"Because fate and men work hand in hand sometimes. As one shapes the other, the reverse is also true. Shortly before your birth, a prophecy was made. While I know it in whole, Voldemort only ever heard part of it." Dumbledore explained. "He feared what would happen if the prophecy worked to come to pass and tried to prevent it. Unfortunately for us all, his reckless and horrifying actions led to the prophecy being set in motion in the first place. That night, both your fates became linked, creating this connection against his will."
As the headmaster answered his question and recited the prophecy, Harry felt his blood turn cold. Because of Voldemort, his fate had been sealed before he was even born. He would have to fight the greatest dark lord of his time or die trying because the madman killed his parents and failed to finish the job...
Well let him come then. He'd already known he'd have to fight in this war. He had been fighting it since he was eleven. And he was pretty optimistic about his chances now that he had the Requirement and his crew backing him up. He'd have to make plans for them in case he did not make it though ... See Hermione? I can plan for different scenarios myself now.
"Thank you for telling me, sir. At least now I understand what's going on ... And what I will have to do for all of this to end." Harry affirmed, trying to look more confident than he felt.
"I must admit that you are taking all this news better than I thought you would. Do not focus on the prophecy too much, however. It was Tom's failure to understand that fate is not as set in stone as some may like to think that pushed his actions that night. It only holds as much power on us as we let it." Dumbledore said, his mood clearly lifting up as a soft smile appeared on his lips.
Not knowing how to respond to something like that, Harry only nodded. Existential questions were really not his thing.
"But let us not tarry on unpleasant subjects." Dumbledore continued. "Though it is linked to what we talked about until now. I would like to give you private lessons this year."
"Private lessons ... with you?" Harry asked after the surprise of the unexpected offer pulled him out of his silence.
"Unless there is another me around, in which case I would very much like to meet him. If you agree, I think it is time I take a greater part in your education." Dumbledore said with a small laugh. "Especially since it would seem that you will have a lot more free time from now on." He added, raising an eyebrow while looking at him.
"Of course, I'd love to," Harry answered. "and I know that my O. were very weak, but I think I found something I want to do that doesn't need them. For now, I'm trying to do what I can to help out with the war." He added, more confident in his choice than he had been about anything else these last few years.
"Ah yes, the clothes you and your friends gave to the order. Quite a marvelous work I must say, even though I was incapable of working out how they were made. I will admit that I am quite intrigued as to how you managed to enchant them." Dumbledore inquired.
"I'd rather not say, sir. You and the order have your secrets and we have ours. It's best that that kind of information does go around." Harry said, squirming a bit in his seat and hoping the headmaster would not press on. He understood the necessity of keeping some things as secret as possible, but that didn't mean he liked it.
"We all have our little secrets that we can keep. As long as they aren't dangerous to keep. Still, do not let this war consume you to the point where you have nothing else. I would hate to see such a brilliant young man squander his future because of the mistakes of his elders." Dumbledore said, an air of seriousness returning for a brief moment before a wide smile appeared once again on his face as he looked at the stars.
"Well, would you look at the time! You've spent long enough listening to the ramblings of an old man, Harry. Although I will still need your help one last time before I leave you with your godfather..."
The soft clink of his soles on metal was his only companion as Harry walked through the empty, but brightly lit corridors of the Requirement. His body felt heavy and just keeping his eyes open took great effort after a long day of travel and festivities.
Unlike the last five years, the long and sometimes tortuous climb of the castle to reach the seventh floor was only the beginning of the journey. It had been more than half a year since he'd even seen the Gryffindor dormitory. Today though, he was walking the path toward the large room they'd repurposed into a common dormitory and that had become quite familiar since he'd changed residence.
After a long ride on the Express reuniting with friends, it was nice to have a bit of time to himself to think things through. They'd agreed to meet in the late morning, letting everyone meet up with friends and rest after the trip.
Although most of his summer had been dreadfully long and boring, the last week had gone by in a flash. Dumbledore had picked him up at the Dursleys and asked for his help to get an old potion professor out of retirement. He'd then left him with Sirus to spend some time with him. The poor man was growing even more restless, locked up as he was in his parents' house. As if he traded one prison for another. They'd avoided Diagon Alley, leaving Mrs. Weasley in charge of shopping for their school supplies.