Don't Own

Please R&R

Enjoy!

...

Snape sunk down into a chair at his kitchen table with a shot glass in one hand and a bottle of scotch in the other.

He began to pour himself a glass as he thought about what he had just overheard, still not believing it.

There was no way that it was true…no way that Potter could have…could actually love him but then all of Potter's ranting the last night Snape had found him in the graveyard, made sense.

The whole part about Potter thinking that Snape would be disgusted with him for what he had been thinking about when he had a wife and children at home. And the thing about him loving Lily, well that made the most sense now. Potter thought that Snape would be disgusted with him if he knew that the other man loved him because he knew that Snape had loved his mother.

Snape shook his head, he should have never gone to the graveyard today but he was ashamed to admit that once he saw that it was Potter and Granger who had entered the graveyard, his curiosity had been spiked and he wanted to find out what they were doing there.

Now he knew and he wished he didn't.

Harry landed next to Hermione as they apparated to The Burrow.

They landed near the front of the house and Harry could see movement from inside the kitchen window.

"I don't know if I can do this" Harry said to Hermione quietly, his throat felt dry and he had the urge to run.

"Yes you can Harry," Hermione said nodding towards the house "remember what I said, it is better that they know where you were really going than thinking that you were cheating on Ginny. Even if they don't understand, it's better."

Harry let out a long sigh before he straightened his shirt and started towards the house. As soon as he was at the front door he knocked and waited uncomfortably.

The door swung inwards and Mrs. Weasley appeared, her lips were pursed and eyebrows were drawn down in anger, she didn't say anything.

"Uh…" Harry began, trying not to shift on his feet "I was wondering if I could speak to Ginny."

Mrs. Weasley eyed him for another minute or so but then she turned and called for Ginny.

Ginny came to the door, realized who was there and scowled.

"Ginny I was wondering if we could talk." Harry said.

"I have nothing to say to you" Ginny said.

"You don't have to say anything," Harry said "Just please give me a chance to explain."

Ginny stood stiffly, glaring at him. Harry waited patiently but it seemed like Ginny wasn't going to say anything.

Then before he could find his voice again Hermione appeared at his side. She looked at Ginny with an understanding look "Please Ginny," she said "I think you're really going to want to hear what he has to say."

Ginny ran her hand through her fiery red hair "Fine," she said stepping out of the house "let's go."

Harry felt a tiny bit relieved as they walked across the yard; he had not been looking forward to talking to Ginny inside the house where anyone could overhear them.

Ginny stopped when they were a good distance away from the house "So? What is it that you have to tell me?" Ginny asked.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, something he did when he was nervous, as he tried to figure out where to start "I wanted to tell you the truth."

Ginny looked at him skeptically "Oh so a few weeks ago you were willing to walk away from our marriage just because you didn't want to tell the truth and now I'm to believe that you've what…had a change of heart?"

"No I just…I thought you wouldn't understand before," Harry explained "but then, well I've had my eyes opened. It would be better for me to tell you where I really was rather than having you hurt while thinking that I was cheating on you."

Ginny stood with her hand on her hips, waiting for him to continue. She did not look pleased.

Harry took a deep breath and looked right at Ginny "I never cheated on you Ginny…I can understand why you would think that. I wasn't up front about where I had been and I know that if we were in reversed positions I'd probably think that you were having an affair too, but I wasn't."

Ginny didn't look convinced.

"I wasn't cheating on you Ginny, all of those times that I didn't come home after I said I was going to the bar with the guys; I was really…well I was at Snape's grave. I should have told you before but I just didn't know what you would think. I'm really sorry that I hurt you Ginny."

Ginny was gaping at him "You were at…Professor Snape's grave?" she asked, her tone disbelieving.

"Yeah" Harry answered.

"Why?" Ginny asked suspiciously.

"I…it was just a place I could go to clear my head and the last time I went…well I was so drunk that I passed out and hit my head on a tombstone. That's why I didn't come back the whole night."

Ginny was shaking her head "I don't understand…"

"I didn't think you would," Harry said quietly, he wasn't trying to make her angry but he didn't know what else to tell her, "I don't really understand why I went there myself but it's just where I went when I needed to be by myself. I never meant to hurt you but we both know that our marriage was failing long before I started going to the graveyard."

It was Ginny's turn to sigh "Yeah I know."

"Gin I'm really sorry" Harry said and he meant it.

Ginny nodded "I know you are, I'm sorry too. I'm sorry that we couldn't make it work but I guess we just weren't meant to be."

They were both silent for a moment.

Finally Harry spoke up "So where does this leave us?"

"I guess it leaves us where we were before, going through a divorce, though now I don't hate your guts even if I don't understand you, and I'll be sure to notify my lawyer not to be so demanding" Ginny said looking back at the house. "I think we better head back," she said "I'll explain to my parents that they no longer have to hate you either."

Harry nodded and he and Ginny started walking back to the house side by side. "What about the kids Ginny?" Harry asked before they could reach the front door.

Ginny frowned "That's the hardest part of all of this," she said "I don't know what we are going to tell the kids and I don't know what to do once we tell them."

Harry couldn't disagree with her.

Ginny turned to him "I did get a letter from the Headmistress," she began "it seems that McGonagall has done her best to keep the information of our divorce out of reach of James, Lily and Al's knowledge. She wants us to go to Hogwarts so that we can explain to the kids ourselves about what is happening before they find out on their own."

"That's good of her" Harry said.

