The Best of Severus Snape (A Tribute to Alan Rickman)

The best of Severus Snape

Alan Rickman, who died of cancer last Thursday, is one of the most phenomenal actors anyone can watch. He has played a variety of roles, ranging from a hero to a bad guy in various multi-genre movies, but he will always be best remembered for bringing to life one of the most ambiguous antiheroes that, up until the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in 2007, everyone hated and whose loyalty had always remained in question: Severus Snape.

To honor Alan Rickman, the actor that brought this character to life in a way no one else could accomplish, the following are 15 of the best Severus Snape moments from the Harry Potter movies:

1. Saving Harry during his first Quidditch match.

Having done that, maybe it should’ve been obvious that there was more to Snape than meets the eye. (Plus, it was kind of hilarious that he got set on fire – c’mon, admit it, you laughed.)

              

2. He was the one that taught Harry his signature spell, Expelliarmus.

And knocked Gilderoy Lockhart off his high-and-mighty chair, a big plus.

  

3. Protecting the Golden Trio during the infamous werewolf-Remus and Padfoot-Sirius fight in Prisoner of Azkaban.

I didn’t notice this until I was older. And it only confused me more about whether he was really a bad guy.

 4. The infamous Boggart scene.

Need I explain?

5. Getting Ron and Harry to study.

His role in Goblet of Fire wasn’t as prominent as in most of the other movies but this was still pretty funny.

6. Off-screen, alerting the Order of the Phoenix about Sirius in danger.

They hated each other but c’mon, we all know Snape still tried helping.

7. Snape’s memories being revealed while teaching Harry Occlumency.

The only thing that would’ve made this better was if they had included Harry’s mom like in the book.

8. Doing the Unbreakable Vow to ensure Draco’s safety.

If nothing else, Snape is committed.

9. Killing Dumbledore.

Before Deathly Hallows, we hated him for this. After Deathly Hallows, we saw this as it truly was: an act of mercy for an already-dying man.

 

10. His big reveal.

He is Severus Snape, the Half-Blood Prince.

11. Acting as Voldemort’s right-hand man.

Ah, the life of a spy.

 12. Snape’s Patronus appearing to Harry, leading him to the Sword of Gryffindor.

This remains one of the most beautiful scenes in this movie.

 

13. His stand-off with McGonagall in which he knocks out the two Death Eaters – AND NO ONE NOTICES!

I mean, really, how did you not notice that?!

 14. Snape’s demise.

You wouldn’t think that you’d cry for him after everything he’s done. David Yates proved us wrong.

15. Snape’s memories.

Possibly one of the most tragic chapters to read in Deathly Hallows – and considering all the deaths, that’s saying something!

Snape was certainly a very complicated man with a tragic backstory that would make most heartless people weep, and only a superb actor like Alan Rickman could bring that to the big screen.

Long before Deathly Hallows was even published, J.K. Rowling had confirmed that she told Alan Rickman the reason behind Snape’s hatred for Harry. She had responded in a tweet that she told Alan Rickman about the meaning behind the word, “always” – a one-word quote that’s become one of Snape’s most remembered lines. Rickman used that knowledge in his portrayal of Snape, something that none of the actors or directors could understand until after Deathly Hallows was published.

Alan Rickman will be remembered by many people as a variety of other characters in many other movies, but there is no doubt that his portrayal as Hogwart’s Potion Master will remain one of the most memorable. When years have passed, and people continue reading Harry Potter or watching the movies, they’ll remember Severus Snape, the bravest man Harry ever knew. And they’ll remember Alan Rickman, the person who gave him life, the only person who could.

Always.