Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
Acknowledgements: To TooLazyToLogin for giving me the original idea for this 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. And I'd also like to thank Frodo and the hobbits for their help with this story as well. Yes, that sounds crazy to the normal readers, but I'm still thanking Frodo and his friends anyway.
Guest Reviews
LOTCR: Yeah, but I'm relieved to have told the truth, something which I should have done at the beginning of this story. Oh well. Hehehehehe, yes, Frodo does have the cutest puppy dog eyes. –Frodo: Why thank you, Aria. *blushes*- -Merry and Pippin: Oh fine. *passes the large box of cinnamon buns to me, only to discover that only half of the cinnamon buns are gone- Merry, Pippin, you need to slow down on your eating frenzy. You're about as bad as me. -Merry: You see? We did make you a hobbit- *rolls eyes at them, grinning*
Frodo: I did when J.R.R. Tolkien first wrote about me and my life. I didn't give away too much details, for privacy's sake. Now, I'm used to it, except for the slash. I don't like slash, not at all. *shivers*- I know this because I had a vivid dream about this situation and when Frodo awoke, he sputtered and looked disgusted. So yeah, Frodo's definitely against slash. –Frodo: Thank you, Aria. *smiles at me*-
Well, at least Lotho's busy. –Lotho shakes his fist in the air to show off his anger- I'll leave you alone then.
Well, that explains why you're into Doctor Who, same as DoctorWhovian18. I'm not really into science, more fantasy than science. I just have this theory that God first created fantasy, which explains some of the fantastic creatures he brings up in the Bible. Well, even with being Frodo's fan, I do get some quirks of fangirl in me. It took me a while to get comfortable writing about Frodo. Even then, I knew him enough to keep him in-character and it's worked in the long run. –Frodo smiles at me- I think I can understand girls' reactions after a while and if it's the same thing over and over again, but even though I am one, I have to agree with you and Frodo. –Frodo: You're pretty easy to understand, Aria- Thanks. Of course I like chocolate chip. It's my favorite cookie. –Eats down a bunch of chocolate chip cookies- Delicious! –Hermione: Do you ever stop eating? Frodo: Hermione, we're hungry- Ah, now I get what you were saying. O-kay, that was weird, what you just said about my violent thoughts. Okay, this is getting weird. Well, I still wish you luck.
Well, I'm glad it all worked out.
Thanks for the idea. I was getting stuck there. But now, you'll have to wait and see if I use it or not…
Yup.
Frodo spent much of the next week deciphering who the author of the book was. He got a few hints: the author was a Ravenclaw and a fairly known fanfiction writer. What on Middle-earth was fanfiction? At least he knew this author was also in his house. This was very puzzling. Couldn't he know the author's gender? The book added that this particular author was a she.
So it was one of the girls! Bravo for him for finding that out! But eh… which girl?
"Won't you give me a name?" asked Frodo.
But the book stayed the same, new inked handwriting not appearing on the cover page. Frodo slammed the book shut, frustration seething. Wondering if he did something wrong, Frodo opened the book again to the cover page, only to discover some inked handwriting, directly to him:
Don't damage the merchandise, Frodo Baggins. It is a library book, you know.
"A cheeky author," said Frodo, slightly impressed. "I'll have to get to know this one in person." Deciding to be gentle, Frodo closed the book in a quiet manner. He then re-deposited the book inside his satchel, before departing for class.
That day, November 22nd, was his final exam for the Hobbit Introductory class. He couldn't afford to miss this class, but then he hardly missed a class unless there was a very good reason behind his absence. Frodo met the rest of the hobbit first years in front of the classroom. Pearl looked at him sharply. Why was she still mad at him? As far as he could recall, he had been focused on the game. Wasn't that important? Hoping not to upset her, Frodo waved to her. The moment was too awkward. Seeing Pearl giggle, Frodo quickly put down his hand. There was a small glint in his eye and a fluttery feeling in his chest, but it was small. He didn't like girls, did he? This was very awkward.
