Title:Way
of the Force
Author name:Icy Manipulator
Author
Category: Romance
Keywords:Harry Jedi Muggles
Rating:PG-13
Summary:White moves its knights.
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.
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded
state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is
much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight,
nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable
creature, and has no chance of being free unless made or kept so by the
exertions of better men than himself."
- John Stuart Mill
Chapter 17 –Vector Prime (In Honor of Chewbacca)
05 October 1996 Frontline Command and Control, Evening.
"Frontline, package delivered… encountering resistance, on defensive and ground recon needs cover… request weapons free," David's voice came through Frontline C&C's room speakers.
"Copy that, Griffin One. You're cleared, weapons are free… secondary Rules of Engagement are in effect," Tonks said as she closely monitored the situation on her map. She might have been a klutz, but like Ron, she had a gift in tactics.
The order she'd given granted the Comanche's full freedom to engage any enemy they encounter, instead of just defending themselves or to hide from the enemy. They were now more in a role that their attack helicopter was designed for: Hunter.
"I've been expecting this…" Tonks whispered to herself. Since earlier she saw a glimmer of magical movement coming in from the north, which suddenly disappeared from the map. 'What do you do after a successful siege? Move in of course, and reinforce your new base as fast as possible,' she thought, her lessons from Auror training becoming fresh again.
"You noticed it too. But that's not just it, there's more..." Moody said with a grunt from her left.
"Noticed what?" Nichols asked. He had been standing by and observing. He was familiar with both the wizarding world and the muggle world, and he was fascinated by how these people were able to integrate it together.
"Griffin Squad, good work on those tanks boys, waypoints updated…we need a quick recon on points echo and gulf before you RTB," Tonks said as she saw a few red dots wink out, indicating that a few of the enemy forces were destroyed.
"Wilco Frontline. We'll shoot a few pictures for ya," Sheffler replied.
Nichols was carefully looking at the widescreen monitor. Although the layout and symbol were different from muggle military standard, he was, after a few minutes of inspection, able to discern the patterns and sigils used. It was when an update of the entire European theater appeared that he noticed a fog of red appear, and then disappear, from the map.
"There..." Moody growled. "Either there's a glitch somewhere in the system, or I'm paranoid..."
While the rest of the control room's occupants stared at him amusedly, Moody deftly rolled a few dials and flicked a switch or two until he was satisfied with what he got.
"Special link from 'keyhole'..." he explained shortly. "They might be able to hide from magical detectors, but it would be virtually impossible to physically hide something as large as that..." he then indicated at the screen.
There was a gasp of surprise, even Nichols, who have seen both how Muggles and Wizards wage war was entranced.
"Blitzkrieg..." he whispered in awe.
"Aye lad, that it is... that it is..." Moody nodded in contemplation until Tonks cut into his musings.
"I've run the numbers, once they cut through Norway to Oslo and on to Sweden via Goteborg then Malmo... The 'tossers navy will most likely be able to transport to Denmark, Germany or Poland... Worst case scenario if he isn't stopped would be, he take Northern Europe in a week and by the end of the following week... Western Europe will be on its knees... England will be on its own..."
One of the black suits, as they were known since they haven't really introduced themselves, except that they stayed mostly by Capt. Nichols' side, scoffed at Tonks' analysis.
"You really think that they would be able to breakthrough? My dear..." he began condescendingly. "That's the whole reason NATO was formed..."
"Well, Mr...whoever you are... not to be insensitive because you might have not noticed but, if you look at the screen and the 3D map you'll notice that they have already made short work of the Norwegian forces... from the radio clutter, I'd say they're calling out for help but it's being scrambled or jammed by the amount of magic being released right now... not to mention the actual destructive spells..." Tonks lectured. True enough, the blue dots that signify muggle forces were winking out one by one.
To the horror of everyone in the control center, the red dots where joined with black dots, which was too dense even for the enhancements provided for by the Tactical Situation Map to resolve, began to spread out like a cancer.
"By the eye of Ra!" A voice suddenly exclaimed which was accompanied by two more voices expressing their surprise in their own unique and colorful language.
"Right you are Mssrs. Weasely. At the rate Voldemorts' forces are moving along, they'll be knocking at our gates by Halloween," Moody growled as he turned to look at Bill and the Twins.
