be healed when love prevails.
Lastly, it’s been a source of comfort for a lot of people who have experienced traumatic events and challenging moments in their lives. It can serve as a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, love is still a powerful and unwavering force.
Why does Snape refer to himself as the Half Blood Prince?
Snape refers to himself as the Half Blood Prince because he is a Half-Blood wizard, which means he is born to one Muggle (non-magical) parent and one magical parent. He first adopted the name in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, when he was helping Harry with his Potions homework.
He used the name to remain anonymous and to put Harry at ease, as his identity as a Half-Blood was something he kept hidden from the wizarding world at large. Snape was very proud of his magical abilities, despite the discrimination he faced because of his Muggle parentage.
By using the name Half Blood Prince, Snape was asserting his right to a place in the wizarding world.