The first class of the new semester was Divination. They had to wake up early for breakfast and then climb countless stairs to reach the towering North Tower. Although Orli had spent two years in the castle, there were still many areas she had never explored, and the North Tower was one of them.
Along the way, they got lost twice and had to turn to the portraits for help. By the time they finally ascended the highest spiral staircase, everyone was dizzy and gasping for breath.
At the top of the final steps was a small platform. In the ceiling was a tiny trapdoor inscribed with "Sybill Trelawney." As if sensing their arrival, the trapdoor suddenly sprang open above their heads, and a silver ladder slid down.
All the third-year students who had chosen this elective lined up and climbed the narrow ladder one by one, entering a peculiar classroom.
It was hardly a classroom—it felt more like a cross between an attic and an old-fashioned tea shop. At least twenty round tables were crammed into the room, each surrounded by armchairs draped in Indian-printed fabric and plump cushions.
The fireplace was stuffed full, with a large copper kettle simmering over the flames, releasing a heavy, cloying aroma. Circular walls were lined with shelves holding dusty feathers, candle stubs, battered playing cards, numerous silver crystal balls, and heaps of tea sets.
Once everyone was seated, a soft, ethereal voice emerged from layers of curtains.
#Trelawney: "Welcome, it's lovely to see you all in the real world."
A woman stepped out from behind the drapes. She had enormous, magnified eyes, a gaunt figure, a shimmering shawl draped over her shoulders, and an array of strange bead necklaces adorning her wrists and neck.
#Trelawney: "Children, welcome to Divination class. I am Professor Trelawney. You may not have seen me before, as I find frequent immersion in the bustling life below can cloud my Inner Eye."
Professor Trelawney continued in her dreamy tone:
#Trelawney: "This year, we will explore various basic methods of divination. During the first term, we'll focus on reading tea leaves. Next term, we'll delve into palmistry. And by the way, my dear—"
She suddenly addressed Parvati Patil,
#Trelawney: "Beware of red-haired men."
Parvati threw a frightened glance at Ron, who happened to be sitting behind her. She subtly shifted her chair a bit farther away from him.
#Trelawney: "In the summer term," Professor Trelawney resumed, "we will learn to interpret crystal balls—provided we've completed our study of fire omens first. Unfortunately, come February, a severe flu will halt the class. I myself will lose my voice. Around Easter, one among us will leave forever."
Her words left the classroom in tense silence, but Professor Trelawney seemed blissfully unaware.
#Trelawney: "Now, I want you all to pair up. Take a teacup from the shelves and come to me. I'll fill them with tea. Then sit down and drink until only the leaves remain. Using your left hand, swirl the leaves three times, then turn the cup upside down onto the saucer. Once the last drop of tea has drained away, pass your cup to your partner for interpretation. You may use pages five and six of 'Unfogging the Future' to decipher the shapes of the tea leaves."
##Orli: "Alright, let's give it a try."
Orli and Hermione fetched two teacups and had them filled with tea by Professor Trelawney. They blew repeatedly into the cups to cool the hot tea so they could drink it quickly. Following the instructions, they swirled the tea leaves, drained the cups, and exchanged them with each other.
#Hermione: "Alright," Hermione said as they simultaneously flipped to pages five and six of the book, "#Hermione: "What do you see in my teacup?"
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