Chapter Two: Unexpected News and New Bonds

Harry and Anakin were barely out of their debriefing session with the Council when their comlinks chimed simultaneously. Looking at each other they changed direction from the dining hall and headed off to Harry's apartment, where they found Ginny and Padme waiting for them. Padme had been coming to the Temple for visits with Ginny and James and Lily whenever she could as they were now part of her extended family.

Harry leaned against the door frame, with Anakin standing slightly in front of him and raised an eyebrow. "You wanted to see us ladies" he commented, wondering what the significance of the look that the two women exchanged.

Now Anakin was looking highly curious and couldn't stay quiet. "What is it that you have to tell us Padme?"

Another look was exchanged between Ginny and Padme and then both stepped forward, looked up at their respective husbands and then they said as one, "We're pregnant."

Harry and Anakin, two of the best Jedi the Order had, looked at each other and then their eyes rolled back in their heads and they quietly fainted. Ginny looked at Harry, turned to Padme, who was looking at Anakin, and then said impishly, "I think we broke them."

Padme chuckled and nodded before asking, "Should we wake them up?" Ginny nodded and then quietly levitated a glass of water over top of the unconscious Harry before tipping it over, sending cold water over top of him. She then did the same with Anakin.

Harry was in the middle of the most wonderful dream; his Ginny had just told him he was going to be a father. He was rudely awakened when a splash of icy water woke him up. Coughing and spluttering he woke up and glared at the offender.

"Ginny! I was in the middle of a nice dream thank you very much. Now I'm all wet!"

Anakin was saying similar things to Padme, as they rose from the floor. "Uh Harry, how did we end up on the floor?" Anakin asked. Harry shrugged. "It could have something to do with that nice dream I was having about Ginny telling me I was going to be a father" he admitted.

Anakin blinked in shock before replying, "That was the same dream I was having."

As one, the two Jedi turned to fix their wives with piercing stares. Padme cracked first. "It wasn't a dream guys, the next generation of Potters and Skywalkers are on the way."

Jedi up and down the hall that Harry's apartment was on poked their heads out of their doors at the loud whoops coming from the Jedi Master's home. Obi-Wan, who had recently arrived back from the Outer Rim walked down the hall and banged on the door.

"What's going on in there?" he called out. Harry palmed the door open, pulled his brother through the door and hugged him hard saying with a goofy grin on his face, "Anakin and I are going to be fathers! Isn't it great!"

Obi-Wan disentangled himself and then said, "Yes Harry, its good news however, most of the hall's occupants are complaining about the noise. Keep it down would you."

Harry stuck his head out the door and saw several annoyed looks being directed at him. Grinning sheepishly he called out, "Sorry about that, just got some very good news. We'll be quiet now."

With various grumbles the heads withdrew and Harry also withdrew as well, only to grab Ginny round the waist and kiss her senseless. He vaguely noticed Anakin doing the same with Padme. When the two couples disengaged from each other they collapsed on the couch.

"Wow, we're going to be fathers" Anakin said in wonder before looking worried. "Harry, how the hell am I going to cope, I know nothing about being a parent!" Harry chuckled sympathetically and then replied, "Just think of it like raising a Padawan Anakin, you'll have lots of help available should you and Padme need it."

Ginny then giggled and said, "Harry, shouldn't someone inform James and Lily that they're going to be grandparents?" At Harry's startled look she shook her head. "Really Harry they need to be told. I'll do it if you're too scared to."

"Who said I'm scared" Harry growled indignantly, before calling James on his comlink.

There was a brief period of silence after Harry made his announcement and then a loud cheer sounded through the tiny device. Harry winced and muttered, "Calm down Dad, you almost deafened me there. Yes we're all very happy, now please just calm down."

James lost no time in informing Lily who promptly arrived at Harry's door demanding to check on her colleague. Upon hearing that Padme was also expecting she included her in the checkup. It was into this organized chaos that Mace walked to deliver a message for Harry.

"Er, what's going on here" the Jedi Councillor asked. Harry grinned at him and said, "Anakin and I are going to be fathers. Great news isn't it."

Mace groaned. "Yes Harry it is but we need to tell the Temple maintenance crew to Potter and Skywalker-proof the Temple otherwise it'll fall down round our ears in a few years."

Harry gave him a dirty look before seeing the serious expression on his former Master's face. "What is it Mace? What's wrong?"

Mace sighed. "You know we started interrogating Dooku yes? Well, he suddenly collapsed and started screaming. It wasn't anything we did to him I assure you. The room felt filled with Darkness for a brief time and then Dooku sort of withered and dried up, as if his life force was sucked out of him. He's dead now; it was very quick and very sudden."

