"You know, I don't even have a change of clothes." Harry grumbled as he slogged through the shifting sand dunes of Tatooine. "Is there even a shower back on the ship?"

His walking partner, Padme, just smirked at him. "It is the Queen's personal ship. Not only does it have a shower but also a bath."

"Will I be allowed to use it to try and get rid of all this sand?"

"I'm sure something could be arranged."

Ahead of them, Qui-Gon Jinn marched through the sand towards the settlement ahead. He had changed his robes for what appeared to be a grey poncho. Behind them, R2-D2 trundled along.

Harry dreaded trying to get the sand out of the poor droid's body.

They entered the settlement, Mos Espa, it was quite busy and Harry had trouble focusing on Qui-Gon and trying not to look at every alien they passed.

After speaking with a few natives, Qui-Gon was able to find the location of a suitable seller.

The seller was a bug.

Well, it had bug like wings. It was at the most two feet tall, blue-grey skin, no hair, three fingered 'hands', large teeth, long snout…

And one hell of a nasty attitude.

That wasn't the worst part.

The worst part was the human kid. Maybe nine years old. Name of Anakin.

Harry instantly thought he was looking at a cross between Malfoy and Dudley.

Unfortunately for Harry, he was left alone with the kid, Padme and R2-D2.

"Are you an angel?"

The three travellers looked at the boy who was staring at Padme with an expression close to awe.

"What?" Padme didn't expect that question.

"An angel. I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the moons of Iego, I think." Anakin frowned thoughtfully. "They are the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They are good and kind, and so pretty that even the most hardened spice pirates cry."

Harry was fairly certain the boy was repeating a story he had been told many times. But he did agree that Padme was kind and beautiful.

"I have never heard of an angel." Padme admitted.

That made Harry curious. These planets were so different to Earth. It hadn't even been a day since he arrived. "You don't know what an angel is or you've never heard of the ones he's talking about?"

"I meant I had never heard of an angel existing." Padme smiled.

"Oh… so… how would you describe an angel?" He asked curiously.

"I already said! They are beautiful and good and kind!" Anakin huffed.

"Yeah, and I was asking Padme for her answer." Harry tried to keep his tone and expression neutral, but he wasn't fond of the boy's tone.

"I have only read tales of them being creatures of good and light." Padme answered quickly. "How do you describe them?"

Harry thought for a moment. "They come from Heaven. Usually dressed in white, with wings like a bird, also white. They can be male or female. They have a halo of light above their heads. Again… white. They are guardians and protectors who find those who are suffering and innocent and aid or comfort them.

"But they are also warriors who defend the weak and innocent."

Padme looked thoughtful. "They sound almost like the Jedi."

"They sound stupid." Came the petulant declaration from Anakin.

Both humans looked at the boy. Anakin seemed to wilt a little from the unimpressed look from Padme.

R2-D2 gave what could only be a raspberry to the boy.

It was only minutes later that Qui-Gon returned and nearly dragged them out. He refused to say anything until they were alone in an alley.

Considering the last alley Harry was in had two Dementors, he wasn't thrilled.

"He didn't have what you need?" Harry asked.

"He did. We simply did not have what he wanted in return. No matter how hard I tried to convince him." Qui-Gon muttered to himself.

"What does he want?" Padme asked.

"Trade. Precious metals, parts… slaves."

"Slaves?" Harry asked coldly.

"The boy you were talking to. He is a slave." Qui-Gon pointed out.

"Aren't you law enforcement? You can't actually condone slavery." Harry challenged.

"We are not law enforcement, Harry." Qui-Gon said gravely. "And we abhor slavery. We are peacekeepers. We carry weapons and will use them in the defence of ourselves and others. But the only power we hold with governments is that of respected advisors.

"We are far from the reaches of the civilised planets where our words have sway."

"It is disgusting." Padme spat.

Qui-Gon sighed. "Agreed. But, we have no power here. And we are stuck here without the means to repair the hyperdrive."

