Lupin's True Love Returns

July 20, 1996

Veronica leaned back against the headboard of her bed while Remus fiddles with the covers. A cup of tea was cooling on the bedside table.

"Knock it off, Moony." Veronica playfully kicked his hand from her foot. "So my dinner came up. It's no big deal."

Remus picked up an afghan and laid it across Veronica's legs. "I think it is." He sat on the side of the bed. "You're sure no one tampered with your tea this afternoon?"

"Positive." Veronica patted her knee.

"You complained that you were tired earlier today. Then you threw up you dinner. What else could possibly be wrong?"

"Maybe I'm getting the flu or maybe something I ate didn't agree with me. It's nothing to get worked up about, Moony."

"Fine." Remus turned to the door as a knock sounded. "Come in."

Harry opened the door. He carried a tray of toast, butter and jam in one hand and a letter in the other. "Ginny thought you might like some toast, Aunt Veronica."

"Thank you, Harry." She pointed to the letter. "Who is that for?"

"You and Uncle Remus." Harry handed the letter to Remus before he placed the tray onto the bedside table. "Do you want some fresh tea?"

"Not really." Veronica buttered a piece of toast. "I really want too see what is in that letter."

Remus ripped open the letter. "It's from Moonlight."

Harry glanced at Veronica as she glared at Remus. "Who's Moonlight, Moony?"

Remus flinched as he heard the anger in Veronica's voice. "She's Ani's twin sister."

"Is Ani okay?" Harry reached for the letter as Veronica crunched on the toast.

"Hold on a minute and I'll read it to the both of you." Remus cleared his throat slightly.

Hello Remus, Veronica, and you too, Harry,

I'm writing to let you know that Ani had the baby this afternoon. I warned her that too much stress wasn't good this close to the end of her pregnancy. Anyway she had a boy. He is so cute with his black hair. He'll be known as Leo Black since that was what Ani and Sirius had decided before... well, you know. See you soon.

Moonlight

Hey Remus, Veronica, and Harry,

I had to grab this before Moonlight sent it to you. I wanted to see what time you wanted me there on the 31^st. Moonlight and Rath want to make sure it's okay for them to come. Write back soon and let me know.

A.J.

"She named that poor child Leo Black." Veronica sniffled slightly. "That poor boy is going to known as the Black Lion." Veronica shifted one the bed slightly.

"What's wrong Aunt Veronica?" Harry moved to her side.

"Out of my way!!" Veronica flung back the covers, clapped a hand over her mouth, jumped for the bed, and hurried from the room.

She slammed open the bathroom door and barely made it to the toilet before that toast made a reappearance. She leaned her forehead against the cool porcelain of the toilet as Remus came into the bathroom. He filled a glass with cold water.

"Drink this." Remus held the glass to Veronica's lips.

Her stomach rebelled as she shoved Remus out of the way. She heaved again as Harry called Remus to the fire. Harry came into the bathroom and wrung out a cool cloth. He placed it on her forehead as Severus and Remus hurried into the bathroom.

"Are you crazy? Get her away from that filthy thing!" Severus pulled Veronica away from the toilet and hoisted her into his arms.

Veronica barely opened her eyes as Remus took her from Severus and carried her into their room. She felt the bed give slightly as Remus laid her in the center of the bed.

"Well, Severus, what is wrong with my wife?" Remus wiped Veronica's brow.

"I'm not sure. If I didn't know any better, I'd say she's pregnant but not even a werewolf can work that fast." Severus smirked slightly.

"Do I need to call Madam Pomfrey?" Harry stood in the doorway.

"No, Harry." Veronica slowly and carefully pulled herself up against the headboard. "I'm fine now."

"You should be lying down, darling." Remus took Veronica's hand in his.

"How about you go jump off the Astronomy Tower, Moony?" Veronica turned to Severus. "You can join him, Snivellus."

Remus and Severus stared at each other as Harry cleared his throat slightly. "Mood swings, nausea, exhaustion," Harry looked up from a small book he was holding, "are some of the symptoms of pregnancy."

Veronica snorted. "Don't the three of you think I would know if I was pregnant?"

"Darling..." Remus tightened his hold on Veronica's hand.

"Back off, Moony!" Veronica carefully climbed to her feet. She weaved slightly as Harry wrapped an arm around her waist. "Thank you, Harry. Could you help me down to the study?"

"Sure, Aunt Veronica." Harry helped Veronica down the stairs and into the study.

"Thank you, Harry." Veronica sank into the chair behind the desk. "I'll be fine now."

"Okay. If you need anything, just call." Harry slipped out the study door.

Veronica found a sheet of parchment. She dipped a quill into a inkbottle filled with purple ink and began to write:

Congratulations Ani!!

You must have gone into labor not long after we parted ways. I bet little Leo looks a lot like Sirius with his black hair. He probably has a bit of you mixed in as well. Harry can't wait to see you and Leo on the 31^st. Could you and your family be here early that morning? Molly Weasley is coming then as well but we could use a bit more help. Harry still hasn't figured out that we are giving him a party. I mean Ginny and I had an invitation list out yesterday evening and Harry saw it but didn't think about what it was for. That child is so oblivious sometimes.

I want to ask you a question. How did you know you were pregnant? Did you have a lot of morning sickness or anything? The reason I'm asking is because I think I might be pregnant. I don't want to verify it quite yet because it would be devastating if I'm not. Besides it wouldn't do for Remus to get a big head, now would it? I'll see you at the party. Congrats again!

Veronica Lynn

P.S. I hope Leo likes this teddy bear and blanket. Pull on his ear and watch him dance.

Veronica finished sealing the letter in its envelope as Pig flew into the room. He hopped from foot to foot while Veronica finished wrapping the bear and blanket. She tied the package and letter to Pig's foot. She watched the tiny owl fly out the window before she climbed to her feet and went to the kitchen to find something to eat.