Hey, so, this is my first fanfic, so don't judge too harshly, yeah? Anyway, this story takes place in HP and the Order of the Phoenix, and during the Clone Wars (Star Wars!). Not the movie though – just sometime during those three years.

Anyway, here goes…

Chapter One

The Great Hall was filled with the usual excited buzz as people chatted to their friends and waited for the start of term feast to begin – and the Sorting, of course.

Harry Potter, however, was scanning the staff table at the top of the Hall, searching for the familiar, huge, bearded face of his friend, Professor Rubeus Hagrid.

"He's not there."

"He can't have left." Ron Weasley said, also scanning the top table, but there was no real need; Hagrid's size made him impossible to miss.

"Don't be ridiculous, of course he hasn't." Said Hermione Granger briskly, her eyes slightly narrowed as they travelled up and down the top table.

"Maybe he's not back yet," Harry began, lowering his voice and leaning across the table so that Neville – who was sitting right next to him – wouldn't hear. "You know, from his job with the Order."

"Yeah," Said Ron, looking and sounding relieved. "Yeah, that'll be it."

"Hm," Hermione frowned, not looking at all convinced. She let out a sudden gasp. "Who's that?"

Harry followed her gaze to the top table, and, with a sickening jolt, recognised that familiar toad's face and ludicrous bow perched atop greying hair as the woman turned to take a sip from the goblet in front of her.

"It's that Umbridge woman!"

"Who?" Ron and Hermione both looked mystified.

"She was at my hearing; she works for Fudge!"

"No!" Hermione's eyes were wide as she scanned the staff table again. Harry couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be at least two more seats than usual. "No, he can't have! He just can't!"

"What's she on about?" Ron asked Harry, but Harry just shrugged. He didn't have a clue either.

They didn't get the chance to ask her, for at that moment the colossal doors to the Great Hall opened and Professor McGonagall walked in carrying a small wooden stool and a ratty old pointed wizards hat, followed by a line of nervous looking first years.

But that wasn't what drew the eyes of Harry, Ron, Hermione and nearly everyone else in the vast hall.

It was the young girl near the back of the group, who looked about their own age. They couldn't be sure about this, however, because she wasn't human. Not fully, at any rate.

Although humanoid in shape, she was clearly not: with vivid, white tattoo-type markings that contrasted with her tanned looking skin, and her hair…her hair was the weirdest part about her.

It rose in two identical humps on top of her head and trailed down her back. But she didn't seem to have strands of hair, either; it seemed solid, and was stripped blue and white.

Very odd.

None of them had ever seen anything like her before. Not even Hermione, who had read hundreds of books; not one of them ever having mentioned anything like the girl in front of her.

The first years all lined up in an awkward line in front of the raised platform where the staff table stood, as Professor McGonagall sat down the stool and placed the Sorting Hat on top of it.

The whole school's eyes fixed on the hat as a brim opened at the bottom and it began to sing.

Once the ratty-old hat had finished it's song – "Blimey, it's branched out a bit this year." Said Ron – McGonagall began to call put names in alphabetical order and the first years were slowly but surely sorted into their houses.

The strange looking girl was sorted last, as she was to be placed in fifth year. Finally, Professor McGonagall called out "Tano, Ahsoka" and the girl stepped forwards, sat down, and placed the sorting hat on her head.

It stayed silent for a few seconds, and Harry wondered – as he always did – what it was saying and hearing inside her head, then yelled: "Gryffindor!"

Harry clapped loudly along with the rest of the Gryffindors as the girl – Ahsoka – hurried over and sat down; sighing with relief as she escaped the stares and whispers that had followed her progress across the hall.

She had sat down in the empty space opposite Hermione: opposite Harry and Ron.

She smiled slightly, acutely aware of the completely unembarrassed and totally rude stare Ron was sending her way. "Hey. I'm Ahsoka."

Hermione smiled back, and kicked Ron under the table. Ahsoka's lips twitched as he yelped in pain and glowered at Hermione.

"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger. And this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter."

Ahsoka smiled genuinely this time. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." Ron replied, remembering his manners for once.

