In the draft version of this chapter, I accidentally miscalculated on the days of the week and when certain events were supposed to take place. So, in order for the revised chapter to work seamlessly with the Half-Blood Prince story, I've decided to hold off Harry telling Frodo about his second to fifth year at Hogwarts for another weekend. Besides, Frodo is still going to be at Hogwarts for a while and it is still not clear yet when he will leave by portkey back to the Shire and to Middle-earth.

Chapter Twelve:

Near Impasse

For the rest of the afternoon and well into Sunday evening, Romilda avoided Frodo greatly. Despite feeling as if she would actually gain some truthful information from the hobbit, instead of harsh advice, Romilda managed to find her friends and partially forgot Frodo had arrived at Hogwarts by train.

The following morning, before the bell rang for lunch, Romilda was out on the Fifth Floor Corridor, studying and working on homework at an empty bench. She had nearly completed some of her Charms homework when a loud neigh sounded down the passage. Startled, Romilda snapped her head up as she witnessed, before her eyes, a patronus in the shape of a fully-grown unicorn. She almost mistaken this patronus for a white horse, but as the patronus fled down the corridor Romilda dropped her books and chased after the creature. Just as she approached the patronus, it vanished through a tapestry that had a lion and a unicorn in the foreground and trees in the background. Although she was stunned beyond belief, Romilda charged off back to the bench and grabbed her books, replacing them inside her bag, before she darted down the corridor in the opposite direction, moments before the bell rang loud and clear.

o-o-o

Frantically, Romilda dashed inside the Great Hall, pushing and shoving fellow students out of her way. When she finally made it inside the Hall, Romilda stopped in her tracks as she stood face-to-face with Frodo, who looked appalled at Romilda's rampage.

After grabbing Romilda by the arm and dragging her over to an empty corner, Frodo told her in a low muttering voice, "May I ask what troubles you so, for you to be rude and selfish?"

"I'm rude and selfish?" blurted Romilda, testy. Calmly, Romilda told him, "You're one to talk, Baggins." She then admitted, "Besides, I figured someone of your stature could tell me…"

"Stature?" asked Frodo, stunned. "Are you a bit young to speak to me this way?"

Chuckling, Romilda replied, "So, we're discussing age now, Mr. Baggins?" Sharply, she barked at him without warning, "I know what I saw and you are going to help me find out what is behind that tapestry on the Fifth Floor Corridor."

Grinning, Frodo asked her, "And if I refuse?"

In a serious tone, Romilda told him, "Meet me on the Fifth Floor after lunch, and I want some answers from you this time."

"Listen, I already told you everything so far about Harry's…"

Romilda interrupted at once, "Help me or else…"

"You'll do what? So far, I haven't seen you cast a spell on me yet. Why then should you create a scene again?" asked Frodo.

"I'll meet you on the Fifth Floor and don't be late," said Romilda, storming towards the Gryffindor Table.

"Don't worry," said Frodo aloud, before he approached the Ravenclaw Table and found his spot next to Luna.

o-o-o

After lunch, Romilda waited by the tapestry for only a few minutes. She then saw Frodo approach her with Luna following after the hobbit. Even though Romilda wanted nothing from Luna, she was disgusted that the fifth-year Ravenclaw student was speaking to Frodo at all, let alone becoming the hobbit's friend.

Immediately after Luna arrived, Frodo told Romilda, sharply, "I already told you, Romilda: if you do not trust my friends, then how can I expect to trust you?"

"I would ask you the very same question," said Romilda. Moving away from the stone wall, Romilda told Frodo, "This was where I saw the patronus. It fled through this tapestry, but I'm sure you don't realize what is behind the tapestry at all. Do you?"

"I'm sorry, but what is a patronus?" asked Frodo, confused.

At once, Luna explained, "A patronus is a silver phantom shape, usually an animal, that is cast by a wizard or a witch from their most happy memory or thought. Harry taught the DA members, or Dumbledore's Army, about the spell Expecto Patronum last year."

