Part Thirty
Sirius- (looks at the chapter title) Whoa, Remus, tell me if I'm seeing things. (hands the book to Remus)
Remus- What are you talking about? (looks at the chapter title) Oh...
James- What is it?
Remus- Well, you aren't seeing things, Padfoot, the chapter is called Professor Trelawney's Prediction.
Lily- Wow, she actually has a true prediction?
James- (mockingly) Well, there is a first time for everything.
Remus- (hands the book back to Sirius)
Harry's euphoria at finally winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week.
James- Awww, only a week?
Even the weather seemed to be celebrating; as June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt like doing was strolling into the grounds and flopping down on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake.
Sirius- I love doing that.
Others- Us, too.
But they couldn't.
The exams were nearly upon them, and instead of lazing around outside, the students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into concentrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the windows.
Lily- I hate how the weather is always really nice around exam time.
Even Fred and George Weasley had been spotted working;
All- (gasp in horror)
they were about to take their O. (Ordinary Wizarding Levels).
Sirius- How fun.
Percy was getting ready to sit his N.E. (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest qualification Hogwarts offered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades.
All- (snort)
James- He probably doesn't need top grades as he could kiss butt enough to get in anyway.
Others- (laugh)
He was becoming increasingly edgy, and gave very severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common room in the evenings. In fact, the only person who seemed more anxious than Percy was Hermione.
Lily- I wonder why.
Harry and Ron had given up asking her how she was managing to attend several classes at once, but they couldn't restrain themselves when they saw the exam timetable she had drawn up for herself. The first column read
MONDAY
9 o'clock, Arithmancy
9 o'clock, Transfiguration
LUNCH
1 o'clock, Charms
1 o'clock, Ancient Runes
Remus- She will be dead by the end of exam week.
"Hermione?" Ron said cautiously, because she was liable to explode when interrupted these days. "ER - are you sure you've copied down these times right?"
Sirius- That's not a good thing to ask right now, Ron.
"What?" snapped Hermione, picking up the exam timetable and examining it. "Yes, of course I have."
"Is there any point asking how you're going to sit two exams at once?" said Harry
"No," said Hermione shortly. "Has either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Grammatica?"
Remus- Doubtful.
"Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading," said Ron, but very quietly. Hermione started shifting heaps of parchment around on her table, looking for the book. Just then, there was a rustle at the window and Hedwig fluttered through it, note clutched tightly in her beak.
James- I wonder who that's from.
"It's from Hagrid," said Harry ripping the note open. "Buckbeak's appeal - it's set for the sixth."
Lily- Don't the exams usually end somewhere around the sixth?
Others- Yeah.
"That's the day we finish our exams," said Hermione, still looking everywhere for her Arithmancy book.
"And they're coming up here to do it," said Harry, still reading from the letter. "Someone from the Ministry of Magic - and an executioner."
James- Hey, you can't bring an executioner to the appeal. It will make people nervous.
Remus- (bitterly) That's the idea.
Hermione looked up, startled.
"They're bringing the executioner to the appeal! But that sounds as though they've already decided!"
Lily- That's what we said.
"Yeah, it does," said Harry slowly.
"They can't!" Ron howled. "I've spent ages reading up stuff for him, they can't just ignore it all!"
Remus- I don't think they would know or care.
But Harry had a horrible feeling that the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures had had its mind made up for it by Mr. Malfoy.
Sirius- (snorts) You think!
Draco, who had been noticeably subdued since Gryffindor's triumph in the Quidditch final, seemed to regain some of his old swagger over the next few days.
All- Evil git!
From sneering comments Harry overheard, Malfoy was certain Buckbeak was going to be killed, and seemed thoroughly pleased with himself for bringing it about. It was all Harry could do to stop himself imitating Hermione and hitting Malfoy in the face on these occasions. And the worst thing of all was that they had no time or opportunity to go and see Hagrid, because the strict new security measures had not been lifted,
Remus- They wouldn't be.
James- I would have gone anyway under the Cloak.
and Harry didn't dare retrieve his Invisibility Cloak from below the one-eyed witch.
James- Oh, yeah.
Exam week began and an unnatural hush fell over the castle. The third-years emerged from Transfiguration at lunch-time on Monday limp and ashen-faced, comparing results and bemoaning the
difficulty of the tasks they had been set, which had included turning a teapot into a tortoise.
James- That was easy.
Lily- For you.
Hermione irritated the rest by fussing about how her tortoise had looked more like a turtle, which was the least of everyone else's worries.
