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.

As I said in the previous chapter, we'll be doing some skipping ahead again. It's only because, and this is Frodo's idea, so deal with it, there's not a lot of activity that goes on in April, besides the various prank wars occurring between my two friend authoresses, DoctorWhovian18 and LOTCR, Merry and Pippin. However, there won't be much revealed about the second prank war, as you'll read below. Also, we've come to an important part in the first Harry Potter book; well, one important event.

Even though Aria had a hard time studying and adjusting to life with friends, she and Frodo continued their studying through the rest of March and well into April. While studying did take up parts of their daily lives, it allowed Frodo the chance to get to know Aria better, and vice versa. They each found themselves becoming closer as friends; however, Frodo made time for his other friends, too, same as Aria, especially when they each missed talking to them.

Frodo also spent half his time talking more to Harry, Ron and Hermione, which drove Aria and their other friends mad. Although Aria was eager to press Frodo, as Abigail and Amy were doing, Aria was eventually shut out of asking so many questions by Frodo.

Frodo informed Aria at the end of March, "Aria, I know you like to pry, but Harry, Ron and Hermione are my friends and…"

"Why can't I know what's going on? Why so secretive?" asked Aria.

Frodo said, "Because if I told you, you would either not believe me or tattle. I don't want either and that's why I'm not saying anything."

"But Frodo…"

Frodo raised a hand. "Aria, we're friends, I know, but you'd squeal on me if I said anything."

"But why the secrecy?" asked Aria, growing alarmed. "Why can't I know?"

Frodo sighed behind his teeth. "You still have a lot to learn about secrecy. I'm sorry. I can't tell you, not until the matter is settled."

"Frodo, friendship is based on trust and understanding. What have you to hide from me?" asked Aria.

Frodo wanted to cave, tell Aria about the Stone, but he couldn't. "I'm sorry. I can't tell you. We can talk about other matters, just not this. All right?"

Aria somehow knew what Frodo was talking about with Harry, Ron and Hermione. For the sake of not affecting the timeline, she agreed, knowing this was the biggest secret she would have to keep from Frodo. "Okay. But next time, include me in on your adventures."

"How could you know…" Frodo recalled not saying anything.

Aria recovered, "Maybe I don't, but…" She was about to walk away, when Frodo grabbed her hand. "Frodo, we're just friends."

"I know. Its five months now. We shouldn't press each other. But I need to know if you'll keep quiet for a while," said Frodo.

"Wouldn't you like to spend more time with Harry, Ron and Hermione?" asked Aria, a little tense.

Frodo said in his defense, "Why can't I spend time with you?"

"But you just said…"

"That's just for the matter I'm discussing with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Of course, we can still talk together, all of us, as friends," said Frodo. "I just don't want to lose you, not over this matter."

Aria pitied him. Resting a hand on his arm, Aria said, calmly, "I'm sorry." She lowered her head, a bit sad over keeping a secret.

Frodo raised her chin to where their eyes met. "Don't be. I'm glad to have met you." Before it got too weird, Frodo patted Aria's leg, informing her, "Now, let's get going. We want to make it to the Great Hall in time for lunch."

"Yeah," said Aria, grinning at him. She knew she cared for Frodo, even though the feeling was strange to her, and yet also comforting. Maybe it was better she not find out what those feelings meant. Joining Frodo, Aria followed him past the door and down the spiral staircase. They weren't late for lunch, but at the same time neither had a very long conversation, or so they thought.

o-o-o

The second prank war commenced without remorse from either Amy/DoctorWhovian18 or Abigail/LOTCR. Merry and Pippin were impressed at how well they could pull off pranks. First the bubbles in the fifth-floor corridor, done by Merry and Abigail, then the spitting crocodiles on the second-floor corridor, thanks Pippin and Amy; in all, the four were having fun, but the fun wasn't over yet, for Merry and Pippin each had one final prank to share against each other on the morning of April 24th, shortly after they each finished eating a quick breakfast.

When either side was ready, as were Amy and Abigail, Merry and Abigail bumped into Pippin and Amy. It was something, surprisingly, all four were ready for.

"Excuse me," said Amy.

"I'm sorry," said Abigail.

"Oh," said Merry and Pippin in unison.

"Well bye," said the four altogether.

Just as they were walking down the corridor, Amy and Pippin stopped and checked their pockets. What they found were two dwarf hamsters, which Amy found quite cute. Pippin nodded, impressed but still mischievous:

"Well Merry, Abigail, maybe you should check your pockets," said Pippin.

Merry and Abigail did just that. Only when they checked their pockets, Abigail was in for a shriek. What they found were two tree frogs. Abigail allowed hers to hop to the floor, but it was Merry who used his hand magic to make the tree frog vanish. Catching the frog before it hopped away, Merry did the same to his, but also had another trick up his sleeve: he used his hand magic to make the two dwarf hamsters vanish in Pippin and Amy's hands.

Disappointed, as Amy's face scrunched in agony, Pippin asked Merry, "Why did you do that?"

Merry shrugged. "You put frogs in Abigail's pocket and mine. Is that your trademark prank?"

"I like tree frogs," said Pippin.

"I can tell," said Amy.

"So can I," said Abigail.

Merry shook his head at Pippin. Approaching the hobbit, Merry told him, "Pippin, when are you going to learn: Frodo's the best prankster, and you're obsessed with tree frogs."

Pippin pretended to be innocent. "Merry, I am very keen of pulling my own pranks."

"That involves tree frogs," said Merry.

Amy stood next to Abigail. She asked her, "How long are they going to be arguing?"

"I don't know. Let's watch the fun!" said Abigail, keen on listening to Merry and Pippin's dispute.

