Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings crossover

Disclaimer-

Although not really needed 'cause if one looks at the quality of my writing to Tolkien or Rowling it doesn't really match up. I don't own either Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. If I did, would I be writing this?

Italics are Harry's thoughts or songs and Bilbo's speech; one should be able to tell from the other.

Chapter One

Of Dragonscale Boots, Useless Legs, Wizards and Hobbits.

He coughed, great hacking coughs that shook his body until he threw up what little was in his stomach, thankfully he hadn't had lunch yet. After the dizzying bout of dry heaving Harry looked at his surroundings.

The gentle hills, green with the greenest spring grass with very little trees close by was very peaceful. It was a beautiful, bright, not-to-cold, not-to-warm, just-right day.

In fact the mar of the picturesque landscape could be Harry himself, in dark blue jeans, dragon scale boots, specially made, a classic long sleeved flanny and a guitar case on his back, not mention the stinking puddle of sick at his feet, he would an odd sight, in the middle of where ever he was.

Now noticing other things Harry saw what could be a dirt road, made by carts and wagons, only a few meters away, that the sky was clear with very little chance of rain and that down the left side of the hill he landed on there was a small thicket of trees and past that a village. The strange thing about the village is that it didn't seem all that far away from where he was but it just looked too small.

Harry finally noticed how quiet this place was and thought to himself.

'How loud did I cough?'

#

Gandalf the Grey, tall amongst men and elves, could see quite clearly, perched on his cart the man appearing from thin air. Gandalf watched as he was sick, loud enough for the Hobbiton hobbits and beyond to hear him.

Stopping the cart he watched the man gain his bearings and for few short minuets he seemed to decide on something, take a step, then fall forwards. Gandalf chuckled, then urge the horse and cart forward. This begged investigation.

#

'Fantastic time to become freaking useless.'

Harry grumbled and groaned and gingerly raised his head from the deceivingly hard ground. 'Owww…' He rolled over, unhooking the guitar case, and congratulating himself on missing the puddle of vomit.

He looked up at the very blue sky, 'Cloud watching is… nice.' He mused, but boring, as there were not that many clouds to watch.

Harry heard soft clip-clops of horseshoes and humming of an unfamiliar tune. Pushing himself up into a sitting position Harry glumly prodded his legs. They felt numb and tingly and a bit like jelly, all together useless. He sighed and looked left and right for the humming person.

Staying patiently like that for five minuets he tried to rub feeling into his legs to no use. Slouching down, before straightening up Harry realized since he fell forward on to his face towards the road, rolling over and sitting up would put his back facing the road.

Sighing irritably Harry set about turning himself around.

#

Gandalf wasn't shocked to hear familiar and foreign words, quite obviously curses drifting down the hill. At least they were quieter and the hobbits would hear the stranger's creative cusses.

#

Harry felt heroically drained, turning himself around with useless legs, dodging the vomit, and popping into who knows where feeling like he had apperated and portkeyed at the same time and was waiting for a stranger that might help with the question of where in Merlin's saggy underpants he was.

Harry huffed as the humming turned into incomprehensible words. "Would you just hurry up?"

#

Gandalf not really feeling vindictive considered slowing down when he heard the stranger muttering. He decided against slowing down and continued to sing

"The road goes ever on and on…"

"Down from door which it began…"

#

"The road goes ever on and on…"

"Down from door which it began…"

"Yes" Harry murmured. "Words equal person, person equal help."

He dragged the guitar case over by the strap and opened it. Instead of a guitar the inside of the case was like the face of a chest of draws. Made in a pleasant smelling cedar wood the draws were all different sizes and had carved on each draw was a symbol. At the widest part of the case Harry's wand was in a built in holder, he took it and with it tapped a draw which began to glow softly. Harry closed the case and after a few seconds it dinged like a microwave. Opening the case again it was full of sweets and smells of sugar wafted out.

#

Gandalf heard the dinging of the case, and having heard nothing of the like he was greatly puzzled, however Gandalf could not smell the wafting sugar. But his horse could and upon smelling the sugary treat it decided to trot up the hill just a little bit faster, without telling the driver.

Harry listened as the singing stopped and was followed by a, "Whoa." In any case the clip clops had increased and were louder. Harry shrugged and continued to munch on his wagon wheel.

He paused eating, glared at his foot and softly. "Wiggle your damn foot."

#

Gandalf pondered over the time it actually took to reach the stranger, it was approaching nearly fifteen minutes just as he crested the hill.

Harry watched as the horse and cart finally approached his position. The man sitting on the cart was dressed in a worn grey robe and cloak, with matching grey scarf and hat. With long sliver grey hair Harry was struck with how Dumbledore-ish this man looked.

When Harry's strong green eyes met with the mans unwavering blue, his eyebrows were extremely bushy, Harry couldn't help but notice and as he and the stranger stared at each other Harry could imagine himself back in Dumbledore's office in his Hogwarts years.

Feeling the need to break the silence Harry said, "Sound travels around here." Thinking to himself. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid first thing to say to a random stranger.'

"I am Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf said kindly, suddenly his piercing seemed to lessen. "Do you need some help?"

Harry blinked, once, twice, thrice. He knew that name from somewhere. "I'm Harry Potter, and I'd love some."

