D/N: I don't own anything! Ok good I am glad you realize that. Hehe its November only one more month! Yeah!

And yes I used some of the lines from the movie, but I will give credit to the script writer person I am not sure what the proper name is. Is it screenwriter? I don't know. shrugs

Ch.6 Good-Byes

Frodo stood there shocked as he kept staring at the place where Bilbo had been standing only two seconds ago. He couldn't believe that Bilbo had actually done it. Bilbo had actually gone through with his plan. He looked passed the tree stump and saw Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Hazel all wearing the same expression on their shocked faces. For a split moment there was complete silence. Then the whole entire field gave an uproar as confused hobbits went around the field swinging their arms around them wondering what on earth had just happened. Many of the hobbits began to make a run toward the exit. Others went up to Frodo and demanded to know what had happened. Frodo quickly apologized for the "inconvenience". A whole family of very angry Sandyman's came up covered from head to foot with cake frosting.

"What is this, Baggins?" exclaimed Mrs. Mary Ann Sandyman a little bit of cake on her thick, curly, brown hair.

"Is this your idea of a practical joke?"

Frodo opened his mouth to answer when out of nowhere his two favorite cousins came to his rescue. Pippin and Merry who were both black from the explosion of the firecracker, came up to the angry crowd.

"Of course it was not a joke!" exclaimed Merry looking around at the angry mob.

" Then how do you explain Bilbo disappearing like that!"

"Um, …good question….um you tell them, Pip", said Merry looking at poor Pippin. He pushed Pippin forward. Pippin stuttered for a second. He pointed at himself stupidly and Merry nodded anxiously.

"Um, well you see, it was a er…. a er… magic trick. Yeah that's it! A magic trick that Bilbo learned from …uh…from.. uh… Gandalf! Yeah Gandalf!"

The rest of the hobbits didn't exactly seem convinced. Pippin looked around he gave Merry a "help me!" glance. Merry looked around nervously.

"Well, it is time for Mr. Baggins to start cleaning up. So everyone let's go", said Merry making motions with his hands toward the exit. No one moved.

"Come on now move along, shoo! Yeah that's right shoo! You heard me, shoo! SHOO!" yelled Pippin acting like he was shooing away a couple of angry hens.

All the hobbits marched away. One of the younger hobbits turned around and stuck his tongue out at Pippin. Pippin stuck his tongue out at the little boy. The boy continued to stick his tongue out. Pippin held up his hand and made an unpleasant gesture with his middle finger. The kid gasped and ran after his mother.

"PIPPIN!" exclaimed Hermione with her hands on her hips. Pippin turned around and blushed. "What?" Hermione shook her head and rolled her eyes. Pippin turned and looked at Merry and shrugged his shoulders.

"Thanks you guys", said Frodo " now can you help me clean the place up?"

Pippin's face fell. "N- ow!" Merry had stepped on his foot. "Of course" said Pippin limping after a laughing Merry.

Frodo smiled and turned around to face the wizards who had been watching silently, except for Hermione, from behind him. When Frodo looked in Harry's direction a small hint of anger began to grow from inside him. It bubbled up until Frodo could withhold it any longer.

"Why weren't you watching where you were going?!"

"Huh?" asked Harry.

"When you plowed into Gandalf why weren't you watching where you were going. I saw the whole thing. I mean you were walking backwards!" Frodo's eyes seemed to grow. Harry looked at him. He tried to say something. But for some odd reason he couldn't. It was Frodo's eyes. They were intimidating him. He just hung his head low. From the corners of his eyes he realized that everyone was looking at him waiting for his answer. He wished that he and Frodo could talk about this somewhere else. He wished that he could disappear like Bilbo into thin air.

Frodo realized that Harry wasn't going to answer anytime soon. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. He looked up and saw that everyone was watching them. As if waiting to see what kind of punishment was going to be given to the trouble maker.

