Shortly after the attack on America, the Death Eaters Army, under the control of The Dark Lord, and Emperor Voldemort launched a massive full-scale assault deep within the heart of Asia, with a catastrophic force of over three-million ground troops. It was only a matter of days, and they had completely devastated Russia, China, Pakistan and India, and continued their quest to conquer the world and quickly moved toward Europe. Within only a matter of days, Voldemort had stretched his war from ocean to ocean. All that remained free in the Eastern Hemisphere was the United Kingdom.

A Wizard Army was immediately established and commanded by General Albus Dumbledore and his chief executive officer, Colonel Severus Snape. Hogwarts still remained in operation, and the acting Headmistress was Professor McGonagall.

Molly Weasley traveled to America to help Hermione with her pregnancy. With the exception of Percy, the rest of the Weasley family had received commissions and fought gallantly against the assault on London. However, due to sheer strength in numbers and barbaric tactics, the Death-Eater Army was overwhelming, and London was left in ruins; it fell to the Dark Lord's army in a matter of ten days.

The takeover caused sheer panic among the people, and chaos ensued in the streets. Muggles and wizards alike fled in droves in attempts to go into hiding.

After the fall of the United Kingdom, the only thing that stood between the Death Eaters Army and the defeat of the entire civilized world was the Atlantic Ocean, and the scattered remains of the greatest military in the world. Times were starting to look gravely dark for the world, and the war seemed to be a lost cause. Military Intelligence had sent an army comprised mostly of American and British troops to the mountainous region of Afghanistan. It was believed that the headquarters for Voldemort's army were located there, and that this extremist group was now working on a top-secret weapon. A final assault was being planned, and if it failed, the Minister of Magic, the President of Magic, the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States agreed that a complete withdrawal would occur, and the use of nuclear weapons however unfortunate, would become necessary.

Captain Harry Potter, along with his faithful first lieutenants Darryl and Ernie Lee, Major George Weasley and Captain Fred Weasley, where among the first solders to have arrived in the deadly mountainous region. Harry, who strongly believed in not showing his weaknesses to the troops he commanded, was having a rather difficult time adjusting to his new surroundings. He hated being so far away from Hermione and the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

September 21, 2000

Dear Hermione,

How are you, doing, love? I miss being around you so much. I would love nothing more than to be home with you right now, especially since you're so close to having our child. I'm hoping after we get Voldemort, we will all get to go home, and you and I will finally get to be together again and this time I promise we shall never be part again. I'm slowly learning that the biggest mistake you could ever make in this environment is to get too close to anyone person, simply because one minute he's all right, then the next, he's not. I'll tell you, this place is getting scarier by the day.

However, there are times when it is rather peaceful. Just the other day for instance we were out on patrol, looking for Voldemort's Death Eaters. Just outside the city of Meymaneh, this younger troop, with a hand that was full of cuts, thorns and blisters, pointed out a plant with a very beautiful red flower sprouting on its end. It took me by surprise when, he said to me, "You know, that's the first plant today that I've seen that doesn't have thorns on it. What do you think the name of that flower is?"

I told him that I didn't know. However, when I got too thinking about it the plant itself is a representative of Afghanistan; it is a country full of thorns. Yet once in a great while, something remarkable happens, even if it's something as small as a plant with a red flower.

I'm afraid that eventually this area will be sprayed down with Muggle chemicals, and the flower will dry up and die among the thorns. However, that flower will always remain alive in the heart of a tired, hot troop. Please write back straight away, sweetie, because receiving a letter from you is the determining factor as to whether or not it's been a good or bad day. I love you, 'Mione.

Your loving husband,

Harry

Harry rolled up the parchment that he had just wrote on, stuffed it into an envelope, and he tied it to an owl that the military had provided for him. He was forced to leave Hedwig at home for Operational Security measures (OPSEC).

He was on the outskirts of Meymaneh. The Great War had been raging on for eight months, and just in that short time, Harry had seen so much death and devastation. He often found himself when he was permitted and times were quiet, in his tent, writing letters to Hermione, and his hopes were often filled with hope that she would have written back.