Harry sat down with a growl. "How much information did you get out of him before he died?"

"Not much at all, only that his master was Darth Sidious. Any other name for the guy he either didn't know or wasn't willing to tell us."

"Hmm, well, there's not much we can do now. Did you discuss what Anakin told me about Chancellor Palpatine?"

Mace frowned. "Yes Harry we did but we can't do anything without proof. I admit things look suspicious but we can't say anything while the galaxy's in its current state. Also, we're supposed to back up the Senate, and it wouldn't look good if we accuse its leader of treason without solid evidence to back it up."

Harry sighed. "I knew you'd say that but I had to try. Very well, what do you want us to do?"

"Attend the briefing on the Outer Rim sieges, then your time is yours, you and Anakin are on leave for the next 2 weeks. You both need the break."

"Thanks Mace. We'll do that. Might I suggest you also take some leave, you look terrible" Harry replied with a grin, ducking the good natured swat that Mace aimed at his head before the Councillor left.

Harry and Anakin sat in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet time with their family before Harry rose and stretched. "Come on Anakin, let's get to that briefing, then we can have all the relaxation time with Ginny and Padme that we need. We can start thinking of names, and other such baby related stuff."

Laughing, Anakin joined him and they walked out, leaving their wives to look at each other half content and half concerned.

A week later Obi-Wan joined Harry and Anakin at the balcony in one of the practice rooms, as Harry wanted to watch the initiates sparring for a few minutes. Despite the war going on Harry had been asked if he would consider taking another Padawan, so he spent much of his vacation time at the Temple watching the Initiates and listening to the Force, letting it guide him to his apprentice the way it had with Anakin. So far he'd narrowed it down to the group currently in the room, and Harry extended his senses, letting the Force guide him. He felt nothing for a few moments and then, right before he was about to give up he felt the telltale connection with one initiate.

His head snapped round to see a boy that looked to be around 11 or 12 get up off the floor, and bow to his opponent. He searched his memory before he remembered that the boy's name was Damien Kyral.

He watched, interested as the two initiates squared off again and began to spar. His eyes tracked every movement, noting both the good points and the areas which needed work. After about 10 minutes his potential Padawan lost yet again and Harry absently noted that he was good on offense but left his left side almost completely open on defense. That was something that could be corrected with time and training though, so it wasn't a major issue.

"See someone you like Harry?" Anakin asked, intrigued. He'd seen where Harry's interest lay early on although he himself had scanned the room and looked at the others as well, not feeling any real connection the way Harry had. Anakin didn't feel ready to take a Padawan yet, but there was no harm in him looking at the initiates anyway, in case he did feel ready sometime in the future.

"Yeah I did" Harry responded absently. "I think I'll go down and talk to him, find out a bit more about him. I'll see you later." He walked off, almost falling down the stairs as he was concentrating on remembering all the information he'd gathered about Damien and not on where he was going. Scowling good naturedly at his friends, who were laughing at his near accident, he righted himself and continued on his way.

Once he'd reached ground level he wandered into the training hall, where he spotted his quarry immediately. The boy was seated on one of the benches that ran round the sides of the massive room, and looked a bit dejected. Harry sat down next to him, and looked out over the hall.

After a few moments he spoke, "Why so glum? I was watching just now, you weren't that bad." The boy looked up, startled, and then his eyes got almost impossibly round at seeing who had addressed him. Harry and Anakin were living legends in the Jedi Order, as much as they didn't like that label, and the initiates were somewhat in awe of them, even though they knew that neither Harry nor Anakin would bite if they wanted to ask questions.

Studying the floor, Damien replied, "I lost every match. The others are saying that I'll never be chosen as a Padawan because I suck at defence, and that I'd just get my master killed if I was chosen."

Harry frowned. "Who told you that?" he enquired. The boy shook his head. "The leader of the group got chosen last week and he's out on assignment now. His friends are in a higher class so they're not here at the moment. I just stay out of their way mostly."

"Hmm. OK. Do you have somewhere to be at the moment?" Harry enquired. He wanted to find out more about the kid, and what better way than by spending time with him. The kid in question looked up and replied, "No Master Potter I don't. Why?"

Harry stood and held out a hand. "How about you get out of those practice clothes and into a fresh uniform and then join me in the gardens. I'd like to talk with you."

Harry chuckled at the speed with which the boy moved. He then became aware of a presence at his side. Turning to face the unknown presence he smiled. "Master Ryoth, I didn't see you there. Is there something you wanted?"