"Never mind we will talk about this later. Go up to Bag End and we will join you later", said Frodo pointing up to Bag End.

Harry sighed with relief. He secretly thanked Frodo and made his way through the crowd. As he squeezed his way through the many spectators he could hear whispers about him.

"That's it? That is his punishment?"

"See I told you it had something to do with that lot and to think I thought he was the most sensible looking one."

"I believe that they also have something to do with Bilbo's disappearance."

"Is that a lightning bolt shaped scar on his forehead?"

Harry quickly covered his scar with his bangs and set off at a jog toward the hill. Grumbling to himself he felt angry. But he wasn't angry at Frodo he was more angry at Bilbo for jumping to the conclusion that he had done that on purpose. "Oh well, there is really nothing I can do now", he thought to himself. On his way up he felt the chilling feeling that something was watching him. Harry turned around to look behind him. Nothing was there.

"It's all in your head, Harry. Just like that dog, it is all in your head", he thought. He continued to trudge on. He thought that he must somehow bring himself about to telling Frodo the truth. And how he had accidentally knocked into Gandalf. He had tripped, I mean come on. Suddenly he turned around swiftly. This time he definitely heard something. Harry's eyes looked swiftly around him. Nothing only darkness. The lights from the field cast ghostly shadows all around him. His breath came out short and he could see a cloud form in front of him whenever he breathed. He suddenly felt cold. He shivered. Then his ears picked up another sound behind him. This time he didn't turn around immediately. He slowly turned his body around. Once again nothing.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" he called looking around him. He quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out his wand. He held it up in front of him. His eyes darted around. Then a nearby bush rustled its leaves. Harry froze. Cautiously he crept up close to the bush. The bush rustled again. Harry held up his wand and whispered, " Lumos." A small beam came from the tip of his wand. It lighted the area in front of him. A strange hissing sound came from the bush. Then a black cat ran out from his refuge among the bushes. It stopped in the middle of the path. It sat up and licked its paw. It stared at Harry with wide yellow eyes. Harry stared at it. The cat twitched its ear and with a meow darted away into the darkness.

"Only a stupid cat", grumbled Harry. He put his glasses firmly on the bridge of his nose, for they had been sliding off, and holding his head up high continued his short journey up the hill. He didn't noticed that from the opposite side of the road in the bushes a pair of bright yellow eyes were staring out at him. They blinked and disappeared. When he finally reached the gate at Bag End he was still thinking about the big, black dog that he had seen. Once at the door he reached for the doorknob, but drew his hand away. Angry voices could be heard inside. Harry's old curiosity returned to him and he kneeled by the keyhole and listened.

"I am not trying to rob you", said a deep booming voice from inside " I'm trying to help you."

Harry recognized the voice as that of Gandalf's. What was going on? Eager to learn what was going on inside he strained his ears to hear the rest. There was more soft talk and Harry could only catch a word here and there. Then he heard footsteps coming toward the door. Harry quickly sat up and backed away from the door. Surprisingly no one came out. Harry was just about to return to his former position when Bilbo opened the door. His head was looking toward the ground. He looked up at Harry and gave a yell.

"Oh you frightened me, my boy. What are you doing here?" asked Bilbo.

"Oh, um, Frodo sent me up here", answered Harry truthfully.

"Oh, I see."

"Are you going somewhere Bilbo?" asked Harry looking at the pack, the traveling clothes, and the walking stick in Bilbo's hand.

"Um, yes Harry I am leaving here for good", answered Bilbo sadly.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry I didn't think that me ruining your party meant so much to you. I promise I will make it up to you", exclaimed Harry quickly. He felt terrible.

Bilbo looked surprised but then he began to laugh. Harry was confused. Why was Bilbo laughing?

"No, no my dear boy. I was planning to leave tonight anyways. This has nothing to do with your little show tonight. And speaking about that", his voice became very grave, " I am sorry I judged you rashly. I should have never done that. I know you didn't do it on purpose, I just was very angry about the fact that the surprise birthday party for Frodo had been ruined. I am sorry, Harry."