Harry merely nodded.

Hermione regarded the strange new girl curiously. "You didn't seem surprised to see Harry. Normally people flip out."

Harry scowled at this description, but was, nonetheless, curious about the girl himself.

"Oh," She began, slightly uncertainly. "Well, see…I'm not from around here."

"Yeah, no kidding." Ron commented, his eyes once again taking in her strange appearance.

But Ahsoka just smiled and turned to the food that had appeared in front of them.

Dumbledore got to his feet as the plates cleared of all the delicious food – Ron had been greatly amused at Ahsoka's wariness when it appeared; it didn't seem like she knew what much of it was, but she seemed to like what she ate.

"Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts!" He began, beaming around at them all, with his arms outstretched. "Now that we are all fed and watered, I have a few start of term notices for you.

"Firstly, I would like to inform out new first years that the Forbidden Forest is exactly that – forbidden. And a few of our older students would do well to remember that as well." He added mildly, and Harry, Ron and Hermione grinned at each other.

"We have a few changes in staffing this year, and I would be grateful if you were to hear me out while I explain them.

"Firstly, I would like to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care Of Magical Creatures until such times as Professor Hagrid returns. Now, if you would all join me in a round of applause for the dear woman." Everyone clapped as Grubbly-Plank stood and gave a cheerful bow, before sitting back down with a wide smile on her face. Harry felt a plummeting sensation in his stomach. Dumbledore hadn't mentioned how long Hagrid would be gone for: he didn't know either. Well, at least now he knew that he was coming back.

Dumbledore continued on. "Secondly, I would like to introduce Professor Dolores Umbridge, who will be taking up the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts. And I am sure you will all join me in wishing the Professor a warm welcome."

A smattering of applause filled the Great Hall – not nearly as much as Grubbly-Plank had gotten. For Umbridge had a distinct, unlikable look about her as Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged horrified glances, their worst fears realised.

"Now, lastly – and I think probably the most important of all – I would like to introduce Anakin Skywalker and, er, Rex, who have kindly agreed to do me a huge favour and provide additional security for the castle for a while. Now, I would like – "

But Dumbledore broke off mid-sentence, turning to stare behind him at Umbridge, who, it became clear, had stood up – though it was hard to tell at first, as there really wasn't much difference in her height standing or sitting – and clearly intended to give some kind of speech. A couple of people shared looks and sniggered: this woman clearly didn't know how things were done at Hogwarts.

She cleared her throat with a ridiculous hem hem, and began to speak in a well rehearsed tone, her speech obviously having been learned form heart and practised many times.

Harry zoned out, blocking out the dreariness of it all, and looked around the Hall. Few people seemed to really be listening, most having started up conversations with their friends again; some were even having a game of exploding snap. He spotted Ernie McMillan over on the Hufflepuff table gazing towards Umbridge, but his gaze was unfocused, and his jaw was slack. Harry guessed he was only pretending to listen, trying to live up to the shiny new prefect's badge glittering on his chest.

Hermione was taking in Umbridge's every word however, and, judging the expression on her face, what she was hearing wasn't good.

Ahsoka too was listening, but Harry couldn't help but notice how her eyes kept flickering to the two young men at the top table who he now knew to be called Anakin Skywalker and Rex, who were also watching Umbridge, but looking bored – though still mostly paying attention.

It took a moment or two for everyone to realise that Umbridge had stopped talking, but even then the best she got was a couple of claps before there was silence again. Even the teachers only brought their hands together two or three times before sitting stony faced – clearly they hadn't liked what they had heard. Neither, for that matter, did Hermione and Ahsoka.

Dumbledore stood again. "Thank you, Professor Umbridge, that was most illuminating."

"Yes, it certainly was illuminating," Said Hermione in a low voice.

"You're not telling me you enjoyed it?" Ron said quietly, turning a glazed face to Hermione. "That was the dullest speech I've ever heard, and I grew up with Percy."

"I said illuminating, not enjoyable." Said Hermione. "It explained a lot."

"Did it?" Asked Harry, surprised. "Sounded like a load of waffle to me."

