The Queen of Vipers || Fred Weasley

III.XX

It had nearly been a week since term started, which meant for seventh year students every class was beginning to review lessons on everything they'd ever learned in preparation for the N.E.W.T.s. Electra was getting really tired of hearing the same spiel in each of her classes about how important the N.E.W.T.s are for entering their desired careers.

At least neither she nor Sybill Trelawney seemed to care about standardized testing when it came to divination.

"As you all must remember, I don't believe that examinations mean anything when it comes to the art of divination. If you wish to continue devoting your life to the art, passing or failing your N.E.W.T. means very little to those of you who possess the Seeing Eye."  Her gaze lingered on Electra for only a prolonged second. Electra to refrain from scowling at her professor. She was not in any kind of mood for her antics today. "The sacred art of divination has no need for inane certifications if you have the Gift such as myself." Trelawney flung her hand dismissively, the bangles on her wrist chiming with her movement.

A muffled chuckle that was poorly covered by a false cough came from the front of the classroom. Trelawney eyes, magnified by her thick glasses, sliced to the other side of the room, where Umbridge sat supervising Trelawney now that she was on probation, and narrowed lethally. Electra followed the eccentric teacher's glare.

Umbridge looked as though she wasn't trying very hard to hide her disdain with the little arrogant smirk stretching her already wide mouth. A spike of white hot hatred jolted through Electra's chest. Pride only looked good on Electra. Ugly on almost everyone else. And insanely sexy on Fred Weasley.

The lilting sound of Trelawney's countless bracelets and necklaces chiming brought Electra's attention back forward. "Yet, our headmaster insists you all sit in on the examination, therefore we will begin our review of tessomancy. Hopefully you all remember your first lesson in Divination..." Her voice trailed off dreamily as she gestured to the shelf of teacups behind her.

Electra tried not to sigh audibly as she stood from her armchair and made her way across the room. Once she collected one of the ugly pink teacups sitting in the middle of the shelf she waited in the short line for Trelawney to fill her cup. When it was her turn Trelawney paused and looked at her with her bug-like eyes. "Mind taking a blue cup instead, dear? I've grown fond of the pink ones and I don't want to lose anymore to shocking revelations." Her eyes seemed to grow as she continued to peer up at Electra. Her tendencies for 'foretelling' dire predictions had increased tenfold since being put on probation by Umbridge. It was really starting to grate on Electra's nerves.

But instead of fighting, she thinned her lips, turned around and swapped the pink teacup for the just as ugly blue. Trelawney smiled airily at her as she brought up the rear of the line. She wished she wouldn't show Electra her favoritism. Ever since Umbridge started supervising her classes, Trelawney had grown testier than usual with everyone... with the exception of her favorites. She was still sweet with them. Electra (unfortunately) included.

"Thank you," Trelawney said in her dreamy voice. "I've lost four already this year." She made a dramatic sort of hum as she filled Electra's teacup from her gigantic teapot. "And I should tell you while I have you that we'll no longer have extra lessons as you've caught up to the curriculum." She tilted her head as she peered back up at Electra. "Unless, of course, you'd like more guidance?"

"No." She'd answered a tad too hastily to sound impartial. Electra cleared her throat. "I mean, I'm finding it hard to balance studying for my N.E.W.T.s and Head Girl duties as is." That hadn't exactly been a lie. "I'll practice on my own time I think." That one was a lie.

Slowly, Trelawney nodded. "Yes, as I told our headmaster just yesterday, my Inner Eye revealed to me that you would likely be stretched too thin this term if we continued our lessons."