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

Rating: PG-13

Summary: A bit of action and a bit of fluff.

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.

Author notes: Please don't kill me. I've got a very valid reason, and his name is Jullian. Who hopefully would grow up an HP and a SW fan like his dad.

A shout out to my Beta Liza, Thanks Lots!

-

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Instead, ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that, because what the world needs are people who have come alive"

-Eldridge

-

Chapter 12 – First Dance

"W-what?" Ginny suddenly asked as she managed to pull away from the green depths of Harry's eyes.

"Déjà vu," Harry replied. "This happened before… in our second year, I'm sure you'd know about it…" He trailed off as he sensed an odd ripple in the force warning him that danger was near.

"Oh, I thought you said…" a disappointed Ginny began but was cut off as Harry stood up abruptly, bringing her with him. She was quite surprised as she now found herself standing pressed with her back against the pillar where the portal to Platform Nine and Three Quarters should have been. Harry standing protectively in front of her with his right hand gripped tight on that metal cylinder of his and his left hand was busy tapping the communicator in his left ear. His actions prompted Ginny to draw out her wand as she noticed the way Harry was tensing up. 'Just like Diagon Alley, but who'd stupid enough to attack here in full view of mugg….'

"Ginny. Get Down!" Harry shouted as he roughly pushed her down to platforms floor. With a snap-hiss, Harry brought his lightsaber to life in time to deflect two of the three stupefying curses which were aimed at them while allowing the third to splash harmlessly against the pillar wall. After which, he went down behind their fallen trunks and trolleys which served as an impromptu barricade for him and Ginny.

"Fred, George, you guys alright?" Harry tapped to his communicator.

"Got two of them," Fred's voice replied.

"Can't get a bead on number three… hold on… we've got four more black robes coming… and five…make that seven ugly blokes with big guns…" George reported.

"We're pinned down behind the news stand…" Fred added as the sound of gunfire echoed through the cavernous station.

"Yeah, I tried to contact Bill, but no joy…" Harry said in dismay as he felt Ginny beside him jolt at the sound of gunfire.

The crowd of commuters were running and screaming now, trying to get away from the area as some police came blowing on their whistles to establish order. They didn't last long though as the seven armed thugs cut them down with their automatic pistols, prompting even more chaos from the crowd.

"Well, at least we know the apparation inhibitors are working," George then said after he attempted to apparate to where Harry and Ginny were hidden.

"Listen guys, the faster we can get out of here the faster these people would be safe. Beside, I've got a feeling their after 'Queen' this time," Harry said.

"Copy that Bolt, so what's the plan, I don't think they'll be busy for long… go armored?" Fred asked Harry as he took a peek at the thugs who were a bit busy now as more police arrived on the scene, only to be blown away by well aimed reductor curses exploding the ground were they stood. If that wasn't enough, those that manage to get back up were gunned down by eight more armed muggles that were escorting four additional wizards.

The result right now was an unsteady stalemate as police sirens could be heard outside with no police trying enter and the armed group of wizards and muggles barricading the main entrance. Most of the crowd had managed to escape but not without leaving one or two small packets of people huddled and whimpering at odd corners. The scene wasn't pretty as more than a dozen bodies lay around unmoving, pools of blood flowing out from underneath them.

"Neg on the armor, Fred, we need speed on this one. Best bet is to go 'light', launch a few tricks of our own then pull back quick… I won't be surprised if they've got more reinforcements," Harry quickly decided as he pressed Ginny further towards him as a few stray bullets hit too close against the stone pillars behind them. He heard two clicks that signaled the twins understood.

"Gin, Listen to me, we are getting out of here, ok?" Harry said as Ginny nodded understanding her knuckles white from the pressure of gripping the wand to hard. "I'm going to create a diversion, while Fred blasts out a hole on the far wall and George is gonna launch a few of the upgraded porta-swamps to slow those guys down while we make a run for it," Harry intoned to her while leaving the com mike on. "Got that guys?" he asked the twins and again another two clicks.

Harry was about to give the signal to move when one of the Deatheaters called out to him.

