Same Shit, Different Day
While he could technically send his house elves to get his things, Harry decided to go on his own. So, Ginny flamed them both to the Leaky Cauldron, where they appeared from a fireplace like they had flooed. Getting their books and restocking their potion supplies, they walked into Madame Malkin's for new robes. While Ginny was busy being measured, Catherine's hand appeared out of a shadow and placed a small box in Harry's hand. He felt the weight in his hand and smiled as he pocketed the small box.
Madame Malkin was just finishing talking his measures when a loud explosion erupted in Diagon Alley. In an instant black robed and masked attackers appeared and began throwing spells around.
Out of instinct Ginny had her wand out and fired a stunner at the next attacker. The spell hit him dead on and catapulted him across the street into his companions. Shots followed as undercover agents in the alley and troopers on the roof tops opened fire at the attackers. Harry reached out, and as soon as they touched, they were gone.
Albus stood in Diagon Alley and looked at the results of the attack. He had to admit that the soldiers were efficient. No bystanders had been injured and the Cobras themselves had only sustained smaller injuries. From the attackers, no one was left alive. Most had been kiled by the shots but one was killed by magic. By a stunner, so powerful it made his heart stop. From witnesses, he knew that it was the Weasley girl. They came to power quicker than he had feared. Tom had already been corrupted by it. If he let the soldiers work, the magical community would simply trade one dark lord for a pair of dark mages. He had to get Harry back under his control. Returning to his office, he sent for Alastor, Kingsley, Sirius and Tonks.
As soon as the four aurors were there, he sat down. "We have a grave situation. I think you are aware how one of the attackers died today?" Alastor nodded. "Powerful stunner. Uncontrolled, nearly raw magic. Nothing against the five Minerva was hit with two years ago."
"And we know what it did to her." Albus added.
"Wherever Harry is, it is no adequate location." Kingsley agreed. Having been born in Africa and moved to England because of Hogwarts, he later had joined the SAS and knew about the gruesome work soldiers did. Moody wasn't as shocked as the others were. "It would do good for him if he trained. Muggle combat techniques will be something the dark lord won't expect." Sirius nodded and Tonks also agreed. "I don't see a reason to mistrust the Cobras. They are good lads. I was particular shocked to see that they worked well together, despite being mortal enemies like vampires and werewolves. Even the muggles are well respected along with the wizards and witches." "I worked with a group of them during the Tournament. They told me that they had done a lot together and each of them had abilities needed by the other to survive." Tonks added. "They trust each other with their lives."
Dumbledore shook his head. It was not adequate for a young man, and he knew it best. "Harry has to be trained in magic. At least he has to return to you, Sirius." However, Sirius shook his head. "I might be his godfather but Petunia is still his guardian. She had taken custody of him in all means. And she has given him permission to join the junior training programm" Before Albus could object, he added: "And even if I was in charge of him I wouldn't go against Lily's will, that he is free to join if he wishes. James was even more specific, that Harry should be trained as a war mage."
Dumbledore leaned against his chair. He considered confunding them but Alastor would stop him the moment he moved. He had to be more subtle. Maybe even using the ministry.
Catherine teleported to King's Cross, along with Harry and Ginny. Appearing in a toilet stall, Ginny and Cath teleported to the women's stalls and they left the bathroom unnoticed. On the question where Erik was, Catherine only said that he was on duty. "Not a particular nice branch of his work, but then the regular civilian would say that his whole line of work is not nice."
The train left King's Cross. This time, the ride was rather uneventful. The usual Malfoy visit had been replaced by Pansy who sneered at them. Draco and Daphne paid them a visit but resumed helping the new firsties. Hagrid greeted them warmly when the arrived at Hogsmead Station. Entering the Great Hall, Harry immediately noticed the looks Dumbledore gave him. He also noticed the presence of guards, but from their shoulder plates he could see that they weren't from the 13th Platoon. A woman named Major Kensington introduced herself as the commanding officer of the 2nd Cavalry. In contrast to the 13th, who had been relaxed, the soldiers of this unit kept their stiff posture. Complete discipline was demanded from them. The appearance of the complete emotionless unit enforced Dumbledore's opinion against Harry's training. Again, he send Mr. Potter a note, asking him to come to his office. The simple reply was if it had to do with anything school-related.
Ginny checked the cauldron while Harry diced the ingredients. He handed her the rat tails while searching for the frog blood. Ginny mixed the new ingredients and stirred the potion with her wand. Keeping the fire exactly on the cauldron, she maintained the perfect overall temperature.
Snape gave an approving nod as he graded their potion.
The attack on Diagon Alley was the gossip of the new school year. Most were grateful of the protection, even if it came out of the dark. Task Force Cobra saved all their lives. However, Skeeter managed to get back to the Prophet. Apparently, she did everything she could to discredit the Cobras on Fudge's paycheck. One was that they were ruthless killers with an unknown past. However, the attempt was not futile, as while most students knew by now that they operated with the backing of the ICW, the parents didn't. Owls arrived demanding Dumbledore to remove the unit from the school. However, he had to write them back that he couldn't do so.
Ginny and Harry were eating their dinner when the doors burst open. Lucius Malfoy stalked into the Great Hall. "Dumbledore! The Board of Governors is concerned. You have been unable to remove the threat to our children's innocence." He kept moving until two soldiers blocked his path. "Move!" he hissed. The wall of armor didn't budge. "ATTEN-SHUN!" The soldiers snapped their legs together and saluted. Entering was Major Kensington, along with a man in robes. "Warlock Generaloberstabsarzt Frechen." The german doctor looked around. "Has been some time, hasn't it, Alb?" he said with a german accent.
