AN: Okay, so since I'm totally and unconditionally in love with my friend's story "Orange Skies" (go to my profile under favorite stories to read!) and I love the Remus/OC pairing that's there, I will be writing a spin-off. And I know what you're thinking, somewhere along the lines of, 'Ew! Not another one!' Well, I can tell you right now that this will be better than most of the spin-offs you've read, if I can keep up with it. School is starting, so updates may be slow, but I will try my best. Please note that as the original story is mainly Sirius/OC, this one will mostly be Remus/OC. Sorry if you don't like that.

Remember to Read and Review both stories because we love to hear from you!

Disclaimer: I own pretty much nothing in this story since it is a spin-off of my friend's story and all the characters (no matter how much I may have inspired them) belong to her. Except of course those that belong to J. K. Rowling, in which case neither of us own them. I am however adding minor characters (such as Caitlin's family) and writing under permission of the original creator.

Wow, didn't that sound professional!

Ruby Moon:

Prologue

Caitlin Hurst was the kind of person who never judged someone until she had a reason too. She couldn't look at a person and assume they were smart or stupid, pretty or ugly, or even good or evil. It just wasn't who she was. For that reason she never let her guard down around anyone, until she knew them well enough for them to be friends. She wasn't the type of person to believe what others told her, until she found out for herself. And finding out for herself usually landed her in tight situations.

Now taking all of these things into consideration, it didn't mean she was naive or blind. She did know right from wrong and she knew to trust her first instinct. And she did trust people too, only her curiosity often got the better of her.

Another thing about Caitlin was that, unlike most girls her age, she already knew who she was and where she was going. She knew she wasn't "perfect", one reason being that she didn't believe in perfection. And when it came to Caitlin and believing in something, she had to find out for herself.

Needless to say, she hadn't found "perfect" yet.

She had grown to love her dark auburn hair, and though it could be a pain at times, didn't want to change it. She thought her cerulean eyes were the color of an icy blue sea, but held warmth that could match a blazing fire. Caitlin knew she wasn't the thinnest person ever, and in all honesty she didn't want to be. Her curvy figure and paler than pale skin suited her just fine. She was smarter than some, but struggled more than others would think. She was fairly athletic, but would never consider doing anything professionally. And most importantly, she didn't look for "Mr. Right" or "Prince Charming." Again, she didn't believe he even existed.

But there was always one thing Caitlin did believe in, even from a young age.

Magic.

Caitlin came from a pureblood family, so she didn't know the difference between magic and no magic, unlike a half blood or Muggleborn. It had just always been there. She could remember her crib that was literally suspended in the air and rocked back and forth without the help of another force. She could recall her mother cleaning the kitchen using magic, the dishes scrubbing themselves in the sink and a broom sweeping dust off the floor of its own accord. Caitlin remembered that everyday she would wait by the door to watch her father pop out of nowhere in the front garden on his way home from work. Yes, magic had been as normal as breathing in her home and she never thought differently.

Ever since she could understand it, Caitlin anticipated the summer that would surely bring her school letter and with it the wonder of Hogwarts. Her parents had told her countless stories of times when they attended the school; it was even where they had first met. They told her of the classes and teachers and all the secrets that the castle held. Her father, being a bit of a history buff, spoke to her about the history of the school and its four famous founders. Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor, and Salazar Slytherin, some of the most astounding witches and wizards in history. Even Dumbledore, her soon to be headmaster, had a remarkable history. Caitlin had read some of the school's history books, including Hogwarts: A History, though these could not hold her interest for more than a few minutes and she left her imagination to do the rest.

This was why when her letter came only a few days after her eleventh birthday, she was screaming with glee.

"Caitlin, eat your breakfast dear. We have to leave for Uncle Hal's soon and you still have to pack!" her mother chided as she washed the dishes (again with magic).

Caitlin scowled at her mother's turned back and roughly rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She pulled her hand away only to leave her eyes watering, and no doubt red and slightly puffy. They were going to visit her Uncle Hal, who had spent the last year in Romania studying the effects of the environment on dragons or something, and were spending the weekend at his home in London. Caitlin was not particularly excited about this trip, knowing she would have to spend hours listening to stories and tales that she had already heard a hundred times. She grumbled something unintelligent and continued to push her eggs around her plate.

