Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. They are the property of JK Rowling.
A/N: Ok I'm going to be using a lot of military ranks in the story so let me give you the rank structure from lowest to highest. I will also give you the abbreviations and what they are called for short. For example instead of saying Lieutenant Colonel all the time they might just say Colonel. These are Air Force ranks by the way.
Airman Basic (AB, Airman) Airman (Amn, Airman) Airman First Class (A1C, Airman) Senior Airman (SrA, Airman) Staff Sergeant (SSgt, Sergeant) Technical Sergeant (TSgt, Sergeant) Master Sergeant (MSgt, Sergeant) Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt, Sergeant) Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt, Chief) Second Lieutenant (2Lt, Lieutenant) First Lieutenant (1Lt, Lieutenant) Captain (Capt, Captain) Major (Maj, Major) Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col, Colonel) Colonel (Col, Colonel) Brigadier General (Brig Gen, General) Major General (Maj Gen, General) Lieutenant General (Lt Gen, General) General (Gen, General)
*************************************************************** "Now remember Ron, don't push him if he doesn't want to go back," said Hermione. The two were making their way to the guest office at the Academy to look up James Potter's room.
"Yes mother," Ron joked and chuckled. Hermione gave him a glare that said "watch it buddy."
"How can I help you?" asked the receptionist at the desk. She looked like she was in her late twenties and had dirty blond hair that was tied into a bun in the back. This was procedure for females.
"Yes we are here to see James Potter but we don't know which room he is in," said Hermione.
"Ok let me see." She turned towards her computer and started typing and browsing around. "I'm sorry but he checked out this morning. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, could you tell us where he went?" asked Hermione pleadingly.
"No I'm sorry, but I cannot give you that information. That is classified. If he wants to let you know where he is then he will tell you."
"Please, you don't know how far we've come!" begged Hermione.
"I'm sorry ma'm but I don't have the authority to give out that kind of information." The receptionist looked like she was sorry but there wasn't anything she could do about it.
"Listen here!" said Ron but before he could finish Hermione dragged him outside.
"Ron you cant go around making big scenes!" yelled Hermione.
"Hermione we spent two years of our lives searching for him. We were so close Hermione!" yelled Ron.
"I know Ron, but at least now we have some more knowledge."
"Perhaps we can put her on the imperious curse or something and make her tell us," said Ron seriously considering it.
"We cant do that! It's illegal! How could you even think of something so stupid!"
"I'm sorry Mione. I'm just so frustrated!"
"It's ok. We just have to keep looking now."
***************************************************************** Harry caught a flight to the base where they verified his ID and checked his bag half a dozen times before he was allowed to leave the security area. He had to ask around before he was able to find Lt Col. Miole's office. Upon entering there was a young receptionist behind the front desk. She looked like she was in her early twenties and had short black hair.
"Welcome to Lieutenant Colonel Miole's office. How may I help you Lieutenant?" asked the receptionist.
"Good evening Staff Sergeant. I need to report into Lt Col. Miole as this is my first day on the job," replied Harry. "I'm James Potter by the way."
"I'm Jennifer Cunningham. He is expecting you, so please go right in. Through that door over there," said Jennifer pointing at the door at the end of the hallway.
"Thank you ma'm."
"You're welcome sir." She gave him a smile as he walked towards the door. As he approached the door it flew open as two men walked out.
"Bring those papers to me in a week Captain," said the older one. He looked to be in his early forties and looked like a man of great respect. "Ah Lieutenant, you're here. I am Lt Col. Miole. You must be James Potter. Let me introduce you to Captain Ruiz here. Captain this is the General's new XO (Executive Officer)."
"Please to meet you Lieutenant," said Captain Ruiz as they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you sir," replied Harry.
"The Lieutenant here graduated first in his class at the Academy," said Lt Col Miole.
"Really is that so? Well then congratulations from a fellow Alumni," replied Captain Ruiz. "Well I must be going, you should get yourself a guide and learn the ropes around here Lieutenant." He turned around and walked out in the direction, which Harry came.
"Please step into my office Lieutenant," said Lt Col Miole. Harry followed the man into the office and stood at attention in front of his desk.
