Chapter 46: Chapter 46 – The Voyage Home
Harry Potter, The Jedi That Would Not Die
Chapter 46 – The Voyage Home
The long journey back was a time of reflection for those aboard; Harry spent a lot of his time in solitary thinking about what had happened and what it meant for him, though he found a need to keep going over some of the more advanced magic that they had been taught on Earth. He got quite proficient at wandless magic and spent quite some time practicing the difference between Force levitation and magic levitation. He felt a particular need to do this when his Master felt the almost constant need to be with or near him, he knew she did it out of concern but it was getting a bit frustrating for him to have her around constantly like a mother hen guarding her chicks as if predator was after them.
Hermione by contrast was revelling in the attention that she was getting from the other jedi on board, which was the reason she had not noticed just how isolated Harry was acting. Many of the other jedi had seen Harry or herself perform simple magic in the past and now that they were returning with even more skills and educational material it was all the more fascinating for them. Several of them had tried to perform some simple magic, like her and Harry's Master's had a few years earlier but unfortunately it led to either no result or a smoking wand again. There was definitely magic potential but they were just not sure how to access it. Maybe if they had wands made with materials from their birth worlds it would have worked but without a skilled wandmaker that option was not viable.
The time that they did not spend going about these separate tasks they spent working on the remains of the Raven, they had managed to salvage and repair quite a lot of the hull plates and were aided in their endeavours by a few of the other jedi who were curious about the ship.
They also, to their delight realised that just like Harry had transferred some of his energy to his Master to heal her on Naboo years ago, they could also with the help of the other jedi, channel their energy to cast much more powerful spells allowing much more substantial damage to be repaired and more powerful spells to be cast on the parts of the ship they wanted to protect. The main frame of the ship was a write-off though so Hermione had already spoken to Master Yoda about getting a replacement to continue their project. The Grand Master was more than happy to approve of this plan, not only because the possibility of applying some of the improvements to other ships was well worth it but also because he observed that while the pair worked on the ship they seemed to enter a state of moving meditation which helped them focus both on the task of repairing the ship but also in their other areas of study.
As a result of all this the return journey was quite busy but mostly uneventful…except for the first twenty four hours.
It was a few hours into the ships journey that it got interesting, Harry at that point was in the cargo hold going through the remains of the Raven deciding where he should start working on the rebuilding and salvaging the project.
He entered the cockpit and was more than a little surprised that all the dirt from the impact had been cleared up, more so than it should have been anyway. They had off course removed all the vines, trees and bits of foliage but all the loose leaves, the bits of twig and other cockpit debris had been left on the floor. He supposed Hermione could have cleaned it up but she would not have bothered about the scuff marks, the foliage, other assorted debris and wreckage would have made as they bashed and tore their way along the walls, even some of the larger gashes had been fixed.
Slightly confused he wandered out of the cockpit and jumped down the broken lift shaft back towards the Lower Deck. As he hit the bottom he heard a noise from the cabins near the Weapons Pod. A frown crossed his features as he extended his senses that way and encountered a mind that he was not expecting to feel.
Turning and heading in that direction he heard the sound of tortured metal as he passed the 'Captain's Quarters' which in effect translated as his. Apart from a bit of buckling of the bulkheads and the fixtures his and the 'First Officer's Quarters', aka Hermione's, had been mostly undamaged so they had opted to live in the wreckage as this was where they were planning to spend a lot of their time during the voyage and to make more room in the rest of the ship for the rest of the jedi as there were a few more of them than there were cabins available, it was a cargo transport after all. Pausing he drew his lightsaber and used the Force to open the door.
As he opened the door he was just in time to see one of the bulkheads that had been bent out of shape bend and flex before straightening out and re-fixing itself to the others around it. Standing in front of this was a small being in a bit of sacking.
"Dobby!"
"Dobby is here Great Harry Potter Sir," smiled the House Elf.
"I can see that," he replied neutrally re-clipping his lightsaber to his belt. "A more important question might be; why are you here? Or perhaps more relevantly; how are you here?"
It was quite the surprised group of jedi much nearer the bridge of the large transport that heard a loud yell pass through the ship.
"Alema Ani, get to the Raven immediately!"
There was a pause as several jedi exchanged amused looks before Master Yoda turned to Aayla.
"Your padawan, quite aggravated he seems to be," he replied with a cheeky grin.
