Lupin's True Love

July 7, 1973

Thomas knocked on Veronica's door before he cracked it open. "May I come in?" Thomas stuck his head through the crack.

Veronica looked up from her Potions homework. "Sure...Dad."

Thomas moved to the desk and glanced at the half finished essay. "Finishing your homework?"

"Yes, sir. I have about another foot for this essay and then I need to do Transfiguration and Charms." Veronica stretched slightly and put her quill down. "You wanted to see me about something, sir?"

"Oh yes. It almost slipped my mind." Thomas laughed slightly. "You have company down in the parlor."

"Oh!" Veronica smoothed her hair down. "I'll be down in a few minutes. I just want to freshen up."

"Come to the parlor when you're ready." Thomas smiled as he walked from the room.

Veronica snatched up her hairbrush and dragged it through her hair. She clipped her hair back with two barrettes. She quickly applied a bit of lip-gloss before rummaging through her jewelry box. She pulled out her wolf necklace and her charm bracelet and quickly slipped them on. She glanced at the mirror one last time and patted her hair in place before hurrying down stairs to the parlor. She barely stopped when she saw Sirius talking to James and Peter and Remus were lounging in two of the burgundy armchairs.

"Sirius!!!" Veroncia launched herself at Sirius. "I can't believe that I actually missed you!"

Sirius barely caught her and swung her around in a circle. "Vee!! You are a sight for sore eyes!"

"A very beautiful sight." Remus unfolded himself from the armchair as Veronica finished hugging Sirius.

Veroncia pulled herself away from Sirius and launched herself at Remus. "Remus!"

Remus caught her and pulled her tight into his embrace. "Merlin, how I missed you."

"You couldn't have missed me more than I missed you." Veronica laid her head on Remus' shoulder as Remus tightened his arms even more.

James rolled his eyes. "They are so disgusting."

"Maybe we should get ourselves our own girls." Sirius watched Remus place a gentle kiss on Veronica's forehead. "Then we could be more disgusting than them."

"No one could be more disgusting than them." James shook his head slightly.

Peter climbed to his feet and made his way to Remus and Veroncia. "Hello, Veronica."

"Hey, Peter." Veroncia smiled as Tinker and Hook came in carrying the tea trays." "Thank you, Tinker, Hook."

"Miss is welcome." Tinker and Hook placed the tea trays on the coffee table and disappeared with a crack.

"Let's have tea." Veroncia moved to the burgundy loveseat.

Remus sat beside her as Sirius sat on the arm of the loveseat. James and Peter sat in two of the matching armchairs across from the loveseat. Veroncia poured the tea into five cups and Remus passed the cups to the others.

"Sirius, will you please go and sit over there?" Remus pointed to an armchair beside the loveseat. "That way you don't spill anything on Veronica."

"Fine." Sirius moved to the armchair. "So, Vee, what have you been doing this simmer?"

"Not much really. James and I went to the village the first day. He showed me all the sights." Veroncia sipped her tea.

"Yeah and she beat up one of the village bullies." James bit into a cookie.

"James!!" Veroncia glared at James.

"Aren't you going to tell them about the phoenix?" James continued to munch on his cookie.

"Now you're in for it, James." Remus smiled slightly as Veroncia put her cup and saucer on the table.

"James, you weren't supposed to tell anyone about that." Veronica's voice rose slightly.

"Sorry. It just slipped out." James cowered slightly in his seat. "Please don't kill me."

"Whoa! What phoenix?" Sirius looked between James and Veronica.

"Thanks to James, I'll tell you." Veroncia rolled her eyes. "There was a phoenix in the attic and Tinker was feeding him. When I found out about him, Tinker took me up to the attic to see him. I saw the chains so I freed him. No big deal."

"But aren't phoenixes loyal?" Peter's voice cracked slightly.

"Yes and Griff's been back nearly everyday since." Veroncia sighed deeply. "Could we talk about anything else?"

