Five times Harry Potter thought Severus Snape was a villain but he was actually saving the day

From the moment Severus Snape sneered at Harry Potter across Hogwarts’ Great Hall, the rivalry was set in stone. To Harry, Snape wasn’t just a strict teacher—he was a full-blown villain. The greasy hair, the cryptic glares, the constant favoritism toward Slytherin… it all screamed “dark wizard.” And let’s be honest, for a while, it really looked like Snape was out to ruin Harry’s life.

But the magic of the franchise lies in its gray areas—and Snape might just be the grayest of them all. What Harry didn’t know (and we didn’t either) was that behind every cold stare and biting insult was someone quietly, painfully choosing to do the right thing. Over and over again.

Here are five unforgettable times Harry thought Snape was plotting his downfall, when in reality, Snape was working behind the scenes to save him. Sometimes heroism wears black robes and a permanent scowl.

Harry Potter thought Severus Snape was attempting to steal the Philosopher's Stone

From the very first interaction, we could tell Harry Potter was definitely not making it to Severus Snape’s list of favorites. Throughout Philosopher’s Stone, we see the snide remarks made by Snape and Harry slowly developing an intense dislike for the Potions master. When Harry discovers that someone is attempting to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, he immediately suspects Snape. Top it off with seeing Snape making some kind of negotiation with Professor Quirrell during one of his midnight strolls; his doubts become concrete, and he is convinced that Snape is behind all the accidents happening in the castle.

What he realizes later on is more surprising—that Quirrell was behind all the attacks and incidents, and Snape was actually trying to prevent it all by urging Quirrell to come to the right side. We even see Snape making a quick getaway through a door—which, Harry realizes, was him trying to protect the Stone from whoever was trying to steal it and had caused a diversion.

When Severus Sname taught Occlumency lessons in Order of the Phoenix

Throughout the franchise, the one spell Harry uses the most is the Disarming Spell—Expelliarmus. While it’s never formally taught in any specific class, Harry first observes it in The Chamber of Secrets when Severus Snape uses it during a duel with Gilderoy Lockhart. Harry picks up the spell from that moment, and it eventually becomes his signature move, even helping him survive his duel with Voldemort in The Goblet of Fire.

While this instance doesn’t involve Harry directly misjudging Snape’s intentions, Order of the Phoenix provides several key examples of such misunderstandings. During their Occlumency lessons, Harry grows to hate Snape even more, believing he’s being cruel and invasive. In truth, Snape is trying to protect Harry by teaching him to block Voldemort from accessing his thoughts, even if his methods are harsh and ultimately ineffective.

Severus Snape was trying to deter Draco Malfoy from killing Albus Dumbledore

Throughout Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Harry keeps seeing Snape trying to help Draco do something, insisting that he take the task over and help him do it properly. Harry suspects that they both are up to something dark and dangerous, and his fears are confirmed when attacks start happening inside Hogwarts—Katie Bell getting cursed by an opal necklace and Ron Weasley getting poisoned by a glass of mead.

However, as it is revealed later on, Snape was actually trying to deter Draco’s plan to kill Dumbledore and was trying to protect him, having performed the Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa Malfoy, Draco’s mother. This later seals the deal as Snape chooses to kill Dumbledore himself, sparing Draco’s soul, which would have been shattered by a murder. Although Harry views Snape’s actions as betrayal, it is later revealed to be part of a plan between the Headmaster and Snape.

Harry thinks Snape is ruling at Hogwarts, but he is actually trying to assist Harry destroy the Horcruxes

After Half-Blood Prince, Harry’s hatred for Snape knows no bounds. To him, the Potions Master—now Headmaster of Hogwarts—is a certified Death Eater and one of Voldemort’s closest allies. However, beneath the surface, Snape was doing everything he could to help Harry destroy the Horcruxes. He arranged for Griphook to put a fake version of the Gryffindor Sword in Bellatrix’s vault to make the Dark Lord believe that one of the few things that can destroy Horcruxes was safely hidden in a Death Eater’s vault.

Later on, Snape also shows up at the Forest of Dean to give Harry the real sword, using his Patronus—a doe—to guide him. This helps Harry destroy Slytherin’s locket, getting him one step closer to defeating Voldemort.

Throughout the film, Snape was never actually a villain

All eight films are full of instances where Snape tries to protect Harry, even though Harry sees him as a villain. In the first year, Snape attempts a counter-curse to prevent Harry from falling off his broom—something the trio mistakes for sabotage, leading Hermione to set Snape’s robes on fire. In Prisoner of Azkaban, Snape shields the trio from Lupin when he transforms into a werewolf. Harry also discovers that Snape had been helping Remus all along by brewing the Wolfsbane Potion.

In Order of the Phoenix, Snape gives Professor Umbridge fake Veritaserum when she tries to interrogate Harry about Sirius Black’s whereabouts. He also delivers Harry’s message to the Order of the Phoenix and expresses concern when Harry doesn’t return from the Forbidden Forest—prompting the Order to show up at the Ministry to help him and his friends battle the Death Eaters.

Additionally, Harry assumes Snape wants Sirius Black punished or humiliated, especially when he appears to withhold help from Harry during Umbridge’s interrogation. However, Snape is following Dumbledore’s orders, and his coded message about Harry’s disappearance ultimately leads the Order of the Phoenix to the Ministry, helping save Harry and his friends. These moments underline how Harry’s perception of Snape as a villain often overshadowed the truth—that Snape was quietly trying to protect him, even when Harry couldn’t see it.

All in all, Snape wasn’t the villain Harry believed him to be. He was a silent guardian, protecting him from the shadows, driven by love and duty.

The Harry Potter films are available to stream on Disney+