Healing from Betrayal

Ahsoka Tano was feeling more than a little upset.

"Good it is that the truth was found. The disposition of Padawan Tano must we now discuss," Yoda said with his calmest voice.

Another Council member nodded and said, "We are proud of how you comported yourself during the trial."

Yoda nodded. "Agree I do. Not guilty were you. Voted we have to rescind the removal from the Jedi. Accepted you are to return."

Ahsoka was internally appalled. After this group of know-bests kicked her out without allowing her to defend herself even once, they expected her to just calmly come back? She glanced over to her former Master. She could see Skyguy could tell exactly how upset she was, even if he looked hopeful.

She was going to have to disappoint him.

"Masters. With all due respect to your position," she began. Before she could continue, however, an event unexpected interrupted the proceedings.

Suddenly, beside her a light formed out of thin air. While a couple of Masters sounded alarm, Yoda quickly ordered them room to wait. The Force was not disturbed – in fact, the Force almost sung with this new occurrence.

The blue light that formed coalesced into a hominid shape. And within moments, the light was gone and a simple human male stood there – or so it appeared. The man appeared to be Correllien or as from any number of worlds where humans could be found.

His dress was quite odd: Simple work trousers, a thin covering for his chest and a jacket that appeared to be made from animal hide but which did not seem to be protective per se.

The man blinked when confronted by the entire Jedi Council. He looked around. "Hello," he addressed the room. "My name is Harry Potter. Where am I?"

"Within the Jedi Temple on Coruscant you are. The Jedi Council we are," Yoda said to the new arrival. "To this place how come you?"

Harry almost ignored the last question. "And you, my dear? Who are you and why do you face the council?"

"My name is Ahsoka Tano. I was a Padawan of the Jedi until I was removed when I was accused of murder and sabotage by the Republic. Everyone here allowed me to be taken away and prosecuted without so much as a chance to defend myself. Only my former Master, Anakin Skywalker," she motioned toward the man off to the side, "believed in me. Against all opposition he investigated and found the true culprit. The Council was just telling me that due to my being found innocent they were magnanimously allowing me to return to the fold. They feel that now that I'm no longer a blot on the image of the Order, I can return and everything will be sunshine and light."

Harry could immediately tell that the woman before him was very close to blowing up. He was also quite amused, though he hid it, at the outrage that a few of the council were showing at her less than glowing description of the situation.

One, the short green creature that reminded him of a House Elf looked quite saddened by her harsh judgment. He immediately recognized the Dumbledore-esque "Leader of the Light" position that this one probably held. And so he asked, "Is this more or less correct?" of the small creature.

With some sorrow, the small being nodded. "Allow such a well-known General turned traitor to damage the image of the Jedi further we could not. Forced were we to do as we did. Against the full power of the Senate we could not act. Chance it was that allowed Skywalker to find the truth. Regret we feel for what happened."

He could immediately see that the "We're Sorry – everything is okay if you just agree" was not working on the young woman. He nodded to himself.

"My name is Harry Potter. I am known throughout several dimensions as the Lone Traveler. I was a magic-wielding wizard in my own dimension. Through a mistaken ritual, I became dimensionally disconnected and, since then, have moved from world to world and from dimension to dimension to assist those that need help." He noticed that a few of the Council members were looking decidedly skeptical. "You have a comment?" he asked one of them.

The odd looking being (very skinny neck – almost too skinny to hold a head in his opinion) said, "We have experience with people like you. You obviously are from a primitive culture. There is no such thing as magic – only the Force."

Harry looked at the being. "Really, now. You think so? Let me consider that." He looked around. "I'm feeling a bit tired – you don't mind if I sit down do you?" Without waiting for an answer, he waved his hand and conjured two very soft and comfy chairs, garishly decorated – he was trying to make a point. He said to the young woman next to him, "Feel free. It looks like we're going to be here a minute – have a seat."

Looking very startled, the young woman gingerly sat down on the chair as though expecting it to disappear. When her backside actually met physical chair, her eyes widened. She looked over and saw the new arrival sit comfortable back and mimicked him.

She decided that it really was a very comfortable chair after all.

"So, no such thing as magic, you say. How would you describe this 'Force' you speak of?" he asked casually.