The door was unlocked by Professor Cheryhill, who returned to her desk as the class filed in. Lotho shoved Frodo, before making his way to the backseat. Ignoring the hobbit that was taller than he, Frodo approached his usual spot and sat down. He looked over his shoulder at Merry, who sat down next to him at the same desk. Pippin sat down at a desk with Sam, while Fredegar sat by himself but right behind Frodo and Merry. Pippin and Sam sat in the middle row, right next to Frodo and Merry's desk. Frodo stared at the desk, feeling privileged to have friends. Lotho sneered at the five hobbits, a couple of rows ahead of him. At least Lotho had a diagonal direction, so he could see Frodo. It was the perfect angle to pick on Frodo.
Rosie Cotton giggled behind Sam. Getting his attention, Rosie made a small wave his way. Sam blushed before turning back around. Sam had not gone unnoticed.
"Sam, are you all right?" asked Pippin.
"Uh…" Sam could not stop blushing.
Class began with a small lecture from Professor Cherryhill: "Welcome to class. As this is your final class, you will not need to take this again in the years to come. You have all the basics you need and know what you excel at. Therefore, this particular exam will focus on your strengths, but also your weaknesses. You will be tested on each magical skill. This exam will determine what you need to focus on in the years to come and later on, as I have said before. The proctor will be testing each of you individually. You will get your results before Christmas break." She went in order according to last name. As usual, Frodo wasn't first, but he was relieved and also growing nervous. What test would the proctor give him?
As the hobbit students filed in and out of the next room, Professor Cherryhill called, "Baggins, Frodo."
This was it! Nervously, Frodo stood up, walked across the front of the desks and towards an ajar door. Opening the door, Frodo entered what appeared to be an antechamber. There, he found the proctor, a brownish-gold haired hobbit woman, wearing a long set of robes, standing in the center of the room. She turned to him with a studious glint in her eyes.
"Close the door," said the hobbit lass. It was obvious she had done this before.
Doing as he was told, Frodo shut the door and strode into the room. This hobbit woman looked so much taller than he. He felt very small. The hobbit woman shook her head.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not intimidating," said the hobbit proctor.
Well, he did need to get his exam done. Standing next to the hobbit woman now, this proctor made a stone block appear on the table. She instructed Frodo, "Show me you can levitate this stone block, using whatever means necessary to achieve the goal. That is, if you can perform magic."
If? Stuffing his wand in his breeches' pocket, Frodo used his hand magic to levitate the stone block, but the task proved difficult. He could only keep the stone block in the air for ten seconds, before dropping it. He was out of breath, putting his hands on his knees to rest. The proctor jotted down some notes on a clipboard, and then nodded to Frodo.
"Good. Now, show me transfiguration. Transform this stone block into an animal and then back again, using whatever means necessary to achieve your goal," said the hobbit proctor.
That was easy. Regaining his strength, Frodo snapped his fingers at the stone block and turned it into a white chicken. The chicken clucked, bobbing its head and looking at Frodo and the proctor. Before the chicken moved, Frodo snapped his fingers again, transforming the chicken back into a stone block. He did it in rapid time.
The proctor wrote on her parchment again, nodded, and then told Frodo, "Now move the block using magic. One of your classmates already attempted to move the block using his hands and pinched his fingers."
"Okay," said Frodo. In rapid time, Frodo used his hand magic to push the block forward a ways.
As soon as the proctor jotted down what she needed, she told Frodo, as she made a brazier appear on top of the block, "Now, light a fire using the spell you learned in Herbology."
Snapping his fingers, Frodo lit the brazier. He was pleased with himself; however, nervousness seeped in as the proctor wrote down on her clipboard notes that he couldn't see. How many more tasks would he have to go through?
The proctor told him, "Very good, Mr. Baggins. You may go."
Relieved, but wondering how well he did, Frodo left the antechamber. Returning to the classroom, Frodo sat back down at his and Merry's desk. Professor Cherryhill continued reading through the list. However, some of his classmates left the classroom, having already finished their test. Getting up out of his seat, Frodo approached Professor Cherryhill's desk. He got up on the tops of his toes just so he could see her.
