What Was Snape's ORIGINAL Patronus? - Harry Potter Theory

Hey everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. For today’s video, I’m going to be discussing a topic that was requested by you guys in the comment section. I always read the comments, so if you want a topic made- then be sure to request it. The next one might be yours.

In this video, I’m going to be discussing Severus Snape, Lily Evans, James Potter and one of the purest forms of magic - the Patronus. The patronus charm is famous for it’s representation of light, happiness, and purity, and it’s produced when a witch or wizard casts the spell Expecto Patronum. There are two types of patronus charms, corporeal and incorporeal, and the type that the witch or wizard casts will depend on their experience / preference. The more basic form of the spell is the incorporeal patronus, which assumes no animal form and simply resembles a burst of white vapour or smoke, and the more advanced form of the spell is the conjuring of a corporeal patronus- which I’ll be focusing on in this video.

We see many of our favourite characters in the books/films achieve the notable and complicated ability to cast a corporeal patronus- and this can largely be attributed to the guidance provided by Harry in Dumbledore’s Army. Along with those in Dumbledore’s army, various other talented witches, wizards, and professors are also able to cast such a charm- Harry’s parents included.

Despite Snape’s dubious past as a death eater, it has been stated that he was the only death eater that was ever able to produce one. It’s widely thought that conjuring a Patronus when you’re evil is impossible, but that’s not entirely accurate, it’s just risky. In the story of Raczdiain, the first evil wizard ever to attempt the spell, he ended up being devoured by maggots which shot out of his wand. This doesn’t exactly make it inviting- but what Raczidian lacked were the necessary happy memories that you need in order to cast such a spell. Despite Snape’s questionable history, and the hardships that he endured throughout his life, he was still always able to think back to happier times - his childhood in Cokeworth with Lily Evans. We know that James Potter’s patronus was a stag, and we know that Lily’s was a doe- and it’s revealed to us in an iconic exchange between Dumbledore and Snape in the Deathly Hallows, that Snape’s Patronus is a doe as well:

“But this is touching, Severus,” said Dumbledore seriously. “Have you grown to care for the boy, after all?”
“For him?” shouted Snape. “Expecto Patronum!”
From the tip of his wand burst the silver doe: she landed on the office floor, bounded once across the office, and soared out of the window. 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.

This scene depicts Dumbledore’s genuine surprise at Snape’s Patronus form - a doe, as he never understood the true level of commitment that Snape felt toward Lily. Dumbledore never suspected that Snape’s motivations had changed, but when he says ‘after all this time’ to snape- it paints a clear picture of just how much Snape cared for Lily. Dumbledore knew that Lily Potter’s patronus was also a doe- and it’s well known that when you well and truly love someone, that your patronus can change to match theirs. The patronus charm is a powerful piece of magic that expresses the true nature of the caster- and can be influenced by significant events or people in one’s life.

You can't choose your Patronus or change it wilfully, and the fact that Snape's patronus was still a doe, matching Lily, ‘after all that time’- was representative of the fact that he truly loved Lily, and that his feelings for her hadn’t weakened over the years. Lily Potter had been dead for 17 years, but his love for her was still strong.

However, one thing that I’m sure a lot of you have been wondering is: What was Snape’s Patronus BEFORE it changed to a Doe? If the Patronus changes to match the one that you love, then I think that it would be reasonable to assume that Snape had another Patronus animal at one point or another- one that was independent from Lily.

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[HarryPotterTheory]

Thanks for watching everyone. If you enjoy the content and want to show support, please LIKE the video and SUBSCRIBE to the channel!

[drdreddmanofmystery]

I firmly believe that it changed when Lily died. For some reason, that makes her death and Snape's sacrifice seem even more tragic.

[JuanMataCFC]

i think Snape's Patronus has always been a doe, seeing as he fell in love with Lily long before he even knew how to conjure a corporeal Patronus.

[isaackim]

The next question that needs to be answered, “What was Snape’s Boggart?”

[cheri]

I do like the animals you listed especially how they fit Snape's character in that they mate for life. Out of the ones listed I particularly like the black vulture or black swan because it seems like Snape always has his robes billowing around him, kind of like wings.

