I don't own star wars or Harry Potter. These are the property of Lucas and Rowling, and whatever I write is not for profit. Blah blah blah, copyright this, whatever. Moving on…
Summary: Hagrid has just introduced the idea of Harry being a wizard and strolling into the Leaky Cauldron. This is a possible scenario where Harry decided to shake Professor Quirrell's hand and Voldemort was already possessing Quirrell.
Author's note:
Response to nim istar: I'd like to thank you for pointing out the lack of detail in Harry's training. I have plans to incorporate more details into it. However, yes, I have been quite reluctant as of yet to fully delve into this area so far. I shall try to make an effort in future chapters to address this issue. I wanted to go into this a bit more during the time lapse until the beginning of TPM. But since you don't accept PMs, I wanted to ask, besides more details on what actually is involved in light saber forms, katas, and what not, or basically a more descriptive depiction of the scenario, meditating on the force, discussing Jedi code/mantras and philosophies regarding everything, and practicing force manipulation powers (I still haven't decided what would be realistic to give Harry quite yet, I have some but any suggestions would be helpful), what else is there? I know he is lacking a true sparring partner as of yet in the story, I WILL address this in the future (post TPM), but what else might you suggest for regarding this detraction in this story? Thanks for the constructive feedback though, it was much appreciated.
Back to the boring ol' bits about how I don't own star wars or harry potter franchises, this is unbeta'd, expect to see many grammatical errors, but please forgive me, and leave comments, they are much appreciated. I wanted to apologize for the late chapter; I have been consumed with prepping for Pharmacy entrance exams which are less just 1 month away for me. I hope you continue to enjoy this story as much as I have writing it as a distraction from studying. Without further ado…
The Unknown Apprentice
Chapter 4:
"I'd like to introduce you to my family Harry. This is my mother Jobal, father Ruwee, and my older sister Sola." Harry was feeling slightly awkward but proceeded to shake each of their hands. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my friend Harry Potter."
"It's a pleasure to meet everyone. Thanks for inviting me into your home."
"It is no problem Harry. Ever since our daughter has mentioned you, we've eagerly been anticipating this," Jobal responded, while she gave Harry a wide smile. "I hope you are hungry. We will have dinner ready soon."
Padmé quickly grabbed Harry's hand dragged him into her home. She called out, "mom, I am going to give Harry a tour of the house. We will join you for dinner shortly." Harry just smiled nervously at the rest of her family while being dragged out.
As the two of them left the room, Sola gushed, "They look so cute together mom! No wonder we've seen so little of her this trip."
"I know sweetie. It looks like Padmé has made a new friend."
Ruwee responded with a simple nod. "I'm curious to find out more of the boy's background, but it certainly does seem that they get along." He leaves for his data pad to ready for a class he has to teach this upcoming year.
In another part of the house, Padmé excitedly brings Harry to a room. It has a balcony which overviewed the lake, a beautiful panorama that exemplified everything great about the Lake Country of Naboo. "This is my favorite room. I love coming here just to stand and enjoy the peace and quiet. It is so different than being in Theed."
"I can see why. This is just a marvelous view. I could meditate here for hours on end." Harry took a deep breath, and continued to stare out at the view. "Padmé, I wanted to request something. Could we keep my training a secret for now? I don't feel comfortable sharing that bit quite yet."
Padmé sighed in response. "Sure Harry. I don't like keeping things from my family, but I'll agree for now. But we can't keep it from them forever alright!"
"That's fine with me Padmé. Thanks for agreeing."
The dinner table was so overburdened with food, it almost seemed as if the table was concaving on itself. There was everything from fruit salad, a potato dish Harry couldn't recognize, pan fried fish, sliced loaf of bread, soup, and a roast of some kind. It was a meal fit for a king and beautifully set by Padmé's mother. Harry couldn't help but stare for a moment. He had never partaken in such a sumptuous feast before. The Dursleys only gave him morsels and he had been living on whatever he could gather in the wild. This sumptuous feast was beyond what he could imagine.
Quickly the family dived into the meal. Serving bowls were passed around and Harry couldn't help but to try everything. "Mrs. Nabierre, everything is so delicious. I've never had anything taste so great. Thank you for inviting me to dinner."