"Yes Master Yoda," she replied with a sigh, "I had better go and find out what has ruffled his feathers," she added as she headed off towards the cargo decks with the Grand Master following a little way behind.
As the pair arrived at the remains of the Raven, they almost collided with Hermione who came skidding around the corner from the other end of the ship.
"Master's, do you know what's happened, I heard Harry shout?"
"Not yet Hermione," Aayla replied, "But I believe I can hear his not quite so loud tones from here. Let's find out what has upset him."
Once they were inside the ship Harry's aggravated voice became much clearer.
"What in Merlin's name where you thinking?"
"It was only fair Master," came Alema's response.
"Fair!" came the loud response. "Fair to whom?…Do you not remember all the trouble that happened last time this happened? Actually, scratch that, I know you do because you caused it."
"The same thing can happen as last time then," came the certain response.
"Did you not consider asking for my opinion on this?"
"Of course I did Master."
"And?"
"I thought it would be a bad idea as you would say no."
"Oh for goodness sake!"
At this point the trio rounded the corner and came upon the scene. Alema was standing nearest them with a pleased look on her face while a rather flustered and annoyed Harry was pacing the room while holding a very nervous looking house elf by the back of the neck.
"Dobby!" exclaimed Hermione upon seeing the creature.
"Hello Miss Grangey," he replied sheepishly, still with the look of someone who had been chastised and with the hope that he would not be noticed again soon.
"What are you doing here?" she asked moving towards him.
"Dobby wanted to serve Great Harry Potter Sir. Dobby could not do that from Earth Miss Grangey so Dobby sneaked aboard."
"With a little help from my traitorous ranger," added Harry sending a look of annoyance at the twi'lek. "I thought you didn't like each other anyway?"
"We don't particularly," she replied. "But it's not fair that I'm allowed to serve you and he is not."
"Infamy infamy," Hermione whispered to herself with a smirk but not so quietly that Harry did not hear and sent a glare in her direction before he flicked his gaze back to Alema.
"I thought you were supposed to obey me and follow my orders?"
"I thought you did not want me to," she smiled back.
"Ok, ok, everyone calm down," interrupted Aayla. "Harry, put Dobby down. I'm sure he does not need to be treated so aggressively."
"In his defence Mistress," interrupted Alema, "He only picked Dobby up to stop him hurting himself by banging his head against the bulkhead."
"Fair enough," she nodded. "But put him down anyway Harry. I'm sure he won't try to do it again…will he?"
"No Mistress," nodded Dobby sheepishly.
Harry slowly put the elf on the ground but braced ready to grab him again in case he went for a wall…which he thankfully did not.
Master Yoda chuckled quietly as he walked through the gap between the doorframe and Aayla.
"Padawan Potter, into awkward situations you always seem to get yourself, hmm," he grinned as he walked up in front of Dobby and inspected the creature.
There was an odd moment of silence as the pair looked at each other, similar but also different in many ways.
"You looks like a house elf?" asked Dobby. "But you is not a house elf?"
"That I am not," chuckled Yoda. "In the universe, much diversity there is, but also much similarity. Look alike we do but the same we are not."
With that Yoda extended one of his small short three digit hands which Dobby, after a moment of confusion, took with his longer four digits.
"Oh great," Harry muttered beside Aayla, they could both see where this was going.
"Master Yoda of the Jedi Order," smiled the Grand Master.
"I is Dobby, the Great Harry Potter Sir's house elf."
As he said it Harry went to object but Aayla's arm landed on his before he could.
"Hmm," replied Yoda, "Been here before we have, Padawan Potter."
"Yes Master," he replied downheartedly.
"Of Mr Dobby fate upon our return we shall decide," he stated before turning back to the house elf. "On our return much to discuss we have."
When they eventually came into land in the Temple Precinct on Coruscant it was with mixed emotions that the group left the ship escorting the coffin that containing the body of Master Windu. The first order of business was to conduct his funeral and there was already a large crowd of jedi, associates, politicians (including the Chancellor) and others whose lives he had touched gathered around the area where the funeral was to be held, his body had been put in stasis when they were back on Earth and shortly before descending the ramp Harry and Hermione had removed the stasis charm so that his body could break down naturally.
