Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave 
But since he was a Horcrux he should have died, I don't see how him wanting and expecting to die makes any difference. |
Well I think the essence of it is that he didn't live because he expected to die; he lived because of his blood and Lily's protection being in Voldemort, which still tied him to the earth.
He needed to believe he was going to die, to have accepted death, to become the master of death. Plus, it secured the protection around the students a la Lily.