Disclaimers: See Chapter 1 for more info.

We're one chapter closer to the third task, which is coming up.

No sooner had Frodo found Aria, he had found Sam, Merry and Pippin. In haste, they went inside an empty classroom and closed the door. It was the only way Frodo could tell them everything that had transpired in Dumbledore's office. But it did leave Merry in a concerned state.

"Harry just told me that Dumbledore is in league with Snape," Merry said. "Like he trusts him."

"How do you mean?" Frodo asked, confused and curious.

"Well, isn't it like Snape to treat us poorly in the past?" Pippin asked.

"He treats me bad every single day," Frodo said. "As long as I'm at Hogwarts."

"He did prove his innocence in our first year," Merry said. "As you said when Dumbledore spoke to you in the hospital."

"That was three years ago," Pippin said.

"Aria," Frodo faced her.

"What?" Aria asked.

"Well, don't you know about this," Frodo said.

"Authors don't know everything. Mostly we play by ear," Aria said. "If things changed, we'd know it. So far, Harry's story runs in the same direction as it has been doing. I'd like to keep it that way."

"Come on." Frodo encouraged. "You must know something about this…"

"I am not going to be your owl, Frodo," Aria snapped lightly. "Even if I was, would it be wise to chug every bit of information down your throat?" She paused for a brief moment. Calming down, she addressed him again, "I'm sorry. There's too much excitement at Hogwarts this year. Didn't want to miss it."

"Why would Dumbledore not tell you anything about Snape, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked Frodo.

"Maybe he wanted to keep it a secret," Pippin said.

"But why avoid the question?" Frodo asked. "He didn't tell me anything about Snape. Unless he didn't bring it up in the conversation." He received quizzical looks from his friends. Didn't they have an answer? Or else he was kidding himself.

"Maybe there's a good reason for why Dumbledore's allied with Snape," Pippin said.

"We said that already," Merry and Sam said in turn.

"Maybe there's a sign that things will turn out better," Pippin addressed them.

"Maybe." Frodo said. "But I doubt it." He spoke aloud, "'Good luck with the third task.' That's how Dumbledore put it."

"Maybe all you need is luck and willpower to get through the third task," Aria said. Frodo stifled a laugh. It was too good not to miss.

"Thank you, Aria." Frodo said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'll need luck." At this point, maybe luck was all he needed to get through the third task. But then, who knew, right?

o-o-o

Frodo spent much of his time, while studying for exams, learning alongside Harry, Ron and Hermione on preparing for the third task. Once they were granted an empty Transfiguration classroom, Frodo and Harry got to work on their spells. Frodo found himself amazed at how fast his hands worked its magic, and yet he couldn't help but understand Harry's need to get the spells right. The Summoning Charm was the trickiest spell for Harry to work on. Frodo understood, as he attempted with failure at casting a Shield Charm.

"You still need to work on the Shield Charm, Frodo," Hermione said. "You're getting there."

"Thanks," Frodo said.

"It's true. Are you really that temperamental on casting a Shield Charm?" Ron asked.

"Ron," Hermione said, shocked.

"It's true." Ron said. He gestured Frodo's way. "I mean, look at him. That's been his troubling charm to do since our first year." He asked Frodo, "Do you need some motivation?"

"Ron, we've got this," Harry said.

"I wasn't asking," Ron said. He turned to Frodo. "Come on, Frodo. You've charmed girls, including Hermione and Aria. What are you afraid of? That we'll bite? That we'll cause you great harm? You're the charmers of the lot. Let's see what you can do."

"Ron, I can't exactly control this…" Frodo said, trying to keep an even temper. But his patience was wearing thin. If only Ron didn't try his patience. Then he would…

"What are you afraid of?" Ron asked.

"Ron, that's enough," Harry said, serious.

"Then what's his problem," Ron said. "You said to give him the proper motivation."

"Ron, STOP!" Frodo burst, causing a ripple effect and a massive shield around him, Harry, Ron and Hermione. Frodo stared at the shield in amazement. He hadn't done a shield so massive before. Then again, he was just getting control of the invisibility charm. But this… he lowered his hands for a moment to observe the charm. Had he really done this? What if he waved his hand… and the shield charm stopped… just like that. Maybe he did have control of his magic.

"Ron," Hermione perked up. "Why doesn't Frodo work with Harry on these spells?"

"Are you sure about that, Hermione." Harry said. "I think Frodo's a lot faster at casting spells than me."

"Don't say that," Frodo said, serious. "I don't get it. How did I do that?"

"Like Ron said," Hermione said. "What you need is the proper motivation."

"I hope you do good at the third task, Frodo," Harry said. "What with those powers."

