Lupin's True Love

August 16, 1973

Veronica stretched slightly as she heard the other girls starting to climb from their beds. Petunia hadn't finished sulking as she pulled on her lime green shorts outfit. Veronica had just sat up in her bed and saw the brilliant color. She dropped her feet to hang from the top bunk before dropping lightly to the ground.

"You know, Petunia, that color does nothing for you. You should stick with pastels not neons." Veronica smiled brightly as Lily managed to keep from laughing.

"That's what you think. My mother picked this out for me." She eyes Veronica's lavender outfit with distaste. "Who picks your clothes? A blind dog?"

Lily stepped between her sister and her best friend. "What are we going to do today?"

"First I need food to fuel my body." Melissa looked up from fixing the straps on her sandals.

"What do you want to do today, Petunia?"

"Nothing with you freaks." Petunia flounced out of the tent.

"I wonder what she would say if she knew that Emma and Patricia are coming." Lily looked over at the frozen Veronica.

Veronica turned to face Lily with a sly smile on her face. "You mean to tell me that Patricia and Emma are arriving? Today?"

Lily nodded as Veronica started to dance in place. "Merlin help the boys."

"Really. I think 'Roni's brain's overheating. I can smell it from here." Melissa watched Veronica rubbing her hands together.

"And Remus will side with us." Veronica's mutterings were drowned out by two extra loud squeals. Patricia and Emma were engulfed in a group hug with the other girls.

"I still can't get over my folks actually letting me come." Emma collapsed onto the bottom bunk of the third set of bunk beds.

"How did you find out about the trip?" Veronica slid her feet into her flip-flops.

"Mr. Moody contacted my parents and we contacted Emma." Patricia tossed her bag into the corner of the tent. "He came around one this afternoon and we got to do side along Apparation. It was cool." Patricia eyed the third set of bunk beds. "Do you want the top bunk, Ems?"

"I trip over my feet enough. We don't need me falling on my head in the middle of the night." Emma climbed to her feet. "Shall we go and torment some boys?"

"Yes. I've got plans to execute and boys to torture." Veronica led the group from the tent.

Remus looked up from the Muggle chess game that he and Daniel were playing and shook his head slightly when he saw Emma and Patricia. "Merlin help us."

"'What's wrong?" Daniel looked up at the girls. "Oh, I see. You didn't know that the others were coming, did you?"

"No, sir." Remus turned back to the game and moved his knight. "Check."

"Damn, you're good." Daniel studied the board for a moment before moving his king. "Got out of it."

"Not quite." Remus moved his queen. "Check and mate."

"Damn!" Daniel frowned at the board. "You win."

James and Sirius came out of their tent and saw Emma and Patricia.

"Aww, nuts." James flopped onto the bench beside Remus. "Did they really have to come?"

"There goes all our planning." Sirius sank onto the bench beside Daniel.

"Planning?" Daniel leaned close to the three teenagers. "What can I do to help?"

"Well..." James glanced over at the girls helping with breakfast. "We were going to put this potion in their shampoos to change their hair colors." He held up a flask with an electric blue potion.

"Even Molly, Regina, Rose, and Evelyn?" Daniel's emerald eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Even theirs." Sirius snuck a peek at the women to make sure they couldn't be heard. "Now that Emma and Patricia are here we're going to have to make it stretch."

"How about when you guys go to the beach I put the potion into their shampoos?" Daniel grinned.

"Okay. We'll leave horse face out of this one." James looked over at Petunia sulking beside a tree.

The women started to load the picnic tables with platters of food. Veronica hurried over to the table carrying Bill while Patricia carried the giggling Charlie. Thomas, Arthur, Jonathan, and Alastor stepped back into the campsite just as the girls slid the babies into their high chairs. Veronica was busy cutting Bill's sausage into tiny pieces as Molly handed Petunia Charlie's oatmeal. Petunia dropped the bowl as if she'd been scalded. Charlie, like any normal baby, thought this meant that he could stick his tiny hands into the scalding food. He let loose an ear splitting scream. Veronica managed to get the bowl from Charlie and slung it onto the table. She grabbed a rag and swiftly started to clean the hot food from Charlie's hands. She cooed softly as Molly looked around quickly before tapping her son's hands making the burns disappear.

