Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I do not own the wonderful world of Harry Potter or LOTR.
A/N: Wow, third chapter in the past two days! I was feeling inspired and couldn't stop writing haha. Plus, this is to make up for all the times I didn't update. Enjoy!
-Chapter 12-
Hermione excused herself first and made a beeline to her room. She greeted elves along the way before she reached her door and swung it open. It was just as she left it. Stripping off her weapons and laying them carefully near her dresser, she rummaged through her closet. She grabbed a simple, pale lavender dress and placed it on the bed before she headed to the wash tub. It was already filled with steaming water; no doubt Elrond had sent word ahead and had handmaidens prepare this. Quickly shedding her clothes, she slipped into the warm water and all the tension from travelling instantly evaporated with the steam. Hermione couldn't recall the last time she had a bath and decided to savor this moment. When she had soaked enough, she washed her hair and rinsed.
Hermione then wrapped herself in a towel and sat down at her dresser. She dried her hair before running scented oil through it and brushed it out before braiding it into a messy updo. She then donned on her dress and made her way to the dining hall where she assumed everyone would be conjoining. As she opened the door, Hermione was met with the sight of Elrond about to knock.
"Well, that saves me the trouble." Elrond smiles.
Hermione laughed and stepped out. "To what do I owe this honor?"
"It has been months since you were last here. I thought maybe you would like a guide lest you get lost." Elrond teased.
"Please, Elrond. I know Imladris like the back of my hand." Hermione drawled. "However do you think I was able to win hide-and-seek with the children?"
A comfortable silence fell between them as they walked to the dining hall together. At least that was what it looked like to third-parties, sworn siblings reunited. However, Hermione knew Elrond was just itching to say something and she knew exactly about what.
'3… 2… 1…' Hermione counted in her head.
"A quest to Erebor?" Elrond sighed.
'Knew it… Count on Elrond to always be the worry-wort. Now I know how Harry and Ron feel.' It was Hermione's turn to sigh now.
"At least there is Gandalf. That should count for something." Hermione smiled.
"That does not make the dangers of this quest any less threatening." Elrond frowned. "What would you have me tell Celebrian if something should befall you? It would break her heart and many others… When we watched you walk out those gates, it was with the thought that you just wanted to expand your view of the world. To learn and explore. Not join a fool's quest!"
Hermione stopped in her tracks. She agreed with him there. When she got the invitation from Gandalf to travel with him, she did not expect this. But she had already agreed and she would not back away from it. So she turned to Elrond and she smiled warmly.
"I know you worry for me. And I agree with you that this is a fool's quest. Thorin is not exactly my favorite person. Hell, we are like oil and water and most times I want to jab his eyes out. But I made an oath and I plan to keep." Hermione said calmly.
"But - !" Elrond was interrupted when Hermione raised her hand.
"They lost their home, Elrond…" Hermione whispered, a ghost of the pain she once felt when she first came to this world evident in her eyes. "I of all people understand their pain…"
Elrond heaved a deep sigh. "If I cannot dissuade you from continuing on this quest then I might as well help as much as I can so you come back to us alive. If not, not only would I have Celebrian come after my head, but all of Lorien as well."
Hermione smiled brightly this time. "Don't worry. I'm sure you don't have to worry about Haldir. There won't be anything of you left after Celebrian has her way with you."
Hermione walked ahead, her tinkling laughter trailing after her as Elrond walked after her with a headache forming. They arrived at the dinning hall where everyone was gathered. Dinner was served and pleasantries were traded. Elrond helped inspect the blades they found in the troll cave. Hermione had to stifle her laugh as the dwarves look at the food in confusion – elven diet mainly consisted of greens and fruits. The only time they feasted on meat was during a celebration. After dinner, Gandalf, Thorin, and Elrond walked off to discuss what it is they needed to discuss. Hermione decided to entertain the rest of the company. And so she found herself situated between Bilbo and Kili in front of a makeshift bonfire.
"Hermione, you mentioned this when we first met, but would you tell us of your world? Before you came here?" Bilbo broke the silence.
Hermione gave him a long stare before sighing. "My world was all man. There was no magic, no real danger besides the petty crimes here and there. That is, until my eleventh birthday. That was when I had gotten my acceptance letter to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"You are a witch? Is that why you have that power?" Fili asked.
"I was. I don't understand how I have this power, but it may be from my previous life. I had always known I wasn't ordinary. And when I started my schooling, I finally understood why. Oh, how magical it was. Things you couldn't imagine – fairies, roots that scream, flying books. I made friends, grew with them, and laughed with them. Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley. We were unseparable – the Golden Trio.
Throughout our schooling, we've had our ups and downs. Just because we knew magic did not mean we were safe. There were magical creatures that were dangerous. Witches and wizards that have gone dark. But for the most part, my friends and I have survived together." Hermione smiled fondly as the memories flashed through her mind, both good and bad.
"Do you miss them…?" Kili asked carefully.
"Everyday." Hermione smiled sadly. "I will never forget them. And my new family and friends here make the pain more and more bearable with each day."
"How did you end up here then?" Gloin grunted.
