A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with it.
SIXTEEN
#44 Willow Street, Granger Residence, Albany, Duchy of New York
Archduchy of Belleview, Mainland Holy Empire of Britannia
March 19, 2005
Although best described as a non-descript house that followed the general style in the area where it was located, there had always been something special about the house in number 44 Willow Street that even the neighbors knew about.
After all, a house where the chief civilian adviser to the son of the Archduke of Belleview could not be described as ordinary, and it is well known that Lord James, Duke of Oxford and his family consider the house that came to be known as the Granger Residence as their home away from home whenever they are in the east coast of the mainland and not staying at Rochester Castle.
It was also well known that the son of Lord James and the daughter of the owner of the house were dating; the two are frequently seen together visiting either the movie houses or the nearby central park, often with their hands intertwined. Aside from that, both Harry and Hermione could also be frequently seen at the local dance hall, though neither are known to dance that much.
Although less known, it was also public knowledge that the owner of the house was not only a member of the Imperial Navy, his older brother is in the staff of the Archduke of England himself and is considered as one of the inner circle of Lord Alexander. It was not that surprising, therefore, when the Archduke of England himself visited the house just a few weeks ago at the start of his vacation.
With the outbreak of hostilities, it was not surprising that there were a number of cars at the road in front of the house. Aside from the silver sedan and the blank sport utility vehicle that was usually parked at the garage of the house, there was a black sedan and a navy blue – naval colors – sports truck that was obviously a government issued vehicle. It seemed to stand as a stark contrast to the civilian cars that it mingled with despite the fact that the colors of the vehicles are almost all the same shade. It was also a stark reminder to the townspeople that passed by the house of the new reality that the Empire had been forced to wake up in.
Inside the house, however, there was little talk of the coming battles or of the war in general. There was even limited talk on politics despite the fact that both Lord James and Lady Lily are present inside the spacious house. The Duke and Duchess of Oxford are both set to leave the mainland and return to the British Isles where Lord James is to resume his post as chief royal administrator of the Britannian territory. In a sense, this dinner was as much as for them as it was for the two men seated at the dining table who were already wearing utility uniforms.
The combined Potter and Granger families are both well aware of the separation that would be forced upon them after dinner. Harry and Daniel Granger are both going to return to their respective bases a few hours after this dinner where they would be informed on their official duties, though both men already knew what they would be doing. As if to further emphasize that fact, both men were wearing their military uniforms – minus the jackets which they hang at the stand just a few feet away from the door, next to their packed bags.
Lord James and Lady Lily are to return to New York right after this dinner where a civilian transport is waiting to take them back to the British Isles. The fact that they are in civilian clothes does not change the fact that their suitcases are with the suitcase of their son and of Daniel Granger at the foyer.
Hermione is also set to leave, but unlike the others, she would return to Rochester and be at the side of Lady Emma. The youngest Granger at the table was not aware of what assignment she would be given, but she suspects that it would have something to do with the relationship between the Holy Empire and the Kingdom of Spain. There is no exact timetable for when she would depart, but Hermione knew that it would be by the end of the week at the latest.
As she officially still has no idea where she would be sent, Hermione had not yet packed her bags, though that could change as early as tonight, after dinner.
By this time next week, the only ones who would still be inside the house would be the lady of the house, Rose Granger, and the Potter daughter, Rose Charlene, and the younger of the two would not even be staying at the house full time, since Rose Charlene has to return back to the city every now and then to see to her work. She has just been recently hired by a private firm, and it would not make a good impression on her new employer – or on her record – if she was to suddenly drop out of the world just because her entire family is off to war.
It was, therefore, not surprising that the conversation at the table revolved around the happier times, with everyone pointedly refusing to talk about the current situation, though the fact remains that everyone was thinking about that.
Harry and Hermione held each other's hand whenever they could, while Rose and Daniel did the same. Lady Lily fussed over her daughter while glancing nervously toward Lord James every few moments.
It was Rose Charlene who broke the awkward attempts of everyone not to talk about the war. As she replaced her utensils on the surface of her plate, she glanced toward her father and said, "We should have this same dinner when the situation is resolved and you have all returned."
For a few moments, there was a pregnant silence as everyone tried to digest what the youngest person in the table had said, but after a few moments, the pregnant silence was broken by the smiles of everyone in the table that, although it produced no sound, nevertheless spoke of the approval for the plan.
