Sybil could have recognized the angry clicking of heels anywhere. Over the years, after many staff meetings, she'd heard it before. The energy in the halls darkened, and she wrapped her shawl around her as she waited for their Deputy to pass. As McGonagall approached her, Sybil awkwardly waved a hand. "Not now, Sybil," she snapped. A few steps later, she stopped in her tracks and turned around. When McGonagall turned, Sybil could see a tear running down her cheek. A few strands of hair were untucked from her normally perfect bun. "Sybil, uh…I apologize."

"Your aura is dark," she observed, pushing her glasses down to take a better look at McGonagall. "Are you alright?"

McGonagall straightened up her robes, but leaned against the wall. Sybil had been headed to her classroom to act on some late-night ideas for changing the layout of the room. The semester was starting in a week, and she felt behind on her preparations. "Stunning observation," McGonagall muttered, running a hand through her stray hair pieces. "Sybil, what do you know about curses?"

Sybil awkwardly leaned against the wall next to her, but McGonagall scooted further away. "Curses are made through the Dark Arts. I don't touch those, Minerva."

"I know, but um, are they always…real?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is there a way to know if it's actually going to happen?" McGonagall turned her head sideways to look Sybil in the eye. Sybil looked at her closely, trying to see if Minerva was baiting her or if this was a real question. The two had never gotten along; it was no secret to anyone. In the last year, the two had come to some sort of truce. Everyone seemed to have that with Umbridge reigning over Hogwarts. The truce had began when McGonagall had comforted her and, internally for Sybil, it was official when Minerva was stunned. She'd been devastated and worried that the woman she had fought with for all these years could die. McGonagall just didn't have an Inner Eye at all; Sybil had come to realize the women's resentment for her craft was not her own fault- it was a force of nature that kept her from understanding.

Sybil took a long look at Minerva and replied, "Well curses are real magic, if that's what you're asking." Minerva sighed. Sybil knew the quip had annoyed her, but she also knew it was done in a way that Minerva would have spoken to her. The payback felt good. "I'm sorry," the usually stern witch said. "I meant, are you able to see if the curse will come true or play out?"

"I was just headed to my classroom," Sybil found herself saying. "If you'd like to come up, I can try a few forms of divination. But, my dear, you must be willing to let yourself go to the omens and visions that come."

A long silence followed, Sybil not able to completely make out Minerva's face in the dark hall. Finally, she said, "I can't believe I'm this desperate," she scoffed. "Let's go, Sybil."

Sybil wrapped herself up in her shawl, half annoyed, half excited that Minerva was finally willing to see the other side of magic. The woman seemed tired, and Sybil knew that if she was at a low point, it was a good time to bring her in. "Have you been to my classroom?"

"There's a first time for everything," Minerva said. "

Together, they walked awkwardly through the hall to Sybil's classroom. Minerva looked out of place climbing up the stairs, Sybil knowing that she said felt uncomfortable. When they walked in, Sybil noted the things she wanted to move around for the start of term. She instructed Minerva to sit on one of the cushions that lay in the center of her classroom, Minerva's eyes jumping around the room. She'd never once visited her classroom.

The Head of Gryffindor House looked absolutely ridiculous as she took a seat on the cushion, pulling her heavy skirts and robes from underneath her. The woman was petite, so her size was of no issue, but her conservative layers of clothing absolutely enveloped the cushion. Sybil gathered a few things she needed and giggled out loud at the site of McGonagall sitting on the floor. She couldn't imagine the snooty woman had ever sat on the floor, even as a child. She'd probably always been the same, pain-in-the-ass way. Secretly, Sybil had always wanted a single moment where she made Minerva uncomfortable as the woman always had a hand up on her- always a quip, always an attitude. Seeing her in what seemed to be a weak moment was humbling, even if Minerva didn't want it to be.

Yet, the satisfaction faded as Sybil turned back towards her Deputy and saw a few tears running down her cheeks, which Minerva quickly swept away. Sybil sat in the cushion beside her, putting down some cards and tea leaves between them. "In order to know the best way to See what will happen, I must know what it is you think will come."

Minerva rolled her eyes. "You very well know the curse on the Dark Arts position?"

"Mm, yes, the one by the Dark Lord. Each professor shall only last a year. Something I warned you about every year, especially with that young man Lupin. And, you dismissed me."

"The same," Minerva replied curtly. "Albus just pulled me into his office to tell me that Severus has been appointed to the position. And um," her voice cracked. "Well, I suppose I want to know if his tenure ends with his death." A few more tears followed.

