Claudia is one of the only people who was ever close to understand Armand.
They're both very similar. That's one of the reason I think Armand was so horrible to Claudia. She might've reminded him of himself as a younger vampire - both described as angel-like (cherubic botticelli angel look-alike meets perfect little china doll) and made at a very young age. Like Armand, Claudia is a strong vampire. Not only did she fight off the mind control of vampires thrice her age during the trial, but you can also hear Lestat say it (you have no idea of Claudia's strength) and Louis say it (you don't know her [strength]). Claudia's strength gives her sheer willpower to rise up and stand up for herself.
Armand, however, does not do this. Although he is a powerful vampire, he does not stand up for anything. He didn't fight when he was captured by the Children of Satan. He let them send him to Paris to take over the coven. He didn't leave the Paris coven when he got tired of it all. He doesn't do anything because he's insecure and scared of losing everything. But Claudia isn't scared. Claudia is confident.
Armand is incredibly jealous. Yes, Claudia was Louis' companion, yes she was Lestat's fledgling. Yes, yes. But Claudia was the Armand that he was never given the chance to be. Claudia was the child vampire that her maker believed in, that her maker cherished. She was loved by her maker (even if she didn't know). Armand, however, was abandoned by his maker. He was left on his own accord, seen as his maker's worst mistake - something to discard and forget.
Two sides of the same coin.
Armand who wishes to leave the coven, but can't. Claudia who wishes to leave the coven, and does. Claudia who leaves, who is free little birdie Lu's caught in a trap but she's flapping her wings and getting free. Armand who is trapped in his own history and stays am I the history I have endured? am I the job I do not want?
Claudia was who Armand couldn't be.
