Lupin's True Love

June 18, 1973

Veronica leaned against the beech tree while James, Remus, and Sirius splashed in the lake's shallows. Lily sank next to her in the grass.

"Won't they ever grow up?" Lily laughed as James dunked Sirius under the water.

"I really doubt it." Veronica turned from the playing boys. "How'd you do on your exams, Lily?"

"I aced them all." Lily smiled. "I know you did more than ace them."

"I super aced them." Veronica and Lily screamed as James and Sirius each dumped a bucket of water on them. "You are dead, James!"

"Your mine, Sirius!" Lily jumped to her feet and ran after Sirius.

Veronica caught James and jumped on his back. "Never do that again!"

"Get off, Vee!" James yelled as Veronica pulled his hair. "Remus! Help!"

Remus stood in the shallows watching as Lily and Veronica wrestled with James and Sirius. "Nope! You were warned not to mess with them!"

"Then help us, Remus!" Lily held onto Sirius while she pulled his hair.

"Ow! That hurt!" Sirius managed to grab Lily's hands and hauled her over his head. "Gotcha!"

"Not for long!" Remus barreled into Sirius.

Lily flew into the air as Sirius splashed into the lake. "Remus!"

"Sorry, Lily." Remus plucked her from the water as Veronica managed to get James dunked in the water. "Veronica!"

James managed to flip Veronica over his head and into the water. "You shouldn't have done that, James!" Remus rammed his shoulder into James' stomach.

James flew into the lake and came up sputtering. "Why'd you do that, Remus?"

"You hurt my girl." Remus towered over James and Sirius, who were still sitting in the lake. "You both know not to mess with these girls."

"Looks like someone is a bit overprotective." James smirked slightly at Sirius.

"Knock it off, you two." Veronica wrung out her wet hair slightly.

Lily whipped out her wand and pointed it at James and Sirius. "Shall I use the Total Body Bind on them?"

"No." Veronica's glare made Sirius shiver slightly. "I think they suffered enough. Veronica turned on her heel and stomped away.

Lily and Remus followed her as Olivia hurried over to them with several towels. "Here. You three ought to dry off before you go in. Filch is in a rotten mood."

Veronica took the towel. "When isn't he in a rotten mood?"

Olivia performed a drying spell and warmth enveloped the three wet students. "There all dry now."

"Thanks, Olivia." Veronica allowed Remus to pull her into the castle. She noticed that Lily had disappeared. "Where are you taking me?"

"Some place we can talk." Remus opened the Owlery door.

"Okay. Let's talk."

"Willyoubemygirlfriend?" Remus stared at his feet.

"What?" Veronica lifted Remus' gaze to hers.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" Remus bit his lip.

"I was beginning to wonder when you'd ask me." Veronica threw her arms around Remus' neck. "What about James and Sirius?"

"Let them get their own girls." Remus wrapped his arms around her. Veronica lifted her lips to his and they kissed each other softly. Remus pulled away and stared into Veronica's emerald green eyes. "You're so sweet."

"We'd better head back to the common room before we have two busybodies looking for us." Veronica smiled as Remus kissed her again.

"Let's go but first I want to give you something." Remus pulled a small box from his pocket.

"What?" Veronica took the small box from Remus and opened it. She pulled out a golden charm bracelet with a white gold heart charm on it. "It's beautiful."

"Look at the inscription." Remus pointed at the heart.

"'R.J.L. loves V.L.C. 4-ever'." Veronica pulled Remus' lips to hers. "I love it, Remus."

They kissed again. Remus pulled away and clasped the bracelet around Veronica's left wrist. "Let's go before James and Sirius come looking for us." Remus wrapped his arm around Veronica's waist.

Together they went back to the common room.