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.
Thanks to this chapter, the story did end up rushing and we skipped through major chunks of the story. I am well aware there are chunks missing in the first Harry Potter book. Hopefully, we'll get to see those missing scenes in this story. Forgive me for those who reviewed. If your reviews are still up, you'll have to write a guest review to the same chapter you reviewed, as your old reviews may no longer be consistent with the rest of the story. This story may end up longer than planned, but that's fine. I'd like to keep this story consistent. Besides, it's meant to be a slow story, but not too slow.
The following morning, at around 8:30, the day Frodo and Aria would return to Hogwarts, two carts appeared in the Entrance Hall of Bag End. Bilbo was pleased that, even though he had been away from Hogwarts now for the past couple of decades, the carts still found their way to his hobbit home. Gathering their luggage and their owl cages – Prim, Frodo's owl, was still flying around outside in search of a field mouse, while Aria's owl Hedwer had taken flight to deliver one of Aria's recent letters to the Authors' House – with assistance from Bilbo, no doubt, Frodo and Aria were able to get their trunks and owl cages loaded up onto each cart.
Now, it was time to ring the gold bell, which rested at the very centermost part of the front green door. Frodo was amazed that, even here at Bag End, Bilbo's hobbit-hole also possessed a gold doorbell.
Bilbo, approaching the door, told the two, "When you're ready, children."
"You ready?" asked Frodo, staring at Aria.
Aria nodded. "I'm ready. Let's go."
Frodo returned his gaze to his uncle, surprised at how fast Aria's reaction turned out. "I'm ready as I'll ever be, uncle."
"Right," said Bilbo. He instructed them, "Now, let's think of the place we need to go, ring the bell and open the door."
Frodo closed his eyes hard. He did not want to miss this chance to go back to Hogwarts and apologize to his friends. It was crucial he return now. He couldn't miss this chance for anything. His mind drew him back to Platform 9 ¾, which almost rippled into form, taking a life all its own. His eyes snapped open the moment Bilbo opened the front door.
Before them was the platform, and there, standing on the rails, was the Hogwarts Express. Frodo waited until Aria zipped past him and through the open doorway, before he darted in after her. Bilbo followed at an impressive rate, but did everyone a favor by closing the door, which on the other side was not painted and looked very much like an ordinary round wooden door. It was still early and there wasn't much of a crowd, which in Frodo's mind was good since that meant he and Aria could find a good compartment to sit in that was still empty… and get changed into their school uniforms.
Finding one of the train carriage doors, Frodo, with help from Bilbo opening the door, unloaded his cart. Immediately, he darted inside, discovering that all the compartments were empty. He went inside the middle compartment, setting his trunk on the seat as well was his owl's cage. Once this was done, Frodo dashed back to the compartment door, where Bilbo and Aria waited. Taking her trunk off her hands, Frodo dragged the trunk to his compartment and set it down on the opposite seat. Frodo nearly bumped into Aria as she entered the compartment.
"Oh, I'm sorry," said Aria, apologizing better by staying outside the compartment. As soon as Frodo backed further into the compartment, Aria set her owl cage by the door side window.
With these tasks done, Frodo called to Aria, "Come on. Let's say farewell to my uncle."
"Won't we be seeing him again?" asked Aria, curious.
Frodo thought it over on the way down the corridor, "Well… not until five months from now, counting this month, when we're done at Hogwarts for the year. I read it on the notice board in the Ravenclaw Tower."
"I remember that notice," said Aria, absentmindedly.
Frodo was stunned. Gazing at her for a moment, confusion sweeping across his demeanor, Frodo replied, "You saw that? I haven't seen you in Ravenclaw Tower…"
"Frodo, your uncle's right there!" spoke Aria, pointing out the open carriage door.
Indeed, Frodo had arrived at the open compartment door much sooner than he expected. Grateful for this warning, and not stirring the accident of him crashing onto the stone floor, Frodo stepped out of the carriage, embracing Bilbo in an effort not to let go, as if the Shire would slip away from the hobbit boy's grasp before he had the chance to return. Stunned by this effort, yet not wanting to upset the boy, Bilbo wrapped his arms around Frodo in a tender, fatherly manner.
