Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

Frodo gazed out the open window in the Owlery Tower. His fingers numbed from the icy cold breath the wind blew into the room. But his mind was elsewhere, for the moment. Prim returned with a folded letter. Frodo fiddled with the paper, only just managing to get it open. It was from Hilibert, whose message was very clear, simple and in plain inked handwriting.

Frodo,

I am not quite sure what is going on at Hogwarts. Everhart's been sending me messages as well. Try to remember to survive these tasks. The Triwizard Tournament is very difficult to compete in and once you're a champion, there is no turning back. You must write me more letters soon, Frodo. I want to hear everything. Everhart's concerned about you as well.

Sending my regards. Hope to hear from you very soon.

Hilibert Blodwen

Frodo smirked a little. "Of course you will."

A barn owl hooted close to his ear. Frodo jumped at the sight of him. In the owl's beak was a folded letter, this time from Everhart.

Frodo,

You'll have to excuse me for writing so soon. Here's the article we looked over. Don't lose it. I have this feeling there's more going on than we wish to know. Let me know how things go at the castle. Times are becoming darker. I hope to see you are safe and sound, Frodo.

Sending my regards and hopes that Hilibert received my owl.

Everhart

"He already knows," Frodo murmured. Biding his time, he stuffed the letters into his breeches' pocket. He just barely made it out the door when he bumped into Lotho, who was not in a particularly good mood.

"Humph!" Lotho spoke gruffly. "Frodo."

"Lotho," Frodo answered, quick and sharp.

"I hope your Uncle Bilbo's got Bag End ready for my family." Lotho said. "We'd hate to see you have to leave the Shire once again."

"I'm sorry, Lotho." Frodo said, patting his rival's shoulder. "My uncle won't give up Bag End, especially not to you and your family."

"Humph!" Lotho huffed. "We'll soon have Bag End, my family and I, and there won't be anything you can do about it."

"Farewell, Lotho. May your days be bliss. For however long that takes," Frodo said, walking out the door to the Owlery.

o-o-o

Tuesday morning came with blustery winds. Frodo managed to reach Hagrid's hut, without getting blown off the steps. And here he was at the familiar stone-walled hut… and with some strange, furry black creatures with thin fingers, each stationed at a work desk. He turned and found Sam and Folco joining him. Well, it was good they were present for this day.

"Mr. Hagrid," Sam asked their teacher and friend, "what are these creatures?"

"They're called nifflers." Hagrid explained, once the class was together. "They quite capable to taking loot for their own, storing them inside their pouches." He turned to the class and said, "now. I have hidden Leprechan coins throughout the grounds. Whichever niffler finds the most coins will be rewarded. Now, take off yer valuables before you begin. And once you've chosen your niffler, we can begin."

"What are we supposed to do with them?" Frodo asked.

"At your command… oomph! See there they go!" Hagrid said, as the nifflers took off.

"Oh," Frodo understood, shortly before stowing some valuables away. He faced his niffler and said, "Go on. Find the gold."

The niffler didn't hesitate. For a moment or two, Frodo couldn't see the niffler… until it sped back to him with a grin on its face.

"Let's see what you've got," Frodo said.

In haste, the niffler shoved out of his belly a ton of coins. Frodo went from smiling to pure joy. He hadn't guessed nifflers were so talented at stealing gold… wait, was he drawing back to his days when he snitched from Mr. Maggot's farm. No. He didn't want to think on that.

"Well, these nifflers are…" Sam was cut off by Frodo.

"Can we buy one or two… or many?" Frodo asked.

"Now Frodo, these nifflers cause damage to houses," Hagrid warned. "That's why it's unwise to keep them."

"Right," Frodo said. Well, there was that, he thought to himself, but then having a niffler wouldn't be so bad. Or maybe it was… either way, when he was walking back to the castle, his thoughts wandered on how it would be nice to have a niffler as a pet. The ability to track and find objects was incredible.

"Mr. Frodo," Sam said, concerned.

"I'm fine, Sam," Frodo said. "Come on. Let's head back." And he bumped into Aria as soon as they reached the interior of the castle.

"You got to meet those nifflers," Aria said. "Ron's been talking about them. I haven't had the chance to see them yet. So I was wondering…"

"Miss Aria, leave those nifflers out of it!" Sam cried, darting down the corridor.

"But still, I'm cooped up most of the time in the castle," Aria said. Frodo nodded. He couldn't help it. His mind was distracted, until Aria asked him a question, "Did you get to see the nifflers?"

"I did," Frodo said. "I haven't found a way yet to buy one. Someday I will. Then you'll see it."

"I'd like that very much," Aria said.

"Good. So do I," Frodo said. For a moment, he locked eyes with her. He couldn't help it. She just seemed so…

RING!

"There's the bell," Aria said, darting off. "I'll catch you later, Frodo."