"Second Lieutenant James Potter reporting in as ordered sir!" said Harry while saluting.
"As you were Lieutenant. Please have a seat," offered Miole. "Now I'm sure you already know what an XO does so we'll skip that. There are only two people that you report to and you're speaking to one of them right now. The other is General Chang. He is out for the day but he will return tomorrow and I'm sure he is expecting you first thing in his office tomorrow morning. Right now we are not sure yet but you may be acting as an Inspector General as well. Meaning you will inspect the work of all our forces on the base. The uniform wear around here is short sleeve open collar but sometimes we might do Battle Dress Uniforms. The rule is you may dress up but not down meaning that if its open collars that day then u may only wear a tie or your service dress as an alternate. Your office hours are 0700 to 1500 and your office will be right next to General Chang's office. Are there any questions?"
"Yes, are we allowed to leave base at any point in time?"
"You are allowed to leave during your non office hours, but check out with the guards at the gate. If you plan on going anywhere I suggest you take a vehicle being as how we're in the middle of a desert it's going to be a while before you find a bus stop."
"Understood sir."
"Good, now on a personal note welcome to the base Lieutenant. You can call me Frank when we're not being formal. So tell me how was your trip?"
"Well I haven't been on too many air plane rides but I have to say it was pleasant," said Harry smiling. The two talked for an hour as if they were old friends seeing each other again for the first time.
"Well James let me have a guard escort you to your room so you know where it is," said Frank.
"Thank you sir," said Harry getting up from his seat.
"You're welcomed here anytime James." Harry went outside to be greeted by security forces personnel.
"Good evening sir," said the Airman.
"Good evening Airman," replied Harry.
"I am to escort you to your room, so please take a seat in the car." The airman went and grabbed all of Harry's bags as Harry sat in the passenger side. After driving quite a distance into the housing area they finally stopped in front of an apartment complex.
"So who are my roommates," asked Harry.
"You don't have any sir. General Chang has ordered us to give you your own private living quarters." Harry was surprised. He never thought they would give him his own room. "These are the keys to your own private vehicle sir. It is parked in your spot number 4 in the garage." He handed Harry the keys to the apartment and car. "Your room is number 4 also."
"I have a car?" asked Harry even more surprised.
"Yes sir," replied the Airman as he proceeded to carry Harry's things into his apartment. Harry walked into the garage area to find his car. After a while he found a new white Camaro parked in his space. It was all stock but it was still a nice vehicle.
"Sir, Lt Col Miole says that you are off the clock for the rest of the night so feel free to go around the base or visit the city," said the Airman finding Harry in the garage. "You are to report to Lieutenant General Chang's office tomorrow morning at 0700."
"Thank you Airman. I know officers are not supposed to fraternize with NCO's but just call me James when you are off the clock," said Harry.
"Understood sir," replied the Airman who turned around and left.
********************************************************************
Cho sat in her apartment room and waited for someone to answer the phone. After two rings someone finally picked up. "Hello?" a voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Hello? Val is that you?" asked Cho.
"Yes this is she. Who is this?"
"It's Cho! Who do you think it is!" Cho practically yelled into the phone.
"Oh hey girl! What are you up to now these days? It's been forever since you've been to England."
"Oh you know studying for finals and such. I have one more year of graduate school. How about you?"
"Well I've been working with the Ministry of Magic since we graduated and I'm still there. There is this new guy that just came into our department. He is really cute and funny. So are there any men in your life?"
"You'll never believe me Val but I saw Harry the other day."
"You saw Harry? Are you sure?"
"Yeah I am positive. Of course I broke down crying like a little girl. All he told me was that this is his life now and that his name was James now not Harry," said Cho who was starting to get teary eyed.
"Cho, I think after all these years it's time to move on. It looks like Harry has moved on so you should enjoy yourself and be happy."
"I'm not ready yet Val. Not after that encounter we had. I don't even know where he is now. You'll never guess what he's doing now."
"What is he doing?" asked Valerie.
