Silver Puddles

Legolas was far ahead the rest of the group, who were all trying to walk through the thick forests of Lothlorien with difficulty. The rocks jutted out everywhere in the remote area they ventured though. Of course, it was Legolas's idea.
"Hurry up!" Legolas called to them. The tangle of mortals tried, only getting themselves tangled in a heap at the edge of a tree root. Gimli, sadly, was on top of everyone, so all were growling in pain from the stout Dwarf.
"Keep moving!" Legolas called again. Aragorn made it up and out of the pile, sprinting quickly the Legolas before he ws nearly killed again.
"B-Boromir!" gasped Pippin, who was being suffocated by the sheild. "Get off me!"
"Pippin!"
"Gimli! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"You okay, Frodo?"
"'Tis but a fleash wound! ARGH! OW! Ow! Gimli!"
"Why did you bring that axe?!"
"Because of the Elves!"
All Gimli got in responce were stares. Legolas hurrumphed and turned away.
"Stupid Dwarf."
"Smelly Ranger."
"Fool of a Took!"
"Stop quoting Gandalf!"
"Okay!" Merry looked on, seeing things because he couldn't breath right. "Pudding!"
"What?"
"Beer and pudding! And mushrooms!"
"Mushrooms? Where?" Both Hobbits ran off to where they thought they were seeing mushrooms. Sam scoffed to see it was actually mushrooms, but no pudding or beer were in sight.
Legolas sighed and slapped his forehead. The whole Fellowship was doomed if they couldn't even get through a simple forest! As he sighed again, an arrow was right next to his ear.
"You have entered the Realm of the Lady of the Golden Wood, she is waiting," someone spoke in his ear. Turning sharply, he yelled at the figure.
"Haldir! We already told you, you let us in! We are NOT, and I repeat NOT, tresspassers." Legolas growled at him. Rumil and Orophin backed away in the backround.
"Oh!" Haldir noticed them. "That makes sence! C'mon dudes!" He waved his hand and walked away with his annoyed brothers.
"Get over here!" Legolas yelled a last time, trying to urge the group to get to the place he wanted to show them. It was a strange place, and it was al so pretty. The Elf growled.
"Muth'ooms ood! (Mushrooms good!)" Pippin gulped down more and more.
"'Ep! (Yep!)" agreed Merry. Aragorn walked over and grabbed the Hobbits, dragging them to follow the Fellowship.
For about ten more minutes they trudged along, glancing around at the sounds of birds whistling, or a ruffle of the golen leaves, never falling. The sky was a light blue, culumbus cloud blocking out a little of the sun. The air was freash, and everything was great.
"Here we are!" Legolas called happily to them.
The sight before them was the same as they had seen for the past mile or so, but a small pond was in the middle of the plain between the trees. A silver pond, reflecting the sunlight, blurred only a little. Something was strange around this pond, though noone knew what.... Pefectly smooth... ripples appeared all of a sudden. Something was moving torwards them, seemingly mad.
"Legolas Greenleaf! You get to Lothlorien, and you don't even say 'hello' to someone you've not seen in ten years?!" screamed a young Elfling. Legolas and Aragorn sighed together, cringing. The rest looked on to where the screaming was from, Gimli holding his axe aloft.
Sure enough, Dimgwrthien, the one Elfling Legolas was hoping was gone for good, as in dead, was back. Her fair and pale face was steaming with anger, but she seemed to only be joking. When she saw him and Aragorn, she sprinted very, very fast at them and hugged them to death. Dark hair covered her smooth skin, curled and black to blue colored. Her eyes, reflecting a river stream in night, looked them over. She was very tall, near Legolas's height, though only seven hindred years old. She spoke very fast, mixing the common tounge and Sindarian together, forming some language that resembled selkie.
"I'm so happy to see you!" she cried, hugging them more. The immature girl had pointing ears sticking out, her hair loose and lips moving inhumanly fast. Aragorn tried to edge away, knowing that she was very, very emotional. "Rumil said you were here, and I was looking all day for you! Can I get out of this darn dress?" she muttered, picking at the loose fabric. "Grrrr..." her attention turned back to the blonde, who looked pleadingly at the Fellowship.
"Mae Governen," she curtsied to the group polietly. "I'm Dimgwrthien, and whom, may I ask, are you?" They all stared at her, confused.
"Dim..." she growled at Legolas, "This is Aragorn," the mortal edged away as Dimgwrthien got clingy again and hugged him, "Boromir," the man hid behind Pippin to no avail. "Gimli, Pippin, Merry, Frodo, Sam." She smiled at each.
"Where is Gandalf?" Her eyes lit up as she remembered the old Wizard. When noone answere, she dropped the subject. "Ahh! You found this pond, eh?" Legolas nodded, wishing for her to go away. She looked not a day over eleven, but acted like a one year old. Though, she was very smart, knowing more than most mortals do in a life time, and more than most Elves her age, she was clumsy. Therefore, as she spoke and tried to fix the hem of her dress so that her bare feet didn't step of it, she fell backwards, hitting the puddle.
Though, it didn't move. It seemed like ice, and the Elfling shivered. "Elves don't get cold," she muttered to herself and dissappeared.
The Fellowship gasped, Legolas out of releif. "Where'd it go?" Gimli muttered to them. Legolas still stared blankly.
"We should go down and look..." Boromir bent over to inspect the pond.
"I vote we leave," Legolas remarked. Pippin and Boromir and Merry gave him a glare, but stepped onto the ice, one by one, eyes closed.
When everyone had stepped through, the world swimming before them. When they could see straight, an old man, resembling Gandalf, stepped forward.
"Welcome to Hogwarts. It is the year 1996."

