Severus Snape

Slytherin - 7th Year - Half-Blood Prince

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

Severus Protects his Students

Student deaths hit Severus the hardest. He took an oath to protect students to the best of his ability, so he was excused from participating after his first experience and almost dying because he failed to uphold his professors oath. The first died the summer after his first year teaching. Others had lost their parents during the year, but knowing that a child he was sworn to protect was gone forever was challenging. It forced him to talk to other staff members and finally begin to understand his responsibility as a teacher and a spy. Instead he discovered who was involved and took it into his own hands. He either turned his own wand in a provoked duel or he revealed information to the Dark Lord that displeased him. It didn't matter if he liked the student or not, he fully accepted the burden as their protector.

All my headcanons are being included in a full life story I'm writing about Severus from his earliest memories until his last breath. Follow me if you want to know more. I will release the story once I've written up to a certain point.

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

Severus Snape always Lies

Severus's entire life is built on secrets. Keeping his magic secret from the muggles. Keeping his practice secret from his father. Keeping his studying secret from his mother. Keeping the neglect and abuse secret from Lily. He was punished for lying through abuse from his father or pity from Lily. Honestly, he didn't know what was worse. Because of that, he became very good. He discovered his tells and learned to lie flawlessly to anyone and everyone. He made it a game to lie to his peers as practice. Except Lily. He hated that he told her any lies, but he knew she would not accept the truth. He lied to protect her.

All my headcanons are being included in a full life story I'm writing about Severus from his earliest memories until his last breath. Follow me if you want to know more. I will release the story once I've written up to a certain point.

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

Severus Snape Headcanon

Severus kept long hair so he could hide his face and his bruises. It was his first defense as he taught himself Occlumency. His father used to pull his hair back so he could see his expression. Lily hated how his hair was always in his face. Whenever she had the chance, she kept pushing it back behind his ears. Eventually he started to tie it back, but only around her. A few times she asked him to cut it. He seriously considered it, hoping to catch her eye, but then the mudblood incident occurred. She refused to talk to him for months. As he got desperate, he finally did cut it in seventh year, noticing that she was getting closer to Potter. She complimented him and it made his heart soar.

All my headcanons are being included in a full life story I'm writing about Severus from his earliest memories until his last breath. Follow me if you want to know more. I will release the story once I've written up to a certain point.

[president-coriolanus-snow]

Snape challenge!

Using only 1-2 sentences - reblogs and type something GOOD that Snape had done in canon!

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

He was freaking headmaster of Hogwarts for a whole year with Voldemort breathing down his neck and two death eaters on staff and he kept everyone alive. Seriously, the level of work that must have taken to just keep murders from happening weekly must have been exhausting.

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

A/N: This is a scene from Voldemort’s perspective when Severus is forced to prove his loyalty once again when he returns after Voldemort is reborn. It is dark and carries themes of torture, so proceed with caution. This will eventually be posted as part of my Voldemort fanfiction. Follow if you want to read more.

==========================

Lifting my lips in a sneer, I challenge the man before me. My wand points directly to him and I spit out the torture curse to test his loyalty. As always, Severus is more resistant, able to remain standing despite all of his muscles tensing, his jaw so tight that his teeth can be heard grinding in the silence permeating the room. Feeling my hatred bubble up more than I have ever used on him, he finally drops to his knees, gasping for breath before bellowing out in pure agony.

My lips smirk seeing him break and I dive into his mind, clawing my way through his every memory since all those years past.

