The person is at Hogwarts, but the system is in Middle-earth!

Chapter 101 Remember to call me next time, I haven't stretched my muscles in a long time!

"Alright, I think we can talk about this in the office." Professor McGonagall's stern gaze swept over everyone, but softened considerably when she saw Harry and Ron's disheveled state, covered in mud and blood, even becoming somewhat moist. "This isn't the place for... conversation, nor is it the place for celebration."

The group left the restroom in a large, unhurried manner.

Lowe deliberately walked at the very back. He glanced down at his robes, which were stained with mud, black ink, and green slime, and then at Ginny, who was being held tightly by Mrs. Weasley and sobbing softly. He decided to maintain the distance befitting a ranger.

"A wanderer is always lonely," Luo Wei muttered to himself, trying to regain some of his aloof persona. He casually slipped the filthy Sorting Hat onto his messy hair. "And heroes often depart quietly before dawn, without taking a single cloud with them."

"Love, hurry up!" Ron, who was ahead, turned around excitedly and waved. "Professor McGonagall said there's hot chocolate!"

"...Okay, hot chocolate is an exception." Rowe immediately quickened his pace.

A few minutes later, they arrived at Professor McGonagall's office.

Although it was late at night, the place was still brightly lit. The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly. And sitting behind the desk was the old man who made everyone feel most at ease at this moment—Albus Dumbledore.

As soon as Phoenix Fawkes saw Dumbledore, it chirped happily, flew off Rowe's shoulder, and landed on the old headmaster's head with a whoosh. Then it began to preen its feathers.

[Scene Change: Ravendale Conference Room]

[Beautiful NPC Appears: Gandalf in His Own Robe]

[Current Reputation: Neutral → Friendly (Hidden dialogue unlocked)]

In Lowe's eyes, Dumbledore's image had undergone a complete transformation. He was no longer the old wizard in a purple star-studded robe, but a figure draped in a pristine white robe, his wand radiating a holy light that dared not be looked at directly.

Those are the Maiar, who returned from the abyss and whose power was elevated; they are the embodiment of wisdom and power in Middle-earth.

"I knew you'd come back, Mislanda." Rowe breathed a sigh of relief. "You always manage to come back at the right time... even if you were a little late this time."

"Sit down, children," Dumbledore said gently, his gaze passing through his half-moon spectacles, landing on each person, and finally settling on the sword in Rowe's hand.

For the next half hour, Harry recounted, haltingly and haltingly, everything that had happened in the Chamber of Secrets. From how they discovered Myrtle was the victim, to how they found the entrance, to the appearance of the Basilisk, and Tom Riddle's horrific resurrection plot.

When Harry recounted how Rowe charged at the Basilisk like a madman and drew his sword to slay the dragon, Professor McGonagall gasped in astonishment, nearly dropping her teacup. Mrs. Weasley turned pale, gripping Ginny's hand tightly.

"Absolutely brilliant," Dumbledore said softly, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "I think even Godric Gryffindor himself would be proud of such courage. It is not merely courage, but a victory of wisdom and conviction."

Then, he turned to Rowe, his azure eyes filled with a curious smile.

"Mr. Rowe," Dumbledore asked with a smile, "do you have anything to add about that... Tom Riddle? Harry said you seemed...to know him quite well?"

Luo Wei straightened up.

He stepped forward, holding the sword stained with the basilisk's blood in both hands, and solemnly placed it on Dumbledore's desk.

"That's the shadow of Sauron, Mithril," Rowe's voice was low and serious. "He tried to resurrect himself through that One Ring (the journal). It was a contingency plan he left behind in the Second Age, an anchor for his soul."

Professor McGonagall frowned, looking puzzled. "Sauron? The Ring? The Second Age? Rowe, what are you talking about? Is this some kind of dark magic code name?"

