Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.
Acknowledgements: To TooLazyToLogin for giving me the original idea for this series. To DoctorWhovian18, for being my beta-writer/reader for this series, 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.
Yes, I am aware about the cliffhanger. Well, this chapter brings up the rest of the action for that morning on the first of February. And obviously, we're back to regular chapters without revamping again, but this chapter I had to rewrite due to the extension in the timeline for this story, but we're still following the calendar of the first Harry Potter book.
"Time Travel?" asked Frodo, confused.
"Maybe that's what Tolkien did. But I'm no expert on J.R.R. Tolkien," admitted Aria.
Frodo turned his gaze to her.
Aria said, truthfully, "I'm just starting out reading them. I mean, you know 'The Hobbit' better than me now, the book I mean."
"So, you're not an expert, then," said Frodo.
"No. I'm just a student, learning to be an author," said Aria.
Frodo returned his gaze to the book. He paused, and then told Aria, "Well, whatever's in this book will probably tell me how authors were able to time travel, or even how Tolkien knew what went on in the future."
"You sure you want to know your future?" asked Aria, concerned.
"No," said Frodo, serious. He added, calmer, "Well… I just want to find out how J.R.R. Tolkien did it. Maybe he knows a thing or two about…"
"Frodo, this isn't a good idea," said Aria.
"Aria…" Thinking better of their current situation, Frodo said, "look, I don't want to argue. But I have to find out." He placed a gentle hand on Aria's shoulder.
"Just be careful," said Aria.
Frodo nodded. "I will."
"What's going on here?" asked Folco, gazing at the two.
Forced out his reverie, Frodo gave a good reason as he placed the lid over the box: "Aria and I were just having a decent conversation as friends, as that's all we are." He winked at Aria.
Unable to stop grinning, Aria said, "Exactly."
Folco told the two, "Well, I was heading down to the Great Hall, unless you two are busy. Then I can leave…"
"No, we were heading out, too. I mean, that's all I want is to chat with friends." Frodo said, truthfully, "Nothing happened, Folco."
Folco sighed in relief. "Good. Now come on you two, we'd better get a move on."
"All right, Folco," said Frodo, chuckling a little. After putting his box inside his trunk, Frodo led Aria after Folco out of the Boys' Dormitory. It took the three minutes to reach the Great Hall, where breakfast was still being had.
o-o-o
Most nights, including that Saturday evening, Frodo would find himself sitting on his bed, examining the strange book. True, he did find out curious information on how time travel worked, and also how one could bounce back and forth between worlds. However, nothing in the book described how J.R.R. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit book. Or so he thought.
One evening in early February, Frodo stumbled upon a scrawled note, which read:
Authors do not know where Ideas come from, but our only conclusion we have is they come from the events we cherish or find terrifying.
"What is this?" Frodo's voice raised an octave higher than he expected. Nervousness came to him when Folco tossed and turned, asking him in a sleepy voice:
"What was that, Frodo? Did you say something?"
Frodo shook his head. "It's nothing. Go back to sleep, Folco."
Obeying him subconsciously, Folco rolled over and immediately went back to sleep. Relieved that he wasn't caught, Frodo scanned the scribble, as if he were hoping that some hidden message would come from the note. He couldn't find any. The note was straightforward. Oh, if only he could figure out what it meant.
Frodo's eyelids drooped. Maybe it was better he go to sleep. Returning the book inside his trunk, Frodo climbed back into bed. It took him minutes to finally fall asleep, but when he awoke the next morning, he felt a rush of tiredness.
Aria naturally found out and asked him at the Ravenclaw table. She too was sleepy. "Couldn't sleep?"
Frodo shook his head. "I was studying, the book I was given. It's quite interesting."
"I see," said Aria. It was still taking her a while to come around.
Frodo added, "I found this scribble, which said that authors don't know where ideas come from, only based on the experiences we share. But that still doesn't answer the question as to how…" He was shushed by Aria, forcing Frodo to lower his voice an octave, "…how J.R.R. Tolkien knew about my uncle's adventures. You know what I mean."
