Listening to Angmar's fragmented words, Luke's expression grew increasingly solemn.
He had used Legilimency, so he was certain that Angmar was not lying.
"Alright, Mr. Angmar, there's no need to be afraid, I believe you!" Luke said, his tone softening slightly to reassure him, "However, to confirm the situation, I need to use magic to examine your body. Remember not to resist, okay?"
Angmar nodded, sniffling.
Luke then pointed his wand at Angmar and chanted a spell.
Immediately, a white light enveloped Angmar, detecting any abnormalities in his body.
Soon, a trace of Dark Arts energy emerged from within Angmar, appearing particularly glaring and conspicuous amidst the holy white light.
Along with the appearance of that trace of Dark Arts energy, an aura filled with temptation, corruption, and degradation emanated, causing Luke, Gandalf, and Galadriel's expressions to change.
This was merely a trace of Dark Arts energy remaining within Angmar's body and could not affect Luke and the others.
However, the few of them, especially Luke, were unusually familiar with this trace of Dark Arts energy, even remembering it deeply.
Because besides Sauron, Luke could not think of anyone else who possessed such Dark Arts with tempting and corrosive power.
Looking at the trace of Dark Arts attached to Angmar, Luke's expression was cold and disgusted. He had long suspected the identity of the person in the shadows, but now that it was confirmed, he was even more filled with killing intent towards Sauron.
However, seeing Angmar's frightened and uneasy appearance, Luke still tried to suppress the anger in his heart, then waved his wand, "Expecto Patronum!"
A Phoenix Patronus shot out from Luke's wand, enveloping Angmar and dispelling and purifying the remaining Dark Arts energy.
Ever since Luke's Animagus transformation into a Phoenix, his Patronus had also changed from an owl to a Phoenix. This Patronus, full of light and hope, was the purest White magic, especially effective against Dark Arts and dark creatures.
As it was only a residual trace of Dark Arts energy on Angmar, it was quickly purified and dispelled by the Patronus.
Angmar also felt his body instantly lighten, and the tempting voice in his head disappeared.
Angmar didn't know what Luke had done, but he knew it was good for him. He looked at Luke with teary eyes, but also full of unease and timidity.
"Headmaster, can I not be expelled? As long as I'm not expelled, I... I can accept any punishment, boo hoo... I don't know why I did bad things, but I couldn't control it. It was like two people lived in my head..."
"Mr. Angmar, I believe you. I know you didn't do it intentionally. Relax, you won't be expelled," Luke said gently to comfort him, then turned and asked,
"However, Mr. Angmar, can you tell me if you have come into contact with any unusual people or things during this time? For example, something that made you feel very attracted to it."
Hearing Luke's words, Angmar's teary eyes were somewhat clear and bewildered, and he instinctively shook his head.
But as if he had thought of something else, he showed a look of shame, not daring to meet Luke's gaze, and stammered, "A few days ago, I picked up a golden ring. That ring looked very expensive, and somehow I secretly kept it..."
A ring? Luke, Gandalf, and Galadriel immediately became alert.
They were all very sensitive to such things as rings.
"Where did you put that ring? Can you take us to see it?" Luke tried his best to suppress his urgency and asked gently.
But to his disappointment, Angmar shook his head, his face full of guilt and apprehension:
"Before the Quidditch match, it went missing. The voice in my head disappeared at that time, and because I was so afraid of being discovered that I had damaged the broom, I was constantly distracted, so I don't know when it was lost."
Luke confirmed that Angmar was not lying and his heart immediately sank.
Just as a clue appeared, it suddenly broke off again. The person in the shadows was indeed cunning and cautious.
But Luke did not give up and continued to ask, "Mr. Angmar, do you still remember where you picked up that ring? And did anyone see you pick up the ring? Like your roommates or classmates?"
Angmar shook his head blankly: "I picked up the ring on the sink in the second-floor restroom. It was just sitting there. I thought some classmate or Professor had forgotten it there. Since I secretly kept it, I didn't dare show it to anyone, so no one knows."
Luke frowned upon hearing this.
The second-floor restroom was a public restroom that everyone in the castle could use, making it impossible to find out who had left the ring there.
Moreover, Luke suspected that the ring being placed on the sink for Angmar to find was intentionally done by the person in the shadows.
And even Angmar losing the ring later was very likely due to the person in the shadows taking the ring again.
Gandalf and Galadriel evidently had the same suspicions as Luke, and both frowned gravely.
"Luke, what are your thoughts on that ring?" Galadriel's voice echoed in Luke's mind.
Gandalf also heard Galadriel's thoughts and looked at Luke.
Luke's lips did not move, and he communicated telepathically with Galadriel and Gandalf as they looked at each other:
"That ring possesses tempting power, it must be one of Sauron's rings of power.
Among the Nine Rings of Men, two have been destroyed by me. The remaining seven rings are crucial to the survival of the Ringwraiths, so Sauron would not be so generous as to abandon a ring and a Ringwraith, sending it into the castle."
"And among the seven rings of the dwarves, three were originally in Sauron's hands. I previously destroyed one dwarven ring, leaving two remaining. So the only possibility is that Sauron gave one of the dwarven rings to the person in the shadows to bring into the castle."
"What are your suspicions about the identity of the person in the shadows? Could it be a Ringwraith?" Gandalf's voice also echoed in Luke's mind.
Luke's eyes were dark, and he shook his head: "It shouldn't be a Ringwraith. Ringwraiths are demonic creatures corrupted by the rings. No matter how well they hide their dark aura, they cannot escape our three's detection.
I suspect the person in the shadows is most likely Saruman. Only he would have the ability to evade our detection.
When I destroyed his physical body, his soul fled towards Mordor. It's highly probable that he received help from Sauron and has recovered a significant portion of his power. Therefore, he received Sauron's instructions to lurk among the students and come to Hogwarts."
Hearing Luke's words, Gandalf and Galadriel nodded slightly, agreeing with his conjecture.
"Then what is Saruman's purpose in lurking here this time?" Galadriel asked again.
Luke and Gandalf looked at each other, both having made a guess.
"What Sauron has always wanted most is his one ring," Luke said, "He must have already guessed that I know the whereabouts of the one ring, and even suspects that the one ring is in my hands, so he sent Saruman to hide among the students, intending to find the one ring."
Gandalf also added, "Don't forget you still have the Philosopher's Stone in your possession. This is a treasure that can reshape a body. Neither Sauron nor Saruman would let go of such an opportunity!"
"I know, I carry the Philosopher's Stone with me, I won't give Saruman a chance," Luke nodded and said.
A trace of worry flashed in Galadriel's eyes as she reminded him:
"And that ring of power must also be found as soon as possible. The ring has been imbued with evil power by Sauron. Even for us, prolonged contact can easily lead to corruption, let alone children."