An older gentlemen with a certain presence around him in worn brown robes, a gangly amphibious looking alien with a duck bill, yellow eyes perched on top of stalks at the top of its head, and large flappy ears, a short conical astromech droid, and … the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on outside of his dreams, a girl who was likely several years older than he was now, probably closer to the age he was when he had been sent to this galaxy.

Harry paused his eyes unable to leave the girl in front of him realizing that his fate was upon him.

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Harry found himself standing at the threshold of the main shop room, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. His gaze darted back and forth between the cluster of individuals gathered near the entrance, their presence the cause of his confusion disorientation.

Who were they?

What were they doing here?

What did this mean?

Watto fixed his intense gaze on Harry before shaking his head in exasperation and yelling at him, "Watch the store and make sure this one …" he paused to point at the amphibious looking alien. " … Make sure he doesn't break anything. I'll be taking this here … um, farmer …?" He paused again waiting for confirmation from the older man. When it was not forthcoming, Watto shrugged his shoulders nonchalently, "Very well, I'll take him and his droid to the yard to look for the parts they need."

With that, the trio made their exit through the back door, leaving Harry standing alone in the shop with the curious alien and the girl, whose presence seemed to captivate his attention.

As soon as Watto, the astromech, and the man had left the store, the amphibious alien wasted no time exploring and handling every item he could get his hands on. His enthusiasm mirroring that of a child. Harry contemplated issuing a warning to be careful, knowing all too well the potential for chaos that might ensue if the alien accidentally triggered something, knowing it would be his responsibility to clean it up. Yet, his gaze kept wandering back to the girl, rendering him momentarily distracted.

Her appearance had an inexplicable allure that held Harry's attention hostage. He found himself drawing involuntary comparisons to friends from his past. Fleur Delacour, with her enchanting Veela heritage, and Daphne Greengrass, despite her somewhat aloof demeanor, were undoubtedly among the most attractive acquaintances he had encountered previously. However, this girl seemed to be in the same league, if not surpassing them.

Despite the blandness of her rustic, rough-spun cloak, she managed to appear strikingly out of place, her looks and demeanor transcending her attire. Her complexion was flawless, radiating with an inherent glow that seemed otherworldly. Causing Harry to wonder if perhaps if indeed it was. Her dark brown hair framed her ace elegantly, her hazel eyes held a certain allure. However, what captivated his attention the moster, were her lips, which held a subtle, serene, and enigmatic smile that seemed to beckon him closer with a teasing quality.

Yet, Harry began to grasp that the magnetic pull he felt towards this girl extended beyond her appearance, there was something more profound than mere physical beauty at play. While immediately he had found her presence genuinely pleasant, he realized it was the undeniable air of confidence that enveloped her. He was confidnt this quality drew people to her, an attribute that spoke volumes about her character and made her presence all the more captivating.

As Harry was contemplating the various ways to greet the girl, his attention was abruptly yanked away by a deafening crash originating from the far side of the room. In an instant, he pivoted on his heels to confront the source of the disturbance.

There, he witnessed the girl's companion, seemingly caught red-handed, standing next to a chaotic heap of scattered mechanical parts strewn haphazardly across the floor. What irked Harry was that this disarray consisted of parts he had painstakingly organized and stacked on the workbench, right next to where the alien had been standing, only days earlier.

As Harry prepared to reprimand the guilty looking alien, he found himself preempted by the girl, who took a step forward and addressed her companion with a tone of stern authority, "Jar Jar, what did Qui-Gon say? Do not touch anything!" The way she asserted herself only added to the air of confidence that had already intrigued Harry, and he couldn't help but watch their interaction with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

As her gaze shifted away from Jar Jar and unexpectedly locked onto Harry's, a warm and genuine smile graced her lips. Harry, caught off guard by the sudden connection, momentarily froze, his mind racing to process the encounter. It took a moment for him to gather his composure as he watched her approach.

Determined to initiate a conversation without resorting to anything awkward, Harry returned her smile as she drew nearer. He gestured in the direction of her companion, "Jar Jar … was it? He doesn't seem to be the most careful individual, is he?"

Her eyes flicked towards the bumbling alien, and she paused, thoughtfully choosing her words, "Well, he's ... nice, and his intentions are good ..."