"Mine still had a spout for a tail, what a nightmare ..."
"Were the tortoises supposed to breathe steam?"
"It still had a willow-patterned shell, d'you think that'll count against me?"
James- At least you all made it look more or less like a tortoise. Peter couldn't do a thing with it.
Then, after a hasty lunch, it was straight back upstairs for the Charms exam. Hermione had been right; Professor Flitwick did indeed test them on Cheering Charms. Harry slightly overdid his out of nerves and Ron, who was partnering him, ended up in fits of hysterical laughter and had to be led away to a quiet room for an hour before he was ready to perform the Charm himself.
James- Well, at least he was able to do the Charm.
After dinner, the students hurried back to their common rooms, not to relax, but to start revising for Care of Magical Creatures, Potions and Astronomy.
Lily- I'm worried about Harry's Potions exam.
James- Don't worry Dumbledore won't let Snape fail Harry on purpose.
Hagrid presided over the Care of Magical Creatures exam the following morning with a very preoccupied air indeed; his heart didn't seem to be in it at all.
Lily- Of course it's not. His pet is about to be executed. How do you think he feels?
He had provided a large tub of Flobberworms for the class, and told them that, to pass the test, their Flobberworm had to still be alive at the end of one hour. As Flobberworms flourished best if left to their own devices, it was the easiest exam any of them had ever sat, and also gave Harry, Ron and Hermione plenty of opportunity to speak to Hagrid.
James- Good.
"Beaky's gettin' a bit depressed," Hagrid told them, bending low on the pretence of checking that Harry's Flobberworm was still alive. "Bin cooped up too long. But still ... we'll know day after tomorrow - one way or the other."
Sirius- This is one of the few times that I will ever feel sorry for one of Hagrid's pets.
Others- (nod)
They had Potions that afternoon, which was an unqualified disaster. Try as Harry might, he couldn't get his Confusing Concoction to thicken, and Snape, standing watching with an air of vindictive pleasure, scribble something that looked suspiciously like a zero onto his notes before moving away.
Sirius- (bitterly) Snivellous probably did something to it so it would turn out wrong.
Then came Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower; History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which Harry scribbled everything Florean Fortescue had ever told him about medieval witch hunts, while wishing he could have had one of Fortescue's choco-nut sundaes with him in the stifling classroom.
Lily- Well, at least Harry can remember some of the talks with the owner.
Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses under a baking hot sun; then back to the common room once more, with the backs of their necks sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would all be over.
James- I love that feeling.
Their second from last exam, on Thursday morning, was Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken;
Sirius- Good, Moony, you have given them something to remember.
a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun, where they had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Gryndylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh, ignoring the misleading directions from a Hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new Boggart.
Lily- That does sound like fun.
"Excellent, Harry," Lupin muttered, as Harry climbed out of the trunk, grinning. "Full marks."
All- (cheer)
Flushed with success, Harry hung around to watch Ron and Hermione. Ron did very well until he reached the Hinkypunk, which successfully confused him into sinking waist-high into the quagmire. Hermione did everything perfectly until she reached the trunk with the Boggart in it. After about a minute inside it, she burst out again, screaming.
Lily- I wonder what happened.
"Hermione!" said Lupin startled. "What's the matter?"
"P-P-Professor McGonagall!" Hermione gasped, pointing to the trunk. "Sh-she said I'd failed everything!"
James- Somehow I don't think she would fear losing so bad, if she wasn't stressed.
It took a while to calm Hermione down. When at last she had regained a grip of herself, she, Harry and Ron went back to the castle. Ron was still slightly inclined to laugh at Hermione's Boggart, but an argument was averted by the sight that met them on the top of the steps.
All- What!
Cornelius Fudge, sweating slightly in his pinstriped cloak, was standing there staring out at the grounds. he started at the sight of Harry.
"Hello there, Harry!" he said. "Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?"
Sirius- (snarls) What's it to you!
"Yes," said Harry. Hermione and Ron, not being on speaking terms with the Minister for Magic, hovered awkwardly in the background.
"Lovely day," said Fudge, casting an eye over the lake. "Pity ... pity ..." He sighed deeply and looked down at Harry.
"I'm here on an unpleasant mission, Harry. The committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the execution of a mad Hippogriff.
James- That Hippogriff is as sane as you or I.
As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in."
Sirius- And I bet you were delighted to do it, too.
"Does that mean the appeal's already happened?" Ron interrupted, stepping forwards.
"No, no, it's scheduled for this afternoon," said Fudge, looking curiously at Ron.
