I woke up the next morning, and all the fear and dread from yesterday had faded to the back of my mind. After all, we were now at Hogwarts itself, the dementors themselves weren't allowed on the grounds of the school. And Sirius Black himself surely would have a very hard time getting past said Dementors and all the other protections the school already had. Even if he had escaped Azkaban, I doubted he'd be foolish enough to try and come to Hogwarts.
At least that's what I mentally told myself as I got dressed. I wasn't going to let some mad man ruin my excitement for a new year and all the new classes I was going to get to take this year.
I was the first girl from our dorm up and down to the common room. Once in the common room I found Penelope Clearwater, up early as always.
"Morning Sarah." Penelope said as she adjusted her prefect badge.
"Good morning." I replied.
"I'm guessing Percy has already asked you already?"
"To be yours and his little messenger? Yeah. I'll do it." I told her.
Penelope looked very pleased at this.
"Thank you. I know he can be a little haughty sometimes." Penelope giggled and I couldn't help chuckle right alongside her.
"Oh I'm well aware." I replied.
"In any case, I do enjoy dating him even if it can be hard to make time. So your and Anthony's help will be great this year."
"I'm guessing you don't want Lisa or anyone else catching wind of this?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"No." Penelope said quickly. "No offense but, well, Lisa would no doubt open the letters instead of delivering them. And I suspect she'd deliver them to the wrong Weasley boys."
I gave another chuckle. I could already imagine Lisa opening the letters to read them before discreetly handing them over to Fred and George. "Oh she would. She's already said she plans to give you hell."
Penelope frowned at this. "I'm sure she does." Penelope sighs. "Anyways I'm sure you and Anthony will be reliable. Now I'm going to go find Percy before breakfast. See you around." And with that Penelope turned and walked out of the common room. Leaving me in a mostly empty common room.
It was still early, another twenty minutes or so before anyone needed to leave for breakfast. So I waited for Lisa, Anthony and everyone else to come down. With the spare time before then, I examined the white marble statue of Rowena Ravenclaw that sat in the entryway niche that went up to the common room.
Like Anthony had said, she was wearing the Diadem of Ravenclaw. I mentally kicked myself for being so unobservant these first two years.
Before I could mentally berate myself any more I heard footsteps as Anthony came down. He saw me, and noticed what I was doing.
"Examining the Diadem hmm?" Anthony asked raising a eyebrow.
"Yeah." I admitted. "Just wondering again what happened to it."
"Don't let the thought eat at you." Anthony suggested gently. "Like I told you over the summer, many amazing Ravenclaw's have made it there life's mission to find it and none have come close."
I bit my bottom lip, and gave the white marble statue one last glance. "You're right. I should focus on more important studies. Like my research into Grindelwald." I said the last part in a mostly joking tone.
Anthony smiled. "That's the spirit."
After another few minutes Lisa came down the stairs from the girls dormitories, grumpy as she always was in the mornings, then the three of us set off for the great hall for breakfast. As we walked in I noticed that Draco and many of the Slytherin's all seemed to be in a wonderful mood. Some glanced in my direction, and though some of them seemed to want to shout something across the hall at me, Draco shook his head. All I could overhear him saying was that "If we go after her, it wouldn't be as funny or surprising. I don't want her brother to get a warning ."
I bit my lip, Anthony and Lisa shared a look, as the three of us sat down at the Ravenclaw table.
"Clearly they plan to bother Harry this morning." Anthony commented softly as he made himself a plate for breakfast.
"Well remember he wanted to mess with Harry last night, he only didn't because of Professor Lupin's intervention." I commented while Lisa took a few more glaring glances across the hall at the Slytherin's, Draco specifically.
"All most of them are is a bunch of gits." Lisa muttered.
I couldn't really argue that point. Most of the Slytherin's, at least in our year, weren't the most welcoming or warm. Even the ones whom weren't outright antagonistic, such as, Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, or Lily Moon, I'd never spoken a word to.
Sure enough, when Harry, Ron, and Hermione entered the Great Hall a few minutes later, Draco and the other Slytherin's pounced. Draco did a swooning gesture which made most of the Slytherin's near Draco burst into laughter. I could see Hermione was whispering to Harry, clearly trying to have him ignore the Slytherin's antics.
"Hey, Potter!" Pansy Parkinson shouted so Harry and most of the Great Hall could hear her. "Potter! The dementors are coming, Potter! Woooooooo!"
Luckily Harry seemed to ignore her as he and the others sat down at the Gryffindor table, though he did looked ticked off as he started to talk to George.
"Well that's typical." Lisa muttered, giving the Slytherin table one last pointed glare.
"Lets hope they get bored of the act sooner than later." I said simply as I ate.
Around this time more and more students were coming into the common room. Michael and Terry both looked tired as ever, and Anthony mentioned both had to stay up last night to finish some remaining homework from over the summer. Padma, Mandy, and Morag soon joined us as well. Mandy sat so she could talk to me, Lisa, Padma, and Morag all at once.
