A Lifetime Together

A Lifetime Together

Chapter Three

“Oh, Josiah we have a live one here.” The elderly queen smiled “Lady Potter, you and your husband may keep your wands. However, You and your Husband will need to make some appearances in court. Your husband is due many Honors.”

Samantha smiled while watching Harry cringe. She understood his position he was just happy to be her Harry. “Your Majesty, the only honor Harry desires is to be My Harry.” She said turning to catch his blush she reached out her hand grasping onto his and pulling him to her in the Queen’s presence. “Your Majesty, Mr. President, this is my husband Harry James Potter. We thank you for the invitation to meet with you today.”

Harry bowed and kissed the queen’s hand rose and shook the president’s hand “I have no words to mark this occasion. I am completely out of my depth.”

“Mr. Potter, I believe Elizabeth and myself have more than a fair few.” Josiah Bartlett said smiling at the earnestness this young man spoke with. He then saw his old Friend “Jack, been keeping busy I hear! it has been too long. Abigail will be angry she missed you.” Then turning to Dr. Jackson, he again smiled the good doctor was just as uncomfortable as Harry “Dr. Jackson I look forward to discussing some of the digs and finds you have made.” Finally, he held out his hands and his body man put a sealed envelope in his hands He turned to Teal’c “Son, words cannot express the debt our country owes you for bringing them home. At the cost of never being able to go home yourself. You may now call this world your home.”

Elizabeth had been watching Teal’c trying to get a read on him seeing a lone tear course down his cheek. She knew whatever it was that the United States Air Force was hiding it was bigger than magic.

“Now that introductions have been made, we have a nice lunch waiting for us,” the president said motioning for a detail that had just arrived to take the faux security detail away.

“A meeting that is going to take forever and be filled with esoteric facts” Jack snarked

“Well, now that you mention it Colonel O’Neill” The president responded urbanely “you and Leo are seated across from one another right next to me.”

“I look forward to every moment sir” Jack replied with false sincerity causing the president to roll His eyes. “I do, we have not had lunch together in a long time. It is just a novelty that you happen to now be my boss.”

What followed was an enjoyable lunch for all involved the discussion was lively, light, and all too brief.

“Elizabeth, I believe you have the floor as Lord Potter is a British citizen” The President offered

“My Thanks Josiah” The Queen paused then fixed a look of disapproval that caused Harry to cringe “My Lord Potter, would it surprise you to know that I was familiar with your grandparents Charlus and Dorothea?”

“At this point, not much surprises me anymore” Harry deflected or at least thought he did when the queen’s eyes narrowed even further “With respect your majesty up until very recently I have had other concerns on my mind.”

“Lord Potter, we are aware of the situation with the self-styled lord Voldemort” the queen gestured to her unspeakable guard “The moment Albus Dumbledore was killed my bodyguard had to retire from public life. We readied ourselves for the eventuality that we would step in if required. We are glad that you served justice. What we would like to know is why You, Miss Granger, and Mr. Weasely the youngest ignored our summons.”

“We never received a summons your majesty and to be perfectly honest I have not had a say in how my life was ordered until the day after Voldemort fell when my godmother came back into my life and introduced me to then Captain Samantha Carter,” Harry said forcefully until Samantha put a hand on him drawing his attention to her

“Your majesty it is likely your missives were intercepted by a holdover from the previous regime and we could not know you wanted to see us. I do not care for nor seek accolades for my actions. However, there are others you should summon who had a great deal to do with the end of Lord Voldemort. Neville Longbottom, Ginevra Weasely, and Luna Lovegood, The remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix. They are the real heroes in this they bought us the time we needed to dispose of his soul jars.”

Elizabeth eyed the young man before her and then huffed “Entirely too much like your grandfather he was not much for the spotlight either the man practically forced Albus into the limelight.” The sovereign of Britain and the commonwealth looked at her subject just barely passed his boyhood “If not Accolades please accept the thanks of a grateful queen.” All conversation stopped at that even Harry was taken aback by the sincerity in the queen’s voice “House Potter has ever been the staunchest defender of our realm. As thanks, we ask Lord and Lady Potter to be present at Balmoral Castle for a small informal affair over yule.”

