The next morning, the entire group was getting on the train, right on time. As she made sure all the children were on, she brought up the back. She could always sit in the front with the Hufflepuffs, she was sure her younger classmates would let her. But before she could make her decision, Fred, George, and Lee shuffled her back to the Gryffindor cars and pulled her into their compartment.

"You've never been able to sit with us before, so we figured we would pull you away." Lee explained.

The twins and Lee had always been there for her when she needed them, and she tried her best to be there for them. Being in Hufflepuff meant that she rarely say her Gryffindor friends, but she was proud to have been in a house that stood for everything she believed in.

"So, we have an idea for a business, and we want to know what you think. Maybe get some ideas?" George said with a conspiratorial smirk.

Veronica looked around at the three and nodded. "Alright. Let's hear it."

XxxxxxxX

A few hours later, Veronica was deep in discussion with the boys about products for their business. Storm clouds, like dark ghosts, tossed turrets of rain onto the scarlet engine as it pushed along.

"I just think you should tweak the idea for the puking ones. You don't want the effects to be too long term, but you still want the wow factor. Maybe something to take the taste away as well?" The young witch suggested.

Just then, the compartment rattled and the lanterns flickered. The train lurched, then began to slow. Veronica slid towards the window, pinning Lee against it. They exchanged a cautious glance, then she carefully stood and glanced at her watch, frowning.

"You boys stay here, understood?" She said sternly, recieving a nervous nod from all three of them.

She slid open the door and peered into the corridor. All along the carriage, heads look out curiously. Then, the train jerked, causing the car to sway and the lamps running along the ceiling flickered and died one by one until all was dark.

"Everyone back in your compartments, now." Veronica commanded before turning to look at the boys. "Lock this behind me."

A thin wisp of steam escaped Veronica's mouth as she made her was down the aisle. Harry noticed her and openedthe door, pulling her in.

She looked at him in shock, then pulled him into a tight hug. "Are you all alright?" She whispered, noting the somehow sleeping figure in the corner.

Ron, a dark silhouette against the window, wiped a patch of condensation from the window. "There's something moving out there. I think... people are coming aboard."

Suddenly the car swayed violently.

"Bloody hell. What's happening?" Ron whimpered.

A hand, slimy and scabbed, gripped the half-open compartment door, pushing it aside with ease. A towering, cloaked figure, its face hidden beneath its black hood, stood before them. Veronica felt all of the blood drain from her face and her chest tightened. Flahbacks from twelve years ago ran through her mind as the figure entered the compartment. As it neared her and Harry, she leaned in front of him, bringing it's attention to her. Her stomach turned as its face edged closer and closer. It was painful. The sound of a scream filled her ears. It was her- she was screaming. Harry yelled her name, which caused the figure to change its target. Harry's eyes rolled up, eyelids fluttering.

Suddenly, a bright light filled the compartment. The world spun off its axis and Harry fell, glasses tumbling hard to the ground. Veronica lay prone in the seat, her unconscious face contorted in an expression of pain. Remus Lupin stood, wand outstretched, as the dementors fled the train. He looked down at the two unconscious figures and his heart stopped. Harry and Veronica- right in front of his eyes.

XxxxxxxxxxX

With a desperate gasp, Harry opened his eyes, blinking rapidly. The train was moving again. His eyes shifted, looking around the compartment.

"Harry? Harry, are you all right?" Hermione's troubled face hovered above him. He nodded and sat up. Ron, pale and nervous, extended his hand to hand Harry his glasses.

"Thanks." Harry said, slipping them on.

Professor Lupin broke a ragged triangle of chocolate off the slab in his hands and held it out. "Chocolate. Eat. It'll help."

"What was that -- that thing?"

"A Dementor. One of the guards of Azkaban. It's gone now."

Harry frowned in confusion.

"It was searching the train, Harry. For Sirius Black." Hermione explained.

"I need to have a word with the driver. Please keep an eye on her. Here's a bit of chocolate for when she wakes up. Excuse me." Lupin said, then turned to Harry. "Eat. It'll help."

As he left, Harry turned to Ron and Hermione. "What happened?"

"Well, you both sort of went... rigid. We thought maybe you were having afit or something." Ron explained.

"But when Veronica started screaming, we knew something was very wrong." Hermione explained.

"And did either of you? You know... pass out?" Harry pressed.

"No. I felt... weird. Like I'd never be cheerful again. But...no." Ron said gravely.

Harry turned to Hermione. She shook her head. "I was trembling. Cold. But then... Professor Lupin made it go away."

"But someone was screaming. Other than Veronica, that is. A woman." Harry said, sure of himself.

Hermione and Ron glanced nervously at each other.

"No one else was screaming, Harry." Hermione said quietly.

They all sat in silence for a few minutes, contemplating what had just happened. It wasn't long before Veronica shot up from her seat, causing all three of them to jump. The woman squished herself into the corner and looked around skittishly, her eyes wide and frightened.

