Lupin's True Love

June 28, 1973

Veronica lay on her bed staring at the pale blue ceiling with her book lying forgotten beside her. She rolled onto her side as she thought about the events of that morning. I freed a bird that can be immensely loyal to one person. Veronica rolled onto her back again. I can't believe I just did that! A knock sounded on her door. She sighed as she sat up. "Come in."

James opened the door enough to stick his head in through the crack. "Are you sure?"

Veronica rolled her eyes as she flopped back onto her bed. "What do you want, James?"

James stepped into the room. "Mum told me about what you did, Vee."

"And?" She stared at her ceiling.

"And nothing. Mum wanted me to find out how you were feeling but I told her that I was going to respect your privacy." James sank onto the bed. "That was before she rushed out of here for work." He shuffled his feet slightly. "So...how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, James."

"You're not fine and I know it." James leaned back on his elbows. "Come on, Vee. Talk."

"James, I don't feel like talking right now." Veronica placed the palms of her hands over her eyes. "I just want to be alone for a while."

"I thought you'd like to go and see the village." James sat up. "I mean since you don't want to talk, we could go for a relaxing walk."

"If you promise not to talk about this morning, I'll go for a walk with you."

"Grab your jacket, Vee." James jumped to his feet. I'm going to show you a good time."

Veronica managed a weak smile. "Thanks, James. I'll meet you downstairs in ten minutes."

"Deal." James bounded out of the room.

Veronica climbed to her feet and made her way to her dresser. She brushed her hair back into a ponytail and tied a pale blue scarf around the ponytail. She opened her jewelry box and pulled out the wolf necklace Remus had given her. She clasped the necklace together. She grabbed her fringed leather jacket from her closet and hurried down the stairs.

James smiled broadly when he saw Veronica hurrying down the stairs and pulling on her jacket. "Right on time. You look great.'

"Thanks, James." Veronica stared at her feet as her cheeks reddened slightly. "Can we just go?"

"Sure." James opened the door and led Veronica outside. "Welcome to Godric's Hollow."

Veronica allowed James to grab her hand and pull her down the walk. They walked down the street and James introduced Veronica to the neighbors. They finally made their way to the market place.

"This place is great, James." Veronica fingered some navy blue fabric.

Several guys watched Veronica and James as they walked from booth to booth. Veronica and James stopped at a flower booth as one of the guys approached them.

"Hey, good looking." The guy leaned against the post next to Veronica. "How about ditching the kid and hanging out with a real man?"

"How about you leave me alone and find me a real man?" Veronica plucked a carnation from a display and inhaled its delicate perfume.

"Oh, come on, sweetheart. You know you want to." The guy grabbed Veronica's left arm.

"I suggest you release her or you might regret it." James glared at the guy's hand.

"I can handle this, James."

"I just thought he needed to be warned, Vee."

Veronica turned to the guy. "Remove that hand."

"What'll you do if I don't?" The guy laughed loudly and his friends joined him.

"Don't say you weren't warned." Veronica's right hand shot out and she twisted her body out of the guy's grasp. His laughter turned into groans of pain as Veronica twisted his right arm behind his back. The guy dropped to his knees and Veronica leaned close to his ear. "The next time you decide to bother a lady, I would suggest that make sure that she can't defend herself." Veronica shoved the guy into the cobble stone street and turned to his friends. "And if you don't back off, you may wind up like your friend." Veronica spun around on her heel and faced James. "Let's go home, James."

"Right, Vee." James grabbed Veronica's hand and they slowly made their way back to the Potter house. "You were great."

"Thanks." Veronica pulled her jacket closer to her body. "James I just want to get back to the house before anything else happens."

"Not a problem." James hurried Veronica up the walk to the house. "I guess you don't want Mum and Dad to know about what happened."

"Please don't tell them." Veronica hurried into the house and rushed up the stairs.

She stripped off her jacket as she rushed into her room and flopped onto her bed. She stared at the pale blue ceiling as tears raced down her face. She finally rolled onto her side and dropped off into a restless sleep.