First, I search for his activities since my fall. I watch as he guides young minds, favoring his own house. He is granted Head of Slytherin five years back and I can feel his pride at the accomplishment. Young Malfoy gets extra attention while he seems to focus much of his disdain on Potter, Longbottom and some frizzy Mudblood girl. Dumbledore orders him to keep an eye on Quirrell and he does, unknowing of my presence. He merely believes he is a coward seeking endless life and riches. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened and he again knows nothing, but does his duty as a teacher. A small smirk when the frizzy Mudblood is petrified and hatred for the flashy peacock of a man Lockhart who is incompetent and prideful at the same time. Fury when Dumbledore tells him I was responsible through the workings of a diary and he never knew. Holding a bit of parchment that shows names disappearing into the Willow and dropping everything to punish Black, who he hated still. Confusion during the Triwizard Tournament when Moody seems slightly off from previous encounters, Potter is again showing off and he is forced to teach Slytherin’s how to dance for some Ball.  Familiarity across his mind as he catches the young Malfoy watching the Mudblood at the dance with his mouth slack. Shock when his mark burns black and he grabs his arm. Unable to apparate on school grounds, he does not know how to react. Instead, he watches Crouch in disguise latch on to Potter and follows him already unraveling the truth with his quick mind. Dumbledore intercepts them and together they reveal Crouch and my return. Severus is questioned by Dumbledore himself and found faultless. Severus makes plans to reunite with me under my command.

Then, my focus turns specifically on the boy. Laughter filled the air when I realize he holds a true hatred for the boy that so resembles his father. Flashes of memories of his cruelty towards the young wizard fill his weakened thoughts from a less than adequate potion, to catching the child breaking the school rules and fighting for a severe punishment, holding up a new paper with a flying car on the front page and threatening expulsion, a thirst for blood when he flies after the Black’s blood traitor of a son just the year before.

Last, I look for the Mudblood. She hasn’t occupied his thoughts much in years except flashes of recognition when he sees the boy’s eyes. Even then, he feels hatred that the image of his hated rival holds her eyes and nothing more. My mind tears into his deep past and I find the familiar longing and fondness for the witch I remember. There is a sorrow at discovering she was lost, but it does not linger long. There is no sign of his pining after her death and it seems he finally came to term with her unworthiness himself.

Then I change direction in my search to find Dumbledore. There is a lingering hatred of the man, extreme dislike of his manipulative ways and grudging obedience as he recognizes his authority at Hogwarts. My hatred for Dumbledore causes the curse to strengthen even more and a fresh cry of pain rips from the man’s throat as he writhes on the floor, scratching at his own skin to the point of drawing blood.

Taking my test even deeper, I find myself. It appears his loyalties remain intact, despite the time. He stayed in touch with others who attempted to search me out. Provided me with memories of others who denied their involvement with me in the first place. His memories show me that he honestly believed I was still alive and would one day return to power again. At that thought, I felt a rush of fondness for him and the curse tapered off into nothingness.

I pulled out of his mind, happy with my findings and watched his gasp in ragged breaths. His body shook with the effort of trying to drag himself up off the floor and I simply watched without comment until finally he found his feet. However, his gaze had yet to lift, eye remaining on the floor as each breath dragged over his thin lips.

“Severus,” my voice was but a whisper, but he immediately went to attention, his chin lifting proudly and his eyes seeking out my own. “You remain loyal. What of your Mudblood?”

“What of her, my Lord?” His voice did not shake even as he held my firm gaze. “I desired her, but she fell at her hands. She was not worthy.” There wasn’t even a hint of emotion in his eyes which triggered my memory. The last time we spoke of her, he begged on her behalf. What a sudden change from begging to dismissal.

“I’m not convinced,” I hissed, circling around him “You plead for her safety, wanting her for your own enough to ask me to spare her dirty blood.”

Severus stood proud, never breaking eye contact, even as moved to his side. I broke it for him, moving around to stand behind him before continuing.

“I did offer to spare her, you know. Thrice I told her to step aside and she refused. She begged for death, recognizing her own insignificance. She didn’t want to remain alive.” Studying him, I found no response. He remained still, digesting my words as I returned to stand in front of him. “Would you like to see?”

Not giving him a chance to respond, I dove back into his mind and gave him my memory, planting it eternally in his mind. His consciousness watched me blast the door apart and kill the blood traitor Potter.

Continuing without a backwards glance at the fallen man, he continued opening every door until he found the witch, clinging to her child. As soon as he entered the room, she dropped the child and stood in front of him, blocking him from view.

