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. To LOTCR, for her ideas for this story. 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.

I need to make an apology to you, my fellow readers, about not updating. I had to clear my mind of some things and make an apology to DoctorWhovian18, who I hope she forgives me, since I misinterpreted things.

The journey from Buckland to Hobbiton took much of the morning and well into the afternoon to complete by carriage. Bilbo did stop the carriage until they reached the village of Frogmorton; so that way he, Frodo and Aria could grab some lunch. Frodo found Aria to be a bit closed off, more so than when they first met. In Aria's mind, she couldn't believe all the happiness was real. It felt like a distant dream to her. She jolted out of her reverie when Frodo nudged her shoulder. Aria did her best to grin, but found she was unable to.

Frodo asked her then and there, "Aria, if there is anything on your mind, anything at all, you can tell me. I'm a good listener."

"This doesn't feel real," admitted Aria, rather snarky.

Frodo was astonished. "What? Why would you say that? Of course this is real."

"No, it's not that. All this happiness. I'm more used to everyone ignoring me, acting as though they want to… no, it must have been inside my head," said Aria, feeling glum.

"What's wrong?" asked Frodo, concerned.

Aria felt as though she could talk to Frodo. Maybe he would listen to her. "The truth is I've been so… I thought everyone was ignoring me, treating me like an outsider. I mean, it's how I've been treating people…" She stopped herself. Was that really what she had been doing? She thought it was the other way around. She admitted, feeling like an ignorant, selfish git. "I've been so blind."

"Well, I know the rules are different in Middle-earth, compared to your world. Maybe you should give this a chance. Do you love your family?" asked Frodo, curious.

Aria gazed at him now. She had been so horrid to everyone that it was unfair to them, to even herself. She needed to be more considerate of others. She just knew she had to be. It was what was fair to them and to her. Maybe she should stop talking about herself. Faintly, she admitted, "I… do love them, my family. They only want to do what is right for me. Maybe I've been too spoiled, expecting too much of others."

"At least you can admit it. Most people wouldn't find the courage like you have," said Frodo, smiling at her.

"Yeah," said Aria, smiling back.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself either, Aria. You should enjoy life, love those who are kind to you, be yourself. Yes, we have a deity: Eru Ilúvatar, who I'm sure Bilbo can tell you more about," said Frodo.

"Why not you?" asked Aria, curious.

Frodo was beside himself. Should he inquire about Eru? This wasn't something he was used to discussing with anyone. "Eh…" He grinned sheepishly. Butterflies protruded his stomach. Why was he getting these impulses towards her? This didn't feel right, but then… all he could do was stare at her, mesmerized by her beauty. Wait… what story was he in?

Luckily for Frodo, Bilbo returned with some food. Frodo gave a quick glance at Aria as he passed to her his food, stopping the moment his fingers touched hers. The two children looked at each other with awkward glances. It was a moment they couldn't forget and yet at the same time it did feel right.

Bilbo interrupted their reverie. "Frodo my lad, don't let your sandwiches grow warm."

"Oh. Sorry uncle," said Frodo, glancing away at Aria.

Aria felt butterflies enter her heart. It was soft, but even this moment meant something. Maybe she would enjoy happiness after all this time. It could become real, the happiness and hope. She didn't need to be so afraid of it any longer.

o-o-o

After lunch, Bilbo drove the cart onwards to Hobbiton. Only this time, both Bilbo and Frodo allowed Aria to sit in the driver's seat with them. Aria proved to be skinnier than they thought, which made Frodo feel relieved as they could now fit three to the driver's seat instead of there being just two, but maybe this was what he was thought the whole time. To make sure Aria didn't fall off the edge, Frodo allowed her to sit in-between him and Bilbo. That way, Aria felt safe and they wouldn't have to worry about her so much. Once again, Aria felt privileged, but she began wondering why this was always expected with her. Maybe she would ask, but then… maybe it was better to leave well enough alone.

At last, they made it to Hobbiton and were on their way up to Bag End. Aria was once again amazed at the sights of the Shire. Of course, that didn't exclude her from being pointed at and given quizzical expressions from various hobbits. Frodo gladly defended Aria, mostly by telling those at Hobbiton that it was a new look for hobbits. However, this led to much disdain from several passing hobbits.

