DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING YOU RECOGNIZE!

Chapter 24- Waves of Shame

Harry walked into Potter Manor feeling as if a thousand beetles were crawling all over him. He shook off the feeling and walked into thebathroom and took a hot shower.

"Harry?" Ginny called. "Are you home?"

"Yes!" Harry called back, trying to hide the frustration and shame in his voice.

"I cooked breakfast for you. It's on the stove!" she called.

"Okay, honey!" Harry called, pressing the bottom of the palms of his hands into his closed eyes.

I can't tell her, Harry thought. It will ruin our marriage and James and the new baby's life...

Harry got out of the shower and pulled a whitebath robearound himself. He walked into the bedroom and donned a blue cloak.

Outof the corner ofhis eye, hesaw a bit of parchment lying on the dresser.

Dear Ginny,

Thanks for helping me on the estimate for the toilet scandal in Little Whinging. It was a bit of a shocker,actually. Apparently,two muggles on Privet Drive were quite upset. I thinkonce they realized whowe were,they were a little more upset, actually. Ihave no idea why! Anyways, tell Harry I said congratulations onmaking the Quidditchteam and I look forward to seeing him again soon.

Your friend,

KingsleyShacklebolt

Harry smiled as he remembered Kingsley. It had been a while since he had saw him. He made a mental note to ask Kingsley what had happened and warn him against the muggles in that part of the country for future reference. He then took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.

"Long night?" Ginny asked, kissing him on the lips briefly before bustling over to a happy James who was banging a pot with his spoon.

"Somewhat," said Harry, avoiding all tracks of conversation that might get him into trouble.

"So, what did you do at the party?" Ginny asked, looking at him beadily.

"Ate, introduced myself to the team--"

"Which probably wasn't necessary," Ginny laughed. "They all know who you are!"

"Perhaps," Harry said, smiling. He didn't know what it was, but the crawly feeling enveloped him even more.

"Watch James," Ginny said. "I'm going to go get the mail."

He watched her go and sat down in front of his son.

"So, sleep well last night?" Harry asked.

"Baaahh!" James said, tossing his spoon at Harry's head.

"What?" Harry asked, half laughing.

"Baaaaahh! Da da baaahh!"

Harry watched James for a little while longer until he started staring at his bottle intently. Harry watched him for a bit longer and suddenly, the milk in the bottle turned a dark shade of royal blue. Harry looked up from the bottle to James, who smiled toothlessly.

"Good job!" Harry exclaimed kissing his son on the nose.

"HARRY JAMES POTTER!"

It was Ginny. Harry jumped about a mile. He picked James up and ran outside. Ginny's face was green, her eyes wide open in shock. She ran into the living room, Harry hot on her heels.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked her.

Ginny whirled around.

"What's wrong? WHAT'S WRONG?" Ginny laughed. "Oh, you say you're going one place, but you really go to another. I go and get the mail and all of a sudden, you're on the cover of Witch Weekly, stark naked, with some she-devil on top of you! Who is she!"

Ginny threw the magazine at Harry. Harry sat James down and picked it up. Sure enough, on the front cover were Harry and Chivan.

"Oh my god..."

"Tell me that's not you. Tell me you've got a twin brother. Tell me anything! Lie to me! I don't care!"

"Ginny, that's not me! Look!" Harry practically ran over to her.

"I don't want to see or hear your excuses. I want to know WHY on earth I wasn't good enough for you. WHY did you have to go and have sex with some other girl? How many have there been before her? How many other children do you have besides James?Did the fact that I'M PREGNANT ever cross your mind even once?"

"Ginny..."

Harry was at a loss for words. He knew he had made a huge mistake just as soon as he had woken up in the arms of another woman that morning. He turned and walked up the stairs, doing his best not to kick himself for ruining the best thing he had ever had in his life... his wife and his family.

He grabbed a suitcase and put some of his important things in it. Then, he walked back down to the living room... to glance above the fireplace mantle.

"Harry..."

Lily looked down at her son in extreme disapproval.

"Mum... I don't want to hear it. I know I made a huge mistake."

"That would be the biggest understatement of the year," James said, looking down at Harry sadly.

"Do you think she'll ever forgive me?" Harry asked.

"I honestly don't know..." Lily said, looking away. She just sent for her mother now. I think she wants her to take James. Maybe you should go. Before Molly gets here."

"Where are you going to go?" James asked, looking at Harry intently.

"I'm not sure. The Leaky Cauldron, I suppose. Do you want to come?"

"I think we should stay here. Just to give you some time to think. But Harry, if Shivine or whomever it was is pregnant... I don't think there will be a way in the world that Ginny will still have you," James answered sadly.

"Okay," Harry said, picking up his suitcase. "I guess I'll go see Chivan. SoI can find out what my next step should be..."

"Bye, Harry," Lily said, wiping a tear away from her cheek.

"Goodbye, son," James said, looking down.

Harry smiled and nodded his head. Then, he walked out the door.

Sorry it's so short, but I felt like ending it here. I'm a bit tired, so I guess I'll go ahead and go to bed. It's getting late.

By the way, for those of you that don't already know, I've changed my pen name to iinstantstarr.

Please review!