"Well then Mister Potter, what seems to be the problem?" Gandalf stepped off the cart and picked up a staff from the back of the cart.

"My legs aren't working." Harry said, watching him approach, him wand was just up his sleeve if the old man was not kindly.

Gandalf loomed over him. "Then how," He said. "Did you get all the way out here in the Shire?" Knowing full well how he appeared from thin air.

"Well I didn't walk here." Harry answered blithely. Gandalf lean on his staff and looked down on Harry, whom cursed the height of his maybe rescuer. 'Why is everyone taller than me?!'

"I know, I saw your appearance, how pray tell did you manage that?"

Harry blew out loudly. "Honestly, I don't know I was happily camping; just about to have lunch and then 'pop' I am here." As Gandalf prodded his legs with the staff Harry continued. "It wasn't like last time, that was drunkenness and apperation and not following the three D's. Went some where for a month, everyone back home was freaking out, but I got these boots while there."

Harry waved his foot in the air, showing off the dragon scale before realizing he had control of his legs again. Gandalf was already climbing back onto the cart.

"Hey wait." Harry called scrambling to his feet. "Where are you going?"

Gandalf inspected him and then said. "To a party, and I mustn't be late, so climb up Mister Potter."

"Oh really thanks, call me Harry." He put the guitar case in the back or the cart. "Do I need to be careful with these…?"

"Fireworks, and just don't damage them." Gandalf sat at the far end of the cart and Harry at the other, at least two feet of space between. They set off in silence until Gandalf started singing.

"The road goes ever on and on,

Down from door where it began,

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet,

And whither then? I cannot say."

It was catchy in the annoying way that is got stuck in your head and wouldn't quit until you sang it. But Harry was content to listen to Gandalf's low singing and take in the view.

He didn't notice Gandalf that had stopped singing and they had stopped in the middle of the road. Gandalf was exchanging words with a very little person, whom was the height of a ten year old but looked the age of a teenager. But he did notice when said little person jumped onto the cart and hugged Gandalf fondly.

After Gandalf and the mystery person detangled, the little person looked at Harry curiously. He was pale with pointy ears, dark hair and big, bright, blue eyes. "Who's this Gandalf?"

It was almost comical the size of this person to the height of Gandalf, and Harry didn't feel like the short guy anymore. "This is, Frodo, Mister Harry Potter, a traveler."

Frodo, Harry thought that the name was familiar but he knew that he had never met this Frodo before.

"Mister Potter, have you traveled with Gandalf long." Frodo sounded young and truly innocent.

Harry shook his head. "Not really, we met on the road, I needed some help."

"With what? And what an interesting accent." The reply was quick and Harry smiled internally at the inquisitive tone.

"I was just in a spot of trouble, Gandalf was handy and that's that really." Gandalf glanced over Frodo's head at Harry. "And my accent is from England where I grew up." Gandalf started and looked at Harry again.

Frodo frowned. "Where is England, I have never heard of it."

"Further away then what could be imaged possible and closer than anyone could think." Gandalf cut in. Frodo and Harry looked at him, Frodo in even more confusion and Harry in suspicion.

"And what do you mean by that Gandalf?" Frodo spoke up.

Gandalf looked at him then at Harry before answering. "I have been to England and her Earth, and the journey was very short getting there but I found no Middle-Earth on her maps and it is a world completely unlike ours Frodo, alas it would that too long to explain." He said as Frodo opened his mouth to ask another question. "But," Gandalf continued. "There is an old, and very active magic on Earth and if I am not mistaken Harry here is one of their magic users."

At Frodo's gaze Harry felt compelled to continue what Gandalf started. "Yeah, your right." He said.

Before he could go on Frodo blurted out. "You are a wizard?"

"Indeed." Harry raised and eyebrow at Frodo, his mouth ready to ask another question. "Magic is common in my world; schools of young children, with the talent are trained from a young age."

"Frodo", Harry mused 'looks like a fish.' With his mouth open form shock and wonder.

"But, how old are you?" Frodo asked. Harry cocked his head, not seeing the importance of the question. Frodo blushed and explained, "Gandalf here is a wizard, or so my uncle Bilbo says, and he also says that Gandalf hasn't changed in sixty years."

Harry though over this, 'He is defiantly over sixty then'. "Frodo, children are trained from eleven and become adults, in the magical world at seventeen, I am twenty-five years old."

"So young?" Frodo gasped. "I am thirty-three today, and just only come of age."

"You don't look thirty-three." Harry said slightly shocked.

Suddenly calls came form high shrill voices of children running across the farms and along the dirt paths made by constant use.

"Gandalf!"

"It's Gandalf!"

Harry saw the cute little creatures running up behind the cart and he thought of home and the young child, his god-child, Teddy perhaps reading a book.

Three weeks and four days after the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry went to visit Teddy and Andromeda.

#

She did not welcome him warmly her eyes were cold and red rimmed, but she allowed him into her house. Her home was warm and bright compared to the rainstorm that beat outside, she was like a harsh reminder of Bellatrix Lestrange, sharing familiar features when Harry looked at her.

"May I see Teddy?" He asked, her coldness was not uncommon, many thought that Harry deserved part of the blame for their children's deaths. Her face was pained for a moment before passing into a neutral look.

