Lupin's True Love Returns

September 3, 1996

Veronica noticed the Gryffindor Quidditch team seated at the Gryffindor Table. She quickly counted the number of students seated at the table. She had thought the team was suppose to be practicing but with the sudden downpour perhaps it was cancelled. She turned to Severus.

"Did you see Harry come in with the rest of the team?"

"I don't normally keep up with Potter's movements but I haven't seen him all day.' Severus glanced over at the Gryffindor table as the Great Hall's doors slammed open.

Veronica looked up and saw a soaked Ani standing in the doorway holding a baby carrier, two diaper bags, and what looked like a knapsack. Veronica jumped to her feet, vaulted over the table, and raced up the center aisle. Dumbledore and Severus arrived moments later because they took the long way around the Staff Table.

"Ani, what's wrong? Why do you have Leo out in this awful weather?' Veronica barely glanced at the carrier.

"Where's Harry?" Ani looked over at the Gryffindor Table. She then gazed around the whole Hall looking for the head of messy black hair. "Damn! Damn! Double damn!!"

"Ms. Wagner, please calm yourself." Severus reached for the carrier.

"Shove it, Snape! Harry's been kidnapped!"

Three quarters of the Hall gasped while most of the Slytherin Table snickered but Ani's glared stopped them cold.

Dumbledore motioned to Hermione, Ron, and Ginny behind them. "Perhaps Miss Granger, Miss Weasley, and Mr. Weasley should take Leo while the rest of us go to my office."

"They can keep Leo but I'm going to find Harry!" Ani handed the two diaper bags and the carrier to the teenagers. "Take good care of him since I won't be coming back." Ani turned on her heel.

"Ani, wait. Accio Cloak! Accio Firebolt!" A cloak and a Firebolt flew into Veronica's outstretched hand. "I'm coming with you."

"Professor Lupin, may I remind you of your responsibilities?" Severus stepped in front of Veronica.

"Shove it, Snivellus." Ron gasped as did Dumbledore. "I trust you will be able to understand my instructions should I not be back by morning."

"Be careful, Professor." Dumbledore nodded at Veronica. "Take care, Mrs. Black." He watched as the two determined women stepped out into the misting rain. "Come, Professor Snape. Let us calm the students."

Veronica barely heard the footsteps fading behind her. "Where are we going, Ani?" She fastened her cloak around her neck.

"I haven't read the note completely through." Ani shoved a tattered piece of parchment at Veronica. "I only read the first line before I rushed here."

We Have Potter! If you want him, Surrender to the Dark Lord. Come to Stonehenge at midnight tonight. If you don't, The Boy-Who-Lived will become the Boy-Who-Died-Finally.

"Stonehenge. A place of great power." Veronica stared off into the distance.

"What?" Ani stared at Veronica. She watched as the magic pulsed around them. "What on Earth do you mean?"

Veronica swung a leg over her Firebolt. "Get on." Ani climbed on behind her. They shot into the air a moment later.

"Where are we going?"

"I need some help. I must speak with Magorian. I only hope he still has it." Veronica's voice sounded a bit wispy compared to her normal brisk manner.

"Who's that? And what does he have?"

"He is the leader of the centaurs. The item of power is a necklace that once gave my husband strength to defeat a great evil." They landed in a clearing in the exact center of the Forbidden Forest. "Thou must stay quiet and still. The centaurs are great and noble creatures but are ferocious when angered." Veronica began to sing.

"Danger in near,

Helpless have fear.

Aid I need,

From a noble steed.

Half horse, half man,

Come, aid in my plan.

A name I doth call,

Magorian, Doth not stall!"

Ani trembled slightly as she watched Veronica rising in the air without her broom. Suddenly hoof beats could be heard from the forest. A clear Alto voice rang out.

"Who seeks my aid?

A maiden I hear."

"Magorian, 'tis I, Esmeralda, bride of Godric Gryffindor.

Need I have the necklace thou doest guard.

My young is in great danger.

All is lost I fear,

If we doth not work together as promised many past years."

