(AN: So, another chapter, apologies for the delay. I really should have waited until the 1st book was done before starting this one. Big shout out to Deathmaster96 for coming out of retirement and being my beta for this and OPPD. And speaking of which, if there are any Harry Potter FF fans out there who have experience being a beta or would like to be of assistance in this book I would greatly appreciate it. I've managed to catch several potential boo-boo's already in the HP verse, but it would help. Anyways, on with the show!)
"Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory."
- General Douglas McArthur
(Somewhere in a forest in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 1239 A.D., 0614 hours local time)
CSM Wolfe stood at the threshold to a large wooden door and frowned. He had received word from the wizard Merlin late last night that his CO, LTC Long, wanted to meet with him at exactly 6:15 am sharp. The old sergeant major didn't think anything of it, other than a post mission debriefing, and rose earlier than his usual 0530 internal alarm to make sure his military bearing was perfect.
Wolfe glanced down imperceptibly. His ACU's were immaculate, his tunic cleaned and pressed and his trousers expertly bloused into his boots. His GShock watch beeped, signalling that it was 0615 on the nose, and he rapped on the heavy door. He heard Long's voice.
"Enter!"
Wolfe opened the door and saw his CO was seated at his desk, going through papers. He gave Long a salute.
"Sir, Sergeant Major Wolfe, reporting as ordered."
Long smiled and stood up, returning the NCO's crisp salute.
"Sar'ent major. At ease."
The sergeant major noted that Long was fidgeting with his bic pen, and for a moment wondered what was going on. His CO finally spoke.
"I called you here at this ungodly hour for a reason. I need your input and advice."
Wolfe remained at a position of parade rest and nodded, uncertain what Long was going to say. Finally the colonel spoke.
"I think it's safe to say that Operation Arendelle was a clusterfuck, wouldn't you agree?"
The sergeant major's face cracked into a small smile as he responded.
"A clusterfuck is an understatement, sir."
Long returned the smile for a moment, and chuckled.
"You know that old goat Merlin said I was to blame for the mission going sideways? Can you believe that?"
Wolfe then noticed that his CO was no longer smiling.
"I didn't believe him…at first. But I need to hear it from my own men."
He turned to face Wolfe, looking at him intently.
"I'd like to hear your honest, no-bullshit assessment of my command, Sergeant Major Wolfe."
Wolfe regarded Long for a moment, clearly conflicted. His CO grinned sadly.
"How long have we known each other now, Eric? You don't need my permission to speak freely."
Long made his way over to the fireplace, where two easy chairs were situated, and sat in one, leaning back into his chair and gesturing with his hand for Wolfe to sit as well.
"Speak your mind, Sergeant Major."
Wolfe nodded almost imperceptibly and sat down across from him. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, holding his hands to his greying temples and sighing softly before sitting up and raising his thoughtful gaze to meet Long's. He finally spoke.
"Sir, I want you to know that I mean this with all due respect. You're a good officer, and a better man. The men like you. They like you a whole lot. Hell, I like you a whole lot."
Wolfe's gaze flicked back at his boots, and he sighed again, his words clearly weighing on him. He locked eyes with Long again and continued.
"They like you, sir. But they don't respect you. They don't respect your orders, they don't respect the chain of command at all, really."
He shook his head.
"Hell, the only reason they listen to ME is because they're scared of what I'll do to them if they don't…"
The sergeant major leaned forward.
"The thing that they don't teach you in ROTC or OTS is that leadership isn't just a popularity contest. Say what you will about the old man, but Konrad understood that. The men of the Damned 33rd loved and respected him. They would follow him to Hell and back, and did, in Dubai."
He saw the pained expression on Long's face, so Wolfe switched tact.
"Don't get me wrong, it's a good thing for the men to like you, of course. But what's actually important is whether or not they respect you, the unpopular orders you have to give, the hard decisions you gotta make. Without that respect and the trust that comes with it, we ain't gonna accomplish a damn thing. You've seen what's happened already, sir. Guys buckin' orders, running off, ignoring the Grooming Standards, doing whatever."
Wolfe's voice softened a bit.
"An' there's Mayfield. That poor kid would probably still be alive if he an' Davis had followed orders and stayed in the chopper. An' all those stupid mouth-breathin' cronies of Prince Hans would still be alive too."
