Hi,

What's this? Another story? But like I said, I ain't got nothing but time...So I present to you, Flying Without Wings

A HarryPotterxHobbit story…Pairings are up to the readers…but Hermione/Ginny/Bilbo friendship with a Radaghast/femHarry friendship…

Summary: After a confrontation with a few rogue deatheaters, Athena James 'AJ' Potter, Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley find themselves in an entire new world known as Middle Earth. On their quest to find a way back home, and much to Gandalf's pursuing, they decide to help the Dwarves and their quest to reclaim their home. Tensions arise between the leader and the Chosen one, but it becomes more. Will they find reasons to stay and finally be healed of the past? Very OOC, but still loyal…AU/OOC…

Face-claim for Athena Potter: Katie McGrath (I changed my mind from Kiera to Katie...)

I own nothing but the story...the rest belong to J.K Rowling and J.R Tolkien...

Chapter One

Athena's POV

Rabbits…I was surrounded by tall, brownish and curious rabbits…Rabbits?

Where was I? Well it was bloody obvious I was in a land where Bugs Bunny seems to be bigger and dirtier than the usual bunny type I knew of, but as I opened my eyes and tried to get a better understanding of my location, all I could make out was that I was in a forest of some sort and surrounded by rabbits. I must have drunken a bit more Fire-whiskey then my usual intake. But it was Ginny's Birthday, and we were also celebrating the recent birth of her niece, and our, that is Hermione's and my godchild as both Hannah and Ron couldn't make a decision on the god-mother and the child's name was Fredaya Ophelia Abbott-Weasley.

Ginny, Hermione and I had decided to get a little more tipsy than usual. Probably because we were all single and all had jobs that required most of our time, as we were Aurors, well Hermione and I was, Ginny was more of the rainbow haired Chaser for the British Quidditch team, the Mighty Lions. What persuaded her to dye her hair the colours of the rainbow was beyond me but she seemed to like it, and so did Hermione. But we were listing reasons as to why we were single and basically because in our case, we were usually on cases that required our absolute attention, like hunting down the remaining deatheaters that had scattered after the Battle of Hogwarts. Being Athena Potter and Hermione Granger, duo dream team had consequences when it came to our job, but we loved it…sometimes. Ginny's time was taken up mostly by her team and Quidditch, as most games lasted hours, sometimes even days.

We were at the new wizarding nightclub called the Firey Phoenix, drinking shots, well Ginny and Hermione more so as it was Ginny's birthday and Hermione was kind-of upset that she had let Ron go. I knew that they had tried to be together, after the battle, but just like me and Ron, they saw each other as best friends and they were also just too different and wanted other things. But after their break-up, he found the perfect person to have a family with and that was Hannah Abbott, who was also the best friend of Luna Lovegood-Longbottom, and was just as strange as Luna, so it really was a perfect match.

And so, there we were, having a good time trying to convince ourselves that one day we would meet someone when suddenly three deatheaters had walked into the pub and I forget after that, but the gist of it was that they had initiated a duel with us and long story short, I blacked out after being blasted with a potion or spell of some sorts and since I had a hand on both Hermione and Ginny, well…here I am in a forest…and surrounded by rabbits.

But these weren't the normal fluffy hopping bunny rabbits you usually see when you go to a pet shop or in the fields, but huge, massive rabbits that looked like they could come up to your shoulder and they were dirty. More like the fact that they had dirt, twigs and leaves all over them and they were curious little fuckers, as one of them was currently looking up my tight dark grey short-sleeve dress and another was currently sniffing my hair. I sat up suddenly, in which of cause the curious rabbits scattered like mad and I get hit by pairs of rabbit feet as they scatter.

"Oh you bloody little fuckin' cretins!" I cursed as the rabbits scattered. Then there was nothing, just the sounds of birds and rabbits hopping.

I looked around, taking in the sight and all I could see were trees, trees and more trees. I knew that I was in a forest of some sort, and that I seemed to be sitting on a hill of some sort, but it just a forest. A very greenish forest, as all the leaves, grass and moss was the colour of a rich green and the tree trunks were brown. It was like I had woken up in a fairy-tale forest.

"Where the bloody hell am I?" I whispered to myself, standing up slowly.

I spun around in a circle, taking in the sights. "Oh bugger…"

I checked myself for any injuries and sighed in relief to find none. I still had my small black shoulder bag, which had an extendable charm placed on it and I had my wand among other things in it. As I was an Auror, my bag was packed for any situation should I need it. It was disguised as a normal hand bag but inside it held many things. Checking my bag, I pulled out my wand and closed my eyes, picturing my home in Godric's Hollow and waved my wand.

Nothing happened. I opened my eyes and frowned, before closing again and waved my wand again. Nothing happened…I opened my eyes and looked at my wand before waving and chanting, "Avis!"

Birds came out of my wand and I watched as they flew above me and away. I tilted my head, relieved that magic and my wand were still working, but apparition wasn't. Curious…but I couldn't figure it out as I was in a forest in the middle of nowhere and apparently, I couldn't apparate.

