Harry and Orli didn't linger long; they hurried back through the secret passage before the throngs of students returned to Hogwarts. Their bags were filled with candies, edged parchment, Zonko's products, and Orli's potion ingredients. Luckily, Orli always carried her small spatial pouch.
Though her trip was fruitful, once the initial excitement faded, Orli felt Hogsmeade wasn't worth the risk and effort they took. Earlier, as they emerged from the humpbacked witch statue, they almost got caught by Filch due to forgetting to check the Marauder's Map.
"What are you doing here?" Filch asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Harry replied.
"Nothing!" Filch spat on the ground, his chin twitching unpleasantly. "That's almost believable. You little brats, those pesky students must be buying dungbombs and hiccup sweets in Hogsmeade now... Get back to your common room at once!" Filch snapped, muttering as he walked away.
Harry and Orli waited until he was out of sight, then checked the Marauder's Map again before heading towards the tower. But halfway there, they ran into someone unexpected. It was Professor Lupin, standing at his office door, looking as if he was waiting for someone.
"Harry? Orli? What are you doing in the corridor?" Lupin asked, his tone completely different from Filch's. "Where are Ron and Hermione?"
"Hogsmeade," Harry said, trying to sound casual.
"Ah," Lupin nodded knowingly, staring at Harry for a moment. "Why don't you come in? I've just received a Grindylow for our next lesson."
"What is it?" Harry asked as he and Orli followed Lupin into the office. In the corner was a large tank, with a sickly green creature with sharp little horns pressed against the glass, making faces and stretching its long claws.
"It's a water demon," Lupin said, thoughtfully observing the Grindylow. "We shouldn't have much trouble dealing with it, given our experience with Kappas. Did you notice those abnormally long claws? Strong, yet equally fragile."
The Grindylow bared its green teeth before burying itself in a tangled mass of weeds in the corner of the tank.
"Would you like some tea?" Lupin asked, searching for the kettle. "I was just thinking of brewing a cup."
"Sure," Harry said. Orli looked around Lupin's office, feeling somewhat out of place. Lupin seemed closer to Harry; perhaps she should head back to the common room and let them talk alone...
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door. Orli's thoughts were interrupted.
"Come in," Lupin called out.
The door opened, and Snape walked in, holding a steaming goblet. He paused upon seeing Harry and Orli in Lupin's office, his black eyes narrowing.
"Ah, Severus," Lupin smiled. "Thank you. Could you place it on the desk?"
Snape set down the steaming goblet, his gaze shifting between Orli, Harry, and Lupin. Orli stared at the goblet, mentally calculating the astronomical star chart cycles, and suddenly realized that the full moon was approaching.
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