Chapter 20: Feigning Illness

By dinnertime, Hermione had gotten the full story of Orli's "heroic exploits" after she'd left.

"So we've lost another five points, and you've managed to land yourself in detention in the very first week???"

Hermione stared at Orli in complete disbelief.

"Please, enough already. I regret it thoroughly, and you're starting to sound exactly like Percy..."

Orli rested her head in her hands, looking at the feast spread across the long table, feeling completely without appetite.

"I'm not criticizing you! Though it wasn't exactly wise - you could have reported it to Professor McGonagall after class."

Hermione placed a slice of lemon pie in front of Orli.

"But what are you going to do about tonight?"

"I suggest all Gryffindors observe three minutes of silence for Fainting Waters,"

Malfoy drawled maliciously as he passed behind them with his two followers.

"Waters is first, but your time's coming soon, Potter."

"Stuff it, Malfoy. Nobody asked for Slytherin's input,"

Fred picked up an apple with casual menace, as if weighing whether to throw it.

"You'll see."

Malfoy skulked away with a dark look, Crabbe and Goyle lumbering in his wake.

"You could try faking sick,"

Ron suggested to Orli.

"Like a stomachache or something. I use that trick all the time at home to get out of washing dishes."

Orli had already considered feigning illness and had even searched through the system store, hoping for some kind of lifeline. But the system was quite clear about its limitations:

"The System Store provides exchanges for spells and magical items only. Direct effects on the host are prohibited, including but not limited to: granting specific abilities, altering physical form, weakening or enhancing the host's body, etc."

"Don't bother trying to fake it."

George gave a knowing smile.

"Trust us, we've tried everything - even got ourselves admitted to the hospital wing. Always got caught, and ended up with double detention."

"But Snape's making Orli deal with two massive barrels of toads tonight..."

Ron's face twisted in disgust, as if his cauldron cake had suddenly turned slimy.

"But that's against Ministry regulations on animal cruelty! Students aren't allowed to handle live toads anymore!"

Hermione shot Ron a skeptical look.

"Believe it or not, Snape said it himself."

Ron turned, seeking backup.

"Harry, you heard him too, right?"

Harry seemed lost in thought. Orli recalled from the original story that he was likely beginning to piece together his suspicions about Hagrid, the Gringotts break-in, and Snape.

But she couldn't spare the energy to worry about that now. Let the protagonist handle protagonist problems.

"Toads aren't really that terrible... disgusting, maybe, but I can manage,"

Orli sighed in resignation.

"I mean, I've even hunted wild rabbits in the park before - skinned and barbecued them myself."

Nearly half the Gryffindor table now wore expressions of revulsion. Many set down their utensils and glared at Orli. The Weasley twins, however, looked impressed.

"Makes me wonder if anything actually scares you,"

Fred said admiringly.

"If you were a boy, I'd happily trade you for Ron."

"Though Mum would probably have a conniption."

George collapsed against Fred, laughing, as they exchanged some mysterious fist-bump routine.

Orli gave a rueful smile and murmured under her breath:

"You'll find out what terrifies me soon enough."

She remembered that their first flying lesson would be starting soon.