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.
I know in The Lord of the Rings book trilogy Frodo's two other friends are Folco Boffin and Fredegar Bolger. Since Folco will appear in the sequel as a first year, since he didn't make it in this story during Frodo's first year at Hogwarts, I'm going to explore Frodo's beginnings of his friendship with Fredegar. I think it's time to explore this friendship, don't you think?
October sprung up a week after Frodo's birthday. While studying, Frodo also had Quidditch practice with the Ravenclaw team. Even though he was a substitute, Ned wanted to make sure Frodo was all practiced up, in case he ever did play in an actual match. However, one piece of news shifted everything around:
"What do you mean Cho's resigned?" Frodo was flustered at the news Ned had given him. He was the last one to show up in the locker room on the first day in October.
"That's what she told me. She wants to focus on her studies, so Jeremiah's going to replace her. You know Jeremiah's the second substitute for Seeker," said Ned, pointing out a dark-skinned Seeker.
Frodo nodded. "Of course, I've spoken to him a couple of times." He whispered, "He's not very polite."
"And yet he is a good sport. So, we're going to train Jeremiah harder so he's ready for our first match against Hufflepuff," said Ned.
"Why can't I play? I know I'm short, but height doesn't matter that much," said Frodo. He knew he was going against his own code. Height didn't matter? Height was everything.
Ned patted his shoulder. "You'll do fine. With luck, you'll catch the Snitch at some point." He walked away to speak to Jeremiah, who laughed at a pleasant comment Ned made.
Frodo was beyond furious. True, he was shorter than the rest of his teammates, but why should that stop him from being Seeker? He had to get beyond the reserved spot and move up to being an actual Seeker. Great, another moment where he needed to prove himself.
o-o-o
October also proved to be a busy time for Frodo. What with classes, Quidditch, and his detentions with Flitwick, Frodo hardly had time for much. At least he now had friends.
Sam and Pippin both informed Frodo that their siblings, all except Sam's younger sister Marigold, were attending Hogwarts during their first year. Well, Frodo did remember that it had been a decade since hobbits attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, so he could understand how Sam's siblings and Pippin's siblings were around the same age as them. What stunned Frodo more, and made him a little nervous, was Pippin's eldest sister Pearl was in Ravenclaw and she was a first year too. Frodo didn't elaborate on the subject, seeing as he didn't know what to say to a girl, let alone go anywhere near one, apart from Hermione and the Grey Lady.
However, Frodo's Quidditch practices proved to be both tough and stressful. The new Ravenclaw Seeker Jeremiah was almost no help at all to Frodo. Even though Jeremiah had friends, somehow Frodo felt he was treated unfairly, perhaps because he was a first year and that meant little to the Ravenclaw Seeker. Frodo also guessed it was because he was a hobbit, which must have explained why Jeremiah wasn't particularly fond of hobbits. Because most of the Ravenclaw team thought little of him, Frodo practiced harder than ever to catch the Snitch and at times even managed to catch it faster than Jeremiah. Frodo was yelled at by Ned on occasion, telling Frodo to let Jeremiah catch the Snitch seeing as he was Seeker and Frodo was Substitute Seeker. This whole treatment wasn't fair.
In the middle of October, sometime during mid-week, Frodo walked down an empty corridor by himself. Sam didn't mind much that Frodo wandered on his own. They were still acquaintances after all, plus Sam was still very shy around people, including Frodo. As Frodo traversed the corridor, he spotted Fredegar Bolger, working on his homework. Fredegar used the bench he was sitting on as his work station. The quiet corridor made it easier for him to work. Even though Frodo didn't want to bother him, he knew next to nothing about Fredegar, other than he kept to himself and didn't care what anyone thought. It seemed the perfect opportunity to break Fredegar out of his shell, at least Frodo thought at first.
Approaching Fredegar's work station, Frodo spoke to the hobbit boy, "Fredegar, why are you alone?"
"You're alone," said Fredegar, not paying attention to Frodo.
Frodo sat down on the bench. Clearly, he was invading Fredegar's space. Feeling the tension, but hoping to resolve it soon, Frodo spoke again, "So, you don't care what other people think of you, being alone?"
"Frodo, I have to study. Besides, you're the prankster at this school. You should be pulling pranks," said Fredegar. "There's no need to bother a poor sob like me."
"Why not?" asked Frodo, confused. "I mean, you're just as smart as I am." Poor choice of words.
Fredegar looked up at him. "What do you want, Frodo Baggins? Remorse? Contentment? Because I cannot offer you any of those things. Now please, leave me alone."
"I can't. You look like you need a friend," said Frodo.