Master Ryoth was the training master for the initiates. He had seen Harry watching from up above and had quietly observed his conversation before making himself known. He had sensed the connection between the two, and thoroughly approved. Now, how to gently nudge Harry into making the offer…

"Yes I do. You're interested in Damien?"

" I am. Is there any reason why he wasn't chosen before this? All the information I've assembled on this group tells me that he's a good candidate to be chosen."

Ryoth sighed. "Master Potter, Damien is a good candidate; the right Master just hadn't come along before now that's all. Do you know his age?"

"11?" Harry asked, unsure as to whether he was correct. He couldn't remember everything about all the initiates in the group, which was why he had the information stored on a datapad in his pocket.

Ryoth shook his head. "No, you're close though. He's twelve."

"Almost at the deadline then" Harry mused. He'd always felt the practice of rejecting children as candidates for Jedi Knighthood at the age of 13 was cruel even though he understood the reasoning. If an Initiate was not chosen as a Padawan by the age of 13 they were shipped off to one of the other areas of the Jedi Order, most ending up in the Agricorp, as farmers. Some went into other areas such as Healing, or Intelligence, but the hopes of most Initiates were to be a Jedi Knight. Thus, the 12 year olds were understandably doing their best to prove themselves to any Knights or Masters that were looking for a Padawan in an effort to stave off having to join the Agricorp.

Harry shook himself out of his musing as Damien returned, almost falling over in his effort to stop himself from crashing into Harry and Ryoth. He bowed briefly to both of them and then looked at Harry uncertainly.

"I'll take my leave" Ryoth said to Harry before turning to Damien. "Damien, you did well today. Not all success is measured by winning, remember that. Enjoy your afternoon."

Damien bowed again. "Thank you Master Ryoth, I will" he replied before turning to Harry. "Er, Master Potter, which way is the gardens from here? Which one were you thinking of going to?"

Harry smiled. "I was thinking of taking a wander through the Temple, to the waterfall room. I find that room peaceful and relaxing don't you?"

Damien stuttered a bit, still not quite believing that he was walking beside one of the most famous Jedi in the Order and having a conversation on the soothing effects of waterfalls of all things. "Er, sometimes Master Potter. I like diving off the top into the pool at the bottom but you have to be careful of the rocks."

Harry nodded. "Yes you do. How about a little detour first?"

Damien shrugged, not knowing where they were headed but willing to trust that Harry wouldn't let him get hurt. He'd seen his dreams of being a Knight slowly slip away with each birthday and now, at 12 he had begun to resign himself to never achieving his dream, but in his heart he'd wished that he could be Harry Potter's apprentice. Mind you, the competition for that spot was fierce but Harry had so far not chosen anyone.

Harry looked down at his largely silent companion. He chuckled inwardly as Damien's shields slipped and the last thought, about him being Harry's Padawan came through.

'Little does he know that in a few days his dream will come true' Harry thought. While they'd been walking, he'd downloaded Damien's most recent class files to his datapad and read them, pleased with what he saw. Damien seemed to be hardworking, ambitious, brave and a bit mischievous when he wanted to be. That was not a bad thing in Harry's opinion, and he smiled as they reached the destination he had in mind.

"Master Potter? We're on a balcony" Damien said, puzzled. Harry turned and knelt in front of him so his eyes were level with Damien's. "I know. We're here for a specific purpose. What is this balcony overlooking?"

Damien moved forward to see what was in front of him. "The garden, and the waterfall" he replied. Harry nodded at him, adding a smile to see what effect it got. Damien brightened instantly, pleased at having got the answer right.

"Good. Now, Damien, do you like to fly?"

His answer was an enthusiastic "Yes."

Harry grinned. "OK then, get ready for the ride of your life. I'm going to transform into my Animagus form, which is a huge griffin. Then, you're going to climb on my back and we're going to fly down to the ground."

Damien's eyes were now as wide as dinner plates. He'd seen Harry's griffin form before, the Jedi Master had given a talk on some of the animals native to his homeworld and had shown them his form, but had declined to take any of them for a fly given that at the time he'd been recovering from an injury and could only transform from human to griffin and back again. Harry hadn't done any flying himself that day either.

"OK Master Potter. Um, won't I hurt you?" Harry shook his head. "No Damien you won't. When I transform, I'll lie down and you get on my back, with your legs in front of my wings, and sit in the space between them. Then just hang on and I'll do the rest."

