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 44 - Chapter 44 - History and Battle Palns

Chapter Summary:
The door of the cottage flew off the hinges as another scream came from within. The men had pulled their swords and headed into the cottage. Daggeron and Leanbow had to hold Godric back. Esmeralda was lying on the floor of the cottage with her father standing over her with his belt raised. Her three sisters were standing over her and holding the just sharpened knives; the blood dripping into a pool at their feet. Helga hurried forward and covered Esmeralda’s beaten and bleeding body with her own cloak while Udonna and Rowena hurried over to her and the injured girl.
Posted:
03/14/2007
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130
Author's Note:
There's a special guest near the end. I had to put him in just for my daughter.

September 16, 1996

Esmeralda Eversole pushed her long dark brown hair away from her face as she walked along the road that wound through the village she called home. Her father had sent her to the village market to get fresh vegetables, fresh baked bread, and several types of fish that had been caught that morning. She knew how to garden and bake. Hell, she even knew how to fish and clean them but her father more often than not called her useless in all these fields. This was what always led her into the village well before her three older sisters woke for the day. She knew that her father would believe any of the tales that her sisters told of her, no matter the evidence that showed that they were to blame for the things disappearing in their home.

Esmeralda had left early that morning, well before the sunrise, so that she could finish her chores early. If she finished early enough, she would be able to sneak away to do some painting that she loved. She smiled to herself as she made her way through the village to the smithy. She always did like this time of day. Before the shops opened and anyone was about, she was able to smile and pet the many animals that were roaming the village streets. Her voice was one of her many talents. She could calm the wildest animal with a simple word and a gentle hand.

She looked up into the sky and saw that the sun was rising. She lifted her skirts as she hurried into the smithy to pick up the knives she had dropped off for sharpening the previous night. "Good morn, Sir."

"Esmeralda." The smithy slid the sword he was working on into the fire before turning back to face Esmeralda. "Thy father will not be happy about the knives being sharpened twice this week."

"'Tis not my fault that my sisters destroy everything they touch." Esmeralda wrapped the knives in a towel that she had stuck in her basket. "Here is thy payment." She placed three silver coins in the man's hand.

"I thank thee." The smithy watched Esmeralda hurry out of his shop. "I pray that thy father will be merciful to thee."

Esmeralda hadn't heard what the smithy had said since she was halfway down the street. Her head jerked up at the whinnies of several horses. She saw four horses and a carriage coming down the street. They were the most beautiful animals she had ever seen. Two of them were matching blacks all the way down to the flowing manes and tails. The only difference was that the one on the right had a white 'sock' on the right foreleg. Esmeralda also noticed that the men riding these two horses were as different as night and day. The one on the horse with the white 'sock' was dark. His hair was as black as the moonless night three nights earlier. His bright blue eyes twinkled with an inner magic that made Esmeralda think of the pranks her mother had told her of before she died two years ago. He wore mostly red. His tunic was a burgundy that matched the wine that her father had drunk the night before at supper. His cloak snapped in the wind and she could see that it too was burgundy only a deeper color that looked black. He smiled at the curious young woman and made her shiver in excitement. His friend on the other black horse nudged him slightly. His smile also sent shivers sown Esmeralda's spine. His silvery blonde hair was a direct contrast to the emerald green tunic he wore. The black cloak seemed to deepen his black eyes. The other two men were riding tan horses with black manes and tails. The one in the blue and white tunic had black hair also but his skin was tanned more than the first man. His friend wore a red and tan tunic that set off his light brown hair. They both kicked their horses forward as the door of one of the cottages swung open. Esmeralda recognized her father in the door and hurried past the four gentlemen. She knew they were gentlemen in the way they had each inclined their heads toward her.

"Esmeralda, get your lazy arse in 'ere and finish makin' me breakfast!" Esmeralda's father shook a fist at his daughter.

"Coming, Father." Esmeralda grimaced slightly when she saw that her father had his belt in his hands. She knew what would happen the moment she stepped through that door. She hurried into the cottage and her father slammed the door shut behind her.

"Godric." The second dark man moved his horse closer to Godric Gryffindor.

