Lupin's True Love Returns

September 15, 1996

Kagome yawned as she made her way down the stairs. Rin joined her a moment later. She jumped to one side as Kirara zipped past her and Rin with a small black puppy chasing her. The puppy stopped, looked up at Kagome and Rin, and yipped twice before resuming its chase.

That looked like a smaller version of Padfoot. Rin shook her head slightly as Ayame joined them at the rail. "Good morning, Lady Ayame."

"Good morning, Rin." Ayame straightened her fur cape as she looked down into the common room. "Good morning, Kagome."

"Ayame." Kagome watched the demon fiddle with her cape a bit longer. "Nervous?"

"What if the Headmaster doesn't let us stay and teach? How are we going to protect our pack?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure Dumbledore will be thrilled to have us here to teach." Kagome looked down into the common room. "Besides, who else is he going to get that can protect Harry and Veronica like us?" Kagome turned so that she could lean on the banister as Harry came pelting down the stairs. He looked terrified. Kagome reached out and grabbed his arm. "Harry, what's wrong?"

"I can't find Leo. I put him on the floor with Kirara for a minute so that I could get dressed but when I turned around they were both gone."

Kagome laid her hand on Harry's arm, calming him down. "Were any of the other boys with you?"

"No. Just Kirara." Harry twisted the hem of his overlarge shirt slightly. "You don't think she hurt him, do you?"

"No. Kirara loves kids." Kagome gave Harry a reassuring smile. "In fact, she just ran by us with a puppy."

Rin grinned. "The puppy looked like Padfoot except for the fact that it was a lot smaller."

Ayame laughed and pointed down into the common room. "It looks like the puppy has made a new friend with Inu-Yasha's pant leg."

Harry and Kagome looked down into the common room and watched the puppy tugging on Inu-Yasha's pant leg. "I hope the puppy knows when to let go."

Harry turned on his heel and made his way down the stairs. He saw Padfoot rolling the puppy across the floor with his nose. The puppy was yipping happily. "Snuffles, leave the puppy alone."

Kagome, Rin, and Ayame followed after him. A large black dog raced across the room and jumped up onto Kagome and started to lick her face. Veronica wove through the teens and adults lounging around the room.

Veronica shoved the dog to the floor and pointed toward the fireplace. "Get away from her, Padfoot, before I hex you into next week. And you know I will because of my hormones." Padfoot whimpered slightly but ran across the room to jump on Harry. "Even though he's grown he still acts like a six week old puppy."

"Who?" Kagome looked at Veronica.

"You'll see." Veronica moved toward the puppy that was now trying to jump up and bite Koga's tail. She knelt down and held out a hand. "Come here, little one." Her soft voice had the puppy inching toward her. "That's right, Leo. Come to Auntie Veronica." The puppy reached her knees and jumped into her arms.

"Aunt Veronica?" Harry watched as Veronica took out her wand and pointed at the puppy. "What are you doing?"

"Changing Leo back." A blue light surrounded the puppy and soon a squealing baby was squirming in her arms. "That's a good boy, Leo."

"How did you know?" Harry took Leo from Veronica and stared at his aunt smiling broadly.

"I helped your father and Sirius become Animagi. You didn't think that I wouldn't be able to recognize one when I saw one, did you?" Veronica made her way back to the table. "I think we all should sit down. Remus and I have a little announcement!"

The room quieted. Regina was sitting on the floor petting Padfoot, who had his head in her lap and growling softly at Charlie. Charlie was trying to sit next to Regina but kept backing away from the growling dog. Remus laughed as he watched. Maybe he and Logan were going to get their wish to see Regina without Charlie. Veronica shot Padfoot a look that clearly said, 'Get over here or I'll kill you with my bare hands.' Padfoot got the idea and hurried to her side, allowing Charlie to pull Regina to her feet and into his arms. Harry sat on the sofa next to Ginny. Ron and Hermione were watching Padfoot and he barked happily at them.

"Everyone ready?" Remus looked around the room and saw the adults nodding. He turned to Padfoot who had decided against sitting at Veronica's feet. "Go ahead, Padfoot."

Padfoot barked once and stood. The next thing they knew there stood a rather thin, pale looking man. His black hair looked a bit better than the night before but it still hung lank around his shoulders. Veronica hadn't cut it yet but she couldn't wait to get her hands on it. He looked like a week's worth of food would do him good. Hermione let out a squeal that matched Ginny's as they threw themselves into his arms. Inu-Yasha growled at Sirius as the man hugged the two girls. Rin hurried toward the man and hugged him.

"And who are you?" Sirius asked as he pinched her cheek.

"I'm Rin. Don't you remember the little girl that you let ride on your back?" Rin blushed furiously as Sirius hugged her again.

