It would be nice to be home, he could spend time with his wife and children. He was in his personal greenhouses when Delaney walked in holding their son.
"Hey love." Neville greeted his wife kissing her cheek.
Delaney smiled and said,"Hey Nev."
"Daddy!" Ethan exclaimed happily.
Neville wiped off his hands, took their son from his wife and asked, "How is my little man?"
"Good."
Delaney smiled at the interaction between father and son. Neville was such a great dad.
"What time is it, love?"
"It's almost dinner time."
Before he could respond his stomach growled quite loudly.
Delaney giggled and said, "Somebody's hungry."
"Well, I've been slaving away carrying plants all day." Neville said, flexing his muscles teasingly.
"Slow down, tiger. You may not get anything tonight." Delaney smirked at her husband.
Neville pouted and said, "You're no fun, love."
Delaney giggled.
It was a few days later the couple was having tea when there was a knock on the door. They glanced at each other confused.
"I'll get it." Delaney said, putting her cup down and getting up.
Neville nodded. Delaney reached the door and pulled it open to face the reason why her husband had to take a leave of absence and her mother.
"Who is it love?" Neville asked coming up behind Delaney and wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Hello Professor." His former student said timidly.
Neville glanced at the girl. Though she was the reason that he had to take a leave of absence he held no grudge against her.
"Can we come in?" Her mother asked.
The couple nodded in unison and the mother and daughter walked in.
"We were having tea, would you like some?" Delaney asked.
"That would be nice, thank you." Mrs. Dearly said.
Delaney nodded and made the tea.
"So, what brings you here?" Neville asked.
"My daughter told me the truth that she kissed you and not the other way around." Mrs. Dearly said.
"You did?"
His former student nodded and said "Yes, I've fancied you since the beginning of the year. My friends tried to talk to me out of what I did but I was too stubborn to listen. I'm really sorry I caused so much trouble." She finished starting to sobbing but this time they were real tears.
"Then why did you tell your dad that my husband kissed you?" Delaney asked her as she handed her mum the tea.
"I knew if I told him that I kissed your husband he would beat me when I got home. That doesn't excuse what I did though." She said.
"Your husband is abusive?" Delaney asked sitting next to her husband.
Mrs. Dearly nodded and said "Yes, our marriage was an arranged one. He's quite a bit older than me. I didn't like him at all but I was promised to him since I was about six. Our marriage started off well but when I fell pregnant with our eldest son he became abusive." She started to sob and then continued "I had a miscarriage when I was four months because of the abuse. About two years later I fell pregnant again this child was still born. I fell pregnant again with Bridget here. She spends most of the time over my sisters during the holidays and summers to get away from my husband."
Delaney couldn't help herself she got up and comforted the woman having no hard feelings towards her or her daughter.
"Mummy, Daddy. Look what I drawed." Ethan exclaimed running in holding a picture.
Neville was the first to notice their son and asked, "What did you draw, little man?"
"Uncle Viktor playing Quidditch." He said proudly.
"That's good buddy." Neville said picking up his son.
"Thanks daddy." He said throwing his tiny arms around his dad.
Delaney couldn't help but smile and said, "This is our son, Ethan."
The two women smiled at the little boy as there was a soft cry.
"I have to go take care of our daughter."
"Mrs. Longbottom, you mind if I come. I've always been good with babies." Bridget asked timidly.
"Not at all." Delaney answered her.
She nodded and followed Delaney out of the dining room.
"So, how long have two been married?"
Neville smiled and said, "Almost five years now."
Mrs. Dearly nodded.
Meanwhile, Delaney and Bridget reached Piper's room. The little girls room was painted a pale blue color.
"So, what do you want to do after Hogwarts?" Delaney asked the younger girl.
"I want to go to muggle university."
Delaney nodded surprised and asked, "Which one?"
"I've been dreaming of going to Cambridge."
Delaney smiled wistfully at her memories of university and said, "You know I went to Cambridge."
It was Bridget's turn to be surprised and she asked, "So, you're a muggle?"
"Actually, no. My parents are both squibs but I had to be taught by my husband and his friends."
"You were your husband's student?"
Delaney laughed and said, "Yes, I was but a friend of my mine took his place before we became a couple."
"So, what's your daughter's name?" She asked looking at the dark haired baby.
"Piper but we call her Pip." Delaney smiled picking up her daughter and fussing over her.
"How old is she?"
"Just over six months."
Bridget nodded.
The two them walked down the stairs after they finished taking care of Piper.
"Well, we should get going." Mrs. Dearly said.
The couple nodded and said goodbye to the mother and daughter left.
"You know Bridget wants to go to Cambridge." Delaney told him.
"She does?"
Delaney nodded.