Entry 2.0 - The Last Speech

Entry 2.0 - The Last Speech by Harry Potter

(An excerpt from the Daily Prophet)

July 31, 2065

(This day marks the 85^th birthday of one of the most talked about wizard of all time, Harry Potter – The Boy who lived. This piece covers the last public speech of his life at the Hogwarts School. Some say it’s the most detailed, vivid and beautiful description of his life, complemented by a celebration the likes of which Hogwarts has ever witnessed.)

(Harry Potter slids his wheelchair by his hands and reaches the grand golden podium, moving his hands on the edges, almost reminiscing the view of Dumbledore standing at the same place and addressing students for so many years.)

Good Evening Wizards and Witches..

( A hoarse, cracked and slow voice..nothing like the voice in his young days..)

Yes, my dear children, all of you are magicians. You may not know much spells, but it is yours little minds and hearts that I see today. This beautiful tinkle and sparkle I witness, giving me an amazing feeling ….knowing that you are the magicians of tomorrow.

And believe me, you have made the most excellent choice, you are at the Best Magic School in the world, Hogwarts.

(All the students were listening him with their full attention.)

(The expressions of Harry’s face were constantly changing.. )

“The boy who defeated Voldemort, the Boy who was chosen or the Boy wonder. Over the years, I have been given these names of grandeur, but believe me, I deserve none of it. Because I am just the boy who lived.. and believe me I had a lot of help..

The true reason why I am standing here today isn’t because I am a great magician, leader or because I defeated Voldemort.. The true reason behind it is something else entirely.. one which all of you will know very soon in your lives..

( By now, Students had started eating their feast dinner, There were loads of chicken, ham and cheese sandwich, pastries and pies.)

(Even harry stopped to take a sip of wine placed in diamond studded Gryffindor mug besides him. Behind him were a horde of teachers, including Hermoine, Neville and Hagrid.)

There is rather a long list of people I would like to thank for who and what I am today, for the Man, Father and Magician I am today. There is so much that so many people have given me. I am not a great man, I am just a lucky man who has had the pleasure of being surrounded by so many great people.

First of all, I would like to thank my parents, Lily and James Potter. Mom and Dad, thank you for bringing me into this world and protecting me even in the gravest of times. You taught me, what it means to be a parent. Even from heaven, you have been a big force in my life.

To Hagrid, my first friend in this brilliant magical world. You have taught me how to care for others…How selflessness and innocence are great qualities. You came into my life at a time I was alone and ignited a ray of hope when everything seemed dark and gloomy.

To Professor Mcgonagall, you are one of the finest women I have ever seen in my life. You taught me the importance of Strength of Character, Integrity and Principles in Life. I was truly honoured to be in Gryffindor under your leadership.

To Fred and George, you guys are the most awesome, fun loving and charming lot. You are an inspiration to so many people out there bunking classes, having fun with all Weasley whizzes in school and enjoying every bit of life through sheer fun and happiness.

To Neville, I realized in my early years here that there was something more about you then it met my eyes. After getting to know you, I could finally realize that one can have a harsh and tragic childhood, but still you can still rise and become a fantastic human being and live life like you want it.

To Draco Malfoy, we never saw eye to eye. But I always somehow knew you had good in your heart. I saw you being on both sides. Being the attacker and the victim at the same time. I had a feeling you and me were quite similar in certain ways, maybe thats what always led to our troubles. You may have mistakes, but in the end you had a pure heart.

To Luna, you really are a rare and weird human being. But you were someone, I could always relate too. The smallest of your quirks, observations and witty remarks were a treat to watch. Many called you weird at school, but they were wrong, you were someone so rare. Thank you for keeping me sane in many hard times of my life.

To Ron and Hermoine, you taught me the value of friendship. It is only because of you two, that I could survive in every stage of my life. You were always my biggest shield and weapon. Thank you so much for always being there for me. You were the first cornerstone of My Life. You are my true Family. This Life has been such a great journey because I had you two always by my side.

