The REAL Reason Snape Told Voldemort about the Prophecy - Harry Potter Theory 

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Wish Snape had listened to Harry for one moment after seeing his dad bully Snape. Harry was HORRIFIED, and suddenly understood why Snape hated him and James so much. But if he could have heard how Harry thought that was awful and not funny and never should have happened to Snape, for the FIRST time Snape might have been able to see Harry as a separate person from James.

In the end Voldemort did offer Lily the chance to live. If she had stepped aside, so he could kill Harry, Voldemort would have spared her...that was because of Snape. Lily refused and that refusal is why her love protected Harry from Voldemort. Her willingness to die when she had the chance to live made all the difference just as it would for Harry many years later. Had Voldemort been as uncaring and ruthless that night as he was the rest of the time he would have killed Lily without a word and her love would not have been able to protect Harry. Don't forget, James died for Lily and Harry and his death did not protect them...he wasn't given a choice. Lily was given that choice and she chose to stand between her son and death...and death couldn't reach him...because of her. The only reason Voldemort would have given her that choice was because Snape asked and Voldemort chose to try to do it for him. Voldemort's undoing was trying to do something for someone else...instead of only thinking of himself.

Need to get one thing clear: Snape was not obsessed with Lily. he TRULY loved her. It wasn't obsession with a dead woman that led snape to live the remainder of his life as a double agent, keep the SPITTING IMAGE of the man he HATED alive and safe, and put himself in DAILY risk, eventually die for the purpose of seeing voldemort destroyed----only genuine love is powerful enough for that. True, snape was selfish, he was a bit of an asshole, but his love of/for lily was real. I do agree that initially, when he realized the prophecy pertained to harry potter, snape went to voldemort, hoping he would promise to spare lily and also kill harry and james......and in fact, it was because Snape asked this, and voldemort genuinely OFFERED lily that option, that enabled the magic of lily's SACRIFICE to work. Voldemort had decided to offer lily the chance to live.... "give me the boy...step aside!" Snape asking Voldemort to kill james and harry in exchange for sparring Lily was the PRIMARY ingredient in the ancient magics that destroyed voldemort. James' sacrifice was irrelevant. he was always going to die. but LILY had a CHOICE, because snape asked for her to be spared. It was that CHOICE that enabled the old magic to work. So.... Snape's love of lily is what destroyed voldemort.

The harry potter series is the best representation of "one usually meets their destiny on the road they take to prevent it."

I feel like Snape asking Voldemort to kill James specifically is a bit far fetched... I feel like Snape damn well knew that Voldemort intended to kill the entire family. Asking Voldemort to kill one of his enemies is like asking a toddler if he's going to eat that piece of candy in his hand.

Keep in mind at this time Voldemort’s right hand was Malfoy…I believed Snape overheard the prophecy and ran with the news to try to promote himself in the group. At this time Snape may not have even known that Lily was pregnant. Voldemort targets multiple people, and eventually deduces that it has to be Lily’s son, only then, does Snape show remorse and runs to Dumbledore for protection. I think after she was killed Snape was prepared to die himself and when he heard that Harry survived and had her eyes, it gave him a new purpose. It’s clear that he stuck around just for Harry.

Snape had every reason to hate James. But to assume that he went into great lengths to interpret the profecy is mere speculation from your part, especially since Harry and Neville weren't even born yet. Every Death Eater would go into great lengths to gain Voldermort's favour, and Snape did just that. He heard something useful and run to tell his master to gain his favour without putting that much thought into it. I won't bother explaining the reasons why Snape chose to become a Dearh Eater, anyone who has read the books should know. Not everything is black or white.

I think, in a twisted way, Voldemort did try to honour Snape's wishes. Because in PoA, Voldemort says "Stand aside - stand aside, girl" (harry practicing the patronus) I just think that Lily would never 'stand aside', and thus Voldemort killed her. Because in the end, Voldemort's end goal was more important than Snape's wishes.

