Once a person overcomes a particularly difficult obstacle, everything that follows often becomes remarkably smooth. Orli was experiencing this phenomenon firsthand.
Shortly after The Wizarding Weekly's public apology, Potions Today also issued a statement declaring that both the published research and its author had undergone authoritative verification. They would not tolerate baseless suspicion or slander, and would pursue accountability through the International Confederation of Wizards if necessary.
For several days now, no threatening letters or Howlers had come swooping toward her during breakfast. Mrs. Weasley had sent another heartfelt letter expressing her sincere apologies, accompanied by a generous box of homemade toffee.
While students occasionally still whispered about Orli and Harry's relationship, no one pointed fingers at her anymore when she passed by. This whole ordeal had even yielded an unexpected benefit—now everyone knew that Orli and Snape were collaborating on research and were clearly close. Many Slytherins who had previously provoked her occasionally, like Pansy Parkinson, now gave her a wide berth entirely.
After a Care of Magical Creatures lesson, Hagrid enthusiastically clapped Orli on the shoulder in congratulation—causing her shoes to sink two inches into the soft mud.
"I knew you wouldn't let those letters get to you! You handled it brilliantly!" Hagrid looked down at her with gentle warmth. "Ever since Rita Skeeter wrote about my mum in her articles, I've received letters like that too: 'You're a monster and should be expelled. Your mother was a killer, and if you had any shame, you'd throw yourself in the lake.' But you gave that woman exactly what she deserved, didn't you?"
Orli winked at him mischievously.
"Seriously, Orli, what did you end up doing to that troublesome Rita Skeeter?" Hagrid asked in a conspiratorial whisper.
"I let her go, naturally. I don't fancy spending every day hunting for leaves to feed her," Orli replied with a laugh.
"You just released her?!" Ron exclaimed.
"Not exactly," Orli flashed a cunning smile. "Before she left, I gave her a little something—a potion that requires a monthly antidote. Now she can't publish any negative stories about us or fabricate lies. If I get angry, I might just forget all about that antidote."
"Merlin's beard..." Hagrid was clearly taken aback by Orli's methods.
"Actually, that's rather clever. She might prove useful in the future," Hermione nodded approvingly. "If we ever need publicity, we could have her publish favorable reports for us."
"Precisely, clever Miss Granger," Orli said, waving goodbye to Hagrid as she extracted her shoes from the mud and headed toward the castle with a spring in her step.
"Have you noticed Orli's methods are becoming more and more like that old bat's?" Ron whispered to Harry from behind.
"Are they?" Harry sounded puzzled.
"If your feet aren't merely decorative, gentlemen, might you pick up the pace? At this rate, there won't be any dessert left!" Orli called back to them.
"See! Even her speaking style is getting more like Snape's!" Ron said in horror.
Harry shivered inexplicably and hurried after Orli with Ron close behind.
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