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 3. or Before the Rescue Mission
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.
'The Trials were intended to be a crucible; a test of character as well as ability. The Trials were not set in stone and were custom fitted to each Padawan. They were an examination of the Padawan's commitment, ability, and moral grounds. The Padawan's fears, their hidden wants and needs, their passions, or their tragedies; all were weighed and somewhere amidst the Psyche lay the key, the measure by which the Council could judge the Padawan's worthiness. How they dealt with the trial, as much as whether or not they physically succeeded or failed was the true trial.'
- Padawan Training, The Trials
"Master Yoda, you can't die…" Luke started to say, but the old Jedi Master grew serious in his expression as he gave a gnarled sigh.
"Strong am I with the Force… But not that strong." And as he prepared himself for his well deserved rest, he continued. "Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things… The Way of the Force…"
"But I need your help, I came back to complete my training" Luke pleaded.
"No more training, do you require. Already know that what you need" came Yoda's answer.
"Then I am a Jedi" Luke said as his eyes widened. Yoda chuckled, which ended up being a hacking cough, when he had calmed he laid back down and sighed.
"Not yet… one thing remains… Vader, you must confront Vader… only then a Jedi will you be…and confront him you will…"
- Starwars Episode Six – Return of the Jedi
Chapter 7 – Potty Training III
18 August 1996, The Misty Swamp - 2 miles east of Griffins Den
"Concentrate!" The image of the Jedi Master instructed. Over the following weeks, Harry has discovered that the image projected was interactive, in more way than one. Aside from the history that the holocron contained, it seems that part of the erstwhile Jedi Master's essence in the Force was embedded in it, giving it an and intelligence and probably, from what he could discern from his still clumsy attempts in Life Sensing, alive.
'It's probably akin to Riddle's Diary.' He mused in one of his searching sessions.
What surprised him though was that instead of feeding of a person, unlike the diary, the holocron is connected to the Force itself and thriving off of it. Even able to, as he discovered painfully, manipulate it to some extent.
"Focus! To be able to use the Force fully, you as Jedi should be one with it."
"Master Eebo, I've been hearing that a lot, but what is being 'one with the Force'?" Harry asked. His training was further intensified by the old Master. Standing inverted on one hand while levitating four human head sized rocks, he was now being taught of how to juggle the resources he has through the Force and concentrating on doing various task at the same time.
"The Force is to be used only for knowledge and defense… Never for attack." He started to say.
"A Jedi's strength flows from the Force… But beware… anger, fear, anger, aggression… these are the dark side of the Force and once you start on this dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
The explanation left Harry momentarily confused that he abruptly felt his concentration waver as he wobbled then fell down from his precarious position with the rock rolling dangerously close by his head.
"How, pray tell, can you attack someone, when you're not angry?" He then asked the image. Remembering the time when he tried to curse Bellatrix Lestrange with an unforgivable.
How can you be calm when around you are in chaos? How can you control your aggression and rage as you see the things you've cared about and the people you've love are being taken away?" He was breathing hard now, tears forming in his eyes, confused and bewildered.
But at the last he whispered.
"How can you control your fear?"
The image then just made a muffled grunt and closed its eyes…
Nothing happened for a few minutes, Harry even though it might be broken somehow. He was about to speak to it again when he sensed a stirring in the Force...
"Greetings my young apprentice, I see that you've been using my legacy to learn the way…" the Master said after he bowed in greeting.
He sensed that this is no longer just an image but the actual projection of the master through the Force, just like his parents and Sirius. He stood up straight and inclined his head then bowed at the waist. "Greetings, Master Eebo."
"I also see that your training is now almost complete. All that is left are the Trials…"
"Trials Master?" Harry asked as he brushed off some more of the bits of leaves and dirt that has stuck on to his shirt and pants.
"You are now an adept of the Force and soon your Trials will come that will mark you as a Jedi Knight. In the Republic of old, the trials are prepared by the padawan's master and the council. It is a test with no apparent answer, a journey with no apparent end. They are given when a master deems his apprentice ready. You've asked questions that I must not answer, for to be a Knight you must find those answers for yourself."
"…and I though your holocron was confusing…" Harry said.
The Jedi Master just smiled as he bent into his gimmer stick and closed his eyes as he whispered "come…"
Three points of light appeared and increased in size as they became once again three of the people he loves most. Too busy with his training, he hadn't seen them in a while.
