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.

Okay, so the idea for Frodo pranking Lotho is sort of similar to a random idea that DoctorWhovian18 came up with for this story. Only, it's a little different and just as funny. Read on and you'll understand. Also, George Weasley makes a deliberate "Pirates of the Caribbean" quote, which I didn't realize until DoctorWhovian18 brought it up in her review. Trust me, I didn't realize I did this until afterwards.

Quidditch practice for Ravenclaw began Tuesday morning. Frodo, only having time enough to talk to Aria and his friends during breakfast, rushed to the Quidditch pitch, where he found Ned Timbers waiting for him. Ned was in a rather friendly mood that morning, which Frodo found a bit strange.

"You've made it, Frodo, and right on time, too. The rest of the team isn't here yet, but I'll let you practice as soon as you're ready," said Ned.

Frodo was at a loss for words. He was early! "Thanks. I appreciate this-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Ned, shooing him into the Ravenclaw locker room. "Just get changed."

Frodo rushed inside his team's locker room, double-time. He figured if he wanted to keep Ned in a pleasant mood meant having to step up his game, which included changing into his Quidditch uniform much faster than he was used to getting dressed. When he finally did dress, grabbed his Nimbus 2000 broomstick, and was ready to get started, Frodo followed Ned onto the Quidditch pitch.

Finding their way towards the middle of the field, Ned stopped and instructed Frodo, "Frodo, I know you're a little out of practice since the holidays, so we'll start out easy and then work our way to difficult, if you can handle yourself. Let's start by catching the Snitch." He released the Snitch into the air. "When the rest of the team gets here, we'll practice playing a mock Quidditch match."

Frodo clambered on his broomstick. When he was ready, Frodo lifted off into the air. It was a different experience being on his new Nimbus 2000. It was much faster than the Comet 260, which made it a little hard adjusting to the faster broomstick. Managing to get a good hold of his broomstick, Frodo searched for the Snitch. A glint of gold passed his vision, causing Frodo to snap his head in the direction the gold was flying. At an incredible speed, Frodo flew closer to the glint of gold, which turned out to be a winged gold ball. It was the Snitch and Frodo clasped his hand over the tiny gold ball. He returned to Ned with his catch.

Ned was impressed. "You caught the Snitch in ten seconds. But that's only when you're playing solo and the other team doesn't have a Reserve Seeker. You know a regular Quidditch match takes longer than ten seconds to complete."

"I was lucky," admitted Frodo, handing the gold ball to Ned.

"Let's keep practicing," said Ned, throwing the Snitch into the air…

When the rest of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team arrived, it turned out to be a real mock match. Frodo did his best to keep on his toes, especially around Jeremiah, who kept showing off. Jeremiah was still the Seeker and Frodo his substitute, so that hadn't changed, in spite of Frodo's promotion from second Substitute Seeker to first Substitute Seeker.

At the end of their training, the Ravenclaw team returned to their locker rooms. After changing back into his blue Hobbit school uniforms, Frodo left the locker room, grabbing his satchel which carried his books and supplies. It was on the way out of the Quidditch gate that Frodo was met by Aria. She was panting.

"You done?" asked Aria.

Frodo told her, calmly, "Take a few deep breaths. So, where have you been?"

"I only just got out of class, but I don't have much time," said Aria. "I came to see how you've been."

"I'm doing well. It was tough training today, but I'm working on it," said Frodo. "So, is there any chance we can-"

However, Aria ended their conversation there. "Oh, I've got to go. I should be back at the Authors and Authoresses' Chamber. I don't want to miss a class, you know. So bye!" She darted up the stairs a lot faster than she realized.

Frodo was astonished, but confused. He had hoped Aria would stay longer. Then there was Pearl… was Pippin seriously asking him why he wasn't spending much time with his eldest sister? It was a hard question to answer, but then maybe Pippin was only teasing him. Not bothering to figure out Pippin's question, Frodo made his way back to the castle grounds.

o-o-o

Thursday morning meant a lot to Lotho. It only meant so much to him because his dear mother sent him a letter, informing him that she had just made a knitted vest, especially for him. Lotho would cherish that vest when he returned home. He knew he would…

Oh no. Frodo Baggins was headed his way. What did that indecent hobbit want from him?

