Good afternoon, first year class;
Let us now at last begin.
If any of you expect to pass
You'd better start to listen in.
Ten points from Gryffindor to start
For Harry Potter's thoughtless noise
Thinking himself to be so smart
Whilst lacking all his mother's poise.
Eye of newt goes in the pot
For watchfulness throughout the year
Ear of rabbit on the dot,
That you may remember all you hear.
Snakeskin sloughed and chopped up fine
Will help the house I represent,
Whilst one dark hair taken from mine
Will hide the past that I lament.
No polyjuice to cover up;
To hide in plain sight this you need -
Drink from every single cup,
Pretend your motive is only greed,
Kneel to dark lord and then lighter,
Antagonise the one who lives.
You must hold those cards much tighter
And never be the one who gives.
Wolfbane keeps old foes at bay
And nightshade hides just what you feel.
Careful with each word you say
The nightmare is what's truly real.
Stir in heart's blood at low boil
To stop the keening in your chest
Drink the results of all this toil
And, my boy, you'll be the best.
Never show a moment's waver
Never divert from this one path.
Hold on to memories you savour
To fuel and sustain the coldest wrath.
Take one sip now, taste the grape
Added to remove thoughts so silly,
That she might have loved a boy called Snape.
Remember now your reason: Lily.