July 1969
Even at the age of 8 Emma White knew her life wasn't that great. She just moved from London to Yorkshire with her father and older sister, Sasha. All because of some accident at her school. It was not her fault that suddenly all the bully's lost their hair. Or that some strange wind carried her on top of the roof when she was running from them. Okay, maybe she did wish her report card would disappear, but her teacher was going to call her dad. And suddenly all the report cards were gone. It coulndt be all her fault right? Her father didn't have the time for that nonsense so they just moved. Her father, Richard, was a big, muscular man, who worked at the local high school as a gym teacher. He had short blond hair and a mean face. And even a meaner punch. Sasha was the best sister she could ever wish for. Three years older than her and always tried to protect her from their father. Sasha had long black hair which she inherited from their mother, while Emma inherited their father's blond hair. Richard always pushed his daughters to be the best at any sport. When Sasha showed talent in boxing she was instantly signed up for every match and training. Sasha often came home from a match with bruises on bruises. And then their father took her to the roof and made her train more. Emma had to try multiple sports, preferably a martial art. In the end it became clear she had talent in archery. Their father had them training from dusk till dawn on the weekend.
Everything changed however when they moved to Yorkshire. They lived in a small house with two floors. The house had a living room and a small kitchen. On the next level were two bedrooms and a bathroom. One for Richard and one for Sasha and Emma. From their window they could see the neighbours house and look strayed in a bedroom. The only thing that was separating the two houses was a big oak tree. They had a small yard but not big enough to train in. And the neighbours could see everything that happened in the yard so her father couldn't train them like usual. That's why they would go 4 times a week to a training field just outside of Yorkshire. Here dad would make them train twice as hard to compensate.
Emma was unpacking a box with clothes in their bedroom when she first saw the strange boy. Emma and Sasha didn't have much clothes so everything fit in one box and one closet. She was almost done when she looked out of the window and saw someone at the neighbours house. The boy was in the bedroom across from her. He had sandy blond hair and looked a little bit older than her. He was rummaging thru a box on his bed. At least Emma thought it was his bed. She stood up and walked to the window. When she was almost at the window he suddenly looked up and looked at her. He looked shocked and quickly closed the curtains. Emma stood there for a couple more seconds wondering about that strange boy. Then she shrugged and continued with unpacking her clothing. She had to pick up the pace. In half an hour she had to stand at the ready for training.
The second time she saw the strange boy was outside. She was walking down from school when she saw him sitting on the swings at the neighbour park. He was sitting alone and looking ahead. When she came closer, he suddenly turned around and looked at her. For a moment she could swear his eyes turned golden. But when she blinked they were green. They stood there just looking at each other. Then Emma started talking 'you are the boy from next door'. The boy looked at her terrified. Then slowly he nodded his head. 'My name is Emma White, who are you?' she said while thrusting out her hand. Her mother had always said 'when you introduce yourself always give a strong handshake' The boy looked at her hand, then at her again and back to her hand. Then finally he took her hand and shook it. 'I'm Remus Lupin' Emma smiled and dat next to him on the swings. 'what where ya looking at' she looked ahead and just saw a family having a picnic. The little girl was laughing with her father. Emma scuffed. Like a dad could me nice, every dad was probably like hers. 'nothing' the boy, Remus said. He looked a little bit sheepish. For a couple of minutes they just dat there. Then Emma's stomach growled. And Remus laughed a bit. Emma shot him a look that made him cough. He put his hand in the pocket of his trousers and pulled out a piece of chocolate then offered it to her. 'do you want a piece? It's my last' she looked at it. When was the last time she had a piece of chocolate? She looked at him thinking he was testing her or something. When she saw him give her a small smile, she slowly took the piece. When she took a bite, she was shocked. Did chocolate always taste this good? After this they slowly started to talk. Then play, who could swing the highway, jump the farthest and land the best. When the sun started to set they were on fast track to become best friends. They walked back to their houses. When they stood in front of her house they agreed to meet the next day. The whole summer they played together. It turned out Remus was just half a year older than her. While he turned 10 in march she would in october.
That is how Emma White met het best friends and upperclassmen Remus Lupin. Years later she wondered if her life would be the same if she just kept walking that day. Would she still be a single mother? Would he still betray his friends? Would she still feel this lonely? Would she still be hunted because of her bloodstatus or would she just be someone in the crowd?