He sighed again, and paused. Just for a moment, the carefully-practiced bluster and bravado of a battalion command sergeant major was gone. Eric Wolfe, stripped to the true essence of himself, was now just a melancholy, tired old man feeling every bit of his 52 years. He took another breath, and continued.
"You have to get control of the men, sir. Set expectations, boundaries. Establish discipline. Make them respect you, it shouldn't even be that hard, like I said, they like you. Don't really matter how you do it, but it has to be done. Otherwise we might as well strip off the camo and start LARPing as the Knights who say Ni."
Wolfe sat up straighter in his chair, awaiting a response. He half expected Long to argue, or even flat out deny it, but instead the leader of the Exiles just slumped his shoulders and sighed.
"Yeah, that's about what Merlin said. Thing is, I care about them, I don't want to think that they're just pieces on a chessboard."
Wolfe nodded understandingly.
"I'm not telling you not to care, sir. I'm telling you that you need to strike a balance."
"And how would you suggest I do that?"
It was a genuine question. Wolfe it answered quickly.
"Well it takes time, but the first step would be to enforce discipline, set an example with the little things. And don't leave it just to me. Next time one of those fuckers bucks orders, tell 'em to go sweep the dust outta the courtyard or some shit."
Long made a face as if he should have thought of that himself.
"I suppose I have been a bit lax. I've never really been the disciplinarian type. Not my style. Maybe I've just let it go a little too far."
Wolfe smiled wryly.
"Believe it or not, sir, just you admitting that is a big step in the right direction."
Long nodded, returning the smile. Wolfe looked past him and stood up, stretching his back. He heard a knock on the door, and saw LTC Long stand up as well.
"Time to get back on the clock."
He checked his watch.
"Although I'm not expecting any guests this early."
Long made his way over to his desk and raised his voice.
"Door's open!"
The door opened, revealing Major Gavin. The burly officer entered, looking slightly embarrassed and carrying a large pink shopping bag.
"'Morning Colonel!"
He glanced over to Wolfe and grinned.
"An' you Eric! What brings you in so damned early, sar'ent?"
The sergeant major returned Gavin's grin, albeit smaller.
"Just had some business with the colonel, sir."
He nodded at the pink bag.
"I'm sure there's a story behind that..."
Gavin's round, boyish face blushed, no mean feat given his already ruddy complexion.
"Uhh, yeah this is the Captain's idea, sar'ent."
As if on cue a tall woman stepped through the door. Captain Pelayo had somehow managed to trade her skimpy harem outfit for her old uniform, an olive-green flightsuit, and was carrying a package wrapped in bright purple plastic.
"Hey Bruce! You forgot the Maxi Pads and- oh...sir."
The female Marine awkwardly stuffed the package under her armpit and saluted Long. Long grinned and returned the salute.
"As you were, captain."
He looked over to Gavin, who was turning redder by the moment.
"I take it this is a care package for Private Gobbi?"
The major nodded.
"Roger that, sir. I'm gonna be meetin' her in Hogsmeade this afternoon, an' the capt'n told me to give her this stuff."
He held up the pink bag. Wolfe stared at the bag as if it were an alien artifact.
"What in the actual fuck is in that?"
Captain Pelayo responded, rattling off the contents as if it were a flight checklist.
"Organic conditioner, herbal shampoo, non-soap facial cleanser, broad-spectrum sunscreen, lip balm, hand cream, face moisturizer cream, under eye cream, organic foundation, eye toner, skin toner, lip gloss...Everything PFC Gobbi will need to blend in and complete the mission."
She paused and flushed a bit.
"Alright, so I went a bit overboard on the makeup products, I was reliving my teenaged years. Sue me."
Gavin sighed as he took the hygienic products from her and stuffed it in the bag.
"Y'all do know that Gobbi's just gonna throw all this shit out as soon as I leave, right?"
The female Marine shrugged.
"Then do your job as her father and tell her that her mom worked her fingers to the bone to get those items, and if she doesn't use them that mommy's gonna come and spank her butt…"
Gavin snorted.
"Yeah, that ain't much of a threat, the private'd probably enjoy that."
He turned to Long.
"Anyways, with yer permission I need to step through the magical portal that ol' Whiskers gave me."
The colonel nodded.
"Understood, but don't take too long, I have an announcement for all the soldiers at 0800 so make sure you're there."
(meanwhile, a world away...)
"Gobbi! Pri'at, wake up...WAKE UP!"
