Like a pig to slaughter.
Such an inelegant way to describe raising a child with the sole goal to die when ordered. Then again is there any gracious way to tell a boy who has idolised you for years (was that his intention?) that he’d need to die in your crusade. This crusade that has lasted decades and never truly stopped just hid beneath the surface, always lurking and waiting for a single moment of inattention to reawaken. Sure his death may finally kill Voldemort for good but what about all his loyal followers? Those who have remained indoctrinated in his values even in his supposed death, surely would not simply give up without a fight. Dumbledore had never really spared a thought to the threat held by them, always just mere pawns in this game only two could play. He’d never thought twice about the damage they caused, Harry had never seen him spare a word to Neville about his parents. Bellatrix Lestrange was nothing but an afterthought even though she had hurt him in far more tangible ways than even Voldemort had.
(He’d never really known his parents no matter the stories or pictures, then again had he ever truly known Sirius? Good One James)
Maybe he could kill Bellatrix before he died that would at least let him use some of the bubbling rage within him. But he couldn't indulge in his own petty emotions when more people could die because of him. If only he had time to say goodbye to Ron and Hermione, they didn't deserve all this. But there was no way he was going to do that to them, tormenting them with his unchangeable fate. No, it was best if he went alone with only ghosts for company, hey at least he wouldn't have to fight anymore. He was tired and all he truly wanted was to be back in his cupboard, there was a certain comfort in the darkness.
He hoped it would be dark there too.