"Okay, if I can't apparate…Expecto Patronum…" I chanted and a blue light in the form of a stag appeared from my wand. It ran around me in circles and then stood in front of me. "Send this message to Hermione. Tell her that I am in a strange place where I cannot apparate and I need her help."

The stag stood there, staring at me. I tilted my head. "Go!"

It tilted its head and continued to stare at me. "Oh great…I…where the bloody hell am I?"

I sighed, waving my wand over the stag and it disappeared. I groaned, putting my wand back into my bag and I began walking, following what looked like a man-made path.

As I walked, I saw various animals scattered around the forest, including the rabbits. I stopped, as a rabbit had stood in front of me and was staring at me curiously, as well as blocking my path. I sighed…these rabbits were getting annoying.

"Move!" I demanded it. It just stood there, and tilted its head.

"Oh for the love of Merlin, will you just move?" Nothing…nada…I waved my hands and arms, hoping to scare it off. It didn't move and so I proceeded to shake my legs and arms and to be honest, I looked ridiculous.

"Milady, might I inquire what it is that you are doing?" a deep male voice spoke from behind me and I looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. I found it and my eyes bugged out, and I blinked, trying to figure out if the muggle man was real or if he was just part of my hung-over fogged up brain.

Standing in front of me, was an elderly muggle with a staff. He was dressed in brown robes, with a strange looking hat on his head and there was bird poo on the side of his face. His blue eyes looked kind and he had a long silver beard. He then lifted his hat up and I watched in confusion as two birds flew out of his head and into the forest.

"So sorry, sir…but did you just release two birds from inside your hat?" I asked.

"Yes…" he shrugged, as if it was normal.

"Oh right, because having two birds in nest on top of your head is normal." I muttered looking at my feet before turning back to him. "Can you tell me where I am?"

"You are Milady, at my home of Rhosgobel in the Vales of Anduin, on the western Eaves of Mirkwood, between Carrock and the Old Forest Road, near the Gladden Fields. Does that help?" he replied.

I blinked. "Uh…I'm sorry where?"

"The Mirkwood Forest, Milady."

I nodded. "Oh I see…and the Mirkwood Forest is where?"

"Oh Valar, I just told you. The Vales of Anduin, on the western Eaves of Mirkwood, between Carrock and the Old Forest Road!" He muttered. Well sorry, I have never heard of such places in England and anywhere in the world in fact, so forgive me if things sounded strange.

"Oh…Yeah, nope, I don't know of that place…Perhaps if you could just point me in the direction of London, or Surrey or anywhere but here?"

He frowned. "I am sorry, Milady, but I don't think I have ever heard of this place called London, or Surrey. Perhaps you are looking for the Shire, since the name sounds similar but I confess I have never heard of these places."

It was my turn to frown. "Wait, you've never heard of London? I mean, I should know, I lived in the suburbs most of my life. It's the most popular place in all of England! We are in England, are we not?"

He shook his head. "Oh I am sorry Milady, but we are not."

"Then where are we?" I asked

"We are in Middle Earth, Milady." He replied.

"Oh…oh okay…oh…" I stammered, the realisation dawning on me that I was in a world that wasn't mentioned much as it was a myth.

I hadn't heard of the places that the muggle mentioned before but I had heard of Middle Earth as Hermione had read the books and told me of the mythical places that could only be a myth and that were Middle Earth, along with other such places like Narnia and Asgard. But in all my years at Hogwarts, Middle Earth was a myth brought to life by a wizard with a vivid imagination who believed that he had great adventures in Middle Earth. I couldn't remember the name of the author but I do remember the myth of Middle Earth, another world within our own earth and full of various creatures. According to Hermione, Middle Earth was a land of magical creatures that was similar to our Wizarding world, but not quite as adapted. Perhaps I should paid attention to Hermione but I'm sorry, Middle Earth was a myth…well, not anymore!

"Middle Earth…right…well, obviously it's not a myth…oh bugger…Oh Hermione! And Ginny!" I gasped, suddenly remembering my best friends and I began to panic.

"Milady!" the man walked towards me. "Please, do not panic! Or otherwise the rabbits will panic and trust me, a kick from a Rhosgobel rabbit is not a pretty injury." The man whispered frantically.

I slowed my breathing. "Sorry…just panicking…about my friends…no problem what-so-ever…"

"Well, perhaps if you ask nicely, I can help you find them and find your way home to this London place, but I can tell you now Milady, I have never heard of a place called London in all my years here on Middle Earth and I have been around for quite some time." He told me.

I nodded. "I don't think we're going to find London here, but finding my friends will be a big help…"

"Well then, that's settled….Now, introductions should be made I think…I am Radaghast the Brown." Radaghast introduced himself.

"Athena…Athena Potter." I replied, holding out my hand. He looked at it, and then gave me a look. "Oh, you're supposed to shake it…don't you shake hands here?"

