Saved (Minerva/Gandalf)

[lansburyfan1]

Thank you soooo much for continuing. I absolutly loved Rolonda's reaction and Gandalf's caring manner. The banner is aslo great.

[mercifulheavens]

Thanks to both of you!

Saved
Chapter IX

Filius and Pomona sat Sam down in Minerva's sitting room, conjured him a cup of tea, dried his clothes and urged him to take his time telling them what happened. Rolanda stood in the sitting room doorway, scowling at the wall, arms crossed and obviously unhappy.

"Yeah, that'll help. Coddle the boy." she muttered, hating the fact that it appeared to be working, as Sam stopped shaking.
"Thank you." he nodded, causing both Filius and Pomona to smile.

"I'm Filius by the way and this is Pomona." Filius offered, hoping their simple first names would put Sam at ease, instead of the confusion of last names and titles.
"Rolanda's bark is worse than her bite, so no need to worry, love." Pomona assured him, refilling his cup.

Sam was not sure if he believed that, but he nodded nonetheless.
"I was collecting reeds for my old Gaffer." Sam began again...before Rolanda had interrupted at that moment, this time she only rolled her eyes. "And I slipped and fell into the murky water. Next I know she was pulling me up and yelling at me."

Filius scratched his little head.
"Queer." was all he said as he attempted to understand what had been said.
"Perhaps another dimension?" Pomona wondered aloud, having always enjoyed science fiction and loving the idea of a portal of sorts.

"Yeah... I'm sure. So Samdumb Geewee, are you from Landscot on planet Htrae? And don't tell me... you walk backwards instead of forewards... you drink your steak and chew your soup..." she was thankfully cut off by a rather annoyed Filius.
"Professor Hooch!" he admonished. "Maybe so, but slightly different I would believe. I've read somewhere about something like this happening. However it was with dreams and memories."

Mouth open, Sam listened to the man rattle off about the possibilities of travelling through one's dreams, memories and into other worlds. It shocked him how intelligent this Filius was... or how intelligent he sounded. So far not a word made sense.

"This Shire of yours, where is it?" Filius asked.
"Um... the river B-" Pomona gently interrupted.
"No, dear, the whole place is called what?" she soothed.
"Middle-Earth."

A chuckle wafted from Rolanda.
"Figures..."

***

Minerva blinked as she awoke to find herself in a dark room in an unfamiliar bed. There was an odd smell about her, rather musky and it frightened her. Gripping the coverlet tightly she glanced about for a light, a door or a window. Her blurry vision both from lack of glasses and having just awoken caused her to miss those sought for comforts.

The memory of having been seated at Bilbo Baggins' table with Gandalf washed over her and Minerva calmed slightly. She must have fallen asleep and they had moved her to the room. How kind, she thought, feeling foolish for sitting in the bed frightened of shadows and scents.

"How do you feel?" Gandalf's deep soothing voice asked, seemingly coming from nowhere. Although she did her best not to appear startled, a brief chuckle followed by his lighting of a tall candle told her Gandalf had noticed.
"Better, thank you. Did I fall asleep?" she asked, abashed.
"You fell." Gandalf murmured matter-of-factly. He was not convinced that she had merely been bored with their conversation and fallen asleep. No, he saw the weariness like a cloak about her narrow shoulders every time he looked into her emerald eyes.

"I am sorry to have caused you trouble." Minerva climbed out of the bed, glad when her legs held her up without incident. "You have been very kind to me."
"It has been my pleasure and a continued one, I hope." Gandalf chuckled, finding it humorous that she was apologizing when he was the one who had allowed her to fall.
Minerva said nothing, merely smiling delicately.

"Bilbo was quite worried his tea was the cause of your fall..." he subtly hinted, pushing the round door open and offering her his arm. Minerva gasped lightly.
"His tea was excellent, by far nothing to do with my health." She assured him, taking his arm and leaving the room after gently smoothing her hair. Later on, she thought, she would have to braid or bind it somehow.
It took all of ten minutes to convince the flustered hobbit host that he had not in fact poisoned Minerva, much to his obvious relief. After kindly inviting her to his party, Bilbo went to his study to complete some final party details, leaving Minerva and Gandalf alone.

"Here." Minerva turned to face the wizard noting his outstretched hand and the delicate silverish hair clasp he was holding. Her eyes widened, it was as if he had read her mind. So uncannily like Albus... but then again so different. Like some sort of ironic paradox.
"Thank you." she smiled, taking the clasp. Her vision made is impossible to see the intricate details, but her fingers felt that it was a work of the finest artisans. Practiced fingers quickly gathered up her hair and she flipped it into a loose twist, sliding the clasp into place and securing it with a whispered strand of wandless magic.
Gandalf watched her with a wistful expression caught somewhere between amusement and unidentifiable emotion.

"Do stop staring." Minerva requested, noticing his deep eyes were boring into her. Gandalf said nothing, but his eyes slowly left her to gaze about.
"Did you fall into the bog, my dear?" he asked, eyes suddenly meeting hers. Gryffindor courage was all that held her up as she saw another pair of blue eyes gazing at her with a similar question on his lips.

"Are you certain about this, Minerva?" Albus had asked. And as they usually did, whenever she stubbornly pushed for something and he obstinately pushed back...they had fought. A verbal spar had been their final words to each other; before Snape had extinguished the life of the greatest wizard of all time to save the life of Draco Malfoy.
"No..." she could not lie to him, refused to fight him, would not make the same mistake twice. This man, stranger slowly turning to friend, was not going to ever find her overly stubborn. Her spirit in such manners had been broken.

Gandalf watched the flames flare to life in her dark eyes but then die as she gave into answering his question. In even the short time he had known her, he had already decided she was a strong woman and it irked him that something weighed so heavily on her to make her appear less than strong. In such dark times, he found himself thinking. For indeed, though decades might last of peace... he felt the darkness coming, perhaps even closer than he had guessed it.

[micha]

Oh beautiful - this is coming along just as I had hoped for.....I am so delighted!!

[blackcat268]

;D This story is so wonderful. I am so happy you continued the story and i cant wait for the next update.

[mercifulheavens]

This chapter is for Micha =) and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your encouragements, everyone!

Chapter X

It took all of ten minutes for Sam to explain that he had indeed not "made up" Middle Earth and that no he did not walk backwards instead of forwards; a fact that oddly enough seemed to disappoint Pomona as well as Filius.

"Fine." Rolanda threw up her hands in defeat. "So if he's from Middle Earth and isn't even the same species as us... where's Minerva?"

Filius groaned softly, rubbing his wrinkled forehead with a hand.
"I would gather that she is where Mr. Gamgee came from." he ventured.

"They replaced each other!?" Rolanda exclaimed, only Pomona's arm keeping her from attacking Sam. "Not much of a trade in my opinion." she huffed, retaking her seat at the herbology professor's insistence.

"Rolanda! Honestly!" Pomona sighed. "I agree it is unusual but think of the man's feelings."

"He's not a man... he's a boy and he's not even a human one at that." Rolanda whined. Filius cleared his throat; reminding his fellow colleagues that he himself was not fully human. Not that one could truly look at the tiny professor and not remember that fact.

"What ever he is, he is a person and therefore worthy of our tact." A snort from Rolanda dared not agree with him.

"How am I going to get back?" Sam asked, venturing the question only because the yellow eyes finally drifted from him to the window.
"Just click your shoes together and say 'there's no place like home'..." Rolanda sneered.
Pomona giggled.
"What's so funny?" Pomona covered her mouth.
"You just reminded me of Snape is all..."
Rolanda's mouth fell open. "I did not!"
Filius sighed... a storm was coming and he preferred dry weather to thunderclouds.