"That's my big boy. You're all better now." Veronica kissed Charlie's forehead softly as his cries died down to mere hiccups.

Lily dug a piece of ice from one of the coolers and stirred it in the oatmeal. She fed him the cooler oatmeal as her mother pulled Petunia away from the tables.

"I can't believe you, young lady." Rose frowned in disappointment at her oldest daughter. "Charlie is only a baby and you're treating him like he has some dreaded disease. I should have left you with your friend but I thought this would be an excellent way for you to learn more about your sister's world." She shook her head as Petunia stuck her nose in the air. "Your father and I will discuss your punishment with Molly and Arthur. Now get into that tent."

Petunia followed Molly, Arthur, Rose, and Daniel into their tent. Lily shook her head slightly but Veronica gave her a look that said 'Wait until we talk to the boys.' James and Sirius had their heads close together plotting against Petunia. Remus shot in comments while Peter just nodded every once in a while. Melissa pushed the food around on her plate before carrying it to the makeshift sink.

"Anyone else finished?" She turned back to the table.

Evelyn waved Melissa back to her seat. "We'll take care of it, dear."

Melissa sighed as she sank back onto the bench beside Veronica. Evelyn and Regina began to gather the dishes. Melissa sat still for a full minute before jumping to her feet to help them. Patricia and Emma insisted on helping as well since Molly and Rose were still yelling at Petunia. James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter disappeared into their tent while Veronica, carrying Charlie, and Lily, carrying Bill, went to their own tent.

"So what are we going to do with my sister?" Lily tickled Charlie, who Veronica had placed on the floor beside her.

"I've got an idea." Veronica grabbed her bag and started rummaging through it. "Now where did I put that blasted potions book?"

Bill toddled over to the bag and reached in. He smiled as he pulled out the book in question. "'Roni." Bill held up the book. "Book."

"Oh, Bill." Veronica hugged the tiny boy making Charlie giggle. "Thank you."

Bill threw his arms around Veronica and held her tight. Veronica settled him in her lap before opening the book. Lily moved herself around so that she and Charlie could see the book as well.

"What are you looking for?" Lily angled her head slightly.

"I saw a potion in here that I was planning on using on James at school but I think it'll be of more use here." Veronica grinned brightly as she turned the pages of the book.

"What'll it do?"

"It'll make Petunia flirt outrageously with Moody." Veronica turned the slightly as Patricia, Emma, and Melissa stepped into the tent. "Hey, guys."

"What are we going to do about Petunia?" Emma flopped onto the floor as Veronica let out a whoop of joy.

"I knew it was in this one! Yes! Time for hell, Petunia!" Veronica laughed as she put the book in the middle of the group.

"What does it do?" Patricia picked up the book and began to read. "For an enjoyable prank, slip this potion into an unsuspecting victim's drink and watch the sparks fly between them and the least desirable person around. Veronica, I think you've been spending too much time with James."

"I agree." Lily snuggled Charlie closer. "Did you even think to bring your potion supplies?"

Veronica pointed to a small box she had laid beside her leg. "This has everything needed for the potion. It only takes about an hour to brew."

Melissa climbed to her feet rubbing her hands together. "Shall we begin?"

The girls hurried around the tent setting up a small cauldron with a bluebell flame. Bill and Charlie watched them as Veronica started asking for each ingredient. Melissa stirred the cauldron as Patricia added the items. Emma and Lily sat back and played with Bill and Charlie. Melissa was amazed to watch the colors change from violet to magenta to deepest purple. When it finally turned to deepest purple, Veronica announced that it was done while spooning some into a phail.

"Now how do we get Petunia to drink it?" Lily helped clean up the mess.

"Easy. We get your dad to give it to her. He's always up for a prank." Veronica picked up Bill while Emma scooped up Charlie.

