FicWad

Synopsis: A renegade Jedi has a force vision of a pair of powerful force sensitive's and sets in motion events that will see the rise of a new order. Her actions will have a profound effect on the future of many worlds.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Star Wars and I make no profit from this work of fan fiction. I am in the debt of its true owners as they have been the creators of worlds of fiction that millions have enjoyed. All Hail to JKR and GL!
A/N: Warning there is quite a dark scene at the beginning of this chapter. Remember this is an M rated fic for a reason...
Last time:
Luna brought the Talia in perfectly and together she and Altis began shutting down the engines. Harry activated the airlock and opened the hatch only to be almost bowled over as Sirius came barreling in followed by the others with a more staid Keisha bringing up the rear.
As Sirius took his shoulders and checked Harry with his own eyes Luna was being hugged and introducing the two newcomers to Remus and Hermione.
Harry looked around and smiled. There were dark times to come and outside the war was heating up but for now they were home.
oOoOoOo
Chapter 8
In orbit above - Coruscant
Aralina Silk manipulated the controls of her personal shuttle to bring it to a perfect stop next to the disreputable looking freighter. She paused for a moment to look at her reflection in the cockpit window and reached up and unbound her hair letting it fall over her shoulders then she undid several buttons exposing more of her pale breasts. Checking her reflection again she nodded and did a quick check of her tools before walking to the airlock.
The smugglers had prearranged a set of sign and countersign as well as the location of the rendezvous in an attempt to keep their transaction from becoming 'visible' to the Republic authorities. Hiding in plain sight, it was actually quite cunning mused Aralina.
Reaching the airlock she pulled out a transmitter and sent the seventeen digit code. A moment later a long string of numbers and letters appeared. Aralina didn't bother to read it she simply waited until the airlock cycled to green and then opened the hatch.
The smugglers, a Human and a Yinchorri were waiting for her with drawn weapons.
"Do you have the credits?" asked the Human as his eyes flicked to her partly exposed breasts.
"Do you have the information?" countered Aralina making sure that her hands were shaking.
The Human winked, "Don't worry pretty we've got it and once you have paid it will be yours and me and Troz will be on our merry way."
"Ten thousand Republic credits as agreed," replied Aralina, "I'll go and transfer the money to your accounts on Tepasi, have the data ready when I get back."
The Human smuggler nodded and turned to his reptilian comrade. At that moment neither was watching Aralina. An amateur's mistake and a fatal one as Aralina surged forward, in one smooth motion she drew and ignited her lightsaber even as she swung wide beheading the more dangerous Yinchorri thug.
The Human realising his perilous position threw himself backwards even as he tried to raise his blaster.
Aralina snorted contemptuously and simply severed the smugglers hand sending it and the blaster to the deck. The smuggler let out a scream and backpedaled away from Aralina searching for some escape.
Aralina let the coward scamper to the far side of the ships small cargo hold, "Give me the information now and you will live."
"Take it and go," hissed the injured man and threw a data pad to Aralina.
Aralina pocketed the pad and smiled coldly, "Thank you."
With a simple gesture she summoned the frightened man across the cargo hold letting him fall at her feet.
She looked down at the shaking man, death always aroused her and he wasn't bad looking even with shock setting in from his cauterised wrist, "Get up," she ordered.
Slowly the smuggler climbed to his feet.
Aralina gestured at her partially covered breasts, "touch me."
The shaking smuggler shook his head in denial and then fear as the lightsaber came back up under his chin.
"Touch me, caress me," hissed Aralina.
Slowly the man raised his good hand and reached out to gently touch her.
"Harder," demanded Aralina.
The man squeezed and she let out a sigh and the lightsaber moved from under his chin.
"I don't understand what you want," whispered the smuggler as he released her breast.
Aralina smiled coldly at the man, "And you never will," she whispered as she thrust her lightsaber through his heart.