"Now have you all had time to think over my idea?" Mandy asked me, Lisa, Padma, and Morag, with a clearly excited and eager voice.
"Oh yeah, you want us to all wear matching ear rings and wear makeup and such." Padma said.
"Yeah. Like I was saying at the feast last night, we're all teenagers now. We all need to look the part, and we all need to look good so someday we can all take someone to Hogsmeade!" Mandy said, all giggly.
"Like I told you last night, if it helps me get some poor sap to carry my book bag, sure." Lisa shrugged. Clearly not caring one way or the other, but willing to go along with it to make Mandy happy.
Mandy nodded, then turned to the rest of us. "Well?" She asked eagerly.
"Just basic ear rings to begin with, and only ones that clip on." Padma finally said.
"Fine fine, no piercing's. At least none right now." Mandy replied.
"I'm fine with it, I guess." I replied. "I've never really done or thought about anything like this." I repeated.
"Don't worry, you'll look wonderful." Mandy said excitedly. As she reached into a bag she'd brought with her, and pulled out five sets of nice, but small, clip on earrings. "Put them on!" Mandy said excitedly.
We all did. They felt, odd, but not bad. They were small, and all of them had a tiny amount of sapphire, if you wore your hair the right way you could easily hide them. And it was clear Mandy was simply trying to gently nudge us into this.
All of us put them on, and while most of us didn't see the big deal, only one of us didn't like them.
"Do I have to?" Morag asked Mandy, clearly not liking any part of this.
"Come on Morag. It's just some earrings." Mandy said in a pleading tone.
Morag grit her teeth, and kept readjusting the earrings over and over. "They feel weird..."
"Just...just wear them today and if you don't like them I'll drop it." Mandy said in a desperate tone.
Morag frowned, then sighed. "Fine. One day."
Mandy seemed to accept this and breathed a sigh of relief. Around this time Professor Flitwick came around and handed out schedules for the year. I noticed mine was much longer than anyone else's, and as I began to check it I noticed several classes were lining up at the same time right off the bat. Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Divination we're all at the same time.
It looked like I, and Hermione, would both be using our Time Turners, to start the year off. I noticed Lisa was complaining about a similar problem she had.
"Yeah, I signed up for Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Arithmancy last year. And over the summer I got a letter from Flitwick that said Divination, and Arithmancy shared a time. In the end I simply asked if I could somehow do the course work for Arithmancy outside of classes and report every week and he said yes." Lisa explained and I subtly slid my schedule into my book bag.
I guess they didn't trust Lisa with a Timer Turner and hadn't offered her that option.
Not that I didn't agree with them mind you.
"What about you Sarah? You tried to take everything right? How's that working out for you?" Lisa asked as all eyes turned to me.
"I sorted it all out with Professor McGonagall last night." I assured the table simply.
They all shared confused looks. "Did you drop anything?" Anthony asked.
"No. The staff worked with me, like Lisa I'll have out of class packets and the like." I lied easily.
They all seemed to thankfully buy this. "Well I'll glad it worked out for you. Still think you're crazy." Lisa shrugged.
"Thanks Lisa. "I replied.
The rest of breakfast passed smoothly. Roger came up to me to make sure I wanted a spot on the Quidditch team this year. I nodded. Like last year I made sure Luna had a spot with us, and made sure to give any glares to Sandra and the other second years if they tried to mess with Luna. Eventually, Hagrid came into the Great Hall, wearing his usual large moleskin coat, and looking excited and eager on his first full day of being a Professor.
"All righ'?" Hagrid asked Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, and also glanced over to us and made sure to speak loudly enough so we could hear. "Yer in my firs' ever lesson! Right after lunch! Bin up since five gettin' everythin' ready. … Hope it's okay. … Me, a teacher … hones'ly. …"
Hagrid grinned at the Gryffindor's, then us. Then continued his stroll up to the staff table.
"You three are friends with him right?" Morag asked excitedly.
Me, Lisa, and Anthony all shared a look. "Yeah. Hagrid is really an amazing person and knows all about Magical Creatures." I told Morag who squealed in delight.
"That's amazing! I have been looking forward to taking Care of Magical Creatures for as long as I can remember." Morag said, her clear love for the outdoors and magical creatures shining through. "I was worried when Dumbledore said Kettleburn had retired last night, but as long as he knows what he's talking about..."
"Oh he does." Lisa assured her. "Hagrid's classes will most likely be your cup of tea. Just as long as you're prepared for the possibility of death at any moment." Lisa smirked.
Morag simply raised a eyebrow while me and Anthony couldn't help but chuckle.
"What do you mean?" Morag asked.
"Let's just say Hagrid has a love for dangerous creatures." Anthony said, and I couldn't help but think about Aragog and all the spiders that had nearly eaten me, Anthony, Harry, and Ron last year.
"Yeah. A deep love." I added shuddering.
Morag tilted her head, then smiled. "I guess we'll see what he has in store later today." Morag said eagerly.
I took another glance at Hagrid, whom was happily chatting away with Professor Lupin.
"Yeah, I guess we will."
