《HP: Supreme Potion Collector [Original Female Protagonist]》 Chapter 1 Prologue: An Early July Day For most residents of the British Isles, July 6th, 1991 was nothing more than another ordinary day in the endless summer. However, for Orli Waters, it marked the day fate had irrevocably set its wheels in motion. --- In Surrey, London, amid the drone of summer cicadas, warm breezes, and dancing tree shadows, a laurel-colored three-story mansion loomed at the end of the street, standing in what had been an abandoned park for years. To the Muggles passing by, of course, it appeared as nothing more than a derelict plot of land their minds would instinctively overlook. The building, while imposing from a distance, revealed its true state of disrepair upon closer inspection. Peeling paint, dust-laden railings, an overgrown garden, and porch windows that never quite closed properly... and there, sitting on the front steps, was a young girl clutching an envelope, her face etched with worry. Orli didn''t need to read the contents of the envelope. The all-too-familiar school crest spoke volumes¡ªwhether blessing or curse, it was inescapable. Like it or not, come September 1st, she would board that steam engine and become just another background character in the unfolding story. After dispatching the owl with her reply to the school, Orli turned back inside, heaving no less than ten sighs along the way. The portraits lining the corridor immediately erupted into their usual chatter: Portrait 1: "Orli! Straighten your back! Where are your noble family manners?" Portrait 2: "Oh, do shut up, Aunt Glenda! What noble family are you talking about? A potions family that can''t scrape together a single Galleon? Or a magical family with nothing but an orphan to its name?" Portrait 3: "By Merlin''s beard, what sins did I commit to witness such humiliation of our family even in death..." Portrait 4: "Oh, my poor little Orli, it''s all because of that worthless child you bore who squandered our fortune. To think a Waters lady must wear an apron and cook..."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Portrait 3: "My worthless child? It was your grandson who was the biggest spendthrift, even scraping off the gilding from our frames for money..." Portrait 5: "If you hadn''t gotten yourself killed with those obsessive experiments, how could the Waters have fallen so low? I should never have married you..." Orli, well-practiced in such situations, covered her ears and rushed to the wall, taking three steps in two. With one pull of the rope, she drew down two thick black curtains, finally silencing all the portraits and gaining a moment of peace. --- It had been eleven years since her clich¨¦ transmigration into the Harry Potter world. All things considered, Orli had been relatively fortunate in her rebirth: ¡ªShe had enough time to adapt to everything and learn the language; ¡ªHer family had deep roots with an extensive collection of books; ¡ªShe was an only child with no eccentric relatives; ¡ªShe could roughly remember the original plot, and she had arrived in the hopeful 1990s. If she could just survive until 1998 when the Chosen One defeated the Dark Lord, she could live a peaceful life. However, these eleven years hadn''t been particularly kind to Orli. The Waters had once been a renowned potions family in the magical world, on par with the Prince family. Unfortunately, going back three generations, every male head of the family had been a gambling addict, gradually squandering the family fortune until only this dilapidated house remained. The family vault had been completely drained, and even the valuable antiques and furniture in the house had been sold off. When Orli was one, her parents perished in a potions experiment, leaving her knowledge of them limited to their bickering portraits. Fortunately, the family''s last house-elf raised her, but when Orli was nine, the elderly elf, too frail to even carry plates anymore, closed their eyes forever, filled with concern for their young mistress. Thus, Orli became completely alone. She managed to survive the past two years thanks to her previous life''s cooking knowledge and life skills, occasionally doing odd jobs like weeding and dog-walking for Muggle neighbors, and scavenging near-expired food from the supermarket''s back door. She had actually planned it all out¡ªthough she was a normal magical child, perhaps Hogwarts would forget to send her an acceptance letter? That way, she wouldn''t have to spend her teenage years in that castle, constantly on edge, potentially becoming just another background character who might get petrified, cursed, or caught in the crossfire. She could sell the old house, flee Britain, and return to a peaceful life after 1998 when everything was over. But there were no ''what-ifs''¡ªthe main plot, though delayed, had arrived. Looking at her meager wardrobe and counting the few scattered coins in her drawer, Orli sat on her bed, staring at the long list of required items and books in the acceptance letter, continuing to sigh. Thankfully, first-year books didn''t need to be new editions, and the basement storage was full of various potion vials and cauldrons. A pet was clearly an unnecessary expense to be cut, and as for the wand and robes, perhaps she could make do with her mother''s old ones? She just hoped the old wand wouldn''t be too incompatible¡ªshe certainly didn''t want to end up like Ron, spewing slugs... The harsh reality reminded our protagonist Orli that her immediate concern wasn''t the main plot, but rather how to survive seven years at school... "Why do other transmigrated girls either end up filthy rich, or with cheat codes, or get adopted by powerful figures? At worst, they still have food and shelter, but here I am, living even more poorly than the Weasleys???" Orli complained while flopping heavily onto her bed. With her movement, a small, previously unnoticed note slipped out of the acceptance letter envelope, landing beside her cheek. "Dear Miss Waters, Given your family''s special circumstances, we have arranged for Hogwarts'' current Potions Master, Professor Severus Snape, to accompany you to Diagon Alley on July 31st to purchase your school supplies. The funds will be provided by the School Board''s Student Aid Fund. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall" Chapter 2 Diagon Alley (1)
What could make an eleven-year-old girl lose her appetite and become restless? Frightful creatures? A crushed heart? Hormonal upheaval? None of these. Orli would tell you that a single small note was enough to make her want to repeatedly bang her head against the nearest wall. By Merlin''s beard, if the Waters family hadn''t been too destitute to own even a simple owl, she would have immediately written back to Professor McGonagall, declaring that she''d rather forgo any financial aid than spend even a moment alone with that dour dungeon bat. True, the professor had ultimately achieved redemption through his unwavering love, becoming the most sought-after bachelor among dimension-traveling witches in the magical world. But if even the son of his beloved hadn''t received a modicum of kindness from him, what hope was there for her¡ªa mere inconvenient background character? Orli could vividly imagine how the caustic Slytherin would unleash his venom during this "delightful" overtime duty of chaperoning a child''s shopping expedition, expressing his profound disdain with the most precise and cutting remarks. But who was to blame but herself for hastily sending back her reply with the school owl without thoroughly examining the envelope? "Merlin''s sake! Grant me just one owl, I need to send but a single letter..." On the morning of July 31st, Orli descended the stairs with the grim resignation of one approaching the executioner''s block, standing at the garden gate with a plaintive cry to the heavens.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Before her words could fade into the morning air, a silky yet menacing voice emerged from behind: "It appears Miss Waters has already prepared her shopping list. I trust you won''t waste more than two hours of my time in Diagon Alley." Orli turned stiffly, and as expected, beheld that dark figure instantly recognizable to any devotee of the wizarding world. Perhaps due to her pre-adolescent stature, Snape loomed even taller than she had imagined, his presence more forbidding than she had anticipated. The deep furrow between his brows intensified at her awkward movement, while his black, seemingly bottomless eyes barely afforded her the merest glance, their contempt visibly mounting with each passing second. If she were to voice her reluctance now, Orli doubted she would survive to witness the next dawn. Thankfully, she had remembered to bring her list of required items. Summoning every ounce of courage from both her lifetimes, she reached for the arm Snape had already extended. "Thank you, Professor. I shall endeavor to complete the shopping with all possible haste." By Merlin, she yearned for this expedition to end even more fervently than he did. --- One could hardly expect Snape to "condescend" to utilize the dust-laden fireplace in the Waters residence, and naturally, the Waters family couldn''t spare two Sickles for even a spoonful of Floo powder. Perhaps Snape had already calculated this, or more likely, he simply couldn''t be bothered to waste a single thought on Orli. Regardless, after her first experience with Apparition¡ªfeeling as though she''d endured ten minutes in a magical centrifuge¡ªOrli finally stood, ashen-faced, at the corner of Diagon Alley, promptly doubling over to empty her stomach. The instant she bent forward, Snape had already Apparated three meters distant, and upon her recovery, dispatched a series of nonverbal spells. Orli dimly recognized a Scouring Charm among them, accompanied by various cleaning and deodorizing enchantments. "Thank you, Professor. We may proceed now." Orli finally managed to straighten herself, and observing Snape''s expression, she was certain her standing in the professor''s estimation had plummeted from "troublesome new student" to "troll requiring immediate quarantine."
