Sorry for the long wait for the chapter but real life sucks at times and this was one of those times. About the chapter. Since this is an AU, the time frame from the book has been pushed back concerning Voldemort's takeover of magical Britain.
Thank you all for staying interested in this fic and I promise to try and get the next chapter out soon.
As Harry sat down at the Gryffindor table, Harry noticed that the hall was still silent, quietly observing Master Yoda and himself. Harry noticed that Master Yoda's chair hovered just above the bench and it allowed him to be at a perfect height for him to eat at the table with the others. Harry noticed the semi cold stares he was receiving from Ron and Ginny, but that was to be expected. No one else was talking so Harry decided that he would start off.
"Well hello guys. First thing, I want you all to meet Master Yoda. He is a Jedi and is at the rank of Master at his craft; the Force. I am his student per se so he is my Master. Master Yoda, this is," Harry pointed out each person as he introduced them, "Herrnione Granger, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, Ginny Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnegan. The girl who is approaching the table from behind us is none other than Luna Lovegood." Harry turned around and gave Luna a huge smile which she returned and she made her way around the table and took a seat.
"It's good to see that the Farnjugs have kept you safe Harry. It is really good to see you." Luna said with her usual dreamy voice and expression.
Harry smiled and nodded. "It's good to be back…"
He was cut off by Ron who said with an icy voice, "So where have you been? And why in the bloody hell do you look so different?"
The old Harry would have caved in and apologized, but not the new one. "Listen Ron, while I am sorry that I left how I did, you must understand that what I did was for the best. I know that you and Hermione wanted to join me, but the fact of the matter is that at the time I did what was best. As for where I have been well that really is a long story for later. Instead of telling you, I will show you and that includes why I look different. Now, how is everyone? What's been going on since I left? I've been far away and unable to keep up with current events."
"School is different without you here mate that's for sure." Neville said.
"You can say that again but it's also different since Malfoy and Snape are gone too." Dean didn't look to sad about that.
Still with anger in her eyes, Hermione added her comment for Harry as well, "Not to mention Dumbledore not being here. With McGonagall as the Headmistress, we have a new transfiguration teacher as well as a new head of house, Mr. Devon. He seems alright so far."
"Wow it does sound totally different." Harry started to pick at some of the food that was on the table. It has been such a long time since he ate food that was as heavy as an English meal that he didn't know what to eat.
Hermione who couldn't stop staring at Master Yoda finally asked her question to quell her curiosity. "Excuse me Mr. Yoda, but what is a Jedi and what is the force?"
Master Yoda was eating a chicken leg that was from a platter right beside his plate looked up and answered her. "Difficult your question is. Knowledge you need to understand the answer of what a Jedi is. Easier to answer the question about the force is. Everywhere, the force can be found. Deep inside of everything and everyone. Listen to it, commune with it we do. Lend us its power it does. Look deep within you must to feel and hear the force." With that Master Yoda went back to his chicken, ignoring the stares he was receiving.
Harry had a smile on his face. "I'll give you all a demonstration later I promise." Harry turned and asked Ron, "So mate, how's quidich?" Ron got a huge smile on his face, anger seemingly forgotten and proceeded to tell Harry all about his favorite team and their standings while everyone but the girls added in about the inter school league. Luna and Hermione were observing Master Yoda while Ginny was mainly focusing on her plate while taking several long glances at Harry. Harry was looking at Ginny to and he could still see the anger and the hurt brimming just beneath the surface. This did not bode well for 'him and her'. He would have to talk to her in private later on to see what would happen between them in the future. The more he thought about it the more he began to realize that maybe they drifted to far apart. But he didn't want to decide on something like that so soon and promised himself that he would talk to her shortly, in private. Harry turned his focus on his other friends and enjoyed their company. Master Yoda seemed to enjoy himself as well since it seemed that only Luna could completely understand while Hermione and the others just looked at him like he was an alien. Harry got a good chuckle out of that one.
After dinner was over and it was time for Harry and Master Yoda to head to their meeting, Harry pulled Ron and Hermione to the side to speak to them quickly before heading to McGonagall's office. "Listen guys, I need you two to get the DA together and meet me in the ROR by 10am tomorrow. There I will show you all where I have been and what I have been doing. Can you do that for me?"
"Sure mate. We will be there." Ron said, glad to have his best mate back and to finally learn where he has been and what he's been doing.
Hermione looked excited about learning what Harry has been doing all this time but upset that since he was asking them to do this now, which probably meant that they wouldn't see him again until then. With a face of mixed emotions, Hermione answered, "Sure Harry, we will do this for you. It was nice to meet you Mr. Yoda."
