EPILOGUE

This is my first fan fic. That's not supposed to mean anything, just wanted to let you all know. Anyway, read & enjoy, or read and don't enjoy. This story will probably have four chapters, but I may add more or cut it short to three. Once school starts again, I won't have much time to update.

DISCLAIMER

The characters belong either to J.K. Rowling or to J.R.R. Tolkien. You know which belong to whom. I did not create any of these, nor did I come up with the places.

--------------------------------- CHAPTER 1 - The Invitation ---------------
------------------

Harry, Hermoine, and Ron were among those who stayed at Hogwarts over the summer this year. Fawkes wasn't feeling too well, so Professor Dumbledore had decided to stay, and he didn't give a damn whether others followed his example.

In the Common Room, Harry was lying on the floor, looking at the ceiling not doing much (in fact, he wasn't doing ANYTHING) while Ron and Hermoine were listlessly poking around in carp soup, which they had brought up from the Great Hall; nobody knew why since neither of them was hungry, and the soup wasn't good, either. But hell, they didn't have anything to do, so they might as well be poking around in carp soup. Obviously, they were all bored to death.

Finally, Ron broke the silence.

RON: Man, what a lame day. This summer sucks butt. There's nothing
to do in Hogwarts. And this soup makes me wanna puke.

HARRY: At least Malfoy isn't here. That bastard always gets on my
nerves. *getting up
and shaking his fist* If I see him before school starts, I'll kick
his ass! I'll rip
his guts out! I swear, I'll --

HERMOINE: Yeah, whatever, Harry. You're a sissy, and you know it.

RON: *starts giggling*

HARRY: What the hell?! How did I get that reputation? I bet Draco is
behind this shit.
Next time I see him I'll beat him up muggle-style. He won't know
how to deal
with that.

HERMOINE: Draco has nothing to do with this. It's your glasses. and your innocent
look. and the fact that everyone feels sorry for you 'cause you
don't have any parents.

HARRY: That's bullshit! Bring'em on, I'll show them who's the tough one!

RON: I hate to say this, Harry, but all you've got is you scar. No abs, no broad shoulders,
nothing. Hell, you don't even have facial hair yet!

HARRY: So? Does that mean I can't be tough? That I can't kick some ass? DOES IT?!

Just when the discussion began to get out of control, the hole to the Common Room opened, and Professor Dumbledore entered. He looked rather pleased and excited.

DUMBLEDORE: *holding up a letter* Hey guys, check this out!

HARRY: I hope this is important, Prof. I was about to demonstrate my toughness here,
you know.

DUMBLEDORE: THIS *holding the letter so close to Harry's face
that Harry noticed a nasty smell, wondering whether Professor
Dumbledore used toilet-paper. (This almost caused Harry to
join the club of future pukers)* This is our ticket outta
here. Forget lying around like a bunch of cows. We're going
to participate in a prestigious tournament seeking the
wisest, the slyest, and the toughest individual on the
planet. *Obviously excited and with childishly shining eyes*
What do you say?

HERMOINE: What? Where? Who?

RON: What about Fawkes??

HARRY: Yeah, I can show everyone that I'm made of steel! Yeah!

HERMOINE: Just read the letter, man!

DUMBLEDORE: It's traveled a long way. Kinda hard to read,
too, 'cause the handwriting sucks. And look at this *showing
them a pink envelope* this is pretty gay, don't you think?
*getting off topic* And check the format out, guys. Five by
five inch? It's a square, what the --?!

HARRY: Get yourself together, man.

RON: Just read it, dammit!

DUMBLEDORE: All right, I'll just read it.

'Dear Professor Dumbledore:

As a member of the ASS (short for the Authentic Sorcerers
Society), you are entitled to participate in a prestigious
tournament seeking the wisest, the slyest, and the toughest
person on the planet. I know -'

HARRY: *interrupting* Participate in a prestigious tournament bla
bla bla. You didn't
even put it in your own words. You suck.

HERMOINE: He said 'individual', not 'person'.

DUMBLEDORE: *ignoring Harry's comment*

'I know you cannot leave the three children alone in
Hogwarts, and I therefore -'

HARRY: *spitting on the floor* Children! Maybe Hermoine here, but I'm almost a man!
And tough as one anyway.

HERMOINE: You wish. Stop pretending, Harry.

HARRY: You want a piece of me?!

RON: Shut the fuck up! Let the old man read.

DUMBLEDORE: As I was saying.

'I therefore grant you permission to bring them to the
tournament, whether as contestants or audience shall be
determined later. You (and perhaps your students) will
compete with characters from LOTR, such as Gandalf and
myself. You don't need to know more at this point. The
contest will be held in Middle Earth. All participants are to
meet me at Isengard as soon as possible.

Love,

Saruman
Head of the Council'

RON: Love? Pink envelope? Is there something we should know, Prof?

DUMBLEDORE: What? No, no. He's just trying to be nice, I think.

HERMOINE: Whatever. But what about Fawkes? That's why we're still here, after all.

DUMBLEDORE: He's fine. Caught fire a couple of days ago. I think he's over the worst.

HARRY: Why do we have to go to THEM? This licks balls! Don't those bastards have
the guts to take us on on neutral ground?

RON: *nodding in agreement*

HERMOINE: Harry, why are you always so aggressive?

DUMBLEDORE: It's all right, Hermoine. His testosterone level
is a little high. That's normal for boys this age. They are
always hyper, as if they were on drugs all the time, you
know.

RON: I'm not hyper.

DUMBLEDORE: Then you're not norm-- .well, you. I don't know.

HARRY: Who cares? What are we waiting for? Let's roll!