December 18th 2005 - Mercian Regiment Headquarters, Tidworth.
Harry had come to a decision. It had been five months since he and Hermione had been separated from the SAS, and he wasn't finding life in his old Regiment to be the same.
Yes, he had since married Hermione, although it had been a small and private affair, just the two of them and a few close friends. And yes, he was excited to become a father soon, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.
But at the same time, he was still suffering the trauma of his mission in Kabul. He was struggling with nightmares and flashbacks, and he knew that he needed to seek help. And at the same time, he knew that he couldn't get back into the rhythm of his old unit.
So he was going to resign. He had talked it over with both of his grandfathers, and had talked to Hermione about it, and they had all been supportive of his decision. He knew it would be a difficult conversation with Major Malfoy, but he had made up his mind.
He had made an appointment to see the Major later that afternoon, and he spent the morning preparing himself for the meeting. He gathered all the necessary paperwork and documents, and rehearsed what he was going to say to the Major.
As he made his way towards Major Malfoy's office, he felt a mix of nervousness and determination. He was doing the right thing, he knew that, but he also knew that it would not be an easy conversation, and he knew converting to life on civvy street, becoming a civilian, would be hard. Just like it was on Hermione, and on his grandfathers.
He knocked on Major Malfoy's door, and a gruff voice said, "Enter."
Harry took a deep breath and walked in, handing over his paperwork to the Major.
"Sir, I've made a decision," Harry began.
"Let me guess, you can't hack it so you're resigning?"
Harry knew that the older man would cut through the bullshit and formalities, so he took a deep breath and got straight to the point.
"It's not that I can't hack it, sir," Harry said calmly. "It's just that I've realised that my family is important, that my mental health is important. I know that serving Queen and country is important too, but at the same time, I don't feel that I can be an effective soldier whilst I struggle. I know its leaving the Regiment in the lurch, especially with the upcoming deployment, but it's not a decision I've made lightly.
"If I don't do it, sir, then I am afraid, afraid of leaving my child fatherless, afraid of letting the men down, and I don't want to do that."
Major Malfoy looked at Harry for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Harry had expected resistance, anger, or at the very least, some pushback from the Major. Instead, he was met with silence.
"Potter, I'm not going to lie to you. I knew from your first day back with us that you were struggling with what you had experienced. I should know, I've seen my own share of action." Major Malfoy said finally, his voice softer than before. "I had the same problem choosing to decide over my family or the Army, and I made the decision to stay in the Army.
"Because of that, my own son, Draco, ended up following in my footsteps, and he paid for it with his life. He ended up in the The Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment), and he was killed in Iraq about the same time as your own mission there."
Harry's heart sank at the Major's words. He had heard about the losses suffered by the Wiltshire Regiment in Iraq, and he knew that it must have been a difficult time for Major Malfoy.
"I'm sorry for your loss, sir," Harry said quietly, not knowing what else to say.
"Thank you, Potter," Major Malfoy said, his voice cracking slightly. "I tell you this not to make you feel guilty or to try and dissuade you from your decision, but to let you know that I understand where you're coming from. I don't want your child to end up losing his father to a suicide bomber, or a sniper's bullet, and I don't want to see you suffer any longer.
"I will process your resignation, and I will do my best to make sure that it is done as quickly and as smoothly as possible. But know this Potter, the only reason I was hard on you when you returned was because I knew that one day, you could have made a dammed good CO."
Harry felt a weight lift off his shoulders as he listened to Major Malfoy's words. He had been expecting a difficult conversation, but the Major's understanding and empathy surprised him. He felt a new respect for the man, who had clearly been through his own share of pain and loss.
"Thank you, sir," Harry said, feeling a lump in his throat. "I appreciate your understanding and support."
"Don't thank me, Potter," Major Malfoy said. "You're doing the right thing. You have a family to think of now, and you need to take care of yourself. That is important. I'll do my best to make sure that whatever help you need, you get it. And if there's anything else I can do to help, just let me know."
Harry nodded, feeling grateful for the Major's support. He stood up, ready to leave the office, but before he could, Major Malfoy spoke up again.
"Potter, one more thing. When you're ready, if you ever decide that you want to come back to the Regiment, you know where to find us. We'll always welcome you back with open arms."
"Thank you sir. But if I'm honest, I don't know if I'll ever come back. But I appreciate the offer."
