"I think I've figured something out," Hermione says, looking up to Ron and Harry.

It's been two weeks to the day since the battle at Isengard, and Hermione feverishly searches for solutions to their own problem daily. She can't let their search come to a stop just because they're somewhere new. They need to keep going.

"Look," Hermione says, handing Harry her copy of The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, "That symbol's popped up again."

"It's the same as this one," Hermione says, holding up The Tales of Beedle The Bard.

Harry runs his finger over the manipulated "A" of Albus Dumbledore's name in the book. "It could just be an A, you know," Ron says, trying to offer up some help, "A for Albus."

"I'm sorry, Ron," Harry says, "I don't think it's that simple."

"Besides," Harry continues, "I talked to Luna's dad at Bill and Fleur's wedding. He said it had something to do with the deathly hallows."

"Well that's just a story," Ron says, "Everyone knows that."

Harry and Hermione exchange a look. Though Hermione knew it quite well from the storybook Dumbledore had given her, she had been raised a muggle, as was Harry. "I think we need to find out more about the deathly hallows," Hermione says, "And why a grown man would be interested in them."

"I'll tell you why," Ron starts, "Because the man is completely bonkers, Hermione. I mean, have you read the Quibbler?"

"I know he can be a bit eccentric," Hermione starts.

"A bit, yeah," Ron says, rolling his eyes.

"Luna will be home from school," Harry says, "It would be nice to see someone from the outside."

"What are we going to tell Treebeard, though?" Hermione says, "I know we were going to wait for Gandalf but it's been weeks. We can't wait forever."

"I say we stay one more night and leave tomorrow, directly for Luna's house," Hermione adds.

"It's a bit disappointing, isn't it?" Ron says, "We've been waiting all this time for Gandalf and we have to leave before we even meet him."

"Blimey," Ron adds, let down.

"Honestly, Ronald?" Hermione asks, "I've told you a thousand times, you need to sort out your priorities."

Harry laughs, loving watching them bicker like an old married couple. Hermione hits him in the knee with her book, "Stop laughing!" she says, laughing now herself.

"Hey!," Harry says, "What was that for? It's only a bit of fun."

"You might be the Chosen One out there, Harry," Hermione teases, "But in here I'm in charge."

"There's two of us, one of her, and we're still outnumbered," Ron says, "Forget about it, mate."

A short-time later Harry, Ron, and Hermione emerge from their tent. Since defeating Isengard they've decided to move their tent there. Their lives have actually been quite pleasant since stumbling upon Merry and Pippin. The Hobbits discovered a hoard of food nearby, riddled with things the wizards could only dream of. They were far too used to stealing and rationing. They finally were getting the nourishment they needed.

That's not all that's changed. The Hobbits, namely Merry, have entirely changed their tune about the wizards. They consider themselves friends now, often discussing their various journeys and past trials and tribulations. It was often difficult for Hermione to speak to them. She didn't say much, for fear that she would divulge something to them from their future. They've already changed things quite enough.

"Treebeard," Hermione calls behind him.

"Oh, Hermione," Treebeard says, as he turns around slowly, "What can I do for you?"

"I have to tell you something," Hermione says, hanging her head, "As much as I don't want to, I think it's time for us to leave."

"We've found something," Harry says, "Our next move."

Treebeard says nothing, but looks off into the distance. "Treebeard, I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry, young wizards. I have not heard a word you've said," he says, "Look."

"Bloody hell, it's Gandalf," Ron says, excitedly, looking to see Gandalf and company crossing the border into Isengard.

"Brilliant," Hermione whispers to herself sarcastically, "We'll be here for two more weeks."

Moments later Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, King Théoden, Éomer, and company ride in, headed for the tower.

"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard," Merry says, having a smoke and a laugh with Pippin.

"You young rascals!" Gimli says, astonished, but happy to see them, "A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and smoking!"

"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts," Pippin says with a mouthful of food, "The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted pork?" Gimli says, mouth agape, all the glands on his tongue salivating.

"Hobbits," Gandalf mutters to himself, shaking his head.

"But there's something else we want to show you," Merry says, "A group that has long wished to meet you."

"Captives?" Gandalf asks.

"Allies," Merry says proudly, "Wizards."

"It cannot be," Gandalf says, shocked, "It has been so long that I have forgotten their names."

"They're by the tower," Pippin says, "With the Ents."

"We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard," Merry says confidently.

Pippin climbs behind Aragorn, and Merry behind Éomer, and they slowly wade to the tower to meet the wizards.

"Huraroom," Treebeard says slowly and gutturally, "Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come."

"Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master, but there's a wizard to be managed here," Treebeard adds, "Locked in his tower."

"More than one wizard, from what I can understand," Gandalf says.

