((Here it is, kids; The beginning of the end. After this, there's just an epilogue left. I still love reviews you can still fill my disclaimer in here. Enjoy!))


Frodo awoke, though he did not open his eyes. He felt a bed beneath him, and he could hear birds singing outside. He felt he must be dreaming, or else just waking up after a long nightmare.

"Where am I? What time is it?" he muttered.

"You are in the city of Minas Tirith." responded a soft, wonderfully familiar voice. "And it is nearly two-o-clock in the afternoon on April the Eighth if you want to know."

Frodo's eyes flew open. There, standing at the foot of his bed, robed all in white, was Gandalf.

First confusion and then shock and then joy spread through him like a wildfire. He sprung up from the bed and embraced the wizard with tears streaming down his face. Gandalf laughed and returned the hug.

"What has happened, Gandalf?" Frodo asked. "You fell...And now you're here and you are all in white!"

"All will be explained in due time, Frodo." Gandalf said, easing him back into his bed. He pulled a chair up and sat. "Tell me all you remember."

Frodo frowned as he thought back.


The Ring had been destroyed. And now it seemed, Sauron's final vengeance would fall upon those who did it. Mount Doom seemed to be tearing itself apart. Harry had awoken just in time and he and Draco had pulled Sam and Frodo out of the Crack of Doom and onto the tallest boulder they could find. There, the four heroes sat, as lava flowed on all sides. They knew there would be no escaping this one.

"I can see the Shire." Frodo said, sitting with his eyes closed. "The Brandywine River. Bag End. Gandalf's Fireworks. The lights in the Party Tree."

"Rosie Cotton dancing." Sam added sadly. "She had ribbons in her hair. If I was ever to marry someone, it would have been her." He burst into tears. "It would have been her."

Frodo put his arm around Sam's shoulder. "I'm glad you're here with me, Samwise Gamgee. Here, at the end of all things." He looked back and smiled at the wizards. "And I am glad I got to see both of you again, even if I don't understand everything that's happened."

Draco smiled wryly. "We're not that easy to get shot of, mate. And...I'm sorry about what I did and the things I said the last time we saw you."

Frodo shook his head. "You don't have to be sorry, Draco. You're not the only person the Ring ever took."

Harry smiled, but he couldn't find the energy or the will to speak. Upon waking up, everything Voldemort had done with control of his body came rushing into his mind. He was filled with sorrow and revulsion, but not just at that. He remembered how he had abandoned Draco just after they had been reunited. Voldemort wasn't to blame for that. Suddenly, Draco put an arm around his shoulder. Green eyes met grey and he knew that no more words needed to be spoken.

Eventually, the rising heat and the accumulated exhaustion from everything that had happened lowered all four heroes into a deep, dreamless sleep.


Gandalf smiled. "Excellent. You have suffered no more lasting harm. My fear was always that the Ring would exact some lasting vengeance on you. And perhaps it tried. But I have always said, you have some real strength in you, my dear Hobbit. And I can fill in the blank of how you got here." He went on to tell Frodo briefly of the battle at the Black Gates and of the timely arrival of the Eagles. "My friend, Gawaihir, was the one who found you and the others on the slopes of Mount Doom. And we arrived not a moment too soon."

Frodo suddenly sat up again. "Sam! Harry! Draco! Are they alright?"

Gandalf's face suddenly became grave. "See for yourself." he said. He stood slowly and opened the door. As soon as he did, a tumultuous noise assaulted the room as the entire Fellowship piled in and surrounded Frodo's bed, laughing and cheering. Merry and Pippin tackled him and both began talking rapidly at the same time.

"Frodo that was amazing-"

"The whole mountain just went BOOM-"

"And imagine old Gollum showing up-"

"It was better than Gandalf's fireworks-"

Frodo laughed and reveled in the company of his friends. For the next three hours, all the Fellowship exchanged tales of their journeys. Boromir showed them where he had been shot in the shoulder with an arrow during the last part of the battle. "It could have been much worse." he said wryly. Eventually, they were joined by the Twins, Eowyn and Faramir. Frodo and Sam were very glad to see Faramir again and were also happy to meet Eowyn.