06 October 1996 Frontline HQ Meeting Hall, Early Afternoon
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens of the World. We are gathered here today in this assembly, to drop the veils that has covered a secret for more the half a millennia. There is a world that coexist with our own, that is known only to the top levels of every government. A secret kept out of fear… fear that the people of our world would take advantage of their special gifts and the fear, of being feared by ours.
Fear. What is fear? … is it not that fear that leads to all the troubles of man? Fear begets hatred, hatred begets anger, and anger leads to suffering… does this sound familiar?
-a pause-
There are worlds that most of you believe to be fantasy or fiction, but I say nay… they are real. There might be more we don't know about… but if we are to prove that we… all of us… are truly civilized and enlightened people, then fear should be stripped from our vocabulary and put in its stead, knowledge, understanding, tolerance and compassion.
The dreams and fantasies of our children and even that of us when we were children are real. Magic, is real. Dragons and trolls and goblins… giants and elves… They are real… They exist…"
There was a rush of noise as the various ambassadors and news people whispered with each other regarding the UN Secretary's state of mind.
Although the large screen at the meeting hall still showed the UN secretary trying to get order, the sound automatically muted as the Headmaster spoke up.
"There would be no going back now. The muggle world has been informed and we will need to trust our counterparts in their authorities to properly guide them into this new found knowledge."
"Perhaps some flyers or leaflets… some handbook maybe about the wizarding world…?" Arthur offered as a support for disseminating information.
"Yes that would be excellent, Arthur," Mrs. Bones said. "Although I have a feeling that some bad things would come from this…"
"We would need to think about repercussions later…" Harry interrupted. "First, I've read Mr. O'Neill's debrief on yesterday's mission, but I would like to know what happened without all the technical mumbo-jumbo… and those little boxes just gave you an impression…"
"What do you want to know? It's all in the debrief…" James asked confused.
"I believe, Mr. Potter would like to see for himself. I think it's a splendid idea since it would be of immense help to the strike team to actually see the stronghold and its possible weaknesses." Dumbledore said with a twinkle and took out what looked like a basin that was very similar to the one in Dumbledore's office, a pensive.
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A few minutes later, after having assured James that he wouldn't feel a bit of pain and having the strike team assembled, Dumbledore was able to extract a silver wisp from James' mind…
"Two, cover me… while I drop the package…" David hurriedly decided. "James, get ready, you need to jump off quickly… I can't stay on the ground more than 5 seconds or they'll be all over us."
James nodded grimly to himself and said resolutely "Well, at least we've got a 'warm' welcome."
It was in fact, too warm. Spells were whizzing fast by and it was only with amazing precision that David was able to drop him off right on top of the predetermined LZ (Landing Zone) and quickly taking off.
James made sure that the safety of the Glock-17 he always carried with him was off as he scampered on towards a nearby group of boulders and trees he recognized as where his contacts were holing up. He was right in his assumption when suddenly he was pinned then hurriedly whisked immobile between two men he was certain were wizards.
"'The Phoenix will burn..." he whispered the beginning of the pass phrase. It didn't take long for the stocky man to his left to whisper back.
"But, from the ashes it will take flight once more. Nice night for you to drop by…" Croaker said while Bode released him from the effects of the ward.
"Yeah, though I'd love to stay and chat, I'm expected back by morning. I'm James by the way, so, what have you got for me…" James said as he noted the explosion coming of from the distance. This also got the two's attention.
"Looks like you're guys up there are making short work of those tanks…" Bode said while rummaging in his pack and bringing out a small box about the size of a box for earrings.
"…On field memory and intelligence storage… just incase we bought it, whatever we know won't go to waste. Think of it as a black box for wizards…" Croaker supplied. He then moved his wand over it and placed it on James' temple. Immediately, though with slight discomfort, he knew the events of the past few days as well as the defenses of the castle beyond, as supplied by the two Unspeakables.
"Right, they have wards all over the place and golems guarding the main entrances…" James face contorted as he forced to recall the memories given to him. "Are you sure they won't detect non magical people?" He asked after reconfirming in his thoughts the deduction of the other two.
