Now we're caught up. We can continue with the story. :)

The golden dog barked repeatedly at Hedwer. Was it going to attack the owl? That didn't stop Hedwer from scratching Aria's arms, before flying inside a tunnel, near the roots of the Whomping Willow. The golden retriever dashed inside the tunnel, enough time for Blodwen to produce a spell at the tree, immobilizing it.

"Come on. He can't be too far away," Blodwen said, climbing down into the tunnel.

"Ouch," Aria said, feeling her arms.

"Are you okay?" Frodo asked Aria and Sam.

"I'm fine," Sam said.

"It's not too bad," Aria groaned.

"Come on. We'd better go in," Frodo said, taking Aria's hand and helping her into the tunnel.

Below the Whomping Willow, they came into a large dark tunnel, with some light to see the path. Frodo looked back at the tunnel entrance as Merry and Pippin followed. In haste, the five friends journeyed, reaching an open hatch, entering a creaking building. They were inside the Shrieking Shack. And right into the kitchen were three figures: Blodwen, the golden retriever transforming into a hobbit with blonde curly hair and wearing traveler's clothes.

But it was Hedwer who Aria reached for. Only Hedwer hopped onto a higher perch, away from Aria.

"Hedwer, don't you recognize me?" Aria asked. She turned towards the newcomer hobbit. "Who are you?" She realized. "No. You're…"

"Everhart Boffin," Everhart said in introduction, bowing before her.

"You have some explainin' to do," Sam groped.

"Ah. And you're Samwise Gamgee," Everhart Boffin said.

"You were going after Frodo!" Sam told him. Frodo pulled him back, but not without his own questioning.

"I thought you were after me," Frodo told Everhart.

"No. Not exactly." Everhart told him. "It wasn't me who wanted to attack you."

"Then who? You made it quite clear when you—"

"Frodo, it wasn't him." Blodwen answered. "When Everhart and myself came to the school, we were after somebody. Somebody who would prove a threat if we let him go."

"Who then?" Frodo asked him.

"An orc named Ugnâsh," Everhart told him. He scanned the room and found his target. "And he's that owl. Hedwer was his name. Or was it given to him."

"Hedwer? How—" Aria was cut off by Everhart. "I mean, Hedwer's been around for, what I recall, fifty—"

"Fifty years, is that correct?" Everhart said. "Of course it is. I've been hunting this orc for twelve years now. A rare oddity this owl is. But I can prove this owl is the orc I've been hunting. He's the one that's after you, Frodo, not me."

"It's true," Blodwen added.

Hedwer hooted uncontrollably. Before Aria had a nervous fit, she backed away as Hedwer moved in quick strides across the room, bounding straight for the open doorway, transforming too late into a massive orc with reddish skin. Frodo moved out of the way in time to witness the orc speak.

"Well, if it isn't my two favorite hobbits," the orc spoke up.

"Ugnâsh," Everhart said. "Come here." He zapped the orc with his wand, sending the orc to a cowering state. "You're not hurting anyone here."

Ugnâsh cackled. "Oh. That I did. They said, 'don't touch the bird's talons'. Well, I struck my blow upon that girl." He jabbed a finger at Aria. "She doesn't know what's coming to her." He pointed his finger this time to Frodo. "You. I know you. How's your parents? Let me guess. They died. I read the message in those letters. I've learned so much about you and your family. Your friends, too. And that chamber." He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Such a shame what happened to them."

"See? I was looking after you, Frodo." Everhart told the hobbit teen. "As I expected, those gifts did the trick."

"They were tracking Ugnâsh," Frodo said.

"Aye, they were," Blodwen said.

Frodo felt a little better. But there was still the orc they needed to take care of.

"I didn't poison your girl, Frodo Baggins. She'll be sound asleep soon," Ugnâsh replied.

"Get Aria out of here." Blodwen told Frodo and his friends. "We'll take Ugnâsh as well."

"Oh, I won't be traveling with you. I have my own mission: to resurrect Sauron," Ugnâsh said.

"Come on," Frodo said, helping Aria to her feet. He was surprised but glad when Everhart came to help. Now it was just a matter of getting Aria to the hospital wing and to send Ugnâsh to Dumbledore. He looked back in time to see Ugnâsh being dragged by Blodwen. Frodo's friends followed behind him, back through the tunnel and to the surface.

Dusk was coming up fast. The moon was just peaking. Just as Aria was set down by the tree's roots, Frodo followed Everhart to an overlook of the castle.

"How's Aria?" Everhart asked him.

"We need to get her to the hospital wing," Frodo said.

"I'm sure she'll be fine. A wound from an orc, according to this world, will give her plenty of time to heal," Everhart said. He stopped as Sirius Black approached with Harry at his side. Frodo looked as well.

"Can we trust Sirius Black?" Frodo asked.

"We can," Harry said. He looked at Everhart, "Can we trust you?"

"I found an orc. That's what I was really after. Not Frodo," Everhart said.

"Impressive," Sirius said. "I'm sure we can…"

"Harry, the moon!" Hermione cried.

"The moon… oh no," Blodwen said. He shouted to the others, "Move. Now!" He transformed into a raven as quick as possible. But it was Lupin's transformation that everyone was staring at. Everhart knew what to do.

"Keep back! All of you!" Everhart said, transforming into the golden retriever.

As for Ugnâsh, Frodo witnessed him briefly transform into the tawny owl. The owl flew away before he could reach him. He wanted to catch the owl… but his friends were too important. And Lupin's transformation…

"Aria, Sam, Merry, Pippin. Are you…" Frodo was cut off as he neared them. Snape propelled himself in front of them, Harry, Ron and Hermione. But all Frodo could see was the golden retriever in trouble. He had to do something fast… but Aria was injured…

"Frodo, go and help Everhart!" Aria cried.

"Baggins, stay here! BAGGINS!" Snape cried.

But Frodo didn't listen. He watched the golden retriever as he ran off, limping. To his surprise, the werewolf Lupin had transformed into had retreated in another direction. Frodo had the chance to see Harry head towards the Black Lake. But… where was the golden retriever – no. It was Everhart Boffin. He was heading into the forest.

Frodo chased after Everhart. Not at this moment, now that he knew Everhart wasn't a threat. And he found him, alone in the woods. He had to help him… no. There was a dementor or two coming near him. He blasted the dementor with the patronus. It only worked a little. He was near the end… he could tell… he witnessed a white tail eagle patronus, overlooking the area. It blasted its way at the two to five dementors, chasing them away. What could he do now… there was nothing he could do… he was drained… he was tired… he couldn't… keep his eyes… open…