Aria was a little more awake then. "Frodo, maybe it was coincidence that J.R.R. Tolkien knew about your uncle. During class yesterday, Professor Cherryhill explained that authors usually get ideas, but we have no idea where they come from. As far as we know, it's something to be treasured. It could mean anything."
Frodo stared at the wall, admitting to her, "Maybe I'll never find the answer. But I will wait a while before I read 'The Lord of the Rings'."
"You sure you want to read it," said Aria. "It isn't a wise idea."
"How would you know? You haven't started reading them," said Frodo.
"Yes, well… I don't everything that's going to happen later on down the road. All I know is that something will happen to you. I just don't know what that is. But I will get to reading 'The Hobbit', and since you've read it I don't want you to spoil it for me," said Aria.
Frodo said, out of respect, "Don't worry. I won't ruin it for you." He couldn't help but grin in her direction.
Frodo continued having a long conversation with Aria. It was nice that they were talking, instead of getting into each other's necks. Sure they were different, but they did have some things in common. All that mattered was that they were friends. However, Folco did take note of their behavior. Since he was in Ravenclaw Folco found himself mediating between the two, a job he wasn't particularly grateful of doing.
Time seemed to pass by all too quickly. And it was only going to get better.
o-o-o
Frodo cringed on February 14th. He still didn't understand how the older students could kiss and things like that, let alone wanted to. It was the one day in which he did all he could to make sure Aria and Hermione didn't know how out-of-whack he was, and yet Fred and George noticed.
Aria did find Hermione though, when she felt the need to talk to another girl. "Hermione, is it all right to talk?" Aria was still stumbling on her words, and being extremely shy.
"Aria, good to see you," said Hermione. She asked, concerned, "Well, what is it you want to tell me?"
"Well, besides me being your fan…"
"Oh, you've been talking to Amy," said Hermione. Realizing Aria was in a dreadful state, Hermione told her as calmly as she could, "I'm joking. I appreciate that I have fans. It makes me feel special."
Aria got straight to the point. "Well… have you seen Frodo? He's been avoiding me all morning, and now that it's afternoon, I just wondered if he came and talked to you."
"Now come to think on it, Frodo's hardly said two words to me either. I think he's avoiding all girls," said Hermione.
"He is," said Aria, relieved she wasn't the only one. "Why would he do that?"
"We should ask him together. Two against one might draw him out of his shell," said Hermione.
As Hermione and Aria walked, they did spot Frodo. However, the second Frodo saw Aria, he waved at her, said nothing, and darted down the corridor. Aria, now filled with determination, ran after him. Hermione proved to be faster than she was, making Aria lag by a lot. The only thing that made Aria more concerned was that Hermione found Frodo first and demanded an answer to his behavior. Aria drew closer, but kept her distance, if only for a moment. Curiosity dragged Aria closer to the spot where Frodo and Hermione were talking.
Only when Frodo saw Aria, he stood still. Chuckling a bit, Frodo darted down the corridor. Hermione shook her head in disbelief. Aria rushed up to Hermione.
Fearful, Aria asked, "Did I do something wrong?"
Hermione answered, "No. I honestly don't know what's wrong with him. He'll return. He did speak to me."
"Yes, but he was looking strange. Does he have a crush on me?" asked Aria. Then she remembered, but that two months ago since Frodo said anything to her.
Hermione said, "I don't know what's wrong with him. I'm sure he'll talk to you again," said Hermione. She said last, "Well, I'm going to find Harry and Ron. Do you want to come?"
"Sure," said Aria. She liked talking to Harry and Ron, even though Ron was a little rough around the edges.
