Chapter 1 - Isolation

Six years since the war, and Harry was just as much affected by it as he was during that time. Constant nightmares, the guilt, the feeling of emptiness still haunted him. The only major difference since he defeated Voldemort being his scar, which didn't hurt anymore.

Life after the battle had been about picking up pieces and trying to fill the vacant gaps left by all the loved ones. He'd very much counted on Ginny to help him with that, but there was only so much the poor girl can endure before she called it quits with him.

Harry hadn't been the easiest person to deal with since the battle; coming to think of it, he never was. He had turned into a successful Auror, the sole purpose being to catch the remaining death-eaters. That was the only thing which gave him satisfaction; his job.

He'd thrown himself into his work, becoming a dare-devil of sorts to his peers who thought him to be mighty cool. Recklessness had prevailed throughout his work. Harry didn't care. It was his way of finding satisfaction, only he didn't realize it came at the cost of spending some quality time with Ginny.

Apparating back to the now empty Grimmauld's place, from which Ginny moved out a week ago, he went directly to his bedroom, and changed into pajamas. He fell into the bed promptly, not bothering with the dinner. His body was exhausted from the field day, but his mind was swirling with occult thoughts and emotions.

Although there were thousands of women to grace his bed if he so much as blinked at them, he couldn't shake out the feeling of isolation that had become so persistent in his life. He still loved Ginny, and just maybe it was the same for her. But, sometimes love wasn't just sufficient, it required understanding at an higher level to keep the magic that had driven them together in his sixth year.

In that aspect, he envied Ron and Hermione. They fought. Merlin, they fought like cats and dogs, until all hell breaks loose but at the end of the day, they were alright. They looked out for each other. Years of anticipation to explain how they truly felt for each other, brought his best friends closer than ever. After six years, they were happily married, and as Ron had informed him at work, they were trying for a baby.

Harry sighed feeling the emptiness of the bed beside him. Deep in his heart, he knew why he accepted Ginny's decision to break up with him without any fuss. It was the same reason which drove him to field work, day in and day out.

"I'm damaged!" Harry thought drily.