Embracing a popular headcanon related to two Hogwarts professors would allow one scene in particular to be even more impactful in HBO’sHarry Potterremake. The upcoming TV show will have its work cut out for it delivering on its promise to be “book faithful,” especially since theHarry Potterfranchise has grown far beyond the books. Over the years, fans have developed their own ideas of who these characters are, and it’s gotten to the point that some of these details are indistinguishable from the “true” story. HBO’sHarry Potterremake has a chance to finally bring these fan headcanons into the official tale.
With any good piece of fiction, there is what is said and then there is what is assumed.Headcanons are bits of information that a person or group of people accepts as true within a piece of work, regardless of any confirmation from the author. Since theHarry Potterserieshas been wrapped up on the page since 2007, there has been plenty of time for fans to come to some conclusions about characters and events.HBO’sHarry Potterremakehas the power to either confirm or deny these, but one of my favorite popular headcanons could finally become an on-screen reality.
A Popular Harry Potter Headcanon Is That Professor Snape & Professor McGonagall Were Friends
Fan Fiction & Artists Often Pair These 2 Together
Over the years, someHarry Potterfans have gotten it into their head thatProfessor McGonagalland Professor Snape share a unique sort of friendship. They were always respectful enough to one another in the books, and there was certainly a competitive rivalry between them given their Gryffindor and Slytherin allegiances. However, the fan fiction and fan art communities have taken this further, suggesting thatMcGonagall and Snape were bonded by a shared exasperation regarding their students and the general chaos of Hogwarts castle.
HBO’sHarry Potterremake is expected to premiere in 2027.
I’ve always loved this idea, especially considering the on-screen relationship of Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman in theHarry Pottermovies. It’s fun to think of McGonagall and Snape giving one another meaningful glances across the head table when Dolores Umbridge gave her horrible speech inOrder of the Phoenix, or holding their respective Quidditch wins over one another from year to year. Snape and McGonagall could hardly be more different, butas colleagues and two of Dumbledore’s closest confidants, it makes some sense that they would regard one another fondly.
A Snape & McGonagall Friendship Makes Their Deathly Hallows Duel Heartbreaking
This Headcanon Subtly Impacts The Larger Story
Typically, headcanons don’t have too significant of an impact on a story. They are things easy enough to accept, but so covert that there isn’t much evidence in the story itself. However, the idea that Snape and McGonagall were friends has meaningful implications within their overarching story. InHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, McGonagall and Snape crossed wands when the former decided it was time to put an end to Voldemort’s reign at Hogwarts. It’s a powerful duel, butthe entire situation changes when you look at these professors as old friends.
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During this scene in theHarry Pottermovies, Rickman made a choice in his performance that I absolutely love.When Smith’s McGonagall raised her wand against him, a moment of hesitancy, doubt, and regret flashes across Snape’s face. It’s a subtle hint that the character isn’t really on Voldemort’s side, but it’s so much more heartbreaking to consider Snape’s fear that he could actually have to harm McGonagall. It’s equally as devastating to consider what the school year had been like for these two. Snape was forced to pretend to be McGonagall’s enemy, and McGonagall had to cope with the idea that her friend had murdered Dumbledore.
Why HBO’s Harry Potter Remake Should Embrace The Snape/McGonagall Headcanon
The Harry Potter TV Show Can Provide More Perspectives
Sometimes headcanons are better left in fans' minds. However, in the case of McGonagall and Snape, HBO’sHarry Potterremake has an excellent opportunity. The upcoming TV show will have seven seasons, each likely to be between eight and ten hours long. Unlike theHarry Pottermovies, which were forced to cut and simplify, the HBO TV series can expand on characters and events in a way that has never been done before. The world will have more detail and perspectives, andlooking into the lives of the Hogwarts professors is immensely valuable.
Severus Snape is a deeply tragic character. When he joined Dumbledore’s side and became a double agent, it was for entirely selfish reasons. However, going through the motions allowed him to become a genuinely good (albeit, flawed) character. This would have made it all the more challenging when Snape was ordered to murder Dumbledore and pretend to definitively stand on the Dark Lord’s side. He had to betray allies—and possibly friends—to do the right thing. The fact that he never wavered proves that Snape was entirely dedicated to his cause.
We could really see Snape’s journey through his own eyes, with, perhaps, entire episodes dedicated to his point of view. A cheeky, competitive, and professional relationship between Snape and McGonagall would assist in this.
TheHarry Potterbooks and movies could only show this from Snape’s perspective through the Pensieve, but HBO’s TV remake can do so much more. We could really see Snape’s journey through his own eyes, with, perhaps, entire episodes dedicated to his point of view. A cheeky, competitive, and professional relationship between Snape and McGonagall would assist in this. Seeing this evolve from season to season only to fall apart at the end of theHarry Potterremake would add even more to the emotional impact. It’s a change the remake simply has to make.
