That Night the Prophecy was Made

Albus huffed as he left his office. He threw his cloak his shoulder and made his way down to the entrance hall. Just before he reached the oak doors, Minerva called him from up the stairs. He turned to look at her.

"Yes Minerva. What is it? I'm just on my way out," he explained. She descended the stairs and stood in front of him. At her height of 5 foot five, she looked petite next to his lean, six foot two body.

"I understand that, but I need to tell you that my students will not be participating in quidditch this weekend," she said.

"Why?" he asked, intrigued as to why a head of house would risk her cup winning team losing the tournament.

"I've just caught Michael Twange hosting a party in the common room. All the first years are drunk and the fifth years have an exam tomorrow! I simply can't allow them to play when the captain has this much disregard for the rules."

"Fair enough, I will talk when we get back, I really must dash," Albus replied before turning and sweeping out of doors.

Nodding to Rubeus Hagris the groundkeeper, he walked towards the entrance of the Hogwarts ground and left. Once he reached Hogsmeade, he put his cloak on properly and wandered down the main street towards the Hog's Head pub. He preferred the Three Broomsticks, but the applicant for the job had insisted on the Hog's Head. The candidate was being interviewed for the post as Divination professor, a subject Albus would rather was off the curriculum. He had however agreed to interview one more applicant before informing the Ministry of Magic that he would not be able to fill the post and therefore teach the subject.

The Hog's Head was smoky as ever when he walked in. A band was playing in the corner. Albus recognised them as a few ex-pupils who had always been playing about with banjo's and drums during their years at Hogwarts. He made his way over to the dusty bar and saw that his brother, Aberforth was working.

"Hello there, don't see you down this end of town very often. Here to see the Weird sisters?" Aberforth asked, looking down his long nose at his brother and then towards the band.

"No, I'm here to interview someone for a job at the school - no thank you, I'm not here socially," Albus said as his brother offered him a butterbeer. Normally Albus would have accepted, but seeing that the glass was so dirty he couldn't see the liquid, he refused politely. "Can you tell me if she is here yet?" he asked.

"Well, tell me a name and I'll let you know," his brother said a hint of dislike in his voice. Albus told him the name, and he shrugged. "I don't know the name, but I've never seen the woman in the corner. She looked a bit misty-eyed." Albus thanked him and walked towards the woman.

"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt. Are you Sybill Trelawney?" Albus asked in a soft tone. The woman looked up, and Albus noted her extraordinarily large glasses, her spindly figure and many bangles and chains.

She spoke in a whisper, moving her hands up and down as she did. "Why, yes I am. No need to tell me why you are here, you are Albus Dumbledore."

"Yes I am, pleased to meet you," he replied, sticking out his hand. She gently took it and barely moved her hand before pulling it away. "Would you like to go to a room upstairs, I can interview you somewhere quiet." She nodded and Albus led her over to the bar.

"Aberforth, I need a room upstairs," he said to his brother. Aberforth winked and handed a key over.

"This way please," Albus said to Sybill. He led her up the small stairway and into the room with a large number 9 on the door. He saw a desk with papers littered on it. Conjuring up two chairs, he gestured for her to sit down.

"Now, you are here because of the Divination post yes?" Albus asked.

"Yes, for I have the inner eye," she replied, as softly as she had in the bar. "I possess this eye as I am a descendant of Cassandra Trelawney." Her pitch rose as she finished the word. Albus covered his mouth with his hand to try and disguise the smile.

"Very well, can you predict something, maybe read my tea leaves?" he asked. With a wave of his wand, two mugs of tea appeared on the desk. He took his purple mug and drank the tea without stopping. He put the mug down and slid it across the table towards Sybill.

"Oh, I see you have had great success. You defeated evil, you know how to conquer evil," she said, staring into the mug through her glasses.

"I know, can you please see a anything that hasn't been recorded in several history books?" he asked, his tone agitated.

"You will have a great love. She will worship you as a woman should. She knows your power, your authority..." Sybill trailed off. She stood up and moved towards Albus. Before he knew what was happening, she had sat herself on his lap and forced her lips upon his. He felt his long beard being pulled as she sat on it. Sybill groaned, and moved her head down towards his neck.

With very little effort, Albus lifted her up and put her down on her own seat. She looked dumbstruck, her mouth still half open. She closed it and put her bangle covered arm behind her head. She shook her head and stood up. Glancing at Albus, who had sat back down with his mouth resting on his hands, she began to move towards the door.

"Sybill," Albus said. Although his voice was soft, it was commanding. Sybill turned back round and sat down on her chair. "Unfortunately, you don't have the qualifications I need to fill this position. Do not think that this little....mistake has anything to do with my decision. I judged purely on your Divination skills, and to be fair I find them lacking. I'm sorry," he said. Sybill nodded at him and looked down towards the floor.

"I'm sorry; I am desperate for a job. I haven't worked in over a year. I will never darken your doorstep again," she replied, her voice stiffening. She turned and swept towards the door. But before she reached it, her body convulsed, she threw her head back and fell to the floor, her hands clenched in a fist. Her eyes glazed over and she spoke, her voice deepening.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

Albus stared at her as she shook her head and looked around. When she was fully aware of where she was she stood up and rubbed her shawls down. "I'm so sorry," she said, her voice misty again. "I must have fell and bumped my head. I will be going now."

"Wait," Albus said. "I would like to retract my declination of your application. Welcome to Hogwarts!" With that, Sybill sidled over to him and made to hug him. Albus put up his hand and she nodded, pulling her arms into her chest.