Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.


Most of one paragraph was originally in the third chapter in the previous version of this story. It's brought back now to reveal Frodo's O.W.L. exam results.


Summer had reached midway and nearing its close. Frodo spent much of his hours inside Brandy Hall's library. There was so much he wanted to look up, and yet he found his attention on one book that caught his interest. It was a book on timelines, domes, barriers and portals. Well, he knew about the portkeys. They were one way of traveling. But could it be that he… well, it was too dangerous a book to look into. Quietly, he set the book back in the bookcase and gathered his courage to look around at the many books still holding their secrets in this quaint library.

And then the door had to open up and Aria passing to him their O.W.L.s.

Frodo unfolded his letter, studying the results with a keen eye… he received mostly an 'Exceeds Expectations' and 'Outstandings'. Half and half each for his classes. He wasn't surprised by the 'Exceeds Expectations' in Potions class. The Potions' teacher, Severus Snape, with his greasy black hair and dark robes, didn't like him and so this was acceptable news. Divination class was one class he managed to pull through all right. His classes were fairly set, with two 'Acceptable' in Herbology and Astronomy. He was sad about Astronomy. Hadn't he done enough in that class? Well, of course he did. If this was all he could muster then, so be it. But maybe he could reconsider that kind of thinking.

"So when do we leave for Diagon Alley?" Frodo asked, stunned.

"Today," Aria told him. "I got up and saw my O.W.L.s were present, all thanks to Prim. She's a right nice bird and she did well delivering our exam results. Also, Esmeralda wants us out in the dining room. We're to leave once you're ready and finished eating breakfast."

"Breakfast?" Frodo asked, the thought dawning on him. Of course! How could he forget that? Quietly, he snuck out of the room alongside Aria, fearing his aunt would catch him once they reached the dining room. He was sorely wrong on all levels. The aroma of eggs and bacon was presented on the table before him. In haste, he sat down and grabbed helpings of each food.

Esmeralda placed her hands on her hips. "See? Food attracts our young hobbit." She turned to Aria. "Why don't you sit down, too? You look famished."

Frodo didn't wait until his girlfriend sat down next to him. He smiled at her as she grabbed a helping of food, too. He knew he liked her. He just hoped she had enough to eat, too. He couldn't stand it if she didn't eat and yet a lot of food wouldn't have been good either. Still, it was a delicious meal mixed together with receiving his Hogwarts' letter from Esmeralda, just before they finished eating and were ready to go.

There wasn't much in the letter except the usual school supplies and the fact that he would now have to have books for his independent study with Aria. He wasn't alone, for Aria's letter also had books and supplies for their creative writing class, taught by Aria herself. He wondered how he would survive the class without staring at her endlessly. Well, maybe things would be better this way. He hoped in the very least.

"Are we ready?" Esmeralda asked, cleaning up the dishes and heading towards the entrance hall.

Frodo had finished eating a while ago and got ready for the trip, his Hogwarts' cloak draped around him, thanks to the wardrobe that once more popped up inside his bedroom. With a wave of her hand, Esmeralda rang the doorbell and opened the door. Frodo huffed a sigh of relief. There was the stone alleyway, Diagon Alley, complete with its various shops. Only when Frodo stepped out into the alley (his growth into a human boy complete) most of the shops were boarded up, including Florean Fortescue's ice cream shop. It was a sad site to see. He loved that ice cream parlor.

He sighed in disappointment. Where had Fortescue been taken was the question? But then, so was Ollivander's shop. That was completely closed down and in disarray. He got his first wand there, and though he hadn't used his wand much, he still found it a sad sight to see. He looked at his wand for a brief moment, realizing then and there that his wand was now his most prized possession. He stuffed it away quickly before checking his letter again. There was no doubt in his mind what it said: he was going on to advanced training in hand magic and to report to Professor Flitwick on the first official school day at Hogwarts. There was no title, but he clearly must have impressed the Head of Ravenclaw House and his Charms teacher. For sure, he would continue on into taking Charms. He excelled at that and Transfiguration, even though Transfiguration was, he could admit, rough at times. It was his hand magic that excelled at it more than he realized.

"Frodo, come on!" Aria said, pulling him back to reality. A bit too soon, for Frodo watched Lotho and his mother traverse into Knockturn Alley. He grabbed his girlfriend fast, dragging her along down the road. Lucky for him, he waved his hand in the air, straight at his aunt. It worked. She hardly knew where they were and went about her business. Aria, on the other hand, was a bit more confused. "Frodo, where are we going? We're not actually going into Knockturn Alley."