They stepped from the tent to see Daniel talking to Thomas. Veronica handed Bill to Patricia and hurried over to him with Lily fast on her heels.

"Um...Dad, could we talk to you for a minute?" Lily fiddled with the hem of her shirt.

"Sure, girls." Daniel turned slightly but Thomas didn't move.

"We kind of wanted to talk to Mr. Evans alone, Dad." Veronica shifted slightly on her feet.

"I want in on it no matter the cost." Thomas crossed his arms.

"We were wondering if you could put this in a drink for Petunia. She would never suspect you." Lily held up the phail of deep purple potion.

Daniel took phail and looked it over. "What does it do?"

"It'll make Petunia flirt outrageously with Mr. Moody." Veronica giggled slightly.

"I definitely want in on this one." Thomas took the phail and slid it into his pocket. "No point in letting Evelyn know what's going on."

"Or Rose. Both of them would kill us." Daniel draped an arm around Lily's shoulders.

Thomas draped his arm around Veronica's shoulder and led her back toward the group of girls. "I think you girls had better go and get your suits on. Arthur and Molly are taking you kids to the beach."

The girls squealed as they hurried back to their tent. They rummaged through their bags as Petunia stalked into the tent and flopped onto her bunk. Veronica ignored her as she pulled out her pink bikini from the hidden pocket of her bag.

"What's wrong, Pet?" Lily pulled out her emerald green bikini.

"I have to stay in camp while you freaks go to the beach." Petunia rolled over onto her left side.

Emma and Melissa giggled slightly as they pulled out matching black bikinis. "Well, I happen to think it serves you right." Melissa smiled slightly. "Charlie's only a baby. He could have been scarred for life."

Patricia pulled out a white bikini with yellow polka dots. "She's right. If Mrs. Weasley hadn't healed him, you'd have had a whole camp of angry people after you."

Veronica just smiled as she pulled out a long piece of pink fabric and tied it sarong style around her hips. Lily grabbed the lilac fabric from Veronica and wrapped it around her chest.

Melissa giggled as she pulled on her shorts and shirt. "Good idea, 'Roni. We don't want to give the guys a free show." She ignored Petunia's scoffing cough. "Shove it, Petunia. You give Muggles a bad name."

Patricia pulled on cut off jean shorts while Emma wrapped her beach towel around her. Everyone grabbed a towel before stepping from the tent. They found the boys standing near the picnic tables without their shirts. Their muscles rippled slightly as they moved. Melissa started to whimper while Lily put her nose into the air. Patricia growled slightly as Sirius gave her a lopsided smile and wiggled his eyebrows. Veronica licked her lips slightly when she saw Remus' bare chest. Evelyn didn't notice since she was rubbing a concealing potion onto his back. Remus smiled slightly when he saw the top of Veronica's bikini.

"Now rub this onto your chest and legs. We don't want to be frightening any girls away." Evelyn handed the potion to Remus.

Melissa jabbed her elbow into Veronica's ribs. "Close you mouth, 'Roni."

Veronica shook herself slightly from her daze. "Was I drooling?"

Lily giggled slightly. "Yeah, but I don't think the guys noticed."

"Why do you say that?" Veronica looked behind her at Emma and Patricia still staring a the guys.

Patricia let loose with a wolf whistle while Emma grinned. "Hey, hot stuff!"

"Oh, Merlin." Veronica shook her head slightly as Lily giggled. "Wait until they actually see our suits."

"Really." Melissa gave James and Sirius a brilliant smile.

Molly hoisted a rather large bag onto her shoulder. "Are we ready to go?"

Veronica scooped up Charlie as Remus swung Bill onto his shoulders. James picked up a second bag just as Melissa tried to grab it. Lily, Patricia, and Emma rolled their eyes as Sirius and Peter picked up a cooler filled with drinks and sandwiches. They marched through the woods for about half a mile before emerging onto a sparkling white sandy beach. Arthur brought up the rear carrying several blankets. He began to lay them out onto the sand while Molly took Bill and Charlie from Remus and Veronica.

