Today, the passing of actor Alan Rickman marks an incredibly sad day for Potterheads everywhere, and really for anyone who is a fan of movies and theater. The British star died this morning of cancer at the age of 69. While notable for works like "Die Hard" and "Love Actually," Rickman is most well known and well loved for his role of Hogwarts professor Severus Snape in the "Harry Potter" film series. Professor Snape started out as Harry's cruel and bitter nemesis, but fans across the world came to love and respect the character as his true nature unfolded in the 7-book series, and no one but Rickman could have done a more brilliant job of bringing him to life. As a tribute to an incredible actor and an incredible character, here are Severus Snape's best quotes.
1. "I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses... I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death -- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.”
2. Snape: "Which one of you can tell me the difference between and animagus and a werewolf?" [Hermione raises her hand]
Snape: [Without turning around] "No one? How disappointing."
3. "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? Yes, I'm the Half-Blood Prince."
4. “Mr. Moony presents his compliments to Professor Snape, and begs him to keep his abnormally large nose out of other people's business. Mr. Prongs agrees with Mr. Moony, and would like to add that Professor Snape is an ugly git. Mr. Padfoot would like to register his astonishment that an idiot like that ever became a professor. Mr. Wormtail bids Professor Snape good day, and advises him to wash his hair, the slimeball.”
5. “Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. Ghosts are transparent.”
6. "'No,' agreed Dumbledore. You are a braver man by far than Igot Karkaroff. You know, I sometimes think we Sort too soon...' He walked away, leaving Snape looking stricken.”
7. "Weasley’s wand causes devastation with the simplest spells. We’ll be sending Potter to the hospital wing in a matchbox."
8. “'My word, Severus, that I shall never reveal the best of you?’ Dumbledore sighed, looking down into Snape’s ferocious, anguished face. ‘If you insist …'”
9. Umbridge: [During and inspection] "You applied first for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, is that correct?"
Snape: "Yes."
Umbridge: "But you were unsuccessful?"
Snape: "Obviously."
10. “'Look... at... me...' he whispered. The green eyes found the black, but after a second, something in the depths of the dark pair seemed to vanish, leaving them fixed, blank, and empty. The hand holding Harry thudded to the floor, and Snape moved no more.”
11. "You just know? Once again, you astonish me with your gifts, Potter. Gifts mere mortals could only dream of possessing. How grand it must be, to be the chosen one."
12. “'And what will you give me in return, Severus?’ ‘In -- in return?’ Snape gaped at Dumbledore, and Harry expected him to protest, but after a long moment he said, ‘Anything...'”
13. “Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears. 'After all this time?' 'Always,' said Snape.”