As they searched for Harry and Ron, Aria spoke a great deal about the things she'd done in the Muggle world to Hermione. She even went on to talk about her friendship with Frodo, and all the great things she knew Frodo had. Hermione found Aria rather awkward to talk to, as she hardly had a chance to speak. It was very intimidating. Hermione thought Filch was bad, but Aria was another story. Still, Hermione put on a good face, as Aria, unlike Filch, was full of kindness and that was something Hermione didn't overlook in a person or a friend.
At last, the two girls found Harry and Ron on the castle grounds. The two boys were heading back inside.
Ron told Hermione, "Hermione, you brought the shy girl with you."
"Oh really, Ron," said Hermione. "Aria wanted to come and talk with us. She's been telling me stories about Frodo."
"Really?" asked Harry, interested. "Well, let's go inside." He led the three to the castle doors. Glad to be out of the cold, Harry asked Aria, "So, what have you been telling Hermione about Frodo?"
"Well, I do know his favorite color's blue, he's quite the prankster," said Aria.
"Don't we all know that about him," asked Ron.
"What else did he say to you?" asked Harry to Aria. Realizing he needed to be more civil to Aria, Harry said to her, "You're not like Hermione, are you?"
"Well, I do like school work," said Aria.
Harry and Ron groaned at that.
Hermione told the two boys off, "Honestly, both of you, give Aria a chance to speak."
"But she just said she likes homework," said Ron.
"Was that a poor choice of words?" asked Aria. She really wanted to impress them.
"No," said Hermione.
"Yes," said Harry and Ron.
"I'm sorry," said Aria, timid.
"You don't need to apologize," said Hermione.
Ron interfered, "Yes she does."
"Come on, Ron," said Hermione.
Harry asked Aria next, "So, what do you make of today? It is Valentine's Day."
"Oh," Aria said, beaming, "I celebrate the day, but I don't really understand what it means."
"Neither do I," said Harry.
"We really should get studying, Harry, Ron," said Hermione.
"It's too early to study," said Ron.
"Nonsense," said Hermione. "Homework is important. How else are we all supposed to get into our second year, if we don't study?"
Aria was frantic now. Maybe she should get studying, too.
Ron picked up on Aria's behavior. "Oh, no one is making you study, Aria."
"Well…" Aria was at a loss for words. But then, she was a bit more confident, thanks to being outside her mind. She said a moment later, "I know I don't have to study."
"What are you talking about? If we don't study, we'll never get through our exams," said Hermione, not believing what she was hearing.
"Hermione's right, too," admitted Aria.
"Whose side are you on?" asked Ron.
"Probably on the side that involves us studying," said Harry.
Aria felt tears about to stream down her face. She didn't want to be bullied for this. She knew when she was being bullied and how it felt being the victim of it.
Just then, Draco Malfoy approached the four with Crabbe and Goyle trailing after them. "Oh, look at this: Potty, the Weasel, and their low-life friends. What's the matter, Breuer? Can't take how low you are?"
Aria didn't know what to say, but neither did she know how to defend herself.
Harry gladly defended her. "Aria didn't do anything to you."
"Then maybe she should learn who her real friends are, which does not involve us real wizards? What's the matter, Potter? Afraid to face me," said Malfoy.
"Who's more the coward, Malfoy?" asked Ron, defending Harry.
"Buzz off, Potter," said Malfoy, shoving past Aria as he walked. Following his lead, Crabbe and Goyle also pushed and shoved Aria.
Due to this reaction, Aria landed smack on the stone floor, bruised her hands and left side, but the wounds weren't bad. Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle laughed, watching the scene before them. Not knowing what to do, and terrified of what would happen Aria just lay there on the stone floor. Harry, Ron and Hermione did their best to help Aria up, but Aria was frozen a bit in place.
"Aria, are you all right?" asked Hermione.
"Come on. We don't want to make fools of ourselves in front of Malfoy," said Harry in Aria's ear.
