Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

oOo

The Cost of the Game

Chapter 1

"Hello." Said Ginny, smiling as she walked into the house and saw her husband sitting on the couch reading a book

"Hi." Harry said back, looking at his watch

It was 9:47pm, the third time this week that Ginny had come home after 9pm from practice, although, maybe tonight she was out with the team at the pub, same as the night before.

"Is something wrong?" asked Ginny, noticing Harry checking his watch instead of looking at her

"It's nice to see you before 11pm, that's all."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ginny asked, her voice and temper rising fast

"Nothing. I made pasta, there's some in the kitchen. I put a freshening charm on it so it should be ok to eat."

"I'm not hungry." Ginny replied, not even thanking him for his consideration

Harry just shrugged in reply. Ginny now felt really hurt, he hadn't even looked at her since she walked in the house.

"Are you going to look at me?" she snapped

Harry looked up at his wife whose face was going red from anger; he was expecting an explosion any second now, something he knew he didn't deserve at all.

"You could at least look a little happy to see me!" she spat

"Oh, I'm happy...It just sucks that I don't know who you are anymore. I sometimes wonder if it really is my wife that I'm living with." He said calmly

"What?" asked Ginny, clearly shocked by his words

"You're never around anymore!" Harry shouted, throwing his book on the table and getting to his feet

"Well what do you want me to do?" she asked, equalling his volume

"Leave and bring my wife back to me!" he yelled sarcastically

"Do you want me to leave?" Ginny screamed back

"No, I don't want you to leave!" he said, exasperated "I want to see you more! I want to talk to you, hold your hand, and kiss you! You haven't been home more than two nights in the last three weeks."

"That's crap! I'm home every night!"

"Coming home after 11pm doesn't count!"

"I can't help it that I finish practice late!"

"Oh, don't give me that! We both know full well that you don't have practice until 11 every night!"

"Yes I do!"

"No you don't!"

Ginny screamed out loud, trying but failing to get her frustration out.

"And what do you mean you don't know me anymore?"

"I mean, we never communicate, and I hardly know what you're doing these days. You haven't attended family dinner in a month and a half!"

"That has nothing to do with communication! And we talk every day!"

"No, we don't. The most I hear is from the paper 'Holyhead Harpies' number one Chaser, Ginny Potter, was spotted out at the local pub with the rest of the team for the second time this week.'."

That silenced Ginny. She stood there, flabbergasted at what was happening between her and her husband.

"So what are you saying?" she asked quietly

Harry had to breathe deeply to calm himself down so he could answer her, "I'm saying; our marriage is falling apart because we never see each other anymore. We both have busy careers, I get that but I'm not out every night partying it up with my co-workers, falling into bed at 11pm without so much as a 'Hi honey, how was your day?'. I'm home every night, hoping that I'll get to see you before I go to bed. I'm the one wondering if you're ok because I've barely seen you for weeks let alone spoken to you."

"Well, I'm so sorry I have such a demanding career!" Ginny yelled, her temper returning in full force

"I do too! But at least I'm trying to come home every night at a reasonable time so I can be with my wife!" Harry replied

"Do you want me to quit?" Ginny asked

"No, I don't want you to quit. I want you to be home more so I can get to know you again."

Ginny didn't know how to reply so she kept quiet.

"Do you remember when last we were together?"

"Excuse me?" She stuttered before she caught on to what he meant

To Harry's horror Ginny burst out laughing.

"Oh, I get it. This is about sex! Is that all you want me for?"

"NO! Our physical relationship is important but our emotional relationship is more important. And we're lacking in both. It's been four months since either of those took place and I want to be able to talk to you again and be with you. I'm completely devoted to you but I don't feel that devotion being returned."

Before she knew it tears splattered down her face. Not from his anger but from his pain and how true the words were. She'd stopped caring about everything except Quidditch, including Harry. None of it mattered anymore to her as she rose higher and higher in her popularity on and off the team. Her ego had taken over and she had shut everything else out. The realization was overwhelming.

"I'm going to shower." Harry said, he turned and left the lounge

Ginny started sobbing. When she heard the shower start she knew she couldn't stay here anymore, at least not tonight. She had hoped Harry would turn back but he hadn't and hearing the shower told her he wasn't going to let her off that easily. She quickly rushed to their bedroom and grabbed a duffle bag and started packing it. When Harry came out of the bathroom she went in and got her toothbrush.

"What are you doing?" Harry asked when Ginny walked back into their room and put her tooth brush into the duffle bag that was on the bed, filled with clothes, and zipped it up

"I'm leaving. I'm gonna stay at a friend's house tonight."

"No, Ginny...please!" Harry pleaded, running to her as she walked back into the lounge, bag slung over her shoulder

"Don't come looking for me." She said as she stepped out of his reach

"Stop!" Harry shouted as Ginny reached open the door and stepped out onto the porch

It was a cold night, very cold actually. It was the middle of November and she didn't plan on staying outside long. Before Harry could get a hold on her she turned on the spot and apparated.

Harry slammed the door behind him as he stormed in his house. What had he just done? Was this really the end of his marriage? He believed he had every right to be angry with Ginny, it didn't feel like they were married anymore, just two house mates who shared a bed but nothing else. He'd never felt pain like this, so deep it actually felt like his heart was being ripped into two. He couldn't help the tears that fell from his eyes as he walked to his bedroom and climbed into the bed that now felt colder than ever before.

oOo

A/N: I was just inspired...