"Is it time Master Jedi?" James asked as he bowed, not surprised that it was no longer a holocron image.
Sirius just looked on to Harry and said "Hold on to your hat, kid and Good Luck."
'Luck? They look like I'm going to war or something' he thought.
"why would I need …." His statement was never finished. Just as he heard his mother tell him that she love him and that he was not alone, he noticed that the medallion his father gave him was flashing like a strobe. Brighter it went then 'poof' he was gone.
After a moment of silence. It was Lily who asked the pressing question.
"Do you really believe him to be ready , Master Eebro?"
"The padawan's of the old republic are trained at an early age for their teachers to mold them to focus on the light side of the Force. I argued with the council about this… the only way to be truly strong in the Force is to have a choice, good or ill…and to experience what darkness truly is and overcome it."
"to choose what is right over what is easy…" James whispered.
"Yes. Your son had proved this time and time again. The Force is with him… it speaks to him… guided him on his quests… and then he still asks how to be one with it..." The wizened master said while he shook his ethereal head.
Looking at the three before him now, he said with a conviction that could only be derived from the Force. "He is ready."
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"I… HATE… PORTKEYS!" Harry was in a bad mood upon landing in a small grove of trees. Looking carefully around, he noticed that the place looked familiar… He knew this place!
"Crap!!! Of all the places you could bring me to, you have to drop me here!" He fumed holding the medallion in his left hand, scolding it, while he moved his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his right. Looking around further he again asked the still air…
"OK! What am I supposed to be doing here?" He was now in the grove where the once Dark Lord Slytherin had died. A place guarded closely by the Potter line of Gryffindor, a place tainted with evil. Though the dark Lord was no more, his dark essence remains imprinted amongst the gnarled trees and a mound of earth from which nothing living would come near, not even grass or lichen grew on it.
Then he felt it, as his anxiety increased, the cold seems to take more hold of him. Fear, he didn't like to feel fear, to feel helpless and not knowing what to do, this then made him angry. Angry at being impotent, angry of having power and not being able to use it against those that ridicule him, those that torment him, those that had taken everything away from him. Angry at his fate.
The cold has wrapped around him now, feeding off him and his anger like some blood hungry parasite giving nothing back but a stronger echo of his feelings. His wrath increased further. The fear in him redoubled the anger building. Crackles of lightning began to arc between his splayed fingers as his chest heaved in effort. Air was starting to circle around him now. Dust and fallen leaves forming a fast moving wall around him, he was now the eye of a tornado. As the swirls grew faster and faster, it reached out and joined with the darkening clouds, further increasing the humidity and potency of the twister.
As the cold gripped his heart, Hate to end all hate was in him. He has power, great power, so easy to use. So vast in quantity and unlimited in scope… A mere thought and he could move mountains or squeeze the life of all his enemies and all the stands in his way.
'Yesssssss!" a voice hissed, "the power issss yoursss to command. Give in and you ssssshall have more, to defeat your enemiessss. You can have people sssserving your very whim or… command them to do your bidding… you sssshall be feared…Yessss. Give me your hate, ssssstrike against them all!! No one can ssssstop you, you sssshall be a god!!!"
Before him now stood a cloaked figure, who's hissing laugh was more than he could bear. "Voldemort…" He whispered in rage
'Kill him now!!! Ssssstrike him in your anger; let the power of the dark ssssside fill you…."
Harry then held out his hand, releasing the crackling lightning that was lashing out of his fingers. He expected Voldemort to beg for mercy, to ask for his forgiveness and spare his life, but instead Voldemort just laughed and the laughter turned into a womans' voice, mocking him…"that tickles, wee little potter still got problems with casting pain…" again that laugh, that torturing laugh.
Drawing his lightsaber he proceeded to hack at the source of his anguish… slashing to and fro, severing limbs from body… 'till finally removing the head. The laughter stopped, but his fury still the same… but then he felt hollow.
As the Force storm raged on, a gust of wind removed the cloth that was once the hood of the creatures' cloak…
Looking at it he saw… staring at him… accusing him… where the lifeless eyes of Ginny Weasely…
Then he was afraid… more afraid and confused than ever before… and the storm raged on…
But, amid the loud crescendo of the chaos that was happening from without and within, amid the further temptations of the dark one. A small voice, like a wavering candle against a dark stormy night, whispered "… do not fear, you're not alone".