"He joined the muggle military. You know like my dad. He graduated from a muggle military academy that my dad did the graduation speech for. That's where I saw him. He looked so handsome in his uniform. Now I don't even know where he is. They probably sent him off somewhere with an assignment."
"You're still in love with him aren't you?"
"I. I am," stuttered Cho. "Anyways lets change the subject. How is everyone doing back in England?"
"Well. Kelly just had her first son."
"Really? That's great! Tell her I send my congratulations."
"Yeah, ok I will."
"How are Ron and Hermione doing?"
"I don't really get to see them much. You know the first two years after graduation they were gone looking for Harry but came back empty handed. Now Ron has resumed his professional Quidditch career with the Cannons and Hermione is a Professor at Hogwarts."
"I'll have to send her an owl sometime to see how my sister is doing in school. Oh yeah she is going to come visit me in California for the summer! It's been so long since I've spent time with her. She should be going into her 7th year after summer."
"Girl you need to come visit us here in England sometime. I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I might get a chance this Christmas. We haven't decided where the family is going for Christmas this year yet."
"Either you are coming to me or I'm coming to you!" said Valerie. "You move away to go to some muggle University and you don't even bother to keep updated with your best friend!" Cho laughed at this last comment.
"Yeah, if you get the chance just come on over and I'll show you around. There is this club that is pretty popular that the UCLA students like to go to."
"Sounds like fun Cho."
"Yeah, hey listen I have to go. Dad wants to take me out to dinner before he has to return to the base so I better go."
"Ok it was great hearing from you. You need to call more often!" yelled Valerie half chuckling.
"Yes mother!" said Cho laughing. "Take care and keep me updated on this guy you are seeing."
"Bye Cho."
"Bye." Cho hung up the phone. For the first time in a while she was a bit happy. She had not talked to Valerie for several months and was glad to have the time to catch up with old friends. She was also looking forward to having her sister come and spend the summer with her.
A/N: Sorry if I confused you with all the ranks and stuff. Like I said I'm a newbie when it comes to writing fics so constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. If it's bad I want to hear it but make sure it's not just a flame.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. They are the property of JK Rowling.
A/N: Ok I'm going to be using a lot of military ranks in the story so let me give you the rank structure from lowest to highest. I will also give you the abbreviations and what they are called for short. For example instead of saying Lieutenant Colonel all the time they might just say Colonel. These are Air Force ranks by the way.
Airman Basic (AB, Airman) Airman (Amn, Airman) Airman First Class (A1C, Airman) Senior Airman (SrA, Airman) Staff Sergeant (SSgt, Sergeant) Technical Sergeant (TSgt, Sergeant) Master Sergeant (MSgt, Sergeant) Senior Master Sergeant (SMSgt, Sergeant) Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt, Chief) Second Lieutenant (2Lt, Lieutenant) First Lieutenant (1Lt, Lieutenant) Captain (Capt, Captain) Major (Maj, Major) Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col, Colonel) Colonel (Col, Colonel) Brigadier General (Brig Gen, General) Major General (Maj Gen, General) Lieutenant General (Lt Gen, General) General (Gen, General)
*************************************************************** "Now remember Ron, don't push him if he doesn't want to go back," said Hermione. The two were making their way to the guest office at the Academy to look up James Potter's room.
"Yes mother," Ron joked and chuckled. Hermione gave him a glare that said "watch it buddy."
"How can I help you?" asked the receptionist at the desk. She looked like she was in her late twenties and had dirty blond hair that was tied into a bun in the back. This was procedure for females.
"Yes we are here to see James Potter but we don't know which room he is in," said Hermione.
"Ok let me see." She turned towards her computer and started typing and browsing around. "I'm sorry but he checked out this morning. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Yes, could you tell us where he went?" asked Hermione pleadingly.
"No I'm sorry, but I cannot give you that information. That is classified. If he wants to let you know where he is then he will tell you."
"Please, you don't know how far we've come!" begged Hermione.
"I'm sorry ma'm but I don't have the authority to give out that kind of information." The receptionist looked like she was sorry but there wasn't anything she could do about it.
"Listen here!" said Ron but before he could finish Hermione dragged him outside.
