Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. They are the property of JK Rowling.
"Albus! Potter is alive! We found him!" yelled Professor McGonagall. Upon hearing the news from her old friend Elizabeth Chang she stormed to the Headmaster's office.
"How do you know Minerva?" asked Dumbledore.
"I couldn't believe it but Elizabeth saw him. He's in the United States!" yelled McGonagall.
"I had a feeling he would not be anywhere close by. But tell me how did she find him?"
"Well as you know, her husband David is a General in their muggle Air Force. They have military schools there just like we have magic schools. David was asked to come speak at their Air Force Academy graduation so naturally he brought his family along. Potter was one of the student's graduating from their muggle Academy. Potter changed his name to James and hid his scar but Cho Chang managed to recognize him."
"Interesting turn of events. I never would have guessed that he would decide to live a muggle life and join the muggle military. He must have been hiding in the base all these years. It is no wonder that Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Granger have not been able to find him."
"I will alert them immediately!" said McGonagall
"Minerva, please tell them not to hassle him too quickly. He did leave for a reason. Now that we have found him we don't want him abandoning his life and running again. We might not be so fortunate next time."
"As you wish Albus." McGonagall turned and left down the stairs from which she came. Dumbledore sat at his desk and couldn't help but smile. "It's time to come home Harry."
**************************************
Harry laid on his bed thinking. He could hear everyone outside with their families and here he was all alone. His parents have been dead since the age of one. He left all his friends behind him back in his old life. "James Potter has no mother, no father, no wife, or children. All I have is a few muggle friends, but right now I wont rob them of their happiness with their families," said Harry to himself. "Why did I have to hurt her like that? It was hard enough leaving her once. I had to turn my back on her today. She needs to move on and be happy that I'm gone. I never did any good for anybody. Do I still love her?"
**************************************
Cho was in tears and apparated back to her apartment in Los Angeles, California. She tried to quickly clean herself up so she could get back before her father noticed that she was gone. "Be strong Cho. You must be strong. I know you can convince him to come home!" said Cho to herself. "But what if he doesn't want to come home? What if he doesn't care about us anymore? What if he doesn't even love me anymore?" Cho dread this thought.
She sat there and pondered these questions until she realized she had been gone for over an hour and quickly apparated back to the Academy.
***************************************
That night Harry went to party with the rest of his classmates. This was the ultimate celebration of four years of hard work. They were ready to party harder than they ever did in their lives.
"Hey man glad you could make it!" said Carlos as Harry walked in. "Hey ya'll the wing commander is here!" There was uproar of cheers all across the room. There were random comments such as "You the man James!" James walked across the room and shook random hands as he put on a happy façade for everyone. "Hey man let me introduce you to that blond over there," said Carlos looking over at a cute blond girl. She was kind of short but petite and perky. She was quite good looking in Harry's opinion.
"No really it's ok," said Harry.
"Ah come on James. I've known you for four years and I've never even once seen you with a woman. Your not gay are you?"
"Hah! No Carlos I haven't' met anyone that's my type."
"How do you know that blond aint your type? I heard she's pretty innocent *cough cough* if you know what I mean. I'm sure she's just waiting for the right Wing Commander to take her. Seeing as how you're the only Wing Commander around here.yeah." Carlos gave Harry a wink which he completely ignored."
"Well you were my Vice Wing Commander therefore a Wing Commander so why don't you just relax and have a good time." Harry now noticed that the blond was looking at him and started making her way over. Carlos also noticed this.
"Hah! I see she already has her eye on you. I'll leave you two alone to get acquainted," said Carlos once again giving Harry a wink. Harry now was feeling nervous as he turned to face the blond girl. He noticed that she was pretty good looking and that skirt seemed a little too short for her.
"Hey there!" said the blond.
"Hi, I'm James," replied Harry.
"I know who you are. You seem quite popular among the group," said the blond showing her pearly white teeth. "I'm Anne by the way, but you can call me anytime," said Anne flirtatiously. Harry couldn't help but smile.
"So you want to grab a drink or something?" asked Harry trying to change the subject.
