Chapter Twenty-Three: Dresses for the Dance

Author's Note: Hello all my faithful readers! I deeply apologize for the long wait. I had a small period of writers block with this, and then work got a little chaotic. But now, with the 'Stay at Home' order, I have had time to actually sit down, re-evaluate what i had written, and then had some inspiration hit me to finish this chapter!

Now, this may seem like a filler chapter, but trust me, it is very important. This chapter shows that the girls, or in particular Ahsoka, are having all their values and teachings of a Jedi tested.

Please Read, Review, Favorite and Follow, but most importantly please Enjoy!

The next day, Analie was a nervous wreck and all of her female friends found it highly amusing. That morning, instead of going down and meditating like they normally did, the two Padawan's stayed upstairs, and even invited Naomi and a few of the upperclassmen Gryffindor Girls to join them in just talking about the upcoming Ball. So eight in the morning, found a big cluster of girls, all still in their pajama's, sprawled out around the Fourth-Year Girls dormitory room, chatting excitedly about the upcoming dance and who was going with who.

Right now, Analie unfortunately, was the center of attention of ALL of them, when the news spread that she was going with the one and only, Harry Potter.

"How did you get him to take you? I heard he declined almost twenty other girls that asked him," Parvarti Patil, one of the Padawan's fellow Fourth-Years, asked, a hint of bitter jealousy underlining her voice. Lavender Brown, Parvarti's best friend, consolingly patted her on the back and added, "Well, I heard that Analie was also asked by over fifty different boys, and she also declined all of their offers." This made the others eyes widened as they all turned to look at a very flustered Analie for confirmation.

Analie, blushing furiously at all the unwanted attention, held both her hands up in surrender and stated, "Look, one, I did not know ANY of those guys that asked me, two, I wanted to go with someone as a friend, NOT as a date, and three, if you all don't remember you lucky ducks, I actually have a DAD who will be there and monitoring my every move!" When hearing the last part of Analie's rant, everyone's faces morphed into understanding, and slight pity. Angelina, one of the Sixth-Year girls, whistled lowly and replied, "Well that just puts a huge damper on the thought of you going with Potter." Everyone else nodded and pretty quickly, they were preying on their next victim, Hermione Granger.

Parvarti, of course, opened up the interrogation by asking, "Is it true what Ron said, and that you only said that you have a date, so that you did not have to go with Neville? Not that I blame you for saying something like that, that boy is hopeless." Some of the other girly-girls nodded in agreement, while the rest all frowned in displeasure at Parvarti's attitude towards Neville, Hermione included.

Giving the girl a slight glare, she replied frostily, "For your information, Parvarti, Neville is an amazing individual. And no, as you said, I did not 'make up' that I have a date, because I actually do." That got all of the Gryffindor girls talking excitedly, while the three Padawan's just watched silently in amusement, since they already knew who had asked their busy-haired friend. And what made it even more amusing, was that, no matter how hard the other girls tried to pry, Hermione stayed completely tight-lipped, and somehow easily steered the conversation to dresses.

Now, when this topic came up, Analie, Ahsoka, and Naomi all began to fidget uneasily. Suddenly all three tensed when Ginny Weasley, turned to them and asked, "What about you three? You've been pretty silent on what you'll be wearing." Glancing at each other, the three sighed, and Naomi answered, "Well, um, funny story about that…" When all the Gryffindors continued to give the three inquiring looks, they sighed and said in unison, "We don't have dresses for the ball…" At that, every single person, excluding the three, gasped in shocked horror, even Hermione!

"How do you not have dresses? The dance is in a week!" Lavender exclaimed in horror. Ahsoka shrugged and replied, "Normally when there is a formal event, we are required to wear our formal uniform from our Academy. There has never really been a need to dress differently." The population of Gryffindor girls, ages thirteen to seventeen looked to each other in exasperation. Hermione frowned at her friends and asked, "But, Naomi, didn't you say that Master Gallia said you guys could wear dresses?"

