Scars of the Future

Disclaimer: The characters, both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, were created by J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: This fic was not created by myself alone. It was done in script format over Instant Messenger by myself and Animagus-Spirit. This fic and most of the events in it are her brilliant ideas, I have just taken the task to write it. Therefore, this fic is dedicated to her. I would also like to thank my beta, Inwe Telemnar. You guys are the greatest!

To my reviewers...

UK All The Way- :bows: Thank you, thank you.

Arwentheelf- I love long reviews, and constructive criticism is the greatest praise. (And big long comments on everything) Anyway, long reviews get long responses…so:

Merry and Pippin are always grouped together aren't they? Funny that I group them, because I complain about them being "one person" all the time…thanks for the reminder…have to change that…

Nope, sorry, no romance. There was, originally, but it didn't fit with the story. Comedy? lol I could try…:-/

Paragraph break issues…that's a new one…

The entire story is mostly from Frodo's POV, but there will probably be a lot from Harry as well. Merry and/or Pippin too, and when Animagus writes her bit of it there will be other characters. To say more would be too much…

Yes, I plan to delve deeper into thoughts and emotions and such later on. There's actually a bit of the 'how the war is affecting each character" in the next chapter, but not as much as there will be.

Some action in this chapter! More in the next. We're getting there…slowly but surely…oh yeah, and character conflicts too!

I know you love dialogue! This chapter has a lot more than it first did. I changed it on account of if not you'd say it's boring…lol

Ginny! I know! I'm a terrible person, I somehow forgot completely about her! She's in this chapter, though. I would have added her in the last chapter but…you know…

Sorry if Harry is OOC…I'm not a huge Harry fan, so it's hard to get into his head…Animagus once said I wasn't making him "lonely and separated" enough. I tried to fix that.

Stereo-typical…lol, maybe I'll let you write scenes with Ron and Hermione…lol

Maybe it is boring in the beginning, but it was you who once said the beginning of Sorcerer's Stone was boring, remember? I thought so too, actually…

Glad my writing is improving instead of…not improving…lol. Let's hope it continues that way.

Long reviews are the best: )

LATMC- Yes, I always drew a line from Merry and Pippin to Fred and George. It's just obvious, you know? Frodo and Harry do have many things in common, too. I'll also do my best to keep my updates "soon enough" for my reviewers. I try to have at least one more chapter written before I post again, that way if I get behind I have a back-up.

Maethril Aranel- Very glad you like! It is weird that we have that in common, especially considering I don't know many people who like Lost, sadly…also, thanks for the review for "These Eleven Months."

coolmarauders- Lol, amusing review, lol! Thanks!

Celebwen Telcontar- Delighted you're enjoying this. Gimli and Legolas do have some small roles, but they're not large parts.

Radszilla- Thank you! I hope that I can continue to hold your interest. Lol.

candidus-lupus-full Moon- Thanks! Here's more.

Infallallthingsaremadesplended- Delighted you like it. When Animagus and I created this fic, we never expected to write or post it. We intended it to be different. I'm glad it's being excepted well. : )

LillyandJamesforever- Yep, updated! I wanted to update sooner but didn't have the time…I'm glad it has "depth" as you put it. The hard part is making it realistic, which includes loading it with emotion/thoughts/feelings/ect, so I'm glad that's showing through...

Chapter 4: Unforeseen Circumstances

Frodo awoke the next morning feeling refreshed. Seeing that Sam was still asleep, he decided not to wake him and instead made his way to the kitchen alone. When he arrived, the only other people in the room were Hermione and Ron.

"Good morning, Frodo," said Hermione cheerfully. "Sleep well?"

"Yes, thank you," he replied, "Where is everyone?"

"The Order's meeting in the drawing room, so is Gandalf and everyone, " said Ron. "Fred and George are at work, and your cousins are still asleep I guess, and Harry's in our room."

Frodo began placing sausages onto his plate. "What do Fred and George do?" he asked with honest curiosity.

"They own a joke shop in Diagon Alley - that's a big shopping place for us - Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. It's really great, some of the stuff they've come up with…"

"It is not 'really great' Ron! They should spend their lives doing something constructive, not selling possibly harmful products just for their own amusement!" chided Hermione.

"You sound like Mum. Anyway, what are they going to do? They never took their N.E.W.T.s, remember? And they're not harmful!" Ron said

"Well, that was wrong too, they should have finished off the year-"

"What, with Umbridge? Come off it Hermione, you were cheering too when they left!"

She looked defeated. "Yes, well, they still should've done the exams…"

"Speaking of exams," said a voice. "These have just arrived."

Remus Lupin had just entered the room, carrying a couple of important letters. Hermione gasped. "The O.W.L results! I've been waiting all summer for these!" She practically knocked the table over in her haste to reach the letters. Hurrying back to the table, she flung Ron's at him and with shaking hands opened her own envelope.

