Daughter of the Moon

Welcome, everyone! My name's Vivian Storm, in case you haven't noticed already, and as you can see from my history this is my very first Harry Potter FanFic. It's been a long while since I've read the Harry Potter books, but I was reading this one FanFic and… well, that inspired me to write this one. Don't worry, though. I was just intrigued with this author's idea and thought maybe I could do something with it too (I made sure I could write it before I actually started). Other than that, J.K Rowling owns all of these characters and such - I'm just messing with them. Here's a lengthened summary of what this FanFic will be about…

Death. Danger. Remus Lupin was forced to give up his only daughter, his only living family, because of the danger surrounding him. Now, thirteen years later, Albus Dumbledore has brought Lupin back to Hogwarts to teach the famous Defense Against the Dark Arts class… and to come face to face with the daughter he thought he would never see again - Hermione Jean Granger. With Sirius Black and dementors on the loose, Lupin finds himself becoming extremely protective over his daughter… it's only a matter of time before she figures it out. What will happen then? Rated T for now, for language, but rating will probably change later… DISCLAIMER: (pay special attention to this!) Inspired by hermione snape's All For You, since hers follows basically the same storyline as mine. (It's an awesome story - if you don't like this one, you NEED to check out hers.)

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Prologue

"You're sure you can't find them? I thought you said he was staying home tonight to watch her!" hissed a rather tall Death Eater as he glared about the empty living room. The lights were off, and it was obvious that nobody had been here the entire evening.

Another Death Eater was present, equally frustrated. "That's what Potter was saying to his wife before the Dark Lord came in. They were planning on coming over here for dinner!"

"You're bloody joking!" roared his companion. "Did it ever occur to your obviously puny brain that they could have heard about it and fled?"

"Hey, you lot, keep it down!" hissed another voice. This one belonged to a female Death Eater, who was running down the stairs. "Don't be so put out, his bed's still warm! So is the blasted crib! They're around here somewhere, chaps, so we didn't come here for nothing. Spread out around the house and see if you can find them. Let's just kill them and be done with the whole damned thing. We have to send a message that all because the Dark Lord is gone, doesn't mean we've disappeared. Get moving!"

Grumbling, the two others went about the house in search as the third returned upstairs to continue her investigations in the bedrooms. They disappeared from the front room, as it was obvious that there was nobody hiding there.

The instant the two Death Eaters disappeared from sight, something shimmered in the back corner behind one of the armchairs. They plainly hadn't noticed or detected the Invisibility Spell that was being used before their very eyes, and it disappeared with the flourish of a wand.

The man that appeared was definitely not a Death Eater. His light, sandy brown hair hung over sharp hazel eyes, and his skin paled with the fear he felt. His sharp senses told him that all three Death Eaters were occupied tearing his house apart elsewhere, searching for him and the little bundle he held in his arms. The bundle was what he was afraid for, and the bundle was what he had strived to keep safe this past year-and-a-half. Which, at this point, was obvious that he had failed. The bundle in his arms, his daughter, was in danger right now.

And he would be damned if he let anything happen to her.

Clutching his daughter's warm body closer to his own for heat, the father considered which was the best way to go. It was obvious that he needed to escape this house, and soon, but he didn't know how. He very well couldn't Apparate with his infant daughter - considering as she was so young and something might go wrong… and the only option was to run. But how was he to do that when he had no means of…

Wait.

The man's eyes trailed to the small closet door that was across from him in the hall that housed his broom. Of course, James Potter, one of his best friends had always been a natural flyer… and he himself had never been too good at it. But at this point, it was his only option if he was going to get himself and his daughter out of this alive.

"Just stay quiet a little longer, sweetling," he murmured to the bundle of blankets. His daughter stared back up at him silently with trusting brown eyes.

He could see the trust within them, and nearly winced. I hope I can keep that trust, sweet, he thought to himself as he gently edged out from behind the armchair. He paused a moment, using his heightened senses to make sure none of the Death Eaters would be able to detect his movement. One was in the kitchen around the corner, and the other was crashing through the screen door to the backyard. The third was upstairs, and he could hear her rummaging through their things. He gritted his teeth to know that some of those things were his daughter's.