"Shall we go and introduce ourselves to them?" James motioned to a group of teenagers around their age.

"Sure. I hope they're Muggles and wizards." Veronica grabbed Remus' hand and started out after James and Sirius.

James and Sirius led the group over to the other teenagers on the beach. One of the girls had long dark hair and brilliant crystal blue eyes. She nudged the blonde haired boy next to her and motioned toward the approaching teenagers. The boy whistled once making the others turn slightly. One of the three red haired girls started jumping and squealed as her sisters hurried over. Veronica started to count silently and discovered that the boys were sorely outnumbered. She nudged Remus and he nodded. There were twenty girls and only sixteen boys. Veronica quickly added Petunia into the group and smirked slightly.

"Guess what, James." Veronica smiled innocently.

"What, Vee?" James didn't turn. He was too busy flirting with a blonde girl with aquamarine eyes.

"You guys are so outnumbered." Veronica caught laughter coming from the sandy haired boy next to the blonde girl.

"Let's introduce ourselves before anyone really gets in trouble." Lily dragged Emma toward the teenagers. She stopped less than a foot from the group. "Hi. I'm Lily Evans. And these are my friends. Emma Radcliffe, James Potter, Melissa Smokler, Sirius Black, Patricia Bloom, Remus Lupin, Veronica Croft, and Peter Pettigrew."

"I'm Ashley." The blonde girl smiled brightly at James. "This is my brother Alexander. Those three are the triplets, Bridgett, Breanna, and Brittany." She pointed at the red haired girls. "Those are their older brothers, Brian and Steven." The two red haried boys waved from the sand castle they were working on.

"I'm Charles." One of the black boys waved slightly. "This is my cousin, Albert." He pointed to the other black boy before pointed to a Native American girl. "And that is our friend Susan."

"Hi." Susan waved shyly. "This is my brother, Anthony." The Native America boy with grass green eyes smiled and waved.

The dark haired girl smiled brightly. "I'm Allisandra. Everyone else is part of my family. My brothers, Nicolo and Aiden. The rest are my cousins, Jason, Jacob, Joshua, Jared, Lizzy, Aurora, Jessica, Samantha, Rebecca, Abbra, Marie, Kaci, and Faith." Most of the teenagers were dark haired except for a few blondes scattered throughout. "Do you want to join us?" She batted her crystal blue eyes at Remus.

"Sure." Veronica barely kept from ripping Allisandra's hair out from the roots.

All the teenagers gathered around the sand castle that Brian and Steven were working on. They talked about mundane things as James and Sirius tried to slip sand down the backs of the triplets' one-piece swimsuits. Melissa, Breanna, and Jason went to the water to get buckets full of the salty water. Jason hurried back to the sand castle while Melissa and Breanna whispered by the edge of the water. They hurried back and managed to dump the cold water over James and Sirius' heads.

"You're dead!" James chased Melissa while Sirius grabbed Breanna around the waist.

This started the water fight between the girls and boys. Exhausted, they collapsed onto the sand. Veronica noticed that Allisandra had managed to drop next to Remus. Alexander was seated next to Veronica. They laughed as they watched Sirius and Melissa flirting with most of the group. Lily and Brian were discussing different plants and animals while Steven watched his younger brother flirt with the auburn haired girl. Patricia and Nicolo laughed at each other's jokes while Emma and Aiden discussed their families. James and Ashley talked about the various pranks they had played on their friends while Peter and Bridgett tried to ignore each other.

Molly came over to the group. "Anyone hungry?" The boys nodded while the girls groaned slightly. "We've got plenty of food if your new friends would like to join us."

"Thank you, ma'am." Allisandra let Remus pull her to her feet. "We'd love to join you."

They hurried back to the blankets that Arthur and Molly had laid out. Bill and Charlie were thrilled to have more teens to play with. They laughed and ate until they couldn't eat anymore. The girls took Bill and Charlie to the water to clean up while the boys helped Molly and Arthur clean up the blankets.