Chapter 3
It was time for some very much needed shuteye. A female figure entered the control room and managed some controls, her back towards Hermione.
"Looking for something?", Hermione's sudden presence and question made the other girl shriek. "You know you shouldn't be here. If you are looking for the message, you will not find it. It's nothing more than a forgery, a lie to deceive the Queen of Naboo.", she lowered her voice, whispering. "In short, to deceive you." Padme's eyes widened. "I have not told them, nor will I. Do the unexpected, and you will keep your enemies on their toes. And now, if I may suggest some rest. Your Highness has a big day ahead." Padme remained silent, measuring Hermione and her soulful eyes, and bid her goodnight.
The witch sighed and walked through the spacious room.
"What were you talking about with Padme?", asked Anakin.
"Can't sleep?", asked the witch, turning to face the boy. He shook his head, and replied it was too cold. "I'll sleep next to you then, we'll share my blanket. Yours seems a little too thin, more appropriate for Tatooine." She retrieved her pack and took a thin dark red blanket.
"So is yours.", she smiled mysteriously.
"No… mine is special." She sat down next to him, putting an arm around the boy, who settled against her. "Comfortable?" he nodded. "Sleep now."
Anakin had so many questions to ask Hermione, but he was getting gradually warmer and sleep seemed to be coming to him far too quickly. Hermione fondled his hair twice and whispered two (or was it three?) strange words and then he lost consciousness.
Much later, he woke to find her gone, the surface he was sleeping on was now surprisingly comfortable, though Hermione's blanket was the only thing wrapping him. He rose and folded it, looking around for her black bag.
But the bag and its mistress were gone, so he placed it next to his belongings, intending to give it back later. It had been the best sleep he had had in months. He blushed; he hoped not to have drooled onto Hermione during the night, as sometimes he would wake with a small pool of drool on his pillow. He sighed, and went looking for some breakfast.
Hermione was nowhere to be found. Where could she be? Apparently they were almost arriving in Coruscant. There she was; Hermione stood close to the Queen of Naboo, wearing a dark red dress, looking like an angel. One of the handmaidens had her bag.
The landing now complete, the Queen's group and security left the ship, and Anakin remained, unsure of what to do.
He decided to wait, and followed Qui-Gon's steps after shoving Hermione's blanket inside his bag. Soon they were all inside an air taxi with a Senator, who looked skeptically at him and Jar Jar; Anakin didn't like it very much. Hermione seemed tense and seemed to be weighting the white haired Palpatine. The man sneered at her, and then frowned, as Hermione was none too impressed with him. She was giving him quite the stare.
Now, waiting in an anteroom with Jar Jar and Hermione, while the Queen and her entourage met with the Senator, he could see she was lost in her thoughts, a frown on her face. She rose and walked towards a window, and stood there. He came closer.
"Hermione…"
"Anakin."
"I… have your blanket."
"Keep it. I'm not going to need it, I think."
"I… I was thinking… I don't know what's going to happen to me, Hermione, or if I'll ever see you again… so…"
"Anakin. I will always have a little place in my heart for you. You won't always be a little boy. Don't be afraid to grow up, but don't try to grow up too fast either."
"Why are you?..."
"I think… I'm not going to be allowed to be here for too long a time, now, Ani."
"Are you gonna die?!"
"Death is a natural part of life, Ani, nothing to be upset about, but no… I won't.", she swallowed. "I've come to care about you. Just, try to be safe. And do as Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan tell you. I don't know when I'll have to leave, nor when I'll be able to come back."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you, I made a vow."
There was noise and Anakin and Jar Jar turned to look at it, seeing nothing. Ani turned to speak to Hermione, but…
"She's gone, Jar Jar!"
"Mesa dina see Misa Hahmyoneenee."
The Gungan mispronounced her name worse than Viktor Krum, she mused. She measured the boy's unhappy countenance at her disappearance, as she stood there, nearly invisible. I have come to care for him. And he will be miserable. She turned and apparated away to the top of the building, sitting on the edge, looking towards the Jedi Temple. Then again, I wager he wasn't too happy the other time, not seeing Padme for ten years. She sighed. Well, now I wait.
