Snape VS McGonagall.. Who Is MORE Powerful? - Harry Potter Theory 

Thanks for watching everyone! Who do YOU think is more powerful? If you enjoyed the video please leave a like to support the channel

Not to mention that Snape was a master of occlumancy, at a grade that not even Voldemort himself could read his mind. That alone tells us how talented he was.

You missed the fact that snape purposely deflected mc gonagalls spell too knock out the two death eaters behind him then took their wands when flying out the window. What a move.

Snape deserves a movie for his origin. Edit: thanks for likes people ❤️🙋‍♂️🙏

Professor Minerva Mcgonagall has always been and will always be my favourite Harry Potter character, and Dame Maggie Smith justified the role, but the fact that she didn't get a lot of screentime is disappointing.🙁

I feel that not only did Snape not want to blow his cover in that duel with McGonagall, but he truly did not want to duel her because of the respect he had for her as a witch and as a person. To me, the look on his face is one of regret, of disliking that things had come to this point.

The most weird and fascinating thing according to me about Hp is that professors are more powerful than ministers. I wish this was true today.

Severus Snape Dark arts His understanding as a student is so great that he made multiple hexes and even curses while still in school. And his knowledge as an adult, was so great that even Albus Dumbledore came to him for help on the subject multiple times. Potions Schooled the potions book of hogwarts itself while he was still a student. He also created a resistance potion to a curse invented and cast by Voldemort himself, keeping it at bay for an extraordinarily long time, given that it was such an extremely powerful curse. He was even able to give private lessons in alchemy, something not even taught at hogwarts for its difficulty and required knowledge. Spell creation Created numerous powerful spells and curses while in school Flight Speaks for itself Occlumency His occlumency was so strong he kept Voldemort believing his loyalty for 17 years, Voldemort was considered the most powerful legilimence in history. The only people able to recreate this feat are gellert grindelwald and albus dumbledore. Legilimency Harry states multiple times that it was like snape could read his mind and during his departure of the astronomy tower he used legilimency to read Harry's attempted moves and countered them all before they could be cast. He could even use memory extraction by just eye contact, no want or incantation needed. Transfiguration He was seen transfiguring the whirlwind-shaped fire that McGonagall launched at him into a great black snake. Using his transfiguration, a very difficult form of magic, in the midst of combat. Snape even took it a step further, being a master at conjuration and vanishment. Conjuring ropes so fast with the incarcerous spell that neither Remus lupin or Sirius black could respond. Defense against the dark arts His encyclopaedic understanding of the dark arts made so that Snape taught the class at N.E.W.T level to such an effect that even Harry Potter could not help but be enchanted by his knowledge. His knowledge in healing was so great that Dumbledore once quoted to Harry that Snape was more experience in healing against Dark magic than poppy pomfrey was. Keeping albus alive for over a year while cursed, saving Katie bell form a cursed neck less and healing draco Malfoy with ease after being hit by sectumsempra, al though it should be noted snape himself created the spell so he had a full knowledge and understanding of it. Minerva is a fucking badass but not in the way snape is. Keep in mind snape was way way younger so if we would have compared them at the same age I don’t even think this would have been fair. Minerva was the top student because she knew the books beter than anyone, but snape improved the books while he was still a child. Minerva learned from albus, but albus came to snape for help. It’s like Minerva was the best student when she was young, but snape was already the master.

Snape definitely held back during that moment when he duelled Mcgonagall, the film further elaborates Snape's skill by showing him subtly deflecting and redirecting Mcgonagall's spells at the death eaters beside him before retreating. But I love how Lockhart was a made a fool out of by Snape in Chamber of Secrets during the dueling club.

I think Snape was the more powerful wizard, he didn‘t invented his own curses and potions for nothing 🤷🏼‍♀️

i never realized Hermione is so much like McGonagall

Prediction before watching: snape Result: correct Snape: you insufferable know it all

Snapes face emotions when him and mcgonagall had to fight was such a strong scene

Even though Mcgonagall is a very powerful witch, I just think that working with Voldemort and all, Snape would me stronger. Edit: thanks for all the likes, lol.

