Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

Acknowledgements: To LOTCR, for inspiring me to write this story and its series. To DoctorWhovian18, for her ideas on pranking, ideas on other things about the story, her advice and helpfulness, and the list go on. I'd also like to thank ValueMyHeart for reviewing, following, and favoriting this story. To all my readers who are favoriting, following, and reviewing this story.

Guest Reviews

LOTCR: Yes, jolly good Frodo. – Frodo gives me a look that clearly says I'm pushing my luck – Okay, I'll stop now. Yeah, that's the hard part of this story for a while. Then I'm glad, too. Thanks for the brownies. – eats two down quick – It's okay. You can relax. I didn't mean to pick on you for nagging me, whether you were or not. Yeah, even in this story, Frodo likes Sam as a friend, nothing else. – Frodo sighs in relief – Well, I did have this one dream, but Frodo reacted just as I thought he would; he doesn't like slash at all, and that dream proved it. – Frodo nods his approval, but looks nervous – Frodo, you can relax. I wouldn't put you in that position ever. – Frodo grins at me – Yeah, you can probably tell Sam is worse at being shy here than he is later on when The Lord of the Rings starts. I got that idea from a few fanfics I read. Well, you did good staying silent for five minutes.

Well, because of my overreaction, I almost botched this chapter up and messed up Frodo's character development. Hopefully, this chapter turned out all right and Frodo's okay now. Also, we're moving ahead again in the timeline by a few weeks.

Sunday morning had come when Frodo awoke. It took him a few seconds to realize it was his birthday. True, he did admit it to Fred, George, Merry and Pippin about his birthday almost a week ago, but they were the only ones he spoke to. He hadn't told Sam; because of this, there was some regret. Maybe he found out, maybe he didn't. At least he would get some birthday gifts from his parents, but then he wondered if that meant breaking tradition that hobbits had already set on birthdays, where the hobbits that celebrate give gifts to others. At that moment, he didn't know what way it was.

Oh well. After getting out of bed and changing into his blue school Hobbit uniform, as usual, Frodo opened his trunk. All his gifts were there. He was nervous about passing gifts around, since his reputation was a prankster. At least Lotho got what he deserved with that whoopee cushion, given to Frodo by Fred and George. Frodo chuckled to himself. That prank was just another casual one set by him; although Lotho did not approve and blamed him rather rudely.

"Ah. Oh, why not?" said Frodo, pulling out his bag of decent gifts. His mother helped him pick out some of the gifts, as did his father. So, it was a nice assortment.

Arriving in the Great Hall, Frodo first found Terry, Michael and Anthony. He told them it was his birthday and gladly gave them each quills, which were made from hawk feathers. They were pleased, thanking him for the kind gift, even though they didn't understand hobbits' tradition. Frodo moved on, heading straight for Fred, George, Merry and Pippin next. The four looked at him with curious gazes.

"Frodo, what's in the bag?" asked Fred, curious.

"Well, it is my birthday today and I wanted to give you four something," said Frodo.

"Aren't we the ones who give gifts to you?" asked George, confused.

Merry explained, "All hobbits give gifts to other people on their birthdays. It's tradition. We usually get gifts the day before our birthdays. It's called common courtesy."

Pippin looked all giddy and asked Frodo, "So what did you bring us?"

'This is what I'm talking about," said Merry.

Pippin was confused, "What?"

"Don't worry. I have something for you two as well," said Frodo. "But first to Fred and George. I know you'll love this." He pulled out of his bag two smaller boxes that were brightly colored. Fred passed the first box onto George, and then took the second box from Frodo.

"Thank you, Frodo," said George.

"What's in them?" asked Fred.

"Open them and you'll see," said Frodo, curious as well.

Fred and George opened the boxes at the same time. They jumped as a miniature pair of Jack-in-the-Boxes bounced up, swaying back and forth in their separate boxes. The Weasley twins stifled their laughter, but at the same time couldn't help themselves.

Fred told Frodo, "Well, you really know us, Frodo."

