Written for:

Cinema Challenge - "It's the saddest part of my day, leaving you."

August Events: Rowing: Quadruple Sculls - Neville - Last Day (Used as = last day of his marriage)

Muggle Studies: Task 5: Write about the discovery of an affair. (Prompt: Desire)

Emotion Challenge - hurt

Bad Movie Tuesday - The Room: [action] Cheat

The Valentine Making Station - Lipstick Kiss: Write a PG-13 love scene.

Chocolate Frog Trading Cards - Pogrebin - Challenge: Write about someone causing emotional pain to someone else.


His One Weakness

Neville/Hermione

Warnings for Adultery


Neville never meant for any of it to happen. He always prided himself on doing what was right. He wanted to be that person that everyone looked to when they needed help, be the one they talked to when something was bothering them.

But he had always had one single weakness, and though he had thought that had changed when he was married, it clearly hadn't.

Hermione Granger.

~o~

Neville sighed as he walked through the halls of the Ministry. He hadn't expected being an Auror to involve so much paperwork. Had he realised about the paperwork, he would have reconsidered about becoming a Professor at Hogwarts.

Walking along the corridor, he slowed at the sound of crying. He glanced around, noticing he was outside of the office where Hermione worked. His heart skipped for a moment before he remembered her hasty wedding to Ron, weeks after the war. Closely followed by his own to Hannah.

Neville reached for the door but pulled his hand away. He stepped away, moving to the other side of the corridor, and sank down onto the floor. He was only going to drop the files into the next office before going home, but he couldn't leave until he knew she was alright.

It was half an hour until the sobbing stopped. Neville headed to the next office to drop the forms, but as he left, there was no light appearing from under the door of her office. He had missed her.

~o~

Neville cleared his throat. Neither of them had said a word for almost an hour now. The sound seemed to snap Hannah out of whatever daze she was in. Though Neville had made the sound so he could speak, it was Hannah who started.

"Pack your things and get out," she ordered coldly. "I don't want you here. You're not the man I married."

"I guess I'm not," he agreed sadly. He hated that he had hurt Hannah, but he wasn't going to lie. Not anymore.

He knew he shouldn't have lied from the start.

"I'm not the man I thought I was either," he admitted. "For what it's worth, I'm truly sorry."

He stood up to get a bag together, walking past the table with their dinner on. One half eaten, the other untouched.

~o~

It was a couple of weeks later that Neville heard the sounds again. Wracked with guilt over not checking on his friend last time, he gently knocked on the door.

He was met with silence, but Neville didn't let that stop him. He reached out and pushed the door open, immediately finding Hermione staring back. She looked so tired and broken that he didn't think of anything else except rushing to her side and wrapping her up in his arms.

The tears began again as her hands gripped his shirt. He could feel her soaking through his shirt but pulled her tighter against him. He had already seen a lot as an Auror, but Hermione crying was something that tore at him.

"What do you need?" He asked, not knowing what was wrong.

"Just this," she whispered, clinging to him as the tears continued to fall.

~o~

They hadn't even been married for a year. Four months of what seemed like a happy marriage followed by six months of barely seeing each other due to work and disagreements. Neville wanted children, Hannah wanted to wait. Neville wanted to live in his family estate (even if it was the guest-house), Hannah wanted them to get their own place.

Not that he could blame her for wanting different things. The pair of them hadn't talked about this stuff before-hand. It had been a whirlwind romance born in the Room of Requirement during the last year of Hogwarts. Neville had proposed straight after the final battle.

(Minutes after Ron's own proposal, with the sound of Hermione's enthusiastic reply ringing in his ears.)

~o~

"He regrets it," Hermione admitted, as Neville took a seat next to her, setting down a cup of tea. "I can see it in his eyes. We rushed into a marriage that neither of us truly wanted, and I know he's trying to get the courage to find a way out of it. I… I asked him to tell me the truth, and he just left. He just walked out. All we do is fight. I think my marriage is over."

"Do you regret it?" Neville couldn't help but ask.

She thought for a long time before nodding. "I should have waited. But it still hurts."

~o~

"You've had a quarrel?" his grandmother asked, frowning at the bag Neville held. "When your Grandfather messed up. I made him sleep in the guest-room. As for the… apartment you are in—" she sniffed in disdain "—I would have suggested the sofa."

"It's not a quarrel. My marriage is over, Gran. I'm sorry to let you down."

The woman stared at him for a long moment before moving forward and pulling Neville into her arms, the same way she had when he was growing up. "We can call the family lawyer in the morning," she assured him. "You know where your room is. I do expect an explanation of some sort when you're ready."

"Yes, Gran. Thank you."

~o~

"Ron's a fool if he has a single regret about you," Neville said, grabbing Hermione's coat from the hook and bringing it to her. "Come on, we're not sitting here with you crying. Coffee?"

"Do you have something stronger to put in that coffee?" Hermione joked, wiping away the tears.

Neville smiled, offering Hermione his arm. "What time do I need to get you back?"

