Paranormals of Ilvermorny

Chapter 14

Over the weekend the pukwudgies found the broken-in greenhouse and immediately reported it to the headmaster. Nothing was said until the following Sunday evening before dessert was served.

"Students," headmaster Pope called out to the full dining hall. "Due to the fast traveling news in this school, some of you may already know that greenhouse three was recently broken into." This caused some tables to whisper amongst themselves. "Now, this matter will be tended to by myself and Professor Juneberry, there is no need to worry as classes will continue as scheduled. I must also add that if any of you know any information about this matter, I encourage you to contact me or the professor." His formal speaking voice easily changed when he ended his speech with, "Now, for dessert!"

Sitting at their table, Lorelei ate her mini pumpkin pie quietly, busy thinking about what the headmaster said. She also thought back to Halloween night and what transpired, although, her mind wandered back to Orville and his—

Orville!

Lorelei almost completely forgot that she wasn't alone investigating the greenhouse. He can even testify to the creature they both saw running through the grounds that night. Looking over to where he sat, Lorelei's head was swimming with everything she wanted to talk to him about that night. Hopefully, sometime this week she'll be able to pull him aside and they can talk about what they should tell the headmaster.

That is, if she can work up the courage.

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The bell had just rung and Lorelei was currently pacing around in a part of the castle's very frequented corridors. Slowly her surroundings started to fill with students of varying heights and ages, all wearing the mandatory navy and cranberry uniform. Amongst the students her eyes made contact with her target, currently laughing and joking around with his fellow sixth years, as he walked from one class to the other.

All day Lorelei had been stalling and trying her best to work up the courage to speak to Orville, but the bravery just wouldn't come. Distracted by her ping-pong thoughts of anxiety she wasn't even able to focus properly on her classes. Too many things could go wrong, from turning herself into a turnip to accidentally setting him on fire, the possibilities to make a fool of herself in front of her (not crush) friend was endless. But the other part of her brain, the logical part, tried to reason that she had to talk Orville into before the headmaster. It was vital for both of them to seek out the elder wizard, if Lorelei tried to present the case she was building against a possible Skinwalker roaming the grounds the more witnesses the better. At the very least they both needed to speak to the headmaster in the off chance he believed either of them to be guilty of stealing. She didn't want Orville to get in trouble for something he has no involvement in.

As the crowds started to thin with students finding their next classes, the window of opportunity to talk to Orville was waning. Thankfully, his friends scurried off in an opposite direction, leaving the Pukwudgie alone in the hall. Sending a quiet prayer to Merlin, Lorelei took a deep breath for encouragement, and began to walk over to him.

"Uh, hi Orville?" She ventured to ask once close enough for him to hear. His raven locks followed his head as he turned to look at her, a small smile popping up on his face.
"What's up Lorelei? Don't usually see you in this part of the castle." He answered her, too casual and polite to be human.

"Well, I figured I would take the scenic route. Only a few more years left and I wanna remember every nook and cranny of this place." She answered, unaware if he knew that she left class early to run down four flights of stairs, some of which were bewitched, only to catch him between classes.
He laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls. "I can't blame you there. But I think I can go the rest of my life without remembering how the third-floor boys bathroom looks," he told her, cringing at the thought. Choosing to question what he meant later, Lorelei continued.
"Um, it's actually a good thing I ran into you. Since Friday night, and again this morning, I kept thinking how we should both see the headmaster at the same time. You know, to tell him about what we saw?"
Orville's face was deep in concentration, listening to every word she said. Once finished, he nodded in understanding and brought his hand up to scratch at his chin. "You know, I was actually thinking the same thing."