"Well, compared to your summer so far, mine's been a complete and total bore." Sirius sipped his tea. "I was told yesterday that my younger brother is starting at Hogwarts. Mother is thrilled."

"Really. Is he anything like you?" Veronica leaned back in the loveseat.

"Nope. He believes everything that my parents tell him. He's the 'good' son, as Mother likes to put it." Sirius snorted slightly.

"I guess that means another Slytherin." James rolled his eyes.

"You mean that it means another student at Hogwarts, James." Veroncia stuck her tongue out at James. "You know how I feel about you judging people before you meet them."

"Exactly." Remus sipped his tea. "So we'll just have to deal with it if he is put into Slytherin."

"Fine. Just don't say that I didn't warn you guys." Sirius munched on a cookie.

"Enough talk about school." Veroncia picked up her tea from the table as Griff flew through the open window. "Hello, Griff."

Remus carefully placed his cup and saucer on the table as Sirius ogled the magnificent bird. Peter trembled slightly in his chair as James barely blinked.

"That is the phoenix you freed?" Sirius' eyes never left Griff as he landed on the arm of the loveseat. "Wow!"

"Yes. This is Griff." Veroncia stroked Griff's black and red feathers. "Griff, I want you to meet Remus. His owl is the one that visits almost everyday."

Griff sang out a clear note as he flew over to the other arm of the loveseat.

Remus held out a bit of a cookie to Griff. "Hello, Griff." Griff gave Remus a slight bow before he ate the cookie.

Veroncia smiled as Remus petted Griff. "And over here is Sirius. He's the one that makes me laugh."

Griff flapped over to the arm of Sirius' chair. Sirius regarded the phoenix as Griff sipped from his cup. "Help yourself, Griff." Sirius' laughter made Griff stare at him.

"You already know James. In the chair next to him is Peter." Veronica's smiled broadened slightly as Griff allowed Sirius to pet him.

Griff sang out a shrill note and flapped his wings aggressively at Peter. "Keep that bird away from me!" Peter cowered in his seat.

"Griff!" Veronica jumped between Griff and Peter. Griff stopped flapping his wings and calmed down some. "Come on you. If you can't behave, then you need to be outside." Veroncia shooed Griff out the Window. "Go on; out with you." After Griff flew out the window, Veronica turned to Peter. "I'm so sorry, Peter. He's never acted like that with anyone with anyone I've introduced him to so far."

"It's okay, Veronica. Animals just don't like me much." Peter straightened in his chair and glanced at his watch. "I've got to get going. Mum wants to go school shopping tonight."

"Sounds like loads of fun." James rolled his eyes as Peter tossed some Floo powder into the fire.

"See you at school." Peter stepped into the fire and disappeared with a whoosh.

"He didn't stay long." Remus laid his left arm across Veronica's shoulders.

"Let's not talk about it." Veroncia snuggled with Remus and pulled her feet under her. "What are we doing for our first Hogsmeade weekend?"

"Zonko's here we come!' Sirius laughed as Remus and Veronica looked at each other.

"I think I'll stick to Honeydukes." Remus pulled Veroncia closer.

"I'll take the bookstores. I'd rather have something to rot my mind not my teeth." Veroncia giggled slightly as James rolled his eyes.

Evelyn stepped into the parlor and smiled at the laughter. "I'm glad to see that everyone is behaving themselves."

"Hi, Mum." James helped Veronica load the trays.

"I trust you boys are staying for supper." Evelyn picked up one of the trays.

"I am, Mrs. Potter. My parents asked me to see if it was okay if James and Veronica some over for supper one night next week." Remus slid off the loveseat and picked up the other tray.

"I'll get it, my dear." Evelyn took the tray from Remus. "Tell your parents that James and Veronica are allowed to come for supper next week. Be sure to let us know when." Evelyn turned to Sirius. "Are you staying, Sirius?"

"No, ma'am. Mother wants me to make an appearance for our 'family' supper tonight." Sirius glanced at his watch. "Speaking of which, if I don't leave now, I won't have time to get cleaned up." He climbed to his feet and kissed Evelyn's cheek before leaning over to hug Veronica. "I'm glad you invited me, Mrs. Potter. I had fun."

