Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Just wanted to make it known that this story is not following the actual timeline that Tolkein has created. It has been tweaked to fit this story's purpose.


-Chapter 6-

It has been a few days since Lord Elrond sent out a missive for Gandalf the Grey. Hermione was starting to grow restless for they have yet to hear a reply. And despite her reading prowess, there was no book in Imladris that came anywhere close to explaining her recent affinity with fire. The only thing she could remember about the experience was that she was in desperate need of a miracle or her and her companions would die in battle. Then a rush filled her entire being, as if a great energy was going to burst from her.

She spend the past few days holed in the library because if there is one thing Hermione detests the most is the three words 'I don't know'. But her search came up for naught. All she had found so far was legends and myths pertaining the Valar and that there are times when Arda is in great need that they bestow gifts. What the gifts were were up to the Valar to decide. Perhaps this gift of affinity over fire was to help balance what she had lost when she came into this world – her magic? But then what would explain her transformation into an immortal elf? Hermione's head started pounding from all this thinking and she heaved a great sigh before closing the book in front of her. There was no point in giving herself a migraine and she got up to head to the gardens for a breath of fresh air. Hermione paused, but decided against searching for Celebrian. Her adoptive sister has her hands full with Lord Elrond and coming in between the two love birds was the last thing she wants to do.

Hermione reached the gardens and sat down on a bench. The smell of flowers filled her nose and she smiled a small smile. Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the bench and took deep, calming breathes. The sun cast a soft glow past her closed eyelids and warmed her skin.

"If it is one thing I always miss in Imladris it is the gardens. They have an extraordinary ability to calm one's mind."

Hermione jumped in surprise and turned to the source of the voice on her right. Her eyes widened as the first thought popped in her mind – Professor Dumbledore? But that would be impossible, Dumbledore died during her sixth year at Hogwarts. This man had a shocking resemblance to the beloved professor. He wore a big grey pointy hat and grey robes. His long white beard cascaded down his front. Yep, definite resemblance to the late grandfatherly professor. And then her heart clenched in nostalgia.

"Pardon me, Hermione dear. I did not mean to startle you." The man in grey smiled in amusement.

Herminoe frowned. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage, sir. You know my name, but I know not your's."

"Oh, how very rude of me. I am known as Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf smiled as he leaned on his staff.

And instantly, Hermione leapt off the bench. Of course! Who else would it be in grey robes! Sometimes Hermione feels like with the long life blessed on elves has slowed her mind.

"Of course! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Gandalf!" Hermione gushed.

Gandalf chuckled. "The pleasure is all mine, my dear. Come, I hear you have questions that need answers."

"Yes, yes, please sit!" Hermione sat at one end of the bench and Gandalf sat next to her.

"Now, tell me your story." Gandalf said.

Hermione grimaced. "It is quite long…"

"I believe we have plenty of that with your change." Gandalf hinted.

And so Hermione explained her life once more. It was easier this time now that fifty years had passed since her coming to this world. The pain was less and the memories were just that now. Memories. She hardly thought of them as nightmares these days. She explained her human upbringing, the discovery of her powers, the war, and the piling bodies resulting. And she explained her wish and how that led to her current life here.

Gandalf looked at her pensively and during the story-telling had pulled out a pipe to smoke. When Hermione was done with the tale, he looked at her forlornly.

"For such a young girl to go through such hardship, it is commendable that your spirit is still so strong. I believe that is why the Valar brought you here. Though your mind was plagued with fatigue from darkness, your fae was bright with hope and longing. Hope that you would one day be able to smile and longing for a life worth living." Gandalf explained.

"But why me? Why not the others who have suffered as much as I have, if not more?" Hermione questioned. "What makes me so special?"

"Because you wished for it. Did you not say that your friends are slowly coping with the aftermath of the war? Did they not slowly find happiness? You, on the other hand, had yet to find it in your old world. And the Valar believed you would never find it. And so they brought you here." Gandalf replied.

"Then what about this so-called gift? My recent affinity over fire? Why did I not have this when I first came to this world and noticed that my magic was gone?" Hermione frowned.