"Potter, I know you're here. We've come to take you and the girl back with us," Avery taunted.

Harry didn't answer.

"If you don't come out, I am going to kill these muggles one at a time… painfully," Avery threatened.

The odd tugging in his gut began again as the chorus voices which were now always there in the back of his mind, the Symphony of Life, came forward now and clamoring at the Jedi in him to do his sworn duty to protect and uphold life. 'If Hermione only knew the source and magnitude of my 'saving people thing',' he mused.

Ginny noticed the odd glint in his eye and she knew what Harry was thinking of right now. "If you're going out there to fight for those people Harry, I'm coming with you," She resolutely whispered against his ear.

A pang in his gut passed through him as he recalled the injuries she sustained at the Ministry and the torture she'd received under Bellatrix's wand. "No Ginny, you can kick and rant at me later for this, but right now, you've got to get out of here… the plan stays the same, at any rate once we get out they'll follow us for sure, which would make them leave the muggles alone… I hope…"

Meanwhile, Avery had pulled out a girl of about eleven from a huddled group near him and pointed his wand at her head. "Potter, I know how very fond you are of the Cruciacius Curse, but I hear that muggles doesn't have the same tolerance for it like we do. I'd like to prove that myself, some say it's more… satisfying since they tend to feel the pain more acutely," Avery said in an attempt to draw Harry out.

"Ginny, don't you follow me ok; I won't be able to protect you…."

"I can protect myself…" Ginny said heatedly as she noticed Harry stowing his metal cylinder back and snapping out his wand from the quick draw wrist holster.

"No time for arguments, run for the hole Fred will make and try call out for Maxi… it seems that whatever is keeping us from entering the portal is also blocking the communicators from reaching outside, hopefully it's only blocking long range mode. I need you to do your part and that is to go outside and get Maxi," Harry said to her then called for the twins to wait for his signal.

"… I hear that the pain they feel is not only in the mind but actually generated in their bodies, which is really int…" He wasn't able to finish because Harry had came out of his hiding place.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Potter himself. Finally came out did you?... where's the girl?" Avery asked him.

"She was able to go through before I did," Harry said as he tightly gripped his wand. "Now, you will let go of the girl," Harry said as he waved his hand to force his suggestion.

Avery wavered a bit but was able to shake off Harry's mind trick after a while; it was enough to allow the girl to escape his grasp and run back to the huddle group. "You lie, Bella warned us of your skill in the 'arts of persuasion'… but it won't do you any good… Stupe-" Avery wasn't able to finish the spell as four things occurred simultaneously.

"Now!" Harry shouted as he gathered the Force to himself and ripped off the guns and wands from their foes hands and left them scattered on the floor in front of him. He then turned and called out to Ginny to order her to go to Fred, who was blasting the reinforced concrete wall in efforts to create an escape route. Meanwhile, George was busy launching the porta-swamps around and into the enemy group.

"Go! Run towards the police line as fast as you can!" Harry shouted as he waved his arms to shoo the remaining people who were now confused with the light and sounds of pops of fireworks George was now setting off as an added distraction. Satisfied as he saw people making their escape and that the deatheaters and their thugs were still stuck and weaponless.

"Jugson, spares!" Avery yelled at one of the Deatheaters as he too pulled out a spare wand from under his cloak and started to work on countering the effects of the immobilizing swamp.

However, Harry forgot that some of the muggle gunmen were also packing handguns and that wizards, especially those that expect combat, bring spare wands too. A ripple from the force warned him in time as shots and spells were fired at him as he ran to where the twins and Ginny were beckoning at him to hurry up, while they shot out their own spells to cover Harry's retreat.

Too soon for his comfort however, the deatheaters were already on their way of getting out of George's porta-swamp as another warning echoed through the force. He took a quick look over his shoulder and saw that one of the gunmen was able to crawl out and get hold of an automatic rifle and was already taking aim. Everything went to slow motion for him as he Force Quickened his reactions; he pulled out his wand and cast an 'expelliramus', the beam traveled for what seemed like an eternity before hitting the gunman, it wasn't fast enough he knew, as he heard and saw three burst from the thug's MP-5. His heart almost stopped as he saw who the man had been aiming at… the odds have it and he leaped towards a now wide eyed Ginny, who thought he was going to attack her... the first cluster of three rounds whizzed by only inches from his back, while the third bullet of the second cluster nicked him just past the inner thigh as he reached out towards Ginny, effectively tackling her down and out the hole that Fred made, just in time get her out of the way of the third cluster which hit him instead.