Harry curiosity was piqued by this though his Fury and Hate are still undiminished. He turned away from those accusing eyes and focused on that little voice, wondering at who it could be.
'You have a choice… ' the little voice said
"I have none, I need to be powerful to stop and crush Voldemort and this gives me power."
'You always have a choice, what will you do with power anyway… you already have more power than this.'
"But I hate him!!! I hate all of them; I will kill them all everything that's evil in this world. It will become a better place without them."
'Do you really? But, why do you hate him" the voice seem to be gaining strength…drowning out the curses of the dark one.
"Because he's a power hungry sonofabitch. He doesn't care about who he hurts, who he kills, just to reach his goals…." Tears are falling freely now on Harry's face.
'Well then… you must hate yourself too, you know? You're turning out to be just like him. Not that it's a surprise; you do have a lot in common. I wonder how many people will suffer in your hands then. Is that the way it is? … You won't care how many suffers as long as you destroy him? Then what? Control the people so that it never happens again… be a king… ruler of everything? Wow, that must be a great world you're planning to build. Tyrannical and Oppressive, all hail the mighty Potter… would you like me to bow down now, oh great hypocrite.'
Stunned, Harry had no answer for this. Slowly the storm abated as he considered the questions. Though his anger still remains…
"Who are you, show your self!!" he demanded.
'Are you sure?' the voice whispered in his mind and as the last vestiges of his rage fueled Force Storm stopped, the same voice said aloud behind him now.
"Are you really sure you want to face me, Harry?" Slowly he turned around…
…and there he saw what could be an ten year old boy with messy black hair, his emerald green eyes dancing with mirth. For the first and maybe only time ever it was Harry's eyes that flicked up to look at the boys forehead, searching for that famous scar, but he found none.
"W-who are you?" Harry asked.
The little boy's answer was a slight smile and the flight of a lightsaber from his belt clip to his hands and activating it. The hum surrounded the grove as the soft glow made the little boys eyes seem to burn with green fire.
Reacting instantly, Harry drew his own blade and activated it. But, he couldn't make himself to strike. There was something wrong in fighting this…image… of him. He closed his eyes then, gathering the Force to him, pouring on to it his fears, his anger and his hate and asking for guidance, it responded by enveloping him in a warm embrace, replacing fear with hope's promise, anger with life's joy, hate with compassion's unconditional love and then he understood what it is to be one with the Force and why, though the dark side's tempting and easy path is an important part of the Force, it is in the right though more difficult path of the light side was the way to achieve the salvation of his essence.
… he felt stupid and humiliated at himself for letting his fears get the better of him when there was nothing to fear at all. Slowly he opened his eyes, and turned off his lightsaber as he focused intently at the little boy. He then held out his hand and smiled…
The little boy turned his lightsaber off too, but it was not as Harry expected, it changed into a bright gleaming sword…a ruby encrusted at its hilt. The little boy then held the hilt with both hands and thrusted the blade into the ground, clearly showing the engraving of a name… Godric Gryffindor.
"I am that which was stolen from you… I thought you found me when you made your choice of going against the prophesy… again I thought you found me when you made your choice to get on and see the better side of things… then, again I thought you found me when you started to enjoy life. Although I wished it would have been sooner… I am glad that you found me here… amid the confusion and pain… the fear and anger, because you saw and learned… in where our ancestor conquered the darkness that plagued this land, you too have conquered your darkness inside, don't lose me again… Jedi Knight" and he took hold of Harry's still outstretched hand.
"I won't, I promise" Harry said as the boy disappeared and he was then left standing alone again in that grove of trees that was tainted by evil… in which he found … himself.
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19 August 1996, Hall of History - Gryffin's Den
The Stars were shining brightly on the warm summer night. Thankfully, a breeze was blowing over the hills, filtered and cooled by the trees along its path across the plains and reaching the open windows of Griffin's Den.
Harry was contemplating on the visions he saw. He knew that there would be more trials to come as he grew further in the Force. But for now, he was deemed worthy enough to be called a knight. A path he has chosen; a path he intended to keep.
But, something was still bothering him though. As he stood infront of the fireplace, with the fire, which was roaring in life earlier, now dying as most things in life would do, its red embers offering still what lingering heat it has. He looked up from the embers now as he took a sip off the mug of the once hot chocolate in his hands.
'like everything else' he thought. 'people and things are born, created, and then sooner or later they die or are destroyed… it really doesn't matter it seems, on how it happens… in the end we always return… always we come full-circle in the Force.'