"Who are you?" Aragorn managed.
"I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts." He smiled at them with his sparkling blue eyes. "Gandalf has been waiting for you." The Fellowship looked shocked at him.
"G-Gandalf is here?" Legolas asked quietly. Albus nodded to the corner of the room they were in. A dark figure stood up, walking over to them. Indeed, it was Gandalf, still the same Wizard they knew, though now in White.
Dimgwrthien followed him over to the group, smiling. "I found Gandalf," the Elfling gloated. Again, everyone moved away from her. Dumbledore included. "He said we get to stay here! Cool, eh? Magic... Wow..." she breathed in and closed her eyes for a spilt second. Frodo began to wonder if she was really an Elf as Elves never truely smiled, made any getures, or whatever else she was doing.
"Yes," Gandalf responded to her. "Yes, I have decided that here would be the best place to stay for a while." He went into a very long and detailed story of how he came back and defeated the Balrog. After about thirty minutes of explaining, he finished with, "... and so I have my suspisions that Sauron is sending out more and more and more minions to capture the One Ring. Evil, possessed Uruks possibly... even Humans..." At the 'evil and possessed' part, everyone looked at Dimgwrthien.
"The start of term feast starts in about thirty minutes. I already told all the teachers about you. But, that still isn't the same as meeting them. Come along," Dumbledore lead them on out to a great hall. Above each of the first four tables was a mixture of two colors, and at the front of the room was another long table, where the teachers sat. One by one, they each walked down the long walk to there, and saw a few of the teachers waiting there for students to arrive.
"This is our Headmistress, Professor McGonagall," the elderly transfiguration teacher nodded to them. "Professor Snape, our Potions Master," the sour man looked at them quickly and went back to reading some paper. "Professor Grubbly-Plank, our new Care of Magical Creatures teacher," the woman smiled to them and waved. "Professor Sprout, our Herbology teacher," the old woman also nodded. "And our newest teacher," Dumbledore added after going through more, "Professor Umbridge of Defense Against The Dark Arts.
The woman, who resembled a toad, the Fellowship thought, glared at them, noting all of them. The pointy ears... the weapons... the pointy hat... the glow of the Elves. "Who are you?" asked the toad woman.
"I am Legolas Greenleaf of the Woodland Realm," the Elf bowed slightly (just to be polite), "and this is-"
"Silence. Let them speak for themselves," commanded the toad. Legolas sneered behind her back.
"I am Estel or Aragorn, son of Arathorn," the ranger replied, trying not to kill the toad.
"Odd name," she muttered. Aragorn growled.
"Boromir, Steward of Gondor," answered the man. Umbridge muttered the same weird names comment over and over.
"Pippin Took!" answered the bubbliy Hobbit.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck," Merry mumbled, keeping Pippin sane.
"Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo."
"Samwise Gamgee."
"Gandalf the White," the wizard greeted. The lady clucked in disapprovment. (Can I through her off a cliff yet?)
"Gimli, son of Gloin." At this, Umbridge eyes grew wide.
"Dimgwrthien Sirithcirithion," Dimgwrthien curtsied. Umbridge had a look of disgust on her face after they spoke.
"How... pleasent to meet you all," she smiled and spoke in a sickening voice.
"Now," Dumbledore ordered. "You will all be part of Hogwarts for a while," this got a few strange looks. "After we see the sorting and have the feast, we will talk on this." They all nodded. "I am going to need to assign you all to a house table for now, though." They nodded, and he directed them to the Gryffindor table. Each took a seat, going in order: Gandalf nearest to the back, then Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, Dimgwrthien, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli.
"Professor McGonagall shall be coming in soon with the students. Until then, make yourself at home." The old Wizard's eyes sparkled. When he left, Aragorn rounded on Legolas.
"Ew... you fancy that woman?"
"Of course not," Legolas frowned to him."I was being nice. Something you can learn to do." They wen on bickering for a moment. Sam and Frodo were conversing on why they were there, and Merry and Pippin were looking around in amazment. Gandalf, Boromir, Gimli, and Dimgwrthien saw the ceiling and were sataring intently at it.
"Pretty.... Reminds me of Lothlorien at night," Dimgwrthien whispered in Elvish. Gandalf nodded to her. As they continued looking up, a large group of students had walked in. An elderly witch, McGonagall, set down a stool and ancient hat, taking out a scroll. When the students were lined up, the hat began to sing:
In times of old when I was new

