A vague whisper sounded in his ears, like Elves chanting ancient ballads. Then came the light...
Rove snapped his eyes open.
> [System detecting environmental change]
> [Current Location: The Healing House of Imladris (Hospital Wing)]
> [Status: Recovering from Poison (All stats reduced by 30%)]
He immediately tried to sit up, shouting hoarsely:
"The Ring!"
"Where is the Ring-bearer? Did he succeed?"
"Lie down, Mr. Baggins!"
A stern voice exploded above his head. Immediately after, a hand pushed him back onto the pillow.
Rove blinked, his vision finally focusing.
Standing before him was a witch wearing a nurse's cap—Madam Pomfrey.
> [NPC: Head Elven Healer]
> [Attitude: Stern but Friendly]
"Stop moving, your lungs are still detoxifying," Madam Pomfrey said grumpily, holding a tray. "And what ring? There was only a dirty rock and half a packet of compressed biscuits in your pocket."
Rove turned his head and found Harry lying in the bed next to him. The Boy Who Lived was sleeping soundly, his glasses removed and placed on the bedside table.
What shocked Rove was that the entire ward seemed to have turned into a general store.
The foot of both their beds was piled high with colorful wrapping paper, boxes of sweets, greeting cards, and even a toilet seat from some unknown sender.
> [Loot Settlement: Offerings from Allies]
> [Acquired: Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans x50, Chocolate Frogs x20, Unknown Alchemical Toilet Seat x1]
"These are all from your friends," Madam Pomfrey muttered while checking his airway. "Though I think it's ridiculous; this is a hospital, not a junkyard... Now, drink this."
She handed him a goblet of potion emitting purple smoke.
Rove frowned at the concoction. System notification: [Elven Secret Elixir: Clears toxins, Side Effect: Tinnitus].
He pinched his nose and gulped it down; the spicy taste nearly made him cough it back up.
"Feeling better?"
A gentle voice came from the doorway.
Rove looked up to see a tall figure walking in. Silver-white beard flowing to his waist, sparkling blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles.
Dumbledore.
> [Key Story Character: The White Wizard Gandalf]
> [Current Affinity: Friendly (+10)]
"Headmaster." Rove tried to salute but was stopped by Dumbledore.
"Lie still, Rove," Dumbledore smiled, sitting on the chair by the bed. "Madam Pomfrey is very strict; I don't want to be kicked out by her."
The old Headmaster's gaze fell on the frying pan at the head of Rove's bed, which now sported a distinct dent.
"I must say, Mr. Baggins," Dumbledore picked up the frying pan and examined it closely. "When we found you in that poison-filled room, you were gripping this tightly. It took Minerva quite a bit of effort to pry it from your hand."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I am curious, were you planning to cook a last supper for the incoming enemy with it?"
Rove scratched his head awkwardly, his face flushing slightly. "That was... er, a Dwarven shield. It can also be used for offense. It's multifunctional."
"A very... er, practical perspective," Dumbledore put down the frying pan, his expression becoming soft and serious. "Hermione told me what you said that day. About 'Helm's Deep,' and your vow to hold the last line of defense."
Rove's heart tightened. Having his chuunibyou lines repeated by the Headmaster was practically a public execution.
"That was a metaphor, Professor," Rove whispered.
"A wonderful metaphor," Dumbledore looked at him. "Do you know, Rove? Facing an invincible enemy and choosing to stay behind to cover the retreat requires immense courage. Especially when you don't know if reinforcements will ever arrive."
"I just..." Rove paused. "I just felt I couldn't let the enemy interfere with Harry. He is the Ring-bear... I mean, he is the key."
"You did it," Dumbledore patted his shoulder. "You held your ground. When we arrived, nothing had passed through that door. You protected your friend."
"As for that object..." Dumbledore pointed toward Harry. "The Sorcerer's Stone has been destroyed. Nicolas Flamel and I have reached a consensus; to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."
Dumbledore stood up.
"Rest well, Mr. Baggins. Also, while I do not advocate inhaling so many strange gases outside of Potions class, your willpower is impressive."
With that, the White Wizard winked, turned, and left the ward.
Rove let out a long breath and went limp on the pillow. Dealing with a "Maia" of that level was exhausting, more tiring than fighting a troll.
Just then, the ward door was slammed open again.
"I told you he was in here! Madam Pomfrey said he woke up!"
Rapid footsteps approached, and then Susan rushed to his bedside like a whirlwind.
Her eyes were red; she had clearly been crying. Behind her followed Hannah Abbott and Justin.
"Oh my god, Rove!" Seeing Rove's pale face, Susan looked like she was about to cry again. "You scared us to death! Hermione said you were in a toxic coma for three days!"
"Hey, I'm fine." Rove tried to strike a dashing pose, but the slightest movement caused a dull pain in his chest. "A little poison gas is nothing. For a Ranger who walks on the edge of Mount Doom..."
"Shut up, you dummy!" Susan interrupted him fiercely. "What Ranger! You're only a first-year! That was deadly poison! How dare you stay there alone!"
As she spoke, she picked up another bottle of potion from Madam Pomfrey's cart.
"This... I can do it myself..." Rove tried to resist.
"Open up!" Susan gave him no chance, pinching his chin and pouring the potion in.
Rove's eyes rolled back as he was forced to swallow.
> [Attack Suffered: Forced Feeding]
> [Effect: HP Restored, Dignity -5]
"Cough, cough... Susan, you're acting like an Orc interrogator..."
"You're still talking!" Susan raised a pillow as if to hit him, but in the end, she only gently placed it behind his back.
"Next time," the girl lowered her head, her voice choking up, "next time don't do something so stupid. We heard you were alone there waving a frying pan at the air, shouting something about 'You shall not pass'... everyone thought you'd gone mad."
Rove looked at her, then at Hannah and Justin, who looked concerned. In his System vision, green names floated above the heads of these Hufflepuff classmates—the mark of [Friendly Units].
"I'm not mad," Rove said softly. "I was just fulfilling my oath. To protect the Shire... I mean, to protect Hogwarts."
Susan sniffled and broke into a smile through her tears.
"Alright, our 'Frying Pan Knight'." She dug out a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans from the pile of gifts. "To celebrate your survival, have a bean?"
Rove looked at the box.
> [Item: Beans of Unknown Fate]
> [Possible Flavors: Earwax, Bogies, Vomit, Strawberry]
"Bring it on." Rove picked up a red one with the air of a martyr. "Even if it tastes like Orc feet, I'll accept it."
At this moment, in the next bed, Harry turned over and mumbled in his sleep.
Sunlight spilled into the ward, and everything seemed so peaceful. The Dark Lord was defeated (temporarily), the Ring was destroyed (probably), and the members of the Fellowship could finally enjoy a moment of peace.
Except for that bean.
Rove chewed twice, and his face instantly turned green.
"What flavor is it?" Susan asked curiously.
"...Probably," Rove swallowed with difficulty, "Troll armpit."
A burst of cheerful laughter erupted in the ward.
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