Headcanon: The Slytherin Mindset

I do it because I can. I can because I want to. I want to because you said I couldn't.

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"There isn't an option here," Harry said heatedly, gesturing to the carnage below. Walls exploded, people fell wounded in battle and the world raged on round it all as the Golden Trio oversaw it all from a tower balcony, pondering their next move. Or more specifically Harry Potter's next move.

"I will go alone. I have to go alone," Harry reaffirmed his earlier sentiment.

"No, Harry, we won't let you!" Hermione cried out, painfully and full of fear.

"Yeah mate, you can't expect us to just be okay with you sacrificing yourself for the entire movement," Ron added, crossing his arms as he stared at the slight man in front of him, a man who had suffered for years at the hands of those who held power over him. Ron frowned as he considered that thought, before pushing on with his argument.

"You're our leader, I'll give you that. But leaders need to delegate. We're the soldiers here mate. Lead us, guide us, coordinate our attack. But don't expect us to be all for a plan that has you charging off half-cocked in some grand scheme to defeat the entire Death Eater movement on your own. Sure, you might come close to defeating Voldemort on your own? But you're forgetting that Voldemort has an entire army behind him. You need us just like Voldemort needs them."

Harry Potter frowned, his mouth turning down at the sides as he grimaced internally and externally at what he was about to do. Rather than responding verbally, Harry turned and shot the strongest sticking charm he could think of at Hermione and then Ron, anticipating their reaction times and abilities. Neither were impressed with Harry's actions.

"Harry!" Hermione and Ron both chorused, each as outraged as each other.

"Don't do this mate, please!" Ron cried out, driven more by emotion in this most recent plea than by logic.

"You can't do this Harry, you simply can't!" Hermione sobbed, tears leaking out of the corner of her eyes, emotion choking her words.

Harry ignored both pleas, side stepping both of his friends and walking a short distance away out of their current reach. "You two still have mobility of your arms and legs, you just can't apparate or step more than a metre from your current location. I trust that the two of you are capable enough to defend yourselves until the spell ends."

All three former Gryffindors knew why the spell would end. They knew what it would mean when Ron and Hermione could walk freely once more.

Harry turned his back on his two closest friends, head held upright as he walked with purpose to the doorway. As Harry opened the door he paused briefly, eyeing the two people he trusted the most in this world – the two he would now leave behind.

"It has to be me and nobody else. Whatever the reason for my being here is irrelevant now. It is my role to fulfil. I'm doing it because I can. I can because I want to," Harry stated calmly, no inflection in his tone until he spoke what Hermione and Ron believed to be his last words to them. "I want to because you said I couldn't."