With a look of disgust at the dead smuggler she reached in to her utility belt and removed a thermal detonator. She set the timer, threw it in to the engine room and walked back to her shuttle.
The information on the data pad was invaluable or so she was told. Her mission was to retrieve it not read it.
As she deactivated the airlock and set course for Coruscant she was already thinking of which nightclub it would be best for seeing some action or maybe her master would reward her with a playmate. It had been along time since the last and a girl had needs.
Far behind her a freighter burned.
oOoOoOo
The crew of the Talia were being welcomed home by the inhabitants of the house with a simple communal meal. Altis was struck by how similar the meal was to eating with his own people, the wholesome food and friendly company that typified life amongst his friends and Padawan's. Yet he wasn't among his people and save Alissa he knew little about the strange group seated around him. Perhaps it was time to correct that. Finishing his mouthful he turned to Luna who was seated on his right.
Lightly touching Luna on the arm to get her attention, "Luna may I ask a few questions?"
Luna smiled, "Of course although I don't guarantee an answer."
Altis inclined his head, acknowledging Luna's words, "Master Yoda said that you were allies but not Jedi yet you carry lightsabers and one of you at least was once a Jedi," he inclined his head in Keisha's direction," even if she no longer wears her robes."
Luna seemed unfazed by his question, "We are...well we don't actually have a name yet, perhaps Force Adepts would be best. As to our goal well we are working toward building an order based on maintaining balance in the Force. Our founder and first teacher taught us that the old ways were failing, war between the Jedi and the Sith cycled through the universe, for anything to survive, for the wars to end there needed to be balance in the Force. Light and dark, Sith and Jedi both philosophies are flawed and mutually exclusive. The Jedi repress their emotions to connect with the Force while the Sith revel in hate to power their connection. We seek to understand the Force so that the knowledge is not lost to future generations."
Alissa tensed as she listened, was Luna implying they were learning about the dark side of the Force, "The Dark Side of the Force is dangerous," warned the Twi'lek.
"Yes it is but ignorance could kill you," replied Luna evenly.
Altis frowned, troubled, "Talia was a Jedi what did she know of the Dark side?"
Harry shrugged, "When Talia left the Jedi order she travelled for decades seeking out lost and indeed in some cases forbidden knowledge in her quest to build our order."
"To what purpose?" asked Altis.
"So that they don't fall in to the same intellectual trap as the Jedi or find themselves consumed with the madness of the Sith."
Altis turned at the sound of the cultured voice behind him and gasped at the sight of the Force ghost standing behind Harry and Luna, then the wave of almost cold hit him. Whatever the being was before him truly was its Forde presence was like a black hole blocking out the light.
Harry shook his head and sighed, "Is this wise Master?"
Darth Vectivus shrugged his rounded shoulders, "Better they hear our tale first hand rather than find out by some other happenstance."
"Find out?" Alissa asked with a concerned look at Altis who looked almost like he was in pain.
Darth Vectivus shrugged and threw back his hood revealing his face, "Secrets always get found out Jedi and I'll not risk.....problems."
Altis slowly pushed his hair back and stood, "You were a Dark Jedi?"
"No I was a Sith," replied Darth Vectivus.
"What have you done Dark one?" hissed Alissa as she stood and went to draw her lightsaber. A hand intercepted hers and she looked down in surprise to see Sirius shaking his head slightly.
"HOLD," yelled Harry before continuing at a more normal volume, "Everyone calm the hell down, Altis, Alissa, Darth Vectivus means you no harm and lacks the capacity to do more than talk. Altis, Alissa, please take your seats you will come to no harm in my home."
"What is going on?" asked Alissa as she shook of Sirius's hand and slowly lowered herself back on to her seat.
oOoOoOo
Altis paced the floor as he talked, "So let me get this straight, you have spent the last three months training with the Force ghost of a Sith Lord.....are you mad or merely stupid, he has been trying to corrupt you!"
