Reaper's Heir (Book 3)

Chapter 4

Chapter IV

"What the hell do you mean I have to go deal with divination by myself?" I grumbled, pushing my breakfast around my plate.

Daphne shrugged, not even bothering to look at me. "Blaise and I have ancient runes as our first class. I don't know what to tell you."

I scowled. "Who am I supposed to talk to? I'm going to be bored without you guys there."

"If you're that upset about it, you could always go talk to Dumbledore," Blaise suggested.

"Yeah, I'm not doing that." I pulled my schedule out and looked it over again. "You guys have care of magical creatures right after though, right?" They both nodded and I sighed, shaking my head as I thought about divination again. If it had crystal balls and other strange things, it might be worth it by making it easier to mess with the Dursleys. I guess I can survive one class without Daphne and Blaise. I stood, gathering my books. "I'll see you guys later."

As I made my way up the stairs of the divination tower, I glanced out the window, noticing the dementors floating across the grounds. They never bumped into each other, but a few came close as I watched. I got to the top of the stairs and pushed the door open, immediately being overwhelmed by the smell of incense. It was more of a fog than a smell. I waved some of the smoke away from my face as I sat down at a table. There was a teapot and a set of cups at each table. I pulled my textbook out of my bag, flipping through the pages until I got to reading tea leaves. Other students filed in, filling the other seats. Harry and Ron sat on the opposite side of the table just as Professor Trelawney started talking.

"Welcome, my children. In this room, you shall explore the mysterious art of Divination. In this room, you shall discover if you possess... the Sight. Hello. I am Professor Trelawney. Together, we shall cast ourselves into the future. But know this. One either has the Gift or not. It cannot be divined from the pages of a book. Books only cloud one's Inner Eye."

"What rubbish," Hermione muttered from right behind me. Ron and I spun to look at her at the same time.

"Where'd you come from?" He whispered furiously.

"Me? I've been here all along." Hermione insisted, shooting me an uncertain look, like she expected me to disagree. I turned back around, not wanting to get involved.

"You, boy! Is your grandmother well?" Professor Trelawney asked, pointing at Neville.

He looked panicked. "I... I think so."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that." Professor Trelawney turned back to us, completely dismissing Neville's worried face. "The first term will be devoted to the reading of tea leaves. If all goes well, we will proceed to palmistry, fire omens, and finally... the crystal ball." She turned to a gryffindor girl. "By the way, dear, beware a red-haired man."

The girl sent Ron a dubious look and edged away from him.

"Unfortunately, classes will be disrupted in February by a nasty bout of flu. I myself will lose my voice. And in late spring, one of our number will... leave us forever." She smiled brightly, ignoring the uneasy looks going around the classroom. "Well then. Shall we?"

We all poured and drank our tea, leaving just enough to still be able to read the leaves. Professor Trelawney walked through the tables, checking on students periodically. Hermione looked unimpressed with the whole thing, flipping through her textbook and scoffing occasionally. I flipped through my textbook as well, trying to compare the symbols in the book to the leaves at the bottom of my cup. Ron frowned at his cup before consulting his textbook. Harry sat in his seat, staring off into the distance. It made me feel better knowing I wasn't the only one who didn't seem to understand this.