Chapter Two under way. I hope you enjoy it and I can't wait to hear back from everyone.
Padawan: Chapter Two
The next day the representatives from the Jedi Council stood by the main door of Hogwarts castle. All of them wearing fresh robes with their hoods up as they watch the pyres burn for the heroes, and the villains of the war that had finished just the night before.
At the front lighting most of the pyres was Harry and his group each wearing their hoods up as well their black outer robes closed to hide any other color they may have been wearing.
"To have faced such hardships at such ages…I am worried for them." Aayla said as she watched Harry light the last pyre.
"Hardships faced they have. Never the less strong their hearts are. Heal in time will they." Master Yoda said to reassure the young knight who nodded at the wisdom of the Grandmaster.
"We can't leave them here." Shaak Ti said making Qui-Gon look at her. "Training via a Holocron is all well and good but in the long run all of them would benefit from a personal master to finish their training." She added when she saw the Jedi Master looking at her.
"We can't say that for sure until we have some idea of just how much training and what kind they've had." Qui-Gon said to the Togruta Knight. "Not to mention you are still shaken from the fact that they tore apart the Code with nothing but logic and reason." He said making Shaak Ti look away from him trying to hide her slightly sour expression.
"It doesn't seem right that these children think they know more about what it takes…"
"Correct they are." Master Yoda interrupted making Shaak Ti halt in her tangent.
"Long stagnant have the Jedi become…felt this I have." He said making all of them look at him. "Too complacent become have we." Qui-Gon nodded before he looked at Shaak Ti.
"It's not them that need us…it's us that need them." He said before looking back towards the pyres.
Harry stood before those gathered. "Most of you know me. Some of you grew up hearing about my so called legend, some lived in fear before I was born, and the rest of you were there with me step by step as we brought this mess to an end." He said as all the remainders of the defenders of Hogwarts stood their listening.
"I'm not much for words but I'll do my best. This war was caused by a man filled with enough anger and hatred to burn the world over if he could…but he would not have gotten so far if this world hadn't given him the means to go about his revenge." Harry said looking towards some well-dressed official looking men and women…the remnants of the Ministry of Magic.
"The lack of understanding, comradeship, and the idea that only those of pure blood are worthy of power is what started this. The idea that the amount of magical blood proves how powerful you are meant to be is sorely misshapen. You need only look at the man who caused all this to see proof." Harry said making everyone there look at one another in confusion.
"Many of you believe that Voldemort was a pureblood but what none of you know or remember is that he wasn't born with the name Voldemort. At one time he was known as Tom Marvolo Riddle the son of a witch and a muggle named Tom Riddle Jr.
He was raised in a mundane orphanage…yet he still grew to hate and that hate led him to like-minded people." Harry said before he looked back at the Jedi before he sighed.
"War is created by hatred, but it also can come about if we do not learn from our past mistakes. When he returned Voldemort was able to gain a foothold because of the indifference of good men and women.
He was able to once more bring fear, death, and destruction because others refused to believe evil could return to this world. If we do not learn to coexist more beings like Voldemort will be created…and I won't be here for the next one."
That announcement caused a great gasp making everyone suddenly stand straighter and pay far more attention to Harry. Harry looked back at the Ministry employees before looking at the crowd.
"My friends and I remained here because it was prophesied that I would be the only one that could kill Voldemort. Now that both he is dead and I am free of said prophecy the Ministry of Magic no doubt will want me to become a figure head for them.
Someone who will spend their life hunting down people like Voldemort and cleaning up their mistakes when they make too many. A tool of fear for their enemies.
A statue of hope for their ideals. I say no. No to them…and no to you. I will not become the one you turn to for all your problems…that is not my path nor is it my responsibility. Don't thank me for ending this war I was forced into this battle.
Thank these brave souls who died to bring an end to tyranny, to defend their friends and families. They faced torture, death, and the loss of loved ones. Give thanks to their bravery, their loyalty, and their courage. Remember them…and just maybe we can stop the next war from starting. Also give thanks to the brave soul who helped save numerous lives at a great risk to her life. Narcissa Black nee Malfoy."
Harry said motioning towards a blond haired woman who was dressed like a regal queen and neutral look upon her face.
