Summary
Despite the rather ominous moniker of “The Half-Blood Prince,“Severus Snaperemains one of the more enigmatic characters in theHarry Potterfranchise. Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape showed a remarkable depth to the former Headmaster and Defence Against the Dark Arts professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, perhaps an integral part of Snape’s personification isn’t just his overall role in the story of Harry’s life, but also his skills as a wizard.
Being a double agent for both the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix, Snape played a vital role in the Second Wizarding War against the Dark Lord Voldemort. While Snape sacrificed his life to help Harry succeed, his legacy in Hogwarts and the Wizarding World remains not just in his deeds but also in the powerful spells he invented. However, of Snape’s inventions, just which spells are the most remarkable in his arsenal?
Protego
Effects
Generates an invisible force field that protects the user from physical effects and Spells
Considering how theShield Charmis joined by the Stunning Spell astwo of the most fundamental defensive options ofHogwarts Legacyplayers, it makes sense for the Charm to be one of the best spells a wizard or witch can learn in their stay at Hogwarts. Such is the potency of the Shield Charm that it’s taught only to sixth-years as part of their Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum, with the spell even modifiable to meet certain needs.
At its core, Protego can protect its users against most projectiles - not just physical effects but also Hexes, Jinxes, and Minor Curses. While not capable of deflecting Unforgivable Curses, it should be enough to protect users from most attacks. Snape uses this during his separate confrontations against Harry Potter and Minerva McGonagall, both of which he’s able to survive due to this shield.
Incendio
Creates a jet of flames that can set things on fire
Despite being a spell taught to students as early as freshmen at Hogwarts,Incendiocan be a deadly spell in a wizard’s arsenal when used incorrectly. Originally intended to merely set things on fire, Incendio could be used more tactically in the right hands. Such is its potential danger that Incendio is taught once again to sophomores and reviewed in preparation for OWLs.
InHogwarts Mystery, Professors Snape and McGonagallused Incendioto save Ben Copper from the mysterious cursed ice. During their dialogue before casting the Spell, McGonagall tells Snape to focus on burning the ice away from Ben’s body, meaning there is a way to control not just the trajectory but also the strength of the flames produced.
Stuns the target, making them unconscious
Among the Charms one could learn at Hogwarts, theStunning Charmmay be one of the most useful spells any magic-user could have in their arsenal. When used,Stupefy is capable of stunning its target and rendering them unconscious. In duels, this can instantly end fights before things get worse, lessening damage to both camps.
Interestingly enough, Stupefy is extremely useful as its “stuns” can affect objects. When used on inanimate objects, moving items can be stopped at exactly where they were hit. Snape uses Stupefy non-verbally against Filius Flitwick during his visit to his office during the attack of the Death Eaters at Hogwarts.
Sends target away from the caster
At first glance, theBanishing Charmseems like a typical “opposing” Spell that theHarry Potterseries usually has. After all, the “pushing” Banishing Charm is technically the opposite of the “pulling” Summoning Charm, this time able to send targets away from the caster. However, as proven by Snape,the Banishing Charm can be extremely potent when used correctly.
As demonstrated inThe Cursed Child, a confrontation between Snape and Dolores Umbridge from the Time-Turner’s alternate timeline would have the former use Depulso on the latter. This proved powerful enough to knock away Dolores, who herself was a powerful witch.
Releases tendrils of ropes that bind enemies
WhileIncarcerousseems likea simple Conjuration Spellat first glance, its ability to conjure tendrils of rope to bind its targets can become one of the most powerful Spells inHarry Potterwhen used correctly. Since the spell can be cast nonverbally, opponents may never realize that they’re already bound until the ropes start to tighten around them.
Moreover, as shown by the way Dolores Umbridge used them against the centaurs during theOrder of the Phoenixfilm, Incarcerous could be modified to also wrap around the throat, possibly choking its victims.
Vulnera Satentur
Medical charm that can stop blood flow, start healing, and stitch the wound
When Harry carelessly uses Sectumsempra against Draco Malfoy, Snape rushes to his student’s aid and starts healing him withVulnera Sanentur. The Spell doesn’t have a formal designation, but it’s revealed to be capable of healing the wounds inflicted by Sectumsempra, albeit to a basic degree.
It’s revealed thatVulnera Sanentur is a potent counter-curse with healing properties. For the spell to work as intended, it has to be cast three times as a song. The first incantation slows the blood flow, the second incantation starts to heal the wounds, and the third incantation stitches the wound.
Expelliarmus
Force whatever the target is holding to fly out of their hand, disarming them
Originally intended to merely force items out of their owner’s hands, theDisarming Charmbecame one of the most pivotal spells in a wizard’s arsenal due to its implications. After all, with wizards and witches inherently reliant on their wands to cast spells, disarming them of their wands would render them useless in duels.
Such was the impact of Expelliarmus inHarry Potterthat it was one of the firstspells highlighted in the previews ofHogwarts Legacy. Snape is seen performing this as early asChamber of Secrets, where the professor is seen disarming then-Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Gilderoy Lockhart in a duel demonstration.
Lacerates and severely hemorrhages the target
Originally tagged “for enemies,“Sectumsemprahas grown in renown asone of the deadlier cursesinvented by Snape. When cast, the curse mimics the slashing of a sword, causing lacerations on the target alongside severe hemorrhaging. Such was the dangerous nature of the Spell that it hits in the general direction of the wand, making it deadly to bystanders should the caster miss their mark.
When Snape invented the spell, it seems he intended it to be used against his enemies. There was no indication as to who those “enemies” were, however. While minor wounds from the curse can be cured by magic, severed body parts can no longer be regrown. Snape used this spell against James Potter and accidentally severed the ear of George Weasley.
Expecto Patronum
Creates a spirit guardian out of one’s positive emotions, the only effective defense against Dementors and Lethifolds
Among the most powerful spells in Snape’s arsenal is the one Spell that separates him from other Death Eaters: thePatronus Charm. Known as perhaps the primary defense against Dementors, the Patronus Charm channels positive emotions into a tangible spirit guardian that protects its user.
In the case of Snape, such was his love and devotion for Lily Evans thathis Patronus Charm took the form of a doe, the same as Lily’s. Due to Snape’s affection for Lily, which even extended to her son, Harry Potter, Snape is the only Death Eater among Voldemort’s ranks who can create a Patronus Charm.
Avada Kedavra
It causes an instantaneous and painless death to a target creature or person, with the effect usually accompanied by a flash of green light
Among the three Unforgivable Curses, theKilling Curseis perhaps the deadliest of them all - quite literally. When cast, the jet of green light from the caster’s wand becomes a blinding green flash upon hitting the target. If successful, the spell’s target dies an instant and painless death.
The most popular user of Avada Kedavra was Lord Voldemort, who attempted to use this on Harry but failed after being protected by Lily using her sacrifice of love.Snape himself used Avada Kedavraon Albus Dumbledore, ending his suffering and sparing Draco Malfoy the trauma of murder.