I don't think I subscribe to this particular theory. I will agree that Severus was a highly flawed individual, who was on the wrong side at the start. He was indeed very selfish and only cared for Lily, but it stops there. (I also disagree that his care for Lily was "obsessive", but that's not really part of this argument.) I've always perceived as his regard for James and Harry's lives in this instance as indifference rather actual desire to have them killed - I also don't think that Severus would do anything to intentionally harm Lily in any way. If he wanted to harm James, he could have taken an opportunity to do it himself earlier. This, of course, doesn't mean he'll mourn the deaths of his childhood bully and a child he doesn't know. We also have no proof that Severus killed anyone. If anything, Severus' conversation with Bella at Spinner's End indicates that he potentially has a reputation for being someone who stays on the sidelines rather than getting his hands dirty. Severus himself also makes a comment to Dumbledore about his soul after Dumbledore mentions that he does not want Draco's soul torn. To me this indicates that Severus' soul is in tact. He may have participated in muggle torture like the other Death Eaters and he'd almost certainly be linked other atrocities. What they are we do not know, but I definitely don't think murder is on the list. (Gosh I tried to keep this short and unemotive as possible, sticking to what I perceive to be truthful and nothing more, I did not succeed at the former and I'm hoping no one stabs me if I failed at the latter. 😂)

I think the movies expressed this well. Dumbledore knew Snape was a tool, and used him as such. The trade of spy for Lily's life, for example. Dumbledore might come off as tarnished, bargaining with the lives of others, but he expertly used Snape as a means to an end. While the movies don't express the idea as bluntly, Dumbledore is shown to not implicitly trust Snape, or at the very least demands value for his provided protection. However, this begs the question of what drove Snape to do what he did after Lily's death? An easier solution is that while Harry was James' son, he still loved some part of Lily that only Harry represented. Very interesting dynamic.

What a butterfly effect... If Snape doesn't relay this prophecy... Voldermort downfall doesn't begin.

This video does not stop me from saying Snape is still one of my favourite characters

I actually agree with you 100% because I came up with that theory too. There is no way Severus Snape did NOT know that James and Lily Potter had a son. He absolutely stalked Lily Evans (Potter) te girl he obsessedly loved very much!!! His hatred of James Potter was also a reason to stalk them. He wanted Lily Potter anyway he could get her Even if that means that she would be James Potter's widow. The icing on the cake would be that his arch enemy James Potter who can truly hate it with all he had would be dead. He went from one obsession to another by protecting Harry Potter the child of Lily who had the misfortune to look exactly like his enemy James except for Lily's eyes. I don't think that Severus Snape was a hero, he was just obsessed. I do feel bad for him based on his horrendous childhood which made him incapable of a true love and happiness. What James Potter and by extension Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew did to Severus Snape during their school years was completely unacceptable. Lupin did not participate in the bullying of Snape. James Potter was the worst bully as a teenager. I personally would have a hard time forgiving James myself for the share humiliation caused by him.

Interesting theory, but if Snape identified the Potters as the parents of this future child, I still don't understand why Voldy waited to attack them until after they were under fidelius (and Snape had turned) as opposed ot going after them immediately.. Also, IIRC, Sirius tells Harry that his parents went into hiding (i.e. fidelius) after one of Dumbledore's spies told him that the Potters were targeted and Lily's letter to Sirius implies that they have been under fidelius for some time.

Snape always had one person on his mind Lily.

Lily would probably not have taken Snape back. He had previously called her a "mudblood"--one of the worst names you can call another wizard. She had not approved of his involvement with the death eaters.

Okay in ALL fairness that Grindiwald business was like one year. One year he shoulda been caring for his sister, but got distracted by the hot guy next door.

Did the reveal in Deathly Hallows of Snape's infatuation with Lily make anyone else's skin crawl? Anyone else baffled by the "he's good after all" verdict the fandom crowned him with? And they are also slighted that Harry didn't call out to him with the resurrection stone. [shudder]

Voldermert was going to let lily live for Snape. In the book he tells lily to get out of the way… that he didn’t have to kill her. This was going to be Voldemort’s reward for Snape.

I dont think snape hated Harry. He was simply split in two by his anger towards James and Harry’s resamblance to him and his love for Lily. I also really think that snape loved harry, but was acting cold towards him because he knew of dumbledore’s plan. He was being cold because he was trying not to get attached to Harry knowing he was gonna die, meaning he would lose Lily a second time.

been watching for years just got the notification nostalgia hit hard in this one

I was just thinking today about Lily and Snape... How lily was his only friend...how I wish that there was more book time for us to see how important they were to each other as kids and young students.... How the phrase "Always" would be said to each other all the time... And when Snape started heading down a dark magic path and Lily would not follow...and when they had their last conversation outside the Gryffindor common room ... I could see them parting still as friends ... But going their separate ways ...he knowing James was the object of her fancy but knowing she cared for him.... Snape had a horrible childhood but Lily's friendship was his bright light ... And I think he loved her yes but he has made a choice to go and when he heard the prophecy .... What if he tried to convince Lord V that it was Neville ! Trying to protect Lily and her child .... But Lord V decided it was Harry and the rest is history ... Personally I don't think snape Lusted over lily ...he loved her yes but a friendship love ...these books are really loved because it's the friendship the core heart of the story is friendship...