Said girl nodded and replied, "Yes, she said that, but… we still don't have dresses to wear anyway." Everyone began talking once again, trying to figure out a way to get the three a dress in time for the Ball. Suddenly, Katie Bell sat up in excitement and exclaimed, "I got it!" Once she had everyone's attention, she continued, "My cousin works as an Apprentice Seamstress with Madam Malkin. I can see if McGonagall will let me Floo her and see if she can help get us dresses for you three!"

Everyone grinned in excitement at this news, though the three Padawan's smiles were significantly less exuberant. Quickly, all the girls ran back to their Dorm rooms to get dressed and once dressed, they herded the three Padawan girls to Professor McGonagall's office, much to all the boy's confusion and Hermione's amusement.

When the group arrived at their Head of House's office, and explained the situation, Professor McGonagall was more than happy to let the girl's use her fireplace. The Padawan's watched in fascination as Katie threw some powder on the flames, turned them green and then even stuck her head in the fire! A few minutes later, Katie pulled her head out and said to the Professor, "Professor McGonagall, my cousin said that she would be happy to help make the dresses for them, but they need to come to the shop to be measured and the fabric's picked out." Nodding in understanding, Professor McGonagall replied, "Very well, tell Miss Miles to expect us in ten minutes."

While Katie stuck her head back into the flames, Professor McGonagall waved her wand and a silver, transparent-looking, tabby cat appeared. "Find Master Adi Gallia and have her meet me in my office in five minutes." The Tabby's head nodded, and then raced out of the room.

Meanwhile, Master Adi Gallia, and Master Obi-wan Kenobi, were doing their usual morning walk around the Hogwarts grounds; simply enjoying the quiet of nature and each other's companionship. Suddenly, Obi-wan's holocom started going off. Sharing a confused look with Adi, Obi-wan took his holocom out and answered the call.

Immediately an image of his former Padawan Apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, along with Anakin's number one Clone Commander, Rex, appeared. Anakin sighed in relief and exclaimed, "Thank the Force that you answered! I was afraid that we would not be able to reach you." Frowning, Obi-wan asked, "What is going on Anakin?" Anakin then motioned for Rex to answer. Saluting at the two Masters, Rex replied, "Sir! We've received a report from one of our Separatist Spies, that Dooku has taken one of the large Separatist Cruiser Ships and is currently heading to Sector thirteen of the Outer Rim as we speak."

Both Master's eyes widened in worry, as Master Gallia voiced, "Sector thirteen is where…" Master Obi-wan nodded his head grimly and finished, "indeed, Count Dooku is coming." Anakin then spoke up and said, "Master, the Council does not want to send anymore reinforcements, for fear of drawing the Natives of that Planet into the War. While they all seem strong, their technology is too primitive to withstand what we have been fighting. Master Windu told me to tell you to try your best to drive Dooku away from the idea of "conquering" Earth." Rex then added in, "If you need any assistance Generals, the men would be more than happy to come to your aid." Both Master's silently thought it over for a few moments, then nodding to each other, Obi-Wan turned back to his former pupil and said, "Perhaps we could use some assistance. However, please be discreet. The technology of this world may be primitive, but it is advanced enough that they can track things entering their planet's atmosphere. Our ships have been grounded until some suspicion has been lifted."

Both Rex and Anakin nodded in understanding, and Anakin replied, "In that case, I'll lead a small force your way as soon as I can." At this, Master Gallia raised an eyebrow and asked, "What about the front-lines?" Shrugging, Anakin replied, "At a standstill at the moment. Master Windu will take over command of the front-lines while I come to assist you all. Besides," And here Anakin smirked, "I kind of miss messing with my Padawan."

Here, Obi-wan smirked as well and said, "Oh really? Well, then you'll be happy to know that she is having a great time without you hovering over her shoulder." Here Anakin raised his eyebrow skeptically, and Adi had to cover her mouth with her hand to hide her smile of amusement. They may deny it, but sometimes Obi-Wan and Anakin seemed to act almost like brothers occasionally.