"As Lord Black I was able to grant Narcissa her greatest desire of being freed from her husband and his band. In return she agreed to fill in not only myself but the Ministry of Magic about the movements of the Death Eaters and their master. The Ministry wasn't interested."
Harry said sending a glare at the representatives of the Ministry who were starting to look uncomfortable. "Me and mine did our best with the information and saved as many lives as possible. To thank her for her services I hereby abdicate the position of Lord of the Most Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. I award Narcissa with the position of Head of House Black on only two conditions."
He said jumping down and walking towards the blond woman who stood straighter. "First you will reinstate one Andromeda Tonks nee Black to the family line allowing not only Andromeda, but her children and grandchildren access to their family history." Harry told her before he took a ring off his finger.
"And the second Milord?" She asked of him before he sighed.
"Before his illegal incarceration Sirius fell in love with a woman by the name of Rachel Morganson she's a Mundane woman of London. Not long after his name was cleared he found her again and married her in secret. Just before his death he learned from her about her pregnancy." He said making Narcissa blink in surprise.
"His son James Harry Black is now two years of age and has magical abilities…but he will be woefully unprepared for this world and the responsibilities that are placed upon his shoulders.
My second condition to you? Watch over him. Teach him the ways to be a proper wholesome Lord. Tell him of his father and the bravery he had giving his life so that others would be able to live good long lives. So that when the time comes and he takes the title that was meant for him he will show how good and strong his heart is." Narcissa looked at the ring being offered to her before she raised her hand and whipped off a tear that had begun to shed.
"It would be my honor." She said making Harry smile brightly at her.
"Then by the power vested in me as the now former Lord Black. I name you Narcissa Black Lady Black of the Most Ancient and Most Noble house of Black." Narcissa accepted the ring and placed it upon her finger before she smiled at him and bowed to him. Harry returned the bow while those around them cheered and applauded.
"See now I do." Master Yoda said making the Jedi look at him. "Fits well the crown of leadership does." He added making the other Jedi look back at Harry as he accepted a hug from the regal former Mrs. Malfoy.
"Now if only he would see it." The Jedi jumped when they heard the sound of Luna Lovegood's voice. Master Yoda smiled at the blond haired girl as she joined him.
"The mark of a good leader is usually one who does not wish for the role, but will shoulder it nonetheless." Qui-Gon said making Luna look at him with a smile.
"That suites Harry to a tee." She said.
"What path does he follow?" Obi-Wan asked the younger blond who smiled.
"He is a Guardian who uses both the light side and the dark side of the Force. His wolf is very strong and powerful. As the first Lycan Harry is the Alpha of our pack.
It is because of this he cannot fully walk down the path of the Light and the reason he cannot walk down the path of the Dark. He is Grey a balance of both Light and Dark using both to keep evil from flourishing."
Luna said making Qui-Gon look at her with a raised eyebrow. "Huh what a small galaxy." He said making Luna face him before she smiled again.
"You have the feeling of Harry. Not afraid to use both the Light and the Dark to defend the universe from Evil. Are you Grey as well?"
"Unofficially I am…but that is mostly because I am quite the rebel among the Order." Qui-Gon told her making her smile.
"You and Harry will get along greatly." She said making him chuckle.
"Luna can you answer a quick question for me?"
"You just asked a question but I'd be willing to answer what I can."
"Last night Harry's eyes…?"
"It is the sign of the Alpha." She answered making Obi-Wan blink.
"His eyes turn red when he transforms, or access certain abilities, or if his emotions are getting the better of him. The rest of us as Beta wolves have eyes that flash yellow.
Last night Harry was telling Daphne that she was not to reveal the nature of relationships in the pack at that time. Sometimes Daphne forgets that she is not the one in charge and Harry's wolf shows itself once in a while to remind her of this. Then again as the first of us to be turned she is allowed some leniency."
"The first?" Obi-Wan asked.
Luna nodded. "When Harry arrived he followed our Masters advice to feel out with the Force to see whom among us had the spark to also be trained. His abilities led him to Daphne whom led him to Tracy they along with Neville and Hermione became the first of us recruited to be trained. Half way through the year Tonks was recruited and welcomed with open arms.
The following year brought me, the Patil sisters, Dean, Lavender, and Blaise. Hannah and Susan joined us the year after that with Fleur and Gabrielle joining last during their fourth year here at Hogwarts.
