Why Snape Was Forced To Teach Potions [Harry Potter Theory]

[@SuperCarlinBrothers]

Join us for another round of Harry Potter Trivia this Friday, June 5 at 4pm Eastern!

[@glob_4663]

Cool

[@Builerboy091]

First

[@renlikesturtles]

I solemnly swear I will be there.

[@glob_4663]

bruh moment

[@TitanicBoyJ]

Your the best guy and keep my lock down fun thankyou

[@jasoncolvin8390]

I also noticed that in all the years snape was potions master, he never assigned the students instructions from the book. He always conjured it up on the board. Which is why Hermione's potions were always perfect until 6th year. When she started having to use the book, she started struggling. But the only student 6th year that excelled was still using the written instruction of snape.

[@wow1371]

Exactly, this here is all the signs one needs

[@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1024]

This is exactly why teachers need to stop being paid for reading from a book litterally that's most of their job Or if they don't read the book they watch the students read the book while getting to be lazy Honestly teachers being underpaid is a joke they're overpaid they should be paid minimum wage if that even I can read the same thing from a book 6 times a day for an hour each especially if I'm getting paid $8 a hour Now the good teachers yeah but most teachers aren't good

[@georgiawilliams668]

OMG MIND BLOWN!! 🤯

[@karlrovey]

@@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz1024 Even with teaching out of a book, you still need to know the subject matter. Imagine teaching out of a music textbook if you can't read music. You still need to actually introduce the subject. You need to do more than simply use examples out of the book.

[@Wand422]

@@karlrovey I'm a hostory buff to a minor degree and I could teach mad history just using the curriculum and so could every other 1/10th of the population who enjoys a little history and can form sentences in a cohesive manner. Teachers often are a joke. Then you find those teachers who are just above and beyond and those ones really shine. Being a teacher is easy. Teaching isn't.

[@vorobuh_the_1]

“Dumbledore’s big plan” series finished, time for “Dumbledore’s small plans”

[@michaelab1128]

"Dumbledore's lunch plans"

[@suzyq-zy216]

Brilliant!

[@geraldgrenier8132]

@@michaelab1128 Kanna nom nom nom

[@matewhatthefuck6516]

Hahaha yes, quite exactly

[@MrGabeanator]

lol

[@Sadeyr]

I always thought the reason he wasn't allowed to teach defense against the dark arts was due to it being cursed, and Dumbledore not wanting to risk someone as important as Snape getting affected by the cursed position until he absolutely needed the students to be prepared for what was to come.

[@rawdaaljawhary4174]

I always wondered, why couldn't Dumbledore remove the jinx from that job? Moldy Voldy had the last laugh on that one.

[@electricheartpony]

​@@rawdaaljawhary4174Voldemort is dead so his magic is gone.

[@The_BassWood_Who_Cried_Pancake]

I may be wrong but I think Dumbledore confirms this in the books

[@Gecko_Zen]

@@rawdaaljawhary4174from what I’ve read the jinx was just that strong that dumbledore with the elder wand couldn’t remove it

[@arabellamileham9978]

I wonder if Dumbledore ever tried a rolling job substitute job share for the DADA prof role?? 🤔

[@rhombicosidodecahedron4821]

The real theory I'm taking away from this video is that Snape hated James so much that he refused to line the pockets of Fleamont Potter, and never bought any hair products ever again.

[@ganondorf797]

I just came to the comments to discuss this

[@champme5820]

Also, the way James hair is described I don’t think he used them either😂

[@motiongames6072]

Champ&me no he did

[@robertgronewold3326]

@@champme5820 But James was the opposite. He loved having his hair with that constant 'I just got off a Quidditch broom' chaos. In the book, he even messed up his hair intentionally.

[@venurm1286]

The slimeball

[@UnorthodoxSoundwave.]

So.... Dumbledore puts Snape in the position of Potions Teacher to psychologically torture him into protecting Harry using the death of his One and Only Crush? Sounds about right.

[@keegannielsen]

How did you see the video this early

[@buttermonkeyFTW]

@@keegannielsen notifications

[@francargeric1]

I wouldnt be surprised if Dumbledore had Lilies grow near his window too. Can't be too cautious.

[@atlascalliopecharon]

ah yes

[@ThatOneLadyOverHere]

Dumbledore really like to torture both Harry and Snape...

[@mackenzieoakes5661]

One crucial part you are forgetting here, is that the only reason Slughorn even says Harry is as good as his mother at potions, was becuase he was reading out of Snapes book in the first place. So snape was according to Slughorn already as good as lily but unrecognized.

[@munnchi]

was looking for this oversight right here

[@VA_Nightshade]

I am of the mind that since Snape only started getting better near the end, the Slughorn took notice of him, but possibly avoided bringing him into his circle at that point because he was growing closer to the Death Eaters. He does feel guilt for Voldemort's rise after all, and would most likely be keeping an eye on his former student out of fear.

[@Fellow_Gamer]

The reason why Lily was so good at potions -- she was diddly daddling with Snape on the side 😏😏😏

[@Ellis_Hugh]

Gotta think that Snape was tutoring Lily on potions as well, at least at first.

[@silver5776]

Next episode: Why Quirell was holding the iguana

[@LixiaWinter]

It's his service animal, relieves anxiety attacks.

[@BloodLegaZ]

He was teaching what muggle would do to them if they ever reached high amounts of radiation. And when the door to the classroom opened by Mcgonagall he shrunk down Godzilla into his un-radiated state, an iguana.

[@BjornV1994]

It would an interesting topic to explore, perhaps the fifth year is suppossed to teach students about how non-magical animals are used in dark rituals and how to set up counter rituals (Oliver Wood was a fifth year student). We know that snakes for example are often used in the Dark Arts but other animals might used as well or could be used in counter spells. If they explore the topic however, it would be even more interesting to see what student are supposed to be taught in each year, if everything went perfect. My guess would be: First year: simple hexes and curses that more useful as pranks and an introductionary course to the dark arts and what to defend against. Second year: simple counter spells to defuse situations and probably the disarmment spell Expelliarmus. Other simple duelling spells might also have been part of curriculum if given by someone competent. Third year: Defense against dark magical creatures of lower dangerous classes. Fourth year: more advanced counter spells, the introduction of darker spells and the first introduction of the Unforgivable curses (without demonstration, if given by someone else than Barty Crouch Jr.). Fifth year: Dark rituals and counter rituals and the use of animals in these rituals. (If given by someone else than Umbridge), combined with anything that came before in previous years at the OWL examens. Sixth year: Giving students a deeper and more thorought understanding of how dark the Dark Arts could really be. This is the point the gloves come off and the students are exposed more to results of the darkest arts and a proper demonstration of the Unforgivable curses. They have to know what they are up against and learn how to combat most. Also an applied emphasis on nonverbal magic. Seventh year: Curse recognition and curse breaking, patronus charm and more of the hardest and strongest defensive spells. Probably some of the final forms of dark arts with the sole exception of the Horcrux.

[@inkaviolet]

If only Harry would have decent DADA teacher at fifth year, we might know the answer! ;)

[@More13Feen]

🤣 lol! Would love to know

[@happyfellowship4291]

"THESE SOCKS ARE AMAZING!!" I LEGIT GOT SO MUCH HAPPIER THE PROPHECY HAS BEEN *FULFILLED*

[@ethanbartiromo2888]

That was literally my favorite part of the channel!

[@beamerball666]

@@ethanbartiromo2888 I was also happy to hear that

[@littenkid2263]

Where u expecting him to go "And a special thanks to these patrons"?

[@adenosinetriphosphate2494]

“ You applied for Defense Against the Dark Arts?” “Yes” “And you were... unsuccessful?” “Obviously” Ron: **giggles** **SLAP**

[@jacobsun1564]

i feel like they timed the slaps really well in the movies, the yule ball and harry saying but i am the chosen one for example

[@tradeka4206]

@@jacobsun1564 YES, those moments are so funny. It’s the little stuff like that the really makes the movies great, I still like the books a lot more but the movies really brought the characters to life with stuff like that.

[@johnny2003]

He showed him what the five fingers said to the face. But by fingers I mean paper and by face I mean back of the head.

[@lemongal7172]

@@tradeka4206 yes I just wish they included the potions bit in the sorcerers stone when they were doing their quests like ron did the wizard chess i wish hermione got to do potions like in the book

[@bmxriderforlife1234]

@@tradeka4206 some characters. Some got neglected.

