"Life is not easy Mr. Potter. We all must do things in life that we do not want to," said the old coot. And so with that knowledge, an innocent soul dies, because knowledge is the bane of innocence. How can one be an innocent and naïve person knowing that what you once thought to be true has all been a lie? He had been lied to by the old man for five years. I once thought that I meant something to him. I believed the lie that he cared about me. I now know that all I am to him is a weapon. I have no opinions, no thoughts of my own. I am truly just a piece to a game that he hopes to win. Wiping the tears that were falling, Harry reached a conclusion. I am alone. No one can this war but me, and it is time that I live up to the Potter name. My father died protecting me. I am sure that he would be ashamed of me if he knew that I hid behind the Headmaster's robes like some terrified child, holding on to his mother's apron strings. I will no longer wait for anyone to help me ever again. I will never believe anyone when they say that they care for my well being. He stared out the window and repeated to himself the exact words the Headmaster told him.

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"Life is not easy Mr. Potter. We all must do things in life that we do not want to," said the old coot. Harry had just finished his daily chores, and had come back to his room. He was hoping to hear from the old man since his two weeks were up. But, Harry was not 100% sure that Dumbledore would honor his end of the deal. As he thought of what the old man said, Harry's hopes of being loved by someone were crushed. Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, finally believed the prayer. He realized that if the Headmaster had thought that he did not deserve the treatment of his relatives, then the old man would have come to the front door and made an attempt to frighten the so-called family that he lived with. But, when Albus magically and silently appeared in Harry's bedroom, the intent was crystal clear to Harry. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and it was as if Dumbledore was screaming, "Your happiness does not matter, only the outcome of the war matters." There was no mention of the abuse, both physical, and mental. There was no mention of the long, arduous days in the sun doing chores from sunup to sundown. The old man did not address the issue of starvation. He just uttered his two sentences, turned and silently disappeared.

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The look on Harry's face, when I told him that everyone must do some things in life that people do not want to, will forever haunt me. I feel like I have sealed his fate. At least, I now know that he will do what is necessary to survive. I feel like I have just killed two people. I have ensured that Tom Riddle will die, but I have murdered the most innocent soul alive. Albus turned to his phoenix and asked, "Fawkes, have I done the right thing by leaving him there to be turned into a warrior for the light?" The magnificent bird turned his back on the headmaster, gave a little cry and shook his plumed head. Albus said, "Well I made my decision and that is final. Tom must die." With that the old man pulled out a lemon drop and sat behind his desk and continued to repair the gadgets that Harry destroyed.