Chapter 2
"Hello, everyone."
Hearing a few courses of replies, I could tell some of my students may fall asleep. It was late afternoon, I had one more class after this then my nightly class that was optional wasn't until 8pm. They were mostly 4rd years give or take one or two that had to repeat the course. Looking around, I did see the bright eyed face of the young Hermione Granger I meet yesterday. Smiling to her, I could tell this one liked to learn new things. So being a gifted seeier by nature, I decided to go with it.
"Hermione, could you please tell me what the meaning of 'Reading Tea Leaves' is?" Smiling to her as she beamed with excitement to be called on without having her hand raised.
"It's the art of making a prediction of sorts; the person to put the wet leaves into the mug is the one who's future shall be seen. An Image of sorts will appear and shall be translated to me a number of futures."
"5 points to Gryffindor. Every one of you will have a mug, as well as a small cup of dried tea leaves on your table. Now each table will also need a tea kettle located at the back of the room. One person per table go get one kettle to produce hot water." Some students seemed more eager than others to try this experiment. Tea leaves was always my favorite.
Within minutes everyone had their kettle, since I was unsure to trust them with burners to us the muggle way, I told them all a simple spell to warm the water inside the kettle.
"I will prosper in the years to come."
"I will love the one who knows I do not exist." A few snickers came with that one.
"I will be embarrassed while in formal dining." Poor Ron was just doomed, and did not know it.
"Professor, could one of us read yours. Ours are just simple school things. Yours must be more exciting."
"Well, I assume so, since mine has not changed in almost 2 years. Who would like to give it a try?" A few hands shot up, I did not want to show favoritism to the Gryffindor house, even though my instincts told me to call Miss Granger again, I choose a brunette from Ravenclaw.
"Don't be shy, come on up here." She looked no more then 12, but I could see in her eyes, they held excitement and a yearn for adventure. Walking to my desk, I grabbed my mug, scooped in some of my favorite tea, conjured hot water and downed half the tea in one gulp, I took the rest and tossed in into the pan on a nearby table.
"What do you see, dear?" Handing her the mug.
"Um, well I believe a small heart but it looks as if its broken. As well as a man?" That was not the same reading I always received. Grabbing the mug, she was right. Holding it firm as not to scare the kids, I applauded her.
"Well done! 5 points to Ravenclaw, Okay everyone, I want a 500 page essay one the art of tea leaves,' earning a few groans from the room, "But not due until next Friday! Now all of you be gone!" Laughing at them as they scampered away.
Once they all were gone, I moved my hand across my face to close the door then turned to sit at my desk. MY leaves had changed. Why, they had not changed in two years. My leaves had stayed the same, stating I would end up at my job at Hogwarts. Realization had hit me, of course you moron. The leaves came true so now the next window has opened. But clearly the heart does seem broken, and the man, I can only assume will be the one to break it. I'm too young for heartache and who could it be, more importantly how could I find the time? Shaking my head, I sat the mug inside the bottom drawer for safe keeping as a few 5th years walked in the room. No more tea leaves, Ill leave that for the Divination professor, if she can handle it.
"Welcome, everyone. Now as you know Astronomy is best seen in the night sky, obviously, but there are a few planets that at the right time can be seen while the sun is upon us. Can any take a guess of one?" I saw a few hands rise.
"You, dear. What may your name be?"
"Angelina Johnson, Professor Falls." This girl was a beauty for such a young age.
"Okay, Miss Johnson, could you please tell me a name of a planet that we might be able to see during the day time?" Standing in front of her table, she sat next to a girl with dirty blond hair. Smiling at them both, I hoped she knew the answer I was looking for.
"Pluto, but it can only be seen while the sun is rising."
"Correct. The planet farthest from us, is only seen for a scarce few minutes during sun rise. So I will Award bonus credits to those who can write me a short 200 word paper, on Pluto and its true description in those few minutes. But I will also know if you fib the paper and look in the library." Smirking to everyone.
"Professor, how would you know?" Turning my head, there they were. The twins, both of them sat at a shared table across the room. Oh, boy was this my prank? No, not yet.
"Well, for one George," Turning my head to look at the twin on my left I heard a gasp come from next to him, I got it right, "I study the solar system, hence why I teach a little class called 'Astronomy' so yes, dear, I will be able to tell the difference." Smiling to him, I saw him slowly sink back into his chair.
"Fred, do you have anything to say?" Calling the other twin out while I had put one in his place, was going to cause me a hellasious prank if not many to come. Giving him a wink, he just shook his head back and forth.
"Okay, now there is a meteor shower tonight that will start about 9pm, so if you would like some extra credit then please come to the tower, and join me for the show. Okay, all of you, off to lunch!"
Going to my desk, I sat down to gather my papers that I would need to grade after supper and before my optional class. I sensed a presence, no two. I was correct, I raised my head and of course the twins were there.
"Yes, gentleman what can I do for you?" I wondered if they would try to do a switch on my during the term to come, I could probably still tell them apart.
"Well Professor, we heard from our dear little brother, Ronald, that you attended Hogwarts with Bill and Charlie?"
"What we would like to know, is that how is it you are a professor here, when you are so young?"
"Well, since I am sure a lot of students here are wondering the same as the both of you, and I can assume that you both will inform them all of what I will tell you. Headmaster Dumbledore and The Minister of Magic both asked me to teach here. I excel in astronomy I am also a seeier. Plus, I love Hogwarts." Leaning back in my chair, I looked back and forth from each twin.
"Well then, maybe you can tell us about this big announcement the Dumbledore is to tell us at supper tonight?"
