Chapter 6 - Divination Class
By: Zero Star (zrostar)
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Trelawney rose from her over stuffed seat and pulled out several dusty, old parchment that had been tied with glowing, violet string. They unscrolled themselves and hung in mid-air. It seemed to show a map of the solar system and it's relationship to the zodiac. Each planet was represented by a symbol that moved slowly across all of the constellations. The nine planets glided between 12 points on the wheel. It reminded Harry of some strange cosmic clock.
"As you can see here," She gestured to a vague area of the chart. "Pluto will rise in Scorpio, which places Saturn in the 8th house. Mars and Uranus come into a unique conjunction. One that happens very rarely. When this alignment reaches it's height in October, all other influences considered, the full eclipsing moon will provide the Darkest Night."
Harry didn't have to be thinking clearly to know that her babble wasn't making any sense.
"8th house?" He whispered to Ron. "Did we learn about that?"
Ron gave a meek smile, "The houses are one of the few things I remember from all our cock and bull last year. There are twelve of them, each one means a different thing. Really bad things could only happen if Saturn was in the 8th house. It means something like 'discovering what's hidden' Um, I think it also reveals your attitude to death, and maybe even the time and circumstances of it." Ron's face suddenly clouded in terror. "I'm starting to think I've been in this bloody class to long! I'm starting to understand it!" He bit is lower lip, worriedly.
Ron stopped talking the second he realized Trelawney was looking him over, with interest.
"Oh, Mr. Weasley!" Her voice became misty. "I sense you have information on the planets in question. Please tell us what you have foreseen."
A deep furrow entered Ron's brow. "I wasn't really predicting..." But then he noticed all eyes were on him, a rare moment he wasn't going to lose. He cleared his throat importantly and continued. "I mean... I was just telling Harry I have a feeling about Pluto. Pluto being a planet of occultism and dark power, of course, it rules the 8th house. However, if Saturn's hanging around in the same area that can only bring bad luck or even make a bad situation worse! After all, Saturn is all about limit in your movements and abilities, you know, fears coming to life."
Trelawney looked ecstatic. "Why, Ronald Weasley, you are absolutely correct! Five points for Gryffindor! In fact, not only do Saturn and Pluto come together, but in a few months Scorpio will rise with Neptune. Neptune deeply symbolizes loss, confusion and suffering! Ten points to the house that can tell me which element is dominating for this Dark holiday!"
The class buzzed and giggled, no one answered.
"Water..." Ron whispered distantly to no one in particular. "Water will be ruled by darkness and tragedy. Scorpio and Neptune are both associated with water. Pluto and Saturn will bring that bad luck."
Harry stared at Ron in utter disbelief.
"Ten points to Gryffindor, Mr. Weasley!" The insect like professor returned to her seat.
Ron snapped out of his reverie a little shaken.
"Very good, boys, very good indeed. But I have one more thing to tell you before you leave class today. Consider this your homework: Anything to do with the water elements often bring out the deepest psychic potential. Psychic Sensitivity," She looked directly at Harry. "is the strongest when a water sign rules the sky. I want you all to practice, practice, practice. Record your results in a your notes, at the end of the year it will be your project."
----
The duo made their way to Gryffindor Tower, sleepy and irritated by the previous class.
"And that was only the first day! The old grasshopper is on a high horse already. Projects given out the first day of class! Really..."
The quieter of the two wasn't paying attention to Ron's usual grump. He was thinking about what transpired only a few moments ago. Trelawney has given predictions before, even if the majority of them were completely bogus. Was it worth ignoring that one chance where she may be right? Harry pondered writing a dream journal for his Divinations project. It would help him keep track of it's progression, should his strange dream return, but also give her something to think about. If she wouldn't be able to interpret it then at least he could give her a good scare.
----
Hermione was tucked in her usual corner with 'Hogwarts, A History' cuddled closely as she read. She lifted her eyes just briefly, to acknowledge them, then immediately went back to reading.
"How do you like that." Ron stated flatly. "We saw your favorite teacher today."
She rolled her eyes in reply, then continued with her book.
"Oh yeah," Ron teased. "she even asked about you. Said she missed you SOOO much, even though you couldn't be able to make an accurate prediction to save your life, that you would be welcome back any old time as long as you promise not to take her up on that."