"Please... this is about getting Minerva back here and young Samwise back there. Not about the Wizard of Id." He admonished.
"Oz. And don't use that tone with me." Pomona returned, dusting her robes off, which as usual had a film of dusty earth on them. She did her best to remain clean, but they always seemed to pick up soil. "I was only making a point."

"Well point elsewhere then." Rolanda huffed, truthfully she felt slightly nostalgic. Severus Snape was dead after all and the simple times when he had been nothing but an annoying git had come and gone. Now he and many others that came to mind along with his memory were buried and slowly but surely the grass was growing; blades of blissful requiem.

Filius folded his small hands.
"Perhaps if Minerva, on her side of the portal, if indeed it is a portal, came through at the same time Samwise from out side went out... they could return as they were before."
Three pairs of eyes blinked ignorantly at the Deputy.
"So...they'd have to be at the bathtub and marsh?" Pomona asked.
"Well, I am not certain if Minerva went to the marsh where he was collecting reeds. After all, Mr. Gamgee does not recall seeing the Headmistress on his way through and Rolanda pulled him through a good several minutes after Minerva went through her side."

"But how in Merlin's name would we get Minerva to go to where ever she needs to go!" Rolanda asked, the edge unmistakable.
"Be patient, Ro. Filius is still thinking." Pomona hushed.
"Ah, but that's assuming Minerva went to the Shire in Middle Earth to replace Samwise." Rolanda slapped her head at Filius continued mutterings. This might take awhile...

---------

Minerva had never been a great party lover; but she found herself utterly charmed by the hobbits' party antics. They seemed adorably unspoiled as they laughed, danced, talked and ate; almost akin to children in an untainted part of life. She couldn't remember ever having been to a party before and feeling joyful. Of course... there had been those few parties that she had attended with Albus, but never "with" him and never just him.

She had been asked only a small handful of questions by several curious hobbits, all wanting to know her name, where she was from and by what manner she had come to the Shire. Most had been delighted to hear that she had come with Gandalf, as if his business was a great source of local gossip; which from what she had heard so far, they kept very good track of. And all had welcomed her with their cheerful bows and hearty greetings. Enough food had been passed her way throughout the short time she'd been there to feed half of Hogwarts and she began to start linking Hobbits to House-elves in her mind; despite the physical and social differences.

It was rather difficult to note every feature of the party, as she would have liked, due to her vision, but Gandalf had carefully depicted everything she had asked about in intricate yet succinct as time was a precious commodity. He appeared to be enjoying himself as well as she watched him light several smaller fireworks for the children, his deep chuckles wafting through the air as the butterflies and children danced.

He had a gentle kind heart. That much she had seen, even without her glasses. The manner in which he spoke to her and assisted her spoke volumes and although they had only known each other for a short time, she felt as though she had known him for far longer. Oh the follies of time and age.

"Are you enjoying yourself, my dear?" Gandalf asked, suddenly beside her seat. She smiled, nodding.
"Yes, it is a splendid party." She thought she saw someone or something climb into Gandalf's cart, parked not far away, but waved it off as a figment of her imagination.
Many of the younger hobbits were dancing livelily off to one side of her and she turned to watch them. Earlier Gandalf had joined in with them, showing a more fun side of his more stern character.

An explosion of a tent seemingly taking flight not far from the cart nearly toppled Minerva over and she turned quickly in her seat to watch the tent soar high into the air, propelled it would appear by a firework. Not an expert on the sciences of pyrotechnics, Minerva still doubted that Gandalf would launch a firework under a tent, not to mention he had been going toward the ale barrels as the tent had risen.

A cry of 'Dragon' rose from the assembled hobbits and chaos emerged from the gaiety of the party guests. Shielding her eyes, she could barely make out the dim outline of what could have been a dragon swooping toward the ground. Her breath caught in her throat, but as she rose to escape, Gandalf gently laid a hand on her shoulder.

"It would appear a Brandybuck and a Took released my dragon..." he muttered, "Only one of light and fire, but mine nonetheless."

Chuckling, Minerva watched the dragon burst into a brilliant shower of white and orange light. No doubt it had been meant to be used as the grand finale of sorts; unfortunately it seemed the tent along with a mischievous someone had nearly ruined the idea. Still it was not without its cheers and general applause as the hobbits dusted themselves off and returned to their drinks, food and dances.

She took Gandalf's arm as he went to find the culprits, both of whom stood dazed and burnt with hair sizzled standing like beacons to be caught.
Gently removing Minerva's hand from his arm, Gandalf approached the two and sternly took each by their ear, earning protesting squeaks of pain.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took..." he murmured, looking from the first to the latter. "I might've known."

Only years of having caught students in far more bizarre situations kept Minerva from chuckling. However her attention was diverted from Gandalf and his disciplining of the young men by Frodo Baggins. He seemed sad or at the very least bored beyond thought, resting against the side of a tent.

He had seemed like such a happy and content young man, and it struck Minerva as odd that he would not be among those partying.
"Are you well, Mr. Baggins?" she asked, amazingly able to reach his side without either breaking her neck or bumping into anyone.
Frodo turned slowly, unfamiliarity creasing his brow. No doubt he was not accustomed to being addressed by his uncle's name.
"Um... yes of course, thank you." he nodded, smiling.

She had been a teacher far too long to not recognize the tell tale signs of covered disappointment. No doubt it was about a girl, or a friend. A missing friend, perhaps.
"I just can't seem to find Sam." At her eyebrows raising, he quickly followed his statement with, "He's my friend, Samwise Gamgee." Ah... so her suspicions had been correct.

"Speech! Bilbo, Speech!" Everyone began to head for seats and the like as they called for a traditional hobbit speech.
"Well I hope you find him... Frodo." He smiled at her.
"Thanks." Taking his tankard of ale he went to find a seat, smiling as he applauded his uncle.

[micha]

My dear, you keep delighting me to no end - a wonderful chapter; my heart goes out to the desperate conferrence at Hogwarts, and poor Frodo - not knowing what happened, and I am so glad Minerva is blissfully ignorant of the worries and problems she caused right now and having fun for a while!

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

WOW! I can't wait for the rest of this! Please update!

[mercifulheavens]

Sorry it took so long... I lost my DVD of the Fellowship and had to cut this chapter in half to make sense of it... hopefully I will find the DVD, and be able to decide how to write it out... Enjoy!

~Merci

Chapter XI

Sam looked out the window at the darkness below; wondering if the outside grounds of the castle was as odd as the interior or its inhabitants. He shivered as he imagined what Rolanda might do to him if they never found the Minerva woman. Of course Pomona had explained that she was the Headmistress of the school... but that really did not mean much to the frazzled hobbit.

He wondered if perhaps his old gaffer was looking for him; asking around and scratching his old head, worried but not saying so. It brought strong feelings of guilt and fear to his heart. The world he had been pulled into was not like the Shire. The people were odd, mistrusting and queer. Even the moon, high above, half-hidden by clouds appeared to be different.

"...no, perhaps if we started back with the tub." Filius' voice drifted back to his hearing and he sighed. Despite his oddness, Sam liked Filius and Pomona as well. They were friendly and more than a good deal cordial. And he had always wanted an adventure; just not one with a hawk eyed witch who appeared to detest the earth he walked on.

"The tub?! Oh don't tell me that's the portal." Even Pomona was starting too sound slightly annoyed. But then again they had been bantering about portals, dimensions, magical portkeys, and the like for nearly an hour.

"Why not? So far we've got a missing Headmistress and replacement "hobbit" and only suds as clues." Rolanda rose from the couch, irritated beyond continuation. She ignored the fact that for the past hour she had done nothing but interfere and anger the other two... and punished them by stalking away.