"Insightful Loony, you might turn into Granger soon enough," said Romilda, sarcastically.

Glaring at Romilda, Frodo corrected her, "I already said: her name is Luna. I hope soon enough you learn respect."

"I doubt that I will, but anyway… can you help me find out where the patronus ran off?" asked Romilda, returning to the task at hand.

"Sure Romilda. What did the patronus look like? What shape did it take form?" asked Luna, curiously and in a dreamy voice.

Glaring at her, Romilda snapped, "It was a unicorn, Loony. I wish you would…"

"Romilda, calm down," said Frodo, grabbing Romilda's arm firmly with his hand.

Jerking her hand away, Romilda moved back as the unicorn patronus returned. Much to her surprise, Romilda saw the patronus approach Frodo, giving him a gentle look in its eyes before it whirled around and vanished through the tapestry yet again. Luna, while Frodo looked awed and stunned, moved towards the tapestry's edge to get a closer look. When she pulled back the tapestry, Luna told Frodo and Romilda to approach before revealing a hidden, bright blue-lit tunnel to them.

Luna explained in excitement, "You see what I found? Of course, the only person who might know where this tunnel leads is Harry. Otherwise, I don't think anyone else can…"

Romilda interrupted with vain intentions, "It's perfect! Now all I have to do is get Harry alone and confess to him that…"

"Romilda, I'm not sure that's a wise decision," said Frodo, pitying her slightly.

Romilda snapped her head towards him, declaring at once, "What would you possibly do in my situation? Nothing, and that's the reason why I no longer need you to get what I want. Harry will come to understand how important I mean to him and neither you nor Loony can stop me. Besides, I've seen you two together a lot. Don't think I don't know what is going on between the two of you."

Confused, Frodo admitted, "Romilda, Luna's only my friend. There isn't anything between us."

"Fine, I know when I am no longer needed," said Romilda, as she sped down the corridor at top speed.

Much to Frodo's surprise, Harry, Ron, and Hermione cancelled their meeting on Friday. The trio would only say they were busy with homework their teachers set, and they hoped they would meet again on another weekend, hopefully soon, sometime later in September. Yet Frodo understood, since he was loaded with homework, almost the same amount the sixth- and seventh-years received. With nine classes, plus his fencing lessons with Professor Flitwick, Frodo found he was beginning to have trouble keeping up on his homework, let alone avoid further stress that Romilda seemed to be the cause.

Early Saturday morning, during breakfast, Frodo found his usual spot next to Luna at the Ravenclaw Table. As he and Luna engaged in another conversation, while trying to avoid speaking of Romilda Vane as much as possible, the post owls arrived through rain-flecked windows, but as they swooped down they scattered everyone with droplets of water. A few seconds after Harry and Ron's post arrived, two new copies of Potions' books, fresh from Flourish and Blotts, Frodo received at least eight to ten packages – nine came from Flourish and Blotts, while the tenth came from an unknown sender. As Luna helped Frodo unwrap the school books from the packages, Frodo pulled out the enclosed note attached to the mysterious package. After he broke the red seal, Frodo opened the note and read the message softly to himself:

Do not open until you need this most…

"I wonder who it's from," said Luna, curiously.

Frodo shook his head. "I hardly know, Luna. This note is all I have to explain what's inside…"

"Maybe you should open it… I'm just curious, Frodo," admitted Luna.

Frodo sighed in regret. "I'm certain you are, but I won't open it… yet, not until I have some answers."

"Maybe you should ask Dumbledore," suggested Luna, considerately.

Frodo shook his head a second time, and answered, "I can't do that, Luna… unless he asks for me to come to his office. I suppose after my fencing lesson with Flitwick is finished, I can explore the tunnel you found. See what's down there."

Luna nodded. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Frodo paused to think, and then suggested, "No, I think it's best if you let me do this alone. Besides, Romilda might show up, asking where Harry is."