Samantha looked at General Hammond, and the joint chiefs before looking at the president.

“Elizabeth, we have something we would like to discuss with you, to act as a sounding board before we bring this to the security council.” The president began “But for the explanation, I will defer to Colonel Jack O’Neill and his team.”

“Oh, there is no need Josiah, Catherine has spoken highly about the Colonel and could not sing enough praise about Dr. Jackson or Captain Potter.” Seeing the look of Horror on everyone’s faces she smiled “Relax Gentlemen she did not break any operational secrets. But as one of her favorite students and in my position she felt she could trust me. Am I to assume it involves her father’s find in 1928?”

“Yes, it is your majesty.” Daniel Jackson answered “There is no easy way to say this. But it is a gateway out into the greater galaxy we can travel to many worlds. Our first foray took us to a place in the Kalium galaxy in a world called Abydos. There was a society that was comparable to the ancient Egyptian empire with the same root language and customs. Within two days of our arrival their god, Ra arrived. Long story short we killed Ra with a Naquadah-enhanced nuclear bomb.”

“How did you come across a nuclear bomb, and what pray tell is Naquadah.” The queen asked for clarification Jack had the grace to look guilty. “I see, would you care to explain why you had the foresight to bring a weapon of mass destruction with you on an interplanetary exploration mission?”

“Ma’am what you have to understand is that at the time of the first mission, I was not in a good place,” Jack began the sadness apparent on his face Harry watched Daniel’s face fall. Samantha focused on Jack’s crestfallen face “My son, Charlie found my service weapon…”

“General West sent it in the event we found an immediate threat to Earth” Daniel Jackson continued allowing his friend to regain his composure “Ra Turned out to be that threat, at the time we thought he was the last of his race. Given the Abydonian's lack of literacy is easy to forgive. We made contact with the natives after I got dragged a few miles by a beast of burden. I was wearing the Eye of Ra which the natives mistook me for being Ra. Kasuf the leader of the encampment we found, gave me his daughter Sha’re marrying us in the custom of his people. The same night Ra returned to Abydos and captured and converted half our team.”

Jack having recovered took up the discussion “Our entire unit was captured trying to kill Ra, and Daniel was killed” Seeing the Queen’s pointed look and Harry’s commiserating look “Ra’s people have a device that can bring a person back from the brink of death. Skarra, Sha’re’s younger brother led the youth of his tribe to try and rescue us. It did not go well!”

“We were surrounded and outgunned, Sha’re had been hit with a staff weapon and I had snuck back aboard Ra’s vessel to use his sarcophagus to heal Sha’re.” Daniel continued remembering the day well “Ra Caught us at the transporter rings and held me under the power of his Kara’Kesh when Jack activated the rings switching me and the head of Ra’s first prime. Colonel O’Neill and I tried to diffuse the active nuclear weapon failing that we ringed it up to Ra’s ship his ship detonated in high orbit and we assumed him dead.”

“During our brief capture, Daniel’s wife led him to the room in the catacombs where he found the symbols that allowed us to gate home.” Colonel O’Neil took up the lead in the discussion. “Daniel decided to stay on Abydos. The team agreed that our report would reflect that Dr. Daniel Jackson was killed in action.”

“Why do I not believe the tale ends there.” The Queen asked rhetorically “Something must have happened for us to be here and for you to abscond with my court mage” Harry raised his eyebrow “That is a discussion for later Lord Potter. All things in good time.”

“For two years the gate was inactive” Jack spoke quietly “Nine months ago the gate activated from off-world and a party of people that looked like Ra came through killing everyone in the gate room save a lone female before passing back through.”

“Naturally at that point, I summoned Colonel O’Neill back to active duty.” General Hammond stated “I also managed to get the good Colonel and his team to amend their reports and we opened the stargate back to Abydos and Jack threw a box of Kleenex through the gate. 24 hours later the gate activated and an empty box was sent back through with a note asking for more. At that time, I approved a mission to Abydos to retrieve the doctor for debriefing as we thought at the time that the gate only went to Abydos.”

