Hello! This is my first story! I'm going to post this chapter and leave it up for 2 WEEKS. If I see some positive reactions, I will continue. BTW Gabrielle is NOT A WEREWOLF. Just thought I'd clear that up! I hope you enjoy! Please review, I enjoy ! Thanks! Oh, and JK ROWLING OWNS ALL. Anything that looks familiar belongs to her. I only own Gabrielle Lupin and my plot lines.

CHAPTER ONE

(Outside POV)

JUNE 24, 1981, 8 PM

Remus Lupin was sitting in his modest cottage with his young daughter, Gabrielle, when he got a call that would change their lives forever. Professor Albus Dumbledore had sent him a message by patronus stating that something had gone terribly wrong at the ministry, and that his wife, Charlotte, was dying. Remus was so shocked that he could barely process what he just heard. His wife of barely a year, whom he had spoken to only one hour ago, was staying late working on something in her office in the Department of Mysteries when the Death Eaters had attacked. Now she was on the verge of dying. He scooped up Gabrielle and rushed to St. Mungo's. They were Charlotte's only living family left, so they had to be with her in her final moments.

When they reached the hospital room where she was, Remus held his whimpering daughter close to his chest as he held his wife's hand. At one point she barely opened her eyes, saw Remus and Gabrielle, and began to speak in a whisper.

"Remus," she said shakily, "I want you to know that I love you so much. Make sure that Elle knows I loved her with all my heart. Make sure she knows that I didn't abandon her. Let her know that I put up a fight, but now I have to let go. Please, both of you always remember not to cry because it's over, but smile because it's happened. I love you both so much, never forget that."

Those were the last words Charlotte Lupin ever spoke. As she finished her eyes closed shut and her heart faltered, leaving a broken Remus and sobbing Gabrielle by her bedside.

The next few weeks were filled with preparing for a funeral and trying to grieve. Remus put together a small service with just their closest friends and colleagues; James & Lily Potter with 7 month old baby Harry, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Frank & Alice Longbottom who brought along baby Neville, Mary MacDonald, Emmeline Vance, Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Slorace Slughorn, Hagrid, Filius Flitwick, and Kingsley Shackeltbot.

Remus was just glad he could count on his friends during this tough time. He was quite worried at first about how his werewolf status would affect his custody of Gabrielle, but according to Dumbledore, he was able to convince the Ministry to "turn a blind eye". He named James Gabrielle's godfather, since Sirius was named Harry's. Remus couldn't believe how helpful Lily was being, even though she had Harry to take care of. Peter, well, Peter started to keep to himself. Remus thought Peter wasn't sure how to approach him anymore since his wife died, so he didn't think twice about it.

About five months later, Remus lost four of the most important people in his life. James and Lily were dead, Sirius was sent to Azkaban, and poor Peter was dead too. If not for his daughter, he would truly be alone in the world. He lost five people that meant the world to him in less than a year. It didn't matter that voldemort was defeated. Even poor baby Harry was being sent away from the wizarding world. This led him to think, and also led him to have a conversation with his 15-month-old daughter.

"Gabrielle," he said, "it looks like it's just you and me now. I'm sorry if I can't provide all that much for you, but I'm trying my best, I promise. I'm sorry you can't go play with Harry either; Dumbledore won't let me take you to see him. I guess you'll have to go to the Weasley's or Hogwarts on the full moons. I'll try and find a job in the muggle world, don't worry. I love you with all my heart. You'll stick with me through think and thin, won't you Ellie?" Gabrielle just gurgled in response, and Remus smiled. He cradled her close to his chest and proceeded to carry her up the stairs so he could put her down for a nap. "It's just you and me kiddo, let's make the most of it." He finished, trying to sound as positive as possible in what seemed like that darkest time in his life.

Years past and every year Remus would take Gabrielle to visit her mother and the Potter's graves. When she started to reach the age where she would ask questions and comprehend things, he decided to stop taking her to the Potter's graves; he didn't want her to know that they had been friends with the Potter's in case she encountered Harry at Hogwarts. After all, he did not want Harry to think that they had abandoned him. He decided they would cross that bridge when they came to it.

Eventually she grew older, and much excitement began on the day she turned eleven and received her Hogwarts letter.

(Gabrielle's POV)

MAY 13, 1991, 9 AM

"Gabrielle, wake up. Elle, come on wake up. Gab. Ellie, come sweetie, get up. How many different names do I have to call you to get you to wake up?" said my dad, Remus Lupin, as I finally decided to give up sleep and open my eyes.