"He just went to sleep." Like her demeanor her voice was biting. "A cup of tea, Savior?" The last word was said mockingly, as if to ask, who did you save? Why didn't you save my daughter?

"Yes." He said numbly. "Please." She walked away abruptly and Harry followed her into a bright well kept kitchen. She ignored him, boiling the water the muggle way to prolong the silence. She slammed down his cup and sipped from hers as they sat across the kitchen table. Slowly he took his cup, pretty little thing it was patterned with thorny roses and almost took a sip of the scalding hot water.

"Stop." Andromeda said and set her cup down. "You shouldn't drink that." Her voice was less harsh but more lost, she looked past him. "I drugged it, with Veritaserum, I wanted to learn all your regrets and fears and hates and use them to cause you pain every day, to help me with my own, but I can't do it, don't drink from that cup. Please." Her last word a desperate plea.

Please what? Please leave? Please drink? Please don't?

Harry looked into her dark eyes he put the tea cup down, he whispered, the words clear but the volume of them stuck in his throat. "I'm sorry."

As quiet as they were Andromeda heard them and went still and silent. Harry took his cup in shaking hands, to the sink, his composure rapidly breaking, as he was about to leave the kitchen but she spoke behind him. "Is "I'm sorry" the best you have?"

He turned to look at her pale face the tears brimming in his eyes, "It's … I…. I can't say anything else, I'm sorry, please I am so sorry." His stuttering turned to hiccups the tears in his eyes ran freely down his face and Andromeda watched his holding her tea cup close.

Breathing heavily Harry tried to say 'that he should go' but the words turned into a hysterical sob and all he said was, "I'm sorry." Blubbering, and stuttering, hiccupping and sobbing he stood there repeating how so sorry he was.

"I'm sorry; I am sorry, sorry, so sorry." Over and over again like a broken record player.

What seemed hours later he was sitting on the cold tile of the kitchen floor, Andromeda sitting beside him, rubbing circles on his back, his sobs died a little but his hiccups continued. She forced him to look at her, she had begun to cry, the tear tracks fresh from her eyes, tears dripped from both their chins.

"Harry," She said and it sounded like it was form far away she called. "Harry, Harry It wasn't your fault," She sounded like she was choking. On her words? On her breath? "It isn't your fault they're dead, Harry, Harry." She was beginning shake with repressed sobs. "I forgive you." She said before dissolving into wild tears.

That day she and Harry held onto each other like a lifeline, like the other person was the only tether to life, they understood each other, their grief forged a bond between them and Andromeda welcomed Harry the next day and allowed him to see his god son.

#

The fizzing, bangs and pop of fireworks behind the cart jolted Harry out of his memories and delighted laughter of the children brought a quick smile to his face.

"Gandalf, I'm glad your back." Frodo said as he was about to leap off the cart.

"So am I dear boy." Gandalf said once Frodo was walking away. "So am I."

Harry and Gandalf sat in silence and Gandalf lead the horse and cart up a hill, form where they stopped one could see across the township and had a very good view of the road and a large clearing where bright tents, streamers and banners were being set in up a bustle of activity.

"Come along." Gandalf called he had stepped into a garden, a round green door and pleasant round windows dotted the hill side, and on the gate there was a sign which said.

"No Visitors.

Unless on party business."

"Gandalf," Harry said. "Are you sure who ever lives here is friendly?"

Gandalf knocked on the door ignoring Harry's comment. An annoyed voice shouted at them from inside. "NO THANKYOU! We don't want anymore visitors, well wishers or distant relations."

To which Gandalf replied. "And how about very old friends?" There was a moment then the green door opened to show an older hobbit looked harried but very happy.

"Gandalf? Oh Gandalf it is you." The hobbit ran forward to hug Gandalf and again Harry was struck with the height of hobbits.

"Bilbo Baggins." Gandalf had knelt to look at Bilbo properly. "You haven't changed a bit."

Harry felt a bit out of place wondering if he should wait by the cart, not wanting to intrude on the two very old friends. "Come on, Come in." Bilbo beckoned and Harry followed Gandalf into the house. It was warm and homely, made up of curved corridors and the walls and floors were a handsome polished wood and lovely creamy colour.

Harry needed to bend his head and neck as not tangle his self on the wrought iron chandelier and not bang his head on the archways, unlike Gandalf whom did both and had to hunch his shoulders over. There was clutter on the floors shoved to the walls, and several presents wrapped and half wrapped on and around a table.

Gandalf went into the next room, Bilbo chattered away, making tea, Harry wondered if Bilbo actually noticed him and when he would addressed. "I could make some sandwiches if you like?" Bilbo returned to the entrance hall, where Harry still stood feeling out of sorts. Bilbo's voice seemed to waver as Gandalf was no where to be seen.

"Just tea, thanks." Gandalf popped his head out of the kitchen. Bilbo made a small sound of acknowledgement before looking at Harry.

"Can I get you anything? Mister?" Bilbo led him in to the kitchen; Harry spotted an old map on worn parchment that had a red dragon flying over a mountain and strange rune markings on it as they walked.