"We do, but mortals do that. I am a Wizard, Milady, Protector of the forest and friend of the animals. We greet each other by either bowing or if you're a dwarf, butting our heads together, but you are not a dwarf and you're not a mortal either. I sense something different about you, apart from your clothes and appearance. You have magic, don't you?" he spoke, looking at me curiously.

I shifted. "Uh, no…nope no magic…"

I knew that he was a wizard but as I was in a strange land in a strange world…I couldn't help but be a little skeptical of telling this wizard and friend of the forest that I too was part of magic.

"Oh my dear, there is no use denying it! Embrace it! Now, let's go. There are many horrors that also lurk in the woods and it is almost dark. Perhaps some supper and a change of clothes as well as some sleep might do you good before we look for your friends, yes?"

I nodded, then frowned but shook my head. I followed him, as he was leading the way to his home. I also saw that the rabbits were following us along with many other various woodland animals including hedgehogs, birds and other mammals. This wizard truly was a friend to the animals as every animal I saw stared at Radaghast and then at me. But we kept walking, on the beaten path until we had reached a ragged looking shack that looked like it was about to collapse.

"Welcome, Miss Athena, to my home Rhosgobel. I am sorry about the smell, but the horses just love to release themselves quite frequently and well, you'll get used to it. Now, shall I give the grand tour?" Radaghast spoke, as we stood in front of the shack.

I nodded and he took me inside. I gasped at the interior of the shack. While it may have looked unsafe from the outside, it looked cosy inside. In fact, it reminded me of Hagrid's hut on the grounds of Hogwarts and I smiled, as Radaghast was starting to remind me a lot of the half-giant. The interior of the shack was modest, with tables and chairs and a fireplace. There was a large bed made from trees and other bits and there were animals scattered everywhere. Although the smell was a bit off-putting, I still liked it.

"It looks safe and cosy…" I murmured.

"My dear, you are safe here. Now, even though I know that you have magic, but I believe that while we are searching for your friends, you should keep that secret to yourself. While magic is accepted here, it is also unheard of, unless of course you are an elf or wizard like myself and it might be best not to mention that you are not from around here, well at least until we find out why you are here. Now, perhaps you should change into something different while I start up the fire. I trust that you have suitable clothing in that bag of yours?"

I frowned, wondering how he knew that my bag wasn't just an ordinary bag, but then again, he is a wizard. I thought I looked normal in my grey knee-length dress with a black cardigan and grey knee-length high-heeled boots but then again, this was a place of mystery and judging by Radaghast's robes, clothes were different than the usual robes I saw. I now was in another world and I could tell that this world was a little different when it came to clothing.

I nodded and opened my bag, scrounging around for suitable clothing. I hit the jackpot as I found a suitable dress that wasn't as medieval but it would suit for now. It was a long dark green and yellow sleeveless dress. The top half of the dress was a mustard yellowish colour and it came out in dark green waves of cotton and smooth material near the rib line. I looked around for somewhere to change but Radaghast had pointed out a screen of sorts, but it would allow me to change and I headed over, and began to remove my clothes, and then pulled on the dress. I pulled out a pair of brown sandals with straps, a black wool hooded cloak and a harness strap for my wand. I strapped the harness on my left thigh, and then placed my wand in it. It was handy having the harness and it was hidden.

I walked out from behind the screens and cleared my throat. Radaghast turned around from the fireplace, nodding his head my attire. He motioned to my hair and I nodded, fixing my burgundy coloured wavy hair into a more modest twisted half-up half-down hairdo. I placed my bag over the chair that was near the door and placed my coat on top of it. I was glad that I had a normal cloak, as I also had my Invisibility Cloak, but it would stay in my bag until I needed it, along with the other Deathly Hallows I kept in my bag for safe-keeping. As there still deatheaters around, I kept a hold of the Elder Wand and Resurrection Stone to keep them safe. They apart from the cloak were in a small box in my bag along with the cloak.

Radaghast smiled. "Now, that is more like it…Milady, such a strange scar that is on your forehead…I wasn't going to mention it, but now I have a had a closer look, it's strange…as are the ones on your back and that one on you hand. However did you come by them?"

I automatically touched my lightning bolt scar. "I…War gave me these scars…A mad wizard, well a dark lord more like it, sought to kill our witches and wizards because he believed in all the wrong things. But it was a long time ago and it's no use bringing up the past."

"That may be so, but sometimes, bringing up the past is also a way to move on. Perhaps that is why you are here? You may have been brought here by a spell, but everything, no matter how small, always has a purpose. What your purpose is, I don't know." Radaghast spoke.

I nodded, thinking about his words before shaking my head and smiling at him. "So, what do we now? I mean, after rest and dinner? How do we find my friends?"

"Well, Miss Athena, we find the wizard they call Gandalf."

0*0*0*0*0

Ginny's POV

"Oh she's very pretty…"

"Shh! Kili, you'll wake her up!"

