Lupin's True Love Returns

June 29, 1996

Veronica paced in front of the picture window of her new home when a loud crack sounded behind her. She whirled around with her wand in her hand and pointed it at the intruder. Remus held up his hands in surrender as Veronica slowly lowered her wand. She smiled softly as Remus hung his jacket on the coat rack in the entranceway. Remus moved to the window and gazed at the house next door.

"They hadn't even left the train station when I left." Remus wrapped his arms around her.

"I know. I just can't wait for them to realize that I'm living here and that Harry has some place to go when he needs to get away from them." Veronica leaned back slightly as Remus kissed her neck. "Did I tell you about the argument that I had with Severus that night?"

"Not a lot of it but enough for me to know that you ripped his heart out and served it to him on a platter." Remus chuckled slightly. "I wish I could have been a fly on that wall. I mean you were always the one that stuck up for him in school and you even told me off once because I hexed him."

"I don't think he liked the idea of me reminding him about that one. I also think it made him a little upset when I stood up for Harry's rights no matter who he is." Veronica sighed as she heard several car doors slam shut. She looked out the window and saw the Dursleys making Harry carry his heavy trunk up the walk. "They're home and look what they're making Harry do."

Remus looked out the window. "I see what you meant when you told us about the ways she treated Lily. She enjoys torturing him." He turned to Veronica. "I guess you want to go and put her in her place."

Veronica smiled broadly as she picked up her shawl and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Time for payback."

"I know I'm going to regret letting you do this." Remus rolled his eyes as Veroncia pulled him onto the front porch.

"I promise you'll have as much fun as I will." Veronica bounced down the steps and crossed the yards toward the garden walk of Number 4 Privet Drive. She looked behind her and saw Remus near the porch. "Come on, Remus."

"You go ahead. I'll stay here and watch the fireworks." Remus waved his hand in the direction of the Dursley home. "Have fun."

"Not worry. I will." Veronica walked up the walk quickly and approached the door. She heard raised voices through the door.

"How dare you let people like that threaten my family, boy?!!" Vernon's deep voice bellowed. "You will keep in touch with those freaks and tell them that you are doing well every third day!!"

"I won't, Uncle Vernon. They want to know what is happening to me every day. If they don't hear from me for three days in a row, I can expect at least three of them on the front door step by that afternoon." Harry's softer voice was calm as Veronica rang the doorbell. "Just so you don't have to order me to do it, I'll gladly answer the door." The front door opened to reveal Harry's flushed face. "Aunt Veronica."

"Hello, Harry dear." Veronica flipped her hair over her shoulder and ran a hand over her long skirt. "I don't suppose now would be a good time for me to meet my neighbors."

"It's the perfect time." Harry turned and allowed Veronica to enter into the entranceway. "They're all in the parlor waiting to continue yelling at me."

"Take me to them. Not to worry but they won't be yelling much longer." Veronica watched as Harry closed the front door. She followed Harry to the parlor.

Harry opened the door and held it open for Veronica. "The door was for you, Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, Dudley."

Veronica stepped into the parlor and glared at each of the Dursleys in turn. "I see that I'm not welcome but you have never welcomed me with the same openness as your mother and father, Petunia."

"Do I know you?" Petunia wrinkled her nose in disgust as her eyes roamed over Veronica's graceful figure.

"You should. Seeing as how Lily and I were the best of friends while we were both at Hogwarts." Veroncia ignored Petunia's squeaks as she spoke the words 'Lily' and 'Hogwarts'. She walked over the couch and sat down. "Now I believe the proper thing to do would be to offer me some tea, Petunia." Veronica watched as Petunia's face pulled tight over her horsey teeth. "Perhaps Harry would be so kind as to make it and I will serve." Veronica raised an eyebrow at Harry.

"Of course, Aunt Veronica." Harry started to leave the room when Vernon grabbed his arm.

"She's not your aunt. Your freak of a father..." Vernon jumped as Veronica surged to her feet.