[@AustynSN]

Another idea that just popped into my mind as to why Lilly was considered better than Severus in potions class: When they were in school, Lilly was probably just mastering and memorizing what was in the text book. If she did this well, then she could easily become "the best in the class" in Slughorn's eyes. However, Snape wasn't just following rules, he was experimenting, trying new things, and examining the underlying rules of the potions to TRULY MASTER them. Undoubtedly, this experimentation probably led to several wrong paths that actually made him seem incapable or even inept at the lessons. As an amateur master of muggle home practical potions (IE cooking), I can verify that for every "Cheese Corn Stuffing" or "Purrizzos" I've created, there have been five other recipes that only my dogs have enjoyed.

[@alexifelton1070]

It’s kind of like in muggles school you can get the same answer but if you use a different method you will get in trouble

[@AZDfox]

And even doing something well can get bad initial reactions. Everyone hates on my Pizzadillas, right up until they taste them.

[@basantasenabiswas9459]

@@alexifelton1070 I secretly use different methods and no one knows 😉

[@claudeyaz]

He likely also didnt want to outshine his love lol

[@int0x80]

That’s very Ravenclaw of Snape,

[@annaz4727]

I always assumed it was because of the curse against the defense against the dark arts teachers and since Dumbledore wanted to keep Severus at Hogwarts he gave Snape a safer position (potions)

[@virginiasantiagofox6461]

Zoë Taylor Me too

[@candicenunez976]

sameee

[@eliv.o7105]

This is the most sound argument; along with Snape being really good at potions. I believe that he finally got the position because he had to leave at the end.

[@victoriarees4540]

Maybe this is what JKR intended but then people started over analyzing and things began to fall into place for other, more interesting theories. Also, JKR needed a plot device for Snape to die.

[@dreadsocialistroberts]

@@victoriarees4540 And for Snape to live safely. I don't think Dumbledore intended Snape to die, either, but knew it was a possibility.

[@demetrisloukas8586]

A lot of people are saying this but I feel like it's pretty implied that Snape is the best potions master alive if not of all time. He dismisses the book and his own instructions always prove better. Hermione starts struggling in year six when she stops following his instructions and Harry starts actually being good at the subject when he starts following his instructions. Snape's knowledge is constantly proven to be much wider than the one of the book and if a lot of people knew what he knows they would have updated the books and teaching material. He's probably the only one who has ever understood potions in such depth

[@acealpine6806]

A year late but Slughorn was the best source and he says Snape was outclassed .

[@chiefroo]

@@acealpine6806 ^ this. it’s a lot of assumptions to make based on very little context (we don’t have many other potions masters to compare him to, and the one that we do is lazy by nature)

[@acealpine6806]

@@chiefroo But Rowling was the voice of Slughorn in the books. Thus when Slughorn said "Lily was even better than Snape", it pretty much means that according to Rowling herself, Lily was better at potions. Slughorn had a nose for students with _real talent_ or students with great connections. But Snape wasn't in the club. Why? Well we know that he had no valuable connections. And he was poor. That left _talent_ . So if Snape really were as "talented" as Snape stans swear he was, Slughorn would have quickly snatched him up. But Slughorn never picked Snape. Could it be that Snape was a regular student who learned through trial + error? Could it be that Snape only got good at his profession after years of practice? I think that's the case. And I think many of his notes came from his former best friend. That's why he had to write them down. A true prodigy would know all that by heart. But Rickman was cool, so Snape became a highly overrated character who could not fail. In truth, Snape was a normal student (bright but no genius) who failed as often as he had succeeded . The man pulled off ONE trick ( shielding his thoughts from Voldemort) and he became a god in the eyes of Snape fans.

[@chiefroo]

@@acealpine6806 totally agree. the fact that lily is a muggleborn (who slughorn shows prejudice against even after the first wizarding war against voldemort) and therefore has no wozarding connections just proves how impressive she truly was. i’m willing to believe even that snape was naturally gifted at potions and maybe spurred by his love/obsession with lily and hatred for james, but he’s nowhere near the level of a potions savant.

[@shizachan8421]

@@acealpine6806 To be honest, with how powerful Snape is in various subjects of magic, I wouldn't assume that Snape actually lacked talent, its more likely that despite his talent, Slughorn was just not interested in him. When it comes to the Club, he cares alot about the prestige and outward apperances of it and Snape was a poor and pretty anti-social loner who was predominantly known for being highly obsessed with the Dark Arts, plus he was a half-blood, which probably made him rather boring. With Lily on the other hand, she was both talented as well as pretty charismatic and I think her being a muggleborn gave Slughorn the opportunity to engage in some performative activism in publicly supporting her. We know that Slughorn has some prejudices, as he considered it something remarkable that Lily was as talented as she was despite her heritage, so I would assume that he liked to engage in charitable tokenism when it comes to muggleborn students he allows into his club. Basically "look at me, I'm giving this little muggleborn a leg up". Not saying that Lily might not have been actually better at the subject than Snape, especially since I would assume that she spend more time learning for it than him, while Snape was constantly experimenting with his own curses or hanging out with future-death eaters.

[@thieuthieu]

Snape "Re-Wrote the book on potions." That's how good he was. Nobody in the Wizarding World was better.

[@Wand422]

Yeah, I always read between the lines that "lily was his favorite student" and lily was the best student meaning more in the lines of affection + talent rather then purely talent. I don't know that she outshone Snape in raw potions talent. Maybe she got better grades but grades aren't definitive evidence in my experience.

[@Feuerpfeil369]

I also just realised that Snape always knows what the students did wrong. So he recognised in which of the steps the students missed an ingredient. Just another addition to his teaching not from the books.

[@afifmajid8754]

Personally, I'd like to know how good other Death Eaters were. Despite the fact that they were outnumbering the OotP, they were going toe to toe to talents like Sirius, James, Lily, Lupin, Longbottoms Moody etc. Like how good was Lucius really? Or even randos like Dolohov or Yaxley or whoever was a Death Eater at the time, they couldn't have been far off

[@colestrange448]

Absolutely

[@SeanLaMontagne]

Love this take. Snape was the most knowledgeable portions master in the entire Wizarding World at the time.

[@erinfulse7939]

"These socks are amazing!!" you have no idea how much I'd missed this line

[@thunderflare59]

Dobby loved that line.

[@keegannielsen]

Me too

[@MrDUneven]

They have lost a prefect chance to say "these clocks are amazing" with Vincero

[@motiongames6072]

Yes I do

[@Rachel-uy7pv]

same

[@theXtraXofsf]

I do so love the irony that Harry's family was made rich by a hair care products but yet his hair was famously uncontrollable.

[@flowingwaters5118]

Therein lies the reason the family created the hair care line..out of control hair in the family

[@clairebeane3455]

@@flowingwaters5118 As someone with notoriously “out of control hair”, I can entirely empathize with this need.

[@mentalpopcorn2304]

@@flowingwaters5118 which makes the true irony the fact that even though James and harry potters ancestor made it, they still just leave their hair out of control

[@elizabitty213]

Hahahaha

[@ChaosArchives667]

Fun fact: The actor who played Severus Snape once said in an older movie of his he was facing an apartment door numbered 394 and said "I am going to make that number sound very sexy one day"

[@ItBePatYo]

You mean Alan Rickman?

[@katiecantrell6028]

“Turn to page 394”

[@viciousimpaler]

Oh. My. God. And he did it in the best way imaginable!!!!

[@raibyo]

Why dafuq did I just read 394 in Snape's voice?

[@alexandersong72]

@@raibyo Because we all do. Always.

[@Potato-pn8sg]

"Why does Snape teach potions?" "He wanted to teach herbology, BUT HIS LILY DIED!"

[@basantasenabiswas9459]

That's funny and morbid and sad in the same way

[@zendzend5107]

He still blames the Potter to this day

[@charliecharlie4605]

That’s terrible 😂

[@pokegem8733]

😅

[@PCTDG]

Too soon. Always too soon.

[@Caeljharden]

I never believed that Dumbledore put Snape in Potions because he was scared Snape would revert back to his death eater days.. honestly, if that were true, I highly doubt Dumbledore would hire him to be around students PERIOD if he thought there was even a tiny microscopic chance Snape would turn back… not to mention potions are super dangerous and would be MUCH easier to kill Harry and call it an accident if he did snap back to his old ways. “Oops.. didn’t mean to kill Harry.. just got the labels wrong on this Potion. My bad” But yeah I just always thought it was because of the curse Tom put on the position, and giving Snape the job would most likely result in some kind of situation where Snape lost the position after a year. And Dumbledore needed Snape because he was super important to his plan. He couldn’t afford to lose him at the time.