"Yes it is," Ginny agreed "but she won't be able to keep them in the dark for long so I suggest that we get to Hogwarts as soon as we can."

Harry nodded in agreement "Of course, how about we go tomorrow? I'll owl McGonagall?"

Ginny agreed and then she led him into the house where he had to have very uncomfortable discussion with the Weasley family.

Harry apparated to Hogsmeade Village at noon the next day, that's where he met up with Ginny.

She didn't look happy and he couldn't blame her, he knew that the next hour was going to be one of the toughest of his life.

He and Ginny didn't talk as they made their way to up to Hogwarts. It was a long walk but Harry was relieved to have a bit of time before he had to see his children.

At the Hogwarts gate they were met by Hagrid.

The half giant grinned at them as he pulled each one into a separate hug.

Harry hugged him back earnestly and then listened as Hagrid chatted about the school, fang, his brother and much else as they made their way to the castle. Harry couldn't help but notice that Hagrid looked a lot older than when he had last saw him, which he was ashamed to admit was at least five years ago when he had last visited the school when James had made the Quidditch team in his first year and wanted his dad to come watch his first game. Now Hagrid had streaks of grey in his hair and beard. He looked more tired than he usually was but he was just as jolly as ever. It was a nice distraction from what Harry was about to do.

When they got to the doors Hagrid gave them each a hug goodbye and then told them to stay in touch.

"Mister Potter, Mrs. Wealsey-Potter" Harry heard the crisp tone of Professor McGonagall ahead of them and looked up to see the older witch coming towards them."

"Professor McGonagall" Harry said, trying to smile but it came out as more of a grimace. He was happy to see his old professor, he really was but he knew that seeing her just brought him one step closer to having to tell his kids the truth and he just wasn't looking forward to doing so.

"I'm sorry to hear about your divorce," McGonagall said and Harry could tell that she was uncomfortable saying such "but I'm glad you both could make it. It has become increasingly harder to keep the news away from the student body."

Both Harry and Ginny acknowledged her efforts and thanked her for doing so.

"Well I didn't think the news should come from anyone but you two and especially not from some lousy paper that would be full of lies anyway. Now James, Lily and Albus are all waiting in my office, you can go on up and I'll give you all the time you need. I'll just be in the teacher's lounge when you're finished."

"Thank you Professor" Harry said, McGonagall nodded and turned before disappearing down the corridor.

"I guess this is it" Harry said as they stood outside of the Headmistress' office.

"I guess it is" Ginny agreed.

Neither of them wanted to look at each other, so instead they slowly made their way up the revolving staircase and into the office.

"Mom, Dad" James said as he saw the two walk in "What's wrong? Did something happen? After McGonagall called us in here we thought that something had happened to you. Are you alright?"

Harry's body grew tense as his oldest son bombarded them with questions.

Lily had sprung up from her seat, in front of the Headmistress' desk, and had flung her arms around him "What's wrong Daddy?" she asked in a whisper.

Harry stroked her hair as he looked to Ginny, he didn't know how to begin.

Ginny rolled her eyes but then made her way to the desk where she sat down on the edge "We just had something we needed to discuss with you three."

Harry walked closer to Ginny, bringing Lily with him; he ruffled Albus' hair as he past the chair that his middle child was sitting in.

Lily sat down on the chair that she had been sitting in when they first walked in and Harry went to stand beside Ginny. He looked out at his kids and swallowed a lump in his throat, they were about to give their children news that would send their worlds off balance.

Harry sighed before taking the reins "Your mother and I…we are getting a divorce."

There he had said it, it felt horrible as he watched his kids' faces become shocked, scared, and angry but at least he had gotten it out in the open.

Before they could say anything Harry continued "As you kids might know your mother and I haven't been as happy as we once were. We've tried to work it out but we've simply grown apart. Neither one of us is happy and that makes living together stressful, so I'll be moving out but we want you to know that it's not your fault. This is between your mother and me."

Harry had trouble keeping eye contact with his children while their faces showed their anger and sadness.

Lily had started tearing up as she came towards her mother and Ginny wrapped their daughter in her arms.

Ginny cleared her throat as she rubbed Lily's back "I'm sure you know that we both love you very much and we always will. Just because your father and I are splitting up doesn't mean that we won't be there for you. We will always be there for you, just as before. You'll always be taken care of; you will always have a home. Your dad and I will always be around, just not together."

"No!" James practically yelled "No you can't get divorced, it's not fair…this isn't fair!"

"James I know you are angry but…" Ginny began but James didn't give her a chance to continue. He sprang to his feet, his anger turning his face an ugly shade of red. Then he shoved his way past Albus who had also stood up and ran out of the office.

Ginny gave Harry an upset look and then she took after him, Lily followed her.

Harry was left with Albus; he stared at his dad for a while but then looked away.

Harry rubbed his hand down his face; he hated to cause his family pain.

Harry looked behind him at the portrait of Dumbledore, the old man looked at him sadly, but then he gestured towards where Harry's son was sitting.

Harry understood his meaning; it was somewhat funny that he still sought guidance from the headmaster even though he was long dead.

Harry walked over to Albus who had sat back down in his chair and kneeled before his young son "Al" he said "I know this is hard to take in but your mother and I are going to do everything possible to make sure you and your brother and sister are okay. We love you very much, I hope you know that."

Albus looked up from his fringe "I do," he whispered "it's just a lot to take in."

"I know" Harry said gently patting his son's knee.

"Everything's going to be different now, isn't it?" Albus asked, his eyes fearful.

Harry sighed "Not everything, but some things yes."