"Yes. After a few incidents they've made the wards specific to magical people and creatures only. If you would notice the number of muggles working for them, it would seem that they're all under some kind of mind control but still they keep tripping the wards, not to mention the rabbits and moles, so they lowered them…" Bode explained.
"Quite convenient…" James said with a feral grin and prepared his gear and himself for the next phase of his mission. To infiltrate Beauxbaton.
It was well approaching eleven and according to his schedule, he should have dropped the fourth beacon by now. So far he was just nearly finished placing the third. True to their deductions, He felt himself lucky that he wasn't detected yet…
Everything was going well until he found the dungeons where he was supposed to place the tenth and last beacon. Just around the corner, James heard voices and whimpering. Slipping in to take a look he was angered by what he saw. But, he couldn't do anything about it, unless he would like to jeopardize the entire operation and risk more lives. Part of his training was to be able to block out his emotions in order for him to concentrate on the job at hand. Reluctantly he left making a promise to specifically look for these seven men, who were relieving their carnal desire on what looks like a fifteen year old girl.
"I left that out of my report…" James said defiantly as he stared at the people gathered around and grinned in feral manner as he cracked his knuckles, completely out of his character. "Let's just say I'm being selfish and I'd like to have first shot at them…"
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05 October 1996, Frontline HQ Muggle Forces Barracks, Morning.
"Gentlemen…" Bill Nichols began but was interrupted by a few clearing of throats…
"Ummm, sorry… and Ladies, of course…." He then added while he thought 'Yeah right, ladies… all except on the battlefield.' and continued with the pre-deployment briefing.
"Each individual here had been chosen for this tour because of a very particular aptitude you all have. Although your prowess in the skills of your own specialization…" Nichols paused and turned to look at each and every one of them while saying their specialized skills.
"All of it matters not, unless you all work as a team," the burly Captain said before being interrupted by a woman (judging by the patches and bars she had) that was a Lieutenant of one of the SEALs.
"Sir, we're trained to follow orders and not ask questions, but... don't you find something strange that's been going on..." the lieutenant asked.
"Something strange... like this perhaps..." For the first time in years, Capt. Bill Nichols pulled out his wand and with a swish and a flick, cast the first spell that came to mind. "Wingardium Leviosa"
After a few moments of stunned silence, he then gave a brief history of the Wizarding world and then explained their primary orders. They were to be the first, an elite force, a combined magical and non-magical combat unit to fight the terror that was threatening the free world. Though others will come, it will take time until forces were completely mobilized for war. Their near term goal would be the strike and rescue of any survivors from Hogwarts sister school, Beauxbatons.
"Any questions..." Captain Nichols asked. When none raised their hands, he dismissed them for a break and for them to be able to review their familiarization pamphlets and standing orders.
On the way out, however, the group kept on talking and Bill listened, amused at their banter.
"Who's Harry Potter again?" asked one of the SAS commandos.
"Weren't you listening?" replied a Delta force member.
"He's bleedin' Frodo from Dungeons and Dragons," the Delta member continued.
"That's Tolkien, you nitwit," spoke the Lieutenant from earlier.
"You mean the one the dragon gave his heart to...?"
It was on the last remark that he faintly heard that Capt. Nichols knew that everything would be fine. He knew these men and women are the elite, ergo, they were smart too. And lowering themselves for a prank or a joke or make themselves look stupid means that they are going to adjust easily… and his troops knew it too.
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04 October 1996 – Approaching Dusk, Godric's Hollow
Harry was enjoying the time he was spending with Ginny. It seemed idyllic and surreal… but he wasn't complaining. It had been awkward earlier when he pulled back from that almost kiss. He was glad though when they were able to get back to talking and sharing jokes until Ginny fell asleep where they lay on the grass under the shade of their picnic tree.
He knew he'd hurt her a bit when he didn't kiss her earlier, it was in her eyes… and they were so close that he could, literally taste her by her breath... He knew he should've had, but then again, his mind reasoned that it might not be real, just the effect of a thousand year old promise and that he for one, wouldn't let a promise he didn't make, a prophesy he didn't want and a Fate that's really clichéd with the tragic orphaned hero routine, take over his life.