Chapter 3 Diagon Alley (2) As expected, Snape had exhausted what little patience he had for Orli and merely tossed her a money pouch: "This contains your scholarship. Meet me at the Leaky Cauldron in two hours. If you don''t know the way, find someone to ask - hopefully that hole beneath your nose serves more purpose than expelling vomit. Should you be late, you''ll have to manage your own way home." With that, he turned and strode away, his black cloak billowing dramatically in his wake. Thank Merlin, the departing bat took the oppressive atmosphere with him, finally allowing Orli to breathe freely. And thank Merlin again that on July 31st, Harry would be hiding at some remote seashore with his aunt''s family, enduring the storm while spending his forgotten 11th birthday. Later that night, a shaggy-bearded half-giant, Hagrid, would knock on their door, bringing him a cracked pink birthday cake. Thus, Orli''s expeditious shopping experience proceeded without encountering any main plot characters or complications. She simply took the money, first visiting Ollivanders to acquire a suitable cedar wand, then purchased the necessary items from the list, and procured some basic potion ingredients as well. By the time she finished shopping, there remained some money in the pouch, sufficient to last until term began. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "Professor, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I''ve completed my shopping." In less than an hour and a half, Orli arrived at the Leaky Cauldron with her purchases and located Snape in a corner booth. He pushed aside his glass and cast Orli a cursory glance. "Where is your owl?"Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Orli faltered momentarily, uncertain whether this was a genuine inquiry or mere sarcasm, but answered instinctively: "I can use the school owls, so I didn''t think it necessary to purchase one..." Merlin knows, even with her careful budgeting, little remained after purchasing the essentials. Between an owl and the basic potion ingredients she''d long desired, Orli hesitated for merely a second before decisively choosing the latter. "Very well, let''s proceed. Thank Merlin you weren''t too dim-witted to find your way." Snape rose and walked directly out of the pub. Finding an inconspicuous spot, he gripped Orli''s shoulder and Apparated them to the gates of the Waters family house. Before Orli could steady herself, he had vanished. Orli retched twice while steadying herself against the mailbox before finally regaining her composure. Glancing around to confirm Snape''s departure, she finally allowed herself to relax completely. "No wonder he became the early antagonist - with that demeanor, how could anyone not perceive him as villainous?" Orli muttered while silently offering three minutes of condolence to Potter, who would soon become the primary target of Snape''s caustic remarks. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª [Mini Side Story: Snape''s Perspective] Devil knows why I was assigned this new student guidance duty. If McGonagall hasn''t miswritten the list, then that old codger Dumbledore must be meddling again. Isn''t Sprout more suited to handling children? Or does he presumptuously believe that escorting a new student will somehow reveal some hidden wellspring of affection for students in his Potions master? He might as well consider granting me the Defense Against the Dark Arts position - that might actually improve my disposition. Thank Merlin he didn''t task me with collecting that savior Potter. I would have been more gratified had he assigned the Waters girl to that dunderheaded half-giant as well. Though... Waters... if she''s inherited any of her family''s aptitude for potions, perhaps this year''s new students might be marginally worth anticipating. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Well, I retract my previous statement. Who could expect an orphan to receive any systematic potions education? Look at the Waters residence now - a dilapidated house, collapsing fence, undernourished child, ill-fitting threadbare robes... She can''t even endure a single Apparition. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I notice she purchased basic potion ingredients? Wasn''t she discussing an owl earlier? Opted against it? Well, at least this Waters'' brain isn''t entirely stuffed with knotgrass. Knows how to prioritize expenses, and managed to avoid wandering into Knockturn Alley. Wonder if their fireplace''s Floo network remains functional. Never mind, better maintain a firmer grip - shouldn''t trigger another bout of sickness. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª This revolting little troll is about to be sick again... Best to depart swiftly. Troublesome first years. This time would be better spent brewing potions. """ Chapter 4 The System (1) After considerable effort, eleven-year-old Orli finally managed to maneuver all her purchases into the house with her slight frame. Without delay, she rushed to the basement, retrieved the best-preserved cauldron she could find, and eagerly began experimenting with her basic potion ingredients. Perhaps it was her inherited aptitude for potions manifesting itself - although she had perused various magical texts in the study since childhood, potions had always captivated her most. However, their financial circumstances had never permitted her to purchase ingredients for practice. Thus, as a Waters, attempting her first proper potion brewing at age eleven was unprecedented in family history - truly an anomaly. Retrieving a second-hand first-year textbook from the study, she methodically arranged all the ingredients required for the Cure for Boils. As she positioned the cauldron, Orli felt an irrepressible surge of excitement. It was akin to a child finally acquiring a long-coveted Gundam model, immediately diving into assembly upon reaching home, forgetting even basic necessities like food and sleep. This perfectly described Orli''s current state - so consumed by eagerness and excitement that everything else faded into insignificance. Fortunately, though weathered, the Waters'' old mansion, like other wizarding family residences, could shield against Ministry detection. Orli could freely brew potions or cast spells, and prior to starting school, she needn''t worry about receiving warnings. She added dried nettles and crushed snake fangs into the cauldron to simmer together.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. After extinguishing the fire, she incorporated porcupine quills and stewed horned slugs... Step by step, she methodically added each ingredient to the cauldron. Though it was her first attempt at brewing, she had mentally rehearsed this process countless times during the days when ingredients were beyond her reach. Fortunately, she didn''t botch it - neither breaking out in boils herself nor having caustic potion burn through the floorboards. Everything progressed with remarkable fluidity and naturalness. As darkness fell, Orli finally removed the cauldron from the fire with satisfaction and carefully decanted the freshly brewed Cure for Boils into potion vials for examination. The silvery green liquid spiraled elegantly within the vial, creating mesmerizing ripples. She regarded her handiwork with considerable pride. But at that moment, in the quiet old house, a loud "DING!" - reminiscent of a microwave timer - suddenly resonated through Orli''s mind. She nearly dropped the potion vial in shock. Before she could react, a mechanical voice echoed in her head: "Detected host''s first successful potion brewing. Potion Collection System officially bound. Due to host''s emotional fluctuation, please maintain composure. New User Guide Mode will activate in 5 minutes." The mechanical voice ceased, but a timer seemed to materialize in Orli''s mind, counting down from 4:59 with methodical precision. "Wait, what? A System?" Orli started, instinctively scanning her surroundings but finding nothing unusual. She managed to compose herself enough to settle into the old sofa in the corner and take two deep breaths. Though she had read system novels before her transmigration, having an actual system in her consciousness was still rather disconcerting. However, having lived two lives, Orli maintained her composure. After a moment''s adjustment, her apprehension transformed into excitement. "Could this be the legendary cheat power of a transmigrator? Heavens! Am I about to strike gold?" Orli tentatively reached out to the system in her mind: "System?" "Hello, host. Would you like to activate the New User Guide Mode?" "Yes, yes, activate it!" Orli rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "New User Guide Mode officially commencing." """ Chapter 5 The System (2)
