After the small speed touched down smoothly on one of the many landing platforms that seemed to be sticking out from nearly every building, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan escorted Harry and his mother down the ramp. Seeing their wide eyes, Qui-Gon smiled and pointed out notable landmarks that were visible among the towering spires and the endless stream of air traffic that was visible from their landing platform.

  Several minutes later, at Obi-Wan's urging, they spun around and started heading towards their destination.

  "Welcome to the Jedi Temple," Qui-Gon said, his voice calm and reassuring. "This is the heart of the Jedi Order, and where most of the Jedi reside while on Coruscant."

  Harry looked up at the imposing structure of the Jedi Temple as Qui-Gon described it, noting the five spires reaching for the sky. "Is this where we're going?" he asked, excitement and nervousness clearly evident in his voice.

  "Yes," Yoda replied after making his way down the ramp with Mace Windu. "Stay here you shall. The both of you. But excuse us you, you must. A meeting Master Windu and I, must attend."

  After saying a brief goodbye, the two Jedi Masters headed off in the direction of what appeared to be the main entrance, while Qui-Gon and his padawan led them to the side of the building, letting them know that this entrance led to the area where any dignitaries who had business with the Jedi Council would stay.

  Eventually, after finally making their ways indoors, they made their way through the bustling corridors of that section of the Jedi Temple, enjoying the atmosphere. Jedi of all ages and species moved around, some engaged in deep discussions, others in quiet meditation, and still others doing what looked like a variety of exercises. As they walked around, Harry was unable to prevent his eyes from darting from one area to the next, trying to take in every detail. He appreciated that his mother walked beside him, her expression a mixture of awe and apprehension. But it wasn't until he reached out and grasped her hand that she seemed to let out a deep breath and began to enjoy everything they were seeing.

  Eventually, Qui-Gon led them to the guest quarters, stopping at the door which slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a room that had to be at least as large as the entire Gryffindor Common Room. "These will be your rooms for now," Qui-Gon said, gesturing for them to enter. Even though the accommodations were simple they appeared to be extremely comfortable and welcoming, a stark contrast to the harsh conditions of Tatooine.

  His mother who had been staring in shook at the room, slowly made her way back to Harry where she put a hand on his shoulder as she looked back to Qui-Gon with a smile on her face. "Thank you, Master Jinn," she said softly. "This is more than I could have ever hoped for, we appreciate everything the two of you have done for us."

  Qui-Gon nodded, his eyes warm. "There is no need to thank us. Beyond what I believe to be true about young Ana – Harry here, it would have been incredibly distasteful of us to do nothing for him and yourself, after he volunteered to help us back on Tatooine, ignoring the risk to himself to help strangers, with no thought of a reward for himself or for you. While the Jedi are certainly not capable of righting every wrong in the galaxy, there are certainly some instances when the correct path is clear. We are merely trying to repay our debt."

  Harry who had half been paying attention to their conversation still excitedly looking around the room, looked back to the Jedi Master excitedly. "What's the plan now? Do we get to meet back up with the Queen's party? Do you still need to protect her?"

  Qui-Gon shook his head gently, "The Queen is in good hands," he assured them. "She's meeting with Senator Palpatine to discuss the future of their planet and that is a conversation surely beyond my scope. As for you, you are free stay here and recuperate, I can only remember how exhausting my first interstellar trip was. And when you are feeling up to it, you are certainly free to explore the temple, but I advise you not to leave, at least without arranging a guide. Coruscant can be especially dangerous for those new to it."

  Harry nodded in understanding before eagerly looking between the two Jedi. "Can you show me the Jedi training here?" he asked.

  Qui-Gon chuckled, "we shall see … that is if you have not already stumbled upon the training areas before we are done. Obi-Wan and I are off to speak with the Council about the situation on Naboo, the individual who attacked us on Tatooine, and of course, your future, Harry. However, if things appear to be taking a while we can arrange a Jedi, possibly one closer to your age to show you around should you require.

  "Sounds good." Harry said with a smile before looking over to one of the holoscreens in the room.