It was the first jedi funeral that the padawans had ever attended and it would likely be the biggest they would ever attend. They had seen them of course, there were vast amounts of rooms in the Temple that overlooked the area of the precinct where the funerals were usually held, but they had never attended them themselves and given Master Windu's former position this was the biggest one at the Temple in many years.
There were many quiet tears amongst the crowd, as well as anger and despair, the young padawans could feel it radiating off the assembled gathering which surprised both of them as it was not coming off just the non-jedi. It made them realise that no matter how much jedi train to restrain their emotions they can never completely control them.
After the funeral the High Council, the padawans, their masters, Dobby and Alema all headed for the High Council Chamber. Dobby spent the entire journey examining the Temple and asking questions of Alema whom he was walking beside until she hushed him as they entered the lift to take them up to the Council Chamber and told him not to speak unless spoken to.
Once the last of them were present Harry noted that the spare seat at the Council had been filled by a woman he knew to be Master Depa Billaba, the former apprentice of Master Windu, which seemed oddly appropriate. There were several minutes in which nothing was said when presumably Master Yoda shared his knowledge of what happened on Earth with the other members of the High Council.
After the minutes had passed their attention turned to those in the centre of the room. Master Coleman was asked to relate what he knew of the events. Both Harry and Aayla knew that they would be next to relate what had happened at the Ministry.
Coleman's briefing continued for a long time and the entire Council knew something was bothering the pair, their emotions reminded several of them of the events after their return from the slave mission on Tatooine, although they were distinctly aware of the differences in the emotions that they were feeling they all hoped nothing like that had occurred again.
Something bothers them it does, remarked Yaddle.
Indeed, agreed Dooku, but unlike before, this time the source of the worry seems to be the padawan though he himself is significantly calmer than his master.
She is deeply worried for him, observed Billaba.
Or rather worried about what our reaction will be to something that only they know, concluded Gallia.
Young Harry is much calmer than Secura, like he has accepted whatever it is we will shortly find out and is at peace with his conclusion as to what will happen, analysed Plo. His tension comes mostly from how our judgement of this illusive secret will affect his Master, friends and Ranger. Master Yoda, did anything happen on the return journey that would shed and light on their current moods?
Volunteered no information was, though push I did not. Much more withdrawn young Harry was, within his own mind much time he did spend even when amongst company.
Whatever this secret is we will have to consider how our decision will affect those who orbit around him, remarked Oppo.
Coleman finished speaking and they turned their attention to Aayla and Harry.
"Knight Secura, your confrontation with the 'Dark Lord' please explain?" requested Yoda.
"Yes Master," she replied reluctantly, she had been dreading this moment. "After we invaded the 'Ministry' we cleared our designated floors before rendezvousing with the rest of the incursion force and pushing towards our objective at the bottom of the structure. We made our way inside and demanded the surrender of those within, although some did a significant number did not and a fire fight started. My padawan moved to confront the 'Dark Lord' and they duelled briefly before my padawan discovered by accident that the 'Dark Lord' was not who we believed he was and was in fact a follower of the 'Dark Lord' who we believed had died during our previous visit to Earth. It appeared that he had survived and had hidden before using magic and dark Force techniques to increase his speed, strength and power before revealing himself in the guise of the 'Dark Lord'. After this was discovered we can now re-evaluate the conclusion that we came to while on Earth that the 'Dark Lord's' split soul was the cause of their being two of him. We now know the one that hid in my padawan's mind when we left Earth and that is currently stranded on Dagobah is the only one."
"I will briefly interrupt you Knight Secura," spoke Master Plo before addressing the room as a whole. "We had jedi with greater knowledge of dark side energies scout the Dagobah system and they confirmed that around the relative time of this 'Dark Lord's' destruction there was a great release of dark side energy from the cave that is the source of the Dark Side on the planet. Since then although the energies have started to build up again there have been no signs of the presence or malice which was guiding them before so we believe that this Voldemort is now truly dead and gone."
At any other time Harry might have been pleased by this news but due to his current thought process only Hermione was overly relived by the news.
"Please continue Knight Secura."
