This Chapter will be extra-long for your enjoyment
"Does this look okay?"
Veronica stood in front of her mirror and adjusted her dress nervously.
Lealand, who sat on the couch, hummed contemplatively and looked her up and down.
"I mean you don't think it's too…provocative. Do you? I mean we're just friends." Veronica assured him and Lealand raised an eyebrow.
"If you're just friends why are you so worried about looking good?"
"Well…I don't know." Veronica shrugged. "Did you like the red dress better? I think the red dress looked better."
After Lealand had completely and totally ravaged Veronica's closet that morning he caught a passing comment of her going out that night and said it would be perfect practice.
Meanwhile Veronica failed to find a home for the Dog, whom she had taken to just calling "Dog" but since he hadn't made any messes she figured it might be safe just to keep him here while she was out.
"I liked the green one, actually." Lealand held up the forest green thin slip dress and Veronica thought before nodding.
"Alright," she agreed and slipped the dress on in the bed room. As she began to exit, she found Dog sitting outside her door.
"Hey there fella" she smiled and scratched his head. "What do you think?"
The dog stared at her silently, but she sensed a hint of disapproval in his dark eyes. But that was ridiculous.
"Alright, move dog." She took a few steps forward but he stood before her firmly, blocking her path down the hall. "Come on, move" she grunted and tried to side step him but he moved with her. "Move" she sighed and pushed past the dog.
She reentered the living room and modeled the dress for Lealand who nodded with approval. "Very nice. I'm sure he'll be impressed."
"I'm not trying to impress him."
"Yeah, okay." The man scoffed.
Veronica rolled her eyes and glanced at the clock. "It's five fifty already?" She looked at Lealand's watch to make sure and snatched up her purse and heels.
"I'll show myself out, you kids have fun" Lealand waved her off as she apparated with a snap into the middle of Diagon Alley, which thankfully wasn't all that crowded.
Thanks to her proficiency in high heels she was able to make it to the Leaky Cauldron just as the clock struck 6. Severus didn't say exactly where to meet him so she sat at the bar casually while watching the door.
When he did enter she was more than a little stunned.
She had never seen him out of his black coat before, or really out of the color black at all. But there he was, scanning the crowd curiously in a dark grey button up and black trousers.
After shaking herself she slid off the stool and approached him smoothly. "Hello there stranger."
He glanced at her a second, not recognizing her until he took a second look and blink. "Oh, Veronica…your hair."
Her hand instantly flew to her locks. "You hate it."
"No, no, it looks wonderful. I just was not expecting it." He assured her hastily and she smiled.
"Thanks." Veronica didn't realize how much she enjoyed being around Severus again. "Listen I know this little place by my building that's pretty private if you want…I mean since I know you're not big on crowds and…"
Severus nodded. "That sounds perfect, there's actually something I wanted to talk to you about."
Veronica nodded and took his arm hesitantly, eyeing him to make sure it was okay before thinking hard and apparating them both to a small coffee house about a mile away from her building.
They settled at a small table in the back, "you're looking well" she noted shyly. "If I'm being honest I've missed you these past months."
Severus's lip twitched at the confession but he also shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to return the sentiment.
"You're looking…lovely as well." He spat out quickly. "But I'm afraid what I have to say may dampen the mood a bit, and it can't wait."
Veronica heard a serious tone in his voice and slowly reached across the table to touch his hand. "Severus, whatever you have to say I can take."
He breathed. "I trust you've seen the papers, about Sirius Black."
Veronica nodded. "Yeah, He's out. But the Ministry'll catch him won't they."
"Hopefully but…I'm worried." He confessed. "I'm worried for you. With everything they said he's done, and who his family was connected to. I'm afraid you may be in danger."
Veronica's brow furrowed, she hadn't considered she would be in any real danger with Black.
"You think? I, well I hadn't really thought about it." She blinked. "I'm sure I'll be fine, I mean it's not like Black could know about last year could he?"
"An incident report was filed at the ministry, but who knows." Severus stiffened. "I just don't want to see you in any danger."
Veronica's heart twanged and she rubbed his much larger hand. "I'll be alright, with all the press around me I don't think he'd try anything." She assured him. "Plus I found this dog last night, he's pretty big. If I can't find his owner I may keep him as a guard dog."
Severus winced.
He didn't like dogs, well most dogs anyway. Fang was alright, he guessed.