"Don't worry about it, Bilbo. I am the one that should be sorry. I didn't know it was Frodo's birthday?"

Bilbo nodded. Harry felt the sinking feeling in his stomach again.

"But I am sorry", he added quickly.

"I know you are and I forgive you."

Bilbo smiled and to Harry's surprise he gave him a warm embrace. Harry returned the hug. He didn't want Bilbo to leave. Somehow he had gotten attached to this grandfatherly figure. Bilbo let go of Harry. Harry felt something warm and wet come rolling down his cheek. He touched his face with his hand. It was a tear. Bilbo sniffed and cleared his throat.

"Thank you Bilbo for you hospitality. I really appreciate it. And I am speaking for all of us, Ron, Hermione, and even Malfoy. Thank you so much."

Bilbo waved his hand and chuckled. "Take care of Frodo for me won't you?"

Harry nodded. He backed away from Bilbo.

"Well it's late the road is long," said Bilbo getting ready to walk off.

"Bilbo", said Gandalf's voice from the door. Bilbo stopped and looked behind him.

"Hm."

"The Ring is still in your pocket", said Gandalf coming out from the doorway. Bilbo took a shaking hand into his pocket and took out something that Harry couldn't see. Bilbo smiled and looked at Gandalf. He lay out his hand so that his palm was facing up. And in his hand, Harry saw a single golden ring. It was very simple really nothing that would be of much value back in England. Bilbo's hand began to tremble. Harry looked intently from Bilbo's face to the Ring in his hand. Bilbo slowly moved his hand so that the Ring could simply slide off and fall to the ground. But the Ring seemed to stick to Bilbo's hand. Finally after what seemed forever the Ring fell. Harry followed the Ring's progress to the ground. It hit the tile floor heavily. Bilbo then went outside and looked back.

"I have thought up an ending for my book. And he lived happily ever after till the end of his days", he said looking at Gandalf and Harry.

"And I am sure you will. Good-bye!" called Gandalf.

"Good-bye dear friend! Farewell Harry!" Bilbo turned and headed down the road singing a song to himself.

Beside Harry, Gandalf murmured, " Till our next meeting." Once Bilbo was out of sight, Gandalf turned around and looked at Harry straight in the eye.

"Don't mention this to anyone. Not even your friends. At least until I say otherwise."

Harry stared at Gandalf and nodded his head. Tell about what he wondered. Gandalf headed into the house. He stopped at the entrance and made to pick something up. Changing his mind he got up and walked onward. Harry followed his eyebrows raised still pondering about what Gandalf had just said. He entered the house when his foot touched something on the floor. Looking down Harry saw the Ring that Bilbo had had in his pocket. He looked up and saw that Gandalf was watching him. Harry looked at Gandalf and back down at the Ring. Naturally he bent down to pick it up, always watching the old wizard from the corner of his eyes. Just before he was about to grab the Ring he heard a strange whisper. It seemed to fill the air all around him.

"Harry Potter", it whispered.

Harry looked around. No longer aware of Gandalf's stare.

"Harry."

Harry looked around again. He looked down at the Ring. "Harry Potter come to me."

Harry's fingers began to shake as he slowly made to pick it up again. In the air all around him he could hear whispers. It seemed that the air was full of the same strange and freaky voice calling his name. His fingers got closer and closer to the Ring. He was only a few millimeters away.

"Harry, Harry, Harry, HARRY!"

At that moment Harry's scar began to burn like it had never burned before. Harry felt that his head was going to be split in two.

"ARGH!" he screamed and fell back on the floor.

He grabbed a hold of his head and winced in pain. Gandalf rushed over to him and asked if he was alright. At that moment Harry thought it was the stupidest question that anyone had ever asked him. Gandalf knelt down beside Harry. Harry slowly opened his eyes and stared at the Ring lying on the floor. He quickly scooted away from it. Gandalf watched him his face full of concern. He helped Harry up and set him down in an armchair nearby. Harry was still rubbing his forehead. His scar stopped burning. His eyes were wide with fear.

