Straight To My Head || Harry&Ginny Oneshot Collection

The Scars She Hides.

Summary: Ginny has a secret she's kept hidden from everyone, including Harry, for almost two years. Until one day, she takes the plunge and shows him the secrets that lie beneath her shirt.

*Contains hints of smut but nothing graphic*

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Her self-confidence had never been a problem before. In fact, she was always quite proud of her figure. Ever since her curves had formed and she'd passed that awkward stage of reacquainting herself with her body the older she got, she'd learnt to love it. She was comfortable in her own skin and wasn't ashamed to show it off. Within reason, of course. Just because she was comfortable with her figure didn't mean she was going to show off any more than necessary. Her mother would have a heart attack!

Personal image had never been an issue for Ginny Weasley until the war. The damage that horrific battle had caused was a permanent, life-long reminder of how much they'd sacrificed, how much they'd lost. It was a reminder of the pain, both mental and physical, that had changed everything. Sure, she still had no complaints about her figure. But the jagged lines that marred her once flawless skin were enough for her to keep that figure hidden beneath layers of clothes.

She couldn't bear to look to the ugly reminders of that tragic year. She knew it could have been worse. She'd gotten off lightly compared to others. She'd survived. She'd made it. A few scars shouldn't have changed her as much as they did. But she couldn't help it. She couldn't bear to see them. To let him see them. And so, for the last two years, she'd kept them hidden. She'd hidden the darkest, ugliest parts of her from the man she loved. The man who loved her.

Harry wasn't superficial. She knew that. He had scars himself, and she loved them. He'd never hidden them from her. He'd never hidden anything from her. And that only made her guilt double when she realised that she was doing the one thing she'd made him swear not to do. She hid from him. She never told him about the scars that decorated her back and torso. She never told him about the year at Hogwarts without him. He'd only blame himself.

He never asked. Never pushed her to tell him. He never demanded that she show him. He never asked questions when she insisted she keep her shirt on every time they were intimate. He never got upset or took offence when she hid in the bathroom to change. He simply continued to love her, to be patient with her. He told her he was there to talk whenever she was ready. That he could tell her anything, and promised that it wouldn't change a thing.

She wanted to believe him. She knew it was her own insecurities and doubts that convinced her that he'd be disgusted. He wouldn't be. But she still couldn't seem to find the courage to show him her scars. It was almost laughable. How pathetic was she to hide in the bathroom while she got dressed after her shower? How ridiculous was she for locking the door so Harry couldn't accidentally stumble upon her secrets? Very. The answer was very.

She stepped out of the shower, wrapping her towel tightly around her. She brushed her teeth, then pulled her hair from the messy bun on top of her head, combing out the knots with her fingers. They'd been invited to a party hosted by the auror department to celebrate Harry, Ron, and the rest of their team completing their training. As of last week, Harry was officially an auror. Two years of training, hard work, long days, and sleepless nights. He said it'd all been worth it. But Ginny knew that he was pleased it was over.

To celebrate his graduation from training, the two of them had moved into Grimmauld Place, along with Ron and Hermione. Mrs. Weasley hadn't been happy about her two youngest children leaving home so soon, but she didn't stop them. Over the last year, they'd worked hard to fix the place up, making it more habitable for the four of them to live in. They still had more work to do, but they were happy with the progress they'd made.