A/N this is only my second fic. those of you who read The Tossing Seas will note that this is completely different. I wrote this because of so many * cough * similarities between Harry Potter and LOTR. enjoy

A/N also, this takes place after the War of the Ring, I have chosen to ignore certain facts about the whereabouts of the hobbits at this point. namely Frodo. this is simply because if Frodo was in the West at the time, I wouldn't have much of a story!

The sky was blue and nearly cloudless but for the wispy remnants of fluff on the horizon. A warm breeze wafted over the hilly landscape of Hobbiton and bent the blades of grass ever so gently until their tips all pointed westward. The young hobbits of the town played in the green fields, oblivious to the world around them.

Meanwhile, the four most famous hobbits of the Shire were congregated in the living room of Bag End playing Boggle, a game taught to them by Gandalf, which Pippin in turn had taught the rest of the Shire. It had become a favorite pastime among hobbits of all ages, but especially to one Samwise Gamgee.

"I've got: cram, food, ale, pint and lunch," said Pippin proudly.

"Well, I've got: food, lunch, ram, nip, and tar," said Merry.

"I have you all beaten!" Frodo shouted. "I have: cram, food, ale, pint, lunch, ram, nip, tar and rat!"

The three hobbits looked at Sam who was sitting quietly at his corner of the table.

"I have: rat, tar and butter," said Sam.

The other three hobbits groaned.

"There is no way you got butter," said Merry in disgust.

"Yeah! You get that one every time!" Pippin chimed in.

"Show us where it is!" Frodo demanded.

Sam calmly pointed to each letter: B-U-T-T-E-R.

"How does he do it?" Merry was quite perplexed.

"I'm never playing with you again!" Pippin vowed.

Just as Frodo began shaking the letters, a knock sounded from the door.

"Sam, will you get that?" Frodo asked.

Sam nodded and rose to answer the door. Just as he approached the door, it swung open revealing none other than the wizard Gandalf.

"Why, Gandalf!" Sam said in surprise. "What are you doing here? I thought you were-"

"Silence!" the wizard boomed. "There are more important matters to attend to! Where are the others?"

"Playing Boggle," Sam said.

"Oh, that dratted game!" Gandalf grumbled. "I never should have given it to you!"

Sam and Gandalf proceeded to the living room where the other three had already begun their game.

"Mr. Frodo," Sam said nervously, "You have a visitor."

"Tell them to go away," Frodo said angrily without looking back. "You know that I am not to be bothered when playing Boggle!"

"This one seems important," said Sam. "I think you ought to speak with him."

"Not now Sam!" Frodo turned in annoyance to Sam. "Tell them I'll- Gandalf!"

"Gandalf?" Merry in Pippin said in unison.

"Yes, it is I, Gandalf," said the wizard, "Here with important news concerning you hobbits."

"Important news?" Pippin asked.

"Yes, is there an echo in here? That's what I said," the wizard said in a frustrated tone. "I need you to do me a huge favor."

"Oh, no!" said Frodo. "I'm not falling for that one again! Last time I did you a favor I ended up losing my finger, oh, yeah, and not to mention that we almost DIED!"

"Well," Gandalf said uneasily, "this isn't like that at all!"

"My question is," said Merry, "do we have a choice?"

"What a good question, Meriadoc," replied Gandalf. "As it so happens, you do not have a choice!"

"Crap," said Frodo under his breath.

"This doesn't involve any mind-altering objects, does it?" Sam inquired, looking sympathetically at Frodo.

"Indirectly," Gandalf explained. "There are certain complications involved with the use of a time-space continuum that could alter one's thought process, but I'll explain that to you later."

The hobbits gazed at him with confused expressions.

"Um. yeah." Pippin said finally. "What exactly are you going to be doing?"

"You four are going away to a special school," said Gandalf.

"Oh, no!" Sam blurted. "My Gaffer always said this would happen!"

"No, no!" Gandalf said. "Not one of those schools! This is a school of witchcraft and wizardry."

"Witchcraft and wizardry?" Pippin said in awe.

"There's that echo again," Gandalf shook his head. "Yes, witchcraft and wizardry."

"But, why, Gandalf?" asked Sam.

"Well, you see," explained the wizard, "My cousin Albus called me the other day and he needs some help. He runs the school, and the school board is pressuring him to diversify his student body. Of course, Albus, being incredibly prejudiced against Americans (the only people on earth not present at the school), called me to bring some of the folks from Middle Earth over."

"Americans?" questioned Pippin.

"Earth?" said Merry.

"I'll explain all of that on the way," said Gandalf. "Now, you must pack your things, we leave today."

The hobbits just sat and stared, their eyes fixed on the tall wizard.

"Run along," prompted Gandalf. "We haven't got all day!"

The hobbits dispersed to pack their bags.