Veronica listened to the welcoming speech with relative interest and stood politely when the Headmaster motioned to her and mentioned she had returned once again for the year. As she rose and nodded to the crowd she was met with a healthy amount of polite applause until she sat again and Remus rose in tandem as Dumbledore introduced him and wished him all the luck in the world.
Veronica clapped with enthusiasm and beamed at him as he sat.
Suddenly Dumbledore turned grave in his tone and cast his blue eyes over the students who felt a tingle down their spines at his sudden turn in attitude. "Finally, on a more disquieting note," He began "At the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts with play host to the Dementors of Azkaban until further notice."
A troubled mummer spread throughout the crowd and Veronica eyed the windows of the Hall carefully, as if one of the terrible creatures were lurking behind the pane of glass at this very moment. It was creatures like Dementors, and people like You-Know-Who and Sirius Black, that kept Veronica's moderate faith in God alive. The optimist in her said that if there was such horrible evil in the world, than surely there must be an equally wonderful good as well.
"The Dementors will be stationed at the entrances to the grounds. While they are under strict orders not to enter the castle itself, you will on occasion see them as you go about your daily activities." The Headmaster informed them over the murmur. "Under no circumstances are you to approach them. It is not in the nature of a Dementor to be forgiving."
On that somber note the feast began and Veronica tried to push the worst case scenario out of her mind by sipping at her drink slowly and in silence. With Remus on one side and Severus on the other it didn't take a psychic to feel the tension around them.
Apparently Irma, who had been on the other side of Remus, felt it as well and thankfully broke the silence. "Veronica, how is your sister doing?"
Veronica thanked God for Irma Pince and smiled. "Very well, she had her baby just last month. A little girl."
"Oh how nice, what's her name?"
"Carmella." Veronica half turned in her seat so she and the Librarian could see each other.
"After you?"
"I'm afraid so, poor dear" Veronica said half-jokingly as Severus glanced at her.
"After you?"
"Oh, Carmella is Veronica's middle name. Well, one of them anyway." Irma informed him smartly and Veronica rolled her eyes.
"Yes, my Parents chose to carry the unfortunate family tradition of multiple middle names." Veronica grimaced.
"Well what's your full name?"
"Please don't make me say it." She whimpered and hid her lower face behind her cup.
"I'm quite curious as well" Remus put in and Veronica eyed him.
"I can tell you." Irma offered and Veronica gaped.
"How do you know it?" she asked in shock and Irma shrugged.
"I do most of the paper work for the staff, I know just about everyone's full names." She informed them and not only did Veronica pout, Severus stiffened a little bit; uncomfortable that someone had access to his file.
"Fine, tell them. I don't care." Veronica crossed her arms in defeat and Irma smirked a little.
"It's really not that bad, it's Veronica Maria Carmella Francesca Largo."
"Wow, all of those names are violently Italian." Severus noted with a hint of a jest in his tone But Veronica still kicked him under the table.
"Oh that's not that bad." Remus laughed, "I never understood the big deal about keeping middle names a secret anyway."
"This from the man with the middle name John?" Irma pointed out. "I know a few people who wouldn't agree with your sentiments."
"Alright, off the topic of names. Anyone have any predictions for this year? The new students?" Veronica asked and eyed the children in the crowd.
The trio overlooked the crowd and Remus began to speak before Veronica let out a small, yet ear piercing shriek as Peeves the Poltergeist shot out from under the table. Specifically from under Veronica's plate making food scatter about her place and toppling over her glass.
"Peeves!" The Bloody Baron, Slytherin's house ghost, bellowed loudly as the little cretin zipped through the air and out of the hall as Veronica growled and picked a bit of lettuce out of her bangs and off her skirt.
"The bloody creature is a menace." She muttered as Severus rolled his eyes and set back up her glass. "I swear to God he has it out for me."
"That's because you always give him the reaction he wants. You're too jumpy." Severus scolded her gently, he had learned to deal with the little pest early on while in school. "Just don't react to him."
"Well that's hard to do when he's popping out of the pot roast." Veronica pointed out
The feast ended and Remus insisted upon escorting Veronica back to her quarters.
"In case Peeves gets any more ideas." He explained politely and Veronica accepted his insistence with a rolled of her eyes and a passing "What a Gentleman".
