Frodo met with Harry, Ron and Hermione the very next morning. Mairon's diary and Riddle's diary were very suspicious, but then they did show Frodo and Harry that it was Hagrid who set the monster loose on the castle, killing the girl in the bathroom. Still, it was very alarming…

"Wait. You mean you were in Riddle's diary, too." Harry was confused.

"I'm telling you, that's what I saw. I was in Mairon's diary and you were there, Harry. Only, you were a phantom in Mairon's memory, of his time at Hogwarts," Frodo admitted, keeping quiet about the part of how he got the diary to work. At least not right away.

"But Mr. Frodo, it doesn't make sense." Sam asked, "How could Hagrid send a monster to attack Muggle born students?" That was the question of the day.

"But still, questioning if Hagrid is the heir of Slytherin…" Hermione was cut off by Ron, who had something to say.

"Whatever the case, how can we prove Hagrid's responsible?" It was a good question that Ron had, one that wasn't easy to answer.

They concluded that they wouldn't say anything to Hagrid until there was another attack.

*.*.*

The Golden Trio, Frodo and Sam, as well as their classmates enjoyed the attack free zone, which circumnavigated throughout the school. Also, the mandrakes were nearing the time when they could be chopped off, stewed and ministered to those that were petrified. Merry and Pippin, within this time, spent their time hanging around the Greenhouses, in hopes of stirring up trouble. That is, until they investigated the Mandrakes. Unfortunately, their paths crossed with Professor Sprout.

"Just what do you think you boys are up to?" Professor Sprout asked them.

"We… um..." Merry was at a loss for words.

"We just came to admire the Mandrakes," Pippin stepped in.

"Well, go on now. Get to class!" Sprout shooed them away.

Merry sighed in relief when they were away from the Greenhouses, "That was too close, Pippin."

"I wonder what Professor Sprout does with those Mandrakes," Pippin added.

"To heal those who have been petrified." It was Frodo, leaning up against a wall. He smirked. "I figured you two were wandering the castle at this time." He scratched his nose a little, before pointing to the entrance to the Greenhouses. "At least, that's what the school will be doing with them."

"Sounds hard." Merry admitted, "Good thing Pippin and me will be around to see those sick and injured well again."

"Me too," Frodo said, nodding in agreement. It was good to be them, but maybe it was better that certain things they stayed out of. Then again, maybe not. He smirked. If only that were the case…

o-o-o

As the Easter holidays drew nearer, it was time for the second year students – hobbits, authors and authoresses included – to choose their subjects for their third year at Hogwarts. Hermione was keen on taking no one's advice, deciding that she would take everything on the list. Harry chose the same elective classes that Ron took.

Merry and Pippin chose mainly the same classes, as did Fatty and Folco. Frodo and Sam were different. They chose what classes they felt they would do best at, but there were some classes they ended up picking the same ones. It wasn't any different for their authoress friends. While Anne and SweetDarkSilence worked on choosing which classes were the right fit – Amy and Abigail did the same in their own way – Aria was having a tough time picking classes meant for her. She sat by herself through the majority of the picking classes, until…

"Hey Aria," Frodo said, taking a seat next to her.

"Hey Frodo." Aria was somber. She looked up at him, tired. "How are you?"

"I'm good." Frodo looked at the sheet, admitting to her, "Isn't Divination at the same time as Ancient Runes?" Aria moved the sheet away from him. Frodo was stunned. He told her, frank, "Aria, don't be like that. We're getting older, more mature." He asked her, curious, "Isn't that what's important?"

"I'm finished with my sheet anyway," Aria stood up. However, Frodo took her class sheet from her hands.

"Aria, are you trying to be like Hermione?" Frodo asked, only to find Aria had taken the sheet away from him. He asked her, concerned, "Aria, we've been going at it for months. If there's something on your mind…" he followed her. Just as soon as Aria handed in her sheet, he asked her bluntly, "What's wrong?"

Aria was near to tears, "I'm sorry. I can't tell you… I..." Before she reached the entrance hall, she was pulled back into the Great Hall by Frodo. "Frodo, let go."

"Not until you…" Frodo paused. He said, calmer, "Look, Aria. I know something's on your mind. Why won't you tell me?"