The mechanical voice persisted in resonating through Orli''s mind. "The system comprises ten basic rules. Memorization isn''t necessary - familiarity will develop naturally through usage." Wait... Orli experienced a mental short-circuit... ''Familiarity will develop naturally''... Wasn''t that rather casual? Before she could dwell on it further, the system continued its broadcast: "Rule One: This is a Potion Collection System. Bound exclusively to the host. Non-transferable, indestructible, and undetectable by any magical means." "Rule Two: The system purchases all completed potions at market price plus 50%. Payments transfer automatically to the host''s Gringotts account or designated location." "Rule Three: The system issues graduated commission tasks. Currently categorized into Hogwarts Years 1-7, Potion Apprentice, Potion Expert, and Potion Master, comprising 10 levels total." "Rule Four: Each commission task includes two sets of required potion ingredients in addition to standard payment. Task acceptors must utilize system-provided materials exclusively." "Rule Five: Upon successful first-attempt completion, remaining ingredients become the task acceptor''s property without system reclamation." "Rule Six: Submission of personally sourced materials for system tasks is strictly prohibited. Violation results in permanent task disqualification." "Rule Seven: Completion of ten tasks at current level enables automatic advancement. Three consecutive failures trigger level reduction." "Rule Eight: Host earns system contribution points through successful potion collection or task completion." "Rule Nine: System contribution points are exchangeable for various magical items through the system mall. Selection limited only by imagination." "Rule Ten: The system retains all rights to rule interpretation. Modifications may occur based on current world parameters."This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. The rules materialized like a piece of parchment in Orli''s mind. She applied examination-level concentration, meticulously reviewing each word thrice. Evidently, Rules One and Two constituted economic advantages. Fifty percent above market price... implying that purchasing potions at market rate and reselling to the system would yield immediate 50% profits? Extraordinarily lucrative! For competitive edge... perhaps offering 30% above market would attract traders while maintaining 20% margin... Orli''s expression brightened at the prospect of countless Galleons. Rules Three through Seven appeared to address material advantages? Many potions required ingredients notoriously difficult for students to obtain - reminiscent of Hermione''s risky venture into Snape''s office for Polyjuice Potion ingredients. Numerous talented but financially constrained students, like Orli, struggled without practice materials. These tasks not only provided free materials but doubled the quantity. Success on first attempt meant retaining spare materials for personal use or profit - the system''s design was impeccably thoughtful. Regarding higher-level tasks, one could only imagine the rarity of materials at Potion Master level, potentially enabling rediscovery of lost formulas... This system represented an untapped treasury. Rules Eight and Nine expanded functionality further. Mentally accessing the system mall icon revealed extensive broomstick collections, from vintage Cleansweep series through popular Comet lines to the cutting-edge Nimbus 2000, available for progressively increasing exchange points. The merchandise variety proved staggering - rare ingredients absent even from ancestral notes, lost magical texts, potion formulas, spells... The final page even offered house-elves and entire ancient magical estates, though at astronomical exchange rates. This powerful advantage''s sudden appearance nearly overwhelmed Orli''s faculties. Fortunately, her rationality prevailed, prompting crucial inquiries: "System, what becomes of collected potions? What''s the source of rare materials and lost items? Are there limitations on exchangeable items?" "Collected potions serve as rewards or exchange items in other dimensional universes'' system malls, never circulating in this world. Similarly, items rare or extinct here originate from other dimensions. System existence maintains zero direct interference with this world''s progression, excluding exchanges of plot-critical items like the Elder Wand, Resurrection Stone, or other reality-breaking artifacts." "What precisely are you, system? A Horcrux-like soul fragment? Some higher-dimensional entity?" "The system exists solely as a system. Though host-bound, it lacks independent consciousness. Operations follow preset protocols exclusively. Consider the system as: a basic AI incapable of self-evolution." Orli finally dismissed her reservations, embracing this systematic advantage for navigation through the magical world. Aspiring not for universal salvation, but for comfortable sustenance .
Chapter 6: The Start of the School Year August 1991. Harry Potter, brimming with anticipation for the magical world, was eagerly counting down the days until school began. Hermione Granger had already previewed all the textbooks thrice, meticulously studying and committing every word to memory. Ron Weasley, after persistent pleading at the Burrow, finally inherited his brother''s old, fat rat. Albus Dumbledore ultimately decided to conceal his old friend''s stone in the corridor on the right side of the fourth floor at the school. The world continued to spin on its axis; everything seemed unchanged. But in an old mansion on the wasteland of Surrey, a butterfly''s wings were slowly beginning their first flutter. --- For the entire month preceding the start of school, Orli remained completely secluded in the potion basement of the old mansion, with only the monotonous mechanical system prompts for company. It took her three grueling weeks of constant potion-making tasks from the system to finally reach the proficiency of a Hogwarts third-year student. However, even for Orli, progressing further became increasingly challenging. Despite her exceptional talent and access to numerous ancient texts and notes from predecessors, she lacked systematic training in potion-making. She barely managed to complete a few tasks at the Hogwarts third-year level through self-exploration, but then failed twice in succession. This made Orli too wary to try again, fearing a drop in her hard-earned level.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. In the final week, Orli used all her accumulated system contribution points to exchange for something she had long been eyeing in the system mall: [Basic Occlumency Training] Even though Orli had been brewing potions tirelessly to accumulate contribution points, she could barely afford the basic level. The intermediate, advanced, and profound levels that followed required exponentially increasing contribution points. Moreover, the system clearly stated that Orli''s 11-year-old brain could only barely handle basic Occlumency training. As a transmigrator, Orli keenly understood that if anyone discovered the main plot and memories of her past life in her mind, she would face endless troubles. Not to mention that from September onwards, she would be living under the watchful eyes of two Legilimency masters - the Headmaster and Snape. So, in the last week before school started, Orli spent day and night rigorously training her Occlumency under the system''s guidance. Finally, her basic Occlumency skills were barely passable. Brief eye contact and normal conversations shouldn''t reveal any telltale signs. However, the consequence of overexerting her mind was that she began to suffer from uncontrollable bouts of migraines. --- On September 1st, when Orli appeared at King''s Cross Station, she was a pitiful sight: Her face was pale from a month without sunlight. Her hair was a tangled mess, dry as straw due to malnutrition. Her eyes were unfocused and dull from lack of sleep and persistent migraines. She wore a robe with frayed cuffs and telltale potion stains. In her left hand, she clutched a suitcase that looked ready to fall apart at any moment. --- For Merlin''s sake, she too had dreamed of making a dazzling debut in the magical world, just like other transmigrated heroines. But the precious system contribution points had almost all been exchanged for basic Occlumency training. Even if there were some left, they would certainly be saved to increase her chances of survival, rather than squandered on fancy robes and beauty spells. As for the money earned from the system''s potion recycling... The basic potions Orli could currently concoct, even if bought back at 50% above market price, could only cover some daily expenses, not amounting to any significant sum. Besides, she hadn''t had a moment to spare for shopping in the past month. So, when she accidentally encountered the bustling Weasley family, she clearly overheard Ron whisper to Mrs. Weasley: #Ron "Mum, look, there''s actually someone even poorer than us..." Chapter 7: The Compartment Orli turned and rolled her eyes dramatically at the tactless redhead. Mrs. Weasley gave her an apologetic smile and irritably smacked Ron on the back of his head. "Sorry, sweetheart... Ron! Mind your manners!" London''s traffic was so terrible that despite Orli''s rush, she still ran right into the Weasley family. Her original plan had been to board early, find an empty compartment, lock the door, catch up on sleep, and contemplate whether to join Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. But when she saw the mass of red hair on the platform, her heart instinctively sank. Sure enough, just as the Weasley boys began queuing to enter the platform, a familiar bespectacled boy emerged behind them, beginning to recite the lines Orli knew all too well: "Excuse me, ma''am, I wanted to ask..." Oh, Merlin. Orli rubbed her throbbing temples, feeling her recently subsided migraine threatening to return. --- The Platform 9? was chaos before departure - adults, children, train whistles, billowing steam, running pets... resembling a Chinese New Year travel rush. Orli quietly slipped away from the Weasleys and the famous Harry Potter when no one was looking, then struggled through the crowd searching for an empty compartment. She clutched her trunk to her chest with her rather thin arms, hoping it would at least hold together until reaching the dormitory, rather than falling apart and spilling underwear and socks everywhere. This slowed her progress even more.