[@cameronestes2737]

Honestly that is the real reason (curse I mean)

[@KillerofGods]

What curse on the position?

[@vettedude102]

@@KillerofGods voldemort put a curse on the position when he didn't get it so that no one could keep it 2 years in a row.

[@Manpigeon]

@@KillerofGods That curse could take effect in any form too almost seemingly affecting destiny. Death, memory loss, reputation hit, soul removal, assaulted/traumatized by centaurs, etc.

[@eshbena]

@@KillerofGods If you read the books, it's all explained. OR, Google it. XD

[@peverell_kaur]

Lol imagine it being just that Dumbledore has more trouble finding a potions teacher than a dark arts teacher... I mean, the potions position opens up in 6th year and Dumbledore has to get Slughorn, who was hiding as a chair, and CONVINCE him to take the job

[@Wand422]

To be fair things started to go dark at this time though. Finding any teacher was probably becoming tougher. People tend to lockdown and shell-up in crisis.

[@madelinegutierrez1720]

@@Wand422 hmmmm Reminding everyone not to - not try out - for potions teach during these unique times

[@facundotortora687]

Slughorn was brought with the EXCUSE of potions class, the real purpose was his memories

[@michaelodonnell824]

Actually, Dumbledore wanted Slughorn back at the school to get the memory out of him. I think that Dumbledore probably gave Snape the DADA job to leave an opening for Slughorn.

[@dustinmaxwell259]

There was a curse on the Dark Arts class, placed there by Voldemort himself. It's in the books. Why would Dumbledore place a very valuable spy in such a dangerous position? That's like being in a war and telling your best general to walk on a tightrope, 50 feet above ground, with no safety nets. Why not make it quick and simply zap Snape in the head?

[@joshjohnson8316]

*"Obviously"* Ron laughs *THWACK*

[@pengweng3795]

Ahhh, very reminiscent of the study hall scene in goblet (where they find out hermione has a date and don’t believe her)

[@RandomPerson-fg1jf]

This is my favourite Snape quote.

[@kevinecrux7928]

Gotta love Mcgonigal being ignored for being the most responsible teacher, since ever. She even wanted harry to not be on the doorstep as a baby.

[@zibix4562]

I mean she does become defacto second in command for dumbledore for the general school AND ends up becoming headmistress. I dont think she was ignored for her contributions.

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Snape: I don't want to Dumbledore: *Dew it*

[@Josh-the-man]

Take this job and your journey towards the light side will be complete

[@reaganorton1710]

It’s so mean of Dumbledore

[@sheabo0012]

Reagan Orton can’t tell if you’re joking or...

[@robthekoopa]

Palpatine voice*

[@elizabethmaraj530]

We love a good crossover

[@triplethreat2862]

Who else loves how they’ve been making Harry Potter theories for the last few months

[@heysup8331]

Meee. I checked out your channel and it’s awesome, I subbed keep up the great work

[@petercouchey]

Haha I think you meant to say years 😂😂 haha, but they have stepped up their theory game as of late

[@Zadok_Z]

Im not gonna say I don't like the theories but I would like a little break from the theories

[@anntecz]

The theories are the best. I love them and it's what drew me to their channel :)

[@h.t.8812]

Yesss!! I love their HP theory videos so much, I've probably watched every one of them, I really hope they keep making those (and that there's enough theories for that)

[@jameslee4519]

I feel like Barty Crouch would have lived a long and happy life if he had just decided to become a Hogwarts professor for real after school instead of becoming a death eater. He seemed to really like teaching (I mean, he got so carried away that he ACTUALLY taught Harry how to fight off the dark arts when his objective was supposed to be send Harry to Voldemort to get killed) and was good at it

[@Manpigeon]

He supposedly was a brilliant straight 'Outstanding' student. My guess is he was somewhat like a young Dumbledore. Prideful and ideologically ambitious. 'I am smart/strong therefore I am right' mentality.

[@juststopalready]

Harry didn't learn how to throw off the curse from crouch, a different video proves it

[@indiaf2389]

Dumbledore: so uh what’s the deal with the iguana, Quirrell? Quirrell: peT

[@mamaof2528]

An iguana isn’t that far from a snake, and he was growing Voldy out of his head. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@josetieneoro]

P-p-pet*

[@insaincaldo]

Yeah, but why bring a none magical pet to show and tell in a Defense Against the Dark Arts class?

[@mollywhiteman8956]

indi a f it was show and tell day

[@Rachel-uy7pv]

lol

[@beastwriter3915]

Draco Malfoy used Sleakeazys Hair Potion until third year when he found out the Potters made it.

[@maymay5600]

maybe he secretly used it, lol

[@יערההלר]

Love it!

[@ilp8067]

Sounds more accurate then acurrate .😂😂😂

[@varianmetcalf8220]

@@ilp8067 literally

[@maxedgerton2374]

One of my (semi) head canons is that Dumbledore knew that he would have to rely on Snape to protect Harry; not wanting Snape to become one of those that falls to the curse on the DADA position whilst also knowing that explaining this to Snape may make him even more bitter towards Harry. Maybe it was just simpler for Dumbledore to keep his two favourite chess pieces safe on the board?

[@tylerbass7133]

Snape: Hmmm I need to impress this girl who loves potions and hates the dark arts...I will become good at potions and invent dark spells...wait

[@AnzuBrief]

Snape: Hmmm I need to impress my muggle-born friend with whom I've been deeply in love for years... I will join this group of muggle-born haters that wish to eradicate her kind from Earth. Snape's logic is not very solid.

[@anghainguyen9951]

@@AnzuBrief Was there any non hating half-Muggles group in Slytherin house at that time?

[@davidsandrock7826]

Symbolically, the first thing Snape ever says to Harry means: "I bitterly regret Lily's death."

[@connerpeterson1119]

Yeah, they literally just said that.

[@eragon666s]

More like, im dead inside. But close enough.

[@that1nerd756]

@@eragon666s I feel like it's one of those things that kinda depends in interpretation because of how different the meanings of the plants are to different people.

[@christalbot210]

The potion that's created by mixing those things is "The Draught of Living Death"...something you could argue Snape was experiencing.

[@Scrubject16]

I'm confused as to where he got that from. How does the name of a fictional plant equate to the word regret.

[@emryshale4989]

Since Snape is so good at potions I can only imagine how good he is at cooking. Like, rewriting the potions book because other methods make better use of the ingredients? Knowing each ingredient's particular uses? He'd definitely top Gordon Ramsey

[@shizachan8421]

Not to forget that he even beats Gordon Ramsey in verbally abusing the people he's supposed to teach.

[@boldbearings]

Alphonse said "Alchemy was born in the kitchen."

[@brianpotter2812]

Thanks...now I have images of Snape teaching home ec in the muggle world calling them to eff off lol

[@MoooseBlood]

That’s how I always explain cooking to people who say they’re bad at it. Just think of it as a science experiment you can eat.

[@StormSage13]

Given the option between Snape and Umbridge for DADA or Potions, I feel like they landed where they were needed. Could you imagine Umbridge with access to truth serum? Arming her stooges with a polyjuice potion and have them sneak around and find those who don't support her? Snape as the potions master was safer alternative.

[@Mehwhatevr]

Umbridge couldn't have made veritaserum. If she could have, then she would have.

[@Mehwhatevr]

@Coded Perfection yeah... I know she thought she was using it Harry.So I say. If she could have made it, then she would have done everything StormSage said regardless of her position.

[@fjolliff6308]

I'm so sorry! You had 69 likes on this before I swooped in and clicked the thumbs up before realizing the grave mistake I was making... But you still deserve a like on it so I won't be removing it.

