Chapter 2

The Colour of Khaki.


The sniper incident was just one of many things that defined my tour of duty. If it wasn't a sniper then it was riots, road blocks, kidnappings, arson attacks or suicide bombers. Iraq was a lot of things, but it wasn't a party town. The British were lucky though, they didn't seem to draw the animosity that the American soldiers did. I tried to stick to the Australians when we had a choice of companion patrols, they were excellent in a crunch and always had time for an impromptu game of cricket. The Americans didn't seem to get cricket, it wasn't my sport either but it kept my people happy. That was what it was all about, a happy team was less stressed and easier to keep disciplined.

We've been here for 3 months of 24/7 constant vigilance. Mad Eye Moody would have been proud to know someone had finally listened to him. Unfortunately, Lieutenant Stadley took a load of shrapnel to her left side from a mine and had to be bugged out to the Gulf. Thank Kevlar for small mercies, Stadley would live, but probably have aches in bad weather. That would make the transfer a moot issue now, it was either a desk job or a war pension. In a way Stadley was lucky, lots of people lost their lives both uniformed and civilian (and they still are). One week later my squad was sent home for a well earned break. Home was beckoning and I answered the call with a spring in my well worn boots.


Back at the base after debriefing we were given 6 weeks paid leave. Everyone had somewhere to be and I packed my essentials in to a kit before making my way on the tube to the Leaky Cauldron. I'd called ahead to Tom the Publican and booked a room for a few nights until I decided if I needed to be somewhere else or with someone else.

No one but Tom knew I was coming, so when I walked in I simply dropped my kit behind the bar before taking off my hat and scraping my nails through my short wavy hair (It was easier to control lice with short hair and a regulation cut was also easy to manage). In my tidy dress uniform I cut quite a figure and most people in the pub stopped their drinking to watch me open-mouthed. It wasn't every day a Muggle soldier walked in off the street to have a drink at the Cauldron. Stretching, I cracked my back successfully with a satisfied grunt and wandered over to the bar.

"Tom, how about a whiskey"

Tom stared at me for a short moment before the look of recognition broke his battered face into a wide toothless grin.

"Mistress Granger, it's on the house maam" he said loud enough for everyone to hear as he placed a freshly polished shot glass on the bar and filled it to the brim.

"Thanks Tom, you're a hero" I said taking the drink and slamming it back smiling widely at the Wizard. I placed the glass on the bar nodding my head at him "Better make it another I've got some catching up to do".

The second drink hadn't quite made it to my lips when I was lifted bodily off the floor from behind and spun around in the air. The only sound that came out of my mouth was a " Woomp" as the air was shoved out of my lungs and the heavily gripped glass sprayed whiskey over the floor in a wide arc. When I hit the floor again I spun around defensively to meet a giant of a man with a huge shaggy beard and a foul hairy suit. "Fuck, what a sight."

"MyKnee, how are you little one" It was Hagrid and luckily not a wild beserker. "Hardly recognised you in your uniform. Bin a long time eh?"

I looked up into the black beetle eyes, the smiling face and the ever so shaggy hair "Agrid" was all I managed to choke out before grabbing him around the middle and shoving my face into his broad belly.

So much for the stoic war veteran, here I was reduced to an 11-year-old girl again.

He patted my back with a huge hand rocking me from side to side as I held on for grim death and buried my face in his beard. Merlin it was disgusting, but so bloody nice.

"Now now my girl" he crooned "Come and have a drink and tell old Agrid all about it eh".

He led me to a table near the fireplace, inquisitive hands reaching out and touching me as I passed like a lucky talisman. This was Granger the friend of Potter and they all wanted a little bit of that magic for themselves.

"Do they know you're here, why are you alone MyKnee" he asked gently "Are you on" he lowered his voice whilst looking around the public bar and murmured "a secret mission?"

"No Hagrid" I wiped an errant tear from near my eye and laughed "Just got back from Iraq last week and I'm on 6 weeks leave from today. I'm here at the Cauldron for a couple of days to reacclimatize then I might owl the Weasleys, maybe Hogwarts" I lowered my voice to a whisper looking at the table top "maybe no one, thought I'd wait and see".

Two Butterbeers floated over to our table courtesy of a smiling Witch. We both nodded in appreciation and downed the tasty brew as we caught up. I filled him in on my life as he nodded, drank and made the occasional "Mmm" sounds. Hagrid was an exceptionally good listener.

When I stopped chatting to take a drink Hagrid commented "Didn't never imagine our little MyKnee would become a Cap'n and be leading a troop like that. You done us proud girl, I'm chuffed for ya."

"Course I been reading that military paper you got me a 'scription for, saw your picture in it when you got promoted. Mighty proud of ya I can say" he nodded his head in that way that people do to emphasise a point. I had always thought it one of his endearing traits. "Showed it to the Headmistress and all." he said. "I've shown the Headmistress all your photo's and letters too, I reckon you got the most interesting job of any of her ex students."

We stopped our talk as 2 glasses of fire whiskey drifted onto our table courtesy of another pub patron. Nodding our thanks again I knew that if this kept up I'd be snickered in no time.

"Thanks Hagrid, that means a lot to me" I said in appreciation of his open honesty.

I sighed then and he tightened his grip on my hand sensing my pain "Its just been so long, I feel out of touch with the magical community. I haven't been back since Ron got married." I confided to my giant friend.

"Ah, yes Ron" he mused stroking his beard "Don't ya worry lass, stay here for a coupla days, take some walks in the Alley out back, get ya self reacquainted and all. I'll come and collect you Saturday night for the Halloween Ball at Ogwarts and you can meet everyone and catch up. It'll be good for ya, get yourself a new dress and your hair done nice and let all your worries slip away".

