Rivendell: Next morning
Hermione quickly shot up. 'Was it all a dream, is everyone really dead?' (A/N: Not everyone is dead but the war pretty much destroyed the wizarding population. There are probably about two hundred left.) Then, remembering the events of the previous day, Hermione looked around the room to see if any of the strange people were still here. Seeing the room was empty, Hermione went to what seemed to be the wardrobe. Finding nothing to be to her tastes, Hermione grabbed a random outfit so she could transfigure it to something of her choice, Hermione realized she did not know where her beaded bag was. Frantically searching around the room for the bag she missed someone entering the room.
"Miss, Miss, is there anything I could help you with" Hermione looked up to see a young woman, Alcar, if her memory served her correctly.
"Yes, I need you to tell me where my beaded bag is, it should have been on my hip when I arrived." said Hermione, sounding rather desperate. For, while she did not necessarily need the spare wands because she was accomplished in wandless and wordless magic, she did have many other things in the bag that had ensured her survival for the last sixteen years.
"I have them right here Miss; Lord Elrond suggested we keep anything you came with. Though we did not keep the clothes you came in, they were beyond repair and soaked with blood." said Alcar while handing over the bag. "I will leave you to wash and change. When you are done, I will be waiting outside to escort you to the dining hall." and with that she left the room.
Hermione sat down on the bad and checked if all of the protective charms on her bag were still in place. 'What is this place? Half these people do not even smell human' (A/N: Remember, she was bit by Fenrir but not on a full moon. She will now have advanced senses, speed, agility, and strength). Hermione quickly transfigured the outfit to her liking but also something that would be appropriate with what she had seen in this place. She transfigured a dark green tunic with black leggings, a white belt, and a pair of knee high black boots which she put protective charms on. Gathering her clothes she entered the bathroom. When she was finished, she got dressed and attached her bad to her belt and left the room.
"I am finished." She said quickly, ignoring the woman's look of shock because she was wearing what was considered men's clothing.
"You do realize…" she began before she was cut off.
"Yes I do, can we please move on. I have not had eaten in over three days."
Alcar turned and lead her towards the dining hall. Reaching the hall the doors were opened and Hermione was quickly escorted to her chair, again ignoring the looks she was given over her attire.
"Lady Hermione…"
"Lord Elrond, I am almost positive I have told you before I do not wish to be called 'lady'. It would be greatly appreciated if you would stop." quipped Hermione before letting him proceed.
"I am sorry but you must understand that it is a difference of cultures if the way you dress is anything to go by. No offense"
"None has been taken Lord Elrond. As I told you before I have just come from a place that has been riddled with war for the last sixteen years. I prefer clothes I can move easily in. I can promise you the clothes I am wearing now are not even close to what I am used to, but as you said earlier, difference of cultures. Which brings me to a request I would like to make, if you would indulge me?"
"Well it does depend on the request, please continue." he said politely.
"Since I do not know how or really even want to return to my world. I ask if I could be taught about this world and the peoples of it. It is very different than mine and, I do not mean any offense in this, but I do not think you or really anyone here is human." Hermione carefully said.
"You are quite right; all of us, with the exception of Mithrandir are elves. We are an immortal race that has been assisting in protecting Middle Earth for centuries. Mithrandir, or Gandalf as you would say in common tongue, is an Istari. He is most similar to you as he deals with magic. I think the word you used was witch. But I am curious how you figured out in the short time you have been awake." Elrond questioned
"The proper term would be wizard as he is male. As to how I knew, well there are creatures on my world called werewolves. Most of the time they are normal men but once a month at the full moon, they go through a painful transformation. They change into a bloodthirsty beast, like an oversized wolf hence the name. They have no control of themselves once the beast takes over. They are a completely different being. There is a potion that can be taken to let them keep their mind but, there are some sadistic people out there who do not take the potion just so they can bite people. The bite passes on the curse as some would say. I was bitten by one of the beasts." Noticing the horrified expressions on the faces of the elves, she quickly rectified her statement. "No! Don't worry; I was not bitten on the full moon so I only have the advanced senses that come with it. This is includes smell, which is why I knew you were not human." Seeing the relief on their faces, Hermione knew she was alright. She also saddened by it because it brought up memories of Remus. He had died protecting her.
"Hermione… Hermione" Hearing this Hermione broke out of her musings.
"Sorry, what were you saying?"
"All I said was that we will gladly teach you what you need to know about Middle Earth and its peoples. If we can, we can also teach you some of the languages of Middle Earth." Elrond said, glad she was back from where ever her mind was. He did not like the expression on her face while her mind was lost. 'Someone so young should not be filled with so much despair. She covers it well, but I have had centuries of experience.'
"That would be great. I am an extremely fast learner. I already know seventeen different languages."
"Why would anyone so young need to know so many languages?" questioned one of the elves sitting at the table.
Turning to the elf, Hermione said "Besides the fact that I love learning. It was needed since hundreds of countries were involved in this war. Learning new languages was kind of important if you wanted to be able to communicate with the other countries involved in the war. And I will tell you I am not as young as I look, I just happen to be rather small. Comment on my size and you will see just what I can do. I am 27, but I guess that would be considered young to you," turning to face Elrond, she began "When can I begin, I really do not do well with boredom."
-LOTR/HP-LOTR/HP-One ½ weeks before meeting of the Fellowship-LOTR/HP-LOTR/HP-
Over the last three months in Rivendell, Hermione was taught how the use a sword, knife, and bow. She was taught Sindarin (elfish), dwarfish, and Rohirric. These were the most common languages spoken in Middle Earth. True to her word, Hermione learned these languages very fast and could hold a conversation in all three. She was taught how to ride a horse and was taught many of the ways and customs of Middle Earth. Though, much to the disappointment of many elves, she would not change her way of dress. In return for the hospitality that she had received, Hermione showed the elves what she could do with her magic. She also used her magic to strengthen the fortifications around Rivendell.
As Hermione sat in the library reading, she wondered how she could have had so much good fortune after sixteen years of war. It was so peaceful at Rivendell that at first Hermione was disturbed by it all, being that she was used to war. But she knew it would not last. There was war coming to Middle Earth and many of the elves would be leaving for the Undying Lands. In about a week there would be people of all races coming to decide how to deal with the ring. Just thinking of the ring had Hermione shuddering. Ever since she had heard of it, she put her occlumancy shields up to an all-time high. She knew with her back history she could be susceptible to the ring. No she was never tempted by power but there was always a chance it could offer her the one thing she desired over everything. She just wanted a family. Her entire family was dead, whether they are blood related or not.
She was quite close with several people here at Rivendell but it was not the same. She connected with Gandalf through magic. Arwen was always taking care of her and keeping her light hearted. She was the closest with Lord Elrond which many thought was odd. She almost saw him as a father figure. He had helped her deal with all her guilt and darkness after the war. They connected because he understood what she had gone through. She still did have her bad days but she was beginning to open up.
Gandalf left the next day to go meet two hobbits that went by the name of Bilbo and Frodo. He was trying to get the ring to Rivendell without alerting too many enemies. Hermione was worried. She did not think she was ready to be involved in another war.