"I do know what it is, but I will not inform you." Smirking to them, I knew they would not drop the matter.
"Not even a clue?" Fred spoke as he and George both leaned their hands on the desk.
"Maybe a small hint." These two were persistent.
"Well make you a deal."
"We promise to go easy with our pranks on you."
"If you promise to give us a tip on what the announcement is."
I could give them a clue that wouldn't give anything away, but I highly doubt it will lessen any blow for future pranks towards me.
"Well," dragging out the soundings, I tilted me head, seeing a gleam in their eyes. "How about I give you a nice juice clue, and in return you wait at least two weeks to prank me and join me and my night class tonight for the meteor shower."
Both of them turned their heads, hands still on the desk. Staring at each other, doing some weird twin telepathy mind talk thing.
"Deal. Well be there tonight. 9 o'clock on the dot." Both spoke at once.
"Good. Now for his announcement, this year will be very adventurous." Smirking back, I relaxed in my chair, knowing I had tricked them.
"That's all!" George seemed to shreak.
"That's not a clue!" Fred seemed almost angry. Winking at him, I only smiled wider.
"OH, but it is a clue. Now you are both dismissed, see you tonight."
The announcement was of course to tell of an adventurous year to come. Hogwarts would be holding the triwizard tournament; the two schools had already joined us that day. The girls I had seen hours before while I was meditating, most of them would spend their time hitting on any boy they were near. I foresaw a few hitting on the twins several times. My visions at times cold be comical.
I had already assumed that a few students wouldn't show due to the two arrival schools, but I kind of hoped at least one would show. So as I laid down on the floor in the middle of the tower, I had made the floor into a giant mattress covered with blankets and pillows. I had a great view of the night sky, my hands were tucked behind the pillow that held me head.
"Well, this is just sad."
Sitting up, I turned to see just one twin.
"It is sad, but I assume that all the other students are too excited about the adventurous year to come." Tucking my bare feet under my jean clad legs, I smiled up at him.
"Ya, that was a good one. You got us." Smiling down at me, his hands were tucked in the pockets of his worn jeans.
"So I am assuming you truly want to earn extra credit, or you're here to see what a sad excuse your new professor is?" Moving back to the entrance, he towed his trainers off and came to sit next to me.
"Nope, I have never seen a meteor shower before so I figure I see what all the fuss is about." He was a mere inches from me.
He is a student, he is a student. An underage wizard, 4 years younger then yourself. Keep yourself calm.
"Well, you are in for a treat. Just look, it will last only a few minutes." Looking at him, I saw he was staring at me, his face a few inches from mine.
I wasn't sure if I was seeing things, but I believe his head was coming closer to mine. I felt my own being pulled by an unknown force to his.
"Sorry were late!"
Moving back quickly, the both of us turned out heads to look and see a few of my students calmer through the entrance and pick a spot they could watch the show from.
"To be continued later." Was all he whispered to me before standing to go greet his twin, and a few friends. Feeling Goosebumps, I wrapped my silk duster around my arms and stood.
"I was beginning to think no one would come, but glad all of you made it. Please sign the parchment floating around so I know as to whom to give credit for being here."
"Professor, how long will the meteor shower last?" A young boy, possible 2nd year asked me.
"Professor, how can we see it if were laying the middle the tower surrounded by stone."
"Well it depends on the amount in the sky, they can last from 1 minute to half an hour. But I promise it is well worth it. Not everyone get comfortable and enjoy the show, I promise you will see it all."
Grabbing my wand, I waved it above me softly speaking an incantation. Hearing movement of stone and loud gasps of surprise I knew that more people may show up to this optional class. The top of the tower, the one that prevented anyone from seeing above them I had made move to another part of the castle. It had detected itself and moved about 200 ft. Now all we saw was a beautiful dark sky, full of stars
"Professor how did u do that?!"
"Dumbledore's not going to like that, you're going to get into a lot of trouble, professor." I was receiving a knowing stare from the young girl that was sitting with Angelina Johnson today, but now, she sat right next to him.
"Miss Bell, Professor Falls will not be in any trouble if you must know. I simply suggested she do this so you all could enjoy the wonderful show, as why I am here was to make sure you are all safe and that once the show is over you will have promptly one hour to return to your house's."
"Thank you very much, Headmaster. I will make sure they all return on time."
Earning a nod from him, he was off.
Within minutes, the sky was full of bright lights falling, zooming, and whizzing through the black night sky.
Protest of my students could be heard after about 15 minutes, it was over.
"Well did you all enjoy it?" Standing I move my wand to replace the tower peak safely back onto its proper place.
So many replies, I was excited that they all enjoyed.
"Okay all, since I would like to keep my job, let's go. I'll escort all of you back to your houses."
After taking the few Ravenclaws to their house, I set off to take the remainder to Gryffindor. The halls were dark, so I had used the luminous spell as did the others to see. Except for two ginger haired boys that preferred to walk in the dark.
"Professor, do you know anything about the tournament?"
"I'm sorry, but I do not. I know about as much as you all do."
"But you must be able to tell us something." A younger Gryffindor boy had asked me.
"I truly am sorry, I only know what you all have been told already. Now please drop the subject." Taking the last step I stopped in front of the portrait of the Fat Lady to let them all in.
"Goodnight, Professor".
"Night, Professor."
"Goodnight, Professor Falls."
Hearing the murmurs of the sleepy younger students calling me that, 'professor' gave me a sense of pride, a feeling of belonging.
Earning a slight nod from both twins, I got a wink from the one I should not be around. I could tell this one could mean trouble for myself. I may have to completely cut ties with them.