"But look at her, brother….her hair is the colour of a rainbow…such pretty hair too..."

"But she's still asleep and obviously doesn't want to be disturbed. Oh, we should have gone with Uncle, but no. Kili, leave her hair alone! Strange clothing the lady wears. Not the sort of fashion you'd find normal mortals wearing. Perhaps she's from a different land…"

"But brother, her hair! Have you ever seen such colourful and bright hair! I wonder what I'd look like with such hair."

"You'd look like an idiot…now come on!"

"But Fili, we can't just leave her, I mean, it's almost dark and what if she gets hurt or something?"

"Kili, we have to be at the place Gandalf told us to be or Uncle will kill us!"

"But Fili…"

"Kili-"

"Can the both of you just shut up?!" I groaned, my hand reaching for my face and I rubbed my eyes, before opening them and my eyes widened at the sight. Standing above me, was two very handsome and bearded muggle men. I frowned before sitting up slowly and taking in my surroundings.

I was surrounded by trees and a river was in front me. I seemed to be sitting on a hill beside a dirt road and I looked at the muggles, before shaking my head and then standing up.

"Careful, Milady, you might have injured yourself." The brown haired muggle spoke offering his arm and helping me up.

I nodded as I stood up and then my eyes bugged out again as I realised that not only were the men handsome and bearded, but also short. Like really short, as they both only seemed to come up to my shoulders. One had brown hair, light brown eyes and stubble to his cheeks and the other was blonde, light blue eyes with a braided beard. They were both wearing tunics and pants, with the blonde one wearing a fur coat of sorts and the other wearing a leather coat. They both had weapons strapped to them and if I didn't know any better, I'd say they were dwarves, given their size and appearance. I relaxed a little, as I knew that dwarves were magical creatures, well according to Hermione, but I had to have conformation that they were dwarves before using magic. If they were humans, I knew that I wouldn't use magic, but because all magical creatures knew about the Wizarding world, I knew that I could use magic. If I could learn what they are, then I could apparate in front of them.

"Oh it's fine…" I mumbled, still in shock that I was surrounded by rivers, greenery and short men, well dwarves with braided beards. What did I get up to last night? All I remember was drinking as it was my birthday, something about deatheaters and then that spell.

"Milady, might we inquire how it is you came to be here, unconscious?" the blonde-haired dwarf. asked.

"Did you find me like this?" I asked.

"No Milady, you appeared out of thin air…like magic…are you magic?" the brown haired one asked.

"Kili! Forgive me Milady, my brother is curious. But how did you get here?" the blonde asked.

I frowned as I remembered the drinking and the deatheaters, but I couldn't tell a bunch of strangers that a spell was cast on me. "I…don't…..Uh…I don't remember…you see I was celebrating my birthday and I think I might have had a little too much Firewhiskey..."

"Firewhiskey Milady?" the blonde asked as his brother shouted "Happy Birthday!"

"It's alcohol… and thanks for the birthday wishes." I told them and the blonde nodded as the brunette smiled.

"Might I ask about your clothes? I don't think I have ever seen a maiden were such clothes…" the blonde pointed out.

"And your hair!" the brunette added.

I looked down at my appearance. I was dressed in rather modest muggle night clothes, as I was wearing a pair of muggle faded blue denim jeans, a black tank top with a grey cardigan and ankle-length muggle leather boots. My rainbow dyed hair was down in waves and showing of its colours. I still had my small black shoulder bag, in which Hermione had cast an expendable charm on it, which had all my Quidditch gear and uniform in it as well as my wand, my broomstick and healing potions, as my games sometimes got a little out of hand.

"They're jeans and something called a tank top, I think…my friends put me in it…" I mumbled before remembering that Athena and Hermione were with me as the spell was cast. "Oh my friends! They were with me! Uh, with me celebrating my birthday…uh, oh bugger! You see this, this is why I should have taken Hermione's advice and gotten a mobile but no, because I had been sheltered most of my life by my parents, I decided against it."

I stopped my ranting as both the blonde and brunette were looking at me strangely. "Sorry…so sorry…uh might I ask where I am, kind sirs?"

"You are on the road Milady, between the town of Bree and the Shire. If you go left, it's about half a day's walk to the town Bree, but if you go right, you are within distance of the town the Shire. It's one of the most unknown places here in Middle Earth, but it has been heard of." The brunette informed me.

I nodded. Middle Earth, Bree, The Shire…sound like places of a fantasy land but then again, geography wasn't really my strongest point, and yes I know, I ride a broomstick but still. "Yeah nah, I haven't heard of such places, but at least I'm still on Earth…no problem…can I ask, what are you?"

The brunette frowned. "Whatever do you mean, Milady?"