Snape is my favorite, he is such because he is such an interesting complex character. I believe he didn't risk Lily's life on purpose that he really didn't know at the time. Once he found out he thought how he is going to save her without seen as a traitor to the DE and Voldemort. Strangely enough Voldemort did offer Lily to be spared once, he respected Snape's wish but probably understood she won't move. As for his conversation and lack of care for Harry and James. James was an evil person that I understand- But why a baby who did nothing wrong? I think Snape never had a change of heart. I always define him as "A villain in the service of good duo to circumstances."

Snape’s character is so well-written. From the very first the reader receives conflicting messages from and about him. He's probably the most fleshed out character in the series, and we still don't understand him!

Very perceptive and convincing theory you have going here, I’m starting to believe you to be a Legilimens. I think you touch on one of the most important themes in the entire Harry Potter series, and that being love. What mean by this is that where’s Lily’s love for her son Harry was selfless and sacrificial, Snape, despite sharing that same love, showed what it can become when it is corrupted by one’s own desires. I believe this is portrayed by Dumbledore’s responses to Snape in their first and last meetings with each other. While Dumbledore was initially disgusted with him and his intentions, by the end of it, Dumbledore both realizes and bears witness to the manifestation of that self-less, sacrificial love within Snape, as he so states with tears in his eyes, “Lily?, after all this time?” “Always”

I believe you're absolutely correct. Severus, like a male lion who takes over a pride and kills the previous lion's cubs, was hopeful of both James' and Harry's deaths so that Lily would be unencumbered of all her family when Snape re-entered her life. In his fantasy, the two would start a new family all their own.

Wondering if Snape told Voldemort about the prophecy *before* the boys were born, perhaps not even knowing Lily was pregnant? Then hearing and finding out just how close she is to fulfilling the prophecy making him more and more scared, until that last day in July when two boys were born. Cue full-blown panic when V decides that it's probably the Potter boy who fits the bill over the Longbottom. While Snape would welcome the deaths of James and Harry, the risk to Lily is too great, and V just keeps blowing all of Snape's suggestions aside.

lol, the idea that snape should think about James's life is beyond ridiculous after what James had done to him. or the idea that snape can tell voldemort who to kill... snape simply begged him to let lily live. If Snape wanted lily for himself only, he would have done something to her when they were still at school. she would never be with him and he knows it, he simply wanted her to live. and Dumbledore was a massive hypocrite who bargained with lily and James's life. not to mention allowed james and his friends to abuse who ever they liked at school just because they are Gryffindor. this is by far the worst theory of this channel.

Considering the circumstances, I'd say he probably didn't care for James or Harry and simply asked to spare Lily. At worst saying something along the lines of "I don't care if you kill James or the boy", however i doubt he outright asked to get rid of James.

Snape was an abused child, then came Lily a friend he loved dearly she brought light into his life. At Hogwarts they were separated in Griffindore and Slytherin two houses like the Montague and Capulet's in Romeo and Juliet constantly at war. Next to survive in Slytherin he was forced to fall in with the DE children who hate muggleborn or did he learn the dark arts to better protect Lily? All she and the Maurders saw was him descending in the worst of the Dark Arts- plus Sirius after his parents treatment hated the dark art. Finally the confrontation between the Maurders and Snape in which he called Lily a mudblood. Snape became after Hogwarts a fully fledged death eater committing murders to take the dark mark originally and then to keep his place at Tom's side. Until the prophecy he never bothered about Lily, but he never forgot her, she was just unattainable. The prophecy brought her back into his life, did he think the death of James and Harry would let him get back into Lily's life. That she would have forgiven him. I doubt she would. It was an impossible dream. So the disaster happens, only Harry survived and the rest is history. Snape childhood shaped him, like Tom's both had choices and both regretfully went down a road that caused untold damage to Wixen society