“We all assumed wrong” Daniels stated “In the two years I was on Abydos I discovered a repository of gate addresses I assume that it was left by the builders of the gates and while I was showing Jack and the team that repository. The group that we thought were servants of Ra’ Turned out to serve another of his race came through the gate and kidnapped my wife and brother-in-law and retreated through the gate. We managed to find the gate address to the planet they went to.”

“Where they were captured by the system lord Apophis” Teal’c stated gravely “Apophis chose Sha’re to be his queen and implanted Aumennet in her. He turned Skarra with his son Khorel. He then ordered us to kill everyone who was left. Colonel O’Neill asked me to save the people and in hindsight, I am glad to have assisted him.”

Hammond once again took the lead “Over the last nine months largely in part to Teal’c we have a better picture of the galaxy.” The general stated “We currently have 20 teams. However, it is my opinion that the United States military cannot and should not be doing this alone. There are those like Senator Kinsey and several of the joint chiefs who want to keep this solely in-house. Thankfully the President and the head of the joint chiefs understand the pandora’s box we have here.”

“General, what is your mandate?” the grey-robed unspeakable asked, “why have you now decided to get the magical world involved?”

“Our mandate is to find allies and technology to assist in the defense of the earth.” General Hammond replied “I did not decide to get them involved they were already involved. Our chief medical officer is a mage-class healer. After the incursion, she contacted Gringotts America to ward the base. We have three battalions of goblin troops barracked onsite in case of a second incursion.”

“And who pray tell is your chief medical officer?” the Unspeakable asked.

“My Godmother, Lady Janet Frasier” Harry finally entered the discussion “It should also be noted that Daniel Jackson knew my parents and godfather, and the way I hear it if it were not for their meeting the stargate may never have been activated.”

“My apologies Agent Stormbolt” the Unspeakable replied sincerely “Thank you for satisfying my curiosity.”

“Thank you for debriefing “Josiah Bartlett responded to the team “Elizabeth, we would like your assistance with the Security Council.”

“Josiah while I understand that most of this happened before your presidency. This is a political nightmare” the Queen huffed for the first time in nearly 40 years frustration apparent in her voice “I will help you but I will say this once! Every nation on the security council should be allowed at least five teams. We also need to expand your mandate to include technologies that can help assuage hunger, climate change, and clean and affordable energy. Our exploration of the galaxy must be for the betterment of our entire world.”

The room was silent as no one had ever tried dictating to the president in his own house

“That is something I can get behind,” Harry said with a smile

The president looked to the head of the joint chiefs and then at Jacob Carter both generals nodded. “We agree.”

“I take it Lord Potter has already been assigned a team?” the queen asked, “or perhaps you want him to head a team of his own.”

“Mr. Potter will be assigned to Sierra Gulf One.” General Hammond replied “He will be working with the His Wife, Dr. Jackson, Teal’c, and Under the command of Colonel Jack O’Neill. With this appointment, we had thought to sever his citizenship with Britain. Given what we have heard you would prefer we not do so.”

“As I mentioned earlier in a private missive to Lord Potter, I was most vexed that he had absconded to the United States. While the position of the court mage is largely ceremonial these days. He is arguably the strongest mage class wizard in the world today.” Elizabeth tapered off looking thoughtful “Like his grandfather, I would have him serve as my court mage.”

Harry looked embarrassed for a moment choosing his words carefully “Your Majesty if I may offer a compromise would you be amenable to hearing it?”

“Why Yes, Lord Potter would gladly hear your thoughts on the matter.” The queen said hoping the young man could offer a workable solution. “Please proceed”

“Since I will be working with the SGC. I would recommend talking to Neville Longbottom or Hermione Granger. Hermione holds my proxy for the Wizengamot since Andromeda Tonks chose to follow me to America with my godson.” Harry's shoulders sagged “I will of course always serve at the pleasure of the crown so I will not sever my citizenship. I just cannot be in Britain at this time .”

For the first time, the Queen and the President both saw past the brave front the young man put up. They saw a young man haunted by the very deeds that kept them free “We realize it is not an easy thing we ask of you and we will endeavor to do as you have asked” Elizabeth stated “We will seek out Lord Longbottom and Lady Granger. Perhaps you could send them a message to contact us through the office of the prime minister.”

