Rose and Harry stood to look at the towering presence of Albus Dumbledore.
"Professor, we are so sorry," Rose began immediately, "About the car and everything-"
Albus held up his hand to sush Rose. It took Rose a moment to realize that Professor Trelawney was also standing in the room. She had the same spaced out look in her eyes that she'd heard about. She sighed and looked at the floor.
Albus Dumbledore turned to Harry, "Please, if you will Harry, return to your common room. I'd like a moment alone with your sister."
Harry nodded and left Rose alone.
"This year, you'll be taking instruction from Professor Trelawney. We are curious to learn about how much you retained over the summer, so you'll have an assessment tomorrow morning."
Rose gasped in protest, "Tomorrow morning, but Professor I only just got here-"
Albus Dumbledore shook his head. "Time is of the essence here, Ms. Potter. We need to make the most of the year."
Professor Trelawney nodded in agreement. "Yes, dear if you brought your notes from the summer I'd highly recommend studying tonight."
Rose threw her hands up in exasperation, "I didn't have time to bring my belongings they're going to take at least a day to get here!"
"Now, now Rose, Mr. Lane has already transported your luggage to us," He pointed to a corner in the room and Rose noticed her one big suitcase with her cat, Whiskers, sitting on top of it. She sighed in relief and nodded.
"Alright, I'll head up to the Hufflepuff Common Room now and start studying," She paused to turn and ask before she forgot "Where are we meeting tomorrow Professor?"
"In my classroom at 7:00." Professor Trelawney answered while raising her hands up to the sky. Rose turned around quickly so that Professor Dumbledore couldn't see the anger in her face. She felt like it was all so unfair. She wanted to spend time with Harry and George and her friends this year and have a normal workload for once. But no, she couldn't even enjoy her first night back at Hogwarts, because of her stupid lack of magical powers. Why couldn't she have just been born a Wizard like Harry? That would make things so much for everyone.
She huffed as she walked back to the Common Room. Cedric had wanted to stop her and ask how'd she been doing, but she had to walk by him and apologize by saying she had to study- she just went straight up to her room. Bellamy had gotten to school early but all of her friends would arrive within the next couple of days. And so, Rose spent the whole night brushing up on the knowledge she'd learned over the summer and going over her notes in detail using her wand as a flashlight. Her strategy was to review her strongest subjects first, and just save her worst for last. Ironically her worst subjects were Divination and the Dark Arts. She was alright at Potions but Herbology was a breeze as were Muggle Studies and Charms.
At around 3 in the morning, Rose felt her head pounding so she allowed herself to sleep the rest of the night.
Rose woke up at 6- an hour before her exam to get ready. She barely had time for breakfast and couldn't even sit with George because she had to be at the Hufflepuff table. Cedrice, Bellamy, and Bridget all watched her as she was intensely studying in the corner having a cup of coffee and eating an apple quickly.
"You're going to go mad if you keep going at that pace," Cedric commented.
"I haven't got a choice about it, alright?" Rose answered passive aggressively as she slipped another apple into her robe pocket and headed out the hall.
Bridget and Cedric looked at each other in concern.
Rose had just made it on time to the exam although Professor Trelawney had been late. As to be predicted. Rose took a look at the classroom. A few small tables had been set up around the room and a crystal ball was placed on everyone. It was a smaller classroom mostly because not many students would choose to take Divination. Rose took in a deep breath to calm her pre-exam nerves and found a table in the back closer to a window. She looked out at the great lake of Hogwarts grounds- it was a foggy morning.
Just then, Professor Trelawney entered the classroom and was carrying a stack of books.
"Good morning, Ms. Potter," She said in her light cracky voice, "I have your exam here and you can get started soon enough."
She laid a 20 page packet in front of Rose. Not even giving herself anytime to feel pity or anger Rose got started right away. The sooner she got this exam over with the better, honestly.
As she had expected Herbology and Charms and Muggle Studies were a breeze and were the first half of the exam. She had completed all sections in about an hour.
She could barely answer the Darks Arts questions though some of them didn't make any sense to her and the worst part was that they were related to the Potions questions as well. She was pretty sure she had failed the second part of the exam. But as her stomach began to make noise from hunger- the two light apples had clearly not been enough- she had answered the last question. Professor Trelawney had been working studiously at her desk and looked up when Rose put down her pencil.
"Finished dear?" She asked. Rose nodded without saying anything and stood up to leave the classroom. Professor Trelawney stopped her.
"Hold on one minute, you should know we will go over your results for tomorrow and these are the classes for First Year or Second Year make ups?" She asked while grabbing a paper and pen to write down notes.
"I've passed all of First Year last year, with the exception of the Dark Arts," Rose answered, "This was all Second Year material for me except for that class and Potions."
"Uh, hmm, hmmm…." Professor Trelawney made notes, "That's good progress, and Rose please take a seat next to me would you, I'd like us to make your timetable quickly."
Rose clenched the straps of her schoolbag. She really did not want to spend any extra time with Trelawney. Still, she took a seat at the stool. The Professor had pulled out a large sheet of parchment paper. Rose assumed this must be her school transcript. Rose watched in worry as Professor Trelawney scanned the sheet and seemed to be confused about something.
"Are you alright Professor?" Rose asked. Professor Trelawney shook her head. "It's just that doesn't make any sense-" She whispered.
"What doesn't?" Rose asked now getting worried because the Professor was worried.
"Well, it's just if I did all my calculations correctly, there's no way you could possibly finish your make up work in time for your OWL examination in two years."
Rose's heart began to beat faster in concern.
Professor Trelawney seemed to be thinking to herself. "Yeah, I can't move this class here because you have to take that course at the time, and now that Dark Arts class is happening during Potions as well…" Her voice trailed off.
"So I don't have enough time is what you're saying? Even with my summer make up time?" Rose asked in frustration and disappointment.
Professor Trelawney waved her hand, "Now, now, let me consult the stars." She asked and pulled out a crystal ball from her desk drawer. Rose openly rolled her eyes. Professor Trelawney seemed to have an epiphany.
"Ah, yes, the Time-Turner!" She chuckled to herself, "Why didn't I think of that before?"
"The Time-Turner?" Rose repeated. Professor Trelawney didn't seem to hear her.
"Why, of course, you'll need special permission and practice for that but maybe we could a year of material in, that would be wonderful and if you take an extra summer, yes, first we'll calculate your scores…" Professor Trelawney clapped her hands in delight, "Yes, you can go now Rose, I just have to ask Dumbledore about the Time-Turner."
Rose felt overwhelmed by the information, but she stood up slowly to leave the classroom. All she really wanted to do anyway was partly cry from exhaustion and just be with George.