(Harry raising the cup towards hermoine sitting in the back.)

And while talking about family here, I owe my whole childhood to the Weasleys. Thank you for always inviting me with open arms in your family. Arthur and Molly, you have no idea how your love fuelled my emotions and how your home felt nothing short of a paradise to me. You are the kindest souls and parents I have ever met.

Professor Horace Slughorn, thank you for teaching me the value of Courage in life. How one can show courage even in the worst moments of your lives, that was a big lesson for me.

To Remus Lupin, You are the perfect living example of a fair, just and a hardworking person. You taught me how life can throw infinite number of obstacles at you, but its upto us to deal with it and rise to the occasion. You were my favourite teacher at Hogwarts.

To Sirius black, my penfriend, my godfather and the closest grownup friend I ever had, You came like an angel into my life. The way you cared for me was more than I could ever hope for. Thank you for being there for me at all times. You suffered and paid a lot for the crimes you never committed, and you bounced out of it, being the same good man you always were. You taught me the importance of Light and Dark in one’s life. I always looked up to you and wanted to be like you. Your friendship with Lupin also helped me a lot understand my own friendship with Ron and Hermoine and how important are friends in One’s life. You were my second cornerstone.

To Hedwig, you are true example of loyalty and trust. Thank you for always listening to me for so many years. I am sorry you had to sacrifice your life for me.

To Dobby, the Free Magical Elf, We shared a very special and interesting relationship for many years. Thank you for helping me out in times of great troubles. You have and always will deserve a very special place in my Heart.

(The Dinner is over. The magical ceiling has transformed into a small number of dimlit 

candles with a net of twinkling stars above them.

I know its going long children, don’t worry now, there are only a few souls left.

To Headmaster Albus Dumbeldore, you are a magician that comes once in a century. You had a personality and intellect like none other. You taught me the importance of love over power. Thank you for always treating me the way you did, it meant just so much to me, to have someone like you in all the important times of my school life.

To Tom Marvolo Riddle, a man I did not choose to associate myself with, yet a big part of my life revolved around him. You made me realize the true responsibility and duty as a Wizard. It is somewhere because of you, I could separate many things into right and Wrong and Good and Evil.

There is one name I think people won’t expect I would say. But this name, this Man, has taught me a great deal of things in life. May it be Hate or love, kindness, courage, patience or hardwork. He somehow taught me the value of feeling things deeply in all my relationships. He is the bravest man I ever Knew. Professor Severus Snape, there is no amount of apology that I can offer for the way I treated you. You deserve every bit of love and respect. I know most of thought him as a evil man, but he actually was good, selfless and just man with whom life had never been fair. I will always be thankful to him for teaching me ..what it does mean to be A MAN.. the power of true selfless love, (WHAT “ALWAYS” MEANS). You were my third cornerstone..

(Only Ginny and Hermoine were able to truly understand what harry meant by saying 

this)

(One could almost see tears rolling down harry’s cheeks. He stared at the ceiling for a bit as if he was seeing all his loved ones who had passed away.)

To Ginny, it just feels like yesterday when we kissed in the room of requirement. I somehow knew then and there, that you were the one and true love of my Life. I am so lucky to have spend all my life with you. You know and understand me in a way no one does. These years with you are full of beautiful memories. You are my fourth and final cornerstone, you are my lifeline.

A special mention to the Hogwarts School of Magic and Wizardry, My first true home. You have given me everything and everyone in my Life.

In my final words, I would just like to say that please cherish what you have. May it be friends, family or magic in your life. Believe in hardwork as much as you believe in your talent. Do great deeds without expecting anything in return. Remember that no one is born special. If you become a truly positive in your life and in life of everyone else around you, at the long end of the road you will have a truckload of beautiful memories to cherish. Thank your for bearing me in this ranting of mine.

(Ginny reached upto harry and gave him a kiss on his forehead. He could see big drops of tears rolling down her cheeks)