Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

Frodo sat in silence. For what seemed like a long while, everyone gave him looks. It was as if they were boring into his soul, trying to worm out the truth from his lips.

"Come on, Aria." Frodo turned to her now, his authoress. But he received, at first, a glare from her, followed by slight understanding. "I didn't put my name in."

"I know." Aria said. "Go on. Get up."

Frodo did, but as he moved past the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables, thoughts of being watched followed him as he approached Dumbledore. Indeed, the slip of parchment had his name on one side and the school Hogwarts. So someone did put his name into the Goblet of Fire. He continued forward, hardly expecting the awes and glares to show up. What had he done this time? He didn't put his name in. Slowly but surely, he passed through the doorway and entered a chamber filled with portraits and a large stone fireplace.

Harry was there, too, looking as shocked as he was.

"Zis zas to be a mistake," Fleur said.

"It isn't." Ludo Bagman announced. "We now have five champions."

"Harry, Frodo," Dumbledore approached them. "Did you put your names in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No," Harry said.

"No. I didn't." Frodo said.

"Did you ask an older student to do it?" Dumbledore said, his voice calm.

"No sir," Harry said.

"I didn't touch the goblet," Frodo said.

"Zey are lying," Madam Maxine said, frustrated.

"How 'is two little boys competing?" Fleur asked.

"Little boys?" Frodo asked himself, confused.

"What if the cup is wrong?" Snorri asked the group. "This could be a huge mistake."

"Magic at this rate could have hoodwinked the goblet," Moody said.

"Let's do a recount," Karkaroff said. "I will have my boys put their names into the goblet again. Then we'll see…"

"The Goblet of Fire's gone out. It won't light again until the next tournament," Bagman said.

"It's obvious. The goblet was hoodwinked by a powerful witch or wizard," Moody said. "A Confundus Charm did the trick."

"A theory it is." Karkaroff said. "But the question is how…"

"I once thought as Dark wizards do, Karkaroff. Don't you remember?" Moody said, darkly.

"Alastar, that doesn't help." Dumbledore said. "It seems we have no choice, and might as well accept it." He turned to Crouch. "Crouch."

"Yes. The first task. Champions, gather around," Crouch said. Frodo followed Harry and the three Champions towards the fireplace. Crouch spoke to them in turn. "The first task will test your daring. Courage of the unknown is vital for any witch, wizard…" He turned to Frodo for a moment, "… hobbit. Do not ask the teachers for help or assistance. The first task will begin November the twenty-fourth. Wands only are required for this task. You will be given details on the second task after the first." He turned to Dumbledore. "How was that?"

"Excellent." Dumbledore said. He waved Cedric, Frodo and Harry over. "I suggest you three get a good night's sleep. I am sure Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw will be celebrating tonight."

When Frodo left the chamber, he found the Great Hall deserted. The candles were blown out, leaving a starry night sky. He couldn't help but look up at Cedric, who practically dwarfed him and Harry.

"Competing again," Cedric said.

"Yeah," Harry said.

"Let's hope this is a friendly competition," Frodo said.

"These tasks are dangerous, as they say," Cedric said.

"Yeah," Frodo said. In all honesty, he didn't know what he would face in the tournament. Eventually, he found his way up to the Ravenclaw tower and past the bronze eagle knocker. All around him were his fellow Ravenclaws, cheering him on. He hardly expected this. Even Pearl was smiling at him. But who was missing? He approached Luna, wondering if she knew where Aria was. "Luna, do you know—" He looked up. There was Aria, entering the common room from the girls' dormitory. Given her glowering expression, Frodo knew this wasn't good. "Excuse me, Luna."

"Certainly," Luna said. "Just be cautious."

"Aria," Frodo said, the moment he approached her. "Are you all right?"

"How did you do it? Put your name into the Goblet of Fire," Aria asked him.

"I didn't," Frodo told her. "What are you upset about?"

"Frodo, this tournament isn't like anything you've ever done," she said. "To be honest, I'm scared for you. I just wish you had told me about this."

"Didn't you already know this would happen?" Frodo asked her.

Aria spun around. "Frodo, as your authoress, there are certain things I cannot tell you. If I could, then we wouldn't be in this position. Just don't leave me out of this, all right?"

"I had no idea I would compete in this tournament. I hardly know. I thought you did know," he said. "Or is keeping secrets important to you?"

A heavy silence lingered in the common room. Aria stared at the bookcase aimlessly. Frodo hesitated. He wanted to talk to her, to find out if she knew anything. Maybe he hurt her too much.

"Frodo…" she faced him again. "maybe I can help you. One way or another, even us authors have ways of finding a way to help… characters." She said, calmly, wiping a tear from her eye. "Maybe I can help you out, but not to the point where I tell you specific details."

"I'd like that," he said. "Are you mad?"

"I don't know. Angry, sad… it's mixed emotions," she said. "I won't give you all the details…"

"I don't need all the details," Frodo said. "Thank you for helping me."

"You'll need it this year," Aria said. "Goodnight Frodo."

"Goodnight," Frodo said. He watched Aria until she disappeared behind the door leading to the girls' dormitory. Somehow, he knew she would say that authors and authoresses weren't allowed to tell him upcoming events. He was still grateful Aria was going to help him with the tournament's tasks… whatever they were.

And yet, there was this moment. He needed to speak to someone. Luna! Luna Lovegood, of course.

"Hello Frodo," Luna said, in the middle of playing wizard chess by herself. "Would you like to play chess?"

"Sure," Frodo said, taking a seat across from her.

Luna looked up at him. "Something's bothering you, isn't it?"

"It's the tournament." Frodo said. "I didn't put my name in. You know that, don't you?"

"We'll find out who did it, Frodo. Don't worry," Luna said.

Frodo smirked. "Right. I'm guessing we will, won't we?"

"It won't be so bad. You'll see. Things will turn out for the better. You'll see," Luna said.

Frodo nodded. "I hope so. I hope things turn out all right." But then, even he didn't know what road lay ahead of him. For now, there was this moment and he was glad. A moment he could spend with friends and family who cared about him. He just hoped they were in a good mood after tonight's events occurred before their feet. He was sure that he would soon find out what it all meant. Not just for him or even because of him, but for everyone who witnessed the Goblet of Fire's selection of champions. He just hoped things wouldn't lead to a bad end.

That was the last thing he would expect to happen. And yet, he returned to the boys' dormitory later that evening with thoughts swarming his mind. What did they mean exactly? He wouldn't know until tomorrow… or any day coming up. He would just hope. That's all he could ask for during this time. That was for sure.