Lupin's True Love Returns

July 20, 1996

Veronica followed Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron through Flourish and Blotts. The manager waved to her and she smiled back. Harry turned and saw Veronica smiling. He wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Having a good time, Aunt Veronica?" Harry squeezed her waist slightly.

"Just remembering the year I worked here part time and met Bill Weasley." Veronica draped her arm around Harry's shoulder when she noticed a young lady with long brown hair and brown eyes following behind them. "I think we have company." She stopped Harry from turning his head. "Don't look. We don't want to scare her away. Why don't you go ahead with Ginny?"

"Sure, Aunt Veronica." Harry moved quickly to Ginny and the others.

Veronica rummaged through her purse for a spare piece of parchment. She walked over to the manager. "Excuse me, sir, but do you have a quill I can use?"

"Of course, ma'am." He handed Veronica a quill.

Veronica tapped the quill against her lips for a moment before she began to write. Quickly she read the note.

If you are a friend, then you will be able to read this. Meet me in the back parlor at the Leaky Cauldron in exactly one hour. I will send my charges with another to lunch and we will be able to speak freely.

Veronica

She nodded as she tapped her wand against the parchment. "Adefectus oculatus tantus." She smiled softly as Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione put their books on the counter. "I see you all got some reading materials."

"Sure, Aunt Veronica." Harry placed a hand on her waist as he leaned closer to her ear, which was no easy feat since he was a good foot taller than her. "Figure out who our 'friend' is?"

"Not yet, Harry dear, but if she's a friend, she'll be able to read this note." Veronica folded the note quickly as the clerk totaled the charges. "Okay. How much is all this?" Veronica dug into the pouch hanging from her waist.

"Eleven Galleons and four Sickles, ma'am." The clerk put the books into a bag for each teenager. "Will there be anything else?"

"There will be later but I'll be back for it." Veronica handed the coins to the clerk. "Come along, children."

Veronica herded the teenagers through the store and bumped into the woman. "I'm so sorry. Please excuse me." Veronica slipped the note into the woman's hand. "Come on, you four. We need to meet Alastor in an hour and I need to finish some birthday shopping."

"Coming, Aunt Veronica." The teenagers followed her from the store.

Harry let Veronica weave her arm through his. "Well?"

"Mission accomplished." She waved her free hand over her head. "Alastor! Remus! Over here!"

Remus and Alastor hurried through the crowd to the group. Remus hugged Veronica and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. Alastor's magical eye rolled around in its socket.

"Any funny business?" Alastor's growl was low as he glanced around the crowd.

"Everything's fine, Alastor." Veronica stood on her toes to place a gentle kiss on his withered cheek. "Thank you for worrying."

"Constant vigilance!" Alastor's mouth quirked up in a slight smile.

"I know." Veronica's laugh sounded loud above the crowd. She wound her arm through Remus' as they made their way down Diagon Alley. "Did anyone want to get anything else?"

"I would like to shop for birthday gifts, Aunt Veronica." Ginny blushed slightly when Harry glanced over at her.

"Okay but first we should go to a certain joke shop." Veronica turned to Remus and nodded when she saw the large bag of gold in his hand. "We need to take care of something."

"Okay." Ginny and Hermione led the way with Alastor trailing behind them grumbling under his breath.

"Are you sure you want to give Fred and George all this gold? I mean we could set up a trust for their shop or something." Remus whispered into Veronica's ear.

Veronica shivered slightly at the sensation of Remus' breath in her ear. "I'm sure." She glanced at her watch. "We'd better hurry. I've got a meeting in half an hour."

"Meeting?" Remus pulled Veronica to a stop causing Alastor to turn from the teenagers. "Go ahead, Alastor. We'll catch up." He waited until Alastor and the others were out of earshot. "Who are you meeting?"

"A young lady with dark brown hair and brown eyes was following us all morning."

"You are not meeting her alone."

"If she's a friend then she will be able to read the note I gave her." Remus gave Veronica a confused look as Veronica rolled her eyes. "I used the 'For Friendly Eyes' spell."

