Dear Reader,
I am so sorry that I haven't updated, I have been trying to fix my profile for some time now, because it would not let me upload any files to my Doc Manager until today. I am so glad that it is working now, so without further delay here it is!
"SHIT!" I yelped out as I waved my arms helplessly in front of myself, practically swimming in Harry's large clothes.
Each member had a unique reaction to my sudden change in appearance.
Aragorn's bug-eyed look would have made me laugh if the situation were different. Frodo, Merry and Pippin let out a squeak of surprise, Sam stood in front of Frodo ready to defend him, Boromir just looked horrified and Gandalf looked amused. It was then that I turned to look at the resident blonde only to find that the little shit was laughing at me!
That was it, I snapped.
I let out a roar and launched myself at the elven bastard and we both went tumbling to the ground. The only problem was that he was still laughing. He quickly pushed me over so that he was on top still chuckling. Angry that he could best me in strength, I let out a small charm that would dye his hair a puce green color to match his tunic before shoving him off and standing before the fellowship; just wait until he wakes up tomorrow and it takes effect. His beautiful blonde locks will be the color of seaweed, haha take that you elf bastard.
"Ummmm, hi." I said stupidly, honestly my brain never failed me at Hogwarts and it chooses to desert me now of all times! Traitor.
Boromir started to sputter in protest about my being a woman and Gandalf held up a hand to silence him.
"Let us hear what she has to say."
Thank you Gandalf, for this I will introduce you to the lemon drops that Dumbledore seemed to be so fond of.
I cleared my throat softly in order to buy myself some more time to answer their questioning faces. I looked up at the group and noticed that all but the hobbits were attempting to avert their eyes, confused I looked down at my attire. Harry's shirt was hanging off my right shoulder and I definitely was not wearing a bra, my pants were riding low on my hips and looked ready to fall to the floor at any moment. Talk about embarrassing. I could feel my face grow hot as I flicked my wrist to transfigure the clothes to be more form-fitting, not forgetting to include a sports bra and turning my boots to a more reasonable size, Charlie's feet could rival that of a hobbits'. The outfit was not entirely "proper" for their world, but it would have to do at the moment.
Gathering my thoughts I tried to figure out the best way to start my explanation.
"The beginning is always the best place to start but as you explain let us continue walking as to leave this accursed place as soon as possible." Said Gandalf.
Nodding in agreement the ten began walking through the corridors.
I decided that I would tell them the bare minimum. Looking at the ground I began my story keeping it as short as possible without leaving too much out.
"Where I am from there was a great war which I was very involved in, my best friend was destined to either defeat the dark lord or to be killed by him. The dark wizard called himself Voldemort and was feared by many. He split his soul into many parts and stored them in objects so that he could avoid death, my friends and I gathered and destroyed these parts to make him mortal again. It all came down to the final battle and many were lost on both sides….however, we were not victorious."
I looked up with misted eyes at the captivated group trudging along the dark pathway. Looking down at my feet I continued my tale, not able to meet their eyes.
"I fought until I was the last of the side of the light standing. I did not want to live anymore; Voldemort had taken everything from me, my friends, my family, my home. I wanted to die with my comrades. I spewed insults at the dark wizard in the hopes that he would just kill me, but I guess it upset his followers as well and they all cast spells at me simultaneously causing me to somehow be transported here where I ran into Gandalf. Then he told me that women were not as respected as warriors here so I used magic to look like a man but it ran out when I lost the potion, and I guess that's about the jest of it."
I looked up at the group sheepishly evaluating their responses.
The hobbits looked like they wanted to hug me, Aragorn looked slightly impressed, Legolas looked angry, Gandalf's eyes lost their ever present twinkling, and Boromir began to sputter protests again.
"This quest is no place for a woman!" Boromir hissed out through clenched teeth. The feminist in me reared up and I used my lovely new rune for agility to run over, grab him by his shirt collar and turn on my strength rune using a burst of magic to lift him bodily off the ground and up against the wall before anyone could even register my initial movement. Damn those runes were useful!
"Listen here you chauvinistic pig, I will be accompanying you on this little journey and you will say nothing more on the matter, do I make myself clear." I whispered sharply in his ear.
He nodded his head once in confirmation. I dropped him on the floor of the mine and turned off my strength rune. I felt invincible when I was wearing it, but I could feel the small trickle of magic needed to power it and it would be wise to conserve it for now.
I turned back to the group with a smile on my face and began skipping down the corridor.
Boromir picked himself up off the ground and followed after the fellowship. Well I am glad that is over, it actually went better than expected.
"Remind me not to make you angry lass." Gimli grumbled and I threw my head back and laughed.
"We still do not know your real name" Aragorn stated.
"I am Hermione, you may call me that or Monie, if you call me "Herms" I will castrate you" I said with a smile and winked at the group of men.
