This has to be the chapter where I really jumped ahead so many times. This chapter and the next chapter coming up. Hopefully, it's better this time and slowed down as well. We'll see how it goes. :)
Hours flew by in rapid procession. Returning to the Ravenclaw Common Room was one perk of the evening. As far as Frodo knew, he had spent nearly the entire day and evening with Aria. What sort of date was this if they were spending time together? Maybe it was the fact that they were friends and had proven their worth in the Chamber to the Sorcerer's Stone. Either way…
"Come… come to me…"
"What was that?" Frodo turned to Aria, wary.
"What was what?" Aria asked, confused.
"A voice. Didn't you hear it?" he asked her, curious. "There was this voice in the air."
"Well…" she snapped her head up and around. Frodo knew then something was up, especially with the way Aria was behaving.
"Come… come to me… come… to me…"
"What do you think that was?" Aria asked, facing Frodo. Frodo couldn't… she heard it too.
"I don't know." He stood up and extended his hand to her. "Come on. Let's find out."
"How? Harry could have heard it, too," she admitted.
"Then let's find him," he said, his hand still extended to her.
Already taking precautions of any of their classmates hearing their conversation – all thanks to Frodo's ever growing skill of hand magic – Frodo waited until Aria took his hand before turning them invisible. The whole spell took a few minutes to perform, which meant that Frodo had to be cautious over who saw them turn invisible or not.
The second they were invisible, Frodo dragged his authoress friend out of the Ravenclaw Common Room. It was good that he muffled their feet as well. His hand magic was indeed getting stronger, as opposed to the previous year which was a greater challenge. At least now his hand magic was improving…
Leaving the Ravenclaw Tower, Frodo held onto Aria as best he could. However, Aria's clumsiness nearly caused them to be separate. To the hobbit boy's surprise, the hand magic stretched on. Aria and he were still invisible. Frodo looked at his hands in surprise, before moving his friend down the Sixth Floor Corridor.
They had just reached the Grand Staircase when they bumped into Harry. Frodo did not expect Harry to become invisible, but he did. From the looks of things, Frodo was having trouble with controlling his hand magic. Even he was terrified by what was happening.
"Harry. Eh…" Frodo checked his hands again.
"Can't you turn it off?" Harry asked him, bewildered.
"Frodo, what is it?" Aria asked. Frodo felt her gaze and Harry's boring into him. What could he do? What…
"Where is Baggy Waggy gone?" Peeves taunted, screeching in the air.
"I'll get you, Peeves," Filch called out in anger.
"Let's go, before Filch catches us," Harry said, darting up the stairs to the Seventh Floor. Frodo watched him leave, feeling a tug in the invisible barrier until… the barrier snapped, forcing Frodo to back up, right into Aria. Harry fell forwards at the top step, becoming visible again. Not taking chances, Harry walked slowly past the door to the Seventh Floor. Frodo was alone again with Aria.
"Come on. Let's get back to the Ravenclaw Tower," Frodo said, leading his authoress friend back to the Sixth Floor Corridor.
"What was that about?" Aria asked, moving close to the hobbit boy.
"I was losing control of my hand magic." Frodo apologized to her, "I'm sorry. I guess we didn't find out what Harry had to say."
"We can try again tomorrow," she suggested.
Frodo laughed, soft and merry, "Yes. I'll take your word for it."
Solving the bronze eagle knocker's riddle, Frodo allowed Aria to enter the Ravenclaw Common Room first before himself. Shortly after saying goodnight to one another, the two friends parted for their dormitories. Exhausted, Frodo changed into his night clothes. He collapsed on the bed, his head hitting the pillow in the right spot.
He fell asleep, dreaming about a tall elvish woman with blonde hair. In the dream, he was wandering closer to a basin, where the mirror was clear as glass. He saw a reflection of older self, worn down and nearly spent. What did this dream mean? Would he find the answers he sought? He remembered the dream was in various shades of grayish blue.
Whatever the dream meant, he would find out sooner or later. He did not know which way it would be, but he knew it would come, when he sought for the correct answer. With time, he would find out when that moment would occur. For now, he was at Hogwarts and his friends were here, including Aria. She meant so much to him, and yet he knew her for a short time. Would she have an influence for him in his life?
He would wait and see. For only time would tell what came next for him in this life.
*.*.*
The first week of term was now over, but that didn't stop Frodo and his classmates from receiving homework from their teachers. The challenges were that much greater, and so was Frodo's hand magic skill. Perhaps it meant he was soon to be thirteen, but since when did his coming into his teen years involve his hand magic becoming a little more out of control. He would need to speak to Professor Flitwick about this matter, since it was Flitwick who helped him know he had first learned how to control his hand magic.
That's what he did on Tuesday. Finding his way to the Professor Flitwick's office, Frodo knocked on the door. He barely heard Flitwick's voice, which answered, muffled, "Come in!" The moment Frodo had entered the room, Professor Flitwick said, in delight, "Mr. Baggins, what can I do for you?"
"Well…" Frodo was cut off, thanks to his free hand gesturing fast towards the papers on Flitwick's desk. By the time he closed the door, the candles flickered off and on, same with the fireplace. He said, nervously, "I can't control it. My hand magic… it's out of control."