Ron stared at her. "I don't see what you're so worried about, you get top marks in every class…"

Hermione let out a shriek of delight, and reappeared from behind the letter, beaming. "Top marks in everything!" she said gleefully. "What about you, Ron? Open it!"

Ron hadn't opened his, he merely stared at the envelope. Finally he reached for it and slowly broke the seal. He pulled out the letter and looked over it quickly. His expression brightened. "Not bad!" he said. "Failed Divination though, not that I didn't expect it…Potions isn't any better…Hey! I got an "Acceptable" in Transfiguration! That's better than I thought! I'm going to go find Harry!"

Hermione rolled her eyes while Remus laughed. "Don't worry," he said, seeing Frodo's confused expression. "Ordinary Wizarding Level results normally do that to some people."

"And Ron getting an "Acceptable" is like Snape giving out candy," said a red-headed girl who had just walked in.

"Hi, Ginny!" said Hermione. "Where've you been?"

Ginny rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Mum grounded me for setting off dungbombs in Snape's room. She didn't catch Fred and George though," she said.

"Oh, Ginny, this is Frodo, he's-"

"I know," said Ginny. "Extendable Ears." She held out a hand. "I'm Ginny. You've met my brothers."

Frodo shook her hand. "Frodo Baggins at your service and you family's. A pleasure to meet you."

At that moment, Merry, Pippin, and Sam entered, obviously following the smells of a promising meal and looking for Frodo.

"Morning, Frodo!" said Merry. He looked around. "Anyone know where Fred and George have gone?"

"They're working," said Frodo and Hermione in unison.

"Guess we'll have to wait until later, Pip."

"What are you waiting for?" asked Frodo.

"Oh, George and Fred said they'd show us some of the things they'd invented," Merry said.

Hermione made a small sound of annoyance but otherwise said nothing.

After they had finished eating, Frodo and Sam went back to their room and set about making it look as home-like and lived in as possible. They spread the small items they had brought with them around the room, but it didn't make much of a difference. Still, it was the best they could do.

Merry and Pippin bounded out from the closet and glanced around the room. "Preparing to stay, cousin?" Merry asked.

"Not permanently, why?" asked Frodo. Merry and Pippin exchanged glances. "Well, we overheard Gandalf and Aragorn talking, and it seems we may be here for awhile."

Frodo looked slightly worried. "How long?"

"I don't know. Hopefully not too long."

"Aye," said Sam. "I hate to leave Rosie for too long, especially with Tom still so young. Elanor and Frodo'll take care of them all, but I still worry…"

Merry smiled. "They'll be fine, Sam. There's nothing to worry about."

"Hey! Frodo! What's this doing here?" Pippin cried from across the room, where he held up Sting, obviously having just found it underneath Frodo's bed.

"Put that down Pippin!" Frodo scolded. "I brought it for the same reasons you brought your sword."

"Yes, but why's it under the bed?"

Frodo shrugged. "For safekeeping I suppose. Where else would I put it?"

"You'll wear it, of course!" Pippin said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He hurried over to Frodo and attached the sheath onto his belt.

"There you are Frodo!" he said, grinning.

Frodo sighed, but nonetheless did not take it off. Why, after all, bring a sword but not have it with him when he may need it?

"Anyway," said Merry, "we were going to have a look around the house. Care to join us?"

Frodo shook his head. "No. Thank you, Merry, but I think I'll just stay here awhile."

Merry nodded. "Sam?"

"No, Mr. Merry, I think I'll stay here too." he said.

"All right. Come on, Pip," he said, and they left.

Frodo walked over to the window and sat on the window seat. It was a dreary, wet day. Rain splattered on the ground and drummed on the roof. For awhile Frodo watched the small rivers of water running down the window and splashing on the sill. Flowers, he thought, all this sad house needs is a few flowers so brighten this dark atmosphere.

Frodo pulled himself from his thoughts and looked up to see Sam rearranging a portrait of his family on the wardrobe in the corner. Frodo frowned. Sam shouldn't have come with him, his job was no longer to follow Frodo across the countryside (or in this case, time). His duty was to be with his family, to love and care for them. They had been here two days, and there had been no talk of Voldemort nor hint of danger. Although Frodo was not naïve enough to believe that there would not be, he felt secure here. After all, hadn't Gandalf said he was only to offer guidance to Harry? What harm could come from that?

And what harm could come from a small golden ring? said a voice in his head. Frodo brushed away the feeling quickly, thinking himself foolish. He smiled reassuringly at Sam, who had seen Frodo watching him.

"Well, Sam, what do you think of the future?" he said cheerfully.