The only one who had not joined in the storytelling was Sam. He merely sat with a contented smile.

"So, Samwise," Gandalf said, "what did you think of your first adventure?"

The Hobbit paused and a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "Well," he said slowly. "Adventures, the real ones leastways, seem a bit above my likes and dislikes, if you catch my meaning, Mr. Gandalf. It's like in the great stories. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes...sometimes you don't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But I think I understand now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of going back, only they didn't. Because they were holding on to something."

"What were they holding on to?" Legolas asked.

Sam smiled. "That there's some good in this world. And it's worth fighting for!"

Faramir smiled. "The Shire must truly be a marvelous realm where gardeners are such wise and noble folk." Eowyn laughed girlishly and the two clasped hands.

Boromir raised an eyebrow and a slow smile spread across his face. "Now when did this happen?"

They looked at each other and both blushed. "Well, we were both in the House of Healing together and it just seemed...right. Do you approve?"

Boromir laughed and embraced him. "Little brother, as long as you find joy, I approve a hundred times over."

Eowyn looked at Aragorn. "Do you wish me joy, my lord and healer?"

Aragorn smiled warmly. "I have wished you joy since the day I met you, Eowyn. It makes me glad to see you now in bliss."

Eowyn's face lit up and she embraced him, not as one sick with love, but as a good friend.

After a while, Draco tapped Harry and jerked his head towards the door. Harry cleared his throat. "We're...uh...gonna go get a breath of fresh air if that's alright."

Elladan and Elrohir grinned at each other. They looked like they wanted to make some remark, but Eowyn shot them a very Hermione-like look and they quickly shut up.

"We should all go." said Gandalf. "Frodo still needs rest. And we have a busy time ahead of us."


Harry and Draco went to the house they had been assigned. It was almost a reverse of the scene that had played out at Helm's Deep. As soon as the door shut, Harry pinned Draco to the wall in a passionate kiss. Without even breaking the kiss, they moved to the bed.


There was much to keep everyone busy over the next three months. Messengers were sent to every corner of Middle Earth, announcing Aragorn's upcoming coronation. There was also much repair work needed in Minas Tirith, but they received some unexpected help with that in the form of a group of Gimli's kinsmen from the Lonely Mountain led by his father, Gloin. They repaired and made stronger the walls and houses and they even built a new gate out of steel and mithril. They also brought news, both good and bad. Apparently, Sauron had launched simultaneous attacks all over Middle Earth. An army of Orcs from the North and Men from the East had laid siege to the Lonely Mountain. In the battle, King Dain of the Dwarves had been killed along with King Brand of Dale. But the battle had been won when the Wizard, Radagast had arrived with a large force of Eagles from the Misty Mountains and Beornings from the edges of Mirkwood. And Lothlorien had been attacked by Goblins from Moria and fell creatures from Dol Guldur. But thanks to the power of Celeborn and backup from the Elves of Mirkwood, the enemy had been driven back. But it hadn't ended there. The Elves organized and followed them all the way back to Dol Guldur and in the end, Galadriel herself came out and helped throw the dark fortress down.

So, while everyone had a great deal of work to do, all was well in Minas Tirith. However, there was, too, the less happy need to bury Theoden and Theodred.

At Edoras, Harry and Draco bore Theodred's body while Aragorn and Eomer bore the body of Theoden. As they passed, Eowyn sang a slow funeral song in the rich, earthy language of the Rohirrim.

"Bealocwealm hafad fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende
on Meduselde bæt he ma no wære
his dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost
."

Father and Son were lain in tombs of stone and mounds were raised over them. Grass covered the mounds, and also white Simblemynë.

Merry wept especially for Theoden who had been as close as a father to him. Suddenly, he sang out his own song in honor of the fallen king.

"Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory
."

Eomer smiled and laid his hand on the Hobbit's shoulder. "No more fitting tribute could any King of Men ask for. And, though you have many times over served this country, I would have you retain your position as Esquire of Rohan if that is your will."

Merry beamed. "I would like that very much, your majesty."