He was happy that he had perfected his occlemency long ago because the looks of shock on the faces surrounding him would have made him laugh his ass off otherwise.

"Impossible!" the skinny necked being cried out. "This must be some Dark Force technique to cause us to see something not truly there."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Oh my GOD!" He shook his head. "Lord save me from know-bests who claim anything they don't understand must be Dark. I assure you … who are you anyway?"

"Jedi Master Yareal Poof." At that, Harry could barely contain his laughter – even his Godly levels of self-control were tested. Poof looked at him suspiciously. "What is so amusing?"

"Sorry." Harry got himself under control. "But where I'm from 'Poof' has a certain meaning and I almost couldn't contain myself. Anyway – back to what I was saying. I assure you, Jedi Master Poof," his lips twitched, "this is in no way Dark. I know Dark – I've fought it my whole existence. Simple conjuration is anything but Dark."

The small creature who seemed to be in charge nodded. "No feeling of the Dark side of the Force did I feel." He looked around and saw that all of the rest agreed with him. "But experienced with this we are not. Magic the Force is called by those who are untaught. The Force is what gives the Jedi our power. An energy field there is around all living things. Binds us all together it does. With proper training a Jedi can manipulate the world around himself by using the Force."

Curious, Harry asked, "And what is the difference between the Dark side and the Light side if I may be so bold?"

"Those who use negative emotions to access the Force are considered Dark. Fear, Anger, Agression, Hatred – these are the emotions which cause those who use it to become unstable. This causes them to seek to damage and destroy that which is around them. Insidious it is. Once on the Dark Path one travels, dominates one's destiny it does."

"And how do you utilize the force?"

"The ability to see the currents of the world the Force allows us. To protect and to defend is our mandate. Eschew we do the attachments of family and other things do we to prevent such things from forcing us to react in fear or anger when such things are attacked. Strengthen our minds, our bodies the Force does. Allows us the Force does to control our environment in our calling."

Harry was gobsmacked. "Wow. That's …" he really wanted to say "the stupidest bunch of bullshit I've ever heard" but he restrained himself. "… quite the lifestyle you've chosen." He turned toward the girl who was luxuriating in the very comfortable chair. By now she had found the release which allowed the chair's back to drop and the panel come forward to support the legs – Harry had conjured a lazy-boy. "And what was your reaction to being invited back to this … specialized fraternity?"

Ahsoka flipped the lever back which brought the seat back to it's resting position. "I was about to tell them that I refuse to rejoin the Jedi. I cannot work for a group which trusts me so little. I loved learning the Force and protecting the galaxy but I can't live with worrying about the next time I am falsely accused and taking the chance that next time no one will do what's needed to protect me when I cannot."

Harry noted that some of the faces were saddened by that pronouncement as others were more stoic. "Where would you go? What resources do you have?"

With some despair she replied, "I don't know. We are taught to have no connections. Probably to prevent us from leaving if we are dissatisfied. But I know I can't stay here."

Harry nodded and stood up, motioning her to follow. "Is there anything here that belongs to you that you would miss?" he asked.

She considered that. "Well, I regret not having my lightsabers. If I go out to the world, protecting myself will be my responsibility alone and without them I would be unable to do so."

Harry nodded. Removing his wand from the invisible holster he was wearing, he cast the spell verbally. "Accio Ahsoka's belongings!"

The spell, as he intended, went through the girl to find the things she was attached to and then sped out of the room through the floor. Harry had learned to modify the spell to avoid damage to people and to the environment – the absolute of thing moving directly had caused him some concern when he had considered the lack of common sense of wizards. And so, as he intended, very soon the door to the chambers opened and a small pile of clothes as well as two tube-like objects flew into the room and landed in front of the girl.

Leaning down, Ahsoka grabbed the two cylinders and then clipped them to her belt. She then stuffed the other things into the bag that also arrived with them. She then stood and faced the Council. As she was about to speak, Harry motioned her to be quiet. He himself faced the Council. "I think, before any permanent decisions are made, that this young lady needs to have some times to heal and to consider what has occurred. As she has no where to go, I am going to provide one. I will be taking her and bringing her back very soon."

Anakin Skywalker, who had been observing all of this, cried out, "You can't just come in here and steal my Padawan! How can I make certain she's safe if you just take her away?"