Sam seemed to think a moment. "I'm no quite sure. It's interestin', that's for certain. The people are kind folk, and the food's not changed, but I can't seem to decide much else. I'm not sure…" he frowned, as if trying to find words for what he wasn't sure of.

"You are not sure if it is friend or foe?" Frodo suggested.

"Aye, that's it," Sam said, nodding.

"I think it is just different. I do not think we have anything to fear or worry about yet. I for one am quite enjoying myself, as a matter of fact."

"Hmph," said Sam. "I don't know." Then his demeanor changed, and more quietly he said, "Mr. Frodo, have you heard anythin' about, about what we're here for? This Voldemort and this war, I mean."

Frodo shook his head. "I haven't, but I'm sure we shall soon. Do not fret, Sam. What will come will come, and when it does we will know. Gandalf will keep us informed."

"I guess you're right, sir, but I can't help thinking we're bein' left out of somethin', beggin' your pardon."

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, it's just…it's just we've been here nearly two days now, and Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin said they heard Mr. Gandalf and Mr. Strider talkin', and…I don't know, Mr. Frodo, it just doesn't fit right with me."

Frodo considered him. "You may have something there Sam, but it does not seem likely. I shall speak with Gandalf at dinner, and see what I can discover. Don't worry," he added, grinning at the look of slight fear on the stout hobbit's face, "I will tell him nothing of your suspicions, dear Sam."

However, Frodo did not get a chance to speak with Gandalf at dinner, for he was not present. He ate quickly, and then, before anyone else was finished, quietly excused himself and left the kitchen, deciding to search for the wizard himself.

After failing to find him anywhere on the first floor, he proceeded to the second. Perhaps Gandalf was in his room, meditating or doing something else of the sort. He checked quickly, but the wizard was not there either. Puzzled, and thinking he had perhaps missed him, he turned to head back to the kitchen. As he passed an open doorway, however, he happened to glance inside.

Harry was sitting on his bed, holding what looked like a small mirror in his hands. He seemed to be deep in thought, and Frodo half turned to leave, but decided to take this chance to get to know the boy.

He knocked quietly. "Harry?"

Harry looked up, surprised. He stood up and shoved whatever it was he was holding into his pocket. "Oh, hi, Frodo," he said.

"Can I come in?" Frodo asked, not wanting to intrude further.

"What? Oh, yeah, sure. Why aren't you at dinner?" he asked, as Frodo stepped into the room. It had two beds, and he assumed Ron shared this room. It looked more lived in, however, than the one he shared with Sam. He also noticed two owls, a large white one and a small, gray one, perched in open cages on top of the wardrobe.

"I might ask you the same thing," Frodo said. "I was just looking for Gandalf, have you seen him?"

Harry shook his head. "No, I haven't. I've been up here most of the day."

"Why?"

Harry shrugged. "There's nothing else to."

CRASH!

It sounded as though a door had been ripped from it's hinges. Both Frodo and Harry whipped around. A long, low howl sounded, echoing off the walls and causing the hair on Frodo's neck to stand on end. There was silence from downstairs, then Molly's high pitched shriek. "Severus! The potion!"

"SEAL THE DOOR!" another voice shouted.

There were slamming sounds from below, and from just down the hall, snarls and growls. Frodo turned to look at Harry, whose eyes were wide and fearful.

"What" but the question was answered for him. Something crashed across the hall, and Frodo spun around to see a large and fearsome wolf standing in the doorway across from them.

"MOVE!" Harry yelled, and as Frodo flung himself aside, he ran to the door and slammed it shut. From his pocket he pulled out his wand, pointed it at the door and shouted, "Colloportus!"

There was an odd squelching sound, and then the sound of something heavy thudding against the door. Harry stood aside. "Accio, wardrobe!" he shouted, and the wardrobe zoomed across the room, causing both owls to fly from their cages, shrieking. Harry shoved the wardrobe against the door, and then looked around. He pointed his wand at a trunk at the end of his bed. "Accio, Firebolt!" A shining broom flew from the trunk and stopped in front of Harry, hovering in the air. Frodo stared and Harry mounted it.

He turned to Frodo as there was another loud thud against the door. The wardrobe actually seemed to rock forward slightly, and there was a crack that sounded like splintering wood.

"Get on!" Harry ordered.

"What?" Frodo said, completely lost.

"GET ON!" Harry yelled, and there was another thud and more splintering wood.

Frodo did, awkwardly and feeling foolish. Harry pointed his wand at the window, "Alohomora!" The window flew open, and both owls, seeking sanctuary from the chaos inside, flew quickly out.

"Hang on!" Harry said, and Frodo barely had time to grasp the handle of the broomstick before Harry kicked off from the floor and sped through the open window into the darkness, the door finally giving way and the wardrobe falling forward and splintering behind them.

TBC