The rest of breakfast passed and soon enough students started to stream out of the Great Hall and to there first classes. I realized I had three classes to take this morning. I knew Harry, Ron, Lisa, and Anthony were all taking Divination, so I decided to take that last to savior the moment of actually having a class with Harry for once.
So I looked at my other two options, Muggle Studies and Arithmancy. And Instantly I decided to get Muggle Studies out of the way. While I was excited to take every class, Muggle Studies was by far the one I had the least interest in and for the most part was taking it out of pride.
I stood, telling Lisa, Anthony, and everyone else I was going to stop by the Library before my first class. Everyone seemed to accept this as I had done this many times before, then I strode from the Great Hall.
As Nine approached I made my way to the Muggle Studies Classroom. The class was mostly filled with interested Purebloods, and Muggleborns or Halfbloods whom lived in the Muggle world and wanted an easy class. Hermione of course was here, as were Michael and Terry, whom both seemed ready to fall asleep. I also saw Smith and had to hold back an eye roll. He noticed me, but given Hermione was right next to me, he simply ignored me for now.
Given I had never had a class with her before, I sat down next to Hermione.
"Hey Sarah." Hermione said cheerfully.
I smiled. "Hey." I replied simply. Neither of us wanted to draw to much attention to ourselves, given if Michael or Terry or any of the other students in the class really noticed us, then realized we were also somehow in Divination or Arithmancy they'd begin asking questions and we didn't need that.
"What you tell the other Ravenclaw's'?" Hermione asked me in a whisper as the class was beginning the fill.
"That the staff worked with me and were letting me take some classes via packets and such. I didn't say which classes though, so as long as I don't bring it up to much hopefully no one is wiser. What about you?" I asked.
"Ron was able to glance and saw all my classes at the same times. I told him me and Professor McGonagall handled it last night, and after he kept prodding I just ignored his questions."
I nodded. "Well, hopefully they don't dig any deeper." I said.
At that moment the class filled all the way. Finally the Professor of the class Charity Burbage walked in. I'd seen her at the Staff Table before and sometimes in the corridors. She was a kind looking women with blonde hair.
"Welcome all of you the Muggle Studies." Professor Burbage said warmly. "I'm glad you all had enough of a open mind to choose this class. I promise you, it will be worth it. Now lets begin with a basic rundown of the course..."
With that Professor Burbage went into a long lecture about the course, the expectations, and what we would be learning. It was clear Professor Burbage had a love for Muggles and how they did things, much like Mr. Weasley. It was also clear that she was the total opposite of Blood Purists, as she went into a long monologue about how Muggle Borns are just as magically gifted as Pure or Half Bloods, and even said those raised in the Muggle World have the advantage of knowing both worlds.
After class Hermione and me departed together, we decided it was best to use our Time Turners separately as to be safe. So she went down one corridor, I went down another. I found a secluded spot where no one would notice me, then put the Time Turner around my neck, and flicked the hour glass back one time.
Around me everything blurred. It was jarring as I saw students walking backwards down the corridors, all the motion began to make me feel sick so I closed my eyes and waited for the rushing noise in my ears to stop. Finally it did, and I found the nearest clock...
It was once again around nine.
I looked at the Time Turner in absolute amazement. Then pushed it back under my robe so no one could see it. I then headed to the second of three classes I had this hour, Arithmancy.
I found the classroom and like with Muggle Studies found it was beginning to fill with students. This time I saw several of my fellow Ravenclaw's taking this class, such as Mandy, and Morag. Again I found Hermione, and both of us acted like this was the first class we were taking for the year.
Just like last time as soon as it was nine and the class was filled, the Professor walked in. Septima Vector. The women wore a set of red robes and a matching pointed hat, and wore a very serious expression on her face.
"Welcome third years to Arithmancy." Professor Vector began in a calm yet stern tone. "This course is about the magical qualities of numbers. I warn you now, this magic is hard and unforgiving. I will be fair, but strict. If you do as I say, as I show you, and complete all the home work I assign you. Then you should succeed. Any questions?" Professor Vector looked around the room, there were none.
"Good, now turn to the first pages of Numerology and Grammatica, and we'll begin with the basics..."
The next hour passed. And unlike Muggle Studies which was simple and easy during the first lecture, Arithmancy was anything but. Like Professor Vector had warned, it was complicated and confusing. Hermione was clearly enthralled and loving every moment of it. And while it was hard, it was also fascinating. Professor Vector explained how numbers could be used to tell the future, how certain numbers contained magical properties, and so on.
At the end of class Professor Vector assigned a essay for homework to some groans, then dismissed class.
"That was amazing, truly amazing." Hermione said as we exited the class.
"It was." I replied nodding. "It's going to be a lot of work, but once once we get the hang of it It'll be really useful."
Hermione nodded along eagerly as the two of us again split up and went our separate ways for now. I was really excited about the final class Divination, I'd get to take it with Harry, and it would the first class I also shared with Ron. So this time I used the time turner twice to go back two full hours.
