Chapter Four: Mishaps and Mysteries

Harry was not in a good mood. He paced up and down outside the infirmary, periodically starting towards the door leading to the room where his Padawan lay unconscious, only to be warned off by the combined glares of Lily, Ginny and the other Healers working on Damien. He swung round, and sat down on the chair dropping his head in his hands and wondered where everything had gone so wrong.

Things had started off well enough. He and Damien had had breakfast and then gone to the training salle to practice the 14th kata, which Damien had been eager to learn. The 14th kata was one of several that had to be taught in stages and then combined once each stage had been mastered. Damien had already learnt the first stage and Harry was going to start him on the second stage.

They warmed up and then progressed through the first stage, Damien moving swiftly and easily through the familiar movements, his blade sweeping the air in precise firm blocks and attacks, his footwork sure and steady. The trouble came when Harry called a halt.

"Master, I know the second stage, watch" Damien had called out. Harry had stopped and watched in shock as Damien had started the second stage, a stage which he hadn't taught him yet. Wondering who had taught him, Harry nonetheless kept a close eye on his Padawan as he continued.

Damien was almost finished when the accident happened. He had leapt towards a beam, and slipped on landing, his body arcing backwards and falling headlong towards the floor. Harry had reached out with the Force, gathering it round his apprentice and attempting to slow him down. He couldn't completely stop Damien's fall, as he was falling too fast and was then too close to the floor to stop him completely so Harry did the next best thing. He got under Damien and broke his fall with his own body.

Damien and Harry landed on the floor in a painful tangle of limbs and Harry heard the sickening CRACK of breaking bone, followed by pained whimpering from Damien. Harry shook himself to get rid of the dazed feeling and quickly performed a scan on his body using the Force. Finding nothing but bruises he turned his attention to Damien.

The Padawan was lying half on top of Harry and half on the floor. His breathing was shallow and strained, and he was shivering with cold. Recognising the symptoms of shock Harry eased himself out from under Damien and swiftly checked his apprentice with the Force. What he found had him calling the emergency number for the Healers on his comlink.

Damien was rushed from the training salle to the infirmary in record time. He had sustained a cracked collarbone, several bruised ribs, a broken arm and a concussion. The cause for the emergency was the fact that the collarbone pieces were dangerously near Damien's carotid artery and he was in too much shock to safely go into a healing trance on his own in order to help. Harry could only follow behind the Healers and watch helplessly as his Padawan was surrounded by medical equipment designed to monitor him while the Healers worked.

He looked up as Anakin sat down next to him. The Knight looked troubled, and didn't speak for a few minutes as he tried to gather his thoughts. Finally he spoke.

"How is he?"

Harry sighed. "Stable, they're putting him in bacta now. What I want to know is who the hell taught him the second stage of the 14th kata. I didn't so who did?"

"Uh, that would be me. He came to me the other day while you were out providing security for Senator Organa at the Senate and asked me to show him the second stage. I asked him if you knew about this request and he said no but he really wanted to show you that he could do it. He wanted you to be proud of him."

Harry groaned. "Doesn't he know that I'm proud of him already? I only tell him so a few dozen times a day. What brought this on?"

Anakin looked sideways at his former master. "Apparently there was an altercation between Damien and a group of other Padawans. There were words exchanged. I saw the altercation but didn't hear what was said. It was a few hours later that he came to me with his request. He didn't know that I saw what happened."

Harry nodded, looking thoughtful. He was about to speak when Anakin started again. "I thought you told him that the 14th was to be taught in stages, and that he should wait for you to teach him each one."

"I've explained that to him yes, but he's so focused on proving himself worthy of me that he sometimes likes to run before he can walk so to speak" Harry said quietly. Anakin looked startled.

"Why would he think he's unworthy of you, he's one of the best in his age group and we all know it."

"Yes but you know how Padawans can be Anakin, and my reputation probably doesn't help in that area. The fact that he was chosen just a few days before his 13th birthday doesn't help either. That group you saw harassing him are probably the same ones who have been taunting him about me taking him on out of pity. While I and their masters have talked to them about it, it doesn't make Damien feel better unfortunately."

Anakin nodded. "I'm sorry he got injured Harry. I didn't mean for that to happen."

Harry sighed. "I know Anakin. I can still see it though, as if in slow motion. He fell, almost headfirst towards me. I tried slowing him down, but he was going too fast. He landed on top of me. His arm went out to break our fall as mine did and his arm snapped, the shockwave of that must have gone up his arm and cracked his collarbone. Then," Harry swallowed and cast a look towards the infirmary door, "then he went sideways as I went down, and I heard another crack as we landed. That must have been his ribs, and his head, it sort of, well, bounced off the surface. Then we just lay there for a few seconds until I started checking our condition.

Anakin shuddered before saying, "I'm sure he'll be OK Harry, he's just as stubborn as you are. I imagine he won't go trying anymore stunts like that though.