Adeline Hurst turned from her place before the sink and gave her daughter a disapproving look. She always had that look whenever Caitlin did something "unladylike", the look that clearly told Caitlin that her mother knew she could do better.

Being part of a pureblood family brought a lot of expectations, and although her parents were not like those who treated those of "dirty blood" with less respect, they were still expected to set examples for the rest of the community. For Caitlin, that meant attending fancy parties and dancing with stuck up fools and keeping her mouth shut unless she was spoken too. For the longest time she had asked her father why she had to do those things, but the only answer she ever got was, "So He can't pick us out." She still had no idea what that meant or who He was, but she did as she was told and followed her mother's example.

"Fine, don't eat! But don't complain to me later when you're hungry because I won't get up to feed you!" her mother scolded.

Caitlin laughed (the most intelligible thing she had done that morning) knowing full well that if she asked, her mother would jump from her seat and rush to get something. Her parents never could be strict with their daughter, something that Caitlin was always thankful for.

Her mother too burst into a bout of laughter just as Dane Hurst stepped inside the kitchen. His warm smile and shining eyes lit up at the sight of his hysterical wife and daughter, and Caitlin could feel her weariness already slipping away.

"What have you done now?" he asked Caitlin good-naturedly, setting down his hat and taking a place beside her.

Caitlin tried to put on an appalled face, but failed miserably as she was still trying to control her giggles. "I haven't done anything! I was just minding my own business, trying to eat my breakfast!"

Dane Hurst chuckled and patted her head affectionately, still smiling his loving grin. A full plate was put in front of him and he picked up his fork while resting his forearms on the edge of the table, as if to prepare himself for the bounty he was about to devour. Caitlin always noticed little quirks like this, she supposed it came from always observing people when she was trying to make sense of them, and the tiny habits her father did never failed to bring a smile to her face.

"Did I tell you I ran into Mark Potter the other day in Diagon Alley? Always been a nice bloke, still looks the same he does! Remember him Adeline? He was a Gryffindor like me, maybe you don't remember being in Ravenclaw, but he always was the center of attention!" Dane said with a tone that warned Caitlin a story was coming on. "Never could go anywhere without seeing or hearing about Mark Potter," he added to Caitlin.

Caitlin's mother turned around with a smile. "Of course I remember him! He was the subject for all of us girls back in the day. Did he say how Mae was? Oh, I haven't heard from her in years! Not since the Potters' last party…when was that? I think Caitie was eight or nine…" Adeline rambled, her eyes fixed out the window behind them.

Her father chuckled again. "Yes, Mae is doing fine. And I think she will be hosting another party according to Mark. Christmas I think he said ..."

Caitlin watched as her mother's face lit with joy and she could already see the preparations forming in her head.

"Anyway," her father continued, "little James was with him when I bumped into him. You should see him now Adeline! Growing like a weed that boy is and just like his father! Apparently the boy's got a knack for Quidditch and at such a young age too! Could just be Mark was bluffing, but the lad did have his eyes fixed on that new Quidditch shop they set up there. Gave him a few galleons and told him to buy something nice as to make up for all the birthdays we've missed."

Adeline smiled at her husband and Caitlin couldn't help but do the same. Only her father would think of giving an eleven year old boy he barely knew money to go buy "birthday presents".

Dane Hurst turned to Caitlin, who had now completely abandoned all attempts of finishing her breakfast, and grinned. "Mark asked about you too Caitie, and I told him, 'Mark! Not to brag, but I have the smartest, prettiest, funniest daughter in all of Great Britain! She'll be the most amazing witch we've seen yet!'"

"Daddy!" Caitlin said rolling her eyes.

Her father laughed and kissed the top of her head. "I know, I know," he said, "no bragging! But it's the truth my dear and a good man like Mr. Potter deserves the truth!"

Caitlin rolled her eyes again and her father chuckled, finally starting on his meal.

"Besides the point that you are the smartest, prettiest, funniest girl in all of Great Britain," her mother began, "you had better watch out for young Mister Potter at school. I heard from Mae that he is quite the trickster! I can't imagine the things he's done, but…he's a nice boy. Just be careful with him."

