Harry froze on the staircase, his chest heaving with barely contained fury. Orli positioned herself strategically, ready to physically restrain him if necessary—because he looked absolutely ready to charge back down and pummel Seamus into the marble floor.
Neville "But my gran says that's complete rubbish!"
Neville's voice rose with unexpected steel:
Neville "She's canceled our subscription to the Daily Prophet! We believe in you, Harry. Our family remembers what happened thirteen years ago—we know You-Know-Who will return eventually. I trust you and Dumbledore."
Harry's expression softened considerably. Without another word, he turned and climbed into the common room with Orli. After mumbling a distracted goodnight, he vanished up the stairs to the boys' dormitory.
Orli collapsed onto her bed, her mind racing through the day's revelations. Seamus's betrayal felt like a physical blow—he was Harry's roommate, a Gryffindor who'd shared their dormitory for four years! If even he harbored such doubts, the atmosphere in the other houses must be absolutely toxic.
And Dumbledore had been expelled from both the Wizengamot and the International Confederation of Wizards?!
Eventually, people would realize that truth resided with the minority. But before that vindication arrived, how much damage would be done? What terrified her most was the question of how that day would come—would they really have to wait until Voldemort revealed himself publicly, until Dark Marks blazed across the sky?
Rage coursed through her veins like molten metal. Order of the Phoenix members were already risking their lives in the shadows, yet the very people they sought to protect were proving themselves to be willfully ignorant cowards! Dumbledore was desperately trying to warn the wizarding world that Voldemort had returned, but these pathetic creatures not only refused to fight—they wouldn't even acknowledge reality.
Rustling sounds announced Lavender and Parvati's return. Their whispered conversation drifted across the dormitory—predictable drivel about Harry being an attention-seeking liar.
For several dangerous seconds, Orli fantasized about leaping from her bed, wand drawn, and delivering a Sectumsempra to each of them. She forced herself to suppress the murderous impulse, her knuckles white as she gripped her bedsheets.
The next morning brought no relief. Orli and Hermione found Harry and Ron in the common room, both looking thoroughly miserable.
Ron "Seamus won't speak to either of us anymore. Dean's decided to remain 'neutral.'"
Ron shrugged with bitter resignation:
Ron "The only good news is we still have Neville."
Hermione "Lavender and Parvati think the same way."
Hermione sighed heavily.
Harry "So you two just sit there chatting with Lavender and the others, laughing about what an attention-seeking liar I am?!"
Harry exploded.
Orli "Harry—can't you see that we're on your side?"
Orli fixed him with a withering glare.
Silence stretched between them like a chasm.
Harry "Sorry."
Harry mumbled, deflating completely.
Hermione "It's fine."
Hermione lifted her chin with wounded dignity, then sighed again:
Hermione "Remember what Dumbledore said at the end of last term? 'Voldemort's gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust.' You-Know-Who's been back for two months and we're already turning on each other. We need to try uniting everyone in the school."
Ron "But what can we do? They won't believe anything!"
Ron shot back:
Ron "Besides, not everyone can be united. What are we supposed to do, polish Malfoy's boots?"
Their collective mood remained thunderous throughout the morning. When Hermione spotted an enormous notice posted in the common room, her anger reached a boiling point:
Hermione "What in Merlin's name is this?!"
The war for Hogwarts had begun in earnest, and the first casualties were trust, friendship, and the unity that had once made Gryffindor House strong.
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