Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
Guest Reviews:
Guest 1: Yes, Sauron will pay in this story. He's done a lot of hurt to people in the past and there's more danger ahead. So, read on and see what happens next. :)
Frodo sat on his bed, his mind drifting to times when there was peace and plentiful springtime. He was mentally drained from cleaning and sorting through his trunk. He hadn't guessed there was so much stuff hidden in his trunk, until he managed to pull everything out. His room had an assortment of vials, broken and whole, as well as scores of books, whether textbooks or those for pleasure. He would rest a bit before going through his stuff further, putting it away in a pack he saved this trip.
He stood up now, his gaze returning to a newspaper. There was an article on the recent attack at the Author's Campus. Sauron's doing, no doubt.
The Author's Campus Attacked!
Flaming Fireballs Everywhere!
By: Isabell Stockley
The Author's Campus, reopened days after Albus
Dumbledore's passing, is now caught in a firestorm.
Our sources report that Sauron, the Dark Lord from
Mordor, is on a firing rampage. His recent attack has
been on the campus itself.
The authors are scattered and divided. This is not the
first time the Author's Campus has been attacked.
Over the years, sources report that the campus has
suffered fifteen attacks every ten years. These
recent attacks number from five to six people
either murdered or taken by Sauron, or worse his
followers.
The most recent attack occurred when local author,
Melanie Hopson, was brutally struck in the Walson
Café and kidnapped. Melanie wrote her world-famous
book, Animagus, a book foretelling events that would
happen to people who turn into animals, should they
ever cross the Dark Lord's path. Melanie was an advocate
for the rights of talking animals, throughout the worlds.
Her influence in the past ten years will not be forgotten
by those who knew her.
Sources claim that whoever caused this devastation must
know that Sauron will not stop until he gets what he wants.
What that could mean is still in question. Updates will
follow when we have more information. For now, be safe
and on the lookout for incoming danger.
"I ought to meet her one day." Frodo said, observing the newspaper. He would take it with him. It was better than having nothing to read. He stuffed it in his pack for safe keeping.
Prim, Frodo's Brown Owl, hooted. He chuckled.
"You're a good bird. Aren't you?" He asked.
She screeched, more like a "welcome home" greeting. He understood.
"We'll be home soon, Prim. Don't worry." He extended his index finger. She nipped it, not enough to bite, but enough to be friendly. He stroked her feathers. "I know. We'll be leaving this place. It's for the best." He sighed. "Brandy Hall will miss me." He faced his bird again. "Things are changing. I suggest we change, too."
There was a knock on the door. Frodo looked up to see a face with hazel-green eyes and locks of brown hair. It was Aria Breuer, his authoress turned friend turned lover. He sighed affectionately her way. He couldn't forget her, not for anything.
"Are you ready?" Aria asked him, curious. "They're here."
His blue eyes met hers. He glanced at his pack, now filled to the brim with stuff he wanted to take with him. He faced her again. "Lead the way." He took one final look at his room. The wardrobe was there, with the Hogwarts insignia carved into the wood. He wasn't returning to Hogwarts. He needed to find Sauron's horcruxes and destroy them, before another person got hurt.
He was ready to go. He turned the corner and followed Aria into the parlor. There was Saradoc and Esmeralda, greeting members of the Firebird. They were all present, including Hilibert Blodwen and Snorri, who looked positively disgruntled. Frodo smiled. Ah, he loved Snorri's company. He was the only one who managed to see through his pain and brighten up his day. It made the dwarf's trip to Brandy Hall that much more memorable.
He moved to a corner of the parlor. There were his best friends: Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took. Merry and Pippin had the same mischievous look on their faces. They knew something was up. Sam, on the other hand, was concerned for his friends. It was probably for the best. Sam always looked out for them. Frodo was grateful for his help.
"Sam, Merry, Pippin, good to see you all." Frodo smiled.
"It's great to see you!" Merry said, smiling back.
"Baggins!" Snorri called out. Frodo jumped to attention. "There you are. The Trace is still on you, but it'll break in four days' time. The Trace broke for Aria, Sam, Merry and Pippin months ago."
"I'm sorry, but what is the Trace?" Frodo asked, curious.
"A detectable charm set by the Ministry of Magic." Snorri told him. "Your coming of age came weeks after Dumbledore's death in the Wizardry World, which means you're allowed to use magic outside of home and away from the castle."
"We've come up with a plan, too, Frodo." Merry admitted, getting Frodo's attention.
"We're thinking of using Polyjuice Potion to disguise ourselves as you, while we travel to Bag End." Pippin insisted.
"I have a house." Frodo said, not understanding. He sighed. "I know the risks, but be careful. All of you."
