Harry Potter and the Ways of the Jedi

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I've had some reviews suggesting I work on my spelling and layout. Despite the way this information was imparted to me, I shall Endeavour to do so.
Disclaimer:
Please note the disclaimer in chapter #1.

Chapter 2: Magic? Or the Force?

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, chaos reined. Head Mistress Minerva McGonagall had just finished informing the rest of her staff and students that not only had a Death Eater attack taken place and was still going on around them, but, her favorite, although she never showed it, students had simply vanished seemingly into thin air. Many of the students had rallied around her and the rest of the staff, and gone about the business of trying to maintain order. This however, was a pointless exercise as the majority of students had decided that running around and screaming bloody murder and chanting 'we're all gonna die!' was the order of the day.

The noise became too much for one particular student and he stood up on the high table and let out a pearsing whistle. Neville Longbottom pointed his wand at his throat and muttered 'sonorus.'

"I've had just about enough of this racket! Those of you that were in the DA a couple of years ago, to me! The rest of you, listen up! I want all senior students that aren't members of the DA to ensure that the younger years make it back to their house dormitories."

"An excellent idea Mr. Longbottom. I suggest you all follow his advice and if you don't wish to assist myself and my staff in defending the castle, then I ask you to return to your common rooms for your own protection as well as my peace of mind."

After all the students that weren't going to fight were sent off to their respective common rooms, Head Mistress McGonagall, her staff, and assorted students made their way out of the castle to defend it from those who would either seas it for their own nefarious purposes, or ensure such a symbol of light and hope would be destroyed.

Exiting the grand entrance hall of Hogwarts castle, the assorted staff and students weren't prepared for the horror they were witnessing. This almost cost them as several werewolves, lead by Greyback himself, were upon them as soon as the last student had alighted the last step.

"Ah! Fresh meat! Ye cannae be thinkin' these wee bairns are after stoppin' an old wolf like me do ye now Ninny?"

"Fenrir Greyback!" McGonagall snarled, her nostrils flaring dangerously,

"I do believe you're little more than a rabid mongrel that needs to be put down!" And with that exclamation the formidable transfiguration mistress wordlessly flicked her wand, and in a display that was worthy of Dumbledore himself, transfigured a stone bench nearby into pure silver and levitated it over the heads of the now fearful werewolves. With another flick, and a not too shabby amount of power behind it, the now molten silver poured itself over the werewolves who were all now screaming in agony. This done, she lead her small force away from the dogs in their death throws, and seeing that Hagrid had been killed in the initial explosion, started the search for any stray students. She was not prepared for what she saw next, and this cost her dearly.

"my, my, Minerva, resorting to using foolish Gryffindor's for your fighting force? Would you not do better with a slue of Slytherin's behind you? Ah, yes, I forgot, head of Gryffindor house, or is it, Head Mistress now? NO matter, I shall soon rectify this, mistake"

"I wondered when you would show yourself again Severus, I thought being the Dark Lord's spy and the one who murdered Head Master Dumbledore, would have brought you untold wealth, fame, and glory? Oh dear, I seem to remember Death Eaters aren't exactly well rewarded for forward thinking now are they?"

While McGonagall was speaking, Snape had already cast the killing curse, and was smirking triumphantly. The smirk soon turned to a fearful expression as his favorite whipping boy, Neville Longbottom, jumped in front of McGonagall taking the curse full in the chest. Everyone watched as if in slow motion as Neville Longbottom's body showing more grace than ever it did during his short life, fell back and hit the ground with a 'thud'. Snape couldn't believe what he had done; he had summarily dismissed his master's orders in favor of satisfying a long forgotten ambission. He realized he'd pay most dearly for this but he couldn't worry about that now, as he sent the dark Mark into the sky and the grounds were soon full of an assortment of Death Eaters and dark creatures.

On Coruscant, Harry awoke with a start, his scar bursting with pain. The scream he let out was enough to wake the dead, as it was however, his friends all woke and rushed to his bed. Not a minute later, Yoda hobbled in and using the Force, floated himself atop Harry's bed.