"Yes Master, the 'Dark Lord' who we now knew to be this Wormtail character, when his identity was revealed he turned on everyone in the room which made him a target for everyone, the fire fight resumed with Wormtail easily dominating the fight due to his enhanced abilities until my padawan intervened and engaged him in hand to hand combat, they stalemated briefly before Wormtail managed to throw my padawan away from him. In that moment Alema and myself moved to engage him but before we could do so he cast a spell upon us both that caused us to experience great pain. From discussions with my padawan I understand that this curse is used to torture people to the point of insanity. When my padawan moved to intervene the spell was cast against him as well. We were all held immobile and tortured until my padawan was able to summon enough Force energy to break us free and incapacitate our opponent long enough for our allies to restrain him. After which Harry destroyed the last soul fragment that belonged to Voldemort and that Wormtail had kept safe and the fight was over."
All the members of the Council had noticed how Aayla had sped up as her description approached its conclusion and they knew that was the part of her story that needed picking apart.
"Knight Secura," began Tiin. "You said your padawan managed to incapacitate your opponent through the use of Force energy. What form did that energy take?"
The Council knew immediately that Tiin had hit the nail on the head with that question as Aayla suddenly got all the more nervous.
"The energy presented itself in the form of arcing electrical dis-"
"Sith Lightning," Harry interrupted, though the breach of protocol was completely disregarded as those in the room absorbed what had just been said. There were many gasps and a couple of exclamations from the Council though it was Hermione's reaction that bothered Harry the most. Not a sound did she make but her look when he glanced in her direction was full of confusion, worry and something that almost looked like betrayal.
"Are you certain of that young padawan?" questioned Dooku.
"Certain Master," Harry replied. "It was not just a brief blast; it went on for many seconds."
"Please explain to us exactly what you felt and did?" questioned Plo Koon, leaning forward in his chair.
"Yes Master," he replied calmly, he had been expecting this so was not a nervous wreck like his Master. "When we were all restrained and being tortured all I could think of was saving Alema and my Master, I knew that that curse had driven people insane from prolonged exposure and I knew that I had to stop it. I was familiar with the curse and had experienced it before but neither my Master or Alema had so they would have a lower resistance to it. I knew I had to stop it and everything I had tried thus far had failed; I gathered all the Force strength I could gather and threw it towards Wormtail, intent on Force Pushing him over to break his spell and give us time to recover but instead of that blue electricity arced from my fingers. The initial attack lasted a fraction of a second and achieved its goal. I realised immediately what I had done but did not have time to think on it as Wormtail was already getting back to his feet. I did not have time to think on what else to do, the only thing thus far that had been effective was the lightning so I attacked again and forced as much power into the attack as I could. Wormtail again went down but he was not incapacitated so I kept the attack going as long as I could until I ran out of energy and Wormtail stopped trying to get up."
"Padawan Potter," spoke Saesee Tiin. "I'm sure you appreciate how serious this is despite your apparent calm?"
"I do Master," he replied.
"Then with your permission I suggest Master Plo and myself review your memory of the event so that we may better understand the circumstances."
"I agree," Harry replied quickly before moving forward towards the two telepathic Masters.
The hall went silent as the trio touched minds. Harry presented his memories of the entire fight since the point where they entered the Ministry to the Master's so that they could appreciate the events that led to the Wizengamot Chamber. The pair watched the events unfold before finally pulling back and leaving his mind.
As the trio resumed their former positions the amount of mental communication in the room increased as the knowledge the two Master's had gleaned from Harry's mind was shared. They were silent for a few minutes before Master Dooku spoke.
"It appears you did indeed use Force or Sith Lightning Padawan Potter, this is indeed a serious matter."
"True that is," agreed Master Yaddle. "But when he used the ability malice and hate he did not feel."
"True," agreed Master Yoda, before pausing to think then turning to one of his colleagues. "Master Plo, experience with Force Lightning you have. Of the event your opinion what is?"
The entire room turned to Master Plo who paused to think before replying.
"He did use the ability instinctually, but the padawan did stop the instant he knew what he was doing. I do not believe we should judge him for this, but for the following events a few seconds later when he wilfully used the ability again we should concentrate." The Master then stood and drew his lightsaber. "Clear the centre of the room please. Padawan Potter remain where you are."
It took a few seconds for those gathered in the centre of the room to move to the periphery near the lift, Aayla gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze as she moved as directed.
"Padawan, please do you best to use Force Lightning again directed at my lightsaber," he instructed igniting the blade and holding it defensibly in front of him.
"Are you sure this is wise Master Plo?" asked Dooku. "The padawan does not have full control over this ability, what if this goes wrong?"