"Frodo," Aria spoke, timidly, "I'm using the Polyjuice Potion, too. I came of age when I turned seventeen. We all did, including you. I just don't understand how the Trace is still on you."
"Lots of things are changing—" He understood. "No. Aria, I can't let you risk yourself on my behalf! You're my girlfriend. I want to keep you safe."
"That's kind of you, but you also taught me combat spells. I think I can take care of myself." Aria said, plucking a few hairs from his head and pouring them into Snorri's flask.
"You don't have to do this." Frodo told her. "I understand everyone else's need to protect me. This time, it could be more dangerous, for all of you."
"Well, we didn't ask for your opinion, mate." Merry said.
Frodo glared. "You had better listen. It's dangerous out there. Sauron could find me at any given time."
"Which is why we're going to be careful. All of us are going to be careful." Merry said, taking the flask and drinking from it.
Frodo moved out of the way. He watched as his friends transformed into… well, him. Their bodies morphed, their faces changed. Even their heights changed. By the end, there were four more Bagginses in Brandy Hall, all dressed in his friends' clothes.
"Look Merry, we're identical!" Pippin grinned with satisfaction.
"No, you're not. Not yet." Snorri said, piling four identical pairs of jackets, vests, white dress shirts, suspenders and knee breeches in a heap on the floor. They were all in the color brown, except for the dress shirts. "Change!"
"This really isn't my color!" Pippin complained, feeling the jacket.
"Guess what, Pippin? You're not you! You're Frodo." Snorri told him.
"Yeah Pippin!" Merry smiled in delight. Frodo could tell from his face that it was still his cousin.
"You might as well change, too, Baggins." Snorri whispered in Frodo's ear.
This was the weirdest sensation Frodo ever experienced. To see his friends' pick at his body as they changed was bizarre enough. He hoped he wouldn't have to go through this again, especially with Aria, who was enjoying it immensely.
"I've always wanted to do this." Aria smirked. "Now I have."
"Don't make a habit out of it." Frodo told her, changing out of his jacket and vest.
"Frodo!" Snorri called out, stubborn.
"Yes?" all the Frodos asked.
"We'll travel in pairs with each Frodo with us." Snorri addressed the real Frodo now. "The real Frodo will be going with Fredegar Bolger."
"Fatty's here?" Frodo asked, spinning around to see another of his best friends standing right next to him. Only, Fatty was himself and hadn't taken the Polyjuice Potion.
"I just got a new ride. Snorri's orders." Fatty told him, grinning. "It's a right nice piece of work, let me tell you."
"Hurry up! We need to leave now!" Snorri said, making his way towards the entrance hall.
Frodo finished getting dressed, before finding Prim in her cage, next to his pack. Carefully, Prim perched on Frodo's arm. He moved with the others outside, releasing the brown owl. He looked now at the strange vehicle, complete with a seat. It was a motorbike, fairly new. Fatty led him straight to it, allowing him to step inside.
"I really love this." Fatty said, feeling the handlebars.
Frodo looked around. There were his four dopplegangers, complete with luggage, on broomsticks or on thestrals. He stayed in position, holding onto the window as best he could. He had no idea what was going to happen next.
"Head for Bag End." Snorri told the group. "Everyone ready?! One… two… THREE!"
The motorbike hummed to life. Frodo was lifted into the air, straight into the cloudbank. He looked to his left to see Snorri riding his broomstick. The dwarf disappeared. Frodo and Fatty were caught in the clouds, hardly seeing a thing.
BLAST! BLAST!
There were lightning flashes in the air. Wait. That wasn't lightning. It was red sparks. There were so many orcs riding on broomstick. Men wearing strange red armor accompanied the orcs , using their wands to fire at oncoming dopplegangers. Frodo no longer saw his friends or the members of the Firebird. It was just him and Fatty.
Wait. There was another sound. A bird. It was Prim, sailing around him, doing her best to protect him. He shot a few spells at the armored men, using hand magic. Wait. PRIM!
BLAST!
NO! Prim careened out of sight, skyrocketing towards the ground. Frodo was breathless. Prim was dead. No! How? He looked around. The armored man flew off. He stared at the man until he disappeared, hoping the man got his comeuppance.
BLAST!
Fatty ducked right on time, just getting nicked on the arm. For a moment, nothing happened. Then Frodo's head throbbed painfully like shooting daggers. He'd never experienced this sort of pain before. He could almost hear Sauron coming. Could almost feel his hands moving… his hands were moving, sending white flashes towards the dark misty figure. The flashes glowed, then stopped. They lost Sauron's trail. They moved through a barrier. The barrier's deafening sound disappeared a moment later. He couldn't believe it. Prim was dead and he did nothing.
Thanks for reading. :)