PFC Pete Gobbi's eyes shot open, and for a moment was blinded by a white light. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness outside, his other senses slowly took in his surroundings. His ears were ringing, a familiar after-effect of firing weapons in close quarters, the dry, hot smell of blowing sand and burned asphalt assailed his nostrils. His head felt heavy, he blinked twice and saw a tanned face staring at him. Sgt. Torrez spoke again.
"Gobbi, you with me?"
The private blinked his eyes again and looked around. He was in a sandbag emplacement in what was, ironically enough, an upscale lingerie shop. One wall was completely blown out, opening the atrium of the Dubai Mall to the outside, with sand spilling in. A .50 caliber M2 heavy machine gun mounted on a tripod offered a wide field of fire across the atrium, and he could see other members of the 33rd scrambling for cover. Vaguely he could hear his NCO talking to him.
"Alright Pete, lissen up! We got Delta pinned down on the second level, you man the Ma Deuce and provide covering fire!"
Mechanically Gobbi stood up and pulled the charging handle back on the heavy machine gun, he could see two of the three Delta Force soldiers pinned down behind a ruined info kiosk. One of them looked badly injured, and he pulled the trigger on the M2. The .50 cal heavy kicked back as it fired off a burst, but for some reason it seemed unreal. Like a dream.
Then the private felt a dull thud as something hit his chest, he realized something and looked down in horror. Stuck to the front of his plate carrier was a sticky grenade, pin pulled. He shouted out.
"Shit! Get it off me, quick!"
In vain the private tried to pull the grenade off his vest, but it wouldn't budge. He was aware of someone shoving him over the railing and that he was falling...falling, and wondering which would hurt more, the fall or blowing up.
And then Gina Gavin woke up.
Professor Snape nearly jumped out of his skin. He had noticed the American girl drifting off during his lecture, and was in the process of sneaking up on her to get her attention, loudly. Just as he was debating whether to slap the back of her chair with a ruler or create a loud noise to wake her, then quick as a striking snake Gina sat bolt upright and took a deep breath as if ready to scream. Her violet eyes were unfocused and darting about, and there was a thin bead of sweat on her forehead. Her desk-mate, a fellow Slytherin name Nanette Wilson looked concerned.
"Are you alright, Gina?"
For a moment the private-turned-witchling wasn't alright. She was trying to get her bearings, and remembered that she wasn't in Dubai anymore. Or even Private First Class Pete Gobbi anymore. She was Gina Gavin, a Third Year Slytherin student at Hogwarts with a special mission. She took a ragged breath, saw Nanette's worried face, and croaked out in a low voice.
"I'm okay..."
"Not sleeping in my class, are you, Miss Gavin?"
Gina looked up and saw Professor Snape staring at her. His normally sardonic face betrayed something else. It could be concern or worry, but then again it could be nothing. She shook her head.
"No, sir. Probably indigestion from breakfast."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I hope I am not boring you, Miss Gavin."
Gina shook her head emphatically, the terrible dream forgotten.
"N-no sir, just...this is all a lot to take in."
The professor stood there scrutinizing Gina, only to be interrupted by the clock chimes outside, signaling the end of class. He finally nodded slowly.
"Of course, this must be quite the culture shock for you."
Professor Snape turned around, addressing the rest of the students.
"Potions Class is dismissed. Do not forget tomorrow is our monthly potions examination, I will expect everyone's participation."
Snape's dark eyes flicked over to Gina.
"I of course will not afflict you with that, Miss Gavin, seeing as how just joined us today."
The American girl held his gaze, and he continued.
"...However, I would ask that you write a short essay on the origins, properties and applications of the potion called Alihotsy Draught. You will submit it to me tomorrow in lieu of taking the examinations."
Gina nodded.
"Yes, sir...thank you sir."
She started gathering up her books and scrolls, when Snape spoke again.
"I will be keeping an eye on you, Miss Gavin."
Gina looked up and saw Snape was giving her a gimlet-eyed glare. She shrugged and grinned.
"Glad to have the attention, sir."
And with that she scurried off, hurrying after Nanette and the rest of the students as they filed out. In the hallway she joined Daphne and Tracy. The tall Fourth year Syltherin lightly punched Gina's arm.
"Lucky bitch! You don't have to take the exam tomorrow!"
Gina shrugged.
"Yeah, well I gotta do this stupid essay, an' it's a stay of execution since they have them every month..."
She heard Tracy pipe up on her other side.
"Oh come on, that potion is one of the easiest concoctions in class. It basically causes you to laugh hysterically and uncontrollably."