Harry shook his vehemently, "I disagree, we have been learning how to harness abilities you think are Dark aligned, we've been learning to recognise the Dark and how to avoid or defeat it. Your assumption that we are now corrupt is ignorant. Do you sense the power of the Dark side flowing through me? No? Well that is because it isn't. What he has taught me to open myself to all the Force not just a small part of it."
Luna shook her head sadly, her silvery eyes glittering, "You don't understand, you need to be shown."
Altis was about to reply, vehemently when something made him pause, there was a....ripple in the Force like a gust of wind across water and he was somewhere else.
Coruscant...the Jedi temple was burning...scattered in its halls were the dead...Jedi...Padawan...all dead.
War....a darkness shrouding world after world.
A planet exploding... a huge metal structure....a figure in black armor...death...pain...and endless cycle of hatred and destruction...then blackness
A shaken Altis opened his eyes, "What was that?"
"The future, the now and the may never be," replied Luna. "I share my master's gift I am a seer, a Force prophet."
Alissa was looking at her Master in shock Altis looked like he was in pain, "Master are you well? What did you see?"
"I saw war," whispered Altis. "Was it real?" he asked turning to Luna and Harry.
"Real?" mused Luna, "Yes it was real, the Jedi face the extinction of their order and then the Sith shall rise up to dominate the Galaxy. Perhaps the better question is can it be avoided."
"Can it?" asked Altis.
Luna shrugged, "We hope so."
oOoOoOo
Hermione nodded to the Twi'lek Jedi as she entered the Library, "Can I help you?"
Alissa smiled at the young human, "I was told that there was an archive and I just wanted to see what it was like."
Hermione laughed ruefully, "I don't know about an archive but this is our library. Sorry about the mess but I'm still in the middle of sorting out the centuries of neglect."
"You are the Archivist?" asked Alissa inquisitively as she studied the curly haired young woman.
"I am, not that I've had all that much time with all the training. Is there anything in particular you are interested in?"
Alissa looked around the piles of scrolls, books and data crystals, "Is there any information about healing?"
Several hours later Hermione and Alissa were looking through a crumbling tome that purported to contain a number of Force based healing techniques.
"I would love a copy of this Hermione," commented Alissa as she finished the page she was reading. "It is an absolute treasure."
Hermione drew her wand and tapped the tome, "Restituo," and a yellow light encompassed the tome for a few moments.
"Hmmm," mused Hermione, "That will stop it deteriorating any further so I can get you a copy, I think this should work, Planto a effingo."
Alissa gasped as an exact duplicate of the bound tome appeared on the table.
"By the Force, how did you do that?"
"On my home world we learned to use the Force differently to you, more directly. Just now I repaired the original and then made a copy."
Alissa was cautiously feeling both the original and the duplicate, "Can you all do this? It is like magic!"
"Where we lived it was called magic so I understand your reference," replied Hermione.
"What else can you do?" asked Alissa.
Hermione smiled, "The list is endless although there are some limitations as to what you can achieve. We've been working to find out those limits even as we learned more about the Force, in some ways it will probably be my life's work."
Alissa noted that rather than looking overwhelmed Hermione looked almost excited by the idea of a life time of study and research, "So how did you end up joining with Luna and Harry?"
"Harry, Ron and I were best friends at school and when he returned we followed," Hermione looked misty eyed for a moment before looking at the Twi'lek. "May I ask you a question Alissa?"
"Of course Hermione, ask away," Alissa replied.
"I understand from what Luna has told me you are not.....ah regular Jedi. May I ask what caused you to break away from the Jedi Council?"
Alissa nodded, "A fair question considering all the questions we are asking. Master Altis felt that the Jedi order was making a mistake in denying Jedi the ability to love and marry. He also saw the Orders isolation from society as a whole as an abandonment of our responsibilities. He favoured a more hands on role for Jedi. We do a lot of disaster relief work here in the Outer Rim."
