If Paths Diverge

During the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry goes into the Forbidden Forest to surrender his life to Voldemort. When the Dark Lord tries to kill him, they both get knocked unconscious. Harry wakes up first and, owing to Dumbledore's Pensieve trips showing Harry Tom Riddle's miserable childhood, Harry instead decides to Apparate away and deliver Voldemort to the Ministry to be imprisoned, like Dumbledore did with Grindelwald. The Ministry, however, chooses to execute the Dark Lord.

Twelve years later, Harry is suffering. His magic is unhinged and he doesn't feel right, but when he stumbles upon a horrific scene in a cell at the Ministry, suddenly he comes back to himself.

Voldemort is being tortured by the Ministry of Magic and no one but his three guards and the Minister knows about his existence. They are keeping his life a secret because they are unable to kill him and his power is such that they know he will not be able to be contained forever.

Harry is left struggling with the many shifting ways to do the right thing and the changing question

Notes:

This is a DARK STORY in four parts with many triggers. Please read the tags and warnings. It starts dark, the middle is dark, and there are many dark bits near the end- but there IS a happy ending, I promise.

I have spent almost two years writing, reading, and editing this, but I had no beta so I apologize for any mistakes you might find. This is a story written mostly for myself, giving me exactly what I wanted to read. I wanted to see Voldemort victimized. I wanted to play with angst and trauma and impossible choices. I fully expect to get flamed for this. Heed the tags. Thanks for reading.