"That is an excellent idea," Daniel said, voicing the sentiment of everyone at the table. He regarded the face of everyone at the table, ostensibly to check on their reaction, though he already knew – even as he once more took the hand of his wife in his – that everyone liked the idea, "We should have this same dinner and hopefully soon."
There were general nods all around the table as everyone voiced his or her agreement with the proposed plan and for the rest of the dinner; everyone could at least look forward at something.
The end of diner saw the couples break for alone time. While Lord James and Lady Lily, accompanied by Rose Charlene, spend time at the living room of the Granger House in order to speak with their daughter, and Rose and Daniel Granger took their alone time to their bedroom, Harry and Hermione took their alone time at the now deserted central park.
Both knew that the park would not have been deserted if times were normal. Even at this late hour, there would still be couples here, but the two of them figured that the outbreak of war had seen schedules disturbed as the male in those couples had been ordered to report to their units.
"You know that I do not like this," Hermione said as Harry helped her take a seat at one of the many wooden benches that dotted the park.
Harry had to smirk, "The bench?" he asked, even though he already knew exactly what Hermione was referring to, and he knew that she was not talking about the bench.
"Prat," Hermione said, lightly tapping the chest of Harry with her hand even as he took his seat beside her. It did not take them even ten seconds before the back of Hermione was resting on the chest of Harry. His right arm embraced her from behind, and the fingers on her left hand twisted to intertwine with the fingers on his right hand.
"We have been ordered," Harry suddenly said. He paused before he added, "It is not something that we could just ignore, Hermione."
"I know Harry," she replied even as she pushed herself closer toward him. She sighed before she asked in a serious voice that spoke of her worry, "Would you be safe?"
Both knew that whatever else Harry may answer to that question, it would not really be up to Harry what would happen. The first response of Harry was to nod, but when he realized that Hermione might not see that, he instead said, "I would be safe," and before Hermione could say anything, Harry added, "And I would come back to you, I promise you that."
Hermione did not say anything for a few moments; instead, she kept her gaze not toward Harry but toward the sky above them. Despite her highly logical mind, to Hermione, at that moment, there seem to be more stars than she had ever seen before. A smile graced her lips as she was reminded by own mind that that was not possible, but even logic must flee at the situation that she is now in.
Harry suddenly felt her tighten her grip on his arm. He would have protested, had Hermione not chosen that moment to straighten up and to take her back away from his chest. She could not turn to him, at least, not that much and not without removing her grip on his hand, something that neither of them wanted to do at that moment, "I will hold you into that promise," she warned him.
This time, it was the turn of Harry to have a smile on his lips, "And I would be more than happy for you to do that, my love," he replied. His free hand gently entered a pocket on his utility uniform and from said pocket, he pulled out a small red box.
From their position, Hermione could not have seen the box, but it would not have mattered because a few moments later, Harry showed the box to her. She gasped at the sight of the box, aware of what she could see inside it, but before Hermione could say anything, Harry cut her off, "I'm not proposing, you understand," he quickly said
"Then why am I seeing a box that, I assume, would have a ring inside it?" Hermione asked. Both Harry and Hermione could hear the edge on the tone that she had used, but both Harry and Hermione knew that it was a normal reaction to the fact that Harry ad just showed her a ring box and had told her that he is not proposing to her.
Of course, Hermione holding back her own emotions have a strong influence on how short her temper was at that moment.
"It's a promise," Harry suddenly said.
The expression on the face of Hermione softened at that. She would have removed her grip from his hand at that moment so that she could turn her full face toward him, but he would not let her. At the same time that she relaxed her grip in preparation for her removing her hand from his, he tightened his grip, and Harry actually spoke, "No," he said, shaking his head for emphasis, "Let's remain here."
The look on the face of Hermione meant that she would have protested, but after a few moments, she decided to do as he suggested and stopped protesting. She wanted to say something, but Harry cut her off again, "This is a promise ring, Hermione," she said even as he used his free hand to open the box and reveal a ring to her.
It was unadorned, just a simple silver-colored ring with a black line that seem to bisect the ring into two equal parts. A closer look at the surface, however, would reveal a simple phrase stenciled into the ring, 'I promise'.
Hermione, at that moment, could not see it. she would not have seen it even if she had wanted to, however, because at that moment, she was nearly overwhelmed by her emotions, "Come back to me, Harry," she suddenly said, her own self-control finally bursting and an torrential flood of emotions gushing forth from her, "Please, come back to me."