The American girl chuckled.
"Yeah, well I still have to write about it, so that sucks..."
She looked up and saw Nanette approaching. Her new friend still looked concerned.
"Hey...you alright?"
Gina tried to act casual.
"Yeah, just jet lag an' having mushrooms for breakfast."
She gave Nanette a reassuring smile.
"Probably should've chewed my food better and I wouldn't get indigestion..."
That earned a friendly laugh from both Daphne and Tracy, and even Nanette cracked a grin. She playfully poked Gina in the sides.
"Told you not to eat so much, didn't I?"
Gina joined in the giggle, and saw a blur of messy brown hair walk past. She focused, and saw it was the target, Hermione, accompanied by the redheaded boy with freckles. She only had a moment to register that the target was out of sight when Gina heard Daphne speak up.
"Earth to Gina! Come on, we'll be late for the next class!"
(6 hours later...)
"Fuuuuck...I don't ever want to do that shit again!"
Gina had barely made it into the Slytherin Common room when she dropped her books and scrolls onto the low table and then flopped into a large green couch. She let out another sigh. She recalled after graduating basic having to go through AIT and it still wasn't as bad as this. For one thing, Private Gobbi had access to a computer, and a pen. The quill and scrolls were getting old, the private-turned-witchling swore she would never complain about using bic pens ever again.
Quills were not ergonomically sound, and the accompanying inkwell was a pain to use. Especially when, in Charms class one of the less experienced students sent a seat cushion across the room and hit hers and Nanette's desk, sending the ink flying everywhere. It would have been disastrous, if Daphne hadn't saved them by using a counter-charm spell to deflect the ink. Appropriately it landed on the luckless student that caused the issue to begin with. Karma's a bitch.
Gina's rest was short-lived, as she felt someone sit next to her feet on the couch.
"Come on, lazy bones! We've got homework to do!"
She pulled her face out of the deep leather seat cushion enough to see Nanette's face beaming at her. Gina wasn't in the mood and rolled over, burying her face again. Her voice came out muffled.
"Screw that, I'm going to pass out for a month, wake me up when September ends..."
Her relief was short-lived, as she felt someone tickling her sides, causing her to jump three feet in the air and squeal.
"H-hey! No fair!"
Nanette winked at her.
"You shouldn't leave your flank open, then..."
Gina was brandishing a large accent pillow and was going to heave it at Nanette's smug smiling face, when the door opened, revealing Draco Malfoy. The blonde brat was flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, and his girlfriend Pansy. Gina lowered the pillow as Draco approached.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
The American girl shook her head.
"Nah, just a little Quidditch practice. What's up?"
Draco smiled, which unsettled the private-turned-witchling.
"Just wanted to congratulate you on completing your first full day of school. And for getting House Slytherin an extra twenty points."
He saw the puzzled look on Gina's face, so he continued.
"As in House Points?"
Nanette piped up.
"Every student assigned to a House earns points for answering a question correctly or doing something right-"
"-Or doing something wrong, as indicated by that mudblood Granger." Draco interrupted, smugly. "Your pausing really sold the professor, and prompted Snape to deduct points from Gryffindor. Well done."
Gina didn't have the heart to tell Draco that her pausing had nothing to do with her target's response, but kept her mouth shut. She glanced over to Nanette, who shrugged.
"And at the end of the school term the House with the most points wins the House Cup."
Draco patted Gina on the shoulder.
"So, well done! And if you need help with your homework, ask anyone here to give you an assist. One of the perks of being a pureblood in Syltherin."
He paused, and jerked a thumb over his shoulder at his two cronies.
"Just don't ask help from these two, they're stupid as rocks."
With that the Malfoy boy left, leaving Crabbe and Goyle still pondering as to whether or not they had just been insulted. Pansy gave Gina a glare that the American didn't recall earning, before retired herself to one of the dorm rooms. Gina shook her head.
"Can't believe I'm gonna have to put up with this crap for-"
She was interrupted as Tracy shyly approached.
"Do you need help with your homework?"
Gina blinked.
"You mean...you'll do my homework for me?"
The short girl shook her head.
"Oh no! That is...unless you want me to...you see, us half-bloods have to do what the purebloods tell us to..."
She glanced over to where Draco was seated, in a small cluster of other Slytherin students. Gina was sorely tempted to tell the girl to do all of her homework, but unfortunately Nanette beat her to the punch.
