"Can't you do anything about this?" Bilbo hisses at her, voice nearly lost to the chaos going on around him.

With a benign smile Rose says, "Throwing a wobbly now, are we?"

"A what?"

"A tantrum. Bilbo they aren't hurting anything. Eating all your food and making a bit of a mess, sure, but those are issues easily fixed." Rose promises, and Bilbo's eyes flick to the wand poking out from it's place tucked between ribbon and hair.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum." Bilbo insists.

"Of course not."

Brown eyes narrow as one of the dwarves - a heavy set one with a massive auburn braid that pulls the edges of his beard and mustache into it as it loops around his head - does something Bilbo doesn't appreciate. Rose shakes her head as the hobbit rushes off after the dwarf. So much for not throwing a fit. Rose understands why Bilbo is so upset about all of this, she does, but just because he wasn't expecting it doesn't mean he has to take his frustrations out on the men currently milling about his kitchen. If anything, Bilbo should be having words with the grey wizard counting heads in the center of the chaos. Rose takes a sip of her ale as she watches the man. He seems kindly enough, Rose can't say she has any true complaints other than the obvious, but she also isn't entirely sure she likes the looks he casts her whenever he manages to catch her eye. it's not a bad look, not really, which is why Rose isn't sure she likes it.

Gandalf doesn't know her, so why does he care if she's here or not. Why would he be happy or relieved or satisfied or amused? Rose doesn't understand it. So she stands against the sitting room entryway and watches everyone move about the house at their leisure. No one bothers her. Though, some do offer her strange looks as they pass her by.

"Glaring at him won't help any."

Rose flinches slightly at the comment, pulling her gaze off of Gandalf to stare at the dwarf with dark braids and a floppy brown hat. He smiles happily at her before taking a long drink from the beer stein he must've found in the kitchen - Rose transfigured a few for Bilbo as a joke a few months back for his birthday but they rarely see any use - and Rose smiles thinly at him despite how she'd rather scowl. She hopes that if everyone else can see her displeasure with Gandalf then so can the himself.

"Probably not." She holds out a hand, "Rose Weasley."

"Bofur."

"Pleasure."

Bofur rocks forward and backward on his heels for a moment before asking, "So what's got you all tangled up in knots?"

"Nothing important... Enjoying the ale?"

"Oh, yes, it's wonderful." a bit of silence stretches between them and then Bofur is speaking again, "If you don't mind my asking; what's a woman of the race of Man doin' in a hobbit's burrow?"

"Got mauled, got away, stumbled here, almost bled out in Bilbo's kitchen... you know, near death experiences really do something for building relationships."

"I'll take your word for it."

Rose hides a half-laugh behind her mug, not that it does anything to hide the sound she makes from the dwarf standing beside her. But with all the noise and chaos going on around them it's possible Bofur never even heard. He doesn't say anything to Rose that would indicate that he had and Rose doesn't really care if he had heard her. She's just trying to go for the silent, imposing image that'll keep the overly excitable dwarves away from her while she decides if she likes them being in Bilbo's home. So far they haven't done anything to give her a reason or a desire to kick them out - and Rose highly suspects that they wouldn't truly do anything to get thrown out of the smial but who's she to say? - but keeping an eye on people doesn't hurt when they're in your home and you've got no idea who they are.

Eventually Bofur is pulled into conversation with a dwarf with messy black hair - which does a fantastic job of keeping the fucking axe buried in his skull somewhat (not at all) hidden - and a large, braided beard-mustache combo.

"Have you met Rose, Bif?" Bofur asks the amazingly still alive dwarf, turning to face Rose with an intense look about him.

Rose understands the look she's receiving.

Be nice, it says, or else.

But Rose doesn't need to be warned about that. She understands what permanent injuries can do to a person and their self esteem. Rose has no intention of being the person to humiliate and belittle the dwarf in front of her.

"Hello, a pleasure to meet you." Rose greets with a polite bow of the head.

Across from her the two dwarves stare at her before the one with the axe embedded in his skull offers a thin sort of smile and a nod before shuffling away.