Ani watched in amazement as a man's torso seemed to be floating towards her. Suddenly a body of a chestnut horse entered the clearing. He was carrying a wooden box no bigger than a shoe box. The carving along the outside were exquisite. A carving of a wolf chased a similar caving of a lioness around the outside of the box. Magorian stood directly under the hovering body of Veronica.

"Thy aid is here.

Thou no longer need to fear.

The necklace belongs to only one

Speak thy name!"

Ani watched as Veronica slowly raised her arms to the sky.

"GRYFFINDOR!!!

Greatest of the FOUR!!!"

Suddenly the top of the wooden box flew off and a golden necklace roe. In the very center of the pendant were the faces of a man and a woman. Their images were encased in a flawless ruby. Magorian stepped to the right of Veronica as the necklace settled around her neck. Slowly she floated to the ground. Magorian knelt next to Veronica.

"Aid is home

Never again to roam.

She who cared for all

Will help the darkness to fall!!!"

Veronica placed a hand on Magorian's shoulder.

"A pledge I once fulfilled

That none may be killed!

The innocent shall be free

With the greatest of deeds!"

Ani looked around the clearing and saw about fifty or more centaurs, at least a dozen unicorns, a griffin with a golden collar, and a red and black phoenix gathered around the clearing. Most of them were kneeling. The phoenix flew over to the trio and landed beside them. He let out a soothing note. Veronica collapsed and Magorian caught her.

"My lady?" Magorian held her while several others stomped along the outside of the clearing.

The phoenix fluttered over Veronica and allowed several pearly tears drop into Veronica's open mouth. Veronica's eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "Thank you, Griff." She allowed Magorian to place her onto her feet. "Hello, Magorian."

"May you succeed in your mission, my lady."

Veronica took her broom from Ani. "Pray to the gods that I do." She turned to Ani. "Let's go." Suddenly Griff held out his tail to Ani and Veronica. "I had forgotten, my old friend." Veronica gripped Griff's tail and Ani's hand. "To Stonehenge!"

They disappeared in a pillar of flame and smoke. They arrived a quarter of a mile outside of Stonehenge the same way.

"Whoa! Cool way to travel." Ani turned to stare at the stone circle in the distance. "Where are they?"

"I remember reading once about the Founders each having a secret entrance to the rooms beneath the circle."

"Rooms beneath?"

"Yes. Gryffindor's was on the east side of the circle while Slytherin had his entrance on the west."

Ani glanced at her watch which was also a compass. "So the entrance we want is on this side of the circle."

"Let's see if I can remember the incantation." Veronica rubbed her forehead slightly. "There was a different one for each of the Founders. Damn!"

"Could it have anything to do with the traits of the Founders?"

Veronica hugged Ani. "That's it!" She stepped toward the stones and extended her arms.

"Bravery! Courage! Aid to all!

Gryffindor! Hear my call!!"

A door opened no more than five feet in front of them. Ani watched for a moment before Veronica grabbed her broom and started down into the damp corridor. Ani hurried after her and finally pulled even with her.

"What exactly is this place?" Ani looked around the dank tunnel.

"Not many remember. Thou must not ask questions for danger is near." Veronica's voice had changed back to the one she had used in the forest.

"Who are you? What have you done with Veronica?"

"She and I share a soul. Many centuries ago while the world was very young, I married a mighty man named Godric Gryffindor. He and three others created a school where we taught magic to all. But one wanted the world and I to belong to him. Thy friend is the descendant of the great and mighty Godric Gryffindor and his bride, Esmeralda Eversole."

"What power lies in that necklace?" Ani watched as Veronica paused before an ancient statue.

"My powers which I gave to my true love to aid in the saving of the world. Thy friend shall need them before the end."

Veronica stumbled slightly and shook her head. "What happened?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me."

"You've got a friend in that body with you. Her name is Esmeralda Gryffindor."

"Sweet Merlin. You spoke to her?" Veronica leaned against the wall slightly. "What did she say?"

"She said that the necklace was the key to her power and you would need it before the end." Ani glanced down each of the corridors at the intersection. "Now which way."

"Keep going straight, I think."

