The general idea behind Frodo's reactions to the Harry Potter magic was sparked by EM98, as well as asking the question about whether or not Frodo will be starting as a first year at Hogwarts. Also, I would like to thank ValueMyHeart and SweetDarkSilence for their ideas and help with, not only this story, but my current stories and stories to come.
Chapter Three:
Journey to the Castle
Once the train reached the station, the sun had finished setting in the sky. Luna and the other students attending Hogwarts were already dressed in their black robes. When Frodo had trouble understanding why wizards and witches wore robes and striped ties, Luna only told him the robes were school uniforms. She also said they were an essential part of life in the Wizardry World, outside the Muggle World. Before he could ask what the term "muggle" meant, Frodo was escorted by Luna, Ron, and Hermione out the train door. A moment after the four stepped off the train, Frodo moved back to speak further with Luna.
Hesitantly, Frodo stated, "Luna, I need some answers. Not more guesses."
Calmly, Luna asked him, "What do you want to know?"
He paused. "That word you used – muggle – what does it mean?"
"It means people who aren't born with magic. Those who have magic at a later age are called squibs. Most witches and wizards avoid them because they are different," explained Luna in a dreamy tone.
"What do you think of me?" asked Frodo, curiously.
"For you?" asked Luna in return, a little stunned with the hobbit's question. "I'm not sure. Were you born a wizard?"
"No," admitted Frodo, almost too clearly. Hesitantly, he forced himself to tell her, "There are times I wanted to go on adventures with my Uncle Bilbo. I never thought of being… here with witches and wizards."
Changing the subject, Luna asked him, "Do most wizards and witches, where you come from, carry wands and use defensive spells?"
"What?" asked Frodo in confusion, before he retorted, "Wizards don't carry wands. They use staffs for very powerful magic." Further confused, Frodo asked her, "What defensive spells? What are you talking about, Luna?"
"What about charm spells, potions, classes for witches and wizards, and jobs in your Wizardry World?" asked Luna, knowing she already asked too many questions.
In bewilderment, Frodo snapped defensively, "Middle-earth is not an all-witch or wizard world! Yes, there are a few wizards in my world…" he cut himself off in realization, "no, this is all a dream. I know I'm about to wake up and be back in the Shire, where I… hit my head against the fence gate."
"You're a strange hobbit, Frodo Baggins. I like that," said Luna in a pleasant voice, as she led him through the crowd of students.
While walking past a few students, Luna led Frodo through an open gate. As Luna came across the same carriage Ron and Hermione were about to occupy, Frodo stepped inside the carriage and took a seat next to her. From the blue-and-bronze insignia on her robes, Luna appeared to Frodo to be from the House of Ravenclaw. Frodo wasn't sure what Ravenclaw meant, but he figured the rest of his many unanswered questions would be answered at Luna, Ron, Hermione, and Harry's wizardry school.
Frodo briskly returned his gaze to Luna, Ron, and Hermione when he realized Romilda was sitting in the carriage, a few yards away from him. A heavy silence fell between the four as the carriage rolled down the grassy lane. On the way to the castle, Frodo noticed there wasn't a horse pulling the carriage, but rather it was moving forward on its own accord. Frodo couldn't help except to wonder if magic was the cause behind this invisible apparition.
Snapping Frodo's attention back to the present, Luna kindly asked him, "Do you see them?"
"See what, Miss Luna?" asked Frodo, curious and confused.
"Thestrals pulling the carriage?" asked Luna, delving further into the matter at hand.
Frodo gave Luna a confused look. "What? I don't see any… thestrals."
"Of course you don't," said Hermione, from a logical perspective. "Luna told Harry first, and then me and Ron, about thestrals. They can only be seen by someone who has witnessed death. Unless you have experienced…"
Frodo shook his head. "No, I haven't. I was left an orphan at 12, when both my parents died in a boating accident. I didn't witness their deaths, but all the same…"
"Your parents weren't killed by You-Know-Who?" asked Ron, concerned.
"Who?" asked Frodo, unsure what the wizard meant.
"He's a wizard who claims himself as a Dark Lord. I'm sure Harry can tell you more, once we're inside the castle," admitted Ron bluntly.
"Where is Harry?" asked Hermione, muttering aloud to her best friend.
"I'm sure he'll be along," said Luna optimistically. "There are a variety of Wrackspurt buzzing around inside Frodo's head."
Turning to Hermione, Frodo whispered, "What is a Wrackspurt?"
"No idea," answered Hermione, whispering back. "Just go along with what she says."
"I hope that isn't a problem for you, mate," muttered Ron jokingly.
Frodo replied, "I hope not unless… never mind." He glanced up at the starry night sky, where he could see the moon was partially full.
As soon as the carriage halted, Frodo let Ron, Hermione, and Luna step off the carriage first before he followed after them. After a brief stumble, Frodo quickly checked the driver's seat and the front of the carriage, but found them both empty. Giving up, Frodo caught up with Luna briefly on the castle steps. There, he was stopped by a tall man with oily black hair and wearing black robes.
"What's your name?" said the man in a stern tone.
"Frodo Baggins," answered Frodo in an honest voice.
The man briskly checked his list before mockingly addressing him, "Tut, tut! It seems you are not on the list for this term."
"I'm not a wizard… sir. I'm a hobbit, a Halfling, or whichever you prefer…"
The man interrupted in a hissing, low voice, "I don't need to hear any backwater stories from you, Mr. Baggins. I am aware you are not a wizard. You aren't even dressed like one. So I would suggest…"
"Severus!" shouted an elderly man in grey robes and with a blackened hand. He was not alone: accompanying him was an elderly woman in green robes. Upon approaching Severus, the elderly man turned to Frodo and stated in a kind voice, "Hello. You must be the hobbit I sent for."