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. "Hey! Escaping first-year!" Someone tapped Orli''s right shoulder from behind, but when she turned, no one was there. "Oh... what a classic trick..." Orli muttered as she turned back to her left, unsurprised to find the Weasley twins doubled over with laughter. "Hi! That was our stupid little brother earlier, really sorry, he meant no harm." "Perhaps you''d like some Bertie Bott''s? Pumpkin flavor? Honey? Merlin help you if you get bogey flavor." One of the twins extended his hand, pulling out a handful of sweaty, colorful beans from his pocket. But knowing them as she did, Orli suspected they were probably all bogey or dirt flavored, possibly mixed with some of their experimental prank items. "Oh right, forgot to introduce ourselves - I''m Fred, he''s George." The other tall boy winked, nudging his brother with his shoulder. "First-year, what''s your name?" Orli finally found a gap in their rapid-fire chatter to interject: "You''re George, and he''s Fred. I''m Orli Waters. No thanks on the beans, and I wasn''t angry before... but the crucial issue right now is that you''re blocking the way..." The twins turned around to find another first-year - the bespectacled boy from the platform - standing awkwardly in the narrow train corridor, holding a heavy trunk and a fat white owl. All three stared at him, making the boy''s ears turn pink. "Sorry, but this might be the last empty compartment..." Harry Potter pointed at the compartment behind Orli, asking somewhat timidly, "Perhaps you wouldn''t mind..." "Oh, come in!" Fred moved aside, pushing both Potter and Orli into the compartment, then he and George efficiently stowed away both first-years'' luggage. Orli had no idea how things had progressed so naturally to this point. Only when the twins recognized the boy with the lightning scar as the Savior and ran out announcing it loud enough for the whole platform to hear, did she resign herself to sharing a compartment with the protagonist. And as the departure whistle sounded, Ron too squeezed into the compartment. Chapter 8: The Sorting (Part 1) The journey to Hogwarts was marked by a series of eventful moments. Hermione continued her search for Neville''s toad¡ª During which she discovered Orli''s potion notes and engaged in a brief but animated discussion about brewing Scabies Solution. The insufferable Malfoy made his appearance with his lackeys¡ª Not content with merely mocking the Weasleys, he took particular pleasure in sneering at the impoverished Waters family. Orli, knowing full well how this would play out, couldn''t be bothered to engage, and indeed the only casualty was Goyle receiving a bite from Scabbers the rat. The day-long train journey proved exhausting. While the two boys maintained an almost constant stream of chatter, Orli only occasionally contributed to the conversation. Before long, the initial awkwardness between Ron and Orli from their platform encounter had completely dissipated as they all grew more comfortable with each other. After all, it''s rather difficult to maintain any animosity when a boy who can only afford a rat discovers that his companion can''t even afford that much and is an orphan. By lunchtime, Ron had even shared Mrs. Weasley''s corned beef sandwiches with Orli. Perhaps there was a hint of sympathetic condescension in his gesture, but Orli was content to let it slide. When Hermione inquired about Orli''s pallid complexion, she attributed it to a migraine. The boys, showing unexpected consideration, maintained a more subdued volume for the remainder of the journey. As dusk settled, the announcement "Five minutes to Hogwarts" resonated through the compartment, rousing Orli from what she hadn''t realized had become a deep slumber. The boys had already donned their school robes. Harry''s face betrayed his nervousness with its paleness, while Ron busied himself stuffing the remaining sweets into his already bulging pockets.You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. "Has your headache improved?" Harry asked, helping Orli to her feet. "Hermione stopped by earlier with some Muggle painkillers, if you''re willing to try them..." "Muggle medicine?" Ron muttered skeptically under his breath. "Surely potions would be more appropriate for our kind." They joined the throng of students in the corridor, eventually emerging onto a tiny, dark platform. The crisp September evening air helped clear Orli''s foggy mind. "I''m fine now, much more alert," she assured them with a dismissive wave. Soon after, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Orli found themselves sharing a small boat, following the traditional route before being led to wait outside the Great Hall for the sorting ceremony that had most first-years trembling with anticipation. Except for Orli, none of the new students knew what the sorting entailed. Ron, thoroughly rattled by his brothers'' tales of wrestling trolls, looked on the verge of collapse. Only Orli maintained her composure, though her mind raced with considerations: whether her rudimentary Occlumency could shield her thoughts from the Sorting Hat, and whether she should aim for Ravenclaw with its extensive library and scenic views, or Hufflepuff with its convenient proximity to the kitchens and welcoming atmosphere. Perhaps fearing the entire school might starve, they were soon led into the magnificent Great Hall. As the Sorting Hat began its song, Orli stood in the second row of first-years, carefully scanning her surroundings. Slytherin... no familiar faces. Young Malfoy was probably somewhere among the first-years beside her, hands and feet ice-cold with fear that he might not make it into the House of Snakes and be disowned by the Malfoy family. Ravenclaw... the only Asian face, Cho Chang, a year ahead of the protagonist group, was whispering with the girls beside her. Hufflepuff... well, Cedric was impossible to miss. Gryffindor... a cluster of familiar red heads. The twins were looking in her direction, their eyes meeting Orli''s - or perhaps they were looking at Ron or Harry beside her. Either way, they waved enthusiastically and dramatically, then pointed at the Gryffindor table while gesturing wildly like amateur mime artists. Ron was visibly eager, while Harry managed a tight-lipped smile through his nervousness. Orli thought to herself sarcastically: "Oh please, Gryffindor? Whoever wants to go there can go ahead, but count me out." Chapter 9: The Sorting (2)
The sorting ceremony, proceeding alphabetically by surname, progressed swiftly. Waters was positioned right after Potter and before Weasley. Hermione was called up soon enough, scurrying to the Gryffindor table much to Ron''s visible disappointment. When Harry Potter''s name was announced, the Great Hall erupted into chaos, as if someone had stirred up a giant cauldron. Just as in the original plot, Orli observed as the Sorting Hat deliberated at length before finally placing Harry in Gryffindor. Her anxiety resurfaced as she silently practiced her Occlumency, causing her head to throb once more. Only three students remained unsorted now. Hundreds of eyes in the Great Hall seemed fixed upon them. Ron''s cheeks had taken on a sickly green hue, while Orli wasn''t faring much better - when called to the platform, her calves were seized with uncontrollable cramps. She couldn''t even recall how she''d donned the hat, but when awareness returned, it was already murmuring inside her mind. #Sorting Hat "Oh, such powerful desires... No, Hufflepuff wouldn''t suit you... Ah yes, a Waters, exceptional talent in potions... Slytherin? Don''t you fancy the dungeons beneath the lake?... Ravenclaw... Perhaps Ravenclaw is right, wait, there seems to be a little surprise lurking in your mind..." Orli''s fists clenched instantly in tension. She wasn''t certain of the hat''s mind-reading capabilities, but several scenes from the original movies flashed unbidden through her mind - Harry confronting Voldemort with raised wand, Neville drawing the Sword of Gryffindor...Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ##Orli "Stop! Stop!" Orli desperately employed her Occlumency, feeling a consciousness being expelled from her mind like wet mud. Her headache intensified, as if a steel spoon was violently stirring her brain. #Sorting Hat "Oh, fear not, child. I mean you no harm. After all, every young girl harbors her little fantasies about heroes, doesn''t she?" The hat chuckled mischievously in Orli''s ear, prattling on endlessly. #Sorting Hat "Was that James Potter and Frank Longbottom? Seems like only yesterday I sorted them... Such a tragedy about those two fine young men... Their sons are among this year''s first-years, my, how time flies..." It took Orli several seconds to realize that the Sorting Hat had mistaken the seventh-year Harry and Neville in her mind for their fathers. This brought her momentary relief. But swiftly, events spiraled beyond her expectations. The Sorting Hat pronounced with unwavering certainty: #Sorting Hat "Well then, a stubborn girl who stays true to herself and admires heroes..." ##Orli "Wait, something''s not right..." Orli rushed to interrupt, but too late. The next instant, the Sorting Hat proclaimed to the entire hall: #Sorting Hat "Orli Waters, GRYFFINDOR!" The verdict struck her like lightning from a clear sky, leaving her thoroughly stunned and frozen in place. Only when Professor McGonagall gave her shoulder a gentle nudge did she snap back to reality, rising stiffly from the chair and practically yanking off that treacherous hat. While enthusiastic cheers and applause erupted from the Gryffindor table, Orli fought through her pounding headache to make her way down, barely managing to settle into the empty seat between Harry and Hermione. She stared vacantly at the house banner above, with its ketchup-and-chips color scheme. #Harry "Are you alright?" Harry turned to check on the dazed Orli, but his attention was quickly drawn to Ron, who had just taken his place on the sorting stool.
