Becoming Harry Potter: The Chosen One #MNBHP

But, sir,” said Harry, making valiant efforts not to sound argumentative, “it all comes to the same thing, doesn’t it? I’ve got to try and kill him, or —”

“Got to?” said Dumbledore. “Of course you’ve got to! But not because of the prophecy! Because you, yourself, will never rest until you’ve tried! We both know it! Imagine, please, just for a moment, that you had never heard that prophecy! How would you feel about Voldemort now? Think!”

Harry watched Dumbledore striding up and down in front of him, and thought. He thought of his mother, his father, and Sirius. He thought of Cedric Diggory. He thought of all the terrible deeds he knew Lord Voldemort had done. A flame seemed to leap inside his chest, searing his throat.

“I’d want him finished,” said Harry quietly. “And I’d want to do it.”

HBP

In Harry’s sixth year, he is labeled The Chosen One because of a prophecy made when he was a baby. This prophecy marks him as the one to destroy Voldemort, but Dumbledore tells Harry that the prophecy doesn’t mean he has to do anything. Voldemort went after Harry because of the prophecy, but Harry chooses to go after Voldemort because that is what he would do whether or not he ever heard the prophecy. The prophecy doesn’t make Harry The Chosen One, Harry makes Harry The Chosen One.

CHALLENGE

We don’t have to have a prophecy written about us or be labeled The Chosen One by the Daily Prophet to stand up to the Voldemort’s of this world. All we have to do is choose to be the one who does something. Who lays down self to protect others from evil. Any of us can be The Chosen One because it is not something we are born, but who we grow (choose) to be.

If you want to be The Chosen One, stop waiting for a prophecy or declaration that you were made to stand up for what is right—just do it. Get your friends, get your undetectable-extension-charmed bags, and start hunting Horcruxes.

Don’t wait for permission to start standing up to the Voldemort’s of our world, just do it!

Next Week: Becoming Albus Dumbledore: Humble Know-It-All