Disclaimer: Neither I nor Puh-Schell, who wrote this fic, own Harry Potter - world, characters and all. We make no money with these works of (fan)fiction!

A/N: Not my own fic, I'm just translating... I did write a sequel to this one, though, which will be translated next. ^^

Graduation Speech

by Puh-Schell

translated by EvilDime

Part A: The Catalyst

Today was the last day Harry would ever spend at Hogwarts. Today was the graduation ceremony for the seventh years. Today, Harry would leave Hogwarts and the school days he spent there behind for good.

Harry's school years had been exciting.

In his first year, an attempt had been made on his life and he had to prevent Voldemort from being resurrected.

In his second year, an attempt had been made on his life, he had to fight a basilisk and again prevent Voldemort's resurrection - this time in his 16-year-old form.

In his third year, an attempt had been made on his life, he had to keep a horde of dementors from stealing his soul, help his godfather who had been wrongfully accused of murder to escape, and run from a werewolf who really did not mean him any harm.

In his fourth year, he had to prevent the routine attempt on his life, was forced to participate in a deadly tournament, duel Voldemort who had finally managed to resurrect himself - wasn't he just such a stubborn Dark Lord? - and watch one of his schoolmates being murdered.

In his fifth year, he befriended Severus Snape, was taught the Dark Arts by that very man - without Dumbledore's or anyone else's knowledge or approval. And only, really, because he was heartily sick of all those attempts on his life. He was of the opinion that it should now be his turn to murder other people. Since apparently it was fine for everyone else to do it.

Meanwhile, however, Dumbledore was subjecting Harry to a "Special Training" against the Dark Arts which consisted of Harry being cursed with the Cruciatus to heighten his "resistance" - which did prove somewhat useful when Harry had to rescue Severus from a trap laid for him at the end of the school year.

The year's bright spot was the fact that no attempts were made on Harry's life by anyone. Typical, he thought to himself. When he finally prepares for it, no one comes.

In his sixth year, Severus refused to work as a spy any longer, which would not have ended well anyway. Still, Dumbledore insisted, which found about as much favour with Severus as imagining Voldemort naked.

Draco Malfoy switched to the "right" side because Severus talked to him. Draco became another friend to Harry, causing Ron to feel slighted and give Harry the cold shoulder.

At the end of the school year, Harry killed Voldemort with a dark curse - Severus had continued to refuse to spy all year long. But thanks to Harry's dreams (nightmares, really), he still knew where to find Voldemort.

In his seventh and final year, this very year now, Harry stopped talking to just about everyone and quit the Quidditch team. Most of the girls were pining for him, which annoyed him to no end. Ginny kept trying to get together with him which annoyed him even more. Ron was still sulking, and now envious on top of that, and Hermione stuck by him on principle. After all, Harry was a hero and able to take care of himself.

The only people Harry talked to were his teachers, if they asked him a question, Severus, Draco, and some Slytherins. Since he spent the entire year studying hard, he passed the end of year exams at the top of his class. Not even Hermione did better. Thus, Harry had to hold the graduation speech as a representative for Gryffindor. One student from each House made a speech, and Harry's was scheduled last.

This very speech, Harry was about to begin in a few minutes. The Great Hall of Hogwarts was filled to bursting with seventh years, teachers and the students' parents.

Now it was his turn. Slowly, Harry approached the especially set-up pedestal, stepped up and looked at the crowd.

Harry had changed a lot over the years. No longer was he a tiny, bashful boy. He now measured a good 1,90 m and had a nice set of muscles. His green eyes had become even greener through his use of dark magic. Remus had joked during the last holidays that Harry had vampire eyes. Harry now wore nothing but black. The tips of his tousled hair were dyed green and silver - Slytherin's colours.

Draco sat at a table with an empty spot next to him where Harry had been sitting. His parents had been exposed as Death Eaters and taken to Azkaban. Some of the Slytherins shared Harry and Draco's table, those who had helped the two of them against Voldemort. Most of them no longer had parents, either.

Harry stood behind the magical microphone, as he personally referred to the gadget, and let his gaze sweep over the teacher's table. Severus's face wore a malicious expression since he knew what Harry was going to say.

Harry cleared his throat and began. His expression was friendly and sort of innocent. Severus, Draco, and Harry's Slytherin friends knew it was an act.