"Can't we strip the ship of stuff?" Harry asked.

"The cost of the replacement parts for the hyperdrive are worth as much as the ship itself." Qui-Gon shook his head.

"Then… why don't we trade the ship for a different one?"

Qui-Gon's eyebrow rose with curiosity. "Please, explain."

"Well, Padme says it's the Queen's personal ship. Compared to the ships we left behind and the ones we've seen leaving this planet… it looks pretty shiny.

"There has to be someone who we could trade the ship to for one with a working hyperdrive.

"Besides, they wouldn't be able to follow us as easily if we changed ships."

"He's right!" Padme exclaimed. "If we find the right people we can sell much of the ship's supplies as well. Enough that we might even be able to by the parts for the hyperdrive."

"The Troydarian won't be interested in the Queen's wardrobe." Qui-Gon pointed out in amusement.

"Who?" Harry asked.

"The one who owned the shop we were in."

"Oh. Isn't there a clothes shop on this planet?"

"They still won't accept our currency."

Harry rolled his eyes. "If we take clothes to a tailor, they will pay more for them than if we took them to… a book shop." He tried to think of what sort of shops might exist in this world.

"Harry is right." Padme stepped up to his side. "The ship is full of luxury items that, if sold to the right people, could net us enough to by the best ship on the planet."

"There is probably somewhere we can exchange your money for whatever they use here as well." Harry added.

Qui-Gon was a bit worried. Both Harry and Padme had made excellent suggestions, but why hadn't he thought of them himself? He had to admit, he was distracted by the darkness in the Force that he could feel pressing at the edge of his senses… and also the anomaly in front of him and the boy they had just left who was clearly exceptionally strong in the Force.

Qui-Gon had immediately contacted Obi-Wan and had him mobilise the crew of the ship into collecting and cataloguing anything that could possibly be sold. In the meantime, he led Padme, Harry and R2 in a search of the settlement's various merchants. He questioned each one about what they would be willing to buy and even managed to negotiate a few on the spot deals.

Towards the end of the day they headed back to the outskirts of the settlement to make another trek through the desert to the ship.

Harry was looking forward to a nice long shower.

"Hey! Wait!"

Which was immediately put on hold as young Anakin came running up behind them. Harry cursed in his head.

"Where are you going?"

"Home." Harry sighed mournfully. "I have an appointment with a promised shower."

Harry was largely ignored.

"We must return to our ship." Qui-Gon answered the boy. "We-"

"You can't go now!" Anakin was horrified. "There's a sandstorm coming! It will rip you to pieces!"

To Harry's continued and compounded dismay, the wind had begun to whip up.

"Come with me. Hurry!"

The whole walk to Anakin's home, Harry had been trying to think up what spells he could have used to get through the storm. Nothing came to mind.

He was fairly grumpy as a result. He wasn't alone as R2 clearly wasn't happy.

They reached the igloo-styled sandstone home just as the sandstorm began to impede their vision. They were introduced to Anakin's mother, Shmi. That is to say, he introduced Padme.

He then dragged Padme off to see something in his room.

Harry was about to lean against a wall when R2 started nudging him to follow Padme.

That left Qui-Gon to explain everything to Shmi.

Harry and R2-D2 found Padme looking a bit bewildered as Anakin rambled on about his droid. The droid appeared to be turned off.

"Oh… it's you."

"Nice to see you too." Harry snorted at the grumpy nine-year-old when he was spotted. Harry stood next to Padme as Anakin pottered about. "So, should I tell Qui-Gon to let the Queen know she's about to lose a handmaiden?" Harry asked quietly.

Padme glared at him.

"Who's the new robot?" Harry quickly changed the subject.

"Anakin says he made him. His designation is C-3PO."

"Do they sell droids in kits then?" Harry asked curiously.

"They are manufactured and assembled in large factories. They are sold to consumers ready for service." She answered.