The way Hagrid looked at me I could tell that he knew the horrors that lay just beneath the surface. I remember seeing him battered and bruised before and knew the pain he'd suffered trying to win over the Giants to the Light side a few years ago. As a member of the Order, Hagrid had fought against dark wizards all his adult life and we had a quiet understanding.

Maybe it was the way he held my hand in his massive one, the knitting of those heavy brows or the concern in the black eyes. Whatever it was I found myself agreeing with him, sure I'll come to Hogwarts, I'd love to go to the Ball and of course I'll definitely play dress ups. Why not, Baghdad seemed far away and the tension was slipping away with each glass we consumed that quiet afternoon.

Maybe I'll get lucky on Saturday and meet the Wizard of my dreams and dance the night away on a gossamer cloud of love (or lust). If nothing else I'd have a nice new dress, all those hard earned pounds were burning a hole in my Gringott's account and it was time to spend up on myself. A pedicure would do wonders for my battle weary feet as well. I wiggled my toes in anticipation of the pleasure that was to come.

"It's a plan Hagrid, I'll do it. I'll apperate to Hogsmeade and walk up to the castle Saturday, but promise me you'll keep it a secret OK. I want to surprise everyone" I firmly gripped his hand with my right, kept eye contact until he nodded slightly then I downed my last shot of whiskey.

"Bottom's up then."

Hagrid did as he was told downing his drink in one gulp then rose up to his feet "Time to go back to Ogwarts then, you settle into your room and get some rest. There's a whole day of pampering ahead of you tomorrow" he winked good-naturedly.

He lent over me and plopped a big noisy kiss on the top of my head before ruffling my hair and flooing out via the fireplace. "Saturday then" were his parting words. I nodded, sure why not. It was Wednesday today, that gave me three days to prepare.


The room was just as I remembered all the Cauldron rooms to be. A quick spell made the mattress more comfortable than the bowed and smelly antique that I'd first spied. There was no way I was going to sleep on anything but crisp cotton sheets after 3 months on a burlap fold-down. It was an easy spell and was followed by a quick conjuring of flowers and incense to cleanse the room. Luxury, pure luxury. I'd intended to lie down for a quick nap, but when I awoke it was already morning. Morpheus my lover had taken me away from the sound of mortar and gun fire to a place that was soft and flower scented.

It was Thursday morning and I took a leisurely shower before dressing in my favourite pair of well-faded Levi's and a desert beige t-shirt. I was in no hurry and left for a quiet walk through Diagon Alley and a real breakfast at a near by café (I was sick of army rations and hastily grabbed meals). My squishy brown boat shoes made a nice change from the combat boots I'd all but slept in these last few months. The dog tags that hung openly from my neck (proclaimed me to be Granger, Captain, the property of Her Majesty's Government, blood type O negative, serial no. 6251AJ98765) and my Divers watch (a gift from Headmaster McGonagall when I graduated from Sandhurst engraved with her best wishes) was my only jewelry.

Diagon Alley had changed a fair bit since I last shopped here. I walked the full length of the main drag noting shops I would visit later and stopped at Gringott's to fill my money bag and exchange some pounds for gold galleons. Returning the way I'd come my first stop was the Owl Post-Office.


"Dear Molly & Arthur,

I'm staying at the Leaky Cauldron for a few days. I met up with Hagrid and he invited me to the Alumni Halloween ball at Hogwarts this Saturday night. Do you think you will be there? It would be so nice to catch up while I'm on leave.

I'd like my arrival to be a surprise to the boys, Ron & Harry, so please try not to tell them that I'm coming. Of course, if the temptation is too great then who am I to deny you the pleasure of hinting at a Gryffindor Old Girl visiting the castle.

If your offer is still standing, then I'd also like to spend a few days next week at the Burrow with you both so I can show you some photo's from my trip and chat again like old times.

All the best, with love as always

Hermione Granger."


"My Dear Professor,

I'm currently on leave and am staying at the Cauldron. Merlin it's good to be away from the heat and sand for a while. The Cauldron is utter luxury by comparison although I had to transfigure the bed into something that was not bowed into the middle. Being a Witch sure makes life more bearable. I actually woke this morning to the smell of flowers.

I just wanted you to know how much your correspondences over the last few years have meant to me. I know I've said it all before but I just want to tell you again... it's been so nice to have a non-judgmental friend that I can chat to when the times are lonely or I need to share the small joys that sometimes cross my path. Who would have thought 15 years ago that you would turn out to be the friend that I so craved. It's true that Merlin does indeed move in mysterious ways.

Thank you again for telling me about Abu-Shari, the wizarding town outside of Baghdad in the charming Agrahid Oasis. I hope you enjoyed the Arabic book of spells and potions that I sent to you and the hand woven cape. It's beautiful material isn't it and quite creatively woven with protection and good luck spells. Maybe I should have bought one for myself while I was there too? I wonder if they make flak jackets in shade of khaki (just joking!).

It will be nice to see you again soon and have a good chat. Perhaps we can try some of the potions in the new book if you'd like to, but of course only if you have the time.

I'm off for 6 weeks and, if the offer still stands, I'd like to spend a week or two at S/E just to unwind and escape from reality. Would that be alright? I promise not to invade your privacy, I just need somewhere to pull on a floppy robe and frolic in a field of sunflowers. How "Yellow Brick Road" does that sound? Hopefully without the "Ding Dong" song.

Would you believe the first person I ran into (after Tom the Publican) was Hagrid? How's that for travelling incognito, if he was an assassin I would be dead. For such a huge man he's remarkably quiet on his feet. So, the crux of this is that it looks like I'm going to Hogwarts for the Halloween ball on Saturday night. I don't suppose you would be so kind as to save a dance for me?

Much love

Granger."

A few sickles later and my friends knew I was still around, alive and kicking.