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.

Naturally, last chapter I put my point-of-view in first. That was the previous chapter. This chapter we return to Frodo's POV. Don't worry. We'll get into Frodo's other friends and the other authoresses. And by now, you readers should know that we'll be skipping ahead in time again. Hopefully, it's still smooth transitions. Also, the prank coming up is actually DoctorWhovian18's idea, which was in this story before, but now it's back and better than ever. :)

Tuesday morning brought the usual antics. At noon, when he, Aria and Folco were eating lunch in the Great Hall, Frodo received a letter, flown in by his owl Prim, addressed to him from Bilbo. Eager to read Bilbo's reply, Frodo broke the seal, pulled out the letter and unfolded it. He then read the fine inked handwriting until Aria read over his shoulder, upon which Frodo allowed her to read Bilbo's letter too:

Dear Frodo,

I received your letter shortly after noon, two weeks ago, but due to circumstances involving S.B.*, I had to wait until this morning to send a reply. Your letter was most distressful. You say you were given this mysterious book, and then you find out about this mysterious J.R.R. Tolkien, who wrote my novel.

My dear lad, my novel is not yet completed. How on Eärendil did you find out all about my adventures? I haven't said anything to you about the rest of my tales, nor did I know when I would allow you the chance to read them yet. You can read my novel if you want, when I am done, as well as snippets of my book, but nothing further. As to the actual events that did occur; well, my lad, I will leave things as they lay.

As to this author, J.R.R. Tolkien, I may know something or someone that can assist you. When you have the chance, meet the wizard author Gilderoy Lockhart. He will guide you on the right course. That is all I will say. I hope to hear from you soon.

Your uncle,

Bilbo

"Gilderoy Lockhart?" asked Aria, astonished to hear the name. She handed the letter back to Frodo.

Frodo was curious. "What do you know of him?"

Aria only said, "Oh, you'll see him soon." But she didn't specify the exact date.

Frodo shrugged as he folded the parchment. "Well, if there's a chance I'll meet him then I'll gladly see if he knows anything about our mysterious author." Finding himself caught in silence, Frodo broke it by asking Aria, "What are your plans this afternoon?"

"I'm not doing much except studying. Why?" asked Aria, curious.

Frodo inquired, "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to explore the castle grounds for a bit."

"Frodo…" Aria was about to plead that she couldn't, that school was more important. Somehow Frodo wasn't convinced.

"Why not?" asked Frodo, curious and confused. "Aria, if you spend all your time studying, you'll never amount to…"

"Frodo, how can you say that!" said Aria, raising her voice a little too loudly. Lowering it, she told Frodo, "Studying is important, you know. How else are we supposed to get into our second year if we don't…"

"You've been hanging around Hermione too much," said Frodo. He had to admit, though: Aria did have a point. He said, softly, "I know studying is important, but it's too early to do any studying."

"Is it?" asked Aria, growing worried.

Frodo nodded. "Yes. Wait until March, then we can group up."

Folco chimed in at that. "All three of us, correct."

Frodo hadn't realized Folco was there. He nodded to him nonetheless, "Sure. If that's what we're going for."

"Excellent. Us three working together," said Folco, nearly spilling his pumpkin juice on his blue Hobbit school uniform.

Aria said to Frodo, in a kind manner, "Good luck on Saturday with your Quidditch match. I hope you beat Slytherin."

Frodo grinned. "I hope so, too." He continued eating his lunch, but would often find himself staring at Aria first, then Pearl, and then back to Aria. He couldn't decide who he liked more… no, what was he doing?

o-o-o

Saturday was a leap year and the last day of the month. Ron knew his birthday was the following day, but what he hoped out of the Quidditch match between Ravenclaw versus Slytherin was Ravenclaw, Frodo's team, beating Slytherin to the dust… well, that's what he hoped. While Harry, Ron, Hermione and their friends – wizard and hobbit alike – made their way into the stands, Frodo was in the locker room, changing into his blue Quidditch robes, like his other teammates.

When that was done, he grabbed his Nimbus 2000 broomstick; it was his favorite broomstick from his parents. Yes, he supposed he liked Aria's broomstick, but for a Quidditch match Frodo figured he needed a broomstick with speed and agility. This match against Slytherin might be rough. He just wanted to be prepared.

Unlike last time, where Frodo had zero participation in the match against Hufflepuff, Frodo made his way out to the field, accompanied by Timbers and his teammates. He couldn't believe he was about to play Quidditch in an actual match. His insides turned over and over again. Making sure not to vomit, Frodo took several deep breaths. The last thing he wanted was to be sick before a match, especially against Slytherin. What made matters worse was Snape was refereeing this match, too.

It didn't take long for the match to start. As soon as both teammates mounted their broomsticks and flew into the air, Snape threw the Quaffle. Slytherin Chaser Marcus Flint caught the Quaffle, dived under the Ravenclaw Chasers, and tossed the Quaffle into the lower left hoop with brute force. Slytherin won ten points easy. Cheers were heard from the Slytherin house, but no applause anywhere else in the stadium.

