The evening feast concluded with entertainment provided by the ghosts of Hogwarts. As everyone contentedly returned to their towers, a first-year Slytherin discreetly handed Orli a note in the corridor. It was unsigned, containing only one sentence:
"Come to the dungeon office at eight tonight."
————
At 7:45, Orli slipped out of Gryffindor Tower and made her way down the stairs leading to the dungeons.
There could be no one else calling her to the dungeon office, and Snape summoning her at this time might be about the Wolfsbane Potion.
At the door of the office she knew so well, Orli was about to knock when she paused. There was clearly more than one person inside; the voices of Dumbledore and Snape were faintly audible.
# Snape
"...what's your take on this, Headmaster?"
Snape asked.
# Dumbledore
"Severus, I believe..."
It was Dumbledore's voice.
# Snape
"Do you remember our conversation, back—oh—before the term started?"
Snape said.
# Dumbledore
"I remember, Severus."
Dumbledore said, his tone carrying a hint of warning.
Just then, Snape's voice suddenly amplified.
# Snape
"Waters, come in."
Orli, feeling awkward, pushed open the wooden door and entered the office. Dumbledore looked at Orli in surprise, while Snape's face showed a kind of satisfaction.
# Snape
"Just today, when I was delivering the potion to Lupin, she and Potter happened to be in that office. Even if you want to hide this matter, she is barely a Waters—"
Snape's gaze shifted from Dumbledore's face to Orli:
# Snape
"Tell me, what do you know about the potion Lupin drank today?"
## Orli
"If I saw correctly, it was a cup of Wolfsbane Potion."
Orli answered honestly.
# Snape
"So, who needs to drink Wolfsbane Potion?"
Snape's face showed a trace of cruel amusement, as if revealing this truth gave him pleasure.
## Orli
"Werewolves, Professor."
Orli said quietly, standing still.
# Dumbledore
"Orli..."
Dumbledore sighed, as if he wanted to say something but eventually shook his head.
# Dumbledore
"Remus, he... sigh. Well, I can't force students to accept..."
## Orli
"Professor Lupin is a werewolf, but that's no big deal. I can accept him; he's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts professor I've ever had."
Orli quickly interrupted Dumbledore, somewhat rudely, but she didn't care.
The office fell silent for a moment, the smile on Snape's lips froze, while Dumbledore seemed to relax all at once.
# Snape
"Do you know what you're saying?"
Snape almost spat the words out through gritted teeth.
## Orli
"Of course I do, because I trust the Wolfsbane Potion you brew."
Orli looked up to meet his gaze,
## Orli
"As long as Professor Lupin takes his medicine on time, he won't pose a threat to the school's safety. And I have complete confidence in your potion."
Snape seemed taken aback, standing still for a while, then suddenly tossed the quill in his hand onto the desk and sat down in his chair, turning his head to look at a shelf on the wall, as if suddenly interested in the liquid inside the jars.
Dumbledore chuckled softly, picked up his cup, and finished his tea.
# Dumbledore
"Well, I'll be off then."
He said, smiling approvingly at Orli. As he was about to leave, he turned back to add:
# Dumbledore
"Oh, Orli, about the potion recycling issue, don't rush. I'm discussing it with the Board of Governors, and it might not be resolved until after spring. Also, keep Remus's matter confidential."
## Orli
"Thank you, Headmaster. I will."
Orli nodded to him.
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