"Yeah, see you later," Frodo said, making his way to his next lesson.

o-o-o

In some ways, Frodo was happy that he didn't receive mail from Madam Fitspinchin. But for Hermione and Aria, in the following weeks, hate mail started pouring in. Much of the mail came from Rita Skeeter and Madam Fitspinchin, but also from their adoring fans, who wouldn't stop gushing over Frodo and Harry, while hating on Hermione and Aria. It was getting to the point of annoying.

"You know what," Aria slammed the envelopes down. "I've had enough. Some of these letters have nothing to do with the hate mail. This is ridiculous!"

"Wow Aria. I haven't seen you so upset," Folco said.

Aria glared at him. "Look, I didn't plan on this happening." She fumed.

"Of course you didn't," Folco said.

"Look," Frodo waved his hand over the hate mail. "We just forget it. Let it go."

"That's going to sound too familiar in the near future," Aria said.

"What do you mean?" Frodo asked, confused.

"Oh, I'm sure you'll find out on your own," Aria said.

"Right," Frodo said.

"Oh, not you too," Hermione said, approaching their table. She said next, pitying. "I had hoped things would lighten up by now."

"Maybe it'll stop," Aria said.

"I hope so. Or that's what Harry tells me," Hermione said.

"He has a point," Frodo said.

"Well, I'm going to find out where Rita Skeeter's gone." Hermione said. "Aria. Do you want to help? We could figure out how Madam Fitspinchin is getting her news."

"That sounds fantastic," Aria said with a smile.

"You two really are up to something," Frodo said. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Um…" Aria said, hesitant. "Well… it's all very complicated."

"Oh come on." Frodo said, beside himself. "Why can't I help? What are you two ladies…" he was cut off when Aria left with Hermione, "…up too."

"Well," Folco said between bites. "At least your niffler's quite the showman… niffler."

Frodo chuckled. "Sure Folco." Well, it couldn't have turned out any better than it did now. But still, even he had to wonder what Hermione and Aria were up to, any why they didn't invite him for the search for Rita Skeeter and Madam Fitspinchin. Oh well, but still…

He didn't let go of the thought until a week later. But then he spent half the time pleading with Aria on her hunt for the two news reporters. He sure liked bugging her for information. So far, it wasn't a huge success.

"Frodo please, I have studying to do," Aria said.

"That's what you always say," Frodo said, in disbelief.

"You're quite nosy, aren't you?" she asked him.

"Well, you and Hermione haven't been giving that much details," Frodo said. "It's almost like you two have a pact or something."

"Well, we are girls, Frodo," Aria said.

"Besides that, have you found out any new information about Madam Fitspinchin?" Frodo asked.

"Haven't yet." Aria said. "But I've got to go to class. I don't want to be late, you know."

"Right." Frodo said, backing off. "I'll see you later."

"See you," Aria said, heading up the stairs.

Frodo inhaled fondly. He wasn't sure, but there was something about Aria that he just couldn't… it was almost sweet. But then he needed to get upstairs to class, too, or risk being late for Professor McGonagall's class. He wasn't about to miss that, not for one second.

o-o-o

The weeks passed without delay, and much of it came with the workload students received from their teachers. The Easter holidays especially came with a ton of homework. Frodo couldn't expect less from his teachers. But with all the homework he had, it made him wonder about his O.W.L.s coming up in the next school year, which wasn't for a while. Were his teachers preparing him for just that? Fifth year also wasn't too far away now. Maybe he was second guessing himself.

And yet, the letter he received from Everhart was enough to satisfying his need for chocolate Easter eggs, which he duly received from his Aunt Esmeralda (who he would gladly thank for in his next letter). The letter Everhart gave to him wasn't too long, but enough to send a proper response from him.

Frodo,

Hopefully you get this letter. Things are getting worse at the Author's Campus. Rumors are circulating the Dark Lords are returning to power. Rumors, Frodo, that's what they are. So far, things are stirring up throughout the Wizardry World. Other worlds are feeling the growing tension as well. If things don't hush up before the end of the school year…

Maybe I shouldn't ponder this right now. But given the circumstances, I need to make sure that you are all right and well. I hope and pray for better times, Frodo. We all need a miracle by now. Let's hope things don't get much worse. I'll keep you informed if anything changes. Let me know in your next letter your progress made in school.

You told me much about the nifflers and how yours won the most coins, with Sam coming up a very close second. I hope you're not considering buying a niffler. They're a lot of trouble. Give my regards to your friends. It'll be nice to enjoy their company, if it isn't already.

Until we meet again,

Everhart

Frodo sighed. It had been a good day with the nifflers. Probably the best day he had so far this year… well, he couldn't say that. Dancing with Aria was… he sighed. Maybe he was letting his emotions get ahead of themselves. He would find a way to see Everhart again. He just hoped the rumors about the Dark Lords (and he suspected Everhart meant Sauron and Voldemort) were untrue. But given the events circling about the school…

He sighed in despair. Maybe, with luck, he would find a way to beat this and hopefully win the Triwizard Tournament. For now, Frodo set his mind on his studies. He felt sure he would find out about the third task in a couple of months. Otherwise, he should just relax and study.

And that's what he did.