Galactic Love

Galactic Love

Chapter 2

Hermione finished her hair and took one final look in the mirror. Her gown fit her perfectly. She had dismissed her handmaiden when the gown was on. She knew exactly how she wanted to wear her hair and wanted to do it herself.

Her waist length hair was curled and wrapped in numerous braids. Then she weaved the braids individually through a silver headpiece that left the braids suspended from her scalp and cascading over her shoulders.

“Hermione, we’re making our final decent into Corusant. Wow,” Severus said.

“What?” Hermione asked as she faced him.

“You look beautiful. I’ve forgotten how pretty you were in your full Senate regalia,” he answered.

Hermione smiled. “Thank you. You look very handsome in your Senator robes,”

“Thank you milady. A compliment from a beautiful woman is always welcomed,” he replied bowing slightly.

Hermione laughed as she rolled her eyes. They left the room arm-in-arm. Severus’ robes were forest green with tree bark brown accents. He had his hair swept into a low pony tail. She remembered that Severus had turned many female heads both in and out of Senate.

“We will head straight to the temple. There Master Yoda and Master Kenobi are waiting for us,” Mace explained.

“I will take you things to your apartments. Chancellor Amidala has had your rooms ready for two weeks. They are across the hall from one another,” Bail added.

“Thank you Senator Organa,” Hermione nodded.

“My pleasure. I will see you both at the Senate session in two days,” Bail smiled.

As Bail began loading their luggage into a speeder, Mace led them to a second speeder. As they flew through the capitol, both Hermione and Severus took in the sights. Both had missed the hustle and bustle of the planet.

“What has changed Master Windu?” Severus asked.

“During the War, the temple was attacked and has now been rebuilt. Other than that, the only changes have been mainly political. After Palpatine was discovered as the Sith Lord we had been searching for and killed by Master Kenobi, and your brother Senator Snape, Senator Amidala was elected to replace him. She has done well and has been helping with rebuilding the Republic after the end of the war,” Mace explained.

“Palpatine was a Sith! I can’t believe that,” Hermione gasped.

“I know milady. It was a shock for all of us when he was discovered,” Mace added somberly.

A few minutes later, they reached the Jedi temple. As Mace led them to the room where Yoda and Obi-Wan waited, Hermione smiled. She had always loved visiting the temple with her father. All around her she watched younglings and Padawan’s training to become Jedi Knights.

Mace opened a set of double doors to one of the many meeting rooms within the temple. At the table sat Obi-Wan and Yoda. The two Masters stood up and bowed. Hermione and Severus bowed back.

“Glad you made it safely we are,” Yoda greeted.

“Please, have a seat Senators and we can begin,” Obi-Wan stated.

Hermione took a seat beside Obi-Wan as Severus sat across from her. Mace sat in between Yoda and Severus. Before they could get started, Senator Organa sent a transmission on the comlink.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but there is a problem,” Bail said.

“What kind of problem Senator?” Mace asked.

A second later, one of Bail’s captains pulled Harry and Ron into view. Hermione and Severus jumped to their feet in shock.

“What are you two doing here?” Hermione demanded.

“Well, we saw you sneaking out and decided to follow you,” Ron answered.

“We used my invisibility cloak. We’re really sorry, but we were worried and wanted to find out why you’ve been so secretive lately,” Harry added.

“That was foolish of both of you. Do you two have any idea how dangerous that was?” Severus groaned.

“Hey! You look different Hermione. What’s going on?” Ron questioned.

“Enough. Senator Organa, please keep them in my apartment. Once I’m finished here, I’ll head straight there,” Hermione sighed.

“Don’t worry milady. They’ll be fine,” Bail replied.

Hermione and Severus both began massaging their temples. The three Jedi Masters looked on at the two Senators in a mixture of worry and humor at this latest development.

“Perhaps we should begin. Obi-Wan, you should start,” Mace said.