But if the howling, drooling beast could provide some security he wouldn't protest at all.
"I promise I'll be careful." She guaranteed him. "On the happier subjects. I've started writing again. I even had a few shorts published in some magazines."
"That's wonderful, I told you this could be your new start." He smirked.
"Well, don't pop the champagne yet." She rolled her eyes. "I've submitted a book of short stories to a publishers and we'll see how it goes."
"Ten galleons says they accept."
"Oh, you're on." She laughed. "How's the new school year looking so far, have they filled the Defense post yet?"
Severus's mild demeanor turned cold and stony. "Let's talk about something else." He said through clenched teeth and Veronica sighed. He still didn't get it.
"I'm sorry Severus, but I think I have something that will make you feel better about it."
"I rather doubt that. But let's hear it"
Veronica smirked slyly. "You remember my sister Heather?"
"I know of her."
"Well her husband is in the potions field as well; a research position for medicines, and he and some of his coworkers are going to travel over to America next summer to look for rare species of plants only found in the swamps of the southern parts." she explained and Severus listened with increasing interest.
"I'm feeling a very interesting and coming." He urged her to go on as a broad smile spread across Veronica's face.
"And they're looking for one more member to come along. And I told them I knew a particularly brilliant wizard who just so happened to be one of the best potions masters in the empire." She watched an unfamiliar glint flash through his dark eyes.
"You didn't."
"You wanna bet?" she presented to him a white slip of paper with an address and a name on it. "It's not until next year but if I were you I'd give it a chance."
Severus started at the paper in wonder.
He'd only ever heard of opportunities like this, and never dreamed one would come his way. But there it was in black and white.
"I…I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll think about it." She insisted. "Or better yet that you'll do it."
Severus legitimately grinned from ear to ear. "I don't know how to thank you."
"Well this place is about to close, but if you really want to thank me you'd offer to pay for some coffee then walk a lady home." Veronica prompted boldly and Severus stood and offered her his hand.
"I would be delighted."
It was growing dark outside and as the two walked Veronica hooked her arm around his straight one.
"Promise me you'll be careful until Black is caught?" he asked and Veronica nodded as they reached the building.
"I'd be foolish not to be." She shrugged. "Promise me you'll think about the offer."
"I swear it."
She hummed and nodded. "Good"
He escorted her up the stairs until they reached her door. "Can I see you again, but for the year starts?" she asked. "Believe it or not this is the most fun I've had in three months."
Severus tried to suppress a pleased smile and nodded. "Of course."
Veronica opened her door and the second she did Dog came flying out, making her squeal and almost drop her keys as the canine pushed himself between the two and growled viciously at Severus.
"What in the…! Hey!" Veronica scolded the animal and tried to push him back in the apartment. "Knock it off"
Dog barked loudly and to their surprise actually lunged at Severus legs, making him stumble back quickly.
"Shit!" Severus cursed and glared at the dog before the animal and the man met eyes for the first time and Severus felt a faint and disturbing flicker of recognition.
"I'm so sorry." Veronica sputtered and managed to shove the barking dog back into the flat and close the door. "Honestly, I…I'm so sorry, Severus."
"It's alright, really. But I don't think you should be keeping that thing in your apartment anymore." Severus eyed the door carefully.
"Yeah, I'll call a shelter and have someone pick him up tonight." Veronica agreed. "Thanks again for tonight. I'll be in touch."
Severus nodded and eyed her carefully. He didn't quite know how to say goodbye after something like this.
Luckily Veronica did know and took his hand gently before standing on her tip toes to plant and lightly kiss on his cheek shyly. "Goodnight Severus." She muttered, suddenly bashful as she slip into the flat and closed the door.
Severus stood there, shell shocked for a minute before his cheeks grew hot.
"Goodnight." He muttered to the empty air and made sure he hall was clear before apperating out.
Meanwhile Veronica had locked Dog in the Bathroom and dialed the number of a shelter.
"Yeah, I have a dog here that I found yesterday in the streets. I've kept it here but I don't think I can anymore…Yeah…uh male." Veronica tucked the phone in the crook of her neck and listened carefully for any trouble in the bathroom.
"No he doesn't seem very violent just protective…I think he was someone's guard dog. Yeah…How long will that be…Yeah I can…" She paused and listened. The noise changed. There were no more nails on tile, instead it sounded more like heavy foot fall.