Ever so carefully, the innocent man approached the broom closet, always making sure the Death Eaters weren't rushing to see what was moving in the front room. Everything was going perfectly, and he silently praised the heavens that his daughter was remaining quiet throughout this whole ordeal. He was blessed to have such a child.

But the instant he pulled open the broom closet, the hinges creaked and for a moment time froze. Then, in that same split second, all hell broke loose.

"OI!" shouted one of the Death Eaters, the one that had been in the kitchen. "LUPIN AND THE KID ARE STILL IN HERE!"

The father, Lupin, cursed, and suddenly his daughter started to cry as if she'd sensed something had gone wrong. As quickly as he could, Lupin grabbed his broom and made a mad dash for the front door. He thanked the heavens again that he lived in a wizarding neighborhood, so his abrupt take off on a broom wouldn't make much difference.

He slammed the front door behind him just in time as a curse came flying towards the pair of them. The curse itself exploded the door into pieces, causing the squirming daughter in his arms to shriek in fear at the loud noise.

"Shh, Hermione, sweetling," Lupin urged his child as he mounted his broom. More curses came flying out from the now destroyed doorway.

Hermione, the baby, however, was not to be calmed down. The instant Lupin took off from the ground, just as the Death Eaters came rushing out of the house, she started crying more fervently. Lupin found it extremely difficult to hold her and operate the broom at the same time, but somehow he managed it. If someone had asked him about it years later, he would have said it was only because of his determination to protect his daughter. To make sure nothing happened to her.

Curses flew by them in the air. Lupin had never been an exceedingly skilled flier, and most of the time he barely managed to get out of the way before a curse or hex flew past him. Hermione was shrieking her terror as the pair of them flew higher and higher out of reach of the spells coming from the Death Eaters. It wasn't until he had nearly gone through the clouds that he realized the Death Eaters had given up. Lupin breathed an audible sigh of relief.

"It'll be okay, sweetling," he murmured now to the squirming bundle he was only holding with one arm. "We're safe."

He stopped after saying that, and then began to think.

Were they really safe? If Death Eaters were still around, hunting for those who were either close to the Potters or seemed like easy targets, were they safe? Lupin knew that lot was relentless when it came to hunting people down, and if they were trying to track down him and his daughter… no. No, they weren't safe. He wasn't, and neither was Hermione.

Which brought him to another thought. Hermione was in much more danger than he had initially thought. The Potters were always the one to watch his daughter on the full moon, but now… He blinked at the pain of realizing his best friend was gone, and the fact that Sirius was gone too didn't help at all. There was nobody that could take her under their wing when he was… less than a man. And he knew very well that he couldn't leave her somewhere all alone, as she was only a very young child.

There was no solution.

What could he possibly do in this situation? How on earth would he be able to keep his only daughter, his only living relative, alive and safe and sound?

He glanced down as he flew out of the wizarding neighborhood. Muggle homes were all dark below, most of them gone to bed for the night. Lupin was jealous of them all - he wished he could be tucked in a warm safe bed too, knowing that his daughter was safe in the next room with no worries in their head.

Then, the idea came to him. A sickening, revolting, saddening, but wonderful idea. An idea that was impossible to consider, but so simple and easy and right at the same time.

He would have to give Hermione up. He would have to let his daughter live a stress-free life with Muggles who would take care of her and raise her as their own, where she wouldn't have to worry about Death Eaters or creatures like him. Where she would be safe.

It was the best thing he could give her now, no matter how much it pained him.

So, finding an indiscreet place to land, Lupin flew down to the ground and dismounted the broom quickly. Hermione's cries had been reduced to mere sniffles and whimpers, and he wrapped both arms around her now that they were on the ground. Before he could forget, he pulled out his wand and waved it at the broom, causing it to become invisible.

Lupin looked around, trying to see where exactly he had landed after thanking the heavens again that he and his daughter were safe for the time being.

He could see that he had landed in a small park, isolated from the rest of the world by a series of trees and fences. Lupin sighed, wondering what he would find outside this place. He knew he had to find a place for his daughter to go… but where? Were there any families nearby that would take her in? Were there any families that were looking for a child?