"I promise," Harry replied, even as he gently took her free hand with his own and slipped the ring onto her index finger.
Order of the Phoenix safe house, Trondheim
Norway, Scandinavian Union
March 19, 2005
It was only during the late nights of the evening or the wee hours of the morning that the members of the Order of the Phoenix could meet. It was a requirement and a necessity brought about not by the fact that majority of the members prefer to meet during these hours, rather, it was a necessity brought about by the fact that most members of the Order are actually wanted criminals.
With the promised cooperation from the Scandinavian Union regarding their capture, the Holy Empire of Britannia now has several agents in the county, and the safe house that Albus Dumbledore and his closest followers had acquired before their fall from grace over ten years ago had become the only place that the members of the Order could meet, and even then, they could only meet when the watchful eyes of the neighbors are not actually watching over the house.
Gone were the days when Albus and his followers could languish in the outdoor cafes and linger in the tastefully decorated interiors of the restaurants that line up the boulevard parallel to the sea wall that separate the city from the frigid waters of the North Sea. Nowadays, they are stuck in the competitively frigid basement of the safe house, another necessity brought about by the fact that most of them are hunted. Excessive magic in the house to power warming charms would have been detected by the rumored magic grids that Britannian agents had set up around the city.
That was one of the reasons why most members of the Order would rather not attend a meeting, especially one that was so hastily called. Most would prefer to remain where they had hidden themselves, and after ten years of trying to blend in, most are actually very good at it, with quite a few actually holding steady – albeit majority of them being menial – jobs in the community.
When the former Headmaster of Hogwarts calls, however, everyone would answer, even if quite a few of them would actually brave washing dishes or sweeping floors instead of standing around in the basement of a house, trying their best to ward off the cold.
The first person to arrive at the house – by walking, absolutely no apparition allowed near the house save in cases of extreme emergency, magical grids could detect the faintest hint of magic in the air – was surprised to see that Albus Dumbledore was actually waiting for his followers at the basement already. Usually, the former Headmaster would not make an appearance until after everyone was already present and accounted for. The fact that the Headmaster was already in the basement spoke of the grave urgency that must be the reason behind this impromptu meeting.
The former Headmaster of Hogwarts greeted each arrival with a nod and an easy smile, the kind of smile that one could label as the grandfather smile and the only reply to which would be another smile despite the fact that the recipient would rather not want to smile.
His presence, and that recognition, had silenced any kind of complaint that any of the arriving members had wanted to utter, and there were many who would have complained about the timing of the meeting had Albus Dumbledore not been on hand to greet them. Equally surprising was the fact that neither of the two most trusted members of the former Headmaster of Hogwarts was present.
Severus Snape and Alastor Moody never saw eye to eye, but the two had effectively run the Order – or what remained of it, at least – in the absence of Albus, and the former Headmaster was frequently absent in the day to day operations of the clandestine organization.
One of the last to arrive at the basement of the safe house was Ronald Weasley and his sister, Ginevra. As always, the two had the mismatched look of magicals trying to pass off as muggles with the type of clothes that they wore. It was strange that no one had ever realized that the two were magicals, though no one in the remaining members of the Order thought it strange why, despite more than ten years of hiding, the two youngest Weasley siblings still had not picked up the ability to blend in with the muggle crowd. Both still held the muggle world in contempt despite the fact that they had been living in it up for the past ten years and had been exposed to that world.
In fairness to the two, however, most of their compatriots, despite their attempts to look muggle, also had the same prejudice.
Most members of the Order looked toward the direction of the two as the young siblings took their seats at the very first row of the gathered members. Although it was not clear when it began, Albus had labeled the two as the next generation leaders of the Order, a fact that left many, the parents of Ron and Ginny included, worried for the future of the Order. Nothing that anyone would say, however, would dissuade the former Headmaster from labeling the two as such.
As if to further advertise that fact, before Ron could take his seat, the former Headmaster called for him and for a few moments, the two conferred between themselves, the former Headmaster and his former student.
"Excellent, now we are all here," Albus suddenly said, and sure enough, even before he finished saying that, both Severus Snape and Alastor Moody entered the basement. The two men barely acknowledged the other before they took their seats also at the front row of the assembled congregation. Ron quickly followed suit and also took his seat at the head of the congregation, beside his sister.
"By now, this is known by everyone around the world," the former Headmaster of Hogwarts said. He paused dramatically before he continued, "War has been declared by the Holy Empire of Britannia against the North African League."
