Lupin's True Love Returns

Carey Ann Lupin

Story Summary:
Eighteen years have passed since Veronica was at Hogwarts. The Memory Charm is failing and Veronica is beginning to remember the times of fun and horror at the school. As a teacher she knows how to make class fun. She learned a lot while away including how to fight. Will she be able to teach Harry all she has learned or will she have to bring others in to help

Chapter 26

Chapter Summary:
Veronica finally has the Sixth Years in class. their first lesson gets off to a rocky start when Draco Malfoy decides to be very disrepectful to Veronica. Wait a tick...Is that Snape trying to strangle Malfoy? You'll have to read to find out...
Posted:
05/07/2005
Hits:
368
Author's Note:
Thanks to everyone who reviewed in this and all the others. I hope you're having as much fun reading them as I am writing them. Gotta go and kill Sirius. He's helping Inu-Yasha break my angel figures. HEY! KNOCK IT OFF YOU TWO!!!

September 6, 1996

Veronica sat on the edge of her desk in front of the combined History class. She watched as the seven Slytherins, ten Ravenclaws, ten Gryffindors, and six Hufflepuffs mingled before their first class. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ernie Macmillan, and Hannah Abbott were huddled around Leo's baby carrier. Draco and his cronies stood well within Veronica's hearing though they didn't realize it. Veronica didn't allow her emotions play across her face as she listened to Draco bad mouthing Ani and Leo.

"I heard that the woman was a slut and her brat is a bastard." Draco snickered as the bell rang.

Veronica rubbed her neck slightly. "Everyone have a seat." Veronica watched as everyone except the Slytherins hurried to make a good impression. "I should have known."

"Now Potty and the Weaslette have the brat to raise and everyone here, except the best of the purebloods, think he's so cute." Draco snorted a Pansy giggled. "Disgusting."

Veronica had moved so silently that Draco hadn't heard her as she practically pounced on him. "I said take a seat, Mr. Malfoy!" Draco jumped as Veronica's hand fell onto his shoulder and the rest of the Slytherins dropped into their seats.

"The bell hasn't rung, Professor." Draco sneered at Veronica.

"If you hadn't been so busy gossiping about things that have absolutely nothing to do with you then you would have heard it and my instructions." Veronica's eyes narrowed slightly. "Now have a seat."

Draco stuck his pointy little nose in the air slightly. "My father has had your teaching qualifications researched. You haven't taught at any magical school in the past fifteen years. You've only taught Muggles. How do we know that you even went to Hogwarts?"

"My teaching credentials and my past have nothing to do with you, Mr. Malfoy. If the Headmaster questioned my abilities don't you think he would have left Professor Binns here instead of hiring me?" She pointed to the desk beside Draco. "Now I suggest that you have a seat before you begin losing house points for Slytherin."

"You can't take points from a prefect!" Draco crossed his arms and glared at Veronica.

"You might not think so but I happen to know better. In fact I believe I know the rules better than you think." Veronica glanced at Draco's robes and gave a pretend gasp as she held a hand over her heart. "Oh my. It seems that someone has stolen your prefect badge." Then she glanced over at Blaise Zabini. "Oh dear. It seems that Mr. Zabini is the culprit." She snapped her fingers. "That's right. You lost your badge after your behavior during the Headmaster's absence last term." Veronica leaned closer to Draco. "HAVE A SEAT!!!"

Leo let out a whimpering scream causing Veronica to curse under her breath as she turned her back on Draco. No one watched Draco pull his wand from his robes and pointed it at Veronica.

"Abscido!" A jet of light flew from Draco's wand.

Veronica whirled around, her wand in her hand. She drew a large circle in the air and brought her wand straight down in front of her. "Protego Haurio!" A shimmering shield surrounded Veronica and the students surrounding her.

Everyone watched in amazement as the shield didn't rebound the spell like it normally would have but in fact absorbed it. Hermione and Ron glanced at each other as Veronica grabbed Draco by the collar of his robes and dragged him to the door. When she threw open the door, she saw Severus standing there with his hand poised to knock.