Lee Jordan commentated on Slytherin's early victory: "Slytherin sure knows a thing or two about brutality. Maybe they should meet my dog. He'd give them a real…"

"Jordan!" cried Professor McGonagall, in an effort to stop the snide remarks.

"Sorry professor," said Jordan, apologizing.

Frodo let out a small chuckle. At least Jordan's commentary helped ease the tension in the stadium. Remembering where he was, Frodo scanned the area for the Snitch. Although he wanted to be in on the action, Frodo did all he could to avoid being hit by Bludgers or the Slytherin team. He could admit he was scared. Doing something involving crowds was not what he favored. Being in the crowd and observing was one thing, but this was totally different…

"Another ten points for Slytherin!" said Jordan through the speaker, groaning at the thought that Slytherin might win the match easy.

No, Frodo needed to pull himself together. Aria was watching, but then so was Pearl. He knew this was important, to prove how skilled a Quidditch player he was, no matter if he were a Seeker. Well, being Seeker did mean something…

"Was that the Snitch?" asked Jordan.

Frodo's eyes went wide in awe. There was no question, no doubt about it: he had seen a glint of gold pass his vision. Zooming in after the glittering ball, Frodo was intercepted by the Slytherin Seeker, Terrence Higgs. Frodo did his best to chase after Higgs and, more importantly, the Snitch, but found his broomstick wasn't working. Doing everything he could to speed up, only to see he was slowing down, Frodo soon found himself colliding into Flint. Flint escaped the collision, but Frodo smacked his head against one of the tower walls…

Frodo…

He could hear his name being called. Was this a dream? Where was he… where…

"Frodo!" called Aria. Yes, she was clearer now. She called him again, "Frodo?!" She spoke to another person, "Oh good, he's awake."

"Ten points from Ravenclaw for laziness," said Snape, sneering at Frodo.

Frodo looked around him. He was still on the Quidditch field. Yes, he had to be, since the towers were still there. What was he doing on the ground? Feeling his head, Frodo found it throbbing, but not badly. How long was he unconscious? He soon learned his answer:

"You missed the end of the match, Frodo," said Fred. "Slytherin beat Ravenclaw hard."

"So we lost, again," said Frodo, feeling worse, even with the house points lost.

Aria told Frodo, knowing what to do, "Come on. Let's get you to the Hospital Wing."

Frodo wasn't sure who helped him reach the Hospital Wing, but what he did know was that he was still in his Quidditch robes. Madam Hooch looked him over for any head injuries. Fortunately for Frodo and due to a spell Dumbledore spoke just before Frodo landed on the ground, there weren't any wounds to be accounted for.

When she was done with her examination, Madam Pomfrey informed Frodo, "You can stay here until you are ready to leave, but inform me at once if you are better."

Frodo could hardly say two words, but nodding helped in this case. He hardly paid attention to Aria's words or to anyone at the moment. The only part he could remember, when looking back on Ravenclaw's match against Slytherin was him smacking into the tower wall and having been sent to the Hospital Wing. Soon enough, Frodo found himself fast asleep.

x-x-x

The second Frodo closed his eyelids, feeling the tendrils of sleep swiftly hit him, Aria departed out of the Hospital Wing with their friends. Harry, Ron and Hermione had other things to discuss, and with Anne, Abigail and Amy heading into the Hospital Wing with Sam, Merry and Pippin, Aria was left alone with Fred and George. Although Aria was eager to meet the twin pranksters, just being there with them felt a little intimidating and awkward. Fred and George hardly said anything with Aria next to them for several seconds.

George eventually broke the silence, asking his brother, "Fred, I think the Slytherins need to pay for what they did to Frodo."

"George, I couldn't agree more," said Fred, already coming up with a plan.

"What are you going to do?" asked Aria, curious and concerned.

George, gazing down at Aria, said in a polite manner, "Aria, why don't you look after Frodo?"

"But I want to know what you two are planning," said Aria.

"Should we get Aria involved in our plans?" asked George.

Fred shook his head. "No George. Aria'll give us away."

George agreed, "Right."

Facing Aria again, Fred told her, "Aria, Frodo needs you right now. We know you like him and he likes you, in a manner of speaking."

"What Fred is trying to say is that we feel it best that you should stick by Frodo's side until he is better. Does that sound fair?" asked George.

Aria knew when she was being left out. She said, giving up, "All right." Falling silent, Aria looked at the Weasley twins one last time before returning into the Hospital Wing.

Once Aria was gone, Fred said in relief, "Finally. Now we can work on our plan."

"Let's make it something the Slytherins won't forget," said George.

o-o-o

The Slytherin House was supposed to have their victory celebration down in the dungeons. What was found instead, to Professor Snape's surprise and anguish, were the Slytherin students hiccoughing uncontrollably. Entering the Slytherin Common Room, Snape searched for students who weren't attacked by this hiccoughing rage. In vain, Snape came across Lotho, who was hiccoughing like mad.

Lotho complained to his teacher and Head of House. "Professor – HIC – Snape – HIC – you need – HIC – to stop – HIC – this! HIC! Why is this – HIC – happening?"

"Well, don't just stand there, Lotho. Help me find the culprit," said Snape, frustrated at this display.