"That's true. I didn't think about what she might do," said Luna, before she finished eating her breakfast and helping Frodo, afterwards, swap the covers of Magical Drafts and Potions and Ancient Runes Made Easy textbooks.

o-o-o

Upon entering the Charms' classroom through the oaken door, Frodo heard Professor Flitwick tell him, delightfully, "Ah, Mr. Baggins! You're five minutes early."

"I guess I wanted to be here earlier than was expected," admitted Frodo, calmly.

"Very well," said Flitwick, before he approached the suit of armor. "We'll begin right away… could you close the door, please?"

Frodo nodded, but before he had a chance to shut the oaken door, Romilda barged into the classroom with a scornful look directed towards the hobbit. In confusion, Flitwick asked her, "Miss Vane, what are you doing? The Quidditch Pitch is outside, on the grounds."

"I know professor, but I thought I should see a little action here, before heading out to the Quidditch Pitch for the trials," said Romilda, suddenly chipper.

Not convinced, Flitwick barked, "Miss Vane, if you do not head out into the Quidditch Pitch, before Mr. Potter finds out that you have been spying on our Mr. Baggins, I will deduct points from Gryffindor House…"

Interrupting, Romilda told him, "That's fine. I'll come back another time… if that's all right with you, Professor Flitwick?"

"Professor, you needn't do that for her," said Frodo, trying to make any excuse to avoid another confrontation between him and Romilda.

"No, no, Mr. Baggins, that's quite all right. She might give you the encouragement you need." Facing Romilda, Flitwick addressed, "Very well, you can return next Saturday morning. Just remember to be respectful to Mr. Baggins, or I will deduct points from Gryffindor. Is that understood?"

"Yes sir, but can I ask why Frodo is having his fencing lessons with you when the trials are taking place outside? Don't you think Mr. Baggins needs to see for himself our Wizardry sport?" asked Romilda, coyly.

Flitwick shook his head. "No Miss Vane, that is for Quidditch players and new recruits only. Now, if you please, I must continue training Mr. Baggins on how to wield a sword. That does not give you permission to wander the corridors, Miss Vane."

Romilda nodded, while looking a little saddened, "Fine, Professor Flitwick. I'll just leave." She then turned tail and left the Charms' classroom, moments before Frodo closed the door.

In confusion, Frodo asked Flitwick, once they were alone, "Sir, why did you agree to let Romilda come here next Saturday? Do you think she'll place further pressure on me?"

"Mr. Baggins, why would think I would pressurize you? Miss Vane, apparently, is the only witch so far you have spoken of during our lessons. I thought it would be better if she finally gives us respect and encourages you in your training," explained Flitwick, a little coyly.

"Sir, you cannot do this!" exclaimed Frodo, appalled. "She has caused more trouble for me than was worth."

"I understand, Mr. Baggins, but until you and Miss Vane come to an understanding, I'm afraid this is the best option. Now, shall we begin today's lesson?" asked Flitwick, encouraging him slightly.

Frodo nodded, and replied softly, "All right."

"Begin!" said Flitwick, exclaiming in seconds as he cast a charm spell on the suit of armor.

Before Frodo had a chance to respond, he was thrust into another fight against the suit of armor, using only wooden poles again. Several minutes passed when the suit of armor beat Frodo once more in the first round of the battle, leaving Frodo wounded and bruised once more. Despite Flitwick's moaning encouragement towards the hobbit, Frodo found himself unable to move for at least a few minutes, but what felt longer and in slow seconds.

Peering up at the wall across the way, Frodo saw the patronus in the shape of a unicorn enter the classroom. The unicorn's gaze was tame, kind, and at the same time encouraging Frodo to try again. Just as he stood up, the unicorn patronus vanished through the wall, leaving Frodo face-to-face with the suit of armor apparition. After a few more minutes passed by, Frodo finally dodged one of the blows before throwing the suit of armor off-guard and knocking it to the wooden floor. Flitwick then clapped in congratulations, before he moved the suit of armor back to its spot out in the corridor and lifting the charm, making the suit of armor inanimate once again.