Lily- So you don't really know what's going to happen, do you?
"Then you might not have to witness an execution at all!" said Ron stoutly. "The Hippogriff might get off!"
All- We wish.
Before Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle door behind him. One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before their very eyes; the other was tall and strapping, with a thin black moustache. Harry gathered they were representatives of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, because the
very old wizard squinted towards Hagrid's cabin and said in a feeble voice, "Dear, dear, I'm getting too old for this ...
Sirius- Sounds like a lot of the committee are getting too old for this.
Two o'clock, isn't it, Fudge?"
The black-mustached man was fingering something in his belt; Harry looked and saw that he was running one broad thumb along the blade of a shining axe.
Sirius- That man sounds familiar.
Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Hermione nudged him hard in the ribs and jerked her head towards the Entrance Hall.
"Why'd you stop me?" said Ron angrily, as they entered the Great Hall for lunch. "Did you see them? they've even got the axe ready! This isn't justice!"
James- That's because the Ministry doesn't know the meaning of the word.
"Ron, your dad works for the Ministry. you can't go saying things like that to his boss!" said Hermione, but she, too, looked very upset. "As long as Hagrid keeps his head this time, and argues his case properly, they can't properly execute Buckbeak ..."
All- (snort)
But Harry could tell Hermione didn't really believe what she was saying. All around them, people were talking excitedly as they ate their lunch, happily anticipating the end of exams that afternoon, but Harry, Ron and Hermione, lost in worry about Hagrid didn't join in.
Harry and Ron's last exam was Divination; Hermione's Muggle studies.
James- (sarcastically) Oh, goodie, let's save the best for last.
They walked up the marble staircase together. Hermione left them on the first floor and Harry and Ron proceeded all the way up to the seventh, where many of their class were sitting on the spiral
staircase to Professor Trelawney's classroom, trying to cram in a bit of last-minute revision.
Lily- It won't do you any good.
"She's seeing us all separately," Neville informed them, as they went to sit down next to him. He had his copy of Unfogging the Future open on his lap at the pages devoted to crystal-gazing. "Have either of you ever seen anything in a crystal ball?" he asked them unhappily.
Remus- No, they aren't seers.
"Nope," said Ron in an offhand voice. he kept checking his watch; Harry knew that he was counting down the time until Buckbeak's appeal started.
Remus- Best not to think about it until after the exam, Ron.
The queue of people outside the classroom shortened very slowly. As each person climbed back down the silver ladder, the rest of the class hissed, "What did she ask? Was it OK?"
But they all refused to say.
Lily- Figures.
"She says the crystal ball's told her that, if I tell you, I'll have a horrible accident!" squeaked Neville, as he clambered back down the ladder towards Harry and Ron, who had now reached the landing.
All- (snort)
"That's convenient," snorted Ron. "You know, I'm starting to think
Hermione's right about her" (he jabbed his thumb towards the trapdoor overhead), "she's a right old fraud."
James- You're just figuring this out now?
"Yeah," said Harry, looking at his own watch. It was now two o'clock. "Wish she'd hurry up ..."
All- Us, too.
Parvati came back down the ladder glowing with pride.
"She says I've got the makings of a true Seer," she informed Harry and Ron. "I saw loads of stuff ... well, good luck!"
Sirius- I wouldn't listen to her. She doesn't know anything.
She hurried off down the spiral staircase towards Lavender.
"Ronald Weasley," said the familiar, misty voice from over their heads. Ron grimaced at Harry, and climbed the silver ladder out of sight.
James- Good luck, Ron.
Harry was now the only person left to be tested. He settled himself on the floor with his back against the wall, listening to a fly buzzing in the sunny window, his mind across the grounds with Hagrid.
Finally, after about twenty minutes, Ron's large feet reappeared on the ladder.
"How'd it go?" Harry asked him, standing up.
"Rubbish," said Ron. "Couldn't see a thing, so I made some stuff up. Don't think she was convinced, though ..."
Remus- Probably wasn't gory enough for her.
"Meet you in the common room," Harry muttered, as Professor Trelawney's voice called, "Harry Potter!"
Lily- Good luck, Harry.
The tower room was hotter than ever before; the curtains were closed, the fire was alight, and the usual sickly scent that made Harry cough as he stumbled through the clutter of chairs and tables to where Professor Trelawney sat waiting for him before a large crystal ball.
"Good day, my dear," she said softly. "If you would kindly gaze into the Orb ... take your time, now ... then tell me what you see within it ..."
