"Just as Gandalf said, if Sauron cannot be destroyed completely, then once he regains his strength and lets the darkness swallow all of Middle-earth, the Shire will not escape untouched. I don't want the Shire, nor my family and friends, to suffer the horrors of war. And… the Ring was found by my uncle. As his nephew and heir, I have the responsibility to finish what he could not, to destroy the Ring and restore peace to the world."
Feeling the unwavering resolve behind Frodo's words, Sylas's eyes warmed with admiration.
'A true protagonist,' he thought. Such clarity and courage.
He turned from Frodo to Gandalf with a smile. "A remarkable young man."
Gandalf puffed up slightly, clearly pleased. "My judgment has always been sound."
"But what about those three?" Sylas asked, nodding toward the hobbits gathered nearby.
In the original timeline, Sam had happened to overhear talk about the One Ring and was caught by Gandalf, who dragged him along for Frodo's protection. Merry and Pippin had literally run into Frodo while he was leaving the Shire and joined by accident.
But now all three were already traveling with Frodo, and with Gandalf.
Gandalf sighed helplessly. "Sam insisted on following Frodo. As for those two lads, Merry and Pippin, they were caught trying to sneak into my fireplace. After that, they wouldn't stop pestering me to bring them to Hogwarts."
Then, with a subtle whisper of telepathy, he added to Sylas, "And I feel the Fellowship needs them. They will play their roles. Besides, Frodo needs friends on this journey. True companionship can be the strongest shield against the shadow."
Sylas nodded. Gandalf's intuition rarely failed.
Since Gandalf seemed to have a plan, Sylas didn't press further. Instead, he welcomed Frodo and the others warmly and arranged lodging for them within Hogwarts Castle.
The matter of the One Ring was far too important to rush. Numerous preparations needed to be made, coordinating with Rivendell, Lothlórien, and other key allies. The Ring would not be moved hastily.
After discussing it with Gandalf, Sylas decided to let Frodo and the others enjoy a brief period of rest and comfort at Hogwarts, one last calm before the storm. Their peaceful days would soon end, replaced by a burden that could decide the fate of Middle-earth.
Arwen, the Lady of the Castle, personally welcomed Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Even Merry and Pippin, normally bundles of mischief, became shy in front of the serene and radiant Evenstar, too intimidated to misbehave.
Arwen quickly grew fond of the four hobbits. With thoughtful grace, she arranged cozy rooms for them and sent her children to guide them around the castle grounds.
When Frodo saw the familiar faces of Elseth and Elroth, he finally relaxed. Guided by the pair, the hobbits toured the castle, met professors and students, and even ran into Bilbo, now serving as Hogwarts' caretaker.
The wonders of the castle overwhelmed them at every turn, moving portraits; staircases that shifted like living things; floating candles; the enchanted sky of the Great Hall; animated suits of armor; towering trees of silver and gold; gardens blooming with flowers that never withered; students soaring past on broomsticks, laughing in the wind.
Every sight dazzled them, and they feared missing even a moment of the magic.
They attended a feast in the Great Hall, sharing plates piled high with food alongside Hogwarts students, and later watched the selection trials for Houses.
On the dueling platform, two senior Phoenix House students faced off with wands drawn.
"Avis!" one cried, skillfully flicking his wand. A storm of conjured birds erupted from the tip, swirling forward in an attempt to overwhelm his opponent.
His opponent, a specialist in Transfiguration, reacted instantly. With a sharp twist of his wand, he transformed the flock into a massive shield that absorbed the spell's impact.
Then he swept his wand downward. The shield rippled, twisted, and reformed, becoming a roaring lion that lunged at the opponent.
The opponent flicked his wand sharply. The lion froze mid-pounce, then dissolved into sparks, only for those sparks to roar upward and twist into a massive serpent-shaped blaze. The fiery creature lunged across the platform, hissing as it surged toward the opposing duelist.
His opponent reacted immediately. With a sweeping gesture, he conjured a burst of water beneath his feet and transformed it with Transfiguration into a hulking octopus of living water. Its tentacles wrapped tightly around the fire serpent, steam exploding outward where water and flame collided.
The spectators strained to see through the dense white fog rising from the arena. Students stood on tiptoe, whispering excitedly, desperate to know who had gained the advantage.
A sudden gust of wind, swept the mist aside.
The scene revealed itself in an instant:
The fire serpent and water octopus had destroyed each other. Meanwhile, the Transfiguration specialist had his wand leveled at his opponent, who was now pinned helplessly to the ground, bound from shoulders to ankles by a chain of water wrapped so tightly he could barely move.
Only then did everyone realize what had happened.
While the two constructs were battling, the Transfiguration student had quietly drawn a thin stream of water across the floor to his opponent's feet. With a precise spell, he had reshaped it into a binding chain and trapped him before he could react.
The officiating professor immediately declared the result.
The surrounding students erupted into cheers, applauding both duelists for such an impressive match.
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin stood among them, mouths hanging open at the spectacle. Swept up in the excitement, they applauded just as enthusiastically as everyone else.
The hobbits spent two blissful weeks at Hogwarts afterward. They met countless students and professors; Merry and Pippin even became friends with Peeves, a development that caused no end of trouble.
But the cheerful days came to an end when an envelope arrived from Rivendell.
"Lord Elrond is preparing to convene a council," Gandalf told Sylas after reading the letter. "Representatives of every faction are being summoned to discuss the fate of the One Ring and the formation of the Fellowship."
Sylas skimmed the letter and frowned.
"Frodo has already been chosen as the Ring-bearer. Why gather all the powers of Middle-earth in one place? Isn't there a risk that word will leak, and Sauron will discover our intentions?"
Gandalf shook his head.
"Destroying the Ring is not something we can accomplish alone. We must unite Middle-earth. Only when every realm understands that the Ring is in our hands, and that destroying it is the only path to true peace, will they set aside their grudges and lend their full strength to the cause."
Then he gave Sylas a knowing wink.
"And besides… weren't we planning to lure Sauron out?" he said quietly. "A great council is the perfect opportunity to spread word of the Ring. Let his gaze turn toward us."
He lowered his voice even further.
"In fact, we can even circulate false reports, say that we intend to send the Ring westward to the Blessed Realm. Sauron will not sit idle after hearing that."
"And once he is drawn out of Mordor," Gandalf finished, "Frodo can slip inside with the One Ring… and destroy it."
...
Stones Plzz
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