And Hogwarts barely started

The founders of our noble school

Thought never to be parted:

United by a common goal,

They had the selfsame yearning,

To make the world's best magic school

And pass along their learning.

"Together we will build and teach!"

The four good friends decided

And never did they dream that they

Might someday be divided,

For were there such friends anywhere

As Slytherin and Gryffindor?

Unless it was the second pair

Of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw?

So how could it have gone so wrong?

How could such friendships fail?

Why, I was there and so cal tell

The whole sad, sorry tale.

Said Slytherin, "Well teach just those

Whose ancestry is purest"

Said Ravenclaw "We'll teach those whose Intelligence is surest.'

Said Gryffindor, "We'll teach all those with brave deeds to their name,"

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot,

And treat them just the same."

These differences caused little strife

When first they came to light,

For each of the four founders had

A House in which they might

Take only those they wanted, so,

For instance, Slytherin

Took only pure-blood wizards

Of great cunning, just like him,

And only those of sharpest mind

Were taught by Ravenclaw

While the bravest and the boldest

Went to daring Gryffindor.

Good Hufflepuff, she took the rest,

And taught them all she knew,

Thus the Houses and their founders

Retained friendships firm and true.

So Hogwarts worked in harmony

For several happy years,

But then discord crept among us

Feeding on our faults and fears.

The Houses that, like pillars four,

Had once held up our school,

now turned upon each other and,

Divided, sought to rule.

And for a while it seemed the school

must meet an early end,

What with dueling and with fighting

And the clash of friend and friend

And at last there came a morning

When old Slytherin departed

And though the fighting then died out

He left us quite downhearted.

And never since the founders four

Were whittled down to three

Have the Houses been united

As they once were meant to be.

And now the Sorting Hat is here

And you all know the score:

I sort you into Houses

Because that is what I'm for,

But this year I'll go further,

Listen closely to my song:

Though condemned I am to split you

Still I worry that it's wrong,

Though I must fulfill my duty

And must quarter every year

Still I wonder whether sorting

may not bring the end I fear.

Oh, know the perils, read the signs,

The warning history shows,

For our Hogwarts is in danger

From external, deadly foes

And we must unite inside her

Or we'll crumble from within

I have told you, I have warned you....

Let the Sorting now begin.