"Don't worry yourself about it, Trace...I'll help Gina!"
She giggled at Gina.
"You'll still have to do the work..."
Fuck my life, the private-turned-witchling thought.
(The next morning)
Gina finished off her third cup of tea and reached for the polished silver pot.
"Pass the sugar."
Daphe looked up from munching on her buttered toast.
"Um, I just passed the sugar bowl to you like 10 minutes ago."
The American girl held up an empty porcelain bowl.
"I know, I'm out. Pass the other one."
She heard Nanette giggle off to her right.
"Oh, stop being so melodramatic, so you had to stay up a bit late to finish your homework, so what?"
Gina turned and glared at her study companion.
"I don't call not getting to bed until almost midnight 'a bit late', an' I'm still pissed that you didn't let Tracy help."
Nanette's pretty face pursed into a mock frown.
"Oh come on, don't sulk dear. Tracy wasn't going to help, she was going to do your homework for you, and then you won't learn anything!"
Gina accepted the other sugar bowl from Daphne and shrugged.
"Suits me just fine, s'not like passing is part of the mission."
"What?"
The private-turned-witchling stopped pouring copious amounts of sugar into her tea and looked up guiltily.
"Er, I mean, it's not like having a cribber is gonna make me flunk."
Across the table from her Tracy smiled shyly.
"If you get loaded up with homework I still volunteer to help take a load off."
But before Gina could accept the offer Nanette interjected.
"Oh no, Gina's going to learn to do her own homework."
She beamed at her American friend, who frowned and was about to flip her off when a bell all the way at the front of the Great Hall rang. She heard Dumbledore's voice echo.
"Dear students, I only mean to interrupt your morning repast for a moment, but your morning mail is here."
Gina almost dropped her tea spoon when a large flock of owls flew into the Great Hall, each bearing a letter or small parcel. She also saw a scruffy-looking English horned owl flying in her direction. Archiemedes unceremoniously dropped a letter in Gina's half-finished breakfast plate before perching on the back of her chair. She heard the owl grumbling.
"The next time that stupid old buzzard wants to volunteer his familiar for courier duty he can get stuffed!"
Gina couldn't help but giggle, then whispered back to the owl.
"Did the colonel say anything?"
"No, this was from Major Gavin, your 'father'. Apparently he wants to meet you in Hogsmeade."
"S'a bit early for a sit-rep."
She heard the owl chuckle humorlessly.
"From what I understand, your 'mother' put together a care package for you and she wanted the major to drop it off."
"For fuck's sake." Gina cursed, then immediately regretted it as she heard a stern female voice behind her.
"Language, young lady!'
Professor McGonagall had somehow appeared out of thin air behind the private-turned-witchling and scolded her.
"I won't warn you again, Miss Gavin. I understand that this is all new to you, but if I hear any swear words from you again it will result in detention, is that clear?""
Gina slowly nodded.
"Roger th- I mean, yes ma'am."
She held up a letter.
"Uh, my daddy wants to meet me at Hogsmeade, who do I talk to about getting a hall pass?"
The professor nodded to the head table primly.
"You will have to speak to the headmaster about that, Miss Gavin."
With that McGonagall turned and left, leaving Gina blushing bright red at the scolding. Daphne sniggered.
"Careful, Gina. McGonagall hates Slytherin students, and her detention is the pits..."
Gina glared at the taller girl as she finished off her tea.
"Sit on it and rotate, Lucky Charms."
That just caused both Daph and Nanette to burst out into a fit of giggles. Gina pushed back her chair, causing her owl to fly off in a huff.
"I gotta go talk to Whiskers, I'll catch y'all in class."
As she left Gina walked right past the Gryffindor table where her target, Hermione Granger was seated at. She looked to be conversing with the ginger, but Gina couldn't be sure and didn't want to stare. The private-turned-witchling tried to come up with a plan that would involve her getting close to the target without arousing suspicions from either her Slytherin friends or the target herself, but didn't realize she was the topic of conversation elsewhere.
Ron watched the girl retreat to the teacher's table, then finished off his breakfast. He heard Hermione whisper over to him.
"So?"
"So what? So the new student, the crazy Yank girl is off to talk to Professor Dumbledore."
"Do you think it could be him?"
"Who, you mean Harry P-"
He lowered his voice when Hermione shushed him.
"-you mean Potter? No, I don't think so, couldn't be him. And besides, the polyjuice potion would have worn off by now."
Hermione shook her head.
