Lupin's True Love

November 20, 1972

Veronica stepped from the steaming shower and wrapped a towel around her as a knock sounded on the locker room door. Olivia looked up from her shoes as Veronica shrugged.

"Who is it?" Olivia turned to the door.

"Mrs. Potter, dear. I would like to speak to Veronica Croft, if she's in there." A soft, cultured female voice floated through the door.

Olivia turned to Veronica. "Do you want to see her?"

"Mrs. Potter." Veronica took a small step toward the door. "I need to finish getting dressed but I'll meet you in the Great Hall in about twenty minutes." Veronica picked up her robes. "Will that be okay, ma'am?"

"That's fine, dear. I'll go and surprise my son if his father hasn't already done so." Evelyn Potter moved away from the door.

Olivia pulled her hair into a ponytail. "That's so weird."

"What's weird?" Veronica's muffled voice flowed from the neck of her robes.

"A parent wants see their child after a game."

"They wrote to me this morning and said that they might be coming to watch the game." Veronica pulled a brush through her damp hair. "They must want to meet me and get to know me before they take me into their home during Christmas break."

Olivia shrugged as she looked at her watch. "I guess we should get to the Great Hall."

"Sure." Veronica picked up her broom. "Let's go."

Together they made their way to the castle. They entered the Entrance Hall and had to stop because it was crowded with students making their way to the Great Hall for lunch. Veronica looked around for James but heard a high-pitched yipping over the talking that the students were making.

"What is that?" Olivia jumped and tried to get a look over the heads of the students crowding the Entrance Hall.

"I'm going to kill Potter." Veronica shoved her way through the crowd. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Will you please move?" Veronica pushed past several older Gryffindors.

"Oh isn't it so cute?" One of the Gryffindor girls dropped to her knees. "Come here, little one."

"Where'd Potter get it?" Another of the girls held her robes out of the way.

"He went to Kettleburn's class and got it when it was suppose to stay there." Veronica stomped past the gushing girls and scooped up the frightened Krup. "How could you, James? He's scared after what happened to his family and you brought him out here in front of a crowd of people. I ought to hurt you for that." Veronica made soft cooing noises at the Krup. "It's okay, Star. I won't let anyone hurt you ever again." Star licked at Veronica's face.

"See, Thomas. I told you she would fit in our family." Evelyn Potter pushed her way through the students as Thomas Potter followed her.

"Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?" James hid his hands behind his back.

"We came to see you play in your game today. You were wonderful, dear." Evelyn placed a soft kiss on James' cheek.

"Mom!" James wiped at his cheek as Veronica giggled.

"And you were the absolute star of the match, Veronica." Thomas draped an arm lovingly across Veronica's shoulders.

"Thank you, sir." Veronica blushed slightly. "Thank you for the broom." Veronica held up her Nimbus 1900.

"Your welcome, dear." Evelyn turned to Veronica and looked at Star. "Who is this little one?"

"His name is Star." Veronica hugged Star gently. "I found him this morning."

"Well, you don't need the distraction of taking care of him so we'll take him home with us when we leave. That is if you don't mind." Evelyn allowed Star to lick her hand. "Isn't he so sweet, Thomas?"

"He'll fit in our home." Thomas scooped Star into his arms. "We'd best get going, Evelyn." Thomas turned to James. "Keep out of trouble, son."

"I will, Dad." James rolled his eyes.

"Take care of yourself, Veronica." Evelyn hugged Veronica as the students drifted off to the Great Hall.

"Yes, ma'am." Veronica returned the hug as James moved toward her.

"We'll see the two of you for the holidays." Thomas took Evelyn's hand and led her out of the castle.

"Your parents are really nice, James." Veronica glanced at him for a moment. "I can't figure out where they went wrong."

James, Veronica, and Olivia made their way to the Great Hall.