"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I really just want to say thank you. Never in a million years did I think I would be writing a love letter to Severus Snape, yet here I am. I did not think I was the kind of person who would do this. I was wrong. But I AM writing this, and I want to thank you for being who you were. I really only know you from Harry Potter, but I am convinced that that is enough. You were able to capture the character so brilliantly and truly encompass who he was as no one else would have have the ability to do. I have read the tributes from your fellow cast members, and they all say that you were such a wonderful man. They say you were intimidating, yet so friendly and loving. I want to say thank you for playing Snape as no other could. That series impacted my life in a huge way, a way that I cannot begin to explain, and to see the most complex character come to life on the screen was a dream come true. You made it happen.
Then the cancer took you, and I am so sorry that you did not get more time. More time to show the world who you were, more time with your wife, more time to be you. 70 years of Alan Rickman was not enough. But it will have to do.
Emma Watson’s note to the author of this book is on the back of it. She says she loved the book. I wonder if she thought of it when you left. I wonder if they all called each other up and cried for you.
I cried when I found out. I did not think I was the kind of girl who cried over celebrities, but I teared up for you. I cried because now Severus Snape, who had been such a huge part of my life, was really gone.
I am sure you got this a lot. That Harry Potter changed someone’s life. Don’t doubt it. It does change lives. Magic changes lives. You changed lives.