Sam looked up at her, wondering what sort of life she must have lived to be the way she was. He already suspected they were all suffering the after effects of some terrible event. Even in Filius' smiles, there was a hint of sadness.

"Peaceful..." Rolanda muttered, resting her elbow against the glass. "Very nice." Sam nodded. It was at the very least quiet; if you didn't count the mutterings behind them.
"It like this where you're from?" He blinked, amazed that she had actually said something "nice" to him without an acidic edge or catch.
"Always." he sighed, missing the beautiful gardens, the neat little fields and the bubbling streams. He'd even missed Bilbo Baggins' birthday party; one that the entire Shire had been counting the days down to. Rosie Cotton was dancing with another willing hobbit and he wasn't even thought of... probably not even missed.

Tears filled his eyes and he sniffed softly. A hand gently touched his shoulder.
"We'll get you back." Rolanda softly assured him, finding the sight of the shorter lad near to tears somehow touching. Filius had been right... Sam was a person and worthy of tact.

----

Gandalf had gasped silently at the finale act of Bilbo's speech, but only to appear for the others about him, that he had had nothing to do with it. Hobbits after all had labelled him an "official disturber of the peace" along with the fact that he was already blamed for a certain dragon incident several decades earlier. He had merely given Bilbo Baggins a "nudge" out the door... but that was difficult to prove to the gossip-hungry villagers.

"Where did he go?" Minerva asked, although he noted she did not appear in the least bit surprised, more so curious. But then again, he brought back to his memory that she was familiar with magic. Vanishing was probably not something she was at all surprised to see.
They silently rose in the commotion and he hurried them around the party tents and such.
"My dear Bilbo has planned a trip as he has grown tired of life here in the Shire." Gandalf explained as he had them enter Bag End a good deal of time before Bilbo.
"But how did he vanish? Are the hobbits a magical people?" She doubted it, from the gasps and general shock of the party guests.

"No, although they have a way of surprising one." he murmured, chuckling. "Bilbo possessed one magical ring, that he claims he found in a cave during our-" he was cut off sharply as the door opened and Bilbo appeared out of mid air.

Minerva said nothing as Gandalf lifted his finger to his lips. They watched as Bilbo flipped the ring back into his pocket and then went to gather together a few items.

"I suppose you think that was terribly clever." Gandalf stated, his stern voice thundering in the gathered silence.
Bilbo jumped, but quickly overcame his shock.
"Come on, Gandalf, Didn't you see their faces?" Of course he had, and that was the only reason Gandalf was stern at the moment.

"There are many magic rings in the world; and none of them should be used lightly." He admonished.

"It was just a bit of harmless fun..." Minerva took a seat, as the low ceiling made her feel slightly queasy. She noted that if Bilbo did indeed possess a magical ring; that perhaps there were other magics that could send her back to her own world. Gandalf was a strong wizard, and she was quite certain at that moment that he would no doubt be able to find a way to send her back.

Ironically even as she thought of it; the idea soured in her mind. She didn't like the idea in the least... she wanted to stay there. Perhaps there had been another side to Gandalf's saving her from suicide by water. She was being rescued from her life and being given a new chance.

[micha]

I love your new (half) chapter!! Things with Sam, Filius and Pomona go just the way I imagine; I guess both of them will long to change over with him after learning more of the Shire (as Sam has no foreboring about the coming war);

I am so sorry to hear that you misplaced your DVD - as a matter of fact I have rewatched "The Fellowship" just these last two days with husband and daughter - and imagined Minerva in there ;D

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

I'm really loving this story! I'm just wondering.......................... any sparks? Know what I mean? I mean shot me down in flames if it ain't right but that's the vib I'm getting!

[mercifulheavens]

Thank you dearly for your lovely comments!
~Merci

Chapter XII

It was morning, with a perfectly bright sun shining beyond the open drapes and a crystal clear view of a lake and yawn stretching to a foreboding forest. This and more a certain hobbit saw as he awoke from where Pomona and Rolanda had laid him after he had fallen asleep. The couch was very large, especially for his size, and he had slept quite well, all things considered.

Stifling a yawn, Same jumped down from the couch and looked around curiously for the other three. Pomona snored loudly from her seat in the chair by the fireplace and Filius had curled up and appeared quite rested in several blankets by the same fire. How kind...Sam noted, noticing that both of them had given the couch to him and though he was certain that they had rooms and beds of their own to which they had no doubt been inclined to go... they had stayed to watch over him; or no doubt to watch him. Either way it was a kind thought and lifted the little hobbit's heart.

Rolanda was nowhere to be seen. Guessing she had probably headed off to her bed, Sam tiptoed to the window to see the grounds better. He was astounded by the sheer size of the sprawling grounds, amazed by how much gardening skill and time would be needed to keep it... but then he thought that since they taught magic; they probably kept it with magic. Shy of a full load though many considered him, Samwise Gamgee was a good deal more intelligent than most gave him due credit. His curious nature and desire to learn had blessed him with a sharper mind than the average hobbit, though he did enjoy the simplicity of a lack of need to figure out a problem. But such is the nature of hobbits, young or old.

"Sleep well?" He turned sharply, eyes wide to see Rolanda suddenly appear behind him. Apparently she had been in the bathroom.
He nodded, wondering if it would be wise to ask the same of her... something by her red rimmed yellow eyes told him not to. He already knew, or more suspected that Minerva, Headmistress of Hogwarts, bless his memory of herbs and such... was more than a boss to those present. They said her name with respect but with friendly thought, devotion in their plans and perseverance to get her back unmatched with that of a worry for employment. She was their friend...

"Good." Rolanda called out for something called a house elf, and Sam watched with wide eyes and an open mouth when a odd little creature popped into existence with a loud pop. "Would you get us all breakfast..." Rolanda sighed, too tired to care about what its name was. The creature nodded happily and vanished.
"What was that?" Sam felt the words leave his lips before he could stop them and promptly blushed red with embarrassment.

Rolanda chuckled, amused at the blush more so than the question.
"A house elf, they sort of act like servants. Clean, wash, cook... frightfully queer little things, but friendly in the worse way." Sam wasn't so sure he'd call them elves... since the elves from his world were always thought of in a more beautiful sense.
"Oh..."

"Goodness, what time is it?" Filius asked, sitting up. His sparse bits of hair stuck up like a bushed onion and Sam bit his lip to not chuckle.
"Its only 0800... No need to jump up yet." Rolanda assured him. "No classes and we have yet to-" Pomona cut her off as she jumped to her feet.
"I need to water!" she gasped, running from the room and in the process nearly knocking poor Filius over as she tripped but caught herself on the corner of his blankets.

"AHH!" Filius pulled his hand back from Pomona's foot just before it hit and watched with blinking eyes as the herbology mistress and head of hufflepuff vanished out the door.
"Good morning." he murmured, nodding to Sam and Rolanda.

-----
"You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?" Bilbo asked, gathering up items for his trip. Gandalf nodded, following after him.
"Two eyes, as often as I can spare them." he replied.

Minerva folded her arms, wondering suddenly why it was so cold... she found it wonderful that Gandalf could be so very kind and yet strong of mind, not allowing a smile to be a weakness, but at the same time, allowing it to be a strength.