“Stand aside”

“Not Harry! Not Harry! Please, not Harry!” her panic was evident in her eyes, but she did not move from in front of her half blood whelp.

“Stand aside you silly girl. Stand aside, now!” My voice betrayed my growing frustration at her disobedience, wand raised and pointed directly at her.

“Not Harry, please! No, take me! Kill me instead–”

Even when she begged for death, I gave her another chance. My own Death Eaters never got a third opportunity to fail me, but Severus had been a good servant and deserved a reward for his loyalty. A third offer to spare her worthless life left my lips.

“Move!”

“Please, have mercy! Please, I beg of you. Please! Ple-” And she fell. Severus’s consciousness recoiled in horror, seeing the woman he desired drop in death, but he contained any further emotions.

Ending the memory there, not willing to let him see my failure, we both pulled back into the present, still watching one another without expression.

“Silence rang through the room as his heavy breathing calmed and his tense muscles relaxed. I simply watched him, allowing my mind to remain against has own, but no longer digging. I knew all I needed to know.

He made the first move, dropping to a kneel and bowing his head.

“Thank you, my Lord. I am your loyal servant.”

“Welcome back.” My voice no longer contains malice. He has proven his loyalty once more and he is by far the most useful. A double spy to command, much like Wormtail was, but this time my servant is the most intelligent and cunning of all. His patience rivals my own.

“I was never gone, my Lord.”

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

A/N: This is a scene from Voldemort's perspective when Severus is forced to prove his loyalty once again when he returns after Voldemort is reborn. It is dark and carries themes of torture, so proceed with caution. This will eventually be posted as part of my Voldemort fanfiction. Follow if you want to read more.

==========================

Lifting my lips in a sneer, I challenge the man before me. My wand points directly to him and I spit out the torture curse to test his loyalty. As always, Severus is more resistant, able to remain standing despite all of his muscles tensing, his jaw so tight that his teeth can be heard grinding in the silence permeating the room. Feeling my hatred bubble up more than I have ever used on him, he finally drops to his knees, gasping for breath before bellowing out in pure agony.

My lips smirk seeing him break and I dive into his mind, clawing my way through his every memory since all those years past.

First, I search for his activities since my fall. I watch as he guides young minds, favoring his own house. He is granted Head of Slytherin five years back and I can feel his pride at the accomplishment. Young Malfoy gets extra attention while he seems to focus much of his disdain on Potter, Longbottom and some frizzy Mudblood girl. Dumbledore orders him to keep an eye on Quirrell and he does, unknowing of my presence. He merely believes he is a coward seeking endless life and riches. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened and he again knows nothing, but does his duty as a teacher. A small smirk when the frizzy Mudblood is petrified and hatred for the flashy peacock of a man Lockhart who is incompetent and prideful at the same time. Fury when Dumbledore tells him I was responsible through the workings of a diary and he never knew. Holding a bit of parchment that shows names disappearing into the Willow and dropping everything to punish Black, who he hated still. Confusion during the Triwizard Tournament when Moody seems slightly off from previous encounters, Potter is again showing off and he is forced to teach Slytherin's how to dance for some Ball.  Familiarity across his mind as he catches the young Malfoy watching the Mudblood at the dance with his mouth slack. Shock when his mark burns black and he grabs his arm. Unable to apparate on school grounds, he does not know how to react. Instead, he watches Crouch in disguise latch on to Potter and follows him already unraveling the truth with his quick mind. Dumbledore intercepts them and together they reveal Crouch and my return. Severus is questioned by Dumbledore himself and found faultless. Severus makes plans to reunite with me under my command.

Then, my focus turns specifically on the boy. Laughter filled the air when I realize he holds a true hatred for the boy that so resembles his father. Flashes of memories of his cruelty towards the young wizard fill his weakened thoughts from a less than adequate potion, to catching the child breaking the school rules and fighting for a severe punishment, holding up a new paper with a flying car on the front page and threatening expulsion, a thirst for blood when he flies after the Black's blood traitor of a son just the year before.