Pain shot out though his body as the projectile pierced the flesh on his left shoulder and shattering the bone underneath just as another projectile tore through his back almost puncturing a lung and exiting his chest, its velocity spent as it hit the wall. Harry drew upon the Force to block out the pain as well, he would deal with healing later, he thought grimly.

"Are you alright?" He asked Ginny, who was still under him. Grunting in the effort of standing and helping Ginny up with his good arm.

"Harry! You're hurt!" She exclaimed as he let go of her hand to nurse his injured shoulder. Blood was pouring profusely and she knew what blood loss can do.

"I'll live for the moment…" He said then turned to the twins who were sniping at their enemies from the hole. "Fred, George… let's get out of here!" he called as he heard the squealing of Maxi's tires.

"No need to tell us twice!" George said as he and Fred pulled out their magically shrunk motorcycles while covering the rear as Harry, with Ginny's help, limped quickly back to the car. The sound of gunfire from inside was increasing again, signaling the counter attack of the police as there where no longer hostages involved.

"As soon as you two get out of range … of whatever this is…" Harry said, indicating the magical barrier preventing them to call out for help, "Get to the Triumvirate and tell them what happened," he managed to say as Fred performed a low level healing spell on his shoulder to stem the flow of blood.

"But…"

"No, but's… I'll take care of Ginny…," but his shoulder gave a painful twitch… "Rather, she'll take care of me… GO, we'll manage…" Harry urged the two. Seeing no use to change Harry's mind, they just nodded and restored their bikes and went on different directions to discourage any followers.

Meanwhile, As Harry plopped himself wincing at the drivers seat, Ginny was already strapping herself in.

"So, I guess you missed the train?" Maxi asked.

"Later Maxi…" Harry said as he gritted his teeth and put the car into gear in an attempt to drive one handed.

"I can drive you know…just tell me where to," Maxi offered while she booted up her long range navigation systems.

"OK… Hogwarts, as fast as you can…" gasping, he replied then slipped into a healing trance just as he heard the unmistakable thrum of the flat-six maxing out.

-

A few hours later…

"I think we lost them Maxi," Ginny intoned as she looked over Harry's sleeping form.

"They broke my tanks AND scratched my paint… and I just had Floxy and Moxy give me a hot wax… oooh if I ever get my axels on those… those… Neanderthals…" Maxi was fuming mad. While they tried to make a quick get away, four deatheaters on broomsticks went after them as soon as they were out of London proper and speeding on the M1. But, Maxi wasn't designed and made by the Marauders for nothing and was able to launch a counter attack of airborne caltrops and a smoke screen to aid in their escape. The repeated curses cast by their pursuers however, overloaded her shields and a lucky reductor curse exploding the ground underneath put a hole in her fuel tanks.

"It will be fine… for what it's worth; you were wonderful back there… Now we need a way to call for help," Ginny said and proceeded to call, but to her disgust her com was sputtering sparks and when she checked for Harry's, it was in worse shape than hers.

"Sorry, kiddo… mine also fizzled out along with the shields, turbo, long range scanning and navigation system, aside from that, we're leaking gas and I'm running now on magical reserves," Maxi said as she used a bit of her magical impulse to move forward. "But on a brighter note, short range scan indicates that we're not a hundred meters from running water, I could use that to replenish my reserves and you and Harry can camp out while we wait for rescue," she then concluded just as she reached a small clearing with a small stream running nearby

"But how can they find us? We're in the middle of nowhere…" Ginny said. Realizing they've stopped, she got out and went to Harry's side of the car.

"Don't worry, they'll find us in no time." Maxi reassured her.