As was expected by Albus, not a few of the men and women assembled in front of him had a look of confusion on their faces. They are well aware of what the Holy Empire of Britannia is, but quite a few of them are not aware of what the North African League is, even considering that almost a quarter of some of the most important potions ingredients that supplied the British magical world came from the North Africa League.
"Are you thinking that we could use this time to return back to the British Isles and try to incite a revolt there?" Moody suddenly asked. As was usual for the former auror and the leader of the combat arm of the Order of the Phoenix, he was not going to mince words and even pretend to show respect to the Headmaster. His respect for his former friend as a friend died when they left the land of their birth, the only thing left is his respect for the man as a leader of people, and that was the reason why Alastor had not yet left the Order.
"It is the perfect time," Albus acknowledged, nodding toward his friend.
The reply of Moody was a guttural laughter that the grizzled old auror knew rankled many a person inside the basement because it was disrespectful toward the former Headmaster.
"It is the worst time," Moody corrected his former friend at the same time that he fervently shook his head. He did not allow anyone else to say anything before he added, "Their security would be at its tightest, and I have heard that the Prince is leaving to take command of the front himself, do you know what that means?"
"Would it not mean that security would be lax because he would not be there?" Ron suddenly asked. The young man fancied himself as a strategist, but most of his suggestions turn out to be rehash from other members. The former Headmaster had chosen to view the suggestions of Ronald Weasley as coming from the boy, but there are quite a few older supporters who are getting fed up with the actions of the leader of the Order of the Phoenix.
"The opposite would happen," Severus Snape interjected. The former potions master of Hogwarts turned toward Moody before he abruptly returned his gaze not toward Ronald – with whom Severus had always had a rocky relationship with, not helped by the fact that, most of the time, it was the idea of the potions master who gets credited to Ron.
The eye of Snape and Moody did not actually meet during the brief time that the potions master had his gaze upon the former auror, but both men knew the reason that Snape turned toward a one-time foe. Both found it strange that they are on the same side in an argument.
"With the Prince of England gone from his territory, someone else would be appointed as head of administration in his stead," Snape explained. The man, despite his sour attitude, had always been one of the smarter ones in either the Order or the Death Eaters and he was a member of both organizations. "Likely, the Prince would nominate a candidate, and likely, said candidate would be chosen."
"And who do you think would the Prince nominate?" Albus asked, a twinkle in his eye that most members either ignored or did not see. Neither Moody nor Snape was in the mood to play with the former Headmaster in a guessing game at that moment, though.
"You know perfectly well who would be appointed to the post," Moody replied gruffly. The grizzled old auror did not even flinch when most of the members of the Order gave him the evil eye for the way that he spoke to the Headmaster.
"James Potter, Duke of Oxford," Snape added, gritting his teeth as he forced himself to say the name of his school rival and the man to whom he lost his best friend to.
"Then, we should speak…," Ron began.
Moody cut off the boy before he can even make the suggestion that everyone in the room knew he would make, "You do not know James Potter, boy," the old auror charged, "Or any of the Potter family for that matter, I knew James Potter, just as I knew his father and his father's father."
"Although they were not ennobled back then, at least, not in the muggle world, the Potter family had always been an honorable family," Albus said, he sighed, and this time – it was not for dramatic effect – before he added, "'Bastion of Honor', that was their family motto."
"And it is unlikely that Lord Potter would listen to us," Moody added, emphasizing the honorific title in order to remind everyone in the room that James had more to lose siding with the Order than siding against it. The man, after all, is already a lord in the muggle world, and from all reports, one that is widely respected by both side of the aisles – in all national parliaments of Britannian territories, and in the Imperial House of Lords.
A pregnant silence descended in the basement as the members of the Order considered the words that were just spoken. It was true that both James and Lily Potter were members of the Order, but that was when the Order was not yet an illegal group and before the Order was forced to flee the British Isles. Indeed, James and Lily Potter were some of those who had made the proscription of the Order possible. It was unlikely – impossible would probably be a more apt word – that the two would be willing to help the Order.
"Wars are never popular in the long run," one of the members of the Order at the back row suddenly said. All attention was turned toward the speaker and Hestia Jones, a relatively junior member of the Order, soon found herself being stared at by majority of the Order, forcing her to explain, "Perhaps we could send a few of our own agents to spread dissent in the British Isles, in preparation for our return."
