It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single young Wizard in possession of both great talent and a large fortune must be in want of a girlfriend.
Such, at least, it was believed by Sybil Trelawney, Professor of Divination at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This, of course, was the motivation behind her approaching the Headmaster late one afternoon.
The Great Hall was mostly empty. Exams had just finished. Most teachers were finishing paperwork or de-studentizing in their offices. In a rare appearance, Dumbledore sat at the Head Table playing a game of Wizard's Chess against himself. In contrast, most students were enjoying their freedom from studying by relaxing outside or packing their trunks. Lily Evans and Jane Bennet, however, sat at the Ravenclaw table waiting for their friend, Charlotte Lucas, to come down. They looked up when Professor Trelawney entered and exchanged amused glances.
"Albus!" she cried as she fluttered across the room. How her dreamily breathy voice managed to be piercingly shrill at the same time was one of Hogwarts' greatest mysteries. "Albus! Wonderful news! Netherfield School is closed at last and a transfer student will be arriving in the fall!" She arrived at the table and seated herself beside him, but he did not seem to acknowledge her presence. "Do you not wish to hear who the student will be?"
"Because, as Headmaster, he wouldn't have any idea about this before now," Lily muttered to Jane. Jane shook her head at her best friend as she stifled her giggles.
Dumbledore glanced at them, eyes twinkling, and moved his black rook. "You obviously wish to tell me, and I have no objections to hearing it."
"Why, it is a young man by the name of Sirius Black. A single young man from a Wizarding family of great distinction!" She gave Dumbledore a knowing look before leaning back in her chair and focusing her gaze at Lily and Jane. They quickly averted their eyes. "Ah, what a fine thing for our dearest girls at Hogwarts!"
Dumbledore looked at Trelawney sharply before turning toward the two girls, his brow furrowed. He watched them for a minute as they intently regarded a non-existent spot on the table. He glanced back at Trelawney quizzically. "How so? How might a transfer student affect them?"
With a great sigh, Trelawney leaned forward once more. "Oh, Albus, how can you be so tiresome?! Surely you know I am thinking of him marrying one of them!"
Dumbledore's expression told her clearly what he thought of that idea. "Marrying one of them? Now, Sybil."
"Well... eventually. Perhaps just to date one of them. Steadily, of course. With intent on very long term," she finished with a decisive nod.
"That is his design, then, in transferring here? To date and eventually marry one of our girls?"
"Design!? Oh, how can you talk such rubbish?" At this, her voice dropped to a rather conspiratorial level. "But he may very well fall in love with one of them."
"Hm." Dumbledore sacrificed a white knight in an attempt to force a checkmate. "Aren't they a bit young to be thinking about falling in love?"
"Oh, nonsense. Good matches should always be looked for." She paused before adding, "And encouraged." Dumbledore did not seem to be any more interested in the topic than before. Trelawney gave a delicate snort of frustration. "Albus, really. I should think you would be more concerned over this matter. You must begin planning right away!"
Dumbledore looked up, bewildered once more. "Planning? What for?"
"Why for the feast!"
"Feast? The end of year feast has already been planned. Has been for weeks."
"Not that feast, Albus! At the beginning of the year! Directly when he comes, a feast must be given!"
"For we never have feasts here at Hogwarts. Certainly not at the beginning of the year." This muttered comment set Jane into a coughing fit. Dumbledore once more looked over in their direction. Lily, her face set with innocent concern for her friend, was patting Jane on the back and pouring a glass of water.
Trelawney continued as though nothing had happened. "Now then, he shall arrive at the beginning of the school year with the other students. We should set the feast for --"
Dumbledore interrupted her. "Oh, no no. I see no occasion for holding a feast."
"But --"
"We would not want him to feel singled out, after all. He shall dine in his room."
"But, Albus --"
"Yes, that is an excellent idea. We could have all the students dine in their rooms. Saves cleaning the Great Hall."
"But... But their welcome!"
"Ah, good point. Since you know so much about him, you had best take care of delivering his food."
"What?"
"Or send the girls themselves to do so. Get the introductions over with."
"To his room? By themselves!?"
"Aye, lest Mr. Black takes a fancy to you instead. Ah, check mate. Excellent game, Wizard's Chess. Do you not agree, Sybil?"
"Oh, you take delight in vexing me!" Dumbledore did not reply, seeming to be quite engaged with resetting the board. Once more, Trelawney's gaze lit on the girls and she began scheming at once. I only have a day left before they depart for the summer. I had best give them instructions on how to prepare for the next year now! With that thought in mind, she rose to appeal to their feminine senses.
Having recovered from her coughing fit, Jane saw Trelawney approaching out of the corner of her eye. "Oh dear," she whispered. "She's coming over. Don't make eye contact!"
"Not to worry, Jane. One rescue coming right this way!" At that very moment, Trelawney opened her mouth to call to the girls. However, Lily beat her to the chase. "Oh look, Jane!" she bellowed loud enough so that the entire hall echoed. "Charlotte is come! Charlotte, over here!"
Charlotte took in the sight of Jane's vaguely panicked expression, Lily's eyes sparkling with mischief, Professor Trelawney's surprise, and Professor Dumbledore's wide grin as he pondered a chess board. What have they been up to? she wondered before deciding to give her best friends a hand with getting out of the room without an advising session. "Lily!" she called back. "Jane! It's a glorious day out! What say you we sit on the lawn by the lake and wile away our last hours together?"
Exchanging glances, Jane nodded and Lily answered for the both of them, still shouting. "Splendid idea! Come on, Jane! Let's go!"
As they fairly ran from the hall, they heard Trelawney's breathy screeching after them a quick, "Wear your hats, girls! You'll ruin your complexions!" Thankfully, they were able to contain their giggles until they got outside.
