Every Harry Potter fan has gone through several phases when it comes to Severus Snape. First, you probably hated him. Then, you hated him so much more. But by the end, you probably loved him. In honor of Alan Rickman, here are 11 life lessons that were taught to us by Severus Snape.
1. There is more to people than they often show.
We always thought Snape was the bad guy, but it turns out he was a good guy all along. Not everything is as it seems.
2. True love is forever.
His love for Lily never faded, even after she married another man, and died. Snape carried his feelings for her with him, even when she was gone.
3. Not all Slytherins are evil.
The sorting hat says "Those cunning folks use any means, To achieve their ends," but there is no mention of them all being evil. Slytherins are often portrayed as dark, and dangerous, and while some are (Draco Malfoy), not everyone who is a Slytherin is heartless.
4. A powerful voice can stick with you forever.
Never will I be able to read “Turn to page 394” without hearing it in his voice.
5. Bravery comes in different forms
Bravery isn’t always running towards someone with a wand, ready to bring them to their death. Bravery can be the simple act of going against a powerful force such as Voldemort, and risking your life by going undercover to protect others.
6. People are capable of change.
Snape may have once been a Death Eater, and a regular at Dumbledore's infamous meetings, but after the death of Lily, he saw the error of his ways. A person’s past may be a part of who they are, but it does not define them entirely.
7. Sometimes doing the right thing comes at a price.
Snape had to keep up appearances in order to stay of Voldemort’s good side, and in doing so, had to commit acts which he did not agree with. But in the end, he knew he was doing it all for the greater good, making it worth it.
8. Not everyone will like you.
And this is likely because they don’t fully know you. Snape was one of the most hated teachers at Hogwarts, especially by Harry, Ron and Hermione. But the one person who truly knew Snape, Dumbledore, always stood by him, because he knew who Snape was deep down.
9. Nobody is all good, or all evil.
The reality is that everyone falls in a gray area in between the two. Snape was cruel to Harry, Ron, and Hermione throughout the series, but when it came down to it, he was a hero, and Voldemort would not have been defeated without him.
10. Life isn’t fair
And Snape knows it better than anyone.
11. Be yourself, and don’t be sorry for it.
Snape once said, “I am what I am, whether anybody likes it or not. Period.” He knew that he was not liked by many, but he also knew that he was a good person deep down, and that was all that mattered to him.
Raise your wands for Severus Snape and the magnificent actor who brought him to life. RIP Alan Rickman.