"Nice to meet you it was Miss Hermione. You as well Mr. Weasley."
"Err… you too." Ron replied. With that Harry and Master Yoda left the Great Hall and started the trek to the Headmistress's office.
When they reached the guardian for the McGonagall's office, Harry noticed that the Gargoyle was moved to the side, allowing them entrance to the stairs that led to the office. Reaching the heavy wooden doors, Harry knocked hard three times and waited for a response.
The response was the door opened allowing them entrance to the office. When they entered, Harry noticed that McGonagall was not alone. With her was Remus Lupin and Kingsley Shakebolt. Seeing Harry, Remus walked swiftly to him and drew him into a hug.
"It's good to see you cub. Minerva said that you look different but wow." After the hug, Remus held Harry at arm's length to get a good look at him. What he saw simply amazed the old werewolf. "It's good to see you too Mooney."
After his inspection, Remus noticed Master Yoda, and walked over to him to make his introduction. "Hello, I'm Remus Lupin."
"A pleasure to meet you it is Mr. Lupin. Heard much about you I have. Yoda my name is."
As Remus was introducing himself to Yoda, Kingsley made his way over to Harry. "It's good to see that you are alive and well Harry. You have been out of contact for several months and we were starting to get worried."
"Ah you know me, never a dull moment. I can assure you that my story will knock your socks off so let's get started shall we. The sooner we get done the sooner we can start to rid the world of Voldemort."
Everyone minus Yoda was surprised at Harry's take charge attitude. It appeared that it wasn't only Harry's appearance that has changed.
"Ok then, everyone take a seat and let's get started." McGonagall said. After everyone was seated, McGonagall looked at Harry and Master Yoda. "So Mr. Potter, care to tell us how your mission is coming along and also how you managed to seemingly age so quickly?"
"Actually, can you guys tell me what's going on with Voldemort and the Ministry first? My side will definitely take longer to explain."
"Alright Harry." stated Remus. "Simply put we are losing. Voldemort is gaining ground everyday and it won't be long I'm afraid until Voldemort is in control of everything. Already more and more Death Eaters are taking over key positions in the Ministry and once he has control of that, Hogwarts will be next and there will be nothing that we can do." While he told this to Harry, he was soft spoken and calm but on the inside he was appalled at what was happening to everything around him.
"The people, what of them? Want this change do they?" Master Yoda was no stranger to this type of takeover but in his experience it happened slowly and over time. He had faith that he and Harry would be able to stop the Dark side from winning, he just wondered at what it would cost, for he knew that the cost would be in blood.
Kingsley answered. "Ah the people, they are sheep. They will believe whatever is printed in the paper or told to them by those in power regardless of whom that is or how ludicrous it is. They can't be counted on to help us until it is to late but by then, they will already have a noose around there neck which Voldemort could pull at any time."
"How long do you think that we have?" Harry did not like what he was hearing but this is what he was expecting. Before he went to Gringotts, he stayed out of contact and only heard rumors of what was happening and that wasn't very many at all since he couldn't talk to a lot of people since he was so recognizable.
McGonagall took off her glasses and rubber her eyes. "It is difficult to tell Mr. Potter but my best guess would be one month until the Ministry is completely taken over and soon after that, Hogwarts will be taken as well. Now we told you what is going on here, now it's your turn."
"Before we start down that road, Yoda here is a Master Jedi, and I am his student. While he has begun to teach me what he knows, he wishes to start to learn about magic. Hogwarts and her professors are the best place for him to learn."
"Mr. Potter what is a Master Jedi and I don't believe that we have the time or resources to spare for such a task." Minerva didn't like to say no but she didn't have the time to oversee such a task.
"A trade we can come to. Train some warriors I will assist in. Learn to be Jedi, they cannot. Too little time there is. But an edge receive they will." Master Yoda was willing to assist those who stood against the dark but if he had to do it as a trade instead of a gift, then so be it.
Kingsley, a trained fighter was skeptical about this beings combat ability. He wasn't sure if it was because of its size, lack of mobility, or if it was because it was an unfamiliar species, but he didn't believe that it had anything to offer them. Instead of saying that, he took a more political approach. "Is there a chance we could see a demonstration of your combat ability." He looked at McGonagall and she shook her head. "A duel, me vs. you. If you win, you have a deal. If not, I'm sure Harry here is a good teacher for the beginner material."
