Being the youngest, Claire realized, had both advantages and disadvantages, even if the age gap was two years and your older brother was as annoying as James Potter. He meant well, at times at least, but between his overprotective nature and plethora of pranks, he was a bit much to deal with. It only had gotten worse since Claire had started school and been sorted to Ravenclaw, where James apparently felt he could not keep a close enough eye on her. This was probably the worst part about having him for a brother- the spying.
It was third year when Claire had her first boyfriend that she realized just how annoying James' friends were going to be in her life, especially Sirius Black. All of the boys of course did James' spying, Remus in the Library, Peter in the courtyard, and Sirius anywhere else you could think of, always making a scene until finally poor Will could not stand it any longer and broke off their relationship; one which had only lasted three months. Still, Claire found was to get used to the boys, ones who ended up spending summers in her home, annoying not only herself but any friends she had over as well, playing childish pranks in their sleep and the like.
When Claire was fourteen, Sirius came to live with the Potters, and she had to admit she didn't mind too much. He showed up on the doorstep, rain beating down upon his slumped shoulders, both eyes blacked and nose still pouring with blood, which as she helped her mother heal him. The curses they'd hit him with, he explained, eventually caused him to fall down a flight of stairs, turning his spine black and blue. He'd broken a few ribs as well, but Mrs. Potter was able to heal them quickly, it was the bruises he was in for the long haul with, because even with magical healing creams, they were deep and slow to heal. This incident, while horrible, seemed to have a profound effect of Sirius, who matured over the summer, and took James along with him. Claire had to admit she was thankful the boys were finally growing up, be it due to the war brewing outside the manor's heavily charmed gates or influence from their bookish friend, Remus, she was not so sure.
Claire hated the idea that there were people who thought any life was better than any other. She was a gentle soul, one who was more likely to set a spider free outside than swat it with a shoe- and the thought of the world going to a system with superiority reigning over others because of some trait none of them had any power over boiled her blood. It was getting to be a week on before time to go back to school, and as per usual James and Sirius had Peter and Remus over. Claire was up in her mother's study, curled up in a tight ball reading over her charms book for the year when she felt a disturbance in the air where the door which had long been shut opened, signaling she was no longer alone. "You can't already be studying for O.W.L.S, Claire." Remus said, moving carefully into the room. He had a deep cut running down his face that's scabbing wrinkled painfully as he smiled, but he smiled at her none the less.
"May as well do it now, as I'll have to help you make sure my genius brother makes decent N.E.W.T.S this year as well. Can't prepare us both at the same time." She remarked back as he took a seat across the coffee table from her, picking up a book himself. "Aren't you going to play quidditch with the others?" She ask curiously.
"Why would I when the company is so much better inside?" He winked after this statement, and Claire blushed, slinking down further in the chair and behind her book, her long black hair ruffling against the the cushions as she slid. "Besides," Remus continued, not giving any mind to the blush he'd caused the younger witch, "I'm not feeling so well just now." Claire sighed. She'd figured out about two years ago that Remus was a werewolf, not for his lack of trying to hide. It was her brother and the other two who were bad liars. It didn't change her slight crush on him, or her opinion on the young man in general. She only wished she was trusted enough for him to tell her- as her mother, father and brother had all been told.
"I hate to hear you're unwell again." She replied, giving him the space he apparently wanted about the subject. Remus saw her hazel eyes peer over the book she was reading for a second and then disappear again.
"C'est la vie." Remus replied with a shrug. "Am I bothering you, being in here?" He questioned. Claire shook her head.
"No, not at all." She replied calmly. Remus sat back into his own chair at this point, where the two sat in silence until Peter half-fell through the door to fetch Remus for something that the others wanted to get into, and Claire was left alone once more.
"Why do you like hanging out with her more than us these days, Moony?" Peter ask, half a snort to his voice.
"She's not as dimwitted as you lot, obviously." Remus replied without hesitation. "Are you still operating under the assumption that girls have... whats the word... cooties?"
"N-No!" Peter defended roughly, and Sirius laughed at him.
"It's alright, mate. Moony's only teasing." He clapped the chubby boy on the back. "Getting your knickers in a twist on purpose. And you always feed into it." Peter grumbled a bit, but James was on to their next order of business.
"Alright boys, we've synchronized our classes by Remus' careful plotting for our most useful ones in the world as it is fast becoming today. Right?" The others nodded. "I've overheard papa talking about the resistance 'Dumbles' is leading, calls it 'Order of the Phoenix'. Apparently its growing in number, but there are still too many too scared to fight."
"You suppose we can make a difference, Prongs?" Peter ask, his voice now gone squeaky. James smiled.
"Together? Of course we can! We have Moony, who is after all a ruddy genius, Padfoot, who refuses to bow to anyone, I myself have a fair set of fighting skills. And you, dearest Wormy, have courage. Together- we can defiantly make a difference. We can do anything we set our minds to!" He slapped his hand on the kitchen table where all their charts were scatters about.
"Except get Lily to go out with you..." Claire offered as she walked through the room, plate of leftovers in hand.
"This will be the year for that as well, baby sister!" He called out the hallway after her, the other marauders laughing at their squabble.
"You boys please try to stay out of trouble this year?" Mrs. Potter ask, giving each of the four boys a bagged snack bag and kiss on the forehead. James shook his head at his mother.
"You realize that we've spent the last six years making tradition, and can't simply stop this year?" He grinned when she gave an exasperated sigh.
"At least stay safe?" She questioned.
"Never." Sirius said with a laugh. Mrs. Potter laughed too.
"Very well." She turned to face the stairs. "Claire! Claire Melodia Potter! You will miss the train!" A thump made the older woman jump as a trunk came sailing down the staircase, Claire not far behind.
"I couldn't find Berie!" She panted at the foot of the steps. James burst into a fit of laughter.
"You still take that stupid duck with you?" He said between fits of laughter. "What a baby!"
"James!" Mrs. Potter scolded as Claire looked at her feet, her whole face and ears red with embarrassment.
"Papa got me Bernie, James-" She said in a small voice. "That's why he's special." James' laughter died down a bit.
"Is Papa going to see us off, Mum?" He ask hopefully. Mr. Potter was extremely busy with the Ministry as of late, dealing with all the recent happenings. Mrs. Potter's smile fell a little.
"I'm afraid not, but you both know he sends his love." She said opening the door and ushering the teens all outside. "Mustn't have the train waiting."
So this story was by request, and because I'm writer's blocked on ALL my others my husband suggested I start a new one to get the process flowing again. This story will follow Claire, through the first war, two marriages and into the second war. It will involve heartache, a love triangle and tons of dramatic angst as well as werewolf like possessivness. Be sure to please leave a review and help me get the creative juices going for my other stories- if its good let me know! (Also anyone wanting to go read my others and leave suggestions that is SUPER welcome!)
Thanks!