In the Melancholy Moonlight, Part 4: Nebula

Chapter 173: Crossing a Line

HENRY:

The morning after Professor Trelawney was sacked, there was a piece of parchment on the notice board announcing that Divination classes would be taking place in Classroom 11 from that point forward. I knew it was one of the classrooms on the first floor that was more of a storage cabinet than an actual place of learning, so I was surprised when I headed inside for our first Divination lesson with Firenze and it had been converted into a small forest, complete with moss on the ground and trees that obscured the stone walls.

Once we had all filtered in — "all" meaning the five of us N.E.W.T. students — Firenze nodded in acknowledgement of what we were undoubtedly wondering.

"Professor Dumbledore has kindly arranged this classroom for us in imitation of my natural habitat. I would have preferred to teach you in the Forbidden Forest, which was — until Monday — my home, but this is not possible. I can no longer return to the forest. My herd has banished me because I have agreed to work for Professor Dumbledore. They see this as a betrayal of our kind." He sighed softly. "Nevertheless, let us begin."

He raised his hand toward the ceiling, and as he lowered it, the trees parted to reveal the fact that the ceiling was now dotted with stars.

Firenze half-smiled when he saw our awed reactions. "Lie back upon the floor, and observe the heavens. Here is written, for those who can see, the fortune of our races."

We all did as he said and waited for his explanation.

"I know that you have learned the names of the planets and their moons in Astronomy, and that you have mapped the stars' progress through the heavens. Centaurs have unraveled the mysteries of these movements over centuries. Our findings teach us that the future may be glimpsed in the sky above us. In the past decade, the indications have been that wizardkind is living through nothing more than a brief calm between two wars. Mars, bringer of battle, shines brightly above us, suggesting that the fight must break out again soon. How soon, centaurs may attempt to divine by the burning of certain herbs and leaves, by the observation of fume and flame. I will distribute sage and mallowsweet now for you all to burn. Do not worry, though, if you do not see any shapes or signs in the smoke. Humans rarely have the gifts necessary for this task, and it takes even centaurs decades to perfect."

I had been dreading the return to Divination after the storm of emotions I'd experienced after Professor Trelawney's sacking. I'd tried to put on a brave face for Lucy, but as soon as I was left alone with my thoughts, I'd fallen apart. But the new Divination with Firenze was something far more enjoyable than I ever thought Divination could be. I preferred the vague, sweeping predictions about the fate of wizardkind to the day-to-day "Beware of open flames" or "Seek out a new creative venture" omens from Professor Trelawney. I had grown to like her over the years, and I had learned to take her more seriously after Cedric's death, but the centaurs' brand of Divination was much more my speed.

After Divination, I had a free period, so I made my way down to the Hufflepuff common room with the intent to spend the time revising for N.E.W.T.s. I had the room to myself, since the majority of my housemates preferred to study in the library. I didn't mind the solitude, but I wasn't terribly disappointed when George Weasley tumbled through the barrel. Surprised, sure, but not entirely disappointed.

"I should have realized that showing you how to get in here would be a mistake," I said with a snort. "I didn't realize you had a free period, too."

"Who said I had a free period?" he asked, waving at Cedric's portrait before dropping into a chair across from me.

"You're skiving off classes?"

"I'm not sure why you sound so surprised."

"I mean — you're you, but — it's N.E.W.T. year. Even the great George Weasley has N.E.W.T. exams to pass, last I checked?"