Since the end of the Council, the Fellowship of the World split into two paths.
One group, with Frodo at its core, accompanied by Sam, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, secretly moved to Lórien, remaining there temporarily while waiting for the chance to enter Mordor. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli departed ahead of time, traveling to Gondor to confront the massive demonic armies threatening the realm.
The second group, smaller yet deliberately conspicuous, was led by Gandalf. With Bilbo disguised as Frodo, alongside Merry, Pippin, and Boromir, they traveled westward with minimal concealment, intentionally drawing the attention of Sauron and his forces. After journeying from the Valley to Hogsmeade, they temporarily halted at Hogwarts, both because the great ship bound for Valinor had yet to return and because the western ports had come under attack by the Umbar pirates.
Inside the Headmaster's Office, Gandalf and the others stood before the enchanted map, watching as Sauron and his army advanced rapidly toward Hogwarts.
Sylas and Gandalf wore grave expressions. This outcome had been anticipated, perhaps even engineered, but the moment Sauron himself appeared on the board, the pressure became overwhelming. Now restored to his peak strength, with such a terrifying physical form and power, Sauron posed a threat unlike any before. Even for Sylas and Gandalf together, victory was far from assured.
Gandalf broke the silence.
"Now that Sauron has moved into Eriador, Frodo and the others can begin their final action. We must hold Sauron here, no matter the cost, and buy them as much time as possible."
Sylas nodded. "Sauron's power has grown too great. Even the two of us may not be enough. We'll need more help."
He raised a two-way mirror.
"Lord Elrond. Lady Galadriel. Sauron has appeared in Eriador. We need your aid."
Within minutes, green flames burst from the fireplace. Elrond, Galadriel, and Glorfindel stepped through one after another.
Sylas rose immediately. "Thank you for coming."
Galadriel smiled gently, while Elrond waved aside formalities.
"There is no need for courtesy. Resisting Sauron is our duty. Hogwarts is already bearing the brunt of his advance. Now we must decide how to stop him."
Time was short. Pleasantries were abandoned.
According to the map, Sauron's army would reach Hogsmeade and Hogwarts within two to three hours.
Elrond spoke decisively.
"We cannot allow the battle to reach the city or the castle. We will confront them on the plains east of weathertop, block their advance and contain them there."
"I, Galadriel, Glorfindel, Mithrandir, and Sylas will engage Sauron directly and hold him in place. His armies will be left to Hogwarts' wizards."
Everyone agreed.
Sylas immediately issued orders. Professors were alerted. Students were instructed to remain inside the castle under Vice-Headmaster Edward's supervision, ready to be evacuated via the Vanishing Cabinets if necessary.
Hogwarts' defenses awakened.
Stone statues tore themselves free from their pedestals and marched to seal every entrance. Suits of armor came alive, gripping spears and blades, standing guard throughout the grounds. The Thunderbird circled overhead, lightning crackling through gathering storm clouds. Deep within the pipes, the Basilisk stirred, slithering silently through hidden passages. Beneath the Black Lake, the Kraken shifted, the waters churning ominously.
Then;
A weak dragon's roar echoed from the sky.
Bloodied and barely airborne, Smaug emerged over the castle, his massive body swaying before finally collapsing toward the ground. Sylas reacted instantly, casting a powerful Levitation Charm that slowed the dragon's fall and guided him safely onto the castle grounds.
A black spear was buried deep in Smaug's chest.
Scalding dragon blood poured from the wound, burning the grass like molten iron. Dark energy radiated from the spear, preventing the wound from closing and relentlessly devouring Smaug's life force.
Smaug forced his eyes open.
"Master… Sauron is far stronger than I imagined. I was no match for him. You must be careful…"
"Don't speak," Sylas interrupted firmly.
He produced several high-grade healing potions and poured them into Smaug's mouth. Then his gaze fell upon the spear, and his expression hardened.
Smaug had survived only because the weapon had missed his heart by the narrowest margin. Even so, his condition was dire.
Sylas reached out to grasp the black spear.
The instant his fingers touched it, a surge of malevolent power flooded into his body.
Sylas recoiled at once, opening his hands, his heart still pounding as he stared at the black spear radiating a terrifying evil aura. The sensation it gave off was disturbingly similar to the power contained within the One ring
Fortunately, Smaug possessed extraordinary strength. As a creation of Morgoth, he was born with a natural resistance to dark forces. Had any other race been struck by that spear, even if they had survived the initial blow, they would have been rapidly corroded by Sauron's power and transformed into one of his puppets.
Even so, Smaug's situation was far from optimistic. If the spear remained embedded in his body, it would continue to erode his life force. Corruption was inevitable, it was only a matter of time.
Sylas did not hesitate. He immediately activated his Occlumency technique, suppressing the corrupting aura emanating from the spear. Then he conjured a long rope, binding one end tightly around the spear and the other around a massive stone statue.
The statue sprang to life, gripping the rope firmly. With a single, violent pull, it wrenched backward.
Smaug let out a deafening, agonized roar as the enormous spear, nearly five or six meters long, was torn free from his chest. Scalding dragon blood gushed out, splattering the ground. Sylas rushed forward at once, applying several fragrant white healing potions to the wound.
However, the dark power lingering within Smaug's body resisted the magic. The wound refused to close, and the blood flowing from it had already turned black, faint traces of corruption still seeping outward.
At that moment, Elrond, Galadriel, and the others arrived. The sight of Smaug's condition caused their expressions to darken.
Seeing Elrond, Sylas felt a surge of hope and spoke urgently."Lord Elrond, you've arrived just in time. Smaug was wounded by Sauron's spear, and the power within it has infected the wound, making it impossible to heal. You are the greatest physician of Middle-earth, do you have any way to save him?"
Elrond did not hesitate. He nodded solemnly.
"I will try."