Treebeard steps aside, allowing the wizards to come into the company's view. Gandalf points his staff at them. "These are no wizards," Gandalf says, "Of this I am sure."

"Not the kind you're used to, no," Hermione says, "We are wizards from another world."

"They're on a quest of their own," Pippin says, "They have a dark lord to defeat as well."

"Fool of a Took," Gandalf mutters, "They are conjurors, deceivers!"

"They're our friends!" Merry says, sliding off the horse into the water.

Merry strides in front of the wizards and holds his arms out, protecting them. "And I will see them no harm."

"Thank you, Merry," Hermione whispers.

"Master Gandalf," Treebeard says, "They have proved their allegiance. They have saved many of my friends."

"If not for them, Isengard may not have fallen," Treebeard says.

"Is that so?" Gandalf says, "If you have a dark lord to fight then what brings you here?"

"I brought us here on accident," Hermione says, "You see, our magic is highly unpredictable. Sometimes things go wrong for even me."

Gandalf laughs and says, "Surely you're not a wizard."

"Women can't be wizards," he adds, "At least I've never seen any."

"I'll be begging your pardon, sir, but they can," Hermione says, brandishing her wand, snatching his staff with a simple spell.

She throws it back to him, not wanting to cause any trouble, just prove her worth. "I suppose you are then," Gandalf says, "I meant no offense."

"You would do well to recognize a woman's worth," Hermione says boldly, "You will see it before the end."

"We will I'm sure, Miss..." Gandalf trails off, not knowing her name.

"Granger," Hermione says confidently, "Hermione Granger."

"This is Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley," she adds.

"Such strange names," says King Théoden.

Hermione gives a small bow to him, "Forgive me, my lord, for my bold speech. I have nearly forgotten I was in the presence of a king."

Théoden waves her off, half laughing. Though a half laugh is all he can muster at this time, for his people were just slaughtered. "We need more magic folk like you, Hermione," he says, "We need your help."

"I wish we could stay," she says, "But we must go our own way tomorrow."

"Must you leave so soon?" Aragorn asks, curious of the trio.

"I'm afraid so," Hermione says, "And I don't know when or if we shall return."

"What of the other two?" Gandalf asks, "Can they remain with us?"

"I'm afraid not," Harry says, "The future of my people rests on my shoulders. I and I alone am responsible for their fate."

"I need to destroy the Dark Lord as quickly as I can," Harry adds, "I'm fighting a life-long battle that cannot be won without the two standing beside me."

Hermione lets a slight smile slip, and pats him on the shoulder. "Erm- Ronald?" she says, "Would you like to say something?"

Ron looks up to Gandalf nervously, almost starstruck. He's been a fan of Gandalf ever since he was a kid. He often wondered if he was real, and what he would say if he ever met him. Naturally after his childhood he wrote the idea off, of course Gandalf was not real. But this time, just this time, Gandalf is as real as Harry, Hermione, or even Lord Voldemort. And he's just standing ten feet away.

"Erm- Hi, Mister Gandalf...erm- sir," Ron squeaks out awkwardly.

Gandalf laughs and says, "Very nice to meet you, Ron Weasley."

Gandalf pauses and adds, "What's your role to play in all of this?"

"Well, sir, I'm not sure of this myself," Ron says, not knowing what to say.

"Harry's the Chosen One, Hermione's the smart one, but who am I?" Ron asks, not expecting an answer.

"You're my best friend, Ron," Harry says, patting him on the shoulder, "Without you I'd be dead several times over. You're one of the bravest men I've ever known."

"Ron Weasley, the brave," Gandalf says, chuckling.

"Sound's like a man of stout heart," Théoden says, "Like a soldier of Rohan."

"Me?" Ron says, "A soldier? No, I wouldn't last five minutes."

"Well, you saved me," Hermione says, "I nearly died in battle until you saved me."

Ron blushes and sinks back towards Hermione and Harry, anxious for the subject to turn away from him.

"What of Saruman?" Aragorn asks.

He exchanges a look with Gandalf then, looking up to the tower, he whispers, "Show yourself!"

"Be careful," Gandalf warns, "Even in defeat Saruman is dangerous."

"Then let's just have his head and be done with it!" Gimli says.

"No, we need him alive," Gandalf says with a plan up his sleeve, "We need him to talk."

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace afterwards," Saruman's voice calls from the top of Orthanc, "Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"

All eyes turn to Théoden as he says, "We shall have peace," he pauses for a long while, almost to suggest seriousness, but continues, "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there!"

"We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg… are avenged!" he bellows, intensely angered.

"When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows…" he starts, "We shall have peace!"

"Gibbets and crows!" Saruman roars, "Dotard!"

"What do you want Gandalf Greyhame?" Saruman calls, "Let me guess… the key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad Dûr itself? Along with the crowns of the seven Kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!"