Chapter 10: The Hospital Wing
Soon, the last two first-years were sorted as well. When the tables filled with food, Ron had already seized two chicken legs and was feasting with unbridled enthusiasm. Orli had to admit that Ron would make an excellent food vlogger. However, at that moment, even the most tempting dishes held no appeal, as her head felt ready to split open like an overripe watermelon. Harry, nibbling on a pumpkin pasty, quietly reflected on the recent sorting: #Harry "I thought I was some kind of freak, sitting up there for so long - probably longer than anyone else... I was worried I''d end up in Slytherin, or worse, be sent home. It''s reassuring that Orli took about the same time... I mean, that makes it normal, right?" He turned to Orli, his eyes seeking reassurance. ##Orli "...Of course." Orli nodded weakly, the slight movement intensifying her headache. #Hermione "What''s wrong? Is your headache back?" Finally noticing something amiss, Hermione, seated right beside Orli, set down her fork and grasped Orli''s ice-cold hand. Just as Orli was about to respond, Harry suddenly clutched his forehead with a sharp intake of breath. #Ron "Is headache contagious or something?" Ron lowered his chicken leg in bewilderment. #Harry "No, it''s just... when I looked at that professor..."A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Harry rubbed his scar while staring intently at the High Table. Following his gaze, Orli wasn''t surprised to spot the tall figure with greasy black hair and a prominent hooked nose. Those hollow black eyes were directed their way, filled with unconcealed contempt. The next moment, a searing pain shot through Orli''s brain like an electric current. She felt herself falling backward uncontrollably before everything faded to black. --- When consciousness returned, Orli found herself lying in a single bed. White curtains enclosed all four sides, with wall sconces burning nearby, their light filtering through the thin fabric to cast a gentle yellow glow. Orli tried to clear her head and shift position, but the bed frame betrayed her with a sharp "creak." Footsteps approached, and one side of the curtain was drawn back to reveal a woman in white robes, who firmly but gently pressed Orli back onto the bed. #Madam Pomfrey "Orli Waters, you fainted from extreme exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Rest easy now - you''re in the Hogwarts Hospital Wing. You may call me Madam Pomfrey." She ensured Orli was lying comfortably before tucking her in snugly. Though her touch was gentle, her tone carried maternal sternness: #Madam Pomfrey "You''re only eleven years old - I can''t imagine how many nights you''ve stayed awake, or what could possibly cause such anxiety and tension. Don''t you know that proper sleep is crucial at your age? Look at those dark circles under your eyes - I''d almost think someone had given you two black eyes. I''ll give you some potions shortly; after drinking them and getting a good night''s rest, you should feel better by tomorrow morning." Orli nodded gratefully. Despite the reprimanding tone, the underlying concern warmed her heart - it had been so long since anyone had shown such care for her. But before she could fully relax, sharp knocking echoed through the room. Madam Pomfrey wiped her hands on her pristine apron and strode to open the door. #Madam Pomfrey "Oh, Severus, you''re finally here. Term''s just started, and the Hospital Wing is completely out of potions - I can''t even find a single Calming Draught. This is absolutely dreadful..." Another voice responded, deep and characteristically sardonic, words dripping with venom like a snake''s forked tongue: #Snape "This is hardly my fault, Poppy. After all, who could have anticipated that some foolish first-year would manage to land themselves in the Hospital Wing on the very first day?"
Chapter 11: The Examination
The curtain beside Orli''s bed was suddenly swept aside with a "swoosh." Snape stood by her bedside, looking down at her with unmistakable impatience in his eyes. "Miss Orli ''Fainting'' Waters, the talk of the school, would you care to explain how you managed to deteriorate to this pitiful state within just one month? While I don''t consider myself responsible for first-years'' health conditions, as the only professor who saw you before term started, I need to provide a reasonable explanation to Dumbledore and your Head of House, McGonagall." His expression might as well have had "you''re causing me trouble" written across it. Orli reluctantly sat up again in bed, extending her arm to show him the potion stains on her sleeve. "Sorry, Professor, I was just trying to brew potions at home and lost track of time, so I''m a bit sleep-deprived..." "So Miss Waters considers herself a potions prodigy? To the extent that you thought you could brew potions without any professor''s guidance before term even began?" Snape cut her off disdainfully, his eyes filled with even deeper contempt: "What happens when you add porcupine quills before removing the cauldron from the fire while brewing Cure for Boils?" Wait... why these sudden questions? Before Orli could even process this, she instinctively recalled her knowledge and answered rapidly: "The mixture would violently boil over with corrosive properties, burning through the cauldron and causing boils to break out..." "What potions can be made using water from the River Lethe, valerian, and mistletoe berries?"Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. His thin lips moved rapidly, giving Orli no time to think. "With only those three ingredients, it would be the Forgetfulness Potion..." As she answered, Orli felt grateful for not wasting her first eleven years of life. Her theoretical knowledge had been honed through old manuscripts in the manor, and she had brewed many basic potions without taking shortcuts. "That''s enough, Severus. She''s in poor condition and needs rest..." Madam Pomfrey looked disapprovingly at Snape, but he didn''t stop. "What common potion typically uses powdered moonstone and syrup of hellebore?" "The Draught of Peace, but you must never add too much powdered moonstone, or it will cause deep sleep..." "Enough showing off. You should know these basic facts as a Waters anyway." Snape tossed a small potion vial onto Orli''s blanket. "This potion won''t keep you sleeping forever, unless you deliberately want to miss your first class at school." With that, he turned and left without sparing her another glance. "Severus... he really is..." Madam Pomfrey muttered disapprovingly as she settled Orli back in bed, opening the small vial and helping her drink the potion. "But you answered brilliantly, child. You''re truly worthy of the Waters name. I''d say your performance just now deserves at least two house points, if you weren''t in Gryffindor..." A bitter, sour taste spread from Orli''s tongue down to her throat. She wrinkled her nose in disgust before sinking into deep sleep. In her dream, she was running endlessly on a blank examination paper, chasing after an unreachable quill while Snape pursued her with a pocket watch, shouting: "Time''s up! Hand in your paper! You''ll definitely get a T in Potions!" Just as she was breaking into a cold sweat from anxiety, the quill transformed into a massive cauldron. Professor Quirrell stood beside it with his enormous turban, smiling maliciously at her and saying in an eerie voice: "I''ve discovered all your secrets..." Orli wanted to wake up from fright, but perhaps due to the potion, her limbs felt impossibly heavy and wouldn''t move at all. The next morning, when she finally woke up in the sunlight, she found her back drenched in cold, clammy sweat. But the good news was, her headache was completely gone.