5:09 - _"We're led to believe that the Snape who met Dumbledore atop the hilltop was a changed man - a man who had realized the error in his ways and was acting in an altruistic fashion."_ This is outright false. As you point out a minute later, the book makes it very clear that at least at that moment Snape wanted to save Lily purely for selfish reasons. He made a point to claim he didn't care if James or Harry survived as long as Lily did. He didn't die to Dumbledore about this, and Dumbledore was visibly disgusted. It's only after Lily's death that Snape changes his tune, once he realizes he was guilty of his own downfall. I think what's actually interesting, and rarely discussed about this whole situation, is that Voldemort actually seemed perfectly willing to abide by Snape's request. He killed James on sight, but expressly told Lily to move out of the way. He was truly willing to spare her life, and only didn't do it because she refused to budge. In the end, it was Voldemort breaking his promise to Snape what caused his own defeat.

Yay I'm here early! Can't wait to see what you put together today!

When I first saw this part. Of course he wanted both of them dead. Lily was his only concern. Sad he was like this. James did die that day. But instead of the person he wanted saved. It was her son instead.

I feel like he was a true death until he killed lily I feel that anyway killing lily anyway after Snape begged his master not to showed how ruthless heartless cold blooded Voldemort really was showing that he didn't care about anyone but himself and that's what I think turned Snape good he understood Voldemorts true motive and how much he actually cared

Fair ideas. What I feel is they somewhat clash with each other: if it's true he was completely away from Lily's life at the time of the prophecy (and he must have been given they then belonged to opposing factions), then he *couldn't* have known the prophecy might refer to her family. Also, knowing very well that Voldemort had absolutely no regard for human life, he couldn't possibly have asked for anything more than the strict minimum he would care for (Lily's life), and even that was a desperate move because he'd know Voldemort couldn't care less. Plus, what would have been naive is to hope that, once James and the kid were gone, he'd still have a chance at Lily. What would he do then? Give up the Death Eaters to try and gain the heart of a woman that was widowed and childless because of the Death Eaters he'd belonged to? I think Snape had already accepted long before that his love for Lily would be Platonic for the rest of his life. I don't think he'd ever held hope to regain her affection in any way other than perhaps cordiality. Then, when talking to Dumbledore, Snape was clearly in the middle of a moral transition. After all, he was still a Death Eater at that point. It would have been very unrealistic for him to suddenly regard for the well-being of a whole family, especially when one of the members was the person he had the most contempt for in the world. My view is that, over the course of this episode in his life, he made a full turn, even coming to terms with the fact that James and Lily were a family and Harry was their offspring.

Ive been trying to convince my fellow potter heads for years that snape never changed. Ive always thought that it was awfully convenient that the memory that changes harrys mind about snape came from snape himself. I know Dunbledore said it was very difficult to change what a memory shows, but snape was an exceptional legillimens (far better than horace slughorn). And im sure he could have done it. There was far to much genuine hate for harry. I have always believed that snape never changed and that his goals were always based in revenge against james for stealing what he believed to be his by rights...

Voldemort had to mark harry as his equal. Even if snape was not conscious of the reason he told Voldemort, he had to tell Voldemort. It's funny, even when snape was working for the bad guys, he was working for the good guys.

He didn’t know it would endanger the life of Lily. If he had even not knowing the whole prophecy he would have kept his mouth shut.

For Snape in the books this is an accurate theory. Well done!

The prophecy could’ve been about Neville why wouldn’t he push Voldemort to Neville? Cause it didn’t get James out the way

Nice to see somebody point out that Snape was a creepy incel for once. It gets lost in Rickman's incredible performance and charisma, and the same girls that love the terms "red flag" and "narcissist", fail to see what a manipulative creep he is. He did good things for bad reasons. Incredible character, not a "good guy."

Maybe I just have not discovered the content, but I need to hear about Peter Pettigrew as stabbers for the first couple of movies and how he was unable to relay everything that he would have overheard. Did he just forget all of it when he found Voldemort? It’s driving me insane!

I agree the movie did express this well the movie and books also express this Snape loved Harry’s mum Lily.

Look at it this way, if Snape hadnt asked voldemort to spare lily, the story never would've happened. If voldemort just burst in and killed everyone and didnt give lily a chance to live, Harry wouldn't have survived. So, Snape helped in a big way.

You put into words what I have always thought. Thank you.

This is a very likely theory, considering the never-ending hatred, that Snape had for James Potter and later for Harry (mostly). It would be a very sweet deal for Snape to had James and his offspring taken out of his way, buy the most evil sorcerer ever. This will allow him offer his support to the grieving and lonely Lilly, eventually taking her for himself. Too bad for him that his brilliant plan didn't quite work.