Ani led them deeper underground until they stood before a thick ancient oak door. They saw no knob or lock. "Now what?"

Veronica thought for a moment. "I've got it." She placed her hands on the door as Esmeralda took over again.

"Esmeralda and Godric.

Love forever.

All eternity.

True and Brave.

Good and Light.

Never Fail.

Keep Evil at Bay.

Obey Gryffindor's Heir!

Open Now!"

Veronica pushed against the door and it swung open. In the very center of the room lay Harry. He was filthy and had several deep cuts on his arms and legs. Veronica saw he was bound and gagged.

"Harry!" Ani rushed into the room and began to untie him. Veronica stepped into the room as Ani took the gag from his mouth.

"It's a trap!!" The heavy oak door slammed shut.

Veronica dropped to her one knee beside Harry as Death Eaters slowly fill the exterior circle of the room.

"Stupefy!" A jet of red light raced toward them.

Veronica created a circle in the air above her head before pointing her wand at the floor. "Protego!" A shimmering shield surrounded the three of them causing the stunner to bounce back at the Death Eater.

"Goyle, you fool." Bellatrix Lestrange stepped into the center of the circle.

"Hello, Bellatrix." Veronica climbed to her feet. "My, my, my. Azkaban certainly was good to you. You look better now than when we went to school together."

"You filthy little Mudblood!" Bellatrix stalked toward Veronica.

"Try Gryffindor's Heir, you dumb bitch." Ani stepped between Veronica and Bellatrix. "Hello, Bella."

"How dare you speak to me?"

"Yeah well. I thought that you, bitch, deserved to meet the wife of the man that you murdered."

"So you were married to my dear, stupid cousin." Bellatrix slowly walked around Ani. "I must say my cousin's taste is terrible. First he wanted the Mudblood. Then he got you."

"Yeah. So what. At least I loved him unlike you and your husband. Mine stayed with me out of love not fear." Ani spit at Bellatrix's feet. "Mine was a brave man who stood up for what he believed in not a simpering fool that follows the trend."

"At least my husband is still alive."

"If you call living with you alive." Ani glared at Bellatrix. "You killed my love and now I'm going to kill you."

Bellatrix hugged herself as she laughed. "How is a Muggle such as you going to defeat me?"

Ani rubbed her finger over the small ring on her finger. "I have more power than you could possibly imagine." The image of Ani shimmered away into nothing. A blue skinned woman now stood where Ani had been. Her tail whipped around her in her anger.

"Ani?" Veronica placed a hand on Ani's shoulder.

"This is my fight, Veronica." Ani's fists glowed with green flames.

"Take my wand. You're going to need it." Veronica held out her wand.

The Death Eaters finally realized that there was going to be a fight and began to draw their own wands. Bellatrix held up her hand. "This is my battle. I will kill this freak like I killed my cousin."

"Ani, please take my wand." Veronica pleaded with Ani.

"I won't need it, Veronica. Sting made me these." Ani pulled out two shotguns from her knapsack. "Like I said before, Vee, this is between the bitch and me."

"Vee. You said it the same as Padfoot." Veronica's voice relayed the tears running down her face. Her much hated nickname from school still held to power to make her cry with sorrow for the two men who had used it often. "Kill her for Sirius, Ani Jane. And kill her for me."

"I will." Ani turned back to Bellatrix. "I'm ready when you are, Bitch."

Veronica managed to help Harry to one of the chairs scattered around the room. They watched as Bellatrix threw hex after hex at the blue skinned woman. Veronica gasped when she saw the shotguns in action. Harry gripped her hand. Suddenly one of Bellatrix's stunners went wide and headed straight toward Harry. Veronica jumped in front of him and dropped like a stone. Harry dropped beside her and tried to wake her as the battle continued to rage between the women. Finally he heard Veronica groan and begin the sit up as one of Ani's shotguns slid across the floor toward them. Bellatrix had slid her wand back into her pocket and now held a lethal looking knife.

"Look out, Ani!" Veronica climbed wearily to her feet just as Bellatrix managed to slide the knife into Ani's stomach.