Amy shrugged. She did not know why, but this argument Merry and Pippin were concocting was rather amusing. Tree frogs indeed.

Pippin told Merry, "Merry, I don't see what's wrong with using tree frogs for pranking. They're fun."

"I can imagine. But next time, broaden your pranking," said Merry.

"Like you with hamsters," said Pippin.

"It was a nice gesture. Our ruse for ending the prank war here, before the end of the year," said Merry.

"I thought they were cute," said Abigail.

"As did I. Why did you make them vanish?" asked Amy, crossing her arms.

Merry exclaimed, "Because when Pippin brought out those tree frogs, I…"

Aria asked Frodo from the corner, very softly, "How long are they going to go on arguing like this?"

"I don't know. Typical," said Frodo, whispering back. "We might as well leave them alone. I'm sure they'll resolve it."

"Unless you want to intervene," said Aria.

Frodo shook his head. "They'll work it out. They always do."

Aria had to admit, she could agree with him. It was a rather pointless argument, which to her surprise ended in happiness about a few moments later. She grinned from ear to ear, glad the four worked things out. Once the moment passed, Aria followed Frodo back the way they had come. Frodo knew things would work out for Merry and Pippin; he had high hopes they were becoming good friends. Amy and Abigail reminded him of Merry and Pippin, but then Frodo couldn't help being reminded of him and hopefully Sam for Aria, Anne and Amy. At least, this was his hope.

However, Frodo didn't have much time to dwell on this. He had agreed with Harry, Ron and Hermione to visit Hagrid again. The trio somehow knew Frodo was meant to be there with them for a big surprise. Actually, it was Harry and Ron's idea that Frodo come, even though Hermione said against it, realizing that Frodo had gotten himself into enough trouble for the year. Frodo, on the other hand, was too excited to see what the surprise was that Hagrid was keeping at his hut. He resolved not to let Aria in on this news, seeing as Hermione had a point: Ravenclaw couldn't afford to lose more house points.

x-x-x

When his Magical Theory class was let out, Frodo scrambled getting his books, ink bottle and quill inside his satchel. He darted out of class so quick his fellow classmates had to move out of the way. Frodo could not afford to waste time, not when the surprise Hagrid was keeping was so close. Minutes passed before he came onto the grounds, and even then Frodo did not stop there. Huffing and puffing, while taking small breaks to regain his strength, Frodo at last made it to Hagrid's Hut, but in the process ran past Harry, Ron and Hermione. He was the first to arrive.

"Frodo, yer made it faster than I thought. We'll wait fer Harry, Ron and Hermione to come," said Hagrid.

Moments later, the trio approached the hut, exhausted from their run but determined to see what was inside. Hagrid welcomed the four inside his home. As Frodo had spent some days at Hagrid's, he hardly knew what the giant was keeping locked tight. Inside, and to Frodo's great surprise, was a large, black egg with long cracks forming on its shell. He stopped in his tracks, as Harry, Ron and Hermione moved past him, staring at the egg in awe. Frodo had seen small eggs in the Shire, but he never expected to see an egg so big. Whatever was inside the egg, Frodo guessed this was the surprise Hagrid wanted to show him and his friends.

Frodo asked, cautious about moving closer, "Hagrid, what's in that?"

"It's a Norwegian Ridgeback," said Ron. He received no response from Frodo, who was still confused. Ron explained in simpler terms, "A dragon."

"Dragon? Bilbo said they were wiped out long ago," said Frodo. He was thinking of home again.

Hagrid admitted, "The dragons here ain't."

"Yeah. Loads of them are found in Romania," said Ron. He encouraged the hobbit boy, "You're all right. He won't bite you."

Frodo grunted nervously. Of course dragons could bite, but he knew Ron was joking… or was he? Brushing off the thought, Frodo slowly approached the table, bringing a chair with him.

There was a moment of silence, with movement coming from the egg. Then the egg broke open, revealing a baby dragon with black scales, which reminded Frodo of the egg's color. This was the first time Frodo ever saw a dragon up close. He admitted he heard Bilbo tell of a dragon he encountered. Frodo was both excited and terribly afraid upon meeting this particular dragon, baby or no. A Norwegian Ridgeback it was called…

"Isn't he beautiful?" asked Hagrid, murmuring his excitement. As he stroked the dragon's head, it snapped at him. This made Hagrid more delighted.

Frodo couldn't believe what he was hearing. He said, cheekily, "Next thing you know, Hagrid, you'll give him a name."

"I think I will," said Hagrid, eagerness glowing in his eyes.

Frustrated, Frodo said, "I was joking!" He was cut off, right as Hagrid and Harry darted to the window and the door. He asked, "What is it?"

Harry said, approaching the table, "Malfoy knows Hagrid has a dragon. He's spotted us, too."

"Are you sure, Harry?" asked Ron.

Harry nodded. There was no doubt in his eyes. He had seen Malfoy run across the grounds, away from the hut. Frodo returned his gaze to the dragon, but his mind was on how many house points Ravenclaw would lose this time. Well, there was no stopping whatever happened now. He just hoped Aria was in a good mood… no, he needed to make careful thinking. But how long did he have? No, it was better Hagrid get rid of the dragon as soon as possible, before someone found out.

I do hope the transitions worked and this chapter didn't move too quickly. It didn't feel like it was moving fast, and at the same time there was a span of time that took place here. Next chapter will be the Quidditch match Hufflepuff has against Slytherin, I hope but I'll check the Harry Potter Wiki first. I do hope I can expand on what words to use for the Snitch. Okay, now it's your turn, readers, to leave a review and let me know what you think. :)