Chapter 21 – The Rise of Harry Potter

The year 2007 was coming to an end, and Harry Potter, now with years of experience in special and clandestine operations, had become a legend both in the SAS and in the intelligence communities around the world. His nickname, Ghost, was pronounced with respect and fear, especially among the enemies he faced. However, his achievements did not go unnoticed by his superiors.

Shortly after the end of his mission with Ziva David, Harry was summoned by his commander for a meeting in Hereford, the SAS base.

"Congratulations, trooper. Or rather, Sergeant Potter." The commander smiled, extending his hand to Harry. "The promotion is well deserved."

Harry was surprised for a moment, but soon accepted the handshake firmly. He knew that this promotion was not only a recognition of the work he had already done, but also a greater responsibility that would be entrusted to him.

"Thank you, sir," Harry replied, maintaining formality.

"Your next destination will be Baghdad, Iraq," the commander continued. "A Squadron needs a new team leader, someone with your experience and capabilities. You've operated in Kandahar, Jalalabad, and other hot spots. Now it's time to take your knowledge to the field, leading a team in one of the most dangerous regions in the world."

Harry knew that Baghdad was seething with sectarian and insurgent conflict, and that the situation in Iraq after the 2003 invasion was still extremely volatile. He accepted the new assignment without hesitation.

In the weeks that followed his promotion, Harry began preparing to lead his team. The SAS, known for its excellent training, required its NCOs to be both exemplary leaders and soldiers. Always dedicated to improving, Harry took the time to continue his training, honing his leadership skills and adapting to his new responsibilities.

In addition to training, Harry met with the members of his new team to get to know them better. He knew that trust and respect were essential in a special operations unit, and he wanted to make sure his men trusted him as much as he trusted them.

A Squadron was made up of highly experienced veterans, and Harry knew that despite his experience, earning their respect as a leader would be a task that would be built through action.

"Listen, I'm not the kind of leader who gives orders from afar. I'll be there, on the front lines, with you," Harry said during one of the team meetings. "We're a unit, and we'll only be strong if we're together."

The men nodded silently, already aware of Harry's reputation as a Ghost. They knew he wasn't just talking—he led by example.

In December 2007, Harry and his A-Squad team were deployed to Baghdad, the Iraqi capital, which was still experiencing major waves of violence and insurgency. His team's mission was complex: to capture or eliminate high-value targets among the insurgent forces, as well as conduct intelligence operations to dismantle terrorist cells still operating in the city.

In his first week, Harry demonstrated his exceptional skills. Using everything he had learned from his missions with MI6, Mossad and Delta Force, he quickly established a plan of action for his team. Harry spoke Pashto and Urdo, which made it easy to communicate with local allies and even with prisoners they captured for interrogation.

During an infiltration mission into a heavily fortified neighborhood where one of the insurgent leaders was hiding, Harry led the team with surgical precision. Moving like a shadow, he and his men entered the compound undetected, neutralized guards, and captured the target with minimal resistance.

"That's what we expect from you, Ghost," one of the team's veteran operators commented after the mission. "You got us here without losing a man. The mission went perfectly."

Harry simply nodded, focused on the mission at hand.

As the days passed, Harry proved time and time again why he deserved the promotion to sergeant. He led with determination and calm, even in situations of extreme danger. Under his leadership, the A Squad team began to earn a reputation in Baghdad, carrying out successful mission after mission, dismantling insurgent networks and capturing leaders of rival factions.

Harry also excelled in interrogation operations. Unlike some of the brutal tactics he had witnessed at places like Guantanamo, he used his language skills and psychological skills to extract information without the need for torture, which often yielded more success.

However, he also faced challenges. Leading a team under constant threat was exhausting, and the pressure increased as the missions progressed. Even so, Harry remained calm and focused, using his daily meditation to control his emotions and stress.

As 2007 drew to a close, Harry found a moment of silence amidst the chaos of war. After a successful operation in Baghdad, he found himself in one of his few moments of respite. Sitting in a safe area of ​​the base, he gazed out at the horizon, where the lights of Baghdad flickered in the distance.

The man who stood there, in that moment, was no longer the same young man who had left Hogwarts all those years ago. Harry was now a seasoned leader, a battle-hardened soldier, and someone who had accepted the shadows as his place in the world. Yet there was a peace within him, an acceptance of his role and all that he had done.

Being promoted to sergeant and leading an SAS team was just the next step in a journey that seemed to have no end. Harry knew that 2008 would bring more challenges, but he was ready, as always.

As the new year approached, Harry prepared himself for whatever the future held, knowing that amidst the darkness, he would always be Ghost—the one who emerges from the shadows to protect and fight.