Diggory Is Still A Loser (book 2)

24- The Two Seers

Celia was eating dinner in the great hall one day, by herself, as Cho was still refusing to talk to her, after their falling out. And the rest of their roommates were also giving Celia a wide berth.
She didn't really want to be in the great hall, near other people, but she was waiting for Harry to finish his Occlumency lesson with Snape, so that she could hang out with him, while Hermione and Ron were off on their Prefect duties.
Celia was just about to pick her pudding, when a loud scream suddenly sounded from the entrance hall.
This caused many people to jump out of their seats, and head towards the screams they could hear.
When Celia reached the entrance hall, she saw Professor Trelawney stood in the centre clutching a bottle of sherry in one hand and sobbing loudly.

Celia pushed her way through the crowds, and watched as Umbridge summoned Trelawney's suitcases, and dropped them at her feet.
"No! NO! This cannot be happening. I refuse to accept it!" Screamed Trelawney.
"You didn't see this coming?" Mocked Umbridge, in her usual high pitch girly voice.
Celia had suspected for ages that Trelawney was a fraud, as she didn't believe anyone could read the future.
But that didn't mean that she wanted Trelawney to be thrown out by Umbridge, whom she despised most in the world.

"Incapable though you are, of predicting even tomorrow's weather, you must surely have realised that your pitiful performance during my inspections, and lack of any improvements would make it inevitable that you would be sacked" continued Umbridge.
"You can't do this. Hogwarts is my home. I've been here for 16 years" cried Trelawney.
Seeing the teacher cry, pulled at Celia's heartstrings.
"It was your home, until an hour ago, when the Minister for Magic countersigned your order for dismissal. Now, kindly remove yourself from the hall. You are embarrassing us" replied Umbridge.

Celia saw a commotion in the circle around Trelawney, and she watched as McGonagall pushed her way through the crowds to get to Trelawney.
McGonagall placed her arm around Trelawney, and began trying to comfort her.
"There there Sybill, it's going to be alright" whispered McGonagall.
"Something you would like to say dear?" Asked Umbridge sweetly.
"Oh, there are several things I would like to say" replied McGonagall coldy.
Celia too, had many things she would like to shout at Umbridge. But like McGonagall, she held her tongue, for fear of retaliation from Umbridge.

"It's going to be alright Sybill. You won't have to leave Hogwarts" reassured McGonagall.
"Oh really? And your authority for that statement is-" started Umbridge.
"That would be mine" interrupted Dumbledore, as he marched into the entrance hall.
"Your's Professor Dumbledore? I'm afraid not. Under Educational Decree number 23, the high inquisitor has the power to dismiss any members of staff. And I have decided to dismiss Professor Trelawney" informed Umbridge.
"You are quite right. You have the power to dismiss my teachers. You do not, however, have the authority to banish them from the grounds. That power resides with the headmaster. And it is my wish that Sybill Trelawney remains at Hogwarts" revealed Dumbledore.

The headmaster looked away from Umbridge, and turned to McGonagall.
"Minerva, please escourt Sybill back inside" he instructed.
McGonagall began dragging Trelawney back inside the castle, while Dumbledore sent the luggage back up with them.
"And what are you going to do, when I appoint a new Divination teacher, who needs her lodgings?" Questioned Umbridge.
"Oh that won't be a problem. You see, I have already found a new teacher, and he would prefer lodgings on the ground floor. May I introduce you, to Firenze" announced Dumbledore.

The sound of hooves made everyone back away, to make room for the newcomer.
A palomino centaur entered the hall, making Umbridge turn red with anger before storming away.
Dumbledore then dismissed all the students, before heading back inside.
Instead of returning to the great hall, Celia approached the centaur.
She recognised Firenze instantly, for he had been the one to save her, after she ran into the Forbidden Forest the year before.

"Hello again" Celia said politely, once she'd reached him.
"It is so good to see you again Miss Diggory" replied Firenze.
"I wanted to thank you again, for finding me last year. Who knows what could have happened to me, if you hadn't come along when you did" shuddered Celia.
"You are most welcome... Will I be seeing you in my classes?"
"I'm afraid not. Divination isn't really my thing. I think the future should be left well alone"
"You are not unwise to avoid meddling with the future. Knowing the future isn't always the best thing. Besides, even true predictions from centaurs, can take years to understand. And even we get things wrong".

"The last time we met, you told me that I had a lot of suffering to come in my future, and you were right" reminded Celia.
"I did. And I am sorry, for all that you have been through so far. Losing your brother can't have been easy" replied Firenze softly.
"No, it wasn't. And I'm still trying to put myself back together again... But how exactly did you know I would suffer?" Asked Celia curiously.
"The future is hard to read and decipher. But I saw a black cloud surrounding you, and it is yet to clear. Which leads me to believe, that your suffering has not yet come to pass".

"Great. I wish that I hadn't asked" mumbled Celia.
Firenze placed his hand onto Celia's shoulder, and looked into her eyes.
"But no matter how dark things may seem, there is always light at the end. Things can get better" insisted Firenze.
"I hope so, because things are pretty bad right now. And are you saying that things are going to get worse?" Questioned Celia.
"It does appear to be that way. But, like I said, the future is hard to predict"
"Well, I will just have to hope that this dark cloud around me, disappears soon... Goodnight Firenze, thank you for talking to me"
"Goodnight Miss Diggory. And once again, I am sorry for the suffering you will experience in the future".