“Very well, Senator Granger, you remember my Padawan, Anakin Skywalker?” Hermione nodded. “Well, a year after you left her took the trials and became a Knight. Then about three years ago, Anakin joined with Palpatine and became his new apprentice,” Obi-Wan explained.

“No. Not Anakin. He wouldn’t do that,” Hermione gasped.

“It’s true milady. Anakin has gone to the dark side,” Mace replied sadly.

“What does this have to do with Hermione and I?” Severus questioned.

“After you Skywalker is. To kill you he wants,” Yoda answered.

“Why?” Hermione whispered.

“Because of your involvement with the Jedi Order. After all, Senator Snape, your brother is a Jedi Master and was one of the ones who killed Palpatine while Anakin was away on a mission for Palpatine. And Senator Granger, your father help teach younglings and Padawans.” Obi-Wan stated.

Hermione got to her feet and walked over to one of the windows. She couldn’t believe that the sweet boy from Tattooieen had become a Sith Lord. She bowed her head sadly before returning to her seat.

“I still don’t understand why we were brought back here. Surely we would have been safer on Earth,” Severus pointed out.

“No Severus we wouldn’t be. If Anakin had found us on Earth, we wouldn’t have been able to fight him and innocent people would have been hurt. What does the Council have in mind for our protection?” she inquired.

“The Council has assigned you each a Jedi to protect you in case Anakin attacks. Senator Snape, you brother Solan is on his way back from Yavin 4 and will be here tomorrow. Senator Granger, Obi-Wan will be protecting you,” Mace reported.

“And who will protect me till my brother arrives?” Severus asked.

“Master Windu will guard you,” Yoda said.

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Harry and Ron sat nervously on the sofa in Hermione’s living room. Whatever they were expecting when they followed Hermione and Severus, it sure wasn’t traveling to a completely different planet.

A second later, the door opened and in walked Hermione and Obi-Wan. They watched as she and Bail exchanged a few words. Bail bowed to Obi-Wan and Hermione then left. The boys gulped as they saw the angry look on Hermione’s face and knew they were in trouble with her.

“I can’t believe you guys. If Senator Organa hadn’t been so kind as to contact Albus, I’d have thrown you two off the roof. This is quite possible the most foolish thing the two of you have ever done,” Hermione lectured.

“Mione, we’re really sorry. We were just worried,” Harry said.

“Yeah. Why are you here with Snape anyway? Why didn’t you tell us?” Ron asked.

“Obi-Wan, please explain the situation to them. I’m going to freshen up,” Hermione sighed heavily.

Hermione turned and headed for her bedroom. She entered to find two handmaidens putting away her things. After they finished a few moments later, she dismissed them and sat on the edge of the bed. She couldn’t believe how stupid Ron and Harry were by stowing away. She got to her feet and stepped onto her balcony. A few minutes later, she sighed as a pair of strong familiar arms slid around her waist.

“Obi-Wan,” she whispered.

“Severus took your friends to his apartment. He has one extra room than you do, so he offered to let them stay with him,” he said.

“Did you explain things?” she asked.

“Severus came in before I could. He said he would tell them,” he answered.

Hermione turned in his arms. Obi-Wan brushed his knuckles against her cheek. Her eyes fluttered closed as he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to her. Hermione sighed into the kiss as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders.

Obi-Wan deepened the kiss as he pulled her closer. It had been nine years since they had seen each other and to him she had only grown more beautiful. When she had left, she was only nineteen, a few months older than Anakin.

“I’ve missed you Hermione,” he whispered.

“I’ve missed you too Obi-Wan. Ever since I left, all I could think about was coming back to you,” she sighed.

“When I first heard that Anakin was targeting you, it took all my control to keep from losing it in front of the Council. I wanted to get on the fasted ship I could find, go to Earth and bring you back myself,” he replied.

“It’s all right Ben. I’m here and I’m safe. With you. Where I belong,” she smiled as she placed her hand on his cheek.