"Frodo." Flitwick grabbed his arm. Just as he did, Frodo looked about the room. Everything that the hobbit boy threw out of whack in the office returned to their proper places. Frodo sighed, but not without asking:
"How did you do that?"
"Sit down," Flitwick replied, showing the hobbit boy to an empty cushioned chair. He said next, "There's something on your mind, isn't there? The reason behind why you can't control your hand magic."
"I did so well last year." He furrowed his brow. "Why can't I…" Frodo understood. "Is it because I'm turning thirteen?" He recovered. "No, there must be a reason why I can't focus…" Was he focusing on girls? He felt different around them. Then there was Aria… why couldn't he figure this out?
"Well, whatever the reason, I'm sure you'll figure it out," Flitwick replied. Frodo hardly knew how to explain why he was losing focus. And then that date… no. He wasn't ready to date. If only his parents were alive… Flitwick brought him back to reality, back to the present, by saying, "Maybe you'll have better luck tonight. Distractions only work for so long, Frodo. I would suggest figuring out why you're losing control, but I think we need to begin lessons again on hand magic. It's a new year and it will be more challenging."
"Yes professor." Frodo nodded. "How many weeks?"
"Twelve weeks," he said, calmly. "We'll get this hand magic under control."
"Yes professor. I'll see you later," he answered, softly. Get the hand magic under control? How was he supposed to do that? For all Frodo knew, what he was feeling and experiencing… well, he might figure it out when he was thirteen, but then… what was going on with himself? Did it have something to do with the way he was behaving in front of Aria? Well…
"Frodo!" It was Pearl Took. Great. Frodo was now cornered, just after leaving Flitwick's office, by Pippin's sister. "Pippin told me about your hand magic."
"What did he say?" Frodo asked, earnest.
"Just that you're losing control. Do you mind if I join you?" she asked, perkily.
"I was supposed to meet Aria and my friends…"
"Oh, come on," Pearl said, grabbing his hand. Unable to loosen her grip from his hand, Frodo had no choice except to follow Pearl over to the nearest bench. Before he had the chance to say anything, Frodo was pulled into a full on kiss on the lips by Pearl Took. He hadn't expected this from her, nor did he, Frodo Baggins, expect Aria to be watching them for a few moments. The second Pearl released him, Frodo darted after Aria.
Surely he could come up with a reason for what happened. There was only one solution he could come up with: he needed to tell the truth. That was the only way he could convince her… but then there was the kiss Pearl gave to him. Now what was he to do? He was Frodo Baggins, and he knew such a thing about honesty…
"Aria, wait! STOP!" Frodo caught up to Aria, but he was panting. However, Aria had the look of disdain on her face, and yet she was quiet. Frodo apologized, "Aria, I can explain." There was no response from Aria. Frodo pressed on, "Pearl lunged at me. I was caught in the middle." There was still no response. He tried again, hoping she would respond, "Aria, I didn't… I mean… don't you have anything to tell me? I can't read your thoughts."
Aria turned to him and said, calming down somewhat, "Do you have feelings for Pearl?"
"Feelings?" Frodo gave it some thought, "No, I don't… um… well, eh…" He recovered, slightly, "How much did you see?"
"Pearl lunged at you." Aria said, a little chipper, "You didn't do anything. But Frodo, it's not your fault." She admitted, fast, "It was just shocking to see Pearl do such a thing. I was just wondering if you felt what she was feeling. Or rather…"
"So you know it wasn't my fault," he admitted, sighing in relief.
"No. I just happened to be present for what happened. You looked shocked, Frodo," she said, nearly giggling.
"I was shocked," Frodo countered. "I still am."
"Frodo, I think you have an admirer," she teased.
He leaned up against the cold stone wall. "Do I?" In some way, he was beginning to realize what the feelings he had been experiencing were about. Just by looking at Aria, Frodo felt more confident around her, like he could trust her. But how far would that trust take him? He hoped she wouldn't ignore him, like she did in a few minutes ago. Taking another glimpse at her, Frodo dared to ask, "Who is this admirer you speak of?"
"Well, I meant Pearl, but…" She stopped herself, to Frodo's surprise. In haste, Aria recovered, "But then… am I your admirer, or is it you? No. Eh… we had our first date. Eh…" her voice faded. Frodo understood her hesitation. Clasping a hand on her shoulder, Frodo told her, calmly:
"It's all right." Getting her attention, after glancing about the corridor, Frodo spoke to Aria again, politely, "We can go on another date, if you want."
"Frodo, do I worry too much?" Aria asked. Frodo was stunned.
"What?" He asked her in return.
"Do I worry too much?" she repeated, looking up at him.
"Yes, you do." He confirmed. He spoke in turn, calmly, "Come on. Let's head to the grounds." Wrapping an arm around her, Frodo led Aria down the corridors and out to the grounds. The air felt cooler outside. Once they found a bench to sit down at, Frodo looked at Aria and said, almost at random, "I picked up on the word 'dating' from our classmates. You know how Percy's dating Penelope Clearwater."
