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

Chapter 103 An Uninvited Guest, Your Aura Is Still Stronger!

Just as Luo Wei and his companions reached the stone beast and were about to pass through the automatically separating wall, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.

Luo Wei's eyebrows twitched suddenly.

[System Warning: A high-risk unit has been detected approaching.]

[Enemy faction leader-level unit (elite template).]

[Triggering a sudden encounter: The Dark Messenger of Baradota]

"Get out of the way!" a haughty and cold voice rang out.

A tall figure draped in a black travel cloak strode over, his imposing manner nearly knocking Harry off his feet as he peeked out.

Rowe reacted quickly and caught Harry. His eyes sharpened instantly, and his relaxed "after-get off work slacking off mode" vanished completely.

The newcomer had pale blond hair and cold gray eyes. He gripped a cane carved with a snake's head tightly in his hand.

Behind him followed a short, timid figure. It was wrapped in dirty rags and covered in bandages, and it moved with trepidation with every step.

"Dobby?" Harry exclaimed, his eyes wide.

The house-elf trembled, but dared not raise his head. He could only follow humbly behind his master, much like Gollum, who was barely surviving in the shadow of Mordor.

[Target locked: Sauron's Mouth.]

[Description: He is the Dark Lord's representative, clad in black armor and spewing venom. He brought Mordor's ultimatum, and with it despair and fear.]

Lucius Malfoy completely ignored the few young wizards blocking his way. His face was full of anger as he strode up the spiral staircase.

"Follow him," Rowe whispered. "We can't let Gandalf face a demon of this caliber alone. If he suddenly unleashes a 'Word of Power' attack, the old man might be at a disadvantage."

Harry and Ron exchanged a glance. Although they felt Dumbledore clearly didn't need the protection of a few younger students, for some reason, the tension Rowe exuded was highly contagious. They immediately turned and followed him.

In his office, Dumbledore sat in a high-backed chair, his hands folded, his expression calm, as if he had long anticipated the arrival of his guest.

"Good morning, Lucius," Dumbledore said gently.

Lucius Malfoy was in no mood for pleasantries. He strode to his desk and slammed his hands down on it. His grey eyes burned with rage.

"You're back," Lucius said through gritted teeth. "The Board of Directors hasn't approved your reinstatement, Dumbledore!"

That's against the rules!

"Oh, really?" Dumbledore smiled, a hint of mockery in his eyes. "But as far as I know, after hearing that Arthur Weasley's daughter had been taken to the Chamber of Secrets, the other eleven members of the Board of Governors contacted me. They seem to think that I might be of some use at the school at this time. After all, some problems can't be solved with Galleons."

Luo Wei silently moved to the doorway.

He didn't speak, but leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed. His gaze was fixed on Lucius, ready to "charge" at the slightest movement of the latter to draw his wand.

Lucius's face grew even paler. His gaze swept around the office, finally settling on Harry... and the tattered black diary with a large hole in it.

"What is this?" Lucius's voice suddenly became somewhat shrill.

"This?" Dumbledore picked up the diary. "This is Voldemort—a memory from the past. And, of course, the culprit behind the Chamber of Secrets incident. A very creative dark magic item, isn't it?"

Lucius's pupils contracted sharply, as if he had been pricked by a needle.

"It seems your master has abandoned you, messenger."

A sudden voice broke the tense standoff.

Lucius turned his head sharply, staring at the Hufflepuff student standing in the doorway, a hint of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

Lowe looked at him expressionlessly: "You think you're carrying out a mission for him, but in his eyes, you're nothing more than a pawn that can be sacrificed at any time. This... Dark Contract" is the best proof. He didn't even tell you how dangerous this thing is, right?"

[Skill Activation: Weakness Insight]

[Effect Assessment: Success. A crack has appeared in the opponent's defenses.]

Harry stared at Rowe in surprise. He hadn't expected Rowe to directly provoke Lucius, and although what he said was strange, it seemed... to have hit the nail on the head?

A flicker of panic crossed Lucius's face, but it was quickly masked by a deeper gloom.

"I don't know what you're talking about, little wizard," Lucius said coldly, trying to regain his composure. "Now that the culprit has been dealt with, I have nothing more to say. But I'll remember you, Hufflepuff."

He turned around and yelled at Dobby, who was hiding in the corner, "We're leaving, Dobby! Hurry up! Don't cower there like a coward!"

Dobby shuddered, and in his terror, he slammed his head against the wall beside him with a thud.

"Bad Dobby! Bad Dobby!"

"Don't move!" Luo Wei suddenly shouted, his voice booming like thunder.

He stepped forward and grabbed Dobby's thin arm, stopping him from continuing to harm himself.

In Lovi's eyes, this was clearly mental torture inflicted on slaves by the Dark Lord, an evil spell used to destroy their will.

"Here, no one needs to bow to the darkness." Rowe looked into Dobby's large, fearful eyes, his tone stern yet resolute. "Even Gollum has the right to choose his own destiny. You are not a slave, you are a free being—at least here."

Dobby was stunned. He stared blankly at Rowe, tears welling in his eyes, as if it were the first time he had ever heard anyone say such a thing to him.

Lucius narrowed his eyes and reached inside his robes, where his wand was usually hidden.

Lowe immediately released Dobby, took half a step back, leaned forward slightly, and loosely clenched his right hand.

"This is White City, Lucius," Rowe's voice was full of warning. "The White Tree protects this place."

"If you dare draw your Morgul Blade here," I assure you, you'll regret it. A ranger's sword is never drawn lightly, but once it is, blood will surely flow.

[System notification: Deterrence check in progress....]

[Check bonuses: Home advantage (Hogwarts), Leadership aura (Dumbledore is present).]

[Check passed. Enemy unit morale has decreased, and their attack intent has been suppressed.]

Lucius looked into Lowe's fearless eyes, then glanced at Dumbledore, who sat behind the table with a half-smile, his wand at his side though he hadn't spoken.

After weighing the pros and cons, he finally snorted coldly, turned around, and forcefully swung his cloak.

"Walk!"

He kicked Dobby hard and strode toward the door.

Lowe stepped aside to make way, but he remained on guard until the black figure completely disappeared at the top of the stairs.

[Task Settlement: Uninvited Guest]

[Completion Level: Perfect]

You successfully saw through the enemy's disguise and upheld the dignity of White City. Your courage in the face of a high-ranking demon is truly admirable.

[Reward: Insight (See Through Disguise) Lv.1.]

[Gained Reputation: Dobby's favorability increased to "Admiration".]