Chapter 3

Disclaimer -

Harry Potter, other characters and situations are owned by J.K. Rowling and her licensees. This is a work of fan fiction, produced solely for enjoyment. No infringement of rights is intended.

Chapter 3 -

Taking his leave from Warhammer, Harry proceeded towards the Gringotts' lobby towards one of the public floo. Throwing some powder into the fire, Harry stepped in and said, "Orchard Manor".

Within moments, Harry was standing inside the entry hall of Longbottom Manor. The Longbottom Coat of Arms displayed proudly on the opposite wall. Just below it was the motto, 'Amicitia, manet in æternum.'

'What an irony!' thought Harry scoffing. An elf popped in front of Harry, "How may Bobby assist Lord Potter-Black?" "Please let Lord Longbottom know that I would like to meet him." The elf bowed and popped away.

The elf returned and said, "Please follow Bobby." Harry was led towards the family room of the Manor by the elf. As Harry stepped into the room, he could see that Neville was not alone. Neville and Hannah were sitting on a couch. Facing them was Dowager Augusta Longbottom. The three seemed to be in a jovial mood.

Seeing the smiling Lord Longbottom, Harry was overcome with rage and resentment. His mind was assaulted with images of his wife and his friend together. His wife and his friend laughing at him behind his back. One of his best friends. A friend that he had trusted. A friend that he had loved like a brother. He was filled with the feeling of betrayal. He looked at Hannah. In last many years, Harry had gotten to know Hannah very well. She was an embodiment of Hufflepuff. A hard working lady, loyal to a fault. 'Poor Hannah, she is going to be crushed by this news.'

"Welcome Lord Potter-Black. Come sit, we were just talking about your twins' Birthday and what to get them. Perhaps you can help us make a choice." Augusta suggested with a smile. Harry sat down on a couch and looked at Augusta in silence. The Longbottom family quickly noticed how tense Harry was and grew a bit worried.

Clearing his mind and squaring his shoulders, Harry spoke confidently, "Dowager Longbottom, it deeply saddens me to take this step, but your grandson has left me with no choice." Augusta frowned at Harry, wondering what he was talking about.

"I, Lord Harry James Potter-Black, hereby terminate the alliance between the House of Longbottom and the House of Potter with extreme prejudice and demand restitution for the betrayal committed by House Longbottom."

Augusta stood up at once and shouted, "This an outrage Lord Potter-Black, what reason could you possibly have for doing this." Neville also stood up and said, "Harry, my friend, think about what you are saying!"

Harry too stood up and spun on his spot to face towards Neville, wand drawn and pointed between his eyes. "Friend! You dare call me friend! After what you have done, you have the audacity to look me in the eye and address me! I have half a mind to declare blood feud upon you. It is only the thought of Hannah and the fact that you are the son of my godmother that has stayed my hand." Neville's face turned chalk white, realisation dawning slowly in his eyes. Hannah looked on with horror, not comprehending what was going on.

Turning towards Augusta, Harry handed her the results of the inheritance tests. Augusta read the parchments and fell down in her chair with a thud. "Grandma!" exclaimed Hannah and rushed to her. Augusta looked at her with tears in her eyes, "I am sorry my child. Please forgive me. Please forgive me." Augusta started crying freely. Hannah took the parchments and read them. She read them again. She couldn't believe what she was reading. She swayed on the spot. Harry quickly rushed in and held her. Led her towards the couch and sat her down. Harry crouched before her, "Hannah? Hannah are you ok?" Harry knew it was a stupid question but he didn't know what to say to her.

Hannah had a faraway look in her eyes. Not seeing anyone or anything. As Harry looked on, he saw a fire take residence in her eyes. A blazing inferno raged within. She spun towards Neville and slapped him hard on his cheeks. "Hannah!" Neville exclaimed. She slapped him again. Hard.

"What is the meaning of this, Neville? How could you do this? How could you do this to me? To your best friend? To our family?" Hannah shouted, thrusting the parchments towards Neville. He took the parchments and read them, paling more and more as he read. "I trusted you Neville", Hannah continued "I trusted you with all of my being. And this is my reward! This is how you repay my trust! By betraying me! By sleeping around behind my back! Why did you do this Neville? Why?" wailed Hannah.

"I would also like to hear this explanation, Lord Longbottom." claimed Harry. His posture rigid. Shoulders tense.

With a heavy sigh, Neville began, "I have no reasonable explanation for you Harry. I can only say that Ginny caught me at a moment of weakness. At that time, my marriage with Hannah was going through a rough patch. Hannah had gone home for a month to visit her parents and to get away from me for a bit. I was feeling quite lonely. Ginny came to the manor on that day. You had also gone to the continent for some meeting. We sat down talking with each other. Discussing our problems. I told her about Hannah. She comforted me. Slowly, slowly she seduced me. I was feeling quite lonely and pathetic. I didn't think. I didn't know what I was doing. My mind had completely shut down. One thing led to another and we slept together." finished Neville.

Harry listened, hands crossed, no expressions in his eyes. Face blank. Hannah sat there crying, sadness and betrayal clear on her face. Augusta looked on, not believing what she was hearing. She looked at Neville as if she was seeing him for the first time.

"When I came to my senses I realised what had happened. "continued Neville "What I had done. I confronted Ginny and told her that we had made a big mistake. I told her that I wanted to tell you and Hannah the truth. She just laughed at me. Said it was just a night of fun. No need to tell anyone about it. No one will know. She said if I told this to Hannah, she would surely leave me. My marriage was already in a rocky patch. I didn't want you to leave me Hannah. So I kept quiet. But I didn't know about this Harry. You have to believe me Harry, please. I didn't know that the twins were mine. I had no idea."

Silence. Silence stretched in the room. No one knew what to say. How to react.

Harry remained as before. Stoic and rigid, expressions none.

"I have annulled my marriage with Ginny Weasley. I came here for an explanation and to ask if House Longbottom will recognise and adopt the twins. Else House Potter will adopt them. I would like an answer as soon as possible." Harry addressed the Longbottoms. "By your leave, Dowager Longbottom, Lady Longbottom." Without even a look at Neville, Harry turned around to leave.

"Lord Potter, House Longbottom will fully recognise the twins, adopt them and raise them as our own." came the voice of Hannah Longbottom. Harry spun around surprised and shocked. Out of the three, Hannah was the last person he expected to say this to him.

Hannah approached Harry and said softly, "Some time ago, we came to know that due to curse that I was hit with, during the final battle, I will never be able to have children of my own."

Harry hugged Hannah softly, "Oh Hannah! I am so sorry."

"It's ok Harry; I have come to accept this fact. As I see it, the twins are totally innocent. Why should the poor children suffer for my husband's crimes? Do not worry Harry; I will raise them as my own children."

"I know Hannah. You will be an amazing mother. The twins will be lucky to have you. Take care of yourself. I am so sorry I had to bring you such bad news." said Harry.

Hannah smiled sadly and kissed Harry softly on his cheek. "Goodbye Harry. Take care."

Author's Note - I am so sorry for not writing for so long. I have been busy applying to the various universities. I have not abandoned this story and will try to write as much as I can quickly.

Please read and review to let me know what you think.

Cheers!