"Agreed." Yoda looked at Harry and asked his question using the force. "Duel in Camelot can we? Room here there is not."
"Sure, I can give them the tour and fill them in as well before I have to meet my friends in the morning."
Harry turned and addressed the others. "Ok guys, here is the plan. We are going to go to where I have been staying and there you will have your duel. After Kingsley is defeated, I will share with you everything that has happened with me so far. It will be several hours till we return so if you need to let someone know, now is the time."
"We knew that this meeting would take some time Pup, we are ready to go. How will we be getting there?" Remus asked. He was excited to hear what Harry had to say.
Harry smiled and held out his hand. "If everyone could touch me, or someone who is touching me, I shall take us there." He knew that they all had doubts that he wouldn't be able to take all of them and through the wards no less. They were in for a surprise. As soon as everyone was touching, Harry mentally connected to Camelot and beamed them all directly to a training room in the Jedi Spire.
His three guests were shocked. They never felt that type of magical transportation before. Matter of fact, they didn't feel anything at all. There was a flash of light and they were standing somewhere else. It was truly remarkable.
"Pup, what was that and how did you do it, especially through the wards. That should not be…" Remus was interrupted by Harry.
"Remus, you will get all of your answers after the duel, I promise. Ok Kingsley, Master Yoda. On my signal begin." As Harry was saying this, he was backing up and was backing Minerva and Remus with him. "Bow to each other. Now three, two, one…. Go!"
Kingsley quickly pulled his wand and sent a powerful stunner right at Yoda. If it wasn't for Master Yoda's mastery with the force, it might have worked. He used the force to augment his strength and agility and jumped over the spell and quickly closed the distance between Kingsley and himself.
One thing about Master Yoda is that while he was not one for showing off and always put his opponent down as quickly as possible, but that would not serve his purpose here. So instead of finishing him once he got close, Master Yoda toyed with him. No one but Harry has ever seen someone who looks so frail move so fast.
When Yoda got close, He did a small sidestep to dodge a quickly cast banisher hex and quickly did a somersault to kick the wand from Kingsley's hand. On his way down Kingsley was also subjected to a kick to the side of his knee, and a knee to the face when Kingsley went down after his knee got taken out. After the three hit combo, Yoda backed up and allowed Kingsley to collect himself.
Taking several moments to get back on his feet and retrieving his wand, Kingsley dipped his head a little towards Yoda as a sign of respect then proceeded to use a numbing charm on his knee. After that was done, he got into his dueling stance, finally taking the fight seriously. And apparently so was Master Yoda. With a familiar click and hiss, his lightsaber was activated. Kingsley was surprised at the weapon but refused to let his concentration slip again.
Master Yoda decided to start this round off. With a push of his hand, he sent a small force push towards the tall man which caused him to stumble backwards. Out of reaction, Kingsley raised his wand and fired off a powerful string of silent curses. A bone breaker, a cutter, and a belougining curse was sent towards the tiny Jedi only to see each on reflected by his glowing blade. And to make matters worse, each one was reflected to the same spot right in front of where Kingsley regained his balance from when he stumbled. He didn't even have enough time to raise a shield!
Out of frustration and anger at being toyed with and beaten by this tiny man, Kingsley let loose a primal roar and actually charged Master Yoda all the while throwing every curse and hex he could think of. But none made it through Yoda's parries and all got deflected away to a place where everyone could see that if he wanted to, he could have hit Kingsley. When Kingsley was about five feet away and still coming, He rushed the taller man and attacked him with his saber, scoring multiple hits to his legs, arms, and torso. Luckily, Master Yoda made sure that his saber was in training mode so all Kingsley got were burns from where he got hit; it still would cause a lot of pain though.
Once Yoda landed from his fourth form aerial assault, he was facing the others and slowly made his way over to them, only to turn around and actually catch a spell that was thrown at him from behind. Focusing on the force, Master Yoda was able to capture the spell, add to its intensity and throw it back at its castor. Kingsley was lucky that the lucky shot he tried to land on Yoda was only a stunner, so Kingsley only got hit by an extremely overpowered stunner. As it was, he was still thrown across the floor like a rag doll due to the power that Master Yoda put into the reflected spell. Once his opponent was down for the count this time, Master Yoda summoned his hover chair and returned to the others. As he got closer, he could see the shock on the two visitors face. They were so engrossed in Master Yoda that they didn't notice Kingsley get beamed away to the medical bay.
Remus found his tongue first. "That was brilliant! He is one of our best fighters and from the looks of it you beat him with ease."
