Eulogy for the Half-Blood Prince

I wrote this in 2012 for my Oral Communications class! It's probably pretty rough, but I figured it was SOMETHING. If you don't know Harry Potter, it's unlikely you'll understand it.

The Half-Blood Prince’s Eulogy

Good morning everyone. I welcome you to our commemoration today as we are gathered here in remembrance of the Half-Blood Prince. To honor a former teacher who served as not only a mentor to students; but as a friend, protector, and lastly, a hero.

Severus Snape was born January 9^th, of the year 1960 in Cokeworth, England. He was an intelligent young man who had been ambitious and loyal. He was brilliant in both the Dark Arts as well as Potions. Despite his pedigree, he was well known and fairly respected among the Purebloods. While he had been strict and sharp, he had also been an excellent teacher with much to offer. He protected Harry Potter in his love for Lily Evans, Harry’s mother and was a key element in bringing down Voldemort.

This young lad had been neglected by his parents and bullied by his fellow peers. He had gained one friend however, by the name of Lily Evans. She had been his first crush, and the love he had hoped to have. Instead however, she had married James Potter whom he became enemies with the moment of their meeting on the Hogwarts Express. At one point when being bullied by Mr. Potter, Lily had come to his defense; but his dignity had been well lost and he had blindly took out his fury on his young friend. He had called her a mudblood, and despite his countless apologies, had never been forgiven.

At Severus’s time attending Hogwarts, Horace Slughorn was the potions teacher and the head organizer of the “Slug-Club.” Only students whom showed potential and excelled in potions were included in this circle. Due to his brilliance in potion making, Severus was one of the many members of the elite group. At an early age he also excelled in the Dark Arts. He knew more curses and hexes than the final year students and was later credited with creating a good number of spells. His signature curse was the Sectumsempra which caused lacerations to the body like that of a sword. Severus has saved Harry’s life many times despite his resemblance to James. These were acts of his love and loyalty toward both Lily Evans, and Albus Dumbledore who had been the current Headmaster of Hogwarts. He had performed a counter-curse in reaction to the young boy’s broom being jinxed during a Quidditch match. During one school year, Snape showed his skills in potions by brewing the complex Wolfsbane Potion for professor Remus John Lupin; the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher whom was a werewolf. He also saved the Potter boy from being killed off by Sirius Black as well as an attack from Professor Lupin after his change on a full moon.

There are countless times and acts upon which this great wizard should be known for. His heroic deeds, loyalty, and excellence had earned him a place not only as one of Voldemort’s most trusted Death Eaters, but also as one of Dumbledore’s greatest allies. He was given a place in the Order of Phoenix which had been formed to oppose Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters; thus proving to be a double agent. He had vowed to protect Malfoy as well as Harry, and did so with his life.

It is with great honor that we have collected here on this morning to remember this courageous man. Though his death was untimely, and harsh; he did not die in vain. Severus Snape proved above and beyond of where his loyalties lied. May he forever hold a place in our hearts. Long live the Half-Blood Prince and may he finally be at ease. Thank you for your time and attention.