Order of the Phoenix Chapter 37 The Lost Prophecy. Harry throws another temper tantrum but finally realizes what the prophecy and Dumbledore were all about.
Harry and Dumbledore have a talk in his office, and Harry is furious, yelling and screaming. Dumbledore is calm and patient. Dumbledore explains that since he knew about the scar meaning a connection had formed between Harry and Voldemort, he had always feared that Voldemort would realize this and take advantage of it. That he had distanced himself from Harry so that Voldemort would not be tempted to do it often. He figured, correctly, that Voldemort might lodge strongly in Harry, forcing Dumbledore to make the decision to destroy Harry in order to destroy Voldemort.
Harry admits to himself that he HAD wanted to attack Dumbledore that time in the office, so that Voldemort indeed was exerting control over him. He also admits that he hadn't been practicing Occlumency and therefore was able to be lured to the shelf room. He says that he tried to verify Sirius was really there first - but Dumbledore explains that Kreacher lied to Harry.
Dumbledore explains that Snape did of course understand Harry's warning in Umbridge's office, but had found Sirius quite fine. When Harry didn't return from the forest, the group headed to the ministry to save Harry. Kreacher had told Bellatrix how much Harry loved Sirius, so that is why Voldemort used him as the lure.
Harry starts to throw a tantrum again, defending Sirius, and claims that Snape didn't even get the clue about Sirius being in trouble (even though Dumbledore just clearly explained that entire situation to Harry). Harry is told again how Snape did indeed check on Sirius, and then roused the group to go after Harry when he didn't come back from the forest.
Dumbledore explains that the reason Harry has been staying with the Dursleys, even just for summers, is that staying with a blood relative of his mother has given him protection from Voldemort. It was Dumbledore who sent the howler early in the story to remind Harry's aunt of this.
Dumbeldore says that he cared about Harry to much to tell him over the years WHY Voldemort was after him - trying to give Harry even a few years of a happy childhood. That it was because of the prophecy. Harry said the prophecy was destroyed - but Dumbledore says the RECORD of the prophecy was destroyed. That he remembers it well - because it was told to him by Sybill. Dumbledore uses his pensive to let Harry hear it -
"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 ..."
Dumbledore explains this could have been either Harry or Neville. Voldemort chose Harry - the half blood like himself - rather than Neville, the pure blood. And in doing so Voldemort marked Harry, fulfilling the prophecy.
Dumbledore says Harry is full of an awesome power - one in the locked room in the Department of Mysteries. The power of heart, of love. Harry realizes that the prophecy says he must kill Voldemort. And Dumbledore tells Harry, with a tear in his eye, that Harry not getting the prefect position was simply Dumbledore's way of trying to lessen the burden on Harry in what he knew was going to be an incredibly difficult time.
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