Chapter 12: The Curse
With Madam Pomfrey''s earnest instructions to "ensure sufficient sleep, avoid anxiety and stress, and maintain balanced meals," Orli hastily bid farewell to the hospital wing and rushed toward the Great Hall. Having missed last night''s dinner, she didn''t want to miss her first breakfast at school. Besides, she felt hungry enough to devour an entire cow. "Hey! Orli, over here!" Harry and Ron spotted Orli as soon as she entered the hall, waving at her. Orli glanced at the two sitting close together, then at Hermione sitting alone on the other side, and finally chose to sit beside Hermione. The famous trio was far from forming - that wouldn''t happen until they tackled the troll together. For now, Ron and Hermione still couldn''t stand each other, leaving Hermione somewhat isolated. "Are you feeling better?" Hermione started to reach out to feel Orli''s forehead but remembered she''d just handled a pasty and lowered her hand. "You didn''t return to the dormitory last night. Professor McGonagall said you were taken to the hospital wing." "Much better now, my headache''s gone," Orli smiled, following suit by grabbing a pumpkin pasty and taking a hearty bite. "That Professor Snape must have something wrong with him," Ron couldn''t help interjecting from across the table. "Yesterday, just one look from him made Harry''s scar hurt, and Orli fainted... Tell me, Orli, did you faint from the headache or because Snape terrified you?" Ron sprayed pasty crumbs while peering at Orli intently, as if trying to read something from her face. "Shut up, Ron. Orli started having headaches on the train, and you know it," Hermione lifted her chin, defending her friend.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Ron rolled his eyes, looked away, and started whispering something to Harry. The Weasley twins eagerly offered their own insights: "He might have cursed both Harry and Orli. I''d be careful in Potions class if I were you..." George said with mock despair. "It''s absolutely the hell of Hogwarts," Fred added. "Um... actually, I don''t think Snape put any curse on us..." Orli finally swallowed her large bite of pasty, feeling she should probably steer their increasingly wayward thoughts back on track. "In fact, since I had no family, the school arranged for him to take me to Diagon Alley before term started..." "WHAT?!" George exclaimed dramatically, while Fred beside him looked like he was choking on his jelly. Even Harry stared at Orli sympathetically: "Good heavens, you had it rough. Hagrid took me to Diagon Alley - he was so kind, explained lots of things to me, and even got me an owl..." Now almost all the surrounding Gryffindors were staring at Orli. They seemed more interested in the details of Snape taking Orli to Diagon Alley - it seemed as incongruous as a troll singing a lullaby to a baby, making them shudder just thinking about it, yet unable to contain their curiosity. Fortunately, Percy came down from his prefect''s seat and bombarded Orli with all the first-year notices she''d missed last night, inadvertently rescuing her from the spotlight. --- The first few days of school were actually rather uneventful. Orli first ordered a mail-order catalog and used a few Galleons she''d exchanged from the system to buy new robes, boots, and stockings, at least making herself look clean and tidy rather than like a little vagrant. It then took her about three or four days to memorize Hogwarts'' confusing stair movement patterns. Meanwhile, they attended various classes like Transfiguration, Herbology, Charms, and others. Once, Orli got lost and arrived late to History of Magic class. However, the ghost Professor Binns continued droning on in his dull, monotonous voice, apparently not even noticing her arrival. Defense Against the Dark Arts had made Orli nervous for a while, but apart from his strong garlic smell, Professor Quirrell showed no unusual behavior for now. Her only achievement so far was probably becoming good friends with her roommate Hermione, with whom she shared meals and living space.
Chapter 13 Potions Class (1)
Perhaps Orli should be grateful for being in the same house as Harry. Under the shadow of the Boy Who Lived, hardly anyone noticed her existence. Only Professor McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindor, inquired about her health condition during their first Transfiguration class. Apart from her natural talent in Potions, Orli''s performance in other classes was rather mediocre. To keep up with the curriculum, she had to devote all her spare time to preview lessons and complete assignments, frequently seeking Hermione''s guidance whether in corridors, at mealtimes, in the library, or in the common room. Hermione greatly admired Orli''s dedication to studies, while Ron''s glances at her grew increasingly peculiar, as if suspecting she had caught some sort of study-obsessed virus from Hermione. Even the system was temporarily put aside¡ªshe simply lacked both time and space to brew potions lately. After all, one could hardly expect to set up a cauldron in a girls'' dormitory shared by four students and already cramped with belongings. She wondered how other transmigrators managed to achieve the lucky trinity: 1. Roaming the castle at night without detection; 2. Possessing some form of invisibility magic, transformation spell, or an invisibility cloak; 3. Effortlessly discovering secret passages, empty classrooms, or even accessing the Room of Requirement. Well, Orli hadn''t accomplished any of these. That Thursday night, risking a headache the following day, she crept out of bed at two in the morning, attempting to sneak out of Gryffindor Tower to find a suitable place for potion brewing. With the first Potions class approaching, Orli felt she couldn''t be too prepared.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. However, just as she was about to climb through the Fat Lady''s portrait hole, Percy caught her red-handed. "Orli Waters?" Percy''s surprise was evident - he had probably expected to catch the twins or Lee Jordan instead. The outcome remained unchanged though¡ªOrli was escorted back to the girls'' dormitory entrance by Percy and received a prefect''s warning. --- Come Friday, as the little lions and snakes crowded into the dungeon''s Potions classroom, Orli felt utterly uncertain. Even the familiar cauldron before her seemed foreign, and her back was as rigid as a wooden board. Hermione, sitting beside her, cast her a puzzled look and gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don''t be so tense, Orli. You''re a genuine Waters after all. Compared to other subjects, I believe your knowledge of potions is the least of your worries. Besides, I''ve memorized the entire first-year Potions textbook and previewed all the crucial points for second and third year. We simply can''t fail." Orli looked up and managed a weak smile in return. Poor innocent witch, she thought. Just wait until you see how the Dungeon Bat torments you all¡ªyour confidence will likely shatter into pieces. --- Soon, the classroom door burst open. Snape swept to the podium, his cloak billowing behind him like a dark curtain. With a casual flick of his wand, he made the dungeon even gloomier, then picked up the first-year register. He paused at Harry''s name. "Ah, yes," he said softly, "Harry Potter. Our new¡ªcelebrity." Malfoy and his cronies covered their mouths, sniggering behind their hands. Everything matched the original story perfectly. Orli had already begun contemplating the key points of steaming flobberworms when, unexpectedly, another wave of mockery awaited her. "Orli Waters," Snape paused, deliberately drawing out his words while surveying the class, "Or perhaps ''Fainting Waters'' would be more fitting for this young lady, given her spectacular opening performance for the term." Malfoy seemed unable to contain himself, letting out a snort of laughter through his fingers. Orli drew in a sharp breath, shooting a fierce glare at that platinum head. She had a sinking feeling that this Potions class wouldn''t go smoothly at all.
