Severus Snape: Dumbledore’s Man Through and Through

Severus Snape: Dumbledore's Man Through and Through

By: Sarah Martin of Pennsylvania, USA

Submitted: July 27, 2005

J.K. Rowling has placed a series of clues in the "Harry Potter" series to show the reader that Severus Snape is not a traitor to the Light; he is, in fact, one of the most dedicated to the cause. This essay will outline the clues from the text to prove that the "greasy git" can also be called "Dumbledore's man through and through." It will attempt to show that the scene on the Astronomy tower should not be taken at face value-- Dumbledore's death by Snape was a planned collaboration between the headmaster and the spy.

I am not trying to paint Severus Snape as a knight in shining armor. He is not a nice man and has few redeeming qualities. Yet, his biting words and superior attitude do not make him an evil madman.

Snape first shows his true colors in The Sorcerer's Stone when he keeps Harry on his broom by muttering the counter-curse to Quirrrell's jinx. When the trio approaches Hagrid with their suspicions that Snape was the one hexing Harry's broom, the keeper of the keys immediately rebukes the notion (SS, 192-3). It is important to note that throughout the books, when the topic is Severus Snape, Hagrid is ALWAYS correct and Harry is ALWAYS wrong.

The next point where the reader sees that Snape is indubitably a soldier for the Light is towards the end of The Goblet of Fire. In Chapter 36, "The Parting of the Ways," Snape flies into a rage and exposes his mark to the Minister,

Snape strode forward, past Dumbledore, pulling up the left sleeve of his robes as he went. He stuck out his forearm and showed it to Fudge, who recoiled.
"There," said Snape harshly. "There. The Dark Mark. It is not as clear as it was an hour ago, when it burned black, but you can still see it. Every Death Eater had the sign burned into him by the Dark Lord." (GoF, 709).

He is not afraid to display his Mark; Dumbledore knows and has convinced others of Severus dedication. Later in the chapter the headmaster asks his reformed Death Eater,

"Severus," said Dumbledore, turning to Snape, "you know what I must ask you to do. If you are ready ... if you are prepared ..."
"I am," said Snape. He looked slightly paler than usual, and his cold, black eyes glittered strangely. (GoF, 713).

Rowling placed many clues in The Half Blood Prince to show that Snape and Dumbledore had pre-arranged a plan for the headmaster's death.

Chapter 2, "Spinner's End", serves two purposes. First, it's written to throw the reader off and question Snape's loyalty, therefore moving the plot along and making the story more interesting. This a common literary technique used in mystery novels. The second purpose is key. In this chapter, Snape makes an unbreakable vow with Narcissa Malfoy. The reader must recognize that he had no choice; if he declined, Bellatrix would have felt her suspicions confirmed. The vow was tripartite:

The third part is where the clue lies:

His twitching hand shows Snape's reluctance to agree to the impending promise. Yet, his taking the vow does quell Bella's suspicions: "Bellatrix's mouth fell open...astonished gaze...her eyes wide...astounded face" (HBP, 36-7).

The argument between Snape and Draco in Chapter 15, the Unbreakable Vow, was also written to throw the reader off, when in truth, Snape is really "that good an actor" and spy (HBP, 328). The reader must remember, when dealing with Snape through the series, that Harry has always been wrong. Recall the argument that Harry secretly overhears between Snape and Quirrell in The Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 13. Harry assumes that his Potion's master was the "bad guy" when in reality, Snape was cornering the man who was looking to steal the Sorcerer's Stone.

By now the reader should see that whenever a character is a secret third-party to an argument, the argument is never what it seems. This understanding can be applied to the argument that Hagrid overhears between Snape and Dumbledore:

"'S'no wonder Dumbledore's angry with Sn--...I overheard 'em talking--well arguing...Well--I jus' heard Snape sayin' Dumbledore took much for granted an' maybe he--Snape--didn' wan' ter do it anymore--...It sounded like Snape was feelin' a bit overworked, tha's all--anyway, Dumbledore told him flat out he'd agreed to do it an' that was all there was to it. Pretty firm with him." (HBP, 405-6)

This is an argument between Snape and Dumbledore over the consequences of the unbreakable vow and his work as a spy. Snape expresses hesitation about fulfilling the vow, but Dumbledore says that he must continue to do these things; the consequence of failure is death "and that's all there is to it." Here the reader can insert personal speculation. Did they agree that Snape needs to complete Draco's task in order to give Draco a chance for redemption? Did Dumbledore make Snape take an unbreakable vow with him, pledging to do the deed? And if so, who was the bonder? Whatever the answer to these questions, Dumbledore knew, as evidenced in Chapter 27, what Draco had in store, he knew Draco was trying to kill him, and if Lucius' son failed, because of the vow, Snape had to finish the job.