"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk," Gandalf says, "But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel."

"So you have come here for information," Saruman says haughtily, "I have some for you."

He holds out his great seeing stone, the Palantir, for all to see. As he gazes at it, he becomes fixed on it, eyes entangled in a web of Sauron's deception.

"Something festers in the heart of Middle Earth," Saruman says, "Something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it!" He gazes away from the Palantir, back to Gandalf and company, "Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon."

Gandalf strides forward, drawing closer to the tower. "You are all going to die!" Saruman hisses.

Merry's face crumbles with worry. This worry was not just for himself but for his friends, Frodo and Sam, and his family back home. "Don't listen to him, Merry," Hermione whispers, "His mind is poisoned."

"But you know this don't you Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor," Saruman hisses.

Aragorn looks up to him, brow furrowed, but says nothing. "This exile, crept from the shadows will never be crowned King," Saruman adds.

"Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are closest to him, those he professes to love." he says, lingering on love as though it pains him to say the very word.

Gimli looks to Gandalf, his patience waining. Saruman continues, "Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling before you sent him to his doom?"

"The path that you have set him on can only lead to death," Saruman says.

"I've heard enough!" Gimli bellows, then adds to Legolas, "Shoot him! Stick an arrow in his gob."

Legolas reaches for an arrow but is quickly stopped by Gandalf, "No! Come down Saruman and your life will be spared!"

Gandalf makes one final effort to reason with Saruman, hoping for more information. "Save your pity and your mercy," Saruman hisses, "I have no use for it!"

Saruman casts a bolt of fire down from his staff to Gandalf. The fire swirls around him in a great orb, only to fade away, revealing Gandalf to be unscathed. Saruman, surprised, recoils. "Saruman," he starts, "Your staff is broken."

Saruman's staff explodes in his hand, casting burned and broken scattered pieces to fall at his feet. His mouth snarls inward as he studies the group below him. "Who are they?" Saruman asks, "More to add to your rag-tag band of followers?"

"Harry Potter," Harry says, confidently, "You don't frighten me."

"You don't frighten any of us, mate," Ron says, stepping forward.

"Over-confidence will be your downfall," Saruman says, "As it will be yours, Gandalf Greyhame."

"You do not have the strength to fight Mordor," he adds, "This I am sure."

Grima Wormtongue appears behind him, entering from a door leading to the top of the tower.

"Grima!" Théoden exclaims, "You need not follow him! You were not always as you are now."

"You were once a man of Rohan," he adds, "Come down."

Grima looks up to Saruman, then decides to turn back, and join Théoden and company below. Saruman has used him more than anyone, and is the last person he trusts.

"A man of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs?" Saruman says, stopping Grima.

"The victory at Helms Deep does not belong to you Théoden, Horse Master," he says, voice full of haughtiness, "You are a lesser son of greater sires."

"Grima, come down," Théoden says calmly, ignoring Saruman, "Be free of him!"

"Free?" Saruman says, turning to Grima, "He will never be free."

"No!" Grima says, standing up to Saruman.

"Get down, cur!" Saruman hisses through gritted teeth, slapping Grima across the face, knocking him down.

"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandalf demands.

Saruman turns back to Gandalf, as Grima pulls out a knife, still laying on the ground. His hatred for Saruman has taken hold, no longer will Grima Wormtongue be demeaned by him.

Saruman says, "You withdraw your guard and I will tell you where your doom will be decided," he pauses and stipulates, "I will not be held prisoner here!"

Grima, enraged, rushes him, and stabs him in the back twice before being shot down by Legolas. Grima falls backward, but Saruman takes a fall of his own. He turns, falls down from Orthanc, until he smites himself on a great wheel below.

Hermione gasps, clutching Ron's sweater. Harry recoils, wanting to un-see what he has seen.

"Send word to all our allies and to every corner of Middle Earth that still stands free," Gandalf says, "The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."

As the wheel turns, the body turns with it, plunging Saruman headfirst into the water.

Before he fully submerges, the Palantir falls out of his sleeve with a splash, into the murky water. It hits the ground with a sinister thud, and all but Hermione and Pippin overlook it. They exchange a glance momentarily but turn to Treebeard, "The filth of Saruman is washing away," he says.

"Trees will come back to live here," Treebeard adds, "Young trees, wild trees."

While Treebeard is speaking Pippin is distracted, and dismounts, falling into the water. He sees a glowing light and starts for it. "Pippin!" Aragorn calls.

He picks the Palantir up and turns it in his hands, gazing at it. "Bless my bark!" Treebeard remarks.

"Peregrin Took, I'll take that, my lad," Gandalf says, striding up behind him, "Quickly now."

Pippin hands the stone over willingly but cautiously. Gandalf wraps it in his cloak, not wanting Sauron to see anything. Any clue, however small, as to what's going on beyond the limits of the Eye would be an aid to the foes in Mordor.

