34 Interlude: After the War
A/N: So, apparently, I've been spelling Gellert Grindelwald's name wrong. It's not Gellart, it's Gellert. I'll try and change them all in a couple days.
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Two months have gone by, since Grindelwald was defeated, and only a day has passed, since the Howling Commandos, led by me this time, led the charge for Berlin, and captured Germany. Unfortunately, Hitler still managed to kill himself, so Bucky didn't get a chance to punch him.
He wanted to punch the corpse, but we did get him out of there soon enough.
After Grindelwald was defeated, I had a night of fun, with both Dorea and Helena, and then left for London again, to join the remaining war effort against Nazi Germany.
We hadn't decided on when to marry yet, but we were going to marry within a year or two. I also hadn't looked at the Elder Wand yet, wanting to take my time with it, and since I didn't use my wand during the muggle war, I kept my original Acacia Wand in my holster itself.
Against Nazi's, I simply used my guns to fight, with using my swords very few times.
Right now, I was standing in London HQ, the Howling Commandos behind me, as we all stare in disbelief, at what Colonel Phillips just said.
"Excuse me!?" I ask, not believing him.
Phillips sighs, and repeats, "The Contract that let you be enhanced along with Rogers, stated that if one of the Super Soldier dies, or is MIA, the other one has to be immediately, but Honourably Discharged from service, at the end of war, and no member of the Allied Forces can try and recruit him."
Falsworth speaks up, pointing out the obvious, "But the war's not over. Sure, Germany is defeated, but Japan's still fighting."
Phillips rubs his head, and says, "Unfortunately, my supervisors think otherwise. They've been saying that they have something that will definitely win them this war, and have been putting pressure on me to release you from SSR, and on the British Government to retire you from service."
Rubbing my own head, I ask, "So the dumbass politicians don't like the fact that the remaining super soldier isn't from their country, and want to remove me from the equation. Wonderful."
Phillips nods, confirming, and says, "To be fair though, the UK Government would have done the same if.. Steve had survived, God bless his soul."
Sighing, we all sit down on the chairs, finally. Bucky was nowhere to be seen, as he'd gone to drink as soon as we'd come back from Berlin. Peggy.. was called back to MI5, and wasn't seen by us for about a month, but she had grieved a lot, and was a lot better the last time I saw her.
Unfortunately, I had to erase the memories of drinking Firewhiskey from everyone's minds. I kept Phillips as is, as he was already aware of it, and told him what I'd done. While angry at first, he did understand why I did it.
Looking at Dugan, I ask, "You okay to take over again, then?"
He just shrugs, and lets out smoke from his mouth. He says, "Sure. I'll stay. Someone has to keep an eye on Barnes, to make sure he doesn't do something stupid."
I sadly smile at that, still not having forgiven myself for letting Steve be frozen. But, I know what happened when I saved Bucky. I can't let something worse happen.
Minor changes are alright. Grindelwald was defeated, and he lost the wand in a fight. Only difference was that I did it, instead of Dumbledore. Whatever happens to the Wizarding world, will be on me, and I'll handle it when it comes.
Sighing, I say my goodbyes, not forgetting Barnes, who was sitting in a broken down bar across the street, and even Stark, who was a bit down ever since Steve "died" and has been trying to find him. He'll probably keep trying for a decade or two. Or more.
Getting home, I sleep in my bed, after hanging my swords on their mounts, between two of the most beautiful women I know. The war is over, for me at least.
--- Two Years Later: September, 1947---
It's been two years since the war was over, and a lot has happened since then. Firstly, a week after Japan surrendered, ending the war, I received a letter, calling me to the Buckingham Palace.
Since I was "working" for the Muggles, I went along with it, and went to visit them. Well, I got a surprise Knighting, by the King, as well as my Letter of Discharge from the Army.
A day later, it came in the news, along with my whole story. How I came from an Orphanage, went to a school on scholarship, and got selected for an experimental procedure to enhance Soldiers, etc etc.
It also included that I was Knighted in a private ceremony, which mutated my nickname into Sir Paladin. They also informed the public, that I was honourably discharged from the Army, and given a huge pension.
