Collateral Damage

Remus awoke with a jolt, the wind that was howling outside was shrill and unrelenting. Bright streams of light were shining in through his small bedroom window. The diamond shaped panes, with their leaded bars, drew a never-ending cross pattern across the floor spilling onto the bed. Remus realized that the sun would only be reaching the bed if it was mid-morning, and if it was mid-morning then he was late to depart with the rest of the guard to the Berkleys'. Hastily, he jumped out of bed, got ready, and threw a few changes of clothes into a bag for the journey. Although this was not the first mission he has been on, the butterflies in his stomach made it feel like it was his first. It was his first mission without Sirius around. It was the first mission as the last Marauder. He paused before putting on his robe, the thought of being the last Marauder in the Order enveloping his thoughts. Just as quickly as it struck him, he banished the thought from his mind, and after a few short minutes, he made his way towards Dumbledore's office.

He was walking briskly; he had slept in far too long. On his way, a swirl of white brought his attention to the Infirmary. As he took a moment to investigate, he quickly discovered the reason: the wind was sweeping through the Infirmary and a few papers were blowing around in the strong spring breeze. One such piece of paper whipped around the room and smacked Remus in the face. He peeled it off his face and headed over to Poppy to give it back to her. He had to get to Dumbledore's office to portkey to Mr. Berkley's estate. Poppy was arranging her paperwork and at the same time directing the folding of the extra bed sheets, as well as the many beds being made. Remus noticed that she appeared to be rather vexed, so he approached with caution.

"I believe this is yours," he said, handing the paper back to Poppy.

"Thank you, Remus," Poppy replied exasperated. "I opened the windows to air out this place and look what happens! It blows a gale."

"Well, the wind isn't so bad. It will keep everyone outside cool."

Poppy huffed, "There is Quidditch today, and as a result of the wind there will be more injuries."

Remus nodded, knowing better then to interrupt the nurse.

"Fine time of year this is," she grumbled. "Near the end of the year, with Voldemort out there. Fine time to be understaffed, just asking for an attack we are. What am I suppose to do if there is one?" With that Poppy flicked her wand and all the windows slammed shut.

Remus shifted on his feet uncomfortably. "Well, Poppy, I'm sure that there is enough staff here to provide a front until reinforcements come. Besides, those who are away with the Order can come back just as quickly as we left, if it came to that. And as for caring for the injured, you and you assistant will be sure to hold down the fort."

Poppy just stared at him. "My assistant has been called away on urgent business," she retorted, bitterly.

"Oh, well, I'm sure everything will be fine. We're just a Floo away. My apologies, I must leave you now or else I will be even later."

"Yes, Remus. You're right. Take care."

Remus shouted out a "Take care" as he made his way out the door and disappeared around the corner. Yet again, he was on his way to Dumbledore's office. Heading down the countless corridors and up the staircase, he remembered his days as a Professor at Hogwarts. Teaching at Hogwarts had been one of the best times in his recent memory, and yet, in the three years things had changed so much. Peter had been discovered as the traitor; Sirius had returned and then was so quickly taken away. Remus sighed; he was alone again. He was accustomed to being alone, and he could handle it very nicely. However, when he became surrounded by old memories, sentimentally would start creeping into his psyche.

At the top of the stairs he briskly walked down the corridor to the entrance guarded by a gargoyle statue.

"Acid Pop."

The statue moved aside and the staircase heading up to the Headmaster's office was revealed. Upon entering the office, Remus saw that he was not the last person to arrive. Tonks was still not present. Curious, he decided to inquire.

"Where's Tonks?"

"We decided to travel in stages, to lessen the odds of the guard being decimated in an attack," Alastor started. "So Tonks and Claire Desjardins went ahead, and I had to wait for you." Alastor raised his head, his non-magical eye looking down his nose at Remus.

Remus shifted on his feet. "Sorry about that, I took a dreamless sleep potion last night.

"It's alright," Alastor replied gruffly. "But next time you should not take any at all the night before a mission. We can't afford to have you sleeping in while there could be an attack."

At this moment Dumbledore stepped in, holding a pen in his hand. "This is the Portkey that will take you to the Berkley Manor." He handed Alastor the pen, and Remus took a hold of the other end. Dumbledore pointed his wand at the pen, muttered, "Portus", and at that moment Remus felt the familiar tug behind his navel. The scene around him passed in a blur. When everything calmed down, he found himself standing in the middle of someone's study.

The walls had dark green wallpaper to them, with a rich gold pattern on them. There was a mahogany desk in front of a wall of books. To the left of the desk there was a window facing barren land. It looked like the Manor was situated on some moors. Facing the desk there were two burgundy leather chairs and on one side of the door there was a tapestry showing a family tree. Remus turned to look around the room and was greeted with a handshake from a middle-aged man with a moustache and navy robes. The weariness was etched into the wrinkles on his hollow face and around his eyes. His eyes were awash with relief, knowing that his family would be protected from the dark wizards. It appeared that many sleepless nights for this man had preceded this moment. He smiled at the newcomers, clearly grateful for their arrival.

