I love this post. It is one of my faves of the whole fic. As I said, I
like Draco, so here he is. Good stuff...
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News of her death spread like wildfire. Malfoy took it especially hard. His father had been found guilty of murder and treason, and was sentenced to death. It had caused quite a stir. There had never been a death penalty before, but Fudge demanded that it was necessary.
At her memorial, he stood, asking to say something. Even McGonagall smiled as he walked to the podium.
"When they sentenced my father to death, I was crushed. I nearly gave up; he was my whole world. It pained me to see everyone around me celebrating. Though Ms. Snape never really talked a lot about her family, she used to pull me aside at lunch or on free period and talk to me about her mother. She also told me of her father," his eyes flickered to Professor Snape, "and how he protected them by leaving them in America. She never condemned my father, though she had every reason to. I may be bold in saying this, but she was my friend, even when no one else would be." He swallowed hard.
"It was decided for me because of a pact made by all Death Eaters that I was to follow in my father's footsteps. I was raised believing that we were superior to others because of our history and allegiances. But in reality, it was she who was the superior one, defying her fate. I choose to honor her memory by doing the same." This received hushed whispers, but they soon ceased.
"Because I know now that there is no one to blame except the Dark Lord, it pained me to hear my mother blame others." He turned to Dumbledore and the Ministry leaders, "To blame you. When the sentence was carried out, my mother killed herself. Her last letter to me was this," he pulled out a piece of parchment and began to read. "'Draco, I am sorry for the pain the Mudbloods and arrogant ministers have caused you. I can no longer go on without your father's strength. I pray you will forgive me and avenge our deaths. Always remember, no matter what, that your father was right. Mother'" He folded it up and stuck it back in his pocket.
"My father was wrong. He once said that only purebloods are worth anything, and that those with Muggle lineage were second-class. But Ms. Snape was anything but second class." This sent looks through the crowd, but no one spoke. He sat down in silence, and hung his head, shedding silent tears. Even Harry Potter was crying. Hermione was sobbing into Ron's chest, and he held her as tears streamed down his face. It was now Severus' turn to speak, and he stood, his face frozen with a solemn sadness.
"It is true; her mother was a Muggle. She died sometime ago, just after Samantha was accepted to Brisham. I never really knew her; I'd left when she was just a toddler. I didn't want her growing up with the Dark Lord. After his downfall, I wanted badly to return to them, but I couldn't; I had caused her mother so much pain in leaving. I feel that pain now, as I remember her last words. She gave her life so that I might regain mine," he rolled up his sleeve, revealing his bare arm. Murmurs once again washed through the crowd. "She did not have a will, so everything she had now belongs to me." He held out his arm and Caribe flew down and perched on his shoulder.
"Mr. Malfoy, you and Samantha shared a special bond. Caribe tells me you were the younger brother she never had." Caribe flew off his perch and landed in front of Malfoy. "He is very special. He hasn't fully recovered from the system shock of her death. I trust you will tend to him well." Draco reached out and stroked the bird's golden feathers.
Severus reached down and picked up the hoverboard. "Madam Hooch, she learned to fly on a broom because her flying instructor at Brisham was open- minded. I think you should take this and start an Advanced class that teaches all methods of travel." She nodded and accepted the board, wiping tears from her cheeks.
"Lastly," he pulled out a book that Dumbledore recognized, "Harry Potter, would you come up here please?" Harry stood and slowly made his way to the podium. Snape handed him the book. "This book contains the very spell your mother used to save your life. It was the same spell Samantha used to remove the Dark Mark. I have marked the page for you, though I must insist that you do not try to learn this magic. It is very dangerous, and the costs are too great." Harry clutched the book to his chest and nodded. He thanked the professor and returned to his seat. Snape turned back to everyone.
"Contrary to what she told everyone, she did not come here to translate a note. She in fact forged the letter. She came to perform Merlin's Blessing to save my life. I did not realize this until this morning as I went through her belongings. I also found a note to all the fifth years." He unrolled a parchment and cleared his throat.
"'I am the last; the last sorcerer. My only regret is I outlived Flamel. He was the greatest and deserved this honor. But one day, there will be another, and he will wish to know of his kin. This is what you will say to him:
There is a power within each of us to be greater than we are destined to be. Sorcerers have tapped into this power, and use it. We are rare, and dying out, but no one will forget our legacy, because it lives in everyone: the power of belief.'" He rolled the scroll back up and placed it in his robes. He walked to the casket, which would be sealed by him before burial. He placed his hand on her forehead and let a tear fall.
"Goodbye my child. We will always carry the power of your belief." He kissed her on the forehead and closed the lid. He cast a spell, burying her body and releasing her soul.
