Always

Next month I am running a Harry Potter book night at my library. My manager asked me if I could advertise by putting a display up. I told her I could and my plan was to use our display case and turn it into a potions cupboard. I had all kinds of ideas. I had a list of materials to gather. Yesterday was my day off. I had specifically set it aside to put it all together so when I went in to work today it would be all ready to go. 

Then when I woke up yesterday morning the first thing that happened was I found out about Alan Rickman. 

I know that Alan Rickman was so much more than Severus Snape. He had done film, television and theatre. He had several other roles in film that people immediately recognized him for. 

But for me I was first introduced to Alan Rickman in a potions classroom in November 2001. 

For anyone who grew up reading the Harry Potter books a constant source of debate was the true nature of Severus Snape. Was he truly good or truly bad? 

Now while yes this debate was rooted in the books it was also a great presence in the films. While you watched the films you either hated Snape or you loved him. And which ever way you felt Alan Rickman clearly had done his job. It wasn't whether he made the characters' intentions plain that mattered. But that he made us feel something. 

It seems silly to be genuinely sad when a celebrity dies. I didn't know him. But in a strange way I felt like I did. For a decade he portrayed one my favorite characters in my favorite book. Every time I read the series he is who I picture as Severus Snape. 

I did put the display up today. I think I need to add more to it but I'm pretty proud of what I have so far. 

I think I will be dressing up as Severus Snape at the event. It just seems right. And I think just about everyone in the world beat me to all the poignant quotes either from Severus Snape or Alan Rickman himself. So I refer to my title. Thank you Alan Rickman. Always.