The man reached his hand out and shook Alastor and Remus' hands warmly. "Hello, I am Edmund Berkley, thank you for agreeing to guard me and my family."

"I'm Alastor Moody," Alastor said, his magical eye taking in the room.

"Remus Lupin." Remus returned the handshake.

"Let's get down to business," Alastor started. "I take it that Tonks and Claire are checking the grounds?'

"Yes, they said that they were only going to check the grounds close to the house before you arrived," replied Mr. Berkley. He gestured towards the open door, a sitting room visible on the other side of the hall.

"Excellent. We'll go and meet them outside," Alastor said, turning towards the door. They made their way through the elegant country house, beautiful yet comfortable furniture decorated every room. Children's books and toys were scattered in with the rooms' proper belongings. There were paintings of the Berkleys' ancestors on the walls. They would smile and wave at the group as the passed. They entered the kitchen, a large room with a large oak table immediately on the right-hand side and the heavy wooden door on the left. Alastor made his way towards the door, commenting that Tonks and Claire must be nearly done checking the grounds.

As Alastor walked ahead of him, through the elegant country house, a realization occurred to Remus. He asked, "Who is Claire?"

"She's a healer we brought on to join the Order. To be close to the Order she works as an assistant to Poppy at Hogwarts. Didn't you know?"

"Didn't know what?" said a chipper voice. Remus and Alastor turned to see Tonks standing behind them with Claire.

"He didn't know that Kingsley got an infection from his earring and had to take it out," Alastor replied quickly.

"Why would Remus care about that?" asked Tonks walking by them checking the wards on the windows.

"Well, you see, Remus has been toying with the idea of getting his own earring, and I was just telling the lad the possible problems along the way."

"I am not!" Remus replied indigently, but with a smile he added, "I have enough scars and damage done to my body, I don't need to willingly inflict any on myself."

Alastor huffed and Tonks laughed. Claire just smiled and she checked the wards on the roof; Remus froze. He normally did not bring up his lycanthropy with strangers. His mood automatically turned and he went off to check the wards around the front of the brick country house, as well as the wards on the field nearby. He was out there for quite a while until he saw a figure walking towards him; it was Claire. She had her arm up shielding her eyes from the setting sun, and was obviously squinting in his direction. Sighing, Remus made his way towards her. They met each other halfway, and Remus stood in such a way that his shadow fell across her face, lessening her need to squint.

"Dinner's ready," she told him.

Turning to head back towards the house, Remus walked by her side, "Excellent, I'm starving. Who made it?"

"Tonks," she replied sternly.

"Mmm. Is it burnt?"

"Charred."

"Ah. I see." Having eaten Tonks' cooking, he was wondering if Mr. Berkley had any dogs he could feed his dinner to.

Seeing Remus' less than enthusiastic reaction to a charred dinner, Claire told him, "I'm kidding. Mrs. Berkley made the dinner. It's not burnt but if we don't hurry up we won't get to eat because it will be all gone."

Her pace increased and Remus sped up also. For a moment he wondered if she was trying to get away from him. As they reached the door to the dining room, she turned to look at Remus.

"I already knew you are a werewolf, so it's not like you just let it slip out."

He just looked at her as she sat down beside one of the small Berkley children. The dinner was very pleasant. The meal itself was quite filling, and although the guard was there for protection, the atmosphere at the table was warm and inviting. By the time the conversation had died down, the little girl, Lesley, had fallen asleep at the table with her head resting on Tonks' arm. The rest of the diners decided that it was time to settle in for the night. Mrs. Berkley carried Lesley off to her room, and Remus and Alastor decided to do a quick tour of the grounds before bed. Tonks and Claire turned in for the night, as they had checked the grounds earlier that day.

The grounds were difficult to walk on at night; the terrain was not as flat the further away from the Manor. Alastor and Remus were gone for sometime before they returned. They replaced the wards on the back door and headed to the bedrooms. Alastor turned into a room in the first floor before the staircase, leaving Remus to head upstairs for his slumber. When Remus reached the first door, he knocked, and heard nothing so he entered. But no sooner did he enter he saw that the room was already occupied. The moonlight shone through a space in the curtains and landed on a sleeping Tonks. Remus turned and shut the door quietly. The next door led him to a much darker room. He could make out a grand bed, with posts and hangings. He listened for a moment and he could not hear anyone in the room. He slipped his shoes off and made his way towards the bed. Suddenly he felt a warm presence near him, but before he had any more time to react, he felt the sharp prod of a wand against his throat.