The second Flitwick returned to the classroom, Frodo asked, "Is that it then? Am I finished?"

"Not quite, Mr. Baggins," said Flitwick, before closing the door after him. "You show great promise, after the stunt you pulled today, but you mustn't underestimate your opponent or be overconfident in the fight. That is not what makes a good warrior."

"What? Professor, I am a hobbit; not a warrior. You cannot expect me to fight in battles or wars," said Frodo, distraught.

Flitwick nodded. "Yes, I can see that in you, but know that you are mistaken. Next Saturday, I expect you and Romilda to be here after breakfast. You'll be fighting Miss Vane next, and she won't be using her wand against you, but as before with wooden poles."

Frodo paused, deep in thought, and then addressed, "Sir, you cannot ask me to face her again. She doesn't trust me at all…"

"Then I think you and her need to change. If you can prove that you are more than a hobbit, and Miss Vane proving she is a respectable witch, then I will listen to you further."

"I'll see you next Saturday morning, but I doubt Romilda will be here on time," said Frodo, setting the pole aside on the table before he left the Charms' classroom.

o-o-o

A moment after he ate lunch, Frodo dashed out of the Great Hall in a flurry. Upon reaching the stairway to the door leading into the Fifth Floor Corridor, Frodo caught a glimpse of the unicorn patronus. After entering the corridor and chasing the patronus down a ways, Frodo overheard some of the Gryffindor students, among them Romilda, talking about the Quidditch trials and how they should have been on Gryffindor's team, instead of Ron Weasley. Frodo guessed right away that Ron must have passed the trials, but what the Wizardry sport was would have to wait until after Harry explained.

Seconds after leaving the corridor and entering another, Frodo found the tapestry with the lion and the unicorn in the foreground. The unicorn patronus then vanished through the tapestry yet again, forcing Frodo to pull back the tapestry to reveal the blue-lit tunnel, which appeared to travel down almost in a slope. After checking to make sure no one was around, Frodo fled into the tunnel and descended for what seemed like several moments.

At the end of the tunnel, Frodo unlatched a barred gate before entering a large, octagonal stone-walled room with rounded pillars along each corner. The ceiling was very high above his head, yet its arch let in enough air to keep the room chilly and warm at the same time. Just as he explored this room, nearly touching a black, circular sphere on one of the tables, the Grey Lady entered, floating in the air towards him. Frodo was momentarily stunned, yet the ghost didn't give off a grin or a smile; she merely attempted to ignore his gaze.

Swiftly, the Grey Lady told him, "So, you have found one of the secret passageways and expect to tell your friends about it. I trust Luna, Baggins, not you. If you have anything else to say about ghosts, you had better do so at night. I, on the other hand, will not tolerate it any longer. Good bye."

Hesitantly, Frodo calmly exclaimed, "Wait, you haven't told me why you came here… whose room did this belong to?"

Coldly, the Grey Lady explained, "This used to be your parents' hideout, when they did not want anyone invading on their private conversations. They would make sure no one else knew where they were hiding. Not even James and Lily Potter knew where they were half the time. So, your parents devised their own plan on returning to their beloved Shire. Half the Wizardry World thought your parents were runts, and didn't seek to help the hobbits or Halflings. And so the Wizardry World never knew anything further about your race. They, like the Muggle World, only thought hobbits were a myth, a fantasy, but one that would never occur. Your presence alone might change the course of the future, if you stay here any longer. You have to leave this castle before Luna finds out… now."