He further raised the line of his gaze to the tapestry of his noble lineage. Unlike the 'noble' house of Black whose 'nobility', though originally true was now nothing more than words… for somewhere along the early line, the seeds of treachery and deceit had grabbed hold and flourished. The Honored House of Potter or more correct, The Noble House of Gryffindor, has gained its nobility through works and deeds…
Honor, Courage, Duty, Sacrifice – We know no Fear … 'Our creed' he thought again, as he read the inscription on the shield that bears his family crest. Glancing at the two other shields that guarded the one of his family's; He noted first the one on his right. Superimposed on a field of white was the image of a black eagle in flight, clutch in its powerful talons was a gold broken arrow. It's motto was 'Victory or Death'. To his left was the shield that intrigued him more, somehow it was familiar to him… while the background of the other shield was white this one was black. On it was drawn a griffin, with its paws held high as if to attack, in its jaws was a blood red rose. Inscribed was the crests motto, 'While there is Breath, there's Hope'. He was about to touch it when a voice from behind, broke his reverie…
"It's amazing… isn't son?" James said.
"Oh… Hi, Dad. Yes it is….I was just looking and thinking…."
"There was a time… the time you were born in fact, that I was here… doing the same thing as you are…searching for answers…"
After a short pause Harry replied "I had a vision… during my Trials… It was Voldemort… I used the power of the darkside to fry him, but he wouldn't die….then he became Bellatrix, still she won't die. It was when I did use my saber to hack her to pieces… I let my anger flow… I cut of her head… but it wasn't her or Voldemort… It was Ginny…"
"Ginny?" His father asked then in realization he said. "She's the Weasleys seventh child, isn't she?" As James closed his eyes to think back of forgotten lore's, he didn't notice Harry's assent on Ginny being a Weasely.
"Let me tell you a story, son…"
"Aren't I a bit too old for that?" Harry asked, amused.
"When you were a baby you loved to listen to the stories your mum and I would tell you… c'mon, for old time sake?" James teased.
"You now I'd love to, Dad…"
"Well, get cozy then, while I call your Mum and Sirius… They've already heard this but I know they never get tired of it…"
As soon as the other two arrived… James began his tale. A tale passed down from father to son… a tale of Honor, Courage, Duty and Sacrifice, a tale of those who knows no fear…
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"and that is how it came to be…" James concluded.
"WOW!" Harry exclaimed. That explains how we are related…" "though distantly" injected Lily. "Very distantly" supplied Sirius.
"… yes, very distantly, related to the Longbottoms and the Weasely's".
"Yes, Harry but look again at the Tapestry… you'll find that the Weasley's are even further off now. If you recall, Sir Byron of the Western March is Lord Godrics third cousin. During those times the nobility used to marry off their daughters to other Lords or Kings as a means of joining their lands and powers, effectively sealing their loyalty. But the promise in an oath of blood that occurred in that battlefield did not take place…" James said in explanation.
"…Because of Slytherins' curse…." Responded Harry
"Very Good, you were paying attention… Anyhow, there was promise… the curse, though not broken, was reduced in scope through Sir Geoff of the Last Took's sacrifice." James indicated the Tapestry Again.
"The seven of sevens" Lily now explained. "As you already know, it is because of this curse that the Potter/Gryffindor and the Weasely line could only produce male offspring. Thus, through time the oath made by Lord Byron weakened due to that of the joining blood oath that couldn't take place. Though even now, any Weasely, even if they knew or not the history, would defend a Potter to the death if need be, but as you see in Percy and sometimes even Ron's behavior, that doubts, fear even jealously are befalling this noble line. Sadly, even you Harry, at times forget the natural calling of your father's blood."
He was indeed ashamed of how he'd treated his friends at times, but one thing remains unsaid so he voiced that important fact. "So Ginny is my destiny's daughter and I've got to marry her and fulfill the oath to break the curse and all that goes with it… Right?"
"No, Harry. She's not your destinies daughter, she is your destiny and it's not like that at all… you still have a choice, but whatever happens to your future, the young miss Weasely would always be part of it, be it enemy or friend or lover, she will be there. Frankly, I prefer you to be her friend… those bat-bogey hexes are nasty…" Sirius said, shuddering a little.
