If Paths Diverge

Chapter 2

"Harry, please, come in," the Minister said with a smile, gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk. The older man paused, a worried look crossing his face. "You look terrible. Did you sleep at all last night?"

Harry grimaced, shrugging, and took a seat.

He hadn't. At all. He had stayed with Voldemort, lying on the floor. Had remained there all bloody night until he'd had to leave for this meeting.

He hadn't been able to go. He'd tried. He must have said he was leaving ten times last night and this morning and each time, the silence that met the pronouncement stilled him. Voldemort had not told him to go. Granted, he had not told him to stay either, but surely if the man had wanted him to clear out he would have said that.

"Did you have another panic attack when you got home?"

Damnit. Now the Minister would think he was frail, or mental, or Merlin knew what.

"No, nothing like that. I just got to thinking, that's all. I'm fine." Harry flashed him his best, brightest smile. "Really."

Kingsley considered him for a few more moments and then relaxed.

"If you say so." The older man gestured to a side table. "Coffee? Tea?"

Harry shook his head. The Minster raised his wand, cast a privacy ward, and then folded his hands on his desk.

"Alright, then," Kingsley sighed. "Let's talk about Voldemort."

Harry tensed and tried to keep his face blank as he began.

"I can understand why you didn't seek me out and tell me he was alive, but why did you lie to me when I asked about him? I hate when people keep secrets from me, especially about Voldemort. Hasn't anyone learned that that never ends well? Why keep me in the dark like Dumbledore always did? I'm an Auror, for Merlin's sake, and I managed to capture the man once before, why not let me help?"

Kingsley eyed him.

"Harry, it's true that I didn't want to bother you with this. But beyond that, this is a very delicate matter that cannot become public knowledge."

"You know, I've kept many secrets throughout my life, I think I could have handled—"

"You would have told Hermione and Ron. And your fiancée. That's three people that I can't control knowing this."

Harry scoffed.

"Those three guards know, they were no one special."

"Those three guards are under a very strict Unbreakable Vow."

"You could have asked me to take one," Harry said quietly. Sullenly.

Kingsley sighed.

"Which brings me back to not wanting to bother you with this. You don't need a Vow hanging over you that will kill you if you accidentally let this slip. You deserve a full life, a happy life."

"Is that what I have now?"

Shit.

Kingsley frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. You should have told me."

Kingsley watched him for a few moments while Harry tried not to fidget.

"Well, what can I say? I'm sorry I never told you. I still think it was the right choice, there is nothing you can do anyways, and it can only complicate your life, but—" he said, putting up his hands to forestall Harry's obvious impending objection, "I can see that you disagree, so I will simply apologize again. I'm sorry."