"I am not too sure. The war had ended and the dark lord Voldemort had been defeated. The magical world was finally free. Our leaders decided to hold a celebration to honor the dead and ease the weary hearts of the survivors. I remember watching my friends dance and eat. They were so happy, a weight finally lifted off their shoulders. But for some reason, I could not bring myself to join them. I had been scarred too deeply by the war. I knew I would never be the same. So I said my goodbyes to my friends and ended the night short. The last thing I remember was going to bed and wishing that I too could be happy one day…" Hermione whispered at the end.
Bilbo grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "You will find happiness. I am sure of it."
Hermione smiled gratefully. She bid them good night and made her way to her room for some rest. No doubt they would soon be well on their way again and she needed to conserve her energy. The next morning she was woken up by banging on her door. Grabbing a robe, she quickly donned it over her nightgown and opened the door to find Gandalf standing there.
"Gandalf? What is it?" Hermione asked worried.
"The dwarves have left early this morning. We must leave now if we are to catch up with them." Gandalf growled in annoyance.
Hermione quickly grabbed a tunic and leggings and ran to the washroom and changed. She then strapped on her weapons and met Gandalf at the door and the two made their way to the gates. Hermione immediately stopped in her tracks when she saw who was going to see them off. Standing next to Elrond was Lady Galadriel herself.
Without further ado, she ran and engulfed the lady in a tight hug. Galadriel smiled warmly and reciprocated the affection.
"Cormamin lindua ele lle, lirimaer." Galadriel said. (My heart sings to see thee, dear one.)
Hermione pulled back with a huge grin. "What are you doing here, Lady Galadriel? I thought Celebrian had gone to visit you with the children!"
"A more important matter surfaced and I was needed here." Galadriel smiled.
Hermione immediately rounded on Elrond and Gandalf. "Why was I not notified when she had arrived?"
"We were in the middle of an important discussion." Elrond muttered.
Galadriel then pulled Hermione aside. "There has been whispers about Dol Guldur."
"Yes. A necromancer of all things. I am assuming Gandalf showed you what Radagast had found at Dol Guldur?" Hermione asked grimly.
Galadriel nodded. "A relic of Mordor. A morgul blade made for the Witch-king of Angmar."
"So I was right. But how is that possible? The blade was buried with Angmar when he fell. How is it here now, in Dol Guldur of all places?" Hermione frowned.
"That is what we must find out…" Galadriel said.
Then it clicked in Hermione mind. "You would like me to investigate…?"
"I would have it any other way, but Gandalf is needed with the dwarves." Galadriel said sadly.
"I'll do it." Hermione said resolutely.
"Are you sure, child? This request is much more dangerous than your original oath to the dwarves." Galadriel said.
"But the importance is much more. I will join the company after I scout Dol Guldur. And worry not. I have been trained by the best." Hermione smiled reassuringly.
Galadriel looked into Hermione's eyes before nodding solemnly. "Very well. Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta." (May your ways be green and golden.)
Galadriel gave Hermione a soft kiss on her forehead. Hermione then turned to Elrond and Gandalf. She first walked up to Elrond and engulfed him in a hug.
"Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva." Hermione whispered into the hug. (Sweet water and light laughter till next we meet.)
"Aa' lasser en lle coia orn n' omenta gurtha." Elrond's grip on her tightened. (May the leaves of your life tree never turn brown.)
She then walked to Gandalf and they set off. They traveled for half a day in silence. When they came to a fork in the road, Gandalf turned right while Hermione stopped. Sensing this, Gandalf looked back at her quizzically.
'I am assuming he does not know what Galadriel requested of me then from the looks of it…' Hermione mentally sighed.
"What is the matter, Hermione?" Gandalf asked.
"I will not be joining you, Gandalf. At least not yet." Hermione said.
"What?" Gandalf fully turned towards her.
"I have been tasked to investigate the rumors surrounding Dol Guldur." Hermione whispered.
"Investigate - ! No! It is far too dangerous!" Gandalf balked.
"Galadriel thinks I can handle it. It is a simple recon mission, Gandalf. I am only to gather information to confirm our fears. If something dark is stirring in Dol Guldur, the white council needs to know." Hermione reasoned.
"Then it should be I that goes, not you! You are far too inexperienced in this world to face such darkness!" Gandalf thought back to the horrid morgul blade that Radagast had found.
"No, the company needs you. Bilbo needs you. You know as well as I that Thorin is not fond of him." Hermione smiled.
Gandalf pauses at this.
"Do not worry, dear friend. I shall join you soon enough. Go or you will never be able to catch them." Hermione reassured him.
Gandalf regards her with a solemn heart before walking to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a crystal. He handed it out to her to take, which she did.
"When you feel like the light is lost and you are plunged in darkness, hold this close." Gandalf said.
Not fully understanding, Hermione nodded anyways and put away the crystal in a pocket in her tunic.
"Uuma dela. Now go. May you be swift and find our troublesome friends soon." Hermione ushered Gandalf off. (Don't worry.)
Gandalf gave her one last look before he took off on the path going right. Hermione watched him go until she could not longer see him. Sighing, she turned to the left and marched on. So much for travelling the world with Gandalf. But she squared her shoulders and looked ahead with determination. She could not save all her friends in her previous world. She will not fail in this one. If there is darkness brewing, she will nip it in the bud. For the sake of the free people of this world.
A/N: Please review!
~lalune30
