As a new series based on the Harry Potter books has been announced to stream on Max, fans have been divided over the announcement. There is an ongoing interest in a continuation of the film series, especially after the recent Harry Potter Reunion streamed on Max. No matter how long the series goes for, it has been teased that there will be one season for each book, this Harry Potter adaptation will be missing an integral component: Alan Rickman.

The live-action Harry Potter adaptations have always excelled when it came to casting some of the fan-favorite characters in the series. Alan Rickman especially shined as Professor Severus Snape, who will be hard to recast in a reboot. He had a way of saying “Mr. Potter” that stopped time, making many of Snape’s quotes even more memorable due to Rickman’s delivery.

Updated on April 11, 2024, by Andrea Sandoval: Severus Snape is one of the most controversial characters from the Harry Potter franchise. However, no one can deny he had some of the most iconic quotes in both the books and the movies. Snape could be sassy, funny, and surprisingly wise at times. We updated this article to include even more quotes from people's favorite/most hated Potions professor.

15 "What Would Your Head Have Been Doing In Hogsmeade, Potter?"

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

'What would your head have been doing in Hogsmeade, Potter?' said Snape softly. 'Your head is not allowed in Hogsmeade. No part of your body has permission to be in Hogsmeade.'

In the third installment of the Harry Potter franchise, the third-year students are finally able to visit Hogsmeade. However, Harry doesn't get to go, because his despicable uncle didn't sign the permission slip. Still, using his invisibility cloak and the Marauder's Map, Harry goes to Hogsmeade.

In Hogsmeade, Harry encounters Malfoy and his friends. Using his invisibility cloak, he plays a hilarious prank on him. The only downside is that the Slytherins managed to see his head, and Severus Snape doesn't believe that it was a product of their imagination. While Snape is a strict and solemn character, his sarcasm and sense of humor are top-notch.

14 "Your Moment Has Come At Last."

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

The very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last.

Even though Gilderoy Lockhart was very popular among the ladies, several characters truly disliked him, especially Severus Snape. The Head of the Slytherin House could easily see through Lockhart, who was a huge liar and scammer. Lockhart was constantly bragging about his many fake adventures, so when the time came for him to face a dark creature, Snape didn't miss the perfect chance to mock him.

Of course, Lockhart didn't realize Snape was teasing him and believed the Hogwarts staff truly expected him to fight the creature from the Chamber of Secrets. Even though at this point in the books the readers don't really like Snape, everyone relishes Lockhart being put in his place.

13 "Fame Clearly Isn't Everything."

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Fame clearly isn't everything."

¨From the very moment Harry arrives at Hogwarts, it's pretty clear that he's Severus Snape's least favorite student. Snape mocks the Boy Who Lived for his lack of knowledge about the magical world, and emphatically comments that even though Harry is incredibly famous in the Wizarding World, he's not better than any of his peers.

The quote has become an iconic moment in Harry Potter, especially because it comes from the first installment of the franchise. What's more, Alan Rickman's delivery was particularly loved, as it truly captured Snape's essence as an antagonist. While people often root for Harry, indeed, fame isn't everything.

12 "It Is Easy To See That Nearly Six Years Of Magical Education Have Not Been Wasted On You, Potter."

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

'Oh, very good,' interrupted Snape, his lip curling. 'Yes, it is easy to see that nearly six years of magical education have not been wasted on you, Potter. Ghosts are transparent.'

In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Severus Snape finally becomes the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor — a lifelong dream —- after Albus Dumbledore hires Horace Slughorn to teach Potions at Hogwarts. Naturally, this means that Harry's favorite subject is ruined.

In one of the many classes, Snape asks Harry the difference between an Inferi and a ghost. Harry replies that ghosts, unlike, Inferis, are transparent. Snape immediately makes fun of Harry for his simplistic answer. Snape's quote is incredibly funny, even though Harry was actually right.

11 "People Might Think You're Up To... Something."

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

'People might think you're up to... Something.'

From the first installment of the Harry Potter franchise, this Severus Snape quote is one of the most famous ones in the fandom. People often quote it, especially in memes, even after all this time — pun intended. In the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie, the Golden Trio is talking about Snape's involvement with the Philosopher's Stone, when Snape approaches them and asks them why they're inside.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione become nervous immediately, which Snape clearly notices. The Potions professor teases the children as he tells them that people have become suspicious of them. The trio takes it as proof of Snape's antagonism, but Snape simply likes to make Harry uncomfortable. Either way, the quote is one of the reasons the character is particularly loved in the movies, as Alan Rickman's portrayal made him funnier and more relatable to the audience.

10 "If You Aren’t As Big A Bunch Of Dunderheads As I Usually Have To Teach."

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death...if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.

Professor Severus Snape was the Potions Master when the “Golden Trio” first began attending the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His introduction to the class teased his skill with potions and effectively excited the class. Of course, they were almost immediately brought down with Snape’s typical sardonic wit.

Snape might have one of the worst teaching methods at Hogwarts, but it was also sometimes effective. He never had a close relationship with his students like some of the other teachers. But he was still dedicated to giving them the best instruction with little to no nonsense.

9 "Do You Take Pride In Being An Insufferable Know-It-All?"

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger. Tell me, are you incapable of restraining yourself, or do you take pride in being an insufferable know-it-all?

While the students began to get a feel for Professor Snape’s particular personality, he was also beginning to understand them as well. Hermione Granger’s excitement to be at Hogwarts and continue her own education sometimes overpowered her classroom etiquette. She wasn’t one to wait until someone asked for the answer before giving it.