"I'm glad, dear." Evelyn watched as Sirius threw some Floo powder onto the fire. "Be careful."

Sirius stepped into the green flames. "Number 12 Grimmauld Place." He disappeared in a flash of green flames.

Evelyn turned back to Remus, James, and Veronica. "Supper will be ready in about an hour."

"Okay...Mom." Veronica waited for Remus to sit back on the loveseat.

"Be sure to wash up in a bit." Evelyn left the room.

James climbed to his feet. "Do you want to go to the study? Dad just got a Muggle game called 'Sorry!'. He said that it is a lot of fun."

"James, by the time we read the rules, it'll be time for supper.' Veronica rolled her eyes. "Why don't we just play a game of Exploding Snap?"

"I'll get the cards." James hurried out of the parlor.

"Alone at last." Remus pulled Veronica closer.

"Yes. Finally we are alone." Veronica wrapped her arms around Remus' neck. "Are you sure you're okay? I mean the full moon was only a few nights ago."

"I'm much better now that I know you're okay." Remus tightened his hold on her. "You know I think the wolf may have accepted you in his pack. He seemed almost happy last time."

"Really?" Veronica snuggled closer to Remus. "That's great, I think."

Remus tilted her face toward his. His lips timidly touched hers as her eyelids fluttered closed. Remus applied a bit more pressure and deepened the kiss slightly. James stood in the doorway of the parlor as Veronica threaded her fingers through Remus' light brown hair. As Remus; fingers tangled themselves in Veronica's dark brown hair, James cleared his throat. Remus and Veronica jumped apart and looked over at him angrily.

"Did I interrupt?" James gazed innocently at the angry couple.

"James, if Mom and Dad wouldn't miss you so much, I'd gladly kill you and bury you under Mom's rosebushes." Veronica straightened her hair and glanced at her watch. "Oops. Time to get cleaned up for supper. If you'll excuse me, I'm just going to my room for a bit." She dropped a quick kiss on Remus' lips as James made a gagging noise. "I'll be back."

"Hurry back before I hurt James." Remus watched as Veronica hurried out of the room.

Veronica hurried up the stairs to her bedroom. She quickly closed the door and moved to her dresser. She picked up her brush and pulled it through her hair before she turned toward her desk to see Griff sitting there. She carefully approached him. "You feel it too. You can sense there is something wrong with Peter." Griff's head bobbed up and down. "At least I have you in my corner." Veronica hurried back to her dresser and began to freshen her makeup as a knock sounded on her door. "Come in."

Evelyn stepped into room and closed the door firmly behind her. "I came to tell you that supper will be ready in a few minutes." Evelyn sat on the bed.

"Okay, Mom." Veronica turned to Evelyn. "Was there anything else?"

"What is Remus to you?" Evelyn patted the space beside her. "I know he's one of your closest friends but is he more to you?"

Veronica blushed slightly as she sat on the bed. "How'd you guess?"

"Guess nothing. I could see it in the way you talked to him and how you sat near him. Your eyes are the windows into your soul, dear. You revealed your feelings there." Evelyn hugged Veronica. "He's the 'one' for you, isn't he?"

"Yes, ma'am, but I'm not sure if he knows it." Veronica stared at her feet.

""I'm sure he does. If he doesn't then he's a fool." Evelyn climbed to her feet. "Remind me to make Thomas send James to do his homework so you can say goodbye to Remus properly."

"I will." Veronica followed Evelyn downstairs to the dining room.

Remus, James, and Thomas stood as Veronica and Evelyn entered the room. Thomas pulled out Evelyn's chair as Remus did the same for Veronica.

"Nothing like a gentleman, right, Veronica?" Evelyn smiled at her husband as he and the boys sat down.

"Right, Mom." Veronica blushed slightly as the plates filled with food.

