Content warning: This chapter contains depictions of violence, terrorism, and themes of war and danger that may be distressing for some readers.
November 14th 2004, 22 Special Air Service Regiment Headquarters, Hereford.
Harry and Hermione had returned from their mission in Iraq a few weeks ago, and since then they had been debriefed and debriefed again. They had provided valuable intel that had helped the SAS and the British Army to help support the Iraq War.
Surprisingly for Hermione, it having been her first "field" experience being an administrator, her first taste of work as an undercover operative had been a success. She had been nervous about going into such a dangerous situation, but she had trusted in her training and in Harry's leadership, and they had worked well together as a team.
For Harry, who had served in hostile territory before, before he had joined the SAS, the mission had been a reminder of why he had chosen this career. He felt fulfilled knowing that he was making a difference and serving his country.
As they sat in the debriefing room with their commanding officer, Harry couldn't help but feel that something was off. He sensed that his next mission was going to be a lot more challenging than his last one. The room fell silent as the commanding officer cleared his throat.
"Trooper Potter, we have received intelligence that a terrorist group in Afghanistan is planning an attack on British soil. Your next mission will be to infiltrate their organization and gather information about their plans."
Harry had served in Afghanistan before, before he had passed selection by the SAS, but this time, the stakes were much higher. The thought of an attack on British soil sent chills down his spine. He knew he had to do everything in his power to prevent it from happening.
"You will be supported by the usual sources, but this time it is different. Unlike your last mission, you will be going in alone. The terrorist group is known for their high level of security and suspicion, and we believe that sending in a team, or a couple would be too risky. You'll need to rely on your training, experience, and instincts."
Harry nodded, knowing that the mission ahead would require him to be at his best. Hermione looked at him, concern etched on her face. She knew what was at stake, and she knew that Harry would be putting himself in danger.
As they left the briefing room, Harry and Hermione walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts. Harry knew that he had to prepare himself both mentally and physically for this mission. He spent hours pouring over intelligence reports, studying the group's tactics and strategies, and planning his approach.
He could see that Hermione was worried, especially as their relationship wasn't just professional, but also physical, but he didn't want to burden her with his fears. Instead, he focused on training and preparing for the mission ahead.
Days turned into weeks, and before he knew it, Harry was on a flight to Afghanistan. He had a fake identity, a new background story, and was ready to infiltrate the terrorist group.
As he landed, Harry could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew that the next few months were going to be some of the toughest of his life. He had to blend in, gain the trust of the terrorists, and gather information that could potentially save countless lives.
As he walked through the dusty streets of Kabul, Harry knew that he had to stay alert and vigilant. He couldn't let his guard down for even a moment. He had to stay focused and stay true to his mission.
The journey ahead was not going to be easy, but Harry was ready. He was ready to do whatever it takes to protect his country and its people. The next few months would test him in ways he had never been tested before, but Harry knew that he was up for the challenge.
December 25th 2004 - 6 Meadow Way, Crawley
Hermione was sitting at her parents house, watching the Queen's Speech, listening to Her Majesty speak about the importance of family and the challenges of the year ahead. But her mind was not on the speech, it was on Harry.
He had only just managed to make his last check in, two days before she had left Hereford for leave, and she hadn't heard from him since. She knew that he was in a dangerous situation, and the thought of him being alone in the hostile environment of Afghanistan made her worry even more.
As the day went on, Hermione couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She tried to distract herself with her family, but her mind kept wandering back to Harry. She knew that she had to stay strong for him, but it was getting harder and harder as time passed without any news.
Watching the news on the television didn't help, as they were concentrating on both the conflicts in Iraq and in Afghanistan. She knew from her experience on their mission in Iraq that the situation there was still volatile, and the thought of Harry being in a similar situation only added to her anxiety.
As the day drew to a close, Hermione couldn't bear it any longer. She excused herself from her family and went up to her childhood bedroom.
As she lay on her bed, she thought about that night in their safe house in Iraq, that night that they had given in to their passions and the feelings that had grown between them. She missed him terribly, and she longed to hear his voice again.
She knew that she couldn't contact him either, as his cover was so deep, and any communication from her could put him in danger. She had to trust in his training and in his abilities, but it was hard.
She heard her dad, Daniel Granger, come up the stairs.
"Hey, honey, are you alright?" he asked, standing in the doorway with a mug of hot chocolate. "Is it work?"
Hermione sat up, taking the mug from her father's outstretched hand. "Yeah, it's work," she replied, her voice heavy with worry.
"Let me guess? Someone your close to is on a mission? A Trooper maybe?
Hermione nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes. His name is Harry. We've got... close. I mean, I know we're not supposed to be together, especially with the rules... but..."
Her voice trailed off, and she took a sip of the hot chocolate, feeling the warmth spread through her body.
Daniel sat down on the bed beside her, putting a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I know it's hard, Hermione. But you have to trust in Harry and his training. He's a soldier, he knows what he's doing. Same as when I was in the Regiment in the early '80s. You know, some of my missions were that classified, not even Blair knows about them."