"Aye, Daggeron?" Godric had stopped in front of the inn.

Daggeron dismounted and held the harness of Godric's horse. "I believe that maiden is in danger."

"We should not get involved." The blonde man dismounted quickly and tied his horse to the fence in front of the inn.

"But, Salazar, she seemed frightened." The last man dismounted but held onto the reins.

"Leanbow, who are we to get involved in the problems of Muggles?" Salazar Slytherin rolled his eyes as he started toward the inn.

Leanbow sighed softly. "Are we not protectors of the innocent? 'Tis our duty to protect her."

"I agree with Leanbow." Godric nodded his head. "She did seem frightened of her ..."

A scream pierced the air. Godric pulled his sword and ran to the cottage that Esmeralda had disappeared into. Leanbow, Salazar, and Daggeron followed behind him as the door of the carriage opened and three ladies scrambled to the ground.

"What has happened, Daggeron?" The black haired woman had her skirts in one hand and her wand in the other.

"Lady Rowena, I'm not sure." Daggeron stood beside her and the other two women.

Rowena Ravenclaw watched as Godric and Salazar tried to break down the door. Another scream came from the cottage. The blonde woman and the redhead each pulled out their wands and pointed them at the door.

"Helga, Udonna, you mustn't." Rowena tried to grab Helga Hufflepuff and Udonna and stop them but it was too late.

The door of the cottage flew off the hinges as another scream came from within. The men had pulled their swords and headed into the cottage. Daggeron and Leanbow had to hold Godric back. Esmeralda was lying on the floor of the cottage with her father standing over her with his belt raised. Her three sisters were standing over her and holding the just sharpened knives; the blood dripping into a pool at their feet. Helga hurried forward and covered Esmeralda's beaten and bleeding body with her own cloak while Udonna and Rowena hurried over to her and the injured girl.

"How dare thee! Get out of me 'ouse!" Eversole brandished his belt, thinking that the simple piece of leather would scare the four men hovering just inside the door.

"Nay! We shall not leave without the girl." Godric shoved off his friends and stepped over to Helga, Rowena, and Udonna. "Will she be well?"

"I will not know the extent of the injuries until we get her out of here and cleaned up, Godric." Helga tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I pray the child's spirit has not been broken."

Godric knelt and lifted Esmeralda into his arms. He staggered slightly at Esmeralda's slight weight. "You shall regret the day that you dared to harm a child such as her." Godric turned and walked out the door.

"Godric, what shall we do with them?" Salazar sneered at the Muggles before him. "We should punish them."

"Nay." Leanbow laid a hand on Salazar's arm. "They have lost their slave. That is punishment enough." He pushed Salazar out the door after Rowena, Helga, and Udonna. "Come, Daggeron."

"Coming." Daggeron looked at the hateful man and his daughters. "You have been spared. Do not make the same mistake with another or you shall pay for both crimes."

Daggeron turned and hurried out of the cottage and followed his group back to the inn. When he arrived, Rowena had managed to procure a room for them and was now helping Helga try to heal the beaten girl.

"Why would a father do such a thing to his daughter?" Leanbow was leaning against the doorframe and watching Rowena and Helga help the girl.

A moan came from the bed as Esmeralda started to come around. "An easy question to answer. He hates me for Mother's death."

"Now, child, why would he hate thee?" Godric had knelt beside the bead as soon as Esmeralda came around.

"I was the last one with Mother when the bandits attacked." Esmeralda moved her head slightly so that Godric wouldn't see the tears forming in her eyes. "Father blames me for her death."

"Your father is a fool, girl. You were not the one who attacked your mother." Helga smoothed Esmeralda's hair away from her eyes.

Esmeralda rolled onto her right side and curled up into a ball. Rowena took this as a sign for the men to leave. She motioned them to leave the room. Godric sent one last look at the girl crying brokenheartedly on the bed before closing the door behind him.

Veronica gasped as she jerked herself awake. As her eyes focused, she noticed that she was in the Hospital Wing of the school and not in a simple inn. Weird. I felt all that but there aren't any wounds. I wonder why. Veronica looked around the room and saw that Madam Pomfrey was putting some potions away. Now's my chance to get out of here without her noticing. Veronica started to move the covers and slide out of the bed when she was startled.