"Harry and Luna's old master said much the same, I'm not sure I totally agree with her views but I do understand her cause and the fact that they don't like dissenters. I'll guess that the council didn't much like it when Master Altis aired his views?"
Alissa nodded, "Not very much no, so after decades of arguing his case he realised that it was unlikely they would ever accept his position. In the end he gathered some like minded Jedi and left the order. Since then many of us have married and had families and we've spent out time working amongst the poor and displaced."
Hermione shook her head, 'I can't imagine choosing to live without love, and I know that being with Ron makes me a better, stronger person not a weaker one."
"Ron is the tall red headed one?" Alissa asked with a smile.
Hermione nodded and gestured toward the Twi'lek, "And yourself?"
"No I'm not involved at the moment," replied the Twi'lek.
Hermione nodded and asked another question about the Alissa's life.
oOoOoOo
Altis was agitated as he tried to work out exactly what was going on; the revelation that Harry and Luna's mysterious trainer was a Sith Lord had rocked him. Now he was being led by Remus deep in to the old mines below the house. He sensed nothing untoward other than the fact that his guide was nervous, "Forgive me Remus but can I ask exactly what it is you are trying to show me here?"
Remus smiled and gestured toward the large open cavern, "Altis you still seem to think that Vectivus is corrupting us as part of some evil master plan. Well I wanted to show you something that might let you see things from our point of view."
When Remus pointed at a small box sitting on a pedestal Altis recognised it immediately, a holocron.
"What is this and where did you get a Jedi holocron?" asked Altis.
"What makes you think it was a Jedi holocron Master Altis?" asked Darth Vectivus.
"You deceived me Remus," hissed Altis as his hand reached for his lightsaber.
"Petrificus Totalus," called Remus as he froze the Jedi Master in place. "Don't worry he means you no harm and I think you will come out of this with a better understanding of the situation."
oOoOoOo
Altis found himself enveloped in the dark and then a voice spoke.
"You are a product of your training Master Jedi and even your rejection of some of the foolishness of you peers has not changed that. It took my death and my passing in to the Force to truly see what the Force is and just how little we know. You consider the light good and the dark evil just as others have done for countless millennia. The Jedi and the Sith are two sides of the same belief, passive and aggressive, embrace and dominate, peace and war. Yet even these articles of belief, the most basic tenants of our orders are flawed."
The hooded figure gestured and an image appeared of a Jedi knight and a Sith Lord engaged in a furious duel, back and forth they fought heedless of the destruction around them.
"It is religion mixed with science, mysticism run amok. I spent my life seeking to understand power and how to wield it. At first it was to grow my business empire then later it became about seeking the knowledge for its own sake. I apprenticed with a Sith Lord seeking that knowledge and found it and yet....it was tainted and diseased. The Order of the Sith Lords had no ethics, no desire to understand they sought only dominance. So I trained an apprentice and disappeared to continue my studies in my old home, among my family and friends. It was in this house that I died with my daughter holding my hand and then.....well and then my eyes were opened to the greater truth of the Force."
The figure of Darth Vectivus gestured and Altis found he could move again.
"What do you mean what greater truth?"
"He means that there are greater truths in the Force than we understand," said a voice behind him.
Altis turned and looked in to the face of an old friend, "Qui-Gon?"
Qui-Gon laughed softly, "Yes old friend it's me, although slightly less solid than before."
"But how?" whispered Altis, to his shock he could feel his old friends presence in the Force as if his was standing next to him.
"I learned the secret from a shaman of the Ancient Order of the Whills, Orion or Vectivus as you know him worked it out him self and taught a few select others including Talia. For now though it's important that you understand exactly what has happened and what will happen," Qui-Gon answered his expression serious once more.
Altis looked back and forth between the two Force ghosts, "Is this about the vision I had?"
