Why Snape's Office Password Was 'Dumbledore' - Harry Potter Theory

Hey everyone,

Welcome to another installment of Harry Potter Theory. In this video, we’re going to be discussing Dumbledore, Severus Snape, and Snape’s stint as Headmaster of Hogwarts.
In the following excerpt from the Deathly Hallows, we witness Snape’s..unusual choice of password for his study:

Harry ran without stopping, clutching the crystal flask of Snape's last thoughts, and he did not slow down until he reached the stone gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office.
"Password?"
"Dumbledore!" said Harry without thinking, because it was he whom he yearned to see, and to his surprise the gargoyle slid aside, revealing the spiral staircase behind.

The question is: WHy on earth would Snape choose a password like ‘Dumbledore’? If Snape wanted to keep his office secure, then surely the name of the former headmaster is the worst possible choice. It would almost be anyone’s first guess. It’s like choosing a password like ‘password’ or ‘123’.

At this stage, Snape’s cover was secure- the death eaters were sure that they had an ally in Snape, which makes it even more unusual that his choice of password would be the figurehead against the forces of Voldemort. While it’s possible that Snape never brought any of the death eaters to his office, I think that this is unlikely. The Carrows were teaching at the school during his tenure, and I’m almost positive that Voldemort would have visited Snape in his office at some point.

From the Deathly Hallows:

And now everything was cool and dark: the sun was barely visible over the horizon as he glided alongside Snape, up through the grounds towards the lake.
"I shall join you in the castle shortly," he said in his high, cold voice. "Leave me now."

One theory for why Snape would have chosen the password ‘Dumbledore’, is that it was an indicator and reminder of a fallen ‘enemy’. Snape telling Voldemort that the password is ‘Dumbledore’ would be a reminder of what they had accomplished- marking their territory in a way that was humiliating to the conquered former headmaster. A form of posthumous disrespect. It’s exactly the type of thing that Voldemort and the death eaters would derive pleasure from.The password was never really meant to function as a security measure, and was more of a symbol/formality. Anyone who was forced to utter the password would be given a not so subtle reminder of who was defeated in order to assume the position.

Another possibility is that ‘Dumbledore’ was never the password at all. We know that the gargoyle guarding the headmasters office is cognizant of who is trying to enter- this is supported by the fact that Umbridge was refused entry while she was acting as school headmistress:
"... The Fat Friar told me -" he dropped his voice conspiratorially, so that Harry, Ron and Hermione had to lean closer to him to hear "- that Umbridge tried to get back into his office last night after they'd searched the castle and grounds for him. Couldn't get past the gargoyle. The Head's office has sealed itself against her." Ernie smirked. "Apparently she had a right little tantrum."

In a magical world, it’s reasonable to assume that methods of security are more advanced- and perhaps change, dynamically, according to who it is that is actually trying to enter. With that being said, it’s entirely possible that ‘Dumbledore’ was a password that was entirely specific to Harry. Where ‘Dumbledore’ may not have worked for someone else as a password, it WOULD work for Harry. Given the gargoyle’s high level of awareness- I think that a more dynamic password makes the most sense. Perhaps the password isn’t significant at all, and it’s more about worthiness of entry- this would explain why Umbridge was never permitted in to the office.

What do you guys think? Why would Snape set the password to ‘Dumbledore’? Did he even set the password? Let us know down in the comment section below

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[bonnafide]

What I think is amazing is that the office shut out Umbridge and not Snape. I think the office must have known that Snape was not evil ( which honestly should have been a clue to everyone else.)

[emankcin]

My theory: When Dumbledore says it takes as much bravery to stand against friends as enemies, I think he is referring to Snape who abandoned his Death Eater friends.

[zakariyachowdhury]

My theory is that snape my have placed conditions on the entry that if Harry yearns to enter it it will grants his request.- knowing that one day he may need it

[Kani_]

Omg I was thinking of requesting a video but now I am here I forgot!!!!😕

[ndungeon]

How did voldemort get his wand back after he was disembodied

[sketchycube]

Actually, it is more likely that Snape made the password "Dumbledore" because that his loyalty actually lies in Dumbledore. He lied to Voldemort and The Death Eaters that it was that password to feel good about the death of Dumbledore, because he is a very good occulemens.

[xJottox]

Maybe it reflects what the headmaster thinks a lot about at that period of time. Snape thinks about what Dumbledore has asked him to do. Dumbledore thinks about various sorts of candy ;)

[MarshWaha]

Ok a possible answer to your question could be that Snape purposely did this so Harry could get into Dumbledores office.
I would further add that Snape also did this probably out of respect for Dumbledore, because I do believe they were friends as well as allies, but I think Snape knew that making the password Dumbledore made sense because the office originally belong to Dumbledore and he probably did it out of pure respect for the former headmaster. I mean, after all Snape did go to Dumbledore for help and was willing to do anything even give up information about Voldemort to Dumbledore. And Dumbledore gave him that chance so it could be of his way of repenting, even though Dumbledore told him to kill him, it could be his way of, asking for forgiveness of killing Dumbledore.

[bethanytaylor]

I never thought it was actually the password. I have always imagined the gargoyles moved aside out of respect for Harry and exasperation of alö that was going on.

[moush]

I think you can only enter if the headmaster wants you to enter. Snape ordered Harry to take his memories and in HPB Harry is ordered by Dumbledore to enter his room, and in OTP Umbridge was denied entry as the true headmaster denied her entry thus she couldn't enter.

[MountainFisher]

The Gargoyle knew Harry and saying Dumbledore was all he needed. I don't think Snape set Dumbledore as the password, he'd probably make it Lily Evans.

[deanwalia]

Can you do a video about Dumbledore's full life

[CreatureCal]

Theory idea: What if Cedric “got back to the cup” like Harry told him to?

[johnwinchesterp]

I think snape must have changed the previous password after ginny, nevile and luna tried to steal the grufindor sword. So he used smt the allies of dumbledore would never suspect he would have had the audacity to use. And if his fellow death eaters find the new password out he could just say it is a way to humiliate the memory of dumbledore. But I doubt he would have liked the death eaters to know the password and surprise him while he was making his plans to help harry.

[syikinmalfoy]

im the new subscriber on this youtube channel. since im really obsessed with harry potter, im in love with this channel !! this channel would be my one of fav channel om youtube.

[amanekabbaj]

Omg that makes perfect sense. But sometimes the gargoyle chooses to enter only with a password. For example in the goblet of fire when Harry is desperate after leaving crouch with Krum. Or does he just not have time to say anything? I’m pretty sure he guesses cockroach clusters.

[twentyeight]

Theory: What if Lily and James didn't trust Peter Pettigrew the night they got killed

[lm]

I don’t believe the password is relevant to anything particular, one theory could be is that it could prevent access to someone acting under the imperius curse or poly juice potion? My main theory is that because the office has a Griffin-door, and I believe the office was created by Godrick Gryffindor, then the door would only open to the headmaster/person that reflects a trait or intent of a Gryffindor.

To fit my theory, the main trait or intent must be courage, daring, nerve, and/or chivalry (according to Harry Potter Wiki). There are far too many examples to list, but my point is that I believe the Griffin-door reflects the values of Godrick Gryffindor himself and completes the quotes of Dumbledore; “It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities” with reference to all characters AND “Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it/deserve it” with possible reference to Harry and Umbridge?

[gugurupurasudaikirai]

Theory: Why was Dobby killed with that knife even though by that point he probably owned enough sweaters to block it, did he take most of his clothes off before heading to rescue Harry?

[adamsimon]

I think Snape knew, Harry will have to use the pensive, so Snape set the passord something obvious for harry.