"In fact, she is actually going to be attending a dance." Obi-Wan finished, and Anakin's eyes widened in shock, "She's WHAT!?" He yelled in shock. Needing to also get in on the fun, Adi couldn't help but add with a mischievous smile, "And she will be escorted by a boy from the school I hear. Isn't that nice?" The two Masters then couldn't help but laugh, at the look of incredulousness on their younger colleague's face.

Before Anakin or Rex could respond to the obvious teasing of the two Master's, a silver tabby suddenly came running to them from the castle. Listening to Professor McGonagall's message, the two turned back to the hologram forms and Master Gallia bowed and said, "I'm afraid we have to cut this conversation short. We are needed at the castle and must prepare the Padawans in case of attack before you are able to arrive." Controlling his emotions, Anakin bowed back as well and replied, "Understood Master Gallia. Rex and I will gather our team and make our way there as quick as we can." And with that the message ended.

Obi-Wan sighed as he put his holocom away. "Well, looks like this Dance won't be as peaceful as we were hoping that it would be." Adi nodded in agreement. Then glancing towards the castle, she said, "I'd best go see what the Deputy Headmistress would like with me. You should go locate the Padawan's." Obi-Wan nodded in agreement, but then frowned.

"Do you think we should really tell them?" Immediately knowing what he meant, Adi sighed and replied, "I don't want to ruin their fun anymore than you do. But their first priority is that they are Jedi. The innocence of being 'normal' was lost the moment they joined the Order."

Still frowning, Obi-Wan shook his head and stated, "I don't like it. So how about we simply tell them that they need to make sure to have their lightsaber with them at all times?" Adi silently thought about it for a few moments, before sighing and saying, "I don't like it either. But that is the best compromise for letting them enjoy the dance." With that said, the two Master's then parted ways. Master Gallia to head to the Deputy Headmistress's office, and Obi-Wan to track down the Padawans.

Back in Professor McGonagall's office, McGonagall was able to shoo all the other girls away except for Katie Bell, Hermione Granger, and the three female Padawans. When Master Gallia walked in, she raised an eyebrow in confusion and asked, "What is going on?" Professor McGonagall calmly explained the situation to the female Jedi Master. After she finished explaining, she said, "I called you here because you and Master Kenobi are technically the girls guardians, so it has to be okayed with you on if they can take a trip to Diagon Alley."

Master Gallia did not say anything right away. Silently she thought that this would be something that might complicate things if the female Padawans are unable to fight. She almost opened her mouth to say no, that they wanted the girls to stay in uniform, like their male counterparts. But then she looked towards the three girls, and saw the slight pleading look in all three of their eyes, and found that she just did not have the heart to object. So instead, she looked to Professor McGonagall and said,

"Very well, the girls may go," Analie, Naomi, Ahsoka and Hermione's faces lit up in pure delight! But then faded slightly when they realized that Master Gallia was not finished speaking, "But! I will go with them and I will have a final say on the designs of their dresses." Professor McGonagall nodded and replied, "Of course, shall we be on our way then?"

The rest of the day was spent having a good time in Diagon Alley at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. After the girls were measured, Master Gallia took the seamstress aside to speak with her in private about the designs of the dresses. At first the Apprentice Seamstress was confused, but after Master Gallia expertly weaved a slight half-truth together, the young woman was more than eager to comply to the Jedi Master's idea.

Once the girls picked what colors they wanted, Katie's cousin informed them that the dresses would be finished in about six hours. So the group that consisted of Master Adi Gallia, Professor McGonagall, Analie, Ahsoka and Naomi, decided to explore the little shopping district to pass the time, and maybe get some accessories to go with the dresses. While they were taking a break from window shopping, sitting in a nice cafe, Master Gallia finally decided to inform the girls on what she and Master Obi-wan had discussed.

Turning to the Professor, Master Gallia kindly said, "Professor, would you mind giving me and my pupils a moment?" Sensing that this was to be a serious discussion, Professor McGonagall simply nodded and said, "I need to go to the bookshop and pick up a purchase of mine anyway's. I shall meet you all back at Madam Malkins." As Professor McGonagall stood to leave, Master Gallia nodded in return, and waited until there was no one within hearing distance, before she turned her sad, serious, eyes upon her three charges.