Sybil felt her stomach flip. She knew it took a lot for the woman across from her not only to come to her and admit her skills, but also to talk about her open secret affair with the Potion's Master. They were two intensely private people, and while everyone knew they had been sleeping together for years, Sybil knew it took everything for Minerva to admit her care for him. For the first time, she felt like they were two women speaking and not a boss and her employee. "Well, my Inner Eye will not allow me to do much without Snape here. But, I suppose, would his death bring a darkness to your life?"

"It would," Minerva said, more tears flowing. Sybil could not remember the woman ever crying. The only emotion she'd ever seen on Minerva was anger. This was unsettling. Yet, it was almost an honor. It was the first human moment they'd ever shared. A small sob escaped Minerva, but she quickly covered her mouth as the tears streamed down her face. "I have to prepare myself."

"Alright, Minerva. I would like to read your tea leaves- it will tell us what is coming for you in the next year. Tea leaves do not go much further than this, but it seems you only need a predication for your life in the next year." Minerva nodded. "Collect a teacup from the shelf, come to me, and I will fill it. Then sit down and drink; drink until only the dregs remain. Swirl these around the cup three times with the left hand, then turn the cup upside-down on its saucer; wait for the last of the tea to drain away, then give your cup to me, and I will read the leaves."

Minerva rose from her cushion, albeit awkwardly, and slowly followed Sybil's instructions. It took her longer than most First Years, most likely because most First Years were still open minded to the spiritual properties of Divination. She knew no matter how desperate Minerva was, her mind was still not quite open. After Minerva's leaves were ready for reading and Minerva had seated herself again, Sybil pulled up a small table and took a look at the leaves. Her heart sunk when she saw the Grim had appeared in her cup. "You have the Grim, Minerva," she said softly.

"The what?"

"The Grim! The omen of Death."

Minerva stared at her. "I'm going to die?"

"Either you or someone you love," Sybil explained. "Based on the particular markings of the Grim, I would say a man in your life."

They sat in silence for a few moments until the teacup shattered. She knew Minerva was particularly skilled in wandless magic, but the shock of her using it was dramatic. Sybil jumped back before she was cut by any of the porcelain. "This is bloody ridiculous," Minerva muttered, pushing the table over to its side. "I can't believe I was desperate enough to come here." She gathered herself and stood from the cushion.

"You came here begging for my Seeing abilities," Sybil said, standing up. She knew Minerva wasn't ready for the truth of Divinations.

"I did not beg you for any of your ridiculous made-up magic," Minerva snapped.

"I knew your mind was not even close to being open to the truth. The aura dies around you, Minerva."

"I don't care if the bloody thing explodes around me," she replied. "I don't know why I came here."

"I don't either," Sybil replied. "I have never understood you," she snapped, picking up her table and casting a spell to fix her teacup.

"For a start, I'm not a fraud," the Deputy said.

"But, you're one of the coldest women I've ever met," Sybil said angrily.

Minerva took in such a deep breath that Sybil could see it, and she immediately regretted her words. "If I was so damn cold, why would I have come here trying to find out if…"

"If the man you love is going to die?"

For the first time in the last few minutes, Minerva fell silent. "You're always wrong," she finally said quietly. "I know this can't be true," she added, pointing to the tea leaves scattered between them. "He can't die…"

"The Grim never lies," Sybil said equally quietly.

"I appreciate your efforts," Minerva said. "But, I'll take my chances on reality." She turned to leave, but before she could make it out the door, Sybil spoke up. A sudden softness for the woman who was clearly in pain overtook her. This was a time of great weakness for Minerva. Minerva, despite her hatred for her work, had been there for her the term before. Sybil knew she had to try and break the woman's exterior.

"When the time comes, whether you believe it was the Grim or not, I want you to know I will return the favor you did for me."

Minerva turned on her heel, her hair pretty much falling out of its bun at this point. She looked exhausted. "What?"

"With Umbridge," Sybil said.

"Sybil-,"

"I know you hate me,-"

"I don't hate you," Minerva interrupted. "I think you're a ridiculous excuse for a witch and a teacher. But, I don't hate you."

"Well, I think you're a cold, prudish bitch," Sybil said truthfully.

For the first time the whole night, Minerva smiled. Sybil couldn't believe the fact that she'd called Minerva a bitch (something she'd wanted to do for years) and the fact that a genuine smile had crossed the Deputy's face. "I respect your honesty, Sybil. I think that's the first time you've said something based in reality since we've met."

"Your aura is-,"

"Don't ruin it," Minerva smirked. "Thank you," she said softly.

"For what?"

"Being here with me."

"You're welcome."

Minerva pulled her wand out and straightened up the pillows and leaves she'd scattered in her anger. "I'm sorry for ruining your room."

"I was planning to change some things around anyways," Sybil said truthfully.

Minerva nodded and pulled the classroom door shut. Sybil sank back down onto one of the cushion's, knowing that when the Grim struck, she would have to be there to support her new found ally.