Lupin's True Love Returns

September 11, 1996

Veronica heard the whine of a jet engine outside her classroom windows. The third years stopped throwing their wads of paper at each other as she pulled out her wand and moved slowly and carefully toward the window. Looking down on the grounds, she recognized the sleek black jet landing just south of Hagrid's pumpkin patch. Her eyes glittered with unshed tears as she realized the surprise that Dumbledore had managed to pull off.

"Class, you're in luck." She snapped her fingers once and the wads of paper flew back into their box under the window. "You're getting out of homework this time." She smiled brightly as she moved toward the door. "And you're dismissed early!" She yanked open the door and raced out into the corridor.

She barely heard Harry's shout as he came from the direction of the library. Together they raced down the flight of stairs to the front doors. Harry shoved them open to the squeals of Marie, Regina, and Jean. With them were Scott and Logan, as well as four other adults that Harry didn't recognize. One was a dark skinned woman with pure white hair. The other woman had brilliant lime green hair that swung around her shoulders. Beside the white haired woman was a blue furred man. He hugged Regina and Marie before tossing each of them into the air. Scott and Logan were talking to the other man, who had to be Scott's brother. He was blonde haired and blue eyed where Scott had dark hair and his eyes were covered with the heavy visor. Veronica flung herself into the blue furry man's arms and let him swing her around as Harry stared at the sleek black jet. Scott turned to Harry.

"Well, Harry. What do you think of my baby?" Scott smiled brightly as Harry continued to gape at the jet.

"It's beautiful." Harry's emerald eyes took in every inch of the jet. "What is it, Mr. Summers?"

"We call it the Blackbird." The blonde man smiled as he took in Harry's features.

"Harry, I'd like to introduce you to my brother, Alex Summers." Scott watched the two young men size each other up.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Summers." Harry extended his hand.

"Call me either Alex or Havok." Alex gripped Harry's hand tightly. "It's great to meet the kid that Marie and Eve have written to us about."

"Eve?" Harry half-turned to Veronica. "Who's Eve?"

"He means Regina. Alex's always called her Eve." The woman with the lime green hair pulled Harry into a tight hug before holding him at arms length. "Reggie and Marie weren't kidding. You are a heart breaker."

"Thank you." Harry cheeks reddened slightly as he pulled away from her. "Who are you?"

"I'm Lorna Dane, that idiot's..." She jerked a thumb at Alex. "...Girlfriend. If you prefer you could call me Polaris."

The dark skinned woman moved to the group as Marie hugged Lorna. She extended a hand to Harry. "It is an honor to meet Veronica's nephew." She held Harry's hand for a moment. "I am Ororo Monroe. They also call me Storm because I can control the weather." She released Harry's hand and created a small rain cloud over them.

"Neat." Harry grinned as he turned to find Veronica. "We'll never need to wait for a rain storm again."

Veronica laughed as she wrapped an arm around Harry's waist. "Harry, this is Dr. Henry McCoy. We also call him Beast."

"It is an extreme pleasure to meet you, Harry." Henry slapped a hand to Harry's shoulder as Veronica turned slightly.

She saw Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall walking down the path from the castle. She groaned slightly as she sank onto a large boulder. "We've got the welcoming committee coming."

"Let us get the children from the Blackbird before they get here." Henry moved toward the ramp.

Alex slapped his forehead. "I can't believe that I forgot about them."

"Alex, how could you forget about them what with Kitty asking 'Are we there yet?' the whole way?" Lorna sank onto the boulder beside Veronica as Alex ran up the ramp. "Men."

"So which ones did you bring?" Logan leaned against one of the struts.

"Just the senior students." Ororo smiled softly as the nine teenagers ran down the ramp. "Professor Xavier will be able to handle the others."

One of the girls dropped to her knees. "Solid ground!" She leaned over to kiss the grass as Alex came down the ramp. "Thank you God!"

"Surely Alex's flying wasn't that bad, Kitty." Veronica laughed as Kitty Pryde climbed to her feet.

"Have you ever flown with him, Ms. Croft?" Kitty cocked her head to one side.

"Just once. But then again I've gotten to fly on a broom." Veronica giggled as Kitty and the other girls stared at her. "What did I say?"

