Favorite HP "Speech"

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 27230

Laura wrote:

> Does anyone else have a favorite?
> 
> Laura - reserving the right to change her mind and decide a 
different 
> speech is really her favorite

Amy, doing the same, submits this one, also from PS/SS:

  "Well that's it then, isn't it?" Harry said.
  The other two stared at him.  He was pale and his eyes were 
glittering.
  "I'm going out of here tonight and I'm going to try and get to the 
Stone first."
  "You're mad!" said Ron.
  "You can't!" said Hermione.  "After what McGonagall and Snape have 
said?  You'll be expelled!"
  "SO WHAT?" Harry shouted.  "Don't you understand?  If Snape gets 
hold of the Stone, Voldemort's coming back!  Haven't you heard what it 
was like when he was trying to take over?  There won't be any Hogwarts 
to get expelled from!  He'll flatten it, or turn it into a school for 
the Dark Arts!  Losing points doesn't matter any more, can't you see? 
 D'you think he'll leave you and your families alone if Gryffindor win 
the house cup?  If I get caught before I can get to the Stone, well, 
I'll have to go back to the Dursleys and wait for Voldemort to find me 
there.  It's only dying a bit later than I would have done, because 
I'm never going over to the Dark Side!  I'm going through that 
trapdoor tonight and nothing you two say is going to stop me!  
Voldemort killed my parents, remember?"
  He glared at them.

I just love that, and run it back at least once every time I listen.  
It's not so much anything he says, though that's great, or the way he 
says it, which lacks Snape's eloquence, but the fire and sheer 
courage in this kid who isn't yet 12 years old that move me.  This is 
also the first moment in the books when he seems thoroughly part of 
the wizarding world.

Amy Z