A/N : Nothing's mine.
December 1943 - England, The Minister for Magic's office
With a loud "bang" and a green lightning, a man appeared in Minister Lazarus Cornwall's fireplace. Outside, it was nearing dusk, and the office, barely lit with a few candles, was a little grim. Behind his desk, minister Cornwall was sitting, a quill in his hand, writing on papers that looked like official documents. He finally raised his head and nodded to the newcomer with a weary sigh.
The man came from the shadows in plain sight. He was a short blond man, slightly limping as he slowly approached the minister, with piercing blue eyes that were currently half closed in exhaustion. He was clad in a military outfit that made him seem slightly out of place, as it was a German uniform. Yet, the minister didn't seem to pay attention to that detail, and he motioned for the blond man to have a seat.
"My dear Rommel, you are most welcome. Long travel ?" Cornwall asked politely to his guest.
"Yes", Erwin Rommel answered, in a heavily accented voice. "I myself have a hard time believing it, but they do not have chimneys in Africa."
The minister managed a tired smile, but the blond man shook his head impatiently.
"Minister", he said, "I would appreciate some explanations. I was not supposed to come here in the first place, and it could blow my cover."
"I apologize for that", Cornwall said stiffly. "But it is important."
"I would hope so", the German murmured dryly.
His tone was not very deferent, but he was exhausted enough as it was and didn't care much. Besides, he was not technically under Cornwall's authority, so he could pretty much say whatever he wanted. Yet, he had to be careful ; he needed the English minister for magic's help almost as much as the other man needed his. That was the reason he had agreed to come, in spite of the danger. That and the fact that the Minister would not have asked him to come if it hadn't been important.
"I take it you are in a hurry, so we will get directly to the reason of my summoning you. There are two things I need your help with ; first, the confirmation of some intel we have been gathering, but from agents we do not trust entirely. That intel is critical and we need to know now if it is reliable. Numerous lives could depend on it."
"I understand", Rommel nodded. "What about the second thing ?"
"One of our companies is blocked in Lybia. Their captain is a wizard, and we need to get him back."
Rommel raised an eyebrow at that.
"You are asking me to take that much risks to save one wizard ?" he asked in disbelief.
"Well, yes", Cornwall said irritably. "He is an important asset. Lots of people believe he might be one of the few that could confront Grindelwald and hold against him more than thirty seconds."
"Of course, if the rumor has it that he is our savior, I could not do less than help him", Rommel ansered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Oh, please !" the Minister groaned. "Today has been trying enough as it is. Will you do it ?"
"I will look at the informations you want me to check. About your captain, I will see what I can do, but no promise."
"I understand, but keep in mind we need him alive and well", Cornwall said in a commanding tone. "His name is Albus Dumbledore. On this paper, you've got his last known localisation... that's not too far from your Headquarters, I believe. The man does not really have the soul of a military man, but I'm sure you'll get along with him if you get to know him."
The Minister pulled out of a drawer a bunch of papers, which he gave to Rommel.
"Here are the informations we want you to check. If you will."
The German officer nodded and took the papers. He opened the folder and started to read what was inside. Then he took a quill on the Minister's desk, without asking him for it, and added a few details on a page, before turning it.
Cornwall watched him proceed for a few minutes, then silently stood up and left the office. He then entered his secretary's office, in which was waiting a black haired seventeen years old boy. Lazarus had his doubts about involving someone as youg as he was in this war, but he was a logical choice, for many reasons. And the boy had willingly offered to help once he had been told what was expected of him.
When the minister entered, the boy stood up at once, his green eyes shining in the dark room.
"Riddle, my dear boy, I want to thank you again for accepting this mission in spite of the many dangers..."
"Yes, yes", the boy cut impatiently and without much respect. He corrected himself almost at once, though. "Please pardon me, Minister. I am a little nervous. May I be introduced ?"
"Why, certainly, my boy. And your nervousness is understandable. Come."
The Minister led Tom Riddle to his office, in which Rommel was finishing to check the file. The German added still a few remarks before putting the file back on the desk. He then turned to face Cornwall.
"Most of it was reliable", he said. "There was a lack of details on some aspects, but depending on the rank of your informer it is understandable."
"I am glad to hear it", Cornwall nodded, then gestured towards Riddle. "May I introduce to you Tom Marvolo Riddle ? Tom Riddle, this is Feldmarschal Erwin Rommel, whom you've heard of."
"Mr. Riddle", Rommel nodded politely.
"Feldmarschal", Riddle answered respectfully.
He didn't say more, but his tone was eloquent enough. Rommel appreciated the lack of flattery. He felt the utmost contempt for those trying to get favors by abject flattering. He studied the boy ; Riddle seemed to be around eighteen, though his cold green eyes made him look slightly older. He was tall and lean, and quite handsome.
But more than that, Rommel felt in him a great power, something both chilling and inspiring. Oh, well, he was tired and probably imagining things. The moment passed, and then Riddle was just a teen with a piercing green gaze.
"May I ask for what reason you brought here Mr. Riddle tonight ?" Rommel finally asked, as the Minister offered no explanation.
"Of course", Cornwall nodded. "As I know it is difficult for you to pass information, and even more to come to that kind of impromptu meeting; I thought that would be a good thing for you to have an agent that could take care of that for you, and would be a little less conspicuous."
