"Gandalf what did you put on Bilbo's door?" Hermione asked walking by his side
"I was tasked for marking a place a company I'm to meet at" he answered
"Isn't that a bit rude to have a meeting at someone's house without telling them?"
"In this case this person needs it more than you might think" he said with a deep breath
"So what now?"
"Now you must get yourself some proper clothing so not to arouse suspicion" he answered
"I have a solution, and by the way where is my wand?" She asked a bit frantic
"Oh here I found it by you when you unconscious" he said handing the small piece of wood
Hermione changed her clothes into something more suitable a white dress shirt of sorts, brown pants with a darker shade of boots and matching belt though she kept the dark grey cloak. The two entered a small pub where there wasn't many during the day besides a bit older folk in the area, Gandalf and his young companion sat in the far back by a table.
"Order what you like, I'll be paying since you may not have coin on you" Gandalf offered
"Thank you"
A small Hobbit stopped at their table Hermione just order something to eat since she hadn't ate especially when they were prepared to go and retrieve the prophecy. It was a light meal that just consisted of eggs and potatoes a pleasant silence came between them, as she took small glances at the wizard more and more he reminded her of the old headmaster of Hogwarts.
"So what are we waiting for?" She asked taking another bite
"I am waiting for a company that I'll be joining hopefully they'll be arriving soon" He answered taking off his hat and setting on the table
A few hours passed until became alert that his mark had sensed one of the company entering Bilbo's home.
"Well it appears that we must be on our way" Gandalf said placing his hat on it's usual spot
"What? Where we going?" Hermione asked a bit suprised by the sudden action
"Back to Bilbo's burrow I suspect it would seem that a few of the company have made" he answered
Walking out the pub retracing the path they used to reach the pub which was hard to be comfortable in due to the small stature of the locals.
"So Gandalf what's this company your joining?"
"I'll explain once we've returned to Bilbo's"
As they reached his short friend's home it was near dark with a large collection of Dwarves arguing and trying to shove through the door, Hermione saw they were slightly taller than Hobbits only going a few inches past her elbow.
"Who else could it be!? It's not like I need more Dwarves!" Bilbo shouted in anger on the other side of the door
Opening it the arguing stopped as they fell through landing on each other and the once clean now mud covered floor.
"Gandalf" Bilbo sighed out as soon as he spotted the greying beard
As the two crouched to enter the home Hermione saw the bearded men rushing past each other with plates and baskets of foods, looking to her elder for guidance she saw him beginning to count them off.
"We're one short" he said low, but loud enough to hear
"He'll be late he had to meet our kin in Iron Hills he'll come" a bald dwarf said with mug in his hands
As the table was set for the Dwarves to eat food began to fly, ale began to spill over from the cups with a few belchs and laughter filling the room. Gandalf sat at the end of the table smoking his pipe as usual with taking a few sips of a very tiny cup of wine.
"Lady Granger, Here you go" Bilbo said handing her plate filled small cheeses, a few biscuits with a bit of fruit as well
"Oh thank you, Master Baggins" she said with gratitude
"Oh it's no trouble, I just thought since everyone was eating you shouldn't be left out" he joked with smile
"Oh, but what about you?" She asked with a concerned tone
"Not to worry, I had just ate supper before all...of this...happened" he answered gesturing to his uninvited guests
"Well it is a bit amusing" she chuckled
As they all had finished eating Bilbo caught up to Gandalf a began to list off what the Dwarves had destroyed or damaged while they had stayed.
"I'm sorry Gandalf! I just can't"
"You worry too much master Baggins" Gandalf gestured with his pipe
"Sorry to interupt, but what should I do with my plate?" The youngest of the company asked hold the piece of porcelain
"Here Ori give it ere" Fili said grabbing it
Fili then tossed it to his brother Kili who then tossed to another and so a creative way of cleaning was presented to the young witch who sat quietly where she could look on without getting hit by a plate.
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 hates
The Dwarves sang which could only make Gandalf smile as he watch and Hermione clap to it with a wide smile and laughter.
Cut the cloth, trail the fat,
Leave the bones on the bedroom matt
Pour the milk on the pantry floor
Splash the wine on every door
Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl
Pound them up with a thumping pole
And when you've finished if they are whole
Send them down the hall to roll!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates
At the end of the song the plates were cleaned and neatly stacked on top each other without a single mishap to heard about. It went dead silent as a rather hard loud knock on the door was echoed throughout the room.
"You might want to answer that Bilbo" Gandalf said
Doing as instructed he closed the gap quickly between him and the door, opening he found himself face to face with Dwarve that had a stern face and carried himself with confidence.
"Thorin Oakenshield, pleased to make your acquaintance" he greeted in a deep voice bowing slightly
"Good of you to make it Thorin" Gandalf said getting of to greet him
"I saw your mark on the door, knew this was the place" he answered
"What mark? That door just got painted last week" Bilbo added
"I placed it there, and now that we all are here we can start"