"Sent?" asked Frodo, becoming further confused. "I'm sorry. I should leave…"
The elderly man interrupted, "Nonsense. I wasn't expecting you to come before the first-year students, but here you are! We will explain all the details of your stay later. For now, you need to choose which house you'll be staying at until the term is finished, and then…"
"Sir, I need to return to the Shire. I need to see if my uncle is all right…"
"Albus," said the elderly woman in concern. "I think this young hobbit has been through enough for tonight. You remember what happened when we had his parents…"
"I understand Minerva, but this is their son. I'm sure we can handle having another exchange student," muttered Albus, with confidence in his voice.
Sternly, Minerva protested, "This is not a tween, Albus! He has to be…"
"I came of age today, at 33 years old," said Frodo timidly, unsure how many witches and wizards were taking his presence.
Minerva continued her protest, "You see Albus! He's too old to learn at a school, especially one meant for wizards and witches."
"Now that I doubt," said Albus in a calm voice. "Please return to your job. The first years will come soon." He then turned to Severus. "Severus, I need you to check and see if anyone was left behind." Once Minerva and Severus did their jobs, Albus returned his gaze to Frodo. "What is your name?"
"Frodo Baggins," answered Frodo in a timid, slightly braver voice. "Can you tell me what houses there are inside this castle? You weren't very specific about the accommodations."
"There are four houses, each with their own blazon and characteristic. In the House of Gryffindor, their blazon is a lion, their colors are scarlet and gold, their founder was Godric Gryffindor, and they are known for their courage. In Hufflepuff, their blazon is a badger, their colors are yellow and black, their founder was Helga Hufflepuff, and they are known to be loyal and just." He paused to catch his breath, and then continued. "In Ravenclaw, their blazon is an eagle, their colors are blue and bronze, their founder was Rowena Ravenclaw, and they are known for their cleverness. Lastly there is Slytherin House. Their blazon is a serpent, their colors are green and silver, and their founder was Salazar Slytherin."
"Half a minute!" said Frodo in confusion. "What is Slytherin known for?"
"Let's say Slytherin is known for their ambition, Mr. Baggins." Then he added, "Now, you may call me Professor Dumbledore, or Dumbledore if you wish."
"You're Dumbledore?" asked Frodo in realization.
Dumbledore chuckled merrily. "Someone must have told you about me."
"Romilda Vane is the only student so far who has mentioned your surname," admitted Frodo. In confusion, he asked Dumbledore, "Sir, why do you want me to call you 'professor'? I won't be attending this school, or taking any classes."
Dumbledore shook his head. "No, I didn't expect you to find a wizardry school to your liking. Since you weren't born a wizard, I will arrange with the other teachers to have you in some of their classes this term. I will also have you join me and Mr. Harry Potter for some private lessons. Mr. Filius Flitwick, you can call him Professor Flitwick, has agreed to train you in wielding a sword. I expect you will find his class to your enlightenment."
"I still shouldn't be here," said Frodo, chuckling slightly while being serious.
"I understand, Mr. Baggins. Until the portkey is open, I'm afraid you're stuck in this world. Now, if you will accompany me inside the Great Hall, we can choose your house," said Dumbledore.
Without warning, Frodo followed the wizard past two great oaken doors, where he saw the older students and second-years already inside, seated at four long tables. The majority hadn't noticed yet that Frodo was walking briskly behind Dumbledore. Upon joining the elderly wizard in front of the assemblage of students and staff, Frodo looked over his shoulder where he saw a worn hat seated on top of a stool. A few moments later, Frodo watched as Minerva – Dumbledore told Frodo to call her Professor McGonagall – and the first-year students joined him and Dumbledore.
Soon after Dumbledore finished making a short speech about Frodo's stay, causing many students and staff to be in distress, Dumbledore took his seat behind the staff table. Frodo, meanwhile, watched as all the first years were sorted into the four houses. Then it was Frodo's turn, at which he scanned the hall for Harry, Ron, Hermione and – surprising himself – Luna. He couldn't find Harry anywhere, but he did catch Romilda's sharp gaze that quickly shot towards his direction from the Gryffindor table. Frodo briskly returned his gaze towards Professor McGonagall, who had a scroll in one hand and the Sorting Hat in the other.
As she peered up from her scroll, McGonagall announced, "Frodo Baggins."
Although he was stunned, Frodo approached McGonagall. Before he tried to explain his dilemma, which he had already told her earlier, Frodo was forced to sit down on the stool by McGonagall's sharp words. A few, brisk moments after Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on Frodo's head, Frodo could hear a voice in his ear. The voice sounded as if it was reading through his thoughts, while thinking aloud:
"Hmm… clever!" said the Sorting Hat in surprise. "Hmm… clever and odd… I know right where to put you…" he paused, letting the silence hold for another few seconds. He eventually announced, "RAVENCLAW!"
The Ravenclaw table soon burst into life with cheers. The Slytherin students booed loudly, as if attempting to drown out the sounds of applause coming from the other tables. Once Frodo stood up and moved away from the stool, he searched for the table where the Ravenclaw students gathered. Just as he found where the Ravenclaws were seated, Frodo automatically sat down next to Luna. Peering over at the Gryffindor table, Frodo caught Ron and Hermione's wary gazes, as well as Romilda's scornful gaze, which also showed some curiosity and pleasure. As he returned his gaze to Luna, Dumbledore stood up and announced the feast had begun.