Their eyes met once more, and a shared understanding passed between them. Without warning, both burst into laughter, the tension of the moment dissolving in the joyous release of shared amusement.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Harry began offering a warm smile as he introduced himself, "I am … Anakin Skywalker." His voice faltered ever so slightly at the end of his introduction. It marked the first time since arriving in this unfamiliar world that he felt a twinge of unease about concealing his true identity, a sensation that left him momentarily puzzled.

Unaware of the internal turmoil Harry was grappling with, Padme responded with a friendly smile, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Likewise, Anakin," she replied, her tone welcoming. "I am Padme Naberrie." Then, her gaze shifted to the surroundings, and she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, her playful curiosity evident. "Aren't you a little young to be working in a salvage shop?"

Harry regarded her with a small, wry chuckle, his eyes momentarily reflecting a deeper wisdom than his youthful appearance might suggest. "You know," he began, "I may not look it, but I've learned quite a bit along the way. Besides … it's not as if I had much of a choice. My mother and I were sold to a Hutt when I was too young to even remember, and then Watto won us in a bet on a …"

His voice trailed off as he noticed the expression of shock and sorrow that overcame Padme's features. Her eyes widened, and she could not contain her immediate response, blurting out, "You're a slave …"

The realization of his situation seemed to catch her unaware, causing her to react with genuine empathy and concern.

While Harry had never relished the prospect of discussing being a slave, the way Padme reacted brought a measure of relief to him. Her tone carried a reassuring message: that perhaps slavery was not a common practice in this galaxy, or at the very least, it was held in contempt. Harry had been quietly piecing together information about the prevalence of slavery in this new reality, but most of what he'd gathered had come from the chatter of spacers and pilots—a rough and pragmatic crowd more concerned with getting paid than moral considerations.

Yet, as he returned his gaze to Padme, he observed that the shock still lingered on her face. "Yes," he admitted, a touch of resignation in his voice, "I am a slave. But I'm also more than that. Please, don't judge me solely by that one aspect of my life. I am a person with a … complex history, dreams, and aspirations, just like anyone else. And I have a feeling I will not be a slave for much longer."

Now, it was Padme's turn to wear an expression of embarrassment and self-reproach. She turned her gaze back to Harry, her voice tinged with regret, "I'm terribly sorry for my reaction. I didn't mean to imply anything negative ... I just wasn't informed... I mean, the Queen wasn't briefed about slavery being legal and practiced on this planet ..." Her words trailed off as she appeared flustered, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and concern.

Harry couldn't help but smile at her genuine apology, appreciating the sincerity behind it. He noted that Padme seemed quite unaccustomed to being flustered, and he wanted to ease any lingering discomfort. In an attempt to steer the conversation away from the topic of slavery, he extended a conversational olive branch, "You're traveling with a Queen?" His question was laced with curiosity, seeking to learn more about her and her intriguing circumstances, hoping perhaps to gain some clarity on his visions.

Harry quickly realized that he had misjudged his response, judging by Padme's reaction as her smile faded, replaced by a guarded expression. Her response came across as devoid of emotion as she said, "Sorry, that was misleading... I misspoke."

Perplexed by the sudden shift in her demeanor, Harry arched an eyebrow and responded with genuine contrition, "I apologize; I didn't mean to pry. I was just intrigued. I've never been in proximity to queens where I could even be part of a conversation they were having. There was only one queen who was somewhat close to my old home, although I never had the opportunity to meet her or anything like that."

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The mention of his "old home" piqued Padme's curiosity, and she leaned in slightly, inquiring, "Your old home?" Her tone held a hint of intrigue.

Harry hesitated for a moment, momentarily unsure of how to respond. Deciding that turnabout was fairplay, he smiled a warm smile at Padme and shared a playful wink. "Sorry that was misleading … I misspoke."

This cleverly crafted remark successfully dissipated the lingering tension in the room, bringing forth genuine smiles from both Harry and Padme. As the laughter bubbled up between them, it seemed to wash away any awkwardness that had existed just moments before.

After they had shared a hearty laugh, Harry gazed at Padme, a newfound understanding between them. "Well, it seems we both might have a few secrets," he remarked, his voice tinged with camaraderie. "I promise, I won't mention anything to anyone. I'm pretty good at keeping secrets."

Padme nodded appreciatively.

"I may not know any queens," Harry began, his voice earnest and filled with a genuine compliment, "but for what it's worth, I think you would make a pretty good queen."

Padme's reaction was immediate; she froze, her eyes fixing on him with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. "What do you mean?" she inquired.