Harry is the most advanced of us all since he has been training since he was a young child. All of us were also given the choice to be turned into Lycans within the first few months of our training.
Daphne as the first to be trained was the first to turn and so on and so forth." She explained.
"Is anyone else…?"
"Just Daphne. Everyone else but Parvati have the usual color of their station." Luna answered Shaak Ti before she finished her question.
"Speaking of Lightsabers. I noticed Dean doesn't have a known variation. Is there a reason or a name for his particular style?" Qui-Gon asked her Luna smiled at him.
"Dean already had experience in a form of martial arts that used a weapon known as a Tonfa. To try and train him in saber combat was a challenge for our Master and Harry…until Harry had the idea of modifying a pair of Shoto sabers to better resemble Tonfa.
They are called Guard Shoto or Light Tonfa. Much like Lavender he had to modify combat forms in order to fight. First with Form III: Soresu with help from Harry until he started learning the physically demanding Form IV: Ataru. In fact he helped teach Lavender martial arts in order to help her create her own variant of Form IV: Ataru.
The arm guards you see both wearing are part of their fighting styles to allow them better control. Harry created them with help from the Goblin Nation of whom he is friends with."
"I didn't know Harry was a craftsman."
"Oh yes. True most of his abilities and focus with the Force revolve around combat but if you give him a project involving a work of art he drowns in the Force. For instance." She said holding up the elongated hilt of her Light Pike.
"The runes and decorative marks upon this were designed by Harry but he left the application to me." She said handing the weapon to Qui-Gon who noticed quite the number of different markings.
"What do they mean?" Qui-Gon asked her.
"Well that one gives a nasty shock to someone who tries to hold the weapon without my blessing." She said.
Shaak Ti rolled her eyes and grabbed the weapon before crying out as she tossed it up into the air before Qui-Gon caught it once more. "Sith blood!" The Knight cursed she had intended to prove the idea of such a thing as foolhardy now however she wondered if she was letting her rank go to her head.
"I told you." Luna said with a little smirk.
"Harry was very big on the idea of personal security we didn't want one of our enemies to get ahold of a Lightsaber."
"Force Forbid." Qui-Gon agreed with a nod.
"What Form…?" Aayla started to ask.
"Harry has mastered all but two forms of Lightsaber combat. As well as their Jar'Kai forms. He is still learning to master Form VI: Niman as well as Form VII: Juyo. In fact since he is such a master of combat he is considered the Battle Master of our group." Aayla blinked at the girl.
"Okay…?"
"I'm a seer." She answered the question making Aayla blink again.
"Of the Consular members of our group only Parvati and I follow the path of Seers." She told them.
"But I thought you two were healers?" Obi-Wan asked making her look at him.
"Those that only ever stick to one path find themselves more often than not lost when they must deviate from said path." Luna said making the elder teen blink before she turned and left the area.
"Harry won't be free until around dinner time if you wish to have a tour of the grounds you may follow me or wait until Neville is done handling the vultures."
She said as they turned and looked to see Neville giving the representatives from the Ministry an emotionless glare. Qui-Gon turned and followed the blond with Obi-Wan following his master.
"I take it you do not like the other Knights that came with us?" Qui-Gon asked.
"I don't like those who judge or have ill thoughts of the man I've called my leader for the last six years of my life."
"The Togruta has had her hackles raised against them since our leading couple showed her that the new version of the Jedi Code is narrow minded and damaging towards the Jedi. Ever since she's been looking for a reason to deny our way of life or thinking."
Qui-Gon hissed internally at that Shaak Ti was a good knight but had a tendency to act without thinking of how it affected others often thinking she knew the only correct path available.
"The Twi'lek isn't so bad, but she's had her figurative nose in the air ever since she learned that Fleur and her sister belong to a species native to this planet that require sex in order to survive. Rather hypocritical since her own species are known as some of the most sexual oriented in the galaxy." Luna said making Qui-Gon nod once at that.
Aayla was known to have a bad temper when it came to the stigma of her species she hated the stigma mainly because of the so called 'Slave' members of her species nine out of ten had willing chosen that life.
This caused quite the number of men and women that she was sent to help or protect look down upon her for different reasons. Ever since she has become rather angry at such species.