Snape is the true hero, James took Lily from him. He should have killed James himself, he had the power to do it. Unfortunately James had the invisibility cloak that would protect him so he could never die, he only died when Dumbledore asked for his cloak

What if snape never meant to tell Voldemort but he use legilimency to read snakes mind to not miss a detail. From that moment on snape practiced occlumency to avoid sharing any information now that he had the chance to protect Lilly’s son.

I think it's brilliant! And Snape as written in the novels is _not_ one of my favorite characters. But Alan Rickman's portrayal makes Snape one of my favorite of my favorite characters.

I wanted to be mad at you for this lol but honestly it *kinda* makes sense. I’ll never understand the lifelong and intense obsession Snape had for Lily and how it literally warped his mind (James and her child’s death would have her accepting him? No one in their right mind would think that!) Which I’d why I had my own theory that James put a love curse on Snape for revenge so Snape would go through life without real love and ensuring them a Death Eater who would protect Lily at least when it was needed. But that’s what I’m convinced of. ☺️

My theory is that why didn't they force wormtail do also perform the unbreakable vow that if you discloses the information that he dies I mean I think he values his life from the show and books

I mean, if I were Snape, I'd have asked Volde if I could borrow Wormtail to lure Lily away for the night while he does the death. Imperio Wormtail! Now go and bring Lily to safety. Imperio her too, if you have too! 5 minutes after she is out of the house... Volde does the death (twice) and Severus gets to do the happy dance. Also, if I thought that Wormtail luring her away wouldn't work, I'd have a box with a portkey prepared that he could give her as a gift from...uhhh Petunia? Wormy boy would give the box to Lily, she would open it, touch the thing, be teleported away and Volde could do the death, get out and be done before she would realize what just happened.

Your video covers are so funny 😂😂😂

If Voldemort had killed Lilly without giving her a chance to step aside there would have been no love protection. Voldemort being the "merciful lord" ended up being his downfall.

Think of it this way: James bullied Snape so bad, he couldn’t care less about James. Since Harry reminded Snape of James would also be logical as to why he didn’t care if he lived or died.

This is all based on the supposition that Dumbledore would not sacrifice the potters so that Voldemort would die. Snape worship comes from the attraction of the bad boy or dark. That people want to see him redeemed. None of what he did was directly because he cared about anyone besides Draco. If he was not trapped by Dumbledore you have a Death eater who would glaldly killed Harry and moved on.

I think Dumbledore took that opportunity to get Snape to switch sides with the Unbreakable Vow spell. That's the only reason he'd trust Snape after that.

I agree with what you said in the video. Snape has always been portrayed in both the movies and books both as one of the most competent, powerful and intelligent wizards who “knew more dark spells in his first year than half of the seventh years combined” with his half blood prince book that he created better short cuts and overall better ways to brew potions, the spells he created, his aptitude at Occlumency and Legilmency, keeping his mind closed around Voldemort while truly being a double agent and etc etc but yes he just happened to not use his basic deductive reasoning in that moment. Ya ok

Good Analysis!

I think you're spot on with this. In his defense, I think his childhood plus years of abuse in school left him scarred and vulnerable, and when he saw a chance to even the scales in his favor, he took it. Brilliant video.

I’ve got a thought. Ever wonder how weird it is that Snape managed to get kicked out during the prophesy? After all, the bar in question was known for hosting “less than savory characters.” As such, it wouldn’t make sense for an eavesdropper to get thrown out just willy-nilly or for eavesdropping to be considered a notable offense. My theory, then, is that Snape realized that he was overhearing something important and deliberately got himself caught to sabotage his own attempt to hear the prophesy. This would explain a lot of Snape’s behaviors throughout the stories, including his whole-hearted attempt to protect Harry during his first year. Additionally, this would explain the fact that someone would get thrown out of the bar in question for eavesdropping, of all things.

Amazing video

One thing that people might forget that Dumbledore also had the pieces in place to ensure Harry would survive that final Killing Curse. The resurrection stone, the book given to Hermione...he knew Harry needed to die but he was making sure there was a way out and even ensure the same love that his mother used to protect him extended to all at Hogwarts. Dumbledore was not as cruel. He was always finding ways to end Voldemort but save Harry.