"There was a lot of important stuff hidden in the waffle." Said Hermione grimly.

"Like what?" Asked Ron blankly.

"How about: 'progress for progress sake must be discouraged'? How about: 'pruning wherever we find practices that ought to be prohibited'?" Ahsoka supplied.

"Exactly." Hermione agreed.

"Well, what does that mean?" Asked Ron impatiently.

"It means the Ministry is interfering with Hogwarts."

There was a great clattering and banging around them as chair scraped back and people stood up.

Hermione leapt up out of her seat. "Ron! We're supposed to bring the first-years to the common room!"

"Oh…Oh yeah!" Said Ron, who had obviously forgotten. "Hey, hey you lot! Midgets!"

"Ron! You can't call them that. First-years! First-years, follow me please!"

"What! They are! They're titchy! No way were we ever that small."

"I know that, Ron, but you still can't call them that! First-years!"

Harry grinned at a pair of particularly small first-years, and they looked terrified, hurrying away and whispering to each other. The grin fell off his face. "See you," He muttered sullenly to the other two, and set off out of the hall.

"Hey! Wait up!" A voice called after him, and he felt a warm hand on his arm. He glanced up, and saw Ahsoka smiling at him nervously.

"What?" He asked, not caring that he sounded rude.

She shrugged it off. "See, I don't actually know where the common room is. I was wondering if you could show me?"

They didn't talk as they made their way through the crowded castle towards the portrait of the Fat Lady.

"Er…" Said Harry when he reached it, realising he didn't know the new password.

"No password, no entry." She said sternly. He felt Ahsoka slump slightly next to him, and heard her sigh softly, and mutter "Typical." under her breath.

"Harry, I know it!" Someone panted up behind him, and he turned to see Neville jogging up towards them. "Guess what it is? I'm actually going to be able to remember it for once –" He waved the stunted little cactus he had shown them on the train. "Mimbulus mimbletonia!"

"Correct." Said the Far Lady, and she swung forward on her portrait, revealing a large hole in the wall that was the entrance to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Ahsoka stared around in awe, and Harry grinned slightly. "See you." He said, and headed off up the spiral staircase, followed by Neville.

"Uh…" She muttered, as she realised she didn't have a clue where she was supposed to sleep. She supposed she could easily kip on one of the armchairs littered around the room if it came to it, but, truthfully, she'd prefer a bed – and not just because she hadn't slept in a proper one in a while.

She was just about to go find a suitable chair when she felt a hand on her shoulder, and turned to see Hermione Granger smiling at her. She had obviously just finished telling the first-years where to go because they were heading off up two separate staircases – boys up the one Harry and Neville had disappeared up, and girls up the other.

"You know where you're sleeping?" When Ahsoka shook her head, she gestured for her to follow her. "Come on then. I'll show you."

The next morning Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ahsoka headed down to breakfast together. Ahsoka was sorry to hear that people were being mean to Harry, but didn't approve of him jumping down their throats to take out his anger at everyone else. She didn't voice these thoughts though.

They sat down at the long Gryffindor table – Hermione slipping into the seat next to Neville, across from Harry, Ron and Ahsoka – and began to make light conversation. Hermione hadn't asked Ahsoka anything the night before, but Ahsoka knew that she – along with Harry and Ron – was bursting with questions, and she would answer them as best she could – provided she could, without giving anything away, that is.

But it was not about Ahsoka that they first talked, though the subject was closer to the reason she was here than the other three thought.

"So, additional security, huh?" Ron began, swallowing a huge mouthful of bacon. "Wonder why Dumbledore did that."

"He said it last night after that boring speech; weren't you listening?" Fred said, sliding into the seat next to Ron while George plopped down opposite, next to Neville.

"We were too busy talking about that boring speech. Anyway, what did he say?"

"That he reckoned we needed a bit more security, in more ways than just magically. Apparently those two new guys are good with practical defence. Like fighting and stuff. Dumbledore seemed to think it important." George replied, shrugging.

"Well, he's right." Ahsoka chimed in. "Practical defence is dead useful. It's saved my life more times than I like to count."

