Orli leaned in close, heads together with Hermione, sharing in her friend's joy. Hermione quickly turned her attention back to her.
"What about you? Have you decided who to accept?" Hermione asked quietly.
"Hermione, actually, I'm not planning to attend the Ball..." Orli replied, keeping her voice equally low.
"Why not? No suitable partner?" Hermione sounded genuinely surprised. "I thought loads of people would be queuing up to ask you—even Krum's friends have been inquiring about you..."
"Actually, I've been casting a charm on myself these past few days," Orli whispered even more quietly. "A Notice-Me-Not Charm. I'm not particularly skilled with it yet, but it's remarkably effective against boys."
"No wonder!" Hermione exclaimed, studying her before glancing toward the staff table. "You're not seriously..."
"Don't say it, Hermione. Just don't," Orli stared blankly at her pudding.
"But what will you do? The Christmas feast, you..." Hermione looked at her with genuine concern.
"I'll find somewhere to keep myself occupied. Don't fret about me, Mother Hermione," Orli smiled, deftly changing the subject. "How are your dress preparations coming along? Have you decided on a hairstyle? Perhaps you could ask Dobby to help—house-elves are absolutely brilliant at these things..."
They finished their meal and headed toward the tower together. Just as they approached the Fat Lady's portrait, they encountered Fred and George coming the other way.
"Evening, Hermione!" George called out.
"Hey, Orli, Hermione!" Fred chimed in almost simultaneously.
"Orli?" George greeted her as if suddenly noticing her presence. "Haven't seen you about lately—where've you been hiding yourself?"
"Are you mental, mate? She's been here the entire time," Fred replied, looking baffled.
"Right, right," George said, giving Fred a playful punch before executing an exaggerated bow. "Miss Hermione Granger, might I have the honor of escorting you to the common room? Perhaps Fred has something to discuss with Orli."
Hermione glanced between George and Fred, then suddenly broke into a knowing smile. Orli felt a sinking sensation in her stomach.
"Certainly," Hermione replied cheerfully, walking off with George. Now only Fred and Orli remained on the staircase.
"Orli, could you step inside for a moment?" Fred pushed open the door to a nearby empty classroom, his expression hopeful yet uncertain. Orli silently followed him in—whatever he wanted to discuss, the corridor certainly wasn't the appropriate venue.
For a brief moment, Orli feared she might encounter something she'd rather not see—like those ghastly pink Valentine's decorations Lockhart had inflicted upon them two years prior... Fortunately, it was merely an ordinary, vacant classroom.
"Orli, I heard Harry went to ask Cho Chang?" Fred ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "I mean, perhaps I've got it all wrong, which would be rather stupid of me... If there's nothing between you and Harry..."
"Of course there's nothing!" Orli said in surprise. "You actually believed there was something between us? I thought you, of all people, wouldn't fall for Rita Skeeter's rubbish. You've known both of us for four years!"
"Of course, of course... George said the same thing. I was just concerned, you understand—both you and Harry mean a great deal to me..." Fred laughed with visible relief, looking rather foolish in his happiness. "So... would you go to the Ball with me?"
"Pardon?" Orli hadn't quite caught his words.
"Would you go to the Ball with me?" Fred repeated, his ears turning distinctly red this time.
――――――――
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