"I don't have friends. I have my sister and she's not here this year. She's still too young to attend Hogwarts. My family is enough," said Fredegar.
"Yes, but surely you must hate the silence, the loneliness," said Frodo. He wanted to push the subject on this hobbit boy. Fredegar did look lonely. "I know how it feels. I may not have siblings, I am an only child, but I know if you don't make friends and keep them, what sort of life do you have? Yes, loneliness is bliss, but it's also…"
"What? Come on, spit it out," said Fredegar, impatient.
Frodo said, "You know what? Forget it. I'm sure you do fine on your own."
Fredegar stopped Frodo before he turned the corner. "Well, if you're interested in talking, I'm all ears. Tell me more about being an only child. That's something I'm not used to."
Now he had him. Returning to Fredegar, Frodo elaborated on his opinion of what it was like to be an only child. He pointed out the pros and cons to Fredegar, who was very keen on learning about this other side of childhood. By the end of Frodo's explanation, Fredegar was convinced that Frodo was all right.
Breaking the silence, Fredegar extended his hand to the short hobbit boy. "Fredegar Bolger, but friends call me Fatty. Please don't think it a joke."
Frodo grinned. He shook his hand. "Frodo Baggins and I think the nickname suits you."
"Please don't laugh at me for having it. Everyone calls me Fatty," said Fredegar.
"I won't laugh," said Frodo. "Even though you have that as your nickname, you're a sincere hobbit. I just figured you might need a friend to get through school."
"Hmm… then consider us friends," said Fatty.
"Good," said Frodo, as he released his hand from Fatty's.
Frodo and Fatty talked for a little while longer. Frodo convinced Fatty to meet his friends, especially Sam first and foremost. When Frodo introduced Fatty to Sam, the three fell into a smooth conversation, which was pleasant. Fatty felt like he now was part of something special. Maybe he didn't need to go through school alone after all. Even though he had a rocky start with Merry and Pippin, after Frodo convinced him they were all right, Fatty and Merry spoke a lot, becoming better acquainted and finding new things to talk about. Things were looking up for the five hobbits.
Frodo learned from Fatty, soon after, that he was already good friends with Hermione Granger and Neville Longbottom. But Fatty was mere acquaintances with Harry and Ron.
o-o-o
On the last Saturday in October, Frodo's final detention with Flitwick was held that morning. After the last grunt work was finished, Frodo began practicing his hand magic with Flitwick. His progression was incredible. Frodo had now gained basic control of his hand magic. He only used a wand in class, which proved that he was adept at both. Flitwick was impressed, but even more so at Frodo's development into a better person and a better student.
Flitwick's final lesson in that second hour was to see how many objects Frodo could transfigure. Even though Flitwick was a charms teacher, Frodo had been doing mainly transfiguration. Frodo proved his worth, transforming most of the objects into animals and several papers into white doves with inked words written on their feathers.
"Well done, Frodo!" said Flitwick, impressed. "Now, let's see how you do transfiguring these animals back into objects. Remember our lessons."
With a wave of his hands, Frodo was able to transfigure the animals back into objects. As an added bonus, Frodo moved all the objects with his hand magic back into their proper places, including stacking all the papers neatly on Flitwick's desk. Flitwick was even more impressed now.
"Tremendous! I think you've finally gained control of the basics," said Flitwick. "And I think that's about all I will teach you today. Your detentions and basic lessons on controlling your hand magic are at an end. You may go now. I'm sure you wouldn't want to keep your friends waiting."
"Yes sir," said Frodo. After grabbing his stuff and slinging his satchel over his shoulders, a though crept up on him. "Professor, you don't think the teachers will go easy on me."
"That I doubt. Your education is important, true, but don't be so hard on yourself. We will respect you and admire you as long as you are a good student." Flitwick added on a side note, "You are a very genuine person, capable of doing great deeds and pranks. Now off you go."
Frodo nodded, grinning at the compliment. He walked out of Flitwick's office, feeling changed but in a good way. As he walked down the seventh-floor corridor, Frodo spotted the Grey Lady – Helena Ravenclaw. Helena stared at the wall, not moving and not paying attention to him.
Frodo got her attention anyway. "You like me better now? I'm kinder now."
"That is your own doing, Mr. Baggins, not my own," said Helena.
Frodo found this hard to believe. "You were the one who convinced me."
"You should be grateful we're talking," said Helena, floating towards him.
"Wha – What have you got against me?" asked Frodo, stunned.
"That is none of your concern," said Helena. She vanished into a ball of light, darting down the corridor until she disappeared around the corner.
Astonished, Frodo could admit one thing in frustration, "Girls." Shaking his thoughts off the whole mess, Frodo continued walking down the seventh-floor corridor.