Carefully and not without difficulty she managed to pull Harry out and laid him down a patch of grass under a great tree near them and placing her bundled robe under his head. She grabbed her wand as loud splash in the water made her tense up and ready to defend her and Harry.

"It's my MEG, Magical Energy Generator. It's one of the last things they installed in me…" Maxi said.. "Actually, it was really Peter who thought and design it. He'd been so sweet and unassuming…" From the tone of her voice, Ginny could tell that if Maxi could shed tears, she would. She said nothing though but instead, looked at the young man beside her. "If you look in the trunk, there's a First Aid kit there. It would do good to clean up his wounds," Maxi then offered.

Rummaging through the trunk, Ginny found the small white box and a small container which she filled up with water from the stream. She then followed Maxi's instruction on what to do. Thankfully, Harry while in the healing trance was able to expel the broken shards of the bullet that hit him, which made her job much easier.

"You did a great job Ginny," Maxi said as Ginny tied the last knot on the bandage. "Why don't you get some rest while I'll stand watch."

Exhausted by the days ordeal Ginny was just able to nod an affirmative and huddled up against Harry, promptly finding herself again in the land of dreams.

-

White.

White and bright was the only way to describe the scenery that lay before him.

Harry new he was in a Jedi Healing trance as he touched upon the tendrils of the Force and concentrated it on his injuries. In his minds eye he saw as nerves and muscle tissue that were severed, are painstakingly… almost lovingly, joined and repaired. He 'saw' the projectile that shattered his bone being evicted from his body. He tried to reach for more tendrils of the Force but a soothing voice and a light touch on his 'shoulder' interrupted him.

"You don't need to guide the Force Harry. You should already know this… let it guide you," His mother whispered.

"I know mum but I need to know what's happening… Ginny might be having trouble," He said.

"She's doing fine… you need to trust her more you know," Lily added as she too guided a few tendrils, to Harry's surprise, on to his wounds.

"I thought I shouldn't hurry the healing process?" he asked with a smirk.

"I'm your mother and mother's always knows what's best…" she said and returned a smirk of her own. "I'll inform Albus and Remus, but for now, rest my son and heal," she finished as she touched her sons face and kissed him on the forehead. With that, Harry rested peacefully.

-

In what seemed an indeterminate time, he once again came to his senses… White and brightness.

But just as he began to assess the progress of his healing, he felt a tug of alarm from the Force. Danger was near, but where?

It's seemed so familiar but not… 'I doesn't make any sense." He though to himself. 'It's been a long time that I almost forgot about the nightmares." Ever since he began his training as a Jedi, the pangs of pain from his scar and his Voldemort induced nightmares were held at bay. But here it is again, an attack of some sort, like storm clouds looming of on the horizon of a bright sunny sky. It was then he noticed that the golden cord that symbolizes his bond to Ginny no longer has a golden glow. Like tarnished brass it lost its luster, and worst of all, tinged with black.

He opened himself to the Force and felt the thrumming of strength as it flowed upon his spirit. He then become aware of what he must do and traveled to the other point of the cord, using it as a guide, and with the speed of thought he was there.

-

"I am quite disappointed in you Virginia," Voldemort said in an icy tone. "You should realize by now that he will never fall in love with you."

Ginny's naked and bruised form was pressed spread eagled upon the cold stone floor of the Chamber of Secrets. Her arms and legs were bound and held in place by large snakes that hissed and writhe against her as she struggled against her humiliating state.

"Nonetheless my patience is long and you will give yourself willingly to me," Voldemort cooed.

"Never!" Ginny shouted. "You might be powerful… you can force my will… but I would never do anything willingly for you… never again!" she coldly added defiantly.

"Crucio!" Voldemort whispered, but the hate that fueled it was enough.

"Do you really think he'll save you? Do you really think he would care? Your dear Harry is rich, famous and powerful… who are you, my dear Virginia when he can have anyone he wants?" He said after he lifted the curse.

"Why?" she asked. "Why do you want me…?"