'That is a good idea,' was the thought in the mind of both Snape and Moody, but neither man though to voice out their thoughts, aware that the former Headmaster of Hogwarts was probably thinking in the same vein as them.
Their suspicions was proven correct when the former Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot suddenly nodded, "That is a good idea," Albus said, "We still have contacts within the British magical government, perhaps we could use them?" and that was a rhetoric question as everyone knew that that was exactly what the former Headmaster would do.
"See to it, please, Severus, Alastor," the leader of the Order said as he turned toward the two man that he had named. Both men do not look forward to arranging for Order agents to arrive at the British Isles and they actually showed it on their faces, but the former Headmaster either did not see the expression or just ignored the same, though it was more likely the latter, after all, Albus Dumbledore not only does not miss details, he is a skilled Legilimens who have no qualms about using his ability against his own people.
"Ronald, Ginevra," the Headmaster said almost as soon as he had finished giving his instructions to his two senior lieutenants. Albus turned his attention toward the two children – despite already being in their twenties, the two still act as if they are children – and quickly said, "I wish to discuss something with the two of you in confidence, so if you could please stay?"
The former Headmaster missed the look that most of his other people – Severus and Alastor included – were shooting toward him and the two youngest Weasleys when he said that, but that was hardly surprising, the leader of the Order of the Phoenix was used to missing looks of disapproval coming from his people nowadays, and for those looks of disapproval that he does not miss, the former Headmaster had another method that he could use when dealing with those, he pointedly ignores them.
Rochester Castle, Rochester, Duchy of New York
Britannian mainland, Holy Empire of Britannia
March 20, 2005
Hermione could not even remember when was the last time that she walked into the main foyer of the castle and was greeted by a member of the staff of the castle, much less the last time that she walked into the main foyer of the castle and be greeted by a uniformed – and armed – sergeant that was wearing the uniform of the Household Cavalry.
Hermione supposed that she should not have been surprised. After all, the Holy Empire is now at war and Lord Stephen is a member of the Imperial Family. It made sense that he would be secured by members of the Household Cavalry.
'Not Imperial Knights,' Hermione thought. The Imperial Knights are forbidden from deploying out of the capital without permission from the Golden Throne.
Hermione forced herself out of her reverie and quickly made her way to the third floor of the castle. Although it is the official residence of Lord Stephen, the actual residence of the Archduke of Belleview is at the keep, at the very center of the castle. The rest of the castle is being used for administrative purposes and for offices of the other high ranking members of the family who would rather not be at the capital.
It was the office of one of these members of the family that Hermione was heading to.
There were no guards beside the door that would lead to the office that Lady Emma had chosen for the duration of her stay at the castle, but that was hardly surprising. Aside from the fact that the wife of Lord Alexander was not overly fond of having guards – an attitude that she shares with her husband – the interior of the castle was supposedly secured anyway.
After knocking twice on the door and hearing the voice of Lady Emma asking her to come in, Hermione opened the door and stepped through the threshold when she had opened it wide enough. She found herself in a relatively small room, but with Lady Emma, it was more than enough since it was just an office.
"Hermione," Lady Emma greeted. The younger girl returned the greeting of the Archduchess of England with a small curtsey, something that caused Lady Emma to frown slightly at her, though the Archduchess did not say anything and Hermione did not actually see the frown on the face of her liege lady.
"Your Grace," Hermione added as she brought herself up to her full height. This time, Hermione saw the frown on the face of Lady Emma, but instead of chastising Hermione, this actually brought a smile across her face. Hermione was well aware of how much Lady Emma hates the pleasantries when it is just them, which, Hermione had to admit, is the reason why she does it.
"Are your bags packed, Hermione?" Lady Emma suddenly asked. The fact that it has no preamble caught Hermione by surprise for the first few moments, but she was able to quickly recover.
"I was not aware that we would be leaving, my Lady," Hermione replied, and that was the truth. Then again, Hermione realized that she should have known, after all, she had been working with Lady Emma since she graduated from the University of Olympia as a part of the diplomatic team of the Archduchess. The fact that the Holy Empire had gone to war means that the Archduchess – special ambassador of the Imperial Family – would, once more, be busy.
"Where are we headed?" Hermione asked as she mentally prepared a checklist for the things that she should pack in her bag when she gets home. Although she asked that question, Hermione already has some suspicions as to where they would be headed.