[@StormSage13]

@@fjolliff6308 I understand and I forgive you

[@kaenachoo4783]

I thought the reason Dumbledore wouldn’t let him teach DADA was because the job was jinxed and Snape would only last a year. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@chanbricks4461]

That's what I thought too, he couldn't risk the life of Snape

[@beccag2758]

I mean, he does hire Lupin and (unknowingly fake) Mad Eye, both allies who he wouldn't want dead

[@luskaneseprince]

@@beccag2758 I don't think it was common for DADA professors to end up dead though. I mean the position had been cursed, like for what, twenty years at least by the point Harry entered the school? If the professors almost always ended up dead, there would be no more candidates to ever apply for the position. I think it was more common that they ended up leaving for other reasons (like let's say pregnancies, better-paying jobs, disagreements with the other staff members or regular mental health related stuff), and it wouldn't be life-threatening or anything. The deaths and serious injuries maybe came into the picture because of Harry's presence in the school. He caused Quirrell to die because he tried to stop him from taking the Sorcerer's stone. He caused Lockhart to enter the Chamber of Secrets and eventually shoot himself with the memory spell. Crouch Jr. was in the school because he wanted to get Harry killed, but of course got busted in the process and sent back to Azkaban. Harry gave Umbridge to the centaurs knowing what would happen to her. And eventually because of Harry's and Voldemort's fight, Snape also had to die so. Yeah, although he couldn't be blamed for anything other than what happened to Umbridge, all that violence and death probably started only after Harry entered the school, not before it.

[@Megan-xt1ni]

Becca G they were each only planning to teach for a year. Lupin wanted to catch Sirius and Mad Eye postponed his retirement.

[@joeh9468]

Ben mentions this at 4:37 , though it could have been a side reason, it wasn't the main reason

[@sandorsbox]

Just because he wasn’t Slughorn’s favorite doesn’t mean Snape wasn’t a potions prodigy. His book was what made Harry so good. Snape was EXTREMELY good at potions, even if Lily was better.

[@eonbart]

This. I think he might have been even better. Slughorn was the type of guy that not only was hunting for the single best but wanted to surround himself with carismatic and cheerful people. Snape was none of it.

[@agirlinabasementofyourdaddy]

Same. Snape was most likely one of those, that are excellent at something, but they just dont show it or do it silently. Also, looking at Slughorn's favorite students, seems like classism also played major role in who's gonna be his favorite. Snape was that poor, rugged and quiet type of a student.

[@brianpotter2812]

Slughorn only surrounded himself with people that were in the "in crowd" like Harry, Willoughby, etc. Snape was picked on at school and not revered, so he was never asked to join the Slug club. Lily was an exceptional student (and muggle born) which intrigued other students and in turn Slughorn. Had Snape been more popular he too would have been invited (but this is another thing he loathes the Marauder's for as they were popular and he wasn't)

[@taylors445]

@@agirlinabasementofyourdaddy I mean he took on Voldemort who at the time was a penny less orphan. I guess you could argue he saw “greatest” in him. But wouldn’t that mean he also would give Snape a chance? Since he was such a poison prodigy. I mean it could also be an oversight from JK Rowling lol

[@hadrianhexe9603]

@@taylors445 Yeah, Volde was a pennyless orphan but he was an /incredibly/ handsome, charming and talented wizard who quickly gained popularity and was thought of as a model student. That more than qualifies him to be considered in crowd material, versus the likes of Snapes who was constantly bullied by everyone around him.

[@tinad8561]

Sorry, disagree. 1) Slughorn is hardly objective in his assessment of students; Lily gave him gifts that flattered his ego. Snape wasn’t likely to ever do that. 2) James & Sirius being able to brew complicated positions doesn’t exclude Snape from being as good or better-not doing isn’t the same as can’t do. 3) Interests and talents don’t necessarily accord. I was interested in botany, but more talented at languages. When I was hired to teach, it was English, not biology, I was hired for.

[@DaDunge]

The likelihood that they are both potions prodigies is rather small, and if the true genius was Snape then Lily's potions grades would have dropped in her newt years, while if the real genius was Lily Snape still had the book which could well be based on earlier experimentation by the two of them.

[@Mehwhatevr]

@@DaDunge except they were both prodigies weren't they? We have the book as evidence that Snape is a prodigy, and Slughorn's word that Lily was. I'll go further and say that Snape is more talented based on that line Slughorn gives. 7:35. he's not saying that Even Severus was not as good as lily. He's saying that even Severus could not produce such a fine potion on the first attempt. everything in between the hyphens is extra information that can be excluded. It's instinctive you know, why even Severus couldn't have done it. “But I don’t think I’ve ever known such a natural at Potions!” said Slughorn, re-garding Harry with a fond, if bloodshot, eye. “Instinctive, you know - like his mother! I’ve only ever taught a few with this kind of ability, I can tell you that, Sybill - why even Severus -” he stops and drags Snape over and finishes his speech after Snape claims he never felt like he taught Harry anything. “Well, then, it’s natural ability!” shouted Slughorn. “You should have seen what he gave me, first lesson, Draught of Living Death - never had a student produce finer on a first attempt, I don’t think even you, Severus -” that he dragged Snape's name into it means Snape is the best potions student he ever taught.

[@grismatics]

@@Mehwhatevr i think you're right there.

[@StephanySyndrome]

I literally only have to read your first sentence to up vote this

[@kernelparadigm]

interesting fact james potter is said to use the spell levicorpus on snape which he created before him and was quite famous but not known who made it, just like sectum sempra

[@Magnymbus]

Anyone else notice: Draught of living death; Litterally how Snape feels now that Lily is dead.

[@klaudiagrob]

That's extremely sad. It's like he lives but he feels dead.

[@slevinchannel7589]

Just gonna drop some stuff so you can do whatever you think is right to do with these links and infos: kzbin.info/door/PkzNt6_5HCsI1NEwmt1ycQabout​ -Cybermobbing. kzbin.info/door/kfx4FiFG8HX31dDKnnVkUAabout -Slightly insulting brat. kzbin.info/door/g1jrDwUVFVj489Wwa77cbwabout -Repeated Heavy Insults. kzbin.infoabout -Extreme Insult-Rants, sometimes over 100 Words long! Really intense stuff, like „r%%% mothers“. kzbin.info/door/tsDNGgF54yKLaV5yeCvIAgabout​ -EXTREME Insults, again, also about hurting mothers left and right. A Psycho. kzbin.infoabout​ -Hey! Someone who actually got deleted! Shows that it sure can work. Hope exists. Either way; have a wonderful day. And DO NOT go into the forbidden forest!!

[@joshuadesautels]

THAT'S an interesting thought.

[@TheErikaGuy]

Which is why he wants to teach DADA so badly knowing that the position is cursed….

[@SpaceJesus2098]

Counter thoery: Snape was such a potions nerd that he did what hermione did and red the advanced textbooks waaaaay ahead of time. And then he like Lily so much that he helped her in all of their classes and it got her good grades. Snape did for Lily exactly what Hermione does for Harry and Ron in their potions classes - sneaky little fixes, tips, helping out so that their grades don't slip because they're friends.

[@Maria_Bar]

Yep. And that's why Sectumsempra was first used in the lakeshore scene, which is year 5, not 6.

[@pianofry1138]

Maybe a little but not to Ron and Harry levels . Lily was still written to be smart but Snape seems to be in a league with the likes of Dumbledore.

[@αστρον]

@@pianofry1138 Thats vasty overestimating him

[@zlonewolf]

@aotpov no considering that Snape killed Dumbledore. He did surpass Dumbledore. Even Harry Potter surpassed Dumbledore by defeating Voldemort that throughout all the years haunted Dumbledore and his magic academy that Dumbledore could do nothing against even the death eaters much less Voldemort. Thus "professor" Dumbledore is the one who is overestimated and highly exaggerated of his "skills".

[@αστρον]

@@zlonewolf 1.Dumbledor let himself be killed as part of his plan. 2.It was Voldemorts overconfidence,Dumbledors plan and harrys admirable perfomance that defeated Voldemort. And no Dumbledore deserves every credit that he gets.

[@Rpglanbay]

Supercarlinbrothers videos: 30% Theories 70% Lockhart Wow that's a lotta likes for my dumb joke, thank you!

[@DustyStarrs]

totally valid though

[@theduelist92]

Phretty obvious!

[@varianmetcalf8220]

PHreTtY ObViOUs

[@professorsnape805]

Lockharts an air head

[@sillygoosetaur]

Severus Snape can’t be, it was PRHETTEY OBVIOUS what you were going to do

[@cindyyin8614]

Umbridge: But you were unsuccessful Me: You aren’t really successful either UMBRIDGE!!!

