A/N : Finally I managed to get one chapter done each day. I'm still having my exams though, so no commitments. Enjoy!

Chapter 9 : Prophecy

Harry was having dinner in the Great Hall with Ron and Hermione when a second-year student came running towards him, panting breathlessly. "Professor Dumbledore...wrote a note...for you." The young boy gasped for breath while handing Harry a hastily scribbled note from Dumbledore.

Harry,

If you have finished your dinner, kindly meet me at my office as soon as possible.

P.S. Chocolate frogs are tasty.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Harry stole a glance at his plate. Well, it was still piled with half of a steak and some mashed potatoes, but curiosity got better of him. Scraping his chair, Harry briefed Ron and Hermione on the contents of the note before leaving hurriedly, trying to keep his composure as he strode to Dumbledore's office. When he was sure that the corridor was deserted, he broke into a run, and found himself standing in front of the gargoyle in record time.

"Chocolate...frogs," he panted to the gargoyle, which stepped aside and allowed Harry's entrance. A slight frown suggested that he wasn't satisfied with Harry's lack of dignity. Ignoring him, Harry paced up the spiraling stairs, trying to get some air.

"So you are willing to let his relatives mentally crush him as long as he is alive? Hogwarts..." Harry heard Snape billowing before a calm voice of Dumbledore took over. "Severus, calm down. I know you care for Harry," "I don't, I'm just worried for my future," Snape interrupted. "Please let me finish my words, my boy," Dumbledore obviously wasn't offended by Snape's lack of manners. "As you personally suggested just now, Harry would be the only savior and hope for the wizarding world. I really do love him, but it's not with me to put him, and the whole wizarding world, at risk when there's a better choice. Besides, I have eyes watching Privet Drive since Harry's first day there, and although he is not treated like a prince, there's no reason for me to suspect any life-threatening circumstances." "You...", Snape started to argue.

Not wanting to listen to this argument anymore, Harry made his presence known by knocking on the door. "Harry, my boy, please come in." Dumbledore's voice sounded pleasant and nonchalant. Harry observed that Dumbledore was sitting comfortably on his chair whereas Snape was standing, looking about to pound on Dumbledore, face contorted with fury.

After a moment of awkward silence, Dumbledore made to speak first. "Harry, before I proceed to the more important matter, Severus here has kindly suggested that he suspects abuse in your household. Do you wish to elaborate on this matter?" Harry glared at Snape before shaking his head. He had not told Dumbledore before, and he would not tell Dumbledore now, especially when the brutality had stopped years ago. "Well, if that's the case, just keep in time that you are requested to inform me or any other Order members if something awful happens in Privet Drive. We all care about your well-being." Harry nodded his consent half-heartedly. He was currently pondering about why Dumbledore regarded him as the only saviour and hope of the wizarding world. He felt a heavy burden drop on his shoulders upon hearing the words, and he was having a bad hunch.

"Tea, Harry?" Harry sighed as Dumbledore obviously wasn't going to skip the pleasantries. "No thanks, sir. I just had my dinner. Err...I would actually prefer it if we could just get into the main objective?" Harry hoped he didn't sound rude. "Sure." If Dumbledore was shocked or angry, he didn't show it. Instead, he smiled at Harry before motioning him to take a seat in front of his desk.

"Harry, do you remember asking me why Voldemort wished to kill you?" Harry nodded. "I will tell you the reason now. Be prepared, remember that we will always be with you no matter what happens," Dumbledore looked at Harry gravely, as if he wanted to take in Harry's current state. Harry was confused, and the weight on his heart was increasing with time. Thankfully, he didn't need to wait for long before Dumbledore started to speak again.

"It all started the year you were born, by a prophecy from Professor Trelawney." Dumbledore stated. "Does prophecy truly exist then?" Harry couldn't resist the question. "There's still argument, but prophecies have powers if there's people who believe. And bad luck for you, Voldemort did. And please try not to bombard me with questions before I finish the story, or we might not be able to sleep tonight." Dumbledore added kindly. A grunt from Snape reminded Harry of his presence.

"Harry, please come to the Pensive, I will show you my memory for the prophecy." Harry took cautious steps towards the Pensive, not that he was afraid of the Pensive, but afraid of the horrible truth it contained. In the meantime, Dumbledore extracted the memory from his temple and poured it into the Pensive. "After you, Harry."

Harry plunged head first into the Pensive, and immediately found himself in a dark pub which he recognized as Hog's Head. Before him sat Professor Trelawney, whose eyes' suddenly lost focus and started to drawl in a low voice that Harry was unwillingly familiar with. Harry shuddered as he recalled the prophecy made by Professor Trelawney about Peter Pettigrew, which was proved correct that particular night.

Forcing himself to listen to the prophecy, Harry grimaced at the words. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

When the prophecy ended, Harry was pulled back to Dumbledore's office, almost losing balance due to his dizziness caused by the shock of the overwhelming prophecy. "How? I mean how did Voldemort know this?" Harry blurted, not having overcome the news yet. By his peripheral vision, he saw Snape bow his head lower to the ground while Dumbledore merely replied, "a death eater heard the prophecy and told Voldemort."

"So...does this mean I have to kill Voldemort in the end or I will be killed by him?" Harry asked tentatively. "Yes. I'm really sorry Harry," Dumbledore tried to comfort him. Harry just shrugged. Deep down his heart, he had known the answer all way long, but suspicions and a truth, it made a great difference. Suddenly, Harry laughed, hysterically. "I would either be a murderer or be assasinated. Thank God for granting me such an adventurous life! I'm sure everyone envies me!" he guffawed before it turned into a sob.

"Harry, I know it's hard, just…" Dumbledore started but Harry stopped him. He wiped his tears and said in a steady voice, "it's okay, I'm fine, really. Just, can the Order help train me to fight? If I'm fated to challenge Voldemort, my only hope is that I will be able to do it properly." In just that fraction of second, Harry's fear had turned into determination, and Dumbledore found himself looking up to the teenage boy in front of him. "Oh, my brave, brave boy. Of course we will help whatever we can." Dumbledore's usually twinkling eyes had tears shining in them. "And Harry, if you ever thought of leaving Privet Drive, I want you to know that the blood wards there will help keep you alive."

Harry did not understand about blood wards, but he didn't feel like asking either. Instead, Harry stood up, steadying himself and bade farewell to Dumbledore and Snape. "I promise to do my best," he added before turning to leave, ignoring the stares they gave him. After making sure he was out of view, he broke into a run and collapsed in the toilet cubicle once again, truly feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.