"Aunt Veronica! You're supposed to be resting." Harry stalked toward Veronica, making her think it was Snape taking a Polyjuice Potion.

"Hi, Harry." Veronica rolled her eyes and swung her legs back onto the bed as Madam Pomfrey turned around to glare at her.

"You are to just stay in that bed and rest, young lady." Madam Pomfrey stomped back into her office.

Veronica rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue before turning to watch Harry. "Thanks a lot, Harry. I was hoping to sneak out without her noticing."

"Sorry, Aunt Veronica. You kinda gave us a bit of a fright." Harry sank onto the edge of the mattress. "Those new people wouldn't let me see you until Uncle Remus and Logan made them."

"I'm fine now, Harry." Veronica worried her bottom lip. "They are here to train. Perhaps you'd like to help with their training and they can teach you some things as well?"

Harry thought for a moment and nodded. He never heard the door to the Hospital Wing open and several footsteps coming across the stone floor. Veronica had let Harry lay so that his head was nestled just above the slight bulge of her stomach. His hand absently rubbed the bulge as if to reassure the babies within. Veronica looked at the group coming toward her and Harry and nodded slightly. She ran a hand through Harry's hair making him look up at her. She pointed over at the door.

Harry tried to jump from the bed but Veronica laid a hand on his shoulder. Remus smiled as he moved to the other side of the bed and pressed a kiss to Veronica's forehead before rubbing her belly. Daggeron stood at the foot of the bed and watched the trio. She cares for them both. She truly is one of Godric's children.

"We must begin the Rangers' training as soon as possible." Daggeron brought their attention back to him.

Veronica continued to stroke Harry's hair. "May I ask why you need us to teach the Rangers?"

"The Xenotome showed us that they needed to be trained by the ones here at Hogwarts." Daggeron's eyes lifted at look around him. "I remember my own days here and I know that there are things that I cannot teach them."

"Well, from what I saw, you've already taught them teamwork." Remus shook his head.

"But they have much more to learn." Daggeron ran a hand through his hair.

Veronica nibbled on her bottom lip for a minute before speaking. "How far have you gone with their training, Daggeron?"

"I've taught them all that I know. They have learned much since they received their Legends Powers." Daggeron sank into one of the chairs beside Veronica's bed.

"Veronica, you need to get some rest." Remus stroked her hair gently.

"Right. We'll start their training in the morning." Veronica watched as Harry climbed off the bed and pulled the covers over her. "Thank you, Harry."

"You won't be teaching them." Remus had moved himself as far as he could from his pregnant wife.

Veronica's eyes narrowed to mere slits. "And why won't I be teaching them? Surely not because of today."

"Actually, yes because of this afternoon. Poppy asked that some of your duties be regulated to the other teachers." Remus mentally ducked as his wife took a deep breath. "Hide, Daggeron."

"But why..." Daggeron ducked as Veronica picked up the glass of water on her bedside table and chucked it at her husband.

Veronica watched Remus drop to the ground to avoid the flying glass. "I will not stay idle during this pregnancy!"

"But, darling..." Remus ducked as the pitcher followed the path of the glass.

"Don't darling me. You got me in this ...situation and I expect you to get me out!" Veronica was fuming.

Harry and Daggeron had hidden behind a set of the curtains. "Man, those hormones are a pain."

Daggeron looked down at the teen. "Does she get like this often?"

"Only when someone really makes her mad." Harry nodded slightly as he watched Veronica keep throwing things at Remus. "And Uncle Remus just had to tell her that she couldn't continue teaching." Harry watched as another glass shattered at Remus's feet. "I'd hate to be on the receiving end of her anger."

"Same here. Esmeralda was even worse than that. Once Salazar told her to get out of a tree she was climbing and she turned him into a toad." Daggeron snuck toward Veronica's bedside table and scooped up her wand and slid it into his pocket. "No point in letting her get any ideas."

"Good idea." Harry noticed something that Daggeron didn't. Veronica had turned slightly and was aiming a glass at him. "Look out, Daggeron."

