A/N: I do not own the movie Spy Games. I just happened to watch it and get the idea to make Harry a spy. I few ideas from that movie are in this chapter. All credit goes to the script writers of that movie. Also, the saying "The World is quiet here" is Lemony Snicket's. Enjoy the chapter!

CH8: Do Or Die

"We can't afford to be innocent

Stand up and face the enemy.

It's a do or die situation

We will be invincible."

Harry exited the white room and met a smiling Kyle.

"Good job, Dagger," he said proudly. "But I was a little surprised that you knew about a Gantarin Potion. That's an unusual question."

"Er - To tell you the truth, I ... well." Harry looked sheepish. "You know that saying, 'Learn from the past or you are doomed to repeat it'? Well, I ... er, took that to heart and bought a book on the rise and fall of Grindelwald the other day. I figured that I'd read it and learn what not to do in time of war. I just finished that book last night and ... it talked about the Gantarin Potion and I guess it was still fresh in my mind ...

Kyle raised his eyebrows. "It was luck?"

"Yeah. I just happened to read it and – " Harry gazed up at Kyle, expecting to see disappointment, but his mentor was still grinning.

"Don't worry, I'm not mad. Sometimes a person's greatest weapon is pure, dumb luck." He clapped a hand to Harry's shoulder. "Now let's go. We have work to do."

July 12, 1996

First lesson: There are only a few things you need in the world – a pocket knife, your wand, and a smile.

"Hello, we have reservations under Hunter." Kyle flashed the man a brilliant smile. "Lovely weather we're having."

Lesson Two: Every building, every room, every situation – memorize it.

"Take a look around," Kyle said quietly across the table. When Harry craned his neck around, Kyle placed a warning hand on his arm. "Not like that. You have to be inconspicuous. Use your surroundings to your advantage."

Harry leaned back casually in his chair and surveyed the room before him. A large mirror was hanging on the opposite wall, reflecting back the scene. Peering into it, he could easily see the room behind him.

Kyle beamed. "Perfect. Now, you have to take pictures with your mind. See, assess. Find what doesn't fit in and decide if it is a threat or not. Then act on it or dismiss it. Do it without looking or thinking. Like breathing."

"Without looking?"

"Yes. Now, that man reading the menu behind you. Is he a threat?"

Harry glanced into the looking glass at the man. He was bald and fat and ... his eyes weren't moving across the page. Instead, they were focused, discreetly, across the room. Harry followed their path to –

"Only to that waitress over there." He and Kyle smirked at each other.

Lesson Three: One simple question gives away loads of personal information that now has to be true.

"Go make friends with him," Kyle said, eyes flickering toward to man. Harry gave him a strange look, but complied. Pretending to drop his napkin, Harry stole another look at the man. He was struggling to light his cigarette now. Harry sat back up, reached over to Kyle, pulled a lighter out of his mentor's coat, and turned around to the man.

"Need a light?"

The man smiled. "Thanks." He took a puff of his newly ignited smoke.

"My name's Greg," said Harry, extending a hand. "Greg Hunter."

"Nice to meet you, Greg. I'm David Baden."

Harry motioned to the newspaper resting on the table next to David, lying open to the sports section. "What do you think of the Cannons' chances this year?"

"Not a chance in hell."

Harry rolled his eyes good naturedly. "Enjoy your meal."

"You, too."

"So?" Harry asked when you turned back around. "How'd I do?"

Kyle shook his head. "You just gave away three things about yourself for one piece of impersonal information." He checked off on his fingers. "You just told him you smoke, you like Quidditch, and you are a Cannons fan. If you ever run into him again in the future, or need his help, those things all have to be true."

"Oops."

"It's alright. It's only your first day." He stood from the table. "Let's get going. We can work more tomorrow."

July 12, 1996

When Harry woke up the next morning, a brown barn-owl was waiting by the window for him. He rubbed his eyes blearily and took the letter from the owl. When he finished reading it, he sat down on the bed, staring hard at the parchment.

