If you did not grow up reading the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling and then watching every movie to compare it to the book, you truly missed out as a kid. The books and movies brought imagination to all of us and the only school we ever wanted to attend was Hogwarts.
Throughout the series, we have learned more than how to wave a magic wand, such as many valuable lessons about love, life, feelings and ourselves through Professor Severus Snape at Hogwarts. Although we may not have ever been able to actually attend the school, actor Alan Rickman, who died, took on the role of Snape and taught us many valuable lessons from the comfort of our couch in our own home.
We remember these lessons not only today, but every time we are in need of motivation and guidance in the right direction. No one gives better advice than a potion master and headmaster of a witch and wizard school. Snape knew a lot more than we thought, especially about the human heart.
1. Feelings are very, very complicated.
Although Snape was severely bullied by James Potter, he felt the need to always protect Harry. Why would you ever care and feel the need to protect a person that is in connection with someone that has hurt you? Feelings, of course. Sometimes the power of feelings and knowing in your heart what is the right thing to do takes over the idea of hate. Snape always had the intentions to keep Harry safe, because his feelings surpassed the dislike he had for James.
2. Having love for someone else will make you see more clearly.
Shocker, right? It seems that when we are in love everything around us becomes a blur and we can barely see clearly. However, Snape had a point here. After Snape left Hogwarts, he set out to become one of the Death Eaters because he had always had a love for Dark Arts. After Lilly's passing, he realized he was on the wrong side and joined the Order of Phoenix to protect Lilly's son Harry. It took loving her to realize he was on the wrong side and needed to protect Harry.
3. If there is anything worth fighting for in the world, it is love.
After Lilly's death, we realize that everything Snape does, including making Harry's life very difficult, was all for Lilly. Snape continued to live his life with love for Lilly, even after her passing. Although it may not have seemed like it at some points, Snape lived his life with love.
4. You truly do not know anyone, only the parts that they show to you.
When Harry chases after Snape in the Hogwarts grounds, Harry calls Snape a coward. Snape then reveals to Harry a side of his that he has never seen before. It is in that moment that Harry learns a lot about Snape that he would have never known before.
5. If you talk in a slow drawl, you might as well wear all black and teach in a dungeon.
Snape was a wise mentor and a great professor because he knew how to teach a class where the students would be learning a true lesson out of it. How many professors have you had that all they do is talk in a monotone voice? How many times have you walked out of a class thinking that was the biggest waste of time because I learned nothing? Snape's classes were never like that. He knew how to motivate his students.
6. Good and evil isn’t black, white, or grey, it’s a crazed artist’s pallet.
Snape could have passed for evil many times in the series; however, he also had his moments of good. No one is perfect and we are all made up of good and bad features. Our individual self is an artist pallet made up of good and evil.