Eomer and Eowyn wanted to give Merry gold and many gifts, but in the end he would accept only the armor he had worn to battle and a small horn, skillfully carved with the images of horses and riders.

"This was made long ago by Dwarven Craftsmen." explained Eowyn. "It was liberated from the horde of Scatha the Dragon some hundred years ago by our ancestors. Take it in memory of Dernhelm and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in the morning."

Merry bowed. "Thank you my Lord and Lady. I shall never forget your kindness."

The new king of Rohan went too to Harry. "We owe you much that can never be fully repaid."

Harry smiled. "It's okay. I was glad to help."

"Even so." said Eomer. "I would like to seal your bond with Rohan if you are willing." He held up a shining sword with a golden hilt. "This belonged to Theodred. Take it and kneel if you will."

Harry did so and Eomer placed a hand on his head. "Harry, Son of James, for your bravery and service to Rohan and its people, I name you Knight of Rohan and the Royal Household of Meduseld. Rise now and bear your sword unto good fortune."

Harry rose and bowed. "Rohan will always have my loyalty."

With their business in Rohan done, they made to return to Minas Tirith. Eowyn remained for the time being. "There is still much hurt to be healed here. But I will not be away long."


It was a bright summer's morning and the Courtyard of the Citadel was filled as never before. Families who had fled Minas Tirith for safer parts of Gondor returned. Out of the North came a hundred men in grey cloaks that were clasped with silver stars. These were the Dunedain, Aragorn's Rangers and the last remnants of the Men of Numenor. Prince Imrahil, Lord of the city of Dol Amroth came with his knights in shining silver armor and sea-blue cloaks. Upon their bright shields was set the image of a great white swan. There came also emissaries from Dale, the Lonely Mountain, Mirkwood, and the Iron Hills. From Rivendell and Lothlorien came a riding of fair folk, including Elrond, Glorfindel, Galadriel and Celeborn. Eomer and Eowyn returned from Rohan, along with the Riders of their Household. And last, but not least, all the Fellowship, the Twins and Faramir were there. And to the wonder of all, the White Tree was in full bloom, shining in the sunlight.

In front of the doors to the Citadel stood Gandalf and on either side of him, Draco and Harry. They had finally discarded their torn and dirty Hogwarts robes. Harry now wore a green tunic, trimmed with gold and a matching cloak. At his hip hung Theodred's sword. Beneath his tunic, he wore a coat of bronze mail. On his chest was the emblem of Meduseld; a rearing white horse. Draco similarly wore a black tunic with the image of the White Tree, crowned with seven stars and a black cloak, lined with silver. Beneath, he wore a coat of silver mail and resting at his hip was the curved Elven sword he had been given in Rivendell at the start of the journey.

In their hands, both Harry and Draco held very important objects. Draco held a silver scepter capped with gold. This was the Scepter of Annúminas, the mark of Kingship over the Northern Kingdom of Arnor. Harry held, upon a crimson cushion, a gold and silver crown, crafted with its crest shaped like the wings of Sea Birds. This was the Crown of Gondor, the symbol of Kingship over the Southern Kingdom.

The crowd was silent as Aragorn walked slowly forward, dressed in the Armor of the King. He knelt before Gandalf. First the wizard took the crown and set it upon Aragorn's head. Then he took the scepter and placed it in his hands. As Aragorn rose, Gandalf called out to the crowd. "Now come the days of the King! May they be blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!"

Aragorn turned to the crowd and sang in a clear voice, "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!" (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.) Everyone broke into loud cheering. As he walked out to them, Boromir stepped forward and kneeled before him. "The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office."

Aragorn smiled. "That office is not now ended. It shall ever be yours and your heirs' and you shall be chief among my councilors. Faramir, come forth as well." He too came forward and knelt before the King. "You shall be Prince of Ithilien and master of the city of Osgiliath once it has been rebuilt. Rise now, Steward and Prince."

