This week, I am reluctant to give you somewhat sad news.
John Nettleship, J.K. Rowling's teacher that inspired Snape's character, died on the 17th. His funeral was today.
Of course, he didn't inspire Snape's background with Lily(because I've conviced myself Rowling had Alan Rickman in mind when she wrote Snape and refuse to believe otherwise), but merely gave her idea of Harry having a mean Professor.
But really, it's because of him(if not because of J.K. Rowling) that Severus Snape exists. It's because of him that we actually want mean teachers, because it makes us feel awesome.
Well, here's the link to the article: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/showbiz/2011/03/17/rowling-s-teacher-who-inspired-harry-potter-s-prof-snape-dies-at-71-91466-28353227/
:'(