"Like Belfast? I found out about that when the planning for earlier this year happened." Hermione asked.
"Yeah. You were only 3 when that happened. So it's a similar mission?" Daniel said.
"Officially I can't say, but its similar. Instead of Irish Republians, it's a terrorist group in Afghanistan. He's been in there for over a month now, and I haven't heard from him since a few days before I left for leave. I'm just so worried, Dad."
"I can't believe your brass decided to model it on that. My cover was blown within a week. There again we had a leak at Whitehall, one of the staff there was a IRA sympathiser. I barely made it out alive," Daniel said, his voice filled with a hint of bitterness. "But listen to me, Hermione. Times have changed, and if your Trooper can survive this mission, it's because he's been trained for it. You know that better than anyone. He's the best of the best, and he's doing what he loves. You just have to believe in him."
Hermione nodded, her mind a little more at ease with her father's words. "Thank you, Dad. I just miss him so much."
"And if he does make it out, I'll be sure to buy him a pint of two, because it takes one tough son of a bitch to go through selection, and based on what you told me of your last mission together, he's got brass ones for sure!" Daniel said, hugging his daughter. "Remember, you're both in this together, and even though being together romantically isn't allowed in the Regiment, I know you love him and that he loves you. That's all that matters in the end."
Hermione smiled weakly, grateful for her father's support. She knew that he understood the sacrifices that came with serving in the military, and she was glad to have him by her side.
As they sat in silence, watching the snow fall outside her bedroom window, Hermione couldn't help but wonder what Harry was doing at that very moment. She hoped that he was safe and that he would return home to her soon.
Little did she know, Harry was in the middle of what could potentially be the most dangerous part of his mission.
February 14th 2005 - Kabul
Harry Potter was in the middle of a mission that had pushed him to his limits. He had been in Afghanistan for almost three months, and he had managed to gain the trust of the terrorist group he was infiltrating. He had gathered valuable information about their plans to carry out an attack on British soil, but he knew that he had to be careful not to blow his cover.
But he was unaware that his cover had been blown. Not by a mistake of his own, but by a suspicion by one of the groups intelligence officers. Harry was caught off guard as he was taken into custody and interrogated for hours. He knew that any false move could mean the end of his mission and his life.
As he sat in a dark, damp room, Harry could feel his adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew that he had to stay strong, stay focused, and trust in his training. He had to rely on his instincts and find a way to escape before it was too late.
He was dragged before a video camera, where the leader announced that Harry was with the SAS and demanded a ransom for his release.
Harry knew that the Government would never pay a ransom for him, and he knew that it'd be hard for him to escape his captors.
He just hoped the Regiment would be able to locate him and mount a rescue operation. But he also knew that the longer he stayed in captivity, the less likely it was that he would make it out alive.
Over the next week, Harry was subject to brutal torture, but his worries were not for himself. He knew that he had to stay strong for his country and his fellow soldiers. He had to stay strong for Hermione.
As the days passed, Harry's situation became more dire. He was starved, beaten, and kept in solitary confinement. He knew that he had to find a way out before it was too late.
On the tenth day, he heard gunfire from outside his cell. His heart leaped with hope, but he knew that it could be his captors dealing with other business. However, as the gunfire grew louder, he realized that a rescue operation was underway. He could hear the screams of his captors and the sounds of gunfire echoing through the building.
Within minutes, a group of SAS soldiers burst into his cell, guns at the ready. And Hermione was with them.
Harry felt a wave of relief wash over him as he saw Hermione's face. He had never been so happy to see anyone in his life.
"Hermione," he whispered, his voice hoarse from days of being beaten and starved.
"It's alright, Harry. We've got you," she said, her voice filled with emotion.
The SAS team quickly secured the building and extracted Harry, taking him to safety.
As they flew back to the UK, Harry felt a mix of emotions. He was relieved to be out of danger, but he also felt a sense of guilt for being captured in the first place. He knew that the mission had been a success, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had let his fellow soldiers down.
He knew the path to recovery would be a long one, but with Hermione by his side, he felt like he could conquer anything. He had never been more grateful to have her in his life.
As they landed in the UK, Harry was taken to a military hospital to receive treatment for his injuries. Hermione stayed by his side the entire time, offering him comfort and support.
As he lay in his hospital bed, Harry knew that he had been close to being another soldier lost in the line of duty. He had been through a lot, but he was grateful to be alive and to have Hermione by his side.
He thought back to his granddad Hugo, who had been in the RAF during the Second World War, and how he had been shot down in France and been a prisoner of war until his camp had engineered an escape. He had never truly understood the sacrifice and bravery that his grandfather and all those who served had made until now.
As he looked at Hermione, he knew that he had found someone who understood the sacrifices he made and was willing to stand by him through everything. He knew that he had to make the most of his second chance at life and cherish every moment with her.