"I dare you to say another word about James or Lily or their magical powers." Veronica raised herself from the couch. "I told Harry to call me Aunt Veronica because James and I grew up together. You never knew them or you would have known that they were the sweetest people on this planet. No one deserves what happened to them." Veronica wiped a stray tear from her cheek. She turned to Dudley. "Why don't you and Harry go and fix that tea, Dudley?"

Dudley swallowed quickly as he stood up. "Yes, ma'am." He grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him out of the parlor.

"Why are you here?" Petunia wrung her hands nervously.

"I came to meet my neighbors." Veronica removed her shawl and draped it over the arm of the couch.

"Neighbors? There are no houses on this street for sale." Vernon puffed out his chest.

"Do you remember the sign in front of Number 6?" Veronica smiled softly as Vernon barely nodded. "Well, I bought it." Harry and Dudley stepped into the parlor with the tea things. "Here's the tea. Thank you, Harry. Thank you, Dudley."

"You're welcome, ma'am." Dudley barely glanced at her as Harry sat on the couch beside her.

"What did you need to see them for?" Harry inclined his head toward the Dursleys.

"I wanted to tell them that any time you want to leave the house that you are welcome at my house next door." Veronica poured five cups of tea.

"Next door?" Harry took one cup from Veronica.

"That's right. I bought the house next door last month and I will be living there until I go back to Hogwarts to teach." Veronica tossed a loathing look at the Dursleys. "Besides, someone from the Order needs to be near by if you need us in a hurry." She handed a cup to Dudley.

Petunia slapped the cup out of Veronica's hand. "Don't take anything she offers you, Duddikins."

"Petunia, I believe the boy has outgrown that nickname." Veronica put her cup down and pulled out her wand. She waved it lazily at the broken cup on the carpeting. "Reparo!" The cup jumped back together and into Veronica's hand. She barely glanced up at the Dursleys as she swung her shawl over her shoulders. "I believe I have made my point perfectly clear. You will treat Harry as if he's a guest and not a servant or you will answer to me." She heard Vernon huffing beside Petunia. "Trust me, Vernon, I'm a lot more dangerous than anyone you met at the train station. The Weasleys, Moody, Tonks, and Remus will seem like pussy cats compared to me." She turned to Harry. "Will you walk me out, Harry dear?"

Harry climbed to his feet and put his cup on the tray. "Of course, Aunt Veronica." Harry extended an arm to Veronica.

Veronica placed her hand in the nook of Harry's arm and together they walked away from the astonished Dursleys. Harry opened the front door and stepped onto the front walk with Veronica. He looked over to Number 6 and saw Remus leaning against one of the porch supports. "Will you come over for supper tonight, Harry?"

"What are you having?" Harry glanced over his shoulder.

"No rabbit food. I thought you would like some spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and a French silk pie for dessert." Veronica and Harry walked toward Remus.

"Sounds good." Harry glanced at Remus. "I didn't know you were over here, Professor Lupin."

"Call me Remus, Harry." Remus placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Veronica and I bought this place so we both could stay here."

"You can visit any time, Harry." Veronica hugged Harry. "I think you should go back to the Dursleys and tell them that you will be joining us for supper tonight."

"I'll do that." Harry waved as he jumped over the fence and raced up the walk.

Veronica watched sadly as he disappeared from sight. "There he goes."

"He'll be back." Remus hugged Veronica. "How'd it go over there? I didn't hear any screaming or breaking dishes."

"It went well. Remus, they were insulting Lily and James." Veronica barely kept the growl low as she walked into the house. "They also called you a freak as well as Tonks, Moody, and the Weasleys."

"What did you tell them?" Remus closed the door behind himself as Veroncia hung her shawl on the coat rack.

"That compared to me the rest of you are pussy cats." Veronica walked into the kitchen and started supper. "Harry will be well taken care of now."

"Good." Remus stretched. "If you don't mind, I think I'll take a nap before supper."

"Go ahead. You have a long night ahead of you tomorrow." Veroncia kissed Remus' cheek and chased him from the kitchen. "Harry will now know love, James." She quickly made the spaghetti.