Daggeron jumped to the side as the glass shattered where he'd been standing. "What was that for, woman?!"

"You took my wand." Veronica lifted another glass to lob at Daggeron.

"I didn't want to get turned into something like a toad." Daggeron dodged the second glass. "Besides, I'll give it back once you've calmed down."

"If you don't give it back right now, I'll turn you into a ... a ... well, I don't know what I'll turn you into but ...it won't be pleasant." Veronica picked up yet another glass.

Daggeron slipped the wand from his pocket and tossed it to the pissed woman. "I'll remember that you are as headstrong as Esmeralda was, at least until Godric tamed her."

"I don't think any man will tame her." Remus ducked as the glass came flying at him. "Sorry, Veronica."

"Just go away the lot of you. I want to get some sleep." Veronica yanked on the covers and pulled them up to her chin.

"She'll get over it." Remus waved his wand at the shattered glass littering the floor.

Each piece jumped back into its place to reform the glasses and the pitcher that Veronica had destroyed. Remus and Harry knew that if they didn't leave right then Veronica would get mad again and either start throwing the glasses or start crying in frustration.

Veronica curled up under the covers. Never had anyone told her she couldn't do something. Ever since she had returned to the Wizarding World, she was the one that everyone came to. She was the one that they talked with and told their problems. She had even figured out what she was going to have to do when she and Ani had been down under Stonehenge. She was going to have to give up her power to save her family.

"Not your power." Esmeralda shimmered before her eyes.

Veronica sat up slightly and made sure that she was the only one in the Hospital Wing. "Esmeralda? Is that you?"

"Aye. I must tell thee that soon thou shall have to aid young Harry. Give him my necklace and he will have my power."

"But I thought I was going to have to use it."

"Nay, Salazar saw that trick once. He will think of it again. Harry will have to destroy the heir of Slytherin with my power alone."

"How?"

"I shall explain it all to Harry soon. First you must focus on the Mystics. Daggeron needs thy help to train them in all the ways of the Ancients."

"You heard Remus. I'm not going to be allowed to teach any more."

"Thy pregnancy is draining thy power true but the love that you hold for those three babes is greater. That love will boost thy power to new heights."

"I see."

"My power will also aid thy daughter, Regina."

Veronica's head whipped up. "She's not going to war."

"She already has. Thou must remember the attack on her school."

Veronica nodded slightly. "She has fought before but I don't want her in this battle. She's nowhere near ready to fight."

"She will be." A voice flowed over Veronica and the ghost of Esmeralda.

Veronica and Esmeralda turned to look at the small green imp standing in the doorway of the Hospital Wing. "Master Yoda?"

"Yes. Here I am." Yoda started across the stone floor, his walking stick making a tapping sound. "Interested I was. Found a way here I did."

"I'm glad thou are here, Master Yoda." Esmeralda's form shimmered slightly as she bowed to the small Jedi.

"Esmeralda, you know of the Jedi?" Veronica looked between the two forms.

"Yes." Esmeralda shimmered a bit more.

"Spoken we have." Yoda climbed onto Veronica's bed. "A message from Qui-Gon I have."

"Do I need to send for Obi-Wan?" Veronica started from the bed.

"Stay put, young lady." Esmeralda had held up a hand to stop Veronica from climbing from the bed.

"For you the message is." Yoda patted Veronica's hand. "Keep your heart and faith. You will know what is to be done."

"Was that...?" Veronica noticed that Yoda was nodding slightly. "I know what has to be done." Veronica twisted the blanket covering her. "I'll train Harry until I can no longer do so. After that Regina will help. Esmeralda, will you tell me how to work your necklace? Harry's going to need it."

"I will tell thee but only when the time is right." Esmeralda bowed to Veronica one last time before shimmering and disappearing without a trace.

"Go I must." Yoda climbed from the bed and started for the door.

"Master Yoda?" Veronica waited for the Jedi to stop just short of the door. "Can I tell Obi-Wan that you were here?"

"Know he must not." Yoda walked out the door, leaving Veronica with her whirling thoughts.

So I've got to train Harry. I hope this war ends soon. Veronica snuggled under the covers and drifted off to a dreamless sleep.