"Sure, we can do anything you want," she said flashing her eyebrows. She then led him over to the coolers and proceeded in taking out two beers until Harry stopped her.
"I don't think you need any of that stuff tonight," he said giving her a smile. "I don't drink." She looked at him as if stunned but didn't argue. Instead they just grabbed ice tea and went outside. "So what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" she asked obviously confused at his question.
"I mean you don't look like an Air Force Academy cadet, so how did you get onto the base?"
"Oh! My sister just graduated from here so I came with the family. That's enough about me lets talk about you," she eyed him again.
"No I would really like to know more about you," said Harry. "Who is your sister?" She looked as if she was getting irritated with all his questions.
"I don't know if you know her but her name is Brenda McMillan."
"Yeah I know her. She was my Executive Officer. Quite the looker as she had every guy here looking at her," said Harry chuckling.
"Well I am her sister," said Anne scooting closer to Harry. He was getting a bit nervous now. "You know I'm getting a little cold James. Maybe you could warm me up a bit." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Then she started really getting into it. Harry had to practically pry her off.
"How old are you?" asked Harry.
"I'm 19," said Anne who was obviously annoyed with his actions. From her tone of voice she was not pleased at all.
"Call me in a few years," said Harry smiling. "You need to mature and learn that sex isn't everything there is to a relationship." She looked stunned at his comment. No one had ever walked away from her before.
"Wait a minute! You don't want to get into my pants?" she asked with an amazed look on her face.
"No," replied Harry calmly. "I need more than just sex." She now looked angry.
"Well I wasn't about to give my virginity to you anyways. And you can't walk away from me like that. No guy has ever walked away from me! I do the walking!" yelled Anne who was furious and confused at the same time. He could not help but laugh on the inside, but kept a straight face.
"I'm sure I'll see you around," said Harry. "It was nice meeting you though. We can still be friends. And if I were you I would be careful. There are a lot of guys here that want to get into your pants if that's not what you want." He then stood up and walked back to the party leaving her behind to try to figure things out.
"What happened to that blond?" asked Carlos when Harry got back.
"She wasn't my type," replied Harry with a grin.
"Man that's what you always say!"
"Yeah. Hey I'm going to head back to our room. I'll see you later."
"Late bro!" The two gave each other props and left. Harry grabbed himself several beers on his way out regardless of the fact that he didn't drink. Around 4am the party finally died and Carlos came into his room where Harry was. He looked at Harry and knew that he must have been drinking by all the empty beer bottles around him. Something was not right but he didn't bother to wake up Harry. Harry only drank when he was troubled and Carlos knew this after four years of friendship.
Harry woke up the next morning with a hang over and was pukeing out his dinner in the toilet. After a while he made his way back to the living quarters where Carlos was waiting for him.
"What's the matter James?" asked Carlos.
"What do you mean," replied Harry trying to avoid his eyes. Harry pretended to be looking for something through his bags that were already packed.
"James, I'm your best bro man. You only drink when you are troubled and last night you did a whole lot of drinking by yourself in here."
"I just felt like having a beer," replied Harry defending himself.
"Or seven beers! James first you run off right after the graduation ceremony and now I come to find that you have been drinking. My parents were slightly disappointed that they didn't get to meet you but I assumed you were off with your family."
"My family." whispered Harry in a low voice. He had stopped searching through his bag as thousand of emotions rushed into him.
"Earth to James!" yelled Carlos. Harry immediately focused back into reality.
"Carlos, I think I should let you know." Harry paused for a moment to take a breath.
"Know what?" asked Carlos giving him a curious brow.
"I. I don't have any family. That's why I left right after the ceremony," said Harry looking very sad as if tears were about to form in his eyes. "I didn't want to ruin your moment of happiness and I couldn't stand around watching as everyone's family came to celebrate with them. I have no one. I am the last of my family." Harry was now tearing up at the eyes but kept telling himself that he was not going to cry.
"Hey man that's not true! We're family man," said Carlos sitting down next to Harry. "You've been like a brother to me man. Even though we're not blood related, I still consider you family bro."