Fred, George, Darryl and Ernie were fighting along beside with him. They had formed a special bond that most troops do when they are placed in harsh and extraordinary circumstances. They kept their minds off of the war by reading their letters out loud to one another and talking about home.

Dealing with the sight of a mangled body is never an easy thing to do, as Harry found out rather quickly. He noticed that some people never talked about it and just bottled up their feelings. Those where the people whom he had to watch especially close.

He also noticed others dealt with the tragic moments by joking about them. Most people wouldn't find this funny at all. However, like so many men before who had been placed in a war environment, they needed an outlet to help deal the stress of the day. Laughing simply was the best way to deal with it.

After Captain Potter had gotten dressed in his uniform and sent his owl to Hermione, he walked to the mission briefing room, where he awaited the daily briefing from General Dumbledore and Colonel Snape.

He sat, joking with his friends, when suddenly the room was called to attention. A man with greasy jet-black hair and cold eyes entered the room, followed by another man, with long flowing silvery hair, and a long beard that stretched to the middle of his belly. He was wearing half-moon glasses.

"As you were," Dumbledore called, and everyone sat down and looked attentive, as Snape walked up to a small podium and began to speak. "Good morning, ladies, and gentlemen. I get to be the one to tell you some news," he said in a grave voice. "We now have intelligence that confirms our worst fear. Lord Voldemort and the Death Eaters have developed a weapon, and we have satellite confirmation that this weapon actually does exist."

He tapped a black board with his wand, and a map appeared on it. "General Dumbledore, will you please brief them and this time?"

"As you can see here," the general began, pointing to the screen, indicating the topographical map of the area. "The secret weapon is well protected my a mountainous region, making it impossible for the Muggle bombers to fly in and take out the weapon. We also know that the weapon systems for the moment are inoperational."

He tapped the board once again, and the map zoomed in for a much clearer picture. It looked like a cannon, only its barrel was over one-hundred yards long, and the muzzle was well over five feet in diameter.

"What we know about this weapon, is once it is operational, it will be able to fire a shell that weights more than 2500 tons, at a speed of well over 22,000 miles per hour, and it could hit any target on this earth with pinpoint accuracy. But it's the devastation that worries us the most. If they were to fire this weapon, it could completely destroy the city of Paris in only one shot."

Darryl stood up and said sarcastically, "So what's stopping them? I mean who gives a damn about the French anyway." The room snorted with laughter.

"Sit down, lieutenant Lee," Snape responded, glaring daggers at him.

Harry stood up, and asked, "So General, is this weapon designed to be nuclear?"

"No, Captain Potter, " Dumbledore said, "that's the whole mystery behind it. The interesting thing about this weapon's shell is that once it's fired, it creates a black hole effect."

The audience murmured.

"I have one more question, General," Harry said. "How is it, sir, that the army is so effective in its attacks?"

"It's because Voldemort is in control of them. He has created a sort of super army of wizards and Muggles on whom he has essentially bestowed immortality," Dumbledore said, a hint of gloom in his voice. "We also know, that Voldemort is in league with the Dementors, Giants and Mountain Trolls. And he also is using dragons to help reassure the destruction of any opposing army."

With a glum look on his face, Dumbledore continued, "I'm sorry to say, but the hour of our attack has because most crucial at this moment. We have got to destroy that weapon, because once it becomes operational, then … I don't know what will happen."

Frowning, Dumbledore preseed on, "The simple fact is we are out-numbered and we are losing this war, and unfortunately it will cost many lives to destroy this weapon. The area surrounding, the weapon is estimated to have well over twenty-thousand men. We also have intelligence that Voldemort is personally in the area to oversee the final stages of the creation of this weapon. Be ready to go at any given minute. I must implore upon you that this is our most desperate hour."

