Hi y'all, thanks so much for the reviews. I've just finished my exams and am already on chapter 11 of the story, so you won't have long to wait 'til the next instalment! P.S. If you're totally bored, check out my other HP story, "Hazel".

Chapter 9 - Bad News

As they all walked down to the Great Hall for supper, Fred and George enthusiastically planned how they could play a trick on Malfoy. Merry and Pippin listened eagerly. 'Those hobbits are exactly like Fred and George,' said Ron to Harry. 'Oh, I don't know,' grinned Harry,' I think Merry and Pippin could be worse than Fred and George!' They reached the Hall and an inviting smell of delicious food reached them. They walked through the doors, and suddenly, it seemed as though the whole hall had burst into applause. It seemed that everyone apart from Slytherin had found Merry and Pippin's trick extremely funny and students cheered and clapped as they made their way to the Gryffindor table. 'Wow,' said Merry, 'I didn't realise we were so popular!' 'I didn't realise that Professor Snape was so *un*popular,' said Frodo, gazing round at Merry and Pippin's admirers. Harry cast a glance to the teachers table and saw Snape, red-faced and angry, glaring at the two hobbits, as if he was trying to disintegrate tem with the power of thought. When the cheering died down Dumbledore looked round as if he was surprised and said, 'I am so glad that you're being welcoming to our guests!' The students applauded once more and Snape looked even angrier. Dumbledore must have realised Snape looked like he was going to explode because he called for quiet and everybody soon settled down to eat. After everyone had finished eating, Dumbledore stood up. 'Before you all retire to bed, Professor Snape has a very important announcement to make.' A few sniggers were stifled as Snape stood up but he looked so menacing that no one spoke. Even Dumbledore looked very interested, and Harry suspected that even the Headmaster didn't know what Snape was about to say. 'I have received important information today, information that is very important, particularly to our guests.' He glared once again, at the hobbits. Someone from the Ravenclaw table made shrieking noises, probably trying to imitate a bat, and the students started giggling again. 'This isn't a laughing matter you fools!' snapped Snape, 'for all of you not too stupid to know what and Orc is,' he paused and Harry saw Frodo shudder at the mention of the nasty creatures. 'An army of Orcs is heading to Hogwarts right now,' finished Snape. Most of the older student knew what Orcs were, thanks to Gandalf's teaching of the Dark Arts, but the younger students whispered fearfully. Dumbledore stood up. 'There is not much magic that will work against these monstrous things, but I assure you, I, and members of the Fellowship will do all we can to keep you safe.' Aragorn who had been listening quietly to this nodded at the end of this speech from Dumbledore, and Boromir also listened eagerly. Harry glanced across the table at Frodo who had gone deathly pale, and for the first time, felt afraid. Dumbledore continued, 'I want you all to make your way to your dorms, and stay there! Under no circumstances may you leave them!' Students began to shuffle out of the Hall and Ron jumped up from the table, 'we're under attack!' he exclaimed. 'Don't worry, Ron,' said Hermione, 'I'm sure Dumbledore and Gandalf can fight the Orcs. Unless Merry wants to try and turn them into bats,' she added sarcastically. Pippin looked up at Hermione. 'Can we?' he asked eagerly.