"Harry Potter and maybe just something to nibble on, thanks." Harry said and was promtly passed a basket of scones, and rapidly provided with jam and cream. Happy to listen to Gandalf and Bilbo's conversation,

"So you are going to go through with your plan?" Gandalf started.

"Oh yes, yes, ah tea." Bilbo heaved the kettle up and poured the boiling water in to a tea strainer.

Gandalf continued. "Frodo expects something you know."

"Of course he does," Bilbo replied matter-of-factly. "He's a Baggins."

"Have you told him?"

"No, not yet, but I will." He said at Gandalf's disbelieving look. "I want to mountains again Gandalf, mountains, and then find a nice quiet place to finish my book."

"He would go with you," Gandalf stated. "…If you just asked him."

"I know, but I feel that Frodo is still in love with Shire." Bilbo sighed. Loud knocks disturbed the tranquility of the kitchen.

"Bilbo?" A woman's voice called. "Bilbo, I know you're in there!" She knocked again and Bilbo cautiously looked out of the window.

"It's the Sackville-Bagginess; they'll never forgive me for living so long." Bilbo hissed. "I'm not at home." Thankfully she gave up knocking and went away, Bilbo sighed with relief.

"I'm old Gandalf," He said wearily. "I might look not it but I feel it." Gandalf looked concerned at his little friend. "I need a holiday, a long one, I don't think I will return, I fact I intend not to." Bilbo seemed to shake off his pensive mood and suddenly the kitchen felt happier again.

"So Mister Potter," Bilbo turned to him. "Tell me about yourself."

Harry, Gandalf and Bilbo sat outside Bag End, the two natives smoked with long pipes and Bilbo made a smoke ring, Gandalf made a smoke ship that sailed through the ring before dispersing.

'Showoff.' Harry thought.

"Gandalf my friend, this will be a night to remember." Bilbo said.

#

The bright, firelight, exploding across the sky blotted out the stars, blinded unlucky few but was magnificent shower of colour, glittering like stars. Gandalf set off another firework, shooting pillars of whitish blue light over the party. Harry watched them, standing in the middle of the dancers awestruck.

A young hobbit poked his leg, when he turned another tickled under his knee, he bent his leg laughing. They attacked his other leg and he was brought to the ground laughing. He looked around for Frodo, or anyone to help him with the tickle attack. Spotting Frodo dancing in the strangest way, squatting up and down, and using his elbows like in the chicken dance, Harry called out wheezing.

"Frodo! Help!" And he collapsed in laughter. Frodo saw Harry on the ground laughing and shaking, being attack unfairly by children. Frodo laughed at his predicament, and ran to him, when the kids saw Frodo they shrilly giggle and ran off. Harry was on his feet in an instant.

"Which way did they go?" Frodo pointed and Harry ran after them calling out. "Wait 'till I catch you little heathens." Frodo laughed and shook his head, he saw Rosie, the bar maid at the Green Dragon dancing alone, and then Sam sitting alone drinking an ale. Running to Sam he grinned, plans in his head.

#

Harry shook his head, 'lost them' he laughed at the boldness of the children, finding himself away from the main party it was darker here, small explosions came form close by and the children's delighted squeals followed.

Harry heard the hissing of people trying to quiet but doing so loudly.

"…No, no, not that one, the big one, the big one." One voice hissed, another person seemed to rummaging through something, the other person said. "What's this case?"

Harry frowned. 'Gandalf's cart?'

"I don't know Pip hurry…" Harry poked his head around the corner of a tent and saw two hobbits run off with a large red firework. 'Mischievous lot aren't they?' He asked himself.

Wondering what was going to happen next Harry sat down and picked up a roll, starting to eat the soft and chewy roll there was a giant firework. The large tail of sparkles caught everyone's attention bright yellow, orange and glittering like a chest of jewels; it looked like it fizzed out then, from the firework, there was, what looked suspiciously like a dragon, it was glittering like the firework and it looked very real, as it made a pass over the party the hobbits ran into each other and fell in unison.

Frodo and Bilbo was next to Harry, whom fell over in the commotion, everyone was quiet as the dragon firework flew over the lake and then exploded into the largest firework show that night, gasping screams of awe and impressed sounds was the general noise when Harry got up.

He went over to the place were the firework took off from the ground was blackened and there was an unpleasant smell of burnt hair. Two hobbits lay on the ground talking, when they stood up Gandalf appeared behind them. Grasping their ears, like naughty children, he turned their heads, and said plaintively. "Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. I might have known."

Meriadoc and Peregrin were similar looking, young hobbit and their faces blacked by dirt and smoke, their hair stood up on end and they looked just like the Weasley twins after getting caught in a prank.

#

Harry read the map that the twins gave him watching Percy Weasley in the Gryffindor Dormitory's, waiting to give the signal; the tall twins were hunched over Percy's school bag, feverishly charming.

"Where's Percy." One asked quietly, Harry didn't look from the map and said.

"In his bed." Harry considered what they were doing to Percy, then thought that the twins would have done it anyway, besides Percy was being a prick. It was his bad luck that he left his bag in the common room.

"Hide, Ron's coming down." Harry hissed, and jumped over the couch, Fred and George ducked into the curtains. Harry stared into the fire trying to look natural. Ron sat next to him saying something that surprised all of them.