"I thought you would like it. I bought it at Gambol and Japes' Joke Shop. They're yours to keep," said Frodo, delighted.

'Thank you, Frodo. This means a lot," said George.

"Now, what did you bring us?" asked Merry, getting Frodo's attention.

"Here." Frodo pulled out of his bag a carved wooden horse. He passed it to Merry. "My father carved this when I was small. I don't have much use for it now, but I remember you telling me you have a passion for horses. Call it a starter, something to admire."

"Thanks," said Merry, pleased and intrigued with the carving's detail.

Pippin asked, "What about me?"

"I didn't forget you." Frodo pulled out of his bag an acorn on a plaque. The acorn was wooden but had some paint. He passed to Pippin this treasured possession of his. "I didn't want you to forget me. It's the acorn I worked on with my mama and papa."

Pippin was confused. "Shouldn't you keep this? It's yours."

Frodo shook his head. "No, I want you to have it. I was going to give it someone anyway. Consider this a first step in me becoming kinder, more considerate." He felt some pain. Why would he give up this memory? He recalled he was going to give this item as a gift to whoever was his friend.

"I'll treasure it, but Frodo…"

Frodo shook his head again. "No, you keep it." He could feel his eyes watering. No, he shouldn't show Pippin this. Faltering, Frodo walked down the aisle, brushing off the tears that were about to stream down his face. He was braver than this. It was just an object…

Frodo stopped upon seeing Harry and Ron. Although it was his birthday, Frodo didn't know what to say to either Harry or Ron. Leaving them be, Frodo saw Hermione walking down the aisle. While he didn't particularly like her, finding her annoying, Frodo knew it was his birthday and he needed to be considerate of others, if just for this day.

"Hello Frodo," said Hermione, pleased to see him.

Frodo stopped Hermione in her tracks. "Hermione, I wanted to… give you this." He passed to her a blossoming white flower, one that was preserved by his mother through magic. After he passed the flower to her, Hermione sniffed it, recognizing there was magic in the flower. Frodo's mind went nuts. What was he doing? He didn't like girls. Frodo gave her a crooked smile, and then darted off to the Hufflepuff table, where Sam was. Frodo got his attention, "Sam, I wanted to give you this. It's my birthday after all." He passed to Sam some gardener's tools, new ones.

Sam was amazed. He looked up and said, "These must have cost you a fortune."

"Money's not really a concern. Call it a friendly gesture," said Frodo.

Sam was impressed at all the tools. "This is a complete set. Thank you, Mr. Frodo!"

"Anytime Sam," said Frodo. He walked away, returning to the Ravenclaw table. He still had some gifts left, but it was best to leave them where they lie. He wasn't expecting anything in return this day, not that he was asking for anything anyway. He looked back at Harry and Ron. Should he give gifts to them as well? Frodo couldn't take it anymore. Grabbing his bag, Frodo stood up and approached the Gryffindor table, where Harry and Ron were sitting.

Ron told Frodo, rather mean, "Aren't you giving gifts to Hermione? I thought she's more important than us."

Frodo was shocked. He had no words to say. It was like getting a taste of his own medicine.

Harry quickly settled the matter. "Ron, let him speak." He looked at Frodo and told him, politely, "You don't need to be shy in front of us, Frodo. What did you want?"

Frodo got straight to the point, passing first to Ron a picture book on wizard sweets, filled with descriptions and everything; it was a new copy, not the one Frodo's father had. He passed to Harry a painted wooden swan.

Harry was confused, examining the swan with caution. "Thanks."

This frustrated Frodo. "Here, set it down. This may impress you more." As Harry did as instructed, setting the swan on the table, Frodo touched it with his hand, causing the toy swan to become animated, like that of an actual swan. Frodo touched it again, allowing the swan to swap from animated to inanimate.

Now Harry was fascinated. Ron asked Frodo, "How did you do that?"

"I've been practicing, with help from Flitwick," said Frodo.

"Thank you, Frodo," said Harry, picking up the swan and seeing it became inanimate again.