"That's my cousin Bifur, not much of a talker that one." Bofur says once his cousin has wondered off to do who knows what.

"I see," Rose tilts her head, "Do you have any other relations?"

Bofure glances around before pointing to the auburn haired dwarf with the beard-necklace and says, "That's my brother Bombur."

Before Rose gets the opportunity to ask about the axe, because there's no way she's not asking about it, Bilbo comes stomping over looking the angriest Rose has ever seen. He's muttering about doily cloths and crochet - which Bofur delightedly chimes in at before he's distracted by the dwarf with the star-like hair - leaving Rose with the responsibility to keeping her hobbit from going completely mental. Apparently the grey wizard thought to do the same because he appears at Bilbo's side just as Rose does with a calm look about him and a gentle tone.

"What on earth is the matter?" Gandalf asks, moving into the part of the room where he can stand straight instead of crunching himself into a stoop.

"What's the matter?" Bilbo seems positively flabbergasted, "I'm surrounded by dwarves. What are they doing in my house?"

"Oh, they're quite a merry gathering... once you get used to them."

Bilbo's fingers cinch tight around her wrist as he drags both Gandalf and her through the house to a bit of hall that's a little quieter, all the while hissing, "I don't want to get used to them! The state of my kitchen! There's mud trod into the carpet! They've, they've, they've pillaged the pantries! I'm not even going to tell you what they've done in the bathroom, they've all but destroyed the plumbing. I don't understand what they're doing in my house!"

Seconds after he's finished the youngest of the dwarves - as far as Rose has been able to tell - wanders over with a dirty plate held carefully between ink stained fingers and says, "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but what should I do with my plate?"

Rose is just about to pluck the delicate China from his grasp when a blond with fancy braids takes the plate from the dwarf who's name is apparently Ori and tosses the plate across the hall to his brother. Ducking out of the way of the projectiles, Rose resigns herself to a very flustered Bilbo and settles in to watch the entertainment. Bilbo is loosing his mind, shouting about fine China and blunting silverware, which only amuses the dwarves. So much so that they break into song. Which isn't an uncommon occurrence around the Shire. Living here is sometimes like living in a thrice damned Disney movie.

"Blunt the knives, bend the forks

Smash the bottles and burn the corks

Chip the glasses and crack the plates

That's what Bilbo Baggins Hate!"

Cutlery, China, pots and pans, and anything else that the dwarves can get their hands on go flying about the smial even as Bilbo frantically attempts to stop them from ruining his family's heirlooms and antiquities.

"Cut the cloth, tread on the fat

Leave the bones on the bedroom mat

Pour the milk on the pantry floor

Splash the wine on every door!"

Rose stumbles out of the way of a particularly gruff looking auburn haired dwarf as he pivots to sling one of her steins across the room to a fancy looking dwarf who pops it up off of his knee into the kitchen.

"Dump the crocks in a boiling bowls

Pound them up with a thumping pole

When your finished if they are whole

Send them down the hall to roll!"

Absolutely delighted, Rose settles at the dining room table that's been pulled out to laugh at the sight of the make-shift instruments being played by three of the dwarves who've opted for more musical entertainment.

"That's what Bilbo Baggins Hates!"

Rose claps like an absolute maniac as the song comes to a close and the dwarves part to reveal a stack of perfectly safe fine China and somewhat tidy kitchen. Bofur bows to her with an overly exaggerated wink before slipping off to do who knows what with the larger group of dwarves. Rose twists to nod at Bilbo reassuringly but the hobbit looks about ready to keel over. So with a sigh, Rose slips out of her chair and makes her way over to the hobbit just as a loud knock on the door pulls everyone else's attention away.

"You alright, Bilbo?" Rose asks, hand resting firmly on his quaking shoulders.

"I want them out of my house." He moans as the sound of a new voice draws near.