"What happened, Harry?" asked Gandalf looking very worried.

Harry gasped for breath. His heart was beating rapidly. He looked up at Gandalf.

"I saw something strange. I was bending down to pick up the Ring and when I bent down I could hear a small voice whispering my name. Then when I was about to pick it up the voice stopped whispering and yelled my name. At that exact moment I saw in my head a huge fiery eye. Like the eye of a reptile like a snake or something. And it made a sort of roaring noise. That was when my scar began to hurt. It has never hurt this bad before though. Gandalf? What are you looking at?"

Gandalf was looking at Harry's forehead. He pointed at his scar. Harry reached up to feel his scar. It felt hot.

"You say that your scar has hurt before, but has it ever done that?" Gandalf asked not taking his eyes away from Harry's forehead.

"Done what?" exclaimed Harry. He jumped up before Gandalf could answer and ran to Bilbo's room where he knew there was a mirror. As he came into the dark room he pointed his wand at the empty fireplace and boomed, "Incendio!" A small fire started in the fireplace. Harry ran to the mirror on the wall over Biblo's dresser. He gasped his scar was glowing reddish orange. He ran back to Gandalf.

"What is that thing?" he asked referring to the Ring. Gandalf sighed and said," I am not sure. We need to talk about that scar of yours it might help to shed a little light on Bilbo's Ring."

Harry nodded and sat down in a nearby chair. Gandalf made himself comfortable in a chair beside the fire. Harry began to explain about his scar and his history. He spoke of the happenings during his first year at Hogwarts. About his encounter with Voldemort. Then also about his second encounter with Voldemort during his second year as well. While he spoke Gandalf remained quiet not interrupting at all. He listened quietly and politely only interrupting here and there to clarify something or to ask a question. Harry was about to tell him about what had happened earlier that year when there was a sound from the frontdoor. Harry and Gandalf both turned their heads to see who it was. Frodo was at the door. He was looking around and then looked down at the floor. To Harry's surprise, Frodo picked up the Ring without the slighest hesitation. He went over to where he and Gandalf were sitting.

"Is Bilbo gone? Where is he? He left didn't he. He talked so long about leaving, I didn't think he would actually do it." he said as he came over to Gandalf holding the Ring.

"Yes he has gone to stay with the elves. He has left you Bag End", answered Gandalf with a smile. He held up and open envelope to Frodo. Frodo placed the Ring inside. Gandalf then hastily closed the envelope and put a seal on it. "Along with all his possesions. The Ring is yours now", he added hastily. He gave Frodo the enclosed envelope. Frodo took it.

"Well I must get going", said Gandalf getting up. Harry and Frodo both looked up at him in surprise.

"Going, where?" asked Harry.

"I need to find somethings."

"What things?" asked Frodo.

"Questions, questions that need answering", answered Gandalf as he went around the house picking up his belongings. He was followed by Harry and Frodo.

"You have only just arrived. I don't understand", said Frodo.

Gandalf stopped. He was now at the door. He turned around to face both Frodo and Harry.

"Neither do I". He then went up to Frodo and whispered something in his ear. Harry couldn't catch what he said. Then Gandalf turned and looked at Harry. He too bent down and whispered into Harry's ear, "Keep it secret. And don't tell even Frodo. I shall return to take you and your friends to Isengard. But something has come up about you know what. I will return shortly."

And without another word he opened the door and walked quickly out, closing the door with a bang. Harry and Frodo looked at one another, each wondering what had Gandalf said to the other. Frodo looked down at the sealed envelope which was still in his hand. Harry reached up to touch his scar. It was no longer hot. Frodo and Harry then looked at one another one more time and they both sighed. Both had the exact same question in their minds. What was Gandalf up to?