Severus Snape, Part 2: The Wrong Chosen One Issues

Hello, Fanaticals! As we keep diving into the darker side of Harry Potter, we are going to back to the Youngest Potions Master in the UK. While these may not be super dark, they definitely could explain of of the darker sides that we see to Severus Snape.

However, it's interesting to see people's opinion on him. I remember when Deathly Hallows released, and the book release party I went to had people writing and reading essays that were about if he was friend or enemy. Personally, I have always been on the fence about him, and fan theories seem to help keep me on that fence a lot. Truly, I don't think he was an enemy, but I wouldn't really call him a friend either.

Redditor Grouchy_Occasion_634 made a post just a few months ago that does a good job at showing part of the reason why I'm on the fence. This user states that some theories about Severus are "overreaching" and they do it for one of three reasons: "1) completely misunderstand his character 2) it favors their faves 3) they just genuinely hate him so much" [1].

Honestly, you could say this about a lot of characters. A good chunk of the theories we will be talking about throughout this week I don't disagree with, and some people could say that it's because I don't like the characters; a heavy example being yesterday's topic, Albus Dumbledore. However, something that is missed is that yes, come theories are completely outrageous, but at the same time there ARE theories out there that just make sense; and it has nothing to do with misunderstanding or hating the character, some of it comes from just being able to read between the lines.

Funny enough, our first theory WAS, in fact, listed in this post's comments by a user who was annoyed by this theory. Let's take a look into it.

Neville was Almost the Chosen One

This is a theory that I could honestly see and understand. While people may argue that this is a far-fetched theory, it's probably closer to the truth than most would care to admit; however, it's the DETAILS of the theory that can make a difference.

This theory goes to say that the reason Severus mistreated Neville so much is because he was almost the Chosen One, which means that had Voldemort gone after the Longbottoms, Lily would have lived. Truly, when you think about it, other than just clearly not being a fan of children overall, Severus had no reason to be as nasty to Neville as he was; even for Neville being a Gryffindor. We don't actually know if Severus had any form of relationship with Alice and Frank, since the only relationships we actually SEE is his friendship with Lily, and the bullying from the Marauders.

While I can fully believe with some theories that could potentially be canon that part of the reason Severus is so mean to his students in class is due to the fact that Potions can be volatile, and he is mean to prevent them from goofing off and hurting someone... There are also limits.

His rudeness to Hermione when she helps Neville is a little uncalled for, considering that she is trying to prevent an accident, but also understandable from a teacher's point of view. While I may have only been a tutor and not an actual teacher at one point, I am a parent who deals with teaching my own children. Honestly, I hate it when they give each other answers or try to get the answer out of me without actually TRYING. Therefore, in a way, I can understand why he would rather her not help him. However, on the flip side, her helping him is preventing any unnecessary accidents in the classroom which I would expect him to appreciate.

However, yelling at her is also another way to go after Neville; it gives him one more reason to insult him. If Voldemort had gone after the Longbottoms, Neville would have been the Chosen One and Lily might have lived. Severus begged both of his Masters to save her and yet she still died; him holding resentment towards Neville for not being chosen is completely plausible. It becomes very obvious that Severus is very upset after Lily died, which could have made him turn to blame everyone. Some days, I wonder if he also blames James AND Harry for her death; because if she hadn't married the one, she wouldn't have had the other and wouldn't have been subjected to being a part of a prophecy.

Overall, I completely see him being nasty to Neville because he was almost the Chosen One. Especially because, in a way, he still was if you remember his shining moment of the Final Battle.

Issues with James Ran Deeper than Pranks

This is another that can be plausible as well. While not canon, many people have theories that when James and Severus first met there was a very Malfoy/Weasley feel to it. Considering how bad the "pranks" got over the years, that's not too far-fetched of an idea. As it was, James fell in love with Lily at first sight according to Severus' memories in book 7[2].

While many call what Severus had for Lily being "in love", I firmly believed that after a period of time it wasn't that he was in love with her, she was his best (and probably first) friend. So, then the question is, how did his hate run deeper than the "pranks"? Well, for one, after a period of time they were no longer pranks, it was straight bullying. I am not one to sugar coat that issue; there was nothing cute about it, especially fifth year. Lily calling James a toe rag was very much an accurate description. James Potter bullied Severus until he snapped at Lily and their friendship ended, then he basically did a 180 in personality and Lily fell for him. Why? James was jealous of Severus' friendship with Lily and so with him out of the picture, he could actually try and get the girl. Proof? In Snape's Worst Memory, James literally looks at Lily and says, "I've told you before, Evans, if you date me, I will leave him alone"[3]. No where does it ever say Severus was IN LOVE with her, but he loved her. She was his best friend, his sister, at minimum.

However, he never realized that at the same time, Severus was jealous of him as well. James was popular, had plenty of friends, and had parents who loved him. He was from a rich, Pureblood family while Severus had Muggle blood in him which caused issues once he was sorted into Slytherin.

Take notice how Severus implies that he is under the impression that Harry grew up spoiled, pampered, coddled, and overpraised by Petunia and Vernon. This actually has always baffled me because he knows exactly who and how Petunia is, so he should have had at least SOME inkling that he was actually probably abused, especially after his own history with his father. Adults that were abused as children can generally see it in children, so why couldn't Severus see it in Harry? Unless, due to his hate for James and the fact that Harry was a carbon copy, he refused to believe it; again, despite knowing Petunia.

Could Severus jealousy be what caused him to hate Hary so much? Not that he wouldn't have reason to hate James regardless, considering the amount of 3/4 on 1 bullying when they were kids.

Sectumsempra was Created for Werewolves

There is a bit of debate with Sectumsempra, but what people forget when they debate that is that it was written down in the NEWT Potions textbook, meaning it wasn't created until his sixth year at minimum. Sirius pulled the "prank" sending Severus to a transformed Remus in their fifth year, prior to OWLs and prior to the incident in Snape's Worst Memory.

Considering the severe fear of Werewolves that accompanied the end of this "prank", and the rumors of Fenrir Greyback and his disgusting habits for years, it is absolutely plausible that Severus went and created a specialized cutting curse specifically for Werewolves. Considering you clearly have to have a specific counter-spell or else bleed out; it is likely that no one but him knew the actual counter-curse.

There are coinciding theories that due to this, he helped Madam Umbridge create the Werewolf laws. This is so far-fetched and left field that I will absolutely agree with other Redditors how that is a theory that is just pretty incorrect. Severus does not seem like the type of man to let fears dictate laws, and he has sat at the same table as Greyback.

It is definitely believable that his specialized cutting curse was for Werewolves, potentially as a last option to put them down if they get too feral.

While Severus Snape may not be EVERYONE'S favourite, he is still an enigmatic character. Does Severus Snape have Chosen One issues? Or is he just that much of a rough teacher? Come join our community and tell us what you think! What far-fetched Severus theories have you heard? Join me tomorrow as we talk genealogy in the Magical World! Until then, keep on theorizing!