Snape's position within the Dark Lord's inner circle is crucial so that Harry will have back-up protection when he finally confronts Voldemort. Severus Snape is too crucial to the cause to break his cover or die to save Dumbledore. By this point is the series, Snape will be able to assist Harry more than Dumbledore in the final confrontation, and therefore, his life is worth more to the cause than Dumbledore's.

Towards the end of the book Harry confronts Dumbledore, yet again, and Dumbledore, yet again, adamantly assures Harry of Snape's dedication to the Light.

He responds to Harry's interrogation with "I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely" (HBP, 549). We are never told the complete reason why Dumbledore believed Severus Snape's repentance; it would be silly to be convinced that it is for the reason Harry thinks.

When Harry returns to Hogsmede from the cave with Dumbledore, the headmaster says, "No... It is... Professor Snape whom I need... Severus... I need Severus..." (HBP, 580). When they land on Hogwart's Astronomy Tower, "'Go and wake Severus,' said Dumbledore faintly but clearly. 'Tell him what has happened and bring him to me. Do nothing else, speak to nobody else, and do not remove your cloak'" (HBP, 583). Dumbledore is requesting Snape's help, not to heal him, but, to kill him. If Harry can bring Snape without notice, the curse can be performed quietly, and after Dumbledore has a chance to explain the situation to Harry.

Yet, the plan is ruined by Draco's entrance onto the tower. Dumbledore petrifies Harry (1) for his own safety and (2) so that he will not interfere in what needs to happen. Dumbledore duped Malfoy into monologue-ing and stalled for Snape's entrance. Narcissa was right, Draco failed his task- he could not kill Dumbledore.

When Snape reached the tower, the request "Severus...please..." (HBP, 595) met him. This request must not be interpreted as "Severus, please, don't let them kill me", it meant "Severus, please, do what you must do, what we agreed that you would do, KILL ME" or "...take care of Harry." The "revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face" is directed at the situation or at himself, not at the headmaster.

Severus Snape loved Albus Dumbledore unconditionally as a father; he would do whatever Dumbledore asked him to do, even if that was to kill him. His unwavering admiration could be compared to that of Rubeus Hagrid or Harry Potter. Albus Dumbledore may very well have been the only person who ever loved and protected Severus Snape. Tobias Snape, Severus' father, certainly did not, as the reader sees in Chapter 26 of The Order of the Phoenix, "Seen and Unseen," when Harry breaks into Snape's memories "a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark haired boy cried in the corner" (OotP, 529).

Even after Dumbledore's death, Snape is still bound by the second part of the Unbreakable Vow. Failing to protect Draco to the best of his ability would mean certain death for Severus Snape. Death is not something he is keen to meet now that his father-figure died after deciding that Severus' life was more important to the cause than his. Also, Snape needs to present himself to the Dark Lord to announce the headmaster's death, gain Voldemorts's complete trust, and infiltrate the most inner circle of Death Eaters. Therefore, Snape's next step is to get Draco and himself away from Hogwarts, the Order, and the Ministry.

During the retreat, Snape does not throw a single curse, hex, or jinx, unlike the other Death Eaters who are making sure to cause massive damage on their way to the gates. Out on the grounds Harry tries to attack Snape with the cruciatus curse. The experienced dueler is able to deflect every spell the Boy-Who-Lived throws, but he does not attack Harry. Even though Snape is undoubtedly a strong wizard who could seriously harm or kill Harry, he does not, all the while the boy is calling him a coward for not fighting back; and then, even when Harry is disarmed he does not injure him. He even goes as far as to give Harry advice he will need to successfully finish his quest, "Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" (HBP, 603). He also stops another Death Eater inflicting the Cruciatus on Harry.

Snape loses his cool completely when Harry yells, "Kill me like you killed him, you coward--"

"'DON'T--' screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, a though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them--"CALL ME COWARD!" (HBP, 604).

Snape is not a coward. He was unconditionally loyal to Dumbledore; he did whatever Dumbledore told him to do. This statement particularly enraged him because he had just killed the only person that ever had trusted and loved him. Now, he knows, he is alone in the world. Snape can't bear the thought that Dumbledore thought Severus' life more important than the headmaster's and that Snape had to kill someone he loved to help someone he hates (Harry). His reaction to killing Dumbledore can be paralleled to the description of Harry in Chapter 26, "The Cave", when convincing Dumbledore to drink more of the potion. Harry is described as "hating himself, repulsed by what he was doing" (HBP, 571).

After reading this essay, I hope that students of the "Harry Potter" series will come to realize that Severus Snape is far from evil. Snape may not be a nice man but he has dedicated his life to the cause and to help Harry to triumph for the Light, whatever the cost to his personal happiness.

Works Cited

Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2000.

---. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2005.

---. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2003.

---. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic Inc., 1997.