  With that, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan took their leave, bidding farewell to the two of them who, before making their way to the Council Chamber to discuss everything that had happened to them since they headed out to Naboo.

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  Qui-Gon and Obi- Wan stood in the center of the Council Chamber, the silence weighing heavily upon them. The twelve Jedi Masters seated before them, both in person and holographically, stared at them intensely, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.

  "Master Qui-Gon," Mace began, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "Perhaps let us start with what might be the most important part. You brought a young boy to Coruscant, one you believe to be of significance. Tell us more about him."

  Qui-Gon nodded as he stepped forward. "His name is Harry Skywalker. We ran into him on Tatooine, as a slave, when we had sustained damage while escaping Naboo. What makes him extraordinary is not only the way the force swirls around him, for honestly, I have never felt another like him, but also his unusual origins. His mother, Shmi Skywalker, claims there was no father. She carried him, gave birth to him, but … I believe he was conceived by the Force."

  A murmur of surprise and shock rippled through the Council as they looked back and forth between each other before finally Yoda settled them down by raising his hands. He looked back to Qui-Gon, eyes narrowed in thought. "No father, you say? Certainly, strange and mysterious, this is."

  Qui-Gon nodded and continued, "Beyond the question surrounding his birth, Harry's potential is unlike anything I have ever seen before. His midi-chlorian count is higher than even Master Yoda's. He could be the Chosen One, the one prophesized to bring balance to the Force."

  If his previous statement of Harry's parentage had caused unrest in the Council, his most recent one left all the Jedi Masters on the Council, with the exception of Yoda and Windu, staring in shock, as their attention shifted from Qui-Gon to Yoda and then back again.

  "When we first encountered the boy it was under extraordinary circumstances and he showed incredible selflessness and bravery, in aiding us in getting off Tatooine. Without his help I don't know how much time it would have taken us to get off the planet, certainly longer than we ended up having in the end before we were attacked. But, even with all the previous things I mentioned, it was what happened while we had been aboard the Queen's ship while on our journey to Coruscant that truly convinced me of his potential. One of the Queen's handmaidens and my padawan …" he said nodding and motioning to Obi-Wan, "entered his room to talk with him and witnessed Harry using the Force with the ease of someone may years his senior. And while I had not witnessed it myself, I was shocked by the traces of the Force that I was still able to feel when I entered the room."

  After seeing Obi-Wan's nod confirming his masters statement, the Council members exchanged glances, their expressions varying from concern to intrigue. Yoda closed his eyes for a moment, seeming to be deep in thought, before finally speaking. "Sense something different with this boy, when met upon your arrival I did. Incredible, his potential is … but dangerous, he might become. Unknown his future is."

  Mace nodded in agreement. "I too think I felt the presence of the dark side surrounding this boy, but … there is also a great potential for good. While I strongly urge caution, I believe it might be unwse to just ignore his potential. Who knows what might become of him if left without teaching. But testing him soon would be prudent so we could have the information to make our decision."

  Qui-Gon bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Masters. There is much to discuss and prepare for the testing but I will bring him here myself when you are ready."

  Yoda opened his eyes, his gaze penetrating. "Test the boy, we shall. Much rests on this decision, I believe. But what of the attack? Significance to this I believe there is."

  Immediately, Qui-Gon's expression grew serious. "He was skilled in the dark side of the Force and wielded a red lightsaber. While I managed to escape, I certainly don't think I won that fight … especially as I don't believe he was there for me, but rather that he was after the Queen of Naboo. I mediated on the confrontation and nothing else makes sense. I feel … that this is not the last I will see of him and that his presence is a threat that we can not ignore."

  Yoda sat up straighter in his seat and ignoring the questioning look from all the other Jedi Masters in the room, he looked to Qui-Gon. "A Sith, this attacker may have been. Grave danger, the galaxy is in. If indeed it is the return of the Sith."