"Morning Daddy," I said and wrapped my arms around his neck kissing his cheek. Next thing I knew I was pulled out of the bed and being swung around. I clutched his body and giggled until he put me down.

"Good morning darling," he said and then kissed my forehead. He then looked at me and smiled.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked him.

"Think about it, Gabrielle. Put that intelligent little brain of yours to work. Here's a hint, think about the calendar."

I thought about it for a moment, slightly confused, and then it hit me. I nearly smacked myself on the forehead.

"How could I have forgotten!" I said and then looked at my father.

"Happy 11th Birthday Gabrielle! I love you so much" he said and then picked me up again, pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you Dad, I love you too" I said and smiled, then snuggled closer to him. He sat down and turned me around on his lap so I was facing him.

"So what are we going to do today?" I asked him. He pondered this question for a moment, and then began to speak.

"Well when you went to stay at the Weasly's last month, I asked Molly if it was alright if Ginny spent the day over here. Would you like that?"

"Like that!" I exclaimed, "I'd love that!" I was quite happy for the time being, but then something dawned on me.

"It's just Ginny coming over, right? I sure hope so because I don't want stupid Ron ruining my birthday. He always teases me about hanging out with 'the baby' of his family. I like Ginny, I don't care if I'm the same age as Ron and we'll be going to Hogwarts together. Goodness don't even expect me to sit with him on the Hogwarts express."

"Whoa, Gab, slow it down honey. It's not nice to call people stupid even if they can be mean to you sometimes. And I'm sure Ron doesn't mean all those things he says. He's probably jealous that you spend more time with his younger sister than him. After all, you're both the same age you'll probably be in Gryffindor together, unless you get put into Ravenclaw." He said, smiled, and then continued,

"That is, if you go to Hogwarts." My eyes went wide at this statement, and I went into a panicked frenzy.

"What do you mean if?" I said, "Am I not going to Hogwarts? How could you Daddy! I don't want to go to Beauxbatons!" I had hopped off his lap by this point, and was now pacing back and forth in front of my bed.

"Calm down Gabrielle. I was just saying that because you still haven't received your letter yet. But don't fret dear; since you are now eleven, it will be coming. If not today, then it will be here tomorrow. In fact, it could possibly be here already but as we have spent the past ten minutes up in your room, we have not been down to the kitchen to check. Let's go now; you're probably hungry anyways. And I might so happen to have your favorite strawberry French toast made." He winked and left my room. I raced down the stairs following him into the kitchen. When I walked in I smiled at the table that was already set and two plates stacked high with food. The table even had a purple tablecloth on it and a banner that read 'Happy 11th Birthday Gabrielle!' with owls flying all around. I sat down and tucked in.

When I had finished, my dad took one look at me and motioned to the stairs.

"You're all covered in syrup and what not. Go upstairs and shower. Then maybe you and I could go outside and fly around some before your guest arrives."

"Really Dad?" I asked, my eyes going wide in shock for the second time that morning. He never went flying.

"Well it is your birthday, no go on and get dressed. Ginny will be here before you know it."

I happily obliged and went to go take a shower. When I got out I dried myself off and put on a light purple embroidered shirt, a pair of jeans, and laceless black trainers. Then I turned to the mirror and took a look at myself. What reflected back was a girl with knotted, curly, blonde hair, and bluish-amber colored eyes. I grabbed my comb and started brushing out the tangles. When that was done I dried my hair and went back downstairs.

"Done already?" my dad asked.

"Yep. Can we go flying now?" was my reply. He nodded and I ran to my backyard, grabbed my broom, a Cleansweep 9, from the broom cupboard, and anxiously waited for my dad to come join me. It seemed like he was moving so slow, when in reality, he was almost sprinting to catch up with me.

"Okay Elle, you know the rules, stay in the perimeter of the backyard and no higher than the roof, alright?"

"Yes Dad, come one, let's go!" I said and then took off in the sky, zooming this way and that laughing and smiling and just having the best time I've had flying in a while. I decided to try a trick I had been reading about in my Quidditch magazine. I quickly flew up level with my roof, the limit of my height. Then I leaned forward and started to fly downward, going faster and faster nearing the ground each time, right as I was near the ground, I quickly pulled up and did spiral after spiral and corkscrewed until I got dizzy. I knew I was getting horrified looks from my father but I continued anyway. Then I heard the infamous whistle, and knew I had to come in.

"So soon Daddy? Do I really have to go in?" I pleaded.