This terrified Aria all the more. Instead of bravery, she didn't know whether to stand up or whether to stay in the same place. Just then, Malfoy and his lackeys were splattered by flying eggshells. The three ran for cover as the eggs splattered them and disappeared in the air, except when aimed at them. Harry finally helped Aria stand up, but it was Frodo who came out of his hiding place and took Aria to the Hospital Wing.
However, when they came close to the Hospital Wing, Aria broke down in tears. Frodo brought her over to a stone bench, doing his best to comfort her with words and even wrapping an arm around her, in an attempt not to hurt her.
"Come on. We need to get you mended," said Frodo.
Aria asked, between tears, "Can't you heal me?"
"I don't know. I'm a beginner, but I could try," said Frodo, insisting to taking her bruised hands.
Aria shook her head and pulled back. "On second thought, wait until you've got the hang of it."
"But I can try," said Frodo. "Here. Let me see."
Reluctantly, Aria gave him her bruised hands. Placing his hands over Aria's scabbed wounds, the wounds pulsed furiously in Frodo's grasp, making Aria wince from the pain, Frodo concentrated on the bruises. Purple light engulfed the wounds, but it only reached as far as his hand. It wasn't enough as the purple light turned to blue, rapidly changing back and forth between the two colors. Aria yelped in pain, as if the wounds were getting worse. Feeling his energy draining, Frodo released Aria's hands, as his own screamed in pain. The two looked at Aria's hands, but saw the bruises were darker; the wounds making her hands go numb from the increased pain. Aria let out a small scream, but eventually found herself stop; the pain was too much for her.
Frodo managed to tell her, even though Aria would barely remember his words, "I'm sorry. I'm still learning how to heal wounds. It's still tough because I'm trying to figure out how to heal the smaller wounds first. I still can't get the hang of it."
When his pain lessened and he felt better, Frodo turned his attention to Aria, but Aria had gone limp in his arm. Figuring he would have to carry Aria, Frodo stood up when he was ready and lifted her off the bench. To his surprise, Aria was light as a feather, which made it easy for him to travel to the Hospital Wing, which was on that same floor.
The second he was met by Madam Pomfrey, Frodo explained the situation, "Aria was pushed by Gregory Goyle, she fell, bruised her hands and her left side, and then she fainted before we got here."
"Bring her to the bed there," said Madam Pomfrey.
As soon as Frodo set Aria on the bed, moving Aria's bruised hands gently away from the bed, Frodo admitted to Madam Pomfrey, "I tried to use my hand magic to heal Aria, but I'm not that strong."
"You should have brought her to me straightaway, instead of trying to mend her bruises the way you did. You're a first year, aren't you?" asked Madam Pomfrey.
"Yes, but I-"
Madam Pomfrey pulled out her wand and said, pointing her wand at Aria's bruises, "Tergeo!" The spell worked and there was much improvement in the wounds, which were now pinkish-red spots with dry skin still attached in places. "Now to grab some bandages."
Aria gasped as she awoke, her eyes shooting open. Frodo was by her side, cheerful to see her awake:
"Aria, you're awake! Do you remember what happened?" asked Frodo.
"Yeah. Malfoy was around, and Goyle pushed me. What happened? Where am I?" asked Aria, a bit distant.
"In the Hospital Wing," said Frodo.
"The Hospital – I need to…" Aria moved quickly, but felt herself losing breath.
Frodo stopped her, helping her lay back down. "No, slowly Aria, slowly. You just fainted. You're not ready to get up."
Doing as she was told, Aria rested her head on the bed. Madam Pomfrey returned with a dish filled with water, a wash cloth, and some bandages. Making sure Frodo wasn't in her way, Madam Pomfrey cleansed Aria's wounds, the peeled skin dropping with ease. When she was done, Madam Pomfrey bandaged Aria's hands.
With this task completed, Madam Pomfrey informed Aria, as she tested Aria's left side, "Well, there's no real damage, and I'm certain the pain will go away in a few days, as long as you don't sleep on your bad side. I'll bring you some food and liquid before you go. Any fainting spell requires both food and water, so it doesn't happen again. Otherwise, you may leave. The wounds aren't that bad."