"Sure I remember you, runt." Sirius looked over at Shippo standing slightly behind Kagome and Ayame. "And that must be Shippo." Shippo bowed slightly.

"How is this possible?" Obi-Wan stood up from his seat at the table.

"James and Lily sent me back. Something about me having unfinished business." Sirius shrugged slightly. "Besides, I'm needed here." Sirius draped an arm around Rin's shoulders. "So how does everyone feel about me being back?"

"You are a dead man, Black!" Logan ground out his cigar.

"Hey, Paws." Sirius looked over at Regina and Charlie.

"Yes, Uncle Sirius?" Regina looked over at her newly returned uncle.

"Is that the guy you were telling me about? Logan wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Watch for his claws." Regina smiled as Sirius let go of Rin and moved toward Logan

Sirius and Logan stared at each other. Sirius grinned as he stuck out his right hand. "I understand I have you to thank for taking care of Vee and Paws."

"Not just me. Chuck's the one that took her in and gave her a place to stay while she was pregnant. I just helped her in Canada." Logan glared at Sirius's hand. "You've got a lot of making up to do before I can even forgive you for the torment that you put that girl through."

"I understand. I've got a lot to prove." Sirius turned and saw Veronica taking the morning edition of The Daily Prophet from a tawny owl.

Veronica unfolded it and let out a small scream of anger. "I can't believe it! Those sneaking sons of bitches!"

"What's wrong, Vee?" Sirius made his way over to Veronica as Tori and Sessho-Maru started to take to paper from Veronica.

"This is so stupid. How did that bitch find out?" Veronica tossed the paper onto the table and spread it out so that Tori and Sirius could read the article.

Sirius Black Fakes Death

By Rita Skeeter

Recent rumors that Mr. Sirius Black is dead are false. Mr. Black is alive and well. He went into hiding because the Ministry was hunting him for the deaths of twelve Muggles and one wizard which yesterday was overturned. This reporter has discovered that he has now returned and is staying at the Leaky Cauldron with his former classmates, Remus Lupin and Veronica Croft. He claims that James and Lily Potter told him that he was to return to help care for his godson, Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, and his son, Leo Black. This reporter discovered that there are now two dream seers in the world, one of which is Veronica Croft-Lupin who married Remus J. Lupin a known werewolf. Apparently, she dreamt of Mr. Black's return and proceeded to return to the Ministry to retrieve the man in question. Did Mrs. Lupin know that Mr. Black was faking his death? This reporter can only speculate.

According to our records, Mr. Black fell behind the Death Veil from which there is no return. No one at the Ministry was able to comment except to say that they are happy that they now have another Auror to help in the war against He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. If Mr. Black lied about his death what else has he lied about in the past three years?

"Mrs. Lupin, I think I now how she found out." Hermione approached her new favorite teacher.

"How is that, Hermione? Short of her being an Animagus there is no way she could have known that Sirius was back or that I'm a dream seer." Veronica watched as Hermione started to write a letter to the Prophet.

"She is an Animagus. Namely a beetle. But I think I have a way to get back at her." Hermione folded the letter and turned to Harry. "May I borrow Hedwig, Harry?"

"I didn't bring her with me." Harry shrugged slightly as Roberto ran up the stairs.

"Where's he going?" Bobby leaned forwarded slightly to look at Danielle.

Danielle smiled softly. "Mrs. Lupin gave us an owl to use. Hermione, you can borrow him."

Roberto came back into the common room with a large black owl on his arm. "This is Hercules. He can take the letter for you."

"Before he goes, I've got an idea." Veronica looked around the group. "There are only two people who know how Sirius came out form behind the veil. Myself and Lady Tori. I'm also going to contact Ella Radcliffe and give her the true story. But in the mean time I think you should all celebrate Sirius's return." Veronica motioned to Hermione to tie the letter to Hercules. "I believe I'm going to find out exactly where she was in a moment." Veronica scooped up her cloak and started for the door.

"Where do you think you're going?" Sirius watched Veronica for a moment as she turned and stared at him.

"I believe you know exactly how I feel about spies, Siri. I plan to put a stop to the bitch once and for all." Veronica swung her cloak around her shoulders while Logan and Sirius looked at each other.

"We're going with you." They headed out the door after Veronica.

"As am I." Sessho-Maru kissed Tori on the forehead before following after Sirius and Logan.

"You'll need someone to help persuade her to speak the truth." Obi-Wan hurried after them.

Remus cupped his hands around his mouth. "Don't forget that we're leaving in exactly four hours for Hogwarts!" He turned back to the rest of the group. "I feel sorry for Rita. She's not going to know what hit her." He looked at the demolished breakfast before turning to the teens. "I suggest that everyone head on up to their rooms and get ready to leave."

The teens, Rin, and Shippo raced up the stairs to finish packing their new things.