A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

“He rolled back into his cave and died long ago from his injuries,” Thorin said slowly as he walked over.

Aaron: ......

Dude, you can't just make a promise like that!

"That means you're not certain of his death; Azog may still be alive."

“Impossible,” Thorin said sharply. “He was carried away by orcs in Moria, without even a chance to stop the bleeding.”

“Uh…” Aaron hesitated for a moment, “You may not be happy to hear me say this, but things often turn out the worst you can imagine. My personal advice is that you should just pretend he’s not dead.”

"Ha!" Thorin sneered and walked up to Aaron. "If he's not dead, then I'll defeat him again and cut off his head with my own hands."

Chapter 237 Ogre? A Higher-Level Giant

The rain poured down, turning the roads into a muddy mess.

Little Horse's movements slowed down, and the expedition team was soaked and looked particularly disheveled.

“Mr. Gandalf, would you please do something about these floods?” Dolly said.

"Have some common sense, okay?" Aaron rolled his eyes speechlessly. "If he had that ability, we wouldn't have been soaked for more than three hours."

Gandalf shrugged. "If you want to change the weather, you'll have to find other wizards."

"Are there other wizards?" Bilbo asked curiously.

"There are five in total. The highest-ranking one is the white-robed wizard Saruman. There are also two blue-robed wizards, but I've forgotten their names."

"Who is the fifth one?"

"It is the brown-robed wizard Redagast."

Is he very skilled? Or is he like you?

"I think he was an unconventional wizard, gentle in nature, who preferred to be with forest animals."

“Ha, that reminds me of one of my… friends.” The image of Hagrid suddenly popped into Aaron’s mind, though he was more of a playboy and liked to associate with huge, furry creatures, like Cerberus or the eight-eyed spider.

"The brown-robed wizard guards the vast forest to the east. It's fortunate that he's here, because evil is always looking for a foothold."

"Gandalf, what kind of magic are you good at?" Aaron asked.

“Me?” Gandalf puffed on his cigarette, a hazy white halo shimmering around his wand. “I’d say I’m a wizard of light, if I may be considered one.”

Sensing the holiness and purity of the light, Aaron pondered, "Perhaps you should change into white clothes; white is more worthy of your magic."

“That won’t do. I’m no match for Saruman.” Gandalf shook his head indifferently. “Only when your magic reaches that level can you become a white wizard.”

"However, Gaius, I'm more curious about what kind of magic you're good at?"

Aaron chuckled, then pulled out his 'family heirloom wand,' saying, 'Look at my wand, and compare it to yours, and you'll see I can't do anything.'

“But you don’t seem like you know nothing.” Gandalf raised an eyebrow at Aaron. “A wizard’s intuition can be quite accurate sometimes.”

"How can I explain it to you so you'll believe me?" Aaron said, sounding a little weary.

This is an old scoundrel who has lived for who knows how long; it's probably impossible to fool him.

But we'll keep it a secret for as long as we can, and hide it as deep as we can.

Revealing a little bit of his strength is fine, but if he reveals all his strength, Gandalf might assign him some unnecessary tasks and powerful enemies, which would be a loss.

Judging from his act of using Bilbo's Bag End to entertain the dwarves, he is capable of doing something that harms others without benefiting himself.

“I won’t believe you no matter what you say,” Gandalf said with a sly grin. “Nothing is more anticipated than the arrival of the sixth wizard.”

Aaron's lips twitched slightly. "Think what you want!"

"By the way, if I may ask, do wizards have enemies?"

“This…” Gandalf hesitated for a moment, “This is not something a child like you should know.”

“Then there is one.” Aaron sighed. He had initially thought that there were only a few wizards in the world, and they weren’t much of a threat to him.

As long as you stay calm and don't make any mistakes, returning home safely is a sure thing.

But now he has to be more careful. Wizards aren't without enemies, and some can even be troublesome for a Dumbledore-esque wizard like Gandalf.

When Gandalf heard Aaron sigh, he thought Aaron was afraid and immediately comforted him, "You don't need to worry about anything. Wizards also have allies."

Humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits will all be allies of the wizard.

Hearing this, Aaron did not feel relieved at all; on the contrary, he felt immense pressure.

"Gandalf, you are a great comforter."

I originally thought wizards only had a few enemies, but now it seems I was wrong. Their enemies are at least forces that can rival these allied powers.