Damien nodded excitedly. "OK sir" he said, before stepping back as Harry transformed and lay down. With a bit of awkwardness the Jedi Initiate got on and settled in position. Once his passenger was secure, Goldshadow stood and took off. Damien yelled with shock initially but then enjoyed the ride. The griffin circled the waterfall, skimmed the pool and then flew low to the ground, finally stopping and rolling so Damien fell into the soft grass. Harry then felt Damien touch his wing, and stood still for it, allowing the 12 year old to examine the feathers, and the fur on his body. When he transformed back Damien fell backwards in surprise.

"Are you alright?" Harry asked, concerned that Damien might have hurt himself in the abrupt fall. His concern was negated when Damien shook his head.

"That was brilliant Master Potter. Wow, that, I can't describe it properly. Thanks."

Harry chuckled and then dropped to the ground, folding himself so he landed crosslegged. "That's OK Damien; I was hoping you'd like it. So, what do you normally do in your spare time?"

Damien shrugged. "Not much. I like to practice lightsaber techniques, with a stick instead of my lightsaber, and read, and draw. I like swimming too, but the pool's a bit cold at present."

Looking up, Damien asked a question of his own, as he started to be more comfortable around the Master who had taken an interest in him. Secretly he hoped that interest would turn into what he dreamed of but he kept a firm lid on that, not wanting to be disappointed if it didn't.

"Um, what do you do in your spare time Sir?" he asked. Harry reclined on the grass, folding his arms above his head, and looking at the clouds. "Not much. Spend time with my wife, my family, and my friends. Annoy Master Windu and the Council by interrupting meetings in my griffin form. I once reached through an open window and yanked Master Yoda out of the Council Chamber with one paw and flew him round the top of the tower twice before returning him to his chair and leaving before they could react."

Damien gasped; he couldn't imagine someone doing that to Master Yoda. "Did they retaliate?" he asked, keen to hear more. Harry laughed, and replied, "Yeah they did. I was put to work helping in maintenance for a week, starting my repairs with the Council chair that I accidentally scratched when I went fishing for Master Yoda."

Damien rolled round on the grass in tears of laughter. Harry wasn't too far behind, as he remembered the look on Yoda's face and the howls of "PUT ME DOWN YOU WILL!" and the yells of "NOT HERE, BACK IN MY CHAIR!" when he'd playfully dangled the Jedi Master from the top of the tower in response to the first command.

Shaking his head Harry sat up to twist a kink out of his back before lying back down again. Damien rolled on his side and asked, "I thought that Jedi weren't allowed romantic attachments Master, and yet you said you have a family. How is that possible?"

Harry grinned. "Want to meet them?" he enquired. At Damien's nod, he rose and extended a hand to pull the Initiate from his sprawling position on the ground. As they walked to Harry's apartment he explained the reasons why he was allowed a family.

"So Jedi who swear on the Old Code get to have families" Damien was saying, as they arrived at Harry's door. Harry nodded, extended his senses to see if anyone was home, and walked in.

Damien followed and Harry left the door open so he could leave if he needed to. Inside were James, Lily and Ginny, as Padme had left to have some alone time with Anakin. Damien was shocked to learn that two of the nicest Healers in the infirmary were Harry's mother and wife respectively and the security guard at the front door was Harry's father. The three Potters welcomed him immediately and Ginny was soon debating with Damien over the necessity of having yearly booster shots. Lily entered the debate soon after and when they turned to Harry, he held up his hands.

"Whoa guys, I'm not getting involved in this. I've spent far too much time under your care to like the infirmary anyway, even if I love you two."

James shook his head and engaged Damien in a conversation about security gadgets and what was going on in the galaxy. Even though Damien hadn't been outside the Temple very much he still knew about the war and how it affected them and was able to discuss it seriously. Harry just sat back and thought 'another couple of days and I'll be able to ask him. I won't now, as I think he's approaching overload but maybe tomorrow or the day after. Let him get comfortable with me first, and then ask the question. I'm fairly certain he'll say yes but I want to be sure. He's comfortable with Mum and Dad and Ginny which is good.'

Around dinner time Harry extended an invitation to Damien to sit with them while they had dinner in the cafeteria. Damien quietly stated that he was flattered but he'd like to eat with his friends. Harry nodded, and said that it wasn't a problem and for Damien to go and enjoy his meal. From the looks he kept getting from Damien's table throughout dinner it appeared as though their afternoon was now common knowledge among the Initiates. Harry chuckled as the Council members kept getting odd looks as well, especially Master Yoda.

Harry curled round Ginny that night in a manner reminiscent of Goldshadow, and smiled as his hand naturally fell to her stomach. Smiling softly he whispered, "Goodnight" to the unborn child, and then fell asleep. In the initiate dorms Damien also went to sleep, wondering if the brilliant afternoon he'd had would continue the next day.