Aragorn now moved down the center of the crowd, greeting all of the emissaries. He passed Gimli and Gloin who both looked rather clean and well-groomed for Dwarves. Gimli grinned and bowed. On the other side of the courtyard stood Eomer and Eowyn, the former now in the Royal Armor of Rohan and the latter dressed in an emerald gown with a golden circlet atop her head. Both also smiled and bowed. Finally, he came to a group that all gazed upon with awe. At their forefront stood Galadriel and Celeborn, both of whom he was surprised to find bowed respectfully. Next he greeted Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas, all of whom wore mysterious smiles. As they moved aside, Aragorn saw Elrond, beaming in a fatherly manner. Also there was Glorfindel who smiled and inclined his head. Between them was a woman whose face was hidden by a banner she bore. As the moved the banner aside, Aragorn's breath caught in his throat. Arwen wore a pale green dress and a delicate silver crown set with shimmering white jewels. Elrond whispered in her ear and she walked slowly forward, her eyes shimmering with tears of love and joy. But as she grew close, she dipped her head in respect. Aragorn's eyes widened and he quickly lifted her head. With one movement, he had taken the banner, thrust it into the hands of a woman in the crowd, and caught Arwen in a passionate kiss.

Everyone cheered and someone gave a wolf whistle. (Draco later claimed Harry had done in and Harry claimed the opposite. The Twins both claimed responsibility.)

After the kiss was finally broken, Aragorn took Arwen's hand and led her through the crowd to the final group of "emissaries."

The four Hobbits looked at each other nervously and then began to bow. Aragorn held his hands up to them. "My friends!" he exclaimed. "You bow to no one." He smiled, dropped to one knee and bowed his head. Immediately, everyone in the courtyard followed suit. From the Kings and Queens of the nations of Men to the great Lords and Ladies of the Elves, all knelt before four little Hobbits from the tiny land of the Shire.


July turned to August and despite their desire to remain together, the Fellowship began to speak of returning to their homes. The Hobbits wanted to be back in Rivendell by September so that they could see old Bilbo on his birthday. Legolas and Gimli were both going to return to their homes briefly and then they planned to take a trek across Middle Earth together to see both Fangorn Forest and the Glittering Caves of Helm's Deep again. And Harry and Draco...They didn't quite know what they were going to do.

"I guess...I always somehow connected the destruction of the Ring with us getting home." said Harry when Gandalf asked them what they planned to do.

"Aragorn has asked me to tell you both that you are welcome to remain here in Minas Tirith." the Wizard said. "Eomer too has offered you both a place in Rohan."

Draco sighed. "I think for now we're going to go back to Rivendell. We want to see Bilbo again. And the Hobbits want us to see the Shire properly. Merry and Pippin seemed positively gleeful about how much the sight of two Humans riding up over the Hill would upset their neighbors. After that...I don't know."

Gandalf nodded. "Well, we will..." He trailed off and looked up into the sky, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"What is it, Gandalf?" Harry asked.

The Wizard shook his head and turned his attention back to them. "Hm? Oh, nothing. As I was saying, we will depart in two days." He nodded to them and left quickly.

"What the bloody hell was that all about?" Draco asked.


Early the next day, both Harry and Draco received summons to the Citadel from Gandalf. Neither knew what it was about, but they thought it best not to keep him waiting. When they arrived, they found him standing by the Tower of Echthelion. He nodded to them. "Thank you for coming. Would you both please come inside?" They glanced at each other nervously, but they followed him. He led them up many winding flights of stairs. Out the occasional windows, they could see the city growing smaller below them. At last, they arrived at what seemed to be the top. Gandalf pushed open a large oak door and ushered them inside. As soon as they had stepped across the threshold, a pleasant voice spoke. "Good morning, Harry, Draco."

Both young wizards stopped in their tracks and gaped at the speaker. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be. But it was. Sitting in a cushy armchair and looking distinctly out-of-place was Professor Dumbledore. He stood and smiled warmly. Harry, broken out of his stupor, dashed forward and hugged the old man tightly. Dumbledore looked startled but then chuckled and returned the hug. "I am glad to see you as well, Harry." Harry stepped back and took in every facet of Dumbledore's appearance. Everything was as he remembered; the tasseled hat, the half-moon spectacles perched atop the broken nose, the beard that was as white as Gandalf's and even longer, and finally, the twinkling blue eyes.