"What are you and the twins doing down here?" Harry twitched and Fred and George jumped from behind the curtains. "And why is Percy's bag open?"

Fred shushed him quickly. "Not so loud brother…" George continued,

"…We're doing nothing…"

"…That can't be undone…"

"Which is?" Ron interrupted. Harry and the twins shared a look.

"Ron, we are charming Percy's quills-"Harry was cut off.

"Charming Percy's what!" Percy thundered, quietly. The look on everyone's face was a mixture of fear, shock and hilarious disappointment. Harry wiped the map silently and hid it under the pillows.

"Harry, Ron go to bed." Percy ordered, Harry and Ron scuttled off and looked at the identical expressions on the twins faces. Once in their respective beds Harry snickered, which turned into full blown laughter.

"Shut up Harry." Ron groaned and threw a pillow at him.

#

"Speech! Speech." Everyone was sitting at the tables provided and the party was going into the darkest hours of night. The hobbits shouted and hooted. "Speech, speech." And clapped when Bilbo stepped on the stage then higher on to a barrel, his speech was as such.

"My Dear Bagginses and Boffins, and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots."

At each last name the families cheered loudly, stamping their feet and blowing their toy horns. One hobbit with his big and furry feet on the table shouted out. "Proudfeet."

"Proudfoot." Bilbo repeated. "And welcome to the Sackville-Bagginses that I welcome back at last to Bag End. Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today!"

Everyone started shouting and cheering, playing the musical instruments that had been gifted to them, Harry stared in shock. 'He defiantly does not look one hundred and eleven." Bilbo called for quiet.

"I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am," Again there was a loud clamorous of slapping tables, toots of horns and a great many people including Harry shouting "Yes." and a few shouting "No." Bilbo called for quiet again.

"I shall not keep you long; I have brought you here together for a Purpose." Harry felt that something was up and he glanced at the impassively smoking Gandalf. Bilbo continued in the sudden hush.

"Indeed, for three purposes. First off I am immensely fond of you all, that being said, I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." There were some claps but most hobbits and Harry was trying to figure out what Bilbo actually said.

"Secondly to celebrate my, or I should say our birthday." Everyone back on familiar ground cheered and clapped again. "For it is of course, Frodo, my heir and nephew, he comes of age today! Together we make one hundred and forty-four."

"Thirdly and finally," Bilbo said. "I wish to make an announcement." He said the last word so loudly that everyone sat up straight and Harry again felt the chill of foreboding.

I regret to say that this is the end." Harry noticed that Bilbo had taken something from his pocket, his hands were behind his back and he continued speaking. "I am going now, I am leaving, Goodbye." And in a blinding light he stepped down and vanished.

Harry looked around for him, he saw Frodo looking amused but a bit glum, the little hobbits pointing to where Bilbo disappeared and the older ones talking amongst themselves. But he didn't see Bilbo or Gandalf.

Harry stuck with Frodo for the rest of the night and was invited to stay the night. Walking up to Bag End Harry heard the last few words of a far off song reach him.

"…Whither then? I cannot say."

Frodo didn't hear it and pushed the door to Bag End open calling. "Bilbo? Bilbo?"

Harry watched the path, for a few more seconds then followed Frodo. Stepping inside, he saw two things, first Gandalf, sitting in front of a dying fire his posture like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. The other thing he saw was a little gold ring, in Frodo's palm.

"Bilbo's ring." Frodo said to himself. "So he's left?" He asked Gandalf who just stirred. That ring held Harry transfixed, then he heard a whisper, in the back of his mind, in a corner that had been forgotten '…Harry….Potter…'

Harry snapped up the meager defense of his mind and tore his eyes away form the little golden ring. 'What is that?' He shook his head to clear it from his mind.

"…He's left you Bag End." Gandalf was saying. "And all his possessions," He held outan envelope for the ring. Once Frodo dropped in and Gandalf sealed it Harry felt better. "The ring is yours now, keep it hidden." Gandalf stood up abruptly.

"I must go." He said, sweeping past Frodo to get his belongings.

"But you've only just arrived." Frodo protested. "And it is late."

"I need to talk to you Gandalf as well." Harry broke in.

Gandalf nodded. "Very well I shall set out in the morning."

#

'I had the strangest dreams; Dumbledore was in it, and a bunch of midgets.' Harry yawned and stretched, flipping the duvet off his chest.

"Ah, Harry." A voice said, Harry leaned up and saw Frodo standing at his feet. "Would you like some breakfast?" Harry nodded and thought to himself. 'Not a dream then.'

Looking around Harry saw the guitar case, and his wand on top of it. Sitting up Harry took his wand and opened the case. Harry tapped a draw saying. "Be a bit quieter please."

After a few seconds the normally loud 'ding' was much softer, so soft Gandalf and Frodo in the kitchen couldn't hear it. Opening the case a shirt was folded neatly on top of a pile. Changing quickly Harry closed the case again and went into the kitchen where Frodo was cooking a Weasley style breakfast that would make Molly proud.

Gandalf was already sitting at the table sipping at a cup of tea, a plate of toast in front of him. Frodo was putting a pair of sausages on his plate to go with the eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and toast already piled on it. Harry was slightly irked at the very domestic feeling of the morning; it was like watching Dumbledore reading the paper in a very relaxed non-school setting.