Harry turned and looked at the man. "Finally! Someone with real feelings! I think I find that truly refreshing considering the rest of these. I make solemn promise that I will ensure she is as safe as I can make her and I plan to return her within one hour of your time, maybe two – even is she will be gone for much longer from her own perspective."

Anakin considered that. "Well, if you're bringing her back so quickly then you can take me as well – I think I can spend an hour or two to make certain my student is returned safely."

Harry paused as he considered that. Quickly he cast a spell – muffliato. "I know she is feeling a lack of connection. Is there anyone that you feel connected to that you would miss if you left for a long time?" Anakin looked worriedly at the council who were sitting there gawking at the display. "Don't worry. They can't hear anything."

Embarrassed Anakin replied quietly, "Padme."

Harry asked, "And who is 'Padme' to you?"

Anakin paused and blushed. "My wife."

Harry's eyes widened. "Wow! A real person with a real relationship among these caricatures!" He looked around. "When I drop the spell, come over here and put your hand on my shoulder." Harry was using his legilemency to quickly discern the connection and to locate within this universe the woman he spoke of."

Harry dropped the spell and Anakin did as asked. Harry reached over and took Ahsoka's hand. "Well, folks. We'll be back."

Without allowing the Council to react, Harry did something he normally didn't do: He apparated. He amused himself with the idea of how they would react to the normal noise and feeling of apparition.

Padme Amidala, secret wife of Anakin Skywalker, was in her residence when her husband and his Padawan learner appeared right in front of her with another strange man.

Back in the Council chambers, the Council was shocked when the man, along with Skywalker and Tano, disappeared with a loud pop.

Voices were raised in shock and surprise. No one knew what had happened. Two did not visibly react: Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

With a considering look, Obi-Wan stood up and walked over to the two chairs which still sat within the Council chambers. After verifying the solid existence of the chairs, he cautiously sat down in one of them.

"Interesting," he said out loud, interrupting the various Councilors.

"What is interesting?" Yoda asked calmly.

"This really is a very comfortable chair," was his reply.

The rest of the Council watched in shocked silence as Yoda stood up and walked over. With a small Force-jump backwards, Yoda put himself in the other chair. Feeling the cushion underneath him and running his hands along the arm-rests Yoda added, "Very comfortable."

Padme gasped. "Anakin?"

"Hello, Padme. This is Harry. He arrived when the Council was inviting Ahsoka back to the Order. She refused. He is going to take here somewhere to heal – I insisted on coming with her. We will be gone, according to Harry, an hour in this world but much longer where we are going. Not wanting to leave without you, he brought us here to ask if you want to come along as well."

Padme lookeda the cheerful man in the odd dress. "Why should we go with you?"

Harry smiled at that – here was a real wife: Her immediate response was not "me" but "we." Real people and relationships were always more healthy than the crap he sometimes ran into.

"Well, we will be going to a universe where, I believe, Ahsoka can heal and also learn more about herself. She, and likely Anakin here, will probably spend time working with people who protect a galaxy of their own, but I believe the time spent will teach them much about life and themselves. As we will be dealing with the leaders of the alliance between several planets and species, your own input might be valuable. And I thought that spending time with Anakin without the pressures of your current lives might be good for you both."

Ahsoka Tano, observing this interaction, squinted her eyes suspiciously at her former Master and her friend. Her eyes widened at Padme's response.

Padme stood up and smiled. "Spending time with my husband is always a good thing." Padme calmly walked over and embraced Anakin.

Harry grinned at Ahsoka who was bug-eyed at the interaction. Getting himself together he asked, "Anything else that will be dearly missed if you don't have it for a while?"

Padme volunteered, "What about R2 and C-3PO?"

Anakin considered that. "Where we are going – do they use droids?"

"Droids?"

"Mechanical androids providing support functions. We have a couple of droids – C-3PO who is a protocol droid and R2-D2 which is my astromech droid."

Harry shrugged. "No need for droids where we are going. We can bring them if you want to."

"I'd like that. I wish we could bring our Y-wing fighters too – if we're going to be somewhere we will be going between planets."

Harry considered that. "I think that the principles of travel are different in that other universe. One thing I've noticed among different places, their faster-than-light travel methods are quiet individual. Any equipment you might need to repair, you probably want to bring parts with you as technology is different."

