To Honor Alan Rickman, Here Are The 8 Reasons Snape Was Truly An Amazing Character

by N/A, 8 years ago | 2 min read

We'll remember you, always.

death snape tribute harry potter SEVERUS SNAPE alan rickman Non-Premium

Today it was announced that Alan Rickman died peacefully after a battle with cancer.

And while he was known for many cinematic roles, the younger generation will remember him for only one: Severus Snape.

So, in honor of Alan Rickman's most-loved role, here are 8 reasons Snape was truly an amazing "Harry Potter" character.

1. He was protective.

Snape subtly aided Harry throughout his entire time at Hogwarts, from frantically counter-cursing Quirrell to the final protection of his patronus. Though he vocally despised Harry and the love (between Lily and James) he represented , he did everything in his power to protect him.

2. He gave zero fucks.

While just about everyone loved to hate on Snape's dark and mysterious vibe, Rickman committed to his "give no fucks" character brilliantly. He had no problem telling anyone exactly what he thought (or more often, exactly what he hated), from insulting Harry's dead father to calling out less-than-stellar students (*cough*Harry*cough*). And considering how tied up he was in everyone else's well-being, he probably deserved that freedom.

3. He was capable of immense love.

While outwardly Snape was basically a huge dick (not to mention an extremely emo dude, complete with greasy hair and creepy black robes), he was ultimately masking immense hurt after losing the only person he ever loved - Lily.

4. He was the most loyal.

Snape is always touted as the most loyal character in the series - and for good reasons, too. Not only was he continually devoted to his lost love Lily, he also risked everything to protect Harry, no matter what people thought of him.

5. He had the best one liners.

Rickman had an absolute gift of delivering fabulous one liners dripping with sarcasm and contempt (mostly directed at Harry, of course). Some of our favorites include: the quippy "Our new celebrity," the dramatic pause of "You just.................know?" and the unbridled sass of, "Weasley's wand causes devastation with the simplest of spells. We'll be sending Potter to the Hospital Wing in a matchbox." Bravo.

6. He was a good and caring friend.

When young Lily Potter was just discovering she was a witch, her ornery sister Petunia was less than kind. Young Snape stepped in to help her understand her magical powers and the new world she was about to join.

7. He went all in for the cause.

It took seven books for us to finally understand Snape's true motivations and alliances. He joined the Death Eaters to get into Voldemort's inner circle, he made an Unbreakable Vow, oh and he stepped in to kill Dumbledore and become perhaps the most hated wizard ever. BUT YET, in the end, everything was perfectly calculated to protect Harry (and the wizarding world, TBH) in ways he would never have known.

8. He was incredibly smart.

Not only was Snape the Potions Master at the world's premiere Witchcraft and Wizardry school, but he was also the Half-Blood Prince who scribbled advanced notes in his potions book and devised his own (albeit nasty) spells. While his brooding sulkiness didn't amount to many friends, it did award him some mad potions skills.

We raise our wands to you, Alan Rickman. RIP.