"Thanks for the picture book. Now I know what sweets to collect," said Ron, studying his picture book.

Frodo nodded his approval. Silently, he walked away from the Gryffindor table, feeling pleased with himself. Now he had given the gifts he needed to give out. It was a good feeling. Maybe this was what the Grey Lady meant when she spoke about kindness. He sat back down at the Ravenclaw table. Maybe he could do right by people after all.

o-o-o

By lunch, there was an unprecedented rumor that spread throughout the school. That rumor was that Frodo was passing out gifts to everyone. Frodo was soon caught in a crowd in one of the corridors, doing his best to inform the students that he wasn't passing out gifts to random people. Eventually, Hermione jumped in and corrected the absentminded students. Fred, George, Harry, Ron, Sam, Merry and Pippin soon followed, eager to help Frodo in his troubles. Fredegar Bolger did see the crowd, but figured it best to head to lunch first and deal with Frodo's dilemma later. After some convincing, well done by Hermione, the crowd parted. Frodo was relieved, but a bit shaken up.

He told Hermione, politely, "Thank you."

Still, Hermione had to ask Frodo, "How in the blazes did this rumor start?"

"It was Lotho's doing," said Frodo.

Ron shook his head. "I shouldn't be surprised. Lotho's a right foul piece of worm-ridden git face."

"Wow Ron. That's a lot to say about a bully," said Harry.

George told Frodo, "Well, anyway, Frodo meet us in the disused bathroom on the sixth floor. We have something to show you."

"Let's say we all pitched in and helped," said Fred, cryptic. After that, he and George took off down the corridors.

Ron told Frodo, "We'll meet you on the sixth floor corridor. Harry and I can show you where the disused bathroom is. It's Fred and George' shop."

Frodo was stunned. Fred and George had a shop in the castle? Why didn't they tell him this? Maybe they did tell him, but somehow it slipped his mind. Frodo watched Harry and Ron run down the corridors. Merry and Pippin chased after the two friends. Only Sam and Hermione stayed behind.

Hermione told Frodo, "Sam and I can lead the way to the sixth-floor corridor, if that's all right with you."

Frodo gestured forward. "Lead the way."

At that, they were off and once again Frodo questioned his short height. Sam was taller and faster than he was. At least Hermione fell back at times so Frodo could catch up.

Once they reached the sixth-floor corridor, Frodo was last to the reading room. There, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Sam waited for him. As soon as Frodo caught his breath, Harry led the way through the portrait of Myriadd and into the disused bathroom. This bathroom was large, but the toilets didn't look like they were working, as there was one covered in water and another that was broken.

Fred announced to Frodo, "Welcome to our shop."

"Wait. So you two do have a shop here. I thought you were just messing around," admitted Frodo.

Fred replied, "Well, now you know. It's our gift to you, seeing as it is your birthday."

"You were so generous to us, Frodo. We couldn't resist showing you around," said George.

Hermione added, looking at Frodo now, "I chipped in as well. I heard it from Neville Longbottom that your birthday was coming up. Here." She pulled out of her satchel a brown leather book, passing it to Frodo. "It's a first edition about the adventuresome hobbit wizards that co-existed in the wizarding community, beginning with the early Medieval period when Hogwarts was first founded. I thought it might interest you. I'm sorry if it isn't wrapped."

Frodo stared at the gift. He was surprised the students at Hogwarts were giving him gifts. He was speechless.

Hermione asked, curious, "Don't you like it?"

Frodo looked up at her. Remembering how to speak, Frodo said, "It's great. Thank you." He stuffed the book inside his satchel.

Merry gestured to Sam. "Sam has something to give to you as well, Frodo."

Sam nervously approached Frodo. Should he really break tradition? This wasn't something he was used to doing. "Well… it's a small token for your generous gift. I didn't want to break tradition… oh, here." He passed to Frodo an acorn necklace. "My Gaffer let me have it, so I would be able to give it as a gift."

"It's great, Sam. Thank you," said Frodo, putting the necklace over his head. The chain was a little long. Maybe he would grow into it.