The young man struggled past shrubs and bushes, all the while trying to keep Hermione from going into hysterics again. He patted her gently, kissing her sandy brown curls, holding her close. He didn't have much time left with her, if his plan was going to work.

He gazed down at his daughter, trying to imagine a world where he didn't have her. He couldn't. Tears welled in his amber eyes, and he held back a sob as he pressed his daughter's small head to his chest. How could he leave her? He loved her so much, was so protective over her… he didn't ever want to let her go. Especially with the Death Eaters prowling about. For a second, he almost decided to screw his fears and keep her with him. But, Lupin knew that would be terribly selfish.

Hermione deserved better than living on the run, as it was obvious he would be doing for the next few months, if not years. She didn't deserve to be locked away somewhere every full moon while he was in a less-than-human state. She didn't deserve to be in danger all the time. If she lived with Muggles, she could have a life free of such things.

But that didn't make it any less hard.

Lupin searched the area for a house that looked like a family was inside. It seemed like everyone in the neighborhood had already gone to sleep. Perhaps there were no places here where Hermione could…

Wait. There.

He saw a house, with its front room lights still on, and a banner over the garage that said, 'Welcome to your first home, newlyweds!' Lupin smiled, and seemed to sense that these people would be perfect. He had no desire to meet them, of course, as it was best to keep his distance, but perhaps they would be interested…

As he approached, Lupin used his acute sense of hearing to see what was being discussed in that front room. One of the Muggles was on the phone, his deep voice reverberating throughout the entire room.

"Yes, yes, Mum. We're settled in just fine… No… No, I've told you she can't… We've already discussed this, Mum… We've tried to, but… Oh, honestly, when you think we tried it? … I have plenty of money to support a child, and I don't see why this is such a… She can't, Mum! … Because I love her, not because I wanted children… We… I've told you, Mum, we're going to the orphanage to… Why is that such a problem? … Oh, keep quiet, you old bat… Bah! Talking to you is like trying to talk sense to a mule… We're going to adopt a child, and that's that!"

Lupin heard the phone slam down.

He looked down at Hermione, who had quieted completely now and was staring up at him with those same trusting eyes. Tears welled up in his amber ones, and he kissed his daughter on the forehead, knowing this would probably be the last time he would ever see her.

"I love you, sweetling, and don't you ever forget it," he whispered, hugging her close. He breathed in her scent. It was warm and milky, like an infant's, but he could sense that mixture of chocolate and holly, like her mother's. There was only a hint of the forest musk in her scent that came from him, and Lupin kissed the side of his daughter's head now. How could he ever leave her like this?

"Darling, if you don't want to anger your mother…" came the voice of the Muggle woman inside the house.

"No. We'll go to the orphanage tomorrow, honey, don't worry about my mother," her husband, the one Lupin had initially heard, said reassuringly. "Shall we head upstairs?"

"In a moment," his wife answered. "I want to finish up this show, and then we can…"

The rest of her sentence was lost as Lupin gently set his daughter on their front porch step. He kissed her forehead one last time and pulled a piece of parchment and a magically inked quill from his robes. He hadn't remembered grabbing any… funny… but he had no time to consider it as he hastily scribbled a note down for his daughter's new parents. It was only by a stroke of luck he'd managed to find this place. Gently placing the folded note on top of his daughter's blankets, Lupin gently stroked Hermione's cheek with the back of his finger.

Oh, how he would miss her.

"Never forget I love you, sweetling," he whispered. "I always will. I wish I could be here for you, but this is for your own safety. Never forget that. Goodbye, Hermione. I love you." Blinking the tears rapidly away, he wiped them from his face and hastily pressed the doorbell before rushing off into the darkness of the bushes. That was the last time he would see his daughter for thirteen years.

He didn't even stay to watch as the newlywed couple opened up the door of their home to see the infant child beginning to sniffle on their front porch. He didn't listen to the mother's hysteric shriek for joy, or the father's gasp of delight at finding the child. He didn't stay to watch as Hermione's new parents opened the note and read through it.

Her name is Hermione. I couldn't take care of her because there was too much danger in my life. I pray you will take her in and raise her as your own. She deserves the best. When she gets old enough, tell her that I love her.

Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other after reading that note. There wasn't even a name on the paper. That was the night that Hermione became Hermione Jean Granger.

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Thirteen Years Later

"Remus, I'm glad you could come. I suppose you have guessed the reason as to why I've invited you here today."

Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was looking at the exhausted werewolf over his half-moon spectacles with a small smile on his face.

Remus Lupin had not done so well over the past thirteen years. He looked practically unhealthy as he stood before the Headmaster. His sandy brown hair was messy and hung over his grim and troubled amber eyes. His skin was pale, and there were deep and dark shadows underneath his eyes that made it obvious that sleep often evaded him. His robes were torn and tattered, as if he hadn't had any new robes to put on for weeks.

"I've guessed, and I'm not teaching here, Dumbledore. Not under any circumstances," Remus told Dumbledore as he shook his head. His voice suddenly went weary and quiet. "I'm not going to risk her finding out."

But Dumbledore just sat back in his chair, folding his hands quite delicately in front of his nose. "But Remus, my dear friend, that is not the reason I am asking you to teach. I am asking you because, well, in case it has escaped your notice, but both Defense Against the Dark Arts teachers I've hired these past two years have either died or gone mad. I am running out of options, and it seems as though you are the best suitor for the job."

"Surely there are wizards and witches who have applied," Remus protested, still shaking his head. "Pick one of them to do it. Not me."

But Dumbledore merely stared at him, the smile still there. "Now, Remus, I simply do not understand why you are refusing my generous offer. Not only would I be offering you free room and board for an undefined number of terms, but there are also several other benefits. You would be paid, which many other employers would not wish to do because of your current state. And you would have the very chance you may have very well been waiting for, for the past thirteen years - a chance to meet and get to know your daughter," he pointed out.

"But why? Surely there are other wizards who would do a better job teaching the students?" Remus asked. He couldn't lie and say that the offer wasn't appealing, but only for one reason. He had only seen Hermione at a distanced glance once every couple of years. The chance to see her completely, speak to her, teach her… it was almost too good to pass up…

Dumbledore didn't answer him, but only waited and watched as Lupin's thought process developed.

"Blast it," Remus muttered, running a hand through his dirty hair. "Well, when am I expected to report in? Or… when am I to start?"

Dumbledore chuckled, knowing the conversation would have ended up like this. "Remus Lupin, I am delighted to have you as the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor at Hogwarts." He stood, and led the startled man to the door. "I expect you and all of your belongings to be on the Hogwarts Express in a week's time. You remember the departure time, I am sure. Eleven o' clock, no later."

Remus smiled, but only slightly. "Thank you, Dumbledore, I suppose. But what about my… what about the full moon?"

"Oh, not to worry. Professor Snape happens to be very skilled at brewing a Wolfsbane potion, and I suppose it wouldn't be too difficult to have the same arrangements as you did when you were at Hogwarts?" Dumbledore looked expectant, his snowy eyebrows raised.

Remus was about to remind the Headmaster that he didn't exactly have the friends to contain him as he had when he was actually at Hogwarts, but decided against it. Dumbledore probably had something planned. "Thank you, again, Dumbledore," he replied with a respectful dip of the head. "You have no idea of how grateful I am to you."

"I can imagine," the old wizard said with a smile, before waving him off. "Now, off you go. Tut, tut. I would like to get back to my knitting, as I've nearly finished a scarf that would be nice to send to an old friend of mine. Farewell!" And with this, Lupin left the office.

The instant he was outside, he rubbed his hands over his face. Just how was he going to manage facing his daughter without bursting into tears and taking her away where only he could talk to her so he could know just how much he had missed? How on earth was he going to get through this?

Only time would tell.

EOC: Well, that's the beginning to Daughter of the Moon! I have the first chapter finished already, but I'm going to try and space it out until I finish the second chapter. I'm watching the Harry Potter movies as I do this - I just finished the first one. Gah! I can't get over how cute they were when they were that young! I just wanna hug them and take them home with me, you know what I mean? Haha, well, I suppose this is goodbye for now. Special thanks again to hermione snape, who let me follow the same idea! Remember, check out her story too! I think it's on my alert list, but I'm not sure. If not, I have to go look for it. Thanks again, and please review! I like knowing how I did.