Of Deer and Flowers

Chapter Thirteen

Divination

September 2,

Dear Jane,

We had divination with the Gryffindor's today. I think it's absolutely fascinating that professor Trelawney can predict the future. Although I hope she was joking when she read Sirius's teacup. Not that I care one way or the other.

I better stop here or I'll be late for Arithmancy. That's my other new class.

Sirius sat in the seat straight across from Remus looking around the classroom. The teacher wasn't there yet, but neither was half the class. "Where are James and Peter?" he finally asked. Remus sighed.

"James is taking Ancient Runes, and Peter Muggle Studies. How many time have you asked that question."

"Twelve, but why is Peter taking Muggle Studies? He's Muggle born himself!"

"Because it's the one class he's guarantied to pass," Remus grinned, "and that's a direct quote!"

Sirius laughed, "it should be the other way around. James and I grew up only a few houses apart in a Muggle neighborhood, and he still doesn't know what a Telephone is for!"

"You mum's Muggle right Sirius?" Clark asked coming up the ladder. Sirius nodded as a misty voice floated across the room.

"My inner eye sees that we are all here correct?" the voice was interrupted as the trap door was flung open and Lily Evans climbed into the room.

"Sorry I'm late professor! Professor Hawk kept me after for spilling beetle eyes."

"Yes, sit down child." Sirius had finally spotted the owner of the voice. Dressed all in greens and blues, the Professor's spectacles magnified her eyes tenfold.

"Is it just me, or does she look like a dragon fly?" Sirius asked seriously. Remus snorted, and Clark had to stuff his fist in his mouth to keep from laughing.

I am Professor Sybil Trelawney, and I expect you to treat Divination with the utmost respect."

"Jon has Muggle Studies right?" Remus asked, and Clark nodded.

"Well at least we all have Care of Magical Creatures together!"

"Boys!" the three of them swiveled around in their chairs, "would you like to repeat back to me what I have just been telling the class?" Sirius racked his brain. What was it she had said? Something about . . .yes he had it!

"You want us to fill our cups with tea. Drink until it's almost gone. Swirl the dregs around three times, and them turn it upside down to drain on the saucer." Sirius paused thinking she had said something else, "and you want us to choose the blue tea cups," he said spying the shelves, "because you like pink better and don't want them broken."

Sirius watched Trelawney's eyes widen in surprise. "I said nothing about the color of the cups, but you are absolutely right! You will go far in this class Mr. Black. Very far I think." She turned and began walking to the front of the classroom. "Once your cups are drained you will pass them to your partner for interpretation. You may use page thirty-six in you text for help."

"How'd you do that?" Remus asked getting in line behind him for a teacup.

"Do what?"

"Predict the thing with the teacups?"

"Oh. I thought she said something else besides what I repeated, and . . ."

"She was talking about the textbook."

"Yeah . . . well I saw two different colors of cups and guessed." Sirius shrugged, "I had a fifty percent chance of getting it right." Remus and Clark laughed.

Some ten minutes later Remus was still stumbling over the contents of Sirius's cup. Professor Trelawney swooped over and snatched it from his hands.

"Let us see. The fox and cub, you will get your self into trouble and cause it. The raven, you will cause injury to another." By this time the entire class has turned to listen, and several of the Ravenclaws were on the edge of their seats. "The scales, you will have both good fortune and bad. And . . . the Grim . . ."she paused as if for dramatic effect, and there were gasps around the room, "my dear I am sorry."

"What? No way!" Remus roared

"Just looks like an oversized dog to me!" Clark said snatching the cup, "maybe you'll become and Animagus Sirius?" the rest of the class was in whispers.

Sometime later they entered the common room only to have James rush over in excitement.

"Guys I made the team! I'm Chaser!"

"I thought you were Seeker reserve?"

"Both" James grinned, "Davis'll be with us another two years. Maybe I'll change when he leaves, but I made Chaser! Isn't it great!"

"Better news than we've had from Trelawney!" Remus grinned. Sirius only scowled and Clark fell over laughing. James looked thoroughly confused.