"Unless the padawan is a great deal more powerful in his attack than I am prepared for there is no risk to mine or anyone else's lives," replied Plo. "Also being in the presence of so many masters I do not feel in any way in danger, but if you have fears Master Dooku feel free to draw your lightsaber as a precaution.
Dooku did not but it did not go unnoticed that the two Master's nearest Master Plo took a hold of their lightsabers as a precaution though did not ignite them.
Harry had sort of expected this after he had heard how Hermione was forced to demonstrate her, at the time, new skill of Ionize. Centring himself he gathered what energy from around him before flinging said energy forward.
Nothing happened except for the Master wobbling on his feet as said energy translated as a Force Push which pushed at the jedi master and would probably have knocked him over had be not been braced for an attack.
"Focus on the emotions that you felt at the time Padawan," instructed Plo.
Harry did the same again but this time he felt about the pain, the panic and the desperate need to help his twi'leks that he had felt as they were being tortured. This time as he tried blue electricity arced its way across the room and collided with the blade.
"Maintain the attack," ordered Plo as the blue light danced up and down his lightsaber.
Harry focused on maintaining the flow of energy and in doing so forgot about the emotions he needed to use to conjure said attack. As before he became aware that the colour of his lightning was changing from blue to green and was growing less intense.
"Maintain the attack," Plo repeated firmly.
Harry was beginning to struggle now and his attack was beginning to falter, channelling his reserves and pulling as much energy from around him as he dared he pushed as much power into the attack as he could and managed to maintain it for a further twenty seconds before it faltered again and failed. He wobbled on his feet briefly before stabilising himself as his Master immediately returned to his side.
"Thank you Padawan, you confirmed my suspicion," he nodded, before returning to his seat. "The padawan did indeed cast Force Lightning, otherwise known as Sith Lightning, but only initially as he resumed control of his emotions it became the Electric Judgement, the controlled and emotionless version that I too am able to wield."
To demonstrate his point he held up a hand and let a spark of green electricity jump between his large digits.
"The conclusive points were the distinct change in colour from blue to green, the reduction in intensity and the reduction in emotions being transmitted by young Harry."
"Master Plo," inquired Dooku, "As the only master the Order has on the controversial subject what are your recommendations?"
"The padawan did indeed cast the ability but only in a desperate situation and as a last resort. His use of Electric Judgement proves that his abilities with this Force ability are not tied to his emotions and that he is able to control it. I would also note that at present he is only able to use the ability by channelling his emotions initially hence the distinct change from Force Lightning to Electric Judgement during his attacks….As such I recommend that in this case as the situation was desperate, as his Master and Ranger were in danger of losing their minds if not their lives, as he knew of no other method of winning and as it is clear that the padawan realises the seriousness of the situation, I recommend that we keep a close eye on Padawan Potter and as a precaution he be put on probation with a member of this council, most likely myself, observing him for a period of time."
"What of his abilities with Sith Lightning?" asked Dooku.
"Padawan," asked Yoda. "In the future using the ability do you see yourself?
Harry paused for a moment, he had been getting a little fed up of being talked about like he was not there and he had not expected the question to be directed at him.
"Masters, I have thought about this…and I feel it would be irresponsible of me if I were in a situation in the future where this ability could be of use and I did not use it just because it is considered dark."
There were a few looks exchanged by the Council but Harry continued intent on getting his point across.
"This is not the first time I have had this debate with myself since coming to the Order, when we were relatively new to the universe Hermione and I debated the morality of using what on Earth are considered the three 'Unforgivable Curses'. While the torture curse can obviously have no place in anything a jedi does the other two were up for some debate. 'Imperio' is like a more extreme version of a Mind Trick and I have used it several times in order to ensure that when I had to control someone that I had a better chance. The Killing Curse likewise can be useful. As we all know Masters occasionally killing someone while carrying out a mission is necessary and unavoidable and while I could use a blaster or my lightsaber sometimes that additional guarantee of success is needed over long range and the Killing Curse is the best and sometimes also the most painless and humane way of doing so. On Earth using either of these curses would justify a life sentence and would be considered a dark act but out in space there can be justifiable reasons for either or both. I come to the same conclusion about this ability."
"Very well argued young Harry," replied Plo after a moment's pause.
