The End
It was my nineteenth wedding anniversary to my husband. Harry took me to the finest restaurant in Diagon Alley. We were both dressed to impress and I could tell he was so happy. You could see it in his eyes how much he loved me. It only made me feel guiltier.
As I sat at the table with my husband, I questioned myself on how I could have done this to him for so many years. I had been having an affair behind his back for eighteen years now. I had even given birth to a child that was not his. And I had given my heart to a man that didn't really deserve it.
As Harry toasted to our nineteen years together, I looked across the room, unable to look him in the eye. I spotted Draco, drunk and on a date with Astoria. He knew that it was my wedding anniversary, and he knew this was my favorite spot. Why did he have to ruin this?
"…and I know we have had some difficult times over the years, but I still love you as much as I did when I first laid eyes on you," Harry told me, grinning that boyishly handsome smile of his. I couldn't help but blush.
I flicked my eyes back to Draco and realized how angry he looked. If looks could kill, Harry would have died that night.
"I need to use the loo. I'll be right back," I told Harry, while getting up from my chair.
I could see the hurt in his eyes at my dismissal of his lovely words, but I needed to calm Draco before he ousted our horrible nineteen year affair. I knew Draco would follow me. He always did. If I pushed, he pulled. It was always like that with Draco and I. We could never let go of each other. No matter how many times I would try to let him go, he would always pull me back.
I turned the corner to go down the hallway that led to the bathrooms and was slammed into the wall. I didn't even have to open my eyes to realize that Draco was pink in the face from anger.
"It positively sickens me to see you with him," he said scathingly.
"He is my husband, Draco. Now let me go," I calmly told him. It seemed to anger him more.
"I will not let you go!" he yelled. "Do you have any idea how long I've loved you? I've invested more of myself in you than I ever have anyone else!"
"It's not that simple for me, Draco! I love you both!" I started to tear up.
"I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving Astoria now that Scorpius is older. I'm asking you to leave him and be with me."
He spoke in a triumphant manner, but I could see the nervousness in his eyes. He was scared I wouldn't choose him.
I remember standing there forever, thinking about what I should do. I knew I loved both of these men. What I loved about Harry was the comfort and stability he gave me. With Draco it was the passion. I wondered if I should be selfish, considering my kids. Would they still love me if I left their dad?
"What about my kids?" I asked.
"What about our kid?" he countered.
I sighed. "Draco, my kids are still in school. This isn't just about me anymore. I have to think of them."
"Is that your answer, then?" He looked defeated.
"It has to be. I'm sorry." I wanted to cry so badly, but I didn't.
"I'm sorry it ended this way. I will always love you, Ginevra. I hope Potter makes you happy," he said, and then walked away.
I lost it then. I fell to the floor and started bawling my eyes out. Hearing him tell me it was truly over, after eighteen years, was devastating. My heart was broken.
After twenty minutes, and then righting myself, I went back to my table. Harry had this melancholy look to him and I felt even guiltier than before. I also felt a sense of relief. I no longer would be cheating on him.
We ate our dinner in silence, not uttering a word. I could feel Harry's eyes on me throughout the night, but I couldn't look back. Just looking at him and knowing I had chosen him over Draco made me want to cry even harder. Had I made the right choice?
"Ginny … I'm going to tell the kids that I'm leaving you."
I nearly choked.
"What?" I almost yelled.
"I've known this whole time that you have not been faithful. And I know Lily isn't mine."
"I don't kn—"
"There is no need to interrupt. Let me finish," he told me.
He looked very calm. I looked a right mess.
"I don't know who it is," he said, "but please don't lie to me, Ginny. Is there someone else?"
"Not anymore," I answered.
He was silent for a moment, placing his head in his hands. "I was right all along," he whispered to himself. Then he looked at me. "I want you to be happy. If this guy makes you happy, I'll graciously step aside. I love you too much to stand in your way if you want someone else."
"But I love you," I pleaded. Tears were forming in my eyes.
"I know you do, but it isn't enough for you. We are getting a divorce. I've already made up my mind. I can't pretend to not notice anymore."
"But we ended things," I confessed.
"Did he ask you to leave me? Did you love each other?"
I was so ashamed to answer.
"Yes," I admitted.
Harry looked away and shook his head. "All I can ask of you is to wait a little while before you let everyone know about your new boyfriend. I'm not going to tell anyone about this," he told me and then stood up.
"Please, Harry. Don't do this," I pleaded.
He walked over to me and cupped my face in his hands. "I just want you to be happy. Can you do that for me?" he asked and then gently placed his lips against mine.
I wrapped my arms around him and held on tightly. After a few seconds, he unwound my arms and left.
It would have been more merciful if he'd slapped me. At least the pain might have left me feeling alive. But I wasn't alive, not really. He'd killed me inside with his words, spoken so calmly as if he were just talking about the weather. At some point, the waiter must have refilled my wine. I hadn't noticed, but then I barely noticed the workers putting the chairs on the tables and killing the lights. They were shaking me and saying I had to leave, but all I could think was that I wished he'd slapped me, or called me a whore, or done anything at all besides walk away and leave me staring at a table for hours.
Like a zombie I shambled out into the rain. How fitting that the outside world would echo the way I felt inside. I stood oblivious to the downpour for a moment, letting my hair and clothes get soaked as I stared up and down the street, wondering where I should go. Where would I go, and what would I do when I got there? What, if anything, could be done at a time like this, with everything I'd ever known suddenly at a bitter end?
I looked back down the street. Home was that way, though I knew I'd not be welcome.
I turned my back on home, and trudged into the sodden night to find my prince.