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "We can ill afford to lose this battle, gentleman. I'm afraid that if we lose this fight, we lose the war, and everything that is good in this world will simply parish away. So just remember what is at stake when you're in the heat of battle, and you're scared. Think of your loved ones, and remember what is at stake, the world's survival. Who will join us in this final and most desperate battle? You have the choice, you can stay behind, or you can go forward, either way, you know what is at stake."

Harry looked around the room, at the glum looking faces of his fellow officers, not one of them stood up. He thought about the last words of Dumbledore, and he knew he was right. He stood to the position of attention. Shortly afterward, his brothers in arms, Ernie, Darryl, Fred and George stood up next to him. Finally, the last of the officers were now standing, and volunteering to go to the unknown faiths of battle.

With the slightest trace of a smile, Dumbledore turned to Snape and declared, "I shall fight alongside with you men. You are dismissed; I want you to brief your men and have them ready to pull out. I also strongly recommend that you get some sleep or write to your loved ones, but be ready to pull out at any minute."

"Room attention," Snape said, and the room stood up and snapped to attention as he and Dumbledore left the room.

Harry was left thinking about Hermione and his unborn child, and it was now more than ever he wished he could be back at home with her. This is it, he thought this could very well be our final hour, and I may never see her pretty face again. He let out a stressed sigh as he walked out the door. He found the men he was in charge of, and quickly briefed and released them. "Be ready to go at any minute guys," was his grim final reminder.

He returned to his tent and saw a letter carefully placed on the pillow of his cot. He immediately recognized the writing on the envelope as Hermione's. A sudden jolt of excitement erupted deep within him. He quickly tore open the envelope and read the tear-stained letter:

August 12, 2000

Dear Harry,

How are you? I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Well, guess what I found out? We are having twins. I don't know what gender they are, because I figured we could find out together. Merlin willing that you are home by then.

I really don't have a whole lot of news for you, but I just wanted to make certain that you had something for mail call. I miss you so much; I have times where I cry myself to sleep. I find myself in constant worry about you. It's almost dawn right now, and I was lying in bed wondering where you might be. When I'm not in class, I'm at home watching the Muggle news, with the hopes of catching a glimpse of you. Last night, I had a dream that you were lying next to me. It was so vivid and wonderful, and I could actually feel your warmth throughout my whole body.

Molly Weasley is staying with me, to help me around the house. I would go back to England and stay with my mum and dad, but with school and with what I hear from Mrs. Weasley about its destruction, I'd rather stay here. It's absolutely terrible about what's going on over there. I just pray that in the end, it will bring us back together again. Things just aren't the same without you love, so please come home to me safely.

I love you with all my heart.

Your loving wife,

Hermione

P.S.

Here's a kiss just for you.

There was a stain of lipstick where Hermione had kissed the parchment.
P.P.S.

Turn me over and you will find a poem I wrote for you.

Harry turned the letter over and continued to read:

American Soldier, brothers in arms,
You come from our towns and our cities
And you left the fields of our farms

Whenever we call you to take up the fight
American Soldier, America's Pride

Defenders of freedom
For two-hundred years
Protecting our dreams
and our families
with your blood and your tears

Your Strength
Your Courage
Your Sacrifice
Keeps the flames of freedom
Still Burning Bright

Far away in a strange land
The battle rages all night
Side by side in this desert
Hope to get out alive

The brotherhood of the warrior
Since the dawn of time
The solemn vow of your honor
Not to leave one soldier behind
Never leave one soldier behind

American soldier, I dream of a time
When peace will rein on our planet
We'll leave the slaughter behind
We won't have to call you
To take up the fight
American Soldier,
America's Pride

I love you Harry! I hope you liked my poem.

Harry started to wiped the tears developing in his eyes. He heard over a loud speaker, "Attention in the area, attention in the area, we are moving out. I repeat once again, we are moving out."

Harry kissed Hermione's letter, folded it up and tucked it into his shirt pocket, grabbed his wand, and picked up his gun, then went to find his men for what very well could be his last moments on this earth. However, Hermione's letter had given him a new strength and a new reason for existence. It kept him marching on.

To be continued…

American Soldier is written by and use with the permission of Michael Degreve.