It was Pippin's turn. He passed to Frodo his acorn plaque. Frodo didn't understand. "This was my gift to you."

"And now I'm giving it back. I wouldn't want you to give up on a memory. You may need it someday," said Pippin.

Before Pippin walked away, Frodo stopped him. Even thought the acorn plaque was in his hands again, it didn't feel right. "You really want me to have this? Pippin, you shouldn't have."

"Well, Pippin can be thoughtless at times," said Merry.

Pippin intervened. "Look, I'm not allowing you to give up on one of your memories, Frodo. Who knows? You may need to look back on it from time to time."

"You can have it, if you want," said Frodo.

Pippin shook his head. "Maybe next time."

"I'll find another gift for you," said Frodo.

"I wasn't asking," said Pippin.

Merry pulled out from his pocket a small gold watch on a chain. He passed it to Frodo. "Here's my gift to you. That's solid gold. It cost my papa a fortune, but it was worth getting."

As soon as Frodo put the small acorn plaque in his satchel, he took the gold watch. "Thank you, Merry." Putting the gold watch in his pocket, along with the chain, Frodo admitted, "This is too much. I appreciate the gifts, but you all didn't have to do this for me…"

"We wanted to, Frodo. What's a birthday without gift-giving?" asked Hermione.

"By the way, here's my gift," said Ron, passing to Frodo a wrapped chocolate frog. Frodo opened the small box and nearly caught the chocolate frog, but Ron caught it for him. Ron tried passing the chocolate frog to Frodo, but Frodo politely declined. Ron shrugged his shoulders, eating the chocolate frog right in front of him.

Frodo found inside the box a hobbit wizard collector's card. Like Bullroarer's card, these were standard Middle-earth edition. The card was Belladonna Took: Bilbo Baggins' mother. The image was colorful and moving, same as the one with Bullroarer Took. Frodo read the back of the card to himself:

Belladonna Took-Baggins
(T.A. 2852 – 2934)

Wife to Bungo Baggins and mother to Bilbo.
She, alongside her husband, helped finance the
construction of the most luxurious Hobbit-hole, Bag End,
in the village of Hobbiton. She was well known to the
wizard Gandalf the Grey.

"I guess I'll be keeping this card. Thank you, Ron," said Frodo, stuffing the collector's card in his pocket. He turned to Harry, who looked like he had nothing to give.

Ron inquired to Harry, "What about you, Harry?"

Harry was beside himself. By now, he was used to getting gifts. Still, he was prepared. Approaching Frodo, Harry gave to the hobbit boy a book with the title, Quidditch Through the Ages. It looked to be a new copy.

"It's another copy I bought and sent for from Flourish and Blotts. My snowy owl Hedwig flew in yesterday and gave it to me. I figured that, now you're on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team, you might like a copy," said Harry. He recovered fast, "That is, if you didn't have one before."

Frodo shook his head. "I don't. Thank you, Harry."

Fred asked Frodo, "Do you want to explore the shop now? For today, everything is free to you and you alone. Ask George and myself anything that you're confused about."

Stuffing the book inside his satchel, Frodo explored Fred and George's shop. Frodo found what he was looking for: a couple of pumpkin pasties and cauldron cakes each. Since Fred and George were letting him have this stock for free, Frodo took them without complaint. He also took two Middle-earth edition hobbit wizard collector's cards. He figured he should learn something more about his family, even if they had been to the Wizarding World before his time.

o-o-o

Towards evening, Frodo was inside the mini study tower, in the Ravenclaw Boys' Dormitory. Prim, his brown owl, flown in with a few wrapped packages. They were from his parents. After detaching them from Prim's foot, Frodo opened the gifts one at a time. He received new stockings and a flat round log. He set the log underneath the parchment, before depositing his new stockings in his trunk. Whether he agreed to his mother's choice in gifts remained in question, but Frodo appreciated the log writing desk from his father. As Frodo closed the lid of his trunk, he reminisced about his day. He came to a simple conclusion: it had been a good birthday.