  Holding his hands up to stop the outbursts from Yoda's statement, Mace, who hadn't looked away from Qui-Gon once he had started talking about the attack, nodded. "Master Qui-Gon, I believe it would be best to start at the beginning. Tell us everything. Tell us what happened since you left to make your way to Naboo. If indeed the Sith have returned, the Jedi Council needs to know everything."

  The Council Chamber fell into complete silence once more as everyone looked at Qui-Gon, with the same intensity of Mace, everyone waiting for him to speak.

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  Shortly after Harry had wathed Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan disappear down the corridor, he turned to his mother who he found looking around their new quarters with a soft smile on her face.

  After a second she turned to him. "I'm going to rest for a while," she said gently, her eyes betraying her exhaustion from the journey. "This place feels … so different from Tatooine, but in a good way. At the very least here it feels safe. I'm guessing you don't want to stay here and go for a nap. Do you?" She asked, a slight smile forming on her face as she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Seeing him slowly shake his head she nodded, "I suppose you'll be safe if you explore the temple. Just be careful … and try not to get into any trouble, alright?"

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Harry nodded eagerly. "I promise, mum. I'll be careful and try not to be gone too long."

  With a look that showed she didn't entirely believe that she smiled as she settled into one of the room's comfortable looking chairs and motioned for Harry to head out as she closed her eyes.

  His heart racing with excitement and a hint of nervousness, Harry slipped out of the quarters and began wandering through th quiet corridors, marvelling at the architecture and overwhelmingly serene atmosphere of the temple.

  Eventually, after what felt like the better part of an hour he opened a door and found himself in what looked to be an armoury, where rows and rows of lightsabers and other weapons sat behind a rather thick piece of glass.

  Moving over to the wall, Harry saw a collection of smaller plainer looking lightsabers with a plaque above them stating that they were training lightsabers. He reached out to touch one of the lightsabers, his fingers just about to brush the hilt, when a voice from behind interrupted him.

  "Careful there, young one."

  Harry turned to see a tall, imposing humanoid figure clad in Jedi robes that were similar to Qui-Gon's. The mad had a commanding presence, yet his eyes held a warmth that put Harry at ease.

  "I'm Jedi Weapon Master Cin Drallig," the man introduced himself, extending a hand. "You must be Harry Skywalker. When I heard of your presence and possible wanderings I figured there was a chance you might end up here, most potential padawans tend to find their way here eventually."

  Harry shook the man's large hand. "Sorry, Master Drallig. I was just … exploring."

  Master Drallig smiled looking from Harry to the lightsabers and then back. "There is certainly no harm in exploring. Although non-padawans are not allowed to touch the training sabers. Rather than hang around here listening to me drone on about rules or the lightsabers, how would you like to watch some Jedi in the training room? I imagine you'd certainly find that more enjoyable."

  Harry's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love that!"

  Master Drallig led Harry to a large training room where several Jedi were engaged in combat practice. The room was alive with the hum of lightsabers and the rhythmic sounds of unarmed combat. Harry marveled at the different styles of fighting, his eyes darting from one duel to another.

  "These are some of our most skilled combatants," Master Drallig explained. "We focus not only on lightsaber techniques but also on unarmed combat and other forms of self-defense. Obviously no armed conflict is the same so each Jedi must be versatile and adaptable."

  Harry watched in awe as two Jedi sparred with lightsabers, their movements precise and fluid. The blades clashed and hissed, creating a mesmerizing dance of light and sound, one that was almost too fast to follow with his eyes. In another part of the room, a group of younger Jedi practiced hand-to-hand combat, their movements swift and controlled.

  "Do you see that Jedi over there?" Master Drallig pointed to a tall, agile female who was effortlessly deflecting her opponent's attacks. "That's Jedi Knight Shaak Ti. She may not be one of the strongest or fastest but she's one of our best. Watch how she moves, how she anticipates her opponent's actions."

  Harry focused on Shaak Ti, trying to absorb every detail of her technique. He could see the way she flowed with the Force, her movements almost like a dance. It was inspiring and humbling at the same time.

  After some time, Master Drallig led Harry to a quieter corner of the training room where they could observe without being in the way. "What do you think, Harry?" he asked.