"Madrid, Spain," Lady Emma replied a few moments later, causing Hermione to silently remark, 'Spot on'.
Although, in hindsight, it was not that surprising, given the geography that the Holy Empire would be forced to contend with. The Straits of Gibraltar is just one of many demilitarized zones in the world, but with the outbreak of hostilities, the Holy Empire must secure passage of their ships and men across the strait. Sure, the Britannian Fleet could fly, but that would still require clearance from the Kingdom of Spain.
The other alternative route – up north from the Suez – would not be advisable given that it is on the other side of the North African League. It would be far easier for Lord Alexander and his new command to just stage an invasion of the North African League at its west coast than to use that route.
"I would have my bags packed as soon as I get home, My Lady," Hermione replied. She waited for the Archduchess to say anything else, but Lady Emma had already dismissed her with a wave of her hand and a smile.
Fort Harrison, Nassau
Bahamas, Holy Empire of Britannia
March 21, 2005
Harry saluted as he snapped to attention in front of the man wearing the uniform of the Britannian Ground Force but with Britannian Fleet insignia. The man sat behind an impressive looking desk with another person – dressed in the uniform of the Ground Forces but with Fleet insignia as well – standing at parade rest off to his right.
Colonel Anton Carleton, commander of the 4th Force Recon Battalion, 7th Recon Brigade of the Imperial Grand Fleet, returned the salute of Harry without even bothering to stand from his chair, but that was his prerogative.
Harry gave himself a few moments to scan the ribbons and decorations that adorned the dress uniform of the man who had made a legend of himself as a leader of men and had to bite his tongue in order to prevent himself from letting out an undisciplined whistle. Colonel Carleton had led a colorful life on the battlefields that the Holy Empire had involved itself in, and the evidence of that – as well as of his bravery – was at his uniform for everyone to see, including a highly coveted Britannian Cross ribbon.
"Lieutenant Potter," the gruff voice of the colonel tore Harry out of his reverie and made him return to the present. In response to his name being called, Harry turned all of his attention toward the man but despite the fact that Harry wanted to ask why the man had called for him, he knew that that was the improper response in a military setting. He would have no choice but to wait for the colonel to explain without being prompted.
"This is Lieutenant Alan Richardson," Colonel Carleton continued, motioning toward the other man. Lieutenant Richardson does not appear to be as decorated as the colonel, but there are a number of ribbons on his uniform, including a combat action ribbon, denoting that the man had seen action during the course of his service. Harry does not have one of those, though the young sub-lieutenant suspected that he would soon have one.
For a brief few moments, Harry wondered why the colonel had brought a subordinate – because it was obvious that Lieutenant Richardson is a subordinate of the colonel – with him, but after a few moments, Harry realized that the reason for that is because the lieutenant is the man that Harry would soon be working with, and that realization prompted Harry to use his peripheral vision to study the man even more.
Not for the first time since he was informed that he would have to work with Marine Force Recon on this assignment, Harry wished he could have had the Imperial Knights with him instead, and the look on the face of Lieutenant Richardson did nothing to quell that wish.
"You two will be working closely on this assignment that our commander had given us," Colonel Carleton said, finally confirming the suspicions of Harry, "As such, Lieutenant Potter, you would be assigned with the command of Lieutenant Richardson, 4th Platoon, 4/4 Recon Battalion."
"Understood sir," Harry replied, he turned toward the marine lieutenant but did not smile as Harry knew that that would be frowned upon. Instead, Harry extended his right hand toward the marine and waited to see if the man would accept it.
Lieutenant Richardson studied the bespectacled man in front of him with a neutral expression on his face, though deep inside, he was seething, and the thirty two year old does not even care if Harry could see that he was seething, though he did his best to hide the fact from his commanding officer.
Like all members of Marine Force Recon, he was not thrilled with the fact that he was being saddled with a newbie, even if he was assured that said newbie would be critical for the success of the assignment that they had been given. A quick glance at the ribbons on the uniform of Harry did not help the lieutenant form a favorable opinion of the – in his opinion – boy in front of him.
Aside from the commendation medals, the only thing worth commenting on the ribbons that Harry was wearing was the Legion of Merit, though without knowing how, when, and why Harry earned that coveted decoration, Lieutenant Richardson was not going to jump ship and give Harry a favorable opinion.
After a few moments, the Lieutenant extended his hand and grasped the offered hand of Harry. The two men shook hands, but their handshake did not last long.
