It was during yet another evening with their salamander that it happened. Thorin and the Company met. It wasn't just another gathering of various dwarves who decided to come and see what Thorin was up to; this was a meeting of the Company. Bilbo had learnt the difference when he was Frodo and his Fellowship meet up in a more official manner.
Bilbo had been lying on his belly, idly flicking his wander to make the flame dance as Thorin stood scowling up at the path. First came Dwalin, sitting down and letting out a gruff acknowledgement when a house elf popped up to deliver food.
As Balin turned up, greeting his brother with a grin, another house elf brought more food. As more and more dwarves turned up, bringing more and more food, Bilbo noticed something. His eyes flickered up when he caught sight of something in the woods.
The dwarves were eating noisily, laughing and joking with no concern for being caught. Then Bilbo saw someone walking in the woods, wearing a long grey robe and holding a staff. It was Professor Gandalf.
Bilbo jumped to his feet, letting out a squawk as he did so. It was only the headmaster's quick hand that saved his flame from flickering out in his shock.
"Professor!" He said, hoping he didn't look as terrified as he felt.
"Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf greeted, a warm smile twitching across his lips. He didn't seem remotely bothered that there were a group of students blatantly breaking the school rules, for the sun had long since set and curfew had fallen nearly an hour ago.
"Professor!" He heard one of the dwarves yelp behind him, though which he was not sure.
"Care to join us, professor?" asked Kíli with a bold smile.
"Is that bread and butter pudding? You know, I think I will." And the old wizard accepted a plate and allowed the dwarves to load it up before heading to the back of the group to sit with Bilbo.
The headmaster sat beside the young hobbit, chuckling as he watched the dwarves get louder and louder. They moved into a deep discussion about taking on a man named Smaug.
"Have you not learnt yet?" sighed Gandalf, sounding disappointed. "He is no man."
"What do you mean?" asked Bilbo quietly, wrapping his arms around his knees as he curled into himself.
"He is a man, like any other." Snarled Thorin. "He is an animagus though, and can transform into a dragon. We have been researching spells to stop this though."
"He is a dragon who can transform into a plan. Your spells won't work." The professor informed them.
"Dragon? An actual dragon?" Bilbo gaped up at him, horrified at the idea that dragons still existed.
"We can't take on a dragon, laddie. We will need to change our plan." Balin said, turning a thoughtful gaze onto Thorin.
"If it is just the heirloom you wish to reclaim, I would suggest sneaking in." Gandalf spoke up again.
"Heirloom? What heirloom?" Bilbo asked, feeling awkward. He had nothing but useless questions to contribute.
"If he is an actual dragon then he will know our scent." Thorin shook his head. "I will not risk my friends so easily against a dragon."
"In two years, you will all have finished Hogwarts. I suggest waiting till then before making any definitive plans. You may find you have more options then." His blue eyes twinkled down at Bilbo for a moment, before he stood and disappeared back into the dark.
"Now that the headmaster has gone, how about a spot of ale?" Suggested Dori cheerfully.
A mug was thrust into Bilbo's hands, and the hobbit looked hesitantly at it. He sipped lightly at the liquid, before pulling a face. While there was a fruity taste to it, the drink was a little too bitter.
The dwarves seemed to find no such objection, guzzling it down it the rude manner they ate. Bilbo kept sipping at his own drinking, not wanting the Company to find any reason to single him out now that he was being included in their merriment.
The dwarves then started humming, a low droning tune. With their faces lit only by the fire light, the dwarves began to sing of dungeons deep in the Misty Mountains. They were made by spells of the dwarves of old and contained dark things. The Company sang of dragon fire, and Bilbo wondered sleepily if it was Smaug.
He dozed off to their song, the day catching up to him and he fell into slumber. The hobbit didn't stir when the dwarves finished their singing and began to leave. He didn't wake when Thorin picked him up and carried him through the grounds and up to the castle. He was unaware that Ori lead Thorin into their dormitory and allowed the dwarf to settle Bilbo on top of his blankets.
He knew of nothing until the next day, when he yawned and rolled over, breathing in the smell of porridge. As his eyes opened, they focussed on the face of a house elf. It was standing by the edge of his bed, holding a tray.
"Master Baggins needs to eat." He said.
"Oh, thank you." Muttered Bilbo as he sat up.
The elf placed the food ladened tray on the table by his bed and bowed deeply before disapparating. Bilbo smiled softly at the spot where the house elf had been. They always turned up if a hobbit missed a meal. They were aware hobbits needed more food and so were careful to make sure they ate enough.
He crossed his legs and placed the tray in front of him. He was going to be late for class at this rate, but he wasn't going to miss breakfast.
It was during lunch hour that Bilbo made his way of to the Ravenclaw table, which was where the Company were eating their meals.
"I just… I wanted to say…" Bilbo stuttered nervously as Thorin looked down at him. "That… if you need someone who can sneak in place… I may not be good at much, but I can be unseen when I want to be."
He kept his eyes on his feet, wriggling his toes as he waited for a response.
"When we leave, we'll find you a pony." Replied Thorin, his face serious. It was only Fíli and Kíli chortling with laughter that let Bilbo know Thorin was joking with him… at least he hoped so. He was not a skilled rider by any stretch of the imagination.
He turned to head over to the Hufflepuff table when various hands grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Have some lunch, laddie." Balin said kindly, making Bilbo smile as he finally began to feel accepted by the dwarves.