HP: Supreme Potion Collector [Original Female Protagonist]

A large group marched out of the Gryffindor Tower, heading towards Professor McGonagall's office.

Initially, it was just Prefect Percy escorting Orli, but Harry felt he should go along to explain the truth to Professor McGonagall—he believed Snape must hate Gryffindor, and particularly dislike him and Orli.

Ron naturally wanted to accompany his friend, and Hermione followed behind Orli. The twins, of course, wouldn't miss such a lively scene, and even Lavender and the others felt they should speak up for their roommate. So from the initial two people, they gradually became quite a large group.

When the horde of little lions knocked on Professor McGonagall's office door just as the curfew bell rang, McGonagall thought some major incident had occurred in Gryffindor.

McGonagall: "You should all be in bed at this hour. What's happened?"

Professor McGonagall opened the door wearing a nightgown wrapped in a thick robe. Without her pointed witch's hat, she looked much gentler than usual.

George: "Professor, Snape is giving out detentions unfairly!"

Fred: "He made Orli kill toads for two days!"

Ron: "Snape totally favors Slytherin!"

Hermione: "Orli has no time to do her homework!"

Harry: "Snape seems to have it in for us..."

For a moment, the doorway to Professor McGonagall's office was as noisy as an open-air market.

McGonagall: "Children, stop this at once!"

Professor McGonagall, unable to bear it any longer, waved her wand, and everyone's voices vanished. She turned to Percy:

McGonagall: "What exactly is going on?"

Percy: "I apologize for disturbing you so late, Professor. Actually, Orli has already been given two detentions by Professor Snape, with a third one to come. This is only the first week of school, and while I don't want to question a professor, perhaps this punishment is too harsh for a first-year student?"

Percy spoke carefully, as if delivering an official statement designed not to offend anyone.

McGonagall: "Very well. I understand now."

Professor McGonagall looked at Orli, then at the little lions around her.

McGonagall: "Percy, take everyone back to the tower. I need to speak with Orli alone."

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Professor McGonagall's office was warm with a lit fireplace, piles of books and parchments scattered around the desk, making Orli yawn involuntarily.

Whether it was her imagination or not, Orli felt there was a faint smell of cat in the air. Sipping the peppermint tea Professor McGonagall had given her, she wondered absently if being an Animagus might affect one's scent...

McGonagall: "Orli, are you alright? You look a bit tired."

Professor McGonagall sat down beside her, examining her closely:

McGonagall: "Poppy told me you might still have occasional migraines."

Orli: "Thank you, Professor. I'm fine now, just a bit sore in the arms."

Orli smiled wryly, lifting her arms slightly.

McGonagall: "But you did publicly confront a professor earlier, which warrants some punishment."

Professor McGonagall's expression became a bit stern, but she raised her wand, and Orli's arms immediately felt much better.

McGonagall: "Detention aside, are you interested in Potions? What I mean is, you're a Waters, and you seem to be doing well in Potions."

Orli felt Professor McGonagall's words seemed to imply something, but she still answered honestly according to her own thoughts:

Orli: "Actually, I really like Potions, and I don't mind handling potion ingredients. But the detention this week was a bit long, so Professor, I haven't started writing your essay yet..."

Orli looked at Professor McGonagall expectantly, and sure enough, McGonagall shook her head with a helpless smile.

McGonagall: "Alright, given the special circumstances this week, you can submit your essay two days late. No later than before dinner on Wednesday."

Orli: "Thank you, Professor!"

Orli silently cheered for herself.

McGonagall: "Actually, I kept you behind to discuss something with you."

Professor McGonagall looked at Orli.

McGonagall: "The school provides work-study positions for students with special family circumstances, but these positions are usually assisting Madam Pince in the library or some basic cleaning work. However, for you, there might be a more suitable position... Would you be willing to go to the Potions professor's office every Sunday afternoon to process some potion ingredients for the school to use in class?"