I've decided to edit this story, because frankly it's embarrassing. These first nine chapters are so cringe-worthy, ugh. I'll be making them a bit better, hopefully, without distorting the storyline. I realise it's almost exactly 3 years since I've done anything on this story, but I really wanted to edit it, if only to appease my own mind. Further chapters will be edited quickly, but new chapters after that may come very slowly I'm afraid, as my priority will be Found, my DMHG fic.
As far as I know, no one has ever done an HP/LotR crossover quite like this before. If there are any out there, I would like to know so I can read them… Please R&R!
DISCLAIMER: In no way do I hope to contend with the literary genius that is Tolkien. Everything and everyone belongs to him, except Vanessa, who belongs to me (Hogwarts etc. belong to J.K. Rowling).
Chapter 1: The Arrival.
Vanessa Potter – or Nessa to her friends – was exactly like her father. An incurable passion for adventure and a knack for getting in trouble were her strongest characteristics. But her mother Hermione had passed on her genes too – specifically her talent to pick up spells almost immediately and her insatiable desire to learn as much as possible.
On this particular day, Vanessa and her two friends Daisy Weasley and Cassius Flook were on their way to Defence Against the Dark Arts, one of their favourite lessons. Due to Peeves dropping a long-lasting stink bomb in their Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom their lesson had now been moved to a small room in the west wing of the castle.
'Do you actually know where we're supposed to be going?' asked Daisy uncertainly.
'Sure I do,' replied Vanessa. 'The East Wing.'
'Yeah, but where in the East Wing?'
'Ummmm…' Vanessa realised she wasn't actually sure about that. 'I think McGonagall mentioned something about a fourth-floor corridor…'
'Let's try that staircase,' said Cassius suddenly.
'Ok, what have we got to lose?' agreed Nessa.
They went up the staircase in question, but just as they had reached the third step from the top the staircase suddenly started to move, causing them to momentarily lose their balance.
'Crap! Where is this taking us?' Daisy squeaked.
'Don't know. We may as well find out,' replied Vanessa as the staircase came to a halt.
They stepped off into a narrow dark corridor with no doors leading off.
'I don't think we're in the right place…' said Cassius.
'It was your idea to come up here in the first place,' argued Daisy.
'Come on, I bet there's a door at the end. We might as well explore now we're here,' said Vanessa.
They proceeded cautiously down the dark corridor. It had obviously been unused for some time. Just as Vanessa had predicted, there was a door at the end of the corridor. It was made of a dark, heavy wood – possibly oak – and looked very old. It was standing ajar, and a thin beam of pale light fell through the crack.
'Let's look inside,' whispered Vanessa.
'I have a bad feeling about this…' Daisy whispered back, but the others ignored her.
They entered the room, not knowing what they would find. It took their eyes a little time to get used to the dim light – the only light fell through a little slit of a window high up in the wall of the room. The room itself was completely empty, but at the opposite end to where they were standing they could see another doorway. However, there was no door, just a thick velvet-looking red curtain. Vanessa advanced towards the curtain, which seemed to be swaying slightly, even though there was no breeze.
'What are you doing?' hissed Cassius.
'I just want to look,' Vanessa replied without looking round.
'We're going to be late for class!' complained Daisy.
'We're already too late to bother going; we might as well hang around here for a while. Besides, I want to see what's behind the curtain.'
'Fine. But be quick, this place gives me the creeps,' Cassius urged.
Vanessa was getting closer and closer to the scarlet curtain. When she reached it she realised that the source of the eerie breeze seemed to be a light wind blowing from behind the curtain itself. She lifted the edge and stepped over the threshold into thin air.
Her world went black. She was falling, falling too fast to scream, wind rushed past her, throbbing in her ears. She fell and fell, for what seemed like an eternity, before she hit the ground with a soft thud. She opened her eyes, and knew immediately that she was not in Hogwarts anymore…
Yes, I know J.K. Rowling already used the idea of going behind a curtain to another place, but it just seemed to be an appropriate way to transport Vanessa to… wherever she's going. I'd really appreciate your ideas on how these edits are going, do you want to see the rest edited? Or is it ok as it is? Especially my old dedicated reviewers, I'd love to hear your opinions if you're still around :)