Snape only fled from mcgonagol because he was truly loyal to Dumbledore not because he couldn't beat her

Before I even watch... I love McGonagall, probably one of my favorite characters overall. But Snape is probably the stronger of the two, dude created his own spells and bested the books... he was a prodigy.

Alan’s performance as snape really is one of the great performances in the history of film in my opinion.

Ok Class, Today we will Be Turning Professor Snape into a Water Goblet.

People severely underestimate the power of transfiguration. Minerva is the master of it, she can use her surroundings to fight if it comes to it. Snape obviously has the upper hand in terms of dark- offensive spells, but that's not always what decides the outcome of a fight. I always viewed the two of them as equally formidable combatants and it would be hard to tell who wins.

McGonagall was also holding back in during her Snape’s fight. She was still fighting inside with her feelings towards one she called a colleague/friend for so many years, a student she once teached to and I do believe she may have felt a bit of shame at the Idea that she could have helped him in his formative years that maybe if she did so this wouldn’t be happening. You can see her holding back after her first spell trying to see if he would answer then again by not pursuing him to keep the fight going. She might have not been winning either way but she wasn’t all out.

See this is where I disagree. While I do think Snape accomplished more forms of magical mastery (which doesn’t mean he is more powerful, it just means he is more versatile), I don’t think he’d beat McGonagall in a duel and here is why. As far as the books go Snape only has two main demonstrations of dueling. One against an emotional unstable Harry, and the other against McGonagall. The problem with their duel is that it didn’t go on long enough to see a true outcome. The only thing we got as that McGonagall was making Snape fight for dear life. She almost killed him by transfiguring a swarm of daggers from a cobra he made, he only survived by jumping behind a bewitched suit of armour at the last second. While I don’t think he was actively trying to harm her, he is also a very defensive duelist and was trying his hardest to defend against her attacks. The fact she was nearly overwhelming him shows how tough McGonagal is duel wise. Now to McGonagall. McGonagall has more feats with dueling than Snape, no question about it. She easily defeated Alecto Carrow in the Battle of the Astronomy tower and held her own against Voldemort along side Slughorn and Shacklebolt with the dark lord even getting frustrated at his inability to defeat any of them. This is on top of the fact that she survived two wizarding wars. Even against the aurors Pomfrey said that none of them would dare take McGonagall solo and if McGonagall was intending to fight instead of defending Hagrid the outcome would of have been different. Snape always struck more as a magical academic than an actual duelist, which is why I think in a duel McGongall has the edge. I think people see magical mastery as the be all and end off all to the capability of being a duelist and that’s why people back Snape, but when you really look at it in my opinion McGonagall will have more of a shot of coming out on top. This is also supported by the fact that transfiguration is one of the most useful abilities in a duel because it allows you to manipulate the environment around you.

Idea:Bellatrix vs McGonagall My opinion that McGonagall is stronger witch but i think its a good idea

The fact that both Severus and Minerva are such good roasters gives me a reason to literally love them. Although harsh,you can't deny Snape roasted Harry with such elegance and wise use of words and same goes for Minerva too. She roasted Umbridge so well in OoP.

In the showdown, Snape was essentially just holding her off, I was actually surprised the movie did it so well, he just defends himself until just before he runs away, he deflects her attack with such accuracy that he knocks out both the Carrows for her with it and proceeds to run

