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

The sky outside the car window gradually darkened, and a deep purple twilight enveloped the rolling mountains and forests.

Inside the private room, Luo Wei was carefully wiping his frying pan with a linen cloth.

"Um," Harry finally couldn't help but ask, "Love, why do you always carry a pot with you?"

"This is a shield," Rowe replied without looking up, his fingers tracing the black coating on the bottom of the pot. "In chaotic close combat, a good pot can both block an orc's scimitar and cook a pot of hot mushroom soup by the campfire. Harry, remember, versatility is key to a ranger's survival."

Ron was struggling to swallow the last bite of his rock-hard rye bread when he heard this and almost choked: "But this is a frying pan."

"This is a round shield," Rowe corrected. "It just happens to have a handle."

Just then, the door to the private room was suddenly pushed open.

Three boys walked in.

The leader was pale-faced, with a pointed chin and light blond hair. His eyes held an innate arrogance.

Behind him stood two burly men, as big as doors, with short necks and long arms, looking ready to pounce.

[WARNING! Hostile faction creature detected!]

Lowe paused, his gaze quickly scanning the three uninvited guests through the stray hairs on his forehead.

[Target 1: Draco Malfoy]

[Race Determination: Human -> Fallen Sindar Elf]

【Characteristics: Noble lineage, corrupted soul, exquisite but weak body】

[Danger Level: C (Nobles lacking practical combat experience)]

[Target 2/3: Vincent Crabbe/Gregory Gore]

[Race Determination: Human -> Ogre Cub]

[Characteristics: High strength, low intelligence, serves as a meat shield]

Danger Level: C+ (Brute Force)

"Is it true?" Malfoy didn't look at Rowle; his gaze fell directly on Harry. "Everyone on the train is talking about it, saying Harry Potter is in this compartment. So, it must be you, right?"

"Yes." Harry looked at him, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Malfoy sized up Harry, then glanced at Ron, a mocking smirk playing on his lips.

"Oh, these are the Weasleys," Malfoy drawled. "Red hair, freckles, and too many kids to support."

Ron's face flushed red instantly, and his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"You'll soon find out, Potter, that some wizarding families are far better off than others." Malfoy held out his hand. "You don't want to be friends with someone different, do you? On that point, I can help you."

Harry looked at the hand, preparing to refuse.

Suddenly, a rough, strong hand (from working in the orphanage) shoved in and grabbed Malfoy's hand.

"Is this what you call courtesy, you fallen ones?"

Lowe stood up; he was taller than most people his age, and looked down at Malfoy.

Malfoy froze: "Who are you? Let go!"

He tried to pull his hand back, but it wouldn't budge, like an iron clamp.

"Love Baggins." Love's voice was calm, but the pressure on his hand was gradually increasing.

[System Prompt: Activate skill [Basic Strength Lv2]]

[Judgment complete, overwhelming power!]

"Ah!" Malfoy's originally pale face flushed red. "Let go! You barbarian! My hand!"

"Your hands are soft, nobleman," Rowe said, staring into Malfoy's eyes with pity. "Hands that have never held a sword seem so weak even in a handshake. How will you protect your people with hands like these? By arrogance?"

"Crawb! Goyle!" Malfoy cried out in pain.

The two troll-like henchmen immediately reacted and charged forward, brandishing their thick fists.

"Watch out!" Harry and Ron exclaimed.

Lowe suddenly grabbed the "shield" on the table with his left hand.

"Ouch!!!"

A loud bang.

Luo Wei slammed the cast iron frying pan hard onto the small table in the private room.

The loud noise echoed in the cramped space, deafeningly loud. A dent was visibly visible in the middle of the solid wood table.

Crabbe and Gore stopped abruptly, stunned by the sudden loud noise. They stared at the frying pan deeply embedded in the table, then at Rowe's indifferent face, and instinctively felt fear.

Although ogres are stupid, they know what can crack their heads like walnuts.

"Step back, you filthy creature." Lowe released Malfoy's hand and shoved him toward the two hulking figures. "Unless you want to taste the wrath of the Gondorian Iron Knights."

Malfoy staggered and fell onto Crabbe, clutching his hand which had been pinched red, tears welling in his eyes as he glared fiercely at Rowe.

"You'll regret this! You, you lunatic! I'm going to tell my dad!"

"Go ahead and complain," Rowe said, sitting back down and picking up a dishcloth to wipe the pan. "But before that, get out of my territory."

Malfoy gritted his teeth, but looking at the pot, he ultimately didn't dare to utter any more threats.

"Let's go!" he roared.

The trio awkwardly left the private room, nearly tripping over the carpet at the door as they left.

The door closed.

The private room was deathly silent.

Harry and Ron stared wide-eyed at Rowe, then at the dented table.

"Merlin's beard," Ron swallowed hard. "Love, you just... that Malfoy guy, you just pinched him until he cried?"

"Just teaching that arrogant brat a lesson." Rowe calmly put away the frying pan. "In the wasteland, if someone like that dared to extend that soft hand to a ranger, he would have been dragged away by a dire wolf long ago."

[Mission Complete: Repel the Provocateur]

[Comment: Since words cannot persuade the fallen elf, let's use physical means to shut him up.]

[Reward Calculation: Strength +1 (Your grip strength is now strong enough to crush walnuts)]

A warm current flowed through the muscles of Luo Wei's arm. He clenched his fist and felt that he did indeed feel stronger.

"Furthermore," Rowe looked at Harry, "a Ringbearer doesn't need to ally with those who gravitate towards the shadows. Your destiny lies on the side of the light."

Although Harry didn't quite understand what "Ringholders" and "Shadows" meant, he understood that Rowe was trying to help him.

"Thanks," Harry said quietly. "That was pretty cool."

"Cool?" Rowe raised an eyebrow. "No, that's dangerous. If they had actually made a move, I would have had to resort to more drastic measures."

He patted the magic wand at his waist, his eyes serious.

"Alright, gentlemen." Rowe stood up. Through the window, he saw the distant, scattered lights and a vast expanse of black water. "Change into these clothes. We've arrived."

The train began to slow down, and the wheels screeched as they rubbed against the rails.

"The final destination is just ahead," Rowe took a deep breath, "and also the starting point of our battle."

"Don't forget your weapons," he said to Ron, who was putting on his robes. "And keep an eye on your rat. I don't want it betraying us to Sauron at a crucial moment."

Ron frantically buttoned his shirt: "Who is Soren?"

"You'll find out later." Lovir opened the car door, and the corridor outside was already crowded with noisy students.

But in Rowe's eyes, it was a chaotic army that was gathering.

"Stay close to me," Rowe said, turning back to instruct. "Don't fall behind. Nobody knows what's lurking in the fog."