Caitlin smiled, knowing she would have to find out herself, and turned towards the winding staircase that led to the second floor of the house. She took one step when her mother said, "Speaking of school…"

She turned back around and saw a smile on her mother's face and her eyes looking out the window. Caitlin looked to and nearly fell to her knees. In the distance, was a tiny black dot flying through the air, growing closer and closer to her home.

"My letter!" Caitlin exclaimed before dashing over to open the window. It was not long before the owl landed on the window sill and Caitlin was shaking with excitement. The owls feathers were dark brown spotted with black and its eyes were a glowing yellow. In its beak it held a single letter, rather small but thick enough in size for Caitlin to know exactly what it was.

With a shaking hand, she reached out and took the letter from the owl (which promptly flew off) and closed the window again. She turned slowly, her eyes seeing only the neat black cursive writing that marked the front of the envelope. Caitlin gently turned it over, as if afraid it would shatter if she moved it too quickly, and glance over the waxy red seal engraved with the Hogwarts' crest.

She didn't even realize she was still standing by the window staring down at the letter, until her father said, "C'mon, let's have a look!"

Caitlin looked up startled, before walked over to her parents, who watched her with encouraging, proud smiles. She sat back in her chair and tenderly tore open the envelope and pulled the parchment from its confines. Carefully, she unfolded the paper and began to read, "Miss Caitlin Hurst, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

She couldn't believe it. She was finally going to Hogwarts! All the years of waiting were over. She was finally going!

"Excellent Caitie! Oh, you'll love it! You must be so excited! Let me see your supply list!" her mother exclaimed holding out her hand.

Caitlin passed her the adjoining letter and continued to read the rest of hers. Dane Hurst read over her shoulder and kissed the top of her head every so often, but Caitlin hardly noticed. She was too busy planning her future.

"Good, good," her mother said as her eyes passed over the letter. "We can get most of this in London while we're at your Uncle's. They do have shops that have these things, Dane? Heavens, it's been so long since I've walked through Diagon Alley!" Adeline handed the letter to Caitlin's father, who looked it over once and nodded.

"Yes, all these supplies can be bought in Diagon Alley. Maybe we should rent a room at the Leaky Cauldron for a night! Caitie's never seen that part of London before, it'd be good for her to get the whole experience, wouldn't it? Maybe…Good Lord, is that the time?! We have to get going!" he said, checking his watch.

Adeline rushed Caitlin up the stairs to her room, where she threw on the outfit she had picked the night before and tossed whatever she could reach into a weekend bag. She was too busy to worry about what exactly she was putting in there.

She was thinking about Hogwarts.

So, Caitlin had gone to her Uncle Hal's for the weekend, listened to the same stories over and over again, spent a night at the Leaky Cauldron, bought all of her school things and even had time to look around Diagon Alley. That felt like ages ago to her. Now she sat on her bed in what felt like an empty room, her truck packed, her wand tucked away safely in her jeans' pocket. Her new kitten Chase, a gift from her parents, was tucked away in his carrying case his black fur and yellow eyes visible.

"Caitlin?"

She looked over to the door to find her father poking his head through the crack. Caitlin smiled and stood up from her bed and grabbed Chase's case. Her father came in and grabbed her truck and the two made their way down the stairs.

Adeline Hurst was waiting by the front door, a brilliant smile on her face and her hands folded behind her back. Caitlin and her father stopped at the door and her mother pulled a small box from behind her back.

"Caitie, I want to show you something," Adeline said and she lifted the lid off of the top of the box. Inside was a beautiful turquoise pendant hanging off a shinning silver chain with delicate carvings and intricate details. It was one of the most stunning things Caitlin had ever seen and she found herself unable to look away.

"My mother gave this to me when I started school. She said it would make me feel at home when I was away," Adeline told her while taking the necklace from its box and clasping it around Caitlin's neck. The precious stone hung around her neck, falling beneath the neck of her shirt, just over her heart. Her mother smiled and said, "I hope it does the same for you."