"Why? Because I have need of you. You have part of my soul in you. And also because…" Voldemort stopped as he contemplated further. "…You don't know do you?" then he laughed in a most manic way as he realized that the girl before him didn't yet know of her family's history. Before he could mock her further though a calm voice filled the Chambers air and Voldemort's laughter abruptly stopped.

"You really need to get a new hobby, Tom," Harry said as he walked towards Voldemort. "Now get out of here before I decide to kill you," he added the last as his eyes flicked worriedly at Ginny's prone form.

Voldemort hissed into the lair that was Slytherins Statue's mouth and out of it slid a Basilisk. "You've got to be kidding me… don't you have any sense of originality?" Harry said annoyed as he closed his eyes and Gryffindor's sword materialized onto his outstretched hand. Needless to say it was over quite fast as he threw the sword with precision as the Basilisk lunged at him with its fangs bared. The sword flew true and like before, in the real Chamber of Secrets, the sword impaled the monster under the roof of its maw and through its head.

"Tom, you're really beginning to irritate me… so, get out NOW!" Harry commanded.

A ball of light then appeared that enveloped Voldemort's gaping form. The ball which engulfed the Dark Lord completely began to contract and shrink. But before he was totally gone he left a warning and his cold haunting laugh.

"Beware Virginia, this is not the last you'll see of me… remember…"

Sighing, Harry looked down to check to if Ginny was alright. Quickly averting his eyes lest it stray, he willed the snakes to disappear as he covered her with his cloak.

"Don't cry Gin," He whispered into her hair as he gathered her up and held her close. "It's just a dream... though it might hurt... it just a dream. He's just feeding off your fears. Don't let him," he said reassuringly as Harry took control of her dream and fed the soothing calm of the Force through it.

Almost immediately they were somewhere else. Bathe in the warm golden light of the sun, Ginny suddenly jerked her head up in surprise. They were on a cliff overlooking the sea. The cry of seagulls could be heard from the distance as well as the endless crashing of waves as it molded the rocks where it hit. As she noted the cool breeze that blew across her hair she looked down and saw that she was wearing a bright summer dress… and Harry was still there, holding her.

"How?" she asked perplexed.

"You're dreaming, Gin. In here... in your mind, you can be anything… do anything. He should not have power over you here," he answered.

"But he keeps coming back... I've had a respite in my third year… but he came back more powerful, the night of the third task…" she said as she buried her head further into Harry to choke back her sobs as she admitted a secret she held. Harry then let go a moment as he held her shoulders and gaze meaningfully into her eyes.

"You're incredible… you know that? You were eleven when you had him in your head for most of a year… he possessed me too at the ministry you know… and I beg Dumbledore to kill me, because I couldn't bear it..." he paused for a moment as he heard her gasp. "Think of that if nothing else, you're strong enough to hold him at bay… and you can do it again. Besides, you'll always have the 'Great, Famous Harry Potter' to look after you," He said then smirked as he added the last. This drew a small laugh from her and he was pleased to hear it.

"Where's Harry and what did you do with him?" she asked as they face each other, both holding each other arms.

"What do you mean?"

"We've asked you this before, Harry. You've changed…" She said as a small blush came up her cheeks.

"It's because I want to take charge of my life and not let things like prophesies take control of me. I've been given that chance," he said as he then decided to tell her the truth as she asked the question of the prophecy.

"But, wasn't it destroyed?" she asked and he explained how he knew what the prophecy said and actually telling her what the prophecy is, and what power he has that Voldemort doesn't know about.

"Don't worry, Ginny. He won't be able to get into you head again," he assured her.

"You mean all that in the muggle picture box was real?"

"The story is at any rate, but the rest are just actors and special effects." Seeing Ginny confused look he added "It's a muggle thing."

After a while of calm silence when they enjoyed each others company, Ginny spoke up.

"Luna mentioned that there's going to be informal dances every week… would you, umm, like to go with me?" she asked, but was disappointed to learn that Luna had asked him first. Seeing her disappointment and for some strange reason the thought of him disappointing her seem unacceptable, an idea came to Harry.

