AN: I do not own HP or The Hobbit.

AN: A thank you to Kitsune Obsessed Freak for the title. Since my story is nothing but a big hot cliche mess why not have a chapter called A Hot Mess. At-least my grammar is good.

And to ImaginativeFury - I am very sorry that you don't approve of genderbend, LGBTQ+ and other such stories. But this is my story. I can do whatever it is I wish. Not everything has to be cannon. And furthermore, please do not be a troll. You don't read genderbend, yet it is mentioned in my AN's as well as in my summary what this is. And you do not read anything with chapters fewer than a couple thousand words? Yet, you did for my fiction. That does prove you are a troll. Please move on.

AN: If genderbend is not your thing, DO NOT READ. If polygamy is not your thing, DO NOT READ.

Chapter 5 - A Hot Mess

The days had passed in Mirkwood. Harry had spoken to Thranduil in length about the disagreement between the elves and dwarves. At the end of the conversation Harry had felt her inner Hermione come out. It was not right. Neither side had done right by the other. The King, Thror, had essentially stolen the jewels from Thranduil. He had them made for his wife before she had fell into Gundabad. Thranduil had even offered his help with the quest for the mountain and giving the dwarves their freedom if he could have the gems back. And Thorin being the stubborn Dwarf that he was denied his request. But then again, he more than likely had denied it more for the fact that Thranduil had decided to not help the Erabor dwarves when they needed it the most. Then again Thranduil also did not help them because it was a dragon. He had faced dragons before and still paid for it to that day. And then there was the whole thing with the Mortality Crusades. So, all in all to Harry's opinion, it was all just one big hot mess. A bunch of hard-headedness on both sides had caused this problem. A whole big bunch of BS.

She had even shared her point of view on this and needless to say Thranduil was not pleased that she was not on his side. She was in the middle. Harry had even snuck around to get Thorin's side of the story. He had also had the same reaction as Thranduil. But she would not be swayed on how she felt. It led to her having an argument with Thranduil and one with Thorin. Only Bilbo seemed to have any sense.

After the argument with Thorin, Bilbo had approached her. They had talked for a few hours and Harry agreed that she would assist where she could in getting them out. But Harry had her own plan. After she had learned occlumency from Snape she could use legilimens on Thorin to see where the mountain is. She would be finishing this on her own. If they wanted to stop her well then, they would have to come together to do it. So, just as her predecessor, Gandalf, she would be having her own adventure.

It was the day of The Feast of Starlight; she had told Bilbo that it would be best to wait till afternoon or evening to break them out. It was a special occasion, and the elves would be drinking quite a bit. He agreed and had found the perfect place to take them to, to get out. The cellar had a trap door for barrels, and he would use the barrels to get them out. Harry had left him to his own devices and decided to get herself ready to leave as well. As much as she was coming to care for Thranduil, she needed to do this. It was time for her to stand on her own here. She was the chosen one after all. She wrote a note to Thorin and to Thranduil, they would get them after she left. After putting an undetectable extension charm on a bag, she filled it with travelling necessities. She shrank the bag down and kept it attached to her wand holster so she could make a quick exit when the dwarves did.

The last thing she needed to do was make a quick visit to Thorin before she joined Thranduil for a small meal. Donning the invisibility cloak, Harry made her way to the dungeons and to Thorin's cell. But she was shocked that Thorin was not there. All the others were in their cells, but Thorin's was empty. Now this did worry her. Would he be hurt when he came back? She could heal him if he was. But the strain that would between her and Thranduil... she could not even imagine it.

"Lady Harry?" Bilbo said to her appearing next to her.

"Is he alright?" she asked.

"Yes, Thranduil is giving him another chance to reconsider just giving him his gems and he would extend his help again." Bilbo explained.

"Thorin is so stubborn. He will turn it down again just for spite." she said with a sigh, "Here. Give this to Thorin when you get them out of here."

Bilbo took the letter from Harry; it was sealed shut. He nodded and placed it inside of his coat. He looked at her and she flipped her cloak back on. It would be a while before Thranduil had Thorin returned to his cell. She would not get to visit him before she left. It made her heart ache to think about.