Gandalf: ......

“There’s no need to think so much,” Bilbo said dismissively. “Things like that are still a long way off for us!”

"yes!

"That was a wake-up call!" Aaron suddenly realized that he was just an insignificant figure now, and as long as he continued to keep a low profile, he wouldn't be taken seriously by those so-called enemies.

......

The expedition reached a plain.

Thorin stopped in front of a dilapidated hut.

"We'll camp here tonight."

Fili, Chili, you two are responsible for taking care of the ponies and staying by their side.

"Ouyin, Geluoyin, you two are in charge of starting the fire."

Gandalf entered the hut and murmured with a puzzled expression, "A farmer's family once lived here."

“I think it’s best to keep going,” Gandalf suggested to Thorin. “We can continue into the valley.”

“I told you, I won’t go near that place.”

"Is there anything there?" Aaron asked.

Thorin paused for a moment, then said coldly, "A fellow I despise."

"But the elves will help us; we can get food, lodging, and advice."

"I don't need their advice."

“King Elrond can help us decipher that map,” Gandalf coaxed Thorin, trying to persuade him, but Thorin remained unmoved and even seemed somewhat angry.

"Help us?" Thorin's face darkened, and he said disdainfully, "When the dragon attacked Irubor, did the elves help us?"

Orcs plunder Moria and desecrate our temples, yet the elves remain indifferent.

You actually want me to seek out those who have turned their backs on my grandfather and my father.

“You are not them. Giving you the key and map is not to make you remember hatred.”

“You have no right to keep them either,” Thorin said. The map and the key were left to him by his father, and Gandalf was merely keeping them for him.

"Um... excuse me, but let me be fair!" Aaron took a deep breath. "Putting aside national and personal grievances, helping you in some matters is a favor, not an obligation."

Thorin and Smaug attacked Irubor. The dwarves certainly resisted, but what was the result?

Your grandfather led a large army to attack Moria, but what was the result?

This is no small matter; the elves have no reason to pay such a heavy price for the dwarves' homeland.

Gandalf nodded. "The words may be rough, but the principle is sound; that's exactly the point."

“But they shouldn’t stand idly by,” Thorin said through gritted teeth. “I don’t expect them to provide weapons and armor, nor do I expect them to supply any provisions, much less send a large army to join the battle.”

But when we left our homes, they just stood by and watched. Their indifferent eyes and their detached attitude were more impactful than any crushing defeat.

They were no longer allies from that time on, at least not to me.

“I understand,” Aaron said thoughtfully. “I haven’t had your experience, so I’m not qualified to lecture you on these kinds of profound principles.”

"It's good to know."

"But I still want to urge you to keep going."

"What?" Thorin looked at Aaron with some annoyance. "Wasn't I clear enough?"

“It’s clear, but that doesn’t conflict with moving forward.” Aaron pointed to the dilapidated hut, his expression becoming somewhat solemn. “Take a closer look. The door was hit hard, the house is crooked, and there are several large holes in the windows, walls, and ceiling.”

This doesn't seem like a natural disaster; it's more like an attack by some giant creature. The original owner of the house is probably in grave danger.

“That’s right.

Thorin, this place isn't as safe as it seems.

Thorin was silent for a few seconds, then a slight smile appeared on his face. "I've decided to camp here after all."

"Why?" Gandalf asked, puzzled.

"This is just a 13-year-old's speculation, without any evidence."

Even if it were true, judging from the dilapidated state of the house, it must have been there a long time ago.

“Alright!” Aaron pursed his lips. “I’ll listen to the leader.”

However, Thorin, I must remind you, those who don't listen to my advice usually suffer losses.

"Didn't you say you had amnesia?" Thorin asked with a half-smile.

"I remember some things, is that not allowed?"

Gandalf, however, was so angry that his lips twitched, and he turned and left.

"Is everything alright?" Bilbo, who was tending to the pony, couldn't help but ask when he saw Gandalf's angry expression. "Gandalf, where are you going?"

"Go find the only rational person in the group."

"who is it?"

“I myself, Mr. Baggins, have had enough of the dwarves today.”

Watching the figure walk further and further away, Aaron shook his head speechlessly, "Look how angry you've made her!"

“He’ll be back.” Thorin said dismissively, then looked at Pombel. “Come on, Pombel, we’re hungry.”