[@linkthehero8431]

Umbridge reminds me a lot of US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos 🤣 Not sorry 😊

[@pokemonprojektczandrockruf2388]

Can’t like this comment must keep you on 100

[@TheZamaron]

I love that scene where the cheery sounding but evil Umbridge is questioning Snape and he responds in his usual bored sounding tone, such a fun short interaction.😂

[@hm-pu1ui]

Ben: then in Prisoner of Azkaban- *Remus stans collectively raise guns* Ben: - Lupin was pretty great. *Lowers guns*

[@rishabhanand4973]

Sophia Gallagher also, barty crouch jr was actually a pretty good teacher too. And I would say less evil than his successor

[@slevinchannel7589]

We still have no idea what this uguana is about.

[@jordanhaines2213]

What’s uguana?

[@thomasa8814]

@rishabh anand Crouch Jr got 12 owls so he was an extremely smart wizard I'm not surprised he was a pretty good teacher as well.

[@alyssadileone6806]

THESE SOCKS ARE AMAZINGGG!!! (I haven't heard that in a while I can't believe you finally got sponsored!)

[@pengweng3795]

Senora Pickle only the og’s feel that nostalgia

[@Here4Years]

I actually clapped when he said it!

[@armadillolover99]

They’ve had sponsors for a long time already, but hearing that again is the nostalgic throwback I needed. I wish they’d bring that back

[@aurorarmariazell]

I'm so happy for you guys!

[@Yomama47777]

@@Here4Years yeah lol

[@clintonweir7609]

Well, there is the fact that the Defense Against the Dark Arts job is cursed, which is why there's a new teacher every year. DD probably doesn't want Snape to be cursed.

[@Orangenkraft]

My theory: The post was cursed and Dumbledore needed Snape around? 😅

[@maraudentium2607]

Orangenkraft its this and no other reason. Dumbledore didn’t give Snape the DADA position because he couldn’t afford to lose him. It traces back to Dumbledore’s past and “the greater good”.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

@@maraudentium2607 t he covered the issue with that theory in the video

[@sarthakraghav7591]

AND he didn't care if LUPIN or MOODY are killed or sent away by the jinx? That's...dark...

[@rejuno1991]

@@sarthakraghav7591 Moody was gonna retire after the year so he was safe, lupin was in only because of Sirius' escape

[@peterblaikie3744]

I would think that Severus would never outshine Lily (because how he feels about her) and probably was content to be her equal (as to not show her up) but probably was a natural prodigy keeping his skills just below hers.

[@danielribeiro1433]

he was probably better than her IMO, but Slughorn was very bias in is opinions and had noticeable favourites

[@erickknight1239]

I always thought that Snape was helping Lily, like Hermione was helping Ron and Harry. Slughorn took a liking to her because she was muggle born and to have that talent with that background would have intrigued him. Snape was a Slytherin, Slughorn looked over him because he didn't have a note worthy heritage.

[@RiceCubeTech]

Harry, despite being essentially raised by muggles didn’t really super struggle in school. He was lazy but still got decent enough grades. Not hermione smart, but smart enough. I don’t think snape helped lily since they got super distanced after a few years in school. Especially after she started dating James

[@teaareuh]

What if it was part of Dumbledore's plan to have it seem like Snape really wanted the position? That way when Voldemort returned it would seem like even though Snape was working with Dumbledore he wasn't trusted and was at the bottom of his ranks. I mean Dumbledore was one of Voldemort's most hated people, it's not a stretch to think he would be distrustful of Snape during his return. That way when Snape did "turn" on Dumbledore it didn't seem crazy to Voldemort. I think it would be interesting if Snape didn't really care about what position he held, but pretended like he was to someday avenge Lily. Always.

[@harrycarter3781]

+

[@bluefireplayz7102]

Me: on a video call with my friends Supercarlinbros: uploads Me: uh I have to go to the toilet for 15 mins

[@galli0]

Use 1.5-2× speed and you use less time but dont have to skip parts😁

[@randomizerperson]

I think one of the reasons Snape never outshone Lily was because she was his friend and crush at the time, so he wouldn't take the top spot away from her. Lily would also be using Snape's notes/alterations to make herself better. Also, Slughorn only really cares about students with connections that he can use, hence why he remembers Lily: not only was she the top student of his class, she was also popular and social.

[@Predated2]

Here is actually something I always thought about the dark arts position: Dumbledore was actually suspicious of what kind of curse it was and didnt want Severus to be harmed and just gave the job to people he suspected to have something going on with them, or needed something temporary in the first place. Lets look at all the dark arts teachers up untill Dumbledore died: Quirrel, came back from vacation and suddenly turned very secretive and was easily scared. Lockhart, suddenly rose in popularity by having books in so many topics that he should've been famous long before publishing them. Lupin, who had a really tough time getting a job, Hogwarts would probably pay its teachers quite lucratively, so even 1 year of high salary would help Lupin pay his bills. Moody, who was definitely added due to the Triwizard tournament and Dumbledore suspecting Voldemort to return, having a high class Auror on site during that year. Having a retired Auror with experience against Voldemort would obviously be the best choice there. Umbridge, well, we all know what was wrong with her. Snape, now, Dumbledore's death was planned a long time ago. Dumbledore knew Snape could only teach for 1 more year there. He hoped Voldemort trusted him well enough to become the next headmaster in the best case scenario, and in the worst case scenario, Snape would obviously never be able to return to Hogwarts. Dumbledore knowing of the curse and simply wanting to protect Snape untill the time was right. I mean, lets be honest, even Harry was just a pawn in Dumbledore's chess game for the longest period of time. If Dumbledore needed bait for Voldemort, he'd use Harry without too much thought.

[@jh23rangers71]

i thought this theory was practically confirmed at this point

[@Richtofen-gy9cj]

Moody was added to keep an eye on Karkaroff, a former death eater

[@pwotatopie5550]

Video: Starts Ben:This video is sponsored by....... Me: Freeing House Elf’s!

[@pinkajou656]

Anime Crossing S. P. E. W.

[@Stephyrodolfo]

Snape was always shy and pulling away from attention as a kid. Maybe he was behind Lily’s “out-of-this-world-once-in-a-life-time” ability with potions but he’d just help her and take a step back to let her shine; maybe she learned from the best!

[@johnslade9751]

I don't know, Slughorn was always keeping his eye on people who he perceived as talented, he ignored that one student for eating like a slob, who's to say he didn't ignore snape?

[@Crydus]

My theory here is that Snape wasn't that good of a portion student the beginning of his school time, I think that he learned a lot from Lily. Slughorn and Lily had a very close relationship, particularly because she was an excellent potions student. So I think that through years one to five, Lily helped Snape with potions and Snape put so much effort into this to impress Lily. So that he was at an excellent level in his OWL and NEWT level. But due to his frequent fights with James he never became a member of slug club. Although this isn't thought through 100% I personally like this idea. It shows the importance of Lily in Snape's life..

[@Crydus]

Edit: Although I also find the explanation in the video really good :D

[@supr33]

What if the potions tips written in Snape's books are Lily's adjustments that he copied down? Maybe Snape's real aptitude was for duelling and inventing dark curses after all

[@SeanLaMontagne]

@@Crydus Hey that's a cool theory

[@mathewwaddell6070]

In the Half Blood Prince the Slytherin's would went out of their way to say Slughorn wasn't interested in Deatheaters or anyone with any association with them

[@Illjwamh]

Snape did invent Levicorpus. When Harry attempts to use it on him, he says this: "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them - I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like your filthy father, would you?"

[@anapaulaovalles7748]

Wasn’t that septumsempra?

[@Illjwamh]

@@anapaulaovalles7748 He tried sectumsempra first, but Snape's above quote was in direct response to Harry trying to use levicorpus.

[@darthjarjar7572]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was 'Sectumsempra', but I'll have to check.

[@melaniejackson-cracchiolo356]

Illjwamh I don’t think it was because of Levicorpus. I think it was because of Sectrumsempra.

[@Phoenix.219]

@@darthjarjar7572 it was "Sectumsempra"only

[@SpottedHares]

I think what we learn about Snap from book six shows us why. Despite his love of the Dark Arts and great knowledge of them, and his poor capacity as a teacher, Snape was still one of the best if not the best potion maker alive. He improved potion recipes that had been standard since he was a kid while he was still in school. He was so gifted just reading and following his recipes made Harry look like a natural prodigy at potion making.