"Well, are you very short men-"

The blonde laughed. "Milady, we are not men. We are dwarves! Surely our appearance would tell you so. Men, the idea of being compare to mere mortals…"

I sighed. "Oh, great! Dwarves! Strange looking dwarves but that's good…that means I can do this…"

I reached into my bag and my arm had disappeared, as my wand seemed to be on the bottom of this bloody bag. The dwarves gasped and I frowned, but then shook my head as they probably hadn't seen an expandable charm before.

"Don't worry, it's an expandable charm. It allows the inside of my bag to extend so that I can fit more stuff in it." I told them.

The blonde frowned as the brunette looked on curiously. I felt the handle of my wand and I pulled it out, letting go of the breath I had kept in.

"There…Well, it was nice meeting you both, but alas I have to go…" I said to them and waved my wand. Nothing happened, and I frowned.

I waved again, picturing Godric's Hollow and yet, nothing happened.

"That's strange…" I muttered and then pointed to a rock that was on the side of the road and chanted, "Evanesco…"

The dwarves took a step back in shock as the rock disappeared and I frowned, but shook my head as I was glad that my magic was still working. I thought for a second that the spell had taken away my magic but no, just the ability to apparate. The dwarves were still in shock over the rock disappearing and I had noticed that the blonde was holding on to his sword that was attached to his side very tightly.

"Have you not seen magic before?" I asked, gripping my wand tighter.

"Yes, but it is rare, very rare, as you are a maiden. I have not heard a mortal woman possessing the gift of magic." The blonde told me.

"But you are magical creatures yourself, surely you've come across wizards and witches." I said.

"Wizards yes, but never a witch. Witches are considered dangerous creatures, Milady." The brunette informed me.

"Oh…well that changes things…I could remove the memories from you, if you'd like, that way you won't know that I'm a witch…" I suggested.

The brunette suddenly shook his head. "No! I mean, Milady, we won't tell anyone…"

The blonde frowned. "Uh, we won't?"

The brunette nodded. "Yes, Fili…Yes Milady, we won't tell anyone. While magic is strange and very rare, we won't speak of it unless you want us to."

I nodded. "Oh right…Well in that case I will assure you that I will not harm you."

The brunette nodded. "Of course not, Milady, your hair is the colour of the rainbow. Anybody with that kind of hair is considered either strange or kind."

I smiled. "As much as I would love to stay and chat, I do have to get back to my friends. I wonder, if you could just show me the way to the nearest airport or I don't know, direct me the direction of London that will be most welcome."

The blonde frowned. "London, Milady? I'm afraid there is no such place called London here in Middle Earth."

"It's one of the most popular cities in England…I am still on Earth, am I not?" I asked.

The brunette shook his head. "No milady, this is Middle Earth, not Earth."

"Oh…uh…huh?" I stammered. "So you're saying that I'm not on Earth, but in a place called Middle Earth and you've never heard of London?"

They both nodded and I groaned. "Oh goddam it all to bloody hell…of course the deatheaters would send me and the girls to another place…as if they don't cause enough bloody problems. You see this is why I didn't become an Auror like Hermione and Athena, because the deatheaters are either causing trouble or injuring our people."

"Milady, what in the name of Durin is a deatheater?" the blonde asked.

"And an Aur-rar? Auror?" the brunette added. "And what do you mean you've been placed in another world?"

"Oh, uh…well deatheaters, they're like me, but worse…those are the witches and wizards you have to look out for…and Aurors, are the good witches, like my friends Athena and Hermione. They fight the deatheaters…and as for why I am here, that is a good question…why am I even telling you this? It goes against the rules of Wizarding community. But then again I am in strange land with two dwarves, so Statue of Secrecy be damned…But I do need to find Athena and Hermione and find a way home…" I replied.

"Well, Milady, I'm afraid there is much we can do but to take you with us. We have a wizard in our company, but he is a good wizard and I am sure he will be able to help you. Though, brother, perhaps the lady witch can help us on our quest…" the brunette remarked.

"But Uncle will kill us…no, we will take her with us, and have Gandalf help her." the blonde reasoned.

"I don't think it's probably the best time to take up a quest, but I would appreciate talking to your wizard." I added.

"Well then that's settled. You shall come with us!" the brunette exclaimed.

I nodded. "Okay…I'm Ginny…Ginny Weasley…It's not that I don't like the 'Milady' but I prefer my name…which is Ginny."

The dwarves frowned but shrugged.

"Fili!" The blonde spoke as the brunette followed with, "Kili!" and then they both bowed as they both said, "At your service!"

They both straightened up and Fili frowned. "Mil- Ginny, have you got anything else in that bag of yours that might be a change of clothes?"

I was stumped for a moment, but then shook my head as I realised that if this was another world, then the clothing attire would be different. Judging by the attire that the dwarves were wearing, I suspected that they dressed in more medieval themed clothing and well, all I had was my Quidditch gear, oh and the steel-boned steampunk maroon corset with bustles and straps that Athena had given me for my birthday. I nodded and began to pull out my light green pants, my high knee leather boots with straps that I wore for Quidditch, my corset and I was luck to find a white elbow-length sleeved blouse and I pulled that out. I also pulled out a pair of leather braces for my wrists and so that I could hide my wand and my long white wool hooded cloak.