"But you like the two of us and Master Yoda?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Master Yoda sees the wisdom of our way of life and hasn't judged a single one of us until he gets to know us. So far he has only met Daphne and Harry and holds them both in high regards. As I said earlier you remind me of Harry and I can't help but feel relaxed around you. As for you Ben…well you're one of us." Obi-Wan blinked at that.
"Ben?" He asked making her smile at him.
"Obi-Wan sticks out on this planet plus from your accent you sound like you are from the area here in Scotland. Ben is a very common name here and no one will ask questions about it." She said making the Padawan nod after thinking it over.
After a moment she paused and looked at him. "Then again Ewan would work as well…nah too pompous." Obi-Wan felt his head turn in confusion wondering whether or not he had been insulted.
"And what name would you give me?" Qui-Gon asked her making her look back at him.
"Liam." She said after a few moments.
"You seem to be of strong Irish blood." She said making Qui-Gon give a sound of understanding as he nodded and followed the blond through the school. As she led them around the pair noticed that all the portraits were following them with their eyes and some even moved into different frames to get a second look.
"They're enchanted." Luna said making the pair focus on her once more.
"Magic users can create portraits of themselves or of things they experienced and then give them a form of animation. The self-portraits are mostly of those who wish to leave behind a portion of their wisdom behind to aid the next generation. However most would rather distract students and get them lost than aid them in navigating this castle."
She said making a couple paintings glare at her. "The suits of armor are also enchanted they are called to aid the school in times of battle. This is why so many of them are missing." She explained making them nod.
Eventually they arrived at a picture of a bowl of fruit. "Now for the beings that keep this place running." She said as she reached up and tickled the pear before it opened revealing the kitchens.
"Missus Luna?" Kreacher asked when he saw her.
"Hello Kreacher. I am showing our guest around the castle and it looks like they could use a cup of tea." She explained making Kreacher nod as he snapped his fingers making a table appear as well as a trio of chairs.
"Thank you Kreacher." She said before moving off to sit down with Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon.
"Why are you denying her?" Luna suddenly asked making Qui-Gon blink but gave a sigh since he knew what she was talking about.
"Fear mainly…fear of both of us being removed from the Order. However that fear was mostly destroyed by Harry and Daphne last night. If I could talk to her now I would tell Tahl and beg her to marry me."
Luna smiled at him. "You love her."
"Like a flower needs the sun. Like a human being needs oxygen. Like Harry loves Daphne." He said making Luna nod before she looked back at the corner.
"Does that satisfy you?" She asked making Qui-Gon blink before both he and Obi-Wan felt another presents among them making them turn to see a shimmer as a cloak was lowered revealing the dark honey skin toned women with gold and green striped eyes.
Qui-Gon slowly rose to his feet. "She arrived early this morning Master Yoda knows that she is here as an Archivist to help put our little out of the way planet in the records. Harry ordered me to help her in away way possible…I believe this fits under those orders." Luna said as Tahl gave her the cloak that she handed to Kreacher who left once it was back in his possession.
"I thought someone was following me all day." Qui-Gon said with a smile making Tahl chuckle at him.
"I left a couple hours after you all. I wanted to surprise you but Master Yoda, Padawan Potter, and Padawan Greengrass were already waiting for me. Once she realized she was needed Padawan Lovegood joined us and became my aid. Padawan Potter had smiled when she requested the use of his Invisibility Cloak.
Turns out the creator also made sure to make it so our presents in the Force was hidden as well." Tahl said making the bearded man smile as he walked up and surprised Tahl and Obi-Wan when he kissed her fully on the lips.
Tahl had her eyes open wide at the feeling before they slowly closed and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Obi-Wan looked away slightly red in the face making Luna chuckle at him before the pair separated both gasping for air.
Qui-Gon smiled as he rested his forehead against his loves. "I pledge myself to you Tahl." He said repeating the same oath to her that she once gave to him. Tahl smiled and placed a chaste kiss upon his lips.
"I sense Luna has succeeded in her plan." Harry said to Daphne as the pair along with Tracy, Susan, Fleur, and Tonks all lying nearby and enjoy some privacy.
"Knowing Luna it wasn't very hard to do…after all Master Qui-Gon is the most open of the group with his Padawan and Master Yoda in a close second place." Daphne said from her place sitting between her lovers' legs. Her back against his chest his arms wrapped around her.
