The Fox In A Snake Pit! Story 3

Introducing Hippogriffs!

A/N: Can someone tell me if Jade is aware of her family ties to Draco officially yet or not at this point? I don't want to go back and look through what I've written... 😅😓

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"My dear," Professor Trelawney exclaimed, her large eyes widening in theatrical surprise, "the Grim marks you!" 

"The what?" Harry replied confusion etched on his face. He wasn't alone in his bewilderment; three others, including Jade, shared his puzzled look, while a few who grasped the meaning gasped in horror. 

"The Grim, my dear boy, the Grim!" exclaimed Professor Trelawney, her eyes wide with disbelief that Harry was unaware of its significance. "It's the enormous, ghostly hound that prowls through graveyards! This is a dire warning... the most dreadful warning... of impending death!" 

All eyes were fixed on Harry, with the sole exception of Hermione, who had risen from her seat and positioned herself behind Professor Trelawney's chair. "I really can't see how that resembles a Grim," she stated matter-of-factly.

Professor Trelawney regarded Hermione with increasing disdain, prompting Jade's soft laugh. A mischievous grin spread across her face as she thought to herself, 'Draco would find this utterly amusing.' Despite the gravity of the situation, she couldn't help but appreciate the absurdity of it all. 

"Forgive me for saying so, my dear, but I sense very little aura around you. Very little receptivity to the resonances of the future." Trelawney told Hermione, her voice enigmatic as Seamus Finnigan began to sway his head like a pendulum. 

"From this angle, it resembles a Grim," he commented, his eyelids drooping, "but it also bears a striking resemblance to a donkey when I lean over like this," he added, leaning to the opposite side. 

"When you're all done deciding whether or not I'm going to die," Harry declared, catching everyone off guard. His voice was calm, yet the room was thick with the unspoken tension. 

Jade's gaze fell upon the cup positioned where Hermione had previously sat, and to her astonishment, she noticed the tea leaves looked like a shell. This discovery sparked a sense of unexpected fortune within her, prompting a confident smile to grace her lips. It was a small symbol of luck, and Jade felt a surge of positivity radiating from it, filling her with a sense of hope for the year ahead. As she continued to examine the contents of her cup, her eyes widened at the sight of an airplane. This symbol hinted at exciting possibilities—a promotion, an unexpected journey, or perhaps surprising news on the horizon. With each passing moment, her grin widened, fueled by the thrill of what might come next, as her imagination soared alongside the aircraft. However, the last symbol presented a stark contrast. The murky outline of a skull appeared, its meaning obscured and unsettling. Trelawney later revealed that it foreshadowed an important crossroads in Jade's life—one where she might need to make a choice that could either save a life or lead to a tragic end. The gravity of those implications dimmed her earlier joy, and a flicker of concern replaced her smile, reminding her of the weight that decisions can carry. 

With a gentle sigh, Trelawney rose from her seat and announced, "I believe it's time to conclude today's lesson," her voice ethereal and dreamy. "Please, everyone, gather your belongings." As the students quietly handed their cups back to Professor Trelawney, stowed their books neatly, and zipped up their bags. 

Jade's heart remained a whirlwind of emotions. She absentmindedly petted Vix's head as the fox kit wrapped gently around her neck, sensing the shift in her mood. The room cleared out, leaving only a trail of whispers in its wake.