Delyth Snape

The Prediction

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A few days had passed since the train ride, and things had mostly settled back into the rhythm of school life. Well, except for the constant murmur about the Dementors and Sirius Black. Everywhere you went, someone was whispering about him.

Today was different, though. Today, we had Divination for the first time.

"I'm telling you, it's all rubbish," Cedric said as we made our way up the winding staircase to the Divination classroom, a bemused grin on his face. "All that crystal ball nonsense and predicting doom in your tea leaves. No offense, but it sounds like a load of—"

"Bullshit?" I offered, smirking. 

"Exactly," he said with a laugh. "I mean, come on, can you really see the future in a cup of tea?"

I shrugged, not as quick to dismiss it. "There's power in perception, Cedric. Sometimes what you think you see is more important than what's actually there."

"Power in perception," Cedric repeated with a teasing grin. "Look at you, sounding all wise already."

Ernie, walking ahead of us, chimed in. "I heard Trelawney's completely mad. Loony as they come."

"Who told you that?" Hannah asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Justin," Ernie said. "He had Divination last year. Said she's always predicting someone's death and hardly ever comes out of that room."

"Well, maybe she's right about the death thing," Hannah muttered darkly. "With Sirius Black running around, everyone's a bit on edge."

We arrived at the trapdoor to the Divination classroom, and I glanced at it with mild curiosity. I wasn't sure what to expect from the lesson, but I had always been interested in the idea of seeing things that others couldn't. Even if it wasn't real magic, the power of belief in things unseen held its own kind of influence.

Cedric gave the door a mocking look. "Alright, let's see what 'the beyond' has to offer."

Inside, the classroom was dimly lit, draped in thick, heavy curtains that gave the room a musty smell. It was filled with small round tables covered in lace and delicate china. A haze of incense clung to the air, thick and sweet, making it difficult to breathe properly. There was a distinct feeling of stepping into another world, far removed from the stone walls of Hogwarts.

At the center of the room stood Professor Trelawney, her large eyes framed by enormous glasses, making her look like an owl perched on a branch. Her bangles jingled as she raised her arms to greet us.

"Welcome, my dears," she said in a soft, ethereal voice. "Welcome to the realm of the unseen... where we peer beyond the veil of time itself."

Ernie shot me a look, trying to suppress a laugh, but I elbowed him to be quiet. Trelawney's demeanor was peculiar, but there was something oddly fascinating about her. She had a way of speaking as though she knew something we didn't, which piqued my curiosity more than I wanted to admit.

"You have all come here today to begin your journey into the mysteries of Divination," Trelawney continued, gliding across the room. "Some of you may possess the gift already, others may struggle to open your inner eye... but do not fear. In time, the signs will reveal themselves to you." Now, we shall begin with an ancient form of Divination—tea leaves," she announced, waving her hands dramatically toward the stack of teacups on the tables. "Each of you will take a cup, sip slowly, and allow the leaves to settle. Your future lies within."

Hannah and I exchanged amused glances as we settled into our seats. I picked up the delicate cup in front of me, letting the warm steam rise to my face. It felt a little ridiculous, but I took a few sips anyway, swirling the liquid as Trelawney instructed.