"Lady Harry, what do you plan to do?" Bilbo asked her.

"Bilbo, you have my full confidence. Do I have yours?" she asked of him.

"Of course." he answered, no hesitation.

"I plan to kill a dragon." she answered simply and disappeared from view.

Bilbo felt himself go green. She was planning to go after Smaug on her own?! What was she thinking? Why? But he did not have to think for too long. The door above opened and Bilbo watched as Thorin was dragged back to his cell. When the elf guard left, he moved to Thorin. It was almost time. He placated the king for the time being and then disappeared to play his part on getting them out. He prayed that he could get them out and somehow get them on Lady Harry's heels before she could get herself eaten by Smaug.

Harry had left the dungeons and had made her way to the library in search of a map or better yet someone who knew the way to Erebor. She did not wish to ever use legilimens on either of her loved ones. And she did not wish to have to use a memory spell on them either. It would break their trust. And not to mention her heart. In the weeks that she had been in Mirkwood, she had gotten to know many of the residents and the prisoners. She absolutely adored her nephews, Fili and Kili, and Balin was her favorite. She and Tauriel had kindled a friendship and they both had become an ear the other listen to. Even she and Legolas and Luthien, Legolas's younger sister, had become close in the time she had been present as well. But it was only Bilbo that she trusted with her departure. Everyone else would try to stop her from going.

While in the Library she found a bunch of different maps and even a few journals. One was written by Calathiel, Thranduil's departed wife. A couple other were written by Thranduil's other sons; Laindawar and Laerophen. She really hoped to read these one day. Carefully putting them back on the shelf, she continued to look around for any hints for the mountain. But nothing was turning up.

"There you are Lady Harry." Tauriel's voice came over to her.

"Tauriel, how are you?" she asked.

"Well. Why are you here my lady?" Tauriel asked.

"I am looking to see a way to Erebor." Harry answered truthfully.

"Are you wishing to go?" Tauriel asked with a worried expression.

"I need to." she answered.

"But Lord Thranduil?" Tauriel interjected.

"Will be just fine. Distraught but he will be fine." Harry said briskly, "I need to go. I can end this."

Tauriel was silent. Lady Harry had been nothing but truthful with her and had been a supportive friend. Maybe she could help her? Tauriel sighed heavily. She would not let her go alone. She would be her responsibility now that she knew what was going on in her friends' head.

"I have never been to Erebor, but I have been to Lake Town. It is near Erebor." she said.

"May I see?" Harry asked.

"Only if I can go with you." Tauriel answered.

Harry wanted to yell no. But she knew that Tauriel would just go to Thranduil to keep her safe. Tauriel was a good friend. A good soldier. And a good match to her nephew, Kili. Her stepson loved her, but not the way that he thought he did. She was his best friend. They had grown up together and were very fond of each other. Just not romantically. Legolas had yet to receive his soul mark while Tauriel's showed up 77 years before. The same time Kili was born. Tauriel had shown her the soul mark on the inside of her upper arm. It was in Khuzdul. And if Harry was willing to bet, she knew it would be Kili's name.

"Alright." Harry sighed.

Tauriel sat so Harry could reach her head better. She was taller than Harry. Harry cast the legilimens spell on Tauriel. She watched in her mind and forced herself to see just the path from Mirkwood to the place called Lake Town. It was a ramshackle little fishing town right on the lake. When she had what she needed she let Tauriel go from the spell.

"Gather what you need. We will leave rather quickly." Harry announced.

Tauriel left quickly and returned just as quick with provisions and more weaponry. She gave Harry a sword and a dagger just to help herself should she need it. They were almost to a servant's entrance when they heard the commotion of raised voices.

"The dwarves are gone!"

Tauriel stiffened and then looked at Harry. Harry nodded at her, and the women bolted forward. They needed to get away before anyone went looking for them. They rushed through the woods. They stopped suddenly when they saw Orcs rushing about towards the river. Then Legolas went scampering by. He was taking down Orcs left and right. Tauriel leapt forward to help him take down the orcs. Harry rushed forward. Wands flying through the air and incantations spewing forth. Her sword shining in the light as she used both magic and physicality for defense.

