Editing Severus Snape (section)

==== ''Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix'' ====
In the fifth novel, ''[[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix]]'', Snape returns to a more prominent role. With Voldemort having returned to a fully corporeal body, Snape continues working as a re-doubled agent for Dumbledore.<ref name="The Seer Overheard">{{HPref|book=6|chapter=25}}</ref> He is seen prior to the start of school at [[Number 12, Grimmauld Place]] giving reports to the [[Order of the Phoenix (organisation)|Order of the Phoenix]].<ref name="Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place">{{HPref|book=5|chapter=4}}</ref> He has a very strained relationship with Sirius, who owns Grimmauld Place and must remain there in hiding. The two trade frequent snide remarks and at one point almost begin a duel. Snape taunts Sirius about the latter's not being able to take an active role in the Order's missions because of his fugitive status. Harry feels later that this taunting contributed to Sirius' willingness to take unsafe risks.<ref name="Occlumency">{{HPref|book=5|chapter=24}}</ref> Back at school, Snape's allegiance to the Order has no effect on his dislike for Harry.

Later in the book, Dumbledore has Snape teach Harry [[Occlumency]], the protection of the mind from outside intrusion or influence.<ref name="Occlumency" /> The sessions mainly consist in Snape forcibly reading Harry's mind to teach him to defend himself, but are made difficult by their mutual hostility. They end prematurely when Harry accidentally backfires Snape's spell and views one of Snape's worst childhood memories without the latter's permission. He sees the memory of Snape being [[bullying|bullied]] by James and Sirius, and of calling Harry's mother Lily a [[Mudblood]] (a highly offensive term).<ref name="Snape's Worst Memory" /> Only in the final book is it revealed that, prior to this confrontation, Snape and Lily had been close friends.

Towards the end of the novel, [[Dolores Umbridge]] – the school's politically appointed headmistress – captures Harry and interrogates him about Dumbledore's whereabouts. She sends for Snape, demanding that he provide the magical truth serum [[Veritaserum]] in order to force Harry to reveal any information he may be hiding. Snape claims that his supplies of the serum have been exhausted after Umbridge tries to use the drug previously on Harry. It is later revealed that Snape had in fact supplied Umbridge with fake Veritaserum on the prior attempt. Snape then carries Harry's cryptic warning about Sirius' capture to the other Order members, allowing them to come to the rescue in the [[Department of Mysteries]].<ref name="The Lost Prophecy">{{HPref|book=5|chapter=37}}</ref> Harry still holds Snape partly responsible for Sirius' death, believing Snape's goading spurred Sirius into joining the battle.