Orli didn't press for details. She was already accustomed to the cantankerous portraits and occasional vermin that plagued ancient wizarding houses.
Mrs. Weasley guided Orli carefully past a pair of long, moth-eaten curtains that likely concealed another door behind their heavy folds.
After navigating around a massive umbrella stand that appeared crafted from giant's legs, they ascended the shadowy staircase, passing a row of peculiar objects mounted decoratively along the wall—drawing closer, Orli realized with revulsion that these were severed house-elf heads.
"Ron and Hermione will explain everything, dear," Mrs. Weasley said hurriedly.
"Your room is second floor, right side. I'll call you all when dinner's ready."
Orli crossed the dark landing and turned a door handle shaped like a serpent's head, discovering a triple occupancy room. Immediately, loud chattering erupted from within, followed by an even shriller shriek. Hermione launched herself forward, embracing Orli with such force she nearly toppled her.
"Ron! Harry! Look who's here!"
She called out joyfully as the other two boys hurried over, joined by a red-haired girl.
"Hi, Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron."
Orli disentangled herself from Hermione's bushy curls. The room was unmistakably feminine—Hermione and Ginny's robes and textbooks scattered around two beds, with the third obviously reserved for her.
"We had no idea when you'd arrive," Harry said excitedly.
"Where've you been all holiday? You've missed absolutely everything!"
"Harry encountered Dementors, can you believe it? Nearly got attacked along with his pig-headed cousin! Few days back, Harry was hauled before some ghastly hearing for using magic..." Ron babbled breathlessly.
"The Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery explicitly permits magical use when life's threatened—those Ministry officials were simply manufacturing trouble! Thank Merlin Harry was completely exonerated," Hermione interjected.
"We've been trapped here doing homework, household chores, de-gnoming, scrubbing everything clean. Where were you? Home?"
"Give her a moment to breathe, Hermione," Ginny laughed, closing the door behind them. She'd blossomed into a striking young woman, radiating both beauty and vivacity.
"I traveled to France for a potions symposium," Orli explained, settling cross-legged on the floor. She retrieved her deceptively spacious shoulder bag, rummaging through its contents before producing several temperature-regulating ice sculptures for them.
"Bloody hell, wish you'd returned two weeks ago—we've been practically melting in this heat!" Ron exclaimed, eagerly pressing his face against the cooling charm to savor the refreshing air.
"Well, seems I'm no longer the most uninformed person here," Harry said with evident relief.
"Spent the entire month imprisoned on Privet Drive, convinced everyone had abandoned me. Perhaps you'd like to hear about the Order of the Phoenix? Moody and Lupin led an entire squadron on broomsticks to extract me!"
"Sounds fascinating," Orli replied with marked disinterest. She surveyed the room, finding nothing particularly noteworthy, then refocused on her friends:
"Any recent developments? Regarding Voldemort, or Order operations?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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