They chased the orcs as they followed the dwarves. The bridge was coming up and Harry could see that it was being closed. The dwarves would be literal fish in barrels. She apparated forward.

"BOMBARDA MAXIMA!"

The bridge and gate exploded! Rock and wood rained down upon everyone. Harry caught Thorin's eyes as they drifted closer to the ruins of the bridge. His face held relief and panic.

"Jump Harry!" he said as his barrel came within reach.

As much as she wanted to, she did not. Instead, she turned back to the approaching Orcs. Her sword whistled with the ferocity in which she swung it. Steel rang in the air as blood showered the ground. Her name was still being yelled by Thorin and the company. She took a second to glance at the company. They were still being pursued heavily. She apparated again and was in front of the orcs coming for the company.

"Aqua Erecto"

Water shot out of Harry's wand. It had enough force to knock the orcs off their feet. It was temporary though. With some fancy footwork and a quick swing of her sword she decapitated three orcs. Then followed up with a swish of her wand, CONFRINGO, was cast. Then consecutively followed by DEPULSO, DIFFINDO, EXPULSO. Harry threw multiple hexes and spells. The entrail-expelling curse and sectumsempra were also amongst them. She set them all as she also apparated to keep ahead of the orcs and was mowing them down in the process. Then the orcs suddenly retreated.

"Come. We should return to father." Legolas said as he and Tauriel came to her side.

"Come Tauriel, we have business to attend." Harry said.

"Coming My Lady. Bye Legolas." Tauriel said and grabbed Harry's arm and they apparated away.

Poor Legolas was left on the riverbank unsure as to tell his father. He truly did not wish to tell him all that had occurred. But he knew he would have to. So, with a heavy burden the prince turned to go back to his father's halls with the unsavory news that the dwarves escaped, orcs were on his lands, and that Tauriel and Harry had left to go Eru knew where.

(Banks of Lake Town)

A loud bang ripped the silence. Thankfully no one had been around to witness the sudden appearance of Harry or Tauriel from the apparition. They appeared well if not slightly disoriented. This lasted only a few seconds just long enough for them to catch their bearings. Both women moved forward to the town and into the center. They were just going to pass on through to the gate so Harry could see a point to apparate closer to the mountain. Tauriel being an elf of course had caught everyone's attention, while Harry just being someone that was not their own had also caught the townsfolk attention.

"You know it is very rude to stare." Harry snapped at the people as they continued their trek.

"They know it is, My Lady. They are just looking for something that will help them out with the Town's Master." Tauriel explained.

Harry gave her a queer look. Tauriel then explained about The Master and Alfrid Lickspittle. She had the unfortunate opportunity to have had to interact with them from time to time. Harry rolled her eyes. Creatin's, the both of them. Users and abusers. On second thought, maybe she could make a fix in the town before she killed the dragon. Harry told her to lead the way. She would be having a word with this master and Alfrid. It was time for a change in the town. Upon approaching the master's home, Braga, a soldier blocked their way. He insisted on getting Alfrid. Harry used the confundus charm on the man and they made their way inside. Once in they just followed the noise of a loud man.

Harry just walked into the room unannounced. This caused Alfrid to get into an uproar and immediately jumped to accost the women. Harry hit his with a shrinking charm and placed him inside of a nearby glass. Then she turned her wand onto the master. This was a coward of a man. An absolute despicable coward. He begged and pled that he would do anything. Just don't hurt him. Harry had rolled her eyes and shrank the man and put him in the same glass as Alfrid. Harry gave the glass to Tauriel, and she transferred them into a jar with a lid that she poked holes into. It was time for changes and changes would be made. Progress had to be made in this town or it would cease to exist. And Harry would be the catalyst to the change.

With a heavy sigh she turned her emerald eyes to the mountain. it was almost time to meet this Smaug, the terrible. Just how terrible would he be?

AN: A lil short in my opinion but hey it is here.