Well, huge in the age, and situation. £300 per year, thanks to the 3 medals I'd gotten along with the Knighthood. Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order(DSO), and the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross(CGC).
While I was uncomfortable with kneeling in front of a King, whom I'm going to manipulate soon, I did do it. These Medals will only make me more famous in front of muggles.
Then, immediately after getting those medals, and the Knighthood, I had Helena go through with the plan. Cassiopeia killed the previous head of MIS, MI5, MI6, and destroyed every mention of MIS from their records.
They also made the Muggle Government fund MIS, and then I personally erased the memories of the Wizarding world from their minds.
And then, I completely disappeared from the muggle world. Although, I did send all the money I got from my pension, to my Orphanage. While I did cause a lot of panic, I sent a letter to The Times newspaper, informing them of my decision to simply relax after the war, and informing the world to not try and find me.
I also sent similar letters to my friends, while including a few things that only a Howling Commando can know, to let them know that I was not kidnapped, or forced into hiding, and that it's my own decision. Same for Peggy, and the MI5.
After I disappeared from the muggle world, I joined St Mungo's, properly this time, and worked under Aunt Mia herself. Dorea, meanwhile was studying Alchemy for now. Helena had taken over MIS, with Cassiopeia as her right hand, and Darla and Ana had eloped.
Yup. They ran away from their homes and settled down in the muggle London, in my own building. Sure, they paid me rent, but I obviously did not charge them the full price. I gave them an apartment, and they lived as roommates, as same sex marriage wasn't legal yet.
Ana had formally broken ties with her family, who surprisingly did not disinherit her. She found work as an enchanter, and opened a small shop in Diagon Alley, with Darla helping her.
Literally everyone knew they were a couple now, but no one cared enough about it. Not because they were progressive, but because Ana was an amazing enchanter.
At New Years, 1946, though, something expected happened. I got awarded the Order of Merlin, 2nd Class, for helping protect the muggles from Grindelwald's acolytes, and a 1st Class, for the actual defeat of Grindelwald.
The fact that I, a healer, did it, made the popularity of the profession soar higher than ever, with a record number of 37 NEWT students applying for the Apprenticeships, with more than half of them for me being their mentor.
Thankfully, I wasn't eligible for that yet, as I'd only been a Healer for a few months.
I had also been offered a seat on the Wizengamot, for at least 10 years, with a chance of extending it depending on my performance as a member. I did always wonder how it worked, as Malfoy, even with all his popularity, was not a member, but Henry Potter, a muggle lover, was.
Other than working at St Mungo's, diverting my fans away, until the popularity goes down, having fun with my girls, and visiting Aunt Mia and Monty, once in a while, I did nothing much.
I always wore a ring on my finger when I went out in the muggle world, so that no one recognises me as Sir Paladin, while Helena handled the MIS recruitment, and Dorea was working on her Alchemy studies.
That was, until now. 28th September, 1947. I was standing at the altar, wearing a formal, all black robe, with Dorea in front of me, wearing a white gown/robe combination.
"...may now, kiss the bride." The Minister says.
I immediately pull Dorea into my arms, and kiss her lips as fiercely as I can.
I was married!
Aunty Mia was present, and so was Monty, Professor Merrythought, who had finally retired a year ago, and even Ana and Darla. Helena was the chief bridesmaid, while Cassiopeia, Ana and Darla were bridesmaids.
While I don't adhere to the Christian Religion, many of the wizards do. While the Church was responsible for us going into hiding, our ancestors already followed the religion, and refused to change their faith, just because the muggles forced them into hiding.
So, while no wizard voluntarily joins a church, unless muggleborn, they do follow the same God. But the worship factor has almost disappeared, being replaced by many of the influential figures of our past, Merlin, Cerce, Morgana, etc.
So it was, that we had our wedding in the only Wizard friendly Church in London, in Godric's Hollow. The Minister here, McGonagall, was even married to a witch, named Isobel.
Well, enough history lesson. I have a honeymoon to go too. And this time, even the Chief Bridesmaid is joining us.
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A/N: Yes, annoying chapter, I know. This was the prequel for the next arc, as denoted by the title, Interlude. Time Skip coming up.
Tata!
