Severus Snape's house

Severus Snape's house
Location information
Location	Spinner's End, Cokeworth, England
Owner(s)	Snape family
Permanent residents	Eileen Snape (formerly) † Tobias Snape (formerly) † Severus Snape (formerly) † Peter Pettigrew (formerly) †
Affiliation	Snape family

"They had stepped directly into a tiny sitting room, which had the feeling of a dark padded cell. The walls were completely covered in books, most of them bound in old black or brown leather; a threadbare sofa, an old armchair and a rickety table stood grouped together in a pool of dim light cast by a candle-filled lamp hung from the ceiling. The place had an air of neglect, as though it was not usually inhabited."

— Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange entering Snape's home

Severus Snape's house was the family home in which he grew up in and later inhabited as an adult. It was located in Spinner's End, Cokeworth.

Description

The house was at least two storeys high. The Snape family home contained a dark, enclosed living room furnished with threadbare furniture, a dim candle-lit lamp hanging from the ceiling and walls full of books. There was a hidden door set in the bookshelf walls that led to a narrow, ascending staircase that further led to a bedroom, while another led to a storeroom containing elf-made wine. The first room upon entry had the feel of a prison cell, as the door to the rest of the house was completely hidden. The place was said to have an "air of neglect", given that Snape spent most of the year living at Hogwarts. Severus also kept a Dark Curio in his living room.

History

Severus Snape had an unhappy childhood in his home, as his father Tobias often shouted at his mother Eileen while he would cry in a corner. He would sit in his dark bedroom alone and swat flies with his wand. Regardless, Severus would return to live here during the summer holidays, even after becoming an adult.

Severus Snape: "So, what can I do for you?"

Narcissa Malfoy: "We...we are alone, aren't we?"

Severus Snape: "Yes, of course. Well, Wormtail's here, but we're not counting vermin, are we?"

— Snape to Narcissa Malfoy

Bellatrix creating an Unbreakable Vow between Narcissa and Snape

In July 1996, Narcissa Malfoy and her sister Bellatrix Lestrange travelled to Spinner's End to visit Snape in his home, as Narcissa requested Snape's help with her son Draco. Snape greeted Narcissa into his house warmly, along with Bellatrix, who he gave a curled, mocking smile. Peter Pettigrew, who Lord Voldemort had assigned to be Snape's assistant, was made by Snape to do menial housework and guest reception at his house, given his hatred of him. Snape had Pettigrew serve them elf-made wine from his storeroom, and then sent Pettigrew back to his bedroom while slamming the door at him for trying to eavesdrop. In Snape's living room, Narcissa informed Snape of Voldemort's plan to force Draco to attempt to assassinate Albus Dumbledore as punishment for his father Lucius's failures as a Death Eater, which would result in Draco's death at the hands of Voldemort if he failed. Snape agreed to protect Draco at all costs during the upcoming school year, having Bellatrix create an Unbreakable Vow between the two of them.

It is unknown what happened to the property after Snape died during the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998.

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Snape's house does not have the hidden doors behind bookshelves, but instead the door to Pettigrew's room is a small door, while there's an open doorway to the kitchen. There was also an electrical lighting instead of a candle-lit lamp.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (First appearance) (Appears in flashback(s))
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Mentioned only)
• Pottermore
• Harry Potter (website)
• LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7