Draco stood back, his eyes wide and his mouth hanging open slightly. "When...How..."

Dumbledore chuckled and waved his wand. Two more arm-chairs appeared along with a dusty bottle full of amber-colored liquid and four glasses. "Perhaps you should both sit down and have a drink first." Harry and Draco both nodded and sat.

The bottle poured its contents into the glasses and one floated to each of the room's occupants. "Madame Rosemerta's Mulled Mead." Dumbledore said. He took a sip. "Ah. Quite excellent." Harry followed suit. The beverage was warm and sweet. He had never tasted anything quite like it.

"Now then," said Dumbledore. "I will answer your questions, Mr. Malfoy. As for when, the answer is yesterday afternoon. I am sorry I didn't let you both know sooner, but I had a great many things to discuss with Mr. Gandalf here."

"Do you know each other?" Harry asked incredulously.

"We do now." said Gandalf. "I felt your Professor's arrival in Middle Earth yesterday."

Dumbledore nodded. "As for how, that is a bit more complicated. The both of you have spent very nearly a year in Middle Earth. But for me, it has been a little over two months since you vanished."

"How is that possible?" Draco asked.

"Middle Earth's time runs rather differently that our own time." Dumbledore explained. "It could be stranger, though. I once met a young man who spent twenty years in another world and then returned to his own at the exact moment he had left and suddenly at the same age he had been. But I digress. Now, keep in mind that we cannot be absolutely certain of everything that has occurred around that strange night you both vanished. But based on available information and much discussion between myself and Gandalf, I believe that we have a reasonable account of events. Now, one key fact that you should know is that Lord Voldemort has always been obsessed with collecting powerful magical artifacts. His favorites were items owned by the four founders of Hogwarts. As a young man, he worked at Borgin and Burke's. I believe you both know the place?"

Draco and Harry both nodded. "It's a shop that sells rare magical, most often Dark)) Objects." Draco said.

Dumbledore nodded and continued. "Well, during his time there, he did a great deal of research, in particular, about objects owned by Salazar Slytherin. One day, he came across a reference in one of Slytherin's last writings referring to an orb that could see into another world. This intrigued Voldemort, but not enough that he put true effort into finding it. We now jump ahead some years to three months after you saw him return, Harry. He went to Bulgaria to hunt down Igor Karkaroff who had most unwisely tried to flee from him. Sadly, he succeeded. Before he left, he searched through Karkaroff's possessions. I don't know how or when Karkaroff had obtained it, but Voldemort found among his things, a stone very much like the one Slytherin had described. It was indeed one of the lost Palantir Stones from Middle Earth. How it came to be in out own world, I think we may never know. It did not take Voldemort long to learn how to bend the Palantir to his will. And when he did, he made contact with Salazar Slytherin who had come to be known as Saruman."

"We believe," said Gandalf, "that Saruman underestimated your Lord Voldemort at this time. My predecessor's greatest failing was his own hubris. In his mind, the heir was obviously the lesser. So, quite foolishly, he told Voldemort of the Ring and his desire for it. It had only been lately discovered through Sauron's torture of Gollum that the Ring was in the Shire and being held by a Hobbit. Both Saruman and Voldemort knew that if the Nazgul got to him first, the Ring would go back to Sauron. And Saruman also knew that I would eventually send the Ring to Rivendell, but that I would not take it by my own hands. They needed someone who could get close to Frodo."

Dumbledore continued. "This someone had to be someone the Ringbearer could trust and who could fight off the Nazgul if pressed. Saruman could not go himself, for that would reveal his intentions to Sauron. And Voldemort, looking the way he does, would hardly be trusted. But then the answer fell into his lap. It was Saruman who figured out how deeply Voldemort and you, Harry, are connected. Knowing something of mental possession, he determined that the connection would remain, even across a span of dimensions. So, the means was determined. Now they simply needed a way to get you into Middle Earth. I'm afraid poor Professor Trelawney was their key player. During the summer, she received a letter saying that an old friend of hers would be passing through Hogsmeade. So, she left the castle to meet him at the Three Broomsticks. Her friend was not, of course, there. Instead, she was met by a Death Eater. He placed her under the Imperius Curse and gave to her the Palantir and an invisibility cloak."

