Dearest Severus Snape-A Letter To A Man We've Doubted

 A letter to a man most have doubted for several years-

Dearest Severus,

I will not lie, you have confused me since the beginning. Your demeanor has always been cold, curt, and dark- I never expected what you revealed in the end. For seven years you have begrudginly disapproved of The Chosen One, yet still in a miniscule way, you always seemed to shed light onto his situations, guiding him with even the smallest of a conversation. You kept your secrets, and you kept them well-from everyone. Albus looked to you not only as a professor leading your students to success in the wizarding world, but also as a true friend. Back and forth, it seemed like you were toying with the dark side while having complete alliance with the good, and toying with the good side while having complete alliance with the dark. Your resilience to the constant change and drastic progressions of evil every year was impeccable. I often wonder how you managed.

When you began to mentor Draco, I became enraged-I thought that the truth had finally shown itself--that you really were a loyal follower of The Dark Lord. After learning of deep and private conversations you had with Dumbledore, and then hearing this...it was just absoultely insane. That night in the tower still plays over and over in mind whenever I come to thinking of you. Draco was the one who was to kill Albus-not you. Or so I thought. I never would have anticipated the truth-Albus asking you to take care of the deed to save Draco's soul. I remember Harry chasing after you that night-and how he was able to enter your memories-learning of you and Lily as just friends. How could you look at Harry and maintain all of the lies knowing if you simply told him everything he would have understood? I understand it was to help carry you to the final battle and defeat The Dark Lord-but what would have happened if Harry really knew?

The final chapters were grusome- I couldn't believe the turn of events that took place, especially you sitting in Malfoy Manor at the table amongst the strongest of The Dark Lord's followers plotting the death of Harry on his 17th birthday. I remember Professor Burbage's death while you watched-you wanted to say something Severus, but you bit your tongue. You and Charity were friends, yet you watched the life vanquish from her soul-but still you stared at the life that remained in her eyes. How was that possible? Again Severus, you maintained your cover well- very well. While the final battle was taking place, I was still in awe of the composure you kept while witnessing the deaths of your students, your fellow professors. I waited patiently for your truths to come to the light-it seemed like it would never happen. On that fateful night where Voldemort questioned your alliance and tried to determine who the Elder Wand would answer to- I never imagined that this is where your journey would end. As soon as The Dark Lord sent Nagini to kill you, my heart fell to the pit of my stomach. Although I never fully knew if trusting you was the best option, I always considered you to be one of my favorites. I loved the mysterious air that encompassed you-no matter the hurt and pain you caused. When The Dark Lord and Nagini vanished that night, and Harry ran to your side from where he hid watching, I feared what the scene would be. As you sat there, staring at Harry, tears streaming down your cheeks, I couldn't help but cry. You told Harry to collect your tears-your memories- and take them to the pensieve to see the truth of everything. With Harry there with you, you bid farewell to the wizarding world. As I learned just what your memories were telling Harry in the pensieve, I knew that above all of the evil you took part in during your lifetime, Lily Potter's son was never far from your mind, nor your heart. You had tried everything in your power through every decision, every action-to protect Harry, The Chosen One. Your love for Lily had never perished, and you were in constant mourning for the beauty that had passed far too soon. You truly are the bravest man Harry has ever known-that I, and the rest of your fans, has ever known.

You lived a life of secrecy Severus, a life of many questionable decisions and actions, but that life of secrecy was surely not in vain. I will never forget you Severus-your memory is forever in my pensieve.

Sincerely yours,

Brynn Ashleigh