But, the 'Hermione' voice in his head was berating him for being cold and inconsiderate…Well, he had kissed Hermione and Luna. And, in his heart he knew the two girls would always have a piece of him with them… but the question remains… What about Ginny?
All he told her earlier was true; she was everything he had said and more. In truth, he has admitted, at least to himself and Hermione, that he felt attracted to Ginny. Hell, he'd been having dreams of her almost every night now… well, maybe Luna too once in a while… but that was a moot point.
"AAARRRGGGHHH…" Harry exclaimed in dismay as he held his hair both hands in an attempt to pull them out. He hadn't realized he'd been pacing for a good while, while he thought.
'Maybe, you're thinking about it too much…' one of his guiding voices whispered through the Force.
'Let your heart decide… it has never steered you wrong…' another voice offered.
"You're right… I'm just fighting my destiny too much," He whispered as he placed his gaze on the napping beauty on the grass a few meters from where he was.
Seeing her there, so peaceful and content, sent another thrill through Harry…
'Tell her everything…' a new voice whispered, this time familiar.
'You know that she'll kill me, mum,' Harry replied in despair.
'I thought you didn't care about prophesies and promises and thousand year old oath's and such like rubbish,' his mother shot back, though with a wry sort of amusement in the tone.
'I don't… I just don't want her to be angry with me… I want 'It' to be real and not just because of a magical oath or bond…' Harry answered in dismay.
'What 'It' are you talking about, Bambi?' It was Sirius now who answered him, actually, teased him but Harry just answered in a quiet voice.
'Love' Harry whispered in his mind. 'A relationship… a chance to have my own family… something not forced on me by fate or prophesy…'
It was his Dad who offered the response to this.
'Two things, Harry… one - Magic IS real (in case you forgot). And two, Love is the strongest, most powerful and potent Magic there is. Ask your mum, she would make things more clear for you.'
Harry just gave a slight nod to this and went to sit by the still napping Ginny. Not knowing what prompted him. He gingerly lifted her head and place it on his lap… lovingly stroking her hair as his mother started to explain to him details only she would know, the story… a story which always lulled Ginny to sleep when she was younger… The story of the Boy-who-Lived.
Sub Chapter 17a – A Princess and a Mother's Tale
"Perhaps I should start this with 'Once Upon A Time'…" Lily said with one upturned brow. Sirius and James sniggered, while Harry just let out a mock-outraged…
"Mum..." and rolled his eyes in a perfect imitation of Hermione. He then turned to the two Marauders…
"Dad… Sirius… will you please be serious…" He said then realized his mistake.
"Hey, that's me!" Sirius gave a yell.
"I can't, the dog here's got the name already," James said equally loud and the two fell down laughing.
Ginny stirred, but with Harry's gentle prodding of her hair, she promptly fell back to sleep.
"She's tired, poor thing. They're pushing everybody too hard with all this training…" Lily said her ethereal face showing her concern for the diminutive red-head.
"Yeah…" he looked down at the angel resting on his lap. Harry shook himself back and turned to look at his mother. "Mmm... the story mum?"
"Oh right!" she too seemed to pull back to reality.
"Well… you two!" she whispered fiercely and pointed at the rolling James and Sirius. "Shut up and sit down… not every mother has a chance to tell a story to her grown up baby boy… and I don't want you to ruin this…"
The two did sit down but they sure didn't shut up. Instead, they burst out to laugh hysterically.
"Grown up…baby…" Sirius gasped between non-breaths.
"Lil, you sure are a mix of contradictions…" James exclaimed but, everybody suddenly did shut up when a small voice spoke so unexpectedly.
"Why's everyone laughing?... hnghhh… I could 'of sworn my mum was reading me a…" Ginny said as she stretched catlike and raised her head from Harry's lap. She was then promptly stupefied, figuratively of course, by what she saw.
The Potter's and Sirius took a quick look at each other and seem to reach to a decision… the only one possible.
"Ginny, let's take a walk a moment…" Harry said as he stood up and gentle pulled on Ginny's arm while ignoring Sirius' comment of "Oohh look, a goldfish…blurb-blurb, oops… it's Ginny!"
"But… but…" Ginny said incoherently as she allowed to be led by Harry to a nearby thicket of wood, often looking back at the three spirits they've left behind.