The three female Padawan's tensed at the look in their Master's eyes, and Naomi, who was Master Gallia's personal Padawan, tentatively asked, "Is something the matter Master?" Instead of answering her Pupil's question, Master Gallia replied with a question of her own, "Have the three of you been meditating?"

Slowly, the girls began to nod, but then Ahsoka's eyes widened and she gasped, "Wait! Oh no, we forgot to meditate this morning! We were so wrapped up in being with all the other girls of Gryffindor tower that it completely slipped our mind." Analie and Naomi's eyes widened in horror as well, and all three dropped their heads in shame. Master Gallia couldn't help a small, fond, smile to briefly flit across her lips, before she once again morphed her face into an unreadable mask and replied, "Well, just because you missed this morning, does not mean that you have to not do so the rest of the day."

Gesturing to the nearly empty dining cafe, the Master continued, "When you find you have some down time, it is always good to take a few minutes and rest your body and mind through meditation. Since we are the only customers here at the moment, take a few minutes and meditate now. Let the Force flow through you." Slightly confused, but not questioning the Master Jedi, the three girls closed their eyes, took deep breaths, and let the Force surround them.

Immediately, all three gasped in shock, and their eyes widened in horror. Master Gallia's face turned grim at that. 'So it seems the Force is also trying to warn us of the impending danger to the planet.' She thought solemnly, as the girls were taking deep breaths to recover from whatever they had felt. Once Master Gallia deemed they had recovered enough, she asked calmly, "What did you feel?"

Analie, who was the most Force sensitive of the three, shuddered and whispered, "Fear. Fear of the unknown…" Naomi nodded meekly and added, "So much panic, confusion…" And then Ahsoka, who looked a little paler than normal, finished by saying, "And pain, lots of pain…" As one, the three female Padawans shuddered again, then focusing on the present, they each gazed solemnly at Master Gallia and Analie asked, "Master, something is going to happen, isn't it?"

Master Gallia stayed silent for a few moments, contemplating her answer. Finally she sighed and replied, "Master Obi-wan and myself believe something big is going to happen soon. We are not sure what or when, but we wanted to inform you all to keep your lightsabers on your person at all times from here on out." The three Padawans nodded in understanding.

They soon paid for their drinks and left the cafe to head back to Madam Malkin's. When they reached the store, they saw Professor McGonagall patiently waiting for them outside. If the Professor noticed the more somber atmosphere around the small group, she did not say anything, but her thin lips did tilt slightly downward into a concerned frown. The sight of the specially crafted dresses, did cheer the Padawan girls up a little bit, thankfully, and once they got back to Hogwarts and were whisked away by the other Gryffindor girls, Master Gallia was grateful to see her three charges slowly cheering up.

When all the students were out of sight, Professor McGonagall turned her stern teacher stare onto Master Gallia and asked, "It is not my place to pry, but what did you tell those girls that caused such a somber atmosphere around them?" Master Gallia turned to look at the Professor, and McGonagall was struck with awe at the depth of knowledge, empathy, and pain in the female Jedi Master's eyes.

"As a Jedi, it is our job to always be prepared to protect the Peace of the Galaxy. While your planet may not be a part of the Republic, you still are a part of the Galaxy. For Jedi, our duty must come first before other things. The Force is warning of danger approaching on the horizon and I had to warn the girls to make sure that they are prepared." Professor McGonagall's eyes widened at this news, and she spluttered, "But-but, their children!" Master Gallia gave a grim smile in response and stated, "These, 'children' as you put it, have been training to protect and fight for the Peace of the Galaxy since they could walk. Every Jedi is a warrior, Minerva McGonagall, try not to let that cloud your judgement when the time comes, good day." With that, the wise Jedi Master left to go find and report to her colleague, Master Obi-wan; leaving Professor McGonagall to stand and stare after her in stunned silence.