"Professor Lupin, what, may I ask, are you doing with Mr. Malfoy?" Severus stared at the grip Veronica had on Draco's collar. "Surely he hasn't done something wrong?"

"Oh he has. This 'young man', and I use that term loosely, has been disrupting my class and calling my teaching credentials into question." Veronica gave Draco a swift shake before dropping him to the floor.

"What exactly did he do to insult you?" Severus turned his glare onto Draco.

"She was trying to take points from me, Professor Snape." Draco smirked slightly at Veronica.

Severus glanced between Veronica's furious face and Draco's smirking one before rolling his eyes. "Mr. Malfoy, please tell me why you think you're exempt from point deductions?"

"Um...uh..." Draco's gaze flew slightly.

"He said that I couldn't take points from prefects which he no longer is." Veronica snorted once. "He also seems to think that he knows everything that there is to know about everyone else's business." Veronica practically growled at Draco causing him to leap back toward Severus. "You really should learn how to keep the Slytherins in line, Professor Snape."

"What is Mr. Malfoy's punishment?" Severus' eyes narrowed slightly at Veronica's slur on his favoritism.

"Mr. Malfoy will have three days of detention which will be held during my class since he won't be allowed back in until Tuesday of the following week. He won't be able to get any of his notes or assignments for those days. And he just lost Slytherin fifty House points." Veronica shook her head slightly. "Any questions, Mr. Malfoy?"

"Aren't you being a bit tough on him?" Severus sneered slightly at Veronica.

"No I'm not." Veronica glared at Severus.

Draco glanced up at Severus. "Surely, Professor Snape, you won't let this Mudblood treat me like this?"

Draco found himself pinned to the wall behind him. Severus tightened his hand slightly around Draco's throat. Draco struggled to get air as Severus leaned closer to him. "Never speak that way about a professor, Mr. Malfoy. If you do, Madam Pomfrey will have to figure out how to get your throat out of my hands." Severus dropped Draco who fell into a heap gasping for air. "What is your punishment for Mr. Malfoy, Professor Lupin?"

"I believe the loss of another fifty points should be sufficient, Professor Snape." Veronica turned back to her class to see everyone staring at Severus. "Unless you have something else to discuss, Professor Snape, I need to be getting back to my class."

"Actually I was going to ask if you would mind me sitting in on this class but now that I have something else to do..." Severus turned his gaze on the quivering heap that was Draco. "...I guess I'll have to take a rain check." Severus turned to Draco and hauled him up by the arm. "Come along, Mr. Malfoy. I would like to know what you think about Professor Lupin's teaching credentials."

Veronica closed the classroom door on the retreating pair only to be greeted with several cheers. "Please settle down, everyone." She moved through the desks to return to her perch on the edge of her desk. "We need to get on with our lesson." She gazed around the room for a moment. "Mr. Weasley, Mr. Zabini, please distribute the four books that are on the third and fourth shelves. There should be a copy for each person here. Everyone else, please turn to Chapter 57."

Everyone flipped open their books as Rona and Blaise distributed the four books. Leo continued to fuss in Harry's arms. Hermione handed him a bottle and Leo tried to grab it. Veronica giggled as Leo began to guzzle down the bottle.

"Hungry, Leobug? Will you have a bottomless pit like Unky Ron?" Harry watched as Leo finished the bottle. When Harry started to put Leo to his shoulder, Leo let out a burp that would have rivaled Charlie. "Noisy little Leobug." Harry wiped the small dribbles of milk from Leo's chin as the girls started to giggle at Leo's antics.

"Let's settle." Leo squealed as Veronica narrowed her gaze slightly. "That includes you, Leobug. Today we will begin our study of the Founders." She looked at the enamored faces. "What can anyone tell me about them?"

"They were the greatest witches and wizards of the age." Blaise leaned forward slightly in his seat.