She recovered once they've arrived at the small grove.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do Harry James Potter. If I'm not going loony… which I know I'm not since that's Luna's department… I would swear that we were there…" she took a moment for a quick glimpse to see that the three where still there and nodded to herself. "Right…Aren't those your parents and Sirius?"
Harry just looked at her with a bemused smile. Though he did take offence at hearing her refer to Luna as crazy, he knew that coming from Ginny, the statement was benign and not meant as an insult.
"Well, I'm not a doctor or anything, but I can assure you that your sanity is pretty well intact." Harry said, paused and continued to just look at her.
"Well?" Ginny said impatiently.
"Well, what?" Harry replied deadpan.
"Aren't you going to tell me how, what, when, where and why?" Ginny huffed.
"My, aren't you demanding. Is that the impression you want to make to your future in-laws?" Harry teased.
"I knew I shouldn't have told you about my childhood fantasy…" Ginny whispered indignantly as she remembered the things they've talked about earlier. For no reason she could point a finger at, she was just so relaxed that she had talked freely about her childhood at the Burrow.
"Well, I did tell you mine… it seems only fair you told me yours…" Harry replied then grew a bit serious.
"Now to answer your questions… Do you remember that day, when I was out riding Barq and you three girls were spying on me?" Harry asked, noticing Ginny's blush rise.
None to tactfully, she then asked back. "Which day?"
"The day I made you a promise…"
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'She now knows most of it, Mum... except the part where she was promised to marry me...' Harry informed them by his mind. He was about to say something more when Ginny spoke up.
"What I don't understand is why you didn't tell us, Harry." Ginny intoned as she looked at the three spirits in turn.
"Well... it's partly because maybe I'm being a bit selfish, you know... and partly because, the less who knows... the better it is for us, for the war. Voldemort would know something was up if he finds out that aside from my friends... I now have my parents (that includes you Sirius) to guide and back me up... this way, the 'power he knows not' will remain just that. 'A power he knows not'," Harry explained.
"Well, now that's settled... I took the liberty of getting you kids some hot chocolate..." Sirius began.
"And of course, a nice fire is crisply burning in the living room... where I think we all should retire for my dear Lily to start her story..." James concluded.
A few minutes later found the two teens and the three spirits lounging contentedly in front of the fire. Harry and Ginny, holding their hot cups of cocoa, unconsciously decided to take the hearthrug and were just leaning on the sofa beside each other. Lily was sitting in a well worn armchair by the fire with James resting on the arm of said chair. Sirius was looking outside the window and at the stars.
It was a cozy picture of a family as the matriarch told her tale.
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"What are the two things a mother wants most for her son?" Lily asked Harry. Once identical green eyes gazed at each other, exchanging unvoiced emotions in a way only a mother and its child would know.
"A long life…" Harry offered as a guess.
"Not just a long life, Harry… To Live a long and happy life…" Lily answered him, with a bit of a tremor in her ethereal voice.
"Love?..." Ginny also offered a few moments later. Lily smiled kindly at her and nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Ginny. To be able to share that life with somebody her son would love and would love him as much as, or even more… than the mother loves her son," Lily said, still smiling fondly ad Ginny.
"What has that got to do with the story…?" Harry then asked as he cast a furtive look at the woman beside him and his mum.
"Everything, Harry… Everything," Lily replied and continued on…
"The night we were betrayed.." Lily said, with a wary eye at Sirius. Sirius stiffened from where he stood and James immediately appeared by his side.
"Pettigrew…" Harry snarled, but to his surprise Sirius said. "Let it go for now, it's an… important talk but for another time." Harry nodded and Lily continued again.
"You've just had your bath after spending all day flying with your dad," Lily told him then looked at Ginny. "He was already showing signs of being a great flyer, would you believe it? James would let go of the broom and Harry would steer… it was amazing to see.."
"Well, you didn't think it was too amazing first time I showed that trick to you," James said in an amused tone. Lily just smiled.
