Chapter 26:

It took a few nights before Michelle got used to the Calming Potion. She was slow to wake and found it was best to lay in bed for a few minutes before trying to stand. Lucky for her, the first class of the morning was History of Magic. Not having to concentrate for that first hour of the day helped Michelle immensely. Harry noticed right away she seemed to be having problems adjusting.

"Are you sure you should be taking this potion?" Harry sat next to her as she finished eating her cereal.

"I don't have a choice really..." Michelle's eyes were still half closed.

"It's just...I don't like seeing you like this." Harry's brow creased. "Have you had the dream at all this week?"

"Once. It wasn't very clear though."

"What if this potion is messing that up too? How are you going to be able to decipher it if you can't see it clearly?"

Michelle glared at him. "Don't worry. My birthday is only a few weeks away. You won't have to wait long for answers."

"I didn't mean it like that." He rested a hand on hers. "I know this vision is important for both of us. I want you to be able to figure it out so we can stop whatever is going to happen. And, I want you to stop suffering because of it..."

Michelle squeezed his hand, "I'd be okay with that."

In classic Hermione fashion, as soon as she was back at school, she was taking Michelle into the library. She had many questions about what exactly a Seer did and just how accurate a Seer was. Michelle showed Hermione the book she'd received for Christmas.

"So this ceremony you are going to go through, another Seer has to be there?" Hermione flipped through the book.

"That would be the ideal situation, yeah." Michelle rubbed her temples. "Now, finding a Seer who is willing to come help with Voldermort back in action..."

Hermione nodded, "Presents a problem doesn't it?"

"Worse comes to worse, I may have to go with Trelawny."

"She is a Seer, isn't she?"

Michelle shook her head, "I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think she is."

"Why would Dumbledore have her teaching Divination then?"

"Good question. I think I'm going to have to talk to her about it." Michelle hugged herself as though she were cold. "There's really only one other place I might be able to find a real Seer."

"Where?" Hermione could tell by Michelle's look the answer was not a good one.

"Azkaban."

Michelle made her way up to Trelawny's classroom. As soon as she stepped inside, she was surrounded by a haze of incense and candlelight. Everything was a blur. She saw her teacher sitting at a table near the far corner of the room.

"Professor, are you busy?" Michelle made her way to the table trying to not trip through the maze of poofy chairs.

"I've been waiting for you. You have not come to see me since school resumed."

"I apologize. I guess I've be trying to figure things out on my own."

"You only have a few weeks till you have your answers. I'm assuming you've come to talk to me about the ceremony..." Trelawny set down the chart she had been working on.

"Yes, there is that, but I've been wondering..." Michelle cut herself off. She was trying to come up with a way of asking her next question without seeming impolite.

"You're wondering why Dumbledore asked me to help you in the first place." Trelawny's eyes locked on Michelle's from behind her huge glasses. "I discovered I was a Seer when I was 14. My parents were both wizards and had wanted to keep it from me until they found someone to help train me...help me understand my skills."

"Did you find someone?"

"My Divination teacher actually, Prof. Avilas. He was a Seer. He didn't normally work one on one with students; he didn't want to show any preference within the classroom. But, my father was quite a charmer, so Avilas decided to take me on as an apprentice."

"You went through the ceremony with his help."

"He was right there the whole time. The ceremony itself is painless. Say a few words, drink a potion, cast a spell...basic really. What's important is what happens afterward."

Michelle leaned forward in her chair. No one had really told her what happens after the ceremony. "And, what does happen?"

"The most recent vision you have had becomes clear. You see everything, not as signs or symbols, but as they may actually and probably will happen. You hear sounds you missed before; you feel the emotion of the dream; you see the truth. If you are lucky, you have time to do something to change the outcome of the vision. The real test isn't committing to being a Seer. It's committing to do the right thing no matter what the cost." Trelawny paused to catch her breath. "No one ever gets a happy vision just before you turn 18. You have to be willing to do anything to right the wrong. Once you have done that, you are truly a Seer."

Michelle sat back in her chair. "What if you can't do anything? What if what you see is happening thousands of miles away?"

"You've seen something new in your vision?"

"Seen and heard actually. I really believe the person I see being stabbed is Harry Potter."

"Do you see him in your vision?"

"I do now. I've also heard someone saying 'the one with the scar must be sacrificed.' I'm at a loss to think of anyone else with a scar who is as important."

Trelawny forced herself to mask her real reaction to Michelle's words. "Remember, until the ceremony, what you see and hear in your visions could merely be symbols. Still, we should remain open to all possibilities."

"You said in the ceremony there are spells and potions. I have read another Seer must be present to complete the ritual."

"Yes. I have been searching for a Seer and I believe I have found one who will be able to help you."

"But, you're a Seer...why can't you perform the ceremony?"

"Michelle, when you become a Seer you have to live with the consequences of your decision. You have to live with what you do after you have the vision."

Michelle noticed Trelawny's expression change to one of regret. Suddenly, it dawned on her.

"You gave it up. You became a Seer and something happened and you changed your mind."
Trelawny smiled weakly, "Yes, something happened...or rather, someone happened."
"Voldermort." Michelle couldn't even imagine what it must have been like to be a Seer then.

"I went into hiding as soon as I heard the rumors. I was afraid of being taken. I took my parents with me far away and renounced my abilities. We hid for years. Finally, word got to us that the Dark Lord had been destroyed by a young boy. Even then it wasn't safe. Anyone associated with Volder...with him, was punished. The Seers, who were usually misunderstood anyway, were punished as well until the truth of their suffering began to leak out. When I finally came back with my family, I needed help. Most of the wizarding community didn't trust me because I had been a Seer. Others, because I'd left when I could have stayed to help."

"But, you were just protecting your family."

"I saved my family, but sacrificed the families of so many others." She paused, her voice beginning to crack with emotion. Michelle sat patiently, waiting for her to continue. After wiping her eyes with one of her many scarves, Trelawny cleared her throat. "Prof. Dumbledore had remembered me from my days as a student. I ran into him in Diagon Alley. I was trying to find a job. It was he who suggested I come to school to teach. I didn't think I deserved to be here. But, Dumbledore wouldn't let me say no. He was convinced I needed to be here. I suppose he was right. Maybe he knew one day I'd be able to help someone like you..."

Michelle smiled gently, "Maybe he did."