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

The night wind, carrying a damp chill, blew across the crowded Hogsmeade Station platform.

"First-year students! First-year students, come this way!"

A huge figure carrying a lantern swayed above the crowd.

"Is that an ogre?" Ron muttered under his breath, clearly influenced by Rowe's earlier assessment of Crabbe and Goyle.

"No, that's a skin-changing person," Lowe corrected in a low voice, his eyes scanning the dark woods around him warily. "But now he's our guide. Follow that lamp; it's our only guide in the fog."

A group of freshmen stumbled and fell as they followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path.

"Turn this corner and you'll see Hogwarts for the first time," Hagrid called back.

At the end of the road lay a vast, black lake. On the high hillside opposite the lake stood a majestic castle, its towers gleaming with starlight.

A gasp of "Wow!" rippled through the crowd.

But Lowe was not surprised.

His pupils contracted sharply, and all the muscles in his body tensed instantly.

[WARNING! Entering a high-risk area!]

[Current Map: Black Lake -> Undead Swamp]

[Environmental Detection: High-energy underwater reaction! Strong aura of the dead!]

Survival advice: Don't look at the water's surface! Don't follow the light!

In Luo Wei's eyes, ghostly green flames floated on the lake's surface. Beneath the water, pale faces seemed to be swimming.

"No more than four people per boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a row of small boats drifting along the shore.

Without hesitation, Lowe jumped onto the nearest boat and quickly took up the bow position—the best defensive position, but also the most dangerous.

Harry and Ron followed closely behind.

Another little girl with a round face and two golden braids hesitated for a moment before carefully stepping on as well.

"Hello, I'm Susan. Susan Borns," she greeted him somewhat shyly.

Rowe didn't turn around; his gaze was fixed on the dark water, his right hand gripping the wooden oar tightly.

"Sit down, ma'am." Lowry's voice was low and carried an undeniable air of command. "Keep your balance. The water's deep here."

"Is everyone on board?" Hagrid shouted, having taken a boat for himself. "Then let's move on!"

A fleet of small boats glided silently across the mirror-like surface of the lake.

But in Loewe's perception, this was traversing the territory of death.

[Large aquatic unit detected moving!]

[Target: Giant Squid -> Underwater Watcher]

[Distance: 50 meters directly below]

"Wow, the water here is so refreshing!" Susan curiously leaned out and reached out a hand to splash the lake water.

"Don't touch it!"

Lowe suddenly let out a low growl, his left hand shot out like lightning, grabbed Susan's wrist, and forcefully pulled her back.

"Ah!" Susan was startled and almost fell down in the cabin. "What, what are you doing?"

"Do you want your hands to rot?" Rowe glared at her, his eyes filled with fear and sternness. "Don't look at the water! Don't look at those faces!"

"Face? What face?" Susan was terrified by Rowe's expression. She instinctively looked at the water and only saw her own reflection and a few stars. "Just a reflection..."

"That's what they want." Lowe loosened his grip and tightened his grip on the oar. "They'll disguise themselves as reflections or candlelight, and once you reach out, they'll drag you down and join their ranks."

Susan's face turned pale instantly. She withdrew her hands in terror, hugged her knees tightly, and moved closer to Ron.

"Really? Are there water ghosts?" she asked, her voice trembling with tears.

Ron swallowed hard. Although he thought Rowe might be going crazy again, he decided to be safe than sorry, given the eerie atmosphere of the lake.

"Let's listen to him," Ron whispered reassuringly. "He seems very experienced."

The small boat continued on its way.

Suddenly, a huge ripple appeared on the water's surface. A giant tentacle (the giant squid flipped over) burst out of the water not far away, slapping the surface and creating a splash.

"Splash!"

"Watcher!" Lowe jumped to his feet, raising the oar like a spear. "All hands on alert! If you dare come any closer, I'll turn you into a teppanyaki grill!"

Harry and Ron were so frightened they almost fell into the water.

"Sit down! Rowe! You'll capsize the ship!" Harry yelled.

The tentacle seemed to be just stretching, and soon sank back to the bottom of the water.

Luo Wei maintained his defensive posture for a full ten seconds, and only sat down after confirming that the monster did not attack.

"It's testing us," Rowe gasped, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "It smells the scent of the Ring-Bearers, but it seems wary of some kind of seal on these waters."

Susan was almost in tears; she felt this school trip was even scarier than a haunted house adventure. But for some reason, looking at the figure blocking the bow of the boat, she felt a strange sense of security—at least if there were monsters, he would actually use the oars to knock on them.

"Duck!" Hagrid suddenly shouted.

The small boat carried them through the ivy curtain covering the cliff face to the hidden entrance beneath the castle.

As the ship entered the underground dock, the view above suddenly opened up.

Countless torches illuminated the vast underground port, and above them, the magnificent castle finally revealed its full form.

[Map Switch: Hogwarts -> Minas Tirith]

[Faction: Humanity's Last Stronghold]

[Status: Standing Firm]

In that instant, the system filter in Luo Wei's eyes changed.

The dark swamp receded, replaced by a holy white light. The castle was no longer a school building, but a white fortress built against the mountain, layer upon layer. On the highest tower, it seemed as if a withered white tree awaited the king's return.

"We've finally arrived."

Lowe put down the oar, his previously tense shoulders relaxing. He looked up at the "White City," his eyes gleaming with fanaticism.

"Humanity's last bastion. The West's hope."

He turned his head and looked at Susan, who was still trembling, and Harry and Ron, who looked completely bewildered, and gave them a tired but relieved smile.

"We survived, friends. Welcome to Gondor."

"Gondor?" Harry repeated, puzzled. "Hagrid said this is Hogwarts."

"A name is just a code." Rowe patted Harry on the shoulder and jumped ashore first. "The important thing is that there are walls, guards, and hot food here."

He extended his hand to Susan, like a knight who had just finished a battle: "Come, lady. The swamp is over; now comes the king's judgment."

Susan hesitated for a moment, then placed her hand in Rowe's. The hand was rough, warm, and very strong.

"Thank you," she said softly, her face slightly flushed.

Although this person is an oddball, he did protect her just now.

"Everyone, follow me!" Hagrid, holding a lamp, led the group of freshmen who had just experienced a "life-or-death ordeal" up the stone steps.

The massive oak door was right in front of us.

Luo Wei took a deep breath and straightened his robe.

[Mission Completed: Arrived in White City]

[Reward Calculation: Mental Resistance +0.5 (You maintained your sanity when facing the Undead Swamp... approximately...)]

"Are you ready?" Rowe whispered to his companions. "There might be a greater danger or a more insane wizard lurking behind that door."

Harry looked at the door, his heart filled with anticipation and nervousness.

"Whatever it is," Harry said, "we'll go in together."

Lo Wei nodded.

"For the North."