"An invisibility cloak? What for?" Draco asked.

"To instigate a fight between the two of you." Dumbledore answered. "What do you recall of how your duel in the hallway started?"

Draco and Harry both thought back. It was Harry who answered first. "I passed Draco in the hall and then a spell went past my ear. I pulled out my wand and I turned around. Draco had his wand out so I knew it was him."

Draco's eyes went wide. "What? That's the same thing that happened to me. I was actually surprised you'd start a fight, but then you'd been so moody since the year started, I figured you'd finally snapped."

Dumbledore nodded. "Both of your version of events is correct. Though neither of you fired that initial spell. That was Professor Trelawney under the cloak. She sparked a duel between the two of you and then sent a request to Professor McGonagall that your detentions be served with her. As soon as you were in her study, she drew your attention to the Palantir and then left the room."

"What about the prophesy she made?" Harry interrupted. "Was that real or something she was ordered to do under the curse?"

Dumbledore actually looked astonished. "I knew of no prophesy. What did it say?" Harry related to Dumbledore what Trelawney had said. The Professor looked thoughtful. "Fascinating. I believe that it was genuine. Prophesies are mysterious things. I do not wonder that it broke through the curse. But in any case, Voldemort's plan began to crumble at this point. For it was Draco and not you who first took interest in the Palantir. And when he took hold of it, their folly was fully realized. For you see, their plans were not so secret as they had supposed."

Gandalf nodded. "Sauron had quietly listened in on them through his own Palantir. And he was waiting. As soon as you touched the stone, Mr. Malfoy, he assailed you, thinking you were Harry. He became aware of his mistake as soon as you too touched the Stone, Harry, and he tried to turn his malice on to you, but by then it was too late. In the brief lapse between switching targets, Saruman performed his magic and you were both pulled into Middle Earth. But for a while, he was not aware that he had been successful. Soon after you both came here, Voldemort tried to enter your mind, Harry, and found that you were blocked from him. He could see into your mind, but he could not enter it himself. And Sauruman had not felt you arrive, as he should have. So he too that he had failed. But in reality, your mind was being shielded."

"By who?" Harry asked. "You? Galadriel? Elrond?"

Gandalf shook his head. "None of us was aware of your arrival either. Believe it or not, your shield against Voldemort was Sauron himself. Do not look so shocked. It was not for your benefit. He was merely protecting the Ring from Voldemort. This protection remained for a very long time. Galadriel took special interest in you when you went to Lothlorien because she felt Sauron's shadow upon you. The protection only broke after the battle at Minas Tirith. It was then that Sauron could spare you no more of his energy. Aragorn had made himself known and war was marching upon Mordor. All of his thought was bent upon controlling his armies. Voldemort was aware of this and he made his move."

"Meanwhile, I had not been idle." said Dumbledore. "I felt you both leave this world and I rushed up to Professor Trelawney's tower. There, she attacked me and I was forced to subdue her. I then went for the Palantir. But as soon as I touched it, Sauron assaulted me. That was a trial, I do not mind telling you and it was nearly my end. But I escaped. I despaired after that. I knew that I could not withstand another attack, so I was forced to abandon hope of coming after the both of you. For two months, the Palantir sat, covered in my office. Then, one day, I felt the time was right to try again. Imagine my surprise when I found the way free and clear."

"The Ring had been destroyed." realized Harry.

Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. And so, here we all sit together at long last."

Harry and Draco were silent for a while, pondering all they had heard. "I only have one question." Draco said. "Why was the Dark L-I mean...V-Voldemort willing to allow Saruman to have the Ring?"

"Oh, he never intended to deliver the Ring to Saruman." said Dumbledore. "He would certainly have taken it for his own. I would love dearly to say that he would not have been able to bend it to his will, but I believe that after a bitter struggle, the Ring would have had a new Master."