The Weasley twins, Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at her, dumbfounded, and she knew she shouldn't have said that. "I mean…um…" She trailed off, avoiding their looks of mingled surprise and confusion.

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked carefully.

Ahsoka sighed. "I'm not pretending to be an expert or anything; just…I know some stuff." She muttered.

"What kind of 'stuff'?" Ron.

"Some, y'know, self-defence stuff. Practical defence stuff." She added.

Hermione slowly nodded. "OK. If you don't want to tell us, I guess it doesn't matter." Ron started to protest, but Hermione cut him off. "No, Ron. This is Ahsoka's business: if she wants to tell us, she can, if she doesn't, then she won't."

There was a tense few minutes, and then the twins were engrossed in a conversation with others around them, cracking jokes and laughing as usual. Ahsoka felt the others relax too, and sighed in relief.

Then a new figure joined them, slipping onto the bench next to Hermione and opposite Ahsoka. Anakin Skywalker grinned at her, and she returned the grin, but he could see that her heart wasn't in it.

"What's up?" He asked, helping himself to toast. Harry, Ron and Hermione stared at him. Teachers didn't usually sit at the house tables, and they didn't usually talk to the students how Skywalker was talking to Ahsoka. They wondered if the two knew each other – after all, they did come to the school at the same time, didn't they? Then again, Umbridge did as well, and so far they had seen nothing to suggest that they knew each other.

Ahsoka shrugged. "Nothing. I just…"

"Let slip that you know practical defence? Doesn't matter. They were bound to find out at some point, weren't they?"

Ahsoka looked hugely relieved at this. "I suppose so." She said, cheering up immensely. "So, how'd you sleep?"

Her master grinned. "Not bad. You?"

"Great. First time I've slept in a bed in a long time."

"Mm, I know what you mean."

"Uh, we don't." Ron said bluntly, then his face turned red as he suddenly remembered who he was talking to. "Uh, Professor."

But Anakin just smiled. "Don't." He said. "I'm not really one. I mean, come on; do I look like a professor to you?"

"Not really." Harry supplied, and the slightly older man chuckled.

"So, do you two know each other, Pro…eh, sir?" Hermione asked nervously, while blushing furiously.

Anakin rolled his electric blue eyes, but didn't comment on the title. "Sure." He said.

"How?" Ron asked. He didn't really care about being polite now, as he sort of sensed that this man didn't really care either. And he was right. Anakin wasn't interested in formalities.

"You wanna explain, or will I?"

Ahsoka grinned at him. "You can. I'm hungry."

Anakin rolled his eyes again, then looked at the trio. "I can't explain here. It's not safe. You know of the Order, right?" The three exchanged wide eyed looks, then nodded. "Well, it's connected to them. I will explain, but not here."

"'At waz wonerful explation." Ahsoka said through a mouthful of food, and Anakin snorted.

"Thanks very much." It was clear the two of them had a close relationship, but they didn't seem more than friends – it was definitely not a romantic relationship, Hermione decided.

"So, when will you explain?" Harry asked, and Anakin turned his gaze towards him, and frowned slightly.

"I don't know. Tonight, maybe. Depends on…things." He supplied vaguely, and Harry frowned. What was he hiding?

He didn't have time to dwell on the matter, however, for at that moment Professor McGonagall descended on them and handed out their timetables. She gave Anakin a searching look.

"You know, staff usually dine on the staff table." She said, with emphasis on the staff.

Anakin sighed. "But there's no rule that says they have to. And anyway, I like it down here. I don't fit in up there."

She smiled slightly – Harry was amazed, not something she usually did – and softened infinitesimally. "No, you don't." And she moved off down the table, missing the slight grin on Anakin's face. Ahsoka rolled her eyes at him.

Their first day back was boring to say the least. History of Magic, Divination, double Potions and Defence Against the Dark Arts. Most of Harry's least favourite teachers crammed into one day. Whoopee.

