If Paths Diverge

Chapter 23

Harry sat across from Ron and Hermione at his dining room table. It felt like they were a panel of judges and he'd just lost the Triwizard Tournament. He picked at the skin on his thumb, which was already raw and bloody. He brought it to his mouth a chewed off a ragged bit.

"Stop that," Hermione chided him.

"Why?" Harry asked sullenly.

They were here to yell at him some more, what did it matter what his fingers looked like?

He twirled the ring on his finger, thinking about nothing in particular, just letting his mind wander.

"Harry," Hermione said. "Are you listening?"

She reached a hand across the wide expanse of table, but stopped just short of touching him. He brought his hands into his lap.

"He's not," Ron said, irritation clear in his voice. "We're wasting our time, Hermione. He's already given up."

No I haven't, he wanted to say, but that was a lie.

"Okay, Harry. We can see what is happening here. You're fading again. And now that we know why and how you get better, we have to talk about options."

Options.

What options did he have? He needed Voldemort, but that made him a traitor and a faggot so where exactly did that leave him? What could he do that they would approve of?

"I've been thinking about this," Hermione said, "and I may have an idea that will help you... balance yourself and also keep Voldemort from starting another war."

Harry looked down into his lap and stroked the ring, pulling it off and then sliding it back on.

"Harry. You need to listen."

"Oi!" Ron shouted, and it startled Harry enough to bring his attention back onto her.

"We get him back here," Hermione said, talking fast, "we use you to get him to come back to England and then snap a similar collar on him. I've been doing some research and—"

Harry looked back down at his hands.

"Never mind the research, just tell him the plan," Ron said impatiently.

"Right. Once we have him here with another collar, we can ensure that you have regular access to him and we control his treatment. I've thought up a few better ways to keep him from getting his collar off that don't requite pain. So he won't be abused, Harry."

This was precisely what Voldemort had been afraid of. They would promise Harry anything regarding their conduct, but once they had him, they would do with him as they pleased.

"No," he said firmly.

He wasn't going to be responsible for the man being abused again.

"He killed three-hundred people, mate," Ron said, his voice scathing. "Maybe try and think about them and not your prick."

"Ron!" Hermione said, and Harry shrunk into himself a bit more. "That's not at all helpful."

Harry heard Ron scoff and his chair slid against the ground. He must have gotten up, but Harry kept looking down at his hands.

A touch on his shoulder had him flinching, head snapping up to find Hermione seated next to him. Her palm was warm against his shoulder. Her face was kind.

"This really is the best option. Get him back and kept under control and then you can still... have contact with him. We'll protect both him and the wizarding community."