Hello! How are you?

Things are getting crazy in my part of the world. Tests, try-outs, and the like. It's all pretty stressful, but what's life without it? Hopefully, although, I can squeeze a few more chapters out regardless. We'll see though. I will probably finish A Taste for a Hobbit before post another chapter here, but, again, we'll see.

Enjoy!

-E-

"When he yelled at Professor Umbridge…."

"Did you hear what he said…?"

"... Don't get me wrong. It serves her right, but I don't think…."

"Usually, that's exactly what he would do since…."

"He must be lying…."

He could not take it anymore. He turned back toward the table, where the supper plates vanished and his peers' shadows thinned, drifting toward the mouth of the Great Halls. Their conversations were too much to bear. He had hoped to catch more information about Mr. Baggins - trying to pull details to craft a fuller picture of him - but that well dried up. Talk went on to last year: the Triwizard Tournaments, the Dark Lord, and Cedric Diggory. The hobbit was only a distraction from hotter gossip, apparently.

To block out the noise, Harry returned to scanning the Marauders' Map. For the last half hour, after Hermione had pointed out the absence of the headmaster and the hobbit, he and Ron had hunched over the map and had glued their eyes on Dumbledore's office. Two pairs of feet walked lines. From then on, nothing changed; the feet paced excessively. Dots muddied the parchment. Occasionally, a pair would stop and face the other. A few minutes would pass until it would resume pacing. But, the more the cycle continued, the more Harry wished something would happen like the hobbit would attack Dumbledore and expose his intentions or Dumbledore would figure out his schemes before anything could happen. Whatever came to be, Harry hoped for it.

"Man, they sure love to pace, huh? Must have a lot in common," Fred said at Harry's side. "Explains why they're fast friends."

"Fast friends," he scoffed. "That's exactly what Voldemort's henchman would want."

"So, you still think that lil' fellow's a hench?" George fiddled with a chocolate frog card. "It's awfully far-fetched, ain't it?"

"The only thing far-fetched is his facade." Harry glared at the dots. "From a different world? Unable to go back? Seriously, what does he take any of us for? Magic is magic, so he can't be too far away from wizard mag- which he does have, by the way! He has more than I first thought. I felt it yesterday, actually, when I was behind him in the hallways. It was intense, like, more so than when the thing's up there with the professors. It was like last… well, when I was, um…." He wanted to describe the effect Voldemort had on him the last year, when he was face to face with the Dark Lord and could not deny the hissing pain that followed, but stopped; there were still a few lingering people in the Great Halls. "Anyway, I mean that Mr. Baggins - or so we call him - must be using his magic to be here and to carry out his scheme. It makes sense since he's researching so much - Oh, Hermione's seen him there a lot, George. It explains his notebook rather well. So, y'know, he's trying to know his enemy… which will come about being Dumbledore or some Aurora, I'm guessing."

"But, if he is still from our world and doesn't know basic wizarding, how does that make sense?" Fred asked with a shadowing smile.

Harry shook his head. "Tactics? A cover? Or maybe… wait," he paused. "Wait, maybe he is from a different world, but he traveled to this one to do… something."

"Something Dark Lord-related?"

"Exactly. Mr. Baggins must be trying to find him or… trying to find another dark, powerful wizard to join forces with or something."

"Great. Our little candy moocher is actually a dark lord."

"Moocher indeed," George said. "We gave him a bag of candy - the normal stuff, mind you - just to keep him happy with us because he was not when we kinda snatched him up yesterday. It was hilarious, but he might spare us from his wrath if we give him some more-"

"Shut it, George," Harry snapped. "This is more than anything Dumbledore has so far."

"Bold of you to think that."

"I know." He ignored Hermione, who threw a number of dirty looks at him. "I know for a fact that Dumbledore is putting him on hold. If he's putting me on hold, then he has to be with the hobbit because he's 'too busy'. Bet he won't actually deal with him until the end of the year."

"What do you think Double-Door's doing, then? Playing wizard chess?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "He's elsewhere - anyway, from what we heard yesterday, Malfoy's onto the hobbit too. He must've heard from his dad or someone to get him to their side. With power like that, who knows what they'll do." At this point, Harry knew Lucius Malfoy was a prominent death-eater, not a weak link in the clad. As much as it was satisfying to know, it worried him. What would happen if the death-eaters have access to the hobbit's power? Better yet, was the hobbit already a death-eater?