I looked to the dwarves. "Is there anywhere to change?"

The dwarves then turned around and I sighed. Oh, so that's how it was. Well, there was no-one around, apart from myself and the dwarves and it was getting dark, and so, running behind a tree on the side of the road, I hid myself behind it and quickly began to change, taking off my high-heeled boots and quickly putting on my pants. I stripped off my dress and quickly put on the blouse and then all that was left was my corset. I undid the zipper, glad that it was on the side and put it on quickly, zipping it up. It was tight, but it was secure and I was glad that it came over my breasts and that the top buttons of my blouse was showing, but it looked modest and nothing was showing. I pulled on my leather boots and strapped the bracers on my wrist, placing my wand on the inside of the left bracer. I then tied on my cloak, walked back to my spot near the dwarves and cleared my throat.

"Okay, I'm done." I said, putting my other clothes back into my bag. The dwarves turned around. We then heard a commotion in the distance, which sounded like men shouting but as it was far away and not near us, we all shrugged and turned to each other.

"Well, it's not normal for a maiden but you could pass of as a hunter of some kind I guess..." Kili observed.

"It will draw less attention than that thing you were wearing earlier…the hair however…" Fili commented.

"Oh, I draw the line with the hair, it took me ages to colour my hair like this and I only did it because my sister-in-law and her best friend suggested it and I wanted to do something different. But I can convert it into a braid of sorts, if you wish." I suggested, toning down my accent a bit. I was starting to sound a bit posh but it didn't faze them.

The dwarves nodded, happy at my suggestion of braiding. And so I did, with the help of a little magic and with Kili commenting on what style was suitable. I had braided my hair in what I had told the dwarves were a French style braid and they loved it. It became obvious that dwarves loved braids and they liked mine.

"Such a strange scar on your hand, mi-Ginny…wherever did you get it?" Kili pointed to the 'I Must Not Tell Lies' scar that was on my left hand.

"Oh, from a an evil witch who wore way too much pink…but not to worry, karma was a bitch to her…excuse my language…So, where to now?" I asked.

"The Shire, Ginny…I think it's time you met our company."

0*0*0*0*0

Hermione's POV

"Bugger…"

I stared at the group of three men and an elderly man that stood in front of me. That was a little unexpected, coming across what looked like three men taunting and teasing the elderly man, who was dressed in grey robes with a pointy hat perched on his head and was leaning against a staff. The other three men were dress in trousers, tunics and smelled badly of alcohol, so I could only guess what they had been up to and now they were taunting an old man. The man with the pointy hat stared at me as he held his staff and I could see that his eyes were twinkling, staring curiously at me. It was strange to see an old man who was on his own, by the looks of it and the three drunken men that surrounded him but ever since I had arrived in this strange area, I was starting to think that strange was common around here. Not that I had my fair share of strange over the years since the Hogwarts Battle, but this area that I had woken up in, well more like blasted with a spell after a drunken duel, well drunken on my part along with Athena and Ginny as we had been sculling Firewhiskey shots like no tomorrow but we had duel with a few rogue Deatheaters out for my head and it was all very strange.

Just only what seemed like a few hours ago, I was at the new wizard nightclub that Ginny had suggested we go for her birthday and to celebrate the recent birth of Ron's newborn daughter. And now, after figuring out that I couldn't apparate in this place and I could not send a Patronus message, as my patronus obviously had no clue where Athena or Ginny were and so I was walking in the vast forest and had come face to face with a tall man dressed in grey robes, surrounded by three very drunken men. I was hung-over and so not in the mood to deal with this.

"Well lookie here lads! A lass on her own in the late afternoon! Perhaps she's on her way home! Care to tell us why such a pretty lass like you is out and about at this time of the afternoon?" asked one of the men, a blonde haired man with yellow teeth.

"You may, but I don't think it would be wise to tell you. And besides, I should be asking what you are up to, considering you all seem to be in a position where you're taunting an old and fragile man. Why is that?" I replied, my voice calm and steady. My wand was in my hand, hidden by the cover of my small green leather shoulder bag and my skirt.

"What business is it of yours? Perhaps we know that man…or not. Why force us to tell you what our business here is when you can't even tell us what you are doing on the back road coming from Bree. And such a pretty lass too! But very strange clothing you're wearing…" said one of the men, a redhead with a scar across his cheek. He stepped forward towards me but I was quicker as I had raised my wand in his face.

"Oh! A woman with a stick! And what are you going to do with that princess? Poke me? Do you really think that one woman with a stick can hurt me?" the redhead sneered. The other men laughed, whereas the elderly man stared at me curiously.

"Oh this isn't just any stick…" I said. It wasn't ideal, raising my wand in a strange situation with no clue of where I was. But the men had put me in a situation where wands needed to be raised.