"I thought Dumbledore would find the portkey and take me home when the time…"

The Grey Lady interrupted, surprising herself, "Frodo! What's more important to you? The portkey is here, inside this castle. Dumbledore keeps a lot of secrets, if you haven't realized why he has barely told you anything about the Shape-Shifter. My mother met the Shape-Shifter once, long before he entered Middle-earth. He was a wizard, but now he's Sauron's second-in-command who claims himself only as a Shape-Shifter and nothing further. He is as manipulative and growing more powerful each day. If you plan on defeating him, then you need to leave now, while there is still time… or both our worlds suffer."

"Baggins!" cried Romilda, scornfully, her voice drawing nearer as she approached the stone-walled room. "Baggins, where are you? Are you down here?"

Hesitantly, Frodo told the Ravenclaw ghost, "Listen, I can't be sure where the portkey is…"

"It's here, in this room, Baggins. All you need to do is find it, and then touch it. You may return home, since I checked the portkey and it's ready. It's glowing even as we speak. Good luck to you, Frodo. You'll need it… a lot," said the Grey Lady, before she vanished into the stone wall.

Just as Romilda arrived inside the room, Frodo approached one of the pillars and tapped against the stone. In one swift movement, the stone grated against stone, before revealing a hidden compartment. Inside the narrow compartment was a small fence gate, glowing bright gold and silver. He hardly noticed Romilda approaching until she stood directly across from him and the glowing wooden gate.

"It's called a portkey. It takes the shape of any object, but only a handful is known as portkeys." Romilda paused, and then admitted, "I'm sure you have to leave, but let me know something: were you telling me the truth? Does Harry not trust me or care for me?"

"What do you think? Of course, Harry doesn't trust you. He must have seen that during your trials today with others in Gryffindor," said Frodo, shrewdly.

Romilda sighed in regret. "Even if Harry does care for me, it wouldn't even matter…"

"Really?" asked Frodo, unsurprised. "I doubt that, and you only met me a little. You hardly know who I am, nor do I think you care for anyone except yourself."

"If you were twice the hobbit you think you are, I wouldn't consider even dating you. That's a fact, Baggins. Why do you think you have no one else who trusts you, other than Loony and Harry Potter, and his friends?" asked Romilda.

"Because you haven't given me a chance yet," said Frodo, fighting back with his words. "Besides, I trust Luna only because she is my friend. That's all I can stand from her and she knows that. Harry, Ron, and Hermione, on the other hand, only ask that I be their friend, but Hermione is showing a little hesitation… I don't know why yet, but I will find out. As for you…"

Romilda interrupted. "Stop, I don't intend to hear anymore of your backwater advice. For the most part, stay out of my personal life. I don't need to hear how selfish and pathetic I am towards you. It won't happen and you know it. You can return to your Shire without me."

"I'm not bringing you back with me," said Frodo.

"That's fine by me," said Romilda, vainly as she stormed back to the tunnel's open gate.

Hesitantly, Frodo calmly told her, "Even though you could learn to be more respectful of other people, including myself. You needn't always act like you're in charge, the world is for you, and the people care for you." He paused. "If you think you are… can be kinder, more respectful, meet me next Saturday morning at Flitwick's classroom. He thinks we both need to improve…"

Romilda whirled around as she asked, suspiciously, "Does this mean you'll stay?"

Frodo paused, deep in thought for a long moment, and then declared, "I guess a few more months couldn't hurt except…"

In growing excitement, Romilda admitted, "Good, then you can help me find a way to get Harry to notice me more! Thank you, Frodo!" She then tore off out of the tunnel and back up to the Fifth Floor Corridor.

Frodo, stunned and bewildered, faced the glowing portkey with a reluctant look across his face. Seconds passed before he closed the compartment in the pillar, and then faced the tunnel's opening once again. As he left, Frodo caught a glimpse of the Grey Lady, glaring at him with amusement and suspicion in her eyes. However guilty he felt afterwards, Frodo left the tunnel and returned to the Fifth Floor Corridor, pulling the tapestry back before anyone else caught him off-guard.