"Lieutenant Richardson," the colonel speaking was the first thing that happened right after Harry and Lieutenant Richardson shook hands. The named officer turned his attention toward the colonel just in time to see as the colonel said, "Lieutenant Potter and I have some things to discuss, report to me by 17.00 Hours tonight as to the readiness of your platoon for travel to the front and for quick operations once you are there," the colonel paused before he quickly added, "until then, you are dismissed."
The look on the face of the marine lieutenant did not change as he gave a salute to his commanding officer, though deep inside, Lieutenant Richardson found himself wondering why he was suddenly being dismissed and why Sub-Lieutenant Potter was not. He heard the colonel say that there are some matters that have to be discussed in private between the two of them, but Lieutenant Richardson thought that he would be included in that discussion.
Nevertheless, he was not going to question the orders that he had been given, which is why after the colonel had returned his salute, he left the office, leaving the two men to discuss whatever it is that they are supposed to discuss.
Colonel Carleton waited until he was sure that Lieutenant Richardson was not going to be able to eavesdrop – not that he believed that the lieutenant would eavesdrop anyway – before he returned his attention toward Harry, "He would probably not like that abrupt dismissal," the colonel said, "but for what we need to discuss, the lieutenant has not been cleared."
Harry nodded, "Yes sir," he replied, "May I presume that what we are about to discuss has something to do with the classified objective of the assignment, sir?"
"Yes," the colonel replied, he motioned for Harry to take a seat and the younger man complied before the colonel continued, "The General-Admiral himself had briefed me on the reason for the fact that this mission is so classified, and without a demonstration, I would not have believed it possible," the colonel shook his head for emphasis before he added, "I don't think I still do completely, but the General-Admiral has given his instructions."
Harry just nodded without saying anything, he knew that the colonel was not done, and Harry was proven correct a few moments later when the colonel withdrew a manila envelope from one of the drawers on his desk. The front of the envelope had 'classified' stamped in red across it diagonally, and Harry quickly assumed that the contents of the folder are probably the same evidence that convinced Lord Alexander that the North African League has a mage unit under their command or would soon have one.
"I know that you are a part of the Imperial Knight Corps, albeit with all of their ranks filled, you could not take your place with their ranks," the colonel added, "You have automatic clearance to see this photographs, they have been recently taken by deep cover agents in the North African League."
Harry silently took the envelope and opened it to reveal two dozen or so black and white photographs and a few colored photos. As he did so, his mind wandered back to the earlier part of what the colonel had said, about Harry being a part of the Imperial Knight Corps. At any given time, the elite unit of the Holy Empire has only thirty thousand members in its two divisions, but recruitment for the unit goes on anyway, with those who could not find placement in the two divisions being sent to ordinary units to wait for an opening.
"Sir, these photos, when exactly where they taken and where?" Harry asked a few moments later. He had just finished examining the pictures, and he had to admit that he was disturbed by what they are purported to be depicting. Not so much the fact that there are mages in military uniform – Harry sees that all the time, after all – but more so of the fact that one of the colored photographs showed a man that Harry was only well too familiar with.
"They were taken exactly a week ago outside the capital city of the North African League," the colonel replied. He raised one of his eyebrows towards Harry and asked, "Is something about it bothering you?"
Harry paused as he considered what answer he should give. Unsure as he was of the security classification of the colonel, he was not sure that he could give the colonel the full picture as to what he was looking at, but after a few moments, he finally said, "Prussian at the picture, colonel," before he showed the photo that had concerned him.
"Are you sure?" Colonel Carleton asked. He did not look disturbed by the revelation but Harry knew better. The man was at the forefront of the battles that the Holy Empire had participated in, Harry was sure that the colonel was only well too aware of the fact that the Holy Empire is seeking justification to go to war with the Prussian Empire, just as the Prussian Empire is seeking justification to go to war with the Holy Empire on their own.
"Positive as to the identity of the person on the photograph, sir, but not as to the reason that he is there, though if the asset caught him in this picture, I do not imagine that he was there for sightseeing," Harry replied.
"Agreed," Colonel Carleton replied. He paused for a few moments, but before Harry could say anything, the battalion commander made his decision, "The General-Admiral should be informed right away."
"Sir," Harry suddenly said, "I…"
Colonel Carleton shook his head, "No, Lieutenant," he said, "You, Lieutenant Richardson and the rest of his unit are already scheduled to head out, tonight, so you could begin operations in the front as soon as possible," he glanced toward the photo and added, "And if the Prussians are indeed backing this mage unit of the North African League, we would need all the intelligence we could get our hands on."