McGonagall hands down winner. Her feats are just more impressive. Snape was very powerful, but was fighting for his life against McGonagall, and was forced to hide behind a suit of armour when she non-verbally sent daggers after him. Just a few points I'd like to make: McGonagall was an extremely accomplished witch in almost every area of magic. She was the only person ever seen to produce more than one Patronus at once - which she did non-verbally! She disintegrated Snape's fiery serpent nonverbally with a wave of her wand, and instantly turned them into a swarm of pursuing daggers. If Snape was more powerful or skilled than she was, he should have been able to magically neutralize them; he couldn't. Without the suit of armour to hide behind, he'd be dead. With a single spell usage, she animated, brought to life and controlled all the thousands of suits of armour, desks, chairs and statues to lead them into battle against Voldemort. She became an Animagus at 17 - meaning she had to brew the extremely advanced Animagus potion, which means she is no Potions slouch either, and it's disastrous if brewed incorrectly. She took no less than 4 stunners to the chest when rogue Aurors stunned her without warning in the dark. It takes 7 to knockout a dragon. Madam Pomfrey testifies they'd not have won if she'd duelled them, which is perhaps why they stunned her. Snape was knocked out by Ron, Hermione and Harry casting Expelliarmus. She duelled and easily defeated Amycus and Alecto Carrow at the same time - they retreated with their arms over their heads. Remus Lupin was having problems with his Death Eater opponent in the Battle of the Astronomy Tower; whilst McGonagall had no problem defeating two of them at once. She even duelled Voldemort himself with aid, likely leading the attack with her outstanding Transfiguration skills, which as can be seen from the two most impressive duels (Snape vs McGonagall, Dumbledore vs Voldemort) - are a very useful and powerful tool in the hands of a master. She even cast an effective Imperius Curse on Amycus Carrow, and easily reversed and then recast the Dark Charm Ocausi, the latter non verbally. She also could produce wandless magic. Do not get me wrong - Snape is a very powerful wizard in his own right, with considerable skills in his own right. But in my opinion, he doesn't match McGonagall.

The Half-Blood Prince is more powerful. 🐍ALWAYS 🐍

McGonagall was working as a teacher before her birth... so: McGonagall

Maybe it's a different take on what "power" means, but I think the fact that McGonagall never had to turn to the dark arts to achieve her power, whereas Snape did, says something about her power.

I'm with Snape. His ability to hide thoughts from Voldemort for years, his own devastating attacks, his will, and his heart. Not putting down Minerva though. In the movie, Shape used/deflected Minerva's attacks to take out the bad guys on either side of him.

Cmon guys, Snape would most likely wipe the floor with McGonagall, as amazing as she is, Snape is most likely only 3rd to Voldemort and Dumbledore when they were around.

I agree. McG is my fave, but i agree that snape had explored more of magic in general. He was never into potions until lilly (who was a very gifted potioneer) started taking advanced potions. He joined it to be close to her again, and ended up excelling above all others. Note, james was the son of a gifted potion maker (sleekeazy hair formula) and he was not even better than Lilly. Slughorn even said she was probably the most gifted student he had ever had. He also described her fish, transfigured from a lilly, and how it lasted her entire lifetime. This is insanely powerful level magic that is always overlooked. She was immensely gifted, yet still.... Severus was better. That says a lot. He didn't ever jut excell in one form of magic, but actually had a knack for pretty much ALL forms or schools of magic. Spoken and unspoken, spell creation.... I think he even knew a fair bit of wand lore since Dumbledore (who also knew a ton of wandlore) confided in him about the elder wand and how it truly worked, and why snape must kill Dumbledore and voldie must kill harry, and that harry must be willing to die, since the wand would recognize harry's intact soul (plus something extra) and compare it to voldie's weakened, shredded soul. As powerful as voldie was, he was still not that gifted... Just powerful. If he was smart, he would have known there is more power to be had by exploring ALL magic and not JUST the dark side. Voldie, notably, was the one who sought out snape, going in-person. He knew snape had an extreme amount of both power AND proficiency. Again, Minerva is my fave... But snape was definitely one of the most powerful, most knowledgeable, most gifted of any magic user ever. Remember, spell creation is not just hard, it is very dangerous. . . it is pointed out in the books by Hermione, and she goes on to say that is the reason why most spells in the wizarding world are actually very old. . . . so snape did something else many could not, and wouldn't even dare to attempt.... MANY TIMES, SUCCESSFULLY. Also, his abilities with occlumency/ligillimency, so good that Dumbledore sent Harry to learn it from him, rather than train harry himself. Another area snape surpassed both voldie and Dumbledore.

