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"What did you say?" Ahsoka asked, honestly curiously. "I explained to them that most people who weren't directly involved in the conflict or politics. didn't care. And they don't. They're just like the people I hated," Harry explained. "They were people who were concerned about their families. People who just wanted to live their lives in peace and for those they cared about to do the same. Just like any others. Getting involved in a war could end up with them dead, or worse painting targets on their family. In their defense, they were absolutely right."

"The war did make families targets. My best friend's family were attacked at home, and in the end lost several family members to the Dark Lord," Harry said, his brow furrowing, "I don't like it. But I can't hate people for trying to do what they think protects their families most. I can't hate someone for not seeing the big picture." "The big picture," Ahsoka question evident in her voice.

echoed,

the

"'All it takes for evil to flourish is for good people to stand aside and do nothing.' A quote from my world. Too many people think that one individual can't make a difference. Often they may be right. But if a whole bunch of individuals try, then pretty soon you have an army ready to stand up and say, enough is enough." Harry said, passion filling his voice.

"The people that don't, think they're protecting their family by being there with their families rather than fighting a war. They're only seeing their immediate concern. They don't see the big picture; that by not fighting by allowing evil to take over without a fight they're just making the world their child ends up in, and eventually inherits is worse off."

"In the end, I realized that I didn't hate them. I pitied them." Harry said with a sigh.

Once more a wistful smile crossed Harry's face, "That was one of Daphne and my longest running arguments actually. She always said the magical world never learned and I kept bailing them out from rising Dark Lords. She told me I should let them learn their lesson. But… I could never force children to pay for the mistakes of their parents. My generation did that, and I didn't want that for any other group of children."

Ahsoka was listening attentively. Her focus on Harry as she processed the most he had said about himself since she had met him. nodded slowly, "I… understand… I think," Harry shook his head, "No, you don't. Not yet, not entirely. But I'm sure you'll probably get there,"

Ahsoka nodded solemnly at Harry's serious response and then regarded him silently and shrewdly for several moments before asking bluntly, "So are you going to tell me what you were all nervous about?"

She knew he wasn't nervous about facing her that she might hurt him. Not after he had walked into the chaos of the whirlwind the way he had risking life and limb.

Harry regarded her thoughtfully and slid his other leg onto the bed, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on his knees. He interlaced his fingers and rested his chin on his hands as he regarded Ahsoka intently, unsure about what to explain. Or how to start.

Then a thought occurred to him and a slow smile emerged on his face

"Are you still set on wanting me to test your mental defenses?" Harry asked slowly.

"Yes," Ahsoka nodded as she responded immediately. She had been reliving and sorting memories nearly nonstop. Protection from having her mind manipulated, as well as being able to hide her Force presence, was a huge motivating factor.

"Even though I could see things that are intensely private even if they're embarrassing or personal?" Harry asked, a hint of warning in his voice, "That experience can be intimidating or scary the first time, especially if you don't trust the person utterly."

He could tell by the stubborn lift of her chin what her response was going to be but he had to try anyway.

"I'm not afraid," She said, her voice strong and not quivering in the slightest.

"You should be," Harry replied gravely.

After a pause he continued, "With this skill, when I'm in your mind, when I get through your defenses, I could see any secret you've ever had, any private moment, any personal thought or emotion. I'm skilled enough that with enough time I could change your personality, or I could just erase your entire being." Harry kept his voice level but there was a hard edge in it as he stared into Ahsoka's eyes.

Ahsoka met his eyes just as seriously and she didn't flinch. "You probably could. But if you wanted me dead, you could have let the bounty hunters do it for you. And if you wanted information or to change me you could have strapped me down and attempted it."

"What you just said scares me. But what I'm afraid of is someone else being able to do it to me," Her eyes stayed locked on his as she admitted what no Jedi ever was supposed to. Fear, "I'm afraid of someone who wouldn't hesitate. There have been cases of that in the Jedi Order, cases I know personally. They were never the exact same after." Her mind briefly flitted to Aayla and what had happened to the Twi'lek years earlier, but she wasn't the only one who had their mind warmed and assaulted by those who misused the Force.

"But I don't want anyone else being able to do that to me. I trust you. If you're really able to see into my mind, and help others from doing to me what you could do then it's absolutely worth it," She stated defiantly while she lifted her chin to look into his eyes.

She made no attempt to hide her feelings or emotions. She no longer trusted the Jedi Council. She was aware of the Council's history and knew they had sentenced people to the Death of Personality before. Wiping their memories and every bit of who they were. This promised protection from that, and while she didn't think they'd attempt to force her back there to try that, she also couldn't completely discount it any more either. After all, she never expected to be betrayed by a friend and fellow Jedi or expelled from the Order either.

"Maybe saying I'm not afraid isn't accurate. Maybe I need to be more precise, I'm not afraid of you," She clarified softly, "And maybe if we do this you'll understand that. Then you'll tell me what has you concerned now,"

Harry was silent for over a minute as he regarded Ahsoka's expression. She met his silence with a determined look of her own.

"Alright," he finally nodded, and he found himself oddly pleased by her declaration though he put on an obviously exaggerated faux hurt expression, "But you should be afraid of me! I can be really scary!"

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