Orli barely slept the entire night.
The next morning, with two large dark circles under her eyes, she was just about to figure out how to subtly hint something to Harry when she found Percy waiting for her at the bottom of the girls' dormitory staircase.
# Percy
"Orli, finally, you're out."
He looked rather anxious and lowered his voice to ask:
# Percy
"You haven't gotten yourself into any trouble recently, have you?"
Orli gave a bitter smile.
Trouble? She felt as if she'd just landed herself in a whole heap of it last night. If someone told her that Snape had docked fifty points from Gryffindor because of her, she wouldn't be surprised in the slightest.
Seeing her remain silent, Percy grew even more worried. He pulled her aside into a corner and whispered:
# Percy
"Professor Dumbledore said he wants you to go to his office. He said you should head there as soon as you wake up. The password is 'Lemon Sherbet.'"
Perhaps it was due to her lack of sleep, but Orli felt lightheaded. She steadied herself as best as she could and forced a weak smile at Percy.
## Orli
"Alright, I understand. I'll go right away."
# Percy
"Are you sure you're okay? Do you want me to walk you there?"
Percy asked, looking genuinely concerned, as if Orli were about to be expelled.
## Orli
"I think it's better if I go alone."
Orli took a deep breath. Whatever the reason for Dumbledore's sudden summons, the fewer people involved, the better.
——————
This wasn't her first time climbing the spiral staircase to the headmaster's office, but this time, her mood was much heavier than before. However, the person inside clearly didn't want her to dwell in anxiety for too long. Just as Orli reached the door, she heard Dumbledore call out:
# Dumbledore
"Come in, Orli. Good morning."
Orli pressed her lips together, exhaled a shaky breath, and reached out to push open the oak door in front of her.
Everything in the office was as usual, with many of the portraits dozing off. Dumbledore stood by Fawkes's perch, using a small stick to poke at a pile of black ash on a plate. In the middle of it, a tiny, wrinkled chick poked its head out, curiously looking around.
# Dumbledore
"You just missed the most marvelous sight by a little while. Not everyone gets to witness a phoenix's rebirth, do they?"
Dumbledore smiled and gestured for Orli to come closer to the perch.
# Dumbledore
"This is Fawkes. You met him last time."
Orli stared in amazement at the pink, wrinkled chick, struggling to reconcile it with the majestic, fiery bird she had seen before. Quickly regaining her composure, she politely greeted the bird and then stood still.
## Orli
"Professor, is there something urgent you needed to discuss with me?"
# Dumbledore
"Oh, it's not terribly urgent. I was just worried you might be too burdened with worry. Thinking too much isn't good for someone your age."
Dumbledore set down the small stick, pulled over a chair for Orli to sit, and handed her a cup of hot chocolate.
Feeling both cold and hungry, Orli lowered her head and took a sip.
Surely a basilisk wouldn't suddenly burst out from under Dumbledore's desk, right? As she drank, Orli's mind wandered to some absurdly humorous scenarios, finally easing her tension a bit.
# Dumbledore
"I've already heard about the theories you shared with Severus last night. Sometimes I truly wonder if the Waters family and the Trelawney family are distantly related."
Dumbledore looked at her kindly, making a lighthearted joke.
# Dumbledore
"Perhaps you haven't met Sybill yet. She'll be teaching you Divination starting in your third year. Her family has quite the gift for prophecy."
Orli's smile was a bit forced. It seemed Snape hadn't entirely dismissed what she'd said, but the fact that he'd turned around and reported everything to Dumbledore left her unsure whether to feel fortunate or unfortunate.
## Orli
"Well, as you know, I have a temporary master-servant contract with Dobby. So I have to pay extra attention to Harry's actions this year. I suppose the prospect of one's own life being at stake can really bring out one's potential."
Orli felt a penetrating gaze envelop her, and she now deeply understood how inadequate her Occlumency skills still were. If she managed to get through today unscathed, she resolved to redeem the intermediate Occlumency lessons and practice diligently.
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