"That is a very dangerous attitude towards something so potentially disrupting of a jedi's control," remarked Dooku, seemingly in contrast to the other master who did not fail to notice the disagreement.
"If you recall Master Dooku I presented a similar argument when I accidentally learned Electric Judgement and this council accepted that argument from me and did not object to me continue to use the ability."
"You are a jedi master, the padawan is very definitely not," countered Dooku. "This padawan did not have a traditional jedi upbringing and has been connected to the Dark Side more than once."
"That is a very simplified description of events Master Dooku," counted Master Adi. "Yes he encountered the Dark Side several times before becoming a jedi but after joining the Order he has only encountered the Dark Side twice and both before joining the Order, on Dagobah and on Earth since he has very clearly been shown to oppose it. In this case his instincts simply allowed him to use a Dark Side ability when he needed it most."
"I fear you are making light of this incident Master Adi," replied the human master.
"Possibly so Master Dooku," agreed Yarael, "But as Master Plo is the expert on this particular ability and as Padawan Potter has encountered more Dark Side users-"
"And defeated," contributed Oppo, joining the discussion.
"And defeated," agreed Yarael, "More than most of those assembled here. I believe a little leniency is in order, if not actually required."
The Council members exchanged looks as if coming to a decision.
"Very well," nodded Dooku before they all turned to Yoda.
"Master Plo, with your recommendations we agree. Under your supervision on probation Padawan Potter shall be."
The feeling of relief that washed over Aayla were evident to everyone in the room, she had been terrified that her padawan would be thrown out of the Order and she honestly had no idea how to handle that, and judging from the similar feelings of relief that she felt radiating off of Hermione she was feeling the same way. She was also aware that everyone else in the room was likely sensing their reactions but right now she really did not care.
"So we now turn our attention to the unexpected subject of what to do with…Mr Dobby," Dooku announced, his pause at the end made Aayla and most of the others believe that he considered this a waste of time and the whole discussion should not even be happening, but when the Grand Master decides something it is well and truly decided.
"Mr Dobby forward step please," instructed Yoda as Harry and Aayla moved back to the edge of the room while a very nervous looking Dobby shuffled into the middle of the room. As he did so Aayla wished they had managed to convince him to wear something other than that bit of very dirty fabric.
"Mr Dobby," began Adi in a tone of voice that more than suggested that she knew she was about to be involved in another slavery argument but this time she intended to win. Aayla noticed that Harry quietly took an additional step back so he was partly concealed behind her, not that it did much good at his current height as he was almost taller than she was.
"Yes Miss Gally," the house elf replied pleasantly despite the fact that it was very evident that he was rather intimidated by the Council. To her credit Adi only paused for a second at her modified name before continuing.
"It is our understanding that you want to serve Padawan Potter?"
"Yes Miss Gally, I want to serve the Great Harry Potter Sir."
Aayla heard Harry almost groan in pain at the embellishment in his name.
"The problem is Mr Dobby-"
"Just Dobby Miss," he interrupted.
"Alright then Dobby," she continued, everyone present got the feeling that despite the fact that they had not even started she had already lost. "In the past Ranger Ani came to us with a request similar to yours and we turned her down."
"But Miss Lema serves the Great Harry Potter."
"No," replied Adi, "Ranger Ani, serves with Padawan Potter, he's just usually her superior on missions because of his jedi rank and her ranger rank."
Here we go again, thought Aayla down her link to Harry.
I really wish I was better at Force Stealth, he replied. I would not mind disappearing right now.
Even you cannot be great at everything Harry. Just because I'm good at something does not automatically mean I will be able to teach it to you.
Goodness knows you tried.
"Then why can't I?" replied Dobby as the pair tuned back into the argument.
"Because you are not a ranger and from what you told Master Yoda on your voyage here you would not be willing to be."
"Then why can Dobby not just server Master Harry?"
"Because Padawan Potter is not allowed to own possessions or have slaves," replied Adi firmly while everyone who had been present at the same argument years before was getting a strong sense of déjà vu.
"If interrupt I may," spoke Yoda, ending the backwards and forwards which was bound to end up the same way the last one did. "On our voyage, with Dobby discussed this I did. To serve the Order willing he is."
"I assume you mean as a paid caterer, cleaner or hanger worker Master Yoda?" asked Micah Giiett.