"Oh. He looks like some of the droids we saw in town today."

"Anakin probably salvaged parts from the shop he works at." Padme shrugged.

Harry tensed. "We need to talk to Qui-Gon." He said as he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the small room.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Anakin was ignored.

"Qui-Gon, we might be in a bit of a pickle." Harry said as he marched up to the Jedi. "How do people become slaves on this planet?"

"Harry! You are being rude." Padme said heatedly.

"Look, Qui-Gon already told us that the kid is a slave, I'm guessing you are too, right, Ma'am?" He asked the woman respectfully.

She just nodded.

"Right, so, we are currently standing in a slave home which contains parts and goods stolen from their owner. Not exactly a good thing considering we want a low profile."

"Stolen goods?"

"We are not thieves, sir." Shmi said heatedly.

"And you have the money to afford all the parts for a functioning droid?"

"Of course not!"

"Then why is there one sitting in Anakin's room?"

"I- I- Anakin said it was alright." She finished weakly and with a bit of confusion.

"Shmi, did you initially tell Anakin that he was wrong to steal the parts?" Qui-Gon asked as he guided the woman to the table.

"I- I think so. But Anakin… he… he said it was…"

"Do not fret. I believe I know what has happened." Qui-Gon assured her. "Anakin is very strong in the Force." He explained to the woman and two teenagers. "I believe that he unwittingly used the Force to persuade you. It can happen in the very young when they are determined or emotional."

"Like mind control?" Harry asked.

"No, it is simply the ability to persuade someone. As Jedi we use it sparingly as it is seen as a violation of a person. But we do use it on planets like this one to keep the locals from interfering with our work without having to resort to violence."

"Alright, what do we do about our precarious situation?" Harry had experience with being called a thief and being caught with what might be considered contraband.

"We can only hope that the Troydarian doesn't come here before the storm passes." Qui-Gon frowned. "He is immune to Jedi mind tricks."

"Is that how you were trying to 'persuade' him to take Republic Credits?" Padme asked, clearly displeased.

"It is irrelevant." Qui-Gon brushed the topic away. "Harry, do you still have your cloak?"

Harry just nodded.

"Tonight, you will need to sleep under it with Padme in case something does happen. I will stand watch."

Padme looked outraged. Harry looked very uncomfortable with the idea. R2 just whistled in agreement.

Dinner was a tense affair.

Harry was having his first meal in this new world and he had no idea what he was eating. But he was used to having to eat the left-over scraps of his relatives, so it wasn't too hard.

He was also stuck in a rut, mentally speaking. He was trying to figure out how to find Sirius. He had run through every spell he had learnt in his five years of school and the only thing he could think of was divination.

Whilst Harry was running in circles in his own mind, Padme was having to deal with the demanding nature of Anakin. The boy was loud, obnoxious and liked to brag about his exploits. It didn't help that every time the wind banged something outside she would jump, thinking they were about to be discovered.

R2 was sitting in a corner, he was running on the bare minimum systems. The only additional utilities he had working were his proximity systems. He wanted to make sure his little flesh bags were safe.

He also didn't trust the little brat not to try and steal his parts.

Qui-Gon was a seemingly calm oasis in the home. Internally he was being a naughty little Jedi and enjoying Padme's discomfort. He considered it pay back for being saddled with her.

But eventually he remembered that Padme had been helpful. Without her input with Harry he would never have thought to sell the ship or its supplies. So, with that in mind he broke into the conversation and distracted Anakin.

Night eventually fell and Padme grabbed Harry stating she was tired and dragged him into Shmi's bedroom where the woman had offered her bed. R2 had just zipped in before she managed to shut the door.

"I thought we'd never escape." She sighed as she sat on the bed.

"Escape? Escape what?" Harry asked as he began to pull his cloak out of his pocket.

"Anakin!" She said heatedly. "He wouldn't leave me alone all evening! I have no idea how he managed to be so… annoying with a mother as sweet as Shmi."