History of Magic passed slowly by with the ghost of Professor Binns droning on as usual, not even aware that he was speaking to a class full of students – nothing out of the ordinary there – and Harry and Ron playing exploding snap at the back of the classroom, trusting Hermione's notes that she was taking while sending them the type of look that clearly told them that she didn't approve in their behaviour the slightest bit, Ahsoka looking on interestedly, fascinated by the game.

After History of Magic, Harry, Ron and Ahsoka headed off to Divination while Hermione left for Arithmancy. Harry and Ron were greatly amused throughout the lesson by Ahsoka's imitations of Professor Trelawney – she had her down to a tee.

But even though she wasn't concentrating on the class, Ahsoka still knew what to do. They were doing crystal gazing, and she seemed to be good at it. However, Harry didn't think she was actually seeing anything in the glass orb; more like she was predicting things in her mind – seeing the future as she closed her eyes before Trelawney approached their table, eagerly awaiting Ahsoka's next prediction. She didn't say much, just some things that were going to happen in classes over the rest of the day – for example, lectures on the importance of O.W.L.s, and how Professor Umbridge wouldn't let them do magic at all in her class. No one seemed to believe this, but they were soon to be proved wrong.

"How did you do that?" Harry asked her as they made their way out into the grounds for break.

"Do what?" There was a slight spring in Ahsoka's step, and neither of the other two knew why. She seemed to have enjoyed her first morning, but it had to be one of the most boring they had ever had – except of course their games of exploding snap and Ahsoka's imitations of the old bat.

"The predictions. I know you weren't using the crystal ball."

Ron looked at them curiously. "She wasn't?"

Harry ignored him.

Ahsoka sighed. "It's…complicated." Harry opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. "No. It's tied in with what Master Skywalker is going to explain later."

"Hang on, Master Skywalker?"

"Again, it will all become clear when he explains."

"Explains what?" Hermione asked, catching up with them as they exited the oak front doors.

"How Ahsoka makes predictions and why she calls Professor Skywalker Master Skywalker."

Ahsoka scowled at him, but didn't say anything more on the subject, ignoring their curious stares until they finally gave up.

Potions too was eventful, and Harry was glad when Snape's attention shifted off him and onto Ahsoka.

The greasy haired teachers' lips curled into a sneer as he spotted the young Togrutan next to Hermione. "Ah, you must be Miss Tano."

She stared at him coldly. "You must be Snape."

The room fell eerily silent as every head in the room turned to the pair. No one had ever heard anyone speak to Snape with so much contempt and sarcasm as the strange new girl in front of them.

Snape glowered at her. "You are as insolent as your master." He snapped. "I fail to understand why Dumbledore allows either of you in this school. I personally would never."

"You don't seem to understand much, do you." She shot back.

The rest of the lesson passed with Snape glaring at both Harry and Ahsoka with equal venom.

When they exited the drafty dungeon after the two hour long class, it was with Snape's frosty glare on their back.

"That was bloody brilliant." Ron chuckled, clapping Ahsoka on the back as they headed down to lunch.

She smiled. "Thanks."

Hermione stared disapprovingly at them. "Yes, it's all very well and funny, but honestly! You need to be careful, Ahsoka!"

"Why? It was just a bit of fun! No offence, but you need to lighten up, Hermione."

Harry and Ron snorted with laughter.

Hermione didn't say anything.

They sat down at the Gryffindor table, and were soon joined by Anakin again, but this time he was accompanied by Rex.

As they helped themselves to food, Anakin struck up a conversation.

"So, how was your morning?"

Ahsoka shrugged. "It was OK. There are some weird teachers here."

He chuckled. "Tell me about it. Trelawney is just strange."

Hermione giggled, and they all looked round at her. She blushed scarlet, and ducked her head back down to her plate, hiding her face behind her curtain of bushy brown hair.

"It was a surprisingly enjoyable Divination lesson, though." Ron mused, smiling slightly as he remembered Ahsoka's imitation of Trelawney going on about the inner eye.

"Oh?" Anakin asked, raising an eyebrow. "What happened?"

"Ahsoka." Harry said.

Anakin's eyes glinted mischievously at his young Padawan. "You entertained them."

