Merlin Protocol

Chapter 2

Nute

"…Harry," as the old man finished speaking several things happened at once. The people around the table wore shocked expressions as the implications of the man's words hit them, at the same time all four men raised their weapons again stepping back from the table knocking over their chairs in the process. Coming to form a semicircle around the new figure in the room the men kept their weapons on the man as Henry spoke.

"I'm not sure what you're on about old man but you must be mistaken my name isn't Harry." His voice carried an air of finality as he finished speaking but the old man just smiled at them with an odd twinkling in his eye.

"As I said Harry you can't mask your magic from me, I knew as soon as I stepped out of the fireplace." This statement did nothing to ease the tense soldiers as the standoff continued until the fireplace came to life again depositing another person into the house.

"Lower your weapons now!" The voice of Major Taylor rang out over the room snapping the men out of their stance as the lowered their weapons.

"Sir!" four voices rang out as they snapped to attention when their superior walked into the room.

"At ease men. Now everyone take a seat at the table we have much to discuss." The voice of the Major spoke with a commanding tone that had all of the occupants of the room moving to take a seat as he had said. "Good now let me introduce myself, I am Major John Taylor it's a pleasure to meet you Minister," he said nodding to Arthur then turning to Dumbledore "…and you Headmaster. Now I'm sure all of you have many questions that I will attempt to answer. Keep in mind though that some information is classified and I will not be able to discuss it. Now Headmaster I will only say this once, Harry Potter is dead. I will try to answer any other questions I can now" As Taylor finished speaking Henry noticed that the old man's eyes had resumed that damned twinkling but the man didn't challenge what the major had said.

"Yes umm... Major was it? I was wondering what you and your men were doing tonight interfering in magical affairs when you work for the muggle government?" Dumbledore asked in a condescending tone that caused the Major to smirk at the man.

"Yes I thought that would be first. We are here Headmaster because your Minister came to our government requesting our help in recovering his daughter and fighting this Lord Voldemort. In doing so he initiated a little known clause in the original treaty between the magical and non-magical world. This clause stated that if a conflict in the wizarding world ever got so severe that they had to request the help of the non magical government for aid that the non magical government has the right to seize control of the magical government until the conflict was finished." At this statement there were gasps of shock from around the table as they looked to Arthur for his reaction, he opened his mouth to respond but the major continued speaking before he could. "But…we feel that the current magical government is competent just suffering for the mistakes of the past. So we have decided to allow the Ministry of Magic to continue running the show but our men will take the primary role in fighting Voldemort's forces until we can get some of your people trained." Sighs of relief came from many of the rooms occupants at that statement. Dumbledore looked at the major opening his mouth to ask:

"What do you mean by training and how will your men fight effectively against a magical enemy?"

"We have been planning for this event since the first reign of Voldemort, we began specially preparing a special squadron of the SAS these 64 men are going to be the main fighting force with the rest of the 22nd SAS in reserve for support. The men in this squadron, four of whom are sitting before you, have been trained to fight a magical force. While only the soldiers here are magical the rest have been educated in magical knowledge and theory so they know what to expect going into this fight. We have also worked with wizards to create special gear for these men that help to even out the odds." Taylor finished looking to the assembled group for other questions.

"What kind of equipment?" the voice of Hermione spoke from beside Ron.

"Sorry Ms. Granger but that is one of those things that are classified. As for training Headmaster we plan to begin preparing your worlds aurors in more effective combat tactics as opposed to the mainly law enforcement training that they receive now, but that is a discussion for another time. Now I believe that is enough questions for now, Murphy I want you and your men here until further notice to provide security, take 30 minutes to return to Hereford and get cleaned up and packed for an extended stay." Taylor spoke to his men receiving a nod from Murphy as he and his men got up from the table grabbing their gear as they made their way to the fireplace, after they had all departed the Major turned back to Arthur. "Minister Weasley I don't mean to intrude on your hospitality, but as you are the leader of the magical government and we have already seen that Voldemort wants to go after your family we feel it would be best if we had a team stationed here just in case."

"Of course that's no trouble at all we have enough room for all of the men and it would give me peace of mind that everyone is safe." Arthur finished directing an appreciative look to the major.

"Well I must be leaving, tonight has been most informative thank you for your time major. Molly give young Ginerva my best when she awakens," Dumbledore said before taking his leave through the fireplace.

"I'm afraid I also have other matters to attend to; expect my men to be coming through the floo shortly." Taylor spoke as he stood up; shaking the adults' hands he made for the fireplace with a final nod to the assembled group. After he was gone there was a short silence before:

"Well that-"

"Was interesting" The twins finally spoke up finishing each other's thoughts.

"Do you really think that he's Harry Potter?" Hermione said to the others.