"I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?" Gandalf asked, his eyes looking down at his good friend.
"Well, no..." Bilbo frowned heavily and looked back to the ring. "And yes." he paused but then hurried on as if the words needed to be said without delay..."Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine, I found it. It came to me!" He was practically shouting by the end, his eyes flashing.
Taken aback, Gandalf's brows creased.
"There's no need to get angry..."
"Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault." Bilbo spat, his attention again fixing itself on the ring. Bilbo's countenance had changed and Minerva's eyes widened. What magical power in the ring might be powerful enough to create such a change in so sweet and kind a man? It was of a power that she wanted nothing to do with.

"...it's mine... my own... my precious... " Bilbo whispered, running his fingers over the ring, which he held in his palm. Gandalf's eyebrows raised at this, obviously surprised.
"Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you." his tone was hard yet seemingly gentle.
"Oh, what business is it of yours what I do with my own things?" Bilbo growled.

"I think you've had that ring quite long enough." Gandalf advised, despite Bilbo's obvious disdain to be parted from it.

His accusation proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt as he gestured toward Gandalf.
"You want it for yourself!"

"BILBO BAGGINS! Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks! I am not trying to rob you..."

Gandalf's sudden display of power pulled Minerva from her thoughts and she gasped softly, fear suddenly running through her as she felt the magical disturbance wash through the room and the quivering hobbit backed up, petrified. Her heart slowly regained its regular rhythm, but only after Gandalf's soft murmur of assurance to Bilbo.

"...I'm trying to help you."

Bilbo whimpered softly going to his old friend and Minerva covered her mouth, shaken by what she had seen and the unexpectedness of it. Many times over the years she had lost her temper in such a manner, usually at Albus... but others had over the years been subjected to her Scottish temper. Severus Snape had been terribly fond seemingly of pulling her temper from its box, his sneer and flashing dark eyes goading it even further as his sharp retorts and lack of deeper emotion incensing Minerva more than even Albus' childish actions and illogical plans. But... she had learned that those dark eyes held more pain than anyone could ever guess.

She closed her eyes, blocking out the blurred image of Bilbo and Gandalf speaking about something. The night Albus had left Harry Potter on the Dursley's doorstep had been her most violent moment of anger with her friend and secret love. How she regretted the anger now... uncaring that it was justified through her fears and worries. Now he was dead and not once had she apologized for any one of their verbal spats. Not to Albus...not to Severus... not even to Rolanda, who had always found it "jolly" to mutter something inappropriate or droll just loudly enough for only Minerva to hear.

Thud

Her eyes opened and attempted to focus as she saw Bilbo hurry out the door and the small shimmering object was left glittering on the floor. Gandalf went after him; no doubt to bade farewell. Her breath caught in her breath; she could almost hear something, a whisper as if from a fading time.

Gandalf watched Bilbo slowly make his way out the gate and into the beyond, humming. The dependence his friend had exhibited for the ring, greatly disturbed him... especially the faint but growing feelings he had even with looking at the trinket.

Turning he reentered the house, stooping low to avoid bashing his head against the low door frame. He looked down at the ring Bilbo had so unwillingly dropped... the ring Gandalf had become quite certain, Bilbo needed to be parted from. Reaching down, he almost curled his fingers around it, stopping when he felt an unmistakable stab of darkness waft from the innocently inert object.

"Gandalf..." He looked up sharply, concern gripping his heart. Minerva looked pale, even in the dark room, the faint flicker of the fireplace sending shadows to dance across her face. Leaving the ring where it laid... for Frodo, Gandalf went to her side, taking her hand and assisting her to a chair he scooted in front of the fire. Her hand was cold to the touch and he patted it.

Something appeared to be deeply troubling her and Gandalf found that such a fact bothered him deeper than Bilbo's ring. Perhaps it was the same thoughts that had brought about her fainting spell earlier.
"What is it, my dear?" he asked, crouching in front of her, his hand still holding both of hers.

Minerva looked from the red yellow flames to Gandalf's eyes. They were a lighter blue, grey with such overwhelming deepness. The desire rose within her to simply throw herself into his embrace and sob long into the stitching darkness. But time had gifted her with restraint... and in the chair she remained, though she did find great comfort, limited though it was as his warm hands stayed holding her cold ones.

"It is foolish." she murmured, half to herself half to him. He smiled, the wrinkles around his mouth revealing to be laughter lines rather than those of worry.
"There is nothing foolish about truth." he assured her. But slowly their eyes left each others and soon lingered on the ring.

"What is it?" Minerva felt strangely uneasy with it in plain sight and so near. Pulling a chair to seat himself in, Gandalf sighed, releasing her hands with a final pat. His pipe was lifted to his lips and he expertly packed it.
"Most curious..." he murmured, steel eyes leaving the ring for the flames. He lit his pipe with a softly glowing ember and leaned forward, blowing a puff of smoke into the air. "There are many magical rings in the world... but there are only a few that my suspicions fall on." Minerva's eyebrows rose and he smiled, pained.

"Forgive me. I forget you are from another world." He rose from his seat. "Long ago, rings were forged for the races of Middle Earth. Three went to the elves; seven to the dwarf lords; nine to the race of men..." he trailed off, a deep sigh escaping his lips.
"What did the rings do?" Minerva asked, wondering if the ring perhaps was one that he had mentioned, if so, she could not understand why it seemed more... sinister. Perhaps she had been in a darkened world too long...
"Within each was the power to govern each race; unity and strength." He was leaving something out... she could see it. "But another was made..."

Gandalf shut the window, closing it with a soft bang. Mystery shrouded his features and he gripped his pipe tightly as he continued.
"In Mordor, Sauron forged a master ring to control the others. The peoples of Middle Earth fell to his sweeping malice and it would appear all to be lost... until at the last battle between the dark lord and the free peoples, Isildur, son of Elendil, cut the ring from the cursed hand... it was then it vanished."

Another dark lord; but thankfully a defeated one, Minerva sighed softly.

"Which is this one?" Gandalf sighed, obviously not certain as he looked at Minerva.
"Of that I am not certain... further research would reveal this though, I am sure." he took his seat once again, the dark flames shrouding his visage.

[micha]

Oh my dear, you make my day (I have read the last chapter at least 4 times since you posted ; did you receive my gift for you by PM on ff.net - if not, I past it here, too:

as the words in the circle were a bit difficult to read: "a new chance, as 2 worlds collide", I tried to make it better, also more like a ring

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

Great chapter! And love the banner micha! Brilliant!

[minnie313]

love the story, love the chapter, love micha's banner, addicted to this WON-DER-FUL stooooooooooryyyyyyyyy!!!!!

Please!!! gimme my shot!!!!

Lo0oL!!!!! ;D

have a nice day/night!!!!!

minnie313

[mercifulheavens]

Thank you for all your lovely reviews... for the wonderful banner, micha and for everyone's abundant patience =)

Chapter XIII

Sam greatly enjoyed the bountiful meal the 'house elf' had brought with a delightful pop back to the room. Both Filius and Rolanda had taken the time to explain a few of the magical intricacies of Hogwarts, but he found himself quickly overwhelmed as they muttered on about ghosts, moving stairways, enchanted suits of armour, talking portraits and absurdly enough something even about a squid in the tranquil lake he had spotted.

Doing his level best to not shudder at the description of the squid, Sam swallowed his last bit of tea and dusted off the bread crumbs from his hands. It had been a breakfast worthy of any hobbit table and he felt full to nearly burst at the seams. Rolanda chuckled suddenly at something Filius had said and Sam perked up, hoping to catch whatever was said next. The small man just waved it away; wiping his lips with a cloth.

"Again, I believe the bath-tub is the key." Filius muttered, rising to his feet and yawning. Pomona had yet to return from whatever watering she had had to do and Sam wondered if perhaps she had forgotten about breakfast. He'd never heard of anyone doing anything of the sort, since hobbits are rather food of victuals; but he had already assumed that the big folk were not nearly as stomach centred.