[@ThatOneLadyOverHere]

Next theory: why isn't Harry as good at everything as his parents? They were good at EVERYTHING, but he's only really good at DAD and flying.

[@aberdeen0107]

Probably because he grew up in an abusive household

[@kcocozza]

aberdeen maybe but I think sense of the scarring memories might restrict him from the really good pure charms and sense his dad wasn’t really responsible so herbatolgy is out

[@rikk319]

Because, just like with real humans, you're not born with talents but have to be taught them.

[@AllTheArtsy]

@@rikk319 you are not taught talents either, you practice, using dedicated time and effort to be better

[@homer_sexual]

It's possible his parents were talented but not extraordinaly so, people are just inclined to remember them as greater than they actually were due to them dying at such a young age. It's not uncommon in real life to exaggerate the positive qualities when reminiscing those who died "too soon".

[@laneminor6240]

The iguana could be a possible reference to the Moche people of Peru, a civilization that had a deity named "Wrinkle Face" who was often depicted with an iguana, thus forming a deity with two faces in all his artistic depictions.

[@maymay5600]

interesting

[@Cbawls]

Interesting, but i wonder if j.k rowling thought that far

[@aceofspades9503]

@@Cbawls Rowling put a crazy amount of hidden symbolism in her books- things that make way too much sense to be coincidence. Check the SuperCarlinBrothers video on numerology and all the character's names to have your mind blown, for example.

[@Cbawls]

Kat R honestly i think it depends, cause i cant believe she would scrap all that for the sake of being PC in today’s times

[@fairith90]

In Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 28 "Snapes Worst Memory" it reads: "Snape had directed his wand straight at James; there was a flash of light and a gash appeared on the side of James's face, spattering his robes with blood." So I think Snape invented Sectumsempra before his OWLs and before calling Lily a Mudblood. Therefore he has written in Advanced Potion-Making before his 6th year. edit: Also, at the end of Halfblood Prince (Chapter 28: Flight of the Prince) when Harry chases Snape, Snape replies to Harry using Levicorpus and Sectumsempra on him - "You dare use my own spells against me, Potter?" (spellS as in plural), so I guess he invented Levicorpus too?

[@surferdude4487]

I think the book originally belonged to Snape's mother. He was studying it long before he entered his sixth year.

[@PCTDG]

Haven't watched the video yet, here's the reason why Snape wasn't given DADA professor post - it was cursed by Voldemort and no professor could stay for long. And Dumbledore WANTED Snape to be around at Hogwarts for longer Now on to the video- 1. No, there is no evidence to suggest that Snape was applying for that post every year. Sure, that was the first job he applied for. But subsequently there's no suggestion that he applied again. He WANTED the job was common knowledge though 2. Lily was supposedly good at Potions but it could be Snape helping her (childhood friends) or Slughorn not being objective- or both. 3. I can't recall any mention of Snape being bad or mediocre at Potions before year 6. Due to a hand me down book it was revealed that he was good at Potions in 6 year but prior to that too he might have been good at it. Lily was one of the brightest Slughorn ever taught. Does that mean Snape wasn't? If you have two possible theories that give the same outcome often it is the easier one that is true

[@gigantycznejabko9362]

Pallavi Chaturvedi yeah, no idea why this theory even exists considering it’s actually explained lol

[@Mehwhatevr]

@@gigantycznejabko9362 yeah, plus they took that line out of context. clear as veritaserum, Slughorn was claiming that even Severus wasn't such a natural at potions implying that Severus was superior to Lily. Lily was a natural at potions too, but Severus was better. And he's not sure if even Severus could have produced a finer first attempt. “But I don’t think I’ve ever known such a natural at Potions!” said Slughorn, re-garding Harry with a fond, if bloodshot, eye. “Instinctive, you know - like his mother! I’ve only ever taught a few with this kind of ability, I can tell you that, Sybill - why even Severus -” he stops, realizes that Snape is nearby and drags Snape over, tries to give him the credit, and finishes his speech after Snape claims he never felt like he taught Harry anything. “Well, then, it’s natural ability!” shouted Slughorn. “You should have seen what he gave me, first lesson, Draught of Living Death - never had a student produce finer on a first attempt, I don’t think even you, Severus -”

[@shreyaajith1704]

in book 5 when umbridge is inspecting him...... well, u'll see

[@B_Squar3d]

Commenting early: I thought it had to do something with the curse Tom Riddle put on the position. Dumbledore can't let Snape teach DADA because the position is cursed, so he'd lose access to his double-agent. Which is why he's allowed in book 6 because Dumbledore's plan allows for it at this point and the Horcruxes are being destroyed.

[@kevinmacdonald9269]

I find it hard to imagine Snape learned so much about potions and decided to write it all in his 6th year potions textbook ONLY after, from what you said, he became obsessed with learning potions right after his DADA OWLS humilation. So, if we assume he moved on to a 7th grade textbook after his 6th, he at MOST had just over a year to learn and write down subtle things like using the FLAT side of his silver knife to squash a bean instead of cutting it, let alone knowing to add a counter stir every 7th stir to a draught of living death (which Slughorn says is a potion far beyond anything 6th years would have attempted). Snape having had a desire to learn potions only to try and impress Lily seems farfetched. The fact that he was able to improve upon the method of the draught of living death as a teenager implies he was skilled at potions before even trying to impress Lily. This is all assuming Snape didn't use his 6th grade potions textbooks margins as a diary in his adult years after becoming potions master and accidently left it in his old classroom as an adult

[@OwenMiller13]

It is his emotional support iguana!

[@lunaredelvour2972]

Obviously😂

[@insaincaldo]

Must be

[@mollywhiteman8956]

Owen Miller show and tell ✨

[@vaishalimathur1]

Encourager.

[@Rachel-uy7pv]

yup!

[@MC-gj8fg]

"Trust" isn't a particularly necessary prerequisite when you're one of the most potent mages of all time and mind reading magic is a thing.

[@juanmoreno6591]

except when you're talking about trusting the person who's entire adult life has revolved around being able to obfuscate that mind reading magic and lie to the other of the most potent mages of all time that's around.

[@thisislydiarae]

Except when the guy you're trusting was able to keep the darkest wizard of all time from reading his thoughts. And presumably, you.

[@buttermonkeyFTW]

@@thisislydiarae yea exactly. Snape is WAY better at occlumency than Dumbledore is at Legilimency.

[@mathewwaddell6070]

@@buttermonkeyFTW I don't think Snape was better at occlumency Dumbledore wouldn't have use it against someone as he wouldn't just wouldn't just Apparate into a person's house it would be an invasion of privacy at worst he ever does is use Veritaserum on fake Moody

[@jacobweatherford4696]

To be honest snape did a magnificent job teaching potions considering how easily his students learned to make polyjuice potion

[@alliyanasgalaxies]

They found the recipe in a book in the restricted section, he didn't teach them

[@positivityprobably1458]

Ben: *Or is it something more manipulative?* **Pretty Obvious.**

[@sunilpermaul7876]

0:40 This would have been an amazing opportunity for Snape to show empathy/mutual hatred for a person. Imagine if he gave 5 points to Gryffindor during this moment. *Umbridge:* ...but you were unsuccessful? *Snape:* Obviously. *Ron sniggers* *...Umbridge leaves...* *Snape:* ...and 5 points to Gryffindor. If even a "Weasley" can recognize incompetence.

[@lynnerose7891]

Then why did Albus ask him “after all this time?” if he was knew exactly why he was forcing Snape to teach Potions?

[@gahlwynfjorn3961]

I’ve always read inbetween the lines of Lily being amazing in Slughorn’s class: it’s because Severus was helping her. Snape is the potions prodigy, and his obsession with Lily made him use that ability to get her ahead rather than himself.

[@maymay5600]

too bad she didn't get with snape at all and went with james, probably she still thought of him all the time.

[@maraudentium2607]

Yeah, I’m not into taking away the accomplishments of female characters and especially not then giving them to male characters.

[@DaDunge]

Except then Lily's potions grades would have failed in year 6. I think Lily was really into potions, Snape always trying to curry favour got his mom's book on advanced potions making long before they needed it and Lily learned it all years in advance and started experimenting, Snape kept notes for her, and when they went their separate ways Snape kept the book.

[@ShunXXX196]

OR it was that as friends that grew up together, they both really liked potions. Don't discredit Lily Evans.