"I know we said no more secrets, but we thought you already knew. That's the reason why a lot of people of the old families assume that eventually, you two will get together. Even Malfoy Junior knew, but his Dad took a step up and tried to trap her with that diary. Search down in yourself and you'll find that though your fate demands that you would always face evil, the path your destiny leads you would always involve her." His Mum now explained.
"It's ok about the secret thing Mum but I do I believe I should meditate on the Force for guidance in this" was his only reply as he bade a dazed good night.
"Well, he took it well…" James said once Harry was gone
"His life's becoming one big and tangled spiders web", observed Sirius. "Why can't things be a little simpler for him?"
To which Lily replied "As long as he places his trust on the Force, I need not worry."
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On reaching his room Harry donned on traditional Jedi clothes of a coarse dark-brown wool half robe over his smooth cotton and silk long sleeved tunic which was tucked in to his black trousers. His black knee-high boots made of dragon hide leather clearly visible as the hem of his pants were also tucked in them. Lastly he clipped on the symbol of a Jedi's power. An elegant weapon for a more civilized age, Master Eebo said. He could understand now why a duel with swords and shield was much more… honorable… than cursing the shirt of people. He chuckled at the impeccable truth in Lord Gryffindor's logic as he remembered what he had said. "If you can't stand the blood as you kill with your blade, you've got no right to kill with a wand.".
Arriving at the Training room, he sat down crossed legged on the floor and gathered the Force to him. As he exercised his control by pulling at tendrils of the Force, he floated various object around the room and moved deeper into a trance. After a few minutes he let go of his control of the various objects and moved on to sense the life around him, as he was studying the intricate ballet of bats in flight a vision came to him… what he saw however was not comforting… his friends were in danger… Mr. Weasely… Ginny…
Abruptly the vision faded and he woke from his trance to see before him was the form of the Master Eebo.
"It is the future you see." The master said as answer to Harry's unspoken question.
"My friends are in grave danger…but, should I go, Master?" determined to go but for once, respecting what others might say on the matter.
"What does your heart say…what does the Force say?" He returned.
Setting his jaw in determination he replied "that I should go."
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21 August 1996 0600 Local Time – Gryffins Den
Harry felt the approaching object even before it reached the top of its arch, as he spun around, he was already reaching out to grab it.
'Keys?'
"Take my car, Harry" It was his Dad
"But how…" He was surprised, this is the first time any of them moved a physical object.
"Oh… Master Eebo's been teaching us a few tricks or two… which I must say your Mum forgot to mention?"
"You sure Dad? I mean, you do love that car." Harry said, but was eager to use it. The car was a gift from Harry's grandfather to his dad when he made chaser for the Gryffindor team when he was in his secondyear. It was with very specific instructions from James that he could use anything in the motorpool except this particular car.
"Yeah, I'm sure… who else would use it anyway? Besides, the girls love it." James said as he winked.
"ooohhh! Going on a first date?" Sirius teased.
"We'll see, after I ask permission from the father…" Harry went along with the joke.
"Really! Harry's going on a mission where he might get hurt, and you two are worried about his chances on getting a date!!!" Lily admonished the two.
"I'm just trying to set his priorities straight, Lils." James defended himself.
"Now, remember Harry…" Sirius now instructed seriously. "always bring protection…"
"SIRIUS!!!!" Both Harry and Lily shouted. They were shocked at Sirius audacity, James however just chuckled….
Raising his eyebrows he continued, " in the form of a well fashioned plan! Geez, you two should get your heads out of the gutter. Must be a Jedi thing, don't you think so James?" Sirius admonished both mother and son, saying the last to James as he winked. Meanwhile, James just bursted out laughing.
"Uhhh… Sure Sirius, its gonna be a walk in the park. In-out, smooth as jelly, no problem." Harry was able to say through his embarrassment. Not realizing the double meaning of what he just said, making James laughed some more.
"Gotta go now… Bye Mum, Bye Dad, Bye Sirius" Harry ran and jumped over the waiting car, he then slipped through the open windows and into the seat of his Dad's 1973 Porsche 911 to prevent further ridicule.
Wiping none existent tears from his eyes, Sirius solemnly said as Harry gunned the throttle over the blaring music which was now playing. "Ah, how fast these kids grow, I can still remember when James was trying to change his diaper, and now he's off to fight evil…" then with a wicked grin and gleam in his eye he said "C'mon let's watch". The gleam in his eyes was now matched by the one in James's eyes.
If Lily could just hit her head on the castle's stone walls right now without passing through, she would.
TBC