"How come then we can't get it to do anything?" Rolanda insisted, pouring herself yet another cup of tea with a dash of what smelt like something stronger. Sam wrinkled his nose in concern as she gulped it down rather quickly. It was her fourth cup after all and the dash was growing into a more sizable amount. Filius seemed to note this fact as well as he gently took the bottle from the yellow-eyed woman's hand.
"That I cannot yet understand, my dear. But all in good time." he smiled.
Rolanda sighed.
"Minerva doesn't have "good time"..." she whispered. Sam felt his heart sink. The words sounded so bitterly resolute... so hopeless. Suddenly he hoped deeply that she was wrong. He had never even seen the Minerva woman; but for Rolanda's sake, he wanted her to be well and good.

"I have it!" Pomona shrieked entering the room. All three occupants jumped at her sudden arrival and poor Filius nearly spilt his tea.
"Have what?" he asked, clearly flustered as he set the cup down.
"How to get Minerva back!" Sam smiled widely at the delivered hope.

---

Frodo had nearly flown into the house, startling Minerva terribly as the darker shadows and thoughts from Gandalf's words still lingered about her. A gentle hand against her arm and the young man's instant apology had calmed her quickly though and she had watched with faint amusement as Frodo brought the ring to Gandalf, only to have the older wizard have him slid it into an envelope, stamp it and declare that Bilbo had gone to the elves and left all his possessions to him. The look on Frodo's face was dear and Minerva had to cover to mouth to keep from chuckling.

The darker story and power had faded, won over by the smiles of Gandalf and Frodo's confusion. It was then however that the wizard rose and went quickly forth to gather his hat and staff. Alarmed, both Frodo and Minerva hurried after him.
"Where are you going?" Minerva asked, frightened that he would leave her.
"I have questions that need answering..." he murmured, setting his hat upon his head.
Frodo appeared to have similar thoughts, for he followed her question with yet another.
"But I don't understand, you've only just arrived?"
Sighing Gandalf turned to face their worried faces.
"Neither do I..." his face held lines from melded worry and despair and it touched Minerva deeply; reminding her instantly of Albus before his final journey.

She tried frantically to calm herself, knowing that it was not the same and that Gandalf was in no danger. There was no dark lord that desired to kill him; no dark mark high within the dark clouds... no promises to keep, no curses to kill. But her thoughts hardly calmed her beating heart, until Gandalf silently took her hand in his.

He had given Frodo instruction to put the ring away somewhere safe and now she dreaded the farewell she knew he would give her. Albus had not given her one; at least not in words, although his eyes had written a tale far more poignant than any oratory. She did not know if she could have borne it if he had said anything; did not know if she could currently bear Gandalf's words.

"I shall return soon." he murmured, patting her hand. That simply he left her, the round green door clicked shut behind his retreating form and she was left alone again.
"He will be back..." Frodo whispered, trying to be comforting.
Having been an educator for quite a spell, Minerve donned her children's face and nodded, knowing that he was probably as confused as she felt.

Following the hobbit into the kitchen, she seated herself at the low table and sighed softly as he prepared tea for them. She tried her best to appear pleasant as she took the offered cup. The steam wafted into her already blurry eyes and she closed them, suddenly more tired than she could ever remember being.

"Would you mind terribly if I went to bed, Frodo?" Minerva asked, not wanting to leave the boy alone if he did not wish it.
He shook his head, smiling broadly.
"Not at all. Sleep well." she nodded, pleased that he was so well-mannered.

She made her way with little difficultly, by feeling along the wall, to the room Bilbo and Gandalf had put her in after her fainting spell and promptly laid on the bed, without removing either her apparel or taking down her hair. Tears ran down her pale cheeks and soon she was sobbing against the pillow. Nightmares plagued her that night and there seemed to be no sun to rise that morning.

[minnie313]

pooor Minerva!!! But don't you worry!!! he WILL be back!!!! it's Gandalf!!! the most powerful Wizard the Hole Middle-Earth!!! ;D


Now, I hope Minerva will get to stay with Gandalf and well... how will Rolanda calm down And how will Sam return home ?? *anguished for the characters*


anyway, as usual, your chapter was very good ;D

[mercifulheavens]

(Thank you minnie313 ^_^)

Chapter XIV

To say that Pomona had their full attention would have been an understatement as Rolanda all but dragged her to a seat and Filius did not even admonish her for doing so, as he was to intent in asking questions, such as "what?", "how?" and "why haven't you told us yet?"

After getting Rolanda to give her some space, Pomona launched into her story.
"I was watering my plants, the poor dears had not a drop of moisture within their parched roots. It was during then that I noticed the water, running down from the stems and along the ground. Sort of like a miniature river of sorts. Surely that's why we can't get Minerva back from the bathtub. The portal's current has moved on, leaving the bathtub no longer the accessible entrance."

Filius looked close to kissing Pomona as he ran from the room, his robes billowing out about him in near humorous fashion. Following after him, the other three gaped as he began tapping the wall just outside Minerva's chambers. Rolling her eyes, Rolanda folded her arms.

"Pomona, I thought you said you knew 'how to get Minerva back'..." she muttered, obviously unhappy.

"But that was the way." The smaller woman insisted, nicely patting Sam's arm as he looked on hopefully.

"Not in my opinion..." Rolanda hissed, as Filius sighed and came over to them.

"I'm afraid the castle would disagree with your portal idea, Pomona." he murmured, not unkindly, despite the words.

No one looked as disappointed as Pomona; as she had been so certain on her correctness.
As Deputy Headmaster, Filius could 'link' with Hogwarts castle and in doing so had quickly found that there were no opening and closing portals drifting though as Pomona had suggested.

A cup of tea later, Pomona sniffed softly into a handkerchief Filius had given her and wiped her filling eyes.
"Oh I was so sure." she sighed.

"Maybe its time we faced facts." Rolanda intoned, staring at the wall. .
Sam wrinkled his brow and exchanged glances with Filius.

"Face facts?" Filius asked, curiosity matched with uncertainty.

"Yeah... she's lost and we'll never find her."

Silence enveloped the seated foursome. All looked torn and confused; lost themselves in the twisted dark ways of the world around them. Pomona took another sip from her cup and refilled the other three's but only Sam thanked her and lifted to drink.

Sighing, Filius rose to his feet and chuckled.

"This will not do." he murmured. "Come, Minerva would hate this gathering."
Rolanda huffed.
"Well, she's not here, now is she."

Pomona opened her mouth to respond, but Filius shook his head.

"But we will get her back, Rolanda Hooch. And the sooner the better."
Sam licked his lips, nodding along with Filius. He had already decided he greatly admired the man.

"Come with me." the man murmured, gesturing for the two women and Sam to follow him.
They left the room, Pomona stopping briefly to assure a worried Filch that they were doing everything in their power to find Minerva, and soon found themselves outside the Headmistress' office. A stone gargoyle sat guarding it and Sam gulped nervously, wondering what was about to happen.

"No need to worry, dear. He's made of stone." Pomona assured him.

"Time is the fire in which we burn..." Filius muttered, obviously uncomfortable with Minerva's password.

The stone beast leapt aside, yanking a shriek from poor Sam. Rolanda rolled her eyes, grabbing his arm and pulling him in through the door and consequentially up the moving stairway.
With everything happening so quickly, Sam could only blink and stare as they stood within the large dark office.
Filius muttered something and the office flared to life as light lit it. The large tidy desk looked less sinister well-lit and Sam breathed a sigh of relief.

"My dear Filius, how wonderful of you to visit me." Albus' portrait chuckled happily. Several other portraits of past Headmasters and mistresses agreed, while less friendly ones, such as Snape merely sniffed.