[@Mehwhatevr]

they were both gifted at the least. but if you reread this quoted section of the book in context, Snape was the higher prodigy. “But I don’t think I’ve ever known such a natural at Potions!” said Slughorn, re-garding Harry with a fond, if bloodshot, eye. “Instinctive, you know - like his mother! I’ve only ever taught a few with this kind of ability, I can tell you that, Sybill - why even Severus -” he stops, realizes that Snape is nearby and drags Snape over, tries to give him the credit, and finishes his speech after Snape claims he never felt like he taught Harry anything. “Well, then, it’s natural ability!” shouted Slughorn. “You should have seen what he gave me, first lesson, Draught of Living Death - never had a student produce finer on a first attempt, I don’t think even you, Severus -” it's clear as veritaserum that Snape was better at potions than Lily. he might have been less likable than Lily, and so not Slughorn's favorite, but he was better at potions. What Slughorn was saying is not that "why even Severus was not as good as Lily" what he was saying was that "Why even Severus was not this much of a natural. Why even Severus produced such a fine Draught of Living Death." He didn't say Why even Lily. He dragged Snape into the conversation because being better than Snape at potions, at that age, is the highest of honors he could bestow. Lily was definitely talented and she might have even been a prodigy as well, but being very gifted at potions and slughorn's favorite doesn't mean she was better than Snape. Why I don't think even snape could have produced a finer first attempt. Snape is so good that maybe he could have, slughorn isn't sure. That and he didn't say, "even lily couldn't have produced such a fine attempt"

[@thescarletteve]

I am going to design a shirt that says “pretty obvious”

[@mschrisfrank2420]

Creepy Cool Girl Make it lilac.

[@eivonhanna4479]

Chris Frank hardly any of you remembered that my favourite colour is lilac 😅

[@supurflufybuny]

I’ve made one myself and I might send to them over USB :>

[@thescarletteve]

@@mschrisfrank2420 that’s my plan (changed my name 😊)

[@amberriche30]

It would be easier for Snape (that's probably not the correct spelling of his name) to infiltrate the dark lords gathering if he was to Rise again, ( Dumbledore knew that Voldemort would rise again). snape being the defense against the dark arts teacher. Means all his time and effort would seem to the dark lord as Snape working against him.

[@jenniferchoate5600]

I got to agree with some of your points Ben, but there were others that I didn't agree with at all. One was Lily herself. She was a Prefect and Severus's best friend. However, she was there when the Marauders had levitated Severus using Levicorpus, almost laughed and didn't even step in until AFTER Severus was released from the spell with the threat of him falling on his head. Two was the fact that James and Sirius being at the top of their years at Hogwarts. They may have been at the top of their year in must possibly Transfiguration, but potions?? Yea, I'm pretty sure that had help from Remus on that one. Three was the fact that Severus only got better at potions after 5th year. He had his mother's hand-me-down book. Meaning that he could have read it from front to back many, many times and only decided to write in to change the recipes as he got a better grasp on potions itself and only started making spells until after he got bullied and humiliated by the Marauders yet again. Four, was the things you pointed out about Severus' behavior after fifth year that he should have done. I agreed with some of them but the others I didn't. He more than likely had tried to apologize to Lily on multiple occasions but was they were rejected each time because she didn't want to be associated with a "slimy Slytherin" anymore because that's also around the time that she had started to give in to James' advances. Five was what he asked Harry in their first potions class together. I think he was trying to mask an apology to Harry and himself for not being there in time to save Lily from Voldemort himself. But all of these are my opinions and everyone else might disagree with me completely. So, whatever. It is what it is at this point.

[@lmn6023]

Even worse in the list of things Snape should have done is that Ben thinks he should have tried to make amends with the marauders. Why should he try to make amends with his bullies???

[@jenniferchoate5600]

@@lmn6023 Exactly. It should have been the other way around with the Marauders making amends to Severus. But seeing as that never happened nothing was resolved so was left to its devices, so to speak.

[@bread-guy001]

Jennifer Choate and LMN I agree with you both 100%, and think you get it perfectly.

[@desmondgentle1474]

I am totally stealing "clear as veritaserum"

[@pinkajou656]

Desmond Gentle I know! Wasn’t that genius!

[@allantidgwell5624]

I always figured Snape was severely depressed and so wanted the position of DDA teacher so the curse would end his suffering. He knew the risks and was asking Dumbledore each year to allow him to end his life, but Dumbledore still had need of him and so wouldn't allow that to happen

[@gagevannuys1586]

I was reading Harry Potter while I saw this notification and I had to choose between this and Harry’s speech at the Hogs head. I’m happy with my choice

[@jonihoyhoy1404]

You have made the right choise

[@mariatapias9835]

Gage Van Nuys, I’m also reading Harry Potter 5. I actually just read the chapter in which Harry sees Snape’s memory at the Pensive

[@Katie-qz5hf]

I'm also reading the Order of the Pheonix and Sirius just died 😢

[@robradical7213]

"Eighteen years...eighteen years....Lily Potter got a kid...got me teaching potions for eighteen years"

[@slevinchannel7589]

The real question is why in the world is Snape holding back his knowledge so immensely? Am i the only one who has lots of questions about the Textbook of the Half-Blood-Prince?? This thing opens Plot Holes about the teaching stuff, ya know??

[@americanbookdragon]

@@slevinchannel7589 I don't think the book was originally Snape's. He just wrote his name in it.

[@courtneycherry5582]

"I've done my waiting 18 years of it... In potions" ~ Snape at one point 😂

[@Ellis_Hugh]

Snape was definitely the third most powerful wizard of his age. Skilled enough at Potions to teach it at Hogwarts, skilled enough in Occulumens to deceive Voldemort continuously for an extended period of time... remember in the final movie when MaGonagall attacked him and he defended himself in such a manner that the attack just happened to take out the Carrows, brother and sister both, before making his flight?

[@revitalized_meat3166]

yeeeeesssss bro and macgonagal IS NOT some frail old lady, she's a solid fighter/duelist and a Hella talented witch. Talented enough to have an animagus form and a spot teaching charms (?) Which I feel I read somwhere is a hard position to get into

[@Ellis_Hugh]

@@revitalized_meat3166 Agreed. Not a knock on OG Macgonagal at all. People just don't realize what a bad@ss Snape actually was.

[@alexmartin3143]

I missed that for a long time. Severus deflecting the spell killing the two death eaters…

[@Ellis_Hugh]

@@alexmartin3143 ...and then grabbing their wands before he decided to peace out.

[@insilencea4599]

I actually think Snape was using the 6th year textbook as a notebook well before his sixth year. What do you do when you're stuck at home with nothing to read but your mother's books? If you're Snape, you study them all until you know them backwards, and then try to improve on them. In that scene after the fifth year exam, he uses a spell we don't hear to cut their hand. The only spell like that I know of is Sectumsempra, which he invented in the margins of the Potions book. Potions may not have been his favorite, but it was something he could do in his own kitchen without getting in trouble for doing magic. That being the case, he would probably have gotten Lily into it, too, and she ran with it, since that seems to have been how they worked. So, if we assume that he was writing in the book before 6th year, it may also be that he did invent Levicorpus. His friends learned it from him, who then, of course, used it in front of the Marauders, who appropriated it. Lupin does tell Harry it had a great vogue during that year, but he has no idea who started it. If it had been James he would surely have known. Which leaves the conclusion that Snape, in fact, had his own spell used against him, just not by Harry.

[@krankarvolund7771]

"Potions's talent really flood in James's blood" Yeah, talent for magic is genetic, it showed very well with Neville or Harry :p

[@aberdeen0107]

Both Harry and Neville had traumatic childhoods

[@Silburific]

Neville was incredibly gifted in herbology, and Harry in DADA. Just because they're not amazing at _everything_ doesn't mean they aren't very talented- you wouldn't say a world class violinist doesn't have talent for music because they can't play the drums.

[@Shayla.r]

@@aberdeen0107 yes, and non of them really had there parents to learn from

[@michaelodonnell824]

@@Silburific I always wondered whether Harry's DADA talent came from the fact that he's got Voldy in his head (literally). After all that was where he got Parceltongue.

[@diegozarate4328]

@@michaelodonnell824 that and the fact he had to learn that stuff for his survival

[@spiceboyog9083]

I love how lockheart says it’s pretty obvious which makes the situation worse for him. That snaps did a pretty obvious move and lockheart still couldn’t defend himself.