Harry's words flowed smoothly as he elaborated, his tone lightened with a touch of humor, "Well, you have this very confident aura about you, and you seem very intelligent ... at least, certainly compared to your companion." He couldn't help but chuckle, and the two of them turned their attention toward Jar Jar, who had just accidentally activated a droid. The droid promptly embarked on a chaotic rampage, knocking over everything in its path as it careened through the shop.

Harry, aware of the impending mess and dreading the cleanup that was sure to follow, couldn't help but call out, "Hit the nose!" His head shook in resignation as he anticipated Watto's reaction to the havoc caused by the mischievous droid.

Turning his attention back to Padme, Harry saw her shaking her head, a gesture of mild exasperation. She shrugged her shoulders, a hint of apology in her demeanor. "I'm really sorry about him. Hopefully, this doesn't get you in trouble."

Harry responded with a reassuring smile, his tone carrying a touch of understanding. "No need to apologize. I won't get in trouble for it. If it weren't this, Watto would have found something else for me to do anyway." He paused for a moment, his expression thoughtful as he continued, "I don't enjoy being in slavery, but at least Watto isn't a bad master. He's fair and treats us well. Sometimes, I even think he might care for us in his own way."

Padme regarded Harry with a hint of sadness in her gaze. Her voice was filled with admiration as she commented, "That's an incredibly mature attitude for someone so young."

Before Harry had a chance to come up with a suitable response, the entrance to the shop burst open, revealing Watto and Padme's two other companions. It was clear that they hadn't come to terms, as the elderly man addressed his fellow travelers with a curt gesture toward the door. "We are leaving," he declared, his tone brooking no argument.

Padme began to make her way toward the exit, but before departing, she turned back to Harry with a warm smile. "I enjoyed meeting you ... It was nice to talk to someone. Take care!"

Returning her smile, Harry responded in kind, "I really enjoyed meeting you as well."

"Fools!" Watto grumbled under his breath, a look of exasperation etched across his face as he watched Padme and her companions exit the shop. "They think they could pay me in Republic credits? What use would I have for those. It might be months before I could get rid of them."

Harry, still standing by the open doorway, observed as Padme and her group crossed the bustling plaza and eventually disappeared around a corner. "I don't know, Watto," he replied thoughtfully, "they seemed like good people ... well, except for that clumsy one." He couldn't help but chuckle as he gestured toward the mess the alien had left in its wake.

Watto, who had been too busy fuming about the lost business deal, now noticed the chaos in the shop for the first time. He exploded, "Those inconsiderate louts!" His anger subsided quickly, and he turned to Harry, offering an unexpected concession, "Clean up this mess, and you can head home a bit earlier today." With that, he turned around, taking off in the direction of his office while muttering grievances under his breath.

With a sense of enthusiasm, Harry immediately went to work, knowing that the opportunity to head home earlier than usual and possibly delve into his occlumency studies awaited him. He set to the task at hand, eager to complete the cleanup efficiently.

Just over an hour later, Harry took a step back, a contented smile gracing his face. He was pleased to discover that he had managed to tidy up the mess significantly faster than he had initially expected. After bidding Watto a goodnight, he headed out, planning to make a brief stop at one of his friends' stalls, to pick up some food for his mother on the way home.

As he rounded the corner opening up to the plaza his friend was located in, his progress came to an abrupt halt. Harry's gaze fixed upon a scene unfolding before him, and he shook his head in disbelief. It seemed that Jar Jar's propensity for getting into trouble extended beyond salvage shops. The amphibian alien had evidently done something to irk Sebulba, who had pushed Jar Jar to the ground and was now standing over him, menacingly threatening him.

Not spotting the rest of Jar Jar's party and concerned that things might escalate out of hand, Harry made the swift decision to intervene.

"Chess ko, Sebulba," he called out, his voice ringing with a calm authority. "I'd leave that one alone if I were you."

Sebulba, who had been intensely focused on Jar Jar, turned around to locate the source of the interruption, his eyes narrowing with a hostile recognition as he spotted Harry standing there. It was clear that he remembered the numerous altercations they had had while on the Podracing circuit.

Undeterred by the intense glare, Harry maintained a friendly smile and casually shrugged. "Well, it's your choice, but … perhaps keep in mind, he came into the shop today on business for the Hutts. Causing him harm probably isn't the kind of attention you'd want to draw." Harry's words were delivered with a measured calmness, hinting at the potential repercussions Sebulba might face if he continued his aggressive behavior.