"I'm still confused on the word 'dating'," Aria said, still confused. She recovered, but this time a little calmer, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to… I mean, sure we were dating and all. But I just can't…" Frodo cut her off, throwing himself into an embrace with her. It felt right, but awkward. Didn't she need the support? He released her a moment later, only to end up gazing into each other's eyes. Frodo moved away, sheepish and unsure what had happened. Luckily for him, Aria asked, "Do you want to head back?"
"Yes," Frodo answered, feeling too embarrassed to do anything else. "Let's head back." Once he had his satchel's strap over his head, he helped Aria to her feet, before resuming their hike back to Hogwarts castle.
*.*.*
After the awkward moment he shared with Aria, Frodo spent his time resuming his studies. He wondered why he wasn't so awkward during his first date with Aria – wow, that sounded strange. Maybe he should just resume his studies altogether. First Aria, then Pearl, and then Aria again. What was going on inside his head? He felt weird around girls. Sure, he was getting used to being around girls, thanks to Hermione, Anne, Aria, Amy and Abigail, but… oh, this was too much for him.
And yet, the prank wars continued between the fellow pranksters, which included nearly all of Frodo and Aria's friends. Filch was going mad from all the pranking. He nearly called Peeves to chase after the pranksters – Amy, Abigail, even Anne joined in the fun for the authors and authoresses; Merry and Pippin for the hobbits, with Folco including himself on impaling water balloons in the corridors; and of course Fred and George Weasley for the wizards.
And on an unusual occasion, Aria began to wonder what was wrong with Frodo. She approached Sam, which was unusual for her because she wasn't used to speaking to Sam. She cornered him in the Transfiguration courtyard, as the sandy-haired hobbit boy was busy with his homework.
"Sam, I came to ask about Frodo. Do you know what's wrong with him? Isn't there anything I can do to help him out?" she asked, curious. "He just acts weird around me."
"What has Mr. Frodo done? I haven't seen him pranking like he used to," Sam admitted.
"That's what I'm wondering about. You don't think… well, I mean…"
Sam laughed out loud. "Miss Aria, you don't have a crush on Mr. Frodo, do you?"
"Well…" she was nervous. This wasn't something she was used to asking. "I mean, I had a first date with Frodo, and I still don't know what dating implies. Nothing happened. We just talked. And then he hugged me today, and now I feel weird. It was awkward."
"Maybe you should speak to Frodo. I'm sure Mr. Frodo will understand," Sam said, a little brave.
"Will he? I don't know." Aria admitted further, "I'm not used to this. I know what a crush is and I…"
"Miss Aria, calm down," he said with a clear head. "Mr. Frodo will understand. Why don't you tell him what you told me?"
"But Pearl kissed him, and then I got upset, and it's just…"
"Aria, calm down," Frodo said, announcing himself. Trembling, Aria turned around, only to come face to face with him. Frodo smiled, telling her gently, "Come on. Let's have a word." He turned to Sam, saying, "Thank you, Sam, but I'll take it from here."
"Are you sure you're alrigh', Miss Aria, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, concerned.
"I've got this, Sam. Thank you," Frodo said, gaining the final say in the matter. "I'll see you later."
"Goodbye," Sam said, waving.
Returning his gaze to Aria, as they walked across the courtyard, Frodo asked her, "Tell me what's wrong."
"Well, you see…" Aria retold as much as she could, about her worries towards recent events. Frodo listened intently, catching everything she said. By the end of the story, Frodo understood what was wrong with her:
"Aria, we don't have to start dating. We can wait until you're ready." Why was he telling her these things? Well, it was starting to make sense, Frodo thought. He was about to turn thirteen. What could happen from then on out?
"Oh, thank you." She recovered. "Well, I mean, you're not ready to date. Are you? Or do you court?
"I just learned the term while I've been here. Fred and George told me last year." Frodo admitted, "I'm beginning to understand, but I can't…" He hardly understood the word 'dating', let alone knew what courting girls was like. No, he wasn't ready. He suggested, "Maybe we could start as friends first. See how that turns out. Sound good?"
"Yeah." Aria grinned back at him, in a friendly manner. "I'd like that. That way, we're not…"
"That way, we're not pressured into…" Frodo stopped himself, realizing he and Aria were saying the exact same thing. He grinned right back at her, glad they came to an understanding. He extended his hand to her. "Friends?"
"Friends," Aria said, shaking his hand. But even with shaking hands, Frodo felt just as sheepish as he was when he hugged her. Frodo released his hand fast from her grasp, but that didn't stop himself from grinning at Aria, who grinned right back in a sheepish manner.
It was clear: Frodo and Aria would be friends. Wherever the road took them… well, they needed to first pass their second year at Hogwarts. One thing at a time then, Frodo told himself. He hardly expected Aria to think the same thought.
I figured, given the last chapter, that I needed to slow things down a bit, as far as relationships go. I'm still working on remembering what it's like to be twelve to thirteen years of age, especially myself and remembering what I was like back then as well. So, it's quite in character for me to say and do certain things because that was who I was during my childhood. As for Frodo, well hobbits are mature for their age.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and are looking forward to the next chapter. :) I'll get through these rewrites yet. :)