[@carmelitav742]

Never clicked so fast, as soon as I saw 'Snape'😂

[@idekathispoint8668]

Yeah he is my favorite character

[@holytankadinSabelane]

Dumbledore didn't want Snape to die, it's a good spy that's hard to find 😂

[@rikk319]

The only person who died while DADA professor was Quirrell, and he actually carried Voldemort, so it seems like the curse backfired.

[@billhill220]

I think Snape was just as talented and exceptional at potions as he was at defense evidence by his upgrading and simplifying his advanced potion textbook . I just believe he had more passion for defense with him making multiple spells just like he upgraded the potion book but unlike the potion book he showed off the spells enough that other people are in them put a lot of effort into his OWL unlike his upgrading the potions book that no one besides Harry discovered. Lily on the other hand put a lot of effort into her potions and showed off her talents in it so people knew that she was great at emotions unlike Snape who only saw the effort he put into the fence and didn't know his talent and potions just defence

[@TheGamerDiZ]

Well he couldn't teach Herbology.... I mean, His Lily died

[@justanartgremlin3782]

_How dare you...??_

[@galli0]

😂HAH!

[@lucifers.morningstar3805]

Too soon.

[@PhanTrung14027]

My father will hear about this!

[@sassierthangrassi2002]

cold

[@DavidFletcher08]

He's not joking about the Bombas They ARE amazing Plus when I was homeless I was given some for free, best pair of socks ive ever had I'm glad they sponsered them!!

[@DavidFletcher08]

@Sam Samson oof lol

[@SasukeUchiha723]

@Sam Samson mug-less?

[@siddharthamahato1009]

I feel like snape had talent as a potion maker from the beginning... it was his help and notes which helped lily to master the subject and snape as a lover, was happy with it

[@KetwunsGamingPad]

Gee, an alternate reality where Lily was a Potions teacher in Harry's years woh...

[@the_red_crystal]

Haven't watched the vid yet, but I feel like it's because Dumbledore wanted Snape to stay there and if the position was cursed then he might have had to leave. If Snape was the potions master then he would be able to stay longer without the chance of having to leave due to the cursed DADA position. Just finished the video and I agree with their theory as well.

[@NicolausNemeth]

Uhhh... pretty sure this was covered in the books. The Defense Against the Dark Arts position was cursed by Tom Riddle (Voldemort). Dumbledore does not place Snape there knowing this. Then, the year he does put him there, what does Snape do? He has to kill Dumbledore...

[@danny13fox43]

This is the correct story

[@rockuyt9405]

Yeah I wonder why that isn't exactly mentioned

[@qweekertom]

@@rockuyt9405 So this channel can make a 15 minute video about pure head-canon to earn money.

[@NyGeL_Derey]

13:40 also also actually actually, Snape checking if Harry good at potions as his mother

[@aniksamiurrahman6365]

Wow! You noticed that?

[@aberdeen0107]

Now that’s just a reach lol

[@svpmusic8140]

it is because Dumbledore knew the position of DADA professor was cursed and wanted to keep Snape around for longer than one year

[@IISheireenII]

Something I can't understand is: If Snape used this potions book for 6th year, why did he write Levicorpus in it? A spell that was already used against him at the end of 5th year after the OWLs. I think it is either a textbook meant for more than one year, or he already studied 6th year potions long before he had to

[@raihannashamsudin5843]

That’s exactly what I was thinking!

[@Mehwhatevr]

there's a lot wrong with this theory. Snape claims that he invented the spell when Harry tries to use his spells against him. I don't think Snape is lying. I also think Lily was his favorite simply because Lily was not just talented, but also very likable. charming, funny, etc. Snape, even if more talented than lily, was not very likable. That line he quotes in the beginning about "even severus" is not about severus not being more talented than lily. He was about to say that even Severus couldn't produce such a perfect potion on the first try. Which says the opposite. Severus is the true potions master. it may be true that he just didn't bother until sixth year, but he still had to have the talent. "Harry has such an amazing talent for potions I've never seen anything like it, he must get it from his mother, she was talented too. Even Severus didn't have this kind of talent." which means up until this point, Severus is the best potions student he ever taught. I think the real mystery is why James and Sirius weren't in the SlugClub

[@IISheireenII]

@@Mehwhatevr why James and Sirius weren't in the Slug club? Simple headcannon: They were invited once but used it for a massive prank. Sluggy didn't want to be embarast again in front of his important guests and decided to not include them

[@Mehwhatevr]

@@IISheireenII lol. that sounds possible. :)

[@slevinchannel7589]

The real question is why in the world is Snape holding back his knowledge so immensely? Am i the only one who has lots of questions about the Textbook of the Half-Blood-Prince?? This thing opens Plot Holes about the teaching stuff, ya know??

[@Shrikeswind]

9:12 - A hungry eye for contacts? I’d imagine that the eyes just open up like a mouth and eat them. Great for sight, terrible for seeing.

[@keegannielsen]

I just got to that part

[@bleentrean5849]

Thank you Ben for giving me a vision of Slughorn stealing everyone's contact lenses and shoving them all in his eyes.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I do wonder what Lily's Potions book must have looked like if she was so much better than the Half-blood prince!

[@supr33]

Maybe they are Lily's notes that Snape copied?

[@sezzac155]

I just assumed that they shared notes. So both books would have looked similar. Snape is still a prodigy at Potions, just not /as good/ as Lily. They are the dream team in Potions whenever they had the class together. The topic of schoolwork crops up a bit in conversation outside of classes. They are friends. Seems natural that they will do that. Although, this does hinge on my headcanon that his interest in Potions and DADA stem from much earlier and is because he grew up in an abusive household- when you have a magical gift and are feeling powerless because of someone in your family who doesn't have that gift of course you are going to zero in on the one advantage that you do have. It's just where those dark thoughts lead.

[@aberdeen0107]

But she wasn’t. The quote that was cut off said sth like even Severus would not have made such a good potion as HARRY not as Lilly. Meaning that Harry’s potion that he copied from Snape is even better than the potions Snape was making. Or so slughorn thinks

[@Ninjamanhammer]

Do we actually know he's not as good as Lily? All the quotes shown said she was one of the best, nothing excluded that Snape couldn't also have been.

[@saribeepo.o5111]

@@supr33 Definitely not. The fact that Snape made notes in his book that included his curses/counter curses, he wouldn't have wanted Lily to see those, which she would if he'd been copying notes off her, or she off of him. Most likely the notes in the book, he scribbled in while working out the process of improving his potions, and THEN he taught them to Lily without the book present.

[@veronicathesecond]

This really makes sense! i am always surprised at how nobody thinks of these theories, and then you watch the video, and it makes total sense.

[@ethanomcbride]

@1:52 This actually happens all the time, especially with special education teachers. No matter how good you are, if you teach special-ed you’ll never move on to something you want to teach because the hiring pool is TINY

[@shrutichad3497]

"DuMBly dOrRe" ~ Madame Maxime

[@pengweng3795]

“Bow-batens” ~ movie Dumbledore

[@pokemonprojektczandrockruf2388]

Alas, earwax - Dumbledore

[@fu40000]

Dumbledore knew Snape would’ve been a great defense against the dark arts teacher but you can only use one new teacher a year. It would make more sense to give Harry a good teacher on a higher level rather than just sticking him in a 101 class.

[@lovettebailey8730]

No he did it because he needed snaps to stay at the school until it was t8me for shape to kill him. That way when shape was supposed to kill him he had no other choice because he could not stay at the school for more than a year because of the curse this would force shape to kill dumbldore and gain voldemorts trust

[@fu40000]

@@lovettebailey8730 I thought the curse only applied to the position of defense against the dark arts not the whole school so does that mean anybody who teaches that class can’t just teach a different subject next year?🤔

[@noend85d]

Also, if Snape had been DADA teacher, he would have made the subject miserable for Harry, and he might not have excelled at it like he did. Dumbledore needed Harry to be good at DADA to give him the best chance of defeating Voldemort.

[@RiceCubeTech]

I do think dumbledoree would’ve chastised snape in that case. I think it’s more so he wanted to protect snape from the curse Voldemort placed on the position of DADA

[@lovettebailey8730]

@@RiceCubeTechexactly idk what this guy I ranting on about I thought the curse on the position was confirmed

[@charishamilton3063]

Did he say seriously while talking about the marauders I LOVE IT 🤣 8:18

[@jessicapolson7762]

Lol yeah that’s funny