"Yes Mr Git," replied Dobby before the Grand Master could speak. In their defence the four people in the room who were familiar with the English word 'git' only Harry and Hermione reacted; the former gulping back a barked laugh and the latter gasping in quiet shock. This did not go unnoticed amongst the others but as only Aayla and Coleman of the remaining rooms occupants had heard the term the other Masters just assumed that the word was an odd Earth word rather than a mild insult.
"Wait," interrupted Adi, looking mildly miffed. "Are you telling me you worked this all out on the return journey?"
"Yes Master Adi," replied Yoda with a mischievous grin. "With Dobby discuss it I did."
"Then why do you allow us to go into an argument about it," she said, her voice developing a dangerous edge that would make many a knight back up in fear.
"Make your arguments known you needed to," the Grand Master replied, his eyes twinkling more than Dumbledore's ever did. "And need Council approval the solution did."
The look that Adi sent at Yoda when she realised that he had been having some fun at her expense would have made most jedi run for the stars, as would the look she redirected to some of her colleagues when they made sounds of amusement at her embarrassment.
"It is decided then," Dooku interrupted, not letting the practical joke continue. "Dobby, what job did you discuss with Master Yoda?"
"Mr Dook, Dobby can clean and cook. Dobby clean large rooms quick and once used to new foods will cook quick too."
"Very well," he nodded, seemingly accepting the strange creature a little more now that he was just going to be assuming a standard non-jedi roll within the Temple Precinct. "If we are all finished you are all dismissed."
As the group filtered out and went their separate ways a human caterer came and escorted Dobby off towards the kitchens as Alema went off to send a report on to her commanding officer.
As they went their separate ways the two Master said they were going to go and meet up with some of their colleagues leaving just Harry and Hermione who headed back towards Harry and Aayla's quarters in total silence. Not a word was spoken until they were both inside and the door shut behind them.
Harry moved to the couch but Hermione immediately rounded on him.
"How could you not tell me?" she demanded
"I didn't tell anyone," he replied.
"Aayla knew."
"She was there when it happened."
"Who else knew?"
"Alema and those witches and wizards who were there when we defeated Wormtail though only Aayla realised the consequences."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"What did you want me to say?"
"You know you could confide in me."
"It wasn't about confiding…" he barked back before stopping the escalations of voices and resuming a normal tone. "It was about working through it…and what it meant."
"What do you mean?" she asked, moving to sit beside him.
"When I thought back on it and realised that I would do the same thing again and that I would use the same and similar techniques again…I needed to…To work some things out personally and what it meant for my life as a jedi."
"You considered leaving?" she asked.
"I considered that I might get thrown out," he corrected.
"You know I would have followed you."
"I know, that's why I also had to try to figure out how to get you and Alema to stay."
"Do you really think you would be able to keep me away you great prat," she replied, her anger having dissipated.
"Probably not, but that does not mean I would not have tried."
"What would you have done?"
"I thought about going into private security, Merlin knows we have the skills."
"Potter Security…It does have a nice ring to it."
"I'm sure I could come up with a better name than that," he replied.
"Good thing you don't have to."
"Are we good?" he asked.
"Yes…but don't do it again," she replied with a joking tone.
"Use Force Lightning?" he asked jokingly.
"No," she replied getting sincere once more. "Keep secrets from me. You really had me worried for a few minutes there."
"Sorry about that."
A few minutes of silence followed before either of them spoke again.
"Was it just me of did Master Dooku seem a bit critical during that meeting?" he asked.
"Well…he would do," she replied before realising that Harry didn't know what she knew. "He's Master Windu's successor, he's the new Master of the Order."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Really sorry about the long wait, busy few months and have had quite a lot of trouble writing this chapter, I kept flicking forward to write more around what happens in movies 1 and 3, so when we eventually get to those the posting will be faster.
For those of you who are not as deeply into the SW universe there is a lighter (I stress the word lighter not light as it is controversial) version of Sith Lightning that is extremely difficult to learn (you can count the known users on one hand) and at this time to my knowledge the only known practitioner is Jedi Master Plo Koon, hence the reliance on his opinion in this chapter. It is not as powerful as the Sith version and is highly controversial amongst the jedi.
Also those of you who might wonder about why Dobby accepts a position as cook/cleaner at the Temple so easily, he will basically be doing the same job he was doing at Hogwarts which allows him to keep an eye on Harry without being under foot.
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