Was There Really No Witch Who Had Romantic Feelings for Snape?

When you look at the Potter-verse through adult eyes, taking into consideration the company Snape kept, such as Lucius Malfoy and his ilk, it's highly likely that there was a witch somewhere who had romantic feelings for him. This all depends on how you define romantic.

User Perspective

Remember, we're talking about grown-ups, not Harry and his crew. Would a mature, adult witch see Snape as romantic goals? The answer is yes. Power is an aphrodisiac. While opinions on Snape may be mixed, he undoubtedly wielded a considerable amount of magical power. Furthermore, he was the Head of Slytherin, the Potions Master at the elite Hogwarts School, which, in my opinion, is the pinnacle of magical schools in that universe.

Power Dynamics in Romantic Relationships

In an imperfect world where there is a yawning gulf between the haves and the have-nots, power dynamics play a significant role in romantic relationships. There will always be someone who has more power, money, or status than you, and whom you might even envy. Conversely, there will always be someone with less than you who looks at you with envy. Romantic relationships are one of the time-honored ways of closing that gap. Whether you call it social climbing, gold digging, or perspicacity, someone is always aiming for someone else.

Examples from Fan Fiction

Let's delve into examples from fan fiction where witches had romantic feelings for Snape. In my work, I explore one of his fan fiction-created exes, Maya Wardley, a Hufflepuff Death Eater. In Accounts Past Due, she's a character who has had a romantic interest in Snape. Another example is Demeter Spencer, the Hogwarts school accountant. Unlike other witches, she didn't qualify for Hogwarts but attended the second-tier vocational magical school, the Cornwall Institute for Practical Magic. As an underpowered witch, she sees Snape as a way to elevate herself from her current status.

Motivations and Description

Demeter Spencer paints a vivid picture of what Snape looks like to an underpowered witch:

When I first arrived here, Irsquo;d simply registered him as this sweeping darkly majestic force, the thundercloud to the headmasterrsquo;s genial lemon-drop sun. September and the Square was already a scene of thunderous gales... Mr. Darkly Immaculate himself. No, his hair isnrsquo;t perfect. Nor are his teeth. But these are minor, easily correctable things. They are small parts of his very impressive whole which he holds up with pride.

Her description highlights the appeal of Snape to someone who is seeking power and status.

Conclusion

There is no accounting for taste, and everyone has their own preferences. So, somewhere in the vast world of the Potter-verse, there must have been a witch who found Snape attractive. The gap between the haves and the have-nots, coupled with the power dynamics within romantic relationships, makes it entirely plausible that such a witch existed.

Additional Resources

If you're interested in further exploring the theme of power and romantic feelings in the Potter-verse, you may find the following links useful: