Lupin's True Love Returns

September 4, 1996

Veronica slammed her fist against her desk. She shook out the pain before grabbing up her quill again. She glanced out at the slight drizzle before she turned back to the letter she was writing.

REMUS JOHN LUPIN!

HOW DARE YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON A WOMAN WHO IS HALF YOUR AGE AND THAT YOU BARELY KNOW!!!! MOONLIGHT TOLD ME ABOUT IT THIS VERY MORNING!! BOY DO YOU HAVE SOME EXPLAINING TO DO! YOU ARE SO DEAD WHEN I SEE YOU AGAIN THAT NOT EVEN ALASTOR AND TONKS WILL BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE YOUR BODY!!!! I WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING, AND I MEAN EVERY SINGLE TINY DETAIL, ABOUT THIS VERY DISTURBING INFORMATION!!!!

VERONICA

She sealed the letter in a red envelope and handed it to Hedwig. "I'd advise you to take cover when he gets this." Hedwig hooted once before taking off out the window. Veronica glanced at her clock. "Shit!" She grabbed her bag and wand and raced out of her office.

Moonlight was pacing in the space between Kurt's desk and the desks of the students. She turned as the door swung open. "You're late, Lupin."

"Go jump off the Astronomy Tower, Wagner." Veronica flung her bag into the nearest corner. "Everyone to your feet. Today's lesson is going to be a practical one." With a flick of her wand the desks and bags flew to the walls. "Ready when you are."

Harry held Leo tightly as he realized what was about to happen. "Um...Professor. Could I take Leo to Ginny? It might not be safe here for him."

"Of course, Mr. Potter. I believe she's in Charms right now." Veronica barely watched as Harry grabbed Leo's stuff and rushed out the door. "Wouldn't do for your nephew to watch you get your butt beat."

Moonlight growled softly. "We're not waiting for Potter to come back."

"Who said anything about waiting for him? He doesn't need to practice dueling." Veronica started pulling the students over in pairs. "I want everyone to pair up with someone from a different House."

A loud bang and a foul smelling smoke filled the air of the room. Kurt stood in the middle of the room. "We've got a problem."

"What, Kurt?" Moonlight crossed her arms angrily.

"Mystique, Chameleon, Flamethrower, and Smokescreen are attacking the kids down by the lake." Kurt disappeared in another cloud of foul smoke.

Veronica turned to Moonlight, who had turned into a sleek black cat. "Everyone back to your Houses. No detours. Ron, Hermione, go find McGonagall and Dumbledore. Tell them what is going on." The students stared at Veronica. "You heard me now move!"

Everyone scrambled for their bags and raced out of the room. Veronica grabbed the necklace from her bag and raced from the classroom. She hurried through the crowds of students. Growling softly she transfigured her robes into a black spandex outfit. Quickly she climbed onto the banister of the nearest stairs. She slid down the banister to the next level where she flipped over the crowd of students. She barely heard the gasps coming from the gathering students as she climbed onto the banister of the balcony overlooking the Entrance Hall. She jumped off the balcony, landed softly and raced out into the misting rain.

"You're dead, Moonlight. As is Nightcrawler." A blue skinned woman stepped into Veronica's view. "I want my grandson."

Veronica raced over to Kurt and Moonlight. "You can kiss my rosy red ass, Mystique. You can't have him."

"Get out of here, Lupin. This isn't your fight." Moonlight started to shove Veronica back toward the stairs.

"This is my fight as much as yours." Veronica turned to the screams coming from the lake. "Keep her busy while I take care of the others." Veronica raced past Mystique to where Flamethrower was throwing flames at the terrified students. "Aqua et igni interdicere homini!" A wave of water from the lake splashed over Flamethrower effectively dousing her flames as Veronica pulled the three first years to safety. "Get to the castle!"

"Yes, ma'am." Billy grabbed Adrianna's hand and hauled her toward the castle.

"You'll pay for that." Flamethrower's flames burst to live again as Smokescreen sent a plume of smoke toward them.

"Asperum!" Veronica watched as the smoke twisted back on its caster. "You need to get up fairly early to get the drop on me." She watched as the two women rushed at her. "Abicietum!" Flamethrower and Smokescreen were flung into the air and carried toward the mountains beyond the forest.

Chameleon stepped from the trees and grabbed Dennis Creevey. "Not another move or he dies."

"You are a coward to hide behind a student." Veronica rubbed her hands together and felt the magic crackling around her. "Transicio!"

"What have you done?" Chameleon released Dennis causing Dennis to fall through Chameleon's fading body.

"Just making you see reason." Veronica watched as Dennis crawled away from Chameleon and raced to the castle. "Finite Incatantum!" Chameleon regained his substance as Veronica barreled into him causing him to fall into the lake. "Everyone to the castle." The rest of the students raced into the castle as Veronica raced over to Kurt and Moonlight fighting with Mystique. "Still don't need my help?"

"Thanks for getting rid of them." Kurt disappeared quickly and reappeared behind Mystique.

Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Hagrid, and Severus hurried down the front steps as Mystique turned herself into a wolf and raced away from the castle. Dumbledore turned to Kurt and Moonlight.

"You have done an excellent job defending our school." Dumbledore shook Kurt's hand as Veronica transfigured her tight outfit back into her robes. "I thank you."

"She was after Leo, Albus." Veronica leaned against the banister. "Maybe now you see how much that boy is going to need protection."

"You and Remus are in charge of his protection. Please see to it." Dumbledore started to return to the castle.

"Stop right there, Albus." Veronica glared at Dumbledore. "I have enough on my plate without trying to protect both Harry and Leo. They both need our protection. You refused to see the need while Ani was alive and now you think I'll be able to protect him. Well, guess again. He needs your help. If you don't want to acknowledge him then fine, but don't put him off on someone else because you don't want to think about it."

"As much as I hate to admit it, Lupin has a point." Moonlight crossed her arms. "I'm leaving tomorrow morning. I can't take Leo with me since Ani gave him to Harry, besides it is too dangerous for me to take him. Mystique will be back but I think Lupin might be able to handle her if she gets the help she needs."

"I'll help as much as I can." Severus turned to Dumbledore. "But you will need to help us as well, Headmaster."

"I will see what protections I can come up with." Dumbledore slowly climbed the stairs into the castle.

Veronica turned to Moonlight. "At least we can agree on one thing."

"Leo is the most important thing to deal with the war between mutants. Just keep him safe or I'll be back to kick your ass." Moonlight changed back into a sleek black cat and raced toward the Forbidden Forest.

"I take it that is as close to an apology I'm going to get?" Veronica turned to Kurt.

"You're lucky you got that." Kurt's laughter followed Veronica into the castle.