It is interesting that the prophecy was told TO Dumbledore, as if the prophecy itself was sentient. She didn't blurt it out when she was alone before or after their meeting. And perhaps too, it knew to wait until Snape was listening in... within arm's reach of Aberforth to only hear half. Prophesies are always sneaky bastards.

I like the theory about Snape and I think for sure that we can't blame him for hating James and his friends.

I want to add that the mere act of Snape telling the prophecy to Voldemort was the prophecy setting itself in motion. It wasn't Harry that defeated Voldemort, it was Voldemort defeating himself through hearing the prophecy. Fate works in mysterious ways, and usually it's the mere fact that you know something's about to happen which actually makes that thing happen. Just like high jumpers only think about how they clear the bar before they jump. Because thinking about all the ways they could hit the bar and pull it down is likely to make them do exactly that. Or how those with stage fright can overcome it by thinking the audience are the ones who are anxious. Or how you always aim to do things too well, lest you'd find you fall just short of the goal. How your coach or drill instructor sets an impossible goal for you, so you achieve the performance they secretly expect of you. Voldemort heard the prophecy, believed it would happen, acted to stop it from happening but in doing so actually made the prophecy come true. Had he just stayed arrogant like he usually is and brushed the prophecy off as garbage, none of the things that happened to him would have happened.

I honestly had this same idea, that Snape thot he could use this prophecy to have Voldemort get rid of James (as well as Harry) in order to have Lily for himself. It was, in a certain way, an unhealthy obsession. Lily was once the one positive relationship Severus Snape had in his early life. His father was abusive and his mother was distant, and his parents often yelled at each other, and Snape was neglected or worse beaten, likely by his father but his mother probably did little or even nothing to protect him. So... when Severus observed Lily perform magic, he knew instantly she was a witch and befriended her, out of longing for a friend, someone with whom he could share a positive relationship. Snape was actually the one to truly introduce Lily Evans to the wizarding world, telling her about her magic and that it was nothing to be ashamed of, in spite of Lily's jealous sister saying otherwise, informing Lily of Hogwarts, Azkaban, and other things to help her prepare for her entering the wizarding world, becuz Lily was muggle-born, something Snape didn't care about. Snape probably had high hopes for his and Lily's time in Hogwarts. He'd hoped to share some wonderful years, learning and growing alongside each other in Hogwarts. Although he likely didn't think of Lily as a potential romantic partner back then, becuz they were just kids at the time. But then Lily was sorted into Gryffindor while Snape went to Slytherin, the two Houses having long been rivals, and it worsened becuz Snape butted heads with James Potter, who viciously target Snape and bullied him. He managed to maintain his friendship with Lily, who gave him the nickname of Sev, and she stood up for and by him whenever James and Sirius were rotten to Severus. Meanwhile, Snape's time in Slytherin probably wasn't ideal. He was sorta taken under the wing of Lucius Malfoy, and taught by him the concept of blood purity. Snape was a halfblood, born to a muggle father and witch mother, which wasn't as bad as being 'mudblood' (muggleborn) in the eyes of bigoted and elitist purebloods like Lucius among others in Slytherin and in the wizarding community. Due to his upbringing, his poor family life, and likely his own insecurity as well as a yearning for greatness, Snape began to experiment with magic as well as potions, as proven in his potions book, which contained his notes on improving various potions, as well as spells that he himself managed to create. Inventing a spell is an impressive feat indeed, especially since spell creation can be dangerous, sometimes even fatal (as proven in the case of Luna Lovegood's mother, Pandora), but Snape managed to create several spells, a sheer testament to his magical knowledge and skills. But then Snape became enamored of the Dark Arts, likely out of vengeful feelings that were festered by the bullying he suffered from the Marauders, as well as his resentment towards his parents, and a growing hunger for power and glory. It culminated into what became Snape's worst memory, when he was humilated by James and made the awful mistake of calling Lily a mudblood when she'd tried to stand up for him, al in a vain and foolish effort to save face with his Slytherin peers. That bigoted act cost him his friendship with Lily, which had become strained by how Lily didn't approve of the sorts Snape was consorting with (the pureblood elitists and admirers of Lord Voldemort), and Lily finally severed their friendship, deciding she wanted nothing more to do with Snape, who'd made it clear of where he stood and what he wanted, and how he all but admitted he intended to join the Death Eaters out of a misplaced desire for power and glory. As a result, Lily finally gave James a chance in their seventh year, where they dated, formed a real romance, and soon married, and thus Snape had well and truly lost any chance he'd had with Lily. In spite of this, Snape continued to pine for Lily, never letting her go and moving on, refusing to look elsewhere for a romantic partner, thus denying himself happiness becuz his shame, regret, and inability to let Lily go would not allow him to. So... when he overheard part of the prophecy and informed Voldemort of it, Voldemort concluded it refer to the son of James and Lily Potter, and the rest, to Snape's everlasting regret, was history.

