Power In All Its Glory:
Chapter 29: Midnight Tea
Sibyll Trelawney was quietly meditating when her fireplace blazed bright green. She did not seem surprised, almost as if she knew it was going to happen. If she was startled by the bushy haired young woman who stepped out of the flame she did not show it.
"Miss Granger," she said gesturing for the girl to come further into the room.
Hermione hesitated.
"Professor," she began, uncertainly. "I just thought I would stop in to …"
As the teacher looked at her expectantly, Hermione realized she had no idea what to say. She had definitely not thought this through.
As Hermione struggled to find a reason for her late night visit, the Divination Professor took over the conversation.
"Of course Miss Granger, I am aware of why you are here," she said as she smiled knowingly.
This surprised the young Gryffindor. "You do?" she stammered.
"Why of course," Professor Trelawney replied, once again summoning her further into the room. "You think no one notices but you must remember that I can see all that is occurring."
Hermione had her doubts. But still, what if she did know why she was there …
"You are thinking of him. You are wondering why you did not see it before. Nothing is the way you expected it to be." The professor's voice took on a dreamy quality and if not for the words she spoke, Hermione would not have been sure she was even talking to her.
"He now seems more approachable, less demanding, even tender at times," she continued in a whisper. Then her eyes focused on the young girl before her.
"However, I must warn you, Miss Granger. Everything is already in motion. You cannot change what will be, and it will not be long before everyone will know."
Hermione was confused. Did the professor know anything? She seemed almost territorial, like Hermione was trying to take something from her. But that was ridiculous. Obviously, Professor Trelawney had no interest in Snape. Just like there was no way she could know anything, Hermione decided.
"Really," she challenged the older witch. "How will everyone know, Professor?"
Professor Trelawney looked surprised by the younger girl's question.
"Why, the picture of course, Miss Granger. It will soon be clear, and it will be obvious to everyone."
Hermione's mouth dropped open in astonishment. How could she know about the picture? And what else did she know?
"You know about the picture?" she questioned. "And that it will be clear in less than nineteen hours?"
"Did you say nineteen hours?" It was the seer's turn to be surprised.
"No matter," she continued. "It is better for everyone to know."
Hermione could not share in her enthusiasm. She shuddered to think what would happen once everyone knew.
Professor Trelawney could obviously sense the other woman's distress.
"Do not worry, Miss Granger," she stated, trying to reassure her. "It will all work out. Trust me on this."
"Really?" Hermione was starting to lose her patience with the older witch. She knew something but what? And why did she have to be so vague?
"Then tell me Professor, because I don't understand. How do you know that everything will work out fine? How can you be so certain that the picture will be clear and yet it will be fine when it is obvious that it cannot be fine."
"I am not surprised that you cannot see, Miss Granger," she said with a condescending smile. "If you had only stayed in Divination class …"
Sibyll Trelawney leaned in toward the young girl as if to share a great secret.
"The reason I know all of this, Miss Granger," she replied, "is that I have seen it."
And she held out the small cup and saucer in her hand. Hermione noticed then that it was empty except for the last dregs of tea leaves in the bottom.
****
Severus Snape paced back and forth in his bedroom. Normally his cloak would billow behind him as he walked, but since he was in his bed clothes it was somewhat less impressive. Not that it mattered. His thoughts were elsewhere, driven by a sense of urgency.
He needed to talk to Draco Malfoy. He felt certain the boy knew something, and he was determined to find out what it was. And he didn't want to wait until tomorrow. They had already lost so much time.
In fact, he had actually made it as far as the Slytherin dormitory before he had turned back around. It was after midnight. He couldn't very well storm into the young wizard's room at this time of night. He would have to wait until tomorrow.
And so he paced. Perhaps, he thought, if he exhausted his body, his mind would follow … or at least slow down long enough for him to fall asleep. He would need all his wits about him tomorrow when he faced Malfoy …
And eventually Dumbledore. The Potions master let out a deep sigh.
Everything was about to change.