Harry grinned. "I know Anakin and I'd imagine that Damien won't be eager to repeat this experience either. I'll go and see him when he wakes up."

Anakin nodded and then rose from the chair preparing to leave. As he reached the door that led out to the hall he paused and said, "Can we talk later, I need to discuss something regarding my Senate mission with you."

"OK Anakin. I've been meaning to ask you what's going on there anyway. Let me make sure that Damien's going to recover and then we'll talk."

"OK Harry, I'll see you later. When the idiot wakes up, tell him to be more careful would you. I don't like my little brother being in hospital much."

Harry grinned. "I certainly will. Go and see Padme, I know you want to. She's in her Senatorial quarters; she apparently had a late meeting today."

Anakin and Harry parted ways, Anakin to go and see his wife, while Harry waited for a few hours so he could check on the well-being of his apprentice. When he finally walked towards the door again, Lily took one look at him and smiled.

"He woke up a few minutes ago Harry. He's fine, apart from being embarrassed, and rather worried about your reaction to his injuries." She stopped and looked at him closely for a moment before continuing, "If you have any thoughts of yelling at him then don't, he's been punished enough I think. A broken arm, bruised ribs, a cracked collarbone and a concussion would be enough punishment for anyone don't you think?"

Harry gave his mother a cold look and Lily took a step back, suddenly thinking that she might have overstepped her boundaries. Harry then smirked and replied, "I wasn't planning on it Mum, I do know what I'm doing when it comes to Damien. I don't know why people insist on thinking the worst of me when it comes to situations like this. I mean, honestly. Padawan homicide is frowned upon here you know."

Lily chuckled and stepped out of Harry's way. "OK then. Go on in. He'll be pleased to see you, if a little apprehensive."

Harry smirked as he sat down beside the bed that Damien was lying in. The thirteen and a half year old looked half pleased and half worried. Harry reached out and tugged his braid gently, running it through his fingers before releasing it.

"So, how are you feeling this evening" he asked seriously. Damien shrugged as well as he could and replied, "Not bad. I wish I could be back home though, I mean, I can rest there as well as here."

"Maybe. Of course the psychological impact of having to recover in here is greater incentive to keep yourself in one piece and not go trying things that you've only had one lesson on" was Harry's neutral response.

Damien's face fell. "I'm sorry Master, it's just that, well, I'd been practicing on my own, the second stage I mean, and I thought I had it, I really did. Then I messed up the last part and the next thing I remember is waking up here."

Harry chuckled. "That's why I told you to wait for me to go through each stage with you and make sure you have it correct before even trying to combine them." Seeing that Damien looked crestfallen at the failure, he smiled and said softly, "Now you've learnt the reason why I told you to wait, how about I cheer you up a bit."

Damien looked startled. "Er, aren't you mad at me Master?" Harry shook his head. "No. I was annoyed at first but I think you've been punished enough. However, I do want to talk about why you felt you needed to try and impress me like this, and why you continue to hold yourself to impossible standards in pursuit of it."

Damien now looked highly uncomfortable. "Can we talk about this when we're at home Master?" he asked. Harry's answer was to draw his wand and cast a privacy bubble round the bed so no one could hear their conversation.

"No one can hear us now, there's no need to worry about privacy. So, come on. Answer the question."

"It was Leroy again Master. Him and his friends. I know you told me to ignore them and I have been but a few days ago, they backed me into a corner and kept telling me that you'd get rid of me if I didn't show you I could do at least the second stage of the 14th properly. I told him that I was going to wait for you to show me the proper way to do it but he laughed at me and said that you didn't want a Padawan who was so dependent on you; you wanted one could take the initiative and do things himself. He said that you only took me out of pity and that was why you only chose me a few days before I turned 13. I knew that that wasn't true but it still hurt. I, well, I decided to try it anyway."

Harry pulled Damien into a hug, mindful of his Padawan's injuries and held him while Damien calmed down. Inside, he was seething, Leroy had been tormenting Damien for months and Harry vowed that it was going to stop, even if Harry had to involve the Council over it.

"Padawan" he started his tone gentle but firm. "You are only thirteen. I wouldn't expect you to master the 14th kata for another few months at least. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and you're at the top or near the top of all your classes. I couldn't ask for more really. The 14th kata is one of only a few katas that need to be taught in stages, and everyone learns them at different speeds."

Damien nodded while leaning against Harry's shoulder, absorbing the strength that seemed to unconsciously flow from the older Jedi. He snuggled closer, enjoying the warmth and love that surrounded him, as he was feeling cold and a bit emotionally drained from what he'd gone through. He refocused his attention as Harry began talking again.

