Author's Note: See Chapter 1 for disclaimer

Chapter 2: Aftermath

Nathaniel Lupin was looking forward to spending the evening with his family after a long day at work. His plans were cut short, however, as he listened to the urgent fire call of a young girl. The auror, upon hearing the words death eaters attacking Devon and that the girl was trapped in her own home, immediately summoned all available aurors, including the head of auror division and his partner, Henry Potter. He relayed the girl, Jamie's, message to them.

Within a mere few minutes, a small team led by Mr. Lupin apparated just outside of 11 Coombe Valley Road with the mission of rescuing the girl. The other aurors were given the assignment of helping the rest of Devon. Even outside the residence they could hear her shrieks of agony and pain. They sneaked upstairs just in time to hear one of the death eaters say evilly, "Ready for another five minutes of fun boys? Cru-"

He never got the chance to finish that curse because Nathaniel stunned him in the middle of the incantation. The team followed suite and stunned the other four. Closer inspection revealed these men were Regiwald Malfoy, Demetrius Avery, Bertram Nott, Ignatius Black and Ferdinand Lestrange. Auror Lupin led Jamie out of the residence where promptly fainted in his arms. He took a portkey to St. Mungo's as it was the fastest possible way. He could've apparated them there, but it was dangerous to apparate with a barely conscious or an unconscious being. There was a high possibility that he might splinch both of them if he tried side-along apparition.

The healers swarmed her at the emergency room and told him to wait in the waiting area. A few minutes later, the healer in charge of her came out. When he inquired about her condition, Healer Montgomery replied optimistically, "She'll be alright. Her body collapsed because the aftereffect pain of the Cruciatus Curse was too much for her body to handle. She should be up and about when the pain relieving potion we've injected into her starts doing its thing, which would be any second now. All that needs to be done is to have the release papers signed, and then she's free to go."

"May I go see her for myself? I'm afraid we didn't get a chance to find out what happened this evening before she passed out."

"I don't see why not. She's on the bed next to the window in recovery ward 1. Call me the moment she wakes."

Lupin stepped into the ward and made his way to here bed. He could see that she was starting to regain her consciousness. It took a while, but she managed to open her eyes. The first thing out of her mouth was a confused, "Where am I?". Nathaniel Lupin chose that moment to speak up. "Ah, I see you're awake. You're at St. Mungo's Hospital. I'm the one answered your fire call."

"Sir, has anybody seen or heard from an Elizabeth Shite? She has black hair, blue eyes. She's about 5'8."

"I'm not quite sure if anybody's seen or heard from her. Is there any particular reason why you're looking for her?"

"She's my aunt. She went out an hour before the attack and I haven't seen or heard from her since."

"I see-" Lupin began, but was interrupted by Healer Montgomery coming back to check on Jamie.

"Mr. Lupin. Did I not tell you to come and get me the very second she wakes! I need to check to see whether she's fit to be released or not." She scolded him sternly.

"My apologies, Miss Montgomery." Tuning to Jamie he continued, "If you'll excuse me, I'll go and see about your aunt." He was just at the point of shutting the door when Jamie called out to him, half pleading and half desperate.

"Mr. Lupin, sir, please find my aunt. She's all I have left." With the briefest of nods, he closed the door behind him and apparated away to the ministry.

Nathaniel, just to get the worst over with, checked the dead persons list first. He was thankful that there was no Elizabeth Shite there.

He checked both the injured and missing lists, but there was still no sign of Elizabeth Shite. He went to the front desk to add her to the ever growing list of missing people. He realized that with her aunt nowhere to be found at the present, Jamie had no place to go.

"Nat, how's it going?"

"Hey, Henry. Just looking for one of the victim's aunt. Poor girl doesn't have anywhere to spend the night. Said her aunt is the only one she has."

"Where is she right now?"

"At St. Mungo's. She's been put under Cruciatus by Malfoy and his cronies. I managed to get her out of the house but she collapsed before we could get her to safety. Fortunately, it seems that the effects are minor enough to allow her to be released this very evening."

"Right. Would it be alright if she stayed with you for a while, Nat? Not permanently. Just until we find her aunt or figure out who gets custody of her."

"Sure, I don't see why not. I was thinking about asking her anyway. I better get back to her though. She's very concerned about her aunt."

"I'll leave you to it then."

With another pop Nat disapparated into St. Mungo's, just outside of Jamie's ward. He knocked and came in when he acquired permission. From the looks of things, Jamie was ready to leave the hospital. Healer Montgomery was still with her, helping her up. She diagnosed that Jamie would not suffer any long term effects. However, she would be sore and tired for the next few days. After signing the release papers, the healer left, leaving Mr. Lupin alone with the young girl.

"Jamie, I'm afraid your aunt is still no where to be found. I realize that you don't have anyone to stay with at the moment, so I have an invitation for you."

"An invitation for what, sir?"

"Would you like to stay with my family until we find your aunt? I have a son who's about your age. You might enjoy talking to him."

"Thank you for your kindness, sir. I guess that due to my current situation, I've no choice but to accept your invitation. Not that I meant to sound rude or ungrateful."

"It's alright. Since we've never been properly introduced, let me introduce myself. My name is Nathaniel Kenneth Lupin. Nice to meet you, Jamie."

"And my name is Jamie Catherine Hampton. Nice to meet you too, Mr. Lupin."

"Please call me Nat. Everyone does. Mr. Lupin makes me feel old. Besides, I'm only thirty-seven years old."

"Ok, M-er…Nat."

With the formalities aside, they disapparated to the gates of Lupin Manor.