That wasn’t going to fly in Professor Snape’s potions class, and he let her know it with his usual aplomb. Hermione may have been a know-it-all in Snape’s eyes, but she also possessed the knowledge that helped save the Golden Trio when they went too far. Snape eventually learned how best to work with Hermione, and she began to respect the rules of the classroom.

8 "How Extraordinarily Like Your Father You Are, Potter."

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

How extraordinarily like your father you are, Potter. He, too, was exceedingly arrogant.

Professor Snape and Harry Potter had a unique relationship when compared to the other teachers at Hogwarts. Severus Snape went to Hogwarts with Harry's father, James Potter. Snape was bullied by James and his friends in school, and he still carried some of that anger after James’s death.

Harry Potter was very similar to his father in some ways, which Snape instantly recognized. It led to some misdirected anger towards young Harry in his early years. However, as Snape’s past was further revealed, his occasional mistreatment of Harry became clear to fans.

7 "Obviously."

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Obviously.

While Professor Snape had excelled at Hogwarts as the Potions Master, his real goal was to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. The role had been filled by an ever-changing series of wizards that would become either friends or enemies to the Golden Trio in the early years at Hogwarts.

Snape’s failure to attain his preferred position at Hogwarts was cruelly called out by Dolores Umbridge when she arrived at Hogwarts. Rickman's response to her unnecessary and humiliating question delivered one of Snape’s best retorts with disdain and sarcasm as only he could. This was just one of the reasons Snape became an unlikable Harry Potter character fans grew to love.

6 "The Dark Arts Are Many, Varied, Ever-Changing, And Eternal."

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

The Dark Arts are many, varied, ever-changing, and eternal. Fighting them is like fighting a many-headed monster, which, each time a neck is severed, sprouts a head even fiercer and cleverer than before.

Professor Snape eventually earned the position as the teacher of one of Hogwarts's most useful magical subjects, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Interestingly enough, it happened while Dolores Umbridge was acting Headmaster at Hogwarts. He was operating as a double agent and was forced to follow her limited curriculum, but he had still finally achieved his long-time goal.

It was clear upon his first day as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher that he had prepared for this moment. His opening speech was practiced and perfect and showcased his respect for his position. It also served as a message to his students about needing to be prepared for anything they might encounter. "You are fighting that which is unfixed, mutating, indestructible."

5 "You Dare Use My Own Spells Against Me, Potter?"

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them. I, the Half-Blood Prince.

During Harry Potter’s sixth year at Hogwarts, he found an old potions book with handwritten notes and spells inside. The book had formerly belonged to a mysterious wizard known only as the Half-Blood Prince. Harry used the instructions in the book to move ahead in the class while adding to his own arsenal of spells.

Severus Snape was ultimately revealed as the Half-Blood Prince after the death of Dumbledore. Harry attempted to use one of the spells from the used potions book against Snape, though he easily negated his own spell. Harry Potter learned a lot about Snape during the Half-Blood Prince, though the truth was still to come.

4 "Look At Me. You Have Your Mother's Eyes."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Look at me. You have your mother's eyes.

Snape frequently reminded Harry Potter of the similarities between him and his father James. However, Snape finally revealed to young Harry Potter that he had also recognized his mother in his face as well. Harry had heard that he had his mother's eyes from others before, but it carried more weight as Severus died in his arms.

Lily was Severus Snape’s only friend as a child, and her relationship with James broke young Severus. However, he never stopped caring for her, and Harry served as a constant reminder of that. While he usually equated Harry’s resemblance to his father with disdain, only love came through when he told Harry about his mother’s eyes.

3 "Over The Years I Have Played My Part Well."

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Over the years I have played my part well. So well I have deceived one of the greatest wizards of all time.

Severus Snape had the uncanny ability to say so much with a multi-layered phrase. Fans of the Harry Potter series can rewatch the franchise and catch bits and pieces from Snape that only begin to allude to the truth after it’s been revealed. Snape’s apparent betrayal of Dumbledore was anything but, though Voldemort and his followers were now convinced of his loyalty.

His speech about his role as a secret Death Dealer is actually referring to his time as a spy for Dumbledore. The death of Dumbledore was inevitable, and it helped move Snape into an even better position. Snape definitely deceived one of the strongest magic users in movies, but he wasn’t talking about Dumbledore.

2 "Has It Ever Crossed Your Brilliant Mind That I Don't Want To Do This Anymore?"

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Have you ever considered that you ask too much? That you take too much for granted? Has it ever crossed your brilliant mind that I don't want to do this anymore?

Severus Snape may have been hated by his former students after he killed Dumbledore, but they eventually learned the truth. Snape’s past as a Death Dealer made him a perfect double agent for Dumbledore. Snape sold his loyalty to Dumbledore with the promise that Lily Potter’s son would be protected.

However, Snape struggled with his dual roles and everything that Dumbledore was asking of him. He didn’t always want to live his life facing death with any wrong move. This caused him to break down in front of Dumbledore when the pressure mounted. Of course, Dumbledore only had to remind Snape of the original promise that he made to protect Lily’s son.

1 "Always."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Always.

Snape’s unrequited love for Lily Potter shaped his entire life, from his brief time as a Death Dealer to his secret role as Harry Potter’s protector. He cared so much for Lily that he would do anything to honor the kindness she always showed him when they were young. He even turned on Voldemort once he learned that the dark wizard planned to kill her infant son.

Years later, Dumbledore asked his old friend if his feelings for Lily were still as strong. He answered by casting his Patronus charm, which was a doe just like Lily’s charm. Rickman delivered a simple, pained answer that changed everything fans thought they knew about one of Harry Potter's best characters.