She flicked a pea at him, which he easily deflected by twitching his wrist and batting it back at her. It hit her on the face, and she scowled at him.

"I entertained them with imitations of Trelawney." She snapped, and he grinned again.

"I knew that."

"How, exactly, did you know that?" She demanded.

"Same way you made all those predictions. You might want to tone it down a bit before you give anything away, though." He replied easily, biting into a sausage from the platter in front of him.

She scowled at him, but didn't reply.

"Potions was…interesting, too." Hermione began timidly, and Anakin turned his gaze in her again, fighting back the eye-roll that threatened to peek out as she blushed crimson under his gaze.

"What happened?"

"Ahsoka and Snape had a shouting match." Harry said, grinning at the memory.

"It wasn't a shouting match." Ahsoka said, relaxing out of her anger as she grabbed a slice of bacon before Rex could get to it, flashing him a cheeky smile as he glowered at her.

"Near enough, though."

"What did you say?" Anakin asked, amused.

"He was going on about how I was as insolent as you, and how he wouldn't let us in the castle if he had his way, so I said he didn't seem to understand much."

Anakin laughed. "He said I was insolent? Git." He said lightly.

At that moment, a shadow fell over them, and they looked up to see a bat-like figure sneering down at them.

"Well, well, well," He said silkily. "If it isn't Skywalker. I would have thought you'd rather be out 'kicking ass' than stuck in here, ah, protecting."

Anakin looked back at him, perfectly calm, but Ahsoka could see that mischievous glint back in his eyes. Uh oh.

"I'm amazed you even know such a phrase, Professor. And who says I volunteered for this? I'd far rather be out on the front-lines than in you company."

Ahsoka groaned inwardly as Snape's face contorted, and he swept away towards the top table, where he took the vacant seat next to the headmaster and began talking furiously to him, still shooting Anakin murderous looks as Dumbledore calmly replied.

Anakin chuckled again, then went back to his lunch.

"Why does he hate you so much?" Harry asked, curious.

Anakin shrugged. "No idea."

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Maybe it's because you're rude to him?" Ahsoka suggested innocently, and was rewarded by a half-hearted glare from her master.

"I'm rude to everybody." He said lightly.

"Yeah, tell me about it."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" He said, pretending to sound offended, while Harry, Ron and Hermione watched on, amused.

"Well, you aren't exactly known for manners, are you?" Rex commented

"You wouldn't have manners either if you grew up on Tantooine."

The three observers didn't have a clue what Tantooine was supposed to be.

"You're more known for shoot first, ask questions later, yes?" Ahsoka chipped in.

He shot her a withering look. "No."

"Alright then, you're known as The Hero With No Fear, galactic war hero, and all that jazz."

"Will you shut up! We are here undercover. What part of that don't you understand?"

"You're undercover?" Hermione asked interestedly, and Anakin spoke in a language that none of them understood, but it was obvious that whatever he said wasn't exactly civilised.

"Language, master." Ahsoka drawled. "No cursing. It's not polite."

He glowered at her, then turned to Hermione. "All will be revealed when I explain things to you, but I don't have time right now."

"You fight on the front-lines?" Ron asked, confused, and Anakin sighed.

"Later, Ron."

"So, you're known for your bravery, your lack of manners and your hatred of politicians, so tell me, how did you end up marrying a Senator?" Ahsoka mused, and he master just stared at her, and shook his head, not answering. Rex choked on his food, and gaped at Anakin.

"You're married?" Harry asked, while a suddenly quiet Hermione dropped her gaze to her plate again, dejected.

"That is a very good question." Rex said, still gaping at him. "You're married? I though that was forbidden?"

"It is. But you know I'm not usually one for following rules." He said, running his hand through his hair.

"Yeah, but there is a difference between rules and the Jedi CODE!"

"Must be hard. I mean, you say you fight on the front lines, and now you're here?" Harry continued.

Anakin shrugged. "We knew it wouldn't be easy. And anyway, we're used to it."

No one mentioned anything more on the subject, and Ahsoka relaxed around the others more and more. They were really starting to become friends.

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