It was now once again eight in the morning. I used the next hour to simply browse the Library like I had told Anthony, Lisa, and the other Ravenclaw's I was doing. I found my usual spot, and of course another book on Grindelwald and couldn't help but smile. I truly now had all the time in the world to learn about everything I ever wanted.
With around twenty minutes to go before nine I returned to the Entrance Hall and found Harry, Ron, Hermione, Anthony, and Lisa all there clearly about to head up to the North Tower where the Divination Classroom was.
"You have fun with the Library?" Anthony asked me.
"I did, found what I needed." I replied cheerfully. I knew I needed to be careful. I knew for Anthony and Lisa, breakfast had just ended, same with Harry and Ron. I needed to act like this was my first class. "Anyways you all ready?"
Harry nodded as the six of us began our long journey to the north tower.
On the way up the Gryffindor's noticed mine and Harry's earrings for the first time. Of course me being his sister, Harry was very curious.
"Who gave you those? Was it some guy?" Harry all of a sudden asked all protectively, and I couldn't help but feel so touched.
"Aw, Harry. That's sweet. But don't worry, It wasn't any guy. My dorm mate, Mandy, simply asked me and the other third year girls in Ravenclaw to wear these. That's all." I assured him. At this Harry calmed down.
"Oh, well they look nice." He said simply, then kept walking.
Lisa smirked. "Why don't you mention the ring, broomstick, and flower from the first two years to him?" She asked, a massive grin on her face.
At this I gave Lisa a look that said I'd kill her if she tried. And all Lisa did was snicker madly into her arm, though luckily Harry didn't seem to notice.
The Journey there was a long one. Despite all of us having been at Hogwarts for two full years now, none of us had set foot in the north tower until now. Once we entered we all began to climb, and climb, and climb, sets of staircases upon sets of staircases. Finally after the seventh set we stopped out onto a landing.
"There's — got — to — be — a — shortcut," Ron said through deep breaths as we all looked around. The only thing on the wall in front of us was a painting of nothing but a meadow of grass.
"Yeah." Lisa added as she took several deep breaths herself. "That walk was torture."
"I think it's this way," Hermione suggested, looking down a empty looking corridor to our right.
"Can't be," Ron replied.. "That's south, look, you can see a bit of the lake out of the window…"
"These has to be a passageway around here somewhere." Anthony said as he began to take a look around.
While the others glanced around, I noticed Harry was staring at the panting on the wall. Confused I looked at the painting too and squinted hard. It seemed that something grey was coming into view in the portrait, which wasn't surprising. We'd all seen the figures in the portraits of Hogwarts move between themselves, talk to one another, and so on. So when the grey turned out to be a large pony I wasn't that surprised. And when a knight in shining armor came marching up behind said pony, It didn't surprise me either.
What did surprise me was when the Knight looked at us, and began to speak directly to us.
"Aha!" The knight yelled at the six of us. "What villains are these, that trespass upon my private lands! Come to scorn at my fall, perchance? Draw, you knaves, you dogs!"
We all watched as the Knight pulled out sword from his scabbard and pointed it at us, beginning to swing. However given how short the knight was, and how long and heavy his sword was. It wasn't long before said knight overswung and he fell face first into the grass.
Lisa had to hold back a chuckle, Anthony and me shared a expression of bewilderment, while Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked concerned as Harry tried to approach the portrait.
"Are you all right?" Harry asked in concern as he walked over.
"Get back, you scurvy braggart! Back, you rogue!" The knight in the painting replied.
"Oh, were scurvy braggarts." Lisa whispered in a amused tone to me and Lisa.
"So it seems." I replied as I just continued to stare at the knight in amusement.
In the portrait, the knight grabbed his sword and used it to prop himself back up. But when he did so, the sword sunk deep into the grass. For a moment the knight tried to pull the sword back out, but despite his best efforts, he couldn't. Finally he gave up, flopped back down onto the grass, and had to lift his visor to wipe the sweat off his face.
"Listen," Harry spoke, using the knight's exhaustion to get a word in, "we're looking for the North Tower. You don't know the way, do you?"
"A quest!" With this, the Knights anger at us seemed to totally fade, replaced with excitement. "Come follow me, dear friends, and we shall find our goal, or else shall perish bravely in the charge!"
The knight tried one final time to get his sword out of the ground. When this failed he stood and tried to mount his grey pony, again he failed, yet he didn't let this deter him.
"On foot then, good sirs and gentle ladies! On! On!" The Knight said, then ran to the left and out of the frame of the portrait.
We all chased after him. Using the sound of clanking armor, and the occasional sight of him in a portrait ahead, to decide which ways to go.
"Be of stout heart, the worst is yet to come!" The Knight shouted from a portrait that hung at the entrance to a narrow, spiral staircase that slightly reminded me of the way up to Ravenclaw tower.
So the six of us raised up the narrow spiral stair case. At this point we were all panting and exhausted, and the constant turning as we climbed began to make me feel slightly dizzy. Finally the murmur of voices above us alerted us to the fact we'd finally made it.