The week went by fairly quickly with continuing preparations for the Yule Ball. Hermione noticed that her Padawan friend's seemed a lot more alert than usual, and were constantly found practicing their lightsaber skills with the male Padawan's in the Room of Requirement. When she asked what was wrong, all of the Padawan's exchanged uneasy looks and simply replied that they were not sure themselves.

One evening, three days before the Yule Ball, the group of friends consisting of Harry, Analie, Hermione, Ahsoka, and Ron, had just finished a wonderful dinner in the Great Hall and were just leaving to head back to the Common Room, when Ron once again tried to discover who Hermione was going to the Yule Ball with.

All the females of the group rolled their eyes at his latest attempt at asking. If there was one thing Ronald Weasley was, persistent was a very good descriptive word. As it was, Hermione merely frowned at the red-head and replied, "I'm not telling you Ron, you'll just make fun of me if I do."

Suddenly the group heard a snide voice pipe up behind them, "You're joking Weasley! You're not telling me someone's asked that to the ball? Not the long-molared Mudblood?" Harry and Ron both whipped around angrily, but the girls just calmly turned and Hermione acted like she spotted someone over Malfoy's shoulder as she casually waved and said loudly, "Hello Professor Moody!" Malfoy immediately went pale and jumped backward, looking wildly around for the aforementioned Professor, but he was still up at the staff table finishing his meal.

Sharing smirks, with her female friends, Hermione said scathingly, "Twitchy little ferret, aren't you, Malfoy?" With that the group turned to head up the stairs, Hermione and the boys sharing a laugh. Ahsoka and Analie would have been walking with them, but before Ahsoka could move towards the stairs, Malfoy had quickly grabbed her arm and whispered urgently, "Can I speak with you for a moment?" Surprised, Ahsoka shared a quick look with Analie. Analie simply shrugged her shoulders and stated, "Don't be long," and with that she turned to rush up the stairs to join their friends.

Ahsoka sighed at that, but then she turned to look at a surprisingly calm, and almost desperate looking Draco Malfoy. "What do you want to talk about?" Malfoy looked around nervously, before pulling Ahsoka over and into an abandoned classroom. Ahsoka followed calmly with her head tilted in confusion. Just what did this Slytherin boy want with her?

Once the two were inside the classroom, Malfoy released her arm and clasped his hands behind his back. His grey eyes looking anywhere but at Ahsoka in a nervous fashion. When it was clear that he was not going to say anything, Ahsoka sighed and said, "Look Draco, either tell me what you want, that you have hidden us away in an abandoned classroom, or I'm going to leave."

All of a sudden, right before Ahsoka could finish speaking, Draco Malfoy leapt forward and captured Ahsoka's lips in a kiss! Shocked beyond belief, Ahsoka's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates as she stood frozen, not sure how to react. But then, a few seconds later, her brain started working into overdrive, and all at once, she shoved the Slytherin boy away from her and took a few steps back to create even more distance between them as she, holding a hand over her mouth, exclaimed in shock and a little anger, "What was that for?!"

To Draco's credit, he looked a little ashamed and embarrassed as well. His cheeks were a flaming red, but now he refused to look away from her angry eyes as he stated with none of his usual snide demeanor, "I like you Tanho."

Ahsoka's eyes, if it could be possible, went even wider in shock, as her hand fell limply to her side and she quietly asked, "What?" Getting nervous again, at her wide eyed staring, Draco shuffled his feet nervously, but said calmly, "I like you. I think I have fancied you ever since you helped me after I got beat up by that excuse of a Professor." Then looking into her eyes again, Draco continued saying, "I'm sorry if I startled you with the kiss. I actually was not planning to do that, but it seems I just could not control myself any longer. What I actually brought you here for, was to ask… Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?"

Ahsoka remained silent for a long moment, then she looked right at Draco and asked in disbelief, "You're kidding right?" Draco blinked in confusion, and said with slight hesitance, "No, I don't think I am." Shaking her head in complete bafflement, Ahsoka exclaimed, "You don't even know me!" Draco frowned slightly and answered, "Well I would like to get to know you. I know I like you because I just can't stop thinking about you. I find myself staring at you without even realizing it when you're around and I… I just like being with you."

