The night wind, carrying a damp chill, swept across the crowded Hogsmeade platform.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"
A gigantic figure was swinging a lantern high above the heads of the crowd.
"Is that a Troll?" Ron muttered under his breath, clearly influenced by Rove's earlier assessment of Crabbe and Goyle.
"No, that is a Skin-Changer," Rove corrected in a hushed tone, his eyes scanning the surrounding dark forest vigilantly. "But his current identity is our guide. Follow that lantern closely; it is our only beacon in the mist."
The group of first-years stumbled and slipped as they followed Hagrid down a steep, narrow path.
"Yeh'll get yer firs' sight o' Hogwarts in a sec," Hagrid called over his shoulder, "jus' round this bend here."
At the end of the path lay a vast, black lake. Perched atop a high mountain on the other side, a majestic castle with many turrets and towers stood tall, its windows twinkling like stars.
A collective "Whoa!" erupted from the crowd.
But Rove did not gasp in wonder.
His pupils contracted violently, and every muscle in his body tensed up instantly.
> [WARNING! High-Risk Area Entered!]
> [Current Map: The Black Lake -> The Dead Marshes]
> [Environmental Scan: High-Energy Underwater Readings! Necrotic Aura Concentration: High!]
> [Survival Advice: Do not look into the water! Do not follow the lights!]
In Rove's eyes, eerie green will-o'-the-wisps floated on the lake's surface. Pale faces seemed to swim just beneath the water.
"No more'n four to a boat!" Hagrid shouted, pointing to a fleet of little boats bobbing by the shore.
Rove leaped onto the nearest boat without hesitation, immediately claiming the bow—the best defensive position, and also the most dangerous.
Harry and Ron followed close behind.
A girl with a round face and two blonde plaits hesitated for a moment before stepping carefully into the boat as well.
"Hello, I'm Susan. Susan Bones." She greeted them shyly.
Rove didn't turn around. His gaze was fixed on the pitch-black water, his right hand gripping the wooden oar tightly.
"Sit down, my lady." Rove's voice was low, carrying a tone of command that brooked no argument. "Keep your center of gravity low. The water here is deep."
"Everyone in?" shouted Hagrid, who had a boat to himself. "Right then—FORWARD!"
The fleet of little boats moved silently across the glass-smooth lake.
But in Rove's perception, they were crossing a realm of death.
> [Large Aquatic Unit Movement Detected!]
> [Target: Giant Squid -> The Watcher in the Water]
> [Distance: 50 meters directly below]
"Wow, the water is so cool." Susan leaned out curiously, extending a hand to ripple the water.
"DON'T TOUCH IT!"
Rove suddenly let out a low roar. His left hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Susan's wrist and yanking her back with brute force.
"Ah!" Susan yelped, nearly falling into the bottom of the boat. "Wh-what are you doing?"
"Do you want your hand to rot off?" Rove glared at her, his eyes filled with fear and severity. "Don't look into the water! Don't look at the faces!"
"Faces? What faces?" Susan was terrified by Rove's expression. She subconsciously looked at the water but saw only her reflection and a few stars. "It's just reflections..."
"That's what they want you to think." Rove released her hand and gripped his oar again. "They disguise themselves as reflections, or candlelight. Once you reach out, they will drag you down to join them."
Susan's face went white instantly. She pulled her hands back in horror, hugged her knees tight, and scooted closer to Ron.
"Are there... are there really water ghosts?" she asked with a sob in her voice.
Ron swallowed hard. Although he felt Rove might be having another episode, on this eerie lake, he'd rather be safe than sorry.
"Listen to him," Ron whispered comfortingly. "He seems experienced."
The boat continued forward.
Suddenly, a massive ripple disturbed the surface. A gigantic tentacle (the Giant Squid turning over) broke the water not far away, slapping the surface and sending up a spray of water.
SPLASH!
"THE WATCHER!" Rove sprang to his feet, wielding the oar like a spear. "ALL HANDS ON DECK! If you dare come closer, I'll turn you into calamari!"
Harry and Ron nearly fell into the water from fright.
"Sit down! Rove! You're going to capsize the boat!" Harry yelled.
The tentacle seemed to just be stretching; it quickly sank back into the depths.
Rove held his defensive stance for a full ten seconds. Only after confirming the monster wasn't attacking did he sit back down.
"It's testing us." Rove panted heavily, cold sweat beading on his forehead. "It smells the Ring-Bearer, but it seems wary of some seal on these waters."
Susan was on the verge of tears. She felt this trip to school was scarier than a haunted house. But somehow, looking at the back of the boy standing guard at the bow, she felt an inexplicable sense of safety—at least if there were monsters, he would definitely whack them with the oar.
"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled suddenly.
The boats carried them through a curtain of ivy hiding a wide opening in the cliff face, leading into a dark tunnel underneath the castle.
As the boats sailed into the underground harbor, the space opened up.
Countless torches lit up the massive underground port, and above their heads, the magnificent castle finally revealed its full grandeur.
> [Map Change: Hogwarts -> Minas Tirith]
> [Faction: The Last Bastion of Humanity]
> [Status: Standing Eternal]
In that instant, the System Filter in Rove's eyes shifted.
The gloomy marshes faded, replaced by a holy white light. The castle was no longer a school, but a white fortress built into the mountainside, tier upon tier. Atop the highest tower, it seemed as if a withered White Tree was waiting for the return of the King.
"We made it."
Rove lowered the oar, his tense shoulders finally relaxing. He looked up at the "White City," his eyes shining with fanatical light.
"The Last Bastion of Humanity. The Hope of the West."
He turned back to look at the trembling Susan, the bewildered Harry, and Ron, and offered a tired but relieved smile.
"We survived, my friends. Welcome to Gondor."
"Gondor?" Harry repeated, confused. "Hagrid said this is Hogwarts."
"Names are just code." Rove patted Harry on the shoulder and jumped ashore first. "What matters is that there are walls, a garrison, and hot food."
He extended a hand to Susan, like a knight who had just finished a battle. "Come, my lady. The Marshes have been crossed; next is the King's Judgment."
Susan hesitated, then placed her hand in Rove's. His hand was rough, warm, and very strong.
"Thank you," she whispered, her face flushing slightly.
Even though he was a weirdo, he had protected her just now.
"Everyone follow me!" Hagrid held up his lamp, leading the group of first-years who had just survived a "life-or-death trial" up a flight of stone steps.
The huge oak front doors stood before them.
Rove took a deep breath and straightened his robes.
> [Quest Complete: Arrive at the White City]
> [Reward Settlement: Mental Resistance +0.5 (You maintained your sanity while facing the Dead Marshes... probably...)]
"Ready?" Rove whispered to his companions. "Behind that door may lie even greater dangers... or even crazier wizards."
Harry looked at the door, his heart filled with a mix of anticipation and nervousness.
"Whatever it is," Harry said, "we go in together."
Rove nodded.
"For the North."