Rommel stared at the Minister as if he had gone insane.
"Excuse me, Minister. You are giving me an assistant ?!"
"Now, I would not put it that way", protested weakly Cornwall.
"I do not care how you put it", Rommel hissed. "If I need help, I will find my own men, thank you very much. No offense, Mr. Riddle", he added with the utmost courtesy.
Far from being disgruntled, Riddle had a slight smile, as if he considered the scene very amusing. As a matter of fact, he did ; seeing Minister Cornwall intimidated like that was worth watching. What a pity he did not have a camera...
"None taken", he assured the German officer.
"I must protest", Cornwall exclaimed. "Do you not trust us ?"
"This is not a matter of trust", Rommel retorted blankly.
"Yes it is", the Minister replied. "Tom Riddle knows Albus Dumbledore and will be able to recognize him if need be. He also speaks almost fluent German, and he is a very gifted young man. I'm positive you will find his assistance very helpful."
Rommel glared at the Minister. He didn't like... no, actually, he loathed being ordered around, especially by a stubborn and arrogant Englishman like Cornwall. But he was in a bit of a quandary as he definitely needed the Minister's help. Annoyed, the German checked his watch.
"I need to be going", he said.
"Riddle is going with you", Cornwall insisted.
"Fine", Rommel said stiffly. "But I will send him back if I feel like it, and you will not say a thing about it. Do we have an agreement ?"
"Yes", sighed the Minister. "We do. Thank you for your help."
"Keep your thanks. I am not doing it for you."
"We already talked about that", Cornwall said, shrugging. "We are still grateful for the lives you contribute to save."
Rommel scowled and motioned for Tom to follow him. They headed to the fireplace and took some chimney powder.
"Scheinacht Castle", he said after throwing the powder in the hearth.
He arrived a few seconds later, ashes in his blond hair, and he cleared the fireplace so as to let Riddle arrive. The boy appeared only seconds later, and came out of the hearth, looking all around him with curiosity.
"Where are we ? In Germany ?" he asked.
At least, he wasn't thickheaded, Rommel thought. But if Cornwall was enough of a moron to try and impose him an assistant, he still was clever enough so as not to give him a stupid assistant... And it was better that way, for Rommel did not feel very patient at the moment.
"Yes", he nodded. As I told Minister Cornwall, there are not many chimneys on Africa. Not that they would need them."
"Then how do they do to move from one place to another ?" the boy asked, seemingly honestly curious.
"They have other means. I might show you, if we get the chance. For now, we will Apparate in Africa. Let's hope my men are not looking for me. I told them I was going on a walk, but it has been a notably long walk. Which is the reason why we are going to Apparate a little further from my Headquarters."
"I understand, sir."
"Do you have your Apparating licence yet ?" Rommel inquired.
"Not really", the boy smirked. "But as I am able to do it anyway, the Minister gave me a special authorisation today."
Rommel showed no surprise, though it was impressive for such a young wizard to have mastered the art of Apparition without taking the mandatory classes. And it was also proof he had practiced, which was both dangerous and illegal. Truth to be told, Rommel did not care. As law-abiding as he was, this was a time of war, and he would take advantage of his subordinates' abilities, regardless of what they had done to master their skills.
"Good. You will need it. But as you don't know where my headquarters are, nor how to pass round the wards, I will Apparate us both. Before we go, though, we have to take care of your cover. I cannot just take you to my Headquarters and claim I found you in the desert."
"Actually, I have already thought about it", Riddle said. "I believe I have a solution."
Rommel waited, but when it became obvious the teen was not going to volunteer, he scowled some more. "Well ? Out with it !"
"I will hide under some Disillusionment spell, and tomorrow I will "arrive" to your headquarters, to be under your orders. I am certain you could forge convincing papers."
"Hmm", Rommel nodded thoughtfully. "Not a bad idea... With some improvement, it might work."
"Improvement, sir ?" Riddle asked in a slightly offended tone, as if he felt insulted that someone could improve an idea of his. Amused, Rommel acquiesced.
"You will be... hmm, say you will be my nephew. That way, no one will dare ask too much questions."
Now getting his new superior's idea, Tom started to smile. He liked it all the more since it would give him more power. As Rommel's nephew, he would have a lot of influence.
"So I will be Tom Rommel, sir ?"
"No. That is too uncommon a name, and I do not want some Gestapo or Gezaupo zealous officer who would look into it to find too easily you are not really a blood relative of mine. You will be... let's see... Tom Ritter. That is close enough to your real name, so you will not have problems answering to it."
"Very well, sir", Riddle nodded, obviously satisfied with his new name.
"We will go now. I have been away way too long already."
Tom nodded and held out his hand for Rommel to take it. He didn't like much touching people, and usually kept a safe distance with them, but in that case he did not have much of a choice. Rommel's hand was cold, but dry and farm.
"Now", the German added, "keep in mind most of my staff are Muggles and do not know anything about us. So, be careful what you say in their presence, and hide carefully your wand."
"Understood."
"Not very talkative, are you ?" Rommel's lips twisted suddenly in a smile. "Off we go."
They Disapparated with a loud "bang".