Divination, Harry decided as he scribbled notes during Transfiguration, was a load of tosh.

They'd had to go to the highest point in the castle to get to class and climb up a rope ladder to get there. They'd been confronted by a room that was so filled with incense that he could hardly breathe. He'd chosen to sit on a pouf next to the window which he was able to crack open to get some fresh air.

Their teacher for the class, Professor Trelawney, made a dramatic entrance after everyone had arrived, banging open the door to the office. She spoke in a hoarse voice about how only those with access to the inner eye could learn anything in the class and everyone else was doomed to failure. As her eyes bulged unattractively she said it would take time to figure out which, if any of the methods would work for them and to not be discouraged by many failures.

After her lovely speech, she instructed them all in reading tea leaves, then warned Neville not to break one of her good cups, flustering him enough that he did break one. She looked smug afterward like this was some spectacular prediction rather than self-fulfilling bull.

As Neville tried to make sense of Harry's tea leaves she had come over and looked at the cup, then gasped dramatically and dropped it. With everyone hanging on her every word she had explained that Harry had the grim. Which meant he was going to die.

All through Transfiguration people kept looking at Harry with concern. Harry tried to focus on the lesson about Animagi with little success. The fact that it was all basic material he already knew didn't help.

With a soft pop, the tabby cat transformed back into their surprised-looking professor, "What is the matter with you all? I've never transformed like that without at least some applause."

Lavender Brown, looking like she was going to cry said, "Harry's going to die!"

Professor McGonagall looked surprised then irritated, "So you all just got out of Divination then?"

At their murmurs of agreement she shook her head, "Professor Trelawny predicts a student's death every year, and not once has it ever happened." She put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, "If you do pass I won't expect your homework to be turned in."

Feeling better Harry nodded.

Divination was tosh.

Maybe he'd ask if he could leave the class.

As Harry typed up his request about exactly that afternoon he heard a strange scratching noise. Disregarding it he continued to type.

-I feel there is little to be learned from the class-

Suddenly the curtains around his bed were pulled back revealing Hermione holding a potion's knife.

He startled badly at this and slammed his laptop closed.

She gaped at him, "You're using a laptop? That's your great secret? That you got electronics to work in Hogwarts? And why are you covered in feathers?"

Harry stood, anger bursting through him, "What the bloody hell is wrong with you? I tell you to lay off on my secrets so you break the wards around my bed?"

"I just wanted-"

His anger was out of control now, "I don't care what you wanted, I told you to lay off so you should have laid off!"

"Mate," Ron interrupted, "We're just worried about you, the things you've been doing; making mysterious potions, locking yourself away, now working on the Animagus transformation all by yourself, it's worrisome."

"I don't give a damn if it's the scariest thing you've ever heard, you're my best friends! You're not supposed to break my trust!"

"We just-"

"No Hermione! I'm done! Get the fuck away from me!"

"Please Harry-"

"No! Now! Get out of here before I report you to McGonagall for being in the boys' dorm!"

Eyes full of tears Hermione ran away. Ron shot him a glare and followed her.

Still full of anger Harry began to inspect his bed's wards. They were completely destroyed. With a huff, Harry went back behind his curtains to wait for the feathers to fall out before he went to find a seventh year to put the wards back up.

Harry was still angry by the time he was supposed to meet with the Headmaster the next day. It was their Defense lesson and he had been looking forward to it, but now all he could think about was Hermione betraying him.

Trying to calm himself he shook his body and stretched a bit.

"What are you doing boy?" a nearby painting asked.

Ignoring it he was about to give the password to the gargoyle when he recalled using the Occlumency exercise before the first meeting. Using circular breathing he once more pumped a small amount of magic into his brain and calmed himself down.

His breathing normal now he smiled to himself at another successful use of Occlumency and went up to the Headmaster's office.

The Headmaster was sitting by the fire and gestured for Harry to do the same, "How have your classes been treating you this week?"

Harry grimaced. He'd been ordered to continue Divination and keep trying and trying honestly. After all, he wouldn't know if he didn't have the sight if he didn't try. If nothing happened by the end of the year he could drop it.

"Divination is…"

The Headmaster chuckled, "Indeed, it can be quite the wooly subject, one I never had the talent for."

Harry nodded, "I guess I'll keep trying, at least for this year, but if I don't have any talent in it I'll probably drop it next year."

"An excellent plan," the Headmaster agreed. "And your other classes?"

Harry shrugged, "They seem interesting. Care of Magical Creatures was fun, at least at first."

"Ah yes, Buckbeak. Hopefully, things will work out there."

Harry nodded and the Headmaster continued, "I thought that you might be interested in learning the Patronus Charm which is a spell used to keep Dementors at bay, and which can, in a pinch, be used for communication purposes."

Harry perked up at that and paid close attention to the theory the Headmaster was lecturing on.

It was a difficult spell that was ordinarily taught to adults getting Defense Masteries but the Headmaster, for some reason, believed Harry would be able to learn it.

After being warned that it would likely take him several months to learn it, even if he hit upon the right happy memory right at the start, Harry began.

Focusing on the feeling of tricking the Headmaster and being able to go home Harry said, "Expecto Patronum!" to no effect.

The rest of the session didn't go much better.

Right as the session ended the Headmaster asked, "And who will you be bringing to our next field trip?"

Harry opened his mouth to answer, then closed it with a click.

Finally, he said, "I don't know yet."

The Headmaster rose an eyebrow but only said, "Ah, well let me know when you know."

As Harry walked to dinner that night he considered the options on whom to bring with him.

Settling down beside Neville, who was sitting with Seamus and Dean, Harry asked, "Hey Neville, Seamus. Want to go on my next field trip with me?"

Someone gasped nearby and Harry turned to find Hermione running away again and Ron glaring at him. Ignoring them he turned back to Neville and Seamus, "I don't know what it'll be but it should be fun if the last one's any indication."

Seamus looked thrilled, "Absolutely! Can't wait!"

Neville, however, looked torn, "I don't know… don't you want to take Hermione or Ron?"

Harry shook his head, "They don't respect me so I want nothing to do with them. Come on mate, don't you want to see something cool?"

"I guess…"

Harry sighed, "If you don't want to I can find someone else."

"Maybe that's for the best," Neville said softly, "I don't want to upset Hermione and Ron."

"Oh don't listen to him, Harry," Parvati said, evidently having been eavesdropping, "I'll go with you! It'll be like a date!"

Harry shifted uncomfortably, "Er- well- Seamus is going too…"

"Oh right," she said, sounding almost unconcerned. "Well, you can take me on a date another time! I'll still go with you two though."

Harry nodded slowly as Lavender Brown giggled, "Uh- okay."

Seamus gave him a commiserating clap on the arm.

When he called Jennifer that night to ask for advice she just laughed at him. "Good luck," was all she said.