Disclaimer: Same as before.

A thousand apologies to my readers! University unfortunately has been swallowing all of my time lately, leaving no time to write. Obviously this now even more AU since I haven't read the sixth book yet. Well okay, I peaked at the last few pages, Can't say I like what I saw. What's with the killing off of characters? Someone commented about my Snape dying as a good guy, I did say it is AU and the 6th book wasn't even out then.

This chapter didn't turn out quite the way I'd intended but here goes.

Here it is!

Chapter 7

Harry sat in front of the fire, staring into his glass of Firewhisky. Luke would be up in a few minutes and all he could do was mope. Tomorrow they were leaving and he hated it. He could honestly say he was scared witless at the thought of losing Luke, wether to death or the jedi, it didn't matter. Part of him wanted to disregard his promise to take Luke to Yoda; it wasn't like any ghost could bother them as long as they stayed in the Castle. Harry sighed and took a sip. But that wouldn't be fair to Luke, he couldn't stay here forever, his friends needed him. Harry was also nervous about the lecture he was sure to be getting from his oldest friend. In the last two and a half months he'd added to Luke's training. The spells may be borderline but they were still part of the Dark Arts. His grip tightened on his glass. It didn't matter what the midget said, he'd do everything in his power to ensure Luke's survival. It wasn't like he was teaching him Black Magic, not even he would touch that stuff. He knew too well the results.

Luke stepped into the room, his gaze going to the back of Harry's head. He smiled as he watched the older man. The last year had been the best of his life and he wished it didn't have to end but people needed him. All he had to do was remember the sadness that had clung to both Han and Chewie the last time he'd seen them to motivate himself in his training. He was nervous about his upcoming training.

"Planning to join me?"

"I suppose so." Luke sprawled on 'his' couch, accepting the offered glass. It taken him a while to get used to the alcoholic drink but now he liked it. Apparently it wasn't as good as the real thing; served back on Earth but it was close.

"You've been quiet all day Harry. What's wrong?"

"We're leaving tomorrow."

"I know, I'm packed already."

"Eager to leave?"

"No. Just don't want to have to get up an earlier than necessary." They both laughed.
"Harry?"

"I'll drop you off with Yoda, then I'll head back to Nal Hutta. We've been out of the loop for a while."

"You're not staying." Luke fought to keep his emotions from leaking into his voice but Harry still heard them.

"I can't, Yoda won't let me. I'll be back as soon as you're done if you want."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you'll be a jedi."

"I don't understand." Harry fixed his gaze on the fire.
"Harry?"

"Are we friends Luke?"

"I… yes. Why? What has that got to do with anything?"

"Everything. A jedi has no attachments."

"But you said you were friends with Yoda and Mace."

"After they were jedi. It's different to what we have or what you have with Han. It's more… distant I guess."

"You think I'll change."

"I know you will, you won't be able to help it Luke."

"No! You're… I don't know what you are Harry but I don't want to lose it. Han's the big brother I never had just like Leia's a sister. Ben sort of took the place of my father for a short time but with you it's different. I guess you're my best friend. I can't lose that! I need you." By the time he was finished Luke was near tears. Harry moved over to the couch and relaxed as Luke threw himself into his arms.
"Don't leave me."

"Never, I swear." Harry forced the words out through a tight throat. Luke could deny it all he wanted, it wouldn't change anything. They'd lose what they had, even if it wasn't immediately.
"There's more. Yoda may say things about me." Luke leaned back far enough to see Harry's face.

"What things?"

"Have you noticed the difference in what I've been teaching you lately?"

"It's darker somehow."

"Does it scare you?"

"No, I trust you and you won't hurt me."

"A lot of it is borderline Dark Arts Luke. Nothing Black, but it's still Dark."

"Do you think I'll…"

"No, but Yoda might. He won't like that I've taught you it. He knows a lot about my past and what happened that day. I got basically all of his power Luke and that was very badly tainted. Tom had relied on Dark and Black Magic for a long time."

"You think Yoda will try to make me think you're dangerous." Harry nodded.

"I'll use Dark Arts if I have to Luke, sometimes it's the only way. But I'll give you the same promise I made the man I considered my grandfather, I will never use Black Magic and I will never go Dark. I'd kill myself first." Luke could see the honesty in his friend's eyes.

"I know. I won't believe him." Luke leaned back into Harry, getting comfortable. His aunt and uncle had loved him but they'd never been very physical about it and the only physical comfort Harry had received had been from friend after he was eleven so the two often spent the evening relaxing on the couch. It was simply two friends helping each other.


"Five more minutes Aunt Beru." Harry laughed softly as Luke borrowed further into his chest.

"I've never been called Aunt before." He grinned as Luke's eyes snapped open and he stared dazedly around.
"Well I guess that counts as awake."

"Harry? Where?"

"Seems we fell asleep on the couch. Comfortable?"

"Sorry."

"It's okay Luke." Harry hugged him from behind before they both got up.
"I'll see to breakfast, you get cleaned up and grab your stuff." Luke nodded and went to leave but Harry grabbed his arm.
"I never break a promise Luke." The younger man smiled and left. Harry sighed, he was such a sap! He'd misled Luke, he hadn't fallen asleep for hours after Luke had. He'd spent most of the night thinking about what was to come before it had hit him. He hadn't felt anything like this since the Clone Wars. Setting himself up for heartbreak was something he generally tried to avoid but it had snuck up on him so suddenly this time.
"Perhaps I should not have let him use your name Beloved." He whispered the words to a certain holo, smiling sadly.

TBC…

Another short one I know. Sorry but I don't have time to write long ones at the moment.