AN: Hi everyone; thanks for all the get well wishes, prayers, and all in between. It has been four weeks since my surgery and I feel better.

Summoned to Middle Earth

Lady Countryrose

Ch. 27

Thanks to Bilbo Baggins; the company had found the stairwell to the mountain, and the place they needed to find the hole for the key slot. What really got Hermione Ganger was; she saw that the Dwarves had given up all hope, as soon as the sun was setting in the west. It was the first time that she had seen Thorin Oakenshield show any emotion other than angry, mad, and determination; it was a look that she would live without seeing again, it was the look of despair.

She had seen that look upon her best friend; Harry Potter, when things start heading downward. She had nearly cried for Harry during those times; but seeing it upon Thorin's face, it was enough to want to draw her last breath in order for him to be happy again.

As the Dwarves made their way down the mountain; Hermione glanced over towards the Hobbit, who was doing everything within his power to solve the riddle that she had already found the answer to; but wanted someone else to come up with the solution for once in her life.

She had also noticed her professor hovering next to her; in his mirror, giving her the look of wonder. With a raised eyebrow; she knew that he was wondering if she was just closing her lips to allow others to solve the problem without her input, which she answered with a slight nod.

Within moments Bilbo had solved the issue of the key; who almost lost it, but Thorin had heard the Hobbit calling out and came rushing back and saved the day by grabbing the key before it had fallen over the edge.

Once the door was reviled and opened; only Bilbo, Hermione, and Balin had made their way into the caverns of the mountain. Severus Snape stayed above ground; who had already gave Hermione some last minute advice, before she had emerged into the dark.

Thorin was not happy about the whole thing; now that he had feeling for the which, but he would keep having the dark wizard within the mirror to show him the things of what was going on within the mountain.

As the three walked deeper within the stone walls; Balin gave the two adventures some sound advice, "I don't know what you'll find down within; besides a sleeping dragon, who I wish to stay asleep. My advice to the two of you is that you keep your head. Dragons are known as the most intelligent beings upon Middle Earth; they could even out talk a high Elf out of their villages of knowledge."

Hermione smirked, "I don't think they could out talk me out of a library."

Bilbo giggled softly, "I don't think anyone would, Hermione."

The elder dwarf gave the two a dark look, "Now listen to me; this is serious, you may find yourself killed tonight. This dragon may be smart as legend states, but he is a deadly weapon of his own; claws as long as two full-grown men."

This caused the two to stop having their fun.

"The Heart of the Mountain; is different from all others, it is like a star within a gem," as he went on explaining the item that they were looking for.

She was lost within her own mind, Hermione had forgotten her time within the one dragon that she had experienced with; back in the bank that she had broken out of, which felt almost years ago. As she walked the dark, stone hallways to where her and Bilbo needed to go; she forgot that she had just met the Hobbit and the Dwarves.

Also during that time she had met some people that she had known from her own world; people like Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Malfoy, and Sirius Black. It was enough to drive Hermione crazy or at least a headache.

Balin spoke very grimly, "I wish that neither one of you had to do this, but we need to drive that sleeping beast out of our home."

Bilbo; the little warrior spoke, "Don't worry Balin; we'll get the job done."

The aged dwarf wrapped an arm to each of the two brave people, "If anything happens; I wish of all Durin that we will see each other again, in this life or the next." That was when he left the two where they stood; as he turned around and made his way, back to where the other Dwarves were waiting for him.

Bilbo asked in a quivering voice, "Ladies first."

Hermione sighed with a sad small upon her lips, "Why not."

Together the unlikely duel walked downwards of the mountain, until they reached a set of stairs that lead downwards to the ground floor; where the two could see shining objects down below. The two agreed to stick with hand motions for their communications. From that moment onward, there would be no more talking.

It seemed to take the two a couple hours; but they had managed to reach the bottom floor, where they saw gold, gems, and other things that the two have never seen before in their lives. The two split up from there; Bilbo had moved downwards, while Hermione was struggling to go upwards; each one of them looking for the jewel that they needed to find.

What neither one of them knew; was the more that they moved, the more that the mountain's hoard was no longer covering the great dragon. It's nose was no longer covered; as it slept, it started picking up smelling some scents that he had not for many years, have smelled.

A deep rumble seemed to sound through the hallowed halls; which caused the two living beings that entered, to stop within their tracks.

"Whose there," growled out a deep voice; which brought chills down upon Hermione's spine. She had only believed that Voldemort's voice was the only being that could do it, but she was wrong.

"I can smell your FEAR," taunted the great dragon; as it stood upon his four legs, searching for the two that was within the mountain.

She had no idea where Bilbo was, but hoped that he was well out of sight. "I'M NOT AFRIAD OF YOU," called out Hermione.

The red-orange dragon turned around towards her; who saw a very small human girl before him, which caused him to laugh.

"WHAT IS SO FUNNY?"

"HAHA; I would never imagine that the great Dwarf like Thorin would send a little girl to deal with the likes of ME," as the dragon kept on laughing. Once he was done he stepped close enough to smell her. "I can smell him on you, you know. Thorin Oakenshied. I have taken this mountain from his own grandfather; does he think, by sending you I would allow him to take back what was once of his family's. I think not."

Hermione had started to shiver; she never in her whole life would have believed to face a being like the great dragon before her, she was starting to wish that she had talked to Charlie Weasley more about the dragons that he had worked with.

Than a deep inward breath was taken from within the room, "I smell another upon your skin; another dragon, when I'm the last of my kind. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?"

Hermione started moving across the massive room; within the mountain, trying to find places to hide. Once she found a place to hide; while having her eyes closed she thought, "By the Grace of Merlin, Jesus and God; HELP!"