Harry bent over the crystal ball and stared, stared as hard as he could, willing it to show him something other than swirling white fog, but nothing happened.
All- Surprise, surprise.
"Well?" Professor Trelawney prompted delicately. "What do you see?"
Lily- I thought you told him to take his time.
The heat was overpowering and his nostrils were stinging with the perfumed smoke wafting from the fire beside them. He thought of what Ron had just said, and decided to pretend.
James- Good idea.
"Er -," said Harry, "a dark shape ... um ..."
"What does it resemble?" whispered Professor Trelawney. "think, now ..."
Lily- Don't push him.
Harry cast his mind around and it landed on Buckbeak.
"A hippogriff," he said firmly.
All- (grin)
"Indeed!" whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees. "My boy, you may well be seeing the outcome of poor Hagrid's trouble with the Ministry of Magic! look closer ... does the Hippogriff appear to ... have its head?"
Remus- What kind of question is that!
"Yes," said Harry firmly.
"Are you sure?" Professor Trelawney urged him. "Are you quite sure, dear? You don't see it writhing on the ground, perhaps, and a shadowy figure raising an axe behind it?"
All- Hey, leave him alone!
"No!" said Harry, starting to feel slightly sick.
"No blood? No weeping Hagrid?"
"No!" said Harry again, wanting more than ever to leave the room and the heat. "It looks fine, it's - flying away ..."
James- Yeah, so there.
Professor Trelawney sighed.
Lily- Just because the prophecy isn't what you wanted, doesn't mean you can criticize him.
"Well, dear, I think we'll leave it there ... a little disappointing ... but I'm sure you did your best."
Relieved, Harry got up, picked up his bag and turned to go, but then a loud, harsh voice spoke behind him.
All- What's going on?
Remus- Must be the prediction that the chapter is about.
"It will happen tonight."
All- What will?
Harry wheeled around. Professor Trelawney had gone rigid in her armchair; her eyes were unfocused and her mouth sagging.
"S-sorry?" said Harry.
Lily- I don't think she can hear you, Harry.
But Professor Trelawney didn't seem to hear him. Her eyes started to roll. Harry stood there in a panic. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure. He hesitated, thinking of running to the hospital wing - and then Professor Trelawney spoke again, in the same harsh voice, quite unlike her own
James- Which means it's probably real.
"The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers.
His servant has been chained these twelve years.
Harmony- (hisses)
James- She can't be talking about Sirius. He didn't do it.
Tonight, before midnight, the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master.
Sirius- Wait a minute. Break free? I've been free for almost a year.
James- Yeah, she can't be talking about you.
The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever before. Tonight ... before midnight ... the servant ... will set out ... to rejoin ... his master ..."
Lily- He's coming back!
Remus- This is bad.
Professor Trelawney's head fell forwards onto her chest. She made a grunting sort of noise. then, quite suddenly, her head snapped up again.
James- And she's back to her old self.
"I'm so sorry, dear boy," she said dreamily. "The heat of the day, you know ... I drifted off for a moment ..."
All- No you didn't.
Harry stood there staring.
"Is there anything wrong, my dear?"
James- Whatever gave you the idea that something's wrong?
"You - you just told me that the - the Dark Lord's going to rise again ... that his servant's going back to him ..."
Lily- I don't think you should have told her that.
James- Maybe he should tell Professor Dumbledore. He would know a way of stopping this.
Sirius- He would just think it was me.
Professor Trelawney looked thoroughly startled.
Lily- Which means she doesn't remember what she said.
Remus- That's why if people know there is going to be a prophecy, they have it recorded.
"The Dark Lord? He Who Must Not Be Named? My dear boy, that's hardly something to joke about ... rise again, indeed ..."
James- (angrily) He's not joking.
"But you just said it! You said the Dark Lord -"
"I think you must have dozed off too, dear," said Professor Trelawney.
All- Yeah, right.
"I would certainly not presume to predict anything quite as far-fetched as that!"
Lily- And you can choose what to predict? (snorts) Typical.
Harry climbed back down the ladder and spiral staircase, wondering ... had he just heard Professor Trelawney make a real prediction? Or had this been her idea of an impressive end to the test?
James- (decidedly) No. She would get in big trouble if she did that.
Lily- Guys, I'm stiff from sitting here so long, how about we go for a walk.
James- Good idea, but I think we should go in our animagus forms so that we will less likely be recognized if anyone should see us. Remus, you can ride Wings.
Remus- (nods)
They all walk down the tunnel to the Whomping Willow and head off into the Forest.