Thank you to the 11 people who reviewed the last chapter and here is the next chapter. I am sorry if some of the events are a little out of order and, just a note, this is based on the book and so takes quotes directly from the book. Thus, I don't own the book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. As usual, reviews are much appreciated and I hope that you like it.

9.

Rise Above This

Honeydukes, Hogsmeade…

Winter was in full swing and snow covered the ground as Anakin walked into the shop known as Honeydukes. He didn't know why he had the sudden feeling to walk around the snow-covered Wizarding village of Hogsmeade but he decided he was bored anyway and Snape didn't have anything for him to do. In fact, Snape actually told him to get out of there.

Obi-Wan had also been given the day off and Anakin could see him at Tomes and Scrolls probably looking at the books there. He smiled; yes, his master definitely fit in with the other Ravenclaws that Anakin has seen so far. Padmé, unfortunately, couldn't get off work because Minerva had some things for her to do that prevented her from leaving the castle for the Hogsmeade weekend out.

Anakin decided he would surprise his wife though and began to look around the store for anything that his wife might like.

"Can I help you, sir?" the clerk in the store asked; she was a young witch, maybe three or four years older than Ahsoka, with thick red hair.

"Actually yes," Anakin said glancing at the woman. "I would like something sweet to give my wife but I don't know what to give her." Or, more or less, I don't know what a lot of these sweets are called, he thought but didn't repeat his thought out loud.

"Oh I see," the witch said. "My suggestion would be chocolate if your wife likes chocolate. We make our own fudge here. Maybe your wife would like that."

Anakin's brow furrowed; he couldn't know for sure if Padmé has ever tried chocolate or fudge but he decided to risk it and hope his wife wasn't allergic. Besides, he's never heard of chocolate existing in his reality. "All right, I'll take the fudge please," he said.

"All right. It will be 2 sickles per pack," the witch said.

"All right then make it two packs," Anakin said briefly recalling that sickles were the silver coins and he had withdrawn some silver coins from the Gringotts account Albus helped him, Obi-Wan and Padmé set up when their first payment came in. Despite the fact that they've been living in the Wizarding world for a little over three months, Anakin was still getting used to how different the Wizarding world was from the galaxy he came from.

He pulled out four silver sickles before handing them to the witch when she came back with the bag. She counted them before nodding and handed him the bag. "I hope your wife enjoys it," she said.

Me too, Anakin thought nodding his thanks before walking out of the store. He frowned when he noticed a group of students walking toward the Hog's Head at the other end of Hogsmeade. Obi-Wan, who was just leaving Tomes and Scrolls with a book in his hand, frowned before tossing a confused look at Anakin who shrugged.

I have no idea, master, he sent through their bond.

I can sense that they are trying their hardest to not draw attention to themselves, Obi-Wan sent back. Obviously whatever they're doing, they shouldn't be doing it.

I'm going to go check it out.

Anakin, when will you learn to keep your nose out of business that is none of your concern?

Anakin grinned back but didn't respond to his former master's words before he frowned when he sensed a familiar presence and his eyes narrowed. I have to check it out anyway, Master. I want to know why Ahsoka's there, Anakin said silently with a nod toward the Hog's Head.

Obi-Wan also looked surprised. All right. I'm heading back to Hogwarts, he sent through the Force.

Would you mind taking this to Padmé for me? Anakin sent through the Force nodding at the bag in his hand.

Obi-Wan's eyebrows shot up. When did I become your delivery man? He asked but amusement glittered in his gray-blue eyes telling Anakin that he was only kidding as he nodded. He cast a simple summoning charm since he and, when the bag landed in his hand, turned around and began the trek back to the castle.

Hog's Head, Hogsmeade…

Anakin made his way over to Hog's Head frowning when he noticed the students walking into the room and Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ahsoka were there at the head of the group. Ahsoka glanced up sharply clearly having sensed Anakin's presence before she narrowed her eyes. "Anakin's here, guys," she said aloud.

