Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
I apologize for the wait. This chapter gave me so much trouble. It was scrapped twice. If it's any condolence, the next chapter is already partially done.
All of Hogwarts instantly knew that Harry was offering tarot card readings. As soon as McGonagall had left the tent, they'd known. Harry didn't know how everyone knew so fast; neither he nor McGonagall had said anything.
Either way, Harry had eaten lunch in his tent. Headmistress McGonagall, although declining having her fortune read, discussed his choice to tell people their fortunes. Although disgruntled that one of her favorite students was using Divination, she allowed it. It was not only an accepted extracurricular activity; this new desire to read tarot cards also applied as extra credit. Harry had simply smiled at her when she said this. He spread the deck in a semi-circle on the table with a wave of his hand. He didn't hesitate to pick a card and lay it face up on the table.
McGonagall looked at the card. A man in a red robe holding something similar to a wand aloft, various things before him, and an infinity symbol above his head. She raised her eyebrow at Harry.
He bowed his head so that his eyes were hidden and smiled mysteriously at the woman. "The Magician. His power is transformation through the use of his will. He is confident in his skills and in his ability to produce the effect that he wants. The Magician reminds us that decisions and not wishes change things. His appearance means that now is the time to decide a course of action and act on it. There are no limits but the ones set by oneself. The Magician means confidence. Step forth with success in mind and watch everything fall into place."
McGonagall blinked in bewilderment. She'd seen his Divination grades and she knew that Mr. Potter had never been overtly interested in the art of Divination. She wondered where this new knowledge of the tarot came from. "Mr. Potter, are you trying to tell me that your decision to tell people their fortunes will effect those around you in a way that will benefit you?"
He finally looked his Professor in the eye. "Why, Minnie, I am simply introducing you to this lovely tarot card. You know, despite the complex power of the card, the Magician has a rather simple meaning." His eyes were twinkling. "Life is what you make it."
With that, Harry swept the cards from the table and into his hand and he resumed shuffling them. McGonagall left the tent feeling oddly like she'd just had a meeting with Albus.
Since all of Hogwarts knew of Harry's new skill, it wasn't long before Harry had his first client.
After dinner there was a ring from a bell outside his tent. "Enter," he announced. Harry knew from the smell of sherry that Trelawney had come to see him, he didn't even look up. "Good evening, Professor Trelawney. Please, have a seat." He glanced at her once she was seated, his eyes gleaming. "The cards foretold your arrival." He motioned to the card lying face up in the center of the table. A man cloaked in red, wearing a headdress and holding a cross, preaching to an audience. He knew she'd love the drama.
She looked on eagerly as he began to explain. "The Hierophant. The card of religious and spiritual belief. A major role of the Hierophant is the role of a teacher or mentor, who instructs in the ways of his particular belief. If the current situation requires more experience than one has, then the appearance of the Hierophant preludes the presence of a teacher or mentor in one's life. Although the teacher will not appear on demand. When the student is ready, the teacher will appear."
Trelawney's eyes appeared even wider than they were behind her glasses. "Very good, my dear boy. Very good. Now, I suppose you know-"
"That the Hierophant can also represent groups and natural leadership and the greater good in the aim for order and that the appearance of this card may also mean following tradition may be he most beneficial course of action at the moment. Indeed."
The Divination Professor was positively giddy. "Oh, very good, Mr. Potter!" She cleared her throat. "I would like you to tell my fortune now, if you could. I wish to test your gifts. One cannot read false fortunes, after all."
Harry smiled at her. "Of course, Professor. What would you like to know?"
The woman blinked, her glasses making her eyes seem bug-like. "I would like you to tell me of my career."
Harry nodded and just began shuffling his deck. After a few silent moments he spread the deck in an effortless semicircle along the opposite edge of the table. "Please pick three cards, point only."
Trelawney pointed to three cards and Harry instinctively placed them into the Annikin Work spread.
The Divination professor nodded approvingly. "That is the correct spread and I'm pleasantly surprised that you're aware that nobody but yourself should handle your cards."
Harry said nothing. He'd known when she came in that this was an assessment.
The first card. This would determine whether or not the woman was working in the correct field. He flipped the card. The card featured a man with their cloak thrown off, riding a horse, with flowers reaching for the unachievable goal of the sun hanging in the sky. "The Sun." It figures she was destined to teach. "Yes Professor, insight is something that comes easily to you and you adore your position. You are given freedom to see what you wish, safety, and companionship in a world where seers are often hunted for their skills. Beyond that, you enjoy teaching even those who have closed their inner eye about the mysteries of the future. Enjoy your success."
The second card. This card would determine whether or not the good professor's job was secure. He flipped the card. A man on a throne with a pentacle in plain sight. "The King of Pentacles." He was unsurprised to see the card. "Professor, you've just passed a time of trial and your career is now secure. Your time of trial has passed. You have outlasted a usurper and a war. The school welcomes you. Your career cannot be any more secure than it is at this moment. You've dedicated your time and Sight to the school, and that had paid off. You need take no more risks."
The divination professor nodded. "I see. I am indeed secure. I've outlasted Delores Umbridge, Firenze, and a war. There is nothing that could remove me from my post if I don't want to leave."
The third card. The card that determined if any changes should be made. He flipped the card. A man was carrying a bundle of staves, and seemed to be struggling. "Ten of Wands," he intoned dramatically. "While you are happy in your secure career, it may be time for a small vacation. A break from teaching would be prudent. How will your inner eye see forward if it remains in the castle, unable to see the world?"
A slow nod was the woman's only response. "Interesting. A vacation to see the world." She squinted at him from behind her massive lenses. "I have been meaning to visit Delphi, and this would be an ideal time. But there is no possible way you could have known that…unless…" She surged to her feet with the clinking of many beads and the essence of sherry. "You have the Sight! You're Inner Eye has been clouded but now it is open like never before." She seemed suddenly full of energy. "Oh, dear boy, I must spread the news!"
With that, she bustled out of the tent, and Harry watched after her. He grinned when he was sure she was gone. She wasn't a terrible person, but her teaching methods left something to be desired. Surely with her gone, Firenze would resume his previous role as divination professor. The divination fanatics would enjoy the change of pace, and the rest of the school would be spared from the smell of sherry and predictions of a tragic nature.
No, he thought, he wouldn't be the only one happy to see her go.