"A broom?" Alison Blair flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder.

Veronica nodded as she looked up into Harry's emerald green eyes. "I guess we're going to have to take them up, Harry."

"I don't want to hear any screaming when I take them into a steep dive." Harry tightened his arm around Veronica slightly.

Alex's laughter dropped slightly when he saw Dumbledore's long silvery white beard. "Hey, Vee. Who's the old coot?" Alex moved over to Lorna and Veronica on the boulder.

"Don't call me, Vee." Veronica hooked her foot behind Alex's ankle and jerked his feet out from under him. "And don't call Albus Dumbledore an old coot."

Alex landed flat on his back with Veronica glaring down at him. "What did I do, Vee?"

Veronica whipped her wand out and pointed it at Alex. "Let's see. Lorna, should I make him spit up slugs or make him as stiff as a board?"

"The stiff one." Lorna crossed her arms. "It would be nice to see him not talking for once."

Dumbledore cleared his throat slightly making Veronica jump. "I trust you are not going to hex our guests."

Veronica cringed slightly as she turned to face Dumbledore. "Sorry, Headmaster, but Alex called you an old coot."

Dumbledore laughed as he placed a withered hand on Veronica's shoulder. "I have been called worse, my dear. Besides, he didn't know not to upset your delicate hormones."

"Hormones?" Henry grinned when he saw Logan nodding slightly. "Pregnancy hormones?"

"Damn!" Veronica shook her head slightly. "You would have to figure it out."

"So are you pregnant?" Lorna tilted her head to one side. "I thought you looked like you'd put on a few pounds."

"I guess I'd better tell you." Veronica pursed her lips slightly. "I'm expecting twins sometime in April."

Lorna flung her arms around Veronica as Ororo hugged them both. Each of the teenagers started to hug her as well.

Henry turned to Logan and Scott. "Which of you is the lucky father?"

"Neither of us." Logan shuddered. "Can you imagine her kids?"

Scott laughed as Regina frowned. "Logan, we've taught one."

"Yeah but she was raised away from her father and his influences."

Veronica's eyes narrowed slightly. "Logan..."

Logan turned slightly. "Yeah, 'Roni?"

"Do I turn you into a toad?" Veronica tapped her wand against her leg.

"Sorry. I didn't mean it." Logan leaned toward Scott slightly. "Remind me to never piss off a pregnant woman again."

Scott's laughter rang across the grounds. Dumbledore chuckled as well. "I believe the lot of you would be more comfortable in the Great Hall. Professor Lupin, if you would see to it?"

"Of course, Headmaster." Veronica climbed to her feet. "Come on, guys. You'll like the Great Hall."

Veronica watched Harry grab two of the girls' bags while a Japanese boy picked up a third. A dark haired boy, who stood over six feet tall, picked up the fourth bag. Henry and Alex took their cue from the teenagers and grabbed Lorna and Ororo's bags. Veronica wove her arm through a sandy haired boy's as she led the group up to the castle. They passed the fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws coming from the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid trailing behind them. Harry heard Leo's squeal but watched Regina hurry to get him from Ginny. Marie was talking with the other girls while Regina caught up with the group carrying Leo in his carrier. The Brazilian boy took the carrier and Regina unbuckled Leo while Leo stared at all the strange faces. Regina had the diaper bag slung over her left shoulder, Leo in her right arm, and was talking animatedly with the Native American girl with her arm linked with the boy's. Kitty reached over and tickled Leo making him squeal and the teenagers laugh. Veronica lifted the hem of her robes as they climbed the steps into the castle. Several House Elves were waiting for them to give them the bags. Dobby was shaking with so much suppressed excitement that his Hats were threatening to tumble to the stone floor. Harry handed the two bags to Dobby before turning to Regina and the boy and taking Leo from her. Harry gave Regina a quick hug as the sandy haired boy refused to give his bag to the House Elves.

"Can we trust them?" He turned as Veronica took the bag and gave it to Winky.

"Yes, Bobby. They'll take your bag to your rooms." Veronica turned to Dumbledore. "So this was what you meant by friends and teachers, Albus. It's a nice surprise."