With that, Harry left the Major's office, feeling a sense of relief and sadness all at once. He knew that his life was changing, and that it wouldn't be easy. But he also knew that he had made the right decision, and that he had the support of his family and friends.
As he walked out of the headquarters, he thought about what his future might hold. He didn't know what he would do next, but he was ready for a new chapter in his life. He was ready to leave the military behind and start a new journey with Hermione and their child.
15th March 2006 - Cokeworth General Hospital
It had been several months since that meeting in Major Malfoy's office, and Harry's life had taken a new direction. He had spent the past few months adjusting to civilian life and finding his place in the world outside of the military. It had been a challenging transition, but he had been able to rely on the support of his family and friends, especially Hermione.
And now, he was standing there, as Hermione had delivered a beautiful son. He had chocolate brown eyes and black messy hair.
As Harry held his son for the first time, he felt an overwhelming sense of love and responsibility. He was now a father, and he knew that he had to do everything in his power to be the best parent he could be.
"What are we going to name him?" Hermione asked, smiling up at Harry.
Harry looked down at his son, and then back up at Hermione, a smile spreading across his face.
"I was thinking, James Sirius," Harry said, his voice full of emotion. "After my father and my godfather."
Hermione smiled, tears in her eyes, and nodded her head.
"James Sirius, it's perfect," she said, reaching out to stroke their son's cheek.
As Harry looked down at his newborn son, he couldn't help but think about the journey that had led him here. It had been a long and often difficult road, but he knew that he wouldn't have made it without the support of his family and friends.
He also knew that he had a new purpose in life. As he looked down at James Sirius, he knew that his mission had changed.
He was no longer a soldier fighting for his country, but a father fighting for his son's future. He wanted James Sirius to have a better life than he had, and he knew that it was up to him to make that happen.
As Harry held his son, he made a promise to himself to always be there for him, to guide him, and to protect him from the dangers of the world. He knew that being a parent wouldn't be easy, but he was ready for the challenge.
And as he looked over at Hermione, he knew that they would face this new chapter in their lives together, as a family.
25th July 2028 - Sandhurst Military Academy
It was the day of James Sirius Potter's graduation from the Sandhurst Military Academy. Harry and Hermione arrived early to secure a good spot in the audience. As they waited for the ceremony to begin, Harry's mind wandered back to the day he had graduated there himself.
He remembered feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment as he stood there in his uniform, surrounded by his fellow graduates. Now, as he looked out at the sea of cadets, he felt a similar sense of pride for his son.
The Iraq War had finished several years ago, the Taliban had retaken Afghanistan, and the Coronavirus pandemic had hit the world, and Russia had invaded Ukraine, but despite the world changing, the Potters had adapted where they needed to.
The loss of Harry's grandparents, Hugo to Covid, and Fleamont to heart problems, had hit him hard, and he knew that when Hermione's father took his own life, not wanting to live with the pain he had suffered after the London bombings, had hit her hard, but together they had found strength in each other and had raised not just James, but his two siblings, Daniel and Emma, to be the best that they could be.
Hermione had written a novel, inspired by their time undercover in Iraq, which had become a bestseller, and Harry had found a new purpose in life by working with a charity which supported veterans who had struggled with PTSD and mental health issues.
But now, as he watched his son walk across the stage, he knew that he had fulfilled his promise to James Sirius. He had given him a better life, a life full of love, support, and opportunity.
As the ceremony ended, Harry and Hermione made their way over to James Sirius, who was surrounded by his fellow graduates and their families. Harry could see the pride in his son's eyes, the same pride he had felt on his own graduation day so many years ago.
"Well done, son," Harry said, knowing that despite his own struggles, he had played a part in shaping the man that James Sirius had become. "We're so proud of you."
"Thanks, Dad," James said, a grin spreading across his face. "I couldn't have done it without you and Mum."
Harry smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction and contentment. He had come a long way since his days in the SAS, and he knew that his life had taken a different path than he had originally planned. But he also knew that he wouldn't have changed a thing.
His mission to be a good father would still run, and he knew that, like his grandfather Hugo, he would be there to support his son through whatever troubles he might face in the future. Harry knew that the Army was a part of who he was, but he also knew that being a father was his most important role.
And he knew that it was the biggest mission of them all.