"I think we should just take the major's word but enough of that, off to bed everybody it is very late," Mr. Weasley spoke noticing the late hour. As the kids left the kitchen Arthur looked to his wife, "I can't believe all of this, I'm so grateful for all these people have done."

"Me too Arthur, I'm going to go prepare the empty rooms for our guests." Molly gave one last smile to her husband as she made her way up the stairs. Arthur sat in silence for some time contemplating the events of the night. Eventually he heard the tell tale sign of the floo flaring to life as their guests were deposited in the living room. Standing up Arthur saw the four men from earlier walk in the kitchen dressed in fatigues each carrying a large pack on their back with their weapons slung over their shoulders.

"Ah welcome back we are more than happy to have you all here, my wife is currently preparing rooms for you. I'm afraid that two of you will have to share."

"That's perfect Mr. Weasley. Ok guys I want at least one person on watch at all times, Peters your first take watch until the morning. Everyone else it's been a long night so follow Arthur to where we'll be staying and get some sleep." Connor stopped Frank as he was leaving the kitchen to whisper in his ear, Frank nodded his head and went back into the kitchen with Henry. Seeing his questioning look Frank said:

"Damage control, thanks to the wise professor I now have to obliviate them so they don't remember his claims." Frank saw Henry relax slightly showing that he had been worried about Dumbledore's outburst. "Have fun," with that Frank made his way up the stairs.

After Frank was gone, Henry sat his pack down in the kitchen and left through the door leading outside to secure the perimeter. Pausing to let the cool night air wash over him Henry reached into his pocket withdrawing a pack of cigarettes, placing one in his mouth he brought his hand up touching the tip with a finger sending a pulse of magic through his body causing the end to flare red as smoke began to rise. Blowing out a cloud of smoke, he continued to walk the perimeter of the Weasley's land, as he walked he thought over the events of the day. I killed men today. But I also saved a life, and that is all that matters. They chose their path now they will have to face the consequences. Finishing his thoughts, he closed his fist around the remains of his spent cigarette, opening his empty hand he shook off some stray ash as he came to sit on the house's porch. I can't imagine what that girl went through, and from the way it appeared we came just in time to spare her an even greater pain. I wonder how she will handle all of this. Henry sat there for some time with thoughts of the beautiful redhead they had rescued running through his head, finally with a determined expression he got up and moved into the house. Making his way through the house silently, he headed up the stairs coming to the first landing and the closed door leading to where he knew Ginny was resting. Coming to a stop in front of the door he paused straining to listen for any sounds he could hear, hearing a faint whimper he leaned closer to hear another whimper coming from the room in front of him. Making his decision he reached for the doorknob slowly opening the door, seeing the restless form of Ginny tossing on her bed he laid his weapon against the wall as he came to the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed he tentatively reached for Ginny his hand touching her back. At this contact, Ginny spun around and lunged forward clinging to Henry. With a shocked expression on his face he brought his arms slowly around Ginny holding her as he began to whisper soothing words into her ear. Eventually she was lulled back into slumber by the comforting presence of the man holding her. Once he was sure she was asleep Henry set her back down in her bed as he saw the first rays of sun begin to creep through the window in the room. After drawing the curtains so the girl could get some much needed rest he made his way out of the room slinging his weapon over his shoulder once more. Coming down the stairs he made his way out to the porch once more to finish out the rest of his watch. Not long after he sat down his team leader opened the door with the other members following behind him. "Morning Peters anything important last night."

"No sir it's been all quiet out here." Henry replied directing his tired gaze to his squad.

"Good get inside and get some sleep we have it from here, upstairs second floor on the left." As Murphy was speaking, Henry stood up nodding to his team as he went back into the house. Picking up his pack in the kitchen, he made his way up the stairs pausing at the first floor to listen again, not hearing any noises coming from the room he continued to the second floor. Walking into the room on the left he stripped to his boxers and slipped into the bed allowing sleep to finally overcome him.

It was dark that was the first thing that he noticed as his eyes opened to the world around him. What the hell this isn't where I went to sleep Henry was jolted out of his thoughts by a loud banging coming from the door directly to his right; oh no I know where I am now. The slot on the door was opened letting a beam of light assault his eyes, squinting at the sudden light Henry heard the voice he was hoping to never hear again. "Get up you bloody ungrateful freak! Today's the day; yes today we will finally be rid of your presence." His uncle spoke in a gleeful tone as the door was thrown open and a hand thrust forward grabbing him around the neck. After he was thrown against the wall coming to rest on the ground Henry looked down at his 5 year old body. Seeing the edges of angry black and blue bruises creeping out from the areas his too large clothes covered. Thinking back to his time at the Dursley's all Henry could remember was pain and misery, that is except for this day which would always remain in his memory. Snapped out of his thoughts by a slap to the face from his uncle he heard, "Get your lazy arse outside and in my car now you freak."