Yoda not one to boast simple nodded his head in agreement.
"We will be honored to learn from you as well as to teach you what we can of magic. How far you go with that knowledge is up to you though." Minerva could see the beginning of some new hope of winning this war. "I take it, you are teaching Harry to fight like that?"
"Indeed. Tell you more of his training, Harry will later. Three days, training your fighters I will begin."
Remus nodded his head. "I will have them ready by noon. Thank you."
"When would you like to begin your tutelage Mr. Yoda?" Minerva asked.
"Tomorrow, begin we shall. Now, leave you I will. A lot to learn you have. Shock them to much do not young one." Yoda said that last statement with a smile aimed at Harry for he knew that they were in for a several huge surprises in the coming hours.
"I will try to break it to them gently but no promises. Have a good night Master Yoda."
"Good night." With that Master Yoda left out of the training room and Harry turned towards his two guests.
"Well that was a good show!"
"Mr. Potter, you knew that Kingsley was going to lose didn't you?" Minerva accused.
"While I wasn't certain since magic is very versatile, I was very confident that Master Yoda would come out the victor. I don't know if you realize but Kingsley biggest mistake was that he was too focused on his magic, while Master Yoda used several different types of combat attacks to win. That is one thing that Master Yoda will teach you, just like he taught me. But let's go see to Kingsley and I will tell you all about where I have been and what I have been up to."
Remus and Minerva looked around for Kingsley and realized that he was gone.
Remus was about to ask where Kingsley was taken when the three of them was surrounded by another flash of white light and reappeared by a hospital bed where the injured Auror was laying.
"Mr. Potter! Please warn us if you are going to do that again. It is very disconcerting!" Minerva scolded Harry. But Harry was unfazed and enjoyed tripping up the usually stern witch.
"My apologies ma'am." Harry had to hide his smile when he seen Remus smirk at him from behind Minerva's back. "Kingsley should be awake and fully healed momentarily. He only suffered some moderate burns from the light saber and a strained knee from a wicked kick. It hurt me to just see it."
"Umm pup, what exactly was that sword made out of?"
"Well that sword is actually called a light saber and it is made out of highly focused plasma that will cut through just about any material that exists. The lightsaber that Yoda used in the duel was set on training mode and therefore safe but it is still rather painful. Trust me, I have felt its bite more than once."
Once again Minerva was about to speak and got interrupted but this time it was by Kingsley. He choose this moment to stir and open his eyes. He looked around and seen everyone looking at him. "Wow, I got my arse handed to me didn't I?" Everyone nodded at him with smirks and he slowly sat up. "I feel like I got hit with a dragon." Remus and Minerva were shocked to see him in a joking mood but it was Harry that asked him why he was.
"Umm are you ok, you seem awfully chipper for a man that got tossed around by someone one sixth his size?" Harry couldn't keep the smirk off his face.
"Well even though I did get whipped, I did learn that he has a lot to offer us, even though I wish that it didn't hurt so much." As he said this, he rubbed an area on his arm where the lightsaber burned him. Everyone smiled at this.
"Well as much as I would love to stand here and look at Kingsley pout, would you guys like to know where you are and what I have been up to? Well if you do, follow me." Kingsley jumped out of the bed and made a beeline for Harry. Remus and Minerva followed to, but at a more reserved pace. Obviously this trip has made an impact on Kingsley and he wanted to see more, whatever that more was.
Harry led the group to the nearest transporter room after deciding to start the explanation of his journey in the chair room. Harry's guests marveled at the architecture of the hall that they were in. While the med bay had a similar build, it was still rather bland in design. As they all entered the transporter room, they noticed a panel on the wall that had a snowflake like design with dots scattered all across it. Without a word Harry pressed one and several seconds later, the door opened to a completely different hall. While Harry's guests were flabbergasted, they all kept their questions for later. They had many and wanted to get them all in one go instead of bits and pieces. Plus, they were too busy observing their surroundings, committing everything that they saw to memory.
Entering a room, Remus, Minerva, and Kingsley noticed that the only thing that was in the room was a bluish throne that sat on a small platform. They all stopped and looked at Harry, waiting for him to start.
Taking a second to organize his thoughts, Harry sat down in the control chair and started his tale. He started with his trip to Gringotts to obtain a Horocrux, and how he left, a changed young man in a space ship that was a city. Where he could, he would show his guests holographic recordings and images so they could see what he was saying and be able to put it into better context.