"Well, I am expected to make a speech, and I assume everyone expects me to do as the previous speakers have done and declare what a wonderful time I had here, which teachers helped me the most, and how I am now ready to pursue my further path through life."

Abruptly, Harry's expression changed. Dumbledore was rather taken aback. He had believed that Harry would, in his way, say exactly those things. Well, before giving Harry the right to make a public speech, they should have checked what he planned to say.

Harry's face was now filled with derision and bitterness. Everyone present - except those who knew what was going on - looked at him dumbly.

"Well then, let's consider my life...

"Throughout my school days, there was an evil wizard out for my blood. It has always been expected of me to vanquish Voldemort. The esteemed Mr. Dumbledore here even put his best powers of manipulation into play to hammer the message home that I had to defeat Voldemort.

"I have been alternately adored by brainless groupies, derided by enviers, or hated by Voldemort supporters. In short, my life so far has been utter shit."

Those listening to this speech seemed in danger of having their eyes popping out, the way they were staring at Harry. Who ignored them completely and continued his speech. Severus, Draco, Pansy, Blaise and Zoltan - a Slytherin boy - were hard-pressed to keep in the laughter at the look on those faces.

"The other speakers today have all uttered some 'highlight' or other of their time here. Well, let's see. What 'highlights' could I name?

"There was, of course, the basilisk in second year, whom I had to kill since Dumbledore was too lazy to do it. Oh please, as if a wizard of Dumbledore's calibre didn't know exactly what had been prowling his school. But did he do anything about it? No, he needed a twelve-year-old boy to look after his school's safety.

"Or how about my third year, when a few dementors nearly kissed me by mistake? What would have become of your oh-so-dear wizarding world if that had happened? I hope Voldemort would have fried you all.

"Oh, but there's still fourth year and the Triwizard Tournament. Where there were set rules, which supposedly were never broken, but which in the end nobody cared about when my name came out of the goblet. How hard would it have been to only let the other three participate? You don't really want to claim that I actually had to participate?! Of course, that's what I was told back then, but I was fourteen at the time. Anyone in their right mind though should have seen that I quite easily could have been kept from participating. A responsible adult, for example."

Harry paused to exhale a deep breath. Then a nasty grin sneaked onto his face.

"But I do have a few very choice words for some people, before I am dragged from this pedestal and chased out of the Hall amidst jeers and catcalls.

"Minerva McGonagall. You really do have a talent for witchcraft, but as a head of house, you are supposed to also have a certain sensibility for your students' problems and, what is more, protect them. Your children are your wards. A head of house should not allow one of her students to be subjected to the Cruciatus by another teacher. McGonagall, you are about as sensible as Voldemort and should never again in your life be charged with children's welfare. You do not know what that is.

"Sybill Trelawney. Every year, you once again "prophesy" my death. Doesn't that ever get boring? Or does it give you an orgasm? I will pity any students that have to suffer your class.

"Albus Dumbledore. You are a really insidious bloke, did you know that? Say, how does it feel if your own weapon turns against you? You know, if Voldemort hadn't kept pestering me with those nightmares, it would have been your task to kill him. Because I really wouldn't have seen any reason to off him. What do I care about the lives of several thousand idiots? But if you're constantly kept from a good night's sleep, it really wears on you."

By now, many people were whispering to each other, while others were in shock. And Severus was in serious danger of laughing out loud. Luckily, no one was looking at him.

"Seriously. I don't give a shit about any of you. There is only a handful of people in this school I am able and willing to call friends. And I honestly have to say that I pity Severus. The poor man will have to stay here and teach. If I consider that he will one day have your children and relatives sitting in his classroom... oh dear.

"Now I've said everything I meant to say. Ah no, there are two more things. Everyone who believes, wants or desires me to become an Auror, Quidditch player or Ministry worker, you may think again. Like I would do that to myself. I'd rather become Voldemort's successor.

"And the second thing. Thanks for listening."

With these words Harry stepped off the pedestal, took the satchel hidden beside his seat, waited for Draco to retrieve his own bag and left the Great Hall of Hogwarts.

Severus Snape resigned the next morning.

A/N: There's another chapter by Puh-Schell, then the afore-mentioned sequel... Hope you'll enjoy both. :) - Dime