"Thanks bro, I needed to hear that," said Harry. "To be honest I sort of had a family but I left it all behind. Maybe someday I'll tell you the story but right now I need to get dressed. We just graduated and I'm moping around!"
"Alright you do that James. Clean yourself up a bit because you need to report to the Commandants office ASAP."
"Why?" asked Harry who was confused.
"You got a new assignment," said Carlos smiling. "Go make yourself look presentable."
After a quick shower and putting on his civilian clothing on he reported to the Commandants office, which was a good walking distance.
"Second lieutenant James Potter reporting as ordered sir!" said Harry trying to sound professional.
"Ah yes lieutenant, at ease. I know you originally asked to be stationed in Florida, but there has been a change of plans. Lieutenant General Chang has requested that you serve under him and Lieutenant Colonel Miole. Your degree is criminology but your first assignment will be acting as his Executive Officer. It is not every day that a general comes in requesting for a specific person to work for them. You must have made quite an impression with him."
"Requesting permission to speak freely sir!"
"Permission granted."
"Sir I've never even talked to the man. Why would he want me to serve under him?"
"I don't know but I can only think it is something good."
"Where exactly will I be stationed sir?"
"Edwards Air Force Base officially but I believe you are going to be staying in the city of Los Angeles a lot."
"That isn't too bad of a place. Where do I go sir?"
"These are your new assignment papers lieutenant," said the Commandant as he passed Harry an envelope. "You are on three days of leave and then you are to report to Lieutenant Colonel Miole at 1800."
"Thank you sir."
"One more thing James," said the commandant in a very friendly unprofessional manner. "You have a lot of talent. In all my years I have met very few extra ordinary young men and you are one of them. You are destined for great things James." Harry flinched at this comment. He had heard that one before from somebody else before.
"Thank you sir. Will that that be all?"
"Yes that will be all lieutenant," once again assuming his professional façade. "Good luck James," giving Harry a smile as he walked out of the office for the last time.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. They are the property of JK Rowling.
"Albus! Potter is alive! We found him!" yelled Professor McGonagall. Upon hearing the news from her old friend Elizabeth Chang she stormed to the Headmaster's office.
"How do you know Minerva?" asked Dumbledore.
"I couldn't believe it but Elizabeth saw him. He's in the United States!" yelled McGonagall.
"I had a feeling he would not be anywhere close by. But tell me how did she find him?"
"Well as you know, her husband David is a General in their muggle Air Force. They have military schools there just like we have magic schools. David was asked to come speak at their Air Force Academy graduation so naturally he brought his family along. Potter was one of the student's graduating from their muggle Academy. Potter changed his name to James and hid his scar but Cho Chang managed to recognize him."
"Interesting turn of events. I never would have guessed that he would decide to live a muggle life and join the muggle military. He must have been hiding in the base all these years. It is no wonder that Mr. Weasley and Mrs. Granger have not been able to find him."
"I will alert them immediately!" said McGonagall
"Minerva, please tell them not to hassle him too quickly. He did leave for a reason. Now that we have found him we don't want him abandoning his life and running again. We might not be so fortunate next time."
"As you wish Albus." McGonagall turned and left down the stairs from which she came. Dumbledore sat at his desk and couldn't help but smile. "It's time to come home Harry."
**************************************
Harry laid on his bed thinking. He could hear everyone outside with their families and here he was all alone. His parents have been dead since the age of one. He left all his friends behind him back in his old life. "James Potter has no mother, no father, no wife, or children. All I have is a few muggle friends, but right now I wont rob them of their happiness with their families," said Harry to himself. "Why did I have to hurt her like that? It was hard enough leaving her once. I had to turn my back on her today. She needs to move on and be happy that I'm gone. I never did any good for anybody. Do I still love her?"
**************************************
Cho was in tears and apparated back to her apartment in Los Angeles, California. She tried to quickly clean herself up so she could get back before her father noticed that she was gone. "Be strong Cho. You must be strong. I know you can convince him to come home!" said Cho to herself. "But what if he doesn't want to come home? What if he doesn't care about us anymore? What if he doesn't even love me anymore?" Cho dread this thought.