"Probably because she is a slave and he has the ability to convince her to do what he wants." Harry shrugged. He draped the cloak over the end of the bed like a quilt. "Do you want the wall side?"

"What?"

"Do you want to be closer to the door or the wall?" He gestured to the bed that was against a corner. It was clearly made for one and it certainly wasn't meant to be sturdy.

R2-D2 started whistling and chirping. He nudged at Harry.

"We really need a better method of talking." Harry smiled sadly at the little guy.

"Oh! I forgot; I have a droid translator." Padme said as she pulled a metal device off her belt. "He says you should take the side nearest the door so you can protect- oh." She blushed slightly. "He says you should take this side and I should take the wall side."

Harry chuckled. "Ah, once again I take up my duly appointed role of Meat Shield." He took off his jacket and placed it on the floor next to the bed. Then he removed his glasses. He looked at the blurry objects with worry.

"What's wrong?" Padme asked as she sat next to him.

"My glasses. I don't want to put them somewhere in case I forget and break them. I haven't seen anyone else wearing glasses and I don't have money to buy new ones."

"What do they do?"

"They let me see." He chuckled morbidly.

"You're blind?!" She asked as she waved a hand in front of his face.

Harry blinked at the intrusion. "No, but my eyes are bad. Everything is a big blur without them."

R2 rolled up and whistled.

Harry put his glasses back on and gestured to the device. "What's he saying?"

"Oh, here." She handed to him.

Harry looked at the metal device with rounded edges. It was about the size of one of Dudley's Gameboys. It had a black screen with orange symbols. It confirmed one of his fears that had bugged him since they reached Theed.

"I can't read this." He handed it back to Padme.

"Are your glasses not working?"

"No, I mean… I don't understand the writing. It is different to my language."

"But… you speak Galactic Basic."

"I call it English. I had no idea what the Troydarian was saying earlier."

"Neither could I. The language we are speaking is known by most species, even if they can't actually speak it. It's mainly used for trade.

"I promise to try and teach you some."

"Thanks." Harry had the look of the lost as he gazed down at the foreign symbols.

R2 whistled again.

"Oh, R2-D2 is offering to look after your glasses." She explained, reading the device.

"Really? I mean, that would be great, but you don't look like you have any pockets." Harry grinned.

R2 tilted forward and a large blue panel on his head slid open.

"That is so much cooler than pockets." Harry mused. "Ok, but remember that they are fragile. They are made of glass."

R2 made a reassuring noise.

Harry took off his glasses and handed them to Padme. "Could you put them in? I really can't see properly without them."

Harry had already tied his wand to the outside of his left forearm. It was within easy reach and not likely to be broken. He pulled it out and indicated for Padme to get on the bed and pull the cloak over them, then he cast the silencing spell.

R2-D2 immediately lost them, but he began running comparisons on his memory of the images of the bed before and after they had disappeared. He then noticed slight movement of the bed. He felt better knowing he could find them.

Under the cloak, Padme had turned to face the wall and was as close to it as possible. Harry was facing R2 and the door.

"Dammit!"

Padme half sat up. "What? Is there a problem?"

"I should have enlarged Qui-Gon's poncho, cast an imperturbable on it and then we could have gotten back to the ship through the sandstorm." He grumbled.

"Why are you thinking of this now?" She demanded. "You could have saved me from the boy's gawking!"

Harry sat there staring at her back as she viciously turned on her side away from him.

Harry just grumbled to himself as he lay back down.

When Harry awoke it was not because morning had broken.

It was, however, because a certain little brat had broken into the bedroom and was currently in a fight with R2-D2.

Harry was about to sit up and deal with the little thief when he realised he was being held down by a sleeping Padme. Apparently she had repositioned in the night.

"Padme, wake up." He nudged her.

The girl opened her eyes blearily. But she woke up quicker when she realised she had cuddled into Harry during the night.