"Makes sense why Malfoy was keeping him interested, then," Ron said, glancing up from the map.

"Yeah. But, we can't have that. Dumbledore might wanna keep him away from me, but we need to keep him away from Malfoy. If they start talking, they'll cause trouble." Harry twitched a smile. "Thanks again for the map, Fred, George. That'll make that chore easier."

"'Course, Harry."

For several minutes, Harry rested his voice while the others processed his theories. Soon, he took notice of the two pairs of feet retiring to the office desk, sitting across from each other. They were probably eating their supper, he thought and gagged at the idea - the idea of the hobbit perfectly constructing a mask to fool the headmaster into thinking he was harmless. An ideal Facade. Just what exactly was he planning to do? Why was Dumbledore not taking action?

"You guys," Harry looked between the twins, who flicked pieces of paper at Ron. "You guys don't remember anything else he and Malfoy talked about? Anything at all?"

"Other than Malfoy buttering him up with false nothings, then nada," they said.

He winced. "Nothing about Voldemort or Dumbledore or anyone?"

"Nope."

"What about anything abnormal?"

Fred shrugged. "The only thing we really learned was that hobbits have terrific hearing. Seriously, he makes our eavesdropping-ear seem deaf. In fact, we're gonna ask him to help us with some stuff next time we see him. We've been meaning to get either Snape or-"

"No, no, you can't do that," Harry said frustratedly. "Don't even think about it. That is the worst thing you two could literally do… Though, it was even worse that you guys didn't get more outta him. You should've really kidnapped and tied him up like you promised. He might've even fessed up about his plans… He seems like an easy interrogation if you do it right."

"Harry!" Hermione gawked.

The twins looked at each other without smirks, without usual character.

"Harry," George started first. "When Fred told me you needed some beef from him, we thought like… well, like keeping him talking and asking questions. Maybe shakin' him up for fun, but not… y'know."

"Not frying him," Fred said.

"But, this is serious!" Harry hissed, his jaw tightening and veins burning. "We don't know what that thing is capable of! We need to play it safe until we know how to get rid of him-"

"Harry!" Hermione frowned. "We don't know everything! Assuming anything without all the facts is a wrong move. It's hardly been a week. And Dumbledore will know what to do after he's had enough time to-"

"He's not doing anything! If he actually took this dark magic seriously, he'd have that thing contained and-"

"We don't know all the facts-"

"If any of you took this dark magic seriously, you'd be helping me!"

"How? We're not going to batter him over the head!" She took a breath, putting away the volume in her voice. "But… Harry, but how can we help? We aren't against you."

Harry swallowed the fire threatening to scorch everyone. "You all can start by staying the bloody hell away from him."

Hermione looked to Ron for support, but he only muttered weak reasoning, pointing out the footprints in Dumbledore's office and how they were pacing again.

"Well, that's true," she said. "It's, uh, smart not to run up to him and start interrogating him all willy-nilly. But, I can be discreet in the library? I see him there almost every day so I could probably ask him some questions then-"

"No good, that's too dangerous."

"Well, what-"

"Just notice what he's doing and what kind of books he's looking at. That'll help, I'm sure."

Hermione sighed. "Alright, fine, I guess I'll just be secretive about it. I guess it is safer that way."

"Odd of you to finally figure that out."

She narrowed her eyes. "Harry."

"The only thing that's really going to help anything is for me to find proof," he went on. "I can sense he's dangerous, so I can use that to keep myself and you all safe too. Fred, George, don't confront him about it. Just keep him talking. Ron - Ron, I don't care if they're still pacing - you and Hermione can help at a distance. Stay out of it," he articulated, "and keep your ears open. I can be invisible, but I can't be everywhere at once - actually, do you still have that Time-Turner?"

Hermione shook her head and pretended to study the map intently. "I gave it back to Professor McGonagall."
"Could you get it back?"

"No."

"How do you know?"

"Harry," she looked up and matched his returning heat. "I'm afraid it won't solve anything. It would be good to know, yes, but it won't solve the little man's problem or our problems here, so-"

"But, y'know what?" Harry seethed, the fire returning. "It literally doesn't matter what he says about himself or about his problem or anything. He isn't what he says, don't you see? It's nothing - nothing! - to do with fixing his problem or whatever, but stopping his magic from causing any harm. That's the whole point! I-I…." He refused to admit his breeding fear. It became harder and harder to distinguish the hobbit's magic from the Dark Lord's. In his mind, they were the same thing, the same foreboding figure capable of complete destruction. Only one was closer. "We just need to be careful, keep an eye on him, and stop whatever it is he's really trying to do. And-and I know none of you can sense it, but I can. He's evil, but none of you can see it. Don't you believe me?" He frowned at their silence. "Don't you believe me!"