She sat there and pondered these questions until she realized she had been gone for over an hour and quickly apparated back to the Academy.
***************************************
That night Harry went to party with the rest of his classmates. This was the ultimate celebration of four years of hard work. They were ready to party harder than they ever did in their lives.
"Hey man glad you could make it!" said Carlos as Harry walked in. "Hey ya'll the wing commander is here!" There was uproar of cheers all across the room. There were random comments such as "You the man James!" James walked across the room and shook random hands as he put on a happy façade for everyone. "Hey man let me introduce you to that blond over there," said Carlos looking over at a cute blond girl. She was kind of short but petite and perky. She was quite good looking in Harry's opinion.
"No really it's ok," said Harry.
"Ah come on James. I've known you for four years and I've never even once seen you with a woman. Your not gay are you?"
"Hah! No Carlos I haven't' met anyone that's my type."
"How do you know that blond aint your type? I heard she's pretty innocent *cough cough* if you know what I mean. I'm sure she's just waiting for the right Wing Commander to take her. Seeing as how you're the only Wing Commander around here.yeah." Carlos gave Harry a wink which he completely ignored."
"Well you were my Vice Wing Commander therefore a Wing Commander so why don't you just relax and have a good time." Harry now noticed that the blond was looking at him and started making her way over. Carlos also noticed this.
"Hah! I see she already has her eye on you. I'll leave you two alone to get acquainted," said Carlos once again giving Harry a wink. Harry now was feeling nervous as he turned to face the blond girl. He noticed that she was pretty good looking and that skirt seemed a little too short for her.
"Hey there!" said the blond.
"Hi, I'm James," replied Harry.
"I know who you are. You seem quite popular among the group," said the blond showing her pearly white teeth. "I'm Anne by the way, but you can call me anytime," said Anne flirtatiously. Harry couldn't help but smile.
"So you want to grab a drink or something?" asked Harry trying to change the subject.
"Sure, we can do anything you want," she said flashing her eyebrows. She then led him over to the coolers and proceeded in taking out two beers until Harry stopped her.
"I don't think you need any of that stuff tonight," he said giving her a smile. "I don't drink." She looked at him as if stunned but didn't argue. Instead they just grabbed ice tea and went outside. "So what are you doing here?"
"What do you mean what am I doing here?" she asked obviously confused at his question.
"I mean you don't look like an Air Force Academy cadet, so how did you get onto the base?"
"Oh! My sister just graduated from here so I came with the family. That's enough about me lets talk about you," she eyed him again.
"No I would really like to know more about you," said Harry. "Who is your sister?" She looked as if she was getting irritated with all his questions.
"I don't know if you know her but her name is Brenda McMillan."
"Yeah I know her. She was my Executive Officer. Quite the looker as she had every guy here looking at her," said Harry chuckling.
"Well I am her sister," said Anne scooting closer to Harry. He was getting a bit nervous now. "You know I'm getting a little cold James. Maybe you could warm me up a bit." She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Then she started really getting into it. Harry had to practically pry her off.
"How old are you?" asked Harry.
"I'm 19," said Anne who was obviously annoyed with his actions. From her tone of voice she was not pleased at all.
"Call me in a few years," said Harry smiling. "You need to mature and learn that sex isn't everything there is to a relationship." She looked stunned at his comment. No one had ever walked away from her before.
"Wait a minute! You don't want to get into my pants?" she asked with an amazed look on her face.
"No," replied Harry calmly. "I need more than just sex." She now looked angry.
"Well I wasn't about to give my virginity to you anyways. And you can't walk away from me like that. No guy has ever walked away from me! I do the walking!" yelled Anne who was furious and confused at the same time. He could not help but laugh on the inside, but kept a straight face.
"I'm sure I'll see you around," said Harry. "It was nice meeting you though. We can still be friends. And if I were you I would be careful. There are a lot of guys here that want to get into your pants if that's not what you want." He then stood up and walked back to the party leaving her behind to try to figure things out.
