Time flew by as if in the blink of an eye—the sun had already sunk below the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Dinner was more elaborate than usual, but Orli barely touched her food. Her mind was entirely consumed with thoughts of the maze.
When the enchanted ceiling shifted from sunset orange to the deep purple of dusk, Dumbledore rose from the table, and the hall fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen, in five minutes' time, I will be asking you all to make your way down to the Quidditch pitch to watch the final task of the Triwizard Tournament. Will the champions please follow Mr. Bagman down to the stadium now."
Harry stood up and walked out of the Great Hall alongside Fleur, Cedric, and Krum. The Gryffindors erupted in applause for him, and the Weasley family, Orli, and Hermione all wished him luck—Sirius shouted loudest of all. He'd even changed into a fresh outfit specially for tonight's competition: a velvet burgundy suit with a sharp-collared white shirt, several chains draped around his neck, and his collar left scandalously open to reveal the tattoos scattered across his chest. Orli thought he and Bill could easily form a rock band—they might even give the Weird Sisters a run for their money. Half the girls in the hall couldn't stop staring at Sirius and Bill.
She was trying to make out the shape of one particular tattoo near Sirius's shirt—was that a bone?—when a voice suddenly cut through the air behind her.
"You won't be going to the stands—come with me to the Headmaster's office. Now."
It was Snape. She hadn't noticed when he'd appeared behind her. Though he was addressing Orli, his eyes were fixed murderously on Sirius, his face a twisted mask of disgust and fury. Sirius returned the look with equal venom, baring his white teeth in what Orli could swear was accompanied by a low growling sound from his throat—exactly like a dog preparing to attack.
"What are you doing here," Snape said icily.
"Hmph." Sirius let out a derisive snort.
"I invited him," Dumbledore said, descending from the high table. "You as well, Severus. I don't expect you two to put aside your differences and embrace as brothers—I'll be satisfied if you simply refrain from open hostility toward each other."
He glanced around and noticed that many people in the hall were watching them with undisguised curiosity.
"Perhaps you two might shake hands—unless you prefer to remain the center of attention?"
Dumbledore looked between them expectantly.
Sirius and Snape moved forward with excruciating slowness and clasped hands briefly. But they continued to glare at each other with such murderous hatred that it seemed they were both hoping the other would drop dead on the spot.
"Much better," Dumbledore said, once again positioning himself between them.
"Now then, if no one wishes to miss the competition, you should all be heading to the stands!" He cast Sonorus on his throat and called out to the entire hall. Before departing, he shot one final warning look at both men.
The crowd began streaming out of the hall. With final exams behind them, all the students were talking and laughing loudly, discussing summer holidays and the Triwizard Tournament. They speculated about who would win, racing toward the Quidditch pitch to secure good seats. Sirius gave Orli a brief nod before following the Weasley family out, vanishing from sight in moments.
Hermione squeezed Orli's hand before leaving, shot a quick glance at Snape, then disappeared through the castle's front doors with Ron.
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