"As for what he said about me taking you out of pity and that being the reason why I chose you only a few days before your birthday, well, that's not true in the least. I felt a connection a few weeks ago but then I was sent on a mission to Alderaan. I was injured there and returned to spend a day or so in the infirmary here. When I was better I was asked to coordinate a security plan to protect Chancellor Palpatine and had no chance to follow up the connection I felt. Then the Chancellor was kidnapped and I had to go rescue him. Only after that was I given enough time to properly follow up on what I felt."

Looking Damien directly in the eyes, and using the type of look that made it impossible for the recipient to look away until Harry released them, he said emphatically, "If I had been able to, I would have found, and chosen you far sooner than I did. For that I'm sorry however I don't get a choice in what missions I take with this blasted war on. Understand?"

Damien nodded. "Yes Master I understand. Sorry about landing in here. I'll wait next time you tell me to, falling wasn't fun."

Harry laughed. "I can imagine not Damien. Have you had dinner yet?" Seeing Damien's negative head shake he nodded. "Right. I'll go to the kitchens and get us some real food and then we can just relax until you go to sleep."

Hearing Harry move towards the door of Damien's room Lily quickly moved away and back to her office. She had quietly been watching what happened in the room, not because she thought that Harry would harm Damien but because she hadn't had much chance to observe Harry's and Damien's relationship outside her official capacity other than the odd family dinners whenever Harry was available.

Harry and Damien had a nice dinner and Damien dropped off to sleep about 10 minutes later. Harry sat with him for 15 minutes, making sure that his Padawan was indeed asleep and safe, before he rose, brushed the hair off Damien's forehead and kissed it, and turned to leave. He had a certain group of Padawans to find and interrogate.

When Harry got back to his apartment after thoroughly scaring the crap out of the apprentices that had bullied Damien into thinking that he should try things he wasn't ready for in an attempt to impress Harry, he found Ginny and Anakin waiting for him.

"Hi love" Ginny said, kissing him as he hugged her before they sat down on the couch together. Harry smiled, even at 5 months pregnant; Ginny could always find time to raise his spirits no matter what she might be feeling at the time.

"Hey Gin, Anakin" he replied as he let his body go limp and be supported by the couch and also Ginny. Anakin chuckled and asked, "How's the idiot?"

"Fine and he's not an idiot" was the reply as Harry attempted to sit forward but fell back again. Ginny pushed him forward and got him properly positioned so he didn't fall back again, and then cuddled up to him.

"I know he's not Harry, but I heard you went on a Padawan hunt after talking to him. Are the other Padawans OK?"

Harry smirked. "They were fine when I left them, however their masters didn't look too happy. Damien will be fine in another couple of days. What did you want to talk to me about?"

Anakin frowned. "You know I've been with the Chancellor don't you" he asked. Seeing Harry's nod he continued, "Well, he's been saying things like the Council doesn't trust me and stuff like that. He's trying to make me believe that the Jedi want control of the Republic and other stuff. I haven't said anything besides defending the Order but he's really insistent. He seems to be planning on trying to gain emergency powers."

"Emergency powers? Why?" Ginny asked. Harry thought about it for a minute and then frowned. "Remember what happened my fifth year at Hogwarts Ginny? It would have been your fourth but still…"

Ginny thought before she gasped. "You think he'll pull an Umbridge?" she queried. Harry nodded. "I don't know for certain but he might well try."

"What are you talking about?" Anakin asked, confused. Harry and Ginny turned to face him and smiled grimly. "Umbridge was a Ministry person assigned to Hogwarts to keep the school in line with what the Ministry thought was right at the time. So she turned the school on its head, giving out all these Educational Decrees that eventually saw her elevated to the ultimate position of power in the school."

"So how did you deal with her?" Anakin asked. Harry smirked. "We started a school-wide rebellion Anakin. I don't know whether that would be feasible here as we don't yet know what Palpatine's plans are yet."

Anakin nodded. "So what do you suggest I do?"

"Have you reported to the Council yet?"

Anakin nodded. "Yes I have. They're worried about it and told me to talk to you, given that you're more likely to see what's really going on. Of course, Master Koth mentioned that you're more likely to see a conspiracy theory but still,"

Harry snorted. "They won't be saying that if what I suspect is true, is actually true" he muttered. Ginny gave him a worried look while Anakin looked both confused and then understanding dawned.

"You still think he's a Sith?" he asked. Harry shrugged. "If he isn't then something's seriously wrong with him otherwise as my scar hasn't reacted like this to anyone else other than Voldemort."

As Anakin stood to go, Harry caught his wrist and stood with him. Placing his hands on Anakin's shoulders he said, "I know I've said this before Anakin, but please, be very very careful around the Chancellor. Something's going on, something big and I don't know what it is but I'm worried. The Chancellor is very interested in you and I have no idea why but watch yourself round him. I don't trust him at all."

Anakin gave him a crooked grin and then replied, "I don't trust him either Master and I'll be careful. I just hope you're wrong about him because if you're not then we could all be in serious trouble.