Lupin's True Love

May 21, 1973

Veronica, Remus, and Severus were sitting under the large beech tree at the edge of the lake. Veronica stretched slightly as Remus flipped through his notes. Severus gazed across the lake as Sirius cautiously approached them.

"Okay. What are the main ingredients of the Polyjuice Potion?" Veronica glanced up from her text book.

"Let's see... Lacewing flies, bloomslang skin, and leeches." Remus tapped his finger along his notes.

"Also tit contains fluxweed and knotgrass." Severus smirked slightly.

Sirius dropped onto the ground beside Veronica. "You both forgot the most important ingredient."

"And what would that be, Black." Severus barely turned to face Sirius.

"Powdered horn of a bicorn." Sirius smiled as he turned to Veronica. "Isn't that right, Vee?"

"You are correct, Siri. You both forgot the bicorn horn." Veronica smiled softly as she turned back to her book. "We just did an essay on this only yesterday. How could you two forget it?"

"When I'm with you, I forget my own name." Remus wrapped an arm around Veronica's waist and pulled her closer.

"Your beauty pushes all academics from my mind as well, my lady." Severus gently kissed the back of Veronica's hand.

"Oh. Would the two of you stop that?" Veronica blushed slightly as she pulled her hand from Severus and pushed Remus away from her.

Sirius rolled his eyes as he climbed to his feet. "Isn't today your last day with us, Snape?"

"It is but I will not miss you one iota." Severus barely turned to face the lake again. "Shall we continue our studying, Veronica?"

"Of course, Severus." Veronica lifted her book slightly. "Approximately how long does it take to make the Polyjuice Potion?"

"A month because the fluxweed must be picked on the night of the full moon." Severus leaned against the tree trunk.

"Very nice, Severus." Veronica lifted the book again. "What book is the Polyjuice potion located in?"

Sirius coughed slightly. "It's in the potions book called Most Potente Potions."

"Good, Sirius." Veronica turned back to her book. "I think that about covers Potions. Shall we move on to Transfiguration?"

"I think Severus is in need of a bath." James jumped from behind the tree.

Sirius and James grabbed Severus and heaved him into the lake. Veronica waded out into the lake and helped Severus back to the shore. She turned to James and Sirius.

"You two are juvenile, immature, boorish, and plain old pains." Veronica turned to the dripping Severus. "Are you okay, Severus?"

"I will be fine as soon as I'm in dry clothes." Severus gathered his things as he sniffled slightly. "Have a nice day, Veronica. Since is the last day of the bet, may you rot in hell, Potter and Black."

"Same to you, Snivellus." James slapped his knee as they watched Severus march back to the castle.

Veronica turned to James and Sirius. "I really should hex the two of you into next week..."

"Vee, come on. Can't we have a little fun?" Sirius dropped to his knees and begged.

"But I won't since that was hilarious." Veronica held her sides as laughter bubbled out of her mouth.

James turned to Sirius. "She thought that was funny."

"Yeah I guess we're not in as much trouble as we thought we were." Sirius watched as Veronica fell onto the ground still holding her sides.

"This is one for the books." Remus relaxed under the tree as Veronica continued to roll around laughing. "She hasn't laughed like this in months. You two did great."

Sirius and James bowed slightly as Veronica finally managed to get her laughter under control. Together they made their way back up to the castle.