Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Shalom: A Tribute to the Half-Blood Prince



The conception of this little accolade in a parchment has been inspired by one of the book’s most hidden gems. With his famous words, “I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death -- if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach," he became immortal without using any Horcruxes nor the Deathly Hallows.

Professor Severus Prince Snape, I have always thought of you as cold, snob, sarcastic, unfriendly, bitter, stern (as what your name suggests), unapproachable -- basically every little thing that is not required of a teacher or a nice gentleman that is. You have never even attempted to be discreet on showing your favoritism towards the members of your own House, Slytherin. Not to mention, you have never failed to show your contempt towards our beloved hero, Harry Potter and his friends, especially poor Neville Longbottom. You had never shown considerations, Sir. Never. I might as well say you were unfair altogether. However, I cannot deny that you are indeed one of the most talented wizards I have the luck to meet. Your natural flair in Potions earned you the title Potions Master. You are a gifted potioneer, Professor. Perhaps you can even brew potions while you are sleeping. I could not emphasize that well enough.


Among everyone in the wizarding world, you perhaps had the toughest job in town – working for Dumbledore; plotting against your old master, Voldemort, without any of his suspicion (Thank Merlin for Occlumency!); protecting the fruit (Harry) of your hate (James) and love (Lily), and countless equally life-sacrificing acts in between. Now, we know very well that you were never a coward. If your courage is commendable, then your love is even more admirable. Despite the harsh reality you had faced as a result of unrequited love, you still hung on until the very end. For Lily, Harry’s mother, James’s wife, and your first and only love. I guess this is the sweetest thing one could do for someone you truly love. And, we never thought this is possible for you, Professor!

It is good to know that there might be real people out there who may be just like you, Sir. People who have made mistakes at one point in their lives but decided to go back to the light at the end of the day. You showed us that regretting isn’t such a bad thing. You made regretting a whole new act of bravery, for it is hard to admit that you have lived a lamented life; but you have done it Professor, you have done it so well. You had raised your hands up and called it a day as a Death Eater and embraced the bright side. You showed us all hope, hope for redemption.



Professor Severus Prince Snape, you may have reached the end of your 38-year life but your memories will continue spinning in the web of magic every kid will get to experience as they open the treasure the Harry Potter series bestow. Shalom, Professor.

(NOTE: I wrote this tribute more than five years ago for a Harry Potter class in DLSU-Manila.)

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Moon



He used to send me messages telling me to go look outside my window every single time the moon shines beautifully. And I, a lover of anything outer space and a fool, would happily oblige. I would stare at the moon for a while, mesmerized by its light and comforted by the fact that we were both looking at the night sky.

Now, the messages are gone but the moon still shines as beautifully as ever. And I am still a lover of the night skies but definitely no longer a fool.