Chapter 14 Potions Class (2)
Murphy''s Law states: If anything can go wrong, it will¡ªregardless of how minuscule the possibility might be. Orli''s foreboding quickly materialized into reality. After completing the roll call, Snape launched into his signature monologue¡ªabout bottling fame, brewing glory, and even putting a stopper in death. In her previous life, this speech had left a deep impression on Orli. Now, combined with her profound love for potions, these words, delivered in that deep London baritone, struck a perfect chord within her. Had she not been publicly mocked moments before for no apparent reason, she might have even applauded Snape''s speech. Unfortunately, most of her mental energy was now devoted to wondering what she had done to irritate the old bat. Beside her, Hermione appeared equally captivated by the speech¡ªperched precariously on the edge of her seat, spine ruler-straight, as if this posture alone could prove she wasn''t one of the dunderheads Snape had mentioned. "Potter!" Snape spat the name as if it were venom. "What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" With that spray-laden "Potter," the main performance had finally begun. Orli tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible, creating a stark contrast with Hermione, who had thrust her hand skyward beside her. "I don''t know, sir," Harry mumbled from his seat in front of Orli. "Where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?"The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Hermione''s hand looked ready to detach from her shoulder. If there existed a spell for it, Orli had no doubt Hermione would have made her arm float to the ceiling like a balloon. "I don''t know, sir." The Malfoy trio was now trembling with barely suppressed laughter. Watching Harry''s dejected back, Orli genuinely wanted to whisper some hints to him. But as if reading her thoughts, Snape fixed her with a piercing glare, and she immediately froze. "What is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?" As Snape pressed on relentlessly, Hermione... by Merlin, she had completely stood up now, transforming herself into a miniature Statue of Liberty. Harry finally snapped: "I don''t know. But Hermione seems to know, why don''t you try asking her?" Snape glared venomously at Harry, then shifted his gaze to Hermione, before suddenly turning to Orli and fixing his stare upon her. Orli knew that look all too well¡ªit was the telltale sign of a teacher about to make a random call. Her heart began pounding frantically, her palms growing clammy. Sure enough, the next moment, Snape called her name: "Perhaps Miss Waters isn''t as incompetent as our celebrity? Answer these three questions!" Orli reluctantly rose from her chair. Harry and Ron turned to give her sympathetic looks, while Hermione beside her seemed desperate to somehow transfer her knowledge directly into Orli''s mouth. Taking a deep breath, Orli fixed her gaze on a wall sconce, pretending Snape didn''t exist, and answered as steadily as she could: "Asphodel powder added to wormwood infusion is... a step in brewing the Draught of Living Death... a bezoar is found in a goat''s stomach and serves as an antidote... and as for monkshood and wolfsbane, they''re... yes, they''re simply different names for the same plant." Finally finished, Orli exhaled slowly, feeling as if her nails had nearly pierced her palms. Harry gave her a subtle thumbs-up, while Ron looked as if he was seeing her in a new light. Hermione seemed slightly disappointed that she hadn''t been the one to answer, but still gave Orli''s hand an approving pat under the desk. However, their expressions quickly morphed into indignation: Snape deducted a point from Gryffindor for Harry''s cheek, while completely ignoring Orli''s correct answers¡ªhe simply returned to his podium and began distributing ingredients for the Boil-Cure Potion, showing not the slightest intention of awarding any points.
Chapter 15 Potions Class (3) "This isn''t fair! Your answers were completely correct¡ªthat should have earned at least one house point!" Hermione was still muttering indignantly after collecting their group''s potion ingredients. Having already earned seven or eight points for Gryffindor in other classes, she was eager to see her friend receive recognition as well. But Orli was content enough¡ªin Snape''s class, she considered it a victory just to avoid losing points. At the moment, he was prowling around the classroom, criticizing everyone he laid eyes on. Ron and Neville got the worst of it¡ªNeville''s hands were shaking so badly he could barely cut the nettle leaves, nearly slicing off his own fingernail. Orli focused on grinding snake fangs in her mortar while Hermione lit their fire. Snape paused briefly at their table but, finding nothing to criticize, moved on to Crabbe and Goyle''s station¡ªwhere his scolding voice soon rang out. Only Malfoy received public praise, twice in fact, with Snape even instructing the class to follow his example. Neville eventually managed to melt his cauldron, sending caustic Boil-Cure Potion splashing across the Gryffindor section and causing chaos. Orli, having anticipated this, immediately pulled Hermione onto their desk while lifting their own cauldron away from the fire. "You idiot boy!" Snape roared as he rushed over, clearing away the mess with a wave of his wand. "I suppose you added the porcupine quills before taking the cauldron off the fire?!"You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Neville began whimpering as angry red boils started appearing where the potion had splashed him. Snape had no choice but to send him to the hospital wing with Seamus. "You¡ªPotter¡ªwhy didn''t you tell him not to add the quills?" Snape rounded on Harry and Ron, who were at the table next to Neville''s. "Thought he''d make you look good if he got it wrong, did you? That''s another point you''ve lost for Gryffindor!" Harry opened his mouth to protest, but Ron kicked him behind their cauldron. Harry pressed his lips together, and both remained still. While Orli was watching Harry''s situation, completely off guard, Snape suddenly whirled around and fixed his gaze on her: "And you, Waters¡ªit seems your potions knowledge is merely a tool for showing off, rather than something you''d deign to use helping your classmates, isn''t it? Another point from Gryffindor!" Orli clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stare at her feet and resist the urge to talk back. She was three tables away from Neville¡ªwas she supposed to shout across the classroom, "Neville! Put down those porcupine quills!"? During the final hour of class, all the Gryffindors worked under a dark cloud of tension. At least Orli and Hermione managed to complete their Boil-Cure Potion successfully. Looking at their vial, Orli sighed disappointedly. The potion wasn''t perfect¡ªjust a dull green color with no silver sheen, indicating substandard potency. Hermione triple-checked their textbook, confirming they''d followed every step correctly, yet their final product still didn''t match the ideal description. "This defies logic. According to the textbook, after completion, the potion should be bright green with silver ripples..." Hermione stared at their assignment, completely puzzled. "Oh, give it a rest," Ron grumbled, thinking Hermione was just showing off. Despite their best efforts to salvage it, Harry and Ron''s potion had congealed into an indescribable mud-colored substance, emanating a noxious odor reminiscent of damp, moldy socks. It was clearly the antithesis of a proper Boil-Cure Potion. Chapter 16 Potions Class (4)
Orli knew perfectly well that the textbook only provided standard instructions. To truly enhance the potion''s potency, one should add a tiny bit of dittany after following the standard steps. Moreover, the nettle shouldn''t be cut into one-third inch pieces as the book suggested, but rather chopped more finely. However, at this point, doing more meant risking more mistakes. She had no desire to stand out in any way, preferring to simply survive this class quietly. Finally, she decided that silence was golden and handed over control to Hermione, who seemed quite pleased to serve as the temporary group leader. Unfortunately, Merlin appeared to be working against Orli, as events spiraled in precisely the direction she least wanted. "Waters, is this what your group intends to submit? If so, you''ll both receive Dreadfuls for this lesson." Snape''s eyes swept over them like a snake eyeing two young mice as Hermione and Orli approached his desk to hand in their potion vial. "Professor, I assure you, we followed the textbook instructions precisely..." Hermione, agitated by the glaring ''D'' on the list, burst out in defense. "Ah, following the textbook to the letter. Since Miss Granger is so devoted to memorizing textbooks, perhaps she''d like to demonstrate her dramatic recitation of ''One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi''? A proofreading position at the publishing house might suit you well." Snape cut her off with his characteristic sneer. Hermione''s face flushed crimson. She stared at the ''D'' next to her name, biting her lip hard, looking as though she might burst into tears any second.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Orli couldn''t contain herself any longer. Gripping Hermione''s trembling hand, she pointed at the grades on the list: "But Malfoy got an Outstanding! Even Crabbe''s rubbish got an Acceptable! How is our potion any different from Malfoy''s?!" "Do you truly not know the key to cutting nettle properly, Miss Waters?" Snape''s eyes bore directly into Orli''s, causing her to look away nervously. "It seems you''re not particularly enthusiastic about group work, to the point where you''d watch Miss Granger make mistakes and choose not to help, preferring to submit garbage to me, is that right?" Snape methodically rapped his knuckles against the walnut desk surface. Hermione whirled to face Orli, large tears welling in her eyes, filled with hurt and disbelief. In the next moment, she yanked her hand free from Orli''s grip, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and fled from the classroom without looking back. Orli felt blood rushing to her head. She could imagine how angry Hermione must be, and had a sinking feeling she might lose her first friend in the magical world. "Professor, what exactly would it take to satisfy you? Actually, it''s impossible for us to satisfy you because being in Gryffindor itself is our original sin, isn''t it?!" Orli turned back, gripping the edge of the desk tightly as she glared at Snape. Her chest was so full of rage that she forgot how terrifying the person before her was. "Perhaps you only favor Slytherin''s stupid gel-slicked platinum heads, forgetting the basic fairness and dignity required of a professor. Are Gryffindors just clowns for you to mock? Everything I do is wrong, even Neville''s cauldron is somehow my fault? If I don''t follow the textbook''s steps exactly, even if I produce a more potent potion, would you give me a Dreadful or even a Troll for non-standard procedure? In the end, you''re just looking for excuses to dock our points¡ªwhether we do well or poorly doesn''t matter at all!" Her voice grew increasingly loud until she finally finished, only then realizing the classroom had fallen completely silent. All eyes were fixed on her, even Malfoy''s face had frozen, as if she hadn''t been speaking but had just taken two swings at Snape with an axe.