"Ron you cant go around making big scenes!" yelled Hermione.
"Hermione we spent two years of our lives searching for him. We were so close Hermione!" yelled Ron.
"I know Ron, but at least now we have some more knowledge."
"Perhaps we can put her on the imperious curse or something and make her tell us," said Ron seriously considering it.
"We cant do that! It's illegal! How could you even think of something so stupid!"
"I'm sorry Mione. I'm just so frustrated!"
"It's ok. We just have to keep looking now."
***************************************************************** Harry caught a flight to the base where they verified his ID and checked his bag half a dozen times before he was allowed to leave the security area. He had to ask around before he was able to find Lt Col. Miole's office. Upon entering there was a young receptionist behind the front desk. She looked like she was in her early twenties and had short black hair.
"Welcome to Lieutenant Colonel Miole's office. How may I help you Lieutenant?" asked the receptionist.
"Good evening Staff Sergeant. I need to report into Lt Col. Miole as this is my first day on the job," replied Harry. "I'm James Potter by the way."
"I'm Jennifer Cunningham. He is expecting you, so please go right in. Through that door over there," said Jennifer pointing at the door at the end of the hallway.
"Thank you ma'm."
"You're welcome sir." She gave him a smile as he walked towards the door. As he approached the door it flew open as two men walked out.
"Bring those papers to me in a week Captain," said the older one. He looked to be in his early forties and looked like a man of great respect. "Ah Lieutenant, you're here. I am Lt Col. Miole. You must be James Potter. Let me introduce you to Captain Ruiz here. Captain this is the General's new XO (Executive Officer)."
"Please to meet you Lieutenant," said Captain Ruiz as they shook hands.
"Nice to meet you sir," replied Harry.
"The Lieutenant here graduated first in his class at the Academy," said Lt Col Miole.
"Really is that so? Well then congratulations from a fellow Alumni," replied Captain Ruiz. "Well I must be going, you should get yourself a guide and learn the ropes around here Lieutenant." He turned around and walked out in the direction, which Harry came.
"Please step into my office Lieutenant," said Lt Col Miole. Harry followed the man into the office and stood at attention in front of his desk.
"Second Lieutenant James Potter reporting in as ordered sir!" said Harry while saluting.
"As you were Lieutenant. Please have a seat," offered Miole. "Now I'm sure you already know what an XO does so we'll skip that. There are only two people that you report to and you're speaking to one of them right now. The other is General Chang. He is out for the day but he will return tomorrow and I'm sure he is expecting you first thing in his office tomorrow morning. Right now we are not sure yet but you may be acting as an Inspector General as well. Meaning you will inspect the work of all our forces on the base. The uniform wear around here is short sleeve open collar but sometimes we might do Battle Dress Uniforms. The rule is you may dress up but not down meaning that if its open collars that day then u may only wear a tie or your service dress as an alternate. Your office hours are 0700 to 1500 and your office will be right next to General Chang's office. Are there any questions?"
"Yes, are we allowed to leave base at any point in time?"
"You are allowed to leave during your non office hours, but check out with the guards at the gate. If you plan on going anywhere I suggest you take a vehicle being as how we're in the middle of a desert it's going to be a while before you find a bus stop."
"Understood sir."
"Good, now on a personal note welcome to the base Lieutenant. You can call me Frank when we're not being formal. So tell me how was your trip?"
"Well I haven't been on too many air plane rides but I have to say it was pleasant," said Harry smiling. The two talked for an hour as if they were old friends seeing each other again for the first time.
"Well James let me have a guard escort you to your room so you know where it is," said Frank.
"Thank you sir," said Harry getting up from his seat.
"You're welcomed here anytime James." Harry went outside to be greeted by security forces personnel.
"Good evening sir," said the Airman.
"Good evening Airman," replied Harry.
"I am to escort you to your room, so please take a seat in the car." The airman went and grabbed all of Harry's bags as Harry sat in the passenger side. After driving quite a distance into the housing area they finally stopped in front of an apartment complex.
"So who are my roommates," asked Harry.