Ahsoka could just not believe her ears. Draco Malfoy, the Slytherin Prince, snide insulter extraordinaire, fancied her! Turning so that her back was facing the boy, Ahsoka attempted to gather her thoughts together. Finally, knowing what she was going to say, because she knew that he needed to hear it, she turned around and, with her turquoise eyes set in determination, replied,

"Draco Malfoy, I am sorry to tell you this after you just confessed to me, but I cannot go to the Ball with you." As Draco opened his mouth to say something, Ahsoka quickly held a hand up to forestall him and stated, "Let me finish!" Once she saw his mouth close, she continued, "First, it was kind of stupid of you to wait until the very last minute to ask me to the Ball. I mean come on, the Ball is in three days for Force sake! Second, I am already going to the Ball with someone so you are a little late in asking like I said in my first reason. Third, you may like me, but I have not seen a reason for me to like you in return. All you do, every time I see or even hear you, is insult or make snide comments at all the people I call friends or care about. You even disrespect the teachers who deserve our respect! Now think, why would that behavior give me any reason to like you? If anything, it should make me despise you. But,"

Here Ahsoka closed her eyes and took a deep breath, opening them again to look at a now very shell-shocked Malfoy, she then said in a calmer and softer tone, "But if you are willing to change, become a better person. Apologize for all the hurt that you have caused my friends, show that good heart that you just displayed to me for the whole world to see, then I maybe, just maybe, will return your feelings…"

Ahsoka let her last words float in the air between them for a few moments, before grabbing her bag that she had dropped earlier and turned, about to head out the door, when Draco's voice, quiet, and a little sullen, asked from behind her, "Who are you going to the Ball with then?" Not bothering to turn around, She answered back calmly, "I don't see why you need to know, but I am going with George Weasley." Silence followed her answer and, still not turning around, Ahsoka then quietly said, "Goodnight Draco Malfoy," And with that she left the room and a completely stunned and slightly heartbroken Slytherin Prince behind.

Outside of the room, Ahsoka paused for a moment, as her brain replayed everything that just happened in that room to her, and cheeks red from either embarrassment, or anger, she wasn't even sure, she clutched her book satchel close to her and just ran. She ran all the way till she reached the Gryffindor Common Room.

Once she said the password and entered, her senses were bombarded with noise and smells and just over all craziness with an over crowded Common Room. Before she could sneak away to just be by herself in the Dorm room, one of the people she did not want to interact with at the moment called out to her. "Ahsoka, there you are!"

Ahsoka closed her eyes to take another deep breath as George Weasley appeared next to her with a huge smile lighting up his face at seeing her. "Since I found you, why not come play a game of Exploding Snap? It will be fun!" Suddenly George noticed how pale Ahsoka looked and how she was slightly shaking. Concern taking over his features, he laid a hand on her shoulder and asked, "Ahsoka, is everything all right?" taking her hand and gently removing George's hand, Ahsoka gave him a weak smile and replied, "I'm just tired. Sorry, but I'm going to head up early to bed." And with that she hurried away before the one Weasley Twin could say anything else.

Meanwhile, Analie and the others had found Ron's little owl, Pigwidgeon, earlier and had found a small, off to the side spot in the overly crowded and busy Common Room to read the letter he had brought. It appears that Harry's Godfather, Sirius, believed that even though he made it through the First Task, he still needed to keep his awareness up. As Ron, Harry and Hermione all discussed the meaning behind Sirius's words, Analie kept her eye out for Ahsoka so that she could flag her over to them when she arrived.

She watched as Ahsoka hurried into the Common Room and seemed to stop in surprise at all the noise. Analie's eyes narrowed though, when she saw the slight shaking of her friend and the desperate, upset looking eyes. She even watched as Ahsoka quickly brushed off George's offer to play one of her favorite Wizard games, and how she seemed to almost sprint up the stairs.