As he told his tale, the others were at first skeptical but soon found that they were captivated by it. It was the recordings and images that they were shown that made them start to believe Harry's fantastic tale. They were so caught up in his tale that they barely noticed his wandless and silent conjuration of three chairs for them to sit in. Harry's story was so unreal and so unimaginable that it was either true or one amazing and detailed story from a nutter.
So when Harry finally ended his story with his and Master Yoda's arrival to his home planet, no one spoke for Harry was looking at their reactions and his guests were trying to process what they were just told. It took Harry about two hours to finish with his story, so it was a lot of information to take in. It was Remus that spoke first.
"While I have never known you to make up stories I have to ask, are you sure you're not insane and imagine all this, it's just so… so… fantastic and unbelievable. Heir to Merlin. City spaceships. Time and dimension travel. Wormholes and millions of year old technology. Are you sure you didn't bump your head and imagine all this?"
Minerva looked at Harry. "This wasn't some crazy story is it? I admit that the story is… unreal, but being here in this place now, leads me to believe you. I... I never imagined anything like this was ever possible. I mean ALIENS."
Kingsley just had one thing to say. "From what I have seen so far, from your mentor to this place and its amazing abilities, I believe what you have told us."
"Good. That means a lot to me. Now maybe you guys can help me." Harry brought up the scans that he was making of the UK in his search for Voldemort and his Horocrux's. "This is a highly detailed scan of the UK. The red dots are my targets and the flashing one is Voldemort himself." Harry changed the image to a topographical one and one that showed the wards that Harry discovered the best. "The bubbles of different colors that you see are wards. As you can see, I have found many and these are only from the few places that I know of. Once I scan a ward, finding others of the same type are simple enough. What I need help in however is distinguishing what these wards are and their function."
Remus, Kingsley, and Minerva were transfixed at what they were seeing. It seemed that every few minutes Harry managed to shock them to their cores.
"This is simply remarkable. This... This can win us the war." Remus whispered.
"That it can. But is that the answer. Yes Voldemort needs to be stopped but what's to stop the next person from taking his place? One, the government is in shambles and is to easily corruptible and two, the citizens need to grow a backbone and no longer be the sheep that we know that they are."
"You want to change the magical world, not just win the war." McGonagall half shouted. Harry did love getting a rise out of her.
"Indeed I do. But you won't like the first change, we need to change Hogwarts. It does nothing but create hatred and bigotry that is so prevalent in our society. Also the magical world has to leave the stone ages behind and actually grow as a people instead of staying stagnant. Changing Hogwarts and the Ministry will get the ball rolling on creating a brighter future for future generations. I just need to know if I can count on all of you guys support."
Remus stepped towards Harry and put a hand on his shoulder. "You know that I'm with you cub." Harry smiled and gave Remus a manly hug, thanking him for his support.
"Well as far as helping with the wards and what they do, I do believe that either a Bill Weasley of a Goblin would be the best. As for your plans, I think that you make very reasonable points and suggestions. Unless I see something that I do not like or agree with, I too am in." Kingsley shook Harry's hand, signaling his support.
"I have always told Albus that the house system no longer works and that unless the professors were fair, that it just created a divide between the students that carried on into adulthood. Like Kingsley I am in, as long as you keep me informed and listen to my ideas."
"Thank you. Thank you all."
"Now Harry, I do have a question. If you were to scan a dark mark, could you find them like you did the wards?" Kingsley asked.
Everyone looked at Harry who just looked like Christmas had come early. "Why yes. I never thought of that! What would we do with them once I found them though?"
"Well that I don't know. Azkaban isn't secure and the Ministry is to corrupt to secure them."
"I will think of something and will let you all know what it is ok. Now, let's make you guys some toys and then get some sleep. I have to tell this same story tomorrow and it will be a long day." Harry replied.
Once again, the trio followed Harry through the city to the nearest replicator. Once there to the amazement of all, Harry started to create his three guests some technology that would help out in the upcoming future. He created a communication device that acted just like a cell phone would. But this one would be able to work around magic and it could only be used to talk to someone else that had one. They could even text with it and it was a great way to get these old timers to use something that is commonplace everywhere else in the world. He also created a watch for them that would also act as signal boosters. Harry was taking no chances with his ability to beam someone from anywhere and from behind any ward.
"This is all for now and these will allow us to stay in contact as well as ensure that I will be able to get you from anywhere on the planet at a moment's notice." Harry explained each device to his group and after ensuring that they knew how to operate them, he beamed them to right outside the Hogwarts wards and he himself retired for the night.