Hermione looked surprised while Anakin shook his head. You didn't have to tell them, Ahsoka, he sent through the Force.

What are you doing here, master?

Checking on you. What's this about?

Ahsoka said nothing in response.

Ahsoka?

I can't tell you master.

Anakin narrowed his eyes. He didn't like this, not at all. Padawan, what is going on? He asked.

I can't tell you!

And why not?

I made a promise.

Anakin rubbed his head. Why can't you tell me? He asked finally.

You might go to Dumbledore.

Anakin's eyebrows rose. Why would I do that?

Ahsoka hesitated. "I think we should tell Anakin," she said apparently unable to think of a response to Anakin's question.

"We can't. We can't risk Umbridge…" Harry began.

Anakin growled at the mention of the bitch that harmed his Padawan.

"Anakin really doesn't like Umbridge for what she did to my hand so I very much doubt he will let Umbridge know."

"Not to mention I rather like the idea of pulling something over that little bitch," Anakin added revealing that Ahsoka was right and he was there. He was also slightly amused when several of the students jumped. He walked into the Hog's Head noting how many students were there before glancing at the head of the group.

Hermione sighed. "He already knows we're here, Harry," she said. "We may as well tell him."

Harry was silent glancing at Anakin. "All right fine," he said sitting down.

Hermione turned her gaze to Anakin. "We've formed a secret club," she said and began to explain everything from her convincing Harry to teach the students how to defend themselves against Voldemort to organizing the meeting to get new people to join.

Anakin nodded. "It's a good idea," he said when Hermione finished. "And because of Umbitch's stubbornness at accepting the truth, you had to form the club in secret."

"Yeah."

"And it's Umbridge, Anakin," Ahsoka said.

Anakin snorted eyes flashing. "I like Umbitch better," he sneered surprisingly in a Snape-like manner if he only knew. "Like I said before, I don't mind pulling something over that little bitch especially after what he did to my sister." Anakin barely stopped himself from calling Ahsoka his apprentice.

Hermione held out a list. "We were just getting ready to sign up for the club," she said.

Anakin thought about it for a moment before his eyes narrowed. "It wouldn't be a good idea to just leave that hanging around, Hermione," he said. "After everyone signs up, why don't I hold on to it?"

"You'll lose it, Anakin," Ahsoka said with a snort.

"I would not!"

"Yes just like you promised Obi-Wan you wouldn't lose your wand just last week. I seem to remember Professor Dumbledore handing you your wand just before Potions two days after you told Obi-Wan that," Ahsoka said with a snort amusement glimmering in her large eyes.

Anakin tossed her a smoldering look. "Thanks ever so much for that, Ahsoka," he said irritably.

"You're welcome," Ahsoka replied cheerfully.

Anakin shook his head. "I should still hold on to it," he said holding out a hand.

Hermione nodded. "I think that might be best. No one would think to look for it with you," she said handing Anakin the list.

"Let's hope he doesn't lose it like he lost his wand," Ahsoka added cheerfully.

"Shut up!" Anakin growled.

Corridor Outside Professor McGonagall's Office, Hogwarts…

"Hello Padmé," Obi-Wan greeted his brother's wife as Padmé stepped out of Minerva's office looking tired.

Padmé nodded in greeting. "Ma…Obi-Wan," she said before she laughed softly and added, "We've been here more than three months and I'm still slipping up."

"Anakin's always slipping up. Thankfully, it's while we're speaking through the Force so no one notices," Obi-Wan said.

"Should we be talking about that out in the open?"

"I can sense no one but Minerva is here," Obi-Wan reassured her before he held out the bag. "Anakin asked me to give this to you."

Padmé took the bag before opening it and pulling out the box of fudge her eyes going wide. She opened it before taking a taste and her eyes lit up. "This is delicious," she exclaimed. "Where is Anakin? I want to thank him."

