The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 74 Gandalf's Invitation (Revised)

There were thirteen dwarves and one tall, grey-robed elder.

With such recognizability, it was obvious to Ino that these people were the protagonists in Smaug's story.

After a moment, the group seemed to recover and began to look around.

"Hey! You human, your farm is about to be invaded by giant beasts, and you just stood there like an idiot watching? You didn't even come to help," said a fat dwarf.

"Bomb!" A handsome middle-aged dwarf stepped out from the crowd, silencing the fat dwarf's complaints, and then turned to look at Ino.

"We are so sorry for the trouble we have caused you. Please allow us to stay here for the night, and we will leave first thing tomorrow morning. The dwarves will remember your kindness and will send you their thanks in the future."

"You shouldn't say that to me, because I'm also a guest here," Ino said, spreading her hands innocently.

"Then who is the master of this place?" the dwarf asked.

As the dwarf finished speaking, the gray-robed elder, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward: "I think the master of this place has just been locked out by us."

Hearing that there was no master here, the dwarves stopped thinking about closing the door and acted like students in a classroom without a professor.

They no longer cared about etiquette and found comfortable spots in the courtyard to rest, some lying down and some sitting.

Seeing this, Ino smiled and shook her head, then turned and walked into the house.

He had slept in the courtyard all afternoon, and the bread and honey he had eaten were long gone. Now he needed to prepare some dinner.

As for the dwarf squad, they will follow their own destiny.

in the room.

Ino first heated up the bread from lunch, then took out two jars of blueberry jam, a little dried cheese, and sliced ​​ham from his suitcase, and then began to eat by himself.

Speaking of which, he still needs to thank Dumbledore. After the briefcase was modified, it was like Newt's, with two modes.

In Muggle mode, he always keeps some simple food on hand, so it's easy to take out and eat during the trip and won't seem out of place.

Just as Ino was enjoying her dinner, a small head suddenly popped out of the room.

"Can I trade you food? Fresh blueberry jam and smoked ham—these are my favorite dishes from my time in the Shire."

"Oh, by the way! My name is Bilbo, and I'm a hobbit from the Shire."

Setting down her bread, Ino watched the 'thief' in the adventure team with great interest.

He had a rather favorable impression of the hobbit before him. Just the fact that he could resist the temptation of the Ring had already surpassed 99% of people; at least his character was guaranteed.

"Alright, Bilbo! But what are you going to trade with me?"

Looking at Bilbo, who came out penniless, Ino joked.

"I have one!" Bilbo said, lifting his shirt and fumbling around before pulling out a small package that was simply packaged but extremely well-sealed.

"Fine tobacco from the Cisar! I've been holding back from smoking it, but you'll love its rich and aromatic flavor!"

Looking at the small package on the table, Ino became interested. After all, in his distant memory, he used to love these things and could even say that he never let them out of his sight before or after meals.

"I agree! Eat as much as you want, and let me know if you're not full, I have plenty more."

He handed Bilbo another unopened jar of jam, and then he went to cut a plate of ham.

After doing all this, Ino finally opened the gift from Charles. Looking at the familiar color and smelling the strange scent, she hesitated for a long time.

In the end, he chose to repackage it, after all, he looks like he's in his early twenties now, but that's just the effect of the compound decoction.

Glancing at Bilbo devouring his bread, Ino picked up the half-eaten loaf of bread he had been eating earlier.

However... this meal seemed destined to be fraught with misfortune. He had barely taken a couple of bites when another figure entered the room.

"Excuse me for bothering you! May I speak with you, traveler from afar?"

Gandalf's words were like a brick thrown into a calm lake, instantly making Ino nervous.

Of course, to make sure he wasn't overthinking things, he calmly replied, "Of course! It's always pleasant to have someone to chat with on a journey. I've heard your legend, Gandalf the Grey."

Meanwhile, Bilbo saw the two begin to talk, and politely picked up his food and left the room.

The room was unusually quiet at that moment.

"The power of darkness has revived once more," Gandalf said slowly, sitting in a chair to the side.

"They are stirring, and Middle-earth will once again be shrouded in darkness. The dwarves will reclaim the Lonely Mountain and restore the glory of their former kings, securing vast territories west of the Misty Mountains..."

"...With Lonely Mountain as the origin, together with the forest elves and the humans of River Valley Town, a defensive line will be formed, and countless lives will be spared from disaster and the turmoil of war."

After listening quietly to Gandalf's entire story for several minutes, Ino slowly began to speak:

"What a great mission! But I am just a wandering bard. Perhaps I can sing praises of this great feat for you on my future journey."

He understood Gandalf's underlying meaning, but he was unwilling to engage in the conversation.

"Wandering?" Gandalf repeated with a smile. "Perhaps, but if the forces of darkness are completely eradicated, you may no longer need to wander."

"The essence of wandering is not being homeless, but rather that I choose to wander," Ino explained.

He has now realized that Gandalf seems to have figured something out, and in short, his words are all conveying the same message: to join the dwarf adventure party.

To be honest, while the dwarves' journey to Lonely Mountain wasn't particularly dangerous, he didn't want to get too involved. Smaug might be alright, but the Battle of the Five Armies was something a junior wizard couldn't handle, even with his fourth-year magic power.

a long time.

Gandalf spoke slowly again: "It seems you know what I mean. Yes, I want you to help them, the foreign wizards! Really, that way you might not have to wander anymore, because Middle-earth will always welcome you."

Time passed by, second by second.

If Gandalf's previous words were like a calm lake surface being tossed around, then his current words are like a depth charge being detonated at the bottom of the lake.

After a while...

Ino calmly said, "Can we talk about it tomorrow? I want to rest for a while now."

"Of course!" Gandalf stood up with a smile, seemingly having accomplished his mission. "But it would be best to hurry, as we need to set off first thing tomorrow morning."

……

"call……"

Ino leaned back in his chair and let out a long, slow breath.

Although I knew Middle-earth was a complex place, I never imagined it would be this complex.

This situation was unlike anything he had ever encountered before. Even Santa Claus from Narnia only touched upon it briefly, but Gandalf's words today...

In comparison, the former is like a girl next door subtly expressing her affection, while the latter is like a hot school beauty boldly offering a kiss to win love.

"You're always welcome..."

Leaning back in his chair, Ino murmured Gandalf's words.

This made him re-examine himself and the miracle that had happened to him.

It seems that he never truly understood whether he was entering the story or leaving at the end; he was always passively accepting everything.

Today, Gandalf's words seem to have opened another door, revealing another possibility.

New book release, a new journey begins. Thank you to all the big names for your support!

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(End of this chapter)