Chapter 17 Potions Class (5) The silence in the classroom was like a silver needle, instantly deflating the balloon of anger in Orli''s chest. As the adrenaline ebbed away like a receding tide, Orli felt her hands and feet turn ice-cold, desperately wishing she could return to three minutes ago and clamp her hand over her mouth. Perhaps in her subconscious, she still viewed things from the perspective of someone who knew the story''s ending, always thinking that despite Snape''s caustic nature, he was ultimately "one of the good guys." But even Harry had suffered tremendously in the early years - who was she to dare provoke this venomous snake? Unfortunately, there was no potion for regret, and her instant remorse couldn''t change what had already transpired. Professor Snape at the podium showed no sign of anger. His expression hadn''t changed even slightly as he continued his verbal dissection in the same measured tone: "For Miss Waters'' insolent defiance toward a professor, five points from Gryffindor. Additionally, detention in my office at eight o''clock tonight. Two barrels of toads should prove more educational than mere point deduction." --- The stairs from the dungeons to the tower seemed endless. Orli trudged along carrying all her and Hermione''s textbooks and notes while searching everywhere for her friend. She checked the library, the Black Lake shore, the Great Hall, and every girls'' bathroom on each floor, but Hermione was nowhere to be found.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. When she finally stumbled into the Gryffindor common room with her arms full of books, she found Ron sitting in the middle of the sofa, regaling his audience with an animated account of how Orli Waters had "slammed the desk and shouted" at Snape during Potions class. The Weasley twins proclaimed "Orli is our heroine!" and pulled her into the crowd without hesitation. They''d even procured two party poppers from somewhere, showering the carpet with golden confetti when they went off. "To be honest, I thought you and Hermione both belonged in Ravenclaw," Ron said thoughtfully, "but now it seems the Sorting Hat made no mistake with you at least." "But you lost the House eight points in your very first Potions lesson!" Percy looked disapprovingly at the boisterous first-years. "Snape seems to really hate me," Harry pointed to himself, then to Orli, "and it looks like he hates Orli just as much." "I''m truly sorry, Prefect Percy," Orli sighed dejectedly, "I lost us six points in one lesson. Merlin knows, I deeply regret it now..." "Oh, come off it, you really don''t need to apologize," Fred squeezed Orli''s shoulder while shooting a mischievous wink in Percy''s direction. "If you knew how many points we cost Gryffindor each term, you''d realize what an absolute angel you are," George picked up his brother''s thread. "Especially in Potions class - Gryffindors can lose points just for breathing too loudly while sitting still." "Perhaps Snape''s allergic to red and gold - triggers his menopause syndrome..." Lee Jordan exchanged high-fives with the twins. "Enough, stop discussing professors behind their backs." Percy, clearly feeling out of place in the celebratory atmosphere, turned and retreated to the prefects'' common room after speaking. "Ron and I are going to Hagrid''s hut this evening, would you like to join us?" Harry turned to Orli, "Hagrid''s a good person, you''ll like him. Perhaps we could ask about Snape..." he added in a whisper near Orli''s ear. "I think I need to talk to Hermione right now..." Orli had zero interest in Hagrid''s tooth-breaking rock cakes. She picked up the pile of books and trudged heavily toward the girls'' dormitory. Chapter 18 Snape鈥檚 Perspective (Sarcastic Commentary)
How did Waters manage to look so withered in just one month?When the first-years entered the Great Hall, I thought a ghoul had snuck in among them. --- Potter. Potter. The insufferable Potter.He looks exactly like his father.Gryffindor. Hmph. Predictable. --- Why is Waters taking so long to be sorted?Another Gryffindor?!!Why was I assigned to escort new students in the first place?I actually escorted a Gryffindor student and took her to Diagon Alley?!Quirrell keeps babbling beside me.Even more irritating. Something''s off about him. --- Potter, his eyes are green...Wait, why did Waters collapse?Dumbledore and McGonagall keep pestering me about whether I noticed any health issues when I met Waters earlier... How should I know?! I''m not a St. Mungo''s Healer!Now I have to work overtime brewing potions.Thoroughly annoying.Waters better have a reasonable explanation. --- A whole month spent brewing potions without rest or proper meals?Really? I don''t believe it.Dare to lie to me and you''re dead. --- She actually answered everything correctly?The potion stains on her robes seem genuine.Well, at least she shows some awareness of the Waters family legacy. --- If only she were in Slytherin.That red and gold is an eyesore.Left the potions and walked away,Can''t be bothered with these Gryffindors. --- First lesson with the first-years.Have to see Harry Blasted Potter again. Hmph.Need to keep an eye on Draco too.Why must I look after Lucius''s child?Still irritated. ---This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Look at Waters again.I thought she had some senseKnowing her pockets were nearly emptyShe shouldn''t care about appearancesBut look at herHow many days into term?New robes, new hairband, new boots?Hmph, a vain Gryffindor. --- Such simple questionsAnd the famous Harry Potter knows nothing?!He certainly inherited none of his mother''s talent for potionsHasn''t even bothered to study properly!I hardly expect him to understand the true meaning of my questions.Waters answered correctly.Praise? House points?Ha, impossible.If a Waters didn''t know these basicsI''d recommend she drown herself in the Black LakeTo serve her life''s only purpose¡ªBecoming Giant Squid food. --- Look at these first-yearsThey''re just wasting my potion ingredientsHow can anyone expect their troll-like brains to comprehend this noble subject?Neville Longbottom,I''ve already mentally given him a T for his O.W.L.sHarry Potter and that Weasley won''t fare much betterI''ll pencil them in for a D. --- Granger and WatersMediocre at bestWhy is Waters so silent?Didn''t she spend a month brewing potions?Where''s that enthusiasm now?Never mindLet''s check the other groups. --- So this is Waters'' classwork?What rubbish.And Granger, that walking textbook"Following instructions to the letter"I have no doubtIf the textbook told her to stick her head in the cauldronShe''d be the first to do it. --- Doesn''t Waters know how to improve this garbage?Even without proper guidanceSimple tricks like Dryncorpse extractionShould be written in bold on her family tree. --- Hah, her panicked expressionProves I''m rightI don''t even need LegilimencyTo know what she''s plotting¡ªAfraid of criticism, too timid to experimentTrying to get by with minimal effort? --- Listen to what she''s saying"Malfoy got an O"Is Draco her standard?Her expectations are pathetically lowAnd that illogical rambling afterwardSeems she''s mastered Gryffindor foolishness and recklessnessPerhaps I should hand her to FilchOr McGonagallOr anyone reallyWhy did I hastily assign her detention in my office?Slightly regrettableWellShe can handle all two barrels of toads meant for third years. --- Author''s Note:In his subconscious, Snape often finds himself comparing Orli to his younger self from Spinner''s End.Their similarities are numerous:Both connected to ancient potion-making familiesBoth once unkempt in appearanceBoth largely unsupervised in childhoodBoth gifted and passionate about potionsAdditionally, having been assigned to escort her to Diagon Alley, he instinctively pays more attention to her. This subconscious connection leads him to hold higher expectations for her potion-making abilities and judge her more strictly.This will be a story of gradual change, wearing away like water on stone, affecting them both.Also, when Harry''s class entered Hogwarts in 1991, Snape (born 1960) was 31 years old. However, Alan Rickman was 55 when he first played the role in the films, so readers should imagine a younger version of the screen portrayal.