"Hogsmeade when I last saw him," said Obi-Wan with a shrug.

"Oh well I guess I'll just tell him when he gets back," Padmé said finishing off the first piece of fudge.

Minerva stepped out of her office at that moment. "Padmé, would you mind…oh, Obi-Wan. I didn't know you were here," she said.

Obi-Wan shrugged. "My brother decided that I was to be his delivery man," he said.

Minerva chuckled. "Well, since you're here, would you mind taking this to Pomona?" she asked holding out the piece of parchment.

Obi-Wan took it. "I'll see you later, Padmé," he said before he walked past his brother's wife and began making his way to the greenhouse as he was sure that was where Pomona was at that moment.

Hogwarts…

A large sign had been affixed to the Gryffindor notice board, so large that it covered everything else on there—the lists of second-hand spellbooks for sale, the regular reminders of school rules from Argus Filch, the Quidditch team training schedule, the offers to barter certain Chocolate Frog cards for others, the Weasleys' new advertisement for testers, the dates of the Hogsmeade weekends and the lost-and-found notices. The new sign was printed in large black letters and there was a highly official-looking seal at the bottom beside a neat and curly signature.

By order of

The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts

All student organizations, societies, teams, groups and clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An organization, society, team, group or club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No student organization, society, team, group or club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an organization, society, team, group or club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

Signed.

Dolores Jane Umbridge

High Inquisitor

Ahsoka stared at the notice before looking at Harry and Ron at her side; she did not like the sound of what the notice was saying, and what it was implying. "Do you think Umbridge knows?" she whispered when the three of them moved away from the Gryffindor notice board and joined Hermione.

"She can't know," Hermione said.

"You're naïve," Ron said, "You think that just because you're honorable and trustworthy…"

"No, no one could have told Umbridge anything. I put a jinx on the parchment we all signed but…" Her eyes widened and she looked at Ahsoka. "Anakin never signed the parchment."

"Anakin would never betray us," Ahsoka assured her friend. You wouldn't betray us, would you Anakin? She asked through the Force.

What happened to bring this up? Anakin asked silently.

Ahsoka told him about Umbridge's order and, for a long moment, Anakin said nothing.

It wasn't me. I still have the list with me. I said nothing, Ahsoka, he said finally.

"Ahsoka, are you all right?" Harry asked.

Ahsoka blinked before nodding. "I'm fine," she said. "And I've known Anakin for a very long time. He wouldn't betray us and especially not to Umbridge not after what she did to my hand."

"Then who did?" Ron asked.

Hermione shook her head. "I don't think anyone did. Maybe she's just suspicious. Come on, let's get to the Great Hall and see what the others have to say about this and if this has been put up in the other houses," she said.

As it turned out, the notice was put up in the other houses. There was a peculiar intensity about the chatter and an extra measure of movement in the Hall as people scurried up and down their tables conferring on what they had read. Soon after she sat down, Ahsoka, Harry, Hermione and Ron were joined by Neville, Dean, Fred, George and Ginny.

"Did you see it?"

"D'you reckon she knows?"

"What are we going to do?"

All of them were looking at Harry who was examining the area as if making sure none of the teachers were near them. Ahsoka briefly glanced up at the staff table to find Anakin talking quietly with Obi-Wan but also keeping one eye on the students at the Gryffindor table.

"We're going to do it anyway, of course," Harry said quietly.

"Knew you'd say that," said George beaming and thumping Harry on the arm.

"The prefects as well?" Fred asked looking quizzically at Ron and Hermione.

"Of course," Hermione said coolly.

"Here comes Ernie and Hannah Abbott," said Ron looking over his shoulder. "And those Ravenclaw blokes and smith…and no one looks very spotty."

Hermione looked alarmed.

"Never mind spots, the idiots can't come over here now, it'll look too suspicious," Hermione said quickly before she quickly gestured for Ernie and Hannah to return to the Hufflepuff table. Eventually, they did as they were told.

