Chapter 71: Captured (Part 1)

After Dobby left, the Thestral quickly settled down, pulling the carriage steadily toward the lawn in front of the castle. However, the emotions inside the carriage were anything but calm.

# Ron

"Blimey, was that just now like the Unbreakable Vow?!"

Ron exclaimed.

# Ron

"When I was five, Fred and George tried to get me to make one. I almost did—shook hands with Fred and everything—until Dad caught us. He went absolutely mental. That was the only time I've ever seen him lose his temper like Mum. Fred said his left bum cheek was never the same after that."

# Hermione

"Orli, you've gone mad! How could you make such a vow with that irrational house-elf? You could die!"

Hermione's voice was a mix of anger and worry.

## Orli

"As long as Harry doesn't die, I won't either. Don't worry."

Orli wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulders to reassure her, then turned to Harry with a teasing grin:

## Orli

"Harry, you'd better watch yourself at mealtimes this year. I don't fancy dying young because you choked on a chicken bone."

But Harry didn't laugh. His face looked ashen.

———

Trouble always seemed to come in droves.

By the time they finally landed at the castle's front doors, the Great Hall was already ablaze with light.

# Ron

"The ceremony's already started!"

Ron pressed his face against the glass to peer inside.

# Ron

"Come on, look! They're doing the Sorting!"

The four of them crowded together at the window, craning their necks to see into the Great Hall. Countless candles floated in midair, illuminating the four long tables packed with students. Goblets and plates gleamed under the warm light. Beyond the sea of black pointed wizard hats, Orli spotted the new students lining up for the Sorting Ceremony. Ginny's red hair stood out vividly among them.

At the staff table, Dumbledore's silver-white beard shimmered under the lights. A few seats away sat Gilderoy Lockhart, resplendent in a sea-green robe. At the far end was Hagrid, towering above everyone, gulping down a drink.

# Harry

"Wait..."

Harry suddenly whispered.

# Harry

"There's an empty seat at the staff table... Where's Snape?"

# Ron

"Maybe he's sick."

Ron said hopefully.

# Ron

"Or maybe he's been sacked!"

# Snape

"Or perhaps,"

A cold voice came from behind them, sending a shiver down Orli's spine.

# Snape

"he's waiting for you to explain why you're not in the Great Hall?"

The four of them turned around in unison, their faces pale. Snape stood right behind them. Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Snape didn't give her the chance:

# Snape

"Follow me."

He strode toward the stairs, leading them into an empty classroom off the entrance hall.

All four of them hung their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

# Snape

"So, the famous Harry Potter and his loyal companions—arriving at school in a flying carriage. Quite the entrance, wasn't it?"

His eyes swept over Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Orli.

# Snape

"Ah, the Gryffindor Four: the team's celebrity, the tag-along fool, the uptight overachiever, and the self-righteous idiot. History does have a way of repeating itself, doesn't it?"

Orli stared at the cracks in the floor tiles, lamenting inwardly how the tiny bit of goodwill she had earned from Snape in her first year had completely reset over the summer.

# Harry

"Professor, please let us explain. The Thestral pulling the carriage suddenly lost control..."

Harry struggled to explain.

# Snape

"Oh? Are you suggesting that Hagrid's trained Thestrals are actually disobedient?"

Snape's words were laced with a trap.

# Ron

"No! It was a house-elf that caused it to lose control. Luckily, Orli..."

Ron blurted out, but Orli kicked him from behind—it was too late.

# Snape

"A house-elf?"

Snape narrowed his eyes, his dark, fathomless gaze sweeping over the four of them before locking onto Harry.

Orli sighed inwardly. Harry's unguarded mind was an open book to a Legilimens like Snape.

Sure enough, Snape soon turned his attention to her.

# Snape

"It seems I know exactly who I should have a word with—Orli Waters!"

He pronounced her name as if grinding it between his teeth.

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Author's Note:

In this chapter, according to Snape's remarks, Orli parallels Sirius Black. Though the current quartet is entirely different from the previous generation (especially since Ron is far superior to Peter), this serves as subtle foreshadowing. Sirius was exceptionally handsome in his youth, and the protagonist's appearance will also improve significantly in later installments, making her the 'beauty' of the group.