Taking a plate and helping himself there was no speaking over the breakfast meal, busy with very nice meal that had been graciously served. After Harry had finished his breakfast, Gandalf edger to go readied the horse and cart while Harry said farewell to Frodo. He whispered to Frodo, when the little person hugged him. "I think I will have to see you again."

He stepped outside to give Gandalf and Frodo some privacy as they said goodbye to each other. The morning was not a lonely one, plenty of people were out tending to the fields or their gardens, and a great many were at the field where the birthday party took place, already taking down the banners and tents.

The air was extremely fresh, and clean from the smells that knew back home. Hit with a sudden urge of nostalgia he wondered what Hermione and Ron would be doing at this time, reading a book, playing chess, eating breakfast or maybe just lying in bed enjoying the new day.

"Come on." Gandalf brushed by him. Following him to the cart that waited in front of Bag End Harry waved at Frodo, whom was standing by the door. Frodo waved back, not in a particularly energetic way.

Putting his case in the back of the cart, which was almost empty of fireworks, Harry sat next to the impatient Gandalf. "And so we're off." Gandalf said and flicked the reins.

#

"Well, curses." Gandalf said huffily. The left side wheel had come loose, a few hours after leaving Hobbiton, and in a frantic moment Harry and Gandalf had fallen off the cart. Dusting himself off Harry stood up and slung his case over his shoulder.

The question, 'what now?' on the tip of his tongue but at the stormy look on Gandalf's face he decided not to ask to inane question which usually asked at the right, or wrong, time would send Hermione over the edge.

Dangerous sometimes, but defiantly amusing.

Harry took his wand from the holster strapped to his forearm and held it loosely, wondering if he should just cast 'reparo'. Gandalf was now unhooking the horse from the cart.

"Harry." He said. "I don't know if you have any experience with this but I recall a useful little charm that could help repair things." Gandalf nodded at the wheel. "If you could, it will save us some time."

Harry hesitated, but then thought 'just give it a go'. He murmured under his breath, making the wand motions, "Reparo." But nothing happened. Gandalf sighed troublesomely and Harry felt like he should explain what he suspected.

"Sorry, but this isn't the first time this has happened." Harry tried the spell again non-verbally. "Here isn't the first place that isn't my world I've travelled to, long story short magic there was exceptionally active, and I didn't require word or wand to use magic."

Harry grunted noncommittally. "But I had to get used to their magic first, learn it."

Gandalf sighed again. "Would a demonstration help?" He asked taking up his staff.

"It did in the other place, just wait a second though." Harry opened and closed his case, this time retrieving a pair of spectacles form it.

"I don't use these much anymore." Harry cleaned his old glasses on his shirt. "Ever since having my eyes fixed and the glass in them is just normal glass now." When he looked at Gandalf with them on he continued. "They are enchanted though, to let the wearer see magic, another souvenir from the Mages College."

"Mages College?" Gandalf questioned before waving it away. "Seeing the magic will defiantly help you understand I suppose." He mused. "Are you ready?"

Harry saw the shifting magic bottled up in Gandalf and whatever he touched his magic seemed to leak out. Where his had held his staff the magic flowed into it, charging the staff in a way. "Yes." He nodded.

Gandalf stood still thinking of a harmless spell to cast, first he made the crystal on the top of the wooden staff shine, and Harry made a small noise and said. "That's bright. But really you're channeling the magic, try something external."

Gandalf thought for a bit then picked up a stone on the ground. What Harry saw was Gandalf shaped person with a void in his hand, all over the ground was voids, rocks and dead leafs, but everywhere else was glowing with the magic that was inside, not as brightly as Gandalf but in different colours.

Gandalf was a shifting-solid shiny silver, the trees was an earthly deep green, that looked like a skeleton of the tree and its branches, the ground beneath was a criss-crossing mass of magical veins, somewhat darker than everything but clearest to see.

Gandalf held the rock in his palm and saying three words that Harry could not understand the rock crumbled into dust. "Wow." Harry said. "That was cool." Taking off the glasses Harry rubbed his eyes but had a thought.

Putting them back on, he looked at his arm. The magic under his skin, magic flowed in the blood and on his arm the magic looked like his veins where filled with glowing silver, looked normal but more restrained than usual.

Gandalf waited patiently as Harry took off the glasses again and placed them back in the case, kicking it closed.

"Well." Gandalf said. "Did it help?" Harry frowned looking at his arm and wand again.

"Yes and no." Harry said before pointing his wand at the wheel again and forcefully saying. "Reparo!'

It was draining but had the desired effect, the wheel snapped in place but Harry was out of breath, feeling ready for another hobbit breakfast.

'Don't need the glasses for this; it took to much magic to cast that spell.' He thought as he sat of the cart again, opening the case and tapping the sweets draw he helped himself to the most sugary items available.

Feeling Gandalf's gaze on the case and the interesting magic Harry just said, "It's enchanted." And left it at that, not wanting to explain the piece of magic.

#

He and Gandalf turned onto another road, just as the sun was setting. "Will we camp?" Harry asked, breaking the long silence. Gandalf didn't answer for a moment but said briskly, not unkindly.