Rose nods slowly before gently shoving Bilbo off in the direction of the newcomer. She herself meanders into the kitchen to get herself a cuppa. No more ale for her. One mug was more than enough seeing as whoever is actually supposed to be in charge of the dwarves has shown up. A touch of magic has water boiling in an instant and her cup full of dried strawberry, elder flower, oolong bits seeping quickly as she makes her way back into the hall where she comes face to face with Gandalf, who smiles brightly as her as he pulls her into the crowd of dwarves. She's careful not to spill her tea as she stumbles to a halt in front of an incredibly tall dwarf with dark hair, a well kept beard, and a pair of startlingly blue eyes.

Pretty.

"Rose Weasley, may I introduce you to the leader of our company Thorin Oakenshield." Gandalf says, hand gesturing slightly between them.

Bilbo manages to catch her eye and the look he gives her is wildly confused... maybe even a little flustered. Rose isn't sure what went down in the handful of minutes she was putting her cuppa together but she's missed something. Clearly.

"Food's through there... help yourself." Rose says, thump pointing lazily over her shoulder to where the dining room table has been moved to.

The man, Thorin, doesn't say anything as he passes her by. Rose isn't upset about it. Tonight's been something of a mess and Merlin knows she's not going to be offended by someone finally being quiet in this blasted house. Someone in the kitchen is getting food sorted. Rose can hear them puttering around and sifting through what's left in the pantry. She turns to Gandalf.

"Are you going to explain this to us then?" She demands, because they seriously deserve some sort of answer for this.

Gandalf's eyes twinkle.

"All will be revealed in due time. Best get yourself a situated before the others steal all the chairs." Gandalf says, though he sounds a little less delighted then he appears.

Good. Rose wants him to at least squirm a little bit seeing as he's terrorized Bilbo all night.

Without argument Rose turns and makes her way to the others, carefully keeping herself out of everyone's way. Kili attempts to offer her his seat when he notices her propped up against the entryway but Rose waves him off and hides her grimace behind her cup. The quicker she figures out what's going on the quicker she can either go to bed or throw everyone out of the house. But she refuses to do anything until she understands why the dwarves are here, what they want with Bilbo, and if they're going to be an issue in a handful of hours. She doubts it... but she's been wrong about people before so she'd rather be safe.

"What news from the meeting in Ered Luin?" Balin asks, "Did they all come?"

"Aye, all seven kingdoms." Thorin tells him, which earns a delighted rumble from the gathered dwarves.

Dwalin's voice cuts through the merriment, "What do the dwarves of the Iron Hills say? Is Dain with us?"

"They will not come," is the gruff reply from the newest dwarf to enter Bilbo's home. "They say this quest is ours, and ours alone."

General discontent seems to settle over the group but none of them seem too disappointed. It's almost like they expected this sort of response from Dain. What really catches Rose's interest, however, is the fact that they're trying to gather people to go on some sort of journey. Rose isn't sure if they're here to involve Bilbo - and by extension herself - in this quest but it seems rather likely, considering.

Rose doesn't get to ask about it before Bilbo says, "You're going on a quest?"

Everyone in the room shifts to look at Bilbo even as Gandalf says, "Bilbo, my dear fellow, let us have a little more light."

Bilbo goes to light the oil lamps as Gandalf moves to spread a map out on the table.

"Far to the East," he says, "over ranges and rivers, beyond woodlands and wastelands, lies a single solitary peak."

"The Lonely Mountain." Bilbo reads over Thorin's shoulder.

"Aye, Oin has read the portents! And the portents say; it is time!" The gruffer looking auburn haired dwarf says.

The one who must be Oin nods before chiming in with a soft, "Ravens have been seen flying back to the mountain as it was foretold. When the birds of the old return to Erebor, the reign of the beast will end."

An oppressive silence fills the smial for but a moment.

"What beast?" Bilbo inquires, eyes wide.

"Well, that would be a reference to Smaug the Terrible, chiefest and greatest calamities of our Age. Airborne fire breather, teeth like razors, claws like meat-hooks, extremely fond of precious metals." Bofur chimes in from around his pipe.

"Yes, I know what a dragon is." Bilbo snaps back politely.