  "It's incredible," Harry replied, his voice filled with awe. "I've never seen anything like it. The way they move, it's like … it's like nothing I've seen before. It's like …"

  "It's like they are part of the Force itself." Master Drallig nodded. "That's the goal. A Jedi must become one with the Force, allowing it to guide their actions. It takes proper training and dedication, but the reward is worth it."

  Harry felt a surge of determination. "I want to learn. I want to be a Jedi."

  Master Drallig smiled and nodded, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That is not my choice to make. Although I believe that is currently what the Council is deciding at that moment. But remember should you be accepted, it requires patience, discipline, and a commitment." With that he suggested Harry continue his tour as he turned and began providing feedback to a pair of padawans.

  Leaving the training room, he wandered through the temple, eventually finding himself in the Great Archive Room. The shelves were lined with countless holobooks and data scrolls, the accumulated wisdom of the Jedi Order.

  Harry walked slowly through the aisles, his eyes scanning the titles. Some of them seemed to leap out at him. Some of them like "Differences Between Kolto and Bacta" caught his eye, even as they related more mundane topics. While others like "Mysterious Disappearances of Entire Species from the Guestrea to the Rakata," seemed to call out to him.

  After about an hour of wandering the aisles, he promised himself that if he had the chance, he would definitely come back and spend as much time as he could on a variety of topics. However, the sheer amount of knowledge contained in the archives was overwhelming, and even after an hour he hadn't been able to decide on something to pick up without immediately returning it as something else caught his eye.

  Continuing his exploration, Harry stumbled upon the Padawan dining room. A few children around his age were gathered at a table, chatting and laughing. One of them, a human boy with dark hair, noticed Harry standing hesitantly at the entrance.

  "Hey, you!" the boy called out, waving him over. "Want to join us?"

  Harry smiled as he approached the table, grateful for the friendly invitation. They did not seem to care that Harry had not been accepted yet and proceeded to introduce themselves, sharing stories of their training and life in the temple. The boy who had called out to him introduced himself as Ferus Olin.

  For a moment and probably the first time since he woke up on Tatooine, Harry felt like he belonged, like he was just another Padawan sharing a meal with friends.

  After leaving the dining room, Harry continued his exploration, feeling an inexplicable pull towards a particular part of the temple. He followed his instincts and found himself at the entrance to the Room of a Thousand Fountains. The sound of cascading water filled the air, creating a soothing environment that resonated deep within him.

  He stepped inside, and for a brief moment, it seemed as though the fountains had stopped. Harry blinked and shook his head, and everything returned to normal. He walked through the room, drawn to one of the garden areas. Settling down on a patch of soft grass, he remembered the meditation techniques Qui-Gon had taught him and began to focus.

  The tranquility of the garden enveloped him as he practiced meditating, feeling the Force flowing around him. Time seemed to lose its meaning, and he wasn't sure how long he sat there.

  Suddenly, he felt a presence nearby … someone was watching him. He wasn't sure how he knew, but the sensation was undeniable.

  Just as worry and confusion began to creep in, a gentle voice called out to him. "Hello there. I didn't mean to startle you."

  Harry opened his eyes and turned to see a Jedi standing a few steps away. The boy's robes were a deep brown, and his expression was kind and welcoming.

  "You must be Harry Skywalker," the Jedi said, stepping closer. "I was sent to find you. My name is Jax Pavan."

  Harry stood up. "Yes, I'm Harry. How did you know I was here?"

  Jax Pavan smiled. "The Force has a way of guiding us to where we need to be. Come walk with me and perhaps I can answer some of your questions."

  Harry nodded, falling into step beside the Jedi. As they strolled out of the room and through the temple's hallways, Jax began to speak.

  "My master told me to find you, Harry," Jax said, glancing down at the boy. "The Jedi Council meeting is running long, but I have a message for you."

  He pulled out a small datapad and handed it to Harry. "It's from Padmé."