The small group used Harry's magic, Anakin's knowledge and Padme's credits to retrieve everything that might be needed for an extended stay in another universe. Harry shrunk everything into a small bag, including the two droids – after he ensured no damage would result.

Harry used the simple expedient of creating a trunk which had much more space inside than out – this allowed him to put the droids, parts and a few other things inside and put everything in his pockets.

He would have left the people in the trunk as well, but though they might want to experience the places they were going.

One hour and forty minutes after arriving in that universe, Harry then traveled with three figures dressed in robes. As they were going to a place which where he knew they were fairly open-minded, he didn't ask Ahsoka to hide her appearance.

Inside of Gringotts at Diagon Alley, a small contingent of guards were posted within the dimensional chamber. Four small figures straightened slightly when the light which presaged the arrival of one of their better dimensional customers appeared amid the room.

Unlike most times he appeared, he was not alone. The Goblin guard bowed briefly to the one they knew was actually a god and said, "Welcome to Gringotts1st Dimensional Savings and Trust."

"Thank you. Is my accounts manager available?"

"Sharpknife will be alerted forthwith. Do you require refreshment?" the leader said as one of the guards quickly exited to alert the senior manager.

"No, but thank you. We will wait until he arrives."

The guard nodded and the remaining guards all withdrew back to their normal positions.

Very soon, the Goblin he had come to see arrived with the guard that had gone to get him. "Welcome back, Marak Ilumian. How can Gringotts help you today?"

Padme, behind him, said quietly to her husband, "I thought his name was Harry."

Sharpknife, hearing the quiet comment due to his sharp hearing, said, "He goes by many names. We address him with the name he was given by our people in recognition of his skill as a warrior: Marak Ilumian, Fury of the Light."

Harry interjected, "Sharpknife, of the Gringotts Goblins, may I present Padme Amidala, Former Queen and current Senator to the Galactic Senate of the planet Naboo in her home dimension?"

Sharpknife bowed to the woman. "Highness, you are welcome to Gringotts."

"You may address me as Senator, or even Padme here." Sharpknife nodded.

"This is Anakin Skywalker, member of a monastic order of warriors called the Jedi, he is a Jedi Knight and husband of the Senator."

Sharpknife bowed, one warrior to another. "Warriors are always welcome to Gringotts."

Anakin bowed in return. "Thank you."

"And I also present Ahsoka Tano, former Padawan learner of Knight Skywalker. She was recently exonerated of a false charge which saw her unfairly punished. She is also a warrior of unquestioned skill."

Sharpknife bowed just as deeply to Ahsoka as he had to Anakin. "Outside of respect for noble ones, we care little for titles here other than warrior. Know that you are welcome and respected as such."

Ahsoka bowed in return, somewhat more deeply than Anakin. The complete acceptance at just Harry's word surprised her a bit. "Thank you for making me feel welcome." Sharpknife nodded.

Harry turned to those he brought. "As warriors, you can keep your weapons. But do not draw them – Gringotts is a place of peace, by treaty, and those that run it are a warrior race. Threatening them within these walls or even drawing a weapon without permission is considered a breach of security and they will respond accordingly."

Anakin spoke for both himself and Ahsoka. "We will keep our lightsabers put away."

Sharpknife, who had been listening, asked curiously, "Lightsaber?"

Anakin turned to the small creature. Sharpknife noticed immediately that these visitors had no reaction to his race. It was as if they automatically considered him the same status as any other sentient. It was quite refreshing really.

"Our order uses blades made of light as our primary weapons. Each member of our order retrieves the crystals which focus their power from a special planet where they are found and then manufactures their own personal lightsaber. It is part of our training and a rite of passage. We use these swords both offensively and defensively as needed – they will turn aside most any attack from weapons fire and they will cut almost anything when set to their highest setting."

Sharpknife nodded with respect. Warriors who not only trained with specialized weapons but made their own as well deserved such. "If we have time, I would be interested in seeing such. But, to business. Come with me. We will consult in my office."

Very soon, the group was seated in Sharpknife's office. "What can Gringotts do for you?" he asked Harry.

"I assume my accounts are in good shape?" Harry asked.

Sharpknife nodded and gave a toothy grin. "Profits are up. We have used your deposit to invest in a number of business and within a few dimensions."

