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Severus Snape

The Essentials:

Born: 1960
Occupation: Potions Master/Professor and Head of Slytherin House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Family: Unclear. When he taught Harry Occlumency, flashes of his past were shown - may have indicated an abusive childhood.
Talents: Skilled Occlumens, Potions Brewing, Dark Arts

Appearances Can be Deceiving:

~Shoulder length black hair, greasy
~crooked nose, yellowing teeth
~pale
~Tall and imposing
~Black eyes
~Dark Mark on left arm

It is important to take the details of Snape's appearance with a grain of salt. The stories are told from Harry's POV, and it's clear Harry is not a fan of Snape. While it is clear Harry is not making everything up, it's also reasonable to assume some things are exaggerated. More than just Harry have called Snape a 'greasy git' , although some people (ahem, Webmistress!) like to think of his hair as silky.

A Troubled History

Snape has always been interested in the dark arts. It was said that he knew more curses and hexes when he started Hogwarts than most upperclassmen.

Thanks to Harry's snooping in Snape's penseive, we were able to learn quite a bit more of his past than other adults. Snape attended Hogwarts in the same year as Remus, Sirius, James and Peter. He was never shown with any friends, although later when he joined up with the Death Eaters it was with a group of young Slytherins.

James Potter and Snape never got along, always took every opportunity to hex each other and bicker. James and Sirius made up Snape's nickname, Snivellus. James also made fun of Snape's unkempt appearance.

Snape was suspicious of Remus' whereabouts every full moon and so he started snooping. Sirius got frustrated and lured Snape to the tunnel beneath the Whomping Willow - during a full moon. If Snape had been able to go through the tunnel, he could've been killed by Remus. James was able to stop him and Snape resents that he owes him his life.

Fault Line

Snape is resentful. His behaviour with Harry is one example, as well as his attitude with Sirius. He was more than willing to turn Sirius over to the dementors in PoA. He also showed a small prejudice to werewolves in POA, but was able to set it aside most of the book.

His teaching methods include intimidation and bullying. He picks on the worst students and the best - unless they�re part of the Slytherin household.

Shining Characteristics

Snape will not be cowed by authority. He stood up to Fudge and even went so far as to show him his dark mark to prove Voldemort had returned. Dumbledore fully trusts Snape and so do the other professors at the school. He�s extremely intelligent and seemingly loyal. Even though he appears to detest Harry and his friends, Snape has repeatedly saved their lives.

Just What is Snape up to Now?

Snape exposed himself as a spy to Voldemort at least twice. In the Philosopher�s Stone and in GoF he proved he wasn�t on Voldemort�s side. Despite this, Dumbledore sent him on a mission at the end of GoF and he�s involved with the Order in OotP.

Although it�s unclear how he talked his way out of it, it�s likely Voldemort still considers Snape a Death Eater. If he�d been exposed as a spy, the Slytherin students would know and would behave differently with him.

It is probable that Snape tells Voldemort unimportant details from the Order to cover his presense there. He must be considered a spy by both sides.

Theories

There are many. Most people tend to think there�s a lot more to Snape than we�ve seen.

~Snape is nice to the Slytherins because they�re picked on by every other professor/student
~Snape is mean to Harry to keep up appearances (great theory, but why is he mean to Harry in private as well!?)
~Snape loved Lily Potter - no real canon evidence to support this theory
~Some even think Snape may really be spying for Voldemort (never!)

Luna Lovegood

The Essentials:

Born: 1981 - Same school year as Ginny Weasley
Nickname: Loony - she has even referred to herself as Loony
Parents: Father is editor of the Quibbler, Mother deceased.
House: Ravenclaw
From: Possibly one of the Lovegoods from Ottery St Catchpole that were mentioned in GoF

Style:

Luna has waistlength dirty blond hair. She likes to tuck her wand behind her ear when it's not in use. She's been known to dress uniquely, with items including radish earrings and a necklace made of butterbeer corks. She often has a dreamy appearance to her, and her proturbant eyes make her look like she's constantly surprised.

The Woman Behind the Girl:

Luna's life was changed forever when, as a nine year old, she witnessed her mother's death. Mrs Lovegood was a talented witch who loved to experiment with magic. Unfortunately one of her experimental spells went wrong and she died. Luna still cares deeply for her mother and firmly believes she will meet with her again in the afterlife.

Because of her mother's death, Luna was not only able to see the Thestrals, but she also could hear the voices from beyond the veil. These things helped Harry look past her exterior and truely think of her as a friend.

Luna is teased all the time by her housemates and others who know her/of her. She's had personal items taken and hidden until the end of the year at least twice (she knew they'd be returned in OotP, so it must've happened at least once before). She could be considered an outcast.

She doesn't have many friends - Ginny is one but even she teases her. Hermione never grew to like Luna, although, considering Luna's participation in the attack at the Ministry, it is probable Hermione will at least respect her. Ron doesn't seem to know what to think of her - especially when she stares at him and calls him "Ronald". She most likely has/had a crush on him in OotP.

Luna has a unique view on things. She believes in creatures no one else does and doesn't have a problem telling anyone who'll listen (even those who don't want to!) She is straightforward, honest, blunt, loyal and patient. She doesn't stick up for herself much, but this could be because she just might not care about the teasing.

Theories:

There are a couple different theories on why Luna acts the way she does. Here are a few:

1) It's fake. Luna purposely acts crazy so no one can know the real her - reasons vary.
2) Luna subconsiously behaves oddly for selfpreservation. The death of her mum may be the root of this.
3) For some reason, a few people seem to think Luna will be evil or betray Harry - Total crap, of course!
4) Luna's similar name to Lupin makes some think that she's somehow related to him.