Ever since I first finished reading the series, I've always assumed Snape to be the most powerful wizard in the canon. I also think we were told this regularly. What is the most powerful and complex form of magic in the Harry Potter world? Love. Who is the one character with actions and motions completely driven by Love in the series? Snape. Snape was extremely powerful at school and before he became a double agent. Imagine how powerful he would be when he was motivated by absolute love in all his actions following Lily's death? People consider Voldemort to be tier 1 powerful, the only time Snape used his powers against Voldemort in a comparable way was Snape's occlumency vs Voldemort's legilimency - Snape's powers won out, the power of love lead to him to be more powerful to protect Lily, and in turn Harry. They knew there was no value in Snape trying to kill Voldemort. He couldn't without destroying the Horcruxes, upon which his cover would be blown and his value would be less to the Order. But, as Molly Weasley demonstrated with her defeat of Bellatrix driven by pure love for her family in spite of her lesser "traditional" magic abilities, in a fair fight with a 1 souled Voldemort vs extremely powerful, love-driven Snape... I'm going for Snape.

I think that McGonagall didn’t really want to hurt Snape when they duelled in the deathly hallows, after all they’d become close colleague (and possibly friendly rivals) in the years they’d worked together, but she had to do something to protect Harry and the other students from Voldemort and the death eaters. This may have held her back a tiny bit but Snape is also a extremely powerful wizard and I see them as equally powerful. I honestly don’t know that’s just my train of thought going off a bridge again

That's a tough call... on one hand, I'm sure that Snape wasn't trying to give it his all in his duel against McGonnagal (being Dumbeldore's double agent), but on the other, he was so surprised by her aggressive and powerful attacks that he was immediately on the back foot... so, honestly, I can't say who's more powerful. One thing is clear, however, they both strike me as extremely close in power levels.

I think we have to refer to the books when talking about the fight between McGonnigal and Snape. In the books he was fighting Sprout, McGonnigal and Flitwick at the same time. Due to the fact that both Flitwick and McGonnigal were two of the most powerful teachers at Hogwarts and he didn't put the most effort in the fight and still being able to fight on their level shows that Snape is clearly more powerful (even than both Flitwick and McGonnigal together). So although 3 Powerful wizards tried to probably kill him it was his decision to leave cause he didn't want to hurt them.

My favorite so far. I love them both, but agree that Snape was more powerful due both to the hardships he endured and his brutal determination. The duel scene is one of my favorites, knowing he had to exercise restraint while giving the impression of fighting back (and cleverly taking out the death eaters behind him). Well done, thank you❤️

The strongest difference between Snape and McGonagall as students at Hogwarts is that one was celebrated for her magical prowess, and one was bullied and vilified, his innate talents cast as a sign of his innate evil. I think their divergent outcomes were wholly predictable.

If you watch the movie closely, he actually deflects McGonagalls spells into the siblings.

I guarantee Snape would beat Mcgonagall . She's very powerful and would give Snape a difficult time but Snape just knows too many spells even the dark ones I also believe he is much faster and has better reflexes than the aging Mcgonagall . He was holding back against her due to respect and her attacking spell was so easy for Snape to handle that he even redirected it to the death eaters behind him. Judging by feats there's actually no one who can beat the 38 year old prime Snape except Voldemort Grindelwald and Dumbledore.

I still think that McGonagall knew more about what was going on than it seems. The duel was a perfect enactment of a duel, performed by two of the most powerful witches and wizards of their time.

Before watching. It's Snape. There's the scene in the 7th book when McGonagall ambushes Snape with Flitwick and Sprout's help (the scene is quite different in the movie). Snape fights through all 3 of them and manages to escape.

Snape fought McGonnagal and Flitwick at the same time. Snape is the 4th more powerful character in HP Universe. (And I'm a 'Snape hater'.)

I'm with you, and another thing to drive the point home, he is so good that he didn't only put the minimum effort to seem as he was fighting, he did it while redirecting the curses to the twin deathwater teachers killing them before leaving, striking them with McGonagall's spells without even looking back at them.

For me it’s Mcgonogall. She was more trusted and was closer to dumbledor than Snape. She was more wiser. Just because snape hold back on that fighting scene that doesn’t mean she is automatically defeated. She is really actually brave for standing up for the school.