Awesome as always thanks I agree with you

Hmmm. Yes. Gave me a broader view on Snape, the Potters and Dumbleore. Very good point.

One instance is usually all it takes for change. If it is powerful enough

Very deep thinking about this... I wonder if any of this ran through J.K Rowling's mind when writing the books... there are so many theories and conversations happening online and in real life about motives of the characters and what they were thinking, as if they really existed... so it's easy to forget that this is fantasy and has all been made up out of one person's imaginative mind... it's truly remarkable that the depth of reasoning that takes place... I know if I were going to write a book, I would be making things up as I go along and wouldn't really be thinking so deeply about what these fictional characters were actually thinking... to do that, strikes me that you would need to be able to really put yourself in the shoes of another person... perhaps meaning a somewhat split personality of sorts... to think as if you were someone else, to act, and behave, talk, and do as if you were someone else... so imaginative, so creative... it's just mind-boggling how she's managed to create such a story. All that said and done... I think you might be right... Perhaps Snape was still trying to get one over on James Potter and at least in the process make the girl he fancied and had some strange obsessive crush (creepy love) for, single once again... I am unsure if you truly believed that you thought Snape had no knowledge of Lilly having had a baby, and therefore it could have been about here... or perhaps, he just told Lord Voldermort about the prophecy and then later when Snape was aware it could have been about Lilly, Snape was pro-killing James and the baby... but not Lilly... because it seems unlikely to me that Snape would have done anything to have Lilly harmed regardless of a prophecy and being a devoted death eater.

If Snape was really evil, Harry wouldn’t have won.

Your theory has merit, imo. I agree with you about Snape's motives. I think Snape finally understands, as he dies, though.

My question has always been: If Voldemort only got the first part of the prophecy, how did he know what month the child would be born considering it’s at the end?

sybil: oops

Can you do a video about the Wizarding World and the Royal Family’s?

Snape definitely hated James, but perhaps in the end hated Voldemort more. Why else would he fess up to Dumbledore which was very risky? Of course, he loved Lily which fueled his actions, but perhaps he thought that by protecting Harry would rid him of his uneasy alliance with Voldemort. After all, James was no longer a direct antagonist of Snape. Surely Snape got over his school grounds bullying enough to not want James to actually die. It seems Snape avoided the worst of things that Voldemort could have asked of him to do by becoming a double agent. Perhaps, he felt that Voldemort would have asked (or did ask) Snape to deal with this threat, which would have definitely involve harming Lily. So, Snape did the only thing he could do, go to the only Wizard he knew that could protect the Potters and save himself from the obligation to take out the boy.

I guess there's something very visceral about seeing someone as the victim of bullying. James was the alpa jerk in their quartet. Sirius was the aloof and condescending one. Remus was the reluctant one. Peter was the desperate to be liked one. But it was James who could have stopped it all and didn't. I know he had a change of heart, and I don't think Snape plotting to kill him is good. Still...I understand a victims dreams of defeating his childhood bully,

Great theory. Adds another dimension to Snape and his character arc.

I am onboard with the thought that Snape didn't realize who's death he was setting up. Only blinded by false loyalty towards Voldemort, all in an effort to be accepted for what he truly was. A brilliant wizard who's been through the worst. One thing though, Snape never actually loved Lily. If he truly loved Lily, he would want what's best for HER, not for HIM. He would be happy as long as Lily is happy. No matter who she's happy with. Snape was obsessed with Lily, blaming everyone around her for her not choosing to stay with Snape. That's not love, that is petty narcissism. And as he held the now dead Lily in his arms, he wasn't crying for her. He was crying for himself as he set himself up for failure every step of the way. And it was not out of love for Lily that he cared for Harry, it was out of guilt for putting Lily in that position that he decided to try and do something good. He didn't love Lily before her death, but it is possible that the loss of Lily finally gave him true feelings for her and asking himself why he had been so selfish. That's also why he, despite Dumbledore's failure to protect her, decided to accept things as they were and work towards protecting the boy and work as a double agent.