Aria hardly understood the meaning of… no, she couldn't let her terrible thoughts in. She was better than this. Bilbo raised a hand out to Aria, as did Frodo. Neither wanted her to feel lonely. Beaming, Aria rushed up to the two hobbits, falling into the hug. While Aria did not have a strong grasp as the other two, she nonetheless made an effort to hug Bilbo and Frodo. The group hug only lasted for a few moments, upon which Bilbo released the two children.
"All right, you two better get a move on. You don't want your compartment taken by another student," warned Bilbo. It was the best one he had for this situation.
"We won't," said Aria, perkiness returning to her facial features.
However, Frodo wasn't finished. Facing his uncle, Frodo asked him, "My parents know you brought me and Aria here…"
"Yes, my lad, they're already aware we're here. We planned it out before I brought you and Aria to Bag End, on Christmas morning," said Bilbo.
"Right," said Frodo. His parents already knew this would happen. Of course they knew. Perking up, Frodo said one final farewell to Bilbo, "Well, until we meet again, uncle."
"Five months, Frodo, adding this month, and you'll be back in the Shire," said Bilbo.
Frodo gave Bilbo a fierce wide grin. Stepping into the carriage, Frodo closed the carriage's door, waving to his uncle from the windows inside. Bilbo waved back, showing no tears streaming down his face. Frodo will do fine, Bilbo thought, watching the lad from where he stood. The two hobbits continued their waving until more parents and Hogwarts students arrived. Not wanting to lose his compartment, Frodo dashed inside, where Aria was already seated next to her trunk. She dressed while Frodo stood out in the corridor, waving absentmindedly at his uncle. She now wore her Hogwarts school robes, which consisted of a long sapphire-blue robe, a baby-blue blouse, and a long grey skirt that went down to her knees. Frodo saw that she wore the same tennis shoes, as well as long white socks.
True, Frodo was amazed at Aria, who looked even more beautiful in her uniform. The only comment he gave her, a cheeky one at that, was, "You changed fast. Are those your school robes?"
Aria, a little offended by Frodo's snarky remark, told him, firmly, "Yes. All us authors and authoresses have to wear one at Hogwarts." She shrugged. "I've adjusted, but..."
"But what?" asked Frodo, closing the door and the shades.
"But I don't really like wearing uniforms," said Aria, announcing with a little whine.
A little taken back by the comment, Frodo asked her, speaking more maturely, "Is there any reason why you don't like them?"
"It's not that. It's in general," said Aria.
"Ah," said Frodo. He changed the subject on her. "Now, don't look. I'm going to get dressed."
Aria did as she was told. The second she saw Frodo start changing out of his country clothes, Aria's gaze fell instantly on the window. Her grimace only lasted a few minutes or so, at least until Frodo tapped her arm. Aria's shyness was revealed upon her face when she turned around, wondering why Frodo was getting her attention. She was still very shy. Frodo was now wearing his blue Hobbit school uniforms, with the Ravenclaw emblem sewn into the jacket and vest.
Frodo told her, kind and a little quiet, "Aria, I'm decent now."
Aria nodded, making sure he knew she was in agreement. Right away, she went after her trunk, doing her best to put it up on the rack. Frodo rushed over to her side, just as the train started to move out of the station.
"No, I think we should let an older student help us get these trunks on the racks," suggested Frodo.
"All right," said Aria. Thinking better of the situation, Aria spoke, politely, "Is there anyone around?"
As if on cue, there was a rasp on the compartment door. Opening the shades, Frodo discovered it was Fatty Bolger, waving to him with a crooked grin stretched across his face. Frodo opened the compartment door for him, giving Fatty entrance into his and Aria's compartment.
The moment Fatty sat down across from Aria, gabbing on about some family member getting into a rut, Frodo apologized to his four-month friend: "Fatty, I have to apologize for my behavior. Usually, I'm a kind and polite boy who craves a good adventure, and some pranks. I hope you can inform the others as well."