"Much darkness I sense in you. However, it is not of your own doing. Many questions I have, many answers you seek. Train you I will, in the ways of the Force"

"The, Force?" Croaked Harry, attempting and failing not to be sick.

"Indeed." Said Yoda,
"But, first you..." Yoda had seen Hermione unsheathe her wand and wave it, vanishing the mess.

"Interesting that was," commented Yoda,
"seen many things I have, but, a small wooden staff to manipulate the Force, I have not. More about this you will tell me." Harry and his friends were dumbfounded, 'Magic exists here? In this Galaxy?' Hermione gave voice to this thought and Yoda chuckled merrily, his eyes twinkling, not unlike a former Head Master of theirs. This unfortunately had the opposite effect on the quartet as their faces fell and tears sparkled at the corners of their eyes.

"Look so glum you do younglings. Ah, remind you of your mentor I do. Lost him you did," Yoda had been using the Force to read their surface thoughts.

"How is it you knew this sir?" Hermione asked, with an edge in her voice.

"did you read our thoughts?" Harry asked, resigning himself to the idea of no longer keeping his private thoughts to himself.

"Read your thoughts I did, much anger and fear I sense in you." He said looking directly at Harry.

"Clear your mind for now younglings, for much to learn you have. Yes, yes, in the ways of the Force, I will train you."

"What is, 'the Force'?" Ginny finally asked, wondering to herself if all old men were always this cryptic or barmy, or, simply, both. Yoda went on to explain about the Force, how it was the energy from which all things were created and how it, "surrounds us, binds us." He went on to explain how to tell the difference between the 'Light side' and the 'Dark side'. He then went on to teach them all some basic meditation techniques in order for them all to 'clear their minds'. After doing this, he left them suggesting they all get some more sleep and went off to meditate on the things he had learned about the quartet.

On Hogwarts Grounds, all hell had broken loose. Death Eaters and Dementors, Trolls and a rogue group of Goblins were attempting to push back McGonagall and her small force. This was not to be however, as the death of Neville Longbottom and Hagrid had galvanized them all, and in a very short amount of time, the small group, with stony expressions on their faces, unleashed hell upon their would be attackers. Clubs were levitated and dropped on to the heads of their owners, knocking them out cold. Patroni were darting about driving the Dementors back from whence they came, and Death Eater, student and teacher were fighting furiously, each trying to gain the upper hand. After a half hour or so, an exhausted group of students and teachers, including a dead Neville Longbottom, hagrid, and some first years that hadn't made it back to the castle in time, made their way back up to the castle after having driven off the assorted minions of 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'. Just as they were about to climb the stairs to the entrance hall, they saw, to their dismay, the werewolves that McGonagall had poured molten silver on earlier, however, they weren't about to attack the students as they were receiving a telling off from Snape, before portkeying back to Voldemort's hideout to receive hours of torture for their failure.
Assembling in the great hall with the rest of the students, McGonagall cleared her throat.

"Students. Today has seen a sad day at this fine old school. We have not only have had four of our students vanish without a trace, we have also suffered a terrible loss this day. Both Neville Longbottom and Hagrid were killed defending the school from the forces of 'You-Know-Who'. We also lost several first year students as they weren't able to make it back to the castle in time to be clear of the attack. We must, now, more than ever, unite against those who would wish us harm! We must strive for victory over those who seek to oppress us! We must triumph over those who wish to destroy us! We cannot live in fear, we cannot give up hope, we must stand together and fight to defend ourselves, for united we will destroy the darkness. I'm certain all of you are frightened right now, rest assured my children, while ever this school remains open, and all of you remain loyal to her, Hogwarts herself will protect you. Lessons will be canceled for the rest of the week so that we may get our Barings and mourn the loss of our friends." McGonagall sat back down on the high-backed chair, put her head in her hands and wept bitterly for the loss of a promising student and a dear friend.

A: N:
Second chapter up. I'm sure I'll receive flames over the deaths of Neville and Hagrid but of course, this is war, people die, friends die, loved ones die. More of Harry and co in the next chapter. Please r&r Blind-phoenix