"Anyone could read it. They would only have to think happy thoughts about you."

"Not really and you know it. It's the same spell we used on the Map to hide my name."

"She would have to know you were going to write her a note?"

"NO! Honestly, Remus, don't you remember how we did that spell the first time?"

"Not really."

"She not only would have to have friendly thoughts about me but there must be no malice in her heart. In fact it seemed like she was trying to protect me and Harry."

"I still say you should let me come with you."

"No way. I'm going to wait for her in my Lioness form. That way she can find out exactly who she's dealing with."

Remus raised an eyebrow slightly as his mind caught up to the description of the woman." Wait a minute. Did you say she had dark brown hair and brown eyes?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"How old did she look to you?"

"She might have been twenty or twenty five. It was a little hard to tell in the light of the store. Why?"

"Damn, Ani." Remus chuckled to himself as he looked around the crowd. "I think I should go with you. You know to be on the safe side."

"Back off, Remus. I know I can handle myself around her."

"Just like you took care of Bellatrix the other day?"

"Hey, I handled her just fine. It wasn't my fault you showed up then."

"You know how I just loved playing the hero."

Veronica pulled Remus' lips down to hers and kissed him deeply. She pulled away slightly. "If you'll excuse me, I'll just finish my shopping and go to my meeting."

"Fine. Don't come running to me if you get into trouble." Remus kissed Veronica again before she shoved at his chest.

"You need to control your hormones." Veronica nodded toward the bag of gold still hanging from Remus' belt. "Could you give that to the twins for me?"

"Sure." Remus started to move away from Veronica. "Do me a favor?"

"What?"

"Send up red sparks of she turns out to be dangerous."

"I will, darling." Veronica blew Remus a kiss and hurried away. She discovered a little jewelry shop. She smiled softly as she opened the door.

The bell jingled as the door closed behind her. The clerk smiled as he looked up from the counter. Veronica moved along the display case. She smiled softly when she saw several Gryffindor crests necklaces and rings. She fingered the Gryffindor ring on her right forefinger. She twirled it for a minute before the clerk stopped before her.

"May I help you, ma'am?" The clerk gave Veronica a broad smile.

"Yes. I need two of the Gryffindor necklaces as well as two of the Gryffindor rings." Veronica watched as the clerk took the jewelry from the case.

"Will there be anything else?"

"Do you do engraving?"

"Yes, ma'am." The clerk picked up a quill and a piece of parchment.

"On one of the necklaces I would like it to say 9-19-80 H.J.G. and the other is to have 8-11-81 G.M.W."

"And the rings?"

"One is to say 3-1-80 R.B.W. and the other is to say 7-31-80 H.J.P."

"I will see that they are ready by one this afternoon if you would like to come back then to pick them up."

"That'll be fine."

"Your total is 100 Galleons." The clerk totaled the sales slip.

"Here you go." Veronica handed the coins to the clerk.

"Your name?"

"Just put Lupin on the slip." Veronica watched as the clerk scribbled 'Lupin' across the top of the slip. "I'll see you after one."

The bell jingled as Veronica stepped into the sunlight. She hurried to the Leaky Cauldron. Tom glanced up as Veronica moved toward him.

"Ah, Mrs. Lupin, what can I help you with?"

"Could you have a tea tray brought to he back room?"

"I'll bring it in ten minutes."

"Please remember two cups. I'm expecting company." Veronica place two Galleons and six Sickles onto the counter.

Tom nodded as he hurried about making tea. Veronica made her way to the back parlor. Tom hurried in and placed the service on the table as Veronica took off her cloak and laid it on one of the chairs. Tom bowed as he left. Veronica watched the door closed and moved toward the couch. In mid stride she transformed into a lioness. She jumped onto the couch and laid her body across the cushions. Her massive head laid upon her paws as the door opened. A young woman entered the room. She glanced over at Lioness stretched out on the couch.

"Well, it looks like she trusts me about as much as I trust her." The woman took off her cloak as she moved toward Lioness. Her protruding stomach caught Lioness' eyes.