The Fellowship were taken aback by the singing hat. Staring at the hat, they listened to the sorting ceremony. Barley anyone had listened, because they were talking about what the sorting hat was saying.
"Abercrobie, Euan," read McGonagall. The boy walked up to the hat, his ears sticking out, put it on, and the house sounded throughout the room: Gryffindor!
In about twenty minutes, they reached "Zeller, Rose," who was made a Hufflepuff, and Dumbledore stood.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts." The Wizard looked over everyone. As he spoke, the group looked over around them. Sitting near them was a pudgy boy, Neville, he was called, and a few red haired boys and a red haired girl. "Please, tuck in!" And with a wave of the hands, the table magically appeared full of food. Pippin and Merry were taken aback, and started to eat... a lot....
"Hello, Sir Nicholas," Gandalf spoke over a few heads. A few people turned and looked at the ghost Gandalf was reffering too. "How are you?"
"Good, good. You?" questioned the dead man.
"Fine."
"And who are these? New Gryffindors?" The ghost pointed to the group from Middle Earth.
"No. We are all here for matters concerning..." Gandalf motioned at Frodo and the Ring. "Yes. This is Boromir, Aragorn, Prince Legolas, Lady Dimgwrthien, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli." They each nodded as they were introduced.
"Greetings to Hogwarts!" the ghost greeted (hehehe), leaning through Legolas in a bow. Not being able to feel cold, Legoals took no notice and looked at the food.
"What's that?" He questioned, pointing to random stuff. Noone bothered to answer, but all they knew was that this stuff was nearly as good as Elven dishes. Neither Aragorn, Legolas, or Dimgwrthien would say it better. Merry and Pippin were eating their hearts out, and the rest were nice and calm.
Nearly Headless Nick had gone over to a boy with black hair, one with red hair, and a girl with brown hair. They were talking, the red head with bad manners, and the ghost had left.
After what seemed like over an hour, the plates were cleared, and everyone was stuffed. As usual, Gimli's beard was dirty after using it as a napkin.
"Well, now that we are digesting another magnificent feast, I beg a few moments to infomr you of notices and changes," began the headmaster. "First years: The Forbidden Forest is out of bounds. A few of our older students should take care to remind you.
"Next, Mr. Filch has informed me that the list of banned items has doubled," -a few people laughed- "And our staff and students have changed too. Professor Grubbly-Plank is now teaching Care of Magical Creatures for a while, and Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher.
"This year, please welcome our guests. They are: Gandalf Stormcrow," the wizard stood to the clapping, "Aragorn, Estel, Strider, Elassar, Son of Arathorn, Elfstone-" Aragorn cut him off with a "Aragorn" and stood to more clapping. "Legolas Greenleaf," the Elf stood to claps. "Dimgwrthien Sirithcirithion," the other Elf stood to claps. "Boromir," the man stood to appluse, "Gimli," the Dwarf stood, "Frodo," The hobbit stood, "Samwise, Meriadoc, and Peregrine," each stood in turn. "They will be staying here for a while." Everyone nodded a little.
'And now, tryouts for quidditch will be held on-"
"Hem, hem!" Dumbledore looked down at the short witch, Umridge and considered her for a minute. Students spoke for a second, but Dumbledore sat down and Umbridge bagan talking.
"Hem, hem. Thank you for those kind words of welcome." Her voice was very high, and not even an Elven Maiden could have hit that note. "Hem, hem. It's great to be back at Hogwarts, I must say. I love seeing all of your happy faces looking up at me." Everyone sneered at her. "I'm sure we will all be good friends." Now, everyone sniggered.
"Hem, hem," her voice droned like she had this memorized now. "The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of wizards to be of vital importance. The rare gifts with which you were born may come to nothing if not nurtured and honed by carful instruction. The ancient skills unique to the Wizarding community must be passed down through the generations lest we lose them forever. T-" she cut off when a snore sounded. Pippin had fallen asleep, his head on Merry's shoulder. Merry smiled and waved for her to continue. "As I was saying- The treasure trove of magical knowledge amassed by our ancestors must be guarded, replenished, and polished by those who have called to the noble profession of teaching." She droned on more... and more... and more... until most of the Great Hall had fallen asleep. She took no notice. "...between tradition and innovation..."
A while later, she took a seat, and Dumbledore stood back up. "Thank you very much, Professor Umbridge. That was illuminating. Now -as I was saying, tryouts will be held..."

Gandalf led the rest of the group after Dumbledore as the students left. Dumbledore led them down a few halls and up to a stature of a bird. "Fizzing Wizbees," he announced to it, and the stone turned and became a staircase. The group, minues Gandalf, look in amazment. As they climbed up he starirs, silence still claimed them.
They sat on the hairs the appeared with a wave of Dumbledore's wand. "Gandalf has summonned you here because Mordor's forces grow," he started. "We are working out a way for you to get to Mordor faster. Gandalf couldn't get back to Middle Earth yet, so he came here with me.
"We are trying to work out the device. It is near done."
"Is there a catch?" Boromir questioned after a silence.
"Yes, there is," Dumbledore turned back to them. "You need help against your enemy; I need help against mine." He took in a breath. "I would like you to join the Order of the Phoenix."