Chapter 24: A Talk of Large Proportions

~*~

"Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as your mother's leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign... to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever."

[Professor Dumbledor, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone]

~*~

Dumbledore lowered his hands and surveyed Harry through his half-moon glasses "It is time," he said "for me to tell you what I should have told you five years ago, Harry. Please sit down. I am going to tell you everything."

--

 Harry heard Dumbledore say these words and suddenly he wasn't so sure he wanted to know. What if Dumbledore was right and he couldn't handle it? Millions of doubts rushed through his head. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to actually give in. He brushed them all away in a millisecond. Finally, someone was going to tell him why his parents had died, and why Voldemort was so bent on killing him. This was not an opportunity to pass up for sure.

"Harry," said Dumbledore,  "Voldemort wanted to kill your parents for many reasons, it was not a simple thing. Your parents were both very powerful wizards, both very gifted. After leaving Hogwarts they had received grants from various organizations working against the dark arts for different projects that would help in the combat against Voldemort. Your parents developed many charms but in the end each had their own main project. You're father was working on a way to help those who had been under the cruciatius curse for an extended period of time. As you know it can have very damaging effects."

 Harry nodded, remembering what he'd learned about Neville's parents.

"You're mother's project was a work against the killing curse, as you know it is impossible to bring back the dead. Her idea was to create a shield against that particular curse. Many before her had tried, but none of them had been successful. I do however, have reason to believe that she may have made an advancement."

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"Harry," said Dumbledore, "I did not lie when I said it was your mother's love that saved you. I believe that part of the reason you saved was her work against the curse. I believe the shield she was having the most success with was based on love. Obviously she was a partial success. It wasn't just that which saved you though. Her shield was still in development after all. A lot of it was due to your own powers."

"What could I have done to stop it though," questioned Harry, "I can't even remember much anymore."

"You, Harry, are descended from a very powerful line. You're father before you was not only the heir of Godric Gryffindor, but also Rowena Ravenclaw. Their grandchildren produced a child, who then married a Potter, making you the heir of both lines. As you know, Voldemort is the heir of Slytherin. You are also aware that he left the school after many disagreements with the other founders?"

Harry nodded. "So Voldemort holds a grudge against me because of my distant ancestors?"

"No, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Tom Riddle fears you, probably more than most anything else. He fears your power, your potential to eventually conquer him."

"But that's impossible," said Harry, "I'm not even that bright. If I were Voldemort I would fear someone like Hermione much more."

"Granted," said Dumbledore, "Ms. Granger can be a bit... scary at times, very determined that lass is; however you should not think so lowly of your own skills. Many grown wizards can not conjure a patronus. You have the potential to do great things."

"Voldemort did great things too," said Harry, "According to Ollivander, 'terrible, but great.'"

"Voldemort also fears you because of a prophecy."

"What prophecy," Harry asked, frowning slightly. He didn't hold much stock in divination, but every now and then it could prove to be correct.

"I told you before that Professor Trelawney had once had another vision, well at least one other accurate one. The day she applied for a job here she slipped into a trance during her interview. It was then that she prophesized his downfall. In her prophecy it was you who would cause it."

"So that's how she got the job," Harry thought aloud. Then embarrassed began to apologize, "I'm sorry professor I didn't mean that she..."

"Never mind, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Professor Trelawney can actually provide a bit of amusement for the staff at times. None of us hold much stay in her 'predictions' though. I know that you will keep that between us though."

"So it was because of that prophecy that Voldemort came after me the first time?" asked Harry.

"Yes," replied Dumbledore. "After he found out about it he was determined to end the Potter line."

"Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy," said Harry wryly.

"Yes, I believe you could call it that."

"Why bother coming after me again," complained Harry. "He'd be better off leaving me alone wouldn't he."

"Voldemort does not think so," answered the Professor, adjusting his glasses, "but he may be right in this case."

Harry looked at Dumbledore incredulously.

"Harry, it is very likely that you may be involved in battling him, as much as we would like to keep you out of it. You are a very powerful wizard and you will probably soon realize that."

"I'm just normal," said Harry stubbornly. "Besides, I've already helped bring him back."

"That was out of your control Harry," replied Dumbledore. "Besides, your blood may just be the key to defeating him."

"How?"

"Mind that this is only one possible theory," Dumbledore told him. "Voldemort relies on the blood you gave for his life. He could not exist without it. If he tries to defeat what his power originates from it may weaken him, and thus destroy him while leaving you unharmed."

"What are the other theories?" asked Harry.

"I do not want you to get any ideas Harry," said Dumbledore, "because this is by no means a plausible solution. Another theory is that by killing one of you, the other would perish."

Harry's stomach turned over. He couldn't believe what his headmaster was telling him.

"That is highly unlikely," said Dumbledore firmly, "And I can not hold much faith in either theory, much less the second one. None of it is as simple as that. Do you understand."

Dumbledore almost look worried.

"Oh," said Harry, understanding what he meant. He couldn't help smiling a bit. "Don't worry, I won't off myself without permission."

"Very well," said Dumbledore. "We do not have much more time tonight and you could use some rest."

 Harry bid his professor goodnight and began to stand.

"Oh, and one more thing," said Dumbledore before he could leave.

"Yes?"

"I would read the paper tomorrow if I were you."

Harry nodded and then asked one last question himself.

"Am I really that powerful," he inquired. "I mean to really be considered a threat."

"Yes," said Dumbledore. "Powerful enough to tilt the balance in this war."

"Okay then. Just wondering."

 Dumbledore watched the boy leave his office and sighed.  Harry Potter was far too young for this much strain, and the boy had no idea how much more he would discover in this year alone. He silently wished the boy luck. He also hoped, much like Harry, that the likenesses to Tom Riddle would end where they were. If Harry Potter ever went to the other side there would be little hope for the wizarding world. He stopped himself from worrying though. He had faith in Harry and remembered just as he'd told the boy in his second year; that it was the choices people made that mattered.

~*~

 Harry Potter walked wearily back to the dorms processing everything he had just learned. He had never really believed himself to be as powerful as everyone thought. The pile of things to worry about was growing too rapidly for his taste. Did he have the potential to become what Voldemort had become? He really hoped not. Or would his death kill the Tom Riddle as well? He didn't think he'd try anytime soon. There was no proof and he was finally trying to enjoy life for once. He knew though, that if it came down to it he'd do what he had to in order to defeat Voldemort in the end.

He reached the portrait hole and spoke the new password to the fat lady. "Chudley Canons."

It had been Ron's turn to pick this week. Their had been much grumbling about it from the other students who were not Canons fans. Harry had his own plans for the next password though.

 When he stepped in he was surrounded in a flurry of arms as his friends launched themselves at him once more.

"We've been waiting forever!" announced Hermione.

"What did Dumbledore have to say?" asked Ron.

"A lot," said Harry.

"Really," questioned Ginny. "What did you find out?"

"It appears," he said, "that I am a very scary person."