"That they were. Does anyone know why they were considered this?" Veronica looked over at the Slytherins. "Miss Parkinson?"

"I don't know." Pansy hunched down slightly.

"I didn't expect you to know. There used to be a way for witches and wizards to measure the amount of ability in a person." Veronica waved her wand at the board. A sketch of Stonehenge appeared and everyone gasped. "Stonehenge used to be a place of great power. When it was built in 810, Muggles were terrified of our kind. In fact they were terrified of anyone or anything that was different in the slightest way. Stonehenge was built not only to measure the abilities in them but also to harness the natural energies of the earth. Many witches and wizards of great power would gather there to talk and learn. They could do this in safety because Muggles would avoid it for any and all reasons. Many Muggles thought that Oberon, the Master of Avalon, had built it centuries ago. Our kind could gather in peace and follow our training. For well over a hundred years Muggles avoided the ring of stones and left us in peace but it didn't last. Nothing ever did." Veronica paused and looked up from her feet. She saw several students, Harry, Leo, Ron and Hermione included, had slid form their seats and gathered at her feet. She smiled softly before she continued. "Stonehenge was destroyed by the Muggles in the year 925. By this time Godric Gryffindor had already seen the hatred coming and formed a plan. He recruited Helga Hufflepuff first when her parents were slaughtered by the Muggles. He told her of his dream to build a school so that witches and wizards could be taught to defend themselves from anything. Then Salazar Slytherin joined them after his castle was destroyed killing one of his sisters and his mother. Rowena Ravenclaw heard of them and searched them out after her husband was stoned to death for helping an elderly woman recover from a life threatening illness. Together they planned to build this great school." Veronica waved her hands around her. "They realized that first they must find a location that the Muggles wouldn't be able to find so they searched. It took them a year to find an abandoned castle. The next three years were spent repairing the castle and putting up all the wards, including the ones on the girls' dorms." Veronica smiled as most of the boys groaned. "During this time, they also began to look for teachers for the classes that would be taught. They were going to teach the basics as well as sword fighting and horseback riding which were popular during that age."

Hermione raised her hand quickly. "They didn't teach flying, did they?"

"No, Miss Granger. Brooms weren't popular except for playing Quidditch." Veronica rubbed the back of her neck. "Now the Founders were anxious for their school to open but first they needed to make sure they had everything. They were the only ones to keep meeting at the ruins of Stonehenge." The students gasped as Pansy raised her hand. "Yes, Miss Parkinson?"

"I thought it was destroyed." Pansy frowned slightly. "How could they keep meeting there?"

"Easy. Gryffindor had a chamber built directly under the ruins. Each of the Founders could enter the chamber from their own entrance. They each had a rhyme about them that would open the entrance. For example Gryffindor's was 'Bravery! Courage! Aid to all! Gryffindor! Hear my call!!' This would open only Gryffindor's entrance. They also designed it so that only one in their immediate family and descendants could open the entrance."

"So if I wanted to open Gryffindor's entrance, I would have to be part of his bloodline?" Ron gazed at Veronica.

"That's right, Mr. Weasley. There are few and far between for each of the heirs of the Founders. In fact, unless I'm mistaken we have three Heirs of Gryffindor, five Heirs of Ravenclaw, six Heirs of Hufflepuff, and two distant Heirs of Slytherin." Veronica smiled at the class. "If you want to know if you are one of the Heirs please see me Saturday at nine in the morning. Now back to the lesson." Veronica took a deep breath. "Nine years after Stonehenge was destroyed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry opened its doors. Of the forty students at the school that first year only five were under the age of seventeen. The other fifteen there that didn't know that they had great power. One particular lady often received degrading letters from her father. Gryffindor often would tell the girl that she had more power than her father and to never listen to his hateful words."

"Esmeralda Eversole." Harry cuddled Leo slightly.