Hermione shrugged. "He packed a bag and headed back to the Burrow," she admitted. "What about you...Hannah will—"

"She'll understand that you were upset and needed a friend," Neville interrupted.

~o~

Neville glanced at the clock and stood from his seat. "So, what are you going to—?" His aunt Enid asked, desperate for some gossip. She was cut off with a glare from Augusta.

"Leave the boy alone," Augusta stated. "My Grandson wouldn't do this unless he had good reason." She turned a critical gaze on him. "You have a reason, I suppose?"

"I do." Neville took a deep sigh. "I… I messed up, Gran."

She merely nodded, narrowing her gaze.

"Was there another witch?"

"Or wizard?" Enid added, eyes shining as she leaned forward in her chair.

Neville slowly nodded. "A witch."

"And she's worth leaving your wife? Divorce isn't common after all."

"I didn't want to hurt either of them. I didn't plan for this to happen, but—" Neville wasn't sure whether he could keep the secret any longer "—but it's happened and I'm not going to pretend otherwise."

~o~

Neville finally pulled away, panicked eyes on Hermione. Three drinks couldn't explain what had just happened. Hermione kissing him, and Neville for pulling her closer, eager to deepen the kiss, when he should have stopped it the second he felt her lips.

He couldn't even deny to himself that it was the most perfect kiss he had ever felt. He had known deep down that he still held a candle for Hermione but hadn't expected anything to come from it.

He had thought he'd be happy with Hannah

"Goodnight, Hermione," he murmured, pushing the door to her house open. He pointedly looked inside, and she looked away as she walked in.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—" she began.

"We won't mention it," Neville replied. "If you need me, I'm still here, but not in that way."

~o~

Neville entered the office a few minutes early, hoping that Hannah hadn't arrived yet. He knew he'd need a few minutes without her there to compose himself. He looked at the empty seats at the table: he was the first one there.

He pulled out the closest chair, dropping down into it, his gaze on his hands. He wouldn't pass any blame onto Hannah. This was his own fault, and he would accept that. He didn't deserve Hermione either, but he couldn't pretend anymore. What he had with Hannah didn't feel anything like being with Hermione. The future he had struggled to see with Hannah was there when he thought of one with Hermione.

~o~

He managed a whole week before checking up on Hermione. He hadn't thought of anything else apart from that kiss, and it was easy to start to think about more, though he reminded himself time and time again that he was married. That thoughts would lead to actions.

He heard from Harry that Hermione had taken a couple of days off work and wasn't answering to anyone. He had seen Hermione attempt to come to work whilst barely to keep her eyes open, even arguing when someone tried to send her home.

"Ron told her he's not going back," Harry explained. "I didn't even know that he had left her. I just… I'm so angry at him for hurting her like this. He told me she filed for divorce a few days ago. I can't believe I'm only finding out now."

~o~

He wondered what Hermione was doing. Neville knew she had finalised her own divorce earlier that week, but that was only though Harry. He knew what was going on, Neville had confided in him over a beer in the local pub.

Though Harry was shocked and somewhat angry at first, he had calmed down. "I didn't know Hannah, but she didn't deserve this," Harry had told him. "But Hermione is like a sister to me. If you hurt her, I swear Neville—"

"I won't," Neville had insisted. "Harry, I've been in love with Hermione since I was thirteen. I had a crush on her when I first met her. I'd never hurt her. I promise you that."

Harry sighed, taking a big mouthful of his drink. "You know, part of me is glad to find out you're not so perfect."

"I've never been perfect," Neville replied. "Look what I've done to Hannah. To Hermione. But I'll get it right this time. I swear."

~o~

Neville's lips found Hermione's, and he grabbed her waist, pulling her closer. Her arms wound around his neck, her lips parting, allowing his tongue entry.

He couldn't think of anything but his own desire. He pushed her back towards the wall, lifting her, as her legs wrapped around him. His lips moving to her neck, he used one hand to push her skirt up her thigh, his fingers finding her knickers. He pushed them aside, his fingers gently caressing her, teasing her.

He smirked as Hermione threw her head back, a needy moan followed by the sound of her head hitting the wall. He didn't stop.

"Please."

He never could say no to Hermione. He reached down, pulling at his belt until his trousers were open. Her legs tightened around him as he pushed up into her, almost forgetting to breath at the sensation.

Not once did he think about his wife.

~o~

The door opened behind him, and he listened to the footsteps, knowing it was Hannah. He couldn't meet her gaze, he knew he was the one in the wrong. She hadn't deserved any of this, and he had hurt her.

"Neville?" she whispered, slipping into the chair next to him. "We can move past this. We could… counselling?"

He turned his head, hating himself even more because he had left Hannah with hope.

"I'm sorry, Hannah," he replied. "It's over. You can do better than me."

"But he's willing to take her back, baby and—"

"And that's my child," Neville murmured.

"But surely this will be better? You wanted to be a father, I didn't want… not yet. I wouldn't stop you seeing the baby, you know. We could still try? Please?"

Neville shook his head. "Hannah, I'm sorry. I've—I want to be there to raise the baby too. You didn't deserve any of this; I know this is all down to me."

