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

Chapter 113 Break the Cauldron Bar, I want to eat three balls!

"That's the shelter."

Lo Wei pointed to the dirty, cramped bar in front of him—the Leaky Cauldron.

Location discovered: Leaping Horse Inn.

[Attributes: Neutral/Intelligence Hub/Temporary Safe Zone]

[Review: Although the beer was watered down and the bed wasn't clean, it was paradise for a weary traveler.]

"Go in, Ringbearer." Rowe nudged Harry, who was still in a daze. "Remember, keep a low profile. This place is a mixed bag, and we don't know how many eyes are watching you."

Harry nodded and dragged his suitcase into the bar.

The bar was quiet, with only a few old wizards huddled in a corner talking in hushed tones. The owner, Tom—a hunchback…

The toothless old man was wiping the counter with a rag. To Rowe, this was practically a carbon copy of the forgetful shopkeeper, Barryman Butterbloom.

"Harry Potter!" Tom exclaimed, nearly dropping his cup. "It's an honor!"

"Shh!" Rowe slid to the counter like a black shadow, grabbing Tom's wrist with one hand. "Don't make a sound, shopkeeper. We don't need to attract unnecessary attention."

Tom was startled by Rowena's serious expression and quickly nodded, "Oh, of course, of course... The minister is waiting for you in his room upstairs."

"The Minister?" Harry's heart sank. The Minister of Magic had come in person? It must be to arrest him.

Lo Wei's eyes narrowed slightly.

[Warning: Encounter with a political leader.]

[Target identification: Cornelius Fudge.]

[Identity Reflected: Regent of Gondor.]

[Assessment: A weak, even somewhat incompetent, ruler. He was more concerned with the form of power than its substance, and turned a blind eye to the impending darkness.]

"The Regent..." Rowe muttered to himself, "It seems he's eager to confirm whether the weapon (Harry) is still under his control."

He turned to Harry and said, “Don’t be afraid, Harry. As a ranger, I will stand behind you. The Regent’s power is great, but he cannot judge a hero who has just slain a dragon.”

Harry didn't understand what Rowe was saying at all, but he was too scared to do anything but mechanically follow Tom up the stairs.

In a small living room lit only by candlelight, they met Cornelius Fudge.

The Minister for Magic was dressed in a pinstripe robe and twirled a lime-green top hat in his hand. Although he looked somewhat agitated, a kind smile immediately spread across his face the moment he saw Harry.

"Harry! Thank goodness you're safe and sound." Fudge walked up quickly and patted Harry on the shoulder like a kind elder.

Harry stood there stiffly. "Minister, I...about my aunt..."

"Oh, that?" Fudge waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, my dear child. We've already sent the Reversal of Chance Magic team. Miss Maggie has been deflated, and her memory has been corrected. She won't even remember it."

Harry's eyes widened. "Then...I won't get expelled?"

"Expelled?" Fudge laughed exaggeratedly. "For something so trivial? Of course not! Nobody gets kicked out of Hogwarts just because they inflated their aunt under pressure. The situation is tense, Harry, we need you to be safe."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if a weight had finally been lifted from his heart.

But just then, a cold, stern voice rang out.

"Of course it's okay."

Fudge was startled and then noticed Rowe, who had been standing in the shadows by the door.

"Who are you?" Fudge asked warily.

"I am Rowe." Rowe emerged from the shadows with steady steps. "Guardian of the Ringbearers, Ranger of the North."

"Love..." Fudge frowned, as if remembering something. "Oh, that eccentric little wizard... I mean, the special student. I've seen your file."

Rowe ignored Fudge's address and walked over to Harry, standing there like a guardian angel.

“Your Excellency Minister,” Rowe’s voice was neither humble nor arrogant, “your decision is wise. To punish a hero to seal away a greedy dragon would only bring pain to those close to him and joy to his enemies. If the laws of Gondor could not even distinguish this point, then the White Tree would have withered long ago.”

Fudge was stunned. He didn't understand anything about Gondor or the White Tree, but he could sense a certain... authority in the young man's words?

"Uh...yes, I think so." Fudge wiped his brow somewhat awkwardly. "Anyway, it's all settled. Harry, you can spend the rest of your holiday in Diagon Alley. But I must ask you, don't leave the Diagon Alley area, okay?"

"Is this a curfew?" Harry asked.

"No, it's protection," Fudge said seriously. "Blake is still outside..."

"It's to establish a safe zone," Lowe suddenly interjected, nodding as if approving of Fudge's arrangement. "The Middle-earth Free Trade Zone (Diagon Alley) is indeed the only safe place at the moment. Your Excellency Regent, it seems your defensive setup isn't entirely without merit."

Fudge opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to refute something, but ultimately gave up. He found talking to this student who wasn't quite right in the head too exhausting.

"Alright, alright." Fudge picked up his top hat. "I think I should go. Harry, enjoy your vacation. As for you..."

""

Fudge gave Lowell a deep look.

[System notification: Reputation changed.]

[Achievement Acquired: The Minister of Magic's Gaze.]

[Evaluation: He thinks you're a nuisance, but he has to admit that you did provide some protection.]

"Take good care of him," Fudge said finally, then hurriedly left the room.

After Fudge left, Harry finally relaxed completely and plopped down in a chair.

"Oh my god, Rowe, the way you were talking to the minister just now..." Harry said, still shaken. "I was really afraid he'd arrest you."

"He wouldn't dare."

"Although the regent is weak, he knows when to compromise."

Rowe turned to Harry, a relaxed smile on his face. "Alright, Ringbearer. We're in a safe zone now. We can rest and recuperate for the next few days."

"Where are we going?" Harry asked.

"Get to the heart of this free trade zone. We need to replenish our equipment, repair our armor, and buy supplies. And..."

T

Lowe paused, a glint of anticipation in his eyes: "I heard the ice cream shop here (Florin Ice Cream Shop) offers chocolate raspberry ice cream. As warriors who have just survived a fierce battle, we deserve a reward."

Harry couldn't help but laugh. Although he still didn't quite understand Rowe's world, he had to admit that having a "Ranger" by his side made even the fearsome Minister of Magic seem less intimidating.

"Let's go, Rowe." Harry stood up, his stomach growling. "I want three scoops."

"Of course." Rowe pushed open the door and strode out. "Hobbits always have a good appetite."

""