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

Chapter 106 Heroes' Triumph, Twin Towers Raiders!

When Rowe and Harry entered the Great Hall, it had been transformed into a golden sea.

This was no metaphor. Hundreds and thousands of candles floated in the air, illuminating every excited face. Because they had been urgently woken up at three in the morning for the banquet, all the students were wearing brightly colored pajamas.

This was an unprecedented sight at Hogwarts, but in Rowe's eyes, it had a completely different epic quality.

[Scene Scan: Minas Tirith's Victory Celebration.]

[Environment Description: Warriors have laid down their heavy armor and donned robes symbolizing peace. Bards sing, and wine flows. Darkness has been banished, and Middle-earth has ushered in a brief but precious peace.]

"I can't believe it!" Ron mumbled, his mouth full of grilled sausage. "Professor McGonagall was wearing a tartan dressing gown! She looked... well, not so scary anymore."

"That's traditional Scottish Highland attire, Ron." Rowe sat down beside him and poured himself a large glass of pumpkin juice. "That's the glory of a warrior after he's laid down his armor and returned to his field."

Ron glanced at him, puzzled, and decided to focus on the chicken leg on his plate.

Harry's arrival caused a commotion. Countless hands reached out to pat him on the back, and countless voices called his name. Justin Finley rushed over from the Hufflepuff table, grasped Harry's hand tightly, and thanked him profusely.

Lowe sat quietly amidst the noisy crowd, observing everything. Unlike the other young wizards who cheered for not having to take exams (though it was indeed good news), his gaze pierced through the crowd and landed on the teachers' seats.

Dumbledore stood up. The Great Hall fell silent instantly.

"Before we enjoy our delicious late-night snack," the principal's voice was still booming, "I'd like to announce something small."

Dumbledore smiled and announced that, in recognition of Harry and Ron's heroic actions in the Chamber of Secrets—their successful rescue of Ginny Weasley and destruction of one of Voldemort's Horcruxes—they would each receive a special contribution award of 200 points.

That's a full 400 points!

The Gryffindor jewel trough instantly rose as if on a rocket, and the previously empty hourglass was instantly filled with rubies.

In the end, Gryffindor, who were originally at the bottom, miraculously overtook Slytherin and won the House Cup.

A deafening roar erupted from the Gryffindor table. Hats were tossed into the air, students hugged each other, and even Percy, disregarding his prefectural dignity, jumped around like a madman.

At the Hufflepuff table, everyone was politely applauding. Although they hadn't won, it was always pleasant to see Slytherins get their comeuppance.

"We didn't win." Susan Borns looked at the huge trophy with some regret.

"It's just a cup, Susan." Lowe shook his head, his gaze deep. "True glory lies not in the golden vessel, but in what we have protected."

He raised the pumpkin juice in his hand and stood up.

"For Harry!" Rowe shouted, his voice cutting through the noise, "For Rohan's rider! For... uh, for the canceled final exams!"

"The final exams have been cancelled!"

This time, all the Hufflepuffs raised their glasses and cheered from the bottom of their hearts. This toast was clearly more popular than anything like "Riders of Rohan."

Just then, the doors to the auditorium were pushed open again.

A figure stood in the doorway. Morning light streamed in from the corridor behind her, gilding her with a golden hue.

[System detection: Key friendly units have returned.]

[Unit: Hermione Granger]

[Filter Reconstruction: Princess Arwen of the Twilight Star.]

[Status: Petrification lifted/Awakened.]

In Loewy's view, Hermione wasn't wearing pink pajamas, but rather a robe woven from starlight. She still looked somewhat weak, but her brown eyes sparkled.

"Hermione!"

Ron yelled, dropping the chicken leg he was holding. Harry also jumped to his feet.

Hermione ran over, her face beaming with a bright smile. She hugged Harry tightly, then shyly gave Ron a hug as well.

"I've figured it out!" she exclaimed breathlessly. "I've figured it out! It's the pipe! The monster was moving inside the pipe!"

"We understand, Hermione," Harry said with a smile, his eyes slightly moist. "We've got it all sorted out."

Hermione turned her head and looked at Rowe, who was sitting next to her.

"And you, Rowe," she said, feigning anger, hands on her hips. "I heard. You actually rammed into Lucius Malfoy with your body? Is your brain filled with troll snot? What if he used a curse?"

Luo Wei smiled. This was the all-knowing young lady he knew.

"If it's troll snot, then at least it will increase our defense a little." Rowe stood up, looking at the girl before him who had risked her life to uncover the truth. "Welcome back, Princess. Although you missed the final battle, your wisdom has guided us."

Hermione paused for a moment, her face flushing slightly. "Don't call me Princess, Rowe. And... thank you."

Just then, the doors to the auditorium were kicked open for the third time.

This time, even the ground shook.

[System detection: A massive friendly unit has returned.]

[Unit: Rubeus Hagrid.]

[Filter Reconstruction: Beorn, the Skin Changer.]

Hagrid is back. He has just been released from Azkaban, his face covered in stubble, and he looks exhausted, but his black beetle-like eyes are glistening with tears of joy.

"Sorry I'm late!" Hagrid's booming voice made the plates on the table tremble. "That owl got lost, its name was something like Airol..."

Harry and Ron rushed over. Hagrid grabbed them both, along with Hermione, and pulled them into a tight embrace. It looked like a giant brown bear hugging three kittens.

Lowe walked over too. Hagrid saw him, stretched out a huge hand, and pulled him into that suffocating embrace as well.

"And you, Rowe!" Hagrid sobbed, tears wetting his beard. "Dumbledore told me...you said it wasn't the spider that did it...you always believed Aragog...oh, I mean, believed me..."

"Cough cough... Hagrid... be gentle..." Lowe felt his ribs protesting. "If you push any harder, I'm going to meet Merlin... or Mandos..."

Hagrid quickly let go, wiping his eyes sheepishly. "Sorry, I got too excited."

Rowe took a deep breath to calm himself. He looked around at his friends, who, though somewhat disheveled, were all beaming with smiles. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid...

This is something worth protecting.

[System Summary: Main campaign ended.]

[Faction: The Fellowship of the Ring (Hogwarts Division)]

Casualties: Zero.

[Campaign Rating: S-Rank (Perfect)]

[Milestone Reward Achieved: The Two Towers - Completed.]

[Description: You successfully protected Hogwarts, thwarted Riddle's plot, and banished Sauron's henchman (Lucius). You are the true guardian of the White City.]

The cheers in the Great Hall continued, but to Rowe, they sounded more like the triumphant call of Middle-earth.

He turned to look at the teachers' table. Dumbledore was raising his glass, smiling and greeting him.

Luo Wei also raised his half-finished glass of pumpkin juice and toasted it from afar.

"For Middle-earth," he said softly.

Of course, no one heard the strange whisper. All they saw was the strange Hufflepuff newborn beaming with satisfaction amidst the celebrating crowd.