"Of course. I'm glad you enjoyed it." Dumbledore turned to the students. "I have read the file on each of you but I believe introductions are required."

"Let's see. You've already met Kitty Pryde. She's the one who can walk through walls." Scott hugged Kitty quickly. "We also call her Shadow Cat."

"Wicked." Ron stood on the stairs heading up toward the first floor. "You can avoid Filch."

"Hello, Mr. Weasley." Veronica smiled as he loped the rest of the way into the Entrance Hall. "Now where were we?"

"How about I finish with the intros, 'Roni." Logan grinned when Veronica nodded. "Next to Marie is Bobby Drake. Don't get on his bad side or you'll find out why they call him Iceman." The sandy haired boy waved from beside Marie.

"Next we've got Danielle Moonstar. She can project images into your mind which is why we call her Psyche." Scott pointed to the Native American girl waving. "Next to her is Roberto DaCosta. The ladies had best be on the lookout for Sunspot."

Veronica groaned slightly as the girls giggled. "Merlin, help us. We've got another Sirius in the building."

"If this Sirius guy is a big flirt, then he's got competition." Kitty giggled as Roberto wrapped an arm around Danielle.

"When Sirius and I were in school here, he went out with every girl whose brain cells seemed to be asleep." Veronica grinned as Roberto placed a kiss on Danielle's cheek.

"Anyways, beside him is Alison Blair. We call her Dazzler." Regina scooped Leo from Harry's arms. "Next we have Sam Gunthrie or Cannonball. Just don't make him mad. You might get hurt." Sam waved from beside a red headed girl who would have fit right into the Weasley clan. "Beside him is Rahne Sinclaire or Wolfsbane. I think Daddy will like her."

"He might." Veronica rolled her eyes. "Next to Rahne is Piotr Rasputin. We also call him Colossus." Piotr waved slightly knowing that he could crush Harry's hand. "And last but not least is Shiro Yoshida or Sunfire as we like to call him."

"I am honored to meet you." Shiro bowed slightly.

Harry grinned as Ron shook his head. "I'm Harry Potter and this is my best friend Ron Weasley."

"Just call us Harry and Ron." Ron shrugged as the group started toward the Great Hall. "We don't have any of the great names that you do."

"Not to worry, kid. You will." Logan slapped Ron's shoulder as they entered the Great Hall.

The teenagers managed to stifle their laughter when they saw Ororo, Lorna, Henry and Alex staring at the ceiling of the Great Hall. Several of the girls looked up and gasped. Danielle turned to find Veronica trying not to laugh.

"Are we eating in here with no roof?" Bobby pointed at the sunlit ceiling.

"No, Bobby. The ceiling is enchanted to reflect the weather outside." Veronica ushered the group toward the front of the Hall. "Just wait until it starts to snow. It's beautiful."

Professor McGonagall stood beside the traditional three-legged stool with the Sorting Hat. "Before the other students arrive for supper, you will be sorted into your Houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. I trust you to make friends your House and to treat them as family. You will earn points for you House but any rule-breaking will result in the loss of points." She unfurled a scroll. "When I call your name, please come forward and place the Hat on your head." She cleared her throat. "Blair, Alison."

Alison straightened herself slightly before settling on the stool and placing the Hat on her head. The tiny voice made her jump. "Hmm? Not a witch? Not a Muggle? Very interesting. You're very brave but your intelligence outshines it. You belong in...RAVENCLAW!!" Alison took the Hat off with shaking hands before going to the rest of the group.

"Come on, dear." Veronica led her to the third table. "This is where Ravenclaws usually sit."

"Croft-Lupin, Evelyn Regina Rose."

Regina lifted the hem of her long skirt as she climbed the steps. The Hat slid over her eyes. "Ah. You are exactly like your mother. Clever and kind. Brave and loyal. Cunning and pure of heart. Any House will do for you but you belong to...GRYFFINDOR!" Regina handed the Hat to Professor McGonagall before going to the Gryffindor Table and sitting with Harry and Ron.

Professor McGonagall looked down at her list again. "DaCosta, Roberto."