The youngest of the dwarves suddenly pops up and with a determines look on his face claims, "I'm not afraid! I'm up for it! I'll give him a taste of dwarfish iron right up his jacksy!"

Around the table there's a mix of encouraging noise and sharp disagreement. Rose silently agrees with the few in the group who seem displeased with the younger lad's reckless show of bravado. Dragons in her world have always been considered extremely dangerous, Rose can't even imagine what it's like in this world.

"The task would be difficult enough with an army behind us, but we are numbered just thirteen, and not thirteen of the best, nor brightest." Balin tells the group, which understandably earns him some offended shouting.

"We may be few in numer," Fili tells the crowd, who've all been murmuring angrily, "but we're fighters. All of us! To the last dwarf!"

Kili nods and with a sort of happy-puppy look says, "And you forget we have a wizard in our company! Gandalf will have killed hundreds of dragons in his time!"

This earns a loud scoff from Rose, which she's forced to follow with a firm, "Unlikely. You're average dragon'll take," she rocks her hand up and down a bit, "about six or seven highly trained magic users to subdue, more if you're in a situation where killing becomes the only option. One wizard by himself isn't killing a dragon, hell, he'd be lucky to come out alive at that point."

"Well how many then?" the fancy dwarf demands as if needing proof that Rose isn't right about Gandalf.

Across the table the grey wizard sputters around his pipe, lavender scented smoke puffing out from his mouth in intervals.

"What?"

"Go one then! Give us a number!"

Pandemonium erupts. Around the table dwarves demand that Gandalf tell them how many dragons he's faced or bemoan the lack of a qualified wizard, behind them Bilbo attempts to be the peacemaker. It doesn't do anything to help. Rose observes the chaos with a sort of detached annoyance. She does startle though when Thorin Oakenshield rises from his seat with a shout that silences the room.

"If we have read these signs, do you not think others will have read them too? Rumors have begun to spread. The dragon Smaug has not been seen for sixty years. Eyes look East to the mountain, assessing, wondering, weighing the risk. Perhaps the vast wealth of our people now lies unprotected. Do we sit back while others claim what it rightfully ours? Or do we seize this chance to take back Erebor?" Thorin's words inspire a great deal of moral for the group because they nod and mutter their agreements.

"You forget the front gate is sealed," Balin tells the group, "there's no way into that mountain."

"That, my dear Balin, is not entirely true." Gandalf produces a beautifully crafted key from thin air and holds it out to Thorin, who takes it with a sort of quiet reverence.

"How have you come by this?" He demands.

"It was given to me by your father, Thrain, for safe keeping. Now it is yours."

Fili pipes up then, "If there's a key there must be a door."

Hardly the most intelligent utterance Rose has ever heard but not untrue.

Gandalf motions to the map.

"These runes speak of a hidden passage to the Lower Halls." He says to them. "If we can find it, but dwarf doors are invisible when closed. The answer lies hidden somewhere in this map.. and I do not have the skill to find it. But there are others in Middle-earth who can. The task I have in mind will require a great deal of stealth -" a pause, "-and no small amount of courage. But if we are careful and clever, I believe that it can be done."

"That's why we need a burglar." A dwarf says.

"And a good one, I imagine. An expert." Agrees Bilbo.

"And are you?"

"Am I what?"

"He said he's an expert!"

Realization hits Bilbo in an instant and he immediately begins rambling, "No. No, no, no, I'm not a burglar! I've never stolen a thing in my life."

Balin nods slowly and says, "I agree with Master Baggins. He's hardly burglar material."

At this Gandalf stands, the room dims, and with a booming voice his declaration silences the unhappy rumblings of the dwarves. "Enough! If I say Bilbo Baggins is a burglar, then a burglar he is. Hobbits are remarkably light on their feet. In fact, they can pass unseen by most, i they choose. And, while the dragon is accustomed to the smell of Dwarf... the scent of a Hobbit is all but unknown to him, which gives us a distinct advantage. You asked me to find the 14th member of this company and I have chosen Mr. Baggins. There's a lot more to him than appearances suggest. And he's got a great deal more to offer than any of you know. Including myself. You must trust me on this."