I only trust my 'family'. No one else! Lioness' thoughts echoed in the woman's mind. Besides how can this mere slip of a girl help us?

The woman laughed. "As do I but one of your 'family' trusted me to protect Remus and Harry. I intend to do just that. You'd be surprised how I can help your 'family'." The woman sank gratefully into one of the chairs before the raging fire. "You may change back, Mrs. Lupin."

Lioness jumped from the couch and moved to the chair with her cloak lying across it. As she moved to jump into the chair, Lioness changed back into Veronica. "Well, I guess my little charm worked."

"Yes." The woman poured the tea.

"So, do I hear a name or do I send up sparks?"

"I'm Ani Jane Wagner. I met Sirius and Remus a few months ago."

"Well, that explains Remus' reaction when I gave him your description and approximate age."

Ani nodded slightly as she sipped her tea. "You wanted to talk?"

"I only wanted to know who you were and why you were following us. Now that I know that, I do sense that you wish to say something else."

"You're right." Ani smiled softly. "Do you always get to the heart of the problem?"

"I never did believe in beating around the bush, especially with Sirius." She watched as Ani placed the teacup back on the table. "What has you worried, Ani?"

"Has your judgment always been the best?"

"No. There might have been a time, before I returned to the Wizarding World, I would have said yes." Veronica glanced to the anguished look on Ani's face.

"As you can probably tell, I'm pregnant." Ani rubbed her left hand over her stomach.

Veronica gaped at Ani and stared at the Black family ring on her left hand. The emeralds glittered as the scaled on the entwined snakes glittered in the light. "Pregnant? That I can see but whose is it? It's not Remus', is...?"

"No! Remus told me once that werewolves mate for life and that he had a mate, you."

"Thank you, Merlin." Veronica closed her eyes in relief as the wheels in her head started turning even faster. Her eyes popped open. "NO!! Sweet Merlin, No!!! Padfoot, if you weren't already dead, I'd kill you for taking advantage of this child!" She shook her fist at the ceiling.

"Mrs. Lupin..."

"Veronica, please." Veronica closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Did he at least marry you before he let his hormones take over?"

"Well...We kind of were married but the Ministry isn't going to acknowledge the marriage until they've cleared Sirius' name." Ani's cheeks reddened slightly.

Veronica surged to her feet. "Prongs, you'd better help Padfoot find a really good hiding place because when I get there we're going to find out if there's a hereafter for the hereafter!!! And you Padfoot, you couldn't wait until we'd cleared your name, could you?"

"Veronica!" Ani grabbed Veronica's hands. "We loved each other deeply. I want this baby. We'll have something to remember him by."

"Okay. I won't kill Padfoot the next time I see him." Veronica paced the room as she tried to calm down. "Does Remus know about the baby?"

"Yes. He knew the whole time." Ani gazed pleadingly at Veronica.

"And he didn't think to tell me." Veronica glanced at her watch. "Merlin! I'm late!"

"Late?"

"I've got to go finish my shopping. Would you care to join me?"

"I'd love to but I really need to be getting back to my other mission." Ani watched Veronica as she swung her cloak over her shoulders.

"What other mission?" Veronica and Ani waved to Tom as they hurried to the entrance to Diagon Alley.

"I'm hunting down Sirius' killer."

"That one is going to be easier said then done." Veronica tapped the brick with her wand. "The person who killed him was Bellatrix Lestrange. She is in Voldemort's inner circle."

"I know."

"Then you also know that she is his favorite Death Eater."

"Of course."

"Listen to me. You would be better off going to Dumbledore and telling him about this whole thing. He can take care of everything and help you get into a home before the baby comes."

"I've already spoken to him and he told me that there is nothing he can do."

"How about for the baby?"

"He won't even talk about it."

"Fine. I'll take matters into my own hands. You'll be coming to stay with us at Grimmauld Place."

"I couldn't intrude."

"You're not intruding. That's my niece or nephew in there." Veronica placed her hand on Ani's stomach. "I want to protect him or her with my life as well as yours. Besides you need to be relaxing not stressing out about Bellatrix. Members of the Order can take care of her."