"We're going to have to tell Anakin about this as well," Harry whispered.

"Anakin already knows," Ahsoka whispered back. "I'll try to speak with him after Potions class today but I don't want Snape to overhear."

"We'd better focus on not making the other teachers suspicious."

The rest of the group nodded slowly in agreement.

Potions Classroom, Hogwarts…

Anakin forced himself not to glare at Umbridge who was sitting in the dim corner of the dungeon with a clipboard in her hand. She had been observing every teacher since she became High Inquisitor. Snape was next on her list and, by default, so was Anakin. She was currently watching the class as they made their way into the classroom.

Ahsoka sat beside Harry at the back of the classroom with Harry and Ron in front of them. They pulled out their materials although Ahsoka glanced at Anakin. I want to talk with you after class in private, she sent through the Force. And I don't think we should talk as often with the Force.

Anakin thought about Ahsoka's words; using the Force as often as he and his apprentice did probably wasn't a good thing to do. They had to adjust to the magical world and, though the Force is the magic of their reality, to use it often might make them forget just which reality they were in.

Wow, that was actually pretty smart of you, Ahsoka said cheekily telling Anakin that he had accidentally sent his thoughts on Ahsoka's words to his apprentice.

Oh shut up, he sent back. But you're right. I'll tell Obi-Wan that we should cut down our use on the Force for the time being.

Ahsoka pulled out the parchment, quills and her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi though she did nod her head slightly in response to Anakin's words.

"You will notice," Snape said in his low, sneering voice "that we have a guest with us today."

"No really?" Anakin said sarcastically.

Snape's eyes flashed. "Do you mind, Skywalker?" he growled. "Anyway, we will be continuing with the Strengthening Solutions we began Friday. You will find your mixtures as you left them last lesson if correctly made they should have matured well over the weekend, instructions," Snape waved his wand, "on the board. Carry on. Skywalker…?"

"Make sure no one tries to sabotage another's potion, I know, I know," Anakin said rolling his eyes.

Snape glared.

Anakin began walking around the classroom while Umbridge made notes in her corner. He walked past Ahsoka and Harry before frowning when he noticed that Harry was barely paying attention to what he was doing. "Mr. Potter, shouldn't you be focusing more on your potion than on Umbridge?" he asked quietly to avoid drawing Snape's attention.

Harry jumped. "Sorry sir," he said.

"Anakin. You can read the instructions yes?'

"I…uh…read them before I came to class."

"Then you would recall that you're supposed to add salamander blood not pomegranate juice."

Ahsoka, who had been about to reach over and stop Harry from putting in the wrong ingredient, retracted her hand.

Harry flushed. "Right," he said.

"You sure you don't want a personal copy of the instructions?"

"I'm sure, sir."

"Anakin. All right, if you change your mind, let me know."

"Yes sir, er I mean yes Anakin."

Anakin began walking again. For some reason, he had this odd feeling that there was something…off about Harry Potter but he couldn't put his finger on it. He decided not to worry about it as he continued to walk around the classroom.

Umbridge examined him briefly as the class went on before she stood up and walked over to join him. Anakin resisted the urge to strangle the bitch who dared harm his apprentice. "Professor Skywalker?" she said.

"Yes?" Anakin said it as politely as he possibly could.

"How long have you been teaching here?"

"Only a few months."

"And how long have you been teaching?"

Anakin thought about it and decided to go with how long he had been teaching Ahsoka. "Two years," he said.

"That would explain why you are rather young. I would have thought Professor Dumbledore would hire someone a bit older."

Anakin bristled. "I am only an assistant," he said thinking quickly about how to respond.

"That explains it then. Where did you teach before you came to Hogwarts?"

Anakin frowned. "What does that have to do with anything?" he asked.

"Oh just ascertaining a thorough understanding of teachers', and assistant teachers', backgrounds for the Ministry," Umbridge said sweetly. "So would you mind answering my question?"

