August 11th 2005 - 22 Special Air Service Regiment Headquarters, Hereford.
Harry and Hermione were waiting outside the office of Major Amelia Bones, waiting for her to call them in. They had arrived at five minutes to nine, and now it was half past nine. Hermione was getting restless, tapping her foot and checking her watch every few seconds.
"Harry, do you think we should knock again?" she asked, for what felt like the hundredth time.
"No, let's just give her a few more minutes. Maybe she's dealing with something urgent," Harry replied, trying to keep his voice calm.
Just then, the door to Major Bones' office opened, and a tall, slender woman stepped out, who Harry knew was Captain Serena Longbottom. She had been a year ahead of him at Sandhurst, and Harry knew that she was a "by the books" type of person.
Harry knew this wouldn't be boding well for their meeting. Especially as Harry and Hermione had broken the rules on fraternisation and had been now for 11 months.
"Potter, Granger, the Major will see you now," Captain Longbottom said, her tone clipped and formal.
Harry and Hermione followed her into the office, taking a seat in front of Major Bones' desk. The Major was a stern-looking woman with short, red hair, and piercing eyes.
"Miss Granger, Trooper Potter. You both know why you're here."
"Yes, Major," Harry said, feeling a knot forming in his stomach.
"I confess myself being... disappointed. Your confession that you and Miss Granger had been partaking in a relationship in contravention of the SAS Regiment policy on fraternisation, and had been so for over 10 months prior to your report of it last month was a serious breach of protocol." Major Bones said, sitting back in her chair. "And then for me to find out that such a relationship was of an intimate nature, resulting in a pregnancy, well, it just compounds the issue."
Harry and Hermione looked at each other nervously. They had known this was coming, but hearing it confirmed was still daunting.
"Now I have consulted with the higher-ups, and taking into account Miss Granger's offer of resignation, we have come to a decision. Miss Granger's resignation has been accepted, effective immediately."
Harry could hear Hermione breath a sigh of relief.
"As for you Trooper Potter, I have taken the circumstances of you having approached me, and I understand that you had worries for Miss Granger following the attack on London last month. I have also taken into account your service within the regiment. But I still am required to follow regulations, and as you have only been with the regiment for over a year, you are still at risk of being returned to your former unit."
Harry felt his heart sink at the Major's words. He had hoped that his willingness to come forward and admit to their relationship would have earned him some leniency.
"Regretfully, the higher-ups have decided that you will be transferred back to your former unit, the Mercian Regiment, effective immediately." Major Bones said, knowing that the decision had been taken out of her hands. "If I had had my way, you would have been allowed to stay, Trooper Potter. But I'm afraid my hands are tied. You completed 2 significant missions which required you to be undercover, and endured torture during one of them. The fact that one of those missions prevented an attack on Parliament and saved countless lives has not gone unnoticed, and you will be commended for your service."
Harry nodded, feeling numb. He had known that this was a possibility, but it still stung to hear it confirmed.
"Thank you, Major," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You will be returned to your preious rank of Lieutenant, with all the usual entitlements and benefits. You are expected to return to your unit as soon as possible, and arrangements have been made for your transfer." Major Bones explained. "As Miss Granger is being separated from the Army as a resignation, and she is to be the mother of your child, those circumstances will be taken into account with regards to your accommodation, and I have noted within your file that leave is to be given during the birth of your child."
"Thank you, Major," Harry said again, feeling a little more hopeful at the mention of leave.
"I wish you both the best of luck in your future endeavours, and I hope that you have learned the importance of following regulations, no matter the circumstances," Major Bones said, her tone softening slightly.
"Yes, Major," Harry and Hermione replied in unison.
"Now Harry, Hermione, this is coming from me as a mother, not as a Major. I know that you are not married, and that this situation may not have been planned, but I hope that you will both take responsibility for your actions and provide a stable and loving environment for your child."
"We will, Major," Harry said, feeling a sense of determination rising within him.
"Good. That's all then. Trooper Potter, you are expected to join your new regiment next Monday, so you have a week to sort out your affairs and say your goodbyes. Miss Granger, you are free to leave immediately, and I wish you all the best for your future." Major Bones concluded, standing up from her desk.
"Thank you, Major," Hermione said, standing up as well.
Harry and Hermione left the office, both feeling a mix of emotions. Relief that Hermione's resignation had been accepted and gratitude for the Major's understanding, but also sadness and apprehension at the prospect of being separated.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw Captain Longbottom sitting at a desk, paperwork that Harry knew he would be required to complete.
"Trooper Potter, if you could sign these documents to acknowledge your transfer and new posting," Captain Longbottom said, handing Harry a pen.
Harry took the pen and quickly signed the documents, barely looking at them. He just wanted to get out of there.
"Thank you, Trooper Potter. Here are the details of your transfer." Captain Longbottom said, taking the documents from Harry and handing him a sheet of paper.