Kottelberg Castle, West Pomerania
Prussia
March 21, 2005
There was a look of surprise on the face of the Prussian Magical Advisor the moment that he finished reading the letter that had just arrived.
He stood at one of the many verandahs that the castle had, and he turned his attention to the yonder in an attempt to pick up the small body of the messenger that had delivered the letter, but that was an exercise doomed to fail as the tiny bird was all but gone, swallowed by the twilight that was even now descending across the land.
The way that the letter arrived was unusual, but over the past few years, there was little that could surprise Lucius Malfoy. The aristocratic head of the Malfoy family reminded himself that the last thing that had happened that surprised him was the death of the Dark Lord, and since then, everything that had happened – yes, even their exile from the British Isles – had gone, if not according to plan, then at least within the scenarios that the former chief Death Eater had envisioned.
The letter that he clutched on his right hand as he made his way to his study, however, this was something that had caused the surprise because he honestly thought that this would never happen. Not so much the way that the letter was delivered – via a raven as dark as the night – but because of who the letter was claiming it was from.
'The Dark Lord,' Lucius mused, fully aware that only the man that he had served under during the First Blood War would sign the letter with the initials L.V. as no one else was brazen – or stupid – enough to claim to be the Dark Lord Voldemort, not when the real one had not actually been found.
Lucius reached his study – a relatively large room that had came with the furniture now inside it when Lucius purchased his castle using most of the money that he and his family had managed to smuggle out of the British Isles, fortunately, he was able to rebuild his fortune relatively easily – and dropped like a rock on one of the cushioned easy chairs facing the fire.
The fire at the fireplace turned on automatically the moment that he sat, a result of an unspoken spell that required no wand from the caster. As Lucius began to unscramble the paper that he had on his hand, he turned his gaze toward the empty wall above the fireplace.
There used to be a portrait there, but because it was not a portrait of Lucius – it was a portrait of the family of the previous owner of the castle, before it was repossessed by the government after said owner fled the Prussian Empire, an accusation of treason behind him – the head of the Malfoy Family had the portrait removed. He planned on finding a passable painter that could make a portrait for him that Lucius could hang on the empty wall, but the arrival of this letter forced him to put that on the backburner for now.
Lucius knew that if the Dark Lord were to demand for Lucius to use his new home as the new headquarters of the Death Eaters, then the portrait would have to be taken down. The Dark Lord was strangely against such portraits and no one knew why – though Lucius thought that maybe Bellatrix does.
Still, the letter in the hand of Lucius only advised him to take advantage of the situation that had been developing at the Holy Empire, though to what ends – and how – was not explicitly stated in the letter.
Images of the things that he and his former comrades used to do during the height of the war flashed across the mind of the blond aristocrat and for a few moments, Lucius actually realized that he should be feeling sick, dirty, at even just the thought of the things that he and his comrades had done, though Lucius was not the slightest bit disturbed by the fact that he actually felt nothing, well, unless one could count the excitement and the fact that he could not wait to do it again.
The problem, Lucius knew, was the fact that the situation had changed. No longer was he Lucius Malfoy, close friend to the Minister of Magic, the man who could get away with anything in Magical Britain so long as he could pay the minister. Now he was Lucius Malfoy, close to the Kaiser, yes, but it was not as if he could pay the Kaiser to ignore any crime that Lucius might commit, especially if they would be large crimes, the one that Lucius and his comrades want to do.
Lucius shook his head, 'no," he thought, 'we best keep our heads down for the time being and look at the situation from afar.'
Still, if this letter truly was from the Dark Lord – and while there was no reason to believe that it was not, there was also no reason to believe that it was, the body of the Dark Lord had not been found, but he had also not shown himself for more than ten years now – then Lucius knew that it must be obeyed.
A great sigh escaped through the lips of the man as he pushed himself upright from his chair. Once more, he crumpled the paper on the surface of which the letter that purported to be from the Dark Lord with one hand before he tossed the same toward the fireplace.
It landed a few millimeters away from the fire, but that would not have mattered as the paper caught flame a few seconds later. Lucius watched it only for a few short moments, and by the time that he had turned his back and made his mind to at least contract the other dark families that had made the crossing of the channel and into Prussia with him, the paper had been turned into ash.