"I'll talk to my family and see what they say."

"Send an owl with your answer." Veronica slapped her forehead. "Also we're having a birthday party for Harry on July 31^st. Why don't you come?"

"Okay." Ani and Veronica hugged. "I let you know my answer."

Veronica watched Ani disappear in the crowd. She turned and hurried into the jewelry shop. She noticed that the clerk jumped to his feet and hurried into the back room. Slowly she moved down the counter and looked at all the charm bracelets. She stared at a golden bracelet with what looked like a silver book charm. She also saw another golden bracelet with a Golden Snitch charm.

"Your order's ready, Ms. Lupin." The clerk pushed the jewelry across the counter.

Veronica inspected each piece. "Could you also take out those charm bracelets?"

"Of course." The clerk hurried as he pulled the bracelets out. "Anything else?"

"Are those charms silver or white gold?"

"White gold. We have quite a few people who are allergic to silver so we don't carry it." He watched as Veronica fingered the wolf's head charm around her neck. "That was a piece my father carried in here over twenty years ago."

"Interesting that I should come in here to pick up some more jewelry." Veronica handed the clerk several coins and waited as he wrapped each of the bracelets.

"I hope whoever gets these pieces like them."

"I'm sure they will." Veronica picked up the bag and hurried out the door. She hurried down the alley to Flourish and Blotts.

"Mrs. Lupin." The manager hurried over to Veronica. "What can we do for you?"

"I need several history books." Veronica and the manager hurried over to the History section. Could I place an order with you and have you send it to Hogwarts?"

"Of course. We do that all the time." The manager pulled out a pad of paper. "How many copies of each book would you like?"

"Let's see. There are ten students in each year and seven years and four Houses." Veronica quickly did the figure in her head. "That makes 280 copies of each book and don't forget my two copies."

The manager smiled broadly. "That'll be fine."

Veronica began pulling books from the stacks. "These will do for now." She handed the manger ten books. "How much is all this?"

"Let me see." The manager began to scribble figures onto the pad. "157 Galleons and 14 Knuts."

"Deal." Veronica handed the gold to the manager. "Make sure everything is delivered by August 15^th. I'll take my copies with me."

Veronica took the bags from the manager and hurried from the store. She barely glanced at her watch before she squeaked and hurried back to the Leaky Cauldron. As she entered, she saw Remus, Alastor, Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Fred, George, and Tonks sitting around one table and sipping tea.

"So nice of you to join us, Aunt Veronica." Harry climbed to his feet and hugged her before he took some of the bags from her.

"What is in those?" Ron pointed at the Flourish and Blotts bags.

"Books for school." Veronica watched as Ron blanched and sank back into his seat. "Don't worry about it, Ron. These are only reference books for all the essays I'll be having you do." Veronica flopped into the chair next to Remus. "I'm exhausted."

"Who was your meeting with?" Alastor's low growl brought Veronica's gaze to him.

"Ani Jane Wagner." Veronica tilted her head toward Remus. "Did you have to tell him?"

"When you go off on your own, Alastor tends to worry." Remus draped his arm across the back of Veronica's chair.

"Ani? You went to meet with Ani and you didn't take me?" Harry sulked slightly in his seat.

"I wasn't sure who she was, Harry. I wasn't putting you in danger when I saw her." Veronica placed a hand over Harry's. "We'll be seeing her soon. I hope."

"How's the baby?" Remus watched as the others stared at him. "Ani's baby."

"It's fine. I invited her to stay with us until it's born. She was going to talk it over with her family." Veronica stifled a yawn as Remus pulled her to her feet. "Let's get going before I fall asleep right here."

"Tempting idea." Remus leaned close to Veronica's ear.

Veronica shivered slightly. "Don't start something you can't finish." Veronica's tongue skimmed across his ear.

"We'd best get home before Tom really sees how much I love you." Remus hauled Veronica closer to his body.

"Let's move people." Veronica's blush deepened slightly as she and Remus hurried the others from the Leaky Cauldron.