Thorin and Gandalf share a look, Thorin nods.

"Very well. We'll do it your way. Give him the contract."

Balin pulls a long scroll of paper out of his satchel and hands it to Bilbo, who takes it and lets it unravel from it's coil with a horrified expression.

"It's just the usual summary of our-of-pocket expenses, time required, funeral arrangements... so forth." Balin tells him when he notices the look on Bilbo's face.

"Funeral arrangements?" Bilbo swallows hard and continues reading aloud to himself, "Total's cash on delivery, up to but not exceeding, one fourteenth of total profit if any. Seems fair. Uh... The present company shall not be liable for injuries inflicted by or sustained as a consequence thereof, including, but not limited to... lacerations, evisceration. Incineration?"

"Oh aye," Bofur chimes in, "he'll melt the flesh off your bones in the blink of an eye."

Balin places a hand on Bilbo's elbow. "You alright laddie?"

"Huh? Yes.. I uh, I feel a bit faint."

"Think furnace, with wings." Bofur tells him delightfully.

"I... I need air."

"Flash of light, searing pain, then poof!" Bofur pops a closed fist open as if to resemble a firework or a ball of dragon fire, "You're nothing more than a pile of ash!"

Honey-brown eyes shoot to Rose and the look he's giving her has Rose crossing the room, taking the contract, rolling it up, and handing it back to Balin with a scowl. Because fuck all of them for putting Bilbo on the spot like this when he's clearly uncomfortable. Rose doesn't find it at all amusing that they're tormenting her Hobbit like this.

"That's all well and good, really, but you're acting like a XXXXX classification creature is going to just, I dunno bruv, gonna let Bilbo prance in and nick something? Do you honestly think that's going to work? Bilbo may be light on his feet but he has no idea what whatever it is you want him to steel looks like, he also has absolutely no way of protecting himself when the dragon inevitably finds him - because I promise you that dragon is still alive - and if the blatant disregard for the general safety of someone you want in your "company" wasn't bad enough, the fact that you would allow someone who's never been trained to go in and steal for you?" Rose looks to Gandalf, "And the fact that you think this Smaug character won't pick up on the stench of dwarves on Bilbo is ridiculous."

Thorin growls at her, "And what would a woman of the race of Man know of it?"

Spitting mad at this point, Rose looks Thorin dead in the eyes and - channeling every bit of her aunt Ginny she can muster - says, "I'm one of the best Gods damned Curse-Breakers the wizarding world has ever seen. You think I haven't been involved in situations like this? My last job ended with me going toe-to-toe with a Chimera. Who walked out of that one? Me." Rose presses closer, voice sharper, "One of my old employers uses dragons as a way of guarding bank vaults. You think I don't know anything about dragons? Mate, you're looking at the only person in this entire house with even a smidgen of practical experience being around them. That's what I know about it."

Thorin puffs up, obviously ready to pop off at the mouth, but whatever he's going to say is stopped by a timid voice, "What's a Curse-Breaker?"

Rose turns her head to look at the dwarf who spoke. It's the younger looking one with the ink stains on his fingers. His eyes are large on his face, eyebrows trying to crawl up into his hairline. Rose thinks it may be curiosity if it isn't a desperate attempt at defusing the situation. And as unfortunate as it is, Rose walked herself right into this... so she takes a deep breath and tells the dwarf.

"Curse-Breaker is an occupational title used by witches and wizards who remove, counter, or break curses put on objects, homes, and people." Rose offers up to the dwarf, "There's no real training program available so we're expected to have O.W.L.s in Arithmancy as well as our N.E.W.T.s in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, and Ancient Runes."

"And you're trained in these things?" Dwalin asks, eyes narrowed.

"Extensively."