And I thought Snape's introduction in the movies and his speech about "brewing glory and putting stopper at death" was just a dialogue. Your inference is valid. I support the conclusion in the video and it's reason too. Thank you

I think they are extremely close, McGonagall surviving a fight against Voldemort himself is absolutely insane. But Snape was an incredible duelist in his own right. I think in a duel between them in which Snape is actually trying probably results in a Snape win, but I would not be surprised if McGonagall won either.

I agree with almost everything you said. Snape was definitely holding back, that act alone also kept Mcgonagal from going all out. She was trying to beat him, but i don't think she was truly trying to destroy him. I don't think either one of them showed what they were truly capable of. Snape holding back doesn't mean he is more powerful, it just means she didn't truly defeat him. Don't get me wrong, I think Snape is more powerful, but your reasoning doesn't truly lend to certainty. I don't think he could have easily bested her if they were both going all out.

J. K. Rowling said in an interview that McGonagall could have defeated Snape if he hadn't escaped. In my opinion, Rowling's statements should not be contradicted.

People only realize that snape was only defending himself and never fought back but fail to realize that McGonagall was also only starting to cast spells There's a very big chance that she was also tremendously holding back because of so many students being around who could get hurt But overall that one mere confrontation is not enough to determine a clear winner One thing that could be assured is that whoever wins it would be after a very hard fight and none of them are destroying each other in a fight

This is so much better than the usual clips on that subject. The presenting is sound and easily to understand. Extra points to the speaker, who speaks beautifully and has a pleasant voice. The pacing differs agreeably from the mostly too hectic presentations of American origin. Well done!

Severus Snape is more powerful but Minerva Mcgonagall is also quite powerful in her own right. Severus Snape: Skills ans Abilities: Potions Master Mind Arts Master Master Spell Crafter Defence Expert Duelling Expert Minerva Mcgonagall: Skills and Abilities: Transfiguration Mistress Defence Expert Duelling Expert Charms Expert Severus Snape is my Favourite Character but Mcgonagall is also quite Powerful. Love this video!!!

I thought that the line about knowing more curses than 7th years was a bit of a dig at Bellatrix who might have been one of those 7th years. I also wondered if he might not have been doing some form of mediwizard training at St Mungo's. He certainly had the skill to be a healer, it would be useful to both the Order and the Death Eaters.

I would say Snape... Snape effectively trained himself to be a deadly combatant, poised to go for the throat. He literally invented a spell that - judging by the Latin - could leave infinite or permanent lacerations on a victim's body, had he not developed a counter-curse for it. However, Snape had long-since been humbled in life, and realized the danger of using such spells frivolously. So he practiced a great deal of restraint. Snape strikes me as the kind of guy who - although perfectly willing to verbally abuse children - avoids a straight fight, because he knows he's going to win.

I don’t know about destroying McGonogal because there was no indication that McGonogal was on full tilt, because the fight was fairly short and unresolved, and she wasn’t physically exhausted. Also, her confidence could be attributed to the fact that she was surrounded by allies. She might’ve fought very different in a one on one. I’m basing this off the movie and the subtext I get from the acting choices.

Finally! I've been waiting for this video for ever!! Well Done Silas!

Obviously SEVERUS SNAPE is more powerful

Snape was more powerful and skilled than McGonagall in many aspects. His mastery of potions making, spell knowledge, defense against the dark arts and occlumency were almost unrivalled, and he was wery competent in other branches of magic and knowledge too. I think that McGonagall truly exceed him only in transfiguration, while being equal or weaker in other aspects than Snape. And while she is very powerful witch, she is probably pretty old too, so I think she achieved everything she could. Snape was far younger and If he had lived longer he could achieve even more, I believe approaching even the level of Dumbledore, Grindelwald or Voldemort.