No one could meet his eye, no one could rebuttal him with the same knowledge of dark magic. It was only Hermione, who tried to murmur a response - one flimsy and hesitant - but he did not seem to care anymore.

"None of you understand," Harry continued with a cooling, stony voice. "We need to keep that bloody thing away from Malfoy - that's the best course right now - and figure out how to get rid of him or convince Dumbledore to contain him better. Having that thing run around is literally the stupidest thing he has ever done."

"Hey, Harry," Ron said timidly, "they're leaving."

On the map, the feet headed slowly toward the door, probably saying their farewells in an overly polite way.

"So, they are," Harry said. "I guess I'll see if I can - no, wait, there's Flitwick coming along to escort him. Dumbledore must know that I… nevermind." He looked over at Ron as if he had caused the hindrance. "Since that's no longer an option, how about we just sneak into the thing's room and look for his notebook. That's sure to have something worth knowing. Perhaps he was smart evough to take notes in their little meeting or whatever-"

"'Ullo, have any of you seen any Nargles?"

"Oh, Luna!" Hermione said in a high, shaky voice. "Um, hi, how are you doing?"

Harry glanced up at Luna and noticed there were five more corks on the end of her necklace, dangling in front of her blue and black robes. With an addition to her laid-back features, she appeared to be chewing some sort of toffee in the crook of her cheek, moving her jaw slowly like she was being careful to only chew with one tooth.

Everyone was uncomfortably quiet as she said, "I'm well, thanks, just checking the tables for any Nargles."

"Oh, that's nice." Hermione nodded awkwardly. "How's it going?"

"Well, we all should be happy to know that none are present. None hiding around here or causing any mischief. Perhaps it's the dispersion of corks that works best instead of…." She pondered for a moment. "I guess so. Anyway, that's not why I'm here - well, partly, but not quite."

"Well, what is it?" Harry asked. "Luna, we're a bit busy right now and-"

"I'm conducting an informal survey," she said. "Have you or anyone you know experienced more luck within the last week? If so, what was the experience and how did it make you feel?"

No one said anything as Harry dismissed her. "There hasn't been any of that. In fact, quite the opposite. How about you ask Neville? He'd be interested."

"Well, that's no good." Luna jaw stretched and contracted slowly. "Because I've noticed a lot over the last week. For instance, I've been having a great time in my classes so far, I've found another interesting topic for The Quibbler, and I haven't been bothered by Peeves in a decent amount of time… I'll need to thank him for that. And actually-"

"Luna," Harry sighed.

"-Actually, I think I'll bother him tomorrow. Hermione -" she swallowed her toffee and fiddled with the wrapper in her pocket "- I overheard you saying that you wanted to meet him or something along the lines of that. You can come with me if you'd like."

"Oh, uh," Hermione flickered her eyes back and forth between Luna's relaxed face to Harry's steaming one. "I-I think maybe not… I'll probably be too busy with OWLS studying."

"Ah, that's sad. He's a very nice person to get to know. Very relatable too. Not at all evil."

"Luna," Harry stood up to meet her eyes. "Do you mean the hobbit?"

"Well, of course. Isn't he the one that you were talking about?"

It infuriated him how casual she was about it. He cleared his tight voice and said, "Why were you eavesdropping, anyway? That's rude to do."

"I wasn't. I was over there -" she pointed to the other side of the room "- you all were just talking too loudly."

"Well, what did you say to him?"

"Hm?"

"Luna, what did you say to him? What did he say back?"

"Harry, you're being a bit too loud. Anyone can hear."

George and Fred looked at each other with soft chuckles while Harry felt his anger multiply.

"Fine, sit down, then. I need to know." Harry scooted over for her, nearly ramming Fred off his seat, and checked to see if anyone else was listening in. Perhaps theorizing in the Great Halls was not wise.

Before she could smooth her robes and fix her necklace, Harry attacked: "What makes you think he isn't?"

"Isn't what?"

"Evil. What makes you so certain he isn't?"

"That a funny question." She smiled.

"Luna, I'm serious."