"I'll let them know you apologized. Thank you, Frodo. That's very generous of you," said Fatty. "Did you make a lot of friends in the Shire?"
"Yes, I have friends there. I know how to make friends and how to keep them," said Frodo.
Aria stared at her feet. She wished she was good at keeping friends.
"That's good practice, Frodo," said Fatty.
"Could you-" Frodo did not need to say much. As soon as he pointed to the trunks, Frodo stood back as Fatty loaded them onto the racks.
"Thanks." Frodo took a seat next to Aria. He asked Fatty, "So, you were having trouble with your sister."
Aria was a bit stunned, and once again uncomfortable. This tension managed to ease up for the first time, this time. Frodo blushed slightly; he found Aria's uncomfortable behavior quite cute… he was doing it again, and he only knew Aria for two weeks…
Fatty snapped Frodo out of his reverie. "Estella's got it into her head that I'm some sort of a whoopee cushion. So, she's been trying to get me to make raspberry noises all day yesterday. It's a bit annoying, actually."
Frodo couldn't help chuckling there. "She reminds me of Merry, and myself."
Fatty's eyes narrowed at that. "Just be grateful my sister isn't at Hogwarts yet. I'd hate to see what Estella's like around Merry. I hope she gets into Gryffindor."
"Well, I hope there's another hobbit from the Shire that's in Ravenclaw next year. All the other hobbits in my house are from other worlds… no offense, Aria," said Frodo.
"None taken," said Aria. She informed the two hobbit boys, "Although, I read up that Middle-earth is a precursor to my world, Earth. Maybe both worlds are parallel to each other. Maybe they're not."
Fatty shook his head in annoyance. "So you're Frodo's new friend?"
"I'm Aria. Aria Breuer, but my nickname is Maisie by those at the Authors' House. And also in the Authors and Authoresses' Chamber at Hogwarts. Depending on the hobbit whose in what house, and what our values our, each author and authoress is assigned to a hobbit attending Hogwarts. It started up again this year," explained Aria.
"She sounds like Hermione," said Frodo. He asked Fatty, "So, whose your author?"
"My authoress is a Hufflepuff and a bit annoying. She says she has a crush on me. Of all the nerve," said Fatty.
"Aria has a crush on me, too," said Frodo.
Aria's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She didn't like announcing these things in public.
Their conversation was interrupted by the food trolley witch, who asked the three, "Anything off the trolley, dears?"
Frodo and Fatty charged towards the food trolley, wizard money on hand. Aria, feeling last and annoyed, grabbed her money from her pocket, before regrouping with the two hobbit boys. They were so much taller than she.
"A pumpkin pastie, three cauldron cakes, and two liquorice wands," said Frodo.
Aria told him, "You're going to eat all of that?"
"They're not just for me," said Frodo to Aria, before he paid for the sweets.
"I'll get my own, Frodo," said Fatty, telling the food trolley witch what he was having.
When it was Aria's turn, she told the witch, hesitant, "I'll have a pumpkin pastie, please?"
"Here you are, dear," said the food trolley witch, passing to Aria the unopened packet. The moment Aria stepped away from the food trolley, the witch continued her rounds.
Having the cauldron cake and the pumpkin pastie on hand, Fatty admitted to Frodo and Aria, "I'm in the next compartment. I should head back. Hermione and Neville will be missing me, wondering where I am."
"All right," said Frodo, chuckling giddily. "And let them know what I said."
"I will," said Fatty, disappearing down the corridor with his sweets.
Frodo peered at Aria's only sweet, which she ate in small bites. He asked her, "Savoring your food?"
"I don't want to waste it," admitted Aria.
"I can give you some of my sweets," said Frodo, grinning at her.
"No, that's fine. You keep them," said Aria.
"I insist. Besides, I'd rather not waste dinner on too many sweets, you know," said Frodo. He passed to her one of his cauldron cakes. "Here and here's a liquorice wand."
