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.

And to find out what Cherryhill's fate is, along with me, Harry, and Frodo, here is the next chapter after the situation with Sauron and Voldemort… Also, I figured there was another substitute Seeker for Ravenclaw, the same substitute Seeker that's only mentioned in the first Harry Potter book. So, I'm still sticking with this canon. :) And I hope this chapter doesn't mirror too much of the conversations that took place in the last chapter for the first Harry Potter book. It wasn't my intention. *sheepish*

Frodo felt feverish, but not enough to cause him to become ill. No, instead he felt himself waking up, back to reality. So, he hadn't died? Where then-

Dumbledore stopped Frodo from moving. "Rest, Frodo. You've been through a lot."

"Where's the Stone… and Cherryhill… Sauron!" Frodo stumbled over his words.

Dumbledore nodded. "Professor Cherryhill is at St. Mungo's Hospital, making a full recovery. She was tortured by Sauron when she came to Hogwarts. Apparently, he tried to possess her and almost succeeded."

"So the Stone's gone? Who had it? Where is it?" asked Frodo, alarmed.

"The Stone's destroyed, and from what I know from Harry, you know about Nicholas Flamel. But he and his wife will live out the rest of their days, and then they will die," said Dumbledore.

"That makes no sense," said Frodo. It dawned on him. Of course, it made a lot better sense now than it did. He asked the Headmaster next, "How long was I out?"

"Three days, and I daresay you have catching up to do," said Dumbledore.

"Yes sir. But Sauron is… gone, right?" asked Frodo.

Dumbledore sighed. This was not the conversation he wanted to have, "With luck, Sauron may not regain physical form. If that's the case, we have nothing to worry about." He went on, "But Frodo, the reason Sauron evaporated upon your and Aria's touch is because you have something he doesn't have. Love, Frodo, the ability to love and form friendships, bringing kindness to the world whenever you can. And that is a much better thing to have."

Frodo sighed. "Then Professor Snape, he wasn't the one responsible for what happened in the Chamber."

Dumbledore shook his head. "No, and he has protected you and Aria ever since. You two are important." Ending their conversation there, Dumbledore said, standing up, "Now, I think it is time we awaken Aria. Don't you think?" He approached Aria, startling her in the process. Dumbledore explained as much as he could to Aria, even though she was out of it.

Frodo grinned. He was happy Aria was all right. They both were doing well.

x-x-x

Not being the first time Frodo had been in the Hospital Wing, he asked Madam Pomfrey for five minutes with his friends. With some convincing, Madam Pomfrey agreed. In rushed Sam, Merry, Pippin, Fredegar, Amy, Anne, and Abigail. The three girls held themselves back, and Frodo was glad of it. His head was still pounding, but he was happy to see them.

Pippin asked Frodo, "The whole school's talking about it. I'd like to know the truth. What really happened down there?"

Aria listened in, even though she felt a throbbing rush in her skull. Frodo explained to the group the true story with his and Aria's encounter, first with Cherryhill and then with Sauron. Their friends listened intently; they were keen on learning every detail that transpired between Frodo and Sauron. By the time Frodo finished his story, Sam had a few things to say:

"Mr. Frodo, you should know better than to go with just you and Aria, who couldn't protect you down there," said Sam.

However, Frodo was fed up hearing this statement. He spoke calmly, even though his voice tensed up, "Sam, I've already heard people tell me this about Aria, but Aria is doing well. Sure, she's learning to get out of her shell – my time with her down in the Chambers was the first time she stood up for her and wanted to do something exciting, adventurous and, yes, scary – all I'm saying is give her a chance. She'll come around."

At that, Sam apologized to Aria, "I'm very sorry, Miss Aria. I did not know people were telling you things like this."

"It is okay, Sam," said Aria, gently. "I'm just glad Frodo's all right."

"I am," said Frodo.

Merry said, "Well, the points are tallied and Slytherin has won. Gryffindor still got beat by Ravenclaw because they had another substitute Seeker to play when you and Jeremiah couldn't. Gryffindor got beat badly."

Madam Pomfrey intervened, in her strict voice, "You've had fifteen minutes, all of you. NOW GET OUT!"

Frodo and Aria's group of friends waved goodbye to them. They departed the Hospital Wing fast, not wanting to see an angry Madam Pomfrey. Frodo laughed. He couldn't help it. The scene was hilarious, due to Merry and Pippin pretending to be innocent, which didn't work. The two hobbits zipped out of the Hospital Wing before Madam Pomfrey drove them out again.

o-o-o

Frodo slept peacefully and awoke the next day feeling a little more like himself. He asked Madam Pomfrey, as she went towards him and adjusted his sweets, "Can I go to the feast?"

Madam Pomfrey said, "Dumbledore says you, Mr. Potter and Miss Breuer are allowed to go. And you have another visitor… actually, two."

Fred and George burst into the Hospital Wing. They advanced on Frodo, happy to see him.

Fred told Frodo, cheery, "Frodo, there you are! We've been wondering when you'd turn up!"

"You feeling better, Frodo?" asked George.

Frodo nodded. He was delighted to see them. "I couldn't be better, after what happened."

Fred said, "In that case, we have a gift to present to you."

George added, "Although we won't be seeing each other until September…"

"This gift is one I think you'll like," said Fred, passing to Frodo a small plastic tree frog.

Frodo laughed giddily at the present. It reminded him of Pippin, but he understood why Fred and George were giving him this. Using his hand magic, Frodo made the tree frog come alive, but also made sure the tree frog stayed in his hand. As a joke, Frodo showed it to Aria.

Aria's first reaction was a yelp. She was startled when she saw the tree frog and also afraid to touch it.