"You don't have any sir. General Chang has ordered us to give you your own private living quarters." Harry was surprised. He never thought they would give him his own room. "These are the keys to your own private vehicle sir. It is parked in your spot number 4 in the garage." He handed Harry the keys to the apartment and car. "Your room is number 4 also."
"I have a car?" asked Harry even more surprised.
"Yes sir," replied the Airman as he proceeded to carry Harry's things into his apartment. Harry walked into the garage area to find his car. After a while he found a new white Camaro parked in his space. It was all stock but it was still a nice vehicle.
"Sir, Lt Col Miole says that you are off the clock for the rest of the night so feel free to go around the base or visit the city," said the Airman finding Harry in the garage. "You are to report to Lieutenant General Chang's office tomorrow morning at 0700."
"Thank you Airman. I know officers are not supposed to fraternize with NCO's but just call me James when you are off the clock," said Harry.
"Understood sir," replied the Airman who turned around and left.
********************************************************************
Cho sat in her apartment room and waited for someone to answer the phone. After two rings someone finally picked up. "Hello?" a voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Hello? Val is that you?" asked Cho.
"Yes this is she. Who is this?"
"It's Cho! Who do you think it is!" Cho practically yelled into the phone.
"Oh hey girl! What are you up to now these days? It's been forever since you've been to England."
"Oh you know studying for finals and such. I have one more year of graduate school. How about you?"
"Well I've been working with the Ministry of Magic since we graduated and I'm still there. There is this new guy that just came into our department. He is really cute and funny. So are there any men in your life?"
"You'll never believe me Val but I saw Harry the other day."
"You saw Harry? Are you sure?"
"Yeah I am positive. Of course I broke down crying like a little girl. All he told me was that this is his life now and that his name was James now not Harry," said Cho who was starting to get teary eyed.
"Cho, I think after all these years it's time to move on. It looks like Harry has moved on so you should enjoy yourself and be happy."
"I'm not ready yet Val. Not after that encounter we had. I don't even know where he is now. You'll never guess what he's doing now."
"What is he doing?" asked Valerie.
"He joined the muggle military. You know like my dad. He graduated from a muggle military academy that my dad did the graduation speech for. That's where I saw him. He looked so handsome in his uniform. Now I don't even know where he is. They probably sent him off somewhere with an assignment."
"You're still in love with him aren't you?"
"I. I am," stuttered Cho. "Anyways lets change the subject. How is everyone doing back in England?"
"Well. Kelly just had her first son."
"Really? That's great! Tell her I send my congratulations."
"Yeah, ok I will."
"How are Ron and Hermione doing?"
"I don't really get to see them much. You know the first two years after graduation they were gone looking for Harry but came back empty handed. Now Ron has resumed his professional Quidditch career with the Cannons and Hermione is a Professor at Hogwarts."
"I'll have to send her an owl sometime to see how my sister is doing in school. Oh yeah she is going to come visit me in California for the summer! It's been so long since I've spent time with her. She should be going into her 7th year after summer."
"Girl you need to come visit us here in England sometime. I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I might get a chance this Christmas. We haven't decided where the family is going for Christmas this year yet."
"Either you are coming to me or I'm coming to you!" said Valerie. "You move away to go to some muggle University and you don't even bother to keep updated with your best friend!" Cho laughed at this last comment.
"Yeah, if you get the chance just come on over and I'll show you around. There is this club that is pretty popular that the UCLA students like to go to."
"Sounds like fun Cho."
"Yeah, hey listen I have to go. Dad wants to take me out to dinner before he has to return to the base so I better go."
"Ok it was great hearing from you. You need to call more often!" yelled Valerie half chuckling.
"Yes mother!" said Cho laughing. "Take care and keep me updated on this guy you are seeing."
"Bye Cho."
"Bye." Cho hung up the phone. For the first time in a while she was a bit happy. She had not talked to Valerie for several months and was glad to have the time to catch up with old friends. She was also looking forward to having her sister come and spend the summer with her.
A/N: Sorry if I confused you with all the ranks and stuff. Like I said I'm a newbie when it comes to writing fics so constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. If it's bad I want to hear it but make sure it's not just a flame.