Lotho gave it some thought, but also two hiccoughs protruded from his mouth. He answered, "I don't – HIC HIC – remember. I–"

Snape grabbed Lotho by the nape of his jacket and dress shirt. "Come with me."

On cue, Draco Malfoy approached Snape, hiccoughing too. "Professor – HIC – what's going – HIC HIC – on?"

"You too, Draco," said Snape. "Hurry along."

Whoever was concocting his Hiccoughing Sweet – of course, a prankster that bought sweets from Zonko's Joke Shop. He did not know who the culprit was, but Snape was certain he would find out.

o-o-o

On the Second Floor, while doing his mopping, Filch was surprised by all the Slytherins hiccoughing. He assumed it was Fred and George's doing, but then Frodo Baggins, the first year Halfling, was probably up to his tricks, too. Oh, he would get the three students; yes, he would!

As if they had been called, Fred and George approached Filch. They had something special planned for him, too.

Fred told Filch, as if admiring him, "Oh, what good timing to meet you, Filch! You're the best cleaner we know for the job."

Filch huffed. "And what, pray tell, is the job?"

"We have these sweets especially made for you," said George, passing to Filch the chocolate box. "Enjoy."

Fred and George wandered down the hallway, chuckling very softly. Filch, unsure why the Weasley twins would hand him sweets, found a chair and unwrapped the box. The sweets looked harmless, but Filch wondered what the twin brothers' scheme was this time. Still, he had to thank the twins for admiring his work. Maybe just one sweet…

"NO! HIC! I'll get – HIC – you Weasleys – HIC! Yes I will – HIC!" cried Filch, speeding down the corridors.

Filch had yet to find Fred and George, but when he did, he would surely make them pay for this treason. It had been an hour since he ate the sweets, but Filch's hiccoughing was uncontrollable. He knew he shouldn't have eaten those sweets, and yet…

Oh wait! Here was one culprit now.

Approaching Frodo Baggins, who was now back in his Hobbit uniform, Filch demanded, "There you – HIC – are, you little – HIC HIC – sneak – HIC – thief! HIC!"

"What did I do?" asked Frodo, being sincere and doing his best not to laugh.

"Don't – HIC – give me – HIC – that. You know – HIC – very well – HIC – what you – HIC – did," said Filch, putting his hands on his hips. He was going to get this hobbit boy expelled.

Frodo said, alarmed, "Mr. Filch, I didn't do anything. I was just…"

"BOO!" cried Merry and Pippin, leaping out from behind a suit of armor.

Filch gave one last hiccough. To his surprise, the hiccoughs stopped; however, it did not stop his disdain towards any pranksters, be they students or otherwise. Although he was relieved the hiccoughs ended, Filch told the three hobbits, growing more frustrated, "Why did you do that, you little Halflings?"

"Little does not excuse our big surprise," said Merry, putting emphasis on the word 'big'.

"But the best way to end hiccoughing is to scare them," said Pippin, pointing out like a studious hobbit.

Filch told the three hobbits, furious, "I'LL GET YOU!"

Frodo, Merry and Pippin managed a running start. Thankful that Filch could not keep up with their speed, the three hobbit boys fled up the Grand Staircase to the seventh-floor corridor. Glad to be in the empty corridor, the trio broke into laughter. Although Frodo had been out of the Hospital Wing for two hours now, he was relieved that Fred and George got back at the Slytherins. This was their best prank yet.

When they calmed down, Frodo told his friends, cheerful, "Wow. Fred and George sure know when to pull off good pranks."

"You do, too, Frodo," said Merry.

"Right. I do," said Frodo, nearly forgetting that he too was responsible for the school's pranks. "Well, I was asleep for the duration of the pranking today. It looks as though I didn't miss much."

"I'll say," said Pippin, chiming in. "Where was the famous prankster, Frodo Baggins, when we needed him?"

"Pippin, that's giving him too much credit," said Merry.

"Famous, eh?" asked Frodo, liking the sound of the word. But when he truly came to think on it, he realized he didn't want fame. No, he could leave fame to those who deserved it… well maybe he could have fifteen minutes worth of fame… Frodo cracked a grin. It was so nice to have friends that cared for him and could always be counted on. He felt very privileged.

Changing the subject, not wanting to ponder on the word 'fame' too much, Frodo asked his two hobbit friends, "So, what are your plans for tonight?"

"Well…" Pippin explained a few things, including studying. However, the thought of studying made him, as well as Merry and Frodo, laugh. He knew he would get into studying when he could, but for now he was happy to be with his friends.

That was all that mattered, right?

Well, I must say this chapter turned out better than I thought. And it's well worth the wait. Now, the next few chapters we'll be doing some major skipping ahead. I know I can feel the ending of this story coming, but I'm still going to do my best to smooth out the transitions. Sometime, we'll return to where we were before I did major back-tracking. Okay, bye. :)

Footnotes:

*This reference is actually found in The Lord of the Rings book trilogy. The abbreviation S.B. stands for Sackville-Baggins, but those who remember this abbreviation from reading the books will already know what it means.