Disclaimer: Not mine. Yet, anyways.

A/N: I originally intended Sybil Trelawney to walz in, announce she had seen that she was going to retire, and be gone, but she absolutely refused to cooperate and the "feel" of the story became much more serious than I'd planned.

Rating: PG

Pairings: Albus/Sybil friendship

Warnings: Intelligent prof. Trelawney

This story is the third in the "Just plain life" series.

Cards, Tealeaves and Grim

Life is a circle and every end is a new beginning.

Albus Dumbledore

Actually, it really was a surprise. No, don't get me wrong, contrary to the popular opinion I am not omniscient. But I have always been proud of my ability to read people and expect the unexpected.

Well, after leading a quite long and eventful life - celebrated 186 in February, all the family was present, very nice party, by the way - and being almost fifty years of it the Headmaster of Hogwarts, there are not many things I had not seen and could be surprised by.

But it seems the Universe has not given up on me yet. Of course, I would never confess it. Even to Sybil.

So there I was, pondering the mystery of Bertie Bott's Every Flavoured Beans and enjoying a warm peaceful afternoon in blissful ignorance, not the least aware of what life had in store for me.

I was waiting for Sybil.

It was a tradition, our afternoon tea. We had done it since she came to Hogwarts all those years ago.

Quiet knock and the door opens. She knows she is always welcome here.

"Good afternoon, Sybil! You look wonderful as always. Green tea and milk today, yes?"

"Thank you, Albus. That would be nice. Do you also happen to have some rosecakes lying around?"

"The special ones, just for you, Sybil. Here, help yourself."

"You know me well, Albus. If I was a child I would be spoilt rotten."

The comfortable ritual of exchanging pleasantries, talking about trivialities. She knows I need it and goes along with it. We have done it countless times and this has become the one constant in my life.

The smell of tea and rosecakes fills the air, bringing back found memories. I rest in the sense of security her company gives me. It always makes me warm and relaxed. I know I can trust her.

But all things end, even the good ones.

"Albus?"

She is breaking our tradition.

"Yes, Sybil?"

"I did not come down here today only to enjoy tea and your company, although they are always pleasurable."

She sits quietly fore some time and slowly sips her tea.

I wait patiently. In my time as the Headmaster I have become an expert in patience.

"I really like teaching in Hogwarts, you know. I never thought I would, but it's been very nice."

Her eyes flash merrily.

"Even though I know very well what most of the staff and students think of me. I have cultivated that image carefully for years, after all."

Sybil and I share an amused smile. We have been friends for so long.

I remember the days she and I fought against Grinewald together, remember her strenght and the power of her visions that could - and on severeal cases did - change the course of history. The war is always terrible for Seers and it was not easy for Sybil. She came to Hogwarts for sanctuary and healing. She has not left the castle since.

Sybil looks out of the window into the sunlit summer day.

"But I think it is time for me to find something new. Time to stop hiding."

It seems the healing is done and she is ready to move on. I'm happy for her, although I know I will miss her dearly.

And I need to find a new Divinations teacher.

Harry Potter

Talking aloud to his broom wasn't a good thing to be used to, even in the Wizarding world, but Harry didn't care. It had become a habit of his and it helped to clear his mind. Sometimes he even hoped the Firebolt would answer.

"It's over. I have that big certificate, sealed and signed by the Minister of Magic and Madame Elvyra, telling I'm a qualified Seer. If only I could think what to do with the damned thing. There aren't many jobs for Seers lying around now that the war is over. I don't even really know what kind of work Seers do when they aren't having visions of Dark Lords!"

Harry shook his head.

"I could try out of other fields of employment, of course, but what kind? I used to dream of playing professional Quidditch when I was younger. Now, I haven't practiced for almost two years - you don't fly much in blizzard - and I'm hopelessly out of date. And if I actually think of it, the crueling training sessions and endless trips aren't my idea of perfect life anymore.

I guess I'm getting old - at the honorable age of nineteen.

There are probably other things I could do - it's just I'm not qualified for anything but divination and fighting dark wizards. And, while I think I could have most of the jobs I ask for, people would hire me for my name rather than my skills. I've had quite enough of that.

The thing is - I don't actually have to work. My parents left me enough money to live well off for a long time. So it isn't money I need, but something to do. Something that would feel just right for me.

Ha, flat chance! I'm a damned Seer, maybe I should just take a look into my crystal ball and See what life's got for me. Well, that reminds me of professor Trelawney."

Harry grinned at the sudden memory of his old Divinations teacher entering the classroom and announcing "I have foreseen that we will have the Tarot' reading in finals!"

Harry continued eyeing his Firebolt absentmindedly, trying to figure out why he had thought about professor Trelawney after all that time.

"You know," he said aloud, "there is one strange thing about Trelawney - Madame Elvyra was very close mouthed about her - and she sure had no problems making fun of any other frauds she'd heard of."

His thoughts turned to a new trail.

"I should visit Ron and Hermione, I haven't seen them in person for so long. I wonder how they are doing in Hogwarts?"

Hermione as Muggle Studies teacher had been no surprise, but Ron teaching DADA?!

Suddenly he heard the flapping of wings and a demanding hoot. There was an owl outside his window, and a strange owl to boot. Harry wondered who could have sent it to him. He opened the window and let the owl in. It waited patiently until Harry freed its leg and then settled itself down on the table.

Harry looked at the letter. That, unlike the owl, was familiar. He'd gotten enough letters from Hogwarts during his school-time there.

Well, that didn't explain anything. Ron and Hermione would have sent Pig to deliver the letter or borrowed Hedwig from Sirius, and he couldn't think of anybody else in Hogwarts who'd have a reason to write to him. Curious, he opened the letter.

It was an official letter with professor Dumbledore's signature at the bottom. That was strange - professor McGonagall, the deputy headmistress, usually handled Hogwarts' official correspondence.

Harry read the letter his eyebrows rising higher and higher.

Dear Mr. Potter

I sincerely hope this letter finds you in good health. It has come to my attention that you have completed your training as a Seer. Hogwarts' staff and I wish to give you our hearty congratulations."

Harry snorted - he could just imagine the look on Snape's face if the Potions Master ever heard he had congratulated Harry on something.

He read on.

"I also know that you have not chosen your field of employment yet. However, as there is a vacancy in Hogwarts' staff, I hope you would consider teaching Divinations in Hogwarts."

Harry gaped at the letter. Teaching? Dumbledore thought Harry could actually handle teaching? Somehow the idea didn't sound as crazy as it should have. Teaching at Hogwarts...

Then he remembered his earlier thoughts about professor Trelawney.

"Damn, it seems I'm a better Seer than I thought!"

Next: "Indregents of a Good Crystal Ball"