Last, I look for the Mudblood. She hasn't occupied his thoughts much in years except flashes of recognition when he sees the boy's eyes. Even then, he feels hatred that the image of his hated rival holds her eyes and nothing more. My mind tears into his deep past and I find the familiar longing and fondness for the witch I remember. There is a sorrow at discovering she was lost, but it does not linger long. There is no sign of his pining after her death and it seems he finally came to term with her unworthiness himself.

Then I change direction in my search to find Dumbledore. There is a lingering hatred of the man, extreme dislike of his manipulative ways and grudging obedience as he recognizes his authority at Hogwarts. My hatred for Dumbledore causes the curse to strengthen even more and a fresh cry of pain rips from the man's throat as he writhes on the floor, scratching at his own skin to the point of drawing blood.

Taking my test even deeper, I find myself. It appears his loyalties remain intact, despite the time. He stayed in touch with others who attempted to search me out. Provided me with memories of others who denied their involvement with me in the first place. His memories show me that he honestly believed I was still alive and would one day return to power again. At that thought, I felt a rush of fondness for him and the curse tapered off into nothingness.

I pulled out of his mind, happy with my findings and watched his gasp in ragged breaths. His body shook with the effort of trying to drag himself up off the floor and I simply watched without comment until finally he found his feet. However, his gaze had yet to lift, eye remaining on the floor as each breath dragged over his thin lips.

“Severus,” my voice was but a whisper, but he immediately went to attention, his chin lifting proudly and his eyes seeking out my own. “You remain loyal. What of your Mudblood?”

“What of her, my Lord?” His voice did not shake even as he held my firm gaze. “I desired her, but she fell at her hands. She was not worthy.” There wasn't even a hint of emotion in his eyes which triggered my memory. The last time we spoke of her, he begged on her behalf. What a sudden change from begging to dismissal.

“I'm not convinced,” I hissed, circling around him “You plead for her safety, wanting her for your own enough to ask me to spare her dirty blood.”

Severus stood proud, never breaking eye contact, even as moved to his side. I broke it for him, moving around to stand behind him before continuing.

“I did offer to spare her, you know. Thrice I told her to step aside and she refused. She begged for death, recognizing her own insignificance. She didn't want to remain alive.” Studying him, I found no response. He remained still, digesting my words as I returned to stand in front of him. “Would you like to see?”

Not giving him a chance to respond, I dove back into his mind and gave him my memory, planting it eternally in his mind. His consciousness watched me blast the door apart and kill the blood traitor Potter.

Continuing without a backwards glance at the fallen man, he continued opening every door until he found the witch, clinging to her child. As soon as he entered the room, she dropped the child and stood in front of him, blocking him from view.

“Stand aside”

“Not Harry! Not Harry! Please, not Harry!” her panic was evident in her eyes, but she did not move from in front of her half blood whelp.

“Stand aside you silly girl. Stand aside, now!” My voice betrayed my growing frustration at her disobedience, wand raised and pointed directly at her.

“Not Harry, please! No, take me! Kill me instead--”

Even when she begged for death, I gave her another chance. My own Death Eaters never got a third opportunity to fail me, but Severus had been a good servant and deserved a reward for his loyalty. A third offer to spare her worthless life left my lips.

“Move!”

“Please, have mercy! Please, I beg of you. Please! Ple-” And she fell. Severus's consciousness recoiled in horror, seeing the woman he desired drop in death, but he contained any further emotions.

Ending the memory there, not willing to let him see my failure, we both pulled back into the present, still watching one another without expression.

“Silence rang through the room as his heavy breathing calmed and his tense muscles relaxed. I simply watched him, allowing my mind to remain against has own, but no longer digging. I knew all I needed to know.

He made the first move, dropping to a kneel and bowing his head.

“Thank you, my Lord. I am your loyal servant.”

“Welcome back.” My voice no longer contains malice. He has proven his loyalty once more and he is by far the most useful. A double spy to command, much like Wormtail was, but this time my servant is the most intelligent and cunning of all. His patience rivals my own.