Professor Cherryhill, saying very few words, told Frodo, in a whisper, "You may go. Unless you have something you need to tell me."
"Thanks," whispered Frodo back. He put his books away, grabbed his satchel, whispered a farewell to Merry and left the class. He was now free for the rest of the afternoon and the weekend, with the exception of homework and the Quidditch match the next morning between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
o-o-o
Sometime in the afternoon, that same day, Frodo met with Sam, Merry, Pippin and Fredegar. Frodo wanted to know how they did. He knew he said he wouldn't talk to them, due to finding out what Harry, Ron and Hermione, but for some reason he couldn't avoid them.
"How did you think you did?" Frodo asked them all.
"All right," admitted Merry.
"It wasn't too bad," said Pippin. "I thought I did good on the charms part of the exam."
"I did all right," said Sam, sheepish.
"What are you talking about, Sam? You told me last week you excel at Herbology," admitted Frodo, not understanding Sam's shyness.
"It's true, Sam," said Pippin.
Merry said nothing towards Sam's achievement in Herbology. He did not need to enlighten another O student.
Turning to Fredegar, Frodo asked him, "And how did you think you did, Fatty?"
Fredegar shook his head. "I did horrible!"
"That's not true…"
"It's true. I study so hard and I still fumble on the exam. I'm a washout," cried Fredegar.
"I'm sure that's not true," said Frodo.
Merry reminded Frodo: "Don't you have Quidditch practice?"
"Big game tomorrow," said Pippin. "We'll be cheering on the Ravenclaws."
"What about my house?" asked Sam, befuddled.
Merry looked at Sam, before correcting Pippin. "We'll be cheering for both Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw."
"Somebody's gotta win this year," admitted Pippin.
"Right. I'll see you later," said Frodo, charging off down the corridor.
He made it out onto the castle grounds. Heading towards the Quidditch Gate, Frodo arrived right as his teammates were filing out. Frodo approached Ned Timbers, the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain. Did he miss something? Why wasn't he informed?
"I had an exam. I'm sorry. I couldn't make it," said Frodo.
"And for that, you'd better be lucky you're on the team, Frodo. Well, I might as well give you an hour to practice then. But Jeremiah's going to be tomorrow's Seeker," said Timbers. "That isn't a problem."
"No sir," said Frodo, a little depressed.
"Now don't be down on your luck, Baggins. Suit up and meet me out on the Quidditch pitch," said Timbers, heading back into the locker room.
As soon as Frodo was in his Quidditch uniform, he followed Timbers out onto the Quidditch Pitch. Clambering onto the beginner's broomstick, Frodo flew into the air, right as Timbers threw the Snitch. At that, Frodo was off in search of the Snitch. It didn't take Frodo very long to find the Snitch and raced after it. He must have been very quick because Frodo caught the Snitch in his hand, before gliding down to Timbers. He was more than happy to be back on the ground, but he didn't elaborate to Timbers.
"Well done, Frodo. If we ever need you as Seeker, in replace of Jeremiah, we'll let you know. You're still our Substitute," admitted Timbers.
"Thanks," said Frodo, handing the Snitch back to the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain, who put it away.
"Let's head back. I think you're ready to play an actual game now," said Timbers.
"And yet you still have Jeremiah," said Frodo.
"What's so bad? This is his last year. Let's give him a chance to win a few games," admitted Timbers. "You always have an issue with him."
"Seems I do," said Frodo. Letting Timbers talk all he wanted, Frodo followed him back to the Ravenclaw locker room. It had been a long day indeed. Tomorrow's game would be filled with excitement and anticipation. Maybe he would get a chance to play… or maybe not.
o-o-o
"Welcome to the second Quidditch match of the season. For today's game, it's Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. I'm your commentator Lee Jordan. This year we have a new substitute Seeker: Frodo Baggins," commentated Lee. "Frodo has been a known prankster this year, but will we be able to see him in action? He's bound to be good…"
"Jordan, no favoritism," said Professor McGonagall, keeping an eye on Lee.