Roberto climbed the steps and jammed the Hat on his head. "Another Mutant! Amazing! You are definitely a...RAVENCLAW!" Roberto took off the Hat and joined Alison at the Ravenclaw Table.

"D'Ancanto, Marie."

Marie climbed the steps, sat on the stool, and gently placed the worn Hat on her head. "Yet another Mutant. The school is keeping strange company indeed. You are brave to put your life in danger to help others. For this alone I must put you in...GRYFFINDOR!" Marie smiled as she moved to the Gryffindor Table.

"Drake, Robert."

Bobby shook his head slightly as he put the Hat on his head. "Your intelligence is only surpassed by your bravery. To love a woman who could kill you with a touch is truly brave. Yes, yes. You must go into...GRYFFINDOR!" Bobby moved to the Gryffindor Table and sat between Regina and Marie.

"Gunthrie, Sam."

Sam sat on the stool when the Hat fell past his eyes. "Yes! Yes! Another... GRYFFINDOR!" Sam hurried to sit beside Regina.

"Moonstar, Danielle."

Danielle stumbled a little as she started up the steps. She sat very still when the Hat started to talk to her. "A Dementor? NO! You are yet another Mutant. Fascinating. You belong to... RAVENCLAW!" She hurried to sit beside Roberto.

"Pryde, Kitty."

Kitty hurried to the stool and waited patiently as the Hat talked to her. "Like a ghost you can slip through the walls. Yes, you are a...GRYFFINDOR!" Kitty practically raced to the table.

"Rasputin, Piotr."

Piotr climbed the steps, bent at the waist for Professor McGonagall to put the Hat on him, and stood still. "A big boy! To place yourself in the path of danger to save another makes you a...GRYFFINDOR!" Piotr whipped the Hat from his head and hurried to the Gryffindor table.

"Sinclaire, Rahne."

Rahne bounded up the steps and barely moved when she heard the tiny voice in her head. "Fascinating! One who can change herself into a wolf at will. You have a great intelligence. You must be in...RAVENCLAW!" Rahne hurried to sit beside Danielle.

"Yoshida, Shiro."

Shiro bowed to Professor McGonagall before putting the Hat on his head. "You have honor in your blood. You are definitely a...GRYFFINDOR!" Shiro handed the Hat back to Professor McGonagall with a slight bow before heading to the Gryffindor Table.

Veronica cleared her throat slightly making the teenagers turn toward her. "I have your class assignments but first please understand that we have to go shopping in Diagon Alley this Saturday to get all your robes and school supplies." She shuffled the papers in her hands. "Dazzler, Rogue, Shadow Cat, and Sunfire, you're all going to be in Fifth Year. Dazzler and Sunfire, I suggest you get to know Luna Lovegood. Rogue and Shadow Cat, you'll get the chance to be with Ginny Weasley."

"Cool." Marie turned to Kitty. "She's great."

Veronica smiled as she shuffled through the papers. "Iceman and Psyche, you two will be in Sixth Year. You are the only ones from the X-Men that will be Sixth Years. Harry and Ron are in your year as are Hermione Granger and Hannah Abbott. They'll show you the ropes." She shuffled the papers some more. "Rosebud, Colossus, Cannonball, Sunspot, and Wolfsbane, you're all in Seventh year. Get to know Katie Bell and Cho Chang. They're in all your classes." Veronica folded the papers in half before sliding them into her pocket. "I'll keep your lists until it's time to go shopping. Time to let the rest of the school meet you but first let me warn you. There will be some that won't be very receptive to this. Just do what you can to convince them that this is for the best."

The Great Hall's doors swung open and the rest of Hogwarts filed into the room. Most of them didn't notice the new students. Hermione and Ginny saw the girls and boys sitting with Harry, Ron, Regina, Leo, and Marie. Veronica watched from her seat at the Staff Table.

She leaned toward Henry. "What do you think the kids are talking about, Hank?"

"I'm not sure, Veronica." Henry turned slightly to look down into her face. "Tell me about your husband."

"He's great. We went to school here at Hogwarts. We also got in trouble here." Veronica blushed slightly. "He lives down in the village."

"Are we going to meet him this week?" Ororo leaned forward slightly so that she could see around Henry.