“I was never gone, my Lord.”

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

**Mentions of child abuse/neglect, parent suicide, alcoholism**

Severus has a hell of a troubled history filled with abuse, neglect and misery. There was only one spot of light and he did a fucking fantastic job of snuffing that out all his own when he called his childhood best friend Lily Evans a Mudblood at the end of 5th year.

He still watches Lily, but he invented a spell that makes it appear as if your eyes are trained on the book in your hands so no one else knows. When the spell is not active, he does his very best to keep his eyes away from her for her own protection even through it kills him to stay away.

His father's alcoholism caused him to be physically abusive all his life so he despises drinking and refuses to touch it himself. While he will be around others, he finds he looses respect for those that over indulge.

The first time he hit Severus was when he was four years old. His father was attacking his mother because she used a household spell instead of cleaning "like a normal person" and Severus did all he could to defend her. At four years old, he ended up with a black eye and broken rib. No one ever knew that was why he always wore long sleeves and pants to cover up the bruises.

Around 9 years old he stopped defending her because she never defended him and it only caused it to be so much worse for him. He just stayed out of the house as much as possible.

The last time he ever said Mudblood was that fateful day. He still stands by his belief that Lily is the only exception, but he cannot stand the flavor of the word in his own mouth and he secretly hexes anyone he catches using the word in relation to her.

He blames his father for his mother's death this past summer. No one else knows because he refused to appear weak and seek comfort for a woman who never bothered to be a proper mum and Lily wouldn't talk to him. He did go to their meadow that they frequented as a kid for the entire day following his mother's death just to feel close to someone who once cared.

His mum ended up mixing the wrong potions and he knows it was on purpose having already know about her talent for creating her own potions. There was no note. No goodbye. It was the first time he ever saw death.

Romantic relationships are not worth the time or effort it takes to maintain them. Every time he notices another woman he can't help but wish she had her green eyes and the guilt keeps him from acting. There will ever only be Lily.

He attended Muggle school because of his father. His father insisted that he be raised "normal" because of his hatred of magic. Neither Severus or his mum agreed, but both relented just to get him away from the house. Despite the lack of desire for muggle school, Severus always came out top of the class.

He was relentlessly teased at school for his oversized and battered wardrobe and for his know-it-all attitude.

After years of planning with Lily, he finally got his owl order potion business up and running and has a growing clientele. From simply pepper up potions to complex draughts, he provides the best quality on the market after tweaking the original recipes.

He refuses to mention his father. The only thing he respects from his mother is her magical blood and the private stash of magical books. By time he got to Hogwarts he had read through the third year curriculum and even more books that his mother had no idea he had found in the attic.

His mom was very gifted in potions and would randomly give him tips when she caught him brewing such as adding an extra counter clockwise stir every 7th stir or swapping out the frog eggs for doxy eggs to lessen the side effects. He never asked, but that was how he learned to hone his potions abilities.

His blood status was a constant struggle with his Slytherin counterparts and the worst part was he agreed with them. He greatly resents him mum for marrying that prick and even more so for staying with him because "Princes don't divorce" was so much more important. Honestly, he was all for eliminating anyone like his father.

He absolutely does not want kids. Ever. First because he has no idea what a good father would even look like, but second because he honestly doesn't believe any kid should have the curse that is his parent's blood flowing through their veins. How on Earth would he explain his heritage to his kids when blood is what gave them the gift of magic?

[half-bloodpotionsmaster]

– Miles McMillan —— Well, if it isn’t SEVERUS SNAPE, the SLYTHERIN superstar. For those of you who don’t know HIM, you can spot them sitting with the other SEVENTH years. Most people think that they’re INNOVATIVE and PRACTICAL, but they can also seem pretty COMBATIVE and POSSESSIVE. Sometimes people call them the REALIST. Sure, they’re a HALF-BLOOD, but that doesn’t define them. ( Dani, est, 28, she/her )