Harry placed the sheet in his pocket, and saluted the Captain.
"Potter, Granger. Good luck." she said.
Harry and Hermione left the SAS headquarters, each lost in their own thoughts. Harry couldn't believe that he was being transferred back to his former unit after only a year with the SAS. He had hoped that his willingness to admit to their relationship would have earned him some leniency, but it seemed that regulations were regulations.
Hermione, on the other hand, was feeling relieved that her resignation had been accepted. She knew that she couldn't have continued with the SAS if it meant leaving their child behind. She was also glad that the Major had been understanding and had taken their circumstances into account.
As they walked to the car park, Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of loss. He had grown to love the camaraderie of the SAS, and he knew that he would miss his fellow soldiers. He had made some good friends during his time with the regiment, and he wondered if he would ever see them again.
August 18th, 2005 - Mercian Regiment Headquarters, Tidworth.
It was the day of Harry's return to the Mercian Regiment, and as soon as he walked towards the main building, he saw his former platoon sergeant, Sergeant Thomas, standing outside, smoking a cigarette.
"Morning, sir," Sergeant Thomas said, stubbing out his cigarette and snapping to attention.
"Morning, Sergeant," Harry replied, returning the salute.
"Welcome back, sir. You'll be reporting to Major Malfoy. I assume you know the way?"
"Yes, thank you, Sergeant," Harry said, feeling a mix of familiarity and nostalgia as he walked towards the building.
As he made his way to Major Malfoy's office, Harry couldn't help but think about how different this felt compared to his arrival at the SAS headquarters over a year ago. Then, he had been excited and nervous about joining one of the most elite military units in the world. Now, he felt like he was going back to a familiar but less exciting environment.
Harry knocked on Major Malfoy's door and heard a gruff voice say, "Come in."
He opened the door and saw Major Lucius Malfoy sitting behind his desk, looking up at him with a slight frown.
"Ah, Lieutenant Potter. Welcome back to the Mercian Regiment," Major Malfoy said, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm.
"Thank you, Major," Harry replied, trying to keep his tone respectful.
"I see from your transfer documents that you were with the Special Air Service Regiment for a year. And now you're back with us," Major Malfoy said, eyeing Harry carefully. "Breaching regulations eh?"
"Sir."
"Well now you are back in the Regular Army, not the Sports and Social. And you know from your previous service with us that we have strict regulations that must be followed," Major Malfoy continued, his tone stern. "I trust that you have learned your lesson and will not be breaking any more rules."
"Yes, Major. I understand," Harry replied, feeling the weight of the Major's words.
"Good. If it had been me in Bones' position, I would have bounced you not just back here, but out of the service completely, your heroics in Afghanistan and Iraq be dammed. I am going to make your life hell Potter.
"Harry felt a knot forming in his stomach at Major Malfoy's words. He had heard rumours that Malfoy was a tough commander, but he hadn't expected him to be so harsh.
"Understood, Major," Harry said, trying to keep his voice steady.
"I hope you do, Potter. You'll be starting off as a platoon commander, and I expect nothing but the best from you. You may have been with the SAS, but that doesn't mean you're above the regulations here," Major Malfoy said, his tone softening slightly.
Harry took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He knew he had a lot to prove to Major Malfoy, and he was determined to show him that he was worthy of being a platoon commander.
"I understand, Major. I'll do my best to live up to your expectations," Harry said, feeling a renewed sense of determination.
"Good. Now, let's get started. I have some paperwork for you to complete before you meet your new platoon," Major Malfoy said, handing Harry a stack of documents.
Harry took the documents, knowing that he had a lot of work ahead of him. He sat down at the desk and began to fill out the forms, his mind already focused on the challenges that lay ahead.
As he worked, Harry couldn't help but think about Hermione and their unborn child. He knew that he had to be strong for them, and he was determined to do whatever it took to provide for his family.
For the rest of the day, Harry worked diligently, completing paperwork and preparing for his new role as a platoon commander. But despite this, he was feeling different... like his family was becoming more important that serving his country.
Over the next few days, Harry settled back into the routine of the Mercian Regiment. It was like he had never left. He was reunited with some old comrades and introduced to new ones. But despite his best efforts to focus on his duties, his thoughts kept drifting back to Hermione and their future child.
By the end of the week, Harry just couldn't shake that feeling that maybe his time with the SAS, and the torture he had endured, had changed him in ways that he couldn't fully understand yet. He wondered if he would ever feel the same sense of camaraderie and purpose that he had felt with the SAS. But he also knew that his new role as a father was just as important, if not more so, than his role as a soldier.
As he left the Mercian Regiment headquarters that Friday evening, Harry felt a mix of emotions. He was glad to be back with his former unit, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was taking a different turn. He had always been a soldier first, but now he was going to be a father as well, and he knew that his priorities were going to shift.