"We don't have to go to the dance…" He began to say as the scenery changed in to a moonlit starry night and wonderful music floated through the air. "When we could have it right here…" Harry then held out a hand. Her summer dress was gone only to be replaced by an elegant crème nightgown while Harry was likewise properly attired in muggle evening dress clothes. "May I have this dance…" she smiled as she accepted his hand and with a flourish he led her just a little bit back off the cliff and held her close as the music of life flowed around them in its never ending symphony of hope.

-

"I didn't know you could dance so well."

"Hmm," Harry murmured, which was all his capable reply at the moment. He knows that something was changing in the way he felt for the young woman he held now in his arms. They've twirled their worries away for what seemed like an eternity and yet, to Harry, like it wasn't enough. From the night he learnt of their connection, it seemed like he was opening his eyes. Thoughts of her were constantly dogging him for attention, which he steadfastly ignored. He didn't know if it was because of their family's oath or something else. For now he didn't care, it felt so right just to hold her.

"I said, I didn't know you could dance so well," she said again.

"We're in a dream, Gin, everything we do here could be as what we want it to be…" he trailed, intoxicated from the scent of her hair as he 'breathe'.

"I wish we could stay like this… forever," she then said as she noticed the change in the music's rhythm. Forgetting that she'd been wearing her heart for him to see all 'evening' and at the back of her mind, she knew he was doing the same. It gave her more hope.

"Forever is a long time… I'd settle for a perfect moment," he said absently as he trailed his fingers in small circles along her back.

"For me this is as perfect as it may come… why? Can it be more?" she asked curiously as they slowly stopped from their swaying and gazed at each others eyes. Their face so close that their breaths tickled each other lips in promise… in invitation.

It was Harry who unwilling, broke the building tension.

"And you say I'm the one who'd changed?" Harry said. "When did you become this forward, oh Miss-I-love-the feeling-of-butter-on-my-elbow?" he then teased.

"You did say we're in a dream and… it's my dream, anything we do here doesn't really count right? So, I think a girl could be forgiven for acting out her fantasies… besides, it's not my fault that I want to put something edible on my person when I see you and where else should I put the butter, or would you prefer… chocolate?" she answered cheekily with a sly smile. But, just then a soft shimmer appeared around Harry thankfully covering up the blush that was rising on his neck and face.

"There's someone's coming and it could be trouble. At any rate, I think it's time we woke up…" he trailed off and hurriedly disappeared from the dream world… trying to keep the image of a chocolate dipped Ginny from his mind.

Ginny huffed in annoyance but quite quickly smiled in a goofy sort of way, the memory of her nightmares overshadowed by the giddy feeling of being with Harry, as she too, felt herself being pulled out from sleep.

-

Harry forced himself to stand just as he felt Ginny rousing from her sleep. The forest that surrounded the clearing was eerily silent as dusk approached. His shoulder was still sore and he couldn't coax more movement from it. Though the blood flow had been stemmed and his major injuries where not as critical right now, he knew he still would need to seek professional medical care. If he exerted himself now, which was all possible, the wounds would break open again. He couldn't afford that happening, not when Ginny was with him, and worst of all he was still a bit light headed from the amount of blood he lost.

"Status Report, Maxi," He asked the car when he noticed that her emergency support gear was out, doing so as he held his good hand for Ginny as she got up.

"Could be better, I'm at 85 charge right now. I expect to be fully charged in another hour or so… weapons, LRN (Long Range Navigation), Comms and even the Speed Enhancement systems are shot but I've manage to re-route most of the critical systems, you know… like my AI of course and the homing beacon, and mmm, yeah, I've got a hole in my fuel tank and out of fuel. The good news is that, once that's patched, I've got four pre-shrunk 6 gallon containers filled with my favorite brew, 103 octane mo-gas," she ended on a cheerfully.

Harry turned and smirked at Ginny. "I hope you're not afraid of getting little dirty…"

"But I thought there was someone coming?" she asked confused, and it was Maxi who answered.

"Oh… a couple of game hunters came within a hundred meters north of us and I alerted Harry to it, not to worry though, they went off further to the northeast."

With that they started to divide the work between them and waited.

TBC