<P> All seven novels show Snape to be a very powerful wizard and to have been outstanding while a student . He specialises in potion making and has talent and passion for the Dark Arts . Sirius claimed that Snape knew more hexes and curses as a first - year student at Hogwarts than most seventh - years knew . Particularly gifted in potion making, Snape added major improvements to his Potions textbook while still a student . Also as a student, Snape shows a rare gift for discovering new spells . Lupin describes Sectumsempra as Snape's "speciality" in Deathly Hallows . Snape is shown using this spell as a teenager against Harry's father James and in the aerial battle in the last novel when he accidentally hits George Weasley (acting as a Potter decoy) with it while actually aiming for a Death Eater who was trying to attack Lupin, causing George's right ear to be severed off permanently . Despite Sectumsempra's deadly power, Snape can also heal the wounds it causes . Snape is adept at reversing or containing fatal damage from other dark curses as well, due to his vast knowledge of Dark Arts, as he does when Dumbledore and then Katie Bell are cursed . Skilful in the arts of Legilimency and especially Occlumency, Snape is able to both access the minds of others and protect his own thoughts--indeed, though Snape does not care for the term himself, Harry forms the uncomfortable impression early in the series that the Potions Master is able to "read minds ." Being an Occlumens, Snape is able to keep his betrayal from Voldemort, who is himself described as being "the greatest Legilimens" in history . According to Rowling, Snape is the only Death Eater capable of producing a full Patronus, which, like Lily's, is a doe . Snape is a talented duellist, able to hold off by himself (if only briefly) a group of three Hogwarts professors that included former duelling champion Filius Flitwick . Professor McGonagall later implies that Snape learned to fly without the use of a broom, a rare skill previously displayed only by Voldemort . </P> <P> Snape's family background is mostly shown in flashbacks during the course of the last three novels . Snape was born to Eileen Prince, a witch, and Tobias Snape, a Muggle, making him a half - blood (hence the name, "Half - Blood Prince"). This is rare for a Death Eater, as remarked in the last book, though Voldemort himself also had a Muggle father . Snape spent his early childhood living with his parents in a small house in Spinner's End . Snape's family was a poor one and he is described as wearing ill - fitting clothes "that were so mis - matched that it looked deliberate". As a child, Snape was apparently neglected and his parents often fought with one another . Snape was very eager to leave his home to go to Hogwarts . Towards the end of the last novel, Harry draws parallels between his childhood, Snape's, and Voldemort's . </P> <P> Snape's true loyalty was one of the most significant questions in the series up until the end of the final instalment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . Although the first five novels depict him as unfair and vindictive towards Harry and his friends, he invariably ends up protecting or otherwise helping them when they or their allies are in danger . Several characters express doubts about his loyalty, but Dumbledore's trust in him is generally taken to be the final word . The sixth novel, Harry Potter and the Half - Blood Prince, departs from that model . In the second chapter, Snape claims to have been working for Voldemort ever since the latter's return, and only pretending to help Dumbledore . By killing Dumbledore toward the end of the novel, Snape seems to place himself firmly in Voldemort's camp . Rowling maintains this impression through the early chapters of the seventh novel . However, near the climax of the book, Snape leaves Harry his dying thoughts (to be viewed in the Pensieve) and ultimately reveals to Harry that he had been loyal to Albus Dumbledore throughout the series . Snape's fierce devotion to and love of his childhood friend Lily, Harry's mother, is the foundation of that loyalty . </P> <P> After Harry Potter and the Half - Blood Prince, Snape's loyalty was a matter of intense debate among the fans . The issue was given special attention in the marketing campaigns on behalf of the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows . "Is Snape Good or Evil?" was one of the questions in Scholastic Inc.'s seven - question series, part of its marketing campaign for the book . As part of the Waldenbooks marketing campaign, two free stickers, one that said "Trust Snape" and another that stated "Snape Is A Very Bad Man" were available with the book . Borders Group published a separate book on the topic, The Great Snape Debate, containing essays and arguments from both sides of the debate . </P>

What came out of snape when he died