Tracy and Tonks were leaning against his shoulders while Susan and Fleur were laying in the grass their heads against his legs. "He reminds me of you Harry." Susan said making the green eyed Alpha look towards her.
"Willing to do all that is necessary to keep the balance while never allowing evil to flourish. Plus he's the only true grey among them with his Padawan leaning that way." She said making Harry smile at his auburn haired lover.
"Speaking of maybe we should include him in our next training group? It looks like he might benefit from it." Tracy said making Harry think about it for a second before nodding.
"Why not? As long as Master Qui-Gon is okay with it I see no problem with it." He said before he leaned back against the tree near the lake.
"How did the Ministry of Dunderheads take our announcement?" Daphne asked as she tucked her head under her lovers chin.
"About as well as could be expected. However I pulled the rug from under them when I made Narcissa head of House Black. I read from one that they had planned to blackmail me to follow their ways using the threat of imprisonment for her.
Since I announced her part in the war to the audience as well as named her Regent Black they had no choice but to leave her alone. They then turned to Neville thinking they could keep him here using his parents…I'm sure their leader will regain the ability to talk in this lifetime." He added making Daphne chuckle at his sarcastic humor.
"Speaking of the Longbottom's has Luna finished her preparations?" Fleur asked him making him nod.
"Tomorrow she, Neville, and I along with whomever wishes to come will travel to St. Mungo's. They'll be up and running in no time."
"Any chance they'll be traveling with us?" Susan asked making Harry sigh as he looked at her.
"I don't honestly know…all I know is I gave Neville, Luna, and Hannah permission to remain here with the Holocron to finish their training. The choice now belongs to them and them alone." Susan nodded but internally she hopped her best friend chose to come with them.
Then again if the shoe was on the other foot she knew she would rather stay with her mate than leave him behind. "Speaking of leaving behind…how are your family members taking the idea Fleur, Tonks, and Daphne?" Harry asked his lovers.
"Mama and Papa encourage Gabrielle and I to go on this trip. Our Grandmamma has even gone so far as to order us to start the first intergalactic Veela Village." Fleur said with a smile.
"Mom is upset that we're going, but understands that this is bigger than all of us. Plus she expects a notice from me telling her about the birth of her grandchild within the next decade." Tonks said making Harry chuckle.
"Astoria is primed to take over my role as heiress of our family and my parents have given me their blessing…on the condition that at least one of my sons carries the name Greengrass." Daphne told her lover who nodded.
"We'll have to make sure to include some photos." Harry said making Daphne smile at him.
"Does that mean I can finally give you a pup or two?" She asked in a teasing tone making Harry growl slightly as he bit gently on her neck making her moan at the feeling but smile all the same.
"You're trying too hard." Harry said to Obi-Wan or Ben as he became known as by the pack. It had been two days since the funerals and a single night since the Longbottom parents had been freed from the spell damage ward of St. Mungo's. Ben paused in his practice of Form IV: Ataru.
"Pardon?" He asked the black haired teen who was close to his own age of eighteen.
"It's the reason why most of the Kata don't come to you naturally. You are trying to force yourself to use this style and it shows with every swing of your saber."
Harry said before calling one of the training sabers that were on a table nearby to his hand via the Force. "Ataru is about aggression, maneuverability, and the ability to allow one's' body to flow with it. You've got the maneuverability but it's the other two you lack.
So you try and force it through thinking you will be able to master the form but in reality all you are doing is harming yourself in the future against competent foes who understand sword fighting." Harry said as Obi-Wan lowered his blue bladed saber that was in training mode.
"It's the only Form I've been taught Master Qui-Gon doesn't know any other forms…minus a few Katas of Form II: Makashi." Obi-Wan said to his fellow Padawan who nodded.
"Also since his focus is on the Living Force instead of saber combat he would miss the things I just mentioned." Harry added knowing that said master was watching nearby along with Tahl, the pack, and Master Yoda. Obi-Wan sighed.
"Then what do you suggest I do?" He asked making Harry give him a small smirk.
"You aren't an aggressive fighter Ben. Luna, Tonks, Dean, Blaise, Lavender, and I are the only ones of sixteen that use the form and two of us use a variant of it to fit their body types and choice of weapon." Harry said making Obi-Wan sigh.
