A/N : Almost forgot that damn disclaimer again.
Harry Potter and other related characters do not belong to me. Rommel belongs to himself, but I'm quite sure he won't say anything.
December 1943 - Africa, Feldmarschal Rommel's Headquarters
Seated on a chair behind his desk, Rommel was musing. He did not do that very often, but sometimes, when there was a lot of pressure on him, it felt good to let his spirit wander freely and to try to sort things out.
Well, if he was honest, he could not maintain the situation was really bad. But it was not good either. He was used to it, though. Whatever his choices were, he knew people would probably suffer from it. That was one of the first things he had learnt as an officer ; he could not go to battle and expect to have the same number of soldiers at the end of the day. In fact, he should even be grateful he made it to the end of the battle. But for him, getting out of it alive was not enough. Never had been.
Oh, shut up, Erwin. You are just mad because you agreed to take the teen with you. He can take care of himself.
When they had Apparated back there, the day before, everything had gone as planned. Of course, Rommel's long absence had been noticed, and had made his men worry. A patrol had been sent to search for him, and he had been glad he had taken the precaution to Apparate a little further from camp.
Riddle had had enough time to perform a minor invisibility charm - not all that efficient, but quite enough for muggle's eyes - and he had discreetly followed as Rommel met his men and went back to camp with them.
Then, the boy had come to Erwin's office, and he had given him some forged papers quite realistic looking. But now, with the help of magic, it was pretty easy to duplicate muggle papers. As long as no one from the Gezaupo looked at it...
But, as Rommel was more or less trusted by Grindelwald, for the moment at least, he had not too much problems with these wizard minions of Himmler's. The Gezaupo were a minor branch of the Schutz Staffel ; the name stood for "Geheime Zauberer Polizei". Himmler had them spy on most of the prominents wizards of the Third Reich. But he did not seem to deem Africa worthy of his attention. Not that the Feldmarschal was complaining about it.
Rommel glanced at the window ; it was the middle of the afternoon, and there was not a cloud in the sky. Riddle was due to arrive any moment, now. The german stretched and poured himself a glass of water. That was during times like that he really appreciated the privileges of rank. Water was not rationed, but lukewarm most of the time. But he got to have cold water. And it was much needed. A squint at the thermometer told him the temperature was nearing the 45°C. He felt sincere sympathy for the poor sentries who had to stand guard in this sultriness.
A knock at the door drew his attention.
"Yes ?" he called.
A man with light brown hair, clad in a german major's uniform, entered the room, and saluted smartly. Rommel recognized him as major Rolf Merhoff, a subordinate he had noticed for his sharp intelligence and wit. He saluted back, though a little more slackly. He was still tired, and the night had been short.
"Herr Feldmarschal", Merhoff said once given the authorisation to talk, "a young man presented himself at the sentry, claiming he is... ehm, your nephew. He has a pass which seems authentic. Shall I have him arrested nonetheless ?"
He was a little nervous, but tried to hide it. He was not really successful, but that was not everyday one would meet a blood relative of Rommel's. If the boy was indeed as he claimed he was, which Merhoff had also some trouble believing. But his superior's reaction surprised him.
"Ah, yes", Rommel said, acting as if suddenly remembering something. "I had forgotten to tell you he was supposed to come here. I had that dispatch somewhere, but we have had quite a few other things to do."
"Yes, sir", the major nodded. He was prudent enough as to follow some unwritten rule that all officers knew ; never contradict a superior officer. Even when you think he's gone sheer crazy. But now, that was Rommel they were talking about. Either it was indeed his nephew, or he had his reasons to claim it was. And if he had special reasons to act like he did, Merhoff did not want to mess up with him. The Feldmarschall hid a smirk.
"Well, have him report to me at once and get back to your duties."
He dismissed the man with a casual handwave, and the major saluted at once, before striding out of the room. Only minutes later, Riddle was allowed to get in Rommel's sanctuary - his office, so nicknamed because he spent so much time there. His officers were not aware he knew about this nickname, but, well, what he was not supposed to know could not hurt him.
Rommel nodded to Riddle, who saluted with a mischievous grin. The german raised a hand to hold him silent, and taking his wand out of his arm sheath, he cast a silencing charm around them.
"Seems like it worked", the Desert Fox commented then, a little more relaxed now he was sure the walls would not hear anything.
"I had no doubt it would", Riddle replied. "After all, they have no reason to be wary of us. You are their great military hero."
The german's eyes narrowed at that.
"That is no subject for jokes. I do not enjoy betraying the trust they gave me, even if I feel it might save countless lives."
Riddle held his gaze for a few seconds, before averting his eyes.
"I apologize", he finally muttered.
"Accepted", Rommel answered after a few seconds.
There was an awkward silence, before Riddle finally cleared his throat.
"Um, so, I'm in the place, and now what ?"
"Now we take care of that Dumbledore problem your minister pestered me for", Rommel sighed grumpily.
"Oh." Riddle did not seem to find the idea very stirring, and Rommel wondered if he held any grudge against that Dumbledore fellow. But if that was the case, Cornwall would not have sent him, now, would he ?
Well, actually, he just might. The german officer rubbed his nosebridge tiredly. He did not need problems like that at that time. Besides, he did not have any evidence toward that conclusion, so he would not do one darn thing about it, he decided. He would take care of it if and when faced with the problem.
"So, how do we proceed ?" the boy asked.
Rommel went to his desk and took a map out of his drawer. He unfolded the paper, and gestured for Riddle to come and have a look at it. The boy complied, and examined it closely.
"Where are we ?" he inquired.
"There", Rommel showed him the place that bore the name "Bir-Hakeim". "From what your minister told me, his last known position was around here."
He pinpointed a place about three hundred kilometers west from Bir-Hakeim.
