All My Hopes and Dreams

Prologue ~

Number Twelve Grimmauld Place was silent as the grave. Ginny Potter stared down at the note on the kitchen table. Gin, love, I'm working late again. Will be home around 11. Harry. She sighed. This was the fourth time this week he had worked late. Ginny knew his job was demanding, but this was excessive. She dropped onto one of the benches that lined the long table. She didn't want to cook for just herself again. It was time for a change. Ginny slid her feet back into the low heels she had kicked off under the table and stood, grabbing a cloak from one of the hooks by the door. She was going out to dinner. She deserved a treat.

With a crack, she was standing just outside the door of Anton's. Anton's was a tiny restaurant off of Diagon Alley. It was one of her favorites. She and Harry had gone there many times before his work interfered. Ginny's mouth was starting to water in anticipation. The salmon here was to die for. She pulled open the door, the scent of good food rewarding her. A plump witch stepped forward. "Just you, ma'am?"

"Yes. Thank you." The witch led her through the maze of tables, finally stopping at a tiny one near the back. She handed Ginny a menu and went on her way. Ginny was studying the seafood page, trying to decide between the shrimp pasta dish and the salmon, when a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"...So nice to be alone." Ginny's head jerked up. She would know that voice anywhere. It was the voice that had whispered declarations of love in her ear so many times. It was the voice she heard before she drifted into sleep. It was Harry's voice. And Harry's voice, along with the rest of him, was supposed to be at the Ministry working until 11. She casually shoved her chair over a few inches so she could see the back of his head. Maybe he was just having dinner with another Auror. Maybe it was Ron! But she would've noticed her 6' 3" brother's flaming hair.

"Did you hear about the Gala at the Ministry?" Harry's voice again. He said something else that she couldn't quite hear, which was accompanied by a very feminine giggle.

"Oh, Harry! You shouldn't. Your wife..." Whatever his companion had been about say was cut off. Ginny could see her husband leaning forward, presumably kissing the bitch, whoever she was. Ginny stood slowly, abandoning her menu, and walked the few feet to Harry's table.

"Harry." Her voice was low, cracking a little as she addressed her husband. His head flew up, breaking off the kiss and revealing to Ginny who his dinner guest was. Cho Chang, lips puffy from long kisses, stared up at Ginny in horror.

"Gin! Let me explain!" He stood. Probably to take her off to some secluded corner and pacify her somewhere where the Boy Who Lived wouldn't be seen telling his wife he had been cheating on her.

"No, Harry. There's no point in that." She smiled her best 'wife of a wizarding savior' smile, ferociously battling tears. "You can just tell it all the press when they find out that their little hero has been bad."

"Gin." His voice was pleading. God. She had been so stupid. "It doesn't have to be this way."

"No? I suppose not." Now it was easy to hide the tears. Now she was angry. "We could just go on like this. Me eating dinner at home alone every night. You sleeping with that bitch." She stabbed a finger at Cho, who still looked stunned. "But I don't think so, Harry. I've had enough."

"Gin, you should think this over." He reached out a hand, setting it gently on her arm. "I do love you."

"Don't call me Gin." She stepped away, so his hand fell useless by his side. "And don't say love." She spat out the last word. "You have no idea what love really is."

"Harry? I'll just be going. See you at work?" Cho stood and hurried past the arguing couple, without waiting for an answer.

"How long, Harry?" Ginny looked at him, her eyes cold. "How long have you been seeing her?" Her hand flew unbidden to her stomach. His eyes followed her hand and widened.

"No, Ginny. No. It's not because of the baby. Never because of the baby." He reached out to her again. "Please, Gin. We can make this right."

"It's sad. My child will never know her father." His brow furrowed and Ginny's mouth twisted. She had always loved the confused look on his face when he was trying to work out a problem. "Because, Harry, I'm not going to let you break her heart, too."

"Her?" He whispered.

"Yes. Her. I found out this morning. I was going to tell you over dinner. But you weren't there." She shrugged. "It's a pity, really."

"Oh, Merlin, Gin. Don't do this, please." He looked tired. So tired. She was close to relenting, when she noticed a badly concealed red mark on his neck. No. She would not let him get away with this. It was over. She was going.

"Goodbye, Harry." Ginny turned on her heel and walked slowly out of the restaurant. She could hear him hurrying after her, crashing into waiters and tables.

"Gin!" He yelled her name, but the door closing behind her cut off whatever else he might've said. Outside, snow fell gently, lightly blanketing the world. And then, only then, did she let the tears come.