"What happened to that blond?" asked Carlos when Harry got back.
"She wasn't my type," replied Harry with a grin.
"Man that's what you always say!"
"Yeah. Hey I'm going to head back to our room. I'll see you later."
"Late bro!" The two gave each other props and left. Harry grabbed himself several beers on his way out regardless of the fact that he didn't drink. Around 4am the party finally died and Carlos came into his room where Harry was. He looked at Harry and knew that he must have been drinking by all the empty beer bottles around him. Something was not right but he didn't bother to wake up Harry. Harry only drank when he was troubled and Carlos knew this after four years of friendship.
Harry woke up the next morning with a hang over and was pukeing out his dinner in the toilet. After a while he made his way back to the living quarters where Carlos was waiting for him.
"What's the matter James?" asked Carlos.
"What do you mean," replied Harry trying to avoid his eyes. Harry pretended to be looking for something through his bags that were already packed.
"James, I'm your best bro man. You only drink when you are troubled and last night you did a whole lot of drinking by yourself in here."
"I just felt like having a beer," replied Harry defending himself.
"Or seven beers! James first you run off right after the graduation ceremony and now I come to find that you have been drinking. My parents were slightly disappointed that they didn't get to meet you but I assumed you were off with your family."
"My family." whispered Harry in a low voice. He had stopped searching through his bag as thousand of emotions rushed into him.
"Earth to James!" yelled Carlos. Harry immediately focused back into reality.
"Carlos, I think I should let you know." Harry paused for a moment to take a breath.
"Know what?" asked Carlos giving him a curious brow.
"I. I don't have any family. That's why I left right after the ceremony," said Harry looking very sad as if tears were about to form in his eyes. "I didn't want to ruin your moment of happiness and I couldn't stand around watching as everyone's family came to celebrate with them. I have no one. I am the last of my family." Harry was now tearing up at the eyes but kept telling himself that he was not going to cry.
"Hey man that's not true! We're family man," said Carlos sitting down next to Harry. "You've been like a brother to me man. Even though we're not blood related, I still consider you family bro."
"Thanks bro, I needed to hear that," said Harry. "To be honest I sort of had a family but I left it all behind. Maybe someday I'll tell you the story but right now I need to get dressed. We just graduated and I'm moping around!"
"Alright you do that James. Clean yourself up a bit because you need to report to the Commandants office ASAP."
"Why?" asked Harry who was confused.
"You got a new assignment," said Carlos smiling. "Go make yourself look presentable."
After a quick shower and putting on his civilian clothing on he reported to the Commandants office, which was a good walking distance.
"Second lieutenant James Potter reporting as ordered sir!" said Harry trying to sound professional.
"Ah yes lieutenant, at ease. I know you originally asked to be stationed in Florida, but there has been a change of plans. Lieutenant General Chang has requested that you serve under him and Lieutenant Colonel Miole. Your degree is criminology but your first assignment will be acting as his Executive Officer. It is not every day that a general comes in requesting for a specific person to work for them. You must have made quite an impression with him."
"Requesting permission to speak freely sir!"
"Permission granted."
"Sir I've never even talked to the man. Why would he want me to serve under him?"
"I don't know but I can only think it is something good."
"Where exactly will I be stationed sir?"
"Edwards Air Force Base officially but I believe you are going to be staying in the city of Los Angeles a lot."
"That isn't too bad of a place. Where do I go sir?"
"These are your new assignment papers lieutenant," said the Commandant as he passed Harry an envelope. "You are on three days of leave and then you are to report to Lieutenant Colonel Miole at 1800."
"Thank you sir."
"One more thing James," said the commandant in a very friendly unprofessional manner. "You have a lot of talent. In all my years I have met very few extra ordinary young men and you are one of them. You are destined for great things James." Harry flinched at this comment. He had heard that one before from somebody else before.
"Thank you sir. Will that that be all?"
"Yes that will be all lieutenant," once again assuming his professional façade. "Good luck James," giving Harry a smile as he walked out of the office for the last time.