"Stay under the cloak." Harry instructed before he quickly slid out himself. "What the devil do you think you are doing?"

Anakin jumped and screamed at the angry growl.

The door to the bedroom burst open and Qui-Gon and Shmi rushed in.

"Anakin, why are you in here?" Shmi asked, confused.

"He was attacking R2." Harry was glaring angrily at the boy.

"I was not! I was looking for Padme." Anakin shot back.

"In the middle of the night?" Qui-Gon asked with a hint of disbelief.

R2 was still angry and started making some rather harsh noises before a small compartment opened up and a sparking rod poked out threateningly at Anakin.

Anakin backed up hastily.

"Outside, Anakin. Now." Shmi said tersely.

Qui-Gon backed out behind them, pulling the door closed.

Padme was instantly sitting up. "I can't believe he just barged in here!"

"He's obviously used to getting what he wants." Harry shrugged as he fumbled for his glasses from R2's compartment.

"But he's a slave! He should be used to getting nothing! You've seen Shmi, you've seen how su-"

"I know how slaves act."

She was shocked at the coldness in Harry's voice.

"Ask R2 if he is perfectly ok. Did Anakin hurt him?"

Padme paused for a moment before R2 started to whistle and hum. She grabbed the translator. "He says he is fine. He also says that Anakin was trying to open him up."

"Like I said before… a thief." Harry said with quiet anger. "R2, do you need to re-charge or power down to conserve energy?"

"He says he can last for eight more days before his reserves run low." Padme translated.

"Are you good to stand guard or do you want to take turns?"

Padme giggled as she read R2's translated beeps. "I think he's offended you had to ask."

Harry knelt down in front of the droid. "You and Padme are my first friends here. Don't forget… 'kay?"

R2's 'eye' bobbed in a nod and he gently nudged the human.

Morning was tense.

The storm had broken outside but inside was heavy and oppressive.

Shmi was clearly conflicted but angry, Anakin was sulking and Qui-Gon was frowning.

It didn't help that R2 practically growled at the boy when the trio entered.

Padme's glare wasn't much better... but it did seem to make Anakin quail slightly.

"We should leave immediately." Harry said as he walked up to Qui-Gon.

"Whilst I agree in principle, there are complications." Qui-Gon said slowly. "Anakin needs to be removed from this environment and be properly trained in the ways of the Force."

"Well we can always come back after… well, after." Harry didn't want to mention they were trying to smuggle a queen out of the system. "Besides, we can come back with local currency and try and buy Shmi and Anakin from the bug."

"Returning may not be possible for some time. Also, there is a… a darkness in the Force. We cannot afford to hope that it will not sense the boy."

"So, we need to go ship hunting and find a way to get a lot of money."

"Pod-Racing!"

Everyone turned to look at Anakin. Nobody looked impressed with his outburst, despite his bright smile.

"I do not believe this is something we should leave to chance." Padme shook her head.

"But I can win! I'm the best racer in the system!" Anakin argued.

"Does everyone race fairly?" Harry scoffed. "I've been watching these people. They cheat, lie, steal… how many times have you won?"

Anakin scowled as he looked at his feet, his cheeks burning. "Never."

"And I won't allow it." Shmi said firmly. "I hate when you race, Ani. It kills me each time."

R2 started whistling and bumping Padme.

She pulled out the translator. She read it and seemed surprised and impressed. "R2 says that if Harry can fix our technology then he can trade the service for Anakin and Shmi. He just has to fix everything in the Troydarian's shop."

"I suppose." Harry mused. "But that is a lot of stuff."

"Please explain." Qui-Gon requested curiously.

"My abilities." Harry said vaguely with a subtle glance to Anakin. He didn't want to advertise his magic.

"Harry did some impressive work on R2-D2 after… earlier." Padme added. "I suggested he try to fix our hyperdrive."

"I can fix it! I can fix anything!"