"I think not, if you are tired sleep in the back, I suspect you case has every thing you need in it." Harry snorted.

"Your guess is pretty much accurate." He slouched down as far as he could on the cart. "Why are you hurrying away from the Shire so quickly Gandalf, and why are bring me along?"

Gandalf waited until they had passed a group of hobbits, laughing and joking and dashing home. "I will drop you at the town of Bree and I wish to ask you a favor." He said, side stepping the questions.

"Misdirecting old man." Harry muttered. "And why would you trust me and my skills." The last word was almost lost in Harry's scornful tone.

"Because," Gandalf said with a bit more steel. "I have known plenty of people in my life time and you are one of the ones that will do the right thing." Harry rolled his eyes, saving people and doing the right thing, yep right up his alley.

"Besides I need help and you will need help getting home Mister Potter." Gandalf said serenely. Harry could have growled. 'Manipulative old man, never trust a Dumbledore look-a-like.' Harry huffed crossing his arms, Gandalf was right, he'll need help, yet he couldn't help but feel like a 'but' was coming.

"What's the favor?" He said uneasily.

"Oh I just want you to keep an eye on Frodo for me, for the duration of my task." Damn him sounding so agreeable.

"How long will that be?" Harry snipped. Gandalf thought and hummed, before saying,

"As long as it takes, I can't be sure."

"Give me an estimate." Harry said dryly, not liking the sound of "As long as it takes."

Gandalf mumbled under his breath, saying thing Harry did not want to hear.

"…Bree to Rivendell… then to perhaps Gondor… need to find him…of course only if I'm right… visit Saruman… perhaps Radagast could have seen something…"

Harry tapped his foot impatiently.

Gandalf looked at him and Harry saw in his face a fierce concern in his face that Harry had seen before on Dumbledore, just after Lord Voldemort returned. "What's wrong?" He said gently.

"It's too early to tell, but I fear a return of something that should not be allowed to continue." Gandalf slumped and still the horse trotted on, the night getting darker by the moment.

"I think, Harry, my quest will take some time, but I swear I will help you get home." Harry leaned back heavy eyes watched the path ahead.

"Okay." Harry yawned. "I'll watch out for Frodo. But tomorrow I want answers; I won't do this without knowing your suspicions." Gandalf nodded in the dark.

Harry yawned again. "I might just sleep in the back."

#

Harry blinked at the sky, the clouds were streaked with light pink, golden sunlight dyed parts of the usually very white, very cotton candy looking cloud, and the sky around the particular cloud Harry was looking at was in the in between stage of day and night, a shifting, ever brightening blue.

'Early dawn, then.' He watched the moving sky, slightly puzzled by the bumpy ride his bed was. 'Had the weirdest… wait, wasn't a dream the first time.'

Looking around he saw that the trees were all tall and friendly; branches freely rustling in the slight wind, beyond the small wall of trees was fields of deeply yellow wheat and rows of rich and dark tilled earth. Now sitting up Harry turned his head to look at Gandalf's backside, the wizard was humming again.

"Where," He shook his head, willing away the sleep. "Are we?"

Gandalf ceased humming and turned his head, "We are in the East Farthing of the Shire, and we will make for Buckland, where we can have some good food and proper rest." He said and continued humming.

Harry yawned and stretched, before looking around, the pressing urge of nature demanding attention. "We aren't going to turn off this road any time soon, are we?"

"No, no, not until we pass over the Brandywine Bridge, which is still a bit ahead, we passed through Frogmorton at most two hours ago." Gandalf said, Harry made a noise of acknowledgment despite not knowing what Gandalf was talking about.

"Are we likely to run into anyone?" He asked, keeping an eye open for a convenient glade.

"Just a few farmers, out and about early, some travelers may happen along." Gandalf puffed twice on a pipe Harry couldn't see. "Why do you as-"

Harry's sudden departure from the cart rocked the fireworks, the few that remained from the party, and cut off Gandalf's question. Gandalf watched the young man as he near ran to a closely grouped trees, which provided him with plenty of privacy.

Not fussed Gandalf turned his mind to the mystery of Harry. He had appeared out of nowhere and seemed good enough. Well not evil, was how Gandalf would categorize him for now, certainly he had a good feeling about Harry, which he hoped would not come to light as a bad decision.

Harry jogged a bit, the stretching of his legs helping dispel the last reaches of sleep. Walking beside Gandalf's cart Harry admired the serenity of the Shire. He saw hobbits in the distance already working on the fields.

The morning had already brightened considerably, the cloud purely white and the sky pale blue, Harry felt very at peace here, like he could spend long days just looking at the Shire.

"So." Harry said. "So…"

Gandalf huffed. "So what?"

"So… what's going on?" He asked. Gandalf slowed the cart, Harry jumped on to the cart, the horse flicked its ears.

"I believe Frodo may have come in to possession of a very dangerous artifact." Gandalf said. "And if it is and if it was found by the dark and returned to its maker a shadow would pass over this world like no other."

Harry blinked. "And why didn't you just take it from Frodo when we were there?" He said sardonically.

Gandalf bristled at Harry's 'are you an idiot' tone. "Because," He said testily. "If it is what I think it is and I don't know how to tell, the only way to destroy it would be casting it into Mount Doom in Mordor."