It was mid-afternoon when Bilbo stopped the cart at Bag End. He instructed Frodo to help unload his and Aria's trunks. Frodo did as requested, while Bilbo took the cart back to the stables. After Bilbo drove the cart down the Hill, Frodo led Aria up the stone steps and inside Bag End. Aria was right away amazed at the sight of Bag End; it had been her dream to visit the hobbit-hole and now she had her chance.

Setting her trunk down, Aria zoomed through Bag End to get a good look at everything. Frodo chuckled in amusement at how fast Aria sped off. He never seen someone more intrigued by a hobbit house in all his life… well that was until he met Aria. Deciding to take advantage of Aria's flighty excitement, Frodo took his trunk to the room Bilbo allowed him to use, as well as taking Aria's trunk into the guest room next to his. He did not know why, but somehow Frodo wanted to keep an eye on Aria, as she looked the sort to get lost easily. In fact… where was Aria?

Concern coursed through his veins as Frodo searched the whole of Bag End for Aria. He didn't have to look for long, as he found Aria in the cellar. But what was she doing next to Bilbo's wine. Quickly, Frodo dragged Aria out of the cellar, away from the wine bottles. Aria was beside herself and confused.

"I just wanted to look! Why can't I look, Frodo?" asked Aria. She had such innocence to her that Frodo was nearly afraid to tarnish.

Frodo would have to choose his words carefully and be considerate towards her. He feared Aria was like a flighty fawn, ready to spring if anything bad was said. Frodo looked her in the eyes and said, "Wait until you're older. For now, we're not supposed to touch Bilbo's wine."

"Why not?" asked Aria, confused and curious.

Frodo sighed. As soon as they were out of the cellar, Frodo tried again, "Because the wine has alcohol in it and alcohol is what adults drink. Since we're not adults, we're not ready to drink wine or ale or even beer. It's just something us kids can't have. Now you understand?"

Aria nodded. She was a little hurt, but understood immediately. "Don't touch the wine or the ale or the beer. I got it."

Boy, she caught on fast. Frodo told her, with a grin, "So, getting off the subject of wine, would you like to see where your room is?"

"Sure," said Aria, following Frodo into the guest room. Bag End was so huge. She knew she would get lost again if Frodo wasn't there to find her first.

As soon as they were in Aria's room, Frodo inquired, "So what brought you to Hogwarts in the first place?"

Aria looked at Frodo with renewed eyes. "I guess I like the castle, the fact that it's a school and I wanted to meet Harry Potter and you."

"You'll get your chance to meet Harry. I'm sure of it," said Frodo.

"I don't know what I'd say to him. Just like I didn't know what to say to you the first time we met," said Aria. "Of course, I mean we've talked and all and… I'm rambling again."

Frodo grinned. "It's all right. We all ramble. You've done nothing wrong."

Aria went silent. She felt as though she had done something terrible. She looked away, turning her gaze to the floorboards and the rug.

Frodo noticed at once, "You're shy, aren't you?"

"You're not," said Aria.

Frodo chuckled sheepishly, "Actually, I am. I've just done my best not to show it. Of course…" his voice faltered then and there, proving he was in the right about his shyness.

Seeing Frodo's hands were resting on the bed frame, Aria did the only thing she wanted to do, just to prove he was real: place a hand over Frodo's hand. Frodo's eyes widened at this, glancing at Aria with a stunned gaze. Very quickly, Frodo tore his hands away from the bed frame, moving to the doorway. Aria felt guilty now. Maybe she was responsible for a lot of things.

"I'm sorry," said Aria, doing her best to apologize, hoping that it would resolve the situation. "I shouldn't have…"

"No, it's not your fault," said Frodo, still not looking at her. He couldn't believe what had happened. His heart nearly skipped a beat. Turning to Aria then, Frodo said hesitantly, "I should… leave. I should…" He darted off into his room and closed the door fast. Unknown to him, Aria was giggling, feeling butterflies reach her stomach and heart.

Frodo was in shock. Why was this happening to him? What were these new feelings he was experiencing? They didn't feel right… oh, they did, but they were strange to him. Aria was so pretty, so… no, he needed to think this through. He needed to get over these emotions… no, he would regret these feelings at once. As he paced about the room, an uncontrollable grin swept across his face. He couldn't help it, but then he didn't want to stop grinning. Something was happening to him. He was only twelve years old.