Dear Harry,

Hi. I've never written to you before, so you probably don't recognize my handwriting ... It is Cho. Cho Chang. I know I am probably one of the last people you expected to hear from, but there's something I need to talk to you about. I'm not a Gryffindor for a reason, I'm too afraid to talk to you about this face to face, so a letter will have to do.

I like you, Harry. I really do. I know things didn't work out between us last year - I was still grieving over Cedric and you had too many things to deal with to have to comfort me as well, although you still tried to anyways. The point is ... I want to try again. I'll understand if you're over me already.

I ran into Terry Boot the other day and we made plans to invite the DA to a Quidditch game on August 5th. It's Oliver Wood's first game as the permanent Puddlemere Keeper, which I know you'll want to see. If you want to, I would love to go with you. And if not, I still hope you will come and that we can remain friends.

Anxiously awaiting your reply,

Cho Chang

Harry re-read the letter. This was going to take some thinking. He got dressed and grabbed a small stone around his neck.

"The world is quiet here," he whispered to himself. And disappeared from his room.

"Are you ready for today?" Kyle asked as they exited his office.

Harry opened his mouth to respond and then stopped abruptly. In the hallway before him was ...

"That's Nott!" Harry hissed, pulling Kyle into a side corridor. "What is he doing here? He's a Death Eater!"

"Harry," Kyle said softly and the use of his real name caught his full attention. "I thought you understood that the Agency didn't take sides."

"Yeah, but – "

"The wizards who work here can have alliances with anyone. Which is why you must be very careful. You never know who you can trust."

Dear Cho,

I don't really know how to write this. You are a great girl Cho and you deserve the best, but ... I don't think I can give that to you. My life right now is dangerous. I can't afford to have you get too close to me. I wish you all the luck in the world, Cho.

Friends?

Harry

PS – I'll see you on the 5th.

July 25, 1996

Harry sat at his desk in a small office in the WIA Headquarters. The past two weeks had flown by and Harry felt more in control of his life than he ever had before.

He wasn't ready to fight Voldemort. But he was a lot closer.

A knock sounded at the door. "Come in," greeted Harry. Kyle entered, looking very happy.

"I've got good news."

"What?"

"You're ready, Dagger."

Harry beamed. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yes." Kyle smiled back at him. "You're first assignment starts tomorrow."

Harry returned to the Dursleys that night in a wonderful mood. This is what he had been waiting for. Tomorrow, he could finally put his training to use. He couldn't wait.

As soon as he lay down on his bed, there was a polite tapping on the door. Harry frowned. His relatives usually just barged in.

"Who is it?" Harry said cautiously, reaching for his wand.

"It's me, Harry." Remus' voice traveled through the door.

"How do I know it is really you?"

"I taught you how to cast a Patronus in your third year."

Harry stood up and walked over to the door, still suspicious. He opened it, letting Remus have admittance into his room.

"How can I help you, Remus?"

"Well ... "Remus suddenly looked uncomfortable. "The Headmaster sent me."

Harry's face immediately darkened. "What does he want now?"

Remus took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "He wants you to write a letter to the Minister."

"What?"

"We've been working with the Ministry a lot more now. We are hoping to re-strengthen the relationship between them and the Order. Albus was hoping that you would write the Minister a letter about your meetings with Voldemort."

"Why doesn't he just tell Fudge himself?"

"He thought it would look better coming from you. It would show that the problems between the two of you were settled and that you were working together for a common good."

"Fine."

Remus looked startled. "Pardon me?"

"I said fine. I'll do it. Is that all?"

"Ah ... yes. Just mail it to the Minister when you are done. I – I'll see you soon, Harry." He left.

Harry stood up and walked over to his desk, getting out a quill and some parchment. Oh, he would write to the Minister alright. But there was no way he was going to send it by owl.

There were a few things he need to discuss with Cornelius Fudge face to face.