I looked over at Legolas to see his reaction to find that he was still angry. He didn't see the spell I cast on him did he?
Gandalf chuckled and walked past the stunned group.
We passed under an arched doorway into a black and seemingly empty space. Gandalf stopped and said, "Let me risk a little more light."
"Behold! The great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!" We all gasped at the huge pillars and black walls of the huge empty hall.
"Well, there's an eye opener and no mistake!" Exclaimed Sam. We spotted a smashed wooden door with black arrows embedded in the timber. Skeletons lie in front of the doorway. Gimli ran ahead of the group into the room.
We rushed into the chamber after Gimli to see the heart breaking seen of the small Dwarf falling to his knees with cries of anguish at the sight of the fallen Dwarves.
Gandalf grabbed a rotting book from the slab of white stone and began to read from it.
"They have taken the Bridge and the second hall: we have barred the gates… but we cannot hold them for long…we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no one save us? They are coming."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Pippen back away nervously and bump into a precariously armored skeleton sending it tumbling down the well. The entire fellowship winced every time the armor clattered against the deep well sending echoes through the mines.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf yelled at the terrified hobbit. A silence fell over the group and low rolling booms rise from the depth of the mines steadily growing in volume.
Aragorn and Boromir slam and wedge the doors. Boromir then catches a glimpse of something, he turns to Aragorn and mutters, "They have a cave troll."
Great, I thought I had avoided death by mountain troll my first year. I activated my strength and readied myself by reaching for the knife I used for my runes. The knife grew into a katana of sorts and was practically humming in my grasp. I could feel it calling to me wanting to be used, pleading for the blood of my enemies.
The only time I had ever wielded a sward was when I used the Gryffindor sward and the strange weapon seemed to sense my hesitance. It sent me waves of comfort and it seemed to guide my arm telling it to lift the sward into a ready stance.
I snapped back into reality when Gimli yelled, "Let them come! There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"
The door burst open and goblins charged into the tomb along with a huge cave troll. Using my agility I waded into the mass of goblins and decapitated one, sliced another in half and stabbed yet another. The sward was not satisfied with the blood of the weak goblins; it wanted the troll who had his eyes on Frodo. I leapt at the cave troll; using my strength to grab its chain I yanked it, pulling the troll back and causing him to land on the floor of the cave. I dropped the chain and flew at the troll slitting its throat. The weapon hummed in approval at the taste of the fallen troll.
Now thoroughly covered in blood I stood and looked at the fellowship's shocked faces.
I offered them a small smile and looked sheepishly at the ground suddenly finding my feet to be extremely interesting.
"What?…How?" Boromir stammered at the sight of Hermione covered in goblin and troll blood.
"I think there's more to this witch than meets the eye." Gandalf offered.
I looked up at Legolas, wanting to see his reaction but was extremely disappointed that he was pointedly not looking at me.
Great booms sounded through the silence and Gandalf turned to the group and barked, "To the bridge of Khazad-dum!"
They ran back into the large chamber and hurried towards a distant door as goblins began to scuttle down the pillars behind them looking like cockroaches. Then a deafening roar filled the dank air. I could see a fiery light down the hallway. The goblins froze in fear and fled back up the pillars into the darkness.
"What is this new devilry?" Boromir asked.
"A Balrog…a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!" Gandalf yelled.
Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire.
Well, shit, this does not bode well for me; I was running low on energy due to the long period of time I kept the strength rune "on".
We ran down the stair case toward the bridge in the distance pausing only when it began to crumble and we had to jump. I did not want to apperate with them because of the nausea it would cause, so I used strength to throw Aragorn and Frodo over and my agility to jump over the gap. We dashed to the slender bridge made of stone at the end of the large hall.
The fellowship ran to the other side of the bridge without thought, but Gandalf pauses in the middle of the thin bridge facing the Balrog.
"You cannot pass!" he yelled to the Balrog.
"I am the Servant of the Secret Fire. Wielder of the Flame Anor. The dark fire will not avail you. Flame of Udun!"
I looked on with awe at the sight of Gandalf fearlessly facing the demon of flame.
"Go back to the shadow!"
The Balrog placed his foot on the bridge and cracked his fiery whip over his head.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf raised his sword and staff above his head and brought his staff down onto the bridge cracking it and causing it to collapse taking the great beast with down into the dark chasm.
Gandalf grunted and turned to walk away. I smiled at him happy that he was alright, but my smile disappeared when I saw the whip of the Balrog appear around his ankle dragging him down. He clung to the edge of the bridge and looked at us.
"Fly you fools!" he said before falling into the chasm after the Balrog.
Without a second thought I used my agility to run to the edge and leapt after him summoning my broom out of my bag as I fell.
Well that's that, I will have the next chapter up sometime next week because it is already half way written.
Again I am sorry about not being able to post for a while, but I am glad it is working now.