"Oh, the lass is brave…didn't your friends ever teach you to not fight unless you come prepared?" said the other man, a black-haired man with dark eyes.

I stepped forward. "I'd like to think that I taught them to protect themselves, considering I am smarter but I've fought worse things than scum like you. So, I suggest that you all take your leave and go, because the way I see it, you have a disadvantage here."

The dark-haired man laughed. "And what could a lassie with a stick do to us?"

I smirked. "Oh I really wish you hadn't said that….Levicorpus!"

The dark-haired man was suddenly raised into the air by his ankle, with the other two drunken idiots stumbling back from their friend in shock. I smiled, watching as the men tried to pull their levitating friend down but I turned my gaze towards the old man, as he had taken a seat on a nearby rock and was staring at me with a twinkle in his blue eyes. His twinkling blue eyes stared into my chocolate brown ones and he smiled, watching the scene amusingly. I turned back to the man currently in the air and I waved my wand over him, muttering the counter-spell. He dropped to the ground, and his friends stumbled drunkenly to help him up.

The dark haired man dusted himself off and then lunged towards me, but I raised my wand again and shouted 'Avis!' and so, the dark haired man suddenly ran away with birds flying at him, attacking him and then there were two.

"What kind of creature are you?" the redhead asked, and he looked like he was about to lunge but again, I raised my wand.

"Oh no you don't…Confringo!" I shouted and small flames appeared on the redhead, and he too ran off, trying to put out the fires.

I stared at the blonde, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where we were. "And you blondie?"

"No….I'm fine…." He stammered, before turning his heel and running to follow his friends.

"Very strange this place…" I muttered, lowering my wand.

"Very strange…" repeated the old man and I turned to him.

"Oh right, forgot about you…" I spoke.

"I don't quite believe that but strange to see a young maiden such as you wearing strange clothes on the back road to The Shire and not only is she alone, she has the gift of magic…Curious." The man observed.

"Oh great…wait The Shire? I've heard of that place, but where? Perhaps in one of my books? Not that I'm thinking clearly…" I muttered. "In fact, I don't think I've ever come across a town of that name in any of the books …"

I then looked down at what I was wearing and I happened to be wearing a long nude coloured skirt with a white sleeveless blouse and nude high heels. My bushy brunette hair was done up in a low Dutch braid bun. I also had my shoulder bag, which had an expendable charm placed on it, as when you are an Auror, you are expected to leave on short noticed and be prepared for any situation. The bag had many things in it, including my Ids, money from every currency, clothes, potions and many other things in case I ever needed it.

"Sir, I can understand if my clothes are a little out of place but I can assure you that these are standard muggle clothing. Well, in the fashion, as some may put it. And besides, what were you doing out here before stumbling across three drunken men who wanted to hurt you?" I asked. "If you think finding a woman out here without an escorts are strange, then what are you doing out here with no escort?"

"Oh Milady, I don't need an escort and after that little display, it's quite clear that you don't need an escort either." He said.

I frowned. "But you're out here, alone, in the woods and you have a staff for protection. Right, because have a staff is a great weapon."

"Milady, this is not just any ordinary staff. Just like your wand is not just any ordinary wand." He remarked.

I frowned, trying to get a good look at him. His appearance was strange, as it he looked like a wizard, but I couldn't be sure. I stared at this staff, noticing the shape and the strange gem that was on top of it and I knew then that this muggle was no ordinary muggle. He too was of magic.

"You're a wizard…" I commented.

He smiled. "They call me Gandalf the Grey, Milady and yes, I am a wizard, just like you are a witch, which is very rare. Might I inquire your name?"

"Hermione Granger…" I told him. "Well, I for one am glad I don't have to remove your memories…I do it enough back home, with the deatheaters always including humans into their duels."

Gandalf frowned. "My dear, why would you ever have to remove my memories?"

"Because it's a part of the Statue of Secrecy..." I replied. "I mean, all witches and wizards should know that. I mean, you're a wizard, surely you have the same rules here, in The Shire or wherever we are?"

"Milady, we are free to use magic here, though it is very rare and in some places not as accepted but people do accept it but I don't think in all my time, I have ever come across a witch like you…Which makes me think that you are not from here..." Gandalf observed

"Oh, I'm from Surrey…well London, really as my work is kind of in London though I work everywhere but my home is a little cottage in Surrey. Uh, I tried to apparate there but I don't think I can. I'm relived I can use magic but it is strange I cannot apparate." I told him.

He frowned. "I don't think I have ever heard of this realm called London, milady. In fact, I don't think that this London exists here in Middle Earth. And I don't I've heard of the term apparition."

"How can it not exist here in Earth? I mean, it's one of the most popular places in the world!" I muttered. "Oh, apparition is like teleporting but more dangerous and it makes you sick. But how can you not hear of London? We are on Earth, are we not?"

"Hermione, I said Middle Earth, not Earth."

