Favorite HP "Speech" (LONG)

[cynthiaanncoe at home.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 27233

> Laura wrote:
> 
> > Does anyone else have a favorite?
> > 

Although I could nominate a few others, the following LONG speech is 
my favorite."

"I say to you all, once again -- in the light of Lord Voldemort's 
return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are 
divided.  Lord Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is 
very great.  We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond 
of friendship and trust.  Differences of habit and language are 
nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.  

"It is my belief -- and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken -- 
that we are all facing dark and difficult times.  Some of you in this 
Hall have already suffered directly at the hands of Lord Voldemort.  
Many of your families have been torn asunder.  A week ago, a student 
was taken from our midst.

"Remember Cedric.  Remember, if the time should come when you have to 
make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what 
happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he 
strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort.  Remember Cedric Diggory."

I like the way this speech builds to a moving crescendo.  It had to 
be something suitable to set the stage for the battle coming in 
future books, and it had to motivate the students to work together.  
The best part about it is that Dumbledore never says exactly what he 
expects the students to do; that is for them to work out.  

Cindy