But in Frodo's mind, being in the middle of the Transfiguration Courtyard was the perfect spot to pull his prank on Lotho. It was one that Frodo, Fred and George concocted especially for this Slytherin hobbit boy:

"Lotho, Lotho! Did you hear? Today is Lotho Appreciation Day! A magnificent day in your honor, devoted entirely to you," said Frodo, cheerful.

"I've never heard of Lotho Appreciation Day. What's it about, besides it's in my honor?" Wait! Lotho understood then, and gave a snooty grin. "At last, people understand how deserving I am."

"Yes, why don't you go around school all day long and tell people about it. I'm sure they'll want to hear your most high-exalted hobbit what a glorious day it is for you," said Frodo.

"This isn't some prank," said Lotho, suspicious.

Frodo shook his head. "No Lotho. This is your day. Make use of it what you will."

"Well, in that case, let me through!" said Lotho, shoving Frodo out of the way.

Frodo shook his head for a moment, until he realized that Lotho fell for his prank. Brilliant! Wait until he told Fred and George the news! Frodo rushed off without saying another word to Lotho. It was better that he didn't spoil the moment.

Lotho told his fellow classmates and older students, "Today is Lotho Appreciation Day! You're celebrating me, you hear? Today is Lotho Appreciation Day! Today is…" And this mantra continued.

o-o-o

Frodo found Fred and George waiting for him in the first-floor corridor. The Weasley twins had a smirk on their faces. Somehow they knew the plan worked.

"Did he buy it?" asked Fred.

Frodo gave the twins a thumbs up.

Impressed, George told Fred, "See Fred? Frodo's learning."

"He'll be as good as us in no time," said Fred.

"Indeed," said Frodo. "I wonder how long Lotho will buy this prank. He was suspicious when I told him it."

"Oh, give it an hour, maybe two, and you'll see our plan come to its conclusion," said George.

"This'll be a show-stopper prank. Didn't you want to prank Lotho, Frodo? He's been bullying you ever since you've arrived," said Fred.

"Yeah, I did. This prank I can handle," said Frodo.

It was only a matter of time before something snapped. Frodo hoped Fred and George's prank was a success, but he didn't know for how long until someone told Lotho the truth. Frodo hoped he would come up with a good comeback line or a speech.

o-o-o

"What's this I hear about Lotho Appreciation Day, Goyle?" asked Malfoy, hoping to get a very good reason for Lotho's mantra.

"How should I know?" asked Goyle.

Malfoy shook his head. Goyle wasn't that smart. Malfoy turned to Crabbe. Maybe he would know what was going on. "What about you, Crabbe?"

"Well…" Crabbe scratched his head, trying to figure out what was going on. Did he miss lunch, or had it started yet? Maybe he missed it altogether. That wouldn't be good.

Malfoy got his attention with a sharp cry, "Crabbe, you oaf! What day is it?"

"Monday?" asked Crabbe.

"No, you twit. It's Thursday. I asked you about Lotho Appreciation Day," said Malfoy.

"Never heard of it," said Crabbe. "Does it have something to do with hating Potter?"

"I knew it. This 'Lotho Appreciation Day' doesn't exist! But I'll let that miserable oaf of a hobbit find out for himself," said Malfoy, shooing the thought away with his hand. He told Crabbe and Goyle, in an effort to get out of the corridor before Lotho arrived, "Come on Crabbe, Goyle. Let's find someone who's less deserving. How about Granger or maybe Baggins…" He continued talking to his lackeys on as he walked down the fourth-floor corridor.

o-o-o

"I'm telling you, Lotho Appreciation Day exists! Why won't any of you believe me? You miserable sods," said Lotho, trying to force the students to celebrate this day.

However, the first year Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students gave him shrewd looks. Realizing they were in trouble, the Hufflepuff first year dragged his friend away from the scene.

Lotho called to them, not understanding why they were running, "Where are you going? Come back! Don't you know it's Lotho Appreciation Day!"

