If Paths Diverge

Chapter 15

When Harry opened the door, the Minister and the Healer both stood from conjured chairs, the former impatiently and the latter warily.

Harry took a breath and put everything he had into his Occlumency shields.

"I've done it," Harry said tremulously, keeping his eyes down.

"Done it? You've—?"

Kingsley pushed past him, into the room, stopping fast when he saw the body upon the ground. He turned to face Harry, bewilderment soon giving way to suspicion.

"You killed him?"

The question was disbelieving, almost sarcastic.

Harry looked up, meeting his eyes, and nodded. He tried to look remorseful.

"What happened?"

"I... Well, I know you'll think I'm insane, but I asked him to give up being a Dark Lord and he refused."

Harry was able to act sincere because this was close to the truth. The body on the ground and his own sadness at seeing it there could easily have been reality.

"Merlin, Harry, you've got to be kidding me," Kingsley cursed, turning back to stare at the naked, defeated Lord Voldemort. "So. He's... dead? You were able to kill him?"

Harry nodded even though the Minister could not see him.

"Yes."

"How?"

Kingsley turned back, but the Healer spoke before Harry could answer.

"I'm sorry, Minister, Mr Potter, but I really must insist you complete this conversation back at St Mungo's. Your heart is still recovering Mr Potter and this... turn of events has surely upset you and may negatively affect your health."

Harry was ready for this.

"I will return, but I can't stay at the hospital any longer."

He thought about how destroyed he would have felt if he had really been forced to kill Voldemort and used that to give his voice the misery Kingsley would need to hear to believe him.

"I can't. You offer home-visit services, don't you?"

The Healer spluttered for a few moments, and then said, "Of course, but with your condition, it will be quite expensive to have the heart monitoring charms, in-home appointments, and a Healer on twenty-four hour availability—"

"That won't be a problem," Harry assured him, allowing some of his true exhaustion to show through. "I'd like to go home, now."

"I still have questions, Harry," Kingsley interrupted, his voice stern.

"I know. Come by tomorrow, first thing. I'll be home, I promise." Harry looked behind the Minister at Voldemort's body on the ground. "Um. Sorry for leaving that mess with you. I'll write a full report after I speak with you tomorrow."

Kingsley eyed him skeptically, but nodded and turned to the Healer.

"We'll accompany Mr Potter back to his home and then I will Obliviate you, Mr Bayner. Thank you for your services today."

The Healer nodded, but then blurted out a question seemingly without meaning to.

"He Who Must Not Be Named. That's who... was alive. Correct? That's who has just been killed? Why didn't you tell anyone, Minister?"

Kingsley sighed.

"You won't remember any of this anyway, Bayner."

The Healer pursed his lips.