"Oh…Oh no…" I gasped in horror at Gandalf's words. "Middle Earth? Oh no…the spell, it was the spell…I thought it was a spell to maim us but…how is that even possible? Middle Earth is a myth…and now we've been brought here by a spell!"

"A spell could bring you here, yes, but it is rare. And I am surprised to see that you have adapted to our language, but then again, the spell that brought you here might have some part in that. How that is, I do not know." Gandalf observed. "How is that you know about Middle Earth?"

"Books, Mr Gandalf. I read books and I've read about Middle Earth but it didn't have much…only about your creatures and the elves and such but nothing more than that…" I told him. "Oh, my friends, they're here too and they might be by themselves! I have to help them!"

"And you will…I believe I can help you. There are ways to get to other worlds, but it is not a safe journey for you to take alone. Perhaps you should accompany me and perhaps on my quest, we will be able to find your friends and your passageways home." Gandalf replied.

I shifted on my feet. "I think it's best if I find my friends and we search for our own ways home. Not that I don't trust you or anything but I hardly know you and while I feel I can trust you, I don't know…"

He placed an arm on my shoulder and I felt safe. "I can assure you that I will do whatever I can to help you find you friends and return you all back to your home. After all, you saved an elderly man from being attacked today and so at the very least; I will do what I can. Perhaps you can help me on the quest that I am about to undertake? With gift like yours, having you on the quest would truly help. And if your friends are anything like yourself, I should love to see what it is like having three witches helping us."

I shook my head. "Oh no…Perhaps I should just accompany you until we find my friends and the right people to take us home. And besides, didn't you say that magic is kind of scarce here? I mean you did say that maidens who have the gift of magic are rare."

Gandalf sighed. "I did, but if you were to join the quest as my apprentice, it would be much easier to convince the dwarves in my company of that then telling them that a lone woman with a gift of magic is on the quest for no reason at all. Because magic is so rare here, they will not trust you as you have a gift, but if I was to take you under my wing, then it would make the dwarves easier to trust you. And as we find your friends, I believe we can convince my company that they are too my apprentices, if you wish. I can convince the leader that you will be helpful, so that it won't raise so many questions. Knowing that you possess the gift of magic won't cause any hassle, but however if it were to get out that you are from another world, questions will be asked and people may not trust you. Finding you have magic is one thing, but from another world? It has never been heard of, and if it has, people are wise not to mention it."

I nodded. "Okay…I'll help you and this quest of yours…Wait, dwarves? Well, I have to admit, I have been in stranger situations, though I haven't got a clue of how I could help, besides magic and experience as I am an Auror but okay, I accept."

"Splendid!" Gandalf exclaimed, bowing his head. "Such a strange scar that's embedded on your arm, and on your hand and I can see more on your shoulders…My dear, however did you come across such scars?"

"A war Gandalf…well, the scars on my back were from the war. The one on my hand was from a bitch, excuse my language but she really was a cruel bitch…The one on my arm however, well, let's just say she was even more cruel and well…" I sighed, rubbing my hand over my 'MudBlood' scar. "Anyway, what this quest we're going on?"

"The quest my dear, is to help a company of thirteen dwarves to reclaim their home. Now, I wouldn't reveal such pressing details as the quest is delicate matter, but time is of the essence and before I stumbled upon those men, I was waiting." Gandalf told us. "Now, we haven't got much time. Perhaps it would be best for you to change now, before the dwarves arrive."

I nodded, rummaging into my bag. I pulled out a dress, and he nodded, obviously liking the green and red medieval type dress I had pulled out. I looked around for somewhere to change and Gandalf turned around, giving me privacy. I sighed walking over to a nearby tree and hiding behind it. I placed my dress and bag down on the ground and I pulled the skirt, blouse and heels off and pulled on the dress. The dress reached to the floor and it was a modest dress, with the long sleeves green and the body of the dress a maroon colour. The sleeves were tied up on the side and I reached into my bag to pull out the metal belt that came with it. I strapped it to my waist and pulled out the harness for my wand, strapping it on my wrist and pulling the sleeve over it. It covered my wand, thank Merlin and I looked like a maiden, of sorts. I could only hope that Athena and Ginny had similar clothing.

I placed my skirt, blouse and heels into my bag and grimaced when my books made a 'clunk' sound as I moved the bag around. I missed my beaded bag, but this one suited me fine. I pulled out a pair of brown covered sandals with straps and proceeded to put them on. I then rummaged in my bag and found a long woollen deep green cloak with a hood and walked out from behind the screens, placing my bag and coat on the chair near the door. My hair was already in a low Dutch braided bun, but I still was trying to tidy it up to look more presentable. I walked out from behind the tree and back to the spot I was before. I cleared my throat and Gandalf turned around, smiling at my appearance.

"That is much better…" He observed.

"What are we waiting for now?" I asked.

"The dwarves, Hermione…and here they are now…"

I turned and gasped.

Wow…

So, should I continue?

Please read and review and leave criticism...I know I'm doing like four stories at once, but all I have is time...so enjoy...

Love bNd...