"At any rate, after Harry's bath and feeding, I was upstairs getting him ready for bed, when I thought I heard some commotion happening downstairs. I went to take a look and was near the stairs when James suddenly yelled…"
"Lily, He's here…" Lily heard James yell from down the staircase. Panic raced through her. "Take Harry and go… I'll…"
James wasn't able to finish his sentence. "Expelliramus…"
"James!" Lily shouted
She heard sounds of someone stumbling from a room -- a door bursting open – a cackle of high- pitched laughter –
"Go Lily!.. take Harry and go, go now... I'll hold him back..." James shouted back with a pained voice.
"Where is the boy?" Lily heard a voice hiss and knew that this was the dark lord.
"Over my dead body…" James said rebelliously.
"That… could be easily arranged." Voldemort said and in a blink of an eye he said offhandedly "Avada Kedavara."
In a green flash of light, standing straight-backed and proud, the Twenty-Fourth Heir of Gryffindor was gone.
Lily did the only thing she could think off… she ran to where she left Harry. She forgot about the escape plan, she forgot about the portkey… all her thoughts were on Harry.
As she cradled the little babe in her arms and half listened for the footfalls that she knew would come, she reached out to the force for calm… to find a way in which they could survive…
'The way of the Force is life…' her father's voice echoed in her mind.
'There is no emotion. There is peace.' The voice of the Force echoed in return.
'How can there be when I'm afraid? Afraid for my son…'
'Then find that peace in the back of fear… find peace in your love…Use that peace and be serene as you reach out for the Shield of the Force… and find that with your love… There is no death… Just the Force…' her father replied.
… and she reached out with her aspirations for her son, her power and her love… and the Force responded…
It twirled around the baby's being and sought the lines that joined it with the tapestry which it weaves and found that it was one of it's own… 'Jedi', the Force whispered… and it showed mother and son, the child's future…
Tears fell from Lily's eyes as she saw, the nightmare that would be her son's life…"Not Harry!" she pleaded as she thought in despair ' Why Harry, why not the other boy?'.
'Who else would have the power?' the Force then retorted.
'The shield can only protect one, child… if he lives… that could be his future… make your choice,' her father then whispered
'Okay…' she thought, unaware that the monster was now looming over her.
"Take me instead…" she shouted and poured out her love and sought the Force's protection… for her son…
In turn, the force sought out the mother's desire and found a link and flowed through and around it…
But, something was wrong as it followed the frail link… in turn the power that is life… The Force, thus, twisted the tapestry, wherein was found the child's' destiny, and sealed the golden link… strengthening it…
Life…
Death…
Love…
Green light bathe the mother in its unholy glow…
Immediately, the Force welcomed its daughter and brought her mate to her… in the meanwhile, surrounding the child with life and that old magic that was love...
Once more, the Force showed its way, that death is but part of life and can be held, for a time, at bay…
For, is not the Force life?
'Little one… a promise we make,' it said as it stirred both the baby's innate potential in the force and its magic… 'You will never be alone…'
The Champion was confirmed, its edict given. 'Bring balance, for the dark has tipped too much in its favor…'
Green light now then too, surrounded the child… and with it brought the stench of death…
The Force reacted to the foul magic and threw it back…
Life versus death. But as always, Life found a way...
A blood curdling scream erupted from the monster as his soul was ripped away and his body dissolved into nothingness as the house too, ruptured into flames…
… and the world was still for half a minute… a prophesy half-fulfilled…
…somewhere in the south-western part of England, a baby girl was born… an oath remembered…
and a mother watched... a promise to keep…
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Ginny was overwhelmed to the point of tears. How many times had she heard the story of the Boy-who-lived. How many times did she wish… how much did she imagine… But she was young then and naïve. The story of the Boy-Who-Lived is just that, a story, embellished by the passing from one mouth to another, for no one except Lily (and on some level, Harry), knew what had truly transpired.
What she just heard, was nothing but what happened, the reason and the means… the core of which was a mother's love and a power unlike any other. No heroics, really, if you think about it… but something deeper…
In truth, the story should have been named… The-Mother-Who-Loved…
Her face was a mixture of sadness and awe as she looked at Lily. Likewise, Lily was looking at her with an intent gaze.
'Would you love my son as such?' Lily thought to herself… the question… a challenge.
Ginny nodded her head, as if to answer the unheard… unvoiced question.
Something had passed between the two, not through a link in the Force and not by magic, though equally profound.