Sebulba leaned back, his menacing eyes appraising the figure sprawled before him. With a sudden surge of fury, he bellowed out in anger, his guttural voice resonating, "Neek me chawa! Fine! Be careful next time ... you won't always have this little wermo around to help you out." And with that, he spun around, storming away in a fit of indignation, leaving Harry to assist Jar Jar to his feet.

After helping the relieved Jar Jar regain his footing, Harry observed the return of Padme, Qui-Gon, and their diminutive astromech droid, who had evidently come back to locate their missing companion.

"Jar Jar, what happened? Where did you ... Oh ... hello again, Anakin," Padme remarked, her attention shifting from Jar Jar to the familiar figure standing by his side. Her tone was warm and welcoming, the surprise in her voice indicative of the unexpected reunion.

Harry greeted Padme with a warm smile, his eyes brightening at opportunity to see her again. "Hello again. Fancy seeing you again so soon ... Your friend here was attempting to pick a fight with … well someone he definitely should not be provoking."

Qui-Gon regarded Jar Jar with a deep, ponderous gaze before turning his attention to Harry. "You have our thanks for stepping in to assist our companion."

Harry's response was firm. "No worries. Sebulba is a bully, and it's always good to help those targeted by bullies. I can't stand by and idly watch them torment anyone."

Padme and Qui-Gon, exchanged meaningful glances, seemingly reassessing Harry, before nodding in agreement. Qui-Gon was the first to respond, his voice tinged with approval, "I couldn't agree more ..."

Unfortunately, the remainder of Qui-Gon's statement was drowned out by the sudden, thunderous grumbling of Jar Jar's stomach, drawing the collective attention of everyone present.

Amused by the interruption, Harry couldn't help but laugh. "Seems like you haven't eaten yet. I know just the place in the settlement. Trust me, you'll love the pallies … they are the best."

Seeing no objections from the group, he took the lead and guided them to his friend Jira's stall. After a brief conversation with her, he placed an order for pallies, enough for the four of them, and an additional one to take home to his mother.

As he extended his arm to make payment, an odd sensation rippled through his arm. He paused, furrowing his brow in puzzlement, and began to rotate his arm to inspect it. In the process, he inadvertently lost his grip on the coins, which clattered to the ground.

Harry shook his head, puzzled by the strange sensation in his arm, and he began to crouch down to retrieve the fallen coins. However, he quickly realized that Qui-Gon had already taken the initiative and was in the process of gathering the scattered coins.

Just as Harry opened his mouth to express his gratitude, his words froze in his throat. His gaze zeroed in on something attached to Qui-Gon's hip … something that triggered a rush of memories. It was an object he had glimpsed recently in his visions … a topic of hushed conversations in cantinas … something nearly as legendary as the individuals known for wielding them.

Qui-Gon's hip held a lightsaber.

Unbeknownst to Qui-Gon, who was focused on handing the coins back to Harry, the young man numbly accepted the returned currency. All the while, his thoughts raced, contemplating the significance of the man's presence and the weapon that hung at his side.

Just who were these people?

Was this man really a Jedi?

Having settled the bill for the food, Harry suddenly felt a powerful gust of wind hurtling down the street, sending sand and debris swirling around them.

Still harboring curiosity about the lightsaber and desiring more time in Padme's company, Harry addressed the group with a concerned tone. "There's a storm blowing in," he announced, pointing towards clouds billowing above the distant outskirts of the settlement. "Sandstorms here can be pretty intense. Do you have shelter nearby?"

Padme's gaze shifted between Qui-Gon and Harry, a moment of silent communication passing between her and Qui-Gon. Finally, she looked back at Harry and began, "We have a ship on the outskirts of the..."

"That's too far. You'll never make it before the storm hits the settlement. If you want, you can come with me. You can wait out the storm in my house," Harry offered, his concern evident in his tone.

Padme started to respond, shaking her head. "We couldn't do that, and wouldn't your parents be upset if you just brought strangers over?" she asked, her gaze fixed on Harry.

Harry responded with a reassuring smile, "It's just my mother and me, but by now, she's used to me helping those in need." He continued, emphasizing the gravity of their choice, "It's either come back to my place and ride out the storm there, or risk getting separated in the storm while trying to find your way to the ship. Sometimes these storms can last a couple of days."

Jar Jar and Padme exchanged glances, their uncertainty evident. However, it was Qui-Gon who held Harry's gaze, his eyes intensely focused on the young man for a few seconds before finally nodding in agreement. "Alright, Anakin, we appreciate the offer. Please lead the way."

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