"Now, we must think strategy. We must get there, contact these englanders without being noticed by my forces, and get them out of here."
"Will it not be difficult for you to, hum... disappear for such a length of time ?" Riddle inquired.
"I can always find excuses", he shrugged. "The only thing is I will have to reinforce the wards so no one, even knowing they are here, can pass round them. I do not care for some wizards to show up while I am not here."
"What if they ask why you did it ?"
"A security measure against the Allies, of course", Rommel answered easily.
"All right", Riddle nodded. "What about our transportation ?"
"That is another problem. I can take my staff car without arousing suspicion, but that's it. You will act as my driver, of course."
"You said the Africans had other means of transportation. What about that ?"
"No", the german shook his head. "That kind of transportations works through oasis. It would take us on a precise point, and we do not know where they are, not to mention there are not any aosis closeby their position. We will have to do it the Muggle way."
"The hard way", Riddle groaned.
"Aren't you the lazy one", Rommel chided him. "Fortunately, things have been pretty calm of late, so we should be able to leave tomorrow morning, and if we are lucky, we will not be away for more than one or two days."
"Fine by me", Riddle agreed. He hesitated, then added, "I do not know the desert. What should I bring along ?"
"Be sure to have some kind of hat, it can get pretty hot out there. I will take care of the water and other equipment. And of course, keep your wand at the ready. Try not to get too wand happy, though. We will want to be as discreet as possible."
"Of course", Riddle said in the offended voice of someone who need not be reminded of such things.
"Meanwhile, I will have a room near my quarters be prepared for you. As you are my "nephew", it is only natural that I should keep you with me. The men expect it. That is all, for now."
"Very well, "uncle",", Riddle smiled. "I will get some rest now, I think, and settle in my new quarters. I'll see you tomorrow morning, I trust."
"Five o'clock, in my office", Rommel answered.
"Why so early ?"
"Because it is relatively cool in the morning, and much easier to travel", Rommel explained.
"Oh. I understand. Tomorrow, then, uncle."
He left the room, and Rommel remained alone, in his darkening office. Shadows grew as the day neared its end, and the Feldmarschal heaved a sigh. He would better get some rest as well. But first, he had major Merhoff summoned. The man appeared only seconds later in his office.
"Sir, I have taken care of preparing a room for your nephew. He told me he was to be housed near your quarter."
"Good."
Good thing of course, Merhoff decided. As the boy was probably not his nephew, Rommel certainly wanted to keep an eye on him. But what was such a youngling doing there, in Africa ?
The sudden thought that crossed Merhoff's mind was horribly embarassing, but he couldn't quite dismiss it that easily. Was it possible that the boy was sent in Africa by Reichsführer Himmler, so as to spy on Rommel ? That would explain everything... But such a young boy, being given such an important assignment ? Unless... Of course ! The Reichsführer wanted to remain discreet about the whole thing. If people discovered he was spying on someone like Rommel, that would not be good for him. Even more so since the Führer seemed to trust Rommel - after all, it was him who had given him the command of the Afrika Korps... so, would spying on Rommel be understood in the Fatherland as a mistrust of the Führer's judgment ? If so, the Führer would have no choice but to take measures... Yes, it made sense.
After an hesitation, but seeing that Rommel had not dismissed him straight away, Merhoff carefully spoke.
"May I be of assistance, sir ?"
"Yes. My nephew has never been to Africa before, and would like to visit. As it has been dead calm, lately, I think I can take one or two day off to give him a tour. If you think you and the rest of my staff here can handle everything. General Loewy should be here shortly, anyway, so if anything should happen he can take command."
"Yes, sir", the major nodded, though it wasn't quite what he had had in mind. Rommel leaving his headquarters ? He had never done that before, and certainly never alone. Gathering his courage, he couldn't help but protest. "However, sir, are you certain you will be safe ? Maybe you should take an escort with you, or..."
"That will not be necessary", Rommel replied calmly, silencing his subordinate with a patient look.
Merhoff reluctantly nodded.
"Don't worry, there will be no problem during your absence, I assure you", he said, not bothering to hide his disapproval. He knew the Feldmarschall was not the kind of commander who would punish him for caring.
"I have no doubts about that", Rommel asserted. "We will leave tomorrow, so I would like my car ready for five in the morning."
"Do you wish for a driver as well ?"
Merhoff prayed Rommel would say yes. He just did not fancied him going out there alone, or almost so, even though german forces controlled most of the country.
"That won't be necessary. What are nephews for, anyway ?"
The major had a quiet laugh, trying to slacken the atmosphere, though slightly forcing it.
"Then I hope your nephew does not resemble mine", he said with a sickly grin.
Rommel seemed to suddenly think about it and had a mock shiver.
"Good lord", he said. "maybe I should have my will written before we leave."
"If so you wish, I can have a notary come here tonight", Merhoff said, playing along.
"Here, in Africa ?" Rommel asked, surprised.
"Well, it would have to be a local, but..."
"I don't believe it ! He wants to send me some kind of chaman", the Feldmarschal scoffed. "Away from my sight, you idol worshipper !"
The major disappeared with a wider smile, and Rommel, shaking his head, reverted his attention to the maps laying on his desk so as to plan the travel of the following day.
Out in the corridor, Merhoff stared at Ritter's door for a few seconds, deep in thoughts, before leaving for good. For his commander's sake, he would keep an eye on the boy, and he knew of some other officers who would gladly help him do so. They had little esteem for Himmler's men.
End note : I am using celsius degrees, for I am not used to fahrenheits. Heck, I'm not even sure I spelled it right. If you are not used to celsius degrees, well, I don't really know what would be the fareneight equivalent, but I can tell you it's very, very hot. We're in Africa, after all.