"Yes, I'm still here…One hour? Thank you." Veronica hung up the phone and listened again to the definite sound of two feet pacing the tiles of the bathroom.
Slowly reaching for the knife block, Veronica withdrew a long kitchen knife and crept for the bathroom door.
The footsteps stopped and she trembled but reached for the knob with the knife at the ready.
Her heart raced painfully as she turned the knob and slowly opened the door and peered in before the door was yanked open from the other side.
He was a bone thin man in striped rags for clothes and a face that was more beard than man.
It only took her a second to realize who it was and a split second more to start screaming bloody murder.
The man was startled by her shrieks and whipped around to the bathroom to find no escape.
Veronica ran for the kitchen phone but the convict rushed past her, accidentally shoving her to the floor in the process as he reached the open window and jumped for the fire escape as Veronica dashed for the phone and called the specialized Auror Hotline. The only Wizarding phone service they had because letters didn't work fast enough.
After reporting the incident it only took a few minutes Aurors to arrive at her door followed by Severus, who had heard the screams but was stopped by the Aurors from entering.
The area was quickly secured and one of the Aurors sat with Veronica on the couch and took her statement.
"Ma'am I need you to calm down." He said slowly as Severus was quick to be at Veronica's side, angry and defensive.
"Calm Down? She very well could have been killed!"
"Severus please." Veronica whispered and nodded. "I am calm, I know what I saw. Sirius Black was here and he jumped out that window and onto the fire escape."
"And how did he get in your flat again?"
"I thought he was just a stray dog, I took him in last night…I had no idea." She trembled terribly. "Jesus Christ; I was asleep in the other room, he could have done anything."
Severus's hand snuck protectively to her shoulder. "It won't do any good to worry about that now." He muttered.
"Can you describe the dog?"
"Uh, big, black…it had yellow eyes, a little mangy looking." Veronica sighed and leaned back on her couch, hand over her forehead.
The Auror copied all of this down, nodding. "Do you have anywhere else to stay tonight? Friends? Family?"
"I uh…I have some family. But I don't know if I can get a hold of them this time of night." Veronica ran her fingers through her hair and Severus sighed.
"You may stay with me if you wish." He offered slowly. "If only for the night I mean…"
Veronica stared at him in surprise. "Thank you Severus…are you sure?"
"Positive. You can't stay here."
"Well" the Auror nodded. "That's settled. Ms. Largo if you'd be willing to come to the Ministry tomorrow to go over your story for a few other people."
"Of course, of course. Thank you." Veronica nodded as they began to file out, a few spitting orders of who would canvas what area.
"Come on" Severus took her arm slowly. "Do you need anything, clothes or…?"
"Yeah, yeah I'll uh…" Veronica couldn't even finish the thought. "Thank you for this Severus, Honestly. You're…You're just spectacular."
Severus smirked a little. "That's a new one" He half joked, trying to lighten the mood until veronica spontaneously embraced him around the middle. "Oh…okay uh." He awkwardly patted her back. "Go…go get your clothes. I'll be here."
Veronica nodded and pulled away, slipping into the bedroom a minute to return with a small white bag and her wand which had been on the nightstand. The moment she saw it she realized she had left it there while she had gone out, Black could have stolen it and killed her the second she walked through the door.
She still hadn't stopped trembling as she hooked her arm around Severus's and he whisked her away with a pop.
They landed in the living room of a plain, somber looking house.
"You take the bed, I sleep in the study anyway." Severus insisted but Veronica seemed unwilling to detach herself from him.
"Hey." She looked up at him meekly. "Are you alright?"
She nodded silently but held onto him tighter. "I'm sorry." She whispered. "I guess I'm still just a little…shaken. That's all."
"Understandable" Severus nodded and gently pried her hands off his arm. "I will write Dumbledore, and look into some protection for you until Black is caught."
"Oh Severus, you don't have to do that. I don't want to trouble anyone." Veronica began to protest and Severus rolled his eyes. Woman couldn't have been murdered and she didn't want to burden anyone.
"The bedroom is this way and the bathroom is to the right." He shoved her slightly to the hall. "Go on."
As she left Severus sat down in his study to write a very urgent Letter to Dumbledore that could not and would not wait until morning.
Albus,
In light of recent events, I think it would be in the best interests of all involved if Veronica returned to Hogwarts this Semester….
FIN
Don't worry, I'm not leaving it there. Stay tuned for the next installment of what will hopefully be a successful series.