I always believed magical duelling was exactly like fencing. And IN fencing, you NEVER go all out in the first few clashes. You're just sort of "testing" the opponent before the actual match begins. It's my belief that Snape disengaged the fight before it truly began (also because there was the entire student body present). I severely doubt that we saw/read the full capabilities from either combatant. But that's just me 😊

To be fair, McGonagall wasn't giving it her all in that fight, either. She was fully aware of the wizard she was up against and, as the most powerful witch at Hogwarts, I'm sure she would've brought bigger guns than tangerine fireworks if she really intended to win a fight with Snape. She was holding back, too! Seems like she just wanted him to get out, so she offensively pushed him out (knowing he'd easily defend himself from those little pew pew pew attacks). And he didn't want to fight her either (secretly being on the same side), so he "defended himself" as one would, and left. I mean, yeah Snape is known for studying, but McGonagall was also unnaturally strong from birth and was top in her class and after known for aggressively studying and practicing. I doubt she just stopped obsessively perfecting her skills at any point. Snape being driven by rage doesn't mean McGonagall was any less ambitious in her free time. He may be skilled in the Dark Arts, but for all the time he spent perfecting those skills, McGonagall spent that much more time perfecting the others he was neglecting (esp. directly under Dumbledore's tutelage after already being the strongest witch of her time). This fight isn't a good barometer to judge either of their power levels since neither of them were even remotely trying. Their stories are so eerily similar but opposite, I'd just say they're at equal power levels, but just went down different paths. 2 sides of the same coin.

I don't believe McGonagall was trying her hardest when she attacked snape. Not at all. You could see it in her eyes that she was holding back but still trying to harm him. She was saying "how dare you". That engine was definitely just warming up.

guysss, yes snape held back when mcgonagall attacked to him BUT so does mcgonagall. what i’m trying to say is, mcgonagall DIDN’T attacked him for his life. i mean, she had to protect harry from snape but she definitely didn’t want to hurt/kill snape. mcgonagall wasn’t showing her all wizarding skills. both of them were the greatest student in their school years. both of them are so powerful.

Personally I dont think we can conclude much out of that fight true mcgonagall "won" but she didnt really but at the same time the fact that snape wasnt commiting fully while she was doenst necessarily mean anything either.

Severus Snape is the fourth most powerful wizard.

Idk how often these get looked at, but great video idea. “Who is More Powerful, Neville Longbottom or Ron Wesley?” Both have “defected” wands for a while, never really had much encouragement and was in Harry’s shadow

Agree. Also, did you notice how Severus very cleverly deflected one of McGonagall’s spells so that it hit the Death Eater behind him? Power is one thing. Severus had power and precision. And aside from that, he was also highly intelligent and aware.

Before watching, definitely snape.

Great video! But I was irked by the notion that Snape learned the dark arts because he was bullied. He was already started down that path before he even went to school, which is why you later say he showed up knowing more curses in his first year than most in their seventh.

Tbh, I think Snape is more powerful but was trying to not hurt Mcgonall when they were fighting in the deathly hallows.

It was me who started thw debate in comments section regarding Mcgonagall and Snape. But I applaud that the video maker noticed it. Thanks.

I don't know who would be more powerful. It was said in the video that McGonagall was going all out against Snape, but that Snape was using the bare minimum needed to counter her. We don't know that. What Minerva did could have just been the opening salvo and she could have been capable of much more. My impression from the video is that Snape indeed was not applying himself fully to the duel because he was only pretending to be the villain, but also that he was doing more than just using "bare minimum".... he looked like he was trying pretty darn hard to counter those curses flying at him. I also got the impression that McGonagall was just starting and was capable of a lot more. Snape does know more of the Dark Arts, so he'd have that advantage, but Minerva also has a lot of experience, and that counts for a lot.

I agree with you bro even when I saw them duel in deathly Hallows it's pretty obvious during there duel he was holding back so his cover wouldn't be blown . The fact that some people didn't notice that 😂😂 like how can you call yourself a Harry Potter fan and not Notice him holding back on purpose 🤔🤔🤔🤔.

You haven’t read the books haven’t you? J.K. Herself said that McGonagall is the more powerful witch/wizard.

id love a video solely on the spell Mcgonagall used to make the hogwarts knights come alive and defend the castle 🖤

To a certain extent I believe she was also holding back since they were dueling between a bunch of children so although she was attacking likely it was held back

What are you talking about double agents???? If Minerva wanted, she would have destroyed Snape. You could see how Snape was scared with the spells that she casted. Both of them were clearly uncomfortable by battling each other but Minerva didn’t doubt a second in protecting Harry (and the other students). Even though we don’t hear what spells she casts on the movie we can see that they are very elaborated and difficult to cast because Snape had a difficult time avoiding them and they even knocked down the two death eaters that were behind Snape. In fact, JK Rowling herself confirmed that Minerva would have won if Snape hadn’t scape. Without a doubt she is one of the best characters in all Harry Potter movies and books.

