The year 2001 began like any other for Harry Potter. He was immersed in his routine in the British Army, already established in his career in military intelligence. But everything changed on September 11th. He was in the barracks when the news began to arrive: terrorist attacks in the United States. The destruction of the Twin Towers and the impact it would have on the world were obvious. Harry, like everyone around him, knew that this event would affect not only the United States, but also Great Britain and other allied nations.
Rumors of a Global War on Terror quickly spread through the corridors of the military. Harry knew that sooner or later he would be called upon to take more direct action. Great Britain, as one of the United States' main allies, would not be left out of the military response. But Harry wanted to be on the front line. He wanted to be more than an analyst, he wanted to act. It was then that he decided: it was time to take the next step in his career.
Harry began researching the Special Air Service (SAS), the UK's most prestigious special forces unit. He knew that the SAS was on the front line of special operations, counter-terrorism interventions, hostage rescues and high-profile covert missions. If he wanted to make a difference, this was the perfect opportunity.
Shortly after submitting his application to join the SAS, Harry was accepted into the selection process, which was notoriously one of the toughest in the world. He knew that he would be challenged physically and mentally, but Harry was more prepared than ever. His intelligence experience, combined with the years of military training he had already received, gave him a unique advantage. He was determined to prove to himself and others that he could be among the best.
The training began with brutal intensity. From the very first days, the instructors tested the recruits' physical limits, putting them on 30km marches with heavy loads over mountainous terrain and endurance runs that seemed endless. Harry, with his unwavering discipline, rose to each challenge. He was not only known for his physical strength, but also for his ability to stay focused and make quick decisions under pressure.
The battlefield was where he felt most at home. During Close Quarters Combat (CQB) exercises, Harry proved his worth. Senior officers noted his ability to disarm and neutralize opponents with speed and precision. Harry used his hand-to-hand combat techniques effectively, and his ability to adapt to changing situations proved vital.
"Potter, you always seem to be one step ahead," one of the instructors commented after a CQB exercise in which Harry had successfully led his team. "You have a way of reading the field, as if you already know what's going to happen."
Harry simply nodded, not revealing that years of fighting in the wizarding world had sharpened his instincts. He knew his past was buried, but somehow it always helped him make quick, efficient decisions.
However, Harry's real highlight came in SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) training, which prepared him for extreme situations if captured by the enemy. The SAS were known for operating behind enemy lines, and the interrogation resistance training was intense. Harry knew his intelligence background would be an asset here, but the course was designed to break even the most prepared soldiers.
During the simulated capture sessions, Harry was subjected to rigorous interrogation and physical and mental deprivation tactics. The instructors used advanced psychological methods to try to force the recruits to reveal information, but Harry held his ground. He had been through a lot in his life and knew what mental toughness was. His ability to maintain emotional control in high pressure situations made him stand out.
In addition, his already well developed intelligence and interrogation skills were further honed during the training. He learned new techniques of psychological and behavioral manipulation, absorbing everything he could about how to extract valuable information without the use of physical force. Instead, he used subtle observations and meticulous conversations to undermine his opponents.
Harry was also taught to use these techniques to resist interrogation, creating layers of deception, distraction, and manipulation to confuse his captors. He knew how to play on the emotions and fears of those questioning him, and this skill quickly caught the attention of his superiors.
"Potter not only survives pressure, he almost seems to enjoy it," one officer commented during an assessment. "He has a sharp and resilient mind. That kind of mental resilience is rare, especially for someone so young"
The course was brutal for many of the recruits, but Harry stood out, not only for his resilience, but for his ability to adapt and master new skills quickly. He learned to use human psychology to his advantage, knowing exactly how to unsettle an enemy during interrogation, or resist any attempt at manipulation when the tables were turned against him.
After months of intense training, Harry completed the SAS course. He had overcome every obstacle, withstood every test, and proven himself to be one of the best. His performance in CQB, hand-to-hand combat, intelligence, and interrogation marked him out as a well-rounded operatorone who could be deployed on any mission and succeed.
Now, as part of the SAS, Harry knew he would be involved in the most critical operations of the War on Terror. He was no longer the boy wizard lost in the Muggle world. He was a highly trained soldier, an expert in special operations and intelligence, ready to fight in a war that involved not wands, but weapons, strategy, and manipulation and combat tactics.
Harry was ready to face the challenges that the future had in store for him, knowing that, as always, he would be prepared for anything.