"Albus, we need your help. Minerva's gone missing I'm afraid." Pomona stated, approaching the painting.

Sam wasn't sure which was more odd, the fact that the painting was talking, the fact they were talking back to it; or the fact that the man reminded him instantly of yet another wizard... One from his own world, with a delightful collection of stories, fireworks and no doubt magic equal to the ones around Sam now.

"Do you know Gandalf?" he squeaked, halfly unsure even why he'd asked.
Albus' painting stared at him, before a kind smile lit the man's blue eyes.
"No, my dear boy, the name is unfamiliar." He replied.

"Who's Gandalf?" Rolanda asked, hand on her wand.

"He's a wizard from my world." Sam hastily explained. "A good one."

"And just why didn't you mention this before?!" Rolanda snapped, glaring down at Sam's now quivering form.
"It didn't come to me... begging your pardon." he whispered.

"Rolanda, give the boy some space." Pomona admonished, folding her arms. "Honestly, you are so terribly impatient and rude."
The woman just sniffed, throwing herself into the nearest chair.

Albus stroked his beard.
"Am I safe to assume that Minerva is not only just missing, but lost from this world?" Sam was surprised at how intelligent the painting was and therefore just nodded rather dumbly.
"Yes, Albus, she and Mr. Samwise Gamgee here apparently exchanged places from our world and his." Filius explained.
Albus nodded.
"Well then, you have nothing to worry about. Simply call her back and exchange them back again."
Rolanda glared at Albus as if wishing the paint would peel and melt.

"Oh brilliant idea..." she scoffed.
"How would we do that?" FIlius asked, ignoring Rolanda.
"Find the portal and use those Ravenclaw lungs of yours... how else?" Severus Snape sneered.
"And how do we find the portal?" Pomona added, not liking Snape's tone, but more intent on getting Minerva back than on chastising rude dead headmasters.
"I'm afraid that we cannot help you with, my dear." Albus murmured, sadly. "But it would appear that there is a wizard on Samwise's side of these worlds as well and if fate and chance work with us; perhaps he can help Minerva."

---

Minerva blinked wearily at the dark wall, across from the bed where she lay. She had not slept at all the night before, having tossed and turned, her thoughts and light slumber filled with potential threats and dangers. There was no manner of death that Albus had not met with within her near feverish panic and to her horror, Gandalf had only survived her imagination to succumb to the same fate as the first beloved wizard.

Curled into a ball, she hugged the pillow tightly against her chest. Frodo had not bothered her, and she had no way of knowing what time it was, since the drapes were tightly closed over the earthen window and there was no clock nearby. Strands of dark hair drifted over her red-rimmed eyes, ignored by the tired witch.

She wondered if Gandalf would think her foolish for acting this way... but soon pushed the thought away. Gandalf's thoughts were not hers to think of. Neither had Albus' been, although she had rarely allowed that to stand in her way of soft dreams and pleasant day ponderings.

Rising into a seated position, Minerva smoothed out her wrinkled robes. She wondered briefly, if perhaps a bit of wandless magic could clean it; but couldn't find the inner strength to finish either the thought or the action. Despite her fuzzy vision, she was able to feel her way to the door with minimal trouble and the light flooding the hallway, although blinding at first, assisted her journey to the kitchen, where Frodo sat, mulling over a cup of tea.

She noted the other cup awaiting her and smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"Good morning..." she murmured, receiving a far more cheerful smile in return than the one she had given.
"Good morning." Neither made mention to the fact that it had neither been a good night nor a good morning; the woven lie lifted them both enough to continue on with a breakfast.

Poking her egg with the toast Frodo had generously made for her, Minerva yawned into her hand. Across from her, the hobbit dropped his eyes from where he'd been staring at her, no doubt concerned about her reddened eyes, pale face and tangled hair.

--

It had taken far less time than Gandalf had anticipated to delve into the writings Isildur had left behind in his passing. Dread seized his heart as he hurried back though the halls of the castle, his long strides carrying him quickly back toward his horse. There was no time to waste. He now knew how to identify the lost ring of power and with haste it needed to be proven that the ring Bilbo had so begrudgingly left behind was not it... although more than a sliver of doubt pervaded his mind.

After all, the manner in which Bilbo had acted suggested the ring twisted and wielded power against the hobbit. A truly terrible power that longed for higher, stronger, darker actions.

The wide streets of the city were even further cleared, the citizens nodding respectfully and more or less happily to the hastening wizard. Mithrandir was not a man one trifled with greetings and troubles; for he was a wizard after all. And even the youngest child knew that wizards were best left to their own devices.

However, as Gandalf passed in a whirl of grey, he paused, momentarily to see the sign of one trinket shop. His bush-like eyebrows lifted and he entered within, noticing the many oddities the shopkeeper had in bundles, bags and shelves for customers to see. In particular, the rounded glass objects caught the wizards attention especially as he thought back to Minerva and her sight or lack thereof.

He'd seen and before heard that with the proper thickness of the glass, one could correct oddities in the eye. Narya, his comforter, shone upon his finger as he gently lifted a nearby pair of spectacles. It would not do to purchase anything for Minerva without her presence and he berated himself for not bringing her with him. The memory of her worried face plagued him suddenly and his heart ached knowing that he had become far more fond of the woman than perhaps he should have.

Leaving the shop, he soon mounted his horse and galloped forth from within the city. Despite his earlier thoughts he smiled softly as he remembered her gentle laughter at Biblo's party...

---

Minerva and Frodo had exchanged countable words after breakfast and then the later had excused himself to go out. No doubt to look for his lost friend, the Sam that he had not seen the night before, she mused, slowly going along the wall in an effort to not stumble.

Once seated in a cozy chair by the roaring fire, she selected one of the many thick books Biblo had within his study walls and holding the book out far enough, was able to read a good chapter before falling asleep.

By the time Frodo returned, disheartened and hungry, dinner time had come and passed and upon seeing Minerva, so soundly asleep in the chair, he could not wake her, for fear of disturbing more so than assisting. Thus he ate a simple meal alone and then promptly found his own book to read and occasionally glancing up to check on the older woman, he read happily within a chair he'd pulled up across from her.

It was odd... he knew so little about her. How she had come to know Gandalf was not known to him; much less why Gandalf had brought her with him. But any friend of Gandalf's was a friend of his. And Minerva was a kind enough woman to make the effort of friendship far more easy than with most.

She awoke just as Frodo was becoming to sleepy to keep his eyes open any longer.
"What?" she whispered groggily, glancing around at the smeared room and hobbit.
"Could I get you something to eat?" Frodo asked, rubbing his eyes.
She shook her head, not hungry.
Frodo nodded, yawning again as he blinked away sleep.
"You should go to bed, Frodo." Minerva murmured.
He nodded.

Wondering briefly if she planned to wait for Gandalf's return, Frodo saw no point in arguing and headed off for his room. Alone now and no longer exhausted, Minerva slowly made her way to the door and leaving it open, seated herself on the steps.

The soft breeze lifted and rippled through her hair and she sighed, enjoying the relaxation of the country air.

[minnie313]

"his heart ached knowing that he had become far more fond of the woman than perhaps he should have."

ho ho ho ;D *dancing happily around the room*

[blackcat268]

You just made my day! I love this story. It is one of my favorites stories on here. I am so glad you updated and i hope you update it again soon. I cant wait to see what happens next. ;D

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

AAWWWHHHHHHHH! That was lovely! Can't wait for more!