"Yes," replied the Sith Lord, "You saw end of an era, the fall of the Jedi order and the rise of the Sith. Yet within decades the Sith will fall and the Jedi will be reborn, on and on the cycle will turn until the galaxy succumbs to a threat so alien it defies description. That moment of horror is still avoidable IF we can bring balance to the Force. A new order must form, one based on maintaining the balance, the third leg of stable triumvirate."
"For now our time on this plane grows short," began Qui-Gon, "So I'll be blunt you must complete their training Altis. Harry and Luna are almost ready to begin their task but their companions are far from ready."
Altis studied the face of Qui-Gon for a long moment, "Very well I'll train them," Altis hesitated and was about to ask for details when Vectivus interrupted him.
"Your role will not be to lead but to save what can be saved, to shelter the survivors, to keep them safe because no matter what path is taken there will be a dark time for the Force," as he finished speaking Darth Vectivus faded away.
Qui-Gon smiled sadly, "The dark is moving and safe places are going to be few and far between and your enclave on Bespin isn't going to be a safe place for long old friend."
Altis was about to protest when he realised that Qui-Gon was simply standing watching him with a sad, knowing expression, "Start with your people, shelter them here and then begin building the safe haven."
oOoOoOo
Sirius looked up as Remus walked in to the kitchen, "How did he take it?"
Remus shrugged, "He was a bit pissed but I already had my wand out so no harm done. I hope Vectivus can convince him because we need the damn training. Keisha's exhausted and Harry and Luna are tied up trying to Master the stuff Vectivus is teaching them."
Sirius poured Remus a shot of Whiskey and sat back in his chair, "I think Altis wants to trust us we just need to get him over the line."
Remus sipped his whiskey and relaxed back in to his own chair, "And soon because according to Luna and our friendly ghosts the clock is ticking."
oOoOoOo
Luna shuddered as Harry massaged and then caressed her shoulders his hands warm on her bare shoulders. His presence in the Force and his emotions wrapping around her, caressing her were intoxicating. She shuddered again as he paused and kissed her neck. Years of closeness, companionship and shared experience had allowed them to glow closer and she had been subtly steering him toward a more intimate relationship. Yet when it happened it was a revelation.
"Luna?"
"Hmmm?"
Harry whispered in to her ear, "I love you," as his hand ran down her side, lightly stroking her ribs, "But it's time for our next training session."
oOoOoOo
Harry and Luna watched closely as the hologram of Vectivus gestured and summoned Force lightning sending it forth as a burst to strike an unseen target. The small hologram then gave a short lecture on just how to replicate his feat. After a few questions around the strengths and weaknesses of Force lightning the hologram faded.
Harry sensed Altis standing in the shadows on the far side of the cavern but didn't acknowledge the Jedi Master. Altis had been quiet for most of the day after his unplanned meeting with Darth Vectivus; Harry hoped that this was a sign that the older man was rethinking his position. With a small shrug he turned to look at his training partner, "Okay Luna you want to go first?"
oOoOoOo
Altis watched Harry and Luna being instructed by the holocron and then dutifully practising the concept they had been learning about. From what he had seen of their training the two of them were quite skilled duelists even if they were not quite up to the standards of full knights but it was their other skills that left him stunned, the way they manipulated the Force was incredibly flexible and this in combination with their Force based training was, well it was a sight to behold.
After a few minutes watching Altis slipped away, he had some thinking to do.
oOoOoOo
Keisha watched Hermione cast the light spell and then copied the motion and incantation but used her lightsaber as the focus. When the soft glow appeared Hermione nodded and showed Keisha how to end the spell.
Hermione smiled as Keisha extinguished the light, "Okay so we know basic charms work well enough with a crystal focus and we've established that most hex's work as well."
"A good step forward," offered Keisha.
"Indeed," agreed Hermione, "So now we need to work out how we train the others."
Keisha nodded and made some notes on her data pad before stretching and rubbing the small of her back.
"We can break if you need to," offered Hermione.
