The Harry Potter theory that hints at a storyline we didn’t know about

Just before his death, Professor Snape asks Harry to look him in the eyes, and now we know why. 

It's a scene that leaves many Harry Potter fans torn - when Professor Snape meets his death, coming to the end of his life thanks to Voldemort's pet snake Nagini's fatal bite.

Whether or not you watched on forgiving the Hogwarts Professor for all the years of terrible treatment of Harry, the scene hints at a storyline that not many viewers have picked up on. 

We're talking about the 'complicated' relationship between Harry's mum Lily and Severus Snape.

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The truth about Professor Snape and Lily

As many fans know, Snape is constantly living in the past, referring back to his fond friendship with Lily and making comparisons between Harry and his father, James.

Throughout the books and films, Snape makes very little attempt to hide his true feelings for James and according to fan theories, it's because Snape and Lily were once in a relationship. 

According to pop culture website Screen Rant: "Even Dumbledore is surprised to learn that Snape still loves Lily 'after all this time.'"

Lily and Professor Snape were longtime friends. Image: Supplied

But before we go into what their relationship might or might not have been, let's recap a few things about Snape and Lily. 

The two were childhood neighbours before moving to Hogwarts together and becoming close friends. But their friendship takes a slight turn when it became apparent that Snape was moving towards the dark side and supporting Voldemort. 

Despite Lily forming a relationship with James Potter, Snape always felt fondly of his childhood friend - right up to her death, which brings us to the fan theory that their relationship is one storyline we never get to really see in the books or films. 

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Snape cradles Lily's body. Image: Supplied

Snape's final moment hints there was more to his relationship with Lily

Snape was present when Lily died, cradling her in his arms as she saved her baby Harry from Voldemort. 

Throughout the books and films, deep down Dumbledore knows that Voldemort killed someone Snape cared for deeply and this perhaps served as his revenge. His disliking of Harry initially could also be because he resents him for her death. 

“It all fits. [J.K] Rowling said she was 'stunned' when someone asked if Snape would ever fall in love, and she said we’d find out why she was so stunned when we read Book 7," a fan wrote in Live Journal. 

"She also says Snape has been loved in the past. She showed us a memory which Snape was humiliated in front of Lily, and labeled the chapter 'Snape’s Worst Memory'. She tells us Lily was a popular girl and won’t deny that others – specifically, Snape and Lupin – might have had romantic feelings for her just as James did.” 

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Snape's secret messages

According to a recent fan theory, from the very start of Harry's journey at Hogwarts, Snape was sending the star student secret messages. 

The first one is said to be buried in one of Harry's first potions classes with Snape. 

"Tell me what would I get if I added  powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" he asks Harry. 

According to Victorian Flower Language, the plants the Professor mentions carry a deeper meaning. Asphodel, a type of Lily (another hint) symbolises: "my regrets follow you to the grave."

Wormwood, on the other hand, symbolises "absence" and is tied to bitter sorrow. 

The answer Snape is truly looking for here is that when combined, the two could be a reference to Snape's regret of Lily's death and the grief that has lived with him since. 

Snape asks Harry to look him in the eyes before his death. Image: Supplied

Why Snape wanted Harry to look him in the eyes 

The theory is further supported by another one picked up by fans that occurs in Snape's death scene. 

The Professor's dying words to Harry are "Look at me".

While the line can be interpreted as a tad creepy, the reason why he insists Harry does this is because he has his mother's eyes. 

We know Harry has inherited many of his father's features, but the one special thing he has of his mother's are her eyes. 

Snape's dying wish was to have Lily, his one true love, by his side in his most vulnerable moment.

Originally published as The Harry Potter theory that hints at a storyline we didn’t know about