Snape had an amazing talent for learning. He served under Voldemort and later under Dumbledore. With an aptitude for learning and spending time with the two most powerful wizards of the time, what do you think the results would be? Michael Jordan doesn't go around claiming to be the best of all time. We all know the answer to that question 😉.

I remember the scene from the half blood Prince book.......when death eaters blocked the way to the astronomy tower by an unknown strong spell amid battle and no one could go through the way(not even any order of the phoenix members including Mcgonnagal).....but Snape passed it like a free way.

Severus Snape was undoubtedly more powerful and more talented then Minerva McGonagall!

It doesn't make sense to argue that McGonagall was attacking Snape while Snape was defending; therefore Snape was more powerful. Snape was not trying to counterattack; therefore, he could focus all his energy on defending. McGonagall, by contrast, was focusing on attacking, and, not knowing that Snape had no intention of hurting her, still had to be prepared to defend. You could argue that McGonagall was more powerful, since she was prepared to both attack and defend, while Snape did nothing more than defend.

9:25 years late but to add to this point, Snape was a half-blood in a group that worshipped pure-bloods. So not only was he bullied and that propelled his ambition but he would probably think of himself that he needed to prove he wasn’t some just mudblood squib, he was a “proper” wizard who belonged in the magical community.

While I agree that snape was definitely more powerful than mcgonagall she definitely is a boss but snape could have turned up the heat if he so chose but he was definitely hurt that mcgonagal never knew of his true identity that he was in fact a double agent and the simple fact that he fooled Voldemort all those years and that’s no easy feat not to mention creating his own spells 🪄 I truly hated snape at first but the night harry discovered the truth I actually gained so much respect and admiration for him especially when he openly admitted to dumbledore his affection for harry I actually shed a tear 😢 thank you for this video I can’t believe I considered myself a Harry Potter fan when there was so much I didn’t know and I learned it all from you I thoroughly enjoy your content and look forward to every single video… p.s. sorry for butchering the spelling errors and lack of punctuation laying in bed 🛌 tired and wanting to watch another video of yours hehe 😉 can’t get enough

I think Snape is more powerful, he has the skill and magic.

People give too much to Snape because they want him to be a secret hero. When Mcgongall stepped forward it was fear on his face not hurt. He deflected because she didn’t give him the chance to attack and he fled because he knew that he needed to die at Voldermorts hands to complete his task, he didn’t flee because he didn’t want to hurt Mcgongall.

A great video like always, very informative, we all gotta give you credit for that. Keep up the great work! Love from Portugal! ♥

Snape was a wizard of such magical knowledge that even Dumbledore deferred to him. He spied against someone who could literally read minds. For him it was extremely easy to block everything Harry threw at him (just almost lazy waves of his hand), when even Death Eaters had issues holding off Harry and other DA members. Just because he's not flashy like Voldie or Dumbledore doesn't mean he's not powerful. He was also much younger than them.

Didn't Rowling say that McGonagall would have killed Snape in that duel? I also take to the adage: "Old age and trickery beat youth and skill." McGonagall was more experienced, and her areas of focus seem far more suited to creative thinking in a fight than Mr. I shoot swords at people. Snape is pretty great, yes, but transfiguration seems much better at getting tricky with. Snape also seems generally competent defensively, but creative fighting is what is more likely to get past a strong defense. McGonagall is also more likely to be able to take advantage of the terrain and their surroundings, since transfiguration allows for that sort of thing. Dumbledore did the same vs Baldy with making things get in the way of the killing curse. Essentially, a blunt direct method against a nuanced skilled creative method will lose unless there is a great power differential in the blunt's favour.

I will have to disagree. McGonagall was rated as one of the most powerful students to attend Hogwarts. Snape was also, but not as highly. He was never invited to The Slug Club. I also disagree because your point about him being able to destroy McGonagall doesn’t show enough evidence. How do we know that he could have destroyed her. While he may have been only holding her off, I believe that McGonagall could’ve gone much harder if she wanted to. But er priority at that point was not to be hunted by an army of death eaters for killing Snape, but to protect her students (meaning that she had to stay alive). And her powers are not shown at all throughout the series (but are later justified by J.K. Rowling herself. She also fought Voldemort (holding him off successfully). I love your videos, but I will have to disagree with this one.

Always go with the wizard that was creating their own spells while still in school.

I wanna thank you not only for the great content, but for the clear and slow way you`re speaking english. It`s really easy to understand you as a non native english speaker. :)

I think not only Snape held back, but McGonagall AS WELL. There still was a part inside herself which didn't really want to harm Snape. You can see that she also did the duel with ease. No sign of real stess. She wanted to save Harry, but she didn't want to seriously hurt Snape. She was very intelligent and maybe one tiny part of her also hoped that Snape was not on Voldemorts side.

I love Maggie Smith, she turned Minerva into the best character of the entire franchise, it's sad that she didn't have more screen time :(

Defo Snape is my go to fav. Made my favourite curse "Sectumsempra".

Video idea: who was *actually* the greatest wizard who ever lived - Dumbledore or Gilderoy Lockhart?

I believe snape is and here is my reasoning, forget the movies and go to the books, he dueled flitwick, sprout and mcgonnagle. All at the same time, while casting few spells and left without a scratch . I believe if he was true to Voldemort all 3 would be dead. Especially flitwick and Minerva if he can tie with firing little to no spells again 2 great duelers and another teacher he is bound to be good. So I believe if he fought back he would win.

I feel sorry for Snape. Look what his childhood was like as a kid, he then finds a real friend who he connected with and Loved only to be placed in a different class to her at school. He was Bullied By James and co really bad. He lost his cool and took it out on Lilly for a split moment and Lost his only real friend. His bully James then went on to date the girl he loved, worst they got married and had a son. Even after Lilly was married he still Loved her, And begged Voldemort not to hurt her! He even Begged Dumbledore to save Lilly! The whole scene when Snape sees Lilly dead is completely Heart Breaking on so many levels. When Harry comes to Hogwarts, OFC Snape hates him but whats to protect him but hates him. OFC every time he sees Harry, He sees Lilly got murdered Because of the little boy, he also thinks Harry is very much like his father BUT got his mother's eyes. he sees harry also going around in a group as his father did, he sees harry also breaks the rules again like his father did, Snape not looking at Harry, he looking at James. OFC Snape has many reasons to hate James, NOT only did he make snape life hell, Push him into the dark arts, BUT he blames James for Lilly dying! it truly hurt him every day to see harry, and yet he still helped him. Yes, he was nasty to him, BUT deep down he wasn't Being nasty to harry He was being nasty to James. If you see where I'm coming from, finally Snape was in control of James. When James saved Snape's life that was the biggest insult to snape, something Snape couldn't live with! Snape truly was in love with Lilly, even in his last moments of life he was thinking of Lilly sadly.

I actually think that Professor McGonnigal was stronger, because she was more level headed and didn’t let her emotions cloud her thinking.

I always heard that Snape was considered as the 3rd strongest wizard currently alive only behind Dumbledore and voldemort

Based on experience, snape is stronger. He learn magic power from good wizard and bad wizard.

I think Snape is a little over glorified on this channel. I’m not saying he wasn’t powerful, but if he came into hogwarts “already more talented than the 7th years” I’m sure he’d be able to handle a couple of bullies. Snape is generally depicted being weaker than James in the flashbacks.

I may not remember correctly, but I think Professor McGonagall defeated the Carrows before confronting Snape. In the movie we see Snape deflect McGonagall's attacks into the Carrows, thus eliminating them. This shows a high degree of control and precision from Snape, at least in the movie. But I completely agree that Snape could have defeated McGonagall, with some effort. Also, I don't know why but I still firmly believe that Snape discovered unassisted flight before Voldemort.