"But Professor," Harry said, "when I looked into Galadriel's Mirror, I saw Voldemort allied with Sauron."

"There is one thing you must understand, Harry." explained Dumbledore. "Lord Voldemort is, above all, a survivor. Given the choice between utter defeat and serving Sauron, he would choose the latter."

"So what happens now?" Draco asked.

"Now," said Dumbledore, "the choice is up to the both of you. I would be overjoyed if you both returned, but I will not try and push you either way. You may come back to Hogwarts or you may stay here in Middle Earth. But keep one thing in mind when you choose; One was or another, there can be no more travel between our world and this one. The balance must be maintained. If Voldemort were ever to regain the Palantir, he would exact terrible vengeance upon this world. And there are still those in Middle Earth who would crave the magic of our world for their own twisted purposes. So do not be hasty in your decision. I recommend that you take tonight to sleep on it. I will await your decision."

Harry and Draco said goodbye to Gandalf and Dumbledore for the time being and they left the tower. As they walked through the city, neither of them spoke. The choice seemed clear. But as with all things of this sort, it was not truly so easy. They both desired desperately to see Hogwarts again. But the thought that they would never see their friends, never see Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Gandalf, Elladan, Elrohir, Eowyn, Faramir or Eomer again was almost inconceivable. That night, neither of them slept a wink. They spoke little. Mostly, they lay awake, staring at the ceiling. It was in the wee hours of the morning, that they both looked at each other and made their decision.


The next morning, they called their friends together and told them everything.

"So what are you going to do?" Faramir asked. "I take it you have made your decision?"

Harry looked at Draco and took a deep breath. "We're going back to Hogwarts."

For a very long time, everyone was silent. Dumbledore and Gandalf stood a short ways off, observing.

And so, Harry and Draco began the long, sad task of bidding goodbye their friends with whom they had passed through wilderness and through war.

Boromir embraced them both. "It is a long way, is it not, since you told me to shut up at the Council?" he asked Harry, smiling. "You are my friends and you are forever friends of Gondor."

Next they came to Gimli who was blubbering unashamedly. He too hugged them both. "I'll miss you, laddies. I shall think of you both every time I cleave an Orc neck."

Legolas laid his hands on their shoulders. "Limaria, melloneamin. I name you Elf-friends. Though you shall not, perhaps, return to Middle Earth, you will be remembered and my people will sing songs of you."

Aragorn embraced them and even his eyes were damp. "Goodbye, brave Wizards. From the moment we met in Bree, I have loved you as brothers." he said. "Middle Earth will be a distinctly less cheerful place without you in it."

The Twins hugged the Wizards. "The Dwarf can have his Orc necks." Elladan said.

"But every prank we play will be in your names." finished Elrohir.

"Give Middle Earth hell for us." Draco said, smiling.

Draco and Faramir had a tearful farewell, while Harry embraced a weeping Eowyn.

Finally, they came to the Hobbits, all of whom were weeping bitterly.

"We don't want you to leave." said Pippin. "We were going to show you the Shire."

"And what are we going to tell poor old Bilbo?" Merry asked. "He was going to put your adventures down in a book."

Harry smiled. Bilbo had told him about it and had even come up with a name; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

They kissed Merry and Pippin on their foreheads. "Don't you two ever change." Harry said. "If more people valued food and drink and a cheerful song with good friends over gold and jewels, the world would be a happier place."

Finally, they came to Frodo and Sam. "I think I'm going to miss you two most of all." Draco said. "You gave us all hope when we had none. It just goes to show that even the smallest person can change the course of the future."

They sobbed and embraced the Wizards.

"I'm afraid it is time to go." said Professor Dumbledore quietly. Harry and Draco nodded and walked over to him. In his hands, he held the Palantir of Isengard. "Both of you put a hand on the stone." he said. They took one last look at their friends and then slowly placed their hands on the Stone's cool, smooth surface.

There was no sound or flash of light. One moment, the three Wizards stood there around the Palantir. The next moment, they were gone and the stone fell with a thud to the ground.

Gandalf smiled and looked up into the sky. "Until our next meeting." he whispered.