Later that afternoon, Harry sat in the headmaster's office. He peered at the older wizard over a steaming cup of tea.
"That's all there was, Sir," he said. "I only felt it for a minute. I didn't see anything or dream anything. I thought that my scar had woken me, but it was probably Katie…" Harry's voice faltered. He focused his eyes on the tea, trying to lose himself in the depths of the cup.
"I understand," Dumbledore said. "The timing of the pain in your scar was likely a coincidence. I'm afraid that, as Voldemort becomes more active and more aggressive, you will experience more and more of your…bond" Dumbledore nodded at Harry's scar.
"I know, Sir." Harry said, looking thoughtful. Dumbledore waited for the boy to speak, eyebrows raised. "I was wondering, Sir. I mean, I" Harry rubbed at his scar and cleared his throat. He took a deep breath, straitened up in his chair and raised his eyes to meet his Headmaster's. "I don't feel that I will make it to graduation at the point, Sir. I know that Voldemort is gaining power and I will only be more distracted as he…"
Dumbledore waited for a few long seconds before prodding, "Yes, Harry?"
"I think that it's time I fulfilled my destiny"
The headmaster sat back in his own chair, a subtle indication for Harry that he understood the enormity of the statement.
"I have to kill Voldemort. He will only gain power from here on out and I will never have a better chance." Having made his proclamation, Harry averted his eyes, losing some of the power in his voice. "I mean, I have been training all this time and…" his voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't do this anymore."
Dumbledore sat silently for a minute, brows knit.
"I understand, Harry. Although I am loathe to see it, you have a valid point. I made you a promise some years ago. I promised to include you in matters that affect you. We are preparing to take action against Voldemort and his followers. I had planned on waiting until your year graduated. I did not want to explain the absence of certain professors mid term. However, I have come to the same conclusion that you have. Voldemort will not wait. Harry, I believe that he is gathering his followers together for some grand purpose." Dumbledore had to suppress a smile. Harry was trying to hide his fear, but the boy's eyes had grown comically wide. "I do not know what this purpose is, but I intend to find out. Next week, a small group will set out to try and find the location of this gathering and ascertain what is happening."
"But…"Harry stammered. "Professor Snape…"
"Is in a very precarious position, I am afraid. Apparently, Lucius Malfoy has accused him of leading his son away from the dark lord." Harry flinched at the mention of Draco. "Severus is, no doubt, under Voldemort's suspicion. We cannot rely solely on his inside position to gain information. Time is short."
"Who is going in this group?" Harry asked. "I want to go with them."
"Harry…" Dumbledore began.
"I want to go with them," Harry said firmly. "As you say, time is short. If something needs to be done, we both know that I'm the only one who can do it. I have been training for this for two years. I am not going to be more prepared any time soon."
Dumbledore stared frankly at Harry, giving the boy the uncomfortable sensation that his mind itself was being examined.
"Very well," the headmaster said at last. "I will inform Minerva of your decision. Return to my office tomorrow after dinner and we will discuss this further."