"Good. I will need to make a withdrawal of perhaps twenty kilos of gold and twenty kilos of silver ingots. While I don't know the monetary system used where we are traveling to, I know that precious metals are almost universally accepted. I hope that this won't unnecessarily encumber my account?"

Sharpknife replied, "No. Such is a drop in the bucket. I assume you wish to use metals from your original deposit as opposed to random ones."

"Yes. As I don't plan on necessarily being able to return it afterword, I don't want to remove native metals."

Sharpknife nodded and left to set up the withdrawal.

Padme was curious. "What is so special about the metals you deposited?"

Harry looked at her. "As I move from one universe to another, I try to not remove material unnecessarily from any particular world. It has to do with dimensional balance. While the amounts, in the grand scheme of things, are very miniscule, I feel it is better safe than sorry. My deposit came from worlds where, for all intents and purposes, the society and world were already pretty doomed in one respect or another. My travels are directed by a higher power and I arrive where my skills are needed to assist in some way. Unfortunately, not all worlds can be saved and sometimes my assistance is in saving one person or a group of people and taking them to another world where they can live free. Like you, sometimes it's temporary. Other times it's permanent. I ensure that my deposits, which occasionally occur, are only taken from worlds and societies where I have earned them or where my alternate selves have deeded them to me directly. I also only take them when I deem the world not worth visiting again as it is beyond salvation."

Ahsoka asked, "What do you mean 'higher power'?"

Sharpknife quietly returned but waited without disturbing the conversation.

Harry asked, "Do you believe in Gods or deities?"

Ahsoka shrugged. "I know than many worlds have their own system of worship where they pray to one god or another. I have never met a god so I don't know."

Sharpknife snorted at that. The three turned. Padme asked, "What is amusing?"

Sharpknife replied, "While she does not know it apparently, her statement is not quite correct."

Ahsoka asked, "How so?"

Sharpknife pointed to Harry.

The three looked at the former wizard-turned-god. "While I don't always broadcast it, I am – in fact – a god. I was elevated by the Creator for services rendered in different worlds."

Anakin asked, "What do you mean you are a god?"

Harry sighed. "Okay. There are different levels of gods. Intrinsic within creation are different levels of energy or power. At the highest level, you have what is considered 'divine energy'. Those who can wield such are considered gods. The Force that you use is, in the grand scheme of things, a lower level of energy which borders on the divine but is not. Just as magic is. At the highest level, there is the God of creation – the one being who started it all. Just below Him are those gods which he created to assist him. These gods are trans-dimensional, which means they are not attached to any particular world. As almost every universe has multiple copies of itself, each one based on decisions made within that particular system, there are practically unlimited copies. Each copy has the next level of gods – those gods that are put into being by the belief of those that live within those worlds. This planet is called Earth. Earth people have worshipped hundreds and even thousands of gods in their history.

"Each dimension usually has an overall god which keeps an eye on things. While some are identical to others, some are unique. UL, for example, is the highest God in the universe where my wand was created. That universe was created by him. Below him are Gods that are specific to that universe but not tied to the beliefs of its people. Below that, sometimes, are the gods which are created by belief which are usually tied to a particular world or society. These can actually wither and die when belief in them subsides as the world changes. Mortals, of sufficient power and who perform deeds which are worthy, are often promoted to this level. Many kings who claim they are gods often are trying for this level but few actually succeed. And other gods are worshipped by don't actually exist."

Padme, who had been listening carefully, asked, "And what level are you?"

Harry replied, "While most mortals can usually be promoted to a world-level god rather than a dimensional or trans-dimensional god, I was gifted with trans-dimensional status. I answer directly to the Creator and the two main gods below Him. These are the powers which direct my travel."

"How many trans-dimensional gods are there?" Padme asked.

Harry considered that. "You know? I don't really know. I've met world gods – several versions of myself have attained that status. I've met a few dimensional gods. I know the Creator and I know the twin gods of creation right below him, the gods of Order and Chaos, but other than those and myself, I have not met any other trans-dimensional gods. Huh." He paused as he considered that. "I will have to ask the boss the next time we meet."

With that Sharpknife came back to his desk. "It will take twenty minutes to retrieve the metals and to prepare them for transport."

Harry nodded. "That's fine."