Inside Professor McGonagall's office stood Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, McGonagall, Dumbledore and the Heads of Authors and Authoresses. They were pleased to see Ginny and Aria, but stunned when Harry told them about the Chamber, hearing the voices and, with help from Dumbledore, how Voldemort and Sauron's diaries ended up in Aria and Ginny's grasp.

"But I was writing in Sauron's diary. I didn't know…" Aria squawked.

"And this is why we tell authors and authoresses to be careful about using books that are enchanted," the Head of Authors proclaimed.

"Miss Weasley and Miss Breuer will not be punished," Dumbledore said.

Harry and Frodo went on to tell the Headmaster about Lockhart and Sindri losing their memories down in the Chamber. Frodo added that he heard the voices, too, as did Sam and Aria, revealing that they had also heard the Basilisk in the walls. Dumbledore was convinced.

"Frodo, you are reinstated as this authoress' hobbit," the Head of Authors said, but not before adding, "If you wish to visit the Authors and Authoresses' campus this summer, you are more than welcome to come. You have our deepest gratitude."

"Sauron said I was a Ring-bearer in the future. Does that mean… time is going to screw up, end up in a paradox," Frodo asked, concerned.

"Frodo, we're already living in an altered timeline. Anything that happened before or is happening now is already being recorded elsewhere," the Headmistress of the Authoresses stated. She sighed slowly, "You are more than welcome to read 'The Lord of the Rings', if you choose, but I must tell you that your timeline is already shifted, due to Sauron's arrogance." She turned to Aria, "Come now, Miss Aria."

"So I guess I can read the books now?" Frodo asked her, chipper. He received a knowing expression from Aria, but only in silence. It was enough.

"Please Mr. Weasley and Mr. Gamgee, take Lockhart and Sindri to Madam Pomfrey." Dumbledore spoke next to Harry and Frodo, "Mr. Potter, Mr. Baggins, may I speak with you two alone." He waited until the door closed to speak further to them. "First, I want to thank you both. You must have shown me real loyalty down in the chamber. That is how Fawkes came to see you. Second, I sense that something is on your minds, am I right?"

"What I'd like to know is how Sauron and Voldemort are connected. Sauron didn't say," Frodo asked.

"Yes, of course. They are connected in only the manner that villains know. Because Sauron shape-shits into serpents, he can be easily misinterpreted as one of the Heirs of Slytherin. Not by chance, but it's just a coincidence," Dumbledore explained.

"But it doesn't explain how me, Sam and Aria could hear the basilisk. Is there an explanation for it? Does it have something to do with us being Ring-bearers?" Frodo asked, curious.

"It does, in many ways. But yes, sometime in the future, the three of you will come across a variety of rings, rings of power. It explains why you heard the basilisk, why the Sorting Hat nearly placed you in Slytherin." Dumbledore admitted, "And yet, you three are not Sauron. You are yourselves, who come across powerful objects." He said next, "What lies in store for you next remains to be seen. If anything, you have your own magic, Frodo, as do all authors, authoresses and hobbits. Aria will come into her own powers, if not soon. But it is our choices that define us, not only by fate's means. Know that, Frodo. You are still you, in any timeline you come across in."

Silence fell. Frodo was starting to understand. And yet, there was so much he didn't know. His thoughts were interrupted shortly after Harry's conversation with Dumbledore. Barging into the room were Lucius Malfoy and Otho. Just behind Lucius was Dobby, and behind Otho was Kanker.

"Kanker, of course. Your masters are the Sackville-Bagginses," Frodo announced.

"Um… yes," Kanker squeaked.

"Good evening, Lucius. Good evening, Otho," Dumbledore said.

"Good evening." Otho stammered. "Good evening." He admitted, "So, you are back."

"Yes, so it would seem," Dumbledore said further. He went on to explain to Otho and Lucius that he was back, due to the governors' fears that they would curse their families if they didn't agree to suspend him. He added that Voldemort and Sauron were responsible for the attacks, just like last time, only this time by means of two diaries, that it was Frodo, Harry, Ron and Sam who discovered it.

"Otho, you did give Aria that diary. I saw you." Frodo passed to him a sock he produced through magic. "Here."

"I don't want this," Otho said, throwing it down in front of Kanker's feet.

"Master gave Kanker a sock, and now Kanker is free," Kanker said in delight.

"Two things lost!" Otho sneered at Frodo. "You will pay for this. I lose my servant, lost my book. Dumbledore can have that book. But I will get you back for this, Baggins. Mark my words, boy."

"Otho, I saw you put that diary into Aria's cauldron, at Flourish and Blotts. If you fail to remember, ask her about it," Frodo told him. "I'm sure she can tell you enough."

"You'll get this, Baggins," with that, Otho was out the door.

Just after Lucius Malfoy left with Dobby, Harry sparked a similar idea from Frodo. He asked Dumbledore if he could give Lucius back his diary, at which Dumbledore approved. Harry looked at Frodo, briefly, telling him, "Thanks for the idea."

"You're welcome," Frodo said, returning his gaze to Kanker.

"Frodo Baggins freed Kanker. Kanker will ever be in Frodo Baggins' debt," Kanker said, jumping up and down in happiness.

"Just please don't try and save my life again, not in the manner you chose, Kanker," Frodo said.

"Kanker will be grateful to Frodo Baggins," with that, Kanker disappeared in a flash of light and dust.

"Now Frodo, I do believe there is a feast you will not soon want to miss," Dumbledore said. That was Frodo's clue to head out of McGonagall's office.

-.-.-

This feast was different this year, due to everyone in their pajamas and congratulating Harry, Ron, Frodo and Sam on a job well done. Everyone who was petrified was back and cheering them on. Minto came over and gave Frodo a few bear hugs, but then so did Myrtle Burrows – which was highly embarrassing for Frodo, since he wasn't used to girls hugging him. But then it was just as weird when Hermione did the same thing.

Harry and Ron won Gryffindor house four hundred points – allowing Gryffindor to win the House Cup for the second year running, with a steady two hundred from Frodo and Sam altogether, earning them points just as much to make them heroes of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff houses. Exams were canceled, but so was Defense Against the Dark Arts canceled. Lockhart and Sindri would not be teaching next year, as they needed to get their memories back.

The authors and authoresses were reinstated as the authors and authoresses of the hobbits, witches and wizards. Other news was pending on the fate of the timeline and other such matters. But for now, it was enough that Aria was once again Frodo's authoress.

And yet, Frodo couldn't stop staring at Aria and Pearl. They were both beautiful… wait. Just what was wrong with him? Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to prank them, before the year was officially ended.

Thanks for reading. :) We're almost done. :)