[heydilara]

I have always imagined Severus patronus to be a crow because they’re extremely intelligent and they are know to hold grudges towards humans that have done them wrong.

[nighthasfallen]

I think its a black swan: mate for life and never look for a new partner, the black plumage is more fitting, but they are also vicious with a bad bite and can break bone. Snape was a Deatheater with a powerful arsenal of spells. They are also fiercely protective of their young, to the point parks and ponds will put out warnings if it's swan mating season. He protected Harry for all those years, even though he didn't like him, for Lily.

[And-ljgb]

I think the doe was Snape's original patronus. Harry first successfully produced a patronus during his 3rd year at Hogwarts and it was deemed to be exceptionally early and he was only capable to master it at such a young age due to his unusual childhood background. For this reason I conclude that Snape had not been able to produce a patronus before he became close with Lily and therefore there's no reason to think his patronus was something else before Lily. At the time he was first able to successfully cast a patronus charm, his life was already influenced by her very much.

On the other hand, the way he presented his patronus to Dumbledore suggested that he knew it was what it was because of Lily and how would he have known if it had never changed? I dont know. :p Although the more I think about it, there more possibilities I see that it didn't have to.

[naw]

I personally think that Snape used to have a different patronus and it changed its form to fit that of Lily due to his feelings for her. Tonks'patronus changes its form when she falls in love with Remus and Snape even mocks her about it, probably because he knows very well why her patronus changed its appearance. I have also e often read that the patroni can show soulmates therefore James and Lily's patroni are a stag and doe but since Snape's feelings for lily are unrequited his changed into the same patronus as hers instead of turning into something that would complete hers. I like the animals that you mentioned, especially the vulture because it is a surprising bird to represent love just as Snape's true motivation and his feelings for Lily were surprising. I also wouldn't be surprised if his patronus used to be a bat since people keep comparing him to one (and I still think that Snape was originally supposed to be a vampire but then Rowling changed her mind).

[tannerdorsett]

I would love a series on Snape and his relationship with Lily and James and his personal feelings on the first Wizard War.

[alberthollow]

I hate the people who say that Snape's patronus changed bc he was obsessed with Lily, it clearly says that the patronus changes to the person you truly love

[SquiddyGod]

I honestly have no idea where this guy gets his information sometimes when he does his Harry Potter explained vids, but I love that. Also to anyone new to this channel, I would recommend you go and watch some of his other 200+ vids, they are great!

[kathgibbs]

Video suggestion:
All Hogwarts Headmasters and Headmistresss’ since it’s founding.

[Goldengirl]

I believe that the black swan is the best choice of all species listed is the most appropriate. Although a badger also comes to mind. Great video, as always. Thank you for all of the time you spent putting it together.

[thxu_the_venom]

hm this is hard i really like the idea of vulture, black swan and turtle dove, i think vulture may be my favorite honestly it just fits

[narwhalboi]

But if you have the same patronus as someone for your whole life, that means you are soul mates and are meant to be together, dumbeldore knew this, and when he asked Snape he responded with "always"

[sipraroy]

I love your word about him" Rarely seen, lifelong commitment, underground burrow sounds like Snape to me"..yes it's true..

[rustydaboyrobot]

The original Patronus for Snape was a Doe. Dumbledore was surprised his patronus had never changed...despite their estrangement in school, her marriage to James, her having a child exactly like James, and her death...none of those series of emotional blows changed how he felt about Lily...OR the fact that her memory is STILL one of happiness.

So, Snape is a constant. He took the left turn leaving Lily behind. When he takes the RIGHT turn, to save Lily, it's permanent.

If there MUST be a priot Patronus, it would be a vampire bat.

But, i think it was always a doe. Lily is a powerful witch..she would have produced hers...and Snape would have taken longer to mirror hers, because he could nothing else.

[VanWhistler]

I recently listened to the audiobook for the first Harry Potter book.
Snape lived at Cokewirth, which is the same place where Harry and the Dursley family stayed in a hotel.

[baronhelmut]

"With an incantation, which will work only if you are concentrating, with all your might, ON A SINGLE, VERY HAPPY MEMORY.", He doesnt have the same patronus as Lily because it changed, they both use the same memory to conjure the patronus. Its not snapes patronus because he only cares deeply for Lily. Its because they both care for eachother a lot.