"No. He's not up to meeting people right now." Veronica fiddled with her napkin.

"With the full moon near, it's advisable to stay within the castle to avoid meeting with werewolves." Severus spooned some stew into a bowl.

"Drop it, Snivellus." Veronica's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Werewolves aren't real." Alex leaned on his hand while he shoveled some stew into his mouth.

"Yeah right." Scott picked up his goblet of wine. "Werewolves are as real as you and I. They're even as real as merpeople, unicorns, centaurs, giants and phoenixes."

Alex laughed loudly making several students turn toward the Staff Table. "You're joking, right?"

"Nope. I have a phoenix as does the Headmaster." Veronica sipped her milk while Alex's mouth dropped open. "The lake's full of merpeople. We have a centaur teaching divination. The Forest is full of unicorns and centaurs. Mind you don't make the centaurs mad. They're a very proud people. Hagrid's a half giant and he's got a brother called Grawp who's all giant."

Lorna smiled as she reached over and closed Alex's mouth. "You're letting the flies in, Havok."

Dumbledore climbed to his feet and the students stopped talking. "I'd like to welcome our new students. If the eleven of you would stand?" Regina and Marie jumped to their feet while everyone else slowly climbed to theirs. They waved around the Great Hall. Several cheers erupted from the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw Tables. Regina's eyes landed on Draco whispering to Crabbe and Goyle. As one the group dropped back into their seats. Dumbledore cleared his throat again. "We are canceling History of Magic classes." The students cheered while Veronica shook her head. "Not that you didn't enjoy them. The governors and I have decided that in light of the war beginning, it's advisable to stress the importance of defense. Therefore, in response to this, you'll now have more Defense Against the Dark Arts classes in a week. In order to accomplish this we have brought in several teachers. If you will stand as I introduce you. First is Mr. Scott Summers." Scott climbed to his feet and gave a quick salute causing several of the girls to giggle. "Next is Dr. Jean Grey." Jean stood next to Scott and bowed. "We also have Logan. Please refrain from calling him Mr. Logan." Logan waved a hand, his unlit cigar dangling from his mouth. "Mr. Alex Summers and Miss Lorna Dane." Alex and Lorna rose as one and waved. "Miss Ororo Monroe and Dr. Henry McCoy." Henry's appearance caused several whispers to float through the air whereas Ororo made several of the boys start whistling. "Now these teachers are not witches or wizards as you are used to. They are in fact Mutants as is Professor Wagner. They will each teach you special skills that may be of use during this war. Professor Lupin and Mr. R. J. Lupin will be teaching you the magic aspect of the Defense classes. I trust each of you to be on your best behavior."

The students turned back to their meals as Dumbledore sat back down. Veronica leaned forward slightly and looked over at Logan. "What do you hear coming from the Slytherin Table, Logan?"

"That blonde kid is wanting to sabotage our classes." Logan grabbed his goblet.

"That's Malfoy. We'd better keep an eye on him." Veronica looked down at her plate. "You know what. I'm not hungry." She climbed to her feet. "I'm going to finish grading my last essays before I turn in for the night."

"I'll come with you, Veronica." Ororo climbed gracefully to her feet.

Together they climbed the stairs toward Veronica's office. Ororo's eyes wandered over the walls. She gasped when one of the men in a portrait bowed to her.

"You'll get used to that." Veronica stopped before a door and tapped it three times with her wand. "Come on in."

"This school is amazing." Ororo looked at the wall with a portrait of Gryffindor hanging there. "Who's he?"

"He's Godric Gryffindor. He was one of the founders of the school." Veronica gave the portrait a quick curtsy before hurrying to her desk.

"Good eve, fair maidens." Gryffindor bowed to Ororo who had moved closer to the portrait.

"Good evening, sir." Ororo curtsied as Veronica levitated a chair over to her.

"Have a seat, Storm. I'm sure you're wanting to ask me about Remus." Veronica shuffled the scrolls of parchment on her desk.

"Why isn't he here with you?" Ororo sank into the chair.

"I'm sure you caught Severus' comment about staying in the castle during the full moon."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Veronica laid down her quill and looked up at Ororo. "Remus is a werewolf."