[mercifulheavens]

Words cannot express how sorry I am for my absence from this delightful board... Here is the newest chapter of this little tale. Enjoy =)

Chapter XV

Gandalf normally would have slipped into the house without so much as a mention of noise. But as his sharp eyes focused on Minerva, asleep against the doorpost, he didn't have the heart to simply navigate around her. It was true that the news he had for Frodo was of the utmost need of delivery... especially for the uncovering if in fact that simple band of gold was what he believed it to be. Still, he took the time, rarely before given, to stoop down and gather the woman into his arms. He'd carried her before... more than once even, but the warmth of her soft form tucked so gently into his, no... he would not allow that train of thought.

Carefully, he settled her into the bed that she should have been in the first place.

He had lived a long time, one during which there was nothing he had not in some way felt or experienced all it had to offer. Love... it was not foreign to him. He had loved many in many forms and ways.

His weathered hand paused, just as he noticed he had been centimeters from touching her softly greying hair. There was no time, nor was it proper, in any term of the definition for him to display such affection. Yet he allowed his fingers to trace the curve of her cheek, feather-lightly brushing pale skin.

He glanced to the door, debating how Frodo would respond to so abrupt a wakening that he had planned for him. Minerva stirred on the bed, slender fingers curling around his wrist.

At first he thought she was awake, until he noticed her eyes were still shut and her breathing was unchanged.

"Albus..." she whispered. His heart froze at that word... that obvious name. It was a sudden stark reminder that she was from another world, that she belonged to another time, perhaps another man. No, just a man... not another. Another implied that he had a hold on her of some sort. And he didn't... he just wished he did.

With more effort than he would have liked, he removed her hand from his arm and slipped from the room.

~*~

"Uh, what if he doesn't want to?" Rolanda interjected. "Not all wizards are warm hearted and cuddly."

"Thank heaven for small mercies..." Severus smirked.

"Now, now." chuckled Pomona, worried that Rolanda might start abusing the Slytherin's portrait if given the chance. "Sam said that he's a good wizard, this Gandalf. If he's good, he'd help her."

"Excellent thinking." Filius agreed, beaming.

Rolanda went over to the Headmistress' desk... Minerva's desk, she swallowed, and sat in the chair. It was high-backed and rigid; ironically like her friend in some ways. Wheeling it to the side, she propped her feet up, crossing them at the ankles.

It was testament to the changed times and the business of their minds that no one in the room, even Severus demand she lower her booted feet. That thought made her sniff sadly. Minerva would have hexed her by now.

"It is indeed excellent, Pomona." The venerable although deceased portrait concurred. "However, I would not worry in the least about if he would help her or not. Or even if he would be able."

Sam decided to grip his courage by the ears.

"Why is that, sir?"

"Everything happens for a reason, young Samwise. Regardless of how awful it may seem to all of you, Minerva did not vanish to another world due to chaotic happenstance. There is a reason and meaning behind it."

"Thanks for the fortune cookie, Dumbledore." Rolanda growled, playing with a inked quill. "I'd prefer to get her back, instead of assigning some bizarre 'reasoning' to her vanishing."

"Oh Rolanda, do hush up." Pomona groaned.

And although Sam was still quite frightened of the yellow-eyed witch, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her, and in a way agree with her. It was like breaking a bone, only to be told as a comfort that it would make you less likely to climb such high trees again. Well maybe not quite as depressing, but Sam decided that Rolanda Hooch was a more angsty person than he was.

"Fine, I'm sorry." Rolanda didn't sound in the least apologetic, but those who knew her were able to ignore that fact.

"We understand you're upset." Pomona soothed. If it was possible, that line of comfort only seemed to aggravate the other witch further.

Suddenly she sat up.

"Pickled toadstools! I've got it. I mean it's bloody brilliant."

Filius, who had continued a hushed conversation with Albus, gave Rolanda a not-again-look. They had all recently recovered from Pomona having the 'perfect' idea.

"We just do it again!"

"Do what again?" Severus and Pomona asked in stereo, much to their equal unease.

"Switch. I mean it's bloody brilliant." She had crawled almost onto the desk by then, trying desperately to find a scrap piece of paper.

"Do stop sounding like Weasley." a certain former potions master snapped. To her credit, Rolanda ignore him, 'yahooing' with ecstatic joy as she pulled a unused scroll from under Minerva's old class schedules.

"See." she busily started scribbling some deformed diagram out as everyone, with legs, shuffled forward to watch. The portraits just did their best to crane necks over in-the-way shoulders and heads. "There!" Rolanda excitedly gushed.

Sam stared at the lopsided 'tunnel' Rolanda had uh drawn. He hoped she didn't think it was suppose to actually look like anything, cause it really didn't.

Filius apparently was thinking along those same lines as he turned his head to one side and then backed up a bit before moving forward again.

"Its lovely, Rolanda." Pomona ventured.

Rolanda's smile packed its bags and vanished.

"It's not a piece of art, you loon." When they all just stared at her and then back to the scroll, she rolled her eyes. "Fine. See this... it's a loop or a tunnel. The one that we need to get Minerva to so she'll came back to this world. Well, I'm assuming that there's one somewhere here too... not that that would help us, since we don't want to go there. But if we did. We could find Minerva and get the wizard to help and then tada!"

Severus was the first to speak.

"Congratulations, you're now certifiable in two worlds." he sneered.

Filius rubbed his jaw.

"I suppose that might work... I just don't know how we'd find the portal."

"Honestly, how have you people remained so dense?" Snape rubbed his temples. "Mr Gamgee, how do you remember feeling before you ended up here?"

"What?"

Severus intensified his patented 'drop-dead-first-through-seventh-year' glare.

"How do you remember feeling? What were you thinking?"

"Nice reeds..."

Even Filius grimaced. "Uh no, maybe, yeah. It was adventure. I was thinking about a story."

"In other words, ignoring your first poor attempt at memory. You were thinking of leaving your world. Subconsciously at least."

"Wait!" Rolanda all but shouted. "That would mean that Minerva was thinking something similar."

Albus sighed sadly.

"Probably of a different form though."

There was an unsettled silence as that sunk into those gathered.

"That's not-" But it was and they all, not including Sam, knew it.

"So think suicidal thoughts and hope the world will have you, Rolanda."

No one moved to admonish the flying instructor when a quill his Severus' crooked nose, leaving a ink trail down his mouth and chin.

~*~

"Is it secret? Is it safe?" These words were given as way of greeting to one very groggy Frodo as he stumbled from bed.

"What, Gandalf?" he muttered, rubbing at his eyes.

"The ring."

For some unknown reason, Frodo suddenly felt very awake. He hurried to the chest he'd hidden the enveloped ring within and returned to Gandalf, handing it over. He could not suppress a cry when the old wizard tossed it forth into the fireplace.

"What are you doing?" He cried, nearly lurching forward. Concern and worry surged through him, partially that Gandalf had finally lost it and for some small part that was worried for the ring, as it was a gift from his uncle.

Gandalf bent for the tongs and scooped the ring from the shrivelled ash that remained of the paper envelope.

"Hold out your hand Frodo, it's quite cool."

He did as he was told, gasping softly as it fell almost heavily into his palm. The light of the fire caught its golden sides, nearly making it glow. It was beautiful and yet, somehow it was also ugly, nearly too bright.

" What can you see? Can you see anything?"

"Nothing. There's nothing." Frodo muttered, turning the ring around.

Gandalf sighed, appearing relieved.

"Wait... There are markings."

~*~

"This had better work..." Pomona sighed. Along with her, Filius, Rolanda and Sam were standing in a clearing in the Forbidden Forest.

"It's hardly as if you've got a better idea." Rolanda returned, sharper than was needed.