No reply.
Ron waited, raised an eye brow, and looked at Hermione intently. "Well?" He quizzed, unsure of what to do.
There was a giggle behind her book before large red cushion was launched at Ron, who instantly caught it in the face. Hermione had thrown it in his confusion.
Harry burst out laughing and the three engaged in a mild pillow fight. After a while they stopped, panting and content with the destruction of the common room.
A disturbing sound rumbled in Ron's stomach.
"You should really have that looked at, I don't think a healthy digestive system makes so many sickeningly obscene noises, like yours does." Hermione prodded him with another pillow.
"Obscene?!" Ron shouted back at her, his cheeks flushing bright red.
----
Dinner at Hogwarts was usually a casual affair. The Great Hall was filled with small talk and students asking about classes and each other's day.
Ron, Harry, Hermione, and Neville sat with Ginny discussing her classes. She had told them that Herbology was going to be interesting this year.
"Professor Sprout claims the former Head of Hufflepuff would be joining us for a while. She's not sure when, or for how long, but he would definitely be speaking to us at some point."
"Wow, he must be old!" Ron mumbled around a mouthful of lamb stew. "I wonder how long ago he was here. Sprout's been in charge of Hufflepuff since at least my brother Charlie, maybe even longer."
"Much longer." Hermione nodded.
Harry shrugged picking at his dinner roll, when a high pitched laugh caught his attention. Flintwick seemed to be having a good chat with the Headmaster's guest. The old Egyptian was sitting next to the Ravenclaw Head, smiling broadly and nodding as they spoke. It looked like they two were exchanging amusing stories.
Harry elbowed Ron, "Look! There he is again."
"Wonder were he was all day..." Ginny sighed, poking her mashed potatoes.
"I wonder if he's a violinist." Hermione stated out of no where.
The three looked at her, before simultaneously stating: "WHAT?!"
Hermione dug out her worn book containing the history of Hogwarts. "I read in here just today... what page... there it is! Yes, it says a long long time ago students who had snuck out at night reported hearing a violin in the castle after dark." Here she quoted the book. " 'It has been described as both hauntingly beautiful and mysteriously eerie. This phantom violinist was once thought to be in charge of a house at Hogwarts. The strange musician has not be reportedly heard in the past century.' "
"Right then." Ron blinked, more confused than ever. He decided to focus on finishing his dinner instead.
"Hermione, that was over a hundred years ago..." Neville looked at her more strangely than usual. "Even the Headmaster isn't that old," He knew Dumbledore was over a century old. "I mean, to have been a head of house over 100 years ago."
The rest of them finished with hyped talk of the on coming quidditch season. Harry and the rest of the Gryffindors looked forward to it.
"Slytherin won't be much of a problem this year," Ron beamed. "After all, Malfoy's dad can't buy any brooms faster than a Firebolt, and now we know Draco's weakness!"
The group burst into laughter as Ron did his best impression of the high squeaky scream. Their laughing only got louder as a few Slytherins looked over to see what the commotion was.
"I think it was a bit higher then that." Hermione stated with a smile.
"Wonder what old Snape would think of Malfoy embarrassing Slytherin House." Seamus wondered aloud.
"Are you kidding? Malfoy has always been an embarrassment to Slytherin. I bet even Snape could tell you... Hang on! Where is he anyway?!" Ron glanced at the High table, only to notice the Potions Master was missing. He didn't smile at this, he wondered if there wasn't something seriously wrong.
Observing Ron's sudden panic, Hermione felt a need to give her opinion. "Oh now you notice, Ron! I bet you didn't even notice that Potions class was rescheduled for next week."
"So?" He snapped back, defensively.
"That means they knew something was wrong with him before class even started! Snape hasn't missed a day in Potions in 5 years, no matter how ill he's been. They pushed class back a whole week, no doubt because the Headmaster insisted on it."
"Does that mean we'll have double Potions to make up for it?" A very pale Neville ask.
Harry, turned red. Deep within he was worried for the horrible professor. Not because of illness or even poisoning, but because of the Dark Mark and what it may be doing or calling the Potions Master to do.
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I want to thank
http://www.astrocounsel.co.uk/
for making all the astrology jargon be semi-accurate.
They have a very interesting page!
Stick with me, I know I'm a wind bag.
11-02-02