"Yes, Mr. Potter." Veronica turned slightly and scooped up Esmeralda's necklace. "In the world there are people who dig for the kinds of treasures that I'm about to show you. This necklace was given to Godric Gryffindor by Esmeralda Eversole, his wife, during the great battle that split the Founders. Encased in the ruby is a portrait of Gryffindor and Eversole." She handed the necklace to Susan Bones. "Now according to legend, Esmeralda managed to transfer all her powers into the necklace and gave it to Gryffindor to aid in the defeat of Slytherin."

Ernie examined the necklace closely. "We have heard that Slytherin only wanted purebloods at the school. Was that true?"

"Unfortunately it was true." Veronica shook her head slightly as she took the necklace from Michael Corner.

"Why wasn't Miss Eversole a Founder?" Su Li spoke from the back of the group at Veronica's feet.

"She wasn't with the Founders when they created Hogwarts. She never helped them with the wards and precautions. We have dozens of portraits of the Founders throughout the castle. Since I came here I have searched the entire castle and found no other portrait of Esmeralda. What I have in my hand is the only known portrait of Esmeralda." Veronica jumped slightly as the bell rang. "Before you leave, I'll give you your homework. I want a three foot essay on Stonehenge and the Founding of Hogwarts. It's due on Tuesday. Also Mr. Malfoy is not to receive the assignment or the notes from this class or the next three classes. Please be thinking of the Founder that you want to do a report on. Class dismissed."

Veronica watched as the students foiled out of the classroom as Harry lagged behind with Leo. He shoved everything into the diaper bag as Veronica approached him.

Harry smiled as he placed a sleeping Leo into the carrier on his desk. "That was a very interesting lesson, Professor."

"I got a little sidetracked with Esmeralda but I get the feeling it made her happy to talk about the past." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "How is everything going?"

"Good, considering that every time I turn around Malfoy is bad mouthing me, Leo, and Ani." Harry frowned slightly.

"It is not your fault, Harry. Just keep reminding yourself every time Malfoy makes a comment."

"It doesn't bother me but I hate when he talks about Ginny the way he did here in class. It upsets her when she hears it."

"Just keep protecting her. That's what your father would have done." Veronica gave Harry a slight hug. "Get to lunch you."

A tawny barn owl flew through the open window and landed on her desk as Harry stepped out of the classroom. Veronica pressed her lips together so hard they seemed to disappear. She took the letter from the owl and handed the owl a treat before it flew from the room. She took a deep breath as she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

My darling Veronica,

I'm so sorry. There are no words to tell you how very sorry I am. When I met Moonlight and Ani, I never thought that I would see you again let alone marry you. Moonlight and I have been friends but nothing more. I once told you that werewolves mate for life and that is the truth. You are my mate. I have stayed faithful in my heart and body for these past eighteen years. Only my mind has betrayed you. I met a woman who could measure up to you finally but I knew that I couldn't betray you. Moonlight belongs to Rath and I belong to you. I hope to Merlin that the two of you will be able to get along with each other when you see each other again. I also pray that you can forgive me of my past sins. I love you and only you. I hope you will join me in Hogsmeade this weekend.

Love always,

Remus

P.S. Tonks and Alastor say hi. Tonks also has threatened to bury me alive if I ever do something this stupid again. Alastor beat the tar out of me for not telling you sooner and making you so angry. He said and I quote, 'You hurt that girl again and Thomas may come back from the grave to help me beat you again.'

Veronica smiled as she refolded the letter. Served him right. Treat me like nothing. I think I'll make him sweat it out a little longer. She hid the letter in her desk drawer before heading to the Great Hall for the delicious lunch that her baby was wanting.


Author notes: He He He! I thought that was an interesting twist...Snape hurting Malfoy.

Hey Carey. What's the big idea?

What do you mean, Black?

Snape's supposed to be the bad guy...

I don't think he's bad. He's just misunderstood. By the way, how were those cookies I baked for you guys?

They were good except for...

Except for what?

I don't exactly like nuts in my cookies.

Go away Black! Please review. I promise to give out lots of cookies and butterbeers.