"So. That doesn't make him dangerous."

"No it doesn't but people don't like to think that way. They only like to see the bad in people." Veronica ran her hands over her face. "I've talked to several of the students about their past Defense classes. Most of them say that Remus was the best teacher they ever had. Of course now they have us."

"That is so..."

Veronica held up a hand. "It gets worse. The teacher they had last year was also the idiot that passed the werewolf law stating that a werewolf can't get a job. If I ever get my hands on that overstuffed, bloated, toad of a woman, I'm really going to do Sirius and James proud."

"Was she that bad?"

"I only met her once. She was so full of herself. Harry told me about things that she had done to him throughout the year. She even tried to have Hagrid fired. Nobody tries to fire Hagrid. Without Hagrid and Albus there's no Hogwarts."

"Maybe you're a bit prejudiced. You're married to the person the law pertained to and you work with both the professors."

"That's not it. I actually talked to the woman. I told her about how I could always seem to get along with the centaurs and merpeople. She called me a half-breed lover. I told her 'I might be a half-breed lover but at least I know how the other half lives.' She had the gall to say that she was going to prevent me from getting the History job because I had lived among Muggles for the last eighteen years. I told her to rot in hell."

"Still can't control your temper."

"Getting my memories back only made it worse. I remember why I hated the nickname Vee so much."

"Why?"

"Sirius and James always called me that."

"Who are Sirius and James?"

"Sirius Black and James Potter." Veronica picked up a wooden frame and handed it to Ororo. "They were two of my best friends while I was growing up."

"They're cute." Ororo handed the frame back to Veronica. "Where are they now?"

"Dead. James died protecting Lily and Harry. Sirius died protecting Harry and me." Veronica shook her head. "We tried to stop Sirius from going but to no avail. He wanted to save Harry more than anything in the world."

"He was willing to give up his life for the two of you?"

"Yep. Amazing, isn't it? I'm willing to let someone die for me and yet I can't let the same person allow me to live in his home." Veronica leaned her head onto her hands. "He was one of the last ones left and I let him die. How could I let him die?"

Ororo set the picture on the desk before gathering Veronica into her arms and holding her until the tears stopped. "It wasn't your fault, Veronica. You're having what is known as survivor's remorse. You think it's your fault but it really isn't."

"I told Harry the same thing. I don't think he bought it."

"Probably not. I know that you are not buying it."

Veronica sighed softly. "Thanks for listening, Ororo."

"Anytime. You would do the same for me."

"Are thee well, lady?" Godric gazed out onto the two women.

"Aye, milord. I just needed someone to talk to and I guess only a woman would do."

"Thou art correct. A lady should speak to a lady. Men know nothing of women and their emotions." Godric bowed slightly before turning and leaving the portrait.

Ororo turned to Veronica. "And where'd you find him?"

"I told you. He was one of the founders."

"Explain the Founders to me." Ororo sank back into her chair.

Veronica shook her head slightly. "We're going to need some tea. Dobby!"

A crack filled the air as Dobby appeared before the women. "Professor Lupin, ma'am. Professor Monroe, ma'am."

"We'd like some tea and cakes. Better yet, some American cookies. Anything with nuts in them." Veronica settled herself in the comfy armchair before the roaring fire.

Dobby snapped his fingers once and a tea tray appeared on the table beside Veronica. "Will there be anything else, Professors?"

"No Dobby. We'll call if we need anything." Veronica started to pour the tea as Dobby disappeared with a crack.

"Do they always do that?" Ororo moved to the chair on the other side of the table.

"No. Usually you never see a House Elf but Dobby is the only exception to the rule. He's even being paid if what Harry has told me is correct. Most House Elves work hard and enjoy it without being paid but not Dobby."

"He's kind." Ororo took the cup from Veronica and looked down at the cookies. "I see you've managed to get some chocolate chip and walnut cookies made here."

"I hope they're as good as yours. I tried to teach the House elves how to make them the Muggle way but I don't think they quite caught on."

Ororo took a sip of her tea. "Now tell me about the Founders."

"Well..." Veronica took a deep breath and started to tell her former student all about the castle's history and the tales of the Founders.