MAGNOLIA ↠ S. BLACK

TEN

Sirius Black having a birthday party called for the most extravagant night possible. For an eighteenth birthday party, it also called for copious amounts of liquor, of course.

The morning of November third, Magnolia knew exactly how she wanted her night to end. In fact, as she reached for her glass perfume bottle, she made sure to give herself an extra spritz of the sweet scent right on her neck before she walked out the door.

As soon as she entered the Great Hall, Magnolia was whisked away by James in a frantic motion.

"What did you get Sirius for his birthday?" the messy-haired wizard demanded urgently.

"Er—well, some Chocolate Frogs, a Sneakoscope—"

"Lame, whatever—anyway—we are throwing him a surprise party in the Gryffindor Common Room tonight. Password is 'Ad Astra'. Be there!" he hurriedly informed her before flagging down someone else.

Magnolia blinked in surprise as she entered the Great Hall. Her friends were already waiting for her at their usual spot at the Hufflepuff table.

"No time to eat I'm afraid," Magnolia declared as a greeting. "I've got to get to class,"

"Class?" echoed Amelia, confusion in her tone.

"I'm taking Divination, remember?" she stated as she assessed the large tray of blueberry scones before grabbing the biggest one and taking a large bite.

"That class is a load of rubbish!" protested Amelia.

"There's going to be a party in the Gryffindor common room tonight!" Magnolia announced as she strode away from the table. "Be there!"

Magnolia breezed up the countless steps to the tower in which Divination class is held. The climb was strenuous, and she nearly collapsed onto the pink pouf from the effort before looking around. The room was lit with dim, crimson light, and the curtains were all closed shut. It was stiflingly warm in the class. The fire that burned under the mantelpiece had a large copper kettle above it.

"Hey! Is it alright if I sit with you?" smiled Marlene as she dropped down onto the pillow beside Magnolia. Her caramel locks had fallen helplessly out of her bun as she breathlessly pulled a textbook out of her rucksack. Settling down on the other side of her was Remus and Emmeline.

"Of course!" Magnolia answered, shooting the girl a smile and trying to avoid Emmeline's eye as Professor Onai strolled into the classroom.

Professor Onai was an older professor, and wore traditional robes of a vibrant orange color along with a matching headwrap.

All attention fell onto her as the class began and she raised her arms in welcome. "Good afternoon, class. Today we will be delving into the future with tasseomancy!"

"Now, I want you all to divide into pairs. Collect a teacup from the shelf and then come to me and I'll fill your cup. Then sit down and drink until only the leaves remain. Swirl these around three times with the left hand and then give your cup to your partner and have them read them. Do your best to interpret these patterns in your book,"

There was a commotion as everyone got up from their poufs and shuffled over to the shelves. The shelves running around the circular walls were neatly organized with dusty-looking feathers, stubs of candles, many packs of tattered playing cards, countless silvery crystal balls and a huge array of teacups.

"I'll grab us cups," Marlene declared brightly before jumping to her feet.

Magnolia glanced down at her worn copy of Unfogging the Future and thumbed through the pages to the section on tea leaves.