"Yes uncle Vernon." Henry heard the voice coming from his mouth even though he had not said it, it seemed he was stuck in this memory watching it playback as it had happened. Walking out of the house Henry came to stand beside his uncle's car.

"In the back you worthless piece of shite." Climbing into the car his uncle started it and began to drive to and unknown destination. As minutes turned into hours, the scenery of London could be seen outside the windows as the car came to a halt. "Ok now get out."

"What?"

"I said get out NOW!" with that Vernon shoved the small boy out of the car before closing the door shut and slamming on the gas causing the car to accelerate rapidly leaving the confused boy in its rear view mirror. After staring off in the direction his uncle had just went for some time Henry turned around examining his surroundings his eyes coming to rest on the ominous building before him. Looking at the sign above the doorway Henry was able to read St. Mary's Orphanage.

Henry was jolted out of his nightmare by a hand shaking his shoulder to see a figure looming over him in the darkness of the room, reaching for the pistol kept under his pillow the figure grabbed his hand quickly. "Easy Henry it's me, time to get up we've got bad guys to kill." The familiar voice of Jake Williams caused Henry to relax as his arm was released.

"Christ don't wake me up like that I almost killed you." Henry replied irately as he sat up stretching his sore muscles.

"As if I had the drop on you and you know it, now get your ass up and downstairs geared up in 15." Seeing Henry nod in acceptance Jake made his way out of the room leaving him to get ready. After he was dressed Henry grabbed his vest and weapon as he made his way down the stairs. On his way down he saw Mrs. Weasley exiting Ginny's room:

"How is she?" he asked coming to stand on the landing.

"Wonderful she should be physically healed by tomorrow all thanks to you."

"I was only doing my job Mrs. Weasley," with that, he continued down the stairs with Mrs. Weasley beaming at the man walking away from her. As he walked into the kitchen he saw his teammates as well as Ron, Hermione and the twins.

"Peters how kind of you to join us," Murphy spoke sarcastically seeing Henry walk into the room.

"Sorry boss I got held up." Coming into the kitchen Henry set his weapon down as he began to strap his armor and gear onto his body.

"Quite alright my boy now here's the situation, intelligence has placed two tier one targets in the same compound and command has decided that this situation is too good to pass up. The targets and the layout of the compound are in the folders in front of you." Henry picked up his folder flipping through it to see the faces of Amycus and Alecto Carrow starring out from the photographs. "Now the intelligence places a group of 20-30 low level hostiles with the targets. Here is the plan; we will the inserted one click to the east with Kilo 2 and 3 coming from the north and the west. From the insertion point we will proceed to the compound, after all three teams are in place we will hit the three entrances simultaneously using the element of surprise and speed to overwhelm the enemy. Memorize the faces in that folder they are to be taken alive, the rest are to be eliminated. The rest of the details are in the folder, any questions?" Murphy finished his primary looking to his men seeing grim determination set on their faces, turning to the other occupants of the room he saw looks ranging from awe to fear at the talk of the soldiers. "A reserve team will be placed outside of the house for security while we are away." He said this bringing the others back to reality as they nodded to him. "Now we're flooing to Hereford to catch a chopper to the target so let's get to it." Connor placed his helmet on his head securing the clasp, picking up his rifle he went to the fireplace with his men following behind him.

Once they were at Hereford, the team went to the airfield where the other teams taking part in the mission were preparing to board the helicopters. Climbing aboard the team settled in for the ride to their target. When they reached their destination Henry once again rechecked his gear before tossing the rope out of the door and descending to the ground. The team regrouped on the ground and moved off in the direction of their target. When the large three story buildings their targets were in came into view the team came to a halt at the edge of the wooded area surrounding it. "Kilo 2-1, Kilo 3-1 this is Kilo 1-1 we are in position what is your status?" Murphy spoke into his mouthpiece.

"This is Kilo 2-1 we are in position awaiting for go or no-go over."

"This is Kilo 3-1 we're ready just give the word."

"Control this is Kilo 1-1 we are a go, preparing to breach target over."