As night began to fall Veronica opened the large window in her room and looked out over the lake and dull sandy shore. The autumn breeze cooled the room comfortably and she sat on the ledge and rested her head on the wall.
It was good to be back.
The next morning Veronica awoke eager and prepared in record times. The familiar clack of her heels on the tiles could be heard corridors over as she made for the great hall with a file sales reports under her arm on the way the breakfast.
"Good morning Madame Largo." A chipper voice spoke behind her and she turned to see the snowy haired Madame Hooch walking behind her, her long legs takes steps twice the size of Veronica's petite ones.
"Good morning Madam Hooch. Flying lessons begin today, yes?"
"That they do, but that is a sorry looking batch I must say." She muttered in a low voice in case any students were nearby. "Still, we may be able to hammer some skill into them yet."
"Here's hoping." Veronica nodded. "I could already see Wood sizing up the first years during the Sorting."
"He's got an eye for talent." Hooch admitted. "I've gotten letters from Quidditch scouts looking to recruit him by graduation."
"Really? Sounds like my brother Matt." Veronica shook her head. "He could have turned professional before his accident."
"Ah, Injury. The worst enemy on the Athlete." Hooch nodded regretfully before tapping her right knee. "I would know, wouldn't I? In line for a Beater's position on the Hollyhead Harpies, and what happens? I bust up my knee."
"That's awful." Veronica gasped and the older woman shrugged and shook her head.
"Nah, it's not all bad. I mean look at me now, training the next generation." She looked out the window to the Quiddich Pitch. "I tell you it's a thankless job being a teacher, but it's worth it I think."
Veronica smiled. "I think so to."
The arrived together to breakfast and Veronica watched the Post be delivered and picked up the Daily Prophet that landed before her. No sighting of Black yet, but the hunt was still on, some of Lockhart's stocks had gone up ever so slightly which was pleasing, and Negotiations between ministry workers on strike were still underway.
It was hard to see at first glance but Veronica could understand how Lockhart was sorted into Ravenclaw during school. He really was brilliant, just not terribly book smart. He was deviously tricky, and he was proud of it to.
"Stocks are up" Remus informed her as he approached the table cheerfully.
"I saw that. But some are down to, I pity whoever put money into WTIL." Veronica shook her head just as Severus stormed in looking in quite the foul mood with a paper clutched in his fist as his furious eyes glazed over the print.
"Son on a…What are those idiots doing down there!?" He growled as Veronica and Remus shared a glance.
"It's not all Bad Severus." Veronica comforted him as she gazed the rest of the finance page before stopping dead and going pale.
"Oh God."
"What's wrong?"
"Several investors have backed out of Jemstrip Publishing…that's the publisher that Lockhart has a contract with." Veronica swallowed hard and Severus sat down.
"You're going to have to spell that out at bit." He peered over her shoulder as she sat the paper down.
"Since Lockhart is no longer able to write more 'daring tales' I've had to keep everything in the spotlight to keep sales up" The woman explained "but if investors keep pulling out I'm afraid Jemstrip may start dropping contracts. And publicity can only keep us going for so long."
The section of the table when quiet as Veronica's mind reeled, now would be a great time for all those killer instincts Lucius was talking about to kick in.
"Well, all you need to do is stir up interest in the books again." Remus spoke softly.
Then three words were spoken by a voice that had never even considered uttering those words before.
"Lupin is right" Severus said suddenly. "Until your writing hits off you just need to find a way to recycle what Lockhart has to pick up speed again. It has a large enough fanbase it really shouldn't take that much."
Lupin froze and turned his head stiffly towards Snape who glared back at him in a way that said 'Don't get used to it'.
Veronica nodded. "You're right, you're right. I can't panic, I just need to think."
And think she did, long and hard.
For once she knew exactly what she needed to do since taking the new job, she needed to find a way to make Gildaroy Lockhart a household name again.
"I know what will take your mind off of it." Remus said, suddenly cheerful again. "Day is Hagrid's first class, maybe you'd care to help him out."
Veronica thought then nodded, making a note to speak to Hargid when he arrived. But her body was still tense and rigid from the news, thanking her lucky stars that a letter from the publisher hadn't arrive today informing her of their decision to drop her like a leper.
"Hey" She glanced over at Severus who reached under the table careful and squeezed her hand, "It's going to be alright. You can handle this."
She smiled, glad someone had confidence in her. "Thanks, Severus."