Standing up, she excused herself from the others and made her way upstairs to the Dorm room as well. Knocking on the door, she popped her head in and called out quietly, "Ahsoka? It's Analie, is it ok if I come in?" Getting a muffled answer of confirmation in reply, Analie fully entered the room and shut the door behind her, effectively cutting off all the crazy sounds from downstairs.

Inside the Dorm room, she found the curtains shut fully around Ahsoka's bed, so walking over, Analie slowly opened one side of the curtains, to find her best friend back in her natural form of a Togruta, and curled up in a ball hugging one of the pillows on her bed super tightly as she buried her face in it. Sitting down on the bed, Analie sighed and asked, "What happened?"

Lifting her face from the pillow, Ahsoka looked with teary eyes towards Analie and stated, "I want to go home." Blinking in surprise, Analie asked in confusion, "Why?" Turning away from Analie to look in the opposite direction, Ahsoka replied, "So that I don't have to hide who I truly am anymore! So that I don't have to deal with stupid boys and their stupid, complicated feelings. I just want to go home, back to where things are less complicated!" By the end, Ahsoka was crying and Analie was now rubbing her friend's back in comfort.

After a while, and Ahsoka had calmed down enough where only silent tears were falling, Analie asked, "I know you may not want to talk about it, but I have to know Ahsoka. What happened with you and Malfoy?"

There was silence for a long moment, then, in a voice so quiet that it was almost a whisper, Ahsoka said, "He kissed me…" Eyes widening in shock, Analie blinked several times and asked, "Wait, he what?" Turning around again to face her friend and give her a tired glare, Ahsoka repeated a little bit louder, "He kissed me Ana. Draco Malfoy stole my first kiss, then he told me he liked me and asked me to the Ball."

Shaking her head to clear it from the shock of this news, Analie then asked, "And what did you do?" Shrugging her shoulders in her laying position, Ahsoka replied, "I shoved him, asked him if he was kidding, and then basically rejected him saying that I would not go out with him unless he got his act together and started being a decent person."

Analie nodded at that and then added, "You also told him you are already going with someone right?" Heaving another deep sigh, Ahsoka replied, "Yes, yes I did…" The two friends fell into silence. Analie did not say anything more, because she could sense that Ahsoka's mind was whirling with thoughts. Finally Ahsoka looked at her closest friend and asked, "Analie… How did I not realize it sooner? I feel like a horrible being now. If I had known I had caused those feelings, maybe I could have done something sooner to lessen the heartbreak I obviously have caused him?"

Giving a small sigh of her own, Analie moved to lay down next to Ahsoka and replied, "Well that is the one thing that the Jedi Order lacks at. They don't teach us about how to recognize and define emotions and feelings. Really, they basically tell us to shut all of our emotions away and not deal with them." The two then remained in companionable silence, content to just rest and reflect on everything that had happened to them so far with their time on this planet.

Ahsoka soon began chuckling, and Analie turned her head to give her Togruta friend a questioning look. Ahsoka gave Analie a wry smile and said, "You know, this Mission has forced us to completely re-evaluate everything that the Order and Council have ever told or taught us." Blinking for a moment, Analie asked, "How so Ahsoka?" Shaking her head, Ahsoka replied, "Well, you wouldn't understand, since you already are an exception to the rules, being born from two Jedi. But what I mean is, here, on earth, we are not fighting a war, we aren't even acting as diplomats or peacekeepers! Here, we Padawans are simply being treated like any other young person out in the Galaxy. We are being treated like teenagers. We are going to school, making friends, being asked to a dance… It's all a little surreal."

Thinking on her friend's words, Analie nodded thoughtfully and replied, "You are right. Everything we have experienced so far here has been totally different from past Missions that we have had…" Frowning now, Ahsoka closed her eyes and said quietly,"Ana… I'm afraid. I'm afraid that all of this is going to come crashing down around us, sooner, rather than later." All Analie could do was nod silently in reply, sadly agreeing with her fellow Padawan, as they laid together on Ahsoka's bed thinking about what was to come with this Yule Ball Dance.