"Farewell!" the knight cried from a nearby portrait of some annoyed looking monks. "Farewell, my comrades-in-arms! If ever you have need of noble heart and steely sinew, call upon Sir Cadogan!"
"Yeah, we'll call you," Ron muttered as Sir Cadogan left "if we ever need someone mental."
"What. Didn't enjoy the crazy knight?" Lisa asked with a amused expression as we walked up the last few steps and onto a landing.
"Not in the slightest." Ron replied.
We looked around the landing and saw that most of the class was already assembled. There were students from every house. But Luckily there was no Smith, or Malfoy, in Harry's case. We also noticed there was no door, but a quick glance at the ceiling revealed a trap door, on which was a brass plaque.
"'Sibyll Trelawney, Divination teacher,'" Harry read, then looked around at us in confusion. "How're we supposed to get up there?"
As if on cue, the trap door suddenly sprung open and a sliver colored ladder landed right by Harry's feet. Harry, Ron, and Hermione all looked at each other, and I noticed they all looked slightly nervous.
"After you," Ron told Harry with a grin in a teasing tone.
Harry, for a moment, looked at us then climbed up. I didn't hesitate to follow him up and was the second one up into the Divination classroom.
As soon as I emerged into the classroom I was in awe. The classroom was unlike any other I had seen at Hogwarts. Over a dozen small tables dotted the small room, each of which had a few arm chairs or cushions to sit on. The windows were all covered with curtains, and what light there was came from lamps all of which were covered in red scarfs to even dim them. It was warm, with a small fire going under a mantelpiece above which sat a small kettle. Around the circular room were shelves, and on which sat crystal balls, tea cups, cards, and any other object that one could supposedly predict the future with.
Behind me and Harry came Ron, then Hermione, Lisa, Anthony, and so on. We all looked around the room, some in awe, others clearly uncomfortable.
"Where is she?" Ron asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
Before anyone could reply a sudden, soft, dreamy sort of voice that sort of reminded me of Luna came from the shadows.
"Welcome," the voice spoke. "How nice to see you in the physical world at last."
With that Professor Trelawney stepped out from the shadows. The women was thin, very thin, and wore a pair of large thick glasses that made her eyes seem larger than should be possible. She wore a spangled shawl. Dozens of chains and beads hung from her neck, as were her fingers covered with rings and bangles.
"Sit, my children, sit," Professor Trelawney said.
With that we all spread out into the room. Some still seemed awkward, even Lisa, Anthony, and Hermione looked unsure about all this. But for my part I was really eager for this class. In no small part due to the fact that I knew from all the books I'd read about him, that Grindelwald himself was a seer. And I really, really wanted to see how this branch of magic worked and if I had any possibility of using it.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat at one table, while me, Lisa, and Anthony sat at the one right next to it. Of course I made a point to sit with my back right to Harry, after all this was my first class with him at Hogwarts and I was hoping for it to be a wonderful one.
"Welcome to Divination," Professor Trelawney said, sitting herself in a armchair in front of the fire. "My name is Professor Trelawney. You may not have seen me before. I find that descending too often into the hustle and bustle of the main school clouds my Inner Eye."
No one said anything, Professor Trelawney adjusted her Shawl and continued.
"So you have chosen to study Divination, the most difficult of all magical arts. I must warn you at the outset that if you do not have the Sight, there is very little I will be able to teach you. Books can take you only so far in this field. …"
My eyes widened for a moment, books wouldn't be much use here? For a moment I was worried, then actually more excited. If books couldn't help me here, I'd find other methods.
I did notice Hermione was not looking happy at that statement, and both Anthony and Lisa were looking confused. Still, I wouldn't let doubts creep in.
"Many witches and wizards, talented though they are in the area of loud bangs and smells and sudden disappearing's, are yet unable to penetrate the veiled mysteries of the future," Professor Trelawney continued, going from nervous face to nervous face. Except me, I had to admit I was enthralled. "It is a Gift granted to few. You, boy," Trelawney said suddenly, turning to face Neville whom fell off the cushion he was sitting on. "Is your grandmother well?"
"I think so," Neville replied shaking nervously.
"I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, dear," replied Professor Trelawney, the fire shining off her emerald ear rings. Neville swallowed nervously, as continued on. "We will be covering the basic methods of Divination this year. The first term will be devoted to reading the tea leaves. Next term we shall progress to palmistry. By the way, my dear," Trelawney turned suddenly to Parvati Patil, "beware a red-haired man."
I glanced at Parvati, whom looked almost the exact same as Padma. Of course I'd seen a lot less of her given I had Padma as a house mate while Parvati was a Gryffindor. And one thing I noticed instantly was while Padma would have at least questioned the warning, Parvati seemed to heed it instantly. She turned back and gave Ron a look, then moved her chair away from him as much as she could.
"In the second term," continued Professor Trelawney, "we shall progress to the crystal ball — if we have finished with fire omens, that is. Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. And around Easter, one of our number will leave us forever."