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News of her death spread like wildfire. Malfoy took it especially hard. His father had been found guilty of murder and treason, and was sentenced to death. It had caused quite a stir. There had never been a death penalty before, but Fudge demanded that it was necessary.
At her memorial, he stood, asking to say something. Even McGonagall smiled as he walked to the podium.
"When they sentenced my father to death, I was crushed. I nearly gave up; he was my whole world. It pained me to see everyone around me celebrating. Though Ms. Snape never really talked a lot about her family, she used to pull me aside at lunch or on free period and talk to me about her mother. She also told me of her father," his eyes flickered to Professor Snape, "and how he protected them by leaving them in America. She never condemned my father, though she had every reason to. I may be bold in saying this, but she was my friend, even when no one else would be." He swallowed hard.
"It was decided for me because of a pact made by all Death Eaters that I was to follow in my father's footsteps. I was raised believing that we were superior to others because of our history and allegiances. But in reality, it was she who was the superior one, defying her fate. I choose to honor her memory by doing the same." This received hushed whispers, but they soon ceased.
"Because I know now that there is no one to blame except the Dark Lord, it pained me to hear my mother blame others." He turned to Dumbledore and the Ministry leaders, "To blame you. When the sentence was carried out, my mother killed herself. Her last letter to me was this," he pulled out a piece of parchment and began to read. "'Draco, I am sorry for the pain the Mudbloods and arrogant ministers have caused you. I can no longer go on without your father's strength. I pray you will forgive me and avenge our deaths. Always remember, no matter what, that your father was right. Mother'" He folded it up and stuck it back in his pocket.
"My father was wrong. He once said that only purebloods are worth anything, and that those with Muggle lineage were second-class. But Ms. Snape was anything but second class." This sent looks through the crowd, but no one spoke. He sat down in silence, and hung his head, shedding silent tears. Even Harry Potter was crying. Hermione was sobbing into Ron's chest, and he held her as tears streamed down his face. It was now Severus' turn to speak, and he stood, his face frozen with a solemn sadness.
"It is true; her mother was a Muggle. She died sometime ago, just after Samantha was accepted to Brisham. I never really knew her; I'd left when she was just a toddler. I didn't want her growing up with the Dark Lord. After his downfall, I wanted badly to return to them, but I couldn't; I had caused her mother so much pain in leaving. I feel that pain now, as I remember her last words. She gave her life so that I might regain mine," he rolled up his sleeve, revealing his bare arm. Murmurs once again washed through the crowd. "She did not have a will, so everything she had now belongs to me." He held out his arm and Caribe flew down and perched on his shoulder.
"Mr. Malfoy, you and Samantha shared a special bond. Caribe tells me you were the younger brother she never had." Caribe flew off his perch and landed in front of Malfoy. "He is very special. He hasn't fully recovered from the system shock of her death. I trust you will tend to him well." Draco reached out and stroked the bird's golden feathers.
Severus reached down and picked up the hoverboard. "Madam Hooch, she learned to fly on a broom because her flying instructor at Brisham was open- minded. I think you should take this and start an Advanced class that teaches all methods of travel." She nodded and accepted the board, wiping tears from her cheeks.
"Lastly," he pulled out a book that Dumbledore recognized, "Harry Potter, would you come up here please?" Harry stood and slowly made his way to the podium. Snape handed him the book. "This book contains the very spell your mother used to save your life. It was the same spell Samantha used to remove the Dark Mark. I have marked the page for you, though I must insist that you do not try to learn this magic. It is very dangerous, and the costs are too great." Harry clutched the book to his chest and nodded. He thanked the professor and returned to his seat. Snape turned back to everyone.
"Contrary to what she told everyone, she did not come here to translate a note. She in fact forged the letter. She came to perform Merlin's Blessing to save my life. I did not realize this until this morning as I went through her belongings. I also found a note to all the fifth years." He unrolled a parchment and cleared his throat.
"'I am the last; the last sorcerer. My only regret is I outlived Flamel. He was the greatest and deserved this honor. But one day, there will be another, and he will wish to know of his kin. This is what you will say to him:
There is a power within each of us to be greater than we are destined to be. Sorcerers have tapped into this power, and use it. We are rare, and dying out, but no one will forget our legacy, because it lives in everyone: the power of belief.'" He rolled the scroll back up and placed it in his robes. He walked to the casket, which would be sealed by him before burial. He placed his hand on her forehead and let a tear fall.
"Goodbye my child. We will always carry the power of your belief." He kissed her on the forehead and closed the lid. He cast a spell, burying her body and releasing her soul.