  Harry's heart skipped a beat as he read the message. Padmé invited him to come to the Senate Hall as the Queen wanted to have words with him about something. She also mentioned that if he was interested and quick about it, he could watch the Senate meeting. Harry's excitement grew at the thought of seeing Padmé and watching the Senate in action.

  "I'd like to go to the Senate Hall," Harry said eagerly.

  "My Master expected that was likely to be the case," Jax replied with a smile. "I'm ready when you are."

  Harry smiled before he looked back down one of the hallways that he was pretty sure led towards the guest quarters. "Although I should probably leave a note for my mother first. Just in case she isn't awake yet."

  As expected, when they returned to the quarters that he and his mother had been assigned, he found her still asleep, having at some point decided to move to one of the bedrooms. Not wanting to wake her, Harry scribbled a quick note for his mother, explaining where he was going and that he was with another Jedi. He placed it on the small table where Shmi would see it easily when she woke up.

  With that done, Harry and Jax left the temple, making their way through the bustling streets of Coruscant. As they made the trip, Harry discovered that Jax was only a couple of days older than him, which made their connection feel even more natural.

  "So, you're pretty new to the temple too?" Harry asked as they navigated the crowded walkways.

  "Well, it depends how you look at it," Jax replied. "I was first brought to the temple before I was four, so I've been here for more than half my life, but compared to Yoda … did you know he is over 700 years old."

  Harry's mouth dropped in shock, not having expected that.

  Even though it involved a lot of walking and a lengthy speeder ride, the conversation made the journey to the Senate Hall feel shorter. When they arrived, Jax presented the token from the Queen that had been included with the message. The guards examined it and allowed them to enter.

  After making their way inside the building that Harry felt would have easily engulfed the Jedi Temple, an aide approached them, a friendly smile on her face. "Welcome, young Jedi and honored guest. My services have been retained by the Queen of Naboo, so I will be giving you a brief tour of the Senate Hall before the session begins. Please, follow me."

  Harry and Jax followed the aide as she led them through the impressive corridors of the Senate Hall. She pointed out various important rooms and features, including the offices of key senators and the chambers where legislative discussions took place.

  "The Senate Hall is the heart of the Republic's governance," the aide explained. "Here, representatives from countless worlds come together to debate and make decisions for the betterment of the entire galaxy."

  Harry listened intently, trying to absorb every word.

  As they continued their tour, the aide got an alert on her communicator and began to lead them in the direction of the main hall. "The session is about to begin," she said. "I will guide you to a guest box where we can observe the proceedings. Official boxes are reserved for senators and high-ranking officials, but you will have an excellent view from the guest box."

  Harry nodded, his excitement building. They reached the guest box, and the aide gestured for them to enter. "Enjoy the session, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask. There will certainly be a lot going on."

  Harry and Jax took their seats, and Harry's eyes widened as he looked out over the grand chamber. The senators were gathering, and the room buzzed with the hum of conversation and anticipation.

  Eventually, the Supreme Chancellor called for order, and the discussions started on the various pieces of business that were up for discussion that day. Harry watched intently as various senators spoke, their voices rising and falling with the weight of their concerns and arguements. Amidst the political debate, Harry's eyes scanned the room until he found Queen of Naboo, standing alongside Senator Palpatine. He was slightly disappointed that Padmé was not in the box but had to admit that the Queen looked poised and focused, her presence commanding respect even among the seasoned politicians that the aide identified were in her vicinity.

  After several pieces of business, the Queen stepped forward to present the case for Naboo, her voice clear and strong as she described the dire situation on her planet. Harry was impressed, but his admiration quickly turned to shock as the sheer volume of voices and the bureaucracy began to overwhelm the proceedings. Senators from countless systems spoke up, each adding their own concerns and demands, turning the session into a chaotic jumble of voices.

  Harry watched in disbelief as the debate seemed to dissolve into disorder. Amidst the chaos, he noticed Senator Palpatine leaning in to whisper something into the Queen's ear. Her expression hardened with resolve as she nodded and then raised her voice to make a motion to replace Chancellor Valorum.

  Kind Regards,

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