With that proclamation a tense silence engulfed the room. I shared a a quick glance with Anthony and Lisa. Leave us forever? Who? All these predictions Trelawney seemed so sure of. How was she doing this?
"I wonder, dear," Trelawney said to Lavender Brown, another Gryffindor I'd never spoken to before. In fact now that I looked around I noticed all the Gryffindor's had taken this class and all had sat in the front. "if you could pass me the largest silver teapot?"
As Lavender did this I glanced around the room. Like all electives all four houses were indeed here. However it seemed that the Hufflepuff's and Slytherin's whom had taken this class all had sat in the corners and shadows of the room. Clearly they didn't want to have Trelawney read there future by sitting too close.
Meanwhile Lavender had gone over and gotten the tea pot and placed it on the table in front of Professor Trelawney.
"Thank you, my dear. Incidentally, that thing you are dreading — it will happen on Friday the sixteenth of October."
Lavender made a soft squeaking noise, and was slightly trembling.
"Now, I want you all to divide into pairs. 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. Swill 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 your partner to read. You will interpret the patterns using pages five and six of Unfogging the Future. I shall move among you, helping and instructing. Oh, and dear" — Trelawney gently took Neville's arm when he moved to stand— "after you've broken your first cup, would you be so kind as to select one of the blue patterned ones? I'm rather attached to the pink."
We all stood and went to get our tea cups, and like Professor Trelawney had predicted. As soon as he approached the shelves, there was the shattering of glass, and Professor Trelawney walked over with a broom and dust pan.
"One of the blue ones, then, dear, if you wouldn't mind … thank you. …"
After we got our tea cups, me, Lisa, and Anthony spent a good thirty seconds silently debating who was the odd one out for today. Finally Lisa gave Anthony one of her signature death glares she was known for, and Anthony finally relented. partnering up with Lily Moon, one of the few Slytherin's that seemed to tolerate working with non Slytherin's
After this me and Lisa got our Tea filled, I had a eager, curious look on my face. While Lisa seemed skeptical. We sat back at our table. With a deep breath I drank down the scolding tea as quickly as I could, I grit my teeth as soon as I finished. Lisa growled softly when she did.
"Ow." Lisa muttered.
"Hey. If we can see the future then a little throat burning is worth it." I said, Lisa raised a eyebrow.
"I'm sure Professor Trelawney methods will have us seeing who our husbands are and what are kids look like in no time." Lisa replied sarcastically, clearly she wasn't impressed so far. And all I could do was give her a shrug as we looked into our cups, swilled the dregs around like Professor Trelawney said we should, then drained the cups and switched.
"So what do you see in my future?" I asked Lisa eagerly.
Lisa sighed. "You really think this will work?"
"Well if it didn't then why is this a class?" I pointed out, and Lisa shook her head and concentrated.
"Broaden your minds, my dears, and allow your eyes to see past the mundane!" Professor Trelawney said through the smoky classroom.
Lisa almost snickered but I gave her a stern look.
"Take it seriously." I told her.
She rolled her eyes. "Fine." Lisa muttered, then looked into my tea cup and turned to pages five and six of Unfogging the Future.
"Lets see here." Lisa said as she looked through the different patterns. "Your looks like a...cross? Which means you're going to...uh...go through lots of trials and suffering." Lisa looked up.
I bit my bottom lip. I didn't know whether to believe it or not. "That's...not good..." I finally replied.
"How about you just read mine." Lisa suggested.
I nodded, and looked down into the teacup. "I...think yours looks like a acorn. So, you should have a windfall, some unexpected gold." I replied.
Lisa smiled at this. "So you're saying I'm going to become rich? That sounds about right." Lisa smiled.
"Let me see that, my dear," We heard Professor Trelawney say, and looked up to see she was talking to Ron about Harry's tea cup. Curious we turned to her, and I noticed the entire class had done the same thing.
We all watched as Professor Trelawney turned the tea cup counter clockwise, studying it intently. After a long moment she spoke again.
"The falcon … my dear, you have a deadly enemy." Trelawney said. I noticed Lisa beside me roll her eyes.
"No duh." She whispered into my ear.
It seemed Hermione had the same idea.
"But everyone knows that," Hermione said in a loud enough whisper that the entire class room could hear her. Professor Trelawney stared at her as if offended, but Hermione didn't back down.
"Well, they do," Hermione continued. "Everybody knows about Harry and You-Know-Who."
Me and Lisa stared at Hermione in shock, and I saw Harry and Ron were doing the same thing though there stares also contained hints of admiration and amazement. Hermione had never once since I'd known her back talked to a Professor. She hadn't even back talked to Professor Snape despite pretty much every student in the school, besides those in Slytherin and me, hated with a passion.
After a moment of tense silence, Professor Trelawney decided to continue on reading Harry's cup without acknowledging Hermione's words.
"The club … an attack. Dear, dear, this is not a happy cup. …" Professor Trelawney said in a mystical sounding voice.
"I thought that was a bowler hat," Ron replied in a embarrassed tone.
"The skull … danger in your path, my dear. …"
I again bit my bottom lip, danger, Harry's path had danger on it? What kind of danger? Was it Black? Quirrell? You-Know-Who?