"You're welcome Harry. Feel free to come over anytime. It's great to see someone enjoy my cooking so much." Jobal flashed Harry a warm smile. "I feel like my two girls never eat enough of my cooking. It's good that you are here to help with that."
"But mom, your idea of eating enough would leave us looking like Hutts," Sola countered. Padmé and Harry started giggling while Ruwee chuckled along in a warm baritone voice. Jobal simply harrumphed in protest but continued to pass around the pears for desert.
"So Harry, where do you live? I didn't know that there were any homes nearby," Ruwee asked politely.
"Well, I actually don't live in a home. I live on board a spaceship."
"Padmé has said that you live alone. What about your family?" Jobal inquired.
Harry looked down sheepishly at his plate. He had already formulated what to tell other people when asked about this earlier in anticipation of this dinner. A slight reddening had appeared on his cheeks but he proceeded to reply, "Well, my family never liked me much. My real parents had died when I was one. My aunt and her family raised me but they never really liked me all that much. There was an incident and I was separated from them when I found a mentor who taught me a lot of cool stuff like flying the ship." He glanced around to all their faces that were looking at him with either concern or sadness, but he continued on, "He was dying and we were on a remote planet with not much in the way of civilization. He gave me his ship and told me to head towards the Naboo. I landed here a year ago and been here ever since."
Tears were forming in all the female's eyes. "That's so sad Harry. It must have been so lonely living on your own," Sola remarked with a sniffle while wiping her eyes with a sleeve.
"Really it is okay, none of you have to worry. This country is so beautiful. I've thoroughly enjoyed staying in this area. Besides, I was always independent and being free from everything was quite good for me this year."
Jobal definitely disagreed with the statement but she knew it wasn't time to say anything. Her eyes and face clearly disagreed with the idea of a 12 year old living alone. However, she couldn't do anything now so she decided to do the next best thing. "Harry, it's so rare to see Padmé with a friend, she has a hard time making them."
"MOM!" Padmé shrieked in protest.
Jobal continued on ignoring her daughter's outburst. "It would be great if you would join us for dinners on a regular basis. My family knows I can't let anyone go hungry, especially since I know you are nearby," the girls chortled at this remark. "Regardless, I am sure Padmé would love having you around the house." Padmé was turning beet read while Sola was snickering over in her direction.
"That would be lovely Mrs. Nabierre."
The summer for Harry soon resided into the same daily routine that heavily involved the Nabierre family. In the morning, he would have a physical workout that involved many miles jogging. After a quick breakfast, he would meditate and discuss philosophy and knowledge regarding Jedi's traditions with Revan. Then it was practicing with the lightsaber, either practice droids deflecting shots at a low setting or moving through the fluid dances of different katas or forms. He would meet Padmé for lunch and head over to her house where they would do anything from watching holovids, just talking, or playing with Sola in the lake. It was quite a pleasurable schedule for Harry and he had never been happier in his life. He was building up a relationship with all of Padmé's family. Harry loved learning history from Ruwee. Revan only knew history up to his death and while he found it fascinating, it was nice to learn the 4000 years after his death that Padmé's father was able to teach. Sola was always good for a good laugh. Harry and Sola loved picking on Padmé, whether it is when they nudged her into the lake on a walk or when they teased her for her hair sticking up on one particular day. Jobal loved doting on Harry and made sure he was particularly well fed. This was especially true when Harry started coming over for lunch also. He was almost an official member of the household with how much time he spent with them. But soon, the end of this glorious summer was approaching. With only a week left before having to leave, an important decision was looming over the Nabierre family…
"Honey, what would you say to inviting Harry to live with us?" Jobal asked her husband.
"Hmm, I figure I won't be totally opposed to this. Is this what you really want dear?"
"Yes, I do. He is such a sweet boy with such great manners. He is here alone and I couldn't stand the thought of him without anybody for another year. Plus, he enjoys my cooking so much. He is so adorable!" Jobal gushed.
"Padmé certainly won't protest to your decision. I haven't seen her this carefree in years," Ruwee commented.
At this moment, they both heard the tinkling laughter of their daughter and chuckling of Harry as they both entered the house. Jobal rose up and proceeded to walk out the room but turned around before leaving. "Let me go get them. I think we should tell them now."
"Padmé, Harry, would both of you come with me? We need to talk to you."
