Severus Tobias Snape

1960 - 1998

Not many people attended the funeral, however, the eulogy Harry wrote would appear in The Daily Prophet's next edition, because he was Harry Potter and anything he said meant something. He couldn't show every witch and wizard the truth, of course, and even so they'd just go on thinking what they wanted or claim Snape had tampered with his own memories. But he could start with these people gathered here. Maybe someday Harry would show history book authors and memorial sculptors and...well, Snape would really hate that, actually.

The eulogy went like this:

"I know we've all recently lost friends and family, and compared to that, being here for a man who very few believed to be on our side may seem unimportant, but someone must remember him." Harry paused, taking a deep breath. "Severus Snape was the bravest man I've ever known. I won't say he was easy to get along with, because it isn't true; he was bitter and I thought he hated me for no reason. I understand why now. Contrary to popular opinion, he had feelings. In fact, he could even love.

"I think it's important for me to set the record straight. You might already know some of this. Severus Snape was loyal to Dumbledore until the very end. Yes, he killed him that night, but only because Dumbledore ordered him to since he was dying anyway and Snape had to gain Voldemort's complete trust. I know the truth doesn't change who he was, but it explains why. So if we could all please take a brief moment of silence for Severus Snape. . ."

When the crowd dispersed after it had finished, he walked slowly over to his two best friends. They stood in silence for a long time.

"I still can't believe the greasy git had a thing for your mum, mate," Ron said solemnly.

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "That's entirely inappropriate!"

"What? You can't say you expected it, Hermione." Ron pointed out, defensive.

"Of course not, but—"

"Guys, please," Harry said softly. "You can argue later."

"Right, yeah," Ron looked sheepish. "Sorry, mate."

"Sorry, Harry," Hermione apologized as well, adding in a whisper to Ron: "But you just don't say that sort of thing at a bloody funeral, idiot."

"I shouldn't have said those things to him. I called him a coward!" Harry lamented. "If I'd known..."

"None of us knew, Harry," she said soothingly. "That was the point. He didn't want anyone to know, especially you and Voldemort."

"Besides, I reckon he actually enjoyed being miserable all the time."

"Shut up, Ronald!"

Harry had stopped listening to them bicker. He was thinking about that moment when the light left Snape's eyes forever, and his most safely guarded memories with it. The eulogy turned out pretty good, which of course meant Snape would have hated every word. Well, funerals were for the living anyway, and there were a lot more funerals to attend.

"The truth does change who he was, Harry," Hermione said quietly, taking his hand in hers. "It changes our perspective. I think it was easier for him to dislike you. You can't keep feeling guilty."

"No! Stop pretending Snape was some tragic war hero!" cried Ron. "I don't care what his reasons were, he was downright horrible to my best friend for years! Oh, hooray, apparently he was a good bloke after all, fancy that. So? Lots of people died! Mad-Eye, Lupin, Tonks, Fred..." Just like that Ron's voice failed him, and the tears came. Hermione wept, too. They didn't even know why anymore.

"You're right, Ron," Harry replied thickly. "But everyone deserves to be remembered."