The days rolled by as Eric, Naomi, and their friends did their best to continue their studies under increasing scrutiny. Eric's studies with Professor Trelawney took an increasingly desperate tone, as the Professor was under probation. Their diligence paid off as Eric became capable of doing more and more through the crystals. Soon, he was contacting Sybill from across the school, his crystal providing a clear and sharp image of his teacher. Eric's efforts were all driven towards one goal; to prove that, though Professor Trelawney was many things, she was not a failure. It was rather a surprise, then, when he found that she did not share his aspirations.

Eric sat in her classroom, sinking into several rather over-stuffed pillows. "I don't get it. Are you saying that you want to be fired?"

The Professor drew out a small bowl. Pouring water into it, she motioned for him to look into it. "Find Professor Umbridge and tell me what she's doing."

It took him barely a moment. "Would you believe that she's giggling? That woman doesn't have an ounce of dignity. Let's see...

To the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I have confirmed your comments regarding the challenges you have faced in

dealing with the students at Hogwarts. As it is important for you to maintain

order, please post the following:

EDUCATIONAL DECREE #25

The High Inquisitor will henceforth have supreme authority over all

punishments, sanctions, and removal of privileges pertaining to the

students of Hogwarts, and the power to alter such punishments, sanctions,

and removals of privileges as may have been ordered by staff members.

Signed,

Cornelius Fudge

Minister of Magic, Order of Merlin First Class, Chairman of the Wizengamot

Eric closed his eyes. "Well, that's just bloody awful! That hag is going to have a field day with the students of this school... and we can't even warn anyone! If I do, it'll be proof I've been spying on her." He slumped down, shoulders bowed with a heavy weight of defeat and frustration.

Sybill smiled slightly. "Eric, listen carefully. As far as losing my job goes; that it's an inevitability. Although I've managed to train several successful precognitives, as well as many students like yourself with diverse clairvoyant abilities, I have no such abilities myself – at least, none that I can summon on command. This makes me an embarrassment to the Headmaster, and anything the Ministry can use against Professor Dumbledore will be used to it's fullest advantage."

She then took his hands and fixed his face in her gaze. "Eric, you are my masterpiece. You've developed your gifts into a highly successful talent, and I'm so proud to be a part of that. They can take away my tenure, my classes, and even what little respect I get for being a teacher; but they can't take away the fact that I've fostered the most powerful clairvoyant this school has seen in a hundred years."

Being a professor's star pupil made up for the increasing amount of effort he had to put into his activities. The fact that Hagrid finally returned to the school was another plus. However, as the weeks went by, he found his foster father to be strangely distant. The activities and changes in Eric's life in the last few years were pulling the two of them apart. Eric wanted to change that, but there seemed to be nothing he could do.

Hagrid was up to something. The increasing number of bruises he carried as the weeks went by suggested to Eric that he had finally befriended something that could injure him. It took a few weeks, but his concern for Hagrid finally overcame his reluctance. Shortly before the Christmas break, he spent the night with his crystal on a stand in front of him. Answering the few people that asked with a lame excuse regarding extra credit, he observed Hagrid as he traveled into the Forbidden Forest with a large rucksack.

Hagrid's secret, though, was a greater surprise than he could imagine. He was deep in the forest when he came upon a clearing. There, bound with ropes, was an eighteen foot tall figure with a dusting of snow on him. If the giant noticed, he didn't indicate being concerned. When Hagrid came, though, the giant roused with a roar, then proceeded to struggle against the ropes while Hagrid tried to calm him down. This had the opposite effect, until one of the ropes gave way and one of his arms flew into Hagrid's chest, knocking him back a couple dozen feet into a tree.

Suddenly, the giant sat still, his face a sagging mass of regret. Hagrid was more than patient, though, quickly forgiving the giant and turning out the rucksack which it turned out was filled with food. Hagrid sat and patted the giant's bound arm while he ate, trying repeatedly to teach him English words. It was clear from the conversation that Hagrid understood and could speak giant; a detail which made sorting out the situation impossible.

At length the giant yawned, clearly tired. In this state, he barely noticed as Hagrid re-secured the ropes before falling again on his side and snoring. Gathering up the empty sack, Hagrid started on the path back to the school. Eric ended the spell, having learned as much as he could. He had no idea how to bring this up with Hagrid; for although spying on people this way was becoming a habit, it was universally frowned upon as a basic breach of privacy and trust.

Eric decided instead to leave the matter lie, and allow Hagrid the room he needed to do whatever he had to. At some point he wanted to restart his relationship with his guardian, but that would have to wait. Aside from the increasing hostile atmosphere that was encompassing Hogwarts, there was something coming. Eric couldn't figure out what, but something very powerful and very dark was on the horizon. There was no point in wasting effort, he needed to prepare.