She said no more as she slipped out of the chair, moving around to the other side of the table. She took her seat and waited for her lawyer.

...oOo...

Neville hated himself for being so weak. He kept telling himself he would end things, but he wasn't clear which one to end things with. He was falling in love with Hermione all over again, but Hannah was his wife. He made a commitment.

For three months, Neville found himself visiting Hermione on her days off, or after work, when Hannah was on a late shift. They could barely keep their hands or mouths off each other.

"It's the saddest part of my day, leaving you," he'd admit after each encounter, and it was true. It hurt more to go home to his wife; to leave Hermione.

But one day she moved away from his touch, her eyes red as though she had been crying again. Instead, he took her hand. "Love? Talk to me?"

"I'm sorry," she whispered, the tears in her eyes. "I've been taking the potion, I swear I've taken it without fail."

"What are you talking about?" Neville asked, watching as Hermione's arms wrapped over her stomach. "I'm so sorry," she repeated. "I'm pregnant."

"You're pregnant. Is it…"

"Of course it's yours!" she replied, looking even more upset. "Did you think I had multiple—"

"No." He grabbed her, pulling her close. "Not at all. I was checking if it could have been Ron's baby."

"It's yours. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He dropped to his knees, his lips pressing against her stomach. "I'm going to be a father! Don't ever apologise for our child."

"But what about—"

"Hermione," he murmured, cutting her off. "I need time to think about what to do. But I want this baby. I promise you that. I've never been happier than this moment." He could see the guilt in her eyes. They both felt it, but he was more to blame than Hermione. He was the one that kept returning. Hermione never asked.

"I can keep the paternity a secret of course, you don't have to feel responsible for—"

Neville silenced her with a kiss and she gently pushed him onto the sofa, climbing on his lap.

For the first time, it was slow and gentle, and Neville savoured the look of love in her eyes. "It's always been you for me," he admitted.

~o~

"We have no properties, and we never got around to combining our accounts," Neville stated. "I've taken what I want from the accommodation above the Leaky Cauldron, and Hannah can have the rest. We can leave the marriage the same way we entered."

The lawyers looked at Hannah. "I agree," she muttered, having nothing more to say. Though feeling awful, Neville was glad she left it at that and didn't fight anymore.

It didn't take long to finish the paperwork. The rings shined for a moment before the pair could remove them. "The bond is broken. You may feel some side-effects for a few days, but you'll be fine," Neville's lawyer explained.

With his newfound freedom, Neville headed straight to Hermione's house, only to find it empty. His second stop was to visit Harry.

"She's been staying for a few days," Harry said. "She thinks she's ruined your life with this."

Neville shook his head. "I should have been honest from the start, and what me and Hermione did was wrong… I was married, but my divorce is final now. I'm here to be responsible for my actions."

"So you're doing this because—" Harry began, frowning.

"Because I love Hermione. Had she not become pregnant, I'd still have ended things with Hannah to be with her, it just may have taken a bit longer. I promise you that. I won't ever hurt Hermione. I've always loved her."

~o~

Neville was two hours late home. He hadn't meant to fall asleep there. Hannah was up waiting for him, sitting at the table and eating her dinner. She paused, the fork halfway to her lips as she caught sight of him. "Neville, where were you? I was worried."

He averted his gaze. "Hannah," he began. "I'm so sorry."

"What? For going out?"

"I… Our marriage is over."

The fork fell from her fingers, hitting the plate. There was a long silence as her eyes widened in shock. "What? Why?" she finally whispered.

"I'm in love with somebody else. I… she's pregnant, Hannah."

He deserved the slap which landed on his cheek, and her hitting against his chest as she cried. He was only glad she dropped the fork before hitting him. Finally she sunk down onto the sofa, as far away from Neville as possible.

"Hannah—"

"I need to think. Don't... just don't."

~o~

"So, tell me about this girl that you left your wife for."

Neville nodded his head. "She's amazing, Gran. She's smart, beautiful, and caring. I've been in love with her for a long time and never thought she'd feel the same about me."

"And this time you'll stay faithful?"

"Of course," he replied softly. "I love Hermione."

"Hermione Granger is the… ah," Augustus stated, her face softening. Neville took it as a good sign, the elder witch had been impressed with Hermione during the war and after. "She works in Magical Law?"

"Not for long," Neville said. "She's not happy there. But she'll excel at whatever job she takes next."

"Yes, her divorce was quite recent too," Enid stated. "What time is she coming for tea?"

"In ten minutes. There's just one other thing that I haven't had a chance to tell you. You see… Hermione is pregnant."

He heard the sound of a knock at the door. "Oh, she's early. I'll go and see to her, shall I?"

Augusta watched her grandson leave the room, speechless as Enid cackled in amusement.

"Just think about it, Augusta," Enid said. "Babies running around the house for us both to look after during the day."

Augusta smiled at the idea. "A great-grandchild," she murmured. "What wonderful news!"


~I don't condone adultery. This is just fanfiction.~

Thanks to Firefly for betaing.

Please review :)