"It's just a metaphor on his part, Minerva." Dumbledore waved his hand, seemingly fully understanding Rowe's "encrypted conversation," even nodding in agreement. "A very poetic and interesting metaphor. You mean, that diary is part of Voldemort's past? A fragment of his soul?"

"Yes," Rowe nodded, his gaze resolute. "But he failed. We held the line, and we did not betray the oath of the Rangers. The White Trees of Gondor continue to grow."

Dumbledore gave Rowe a deep look.

"Indeed." The old man nodded, a hint of emotion in his voice. "You did better than anyone else. You not only saved Ginny, but you also saved Hogwarts. Sometimes, the smallest force can change the course of the future, just like... the hobbits."

[Mission Completion: Report to Leader]

[Completion Level: Perfect]

[Title Obtained: Veteran Ranger]

[Reputation Reward: Dumbledore's favorability greatly increased; Hogwarts faction reputation reaches "Revered".]

A warm current flowed through his body, and Rowe felt a significant improvement in his strength, agility, and perception. This was a crucial step in his transformation from a novice ranger to a wilderness traveler, and he could almost hear the sound effects of an upgrade.

"Alright," Dumbledore clapped his hands, interrupting Rowe's self-absorbed reverie, "I think tonight has been long enough, and quite thrilling for a few twelve-year-olds. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, you can take Ginny to the school hospital now; Mrs. Pomfrey will take good care of her. And these little heroes need a check-up too."

The Weasleys thanked them profusely and left with Ginny. Before leaving, Ginny turned back and gave Rowe and Harry a deep look, her eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.

"As for you two," Dumbledore said, looking at Harry and Ron with a mischievous smile, "you will both receive a special contribution award from the school, and each of you will earn two hundred points for Gryffindor."

"Two hundred points!" Ron's mouth gaped open, so wide it could fit an egg, and he even forgot to close it. "Fred and George will be insanely jealous!"

"And what about me?" Rowe couldn't help but point to himself, his face full of anticipation. "I did my part too, Mislanda. Although rangers are indifferent to fame and fortune, it's their duty to bring glory to the academy. I don't ask for any trophies, but at least I should have given Hufflepuff some points, right? If Professor Sprout knew I came back empty-handed, he'd make me repot mandrakes until I graduated."

Dumbledore laughed so hard his beard trembled, and tears welled in his eyes. "Of course, Mr. Rowe. In view of the extraordinary courage and superb swordsmanship you displayed when facing... well, Smaug, and your unique insights into the history of Middle-earth, I add two hundred points to your score."

"Two hundred points!" Rowe raised an eyebrow, his heart leaping with joy. "Sounds good. Hufflepuff is going to win the House Cup this time. Let's see how arrogant Slytherin will be then."

However, there are things he cares about more than grades.

He pointed to the precious sword lying quietly on the table.

"May I keep this sword as a memento? After all, it was my only...companion in Middle-earth. We fought side by side and slew the dragon."

Professor McGonagall immediately said seriously, "That's a Gryffindor relic, Loewy. It's priceless, belongs to the school, and cannot be kept as a personal possession."

"Of course, of course." Rowe shrugged, a regretful expression on his face, but there wasn't much disappointment in his eyes. "Anyway, I'm not a real king, and this sword isn't called Anduriel. Let it continue to slumber until the next ringholder needs it. After all, true power lies not in the sword, but in the person who wields it."

He gave Dumbledore a standard chivalrous salute—his right hand on his chest, a slight bow, his eyes firm and deep.

Then he turned and walked towards the door, his back view looking exceptionally dashing.

"Oh, right, Rowe," Dumbledore suddenly called out to him.

Luo Wei stopped and turned around: "What is it? If it's just about deducting points, then forget it."

"No," Dumbledore blinked, "if you encounter Smaug again, or any other Dark Lord, remember to call me. I haven't stretched my legs in a long time, and sometimes I'd like to relive...my Middle-earth adventures."

Luo Wei paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing his white teeth.

"Yes, white-robed wizard."