A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in over a month. Here's chapter 20. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

the two-way mirror: Oh, don't worry about that. Like I've said many times, I had the story written out before I even posted it so all the details about training and location and whatnot are coming up shortly, but I couldn't very well explain them all in chapter 19. Just wait and see. Yeah, Hermione's the type of person who would be a good friend, but get on my nerves at times with her constant worrying. lol. But, the final battle will take place shortly, so stay tuned. Keep reading!

Zarroc: Thanks. Here's chapter 20. Enjoy!

The ORIGINAL Meathead: Well... here's the next chapter (finally). So, keep reading and tell me what you think.

disclaimer: i do not own Harry Potter or any characters

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Harry's stomach sank as Professor McGonagall knocked on the door; he knew Professor Dumbledore would be against the fight. He knew it. Harry heard Dumbledore's voice commanding them to enter the office and looked at the ground while McGonagall opened the door and lead him inside.

"Professor, Harry," Dumbledore greeted them, sounding surprised to see them. "Is there a problem?"

"Professor Dumbledore," McGonagall started, "Mr. Potter seems to think he needs to go off and find the Dark Lord, and battle him 'til the end."

"Is this true, Harry?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded.

"Yes, sir," Harry replied, still looking at the ground.

"I see..." Dumbledore muttered. "Please, take a seat." Harry, confused, sat in a chair opposite Dumbledore's desk and finally faced him. McGonagall seated herself next to Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore," she said, "this is absurd. The boy is only seventeen. He'll surely die."

"Now, now, Minerva," Dumbledore said quietly, "why don't you step outside and let Harry and I talk about this." McGonagall's jaw dropped, but she obeyed nevertheless.

"Professor," Harry started once the door had closed behind McGonagall, "I know what you're going to say."

"No you don't, Harry," Dumbledore stated.

"Yes I do," Harry contested. "You're against this. I know you are. You're going to tell me it's foolish and dangerous to go off and battle Lord Voldemort, knowing how powerful he is. You're going to tell me it's better to stay here where I'm safe."

"Why do you think I'm going to say that?" Dumbledore asked.

"Because you've always cautioned me to be careful," Harry replied. "Always. And I try, Professor, but he always seems to find me. He wants me dead, and I know that if I don't find him, he'll come after me once again."

"Well, Harry," Dumbledore began, "what makes this year different from the past 6 years?"

"What do you mean?" Harry asked.

"You've always waited for him to find you," Dumbeldore replied. "Why is it that this year, your final year at Hogwarts, you want to be the one who finds him instead?"

"Because every time he's come after me, it's put Ron and Hermione in danger. Not to mention everyone else here at Hogwarts," Harry replied. "I think that if I just take it off school grounds, it would be a lot safer for everyone here because I won't have to worry about him killing one of my friends again."

"Harry, what happened to Cedric Diggory was not your fault," Dumbledore said softly. "We've had this discussion before."

"Think about it, Professor," Harry said. "In my first year, when Ron, Hermione, and I went looking for the Sorcerer's Stone, Ron was knocked out during the chess match. In our second year, Hermione was petrified and Ginny was almost killed. Third year, when Sirius first showed up, Ron was dragged under the Whomping Willow and very easily could have been killed. Fourth year, the Quidditch World Cup, and that's the year Cedric died. Fifth year,-"

"I get the point, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted. "You're scared for your friends' lives." Harry sighed.

"I just don't want to put them in danger again," he stated. "If I take it off school grounds, he can't do anything to them because he'll have me where he wants me and he'll have no reason to come to Hogwarts."

"I see," Dumbledore whispered. "Harry, you feel strongly about defeating Voldemort."

"Of course I do," Harry replied, taken slightly aback. "He killed my parents. He gave me this scar. He's hurt the people I care about countless times, and he's put me through more shit than anyone should ever have to go through-"

"That wasn't a question, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted once again. "It was a statement."

"Look, Professor," Harry said. "I have to do this. If I don't finish it now, he'll follow me after Hogwarts. You know it's true, because you know what the prophecy says. 'Neither can live while the other survives.' This battle has to take place and one of us has to die."

"I understand that," Dumbledore said. "I knew this time was coming, but why do you choose today to decide to do it?"

"Because the way I see it," Harry began, "is that the sooner the battle takes place, the sooner it will be over and either I'll win or he will. If I win, great. Voldemort's gone forever and I'll have a normal life for once. But, if he wins, I'll be dead. But I would have died with a little bit of dignity knowing I went after him for once and that I wasn't scared of him like everyone else is and like he wants me to be."

"Voldemort knows you don't fear him, Harry," Dumbledore stated. "That's one reason he wants you dead."

"If I die, I'll be reunited with my family," Harry said.

"But you'll be leaving Ron and Hermione, too," Dumbledore pointed out.

"They have each other," Harry said bitterly. "Besides, I'd be making it safer for them to live. Right now, them being friends with me is putting their lives in danger. I don't want that."

"I know you don't," Dumbledore agreed. "You never have."

There was silence for a moment while Harry thought about the conversation he and Dumbledore had just had. Would it be enough to convince him to let Harry go? This was, after all, just something Harry had to do, and Dumbledore had said he understood.

"Harry," Dumbledore began, clearly just coming out of deep thought, "I know that you are entirely capable of the journey, and you're the only person that I would feel even the slightest bit confident with going up against Voldemort. So,"

Harry felt his stomach tying in knots as his palms went sweaty while he awaited Dumbledore's decision.

"So," Dumbledore continued, "that is why I agree to let you go."

Harry was relieved. He sighed and smiled, looking at the ground for a brief moment once again.

"Thank you, Professor," Harry said.

"But before you go," Dumbledore continued, "you will need training in the Defense Against The Dark Arts." Harry's stomach sank as he thought back to the last time he'd had private training. It had been with Professor Snape, and Harry didn't want to go through that again, not after what he'd witnessed in the Forest.

"With who?" Harry asked, dreading the answer. "Surely not Professor Snape again?"

"No," Dumbledore replied. "The only wizard in this school that could properly give you all the training you'll need is myself. And I will be more than happy to give you private lessons."

"Thank you," Harry said once again.

"We'll need to start soon, though," Dumbledore said. "How does tomorrow at 6 sound for your first lesson?"

"Great," Harry agreed. "Thanks, Professor, I'll see you then."

"Goodbye Harry," Dumbledore said. Harry left the office and McGonagall reentered.

"Well?" she asked.

"Well what?" Dumbledore returned the question.

"What did you tell him?" she asked. "Surely you aren't letting him go?"

"Minerva," Dumbledore replied, "I am fully confident that after some training, Harry will have a good shot at this battle."

"So you're for this?" McGonagall asked, exasperated.

"I am positively not against it," Dumbledore replied and turned from Professor McGonagall, leaving her to stare after him, not believing what she'd just heard.

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A/N: Well, there's the long awaited chapter 20. Let me know what you think and I'll post chapter 21 shortly!