An American At Hogwarts

By Ben Tucker

Chapter 3: Divination Class

There were still about fifteen minutes left before class began. Collin got off the desk and looked around the room. Though the unnecessary drapes and armchairs were gone, there were still many cabinets and cupboards that didn't get magicked away, along with a large china cabinet filled with teacups, presumably for tea leaf reading.

Collin's curiosity got the better of him. He started opening cabinets. Most of them were filled with books. Unfogging the Future and The Dream Oracle, of course, but also more obscure titles, like Centaur Divination, Fire Omens for Fun and Profit, and An Introduction to Death Omens. Smirking as he flipped through the last book, he eventually put it down and went on to the next cupboard.

It was filled with small tea kettles, probably able to hold enough water for two teacups. He turned and looked at the desks he had just created with a frown. With two flicks of his wand, they were gone again, replaced with round tables and chairs. Tables would be easier for the students, who had to pair up a lot. A third flick sent the copies of The Dream Oracle soaring through the room and landing four to a table. Admiring his handiwork for a second, Collin nodded his approval before moving onto the next few cabinets.

Crystal balls, boxes of sage smudge sticks, and more crystal balls. The time was going by so slowly, and Collin was getting nervous. Just five more minutes before class was supposed to start. Giving the room another lookover, Collin walked to the back of the classroom and waited for the students to show up.

There were only nine fifth years that were in Divination class. Bhaumik from Care of Magical Creatures was there but (thankfully, Collin had to admit) Mallory was not. There were another three students from Magical Creatures that were also there. Two each of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, and three Hufflepuffs.

Collin stared blankly at the small group of students before speaking. "Um...fifth year Divination. You guys have studied tea leaves and Crystal Balls your third year, and fourth year was...uh..."

"Professor, we covered palmistry and bird entrails last year."

"Thanks, Bhaumik. Anyways, this year we'll be starting with Dream Interpretation. After we get through that, if we have enough time before Christmas, we'll move onto cartomancy, which is fortune-telling or divining using decks of cards. Next term we'll finish that and move onto Astrology. But for now, I really don't have much to say besides to give you homework." He paused here for the groans, then continued with a smile. "I'm sure you've been given the speech by now, but this is a really important time for you guys. OWL exams are coming up, so you're going to get lots of homework to make sure you guys have the practice to do everything that needs to be done.

"Anyways, your homework is to keep a dream diary. Make each entry as detailed as possible, and you and a partner will interpret them in class. I think that's pretty much it, unless anybody has any questions."

Immediately, two hands shot in the air.

"Why did Professor Trelawney quit?" asked one of the students, a red-haired girl named Rebecca.

"I can't say I know the answer to that." Collin said, shrugging his shoulders. "Two night ago, Professor Trundle asked me if I wanted to teach an extra class, and I agreed to it."

"But why did he ask you? Why didn't he ask any of the other professors. I don't mean that you can't teach, of course...just..."

"It's okay," he laughed, raising a hand, "I've got some Seer blood in me. I mean, I don't think I've ever predicted anything important, but I have a little bit of the gift."

"I have a question..." another student said, a boy named Henry. "You mentioned that OWLs are this year...will we be able to come to you at any time to ask about anything Professor Trelawney was supposed to teach us?"

"Of course!" Collin said, "I'll post my office hours on the door, and if you ever need me, we can arrange an appointment. Now, it's about time to get out of here. I gotta get ready for my fourth years, and you guys have Herbology, so, off to the greenhouses."

The fourth year class was a bit larger than the fifth years. The class went by without much hassle at all, a pretty good class, all things considered. Palmistry was something Collin could explain easily, and they were so well-behaved he didn't give any homework at all. Considering himself a fairly 'cool' professor indeed, Collin locked the classroom and climbed down the ladder. He remembered that Sasha was teaching a double class of seventh years, so he made his way to the Transfiguration wing.

"Collin!"

The Transfiguration professor was just the person Collin was looking for. He turned around and smiled at Drew.

"How did your first Divination classes go?" Drew asked, patting Collin on the back.

"Not terrible. The fifth year class was a little hard to start, but other than that, I think it's going to be okay. Are you done for the day?"

"Yeah, I just got done with second years. And you?"

The two professors walked down the corridor talking about their days, and the night's festitivities. Collin just had one more class after dinner, seventh year Care of Magical Creatures, and then it was time to go to Hogsmeade with Drew and Sasha. Collin bade good-bye to his fellow professor and made a quick detour in his office before going to dinner.