"Because I can't. I've been told not to say anything," she said.

"Told by who? The authors? Aria, you can tell me. I'll listen," he said to her.

"I can't. I wish I could, but… there's just been…" She pulled away from him, darting out into the entrance hall. Just as she found a place by herself, she looked up at the Headmistress of the Authoresses.

"Talk to me, child. What is it? What's wrong?" the Head of Authoresses asked.

"Can't I tell him? He'll know soon enough," Aria asked, referring to Frodo.

"No. You're not ready and neither is he." The Head of Authoresses gave a warning. "But things are changing, not just for the hobbits, authors and authoresses, but everyone. We're all being affected in some way by time, and time is coming fast. Fair warning for next year." She stood up and walked away from Aria.

Great. So it seemed the only answer Aria received was 'no'. Now what was she to do? And Frodo was right there… no, it was better he found out on his own. Turning the corner, Aria darted up the stairs to the Grand Staircase, disappearing from Frodo's sight.

Frodo returned to the Great Hall in a flustered mood. Not only had he'd been willing to assist Aria, he still felt as though she was avoiding him. And yet, he had the strangest feeling that he had been in this situation before. Of course, during his first year, when he was avoiding Aria… only that was for a different reason. As for now… well, he could only guess what she was keeping from him.

Maybe it had something to do with the Chamber of Secrets. Maybe he wouldn't know until the answer came to him. Well, anyway… he returned to his previous routine of choosing which classes to take for his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

o-o-o

The weather soon turned sunny and bright. Frodo walked with his friends throughout the castle grounds, courtyards and corridors. He liked being out in the sunshine. It gave him something else to think about when…

"Frodo – something happened –" It was Folco, out of breath and confused.

In spite of nearly leaving Sam behind, Frodo watched him accompany him up the stairs. Sam halted when they reached the bronze eagle knocker, telling Frodo and Folco, "I think maybe you two should investigate. I'll…" It was all right with Frodo. He didn't want to push Sam any further into breaking the rules.

"It's all right, Sam. Folco and I'll investigate, and then tell you as soon as we're done," Frodo said.

Sam nodded furiously. Convinced that Sam would be all right, Frodo charged into the Ravenclaw common room and up the stairs. By the time Folco caught up to him, they found Frodo's bed upturned, several books scattered across the floor – many of his books came from his trunk, sheets all over the past, the frame of his bed tore up. As Frodo checked his belongings, one book was missing. He knew which book it was…

"Mairon's diary is missing," Frodo told Sam, Harry, Ron and Hermione as they walked down the corridor.

"So is Riddle's diary," Harry mentioned. "And on the same day. It could be a coincidence."

"Well, so far, there haven't been attacks on hobbits, authors and authoresses," Hermione admitted. "Maybe the other heir of Slytherin hasn't shown themselves yet."

"That's what I fear," Frodo and Sam said in unison.

"Well, if these diaries have gone missing, does that mean the attackers will return," Sam asked.

"That's a good question, Sam. But still," Frodo went on to explain, "It's best to keep our eyes open for anything."

"Agreed," Harry, Ron and Hermione said at the same time.

"But still, it had to be a Gryffindor and Ravenclaw who took those diaries. It's the only thing that makes sense," Hermione said.

"But still, we don't know who it is or what they want with the diaries," Frodo said, before Sam peeled off to join the Hufflepuffs in their common room. Frodo did the same with Harry, Ron and Hermione, telling them, "I'll see you at the match tomorrow."

Afterwards, Frodo regrouped with the rest of the Ravenclaw House for, what he hoped, would be a pleasant evening.

*.*.*

The Quidditch match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff was about to start. Even though Frodo wasn't able to participate in Quidditch matches, he accompanied Harry, Ron, Hermione and Sam on the Grand Staircase. It was good that Frodo at least could count on them. As for Aria… well, Frodo would…

"Kill this time… let me rip… tear…"

Frodo stopped on the staircase. Had he heard the voice again? He did. And there went Hermione in one direction, Harry in another. Frodo was left alone with Sam and Ron.

"Come on, Frodo, Sam. We don't want to be late for the match," Ron told them, flying down the stairs.

