Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of JK Rowling, Warner Brothers, and Scholastic Books. No infringement is intended.
Living a life of Truth
Chapter 1
Harry Potter was a man with a dark history. He lost his parents as an infant to a terrible and vile man who he was forced to kill sixteen years later, nearly causing his own death. After a war with many loses Harry was forced to forge a new life. After two years traveling the world he returned to his friends, his family. Upon reentering society he was instructed in regard to the complete estate and fortune left to him by his parents. His parent's only family friend Remus Lupin, taught him how to run things. Harry took up residence in his family's mansion and began work as an Auror. He spent most of his free time with his two friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley. He had returned from his two year trip to discover that his two friends had found each other, not long after Harry returned, the two married. The Weasley's were his adopted family, and over time, he discovered Ron's little sister Ginny. The two began a slow relationship that led to a deep meaningful relationship. After a year together Harry proposed and the two were married a short time later. The trouble started soon after. The dark scars that Harry still carried came back, and two years into his marriage he began an affair with the maid Sarah. Harry hated himself for every moment of infidelity. The affair with Sarah was short lived, and Harry ended it. He knew he needed to honest with Ginny. He didn't expect forgiveness, he didn't expect anything, he loved her more than anything and she deserved the truth and she deserved to hear it from him.
He paced outside of the house knowing Ginny was waiting for his return. She worried for him and knowing that made Harry hate himself even more. He finally gathered his courage and walked inside.
Ginny heard the door open. She had been pacing in front of the fireplace waiting.
"Harry, welcome home." She smiled, but Harry noticed it didn't reach her eyes.
"Hi Ginny. Listen, could we talk." Ginny could see and hear the apprehension and self-hatred in his voice. She could also see the vivid dark circles under his eyes. He looked like a broken man. The circles had disappeared for awhile after his trip, but for the past several months they had been growing darker.
"What's wrong?" She asked as she sat on the comfortable sofa. Harry sighed and sat on the chair next to the sofa. Ginny couldn't help but notice the distance between them, normally he would sit next to her.
"I did something terrible, to you, to us. I…I had an affair with Sarah." Harry managed to get out. He was surprised by the lack of surprise on Ginny's face but kept explaining anyway.
"I ended it, I can't tell you how much I regret what I did, how much I've hurt you. I needed…I thought I needed…I wanted the pain, the sadness, the anger, the darkness to go away. Instead of coming to you with my problems like I should have, I went to her because I didn't want to think about anything. I didn't want to risk spreading my darkness to you. I can't explain myself any better than that. I just want you to know how truly sorry I am, I don't expect anything from you. You deserved to know, and you deserved to hear it from me in private." As Harry finished, he realized he had started crying somewhere in the midst of his confession, his head fell forward into his hands.
Ginny was quiet for a very long moment, at a complete loss of words. She was angry, sure, but she had also suspected he had been unfaithful. What she hadn't expected was his confession. She had expected to learn of it in an embarrassing manner probably by Sarah, who Ginny had always known was after Harry and would glorify in being the one to "break the news" to her. She wouldn't be surprised if Sarah came and told her at some point in the near future. His explanation made sense as well. She had known he was in trouble, and she had done nothing. The truth was, she was afraid, she knew very little of what went on during the war, particularly what Harry was forced to do, her mother made sure she kept ignorant of the war. What she did know, her brothers told her, and it was all terrifying. She wasn't sure she wanted to know everything, and that made her feel terrible. She knew that if they were going to make their marriage work, he would have to trust her, and she would have to trust him. Somewhere in her heart she knew that despite what he had done, she could trust him. He loved her enough to tell her, he loved her enough to spare her any embarrassment, and it was obvious he hated himself for it. It was time for her to put his mind at ease.
"Harry, I had my suspicions about Sarah, and you. I also knew you were in trouble, and I didn't say anything. I was afraid of what you would tell me, and I think a part of me is glad that you didn't come to me. I didn't want you to take Sarah to bed either." Ginny saw Harry wince at that. "However, you had enough respect for me to both end the affair and be honest with me about it. As far as you and I are concerned, I won't lie Harry, I'm hurt and angry. But I love you, and I know that if it weren't for what you've been through this never would have happened." Harry nodded emphatically at that statement. "I think if we move forward and learn to trust each other and lean on each other we can make this work. My love for you is strong and I know yours is too. Trust is something we can work on and fix. I had a hand in this too…" Harry looked as if he was going to interrupt but Ginny stopped him. "Yes I did Harry, I did nothing when I knew you needed me, needed help and I did nothing because I was scared. That was my fault Harry. Are you willing to try?"
"I will give you everything I have Ginny. I love you so much. Please don't think this is in any way your fault. You may not have come to help me, but I didn't need to choose the solution I did. I could have come to you, or seen a counselor at work, anything but what I chose to do. But I'm willing if you're willing." Harry said.
He stood slowly and approached Ginny. She offered him her hands, he took them, helped her up and she went willingly into his arms. They both realized they felt closer to each other than they every had. They still had a long way to go but they realized they were stronger together and they would make it through together.