Each had muggle compass in hand. Albus had given them two pieces of advice, of which were the compasses and the location. None of them had really questioned the portrait; as it is a common (magical) piece of knowledge that one doesn't question magical paintings unless it is needed. Besides, none of them had had a better place to start.

"Now, let's fan out. Watch out for trolls, Sam." Rolanda teased.

Poor Samwise grew very pale. He was unfortunate enough to know exactly what a troll was.

"Don't scare the poor boy." Filius admonished, compass in one tiny hand and wand in the other.

They branched out, watching the muggle devices change ever so slightly from West to Southwest and then a bit more Easterly. It was quite frustrating. Finally Rolanda shrieked.

"Got it! I got it!"

"Oh lovely!" Pomona clapped, going over to her.

"Marvelous." Filius beamed, motioning Sam over. The four of them then just stared at the tree Rolanda was frantically pointing to.

"Uh..."

"Don't you dare uh me, Pomona Sprout." Rolanda censured. "Not the tree, that!"

They leant to the right.

"Ahh..."

"Ah, indeed." Rolanda nodded in approval.

They shuffled toward the murky pond, each gazing into tepid water.

"Yeah, the compass it spinning." Pomona supplied. Rolanda dipped a finger into the water.

"Hmm... now what?" Filius wondered aloud.

"Guess we dive in..."

Sam didn't like that idea.

"Wouldn't it be better to wade in?"

Filius nodded.

"Capital idea. Start wading, Rolanda."

Instead of complaining, she started taking off her shoes.

"What, what are you doing?" Pomona demanded.

"Get new glasses... What's it look like?"

"But the water, it, it's filthy. You'll catch something!" Pomona looked to Filius.

"I agree with Pomona, Hooch. Best keep your shoes on."

Rolanda hissed under her breath.

"Yes, Mummy..."

Sam did his best to not laugh as she rose, still shoe clad.

"Well, let's go, Sammy boy."

Go they did, with Pomona grimacing as slimy water slurped as they waded in.

"Oh! Don't forget these." The herbology professor gasped, tossing a bundle to Rolanda.

"Eh? What's this?"

Pomona said something, but it was too quiet to hear.

"Huh?" Rolanda shouted, cupping her ear.

To her side, Sam gasped and both looked down to see the water swirl about their legs. Sam, who was shorter, vanished under the goo and Rolanda followed in short succession.

"Oh dear..." Pomona worried. Filius reached up to take her hand and patted it.

"They'll be fine." But he found himself staring at the place they'd vanished as well.

~*~

Minerva awoke with a start. She'd felt something cold and frigid running down her neck and back. Reaching gingerly to her skin, she shuddered as she realized it was merely perspiration. Her dream had actually been pleasant enough. But now, oddly enough upon waking she felt a sinking dread fill her entire being.

A dark shape loomed before her from the shadows, the moonlight glowing through it as it approached. She gasped, thinking back to the horror that had filled her when the dementors had been in Hogwarts.

A bony hand reached out for her.

Shrill, her scream cut through the air even before she realized she'd opened her mouth.

~*~

"...the language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here." Gandalf murmured, his heart heavy. Frodo's mouth opened to ask something, but both were silenced as a scream whispered into the room.

Both hurried toward Minerva's room, Gandalf throwing his staff forth as he went. The door burst open under his thrust out hands. Frodo peered around the wizard as they both gazed into the lit room. Neither saw anything.

"Minerva..." Gandalf moved to the trembling woman's side, unsure of how to comfort her, until she threw her arms around his neck, burying her tearstained face against his chest.

Frodo, frightened enough that something horrible had been discovered within the ring his uncle had left him, stood motionless in the doorway. Tensions were high enough without anything added to it and he suddenly wanted nothing more than to climb into a hole somewhere and cry his eyes out.

"There was something..." Minerva croaked, her voice sounded tired and frightened as she slightly pulled back from Gandalf.

"It was only a dream, my dear." he soothed, gently stroking her hair as one might a child. What concerned him was that it may not have been a mere dream. As he had just learnt that the ring of power was here within the house, there was a chance that the oddest of things could be given life. Sauron sought the ring with all his considerable will.

The three silent ones moved from the bedroom to the kitchen, again settling around the table, with tea for Frodo and Minerva and nothing for Gandalf. He was far too concerned to eat or drink.

In sombre tones he continued his explanation of the ring for Frodo.

"In the common tongue it says, "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."

Minerva shivered, wrapping the blanket she'd brought with her from the bedroom more securely around her shoulders. It sounded as dreary as when Gandalf had spoken to her of Sauron. "This is the One Ring. Forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself."

Large eyes focused on the ring in front of him. Despite his age, Frodo looked like a mere first year as worry flickered over his face.

"Bilbo found it. In Gollum's cave..." As if suddenly realizing a horrible thing, the young hobbit gasped. "But Gandalf, Sauron, he was destroyed."

A hard whisper, of the Black Speech, rose from the golden band. Three pairs of eyes watched it earnestly, as though at any given moment it would leap from the table and slay them all.

"No, Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His Orcs have multiplied. His fortress at Barad-Dûr is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this Ring to cover all the lands of a second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it - all his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it."

Minerva jumped when Frodo snatched up the ring.

"Alright, we put it away." He headed down the hallway, both of the older adults following after him.

"We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?"

Minerva watched as Gandalf's face fell. Hoping to comfort him, she carefully touched his arm. He took her hand, patting it as he settled it into the crook of his elbow.

"Do they Gandalf?" Frodo asked, hope building in his youthful features.

"There is one other who knew that Bilbo had the Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum. But the enemy found him first..."

Both those in his 'audience' lost that sliver of hope.

"I don't know how long they tortured him. But amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words . . ."

Frodo paled further.

"Shire. Baggins. But that would lead them here!" He rose quickly holding the ring out for Gandalf. "Take it Gandalf! Take it!"

Minerva gripped Gandalf's arm tighter as her chest tightened. As awful a thought as it was; she wanted him to take it... to be done with it... destroy it. She hated the darkness that echoed from it. But she knew he wouldn't. She knew he couldn't destroy it; not due to lack of strength but simply because like Albus and Harry, it was one's destiny to be the mentor and the other the destroyer. Poor Frodo, she thought...

"No, Frodo." Gandalf shook his head.

Frodo's voice trembled with desperation.

"You must take it!"

"You cannot offer me this Ring!"

"I'm giving it to you!" Frodo urged, breathing hard.

"Don't tempt me Frodo!"Gandalf shouted, not nearly as loud as he had with Bilbo, but with enough feeling that Frodo was silent. "I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring from a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."

"Minerva?" Frodo asked softly.

She looked up from the floor, gasping lightly as her eyes rested on the ring he held out.

Grey eyes watched her, fear surfacing.

Would she take it, for it being such a temptation.

"No, Frodo..." she whispered. "I've fought evil for too long... too long to give in now."

Gandalf smiled, unknowingly patting her hand.

"But it cannot stay in the Shire!" Frodo groaned, staring at the ring, wondering why he held it when no one else would.

"No!" Gandalf agreed. "No, it can't."

Minerva hated what she knew would come next. Poor Frodo... a pawn for a greater cause.

"What must I do?"

[Trulyamused]

This is really getting good. Thank you so much for the update. I don't get on very much, so I couldn't comment earlier.

Truly

[Rosemary Dumbledore McGonagall]

YAY! I missed you so much! And this story...... Keep it up!

[Desdemona]

This is AH-MAH-ZING mah dear (and I'm not even a fan of LoTR), please update soon
x

[minnie313]

aaaaaaawww!!!!! wonderful! wondeful! wonderful!!! ;D