"Shh!" Frodo murmured loudly. There they were inside the dark stone alley. And there was Lotho, heading inside one of the buildings. He dared moved under the window, waiting for Aria to follow. Her hands trembled violently. "I thought you liked adventures."

"What?" Aria was stunned. She admitted in a low whisper, "I like them, but I—"

"Shh!" he shushed her again. Quietly, he peered up at the window. There was Lotho again, next to a green lit cauldron. There were people gathered around him, ready to point their wands at him. One of the men grabbed Lotho's shoulder, dipping his hand into the murky green substance. Frodo couldn't believe what he was seeing. He almost saw Lotho's arm until… he moved below the window as the curtain was pulled and before he was spotted. Perfect. He turned around, facing Aria for a few seconds.

"What? What did you see?" Aria whispered in his ear.

Frodo did the same in her ear. "Let's head back." Quietly, he followed Aria back to the just as depressing Diagon Alley. They were out before they were spotted, bumping right into Esmeralda, who was confused and didn't notice them. Frodo, realizing his mistake, waved his hand in the air. He sighed in relief, glad to see that she noticed them and didn't ask what they were up to.

"Oh, did you get your books?" Esmeralda asked, curious.

"No. We're getting them now," Aria said, stunning Frodo. She dragged him along for a few seconds. "Come on."

"You didn't tell her the truth," Frodo admitted.

"I avoided it. There's a difference," she told him, calmly.

"Still," he said, following her inside Flourish and Blotts. The bookstore was fairly the same with several books littered everywhere. He didn't waste any time here, even though he very much wanted to do just that. In a flurry, he and Aria grabbed their books and paid for them. To his surprise, one of the books was a bit more flexible in its text. It was obvious that Aria had chosen this book for their independent study.

"What?" Aria asked, curtly. "Come on. Let's find your aunt."

"Aria," Frodo held her back once they were outside, "what I saw – did you see it too?"

"I could hear voices and a cauldron," Aria told him, resting a hand around his neck. "I believe you."

"You don't even know what was going on," he admitted, softly.

"No, but it was suspicious enough," she said, calmly and concerned. "Come on. Let's go find your aunt."

"I've got a better idea," Frodo said, turning his gaze to Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. He smiled at her, knowing what he was about to do. Who knew? Maybe he would find something that was useful. Quietly, he took Aria's hand and led the way into the colorful purple and orange painted shop.

The shop was amazing. There were so many objects at work. From flying Frisbees to walking shoes to who knew what else. The place was packed with students as well, all curious about the next idea. Frodo was surprised again when Aria let go of his hand to explore. He wanted to stay with her, but then there was that strange dark powder sitting on one of the shelves. It didn't take him long to look at it to know what it was.

"Peruvian Darkness Powder," Frodo announced, softly. He recognized it from one of his textbooks. Quite the ingenious prank, even when he took hold of one of them. It was his now, but he would have to check with Fred and George. Of course, he did see Aria over by the pink fountain, with vials of pink liquid standing inside. He smirked at her. Was she serious?

"That be love potion," Fred Weasley, the ginger haired tall man said. "They're really useful, but I don't think you or Frodo need any."

"Why not?" Aria asked, smirking with curiosity.

"You two are in love!" George Weasley, Fred's twin ginger haired brother, said, "If anything, you or Frodo would have a field day if you tried it on each other."

"I reckon you don't want to do that, though," Fred answered, smirking.

Aria fingered the bottle. Was it worth the effort? She shook her head. "I don't think I will get it. Who knows — Frodo!" It was too late. Frodo grabbed the potion and paid for it, along with the darkness powder. Aria was stunned. "Frodo, you did not get that!" She told him, sharply. "What do you plan on using love potion for?"

Frodo grinned with satisfaction. "You'll see, Aria."

"I hope you weren't planning to use that on me," she asked him, serious.

"Relax. If you get out of line, I promise I'll use it," Frodo said, warning her softly and jokingly. He told her, serious this time, "Aria, it will be fine."

"Good luck," Fred answered.

"You'll need it," George replied back.

"Come on, you two. Let's get out of here," Esmeralda said, getting Frodo and Aria's attention.

Seeing as neither Frodo nor Aria needed any new wardrobes, they left Fred and George's shop and departed for the door, leading them back to Brandy Hall. It was quite the day and Frodo gladly delved further with his girlfriend over the matter concerning Lotho. But it didn't make sense. How could Lotho become one of Sauron's slaves? It was beyond his reckoning, at least for now. Oh boy. What did he just uncover? Now that was a good question.


Thanks for reading. :)