Anakin wondered what would happen to him if he decided to punch the little pink toady bitch in the face right then and there.

"I taught my sister, home-schooling," he said finally resisting the urge to punch Umbridge.

"Ah I see." Umbridge added a couple of notes to her clipboard before she walked over to join Snape who was leaning over Dean Thomas's cauldron.

Anakin glared after Umbridge before he began walking around the classroom again although, when he neared Snape, he stopped to listen to Snape's talk with Umbridge.

"Well, the class seems fairly advanced for their level," Umbridge said briskly to Snape's back. "Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus."

Snape straightened up slowly and turned to look at her.

"No…how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" Umbridge asked quill poised over her clipboard.

"Fourteen years," Snape said.

"You applied first for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, I believe?"

"Yes."

"But you were unsuccessful?"

"Obviously." Those words were quiet but Anakin could sense that Snape was irritated.

Not noticing his irritation, Umbridge asked, "And you have applied regularly for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post sicne you first joined the school, I believe?"

"Yes." Snape's eyes were glistening with anger.

"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?" asked Umbridge.

"I suggest you ask him."

"Oh I shall."

"I suppose this is relevant?" Snape asked obsidian eyes narrowed.

"Oh yes," Umbridge said. "Yes, the Ministry wants a thorough understand of teachers—er—backgrounds. Teachers and assistant teachers." She then turned around and walked away to talk with Pansy Parkinson about the lessons while Anakin walked up to join an irritated Snape.

"Well, ain't she just lovely?" he said sardonically.

Snape glared after Umbridge. "Shut up, Skywalker," he snapped.

"Hey, no need to jump down my throat."

"Aren't you supposed to be doing something right now?"

"I am? Oh right, I am." Anakin, with an irritatingly cheerful grin, jogged over to the other end of the classroom resisting the urge to laugh at the withering glower Snape was tossing after him.

Greenhouse, Hogwarts…

Obi-Wan watched as Umbridge questioned Pomona during her Herbology class the day after Umbridge's order was issued. When Umbridge was finished questioning Pomona, she walked over to join Obi-Wan who was keeping watch on the classroom.

"Professor Kenobi?" Umbridge said.

"What can I do for you, Professor Umbridge?" Obi-Wan asked politely turning his gaze from the students to look at the frilly pink-clad High Inquisitor.

"Answer a few questions is all. How long have you been working at Hogwarts?"

"Only a couple of months."

"Hmm, Professor Skywalker said the same."

"We started working here at the same time."

"I see. And how long have you been teaching?"

Obi-Wan thought and decided to go with how long he had been Anakin's mentor. "Almost eleven years," he said.

"I see. Where did you teach before Hogwarts?"

"I home-schooled my younger brother."

"I see. Funny, Professor Skywalker said he did the same with his sister."

Obi-Wan shrugged. "Not really that funny. Is there anything else you would like to know?"

Umbridge pressed her lips together. "No, thank you Professor."

Obi-Wan inclined his head politely before watching as Umbridge walked off before he walked over to join Pomona. "Do you know why Umbridge was questioning us?" he asked.

"The Ministry wants her to do a thorough analysis of all the teachers', and assistant teachers, at Hogwarts," Pomona replied.

"I see."

A/n what do you think?

Blaze: and that was chapter 9

Darth: what's the next chapter going to cover?

Blaze: finding the Room of Requirement, nightmares and some interaction between Obi-Wan and Pomona and Padme and Minerva since some reviewers requested a look into that so that's what they'll get in the next chapter

Darth: cool

Mace: (drives up in brand-new Mustang) yup that is cool (climbs out of Mustang)

Anakin: (leaps into brand-new Mustang and takes off)

Mace: DAMN IT!

Severus: you should not have left your keys in the ignition

Mace: (glares at Severus and chases after Anakin)

Blaze: please review and I will post chapter 10 as soon as I possibly can but I doubt it will be anytime soon