"Yes, actually you do if you want to be done with lunch by the time Ginny gets here." He said.

"Oi! I almost forgot! C'mon dad, let's go inside and eat." I said now dragging him back inside so he could make the two of us lunch.

We walked back toward my house and I studied it for a moment. It had pale stonewalls, thatched roof, windows on both stories framed nicely with white shutters, the paint chipping ever so slightly here and there. I smiled, it was home. When we reached the kitchen, I sat down at the table while my father made lunch. I watched silently as he cooked the food the muggle way, whenever I asked him why, he just smiled at me. I decided to ask him a few more questions.

"Daddy," I asked, "how did you come by Bluebell Cottage?"

"Haven't I ever told you?" he responded, "this was my parents house, they bought it after, you know, and I was raised here since I was five years old. It's where I would come on break from Hogwarts, where my friends and family would come visit me, and where I probably one of the best childhoods someone of my kind could possibly have. After my parents and your mother and I moved in here after we married and my parents had passed away."

"Oh," I said, '"thanks for that explanation. I was curious to why we had such a nice house when at time you seem so opposed to buying yourself new things."

"Do you not like everything I get you?" he asked looking puzzled.

"No I do, and I know we have money, though not a lot since your muggle librarian job doesn't pay much, but I just wish you'd stop spending some of that money on things you buy me like random chocolate frogs and parchment and buy yourself something nice instead. I love you Dad, you deserve it." I got up and wrapped my arms around his waist and pushed myself closer to him.

"I love you too Gabrielle," he said and kissed the top of my head, "you remind me so much of your mother its quite scary actually." He said and chuckled. "Such a kind heart, only looking for the best in others and making sure others have what they need. What a refreshing trait to see in such a young person." He looked at the food and then back at me, "now sit down and tuck in if you want to be finished eating before Ginny gets here."

I nodded my head and began to eat. My father then sat down next to me and ate too. Before long we both were done and heard the floo fire up. Ginny was here!

"GINNY!" I said excitedly and ran into my living room.

"GABRIELLE!" She exclaimed, and we embraced. "Happy birthday!" Ginny continued.

"Thanks Gin," I said, "I can't believe I'm eleven already."

"I know," she replied, "I can't believe you'll be at Hogwarts next year, I'm quite jealous. With you and Ron and the twins gone, I'll be all by myself."

"Aw Ginny, I'm sure it won't be that bad. And you just reminded me of something." I told her. Then I turned to my father, who was washing dishes in the kitchen. "Follow me Gin, I need to ask my Dad something."

She nodded her head and followed me into the kitchen. My father saw us and began to speak.

"Good afternoon ladies! Hello there Ginny, how are you?" He said.

"Hi Mr. Lupin, I'm quite brilliant, actually." Ginny replied brightly.

"Oh Ginny dear, I told you that you can call me Remus, Mr. Lupin makes me feel old." He replied.

"Opps, sorry Remus." She said and blushed.

"It's quite alright. And Gabrielle, I believe you came in here for a reason?" he looked at me questioningly.

"Oh, yes," I said, "Ginny here, reminded me that I haven't received my Hogwarts letter yet? Do you happen to know if I got it?" I asked.

"As a matter a fact I," he started but was cut off by a gray, tawny owl flying in through our kitchen window. I looked at the owl and smiled. It was a Hogwarts owl!

"Dad! Dad! It's a Hogwarts owl!" I said excitedly.

"Open the letter Gab!" Ginny said, just as excited as I. I grabbed the letter and scanned it.

Miss Gabrielle Lupin

The Kitchen of Bluebell Cottage

Epping Forest, Essex

The next thing I did was carefully open the letter. I pulled it out and read it in front of my Dad and Ginny.

Dear Miss Lupin,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been given a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary supplies. We await your owls by no later than July 31.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Dad! Dad!" I said, handing him the letter, "Please, please, please, please send them my owl! I want to go to Hogwarts!"

"I will Gab, slow down, why don't you and Ginny run off and find something to do and as soon as I finish cleaning up lunch I will send it. Don't worry. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both know that you'll be going. After all, haven't you been to Hogwarts twice already? During full moons? You know that there's no other question to what school you might go to. Your name has been on that list since the day you were born."

"Yes I know, and I've only been to Hogwarts on full moons when I was a baby, so I don't remember much of it." I just shrugged, and then turned to Ginny. "You want to go fly around the meadow?" I asked her.

"Sure!" She said,

As we ran to the door I could faintly hear my father's instructions of 'Be careful!'. I knew this was going to be a great birthday.