The entire room was watching Professor Trelawney now, transfixed on her, as she gave one final turn of the cup. A gasp escaped her lips, then she screamed.
There was the sound of breaking glass that made me jump, before I realized Neville had simply broke another tea cup. Though it also made Trelawney look more right in her predictions, given Professor Trelawney had told him to take the blue patterned cups as to not break any more pink patterned ones.
Professor Trelawney stepped back and collapsed into her armchair, holding her hands over her heart, and her eyes closed.
"My dear boy … my poor, dear boy … no … it is kinder not to say … no … don't ask me. …" Professor Trelawney said to Harry, which only made me more nervous and everyone else confused.
"What is it, Professor?" Dean Thomas, another Gryffindor I didn't know nearly as well as I should have, asked. At this point everyone, including me and Lisa, were gathering around Harry and Ron's table, everyone trying to get a good look into Harry's cup.
"My dear," Professor Trelawney replied, as she opened her large eyes dramatically. "you have the Grim."
"The what?" Harry asked, totally confused.
I looked Lisa, whom looked just as confused as me, and shrugged. Others such as Dean Thomas, and Lavender Brown seemed equally as lost. However Anthony, and most everyone else around the room looked terrified, most clasping there over there mouths.
"The Grim, my dear, the Grim!" Professor Trelawney replied in shock, clearly she had expected him to know what she was talking about. "The giant, spectral dog that haunts churchyards! My dear boy, it is an omen — the worst omen — of death!"
Suddenly I went still. A dog, a massive spectral dog that foretells your death?! All I could think back to was that night on Magnolia Crescent, and then to that day in Diagon Alley. When that book cover had meant so little to me when pointed out to me by Harry, now was sticking out like flashing headlights.
And suddenly I felt very, very sick and nervous. Flashes of my brother in the hospital bed unconscious at the end of our first year, what had happened in the Chamber of Secrets at the end of last year, Sirius Black hunting for Harry this year. You-Know-Who in general...
I wasn't the only one who seemed horrified at learning what the Grim was, as now Lavender Brown has clapped her hands over her hands. Everyone in the room was looking at Harry in shock and horror and fear. I felt almost ready to fall to the ground, I noticed Lisa and Anthony looking at me, ready to catch me if I did.
One person didn't seem convinced however, Hermione, whom got up and went around to behind Professor Trelawney's chair, and looked in Harry's cup.
"I don't think it looks like a Grim," Hermione said firmly, clearly not buying a word of what Professor Trelawney was saying.
Professor Trelawney turned to Hermione, and it was clear the Professor wasn't overly fond of Hermione.
"You'll forgive me for saying so, my dear, but I perceive very little aura around you. Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future." Professor Trelawney told Hermione, which only made Hermione's frown deepen.
"It looks like a Grim if you do this," Seamus Finnigan said as he tilted his head from side to side, his eyes almost fully shut, "but it looks more like a donkey from here," he added, as he tilted his head to the left.
"When you've all finished deciding whether I'm going to die or not!" Harry spoke suddenly, causing everyone in the room to jump. I noticed that outside of me, Hermione, Lisa, or Anthony, everyone else was avoiding looking Harry directly in the eyes. Even Ron seemed to be avoiding looking him directly in the eyes.
"I think we will leave the lesson here for today," Professor Trelawney said in her most mystical voice yet. "Yes … please pack away your things. …"
For the next several minutes everyone packed there bags in silence, returned there tea cups to Professor Trelawney, then picked up there things.
"Until we meet again," Professor Trelawney said right as everyone was about to leave the classroom, "fair fortune be yours. Oh, and dear" — Trelawney once again pointed at Neville — "you'll be late next time, so mind you work extra hard to catch up."
The walk back down the north tower was mostly silent. All of the Gryffindor's besides Hermione kept looking at Harry as if he were going to trip down the stairs and die right now, Lisa and Anthony both looked uncertain. As if they weren't totally sure whether to listen to Professor Trelawney's prediction or not.
As we came back into the main corridors. Me, Lisa, and Anthony we're heading to Charms while the Gryffindor's were heading to Transfiguration. But right before we had to split off, I motioned for Harry to come over.
"Don't die on me." I told him sternly.
"I'll try." Harry said in a clearly nervous and confused tone. I bit my bottom lip, came him a very quick hug, then walked off with Lisa and Anthony.
After a moment of silence Anthony spoke up.
"You think Trelawney's prediction is valid?" He asked me uncertainly.
I sighed. "I don't know if it will come to pass. But to be blunt we all know Harry is in danger this year, heck he's been in danger every year."
"How do you know Divination isn't just a bunch of smoke and lies?" Lisa asked me, raising a questioning eyebrow.
"Because Grindelwald used it during his reign of terror. You both know how obsessed I with the man, I've read every book under the sun about him. And many mention the fact he was a seer, he could see the future. It's part of what made him so difficult to bring down." I explained, running a hand through my hair.