"Well, let's not let all this get cold. Dig in." Thomas picked up his fork and began to eat.

"So, Dad, how was work today?" James cut a bit of his steak.

"It wasn't too bad except for three more Muggle-borns and their families seem to have disappeared." Thomas shook his head slightly. "That makes ten families in just this week and a little over thirty families this month."

"It's this Voldemort guy that's doing it." Veronica took a sip of her pumpkin juice.

"We don't know that for sure, sweetie." Evelyn patted Veronica's hand as she looked over at Thomas. "There have been families disappearing for years now. Maybe they just moved and we can't find them."

"No it's Voldemort that's killing them off. He's got to be stopped." Veronica glared at her plate.

"I know, dear, but until the Aurors or the Magical Law Enforcement can get a fix on him we just have to deal with it the best way we can." Thomas took a sip of his wine.

"He's right, Vee. You can't do anything about it anyway." James bit into a roll.

"Maybe not now, but some day soon, I'll have to help beat him into oblivion." Veronica slowly began eating again.

"Surely there's something we can do, Mr. Potter." Remus watched as Thomas Evelyn exchanged looks.

"Just do your work at school and keep an open mind about everyone. Maybe if people realize that you can't judge one person by a group, they'll understand how wrong this whole war really is." Thomas smiled knowingly at Remus. "Now enough talk about war. How is everyone coming along with their homework?"

"I've finished mine, sir." Remus smiled as James grimaced slightly. "How about you, James?"

"Yes, James. Have you done any of your work yet?" Evelyn looked at her cowering son.

"No, Mum. I've been... um...quite busy...with..."

"He's been kind of busy helping me. After all I am a year younger than the rest of the third years so I need a bit more help." Veronica barely glanced at James. "Isn't that right, James?"

"Right." James smiled at his mother. "I've been helping Vee."

"Well, tonight after supper, I want you to go to your room and at least get started on it." Evelyn's frown deepened a bit while James nodded. "Good. Now let's finish dessert so you can get started."

While they had been discussing the homework issue, the plates had cleared and were now filled with a treacle pudding. Everyone finished their desserts in record time. James, Remus, and Veronica went into the parlor as Thomas disappeared into the study and Evelyn went into the library.

"Well, Remus, I guess I'll see you sometime next week." James shook Remus' hand. He turned and started out of the parlor. "I'd better go before Mum goes on the warpath. Don't be long, Vee."

"I won't, James." Veronica giggled slightly as James reluctantly left the parlor. "I think Mom put the fear of Merlin in him."

"I'm glad. How's your summer been besides the bully incident and Griff?"

"Good." Veronica glanced at the clock on the mantle. "I guess it's time for you to be going."

"Good night. Parting 'tis such sweet sorrow." Remus pulled Veronica into a tight hug. "We'll be writing each other and you and James are coming to supper one night next week. How about one last kiss?"

"Veronica giggled slightly. "Sure thing but wait one moment." Veronica pulled herself from Remus' arms and softly walked to the doorway. She jumped through the doorway and James fell over. "I knew it! James, just you wait until I tell Mom that you were spying on us!"

James knelt in front of Veronica and begged. "I'll go now. Please don't tell Mum. She'll kill me."

"Go, James, just go." Veronica waved him away from her.

James scrambled to his feet and scurried up the stairs as Remus leaned against the door jamb. "Personally. I'd have made him beg for his life." Remus grabbed Veronica's hand and pulled her close to him. "Where were we?"

Veronica raised her lips to his. "Right about here."

Remus leaned down and their lips touched. Sooner than they wanted, they pulled apart.

"I guess I should go." Remus kissed her lips again. "Good night."

"Good night, sweet prince." Veronica watched as Remus threw Floo powder onto the fire. "Be careful."

Remus stepped into the fire and disappeared with a whoosh. Veronica sighed as she stared in the empty fireplace. She turned on her heel and slowly made her way up to her room. She glanced over at her desk and saw her half-finished Potions essay. She sighed again as she sat down to finish her essay.