Keisha smiled as she answered, "No, I'm okay just a bit stiff, one of the many new and exciting things I'm learning about pregnancy."
"How are you coping?" asked Hermione her voice gentle.
"Fine, I'm just a bit grumpy, MK says that it's all the hormones and the constant changes playing through my body. How are you and Ron enjoying sharing your room?" asked Keisha her tone light and teasing.
Hermione and Ron had been living in separate rooms until Hermione took steps, namely walking to his room and moving his belongings to her room, ever since she had been waiting for the others to pass comment.
"It's fine, no great to have Ron on hand. He has been a great help with my..."
"Itches?" enquired Keisha with a smirk and a laugh as Hermione stuck her tongue out.
oOoOoOo
Hermione moaned as her back arched, a few moments later she felt Ron's hips buck which in turn pushed her over the edge with a screamed, "Yeessss."
As she collapsed in to a boneless heap atop Ron she could feel his strong calloused hands massaging her back. He may have the emotional range of a teaspoon thought Hermione but he was a passionate, fantastic and caring lover.
Ron felt Hermione's climax and smiled as she screamed and collapsed on top of him. He simply lay still, stoking her back as he reveled in the feel of her body, of her breathing and rapid heartbeat. He knew she was too good for him, intelligent, beautiful and powerful and so he worked hard to be the pillar of support she needed. In many ways he was still trying to make up for a childhood of hurtful, ill considered remarks and boorish behaviour.
oOoOoOo
Keisha smiled as she felt a wave of passion followed by a muffled scream from the room next door. Ron and Hermione were obviously having some 'private time'. Hermione didn't come across that way but as Remus had said a few nights ago it was the quite ones you had to watch.
As she sat on her bed she rubbed her hands over her swelling belly and sighed. She couldn't find it in her self to regret the conception of her child, no there were no regrets on that count but when she considered her old master she had begun to realise just what he had taken from her, what he had stolen. "Thank the Force that I had the good fortune to be rescued by them."
oOoOoOo
Coruscant - Lower City
"Soon Aralina you will be ready to learn more deeply of the Force and of the power of the Dark side. But for now I want you and a strike force of dark adepts to Bespin and destroy the Jedi enclave. I have sensed a disturbance in the Force around the outcasts located there and it....concerns me. There are new players in my game, seek them out and destroy them."
"Yes Master, it shall be done," replied Aralina.
"Do not underestimate them," warned the cloaked figure.
"I won't Master," replied Aralina as she turned and walked away, disappearing in to the shadows.
oOoOoOo
"Abandon Bespin, but why Master?" asked Ash Jarvee his confusion evident even as a hologram.
"I will explain once you arrive, have all our ships ready to depart as soon as possible. I should be there in the next few days," replied Altis. He wasn't going to say anything about the hidden location of the asteroid base over the 3D network even if it was encrypted.
"See you then Master," replied Ash's holographic figure as he closed the channel.
"When do you think you'll leave?" asked Alissa as soon as Altis turned away from the communications console.
Altis sighed and rubbed at his face, "Soon Alissa, I'm worried about the Force vision I was shown. There is something terrible coming and we need to start preparing now if we are going to survive it. Bespin was a great base of operations but it is too well known and I fear that it is too exposed to attack. I'll pull everyone back here and then we can make some decisions about how we shall continue with the training."
"I'll continue training those that stay Master," promised Alissa.
"Those that stay?" inquired Altis with a smile.
"I know you too well," replied Alissa with a wide smile, "You never miss an opportunity to train your students."
"Hmmm, well in this case you are correct, I'll ask Remus, Sirius and Ron to help me relocate our people from Bespin and yes I'll avail myself of the opportunity to see how far along they are," Altis smiled at his former student. "I'll leave you to work with the others."
oOoOoOo
Altis looked around at the gathered residents of the house," I owe you all an apology." The Jedi master raised his hand to forestall any comments. "I was quick to jump to a conclusion and judged you all harshly because of my own fears and for that I am sorry."