Pippin looks up to Gandalf sheepishly, apologetic, not understanding why the Palantir is so important. Gandalf studies him carefully, before turning away.

That night they stayed in Isengard, Gandalf and company making camp on the borders of the forest. "Can we see some more of your magic?" Pippin asks.

"Oh, yes," Gandalf says, "I would very much like to see."

"Alright," Hermione says, pointing her wand at the campfire, "Incendio!"

Several of the men gasp and cheers are heard all around as the wood sets ablaze. "What else can you do?" Aragorn asks, fiddling with the broken clasp on his shirt.

Hermione points her wand straight at him, causing his eyes to widen. "Repairo!" she says, repairing the clasp.

"I don't believe I've ever seen magic like yours before," Gandalf says now turning to the others, "You possess magic like hers as well?"

"Yes and no," Harry says, "Hermione's the brightest witch of our age."

"You mean to say that there's more of you?" King Théoden asks.

"Loads," Ron says, "Thousands probably."

"A thousand wizards?" Gandalf says, chuckling, "You must be mad."

"Why, how many are there here?" Harry asks, not remembering the statistics of what he's read.

"Five," Hermione and Gandalf say together.

"How did you know that?" Gandalf asks.

"I...uh," Hermione starts, "I heard Saruman say it earlier," she says, covering her prior knowledge up.

"Ah, yes," Gandalf admits skeptically, not remembering him say it.

"Tell us about your home," Legolas offers, it's the first time they've heard him speak.

"It's a busy place," Harry says, "A lot of people."

"We went to a school," Hermione says, "For witches and wizards, to learn magic."

"So you can read and write?" Gandalf offers, to which Hermione nods.

"Right now we're on the run," Ron says, "There's loads of people looking for us."

"Not here, I hope," he adds, "Though somehow the sword ended up here."

"I always thought that a bit funny," Hermione says, "Being that it's a b-"

She catches herself before she says book, "Being that it's a b-big place, and all."

"Tomorrow we'll be off," Harry says, "We have to defeat our own evil."

"What is this evil?" Gandalf says.

"A long time ago there was a wizard. A wizard who went bad," Harry starts, "He became dark and poisoned. He killed many people, including my parents."

"My father was cut down by orcs," Éomer says, "I hope you get the same satisfaction I got today in seeing him fall."

"He tried to make what's known as a horcrux. A horcrux is an object into which a part of your soul is placed, making you immortal," Harry says, "He split his soul into seven pieces."

"Seven pieces?" Aragorn repeats in disbelief, "Surely that is false."

"It's true," Hermione says, "Now we're on the run, trying to destroy them. So he's mortal again. If we don't, many more people will be killed."

"Why has the burden fallen on you children?" Gandalf asks.

"I am the boy who lived," Harry says, "Voldemort tried to use the killing curse on me when I was a baby, but it didn't work. It rebounded. I'm the only one known to have survived it. There was a prophecy made that neither of us can live while the other survives. He's wanted to kill me all of my life."

"And if we don't find those horcruxes," Harry says, "He will."

"Don't say that, Harry," Hermione says.

"It's true," Harry says, standing, walking away to the tent.

"It's been hard on him lately," Hermione says, as the men fall silent.

Hermione and Ron rejoin Harry in the tent later to enjoy one final night's peace before setting off to see Xenophilius Lovegood.

"I know you must leave to follow your own quest," Gandalf says, aside to Harry the next day, "But if you should ever need my help..."

"Don't hesitate to ask for it," he says.

"I won't," Harry says.

"Are we ever going to see you again?" Pippin asks, "Will you come back?"

"I hope so," Hermione says, hugging the hobbits, "We may yet meet again."

"I want you to have this," Pippin says, holding out his elven brooch.

Hermione smiles, crouching down to look him in the eye. She closes his hand around the brooch and says, "I couldn't let you part with it," she pauses, "Let it be a reminder of our adventure."

"Master Ronald," King Théoden says, "One last thing."

He holds out a sword to Merry. The sword is intricately detailed, an image of a galloping horse etched into the blade. "Do not disregard your worth so lightly," Théoden says, "I see bravery in your heart."

"Bravery that would be worthy to ride out with me in battle," he adds, "You would have a place in my guard if you were so inclined to take it one day."

Ron thanks him for the kingly gift, feeling a new sense of self-esteem. Hermione looks onto their exchange and smiles.

The three say their final goodbyes and head to the forest's edge with their tent. "I can't believe we're leaving," Hermione says.

"I know," Harry says, "But we have to."

"It was a good escape, you know?" she says, "But we can't run away forever."

They soon turn on the spot, hand in hand, transporting themselves back to their reality, off to see Xenophilius and destroy the remaining horcruxes.

The End.