Harry Potter: Why Do Snape and Lily Have the Same Patronus?

The Patronus Charm is one of the most powerful and mysterious spells in the Harry Potter world. It conjures a silvery animal guardian that can protect the caster from the dark and evil creatures known as Dementors. But what determines the shape of a Patronus? And why do some people have the same Patronus as someone else? In this article, we will explore the case of Severus Snape and Lily Potter, two characters who had the same Patronus: a doe. We will examine the reasons behind this rare phenomenon, and how it relates to their complex and tragic relationship.

Snape was the only Death Eater that could summon a Patronus

J.K. Rowling revealed in 2007 that Severus Snape was the only Death Eater who could cast a Patronus. It’s because the others mostly fought alongside hideous creatures such as Dementors. But as Snape was an intelligent and highly skilled wizard, which was also required for successfully summoning a Patronus, he performed the spell without problems. 

But he wasn’t a typical Death Eater, but also a kind and good soul (although we couldn’t see that too often), which was an even more important fact in this situation. Although he hid that very well, there was a lot of kindheartedness and love deep inside him, which was expressed through this charm. 

The relationship between Snape and Lily Potter

Severus Snape’s love for Lily was pure and innocent, but only at the very beginning. It slowly grew to be more obsessive and possessive. He was aware that Lily didn’t share his feelings, but he never stopped loving her, and this strength and connection is also expressed through the form of their Patronus. They became close friends in their early childhood, but everything changed when they arrived at Hogwarts. Snape was shy and weird, and Lily was a witty teenager who wanted to experience her school days in a different way. She soon forgot about him, met James Potter, and fell in love with him. But Snape has never stopped loving her. 

His love is unconditional but secluded, forever hidden, and only visible through this animal, which comes to rescue in the most important situations. The difference between his and James’ love for Lily can be seen in their Patronuses. James’ was Lily’s companion, a stag to her doe, whereas Snape showed his obsessiveness and overall protection.

Similarities and differences between Snape and Lily Potter

Being friends from when they were kids might make us think that Snape and Lily Potter were also similar. But in fact, they were pretty different, which they started noticing during their teenage years, especially Lily. She perceived Severus as someone greatly intelligent and highly skilled. She saw their relationship as something platonic, never giving him any reason to think that she might be in love with him.

Lily was a curious girl who knew magic but wanted to learn more, and Snape was a poor, bullied soul who saw an escape in her, a shield to protect him from a very harsh outside world. Things changed when they arrived at Hogwarts, where bullying continued, and Lily wasn’t there for him to the extent as before. That’s when their differences started to show. 

Can wizards actually have the same Patronuses?

Since there is a limited number of animals in the world, two magicians might certainly have the same Patronus. It happens mostly with individuals with similar characteristics since each Patronus reflects the magician it aids. 

Another famous example of two magicians with the same Patronus is Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks’. Tonks’ original Patronus was a jackrabbit, but when she fell in love with Lupin, her Patronus changed its form to a wolf, which was Lupin’s form of a Patronus Charm. Once again, we can see that true love is the reason for the same Patronus.

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