Harry looked on, to the two women he would be forever bound to…
One, he owed his very life and existence, who with her life and love gave him a chance for a future...
And, to the other, whom his destiny was bound, who was his future…
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Sub-Chapter 17b – Jedi Knight
The electric hum of the bright blue lightsaber displaced the ions making the very air crackle as it sliced through it, only to be met by an almost similar but green blade. The power the blades so palpable and yet regal and noble that it was chosen as the weapon of the Jedi... and of course their polar opposites the Sith.
The two blades twirled in a deadly dance, following the bidding of their masters, who, in turn follow the bidding of the mystic power known as the Force. And like the blades masters, the two sides clashed in an age long battle. So old that, it was there even before the swirling mass of elementary particles coalesced until it could no longer and exploded out to form the known universe… Good and Evil… Light and Dark.
But, for one to win would always mean the corruption of the other. For what is light without darkness… how can one find good without knowing evil. It was here that a truce was made… there should always be balance. But Darkness was greed and vain and always sought to turn the scales in its favor… the lure as always is in its easiness to corrupt…
The Light saw and it created beings of power to uphold the light, the right… the path less easily traveled… the Jedi Knights.
Balance was restored after a long and bloody battle. The Knights upheld what was true and right, bringing justice and law. As time marched on, the Knights became complacent and trusting in their power… in their belief that they wouldn't be corrupted… The Darkness reared its head once more.
The Sith Lords were born, though few in numbers, their cunning and power are enough to lure and hold those of lesser virtue to their fold. Like a vile disease they spread pain and suffering in all they touched.
The balance tipped once more to the Darkness…
So, the Light chose a champion… a champion of the Force to achieve the balance it desires, the Chosen Ones, the Jedi called them. A being of the light that is tempered in darkness.
The last known was over a thousand years ago, from the Skywalker line. Now it is the age of the Third Galactic Republic, where legendary names such as Skywalker, Solo, Darklighter and Durron where approaching the renown of myth.
Where the Jedi again has flourished not just in their galaxy but in others as well, thanks to the Galactic Jump Drive, which was perfected two-hundred years ago.
It is time once again for the Force to interfere… It is time that its choice be made known, for as the darkness touched that small corner of the universe, the light has made it a place for the chosen one to be born… to be tempered.
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The blue sabers' master squinted her eyes at her opponent as she was pushed back towards the ground. Reaching out to the Force, she then pulled at a number of rocks from behind her opponent and pelted him with it.
The Sith Lord sensed her attack to late as he was distracted by the rocks. Cleanly, she sliced the surprised Sith, felling him in two. She was breathing heavily when it suddenly brightened and her surroundings changed to that of a clean and blindingly white room.
"Simulation Concluded in thirty point oh-four minutes" the synthesized female voice said.
"Damn…" The young woman said, clearly disappointed that she was five minutes over the record. She was busy thinking on how more she could improve that she didn't notice someone entering the training room.
"It would be wise to further meditate into the Force than force yourself to your limits my padawan. In time you will master its intricacies… in the meantime, do calm yourself and seek out what it teaches…" the master said.
"I'm sorry master, I was just trying to improve myself," she replied, although the twinkle in her eye said that she'd still do it again.
The wise master just shook his head and chuckled. "Just like your mother… just like your mother…" A stray tear threatening to fall.
"I know dad, but I'm just like you too…" she said reverently. Her sea-blue eyes shining under her corn-yellow locks.
The companionable silence was broken by the Galactic Jump klaxon, unmistakable to the normal hyperspace alarm by its whirring (some call pulsing) sound.
"Stations, " Master Jes Thri said to his communicator then turned to his teenage daughter. "Let's go Kaleena… and see where and what the Force will bring us this time"
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07 October 1996 – 1800H Local, Room of Requirements, Hogwarts Castle (Frontline)
More than two hundred people gathered inside the room. They were all waiting anxiously for the final attack briefing. Due to circumstances, a.k.a. Voldemort's bold move against northern Europe, the original plan of a quick strike and rescue of the survivors was shelved in favor of a strike and take-over. To complicate matters more, the attack schedule was moved up by twelve hours, all this and the fact that they would be severely outnumbered once Voldemort's first wave came crashing through from Germany within a week. While reinforcements from the Magical community of England would be sparse, since the destruction of the ministry and most of its Aurors, a few volunteers have enlisted. The ministries in other countries gathered up their forces also.