"I don't know, she seemed awfully interested when my name was mentioned. And then there was her odd behavior in Potions class."
She paused.
"I asked Cho, and she agreed with me that the new girl is so tomboyish and acts like a boy, but even she didn't believe that it could be Harry. For one thing he can't pull off a convincing American accent."
She saw the look Ron was giving her.
"Alright, and plus Cho swears that this girl has none of Harry's mannerisms. Don't ask me how she'd know."
With that Hermione arose from her chair.
"Come on, we're going to be late for Potions class, and Professor Snape have that beastly test he's going to give us."
Ron nodded glumly as he stood up as well.
"Don't remind me, I didn't hardly get any study time in last night."
He saw a fellow Gryffindor student still staring agape at the American girl as she spoke to Dumbledore.
"Oi! Neville, hurry up!"
Neville Longbottom snapped out of his fugue and blinked.
"Sorry Ron...but I think I'm in love."
"Oh for Merlin's sake, you do know she's Slytherin, right?"
(Later that day, at Hogsmeade)
Gavin stepped into the Three Broomsticks, and tried not to look inconspicuous. It was difficult since everyone in the pub was dressed in robes and peaked caps, and he was still in duty uniform. He removed his OD green beanie and stuffed it into his pocket, the slowly made his way to where the bar was. After he set down the pink bag, he sat down and checked his watch. The letter he sent earlier to Gobbi was to meet up at the Three Broomsticks at 4pm for a sit-rep, and he was still early. Might as well get a beer, the major thought.
He sat down at the bar and ordered a tankard. The barmaid stared at his ACU's, but as soon as he dropped a gold Galleon on the wooden bar top she lost interest, took the gold coin and poured him a frothy mug of ale. Gavin had taken his first sip when he heard a voice behind him speak up. A voice he recognized.
"Wouldn't have expected to see you here, sir."
Gavin turned and saw a burly man wearing a dark blue polo shirt, chinos and grey sneakers. But it was his Damned 33rd tattoo and his scarred face that allowed Gavin to recognized the newcomer. It was SFC Barnes, of Kilo Company. After getting over his shock, the major's face split into a genuine friendly grin.
"Well, shit Bob! Fancy meetin' you here!"
The older NCO looked shocked, but Gavin gestured to the chair next to him.
"Take a load off an' I'll buy ya a drink."
He turned and ordered another ale before Barnes could protest. When he turned back he saw the Damned NCO still standing.
"C'mon, Bob, don't make me pull rank on ya..."
Slowly Barnes sat down, and for a while there was just silence, other than the clanking of glassware as the barmaid prepared another ale. Finally the 'Damned' sergeant spoke.
"I suppose you're gonna ask what I'm doing here, sir."
Gavin shrugged as he took another drink.
"Probably doin' the same thing I am, Bob. Getting a sit-rep on the mission, amiright?"
He handed Barnes a drink.
"C'mon, we're both here on a mission..."
The major then grinned.
"...An' while we're at it, drop the 'sir', Bob. Or do ya want me to start callin' you Ol' Thunder?"
That caused Barnes to smile, or at least try. His scarred face twisted the smile enough to scare the barmaid.
"No, just Bob's fine, sir-er...I mean Bruce."
The 'Damned' NCO took a sip of his beer.
How's stuff on your end?"
Gavin shrugged.
"Same shit, different day. Got a nice, drafty castle we call home now, instead of dry sandy place, so I guess it's an improvement on Dubai."
Barnes nodded, then lowered his eyes, staring into his drink. When he spoke again it was in a low voice.
"I heard you're with Long now."
The major smiled ruefully.
"An' I heard yer with ol' Wild Bill. Thought you were better than that."
Barnes looked up and shrugged.
"Could've said the same for you, sir."
Gavin chuckled as if the sergeant had just told a joke, which was the one thing that Barnes didn't expect.
"Yeah, you got me there, Bob."
He finished off his ale and ordered another one.
"I guess Fate's gotta weird sense of humor."
Gavin heard Barnes scoff.
"Man, we've been fucked over by the Green Weenie since we got to Dubai, an' not much has changed since. For us at least."
The major nodded in sympathy.
"So all jokin' aside, y'all are with Pilton, seriously?"
Barnes shrugged as he took another drink.
"Ol' Wild Bill kept us alive in Kabul, an' Dubai. I'll grant ya his methods are a bit...extreme."