Caitlin smiled and was vaguely aware that her eyes were beginning to fill up with tears, but ignored it and flung her arms around her mother. Her mother hugged her tightly and Caitlin said thank you a million times before she let go.

"C'mon now, best not be late," said her mother.

Once again Caitlin picked up her kitten's case and headed out the door happily, her parents following behind.

When Caitlin and her family reached Platform Nine and Three Quarters, she was nearly bouncing off the walls. Her father actually had to keep one hand grasped on her shoulder, just to stop her from running away. The gleaming scarlet Hogwarts Express waited by the side, smoke billowing from its engine and the whistle blowing loudly, while packs of families crowded onto the platform.

Caitlin dragged her parents to a nearly empty compartment near the back of the train, where they loaded her truck onto the overhead rack and she placed Chase's carrier on an empty seat. Caitlin followed them back outside onto the platform where they would say their final goodbyes.

"Alright Darling, be good. Do your work and try your best. That's all we can ask of you," her father told her before kissing her on the forehead.

"And write often. You know we'll want to hear from you," her mother added giving her a tight squeeze and a kiss on the forehead as well.

Caitlin pulled away from her parents and smiled. She nodded, letting them know that she would do everything they asked, and said, "I'll miss you."

Her parents smiled and before Caitlin could break down and cry with joy and sadness, she ran off back to the train. She walked down to her compartment, which was still empty minus the unfamiliar luggage, and sat down on the seat beside Chase. He meowed in a way that made her think he was irritated, so she opened the carrier down and pulled him onto her lap. He curled up into a little black ball in her lap and began to purr contentedly, while Caitlin looked out the window at the stationary landscape outside.

Suddenly, the train lurched into forward motion and the door slid open revealing a girl about her age. She had straight dark brown hair and vibrant blue eyes, just like Caitlin. She was tinier and gave the impression that she was about to break under nervous pressure. This must have been the stranger who owned the extra luggage, because she looked at Caitlin with wide eyes, as if she were surprised to find another student on the train.

The girl did not move from the doorway, in fact it looked like she wasn't breathing at all, so Caitlin decided she would have to speak first.

"Hello, my name is Caitlin Hurst. This is Chase. Are you in here too?" she said as politely as possible. The girl nodded and snapped out of her stillness, moving into the room and sitting across from Caitlin.

"My name is Arianna Carden. Are you a first year as well?" the girl asked sitting uncomfortably straight in her seat.

"Yep. I can't believe we're finally going to Hogwarts! I've been waiting for this forever, haven't you?" Caitlin said excitedly.

Arianna did not answer and she hung her head, making Caitlin wonder if she had said something wrong. The girl across from her now looked terrified, and something in the back of Caitlin's head clicked.

"Don't worry, I don't care if you're Muggleborn," Caitlin said soothingly. Arianna looked up, question filling her eyes. "My best friend is a Muggle," Caitlin continued. "I don't believe in all that "purebloods only" stuff, really. If you're magic that's all that should matter, right?"

"You really don't mind?" Arianna asked cautiously.

Caitlin shook her head. The idea that she should think that just because someone didn't come from a prestigious wizarding bloodline meant that they were less than her was ridiculous. Her parents had taught her that everyone in the world was equal and should be treated with respect.

Arianna visibly relaxed. Her posture became much less stiff and she gave Caitlin a dazzling white smile.

"I still can't believe this is all real. A month ago I thought magic was just tricks that magicians did!" Arianna exclaimed.

Caitlin furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Magicians?"

"Never mind," Arianna laughed.

Caitlin laughed too and soon they were talking like they were old friends catching up.

So, Caitlin had a problem believing things before she saw them first hand. Like Arianna Carden. If someone had told her that she would meet a funny, beautiful, talented Muggleborn who would become her best friend, she would have laughed in their face. But from then on she believed it.

However if someone told her that right in that compartment on her way to Hogwarts she would meet the love of her life, she would have died of laughter. It was a ridiculous notion. It was an impossibility. Besides, she didn't even believe in "soul mates" or whatever else there was.

It wasn't happening.

Too bad for Caitlin Hurst and her system of seeing things first hand because the person who predicted that she would meet her true love…

That person was right.