Chapter 8: Secrets Revealed

He let go of Ginny's hands instantly, and bent to scoop up Hope, who was back in her carrier. Hope began to squirm and whine, meaning that she was tired. "Come on, angel, up to bed" Harry said softly to his daughter.

Ginny stared at him in disbelief. Was he scared of what she had to say to him for keeping all that from her?! Ginny decided to stay calm about this until Harry got back downstairs- he couldn't hide up there for ever. Ginny walked into the kitchen, sighed, and sat down in a chair. She put her face in her hands, massaging her temples.

How much more was he keeping from her? He was kidnapped, nearly killed, and he didn't have the decency to tell this to the woman he loved?

'Okay, Ginny, just stay calm, and approach without raising your voice' She told herself firmly. It wouldn't do to push him away farther with a fight. But it was eating at her- why wouldn't he ever just let her in.

Ginny raised her head when she heard Harry slowly shuffle into the kitchen, looking pale, and a little nervous. This hurt Ginny- she felt cruel for having to lecture him over secrets.

"Harry-" Ginny began miserably but he held up a hand, his expression one of guilt.

"I'm sorry" Harry replied, interrupting her. "I should have told you before, and it was wrong... you were just... so happy, and I didn't want to ruin that by dumping by problems onto you"

"But I WANT you to. This is what a relationship is, Harry. I don't want to be kept in the dark about anything. Please don't push me away just because you don't think I'm strong enough to take it"

"But I do think you're strong enough, Gin" Harry said quickly. "Don't get me wrong..."

Ginny motioned for him to sit down, which he did. She took his hands, and stared straight into his eyes. "No more secrets...no more lies..."

"Okay" He swallowed, gently taking his hands from her, looking like he was definitely not okay at all. He knew he was in the wrong here and it was terrible that that was how Ginny had to find out about things.

"Then there's a few more things" Ginny forced herself to just sit and listen. She was going to approach this in an adult-like manor.

Harry hesitated."When I left... hours after I did, I had Aurors stationed around your apartment. They followed you, watching over you for me. Once a month, I was sent word of any updates. They've been watching the house up until I got to Halifax." There, I've said it.

Ginny's jaw dropped, and her temper began to flare. "You had people SPY on me?! There's a muggle here!"

Harry flinched at her tone but knew he had to stand up for himself."Ginny, I did it for you and Hope. You were having my child... Death Eaters would give their lives to get their hands on either you or Hope. If it meant capturing the muggle, and killing her to make you suffer, Gin, they'd do it"

Ginny swallowed. She knew he was right, her safety was in question. "Still, why didn't they show themselves? I mean, I've never seen anyone here except you, that one night"

Harry shook his head. "I've never been here until now"

"Yes, you came here asking for me!" Ginny said, feeling sick as she said it but knew it wasn't true.

Harry's fists clenched. "Death Eater, Gin..."

Ginny shrugged, regaining her control. After all, nothing had happened. "The point is I'm fine... I can't believe a Death Eater was here but didn't do anything."

"No, that was an Auror. I was told by this Auror you had been seen him."

"Why? Is that bad?"

"No, but it was a minor precaution you didn't go around telling people you'd seen someone on your property that night" Harry explained calmly. "I didn't want to you to call the muggle police or worse, re-locate yourself out of fear."

He sighed heavily, and nodded. "That's all I've got to say, Gin. You know everything now."

Ginny nodded. "Well, it's my turn then"

Harry looked up, wondering what on earth she could be keeping from him. Her expression was difficult to read, and she didn't seem to want to meet his eyes anymore.

Having no other way to approach it, she just blurted it out."I.... I have a boyfriend..."

Harry felt himself go cold. What was going on then?! She was cheating on another man, for him? This was horrible!

"And?" Harry asked acidly. He could curse the guy across Canada.

"And I'm breaking up with him tonight"

"We kissed..." Harry murmured, looking confused.

Ginny bit her lip, and nodded. "I know... I'm sorry for not telling you this sooner, but... you and Hope are the most important people in my life. Vince comes after my family, and... I should have never have gone out with him"

"You don't mean that," Harry bit out, looking hurt. "And anyway... I guess I left, I deserved this. Are you sure that's what you want? You don't want to be with him?"