"We understand but from now on in we can't afford to have these misunderstandings, things are too dangerous as they are," warned Harry.
"So where to now?" asked Sirius.
"Well that is up to all of you but I," Altis looked over at Alissa who nodded, "Sorry we would like to help."
"Help?" echoed Harry.
"Well your people need training and to be frank you need allies if you want to succeed. I'm willing to offer you the support of those among my people who want to help as well as the training of course. I only have one condition."
Harry glanced over at Luna who was smiling at the older Jedi, "What would that be?"
Altis smiled at the question, "That you consent to train my people as well, Alissa's been telling me about the work you have been doing on how you use the Force,"
Luna smiled at Altis, "I think we can agree with that condition, don't you Harry?"
oOoOoOo
"Harry could you spare some of your people for my trip to the enclave?"
Harry shrugged, "I don't see why not, do you need all of us?"
"I was thinking of Sirius, Remus and Ron," Altis replied, "we could use some help getting all the families packed up and aboard the few transports we have and Alissa suggested that your abilities might be useful."
oOoOoOo
"All Systems are operational, we're ready to go," announced Ron from the co-pilots seat. Behind the two pilots Sirius and Remus were watching closely as both older men were keen to learn to pilot the Talia.
Altis nodded his acknowledgement as he brought full power, "Alright everyone strap in and lets get underway."
With deft control Altis piloted the Talia away from the Asteroid belt and prepared the first of two scheduled hyperspace jumps.
oOoOoOo
Harry swayed away from Alissa's counter and gestured, tossing the Twi'lek in to the padded wall even as he kicked backwards eliciting a startled "Ooof" from Hermione as she was sent to the floor. Sensing the next attack he used the Force to jump over the top of Luna as she thrust at his back.
"Stop, well done Harry now Luna it's your turn in the middle," ordered Keisha.
Luna nodded and replaced Harry in the circle.
For nearly two hours Keisha and Alissa worked Harry, Luna and Hermione through a vigorous session of combat training designed to test the two more experienced fighters as well as letting Hermione see just how far she had progressed.
After a short break Hermione and Keisha stepped the others through what their research on using Magic with their lightsabers acting as foci. Hermione was still struggling to replicate some spells but the range of spells available was growing almost daily.
Harry smiled as he watched Keisha gesture with her lightsaber sending a stunner toward Hermione who shielded with a wave of her wand. Hermione then launched in to a detailed explanation of what they had seen. Sitting next to him Alissa watched on with rapt attention.
Hermione walked over to Alissa, "Want to have a go?"
The Twi'lek nodded a bit hesitantly as she stood to join Hermione.
Hermione offered a reassuring smile as she raised her lightsaber, "Okay I want you to point your lightsaber hilt upwards and concentrate on the outcome you want, in this case lighting the crystal in your lightsaber while saying the word Lumos."
Alissa nodded and followed the instructions, nothing appeared to happen but a thoughtful look crossed Alissa's face, "I felt something....like a swirl of the Force."
"Try it again," urged Hermione.
"Lumos," intoned Alissa who was rewarded by a brief flash of light.
Hermione smiled at the Twi'lek's expression of shock, "Well done Alissa, It will take more practice but you have managed your first bit of magic."
Luna smiled and gestured Harry closer, "What do you think?"
"I think they've definitely cracked it, I mean we can do it because we've trained for years to do it more or less wandlessly but using your lightsaber as a focus, that's an act of genius."
"It gives us an advantage," offered Luna.
Harry nodded, "It does and that gives us a greater chance of success."
Luna sighed and squeezed his hand, "I know but then we need every break we can manage. I still feel half trained and I can feel the cloak ticking."
Harry knew a dark storm was coming, there would be, as Talia and Luna had predicted a terrible time of war, they could minimise the damage but not stop it. Yet with each life saved, with knowledge discovered and preserved they scored a victory against the greater darkness.