"Wait," Harry said.
When they reached the tapestry, Harry stopped and tapped the old parchment with his wand:
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."
A map covered with tiny moving names appeared on the blank parchment.
"Filch is on the third floor." Harry held the map close. "Mrs. Norris is on the fifth."
"What about Umbridge?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"In her office. Pity she hasn't been kicked out yet," Ron muttered, peering over.
"Right, let's go." Harry tucked the map away. They hurried through the corridor to the enormous tapestry, where only blank wall stretched before them.
Ron looked at Orli.
"Where's this room you mentioned? Doesn't look like there's a door."
"Listen carefully, ladies and gentlemen," Orli said with some reluctance. "What you're about to learn is a secret even Dumbledore might not know—this room is called the 'Room of Requirement.' It only appears when people truly need it. Very few know about this place, and even if someone discovers it by chance, it's nearly impossible to find again. I only recently discovered it myself."
Hermione shot her a slightly suspicious look but was smart enough not to ask more.
"But how do we get in?" Harry asked.
"Walk back and forth three times, concentrating on the room you need—for example, 'I need a place to practice Defense Against the Dark Arts,'" Orli demonstrated. She walked to the window at one end, turned around, walked to a person-high vase at the other end, then turned back. The other three immediately followed. Ron squinted in concentration, Hermione muttered under her breath, Harry clenched his fists, staring ahead—
When they turned for the third time, a very smooth door appeared in the wall.
"Is this it?" Harry asked.
Ron stared at it warily. Orli grasped the round brass handle, pulled the door open, and led the way inside.
The space was spacious, lit by torches, looking somewhat like an underground classroom. Wooden bookshelves lined the walls. Instead of chairs, large silk cushions scattered across the floor. Shelves at the far end held Sneakoscopes, Secrecy Sensors, and various instruments—some even Hermione couldn't name.
"Don't forget to leave the door ajar, or people coming later won't see it," Orli reminded them.
"These'll be brilliant for practicing Stunning Spells!" Ron said excitedly, kicking a soft cushion.
"Look at these books!" Hermione ran her hand along thick volumes. "Common Curses and Their Counter-Actions, Self-Defensive Spellwork... Wow!" She turned to Orli, eyes shining. "We have everything we need!"
A gentle knock sounded. Orli turned—Ginny, Neville, Parvati, and Dean Thomas had arrived.
Even Seamus Finnigan came with them. He walked straight to Harry.
"I wanted to say..." He stared at Harry's knees. "I believe you. Wrote to my mum, told her to subscribe to The Quibbler. We don't believe the Ministry or those contradictory newspapers anymore. If you're still taking people, could you count me in?"
"Yes—I mean, of course! Always welcome!" Harry said, absolutely delighted.
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