"I believe you had that power within you all along. It was just dormant until now when you needed it most." Gandalf mused. "None-the-less. Now that you have acquired this new power there is only one thing you should focus on now – control. Because if not finely tunes, fire can consume all."

"But who can teach me? Is there another with the same power?" Hermione asked.

"I am afraid not, my dear. However, I can teach you a few things that may help. The rest is up to you to discover." Gandalf smiled.

And so Hermione did what she did best – learn. Over the course of a few months, Gandalf mentored her in control via mediation. This way, Gandalf tried to get her to remember the same feeling she got when her powers first appeared. If she is able to get ahold of that feeling, she may be able to bring forth the fire within her under her control. It was a slow process, but little by little she was started to be able to conjure the fire to her palms. They were little ball of warmth that cast a soft glow.

Gandalf would come and go from the homely city of elves and each time, Hermione's powers grew. She was able to manipulate and conjure fire in defensive and offensive moves. And she slowly incorporated it into her fighting style. It made her a formidable opponent indeed as she often went out on patrol with Lord Elrond.

Soon enough, Hermione witnessed her now two close friends bind themselves to each other. The whole of Imladris sang in celebration at the joining of Lord Elrond and the beautiful Lady Celebrian. This cause for an enormous celebration where Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel attended. Hermione smiled in joy as she saw her new family. She relayed everything that happened over time to Galadriel and celebrated with dancing with Haldir and his brothers, whom tagged along as the guard. It was a happy time indeed.

Soon enough after they wed, Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian had a child, twins in fact – Elrohir and Elladan . And Hermione doted on them like they were her own. They reminded her so much of the Weasley twins, always up to no good the minute they learned how to walk. It drove Elrond and Celebrian mad. Soon after them, came Arwen. Hermione deemed her the most beautiful child she had ever seen. And often than not she would tease Elrond that Arwen would one day grow up to be such a heartbreaker. Elrond could only groan in trepidation at the thought of his daughter grown up.

And like that, time passed and Hermione spent it practicing her fire control while playing with her newfound nephews and niece. But she was beginning to grow restless. Not enough to go home to Lothlorien just yet, but enough to want to leave Imladris, even though it meant leaving her sworn sister and family. However, she could not ignore the ominous feeling she felt in her heart. Something was brewing in Middle Earth and if what Gandalf said about her powers were true, then the Valar gave her this control over the element for a reason.

So the next day, the royal family of Imladris stood at the entrance of the city to bid their dear friend farewell. Elrohir, who was reaching his 50th year, walked up to Hermione sulkily.

"Do you really have to go, Aunt Hermione?" Elrohir whined.

Hermione smiled down at him. "I am afraid so, Elrohir. But do not worry. I will be back. I can't leave behind my favorite nephew!"

"Hey!" Elladan huffed indignantly.

"ONE of my favorites." Hermione laughed.

"Here Aunt Hermione! I made this for you!" Arwen squeaked as she handed Hermione a crown of flowers.

"Hermione, why can't you stay here with us?" Celebrian frowned.

Sighing, Hermione got up after Arwen placed the crown of flowers on her head. "You know why, gwathel. As much as I love being here and passing the days with you, I need to leave. I want to see the world I now call home. Besides, I have this strange feeling I am needed elsewhere…"

Elrond walked up to her to give her a warm hug. "You are Celebrian's sister and therefore mine as well. We only want you to be safe. Where will you go then?"

Hermione smiled warmly. "I told Gandalf I would travel with him for now until I deem it is time to return. I believe he told me to meet him at a place called the Shire."

"Very well. Be safe, Hermione. Na lu e-govaned vin." Elrond said. (Until next we meet.)

Celebrian gave Hermione one last hug as did the children before Hermione mounted her horse and kicked off. She looked back at the family she was leaving behind and her heart clenched slightly. But she knew she had to leave. She had to know what was the purpose of her being here. Why did the Valar give her her powers and why was she brought here to this world. And the only way in knowing was to get to know this world better. And so she was off, softly singing a tune that Gandalf had somehow implanted in her head.

"Roads go ever ever on, over rock and under tree…" Hermione smiled.


A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review!

~lalune30