Title: Way of the Force
Author name: Icy Manipulator
Author email:
Category: Action/Adventure
Sub Category: Romance
Keywords: Harry Jedi

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Training to be a Jedi Part 2 and a few more things revealed.

DISCLAIMER:

This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling and/or George Lucas, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, Lucas Books, Del Rey and Randomhouse, Lucas Arts and Lucasfilm Ltd., and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Sometimes, wealth or power is needed to achieve the Jedi's goals.

Money is required for the purchase of goods; power is required to obtain the help of others.

To achieve one's goals, a Jedi may obtain wealth or power, but is not interested in it for its own sake, and will surrender it once those goals are achieved.

- Jedi Tenets

Chapter 5 – Potty Training II

The arrival at the Den went without a hitch and a week has now gone by since his arrival at the Den.

The Den… Such an understatement of what it really was. The place was huge. Viewed from above it is shaped like the capital letter "I" or an "H" with a long cross beam. It has a frontage of a hundred and fifty meters and is roughly forty meters in height. Four cathedral style windows, each with a height of 18 meters and width of ten graced the front of the structure. The Great Door Leading into the main hall, for which the aforementioned windows gives light to, is flanked by two impressive statues of lion headed griffins with wings stretched out, appearing to be about to take flight or attack. Before reaching the doors, however, was a covered walkway lined with marble pillars that held up the roof of the walkway, one of such quality in workmanship that would make any Caesar proud. Two perpendicular structures at both ends, which seem hug the main building, complete the imposing visage. These, structures, though part of the building itself, served both as a windbreak and of course the staff quarters. The Armory, Kitchens, training room and Library were situated in the South Wing while the Staff, both elves and humans, were housed in the North wing.

Originally built to the specifications laid down of Lord Godric Gryffindor, it faces the east to witness the rising sun meet the constellation Leo, to serve as his home and fortress.

A little off to the Southwestern side of the Main building, stood a lesser structure, but just as grand. This was the stables in which horses of fine Arabic descent were housed. Although smaller than their European counterparts, whose breeding was for bearing the heavy loads of the knights of old, they were quick and agile. Bred for speed and intelligence, these magnificent creatures could run like the wind, literally.

It was on one of the horses, a black stallion by the name of Barq, riding gleefully at a full gallop against the wind that Harry could be now found.

On the third day since his arrival during a free time, he had taken it upon himself to look around the place. It was near the stables that his breath caught as his eyes fell upon such a royal beast. With a shiny coat of black and untamed mane, the stallion was truly a sight to behold.

The horse neighed against his handlers, clearly not yet tamed. But somehow, through some stirring in the pit of his stomach, he went near the defiant beast… holding his hand out as an offering of peace and reach through the force. He asked for its permission and it was given. The handlers were greatly surprised by this, especially after which Harry vaulted onto the horse's bare back and rode…

Though his work schedule has now became further cramped with lessons and physical training. He always found the time to go riding on Barq, which to his surprise was just as if not, more pleasurable that riding on a broom. Yes, a broom could fly, it was much faster – especially his Firebolt, but there was something about taking part in something with a living being. Sharing the experience of life with one so free, to feel the strain of muscles…of hooves hitting the soft grassy earth in a smooth rhythm, the splendid grace of jumping over obstacles and unadulterated joy of racing the wind.

It was on this blissful summer morning of the 13th of July that 3 ethereal figures could be seen standing atop the battlements of the southern wing. They were watching with pride at the youth as he was happily doing wild stunts atop his ebony stallion, all the while at full gallop. No, they were not worried at all, they could see the flow of the force as it was gathered and expended by the young rider.

"He is quickly becoming attuned with the Force, Lils," James observed, looking at his son with pride.

"Yes, he learns quickly. Actually, I think he's now experimenting with a few of his latent force powers. Look…"

Standing atop the horse now, Harry suddenly bolted up, using the force to assist his jump, he somersaulted over the apple tree that was his target. He then reached with one hand then another and caught two of the golden red fruit, took a bite at the one in his right hand and landed right back on Barq.

"Geez…" Sirius complained "If I still had one, that boy is going to give me a heart attack!"

The other two just smiled. It was then that James asked, "Hey, isn't it time for his lesson in basic swordsmanship?"

Lily just nodded and the three disappeared without a sound.

Harry has just dismounted and offered the other apple to Barq, which was happily received with a gratified neigh, when a trio of shimmering figures faded into view.

"Hey there Mum, Dad…Sirius…" he said with a smile.

"Had a bit of fun there I see" Sirius greeted him.

"I believe you're going to have a visitor today, Harry…" His mother intoned and to which James added.

"Yeah, you're going to learn the basics of swordsmanship…"

Just then they were interrupted by Frederick, the Head Butler and Overseer Griffin's Den. "Master Harry sir…" he began holding out his hand which was holding a business card to Harry. "A Dr. Gibbons is here to see you, says he has an appointment with you regarding your interest in Historical Armed Combat…"

Patting Barq on his rump to usher him to go graze and rest, he looked behind the butler and saw a bespectacled man approaching them, he was around his mid-forties carrying an air about him of more as a professor than a professional swordsman.

"Thank you, Frederick." He acknowledged the old man and then added. "And could you please see to it that the 'other affairs' of the castle are out of the way…" Harry added, 'other affairs' referring to the house and security elves and other magical items are hidden from view. He knew that his parents and godfather were once again invisible.