"I hope you're right, but I am not completing the third task alone," Frodo said.

"You won't be alone," Hermione said.

"Well, we're both competing for the Triwizard Cup," Harry said, facing Frodo. "Let's just hope we both pull through."

"I'm not doing this for me," Frodo said. "I never did. I didn't ask to be in the Triwizard Tournament. It just happened."

"Then we're even," Harry said, extending his hand. "We are, aren't we?"

Frodo shook his hand. "Yes. I say we are."

"Good," Harry said, releasing his hand.

"So, whose hungry?" Ron asked. Frodo shook his head as Harry and Ron laughed merrily. It was good that they were friends. Frodo hoped this friendship wouldn't go away anytime soon. He just hoped now that they would all pass their exams. Yes, he could hope for that, couldn't he?

o-o-o

June the twenty-fourth loomed, resting on Frodo's shoulders like a giant hippocampus. Not that he didn't think this way over the exams coming up. It was a lot to study for. What stunned him was Prim returning to the Ravenclaw tower just about daily these days, with letters coming from Everhart.

Frodo,

I know you have the heart to do the third task. Just know that you need to keep practicing, if you wish to complete the task. I don't want you to be last in the tournament. You're the first Halfling – hobbit in a long time to compete in the tournament. We didn't do so good that year either, our kin.

Let me know what you're doing to see the task through. Maybe we can meet again on another Hogsmeade trip. For now, there isn't much we can do.

Send me another post soon.

Everhart

Frodo was stunned. Everhart sure did worry about him. Then again, Frodo himself didn't ask for this much help. Maybe he would survive the task. But first, he needed to survive the exams. And they were coming up fast.

o-o-o

Frodo found out weeks ahead that he, like Harry and the other Champions, was exempt from the end-of-term tests. It was brilliant and it meant that he didn't have to study for the exams, at least for this year, but that didn't stop him from reading up on how to use his hand magic and wand magic against creatures found in the maze.

One such article drew his attention the most.

The Sleeping Curse

Once attained by an evil sorceress to cast a sleeping charm
on a helpless princess, this curse can be useful for putting
creatures to sleep and sneaking past them.

One such use was found when using enchanted objects to
put victims to sleep. Not to be use likely, but with the right
enchantment, this sleeping charm can be used temporarily.
A great use to put your enemies to sleep and make sure
they are still alive.

For more information, see Hand Magic, pg. 2 in this
textbook.

"Frodo!" cried a familiar feminine voice. Frodo looked up from his textbook at lunch. The voice belonged to Esmeralda Brandybuck, his aunt, but… he embraced her and Saradoc.

"I'm glad you could come!" Frodo said, delighted to see them.

"Well, we wouldn't miss this," Saradoc said. Frodo followed his gaze. There was Saradoc and Esmeralda again, embracing Merry. Frodo was perplexed and confused.

"Uncle Saradoc, how are you over there?" Frodo asked, pointing to the two Saradocs.

"It's a law we have to follow," Esmeralda said. "We can't be seen by our past and future selves. Dumbledore's doing everything he can."

"I'm glad you've come," Frodo said.

"You're the Champion, Frodo." Saradoc said. "The first hobbit champion in years. You should enjoy this."

"I'm not sure," Frodo said. "The task is tonight."

"Then we'll sit and eat lunch with you," Esmeralda said.

"Thank you for coming," Frodo said.

"Oh anytime, Frodo," Esmeralda said.

"Good luck tonight," Saradoc said. "Let the hobbits win for once!" He raised his fist in glory.

Frodo chuckled. "I think I can handle myself out there. I've been reading…"

"The sleeping curse?" Esmeralda said, just as Frodo moved the book away. She asked, concerned, "Frodo, you are not putting those creatures to sleep."

"It looked interesting," Frodo said. "Why can't I cast a sleeping charm?"

"Because it's against the rules," Esmeralda said.

"Es," Saradoc said, surprised, "there's no rule that says we can't use temporary spells. I think Frodo can handle himself out there."

Frodo nodded, grinning.

"I hope you two are right," Esmeralda said, serious. "I'd hate to see Dumbledore in an angry state."

Frodo's eyes widened. He knew when Dumbledore was furious. He sort of saw it in the Headmaster's office. Would he see it again? But… no. Why would he expect to see Dumbledore furious? Either way, as he drank his pumpkin juice, Frodo hoped that the third task went well.

But then, he wasn't sure what to expect when nightfall would sweep the castle. At least, he didn't have to read another article from Madam Fitspinchin, right? Right? Well, he hoped as much at least. She was awful quiet lately… oh well. Back to preparing for the third task and all the beasts he would soon face when he entered the maze.