Bellatrix stepped away cackling while Ani tried to pull the knife out. She never saw Veronica reach down for the shotgun at her feet.

"Aunt Veronica." Harry tried to grab Veronica's arm.

"Hey, Bitch!" Veronica fired the shotgun and hit Bellatrix in the side. "That's for Ani. This is for Sirius!" She fired the gun again and Bellatrix's head seemed to explode. She turned the gun to the Death Eaters. "Get out before you are next."

The Death Eaters scurried out of the room as Harry and Veronica hurried over to Ani's side.

"Ani. You're going to be alright." Tears streaked down Harry's face.

"No, I'm not. I know it." Ani gripped Harry's hand. "I want you to promise me that you and Vee will care for Leo. He's all the two of you have to remind you of Sirius."

"I promise." Harry tightened his hold on Ani's hand. "Just don't die."

"I'm so sorry you have to have so much death in your life, Harry, but you must survive to death Voldemort." Ani gasped slightly before she turned to Veronica. "You and Remus take care of my boys."

"We will, Ani." Veronica gripped Ani's hand slightly. "I'll do my best to keep them all safe."

"Esmeralda will help you. I know she will." Ani closed her eyes as she took her last breath.

"Ani?" Veronica shook her friend. "Ani! No!!"

Harry wrapped his arms around Veronica and together they cried out their grief. What seemed like hours later they climbed to their feet. Harry noticed a slight change in Veronica's stance.

"Aunt Veronica?" Harry reached toward her.

"I am Esmeralda. I will send thy friend to a safe place. We will leave the other to rot in the Hell she created for herself. Help comes soon." Veronica's hands reached out over Ani's body.

"Wait. At least let me say one last goodbye." Harry placed a hand on Veronica's arm.

"She knows that thou doest love her. She is ready for the other world so that she may see her truest love." Veronica gazed up at the ceiling as if looking at the sky.

"My love, take this woman

Dead and gone

To be safe

In your loving arms.

Protect her

And give her back

To your seventh heir."

Veronica stumbled slightly as Ani's body began to slowly disappear. Harry caught her before she fell. Suddenly the door opened to reveal Remus, Dumbledore, Severus, Alastor, Tonks, and Shacklebolt. Remus rushed into the room but stopped when he saw Ani's body fading away. They all stared at the bloodied and beaten body of Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Do I even want to know what happened here?" Severus kicked Bellatrix's body.

"No. You don't, Severus." Dumbledore conjured a stretcher and allowed Harry to place Veronica onto the stretcher. "We'll find out after Veronica has recovered."

Veronica gripped Harry's hand tightly. "Ani and Bellatrix fought but Bellatrix killed her. I picked up one of Ani's guns and killed Bellatrix."

"Then what was happening to Ani's body when we got here?" Severus pointed at the bloodied spot where Ani had been laying.

"Esmeralda Gryffindor. She sent Ani to be with Sirius." Harry barely lifted his tear-streaked face. "She called him the seventh heir of Gryffindor."

"Who the bloody hell is Esmeralda Gryffindor?" Alastor glared at the others in the room.

"She was once the bride of Godric Gryffindor. From history we see that Salazar Slytherin murdered her as a form of revenge." Dumbledore noticed Griff sitting on the back of a chair. "Harry, see if you can get that phoenix to part with some of its tears."

Griff flew over to Veronica and carefully dropped three tears into her mouth. Veronica smiled and slowly sat up. Remus stared at Griff. "Griff? I thought you left when Veronica did?"

"He must have gone into the forest because that was where I found him this evening." Veronica leaned heavily on Remus. "Let's get out of here. Please."

"Right." Remus felt Griff's tail feathers rub against his face. "I guess Griff wants us to go with him." He grabbed Veronica's hand as she gripped Harry's. He grabbed a hold of Griff's tail feathers. "Let's go Griff." They disappeared in a pillar of fire and smoke. They reappeared in the Hospital Wing of Hogwarts.

Madam Pomfrey fussed over Harry and Veronica as Remus paced near by. Leo's cooing could be heard from the crib in the corner. Veronica fell asleep with tears on her cheeks.