"Veronica! Hey, hey, V. Breathe. You're alright. Everything is okay. You're on the train in our compartment." Harry assured her, raising his hands cautiously.

She looked at him, her breathing slightly evening out. "Are you alright?" She asked, her voice quiet.

"I'm fine." He promised. Hermione reached out to offer the piece of chocolate, causing Veronica to flinch. Hermione pulled back, apologizing profusely. The woman simply shook her head and apologized herself. Harry took the chocolate and slowly held it up to her. "Here. Eat this. It's chocolate."

She took the chunk and nibbled on it, allowing the taste to envelop her tastebuds. Relaxing as time dragged by, she looked around and sighed. "I apologize for being so...skittish." she said quietly.

"No apologies necessary. You were affected by the dementors pretty badly, so it was only normal to react like you did." Hermione assured her.

"Exactly. You had a bad experience. Being scared is normal." Ron assured her.

She smiled kindly at them and nodded. "Well, I should get back to my compartment." She said, standing. She looked around and frowned. "Where is the other person who was in here earlier?" She asked, looking at Harry.

Just then, the door slid open and she looked up at who entered. Her eyes widened as they met the man's.

"Ah. Vera." He said, grinning. "Good to see you up and moving."

"Remus?"

Hermione, Ron, and Harry all sat, looking at the two professors in shock.

"You know eachother?" Hermione finally asked.

Veronica simply looked up at Remus, her face set in a mixture of shock and joy. "Yes. Remus and I are quite familiar with each other. If you all will excuse us, I'd like to have a private word with him." She said, nodding at the man.

"Children. I shall see you at the castle. Have a wonderful, peaceful, rest of the trip." He said, smiling at the wong witch and wizards.

Veronica turned and gave a half smile to them. "See you at the feast. Hermione, keep an eye on these two." She teased.

Veronica and Remus made their way towards a concealed compartment near the front of the car that was kept empty for professors to use if they happened to ride the Express to the castle. He waited for her to enter, then closed the door behind him as he got in. The moment he turned around, he was met by a body colliding with his own. Surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his neck, and he quickly wrapped one arm around her waist, the other hand coming up to rest gently on the back of her head.

"Hello, dear Vera. It's wonderful to see you." He said, relief flooding his entire being.

She took a half step back and looked up at him, her eyes scanning his handsome, scarred face. "It's absolutely wonderful to see you, Remus. What on earth are you doing here? Why didn't you tell me in your letter that you would be here?"

He laughed quietly moving them over to sit down. "I thought it might be a nice surprise. I was going to surprise you right before the feast, but our little dementor incident put a hitch in that plan. I am glad, however, that we have more time now. As for why I'm on my way to Hogwarts, I've been asked by Dumbledore to take over as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. It seems as though you will be assisting me this year."

Vera's eyes grew wider and a small grin spread across her face. "You're serious?"

"Quite so, my dear. I'm afraid you'll be stuck with me the entire year." He said, a smile of his own spreading rapidly.

Vera's entire body was buzzing with energy, both nervous and excited. She was going to get to see Remus every day. Teach with him, talk to him, see him. At the same time, would he still interact with her the same now that he would be near her nearly constantly.

"What's on your mind?" He asked, breaking her from her thoughts. She glanced up to see him looking at her with curiosity in his eyes.

"Nothing. Nerves, maybe? I think I'm processing everything. The attack, my new job...you." she admitted, looking him over, drinking in every detail of his appearance she could. Seeing him in front of her was so much different than the breif memories she had of him dropping by on holidays for an hour or so when she was a child. They were both vastly different people. She was a woman now, and he was no longer the carefree young man he had been before. No, they had both dealt with great loss and tragedy, making their bond that much stronger. More solid.

"I understand. I assure you that I will be here to talk whenever you need. It will be rather nice to not have to rely on owls delivering letters for us every few days." He chuckled. His large hand gently enveloped hers as he looked at her, his face suddenly more serious. "Vera, I do belive that this year could be one that changes many things. But change takes time, you understand. It's not an instantaneous thing, it can be a process sometimes. I suppose I'm simply asking you to be patient with me in every aspect possible, both personal and professional."

She looked at him and nodded, wordlessly assuring him that she would be patient. Their letters to eachother had been a haven for them in times of need, a sanctuary when they had none. Now that she could be there for him in person, she would do her best to help every way possible. She would do that for him just as he would for her.

"Well, I do believe that we will be arriving soon. You may want to change out of your muggle clothing into something a bit more professor-like." He suggested.

She nodded, sighing as she stood. "Right. Well, I suppose I'll go change, then see you at the castle, yes?"

"Of course." He agreed, standing and straightening out his jacket. As she reached out to open the door, he spoke again. "Vera?"

She turned to look at him, her eyes searching his face. "Remus?"

"I can't tell you how wonderful it is to see that beautiful face of yours." He admitted. A blush crept over Vera's cheeks, and she smiled shyly. In a moment of pure adrenaline, she swiftly kissed his cheek and left the compartment. He was glad she didn't stick around to see the slight tinge of red his pale face had gained.