The volume of his voice had not changed but as he spoke he seemed to become angrier and angrier.

"And if it comes to that Mister Potter, we best all pray." Suddenly he sounded like a defeated old man, and crumpled into himself.

#

By midday Harry and Gandalf had made it to the Brandywine Bridge and turned down another lane. Harry saw a large hedge and behind a forest, large and dark, seeming to lean over the hedge as much as it could.

"We are now in Buckland, Mister Potter." Gandalf said as they passed through a gate. "That is the old forest, over there."

Harry watched it another unfriendly forest in his mind. "Reminds me of the Forbidden Forest, back home." He thought about the last time he was in the Forbidden Forest, he died that day.

"Forbidden?" Gandalf stopped the cart outside a hall. "Why?"

"Because, to keep the students out." Harry shrugged. The weather was nice, clear sky's, but a bit cold when the wind picked up. He followed Gandalf into the hall. It was very nice, the ceiling gave Harry less trouble than Gandalf, Harry at the grand total height of 5'6", below the average by three inches in the United Kingdom, as he was informed by Hermione once.

#

"Face it Harry." Ron said, long limbs splayed in the soft, sinking armchair. "You're short." Harry glared at him from the couch.

"Everyone is short to you Ron." He hissed at his 6'2" best friend. "Besides you don't count, being freakishly tall and everything." They were sitting in the common room supposed to be doing school work.

Hermione tsked, sitting at the study desk provided, pouring over her textbooks. "You guys should really be studying." She said airily, more out of habit then anything else. "With our OWL's coming up you should."

"Hermione," Harry whined, ignoring her advice. "Tell Ron I'm not short."

Hermione didn't look away from her books. "How tall are you Harry?" She said instead.

"I am 5 foot, 6." He glared at the lounging Ron, whom was snickering behind his hand.

"Sorry Harry, but you are short." She informed him. "You are at least 3 inches shorter than the national average." Harry spluttered before looking at his sniggering best bud.

"Did you know?" He asked, Hermione answered for Ron.

"He asked me about the average heights a few days ago." She crossed out a line. "Didn't he tell you?"

Harry sunk down into the cushy pillows. "I think he just did." He moaned.

#

A well dressed Hobbit, whom looked vaguely familiar greeted Gandalf and led him over to the fire for a cup of tea. Another young hobbit approached Harry shyly and wide eyed, a young female hobbit, a group of her friends stood behind her, staring at him.

"Hi." He said, laughing and squealing the girl ran off with her friends out a side door, Harry shrugged and joined Gandalf.

"What tea is it, it smells lovely." He butted himself into the conversation.

#

Night had fallen and Harry sat next to the cart watching the glittering stars. He made patterns but none were familiar. 'Seems astrology is coming in handy, or not.' Without a telescope Harry couldn't see any familiar planets, nor was there any familiar constellation. 'Oh wait, I think I see the giant sauce pan.' He thought to himself sarcastically.

Not noticing Gandalf behind him he continued watching the stars, lost in the twinkling patterns.

"What I enjoy most about the Shire, is the kindness and how peaceful it is here." Gandalf said.

"It is nice." Harry said distractedly. "It is very nice."

Gandalf said no more and Harry lay on his back stargazing, the cool breeze sighed over him, the distant chattering of people, the groans and creaking of the trees and the soft sounds of fly's buzzing faded as Harry followed the stars, they were all he could see, the clusters and dust.

#

Something was tickling his nose, half asleep he scratched it. Something was still tickling his nose, he waved his hand in front of his face, and he could hear quiet giggles.

Opening his eyes a fraction he saw a feather duster, brushing on his nose, and holding it was another young hobbit. In fact the same young hobbit that been running away from him whenever he was close.

"Boo." He said, she shrieked and ran away. Opening his eyes fully he admired the cloudy sky.

'Did I sleep outside?' He wondered as he saw that blanket, or really several hobbit sized ones had been laid over him, like patchwork but in the same green tones. 'What time is it?'

Gandalf came up to him. "What did you do to frighten her so?" He said cheerfully.

"I see you had a good night." Harry glared at the jovial wizard. "Where did you sleep?"

"Oh, inside, with some hot of tea before bed, now get up, time for a quick breakfast then we make for Bree." Gandalf prodded him in the stomach with his staff which Harry swatted away.

"Where's my case, and where do I find breakfast?" Harry pushed himself off the ground. "Looks like rain, what time is it?" He didn't sleep very well, a stone he didn't notice last night made an impression on him over the night and people said he wasn't really a morning person anyway.

"Time for breakfast and your case is where you left it." Gandalf ignored Harry's glaring and continued obliviously. "No need to worry about your belongings in the Shire, being a Big Folk gives some protection from thieves, not that there are many."

Gandalf prattled on about the habits of hobbit as Harry tuned him out, as Gandalf said his case was in the back of the cart. 'Wish I thought about grabbing a pillow.' He neatly folded up the blankets and tucked them under one arm and went into Brandybuck hall.

It smelt like food.

Ending on a happy note, makes me feel hungry now. Poor Harry, stuck in Middle-Earth, after what? See the hints I'm dropping, pretty easy to guess what I'm talking about.