Aria nodded. "Thank you."
Madam Pomfrey walked away from the bed, in search of some food and drink for Aria. She returned a few minutes later with a silver tray filled with some slices of ham, cooked carrots, a bowl with cut up fruit, and a glass of water. As soon as Madam Pomfrey left them alone, Aria dug into her food, but first she drank her water halfway. She was hungry and the food helped her feel better and more awake.
Frodo asked her, "How much did you eat today?"
"Not too much. Just a few chicken legs, some grapes, and some pumpkin juice, but that was it," said Aria. "It was lunch time. I guess I wasn't that hungry."
"I beg to differ," said Frodo, chuckling a little in amazement only.
"Frodo, I didn't know I would faint, but my wound was too much," said Aria.
"You feeling light-headed again?" asked Frodo, pressing a hand to Aria's forehead. It felt a little hot. He felt her cheek, which was also hot.
At that, Aria drank some more water.
Frodo admitted to her, "You are hungry."
Aria chewed down half a slice of ham, before admitting aloud to herself, "I guess I am."
"We'll leave when you're done," said Frodo.
Aria nodded. She wanted to say 'thank you', but her mouth was too stuffed. Somehow, she knew Frodo understood.
Once Aria was done, as well as she and Frodo leaving the Hospital Wing, Aria asked him, "Where were you? You've been avoiding me all morning and early into the afternoon."
"I don't like Valentine's Day," admitted Frodo, serious.
Aria grunted. "Why not? It's a holiday."
"The whole idea of… love, whatever that means, it's silly. And to think of what the adults go through, I could never commit to something like that," said Frodo.
Aria asked him, out of curiosity, "So, have you thought of Pearl?"
Frodo flushed red in embarrassment. "I… spoke to her yesterday. Actually, it's a funny story."
"I've got time," said Aria.
Frodo explained to her, "Well, whatever was wrong with Pearl at the Quidditch match against Gryffindor versus Slytherin, that's been sorted out. I apologized to her and she laughed my way like it wasn't a big deal. She said that she only wanted to get my attention because she wanted to tell me something, but then she forgot what it was. Silly girl, I say, can't even think of what to say next."
Aria told him, serious, "Well, girls sometimes forget whatever's on our mind, especially if it's been months back."
Frodo said, "Hm hmm. Good point, Aria. But still, I'm developing this friendship with Pearl, too. Hopefully, you understand. I was about to tell you yesterday, but then I remembered that today is Valentine's Day and so I panicked. I forgot the whole thing." He admitted, "Now come to think on it, I'll probably write a letter to Bilbo, asking what his business is with J.R.R. Tolkien, just to see what he says."
"Then I wish you luck, Frodo," said Aria.
"Thanks. You're a good friend," said Frodo, grinning at her.
But when Frodo looked away, Aria felt this longing that maybe there was something more between them, something of which Aria did not understand fully at the time. But she didn't really get her chance to ask as Frodo led her back to the Ravenclaw Common Room. There, after strict orders from Frodo, Aria departed for the Girls' Dormitory. Once Frodo was sure Aria was all right, he went into the Mini Study Tower in the Boys' Dormitory, writing a letter to Bilbo about everything that transpired, including reading The Hobbit book.
When Frodo sent the letter to Bilbo via his owl Prim, a thought crossed his mind: how would his uncle react to this new development? He would have to wait and find out when he received a responding letter from Bilbo.
Just so everyone is aware, younger me, at this age, did not read The Hobbit until after the movies. So that explains a lot given this time period. LOTCR's idea, rather a question, as to when Frodo would ask Bilbo about The Hobbit book came up in her latest review. So, we'll get the answer to that next chapter. Also, Quidditch is coming up next chapter as well, so that should be a lot smoother and not all over the place, like it was before. Okay, bye. :)