"Well -" she glanced at Hermione, Ron, Fred, and George, whose faces were still withdrawn "- I had an interview with him the other day because I wanted to feature him in The Quibbler - I told you about it, remember? - and he was very nice about it. I gave him a cork afterward as thanks and he was the first person I gave it too who was grateful for it-"

"Anyone can act," Harry said.

"I don't think he was. He was genuine about it. In fact, today in the kitchens, while I was looking for more butterbeer corks - the elves drink a number of those drinks, actually - he was there and said hello to me first. It was a nice treat, y' know, being said hello to first, and-"

"Anyone can say hello." Harry frowned at the map; only one pair of feet remained pacing. "Luna, he's only been here a week, so we can't possibly know what he's really like until more time comes. Assuming anything so far is a wrong move. But, I know that-"

"Harry?" She gazed at him. "Isn't that what Hermione said earlier?"

The twins covered their mouths and shook.

Harry felt a prickle of heat rise into his face, but he kept his jaw firm. He studied Luna for a moment, seeing her darkly moist corks drying from earlier use, and said, "Well, what did you say to him? What did he tell you?"

"Hm? Oh, just some basic things."

Harry glared at her.

"The article should be out in a week from now. All the details are in there."

"Can you tell me what he said?"

"All quotes are in the article. I have quite forgotten exactly what he said… but I do remember him saying that hobbits are good luck."

"Good luck?" he breathed. He was getting a headache from all the heat in his face.

"Yeah, since he mentioned it, I noticed fewer Nargles causing mischief. All of my socks are still in their drawer, so that's evidence within itself. I'll have to thank Bilbo for helping me keep them away."

"Not like he would actually choose to," Harry said hotly. "It's just apart of his facade. He doesn't actually believe in Nargles, y'know. He just wants to be on everyone's good side."

"No, I don't think so. He isn't so skeptical like other people I talk to. He's very easy to chat with-"

"Only 'cause he doesn't know left or right in this place. He's a dangerous little idiot like that."

Before Hermione could find her voice, Luna said, "Isn't that what they're saying about you, Harry?"

The amplification of annoyance on Luna's face made Harry flinch. He had never seen her even a little upset before, but the soft aggression woven in her face seemed worse than any glare Snape could give, even if it was only a faint frown. He did not know what to say, what to defend himself with, or how to convince her of the painful effects the hobbit caused his scar. Did she really not believe him?

"I like Bilbo," she stated. "He reminds me of my dad in some aspects. You all should take some time to get to know him too. I'm sure he'll share his toffees with you too. He gave me a whole handful in the kitchens." Luna held up the paper wrapper.

"I knew those were familiar!" Fred said, his grin restored. "Glad to see he's a generous moocher."

"Wha- no!" Harry huffed. "He's the source of the ripple. He's not safe to be-"

"Y'know, I actually agree with Looney," George announced. "He's an easy bloke to tease. Reminds us of Bill, actually."

"Bill?" Ron asked. "Really?"

"Not surprisingly. It's rather fitting."

A thought struck Harry: they do not believe him because they cannot feel the magic energy like he could, but this meant they would cling to their own knowledge and disregard his. They could only see the hobbit's exterior, unable to sense his toxic interior - blinded and ignorant. They did not believe him like how nobody believed Voldemort was back. His scar began to pulse.

When Ron whispered into Hermione's ear and made her giggle, he snatched the map away and stormed off. He felt everyone's eyes on his back until he flew around the doors. He heard footsteps behind him; he ran.

He was tired of being called a liar.

-E-

Bilbo could not sleep that night. His head burned with unresolved questions and theories, swirling in his mind and flashing unattainable solutions. The small meeting with the headmaster may be a weekly ritual to check each others' progress, but it had only increased Bilbo's anxiety; the dwarves were still in trouble. How long would it be until he found a solution, got back, and saved them? Was it already too late? Where was Gandalf?

He hated how these were the same questions from the beginning of the week.

Overthinking always made the bed uncomfortable. So, for many hours, Bilbo stayed up and paced about his room. Although, the headmaster probably did the same; they both shared that quirk. Walking around the room, pausing to look out the window's silvery night sky, moving over to review notes on the desk, walking a few more circles, standing in front of the hearth, trying to voice aloud a few ideas, sighing, and starting all over again. It all started to feel hopeless.

He was growing desperate.

-E-

Have a golly good day! (Don't forget to like and review! I love me some good, constructive feedback!)