Did Severus Snape Always Care for Harry Potter?

Severus Snape's relationship with Harry Potter is complex and layered. Over the course of the series, his behavior towards Harry fluctuates between hostility and apparent protectiveness. While many believe that Snape's actions are driven by genuine care for Harry, a closer look at the details reveals a more nuanced and often conflicted relationship.

Initial Hostility

In the early books, Snape is portrayed as a strict and often hostile professor. He appears to take pleasure in punishing Harry, leading many to conclude that he dislikes him. However, this initial hostility is not as straightforward as it may seem.

Underlying Motives

As the series progresses, it becomes clear that Snape's harshness towards Harry is partly a reflection of his own unresolved feelings. He resents Harry for being the son of James Potter, Lily's husband, whom Snape disliked. This resentment is rooted in deeper, more complicated feelings. Snape's experiences with Lily and James have left him with a conflicting mix of love, guilt, and resentment.

Protection

Despite his harsh words and actions, Snape is driven by a deep commitment to protect Harry. This protection, however, is born from a complex mix of guilt, love, and a desire to appease Lily. His decision to join the Order of the Phoenix and protect Harry demonstrates a willingness to put himself in danger for the boy's sake, though his methods often border on the cruel and manipulative.

Final Revelation

The complexity of Snape's character is highlighted in the final book. His memories reveal the depth of his feelings for Lily and his commitment to protecting her son. This shows that despite his outward demeanor, his actions were ultimately driven by a deep albeit complicated sense of care rooted in his past love for Lily Potter.

However, it's important to note that Snape's behavior towards Harry is not always driven by genuine care. His initial hostility to Harry is often a reflection of his underlying feelings towards James Potter. Snape's hatred for James was so strong that it clouded his judgment, causing him to view Harry through the lens of his past grudges. This is evident in his comments and actions towards Harry, which often reflect a deep-seated resentment rather than an honest assessment of the boy's character.

The Turning Point

The turning point in Snape's relationship with Harry comes in the final moments of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. After a long and painful revelation, Snape is seen casting his patronus, a silver doe, which is a direct sign of Lily's presence. This moment is a powerful indicator of the depth of Snape's love for Lily, not Harry. Dumbledore's tears and his words also confirm this, as he states, "After all this time, always," emphasizing that Snape's true feelings were for Lily, not for Harry.

Snape's actions towards Harry, while often protective, do not stem from a genuine desire to care for him. His guilt over Lily's death and Dumbledore's manipulation play significant roles in shaping his behavior. Despite this, the reader is left with a complex picture of a man torn between his past and his present, driven by a love and a sense of duty that ultimately influences his actions.