The United Nations Security Council had unanimously agreed to help out, which granted more leeway for the US forces currently underway, but two weeks would still be needed before they could be in a position to assist. The nearest, support the strike team could get would be from the 5th fleet, the Illustrous and maybe the Ark Royal. That's the good news.
The bad news is that the only effective way to combat the Dark Army was a combined effort by both magical and muggle means. Although each on its own could hold out for a while as proven in the initial encounter by the reconnaissance team, but a combined magical attack by muggle means or vice versa was the way to go, as was spectacularly demonstrated by Captain Sheffler's Comanche squadron. Although not fool proof the magically enhanced Hellfire missiles and FFAR unguided rockets were seventy-five to ninety percent more effective, than a reductor curse or a Hellfire alone.
The problem with this is the effort required to spell the warheads very, very carefully. The depleted uranium slugs, however seem to be able to cut through personal shield charms if done in two second concentrated burst of fire. So far, there was no sighting yet of the fighters Voldemort is fielding, and everyone is anxious to know if the American Phoenix missile, largest and most powerful long-range missile in modern air-to-air combat, will have enough punch to take the buggers out.
In the meantime, since only the F-14 Tomcat can carry those types of missiles, it was agreed that the Harrier and F16 pilots should concentrate atleast two missiles per target and to use the Sidewinders in dumbfire mode, significantly reducing its effectiveness. Magic was still interfering with the sensitive seekers on the AMRAAM and Sidewinders, which unlike the Hellfire that can rely on wire guidance and/or Target image lock, the two main AAMs use Radar and Heat respectively. Although the AMRAAMs could track the target, their punch was not enough.
The worst part is that the Dark Army is growing… absorbing, the ranks of the opposing forces…
"… You do realize that while we'll do our best to send you reinforcements as fast as we can, the Dark Army will have you surrounded and outnumbered before we could get fully organized for a counter attack, which would be a week at least…" Albus Dumbledore said as he peered into the eyes of the Combined Strike Team of two hundred dedicated people. There was no longer a distinction of Muggle and Wizard.
It was Major Samuel DeLeon of the US 101st Infantry, who arrived earlier that day with two squads of muggle paratroopers that answered him. He stepped forward of his contingent, turned about snappily, took a hard look at his men and grinned before turning back to face the Aged Wizard, all countenance of seriousness.
"We're from the Airborne sir, troop insertion behind enemy lines is our specialty. But, I believe I speak for everybody in this team when I say that, as a special forces unit, we're supposed to be surrounded."
"Curahee!" The men behind him shouted in unison.
TBC
AN
Dear Reader,
Things are now picking up. Still haven't read HBP (sad, I know) nor have I seen Ep.3. So everyone in the world knows something I don't regarding aforementioned. At any rate, I'm now on the 8th book of the Wheel of Time (these buggers are huge!). And here I thought Egwene and Rand would get together. Nevertheless, I still get this itch to bash their heads together… all of them (most especially the Aes Sedai), Mat is cool though. I just try to keep reading in my spare time just to see if anyone of them would see sense. I get the feeling though that Rand isn't really going insane, infact, he's the most sane person so far.
Anyway, there's been some complaints regarding the technical stuff, you could blame Tom Clancy for that. I greatly admire his works and the coolest thing about them is their basis to reality. But, I'll try to curb down on that on this fic.
Till next update, which, I hope, will be in two weeks.
Hail to you, Lews Therin Telamon. Hail to you, Lord of the Morning.
All the glory and all the pain to the Lord Dragon.
Icy Manipulator
Editor's note: Well, it's nice to be back! All you readers, pay attention now! Don't, I repeat, DON'T tell our illustrious author anything about Episode III or HBP, please! I'm refraining myself enough for all of us, trust me. Also. I know hardly anything when it comes to technical war-time stuff. So, if there are mistakes…I'm sorry, I only skimmed through those parts. Thanks, and please, leave reviews. Authors (and editors!) need to eat too, and reviews are our only food for ideas! Jaessa