"Hush, Ani." Shmi scolded.

"We should probably discuss this on the way back to the ship." Harry interjected quickly. "Missus Skywalker, I won't say goodbye as I have a suspicion we will see each other again soon enough." Harry said as he offered his hand to the older woman.

Shmi smiled tiredly. "I hope so."

And that smile, that declaration of hope was what caused Harry to make it his mission to free Shmi… and her son… if he had to… because he wished he didn't.

Little brat.

They didn't talk as they traversed the desert to the ship. Padme and Harry had both learnt the hard way that it was too hot to talk and left them parched when they initially arrived at the settlement.

When they arrived at the ship they found Obi-Wan and one of the Queen's handmaidens organising various crates at the loading doors.

"Master, were you able to get the parts?"

"No. But apparently Harry may be able to fix the ship with his magic."

Qui-Gon had an amused look as his Padawan scowled at the word magic. He turned to the two teenagers. "Padme, take Harry to the ships engineer and have them try his magic. Obi-Wan will continue to organise the items for sale in case it doesn't work and I will inform the Queen of our progress."

"Her Majesty will want to see me as well." Padme said firmly.

"I can go and find Captain Panaka on my own." Harry assured them.

Qui-Gon and Padme were only twenty-minutes into the briefing when the ships engines started to hum.

"Harry Potter is extremely gifted, it would seem." The Queen mused with a smile.

Seconds later Captain Panaka burst in. "Your Majesty, we can leave at your command." He beamed. "Harry Potter has completely repaired the ship."

"Excellent. But it seems we might be delayed in departing. Padme and Master Jinn have informed me of two slaves they believe to be in need of rescuing."

"Your Majesty, whilst a noble goal, it is foolhardy and reckless as it will cast us further into the light and our enemies will discover us much quicker."

"Agreed. But Master Jinn has made a compelling argument. We will be preventing the rise of a possible Sith."

Panaka scowled. Nobody wanted another Sith. He then straightened and addressed the Queen. "If this is our course then I must insist that we follow a suggestion of young Harry's. He has pointed out that our ship is quite distinct and will attract a lot of attention. He has recommended that we sell as much cargo as possible and purchase a new ship, second hand or otherwise. We will then send this ship to lead any pursuers on a… I believe he called it a 'Wild Goose Chase'.

"A fool's errand, if you will."

"As much as I loathe the thought of losing my ship, it is probably for the best."

Panaka and another of the handmaidens were dispatched to attempt to sell the ship's supplies. Padme had found Harry and told him that they would be following his idea and the two of them would accompany Qui-Gon to try and buy Shmi and Anakin's freedom.

Before that, the Queen had requested a private meeting with just him and Padme.

Harry was pretty nervous as he stood next to Padme before the ebony clad monarch. Padme had changed her clothes and was wearing a lightweight red shirt and a long red skirt.

"Harry, whilst he has clearly served us well, perhaps your small friend here would be better served in returning to you." The Queen said in her deep voice.

Harry looked to the black dog that was sitting happily at the side of her throne as she gently ran her fingers through its fur.

"Erm… I didn't even know he was still here. I thought he would have turned back into a hat by now." Harry scratched the back of his head.

"He is a marvel. One of the sweetest creatures I have met." The Queen smiled fondly at the dog.

"I'm not entirely sure I could get him to leave you." Harry winced. "When I 'made' him, I did it with the intent to protect you. If you think about it then it would probably be best if he stayed with you. Back home, dogs make good guards." Harry chuckled. "They are often called 'Man's Best Friend'."

The Queen looked conflicted as she looked between the dog and Padme and Harry.

Harry knelt down and called to the dog. "Here boy. Come here."

The dog simply looked to the Queen. The Queen nodded sadly and the dog padded up to Harry, sniffed him, then Padme, and then returned back to the Queen and gave a small happy bark.

"He's yours." Harry shrugged. "For as long as the spell lasts."