Frodo, Fred and George watched Lotho's dismay in amusement. The trio leaned against a wall. Fred passed to Frodo a Bertie Botts' Bean. When Frodo tried it, he nearly coughed it out. It was grass-flavor.

"Fred, did you have to give me a grass-flavor bean?" asked Frodo, looking up at the towering Weasley twin.

"Grass or not, you've earned it. We all do," said George.

"This prank has been wicked so far!" said Fred.

"Should we tell him?" asked George.

"Tell me what?" asked Frodo.

"Not you, Frodo. Lotho," said Fred, pointing an index finger at Lotho.

A smirk swept across Frodo's face. It was time to tell the truth to the oaf of a hobbit. Nodding in agreement, Frodo led Fred and George over to Lotho. Frodo tapped an index finger on Lotho's shoulder, startling him.

"Ahh!" yelped Lotho, shivering. Spinning around fast, Lotho found himself face-to-face with the last hobbit he wanted to meet. "Oh, it's only you. Frodo Baggins, the last hobbit I'm so eager to see." He asked the shorter hobbit boy, forcefully, "What's wrong with this scene? Why won't anyone believe me about Lotho Appreciation Day? You told me… wait a minute. Lotho Appreciation Day doesn't exist." His face flushed red in embarrassment, before boiling into fierce anger.

Frodo saluted him, a nervous glint in his eyes. He said, cheekily, "Now you're catching on."

It was Fred and George's turn. Approaching the taller hobbit boy, George said to Lotho, "And as appreciation for our services."

"Here is a one-of-a-kind gift to you," said Fred, passing to Lotho a thin box. He grabbed George and Frodo, alerting them to flee the scene.

Lotho was stunned by their grand exit. Suspicious of what the trio concocted against him this time, Lotho examined the box. Nothing was popping out at him and there was no sign of postal damage. What exactly was in it? "Hm. I wonder what it is inside this very simple, not damaging box. I wonder if…" He opened the box…

Splosh!

"Plew! Oh horrid…" Lotho was swamped on. His clean green Hobbit uniform was now drenched in swamp bog and moss, all thanks to one of Fred and George's boxes.

George said, cheerfully, from behind the wall, "And that is what Fred and I call our mini-swamp-in-a-box!"

"Enjoy Lotho," said Fred. He and George darted off down the corridor.

All around him, students were laughing their heads off, pointing at Lotho and his mess. Distraught, Lotho told the students, "What are you all looking at? Don't laugh at someone who's far more superior to you!"

Approaching the hobbit boy, Malfoy teased him, "Well, well Lotho. You appear to be in a rut."

"You're my friend, Draco. Tell these blokes off for me!" said Lotho.

"You know, that swamp vapor* looks good on you. You should wear it always. We'll even give you a nickname: Mr. Swamps," said Malfoy, cackling.

Crabbe and Goyle joined in, cracking up laughing and pointing their index fingers at Lotho. This was shocking to Lotho! Malfoy was his friend, wasn't he?

Malfoy told his two lackeys, "Let's go, boys. Leave this git to his swamp." They walked away.

"You're not going to help me? Who needs you ruts?!" shouted Lotho, not liking to be left to his misery. He told himself, "Frodo Baggins will pay for this." Dropping the box, Lotho dashed through the corridors, searching for the Boys' Lavatory. He would wash off the Weasley twins' mini-swamp-in-a-box, and then Baggins would pay. Oh yes he would. How would Frodo pay? Well, Lotho would figure out something, something that would really affect the sorry prankster, like the swirly he pulled on Frodo at the start of the year…

Oh great. Lotho's got a plan. What that plan is and whether Lotho is successful is coming up, but where and when I will not say. If anyone has suggestions or ideas, or whether he or she likes or dislikes what's going on so far, or that I need to work on my showing some more and have room for improvement with my writing, feel free to drop a review. It's not that hard and it only takes a few minutes to write. Okay, bye! :)

Footnotes:

*"swamp vapor" is actually a reference to what Timon says to Pumbaa in the Timon and Pumbaa Virtual Safari Boat Tour, on Disc 2 of the The Lion King DVD, back in 2003, I think. It might be an actual phrase or something.