Why would Snape like James Potter he was a bully to him while at Hogwarts.

Oh shit... your best point is at the end haha Snape is to analytical and strategic to have not considered who the prophecy might have been about before passing it along. Until then I was listening for fun, but now... you might be onto something... damn thats dark...

You made up some of this. Its not canon that Snape actually asked Voldemort to kill James.

I agree with you on Snape’s motives, but he is still one of my favorite characters!

I very much disagree with the theory that Snape wanted Voldemort to kill Lily for him. His character was seen true at the end. Yes, he hated James. But he protected Harry despite thst hate for Lily!

So this video contains yet another reason Snape was unredeemable Edit. He is one of my favorite villains

Boutta watch, wish we luck

I don't think it went that far. Snape is not the most social person. I don't think he know enough of about the Order of the Phoenix members personal life to make conclusions who is the prophecy about. Also I think the prophecy states Voldemort will chose who its about. I think Voldemort picked the potters and it got Snape off guard. Well the Lily part did. It was the first time the Dark Lord and Snapes goals did not align, and he quickly learned his needs does not matter to Voldemort. Snape admits he only tried to save Lilys live, and did not cared if Voldemort killed James and Harry. Think Dumbledores reaction is mostly about Snape selfish obsession over Lilly, that he does not care if Lily's heart break as long as if he gets what he wants.

Yeah - it's something movie-watchers only probably wouldn't get unless someone told them or they watched a video like this that mentioned it. I do love Snape's character, but he was *absolutely* okay with JUST Lily living. SO that's kind of.. 😬 And there will always be a part of me that's just like "ffs snape, that's so disgusting.." every time I re-read or re-listen to the books and he admits he asked for Lily's life, only. The movies just go to him saying "Hide them, hide them all". Sometimes movie-watchers-only who are really big Snape fans can get annoyed with people for expressing their dislike for Snape, but they miss out on how awful he truly could be, especially towards his students. I love him and love his character, but I also think way too many people defend him without knowing how much of an immature bully he really was, who would have probably been able to live with himself if Harry and James died that day and Lily lived. 🤷🏻‍♀ And some people know this about him and STILL defend some of this stuff, which is even worse, imo, lol.

I always thought that Snape is an obsessive delusional person but not evil. He’s not a Hero either in my opinion and it’s one of the only things I didn’t like when Harry named his son Albus Severus. He never actually loved Lilly, it was just a teenage obsession that grew with him into adulthood. But he’s not pure evil.

Just as James and Sirius had formulated a plan to finally be rid of Snape by sending him down that tunnel. James just got cold feet at the last minute, which lead to him rushing down that tunnel to save his gang of thugs. of course, he went about the school, lying about it, to score points with Lily. It worked like a charm. Snape couldn't deny anything because Dumbledore had tricked Snape into an oath of silence because Dumbledore knew his own arse was on the line. Ok, come at me James/Sirius stans 😀😁😊😊.

I always thought so so to me it s facts. PLUS doesnt change the outcome either. :) Snape did repay in the end. But yeah. It was mder

Lily and James should have made some random person the secret keeper and then vipe their memory lol

Snape is my favorite person too We have so much in common me and snape misunderstood

Has anyone talked about why Snape was there to overhear the prophecy in the first place? Dumbledore didn't really want to meet with Tralawney... So what was Snape doing there?

so what? james was despicable towards him for so long. also dumbledore is a hypocrite and social climbing opportunist. his "disgust" of severus was irrelevant. besides, dumbledore was just fattening up harry before sending him to slaughter - that was his plan anyway. so he isn't any better

Very interesting. What if Voldemort actually didn't want to kill Lily, because Snape asked. His target was just a child, but Lily couldn't let this happen and stand between him and Harry and this is how Harry became Horcrux. Voldemort could doubt inside to kill Lily because of Snape's ask and this causes the rebound and Harry becomes Horcrux

Next video : How does the ministry know when inappropriate magic is being used.? I get the trace on anyone under the age of 17 but what about the Unforgivable Spells.? How come they never knew Voldermort killed Cedrick.? Or Snape killing Dumbledore.? Do they have a 911 number.?

Another great presentation as we have come to expect :) the theory makes sense and it highlights a common weakness amongst the big-hearted, they tend to make seemingly uncharacteristic mistakes due to being blinded by overwhelming emotion. His love for Lily made Snape dumb at times, a pitfall nearly all of us fall prey to at one point in time or another. To err is human