Muggle AU. Modern time. War. Fem Harry (Catherine).

A loud explosion woke her up. Another bomb had hit the city. Or whatever was still left of it. Catherine rose and walked over to the broken window. Her eyes were peeking out, searching for the place of the explosion. There it was. To her left. The enemies had finally hit the large and formerly beautiful cathedral. A place long deserted but a safe haven to those who had not managed to flee in time. Those who survived. Like her. Now it was burning.

But, to be honest, those who were able to escape the city were as safe as those who stayed behind. The war, that lasted for two years now, was everywhere. And their President was at fault. He had been to greedy for more power, more money and more resources, insulted the other nations and doomed his people. He had finally broken all contracts and declared war, sending his troops into battle and destroying probably as many foreign cities and towns as their enemies did in their country. It was a very gruesome war. Thousands of civilians had died already and even more soldiers.

Everyone was taught to shoot and fight, how to build and throw bombs and how to find shelter in the ruins. Food was scarce and they needed to scavenge houses and markets for any edible things every day. It was pure chaos.

Catherine had managed to stay alive so far and hoped to reach the mountains someday soon. They were the safest place now because of their wilderness and the many hidden caves. She had fought her way through many a city now to get there and learned to show no mercy on the enemies, killing them on sight.

It was still dark outside but Catherine guessed that it would be the right time to leave her hideout because it would be too dark to spot her among the rubble. She quickly packed her gear and slid out of the small opening, holding her gun in her right hand. She walked down the deserted street and passed the burning cathedral. The doors were closed and the enemy circled the church. There were cries. Desperate. Panic-fuelled. Beseeching. Begging. But the enemy was mercilessly enjoying watching and hearing them burn. Catherine stopped behind a large ruined wall and started counting the soldiers.

"There are twelve of them." Someone whispered quite close to her ear. Catherine spun around and pressed her gun into his chest.

"What do you want?"

"To help you free those poor people. I grew up in this city and hate to see them die! I already walked around the cathedral to count them."

"How do I know, if I can trust you?"

"You don't!" He said. "But you need to, if we want to save them in time."

"Very well." They talked about an improvised plan and went out to shoot their enemies as silent as possible with the help of sound suppressors. When they were sure that there weren't more, they ran over to the cathedral and opened the doors. To the immense relieve of the locked-in. The people - probably about fifty - thanked them and left as fast as humanly possible. Only Catherine and the stranger were left.

"I am Salazar, by the way. Salazar Slytherin." Catherine raised her eyebrow.

"You are THE Salazar Slytherin? The famous author who wrote those many popular dystopian novels? Which had been made into very successful movies all around the world?"

"Yes. That one."

"Why are you still here and not in one of thoses safe countries? You surely had a chance many of us hadn't."

"I wanted to leave but I couldn't let my former friend Godric, the foolish, Gryffindor - our President - destroy everything I knew. I was in another city at the time and it took me a while to get here. I arrived at his fortress and tried- for many weeks - to talk some sense into him but it didn't work - obviously. We had a bad argument and I left, taking every weapon I could hold and trying to safe whoever I could."

"Did you manage?"

"Honestly? No! There are to many to safe and even more to fight. But most have left the town by now. We should, too!" He studied her face as best as he could in the darkness. "Where are you heading?"

"To the mountains."

"A wise decision." He held out his hand. "Let's go together!"

"Very well. But we should leave now or they will find us!" She took his hand and together they left the ruins of the cathedral behind them. Hoping to reach the mountains and to find safety in the caves. And hoping, against hope, that this stupid war would end soon or there would be nothing left to fight for.

During midday a group of aggressive soldiers found them and started shooting in their direction. Salazar pulled her behind the wall of a destroyed house and out of the line of fire. She thanked him with a squeeze of his hand and pulled a grenade out of her backpack. She armed it and threw it amid the soldiers. The grenade exploded a few seconds later and gave them the possibility to escape unseen. They pressed themselves against the walls and used the shadows to get further away. The towns outskirts got closer and by nightfall they managed to reach the forest that surrounded the city.

"I know a save cave where we can stay the night" He said and pulled her deeper into the darkness of the forest.

"How do you even know where to go?"

"I lived in the neighbourhood when I grew up and have been exploring this part of the forest quite thoroughly. Please trust me." She sighed but followed him nonetheless. "Thank you!" He whispered into the darkness. They walked for some more hours before he finally slowed down in front of a large, stony hill. It looked a bit eerie but he didn't seem to mind. Instead, he led her around it and descended into an even darker passage until he finally stopped.

"Is this it?" She asked wearily

"Yes. We stop here to get some sleep and continue as soon as the next night falls again." They put down their gear and switched on some flashlights to ready their camp.

"Do we need a lookout?" Catherine asked. "I could take the first watch."

"I don't think that it is necessary." He laid down and nodded at her. "Come one. We will be safe and we both need the sleep!" She sighed again but followed his suggestion. He offered his shoulder as a pillow and placed his arms securely around her. "Sleep well, Cate."