He covered her hand with his and pulled her to him and held her tight. For the past two weeks, he had been having dreams of watching Anakin kill Hermione and Severus while he was powerless to safe them. The thought of losing Hermione was unthinkable, but losing Severus too was just too much. He and Severus had become good friends through Solan and he knew he could trust Severus.

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“Um, sir,” Harry spoke as Severus sat at his desk.

“Yes?” Severus asked.

“What’s going to happen to Ron and I? I mean when you and Hermione are at…well, wherever you two will be,” Harry questioned.

“I’ve spoken to Master Windu and he said you two will go to the Jedi temple. Now, I suggest you and Mr. Weasley get dressed. We are leaving in half an hour with Hermione and Master Kenobi to have dinner with Chancellor Amidala,” Severus answered.

Harry nodded and headed back to the room he and Ron were sharing. He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Hermione and Severus were from different planets as well as Senators. He found Ron all ready wearing the dark blue and silver outfit that Bail had sent them. Harry walked to bed and began putting on the emerald green outfit laying on the bed.

“What did he say?” Ron questioned.

“He said that while he and Hermione are gone, we’ll be staying at a place called the Jedi temple,” Harry replied as he put the clothes he had been wearing on the bed.

“I still can’t believe Mione’s from another planet. Not to mention she’s ten years older than us,” Ron said.

“Tell me about it,” Harry sighed.

Half an hour later, Ron and Harry were following Severus and Master Windu to a waiting speeder. They found Hermione and Obi-Wan all ready there. Hermione had her hair done in multiple braids wrapped in a gold headpiece that held it in a bun on top of her head. A sheer gold fabric cascaded over her shoulders. Her gown was silver and lapis blue with gold accents.

“Wow. You look beautiful,” Ron gaped as he saw Hermione.

“Thank you Ron. Now, we better getting going or we’ll be late,” Hermione smiled.

“So, what’s the Chancellor like?” Harry asked as the speeder took off.

“Padme Amidala is a former Queen of Naboo and a Senator. She’s an old friend of mine. When it comes to galactic politics, there’s none more fair. She doesn’t rush into things without having as much information about the situation as possible,” Hermione answered with a smile.

They landed at the apartment of Padme and a handmaiden escorted them to the waiting room. Padme was there waiting. Obi-Wan and Mace bowed to her as did Hermione and Severus. After returning the bow, Padme smiled at Hermione and Severus.

“Welcome back,” Padme said.

“It’s so good to see you again Padme,” Hermione chuckled as she hugged her friend.

“You’ve grown up since I last saw you,” Severus smiled as he kissed her hand.

“Who are your friends?” Padme asked, blushing slightly at Severus’ words.

“Padme, meet Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Harry, Ron, Chancellor Padme Amidala,” Hermione introduced.

“Welcome to Corusant and I hope you enjoy your time here. Now, shall we head to the dinning hall,” Padme replied as she shook Ron and Harry’s hands.

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Dinner was filled with conversation. Mace and Obi-Wan told Harry and Ron about the life of the Jedi. Padme filled Severus and Hermione in on what happened during the Clone Wars. Hermione, Harry, Ron, and Severus in turn told the others about the war with Voldemort.

“You leave one war just to get pulled into another,” Obi-Wan said.

“It’s not like I planned on it to happen, it just did. Speaking of war, I hope that we can arrange transport for you two to get back soon,” Hermione sighed as she looked at Harry and Ron.

“I will see what I can do Hermione,” Padme smiled as Ron and Harry shrunk back into their chairs slightly.

After dinner, Hermione laid in the arms of her lover. As Obi-Wan held her, he idly twirled a strand of her hair around his finger.

“I love you,” Hermione sighed.

“I love you too. Now, let’s get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day,” Obi-Wan whispered. Slowly, the couple drifted off to sleep.

T.B.C.