"Thanks, but I don't like black liquorice," admitted Aria.
"More for me then," said Frodo, snatching the liquorice wand from Aria's grasp. Although Aria didn't say anything, the glare she gave him sent shivers up and down Frodo's spine. But that didn't deter Frodo's chipper mood. Chuckling, Frodo said, patting her back, "Oh, you need to lighten up every once in a while."
"We still hardly know each other," said Aria, chomping down her pumpkin pastie. Holding the small box with the cauldron cake inside, Aria told Frodo, politely, "Thanks for this."
Frodo grinned back, returning a reply, "You're quite welcome." While munching on a cauldron cake, as soon as he consumed his second liquorice wand, Frodo asked Aria, on a more serious note, "So, will you be attending the feast tonight? Or any night? I haven't seen you around."
"I've been at the feast, since we started the term back in September. Didn't you see me?" asked Aria, curious.
Frodo shook his head. "I didn't know you then. I do now."
Aria blushed warmly. "I'll sit with you, Frodo. If you must know, I'll be in the Authors and Authoress' Chamber between meals. All student authors and authoresses take classes there, different from the witches, wizards and hobbits at Hogwarts. We're kind of cut off from everyone, except during meals."
"So, where is this Authors and Authoress' Chamber, if I might ask?" asked Frodo, curious.
"It's by the Viaduct, in a secret corridor found behind the Portrait of Günther der Gewalttätige ist der Gewinner," said Aria, speaking a little German due to the portrait.
"Huh?" asked Frodo, not understanding German. "Behind who?"
"Sorry. It's German for 'Gunther the Violent Is the Winner'. In truth, it's the Portrait of Gunther the Violent and he's not a very friendly portrait, hence his name. He speaks fluently in both German and English. He may know Westron, but I can't be sure. You'll have to talk to him and see if he'll let you in. The password this year is 'Gunther is great'. He's sure to let you in, I hope," explained Aria.
"Thanks. I'll try it when we're back at Hogwarts," said Frodo.
"Okay. I'll look forward to meeting you in the Authors and Authoress' Chamber," said Aria.
"Hopefully, we're not too overloaded with homework," admitted Frodo.
"Yeah. It's been a long time since I had any real fun. Most of my time is devoted to writing and reading," said Aria.
Frodo chuckled at this, "Don't worry, Aria. I'll make sure to keep you from being bored. I'll even let you in on a few pranks."
"Oh, I don't prank…" She ate her cauldron cake in a hurried fashion. She was still hungry, her stomach growled without warning.
Frodo couldn't help but laugh, passing to her his second cauldron cake.
"Thanks," said Aria. She opened the packet quickly. As soon as she had the cauldron cake on hand, Aria stuffed her face with it, doing her best to keep her face clean.
"Come on. Pranking is fun. I'll even introduce you to Fred and George," said Frodo.
Hermione charged into the compartment. She was ecstatic. "Frodo, so you've finally come to your senses! In that case, I officially welcome you to be a part of my group with Harry and Ron. Fredegar insists on telling Merry, Pippin and Sam about your apology, but you might as well tell them yourself."
"I'll get on it," said Frodo. "Thanks." A thought occurred to him. Stopping Hermione in her tracks, Frodo asked her, "Wait, Hermione. Do you know the portrait of Gunther the Violent?"
"The one leading into the Authors and Authoresses' Chamber?" asked Hermione. "I've heard mention of it. You can find it in Hogwarts: A History, if you want to learn more about it. I have a copy of the book, in case you wanted to read more about…"
"No, I'll check the library. Thanks Hermione," said Frodo, refusing the offer.
"Very well. The train conductor says we'll be at Hogwarts soon," said Hermione.
"Okay," said Frodo.
Taking the hint that it was the end of their conversation, Hermione retreated into hers, Neville's, and Fatty's compartment. Frodo and Aria were alone again.
"I'm not sure about pranking, Frodo," said Aria. "It doesn't sound like fun. It sounds more like mischief-making, but I would love to meet Fred and George Weasley."