Frodo chuckled, but decided to help Aria with her fear. "It's all right, Aria. I made this tree frog come alive. He'll stay in my hand. He was a plastic toy. Come here and touch it."

Aria said, nervous, "I – don't know if I should –"

Frodo said, "Aria, after facing Sauron, I think we can handle a little tree frog." He pulled her hand closer to his, where the tree frog was kept. In a couple of efforts, Frodo allowed Aria to stroke the tree frog's backside in a gentle fashion. Frodo was impressed when Aria got the hang of it. "See? Not so terrifying."

Aria admitted, peering at the tree frog in Frodo's open hand, "He looks kind of cute."

Frodo grinned. He shushed Fred and George, as they chuckled giddily. Frodo returned his gaze to Aria, telling her, "To each his or her own, right?"

Aria glanced up at him. The fear she had before was now going away. She could handle animals, but some she was still afraid of getting close to. Frodo understood how she felt, even when she admitted it to him. Frodo could tell Aria was learning, and that was good for her. Good for both of them.

x-x-x

Frodo and Aria followed Harry to the Great Hall that night. After Madam Pomfrey's fussing about with them for one last checkup, and no surprise to Aria, the Great Hall was already full. Stares were made as the trio entered the hall. Harry gave a small see-you-later to Frodo and Aria as he approached the Gryffindor table. Frodo and Aria took their places at the Ravenclaw table, slipping in next to Folco. Harry, Frodo and Aria were doing their best to ignore the stares of people standing up and looking at them.

Dumbledore arrived moments later. The silence came as he gave his end-of-year speech: "Another year gone! And now the house point ceremony begins. In fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has three-hundred and seventy-six; and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

The Slytherin table erupted with cheers and applause. Even Lotho was smiling, happy that his authoress, Misty Rodgers – a Muggle girl with a terrifying fascination for Lotho – was there to see him celebrate his victory. Lotho gave a snooty grin at the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. He was ecstatic that he beat Frodo Baggins at his own game. Oh happy day it was for him… well evening.

"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last minute points to award."

Silence fell across the Great Hall. Various whispers and curious stares, from students and staff alike, swept across the room; their gazes were set on Dumbledore.

Dumbledore continued, "First, to Mr. Ronald Weasley… for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. However, a few cheers could be heard from Ravenclaw table from Frodo and Aria. Sam also cheered from Hufflepuff table, but he was the only hobbit doing so, if not the only Hufflepuff at the current time. Ron's face went purple with embarrassment and excitement. Even Percy was boasting over Ron's victory against McGonagall's chess set.

Dumbledore said next, "Second, to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use to cool logic against the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Gryffindor students were beside themselves. Hermione even sank her head in her arms. Harry suspected she was crying, but he felt assured it was out of joy. Frodo clapped again for his friends. So Gryffindor was taking the lead. Surely Ravenclaw…

Dumbledore went on, "Third – to Mr. Harry Potter…" there was a deafening silence around the room. "…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Frodo asked Aria, "What happened to Ravenclaw?"

Aria shrugged. She didn't know if Dumbledore would give Ravenclaw points.

Dumbledore raised his hand, causing the room to fall silent. He said: "Fourth – to Miss Aria Breuer…" there were loud whispers throughout the room. Dumbledore continued, "…for quick thinking and a clever mind with word puzzles, I award Ravenclaw house thirty points."

Ravenclaw table cheered. Aria couldn't help grinning. She did something unexpected and reaped the benefits. Her embarrassment didn't hide the smile she had. Frodo applauded her, grateful that Aria took part in something. Even the authors and authoresses from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw cheered Aria on.

Dumbledore said: "Fifth – to Mr. Frodo Baggins…" there was dead silence. He added, "…for pure love and a well-dealt hand at hand magic, I award Ravenclaw house fifty points."

Ravenclaw students were astounded. They had won their lost points back and more, but they were still behind in points for the house cup. Would they surpass Slytherin and what of Gryffindor? So far, Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied for the house cup.

"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Folco Boffin…" Just when Ravenclaw thought they had the house cup, Dumbledore added, "…and Mr. Neville Longbottom."

Cheers exploded in the room. Folco and Neville were stunned. Folco wouldn't have imagined his bravery, in the face of Frodo and Aria's nighttime wandering, would lead to Ravenclaw being second for the house cup. Gryffindor was ecstatic, but then so was Ravenclaw. Both houses had made the effort of surpassing Slytherin. Frodo pointed out to Aria the look on Lotho and Misty's horrified faces.

Aria whispered in Frodo's ear, "You should put them in a sleeper spell."

Frodo whispered back, "I might do more than that, Aria."

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the applause. Hufflepuff was even cheering on the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration." He clapped his hands. The green and silver banners, with the serpent symbol of Slytherin, transformed into banners of scarlet and gold, with the lion symbol of Gryffindor. Dumbledore announced, "Gryffindor wins the house cup."

There was much applause and shaking hands. Aria felt a little depressed that Ravenclaw didn't win the house cup, but she told herself that this was fine. Ravenclaw would try again next year. Still, it was a small blow for Ravenclaw house. And yet, no one minded because everyone was cheering on Harry, Merry, Pippin, Fredegar and other Gryffindors. Frodo shook Harry's hand in congratulations.

Frodo was glad everything worked out in the end. He would sleep peacefully that evening, looking forward to the dawn. He was grateful his lost points for Ravenclaw were redeemed. He would enjoy this evening.

I realize there were similarities to the first Harry Potter book in this chapter, and I hope I didn't mirror the conversations too much before the end-of-term feast. Still, I hope everyone liked this chapter and are looking forward to the last few chapters of this story. We're nearing the end. I can tell. :)