"Rodger Kilo 1-1 proceed as planned and update as needed." When the crackle of the radio died in their ears Murphy motioned for his team to move up to the door they were to breach. Coming to the door Frank withdrew four cylindrical explosive charges from his pack placing them in a square on the door in front of them. Moving to the side of the door Murphy whispered into the radio:

"Charges set," the team heard the two squelches over the radio in response meaning that the others were set. "Go in 5…4…3…-…-" As the countdown reached zero Frank squeezed the trigger on the detonator he held detonating the charges on the door causing it to blast forward off its hinges crushing the body of the man that had been standing in front of it. With the door gone Henry rushed forward leading his team into the building, upon entering he saw the body under the door laying in a pool of blood and the three other figures stirring on the ground getting back to their feet. Seeing the threat Henry raised his rifle squeezing the trigger releasing a rapid spray of bullets speeding at the dazed target, as the body dropped in front of him Henry heard the shots coming from his sides as the other figures were dropped to the floor. Advancing into the building the sounds of shouted spells and gunfire could be heard in the distance, coming to a corner Henry paused before looking around the corner only to quickly withdraw it as the hallway lit up with the vivid green flash of multiple killing curses being fired at him. The spells slammed into the wall behind them causing pieces of wood and concrete to fly forward. "Frank why don't you show these boys what a muggle grenade can do," Murphy spoke with a grin creeping on his face feeling the rush of the adrenaline coursing through his system.

"Delighted to boss," with that Frank pulled the pin on a grenade from his vest waiting a few seconds before tossing it down the hallway where spells were still flying at them. 'BOOM!' when the rain of debris settled Henry turned the corner seeing the destruction caused by the explosion evident by the destroyed walls and body parts strewn about. Pulling his shemag tighter around his face to block the putrid smell that had settled in the area Henry continued down the hallway.

"This is Kilo 3-1 we have code name 'Amy' secured preparing for exfil." Hearing the call over the radio spurred the team on to find the other target. Coming to a stairway at the end of the hall they moved up to the third floor to continue their search. Exiting the stairway Henry turned the corner not seeing the bolt of angry yellow energy flying at him until it struck him in the leg slicing a deep cut into his thigh. Biting back a hiss of pain he fell back into the stairway as Jake grabbed him and Frank leaned out to return fire. After he had a bandage around his leg and Frank was satisfied that the threat was gone Jake helped Henry back to his feet before the continued on with Frank in the lead. Coming to the last room on the third floor the team stood on each side of the door. With a signal from Murphy Frank opened the door tossing a flash bang into the room, after the loud bang the team rushed the room. Henry, bringing up the rear heard the sound of gunfire coming from his teammates entering the room, as he came into the room he saw the bodies of two Death Eater and their second target on the other side of the room maintaining a shield that had blocked the initial shots. With his teams weapons trained on the man Connor stepped forward with his hands raised in peace.

"Give it up there's no way you're making it out of here."

"That's where your wrong you filthy muggle you will all pay when my master finds out about th-" the man's rant was halted as he had let his shield falter allowing Connor to snatch the man's wand before driving his elbow into his face rendering him unconscious.

"Brown secure the prisoner, Williams make sure Peters is ready to move. This is Kilo 1-1 we have the code name 'Alec' secure all teams fall back for extraction." Turning back to his men Connor motioned for them to move out as they fell in line behind him with Frank leading the prisoner and Jake supporting a limping Henry. When the team reached the first floor they exited out the same door that they entered in heading to the open pasture on the north side of the building where they knew the helicopter would be waiting. As the team came to the pasture they saw the waiting aircraft and the other two teams boarding their helicopters. Coming to theirs Frank pushed the prisoner in first securing him for the ride before getting on himself. After him Jake helped Henry get on sitting down with his injured leg laid out before him. After the team was onboard the helicopter it began to rise into the air for the trip back to Hereford.

Once on the ground again the team split with Connor and Frank taking the prisoner to the sturdy cells that had been constructed to house their 'guests'. At the same time Jake was helping Henry make his way to the bases infirmary. Entering the room Henry's nose twinged at the distinct sterile smell native to hospitals, God how I hate hospitals. The doctor rushed to them helping Henry sit on a bed, "This looks deep I'll have to stitch it up." As the doctor said this a grimace came on to Henry's face as Jake gave him a sympathetic look knowing that they would have to play along. With a nod from Henry the doctor began to sew the slice in his leg closed, after the wound was stitched and bandaged the pair left the infirmary saying farewell to the doctor.

"Damn 30 stitches that was a hell of a hit you took back there." Jake spoke as they made their way back outside to regroup with their team.

"I know not sure what happened, I just wish they had some magical healers on the base so it wouldn't take as long or be nearly as painful."

"You and me both," Jake finished speaking as they came to where Connor and Frank were waiting.

"You alright there Henry?" Connor asked seeing the slight limp that remained in his step.

"Be right as rain in a day or two boss."

"Good now let's get back to the Weasley's house, hopefully we've seen all the excitement in store for us today." When Connor finished speaking he turned and moved towards the building that housed the bases floo connection. Coming to the fireplace the team went into the flames one at a time before it was only Henry in the room, with a final glance around him Henry tossed a bit of powder into the fireplace. Stepping into the flames Henry disappeared with a shout of "The Burrow."