Harry stopped and smiled as a plan came together in his mind and thought of his companions who were settling into their new home in Colorado in a flash of fire that had Ron pulled his gun before being frozen by Harry “This is my friend Fawkes I have asked him if he could bring a message to them. When and where do you want to meet with them?” Harry asked having been given a pen and a memo pad.

“Have them meet with the prime minister next Monday he will provide transport to Buckingham Palace. We will have tea and discuss the goings on in the magical world.” The queen said imperiously

Harry quickly penned his messages to both his friend and gave them to Fawkes who rubbed his head against Harry’s hand before flashing away. Taking a moment to unfreeze Ron “Sorry if you had shot him he would have had a burning day. And I would prefer to avoid unnaturally caused burning days.”

Ron Butterfield looked a little wild-eyed even though he was used to wizards he had never been presented with one who did magic as casually as Harry Potter.

“I will do you one better Elizabeth we will clear this room.” The President offered as he turned to address General Hammond “General Hammond would you, Teal’c, and Dr. Jackson be insulted if I wanted to speak with my friend alone in my Office? We have a nice lounge or the mess where the three of you can relax. Everyone here is invited to dinner.” A smile came across his face. As he motioned for Jack to follow.

The others looked speculatively at the Queen as they filtered out.

Harry and Samantha did not have long to wait “I can see now that you will be busy here Perhaps too busy perhaps to attend us at Yule.” The queen said gravely “I for one will sleep better knowing that you will guard the gate against the hordes that seek to enslave us. However, because you have vexed me so I Insist that you attend Officers candidate school.”

Harry looked to argue when the unspeakable dropped their hood and both Potters were surprised by the fact that the unspeakable was Princess Diana. There was no way the young couple could hide their surprise “It does not do to argue with her majesty if she says It. It will be.”

Diana laughed and it made Harry feel better “Initially I was his bodyguard and we were in love. but as with all things marriage takes work and communication.” The princess said quietly. “Our Marriage ended long before it was in the tabloids. Most of that was a cover that was to allow me to step back from public life. However, after Albus died Lord Voldemort made an attempt on the royal family which for the most part was unsuccessful.”

“You mean to say that your accidental death was not an accident at all?” Samantha asked she too had been saddened by the apparent death of a great woman “How did you survive?”

“I am not proud to say this but I used polyjuice and I was on the way to our hotel when the whole paparazzi thing happened. While the timing left something to be desired it did present an opportunity to take up my new position faster

Turning to her majesty Harry asked, “Am I under time constraints to finish Officer candidate school?”

“While we would prefer you to attend Sandhurst. We also realize you are on a frontline unit.” The queen informed the young man … seeing the question in Samantha’s eyes “Training time would normally be 44 weeks which I am led to believe is significantly longer than its American counterpart. As I was saying since you are serving on a frontline unit. We will have the material and trainers sent to General Hammond with our suggestion to augment your training we would like to see your training done in 28 weeks.”

“Your majesty, why do you want me to do this?” Harry asked rubbing his forehead “Look it’s not that I am against it. But I have already given my life for my country once.”

“I hope that you might one day be ready to take command if the situation demanded.” The queen admitted quietly “If it is any consolation your grandfather did not feel he was suited to command either. Every unit he led he questioned himself constantly if he could have done anything to have saved those that died.”

“That you got to know my grandparents and it would not be a surprise if you knew my mother and father as well. I don’t know them or what they would want for me.” Harry offered amiably “So I have a counteroffer. I will Train with my unit for a year during my second year I will complete the OCS course. It will give the units you are seconding to the SGC Time to acclimate and if we are not off-world my wife and I will be at Balmoral Castle for Yule.”

“Sadly, Lord Potter I never met your mother.” The Queen admitted her voice tinged with sadness “Your father did show me a picture of her after his 6th year at Hogwarts I could tell he was smitten with her. As for your counter offer. I find it acceptable. Come Diana we should be getting back.” Elizabeth finished standing up “Keep yourself and your lovely wife safe Lord Potter. We hope to see you both at Yule”

Diana smiled “It was nice to meet you both. I wish I could serve on a frontline unit” She said wistfully “However her majesty has other ideas.” The former royal pulled back up her hood and escorted the Queen from the room to the port key point leaving the newlyweds alone.