"Extreme nothin', u'all know that he's got a coupla bolts loose right? An' I actually like the fella, too."
The 'Damned' NCO didn't know how to respond to that, but switched tact.
"Well, we've got a mission, same as you."
"Yeah, `cept we're not allied with a dark wizard named Vold-"
Gavin paused, realizing his surroundings, and lowered his voice.
"I mean, bad guy wizards...y'all know He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is a bad guy, right?"
The old NCO shrugged again.
"Doesn't matter. In Afghanistan the Damned 33rd had to ally with some pretty shady warlords to get the job done, and in the end some of `em were no better than the Taliban. 'Cept they weren't shooting at us."
"True that. But we didn't have a choice then."
Gavin checked his watch and stood up.
"We have a choice now. Y'all have a choice now."
He dropped another coin on the bar and patted Barnes on the shoulder.
"Look, I know you're a good fella, Bob. You're more than just Pilton's attack dog."
He saw Barnes look up.
"Yeah, I heard the rumors way back in Kabul. I ain't sayin' nothing because I don't know what y'all had to go through, Afghanistan was a shit show, an' Dubai was a super-sized Shit Show."
Gavin looked down at his large, calloused hands.
"Truth is, none of our hands were clean after Dubai."
He looked back up at Barnes.
"So I'll say it again, y'all always have a choice. An' if you ever want to just talk let me know. Y'all can speak to me, Wolfe or hell even Long himself, you just ask me, an' I'll make it happen. Y'all can hear it from the horse's mouth just how wrong Pilton is."
Gavin noticed a group of Slytherin girls filing into the pub, including a sulky raven-haired girl. He continued.
"An' for what its worth I don't even think Pilton's a bad fella, he's just got his priorities all wrong.
The major turned to leave.
Y'all enjoy the beer, Bob. I gotta split."
Barnes took a sip and muttered to himself.
"Roger that."
The 'Damned' NCO stopped, then turned his head to where Gavin was.
"Major, er Bruce, wait..."
Gavin, who had picked up a large pink shopping bag, stopped and turned his attention back to Barnes.
"Yeah?"
"Thanks...thanks for the beer an' the chat. An' for what it's worth I hope we'll meet under better circs."
"Thanks Bob, you too. Tell 'High Speed' I said hi."
Barnes watched the major leave the bar and go over to a table of Hogwarts students. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a voice call out.
"Daddy!"
The 'Damned' NCO felt someone hug him from behind, and he turned to see Polly Perkins smiling at him. It triggered forgotten but not unwanted memories of his daughter, and Barnes didn't know how to process that. He leaned in and lowered his voice.
"Yer gettin' awfully deep into character, aren't ya, loot?"
The girl grinned.
"Yeah, but I have to put on a show for my classmates, so don't disappoint them!"
Barnes returned her smile, and stood up.
"C'mon, Polly, I'll take ya home."
As they exited, he heard Perkins lean in and whisper in a conspiratorial voice.
"That's Major Gavin, isn't it?"
Barnes saw the major talking to a group of girls, and nodded.
"Roger that, I had eyes on him since before you came in."
He turned to Perkins.
"Polly, y'all run ahead, there's something I want to check out."
Polly looked at Barnes quizzically, but then smiled.
"Alright, but we're stopping by the sweet shop after this, you owe me big!"
The 'Damned' NCO smiled, and watched her leave, then turned his attention back to Gavin. The major had handed the pink bag to the sulky Slytherin girl. Her classmates were squealing in awe at her haul, but the girl was not impressed. As he and Polly passed by the group to open the door and leave the 'Damned' NCO overhead the one girl speak up. Barnes didn't hear exactly what the girl was saying, but her distinctive American Southern accent triggered a memory with Barnes.
He opened the door and stepped out into the brisk, cold Northern English afternoon. Barnes saw a tall redhead with her schoolmates wave at him, and he waved back. He didn't know why, but the 'Damned' NCO decided to file the new intel away for later. For now at least, Barnes would not to inform either Perkins or Pilton about the new development. It would make for an interesting year at Hogwarts.
(AN: And PFC Gobbi has to endure more hardships and humiliations, as well as having to navigate something more dangerous than Dubai...namely high school. This will probably be the last chapter update for the year, although I may try and get one more chapter up before New Years, we'll see. Hopefully everyone is liking the balance between SO:TL and Harry Potter. I promise there is a reason for everything happening the way it is, and there will be a quite a twist at the end. Until then!)