"Then what do you suggest as the leading Saber Instructor of Terra?" He asked making Harry smile at him.
"How long has it been since you've practiced your blaster blocking?" Harry asked making Obi-Wan tilt his head slightly in confusion.
And that was how Obi-Wan found himself once more with a face mask covering his face as he started to once again defend himself from levitating remotes only instead of one there were four.
"Soresu the way of the Mynock. The Resilience Form. It was developed in an age where the Blaster and other plasma projectile weapons came into being." Harry lecture as he circled the area noticing that Ben seemed to already have an awareness of where the remotes were hovering.
"The creation started when the first practitioner noticed the effectiveness of Form I: Shii-Cho reflective training and developed on that concept." Harry paused as Obi-Wan blocked four bolts of stun shot from the remotes.
"It relied on tight blade work and subtle dodges to provide maximum defense coverage. Minimizing exposure to ranged weaponry. Over time Soresu transcended this basic origin and came to be considered the ultimate expression of the non-aggressive philosophy of most Jedi." Harry continued as Ben soon moved his blade blocking another round of shots around him never leaving the circle that was around his feet.
"Like Makashi it relies on economy of motion and energy efficiency keeping up constant blade movement to build up momentum and minimize energy-expenditure." Harry continued to lecture as he watched Ben start to continuously move his saber around him making him smile as he saw the almost fluid like movements of the Padawan.
Nearby Qui-Gon watched amazed as his student seemed to no longer struggle with saber combat or Kata.
"Skilled teacher he is. Hmm?" Master Yoda asked from his perch in one of the trees.
"Indeed I've never seen Obi-Wan so at peace with Kata before." Qui-Gon said as Luna and Daphne smiled while Neville chuckled at the sight.
"Harry is learning all seven forms for a reason." He said making the three Master level Jedi look at him.
"Our Masters Holocron won't last forever. Before you arrived we had no guarantees that anyone would come to our world. Should the holocron fail…?"
"The knowledge would go with it." Tahl said making the brown haired teen nod.
"All of us have the knowledge of force abilities that could be passed but only Harry has bothered to focus on retaining everything about Lightsaber combat in order to pass it onto the next generation. In fact I believe that was his goal when he noticed that most of us can only use certain forms. Form: II Makashi being the most common due to our past training experiences." Neville said before refocusing on Harry.
"What is the focus of this style?" Harry asked Obi-Wan after he had batter away bolt after bolt.
"Endurance." Obi-Wan answered causing a smile to appear once more on Harry's face.
"Elaborate."
"It focuses on using strong defense to outlast an opponent. The practitioner is waiting…watching for the moment their enemy makes a mistake due to fatigue or frustration." He said before twitching his blade making one of the remotes fall after being stuck before once more redirecting another bolt to a second remote.
"If this form offered one the ability to tire out their opponent before the battle is done why did they create forms like Ataru and Shien?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Because of its greatest flaw. Soresu is built for survival not victory it has very little attacks which is why Ataru was created to be its counter while Shien was meant to be a balance between the two. The defensive capabilities of Soresu with the aggression of Ataru."
"Then why use it?" Obi-Wan asked.
"First before I answer that I have to ask…have you noticed something different about yourself as you practiced?" Harry asked as Obi-Wan twitched his blade twice more causing the last two remotes to fall.
"Yes actually." He said as he took off the helmet atop his head.
"It felt almost natural to use this form…like…"
"You were born for it?" Harry asked making Obi-Wan look at the smiling Padawan.
"Lightsaber combat forms were designed to help a Jedi find themselves in their tools. You are not an aggressive fighter but you forced yourself to be one and because of that you started to miss the times when the Force spoke to you through your weapon.
However the first time you actually used your weapon in the way you created it for it sang. Your body flowed with the Force and you found your style of combat. The way you are meant to fight. You are a defensive/support fighter Obi-Wan. You support your master while he attacks the enemy. You defend yourself as well as others in times of great need.
You are an embodiment of Soresu and it is time you embraced that." Harry said as Ben felt himself move to grab his blade in an overhead hold while one hand jutted out in front of him with his pointer and middle finger pointed forward.
Harry smiled at the sight. "Now…the real training begins."
That's all for now R&R Ja Ne