"Indeed. How long has it been, Heinz?"
"Since I gave you the Intel on Grindelwald."
Lucius paled. Heinz Frechen, master duelist from the german Army. Despite being a field medic, his reputation reached even the Brit's ears. Luckily, Frechen recognized the gruesome work Grindelwald was doing and along with a small group they began to sabotage the dark lord's work from within. He was responsible from turning the Wehrmacht into the nowadays called Bundeswehr.
"At Ease." he inspected the soldiers. "Major, you really need to loosen up. Stiff military behavior is not good around children. Allow your men to socialize." The Major nodded. "I will address the rest by tomorrow."
"Good. Now the ICW has sent me here to look at the security and also the health care." Madame Pomfrey took the clue and jumped up. "I am the matron here. Please follow me, Sir." Before Frechen turned around he spotted Malfoy. His eyes turned into slits as he stared at the man. "Governor Malfoy. I am surprised to see you here. What does the Board of School need this early in the term?" Lucius tried one last attempt. "The parents are afraid of the bad influence these soldiers might have on the children. So I as the most prominent member was elected to see this influence removed for the sake of our children." Heinz Frechen raised an eyebrow. "I assure you that their presence here has a valid reason. But if you are concerned of these soldiers, I heard that the 13th Platoon under Lieutenant Winston was quite popular among the students. I can see if they can be rotated in for the rest of the term."
Harry and Ginny snickered at the answer. What ever Malfoy had planned to accomplish, it had just backfired at him. Erik's unit was more lax when it came to enforcing the rules but still were quite serious when lives were at stake. Lucius sneered and stalked out without a word. His position had gotten even worse. The 13th Platoon was more experienced with the magical world. His lord would not be pleased.
The next day the 13th Platoon arrived. It was Sunday and many students were outside enjoying the sun. The friends sat at the lake when Ginny picked up a faint sound. Looking into the distance she spotted something on the lake. By now other students spotted the spray of water. The cloud got closer and when it reached the shore it sprayed the people there. The large helicopters landed in front of the castle where the 2nd was waiting. As soon as the familiar ACU poured out the pure white of the cavalry got in. The bell called the students in for dinner.
At dinner they were surprised that Erik wasn't there, but Catherine was. Dumbledore looked at her. "Might I inquire where Mr Winston is?" Catherine simply looked at him without blinking. Several seconds passed and Ginny could clearly see the sweat running down the headmaster's forehead. "LIEUTENANT Winston is currently on a well-earned vacation. From the last I heard of him, he was going hiking in the Scottish Highlands." She winked at Lupin who was occupying the DADA Seat. Remus nodded slightly before returning to his talk with Severus.
The soldiers went on patrols on pairs. Different to the 2nd Cavalry they interacted a lot with the students, helping them if they could or escorting the first years to their classroom. More than once they broke up fights as conflicts became clear between the Death-Eater-kids and the rest of the school. The most prominent were Theodore Nott and Pansy Parkinson. Draco and Daphne did their best to ease the tension but their affiliation with Potter didn't make it easy for them.
One evening the friends along with Erik and Catherine were sitting in the Room of Requirement, chatting among each other. Hermione looked up from one of her books. "By the way, what is the story behind Mr Frechen? And why were you coming later than the others?"
Flashback
On Halloween when everyone was in the Great Hall, the doors opened. Through the open doors the thunder boomed and lightning illuminated a single figure entering the hall. "Sorry, couldn't help myself. The torches went out and the doors wouldn't close." Erik stepped into the light. His armor had a large red patch on it. "Sorry about the stuff. Ran across a gray wolf on the way back." He emphasized the color. At exactly this moment an owl arrived to deliver a package to Lupin. The werewolf opened it and smiled slightly after the first shock. Severus next to him took a glace and patted the other man's shoulder.
Erik saluted at Heinz Frechen.
"SpecialOperator Echo, Melde mich zurück zum Dienst, Generaloberstabsarzt." [reporting for duty.] He said in flawless German. "Rühren, Oberleutnant." [At ease, First Lieutenant]
Flashback End
"Generaloberstabsarzt Heinz Frechen, highest ranking German of the Task Force, liaison officer to the ICW. He coordinates our operations against Voldemort and his band of terrorists. Due to his experience with Dumbledore he was chosen for this job. While he is just as secretive he doesn't manipulate. He gives us the Intel we need and also has well reasoning." Erik shrugged. "Maybe its because he can't tell us that we are way out of the league." Ginny nodded. "By the way, did you really send Lupin a werewolf head? How did Greyback escape in the first place?"
Catherine sighed. "He turned him over to the ministry." "My creator bought him free." Draco added.
"Damn corruption." Erik muttered. "Damn Dumbledore." Catherine added. "It's like your second year all over again." Hermione raised an eyebrow. "The basilisk?" Erik nodded. He explained how easy it was to find out what caused everything. "Even you figured it out. Given you were a muggle-born and thus thinking more logical than wizards but still. There aren't that much creatures that are afraid of roosters, can be understood by a parseltongue and petrify. Even I, who had no prior experience with it figured it out."
It had been a long time since they were simply to sit down and talk with no pressing matter in the background. Draco and Daphne excused themselves first along with Ron and Hermione to go on prefect duty. Neville and Luna left. He to help Professor Sprout, she to write a letter to Dudley. Erik disassembled his weapon and began to clean it, as did Catherine with her blades. Ginny followed suit, only to learn how to maintain her swords. Harry looked at the table. One of the stones on it seemed to glow and call out for him. Reaching out he curiously touched it. Instantly he blacked out.