Disclaimer: All original characters, situations and plot ideas belong to JK Rowling. I make no profit from this.

Warning: This story is rated M for sexual situations and scenes, language, and darker themes later in the story.


A Riven Heart

Chapter 12

April 15th, 2005

A cheering exploded from the crowd in front of the alter where Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley just tied the knot, binding together their lives and magic forever. Neville was dressed in fine wizard's robes, acting the part of a good Groomsmen. He was standing next to Ron, who definitely looked a little puffy eyed and red around the ears. Across the way, Hermione was dabbing tears from her eyes. Luna was clapping excitedly. Weasley's were all jumping up and down and cheering madly as Harry and Ginny kissed.

Neville smiled. This is what he wanted. He wanted a wife to call his own, a family and to have friends cheering them on. For now, though, he would be happy for his friends. They deserved it after everything they had been through, the war, the aftermath of that final battle, Harry's Auror training, and Ginny's career with the Harpies. They put off getting married as long as they could. But the day was finally here. Mrs. Weasley could not be happier.

Suddenly, Weasley's were swarming around the wedding party. They picked up the bride and groom and before long, a reception was in full form. Music was blasting from all corners, firewhiskey and meadow champagne was passed around for all, Gryffindor colors were on every wall, glittering lights were floating dreamily in the air, and small twittering paper birds flying about releasing magical confetti that sang the bride and groom's name.

After about a hundred speeches or so, Neville handed a firewhiskey to Harry as Ginny and Mr. Weasley spun around the dance floor in a whirl of white, blush, and red. "Congratulations man! I'm so happy for you and Ginny." He and Harry put their glasses together with a clink and took a drink respectfully.

"I figure you've gotten several of the 'big brother' talks already, so I'll save mine. I know you two wouldn't hurt each other, ever." Neville smiled at Harry who looked green at the mention of such talks.

"Yeah, it was rough. I don't know if it would've been better if they had all just sat me down together. They came at me one at a time, one random day after another, until on the final day, Mr. Weasley... I didn't know he had it in him to be that mean..." He took a big gulp of the whiskey and then searched for his wife in the crowd of dancers.

Neville ducked away when he noticed several Weasley's flocking their way in an appalling version of a conga line, led by George who had a huge top hat on – and right into a petite blonde witch, spilling his drink all down her fine dress robes.

Her gasp was loud and surprised as her own glass fell to the floor and shattered.

"Gah! I'm sorry!" Neville whipped out his wand and had the mess cleared in an instant. He then turned the wand to the robes and removed the stain that was forming there. "I'm sorry about that... totally my fault... wasn't watching where I was, er, going. Oh. Hi." He stopped babbling long enough to really look at the woman.

She was smiling tentatively at him and twirling a bit of hair with her fingers in a sweet way that made Neville smile back. "Hi Neville, it's nice to see you again." She spoke softly, her voice was familiar but he couldn't quite place her face.

"Oh-uh." He floundered his words and couldn't decide what to do with his hands.

"Hannah Abbott, we were in the same year at Hogwart's." She helped him out and took a small step forward, still twirling that bit of hair.

"Oh, right! Hannah, right. I'm Neville. Right. You knew that. How are you doing?" He finished lamely.

She giggled a bit and then gave a cute half shrug. "Doing fine, glad to be included in the festivities."

Neville didn't know what he was about to say, but the conga line had finally caught up to him and he was swept away before he could figure it out.

Hannah just laughed and called out, "I'd love to go have a drink with you Neville!" over the music.

Hours of joyous celebration later, Neville was just a tad bit on the other side of tipsy. They had all sent off Ginny and Harry for their honeymoon with a big bang, literally, and decided to just keep the celebration going. Weasley's could drink by Godric. He danced with Luna five times and then found himself hiding in a secluded corner, sipping more whiskey and resting his head back. Then he felt a small hand brush his cheek.

Opening his eyes, Hannah stood before him, smiling widely and looking even prettier than she had earlier, an attractive blush across her cheeks and her straight blonde hair flared out around her face like a halo.

He didn't think, he just knew what he wanted. Marriage, kids, family, friends.

He leaned down to kiss her, finding his arms had wrapped around her body. She tasted like champagne and strawberries.

Neville woke up the next morning, his arms still around Hannah.

August 4th, 2006

Never before feeling like such a fool, Pansy couldn't help but shout. "You're married? You – Unbelievable! You didn't think to mention that?"

"Wait, Pansy – no it isn't like that!"

"Isn't like what? Are you married or not?" She scoffed pushing at his chest and walking away back into the back room. "Hannah? As in Hannah Abbott? That witch from last week?" The witch that had used magic on her to trip her, embarrass her.

"No -" Neville began, following her.

"He is too! I was at the wedding myself!" Heather stood at the door, looking cross.

"Heather please! You aren't helping!" Neville said desperately.

"Married!" She felt like an idiot. How dare he betray the sacred magic bonds of a wizard's marriage? It was a binding for life the most sacred of vows. "Get out! Never come back here!"

"I second that!" Heather yelled, and she practically pushed Neville out the door and slammed it shut on him. An empty jar from the shelf fell and shattered.

Pansy huffed and paced the room. She needed to get her wand from the table across the room and clean up the mess, but she couldn't help but think back to last Saturday when Neville and that witch, Hannah Abbott, had fought. What had she been trying to say? Don't boss me around I'm your wife... That's what she had been saying. Wife.

They were married.

"I'm sorry about all this, Pansy." Heather started nervously. "I – Well Hannah told me about last weekend, but I didn't think it was you she was talking about. I just can't let him in here after everything he put Hannah through." Heather rambled a lot when she was mad. "And they are married. I'm serious I was at their wedding."

"I believe you, really. I am just... he said he was unattached... I just assumed... I don't know. Oh gods, I feel like an idiot."

"And everything he did to Hannah... trust me... you do not want to be in that kind of relationship." Heather said firmly, not mumbling this time. "He completely controlled her, completely ruined her life, she never had freedom anymore..."

"No – please." She hoped she sounded sincere, but really she didn't want to hear a thing about 'everything he put Hannah through'. The attraction between her and Neville had been almost instantaneous and she craved more, even now knowing they could never be together. Now, in light of everything – she just needed more information.

"I apologize for my behavior. I'll just clean this up." With an angry wave, her wand was in her hand and she was cleaning up the broken glass. She turned back to Heather, prepared to apologize again and get the new work order started, but the look of complete shock stopped her.

"Heather?" she asked.

"I didn't know you could do that." Heather whispered, gaze firmly set on her Pansy's wand hand.

"Do what?" Pansy asked, confused, and with the sudden need to hide her wand from sight.

"Summon your wand to your hand." Heather whispered again in the same scared tone, gesturing to Pansy's beloved Willow wand.

"Don't be absurd," She gave a nervous laugh.

"But you did, just now. I saw it."

"I – definitely not – no, that is an extremely rare ..."

"I'm telling you I saw it."

Pansy and Heather stood silently looking at one another, Pansy hating the look in Heather's eyes. Fear. She was scared of Pansy.

"There hasn't been a witch or wizard who would summon their wand to them in centuries," Heather said.

"You're mistaken, Heather." Pansy started, grabbing the order form still clutched in Heather's hand. "I'm going to fill this and take the rest of the day off."