Perfect. Frodo was expecting Aria to join him on his pranks. Giving a small grin of appreciation, Frodo replied, "Great. I'll introduce you to the twin brothers. You'll see. They're real friendly."
"I'm sure they are," said Aria, shyly.
The train conductor announced, "The train will arrive in five minutes. Please leave your luggage aboard. They will be brought to the castle."
"Come on, Aria," said Frodo, heading to the compartment door.
Aria followed, doing her best not to step on Frodo's heels. It was very hard for someone wearing shoes to not step on someone who walked barefooted, and Aria did her best to remind herself that Frodo wasn't wearing shoes.
Frodo admitted to her, before they stepped off the train, "I wish I could wear boots, like the Harfoots."
"Really? I'm sure the school could loan you some shoes," said Aria, making a quick suggestion. "Or you can buy some."
Frodo waved a hand, as if shooing away the suggestion. "No, no. It's fine. Although, come to think on it, the thought doesn't sound half bad."
"But I could still ask the teachers…"
"That's not necessary," said Frodo, keeping his voice firm. However, he received no response from Aria. "I'm sorry. I know how sensitive you are. I'll do my best to remember-" But he was cut off the second he stepped outside.
The weather was still bitter cold and snowy. Nightfall didn't help the situation. Peering over his shoulder, Frodo could tell Aria was freezing. She looked so frail. In hopes of keeping her a bit warmer, Frodo sped Aria down to the snowy shore with the other first years, where Hagrid waited for them.
o-o-o
Frodo never grew tired of the evening feasts at Hogwarts. All his favorite foods were there, but what made this evening a little more better was that Aria sat next to him. She was the first Ravenclaw friend Frodo had and he wasn't planning on getting her bored.
Frodo asked her, while they ate dinner, "So, what kind of grades have you gotten? Are you really talented or…"
"Nowadays, no," admitted Aria. "My grades are up and down. Besides, we're not in the same classes and the classes I'm in aren't magical, or have anything to do with magic. You wouldn't understand."
"Try me," said Frodo.
"Well, there's a lot to learn this first year: grammar and spelling, and how to show in your writing. Professor Cherryhill looked at my work I wrote about you, and she said its fine for a beginner. But it's hard. I've only filled out three or four pages in your book so far," admitted Aria.
"Maybe I'd like to try it," said Frodo.
Aria stared at him, stunned. "Frodo, you don't become a writer overnight. It takes time, patience, lots of patience. It's not easy to tell a story."
"It's worth a shot," said Frodo.
"Then you might ask one of the teachers," said Aria. "Besides, all my classes are either about writing or reading. I don't know if you even have that option, Frodo."
"You never know," said Frodo. He dug into his squash, eating a couple more bites until it was devoured.
Frodo continued asking Aria questions until Dumbledore sent them and the other students back to their dormitories. To Frodo's delight, Aria returned with him to the Ravenclaw Tower. From there, and finding themselves exhausted from the feast, Frodo and Aria parted ways.
"I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early," said Frodo, still grinning crookedly in her direction.
"I look forward to tomorrow," said Aria, sheepishly. Then it came to her as she made her way up the stairs to the Girls' Dormitory. It was a stupid line, and yet she said anyway. Now she felt like an idiot. She just knew it…
Frodo found his way to the Boys' Dormitory. Inside, he spotted another door, a little adjacent to the one leading up to the Mini Study Tower. The notice on the door read: KEEP OUT! Authors' Only! This only drew his curiosity further to the brink. Why were the Authors kept out-of-bounds from the other boys, who were their roommates? Why were they so important that they should be kept a secret? He was too eager, and yet sleep overcame his thoughts, making his mind hazy. As soon as Frodo changed into his night clothes and stored his uniform inside his wardrobe, sleep took him the moment his head hit the pillow.
Much better, isn't it? Well, from what we can tell of this chapter, there's going to be a lot going on ahead. Hopefully, this'll turn out to be a better second half at Hogwarts for Frodo's first year, as well as Harry's first year, but we already know Harry's story. Okay, bye! :)