"Sorry, Professor," said Lee, sheepish.
Frodo stood in the wooden corridor on the ground level with his beginner's broomstick. He did not want to find out how the match would turn out, yet he listened in to Lee's commentary. Lee apparently covered all the action, so Frodo didn't have to worry about paying attention much to the game on hand:
Lee commentated, "The Quaffle is released… and the match begins! Hufflepuff takes possession of the Quaffle… Ravenclaw isn't letting Hufflepuff score… Ravenclaw ahead by ten!"
That was good. Maybe Ravenclaw would win. Then Frodo thought of Sam…
"Hufflepuff scores! Tied by ten points!"
The match continued.
"Ravenclaw scores, ahead by twenty – Hufflepuff scores – Hufflepuff scores again, ahead by thirty! Is that the Snitch?" Lee had spotted glinting gold zoom onto the Quidditch pitch. "The Seekers are in pursuit. Jeremiah could give Ravenclaw a chance to win. What's Jeremiah doing? Well, he's been the charmer of the seventh years – but can he win a match for Ravenclaw? Jeremiah is in pursuit, but not for long – Hufflepuff wins the match!"
"What?" Frodo asked, confused and bewildered. He did not have binoculars, but he had a feeling that Jeremiah was showing off rather than playing Quidditch. He knew he was angry, but he was mainly keeping it to himself.
The moment his teammates returned to the wooden platform, Frodo had to move out of the way before his teammates rammed him over. They hardly noticed Frodo was there, but then they failed to look down. Frodo returned to the Ravenclaw locker room solo. As he changed back into his hobbit school uniform, he was met by Timbers, who now had an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry you didn't have a chance to compete, Frodo," said Timbers.
"I did warn you about Jeremiah," whispered Frodo.
Timbers said nothing and walked away, returning to Jeremiah. Feeling alone, Frodo walked towards the gate. Just as he did, Jeremiah approached him. He too had an apologetic look.
"I don't know what happened out there. I thought I would catch the Snitch," said Jeremiah.
"It's okay. You didn't know what you were doing," said Frodo.
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course I know what I'm doing. I love to play Quidditch," said Jeremiah, not understanding.
"I can see that," said Frodo. However, he was grabbed by the shoulder and spun around by none other than Jeremiah.
"Don't toy with me, Baggins. You may be new to Quidditch, but you're still a first year and a substitute Seeker. Don't think it's just you that matters. There are other people that matter too," said Jeremiah. "I thought I'd give you a lesson before you question anyone older than you again."
"What's that mean?" asked Frodo.
"Simple: it's not just about you," said Jeremiah. Finding his fellow teammates, Jeremiah left the Ravenclaw locker rooms.
Frodo was still angry with Jeremiah for losing the match against Hufflepuff. Even though Jeremiah's words were true, it didn't make up for his actions on the field. Timbers advanced towards him with some helpful news.
Once Jeremiah was well out of earshot, Timbers informed Frodo, "Well, you are right about Jeremiah goofing off. If this behavior keeps up, I may have to replace him with you."
"If that would help. You don't have to…"
"No, but we need a good Seeker that can pay attention to the game and you're it, Frodo," said Timbers. "The thing is Jeremiah's been goofing off ever since he's entered his seventh and final year at Hogwarts. That behavior won't do out in the real world. That's why, I'm going to pay attention more to your practices and get you practiced up for the next match against Slytherin. We can't let Slytherin win this year, like they did last year. I'll see you at practice, but before then I'll let you know when we'll be practicing."
"Great. Thanks," said Frodo, heading out of the locker room.
So, after all this time, Timbers needed him to win the next match of the season. It was about time, too. Okay, maybe Frodo did not need to complain so much, but at least his practicing was paying off in the long run. He couldn't wait to send a letter to his mama. She and Papa would want to hear this triumph, even though the match against Hufflepuff had fallen short for Ravenclaw.