"Already done sir."

Addressing Dr. Gibbons now "Good Morning Doctor. I believe you would be staying with us for the next two weeks?" He was inferring the call he made, at his mothers insistence, inquiring on instructors of Historical Fighting techniques.

After a brief introduction and sharing of interests, he learned that Ian (Dr. Gibbons) was one of the leading figures in the research and study of Ancient Combat techniques.

An expert in both modern and classical swordplay, he taught Harry the basics in a crash course that lasted two weeks, in which he also instructed him on his theory of how the men of old fought.

It was on the last day of his instruction that Ian gave Harry his assessment of him as they were talking about Ian's research. The question of how to win quickly and easily came to the discussion and they went further to speculate as to how ancient duelers fought.

"You're doing good Harry. Actually, I'm quite astounded on your quick grasp of swordplay. Just remember that nowadays, fencing is just considered a sport and most people in the art, takes just as long to choose their clothing as practicing. In days of old, the sword is the main weapon in duels and the battlefield."

Harry nodded at this. He realized that carrying a sword 300 years ago was just the same as the American cowboys carrying their guns… it was a part of life.

"If you want to win, you must wield your sword with martial intent. An expert swordsman named Musashi once said to 'Think neither of victory nor of yourself, but only of cutting and killing the enemy'" Ian pondered for a moment then added. "I believe this is the driving force that would determine the winner of any battle or duel. A person that could throw himself into the fight fully in mind and body would emerge victorious."

---------------------------------------------------------------

"An elegant weapon for a more civilized age…"

- Obi-wan Kenobi, A new Hope

31 July 1996, 0030 Local Time.

"Happy Birthday, my Son"

"Happy Birthday, Harry"

Harry only grunted. He was dead tired, after all. If Harry thought his schedule was tight before, it became hectic, frantic even, the day after Dr. Gibbons left. From Force strengthening exercises, concentration and focusing drills, telekinesis practice, a study and theories on uses of the Force for attack and defense, his continuing self study on swordplay, physical training…it was a miracle he was able to eat at all. Luckily, or unluckily, for him, using a force technique taught by his mother, he was able to use the Force to enhance his short term memory and learning ability. Accompanied by the constant drilling by his three guardians, the lessons were firmly embedded into his mind.

"Wake up there, Bambi. Lots of things to do and places to go!!!" after which Sirius chanted "Party! Party!..."

In response, Harry just groaned and grunted once, and turned away from the voices disturbing his rest. He then curled over to his side.

"C'mon Harry." His father persisted. "Wake up or you'll be late!"

Harry slowly then opened one of his eyes and then asked in a sleepy voice "Late for what?"

It was Lily who answered him "It time for you to receive the final part of our legacy"

Harry was now beginning to wake up, rolling onto his back trying to clear the cobwebs from his mind… he felt a ripple in the force, there was no sense of danger but somehow… He suddenly gave a yelp of surprise and then pain as two objects appeared with a faint pop and just as suddenly fell on his head.

-------------------------------------------------------------

In a heavily locked room inside the Department of Mysteries a strange thing was happening. It was in this still darkness that two objects that lay therein began to glow….

No one has been inside this room since the Potters were murdered, for only they and Professor Dumbledore has access into it. It was here that they did research into what the strangely shaped object did, since no one else knew and the one that might has been dead for years. The cylindrical object was known to her though, after all she'd been using a similar though less deadly practice Saber which was made for her by her father.

It was during a strange visitation in her dreams that she learned that the two objects should one day be given to her son… So they decided to cast a spell on the two items that would bring them to him on the sixteenth year, if he needed them.

They were needed now... with a pop of air filling an empty void, the two objects disappeared.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Ooops! I forgot the spell would we placed could be impatient!" James said sheepishly.

"Does this mean were not leaving?" Sirius then asked. He was disappointed that there might not be a party, since Harry was out cold.

"Really! How come it dropped on his head? Is this another one of your tricks James?" Lily said, glaring at her husband.

"I think he's coming to." Sirius suddenly said while James was explaining that he did the spell requirements as Lily asked him to… that it would appear 'in front' of Harry, how would he know that Harry would be lying down when it did...

Harry was indeed coming around for he could hear his parents arguing.

"Well, it was supposed to float until he reaches out for it…" Lily fumed…

"I did make it float until he reached out for it… the spell specifics said that when a part of the body of the recipient is under the object charmed the spell will release…" James eyes widened as he realized what could have happened and broke into a chuckle. "Good thing it wasn't lower…" he chuckled some more…

Lily just rolled her eyes and asked Harry if he was ok.

"I'm fine Mum. Just a small lump," Harry said as he stood up from bed and picked up the two objects.

"What are these things anyway" His mother was about to answer when the strange object that looked like two inverted pyramids started humming… and vibrating. Harry dropped the object in surprise. As it hit the floor, it righted itself and began to project beams of light into the air until it settled into an inverted cone showing the figure of an old man leaning against a gimmer stick. Though the projection is somewhat faded, one cannot deny the warmth and power showing behind those eyes.

"Greetings young Padawan, I am the Jedi Master Chi'tre Eebo of Duro, may this holocron, a record of what I know… of things I've learned as I grew into the Force, be a guide for you… until the day when we are all one in the Force… farewell"

TBC