Ginny tilted her head and smiled ever so slightly. "I know who I want in my life and who I don't." She let out a long breath. "And anyway, I'm sorry, I just... it's lonely."

"No" Harry said quickly "No, you had a right to, I just... I just had hoped you'd keep your promise"

Ginny looked up at him. "What promise?" Harry leaned back in his chair, refusing to look at her.

"The one where you promised to wait forever for me."

"Harry... I thought you were dead! Two years you've been gone and not one word!"

"But I'm not, am I? What gave you the ridiculous Idea that I was dead?!" Harry snapped before he could help it. He was looking at her so accusingly that Ginny decided she'd had enough of his jealous temper.

Ginny got to her feet. "Oh, okay, I'm sorry... but I thought you'd at least understand WHY I went out with him. It's not like I'm marrying the guy, Harry. We went out a few times!"

"Ginny, I thought I meant more to you than this. You'd promised me you'd wait forever, and I didn't expect it to be forever, but at least until you could be POSITIVE that I was dead!"

"How am I supposed to do that?" Ginny snapped.

Harry got to his feet, towering over Ginny. He looked angry and hurt, his face was pale, and his hands shook slightly. "I don't know... owl Ron? Contact the aurors? Oh, wait, that's right, you're pretending you're a muggle!"

Ginny's hand hit his left cheek. Harry gasped in shock, and felt his cheek. It burned under his fingers. He looked at her in shock. She was ghostly white and shaking with rage.

She glared at him, and stormed upstairs into Hope's room. Harry stood there, in shock from what had just happened. She had hit him pretty hard, he supposed he had somewhat deserved it. Minutes later, Ginny came running down the stairs, holding Hope in her arms. A blanket was lazily draped over her body, and Ginny simply clutched a sweater.

She placed Hope in her carrier, and Harry hurried towards her. "What are you doing?!" He asked hurriedly.

"Oh, do you care to ask what I'm up to? It's been two years since you gave a bloody damn." Ginny snarled, standing up to get her jacket on. She zipped it up, grabbed her purse and car keys, and picked up the sweater and Hope's carrier.

Her words stung. "Ginny, where are you going?"

"Somewhere away from you" She replied angrily, opening the door, and slamming it shut.

Harry just stood there stupidly, unsure of what to do. Should he go after her? Or give her the space she needed to cool down? However, when the sound of Ginny's car hurriedly driving out of the parking lot he knew his only option was to disapparate inside the car, but he had a feeling she was ditch him on the side of the road if he did that. All he could do now was wait for her to come back.

*~*

Ginny slammed the door with all her might. Hope started to squirm and whimper, as her mother hurriedly placed her in her car seat. Ginny closed her own door, and plopped into the seat. She jammed the keys into the ignition, and drove off.

"How dare he" raged Ginny, driving in any direction.

"Why did he even bring that up?!" She glanced up at the mirror, seeing Hope rub at her eyes.

"Momma" Hope whimpered.

Ginny sighed, her mood softening up immediately. "I'm sorry, sweetheart...we just need a little time away from Daddy"

Ginny drove for about an hour, until she had finally calmed down enough to call Drew on her cell phone.

"Hey Drew" Ginny said, once she heard Drew pick up.

"Oh, hey, Gin, what's up?" Drew replied.

"Uh... Harry and I are... in a fight," Ginny said carefully. "So, I'm... god knows where, and heading for the nearest hotel"

"Do you want me to come after you?" Drew asked worriedly.

Ginny sighed. "No, I'll be back in a day, I suppose. I just need time to cool off..."

"Can I ask what he did?"

"Sorry" Ginny said shortly.

Drew was silent for a few moments before she spoke again. "Just promise me you'll be back within a few days"

"I promise, Drew. Bye" Ginny hung up her cell phone, and dropped it in her purse.

Hope had calmed down, and was obviously going to fall asleep. Silence filled the car, as Ginny drove off to the next town.