Frodo met Sam's gaze for a brief moment, but it was a look of exhaustion. Seeing no other way out, Frodo followed Sam and Ron through the corridors and out onto the castle grounds. They had just arrived at the Quidditch stadium when Professor McGonagall announced by megaphone that the match between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff was cancelled.

"Cancelled? How could the match be cancelled?" Sam asked, flustered.

Unfortunately, his questions were answered when he followed Frodo, Harry and Ron inside the castle. When they followed McGonagall into the hospital wing, they saw who else had been attacked: a Ravenclaw girl, Hermione and a hobbit lass named Myrtle Burrows. It was a triple attack, but it was also personal. Frodo hadn't thought of the heirs of Slytherin attack hobbits before.

Afterwards, the Houses were brought back to their separate common rooms, where the Heads of Houses announced the new itinerary. Frodo listened keenly, but was surprised by the rules. They weren't allowed to leave their dorms and common rooms after six. Well, he would see to it that he, Harry, Ron and maybe Sam, if he convinced him, would find out what happened with Hagrid.

Folco whispered to Frodo, as he prepared to set out, "Good luck."

"I'll be back," Frodo said, dressed in his velvet attire, before waving his hand. He was invisible once more. If only his hand magic wasn't so chaotic.

Of course, that didn't add up to all the staff wandering in the corridors around this time. He was stunned to see Sam about ready to leave the castle. Frodo couldn't believe it. Sam was invisible, too? Before he became too excited, Frodo chased after Sam until they were outside the castle.

It was a clear, starry night out. Perfect to roam around, or likely to get captured. Frodo gestured to Sam, "Come on. We need to find Harry and Ron." But they were too late to step inside Hagrid's hut. However, Harry and Ron made it inside. As Frodo backed up, hoping Dumbledore or the man accompanying them -who Frodo managed to overhear from Ron was Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.

Wow, Frodo thought, I must have good hearing.

Frodo's gaze turned to the two new men. One of them was a hobbit named Otho Sackville Baggins, while the man in the foreground was Lucius Malfoy. Frodo was a gasp, but in shrew annoyance. Otho was the one who started his venture. One day soon, he would get his comeuppance.

"What're you doin' here?" Hagrid asked, astonished and frustrated. "Get outta my house!"

"As the Shire's school governor, I have every right to be here." Otho added with a smirk on his face. "I was elected before the last school year was up. Haven't you heard?" He went on, speaking fluidly, "But I am here on common business with Lucius Malfoy, over Professor Dumbledore."

"No wonder Lotho's been so cheerful," Frodo whispered low to Sam.

Frodo waited with Sam until Dumbledore left the hut. At the same time, the two hobbit boys overheard Hagrid say something about "follow the spiders". It must have been code for something… no, Frodo thought, it's literal. Or was it? Well, he didn't know which. The moment Hagrid had left the hut, Frodo waited a good minute before heading inside. By then, once they were alone with Ron and Harry, their cloaking spell wore off in zaps.

"Blast!" Frodo cried, softly. "My hand magic's not working again. If anything, its exhausted." Frodo opened the palm of his hand, only to find a fireball spurred up from it. He blew it out without a synch.

"Maybe it's because we're gettin' older." Sam admitted, shaking his left hand several times. "Let me tell you, Mr. Frodo. Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin didn't say hand magic would be tricky or painful."

"Left that part out, did they?" Frodo smirked.

"It's not funny, Mr. Frodo," Sam said, sitting in one of Hagrid's chair.

Frodo sighed. Like Aria, Frodo would have to get Sam out of his shell more often. Only this year wasn't one of his best opportunities to do so. Aria had been avoiding him, not by her own making. As for Sam… well, Frodo would see what would come up.

"One thing is clear. Without Dumbledore, they'll be an attack a day," Ron said. His words were ominous, added with Fang howling and scratching the closed door.

This chapter blended The Chamber of Secrets book and movie adaptation together well, I think. Also, inspiration for Frodo's hand magic exhausting itself came from the Hallmark mini-series "The 10th Kingdom". Thanks for reading. :) We're getting closer to the end of the story. :)