Every one of the dwarves turns to look at Gandalf in silent demand. Rose feels confident assuming that they didn't actually know she's a witch coming into all of this, which makes her wonder if Gandalf knew. Assuming he did, the fact that he didn't tell the others could be seen as a large slight to them... but if he didn't then that means Rose has the complete element of surprise here. She finds she rather likes the idea of being the unknown element. Too bad she isn't. The look she receives from Gandalf is dodgy at best, so it's unlikely he's surprised by her rather unprofessional reveal, which means he had to find out through either his own intuition or one of the few beings on this earth who know exactly who and what she is. So any of the elves in Imladris or the Lady Galadriel. Though, she can't be too mad at them considering they didn't tell Saruman like she'd asked them not to.

No, they just went and spilled the beans to Gandalf.

Speaking of Gandalf. The wizard in question is having some sort of silent conversation with Thorin and Balin, both of whom appear hesitant but not unwelcome to whatever's not being said. Rose bets it has something to do with her and Bilbo. She's willing to bet that it has to do with her coming along with them. Any other day, any other adventure, then perhaps. Unfortunately Rose knows all about dragons and what they can do, how they covet gold, how they defend it so fiercely that most seasoned dragon handlers don't even bother the hoards collected. She's never directly faced off with a dragon. The closest she's ever been was Gringotts where, despite her mother's efforts, the use of dragons to guard the lower level vaults was common practice. Now she's surrounded by people who don't realize just how impossible their 'quest' looks from an outsider's perspective. With no magic wielders, no solid plan, and no way to kill the dragon they're basically walking into a death trap... It's admirably though too... in it's own way.

To loose one's home and fight so desperately to get it back?

Rose understands why they're doing it.

She'd do the same if she were in their shoes.

Mind made up, Rose begins listing off in her head all the things she'll need to bring on this adventure with Bilbo if he decides to join. Obviously they'll need decent shelter - her tent should be able to handle the spells to expand it - and food enough for all of them to survive on should something happen to the main supply of rations, and then they'll need things such as; medical supplies, tools, weapons, and Rose'll have to bring the books she brought with her from her own world so that they're with her if she ever ends up needing them.

Without saying anything to the group Rose stands and heads through the house to her bedroom where she shuts the door and throws the bolt. It's terribly rude but Rose doesn't really have anything to say. Besides, she wants to get a head start on packing so that everything's ready tomorrow morning. Clothes are chosen from the dressers that look best for travelling and promptly put in her satchel alongside the tent and books and spare medical supplies that have been sitting idle since her accidental slip through worlds. Once all that's done, Rose sets out tomorrow's chosen travel outfit and moves to the vanity where she begins sorting through her scarfs and specialized hair products.

A knock on the door has her absently flicking her wand in its general direction so the bolt slides back.

Bilbo, bless him, is quick to throw the bolt back into place when he enters her room.

"Should I go?" He asks.

"It's entirely up to you." Rose tells him, because that's the truth of it.

"Are you going?"

"... Probably..."

"I'm scared."

"Most people are."

"What was it like... the first time you left home?"

Rose smiles and says, "Nerve wracking. I didn't know what would happen or whether I'd come home. Most Curse-Breakers end up pretty traumatized after their first handful of assignments. My first one almost took my eye."

Bilbo's eyes drift to the scar that splits her eyebrow.

"But you kept doing it."

"Because I wanted adventure in my life, and sometimes adventure comes with a little bit too much danger for some people's tastes." Rose licks her bottom lip. "Listen to me, Bilbo. Go, don't go. Stay in the Shire and continue living as you have, or, go on this adventure and know that you're going to change. Both options are completely valid. You won't get any judgement from me if you decide to stay."

Bilbo runs a trembling hand through his golden curls, shuffles on his feet a bit, and then asks, "What if I want to go?"

"Then you go. We'll ward Bag End so no one tries to do anything funny with it and we'll send a letter to your gardener and it'll be fine." Rose moves across the room to put her hand on Bilbo's shoulder. "I will be there with you every step of the way."

"Promises, promises."

"I wouldn't make it if I couldn't keep it."

This time Bilbo's smile is soft and real and warm.

"I know, Rose." He says as he pats her hand, "I know."