I discreetly felt my Time Turner through my shirt, if need be I would use it if something happened to Harry. Rules be damned. Still, for now, I also had to think Logically. Black hadn't been seen near Hogwarts, the Dementors were guarding the school grounds, Harry should be safe.
"I'm going to be keeping a eye on him." I declared as we turned a corner and saw Professor Flitwick's Charm's classroom, all our fellow Ravenclaw's already gathering at the entrance.
"I think that's a good plan." Anthony finally spoke. "Lets not overreact, but lets also not dismiss it completely."
Lisa nodded. "Yeah, besides after all the crazy thing's he's done his first two years, who knows what kind of danger he may get himself into."
With that the three of us made it to the entrance of the Charm's classroom. As if on cue the door flew open, and everyone walked in.
We all took our seats, and Professor Flitwick smiled.
"Ah my third year Eagles. Welcome to another year of Charms." Professor Flitwick looked around the room. "Now, lets build upon what we learned the first two years. Can anyone tell me what..."
For the rest of class Professor Flitwick lectured us, and then towards the end of class we began to try the Seize and Pull charm. Again I was the best in our class about Charms, a fact that made me feel a little better after Divination. As class ended and everyone began to pack, Professor Flitwick looked at me.
"Miss Potter, if you would, I'd like a word with you." Professor Flitwick said, his tone indicating it wasn't anything to worry about.
Lisa, and Anthony gave me a confused look, and I shrugged. "I'll see you two at lunch."
They nodded, as I walked up to Professor Flitwick's desk. He motioned for me to sit, as soon as the last student left he used a bit of wandless magic, and closed the door.
"Are you having a good first day so far?" Professor Flitwick asked me in a warm and kind tone.
"I am Professor." I told him.
"Good, how is the, time travel going?" Flitwick asked, and I realized this meeting was simply him wanting to check up and make sure everything was going fine with the Time Turner.
"It's great sir. Already four classes before lunch. It's amazing." I said.
"Good, good." Professor Flitwick slowly nodded. "How have your classes been so far today? Is everything going smoothly?"
"Everything is great. Muggle Studies was, not to be dismissive, but pretty easy for me. Arithmancy was really hard but I have no doubt it will be really interesting. And Divination..." My smile slipped as I thought of what Professor Trelawney said. Professor Flitwick noticed, and he smiled and shook his head.
"Who did Professor Trelawney say would die this year? "Professor Flitwick with a chuckle.
My eyes widened. "W...she said Harry had the grim, that he was going to...die." I said bluntly.
Flitwick chuckled. "Miss Potter I assure you that's not going to happen. I don't mean to disparage Professor Trelawney, she is a fellow Professor and Ravenclaw, but she likes to...leave a impression on her first classes. In fact ever since she started teaching here she's predicted the death's of a student every year. So far the casualty rate for these students is still zero."
I took this in. It made total sense Professor Trelawney was in Ravenclaw, she was just like some of the more eccentric members of our house, Luna coming to mind. And the fact that Professor Trelawney did this every year? Then Harry should be fine? Right?
"I...see." I finally answered. "Well that's good news."
Professor Flitwick noticed the hesitation on my face, and his expression softened. "I assure you your brother will be okay."
"It's just...well I know Divination is a real branch of magic..." I kept that I knew this because of Grindelwald from Professor Flitwick. "...you're sure?"
Professor Flitwick nodded. "I'm sure. Though Divination is a totally legit branch of magic it's also the most," He paused to think. "finicky. Only those with the Inner eye can truly do it, and it's even rarer for said witch or wizard to be able to control the gift."
I thought on this. If what Professor Flitwick was saying was true, then it explained how Grindelwald was able to see the future in his campaigns, but also how Trelawney's death omens could be wrong so often.
Still, she had been right about Neville breaking his Tea Cups, and surely Professor Dumbledore hired her because she could teach the subject, right?
"I hope you're right sir." I finally replied.
"Are you still worried?" Professor Flitwick asked me gently.
"When it comes to Harry I always have to be." I swallowed, then softly continued. "Especially with Black..."
"You know about...him coming after your brother?" Flitwick asked me in sad a sad tone.
"Yeah, it's...pretty obvious sir. He was You-Know-Who's second in command after all. It, makes sense, that he'd be after Harry, and I guess by extension, me."
"Miss Potter, I want you to listen clearly. The staff will not let any harm come to either you or your brother. And terrible as they are, the Dementors are posted at every entrance to the grounds. You both are safe." Professor Flitwick said in a sure, comforting tone.
At that I gave him a smile. "Thank you sir, your words do help a lot."
"Good, remember if you ever need anything my door is always open. Is there anything else?" Professor Flitwick asked.
"No sir."
"Good, now run along. I'm sure after all the classes you've taken, you must be ready for lunch."
I gave Professor Flitwick one final nod, then stood and exited his classroom.
With that, I realized half the day was almost over, with only lunch and one more class. Care of Magical Creatures, taught by Hagrid. And as I entered the Great Hall, I couldn't help but wonder what he would have in store for us.