The pair of them turned and raised an eyebrow. This wasn't normal behavior and they were suddenly wary of the situation. They cautiously entered the room where Padmé's parents were sitting, where Ruwee waved his hand at the love seat in front of him, motioning them to sit down. "Both of you can sit, we have something to tell you." He remarked. "I know that our time here in the Lake Country draw near a close. We will be going back to Theed, and Padmé you have school approaching just around the corner."
Instantly, Padmé's head drooped and she just stared into her hands. In the excitement of meeting Harry and getting to know him, she had completely forgotten. I can't believe the summer is already gone. She turned and looked at Harry, and she noticed the gleam in his green eyes had dimmed somewhat. I don't want to leave him. He's my best friend…
Jobal interrupted her thought process when she started speaking. "Harry, we have loved having your company over this summer. It was enjoyable for all of us to get to know you and we can clearly see that Padmé thinks the world of you. We both wanted to ask you a question. I know Harry that you have lived alone for the past year, and I also recognize that you have enjoyed the freedoms attached with it. But we were wondering when we left for Theed at the end of this week, if you wanted to come live with us?" Harry's jaw dropped to the floor and he was stunned by the offer. No adult besides Revan had ever shown him kindness to this extent. Well, Revan doesn't count, he is dead, Harry mused. Jobal steamed onwards while Harry was pondering the gravity of their offer, "We are not asking you because we don't believe you can take care of yourself. You have proven your ability to do so admirably… but it would be nice to have you around. We have enjoyed your company quite a bit, and you would be missed at our dinner table if you decide to stay."
Padmé was jumping up and down on the inside. Ooo, Harry can come live with us! I won't lose my friend. This would be so great! All previous sadness had dissipated from her, and a bright sparkle had appeared in her brown eyes. She looked over at Harry imploringly, begging him to accept their offer. Harry just stared back into her eyes with a certain amount of shock present. Please Harry, just tell them yes. Do it for me… Padmé tried to convey her thoughts telepathically.
With a hint of nervousness in his voice, Harry stuttered out, "Wow, thank you Mr. and Mrs. Nabierre. I don't know what to say. Are you sure about this? I wouldn't want to intrude…"
Ruwee chuckled at his daughter while she snapped her head towards Harry as if he had sprouted a second head. Padmé seemed so ecstatic about this possible option, and it brought joy to his heart to see her daughter like this. "Of course Harry. We would not have asked if we truly didn't want this. As you can see by looking at Padmé, our family is not opposed to this proposition."
Harry was nervous. He really wanted to accept, but he knew he had to be open with this family. It wasn't like he could train in secret if he was living with them. It would only be fair if he was as open with Padmé's family as they were with him. "I have something to share with you all. Padmé knows, but I haven't shared everything regarding what I am doing." He nervously shuffled his feet, trying to figure out how to propose the idea that he was training to be a Jedi. "Well, I guess you could say I am force sensitive." Harry proved his point when her raised his hand at the recliner off the side and brought it right next to him. Jobal gasped sharply while Ruwee took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry I haven't told you about this beforehand, but if you really want live with me, you must know the truth." Harry sucked in a breath and calmed his mind by letting his emotions go. He hoped that they wouldn't judge him too harshly for keeping this quiet. He noticed Padmé was looking sheepishly at her feet. She was a part of this secret too. "I've been training myself in the ways of the Force ever since I came to Naboo. It was what my teacher instructed me to do."
Ruwee and Jobal casted a quick look at each other; seemingly communicating what to do with this new information. "Thank you Harry for trusting us with this information. It seems to me that our daughter already knew about this." He glanced sideways at his daughter who was still not meeting her parent's eyes. "I do wonder how you are going about this task, but that isn't the important factor at the moment."
Jobal interrupted, "What we are trying to say is that even though you are training, we would still love for you to come live with us. The offer still stands Harry. Would you want to come back to Theed with us?"
Harry's vision moved from one set of eyes to another in his attempt to comprehend why they would be so generous with him. Even after he hid the most important aspect of his life, they were still willing to take him into their home. Simple words couldn't do justice to the feelings he was experiencing at the moment. With a single tear that was running down his cheeks, he simply nodded. Padmé yelped and tackled him with a ferocious hug while her parents stood up to join their daughter. From this moment on, Harry's life was irrevocably changed. For the first time in his life, he understood what it meant to be accepted by people who cared for him.