Different

prologue

Claire Lupin always knew she was different. Everything from the way she looked to the fact that sometimes things happened to her that didn't happen to others. Her dark curls contrasted from the blond hair of her family and sometimes when she was upset, bad things happened. Things like her bullies going home with shaved heads when there were no scissors or razors around. That's why she had been hidden away for basically her whole life.

Her parents, the DeBlanc family, never treated her like their other kids because of this. She was a thorn in their side and they regretted taking her in, although they would never admit it. Her siblings always resented Claire, thinking that she took away attention and money from their parents. But Claire didn't care because once a week every month she didn't belong to them.

Remus Lupin was the best thing in Claire's life. Once a week he spent the whole day with Claire, taking her to the movies and to lunch, telling her stories about his time at school and anything and everything else. But he never told her about her mother. And he never told her about why he left her to be adopted by another family. Claire tried to act like it didn't bother her and the DeBlanc family tried to act like they weren't upset when Claire came home.

"Remus, when do I get to go to school like you?" Claire asked. It was finally July 31, her eleventh birthday, and he took her out for ice cream. Remus tried to not look upset when she continued to call him Remus instead of Dad.

"I assume you'll be getting a letter very soon," Remus responded, sending his daughter a small smile. "Minnie usually sends you the letter on your birthday."

"Good," Claire said with a nod, swinging her legs back and forth. "I can't wait to leave and go to Hogwarts."

"I can't wait for you to go to Hogwarts," Remus said, using his napkin to clean ice cream off of Claire's face. Claire giggled and wiped her face herself.

"Will you come see me there?" Claire asked hopefully. She had never been very good at making friends but she felt comfortable with Remus.

"I'm afraid that that's impossible," Remus said sadly. "Parents aren't allowed at Hogwarts."

Claire frowned and looked down at her swinging feet.

"But I'll write to you every day if you want," Remus assured her.

"Will you finally tell me the answers I want?" Claire asked hopefully. Remus sighed deeply and ran his hand through his greying hair.

"Claire, not yet," Remus said. Claire's frown deepened even more and Remus hesitated before sighing. "How about we go get your birthday present?"

Claire smiled up at her father and nodded before sending him a smirk that looked so familiar it made his heart clench.

"I don't want anything other than for you to answer one question," Claire said.

"I can't say no to your on your birthday," Remus said.

"I want to know her name," Claire said softly. Remus frowned and looked at his scarred hands. He had no choice but to finally tell her the identity of her mother. He couldn't meet her big, Brown eyes without breaking down.

"Her name is..." Remus started, stopping halfway as he was filled with memories. In a shaking breath he continued. "Her name is Emaline Rosier."

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"Is that you Claire?" Millicent DeBlanc. Claire's mother, asked as she heard the door open. Claire followed the voice unto the kitchen where she saw her mother cooking dinner.

"Yeah," Claire called back feebly. After Remus had finally revealed her mother's name, he refused to say anything else and looked troubled. He dropped her back home before his evening time was over.