Disclaimer: See first chapter.
Author's Note: Ok there was little editing on this chapter due to lack of time. Sorry about that, please forgive any small typos. Please Read and Review. Next chapter should be up tomorrow.
Chapter Seven: Mixing Prophecies
The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement the following morning. Students were quickly eating their breakfast as they talked excitedly about the day to come. A Ravenclaw girl in her frantic dash to get her schedule first knocked over an entire jug of pumpkin juice. Even the students of Slytherin house were acting in a behaved way.
"Here comes McGonagall," said Ron. He pointed down to the end of the long Gryffindor table where Professor McGonagall was slowly passing out schedules to a bunch of scared looking first years. "I certainly hope we don't have Snape today. Talk about putting a damper on a great day."
"You have to face him sometime Ron," Hermione said. She was looking up and down her schedule card for the tenth time that morning.
"Where did you get your schedule?" Ron asked, eyeing the card over his glass of pumpkin juice. Hermione sat the card down on the table. Harry picked it up and looked at it.
"I went to McGonagall last night. I wanted to know what courses I had today so I could get a semi-jump start on notes." Hermione explained.
"Unlike some students who should," came McGonagall's voice from behind Harry and Ron. They both sat there a bit shaken, and a little ashamed at how little they actually did study. Hermione smiled proudly raising her eyebrows.
Harry took the schedule card and looked over it carefully. He waited until McGonagall was out of earshot before saying, "Let's compare."
They each sat their cards in a line, looking over the courses they had been assigned. "Pretty close to last year," Ron said enthusiastically as he saw they still shared most of their classes. "Except Hermione's still got Arithmancy instead of Divinations."
"A practical choice," Hermione stated matter-of-factly. "Divinations is such a freak art, you can't trust it. Arithmancy on the other hand is very practical, and can be applied to many applications."
"Yeah," Ron said, "But it's not taught by a centaur. How cool is Firenze?"
"I think there are better reasons for taking a class than "It's taught by a centaur"" Hermione joked.
"Like?" replied Ron. Hermione opened her mouth but was drowned out by the bell signaling classes were to soon begin. In unison they each grabbed their bags and stood up to face one another.
"We've got Herbology first," said Harry still looking at his schedule card. They followed a group of fellow Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs outside into the brisk morning air. It was cloudy, and so cool that a few of the smaller girls were bundled up in their scarves. The grass on the hill leading to the Greenhouses was wet, and Ron nearly slipped on it. When Hermione and Ron reached the Greenhouse door they turned to see Harry standing back on the hill.
"You coming!?" shouted Ron. Harry continued to stand there frozen, looking down at his schedule card. "Harry?" he let go of the Greenhouse door and followed Hermione back to Harry.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. Harry gave a small gulp.
"Let me see your schedules again..." Harry trailed off. Ron was the first to dig his card out, and Harry held it side by side to his. "No..."
"What is it?" Hermione said handing him her schedule card.
Harry's eyes swept back and forth over the cards. "No, no, no, no" he continued to mutter. Ron peeked over his shoulder, trying to see what Harry was looking at so intently.
"Whatever it is I'm sure it's not that bad." said Ron.
"It's not bad. It's horrible!" shouted Harry, handing back their cards. "I don't have Defense Against the Dark Arts with either of you! Worse yet I have it with the Slytherins!"
"Snape alone?" gulped Ron.
"Oh I'm sure you'll be fine Harry," Hermione said, turning back to the Herbology Greenhouses. "Now we'd better hurry or else we'll be late."
"But, but," was all Harry could manage as Ron and Hermione dragged him to the door of the Greenhouse and pushed him inside.
"Good morning class," said Professor Sprout. She came into the greenhouse carrying a large tray on top of which were many tiny plants. After she sat the tray down she picked up one of the tiny pots and held it up. "We'll start off easy since it is the first day. Can anyone tell me what this is?" She held the small plant up. Hermione's hand shot into the air.
It was apparent that most of the students had become accustomed to this, as no one else even attempted to raise their hands. "Yes Miss Granger," Professor Sprout said, setting the small pot down.
"In Latin it is known as Atropa belladonna, or in English Belladonna. It is a very poisonous herb, but is a very beneficial remedy when used correctly. It is used mainly as an anesthetic." Hermione laid her hands on her book and smiled proudly.
"Very well done Miss Granger! Five points to Gryffindor. Now can anyone else tell me the proper handling of Belladonna?" Miss Sprout turned to a group of Hufflepuffs as she said this.
"That was amazing Hermione!" said Harry beaming.
"Yeah how did you do that?" questioned Ron. Hermione didn't answer but pointed down at her book which had been opened to the first page. Ron leaned over and examined it. A picture of the small plant was followed by a large bold inscription, "Atropa Belladonna, poisonous, used as a remedy…Hermione you just read this from the book?" Hermione smiled.
"I guess we all get lucky sometimes," Harry directed this at Ron who merely shrugged his shoulders in reply. The rest of Herbology continued on without interruption. The students were slowly getting back in their school groove, and by the time lunch rolled around Harry felt like he was back where he belonged.
"It's so great to be back," Harry said as he spooned a mixture of vegetables on his plate. Ron nodded in agreement. Ginny and Luna soon joined the entourage and the excited talking of the students rose to such a level Harry had to scream so he could be heard.
"They're preparing us for OWLS already," Ginny said a little gloomily.
"I don't see why," Luna managed. "They're not until the end of the year."
"You'll be glad when they come around though," said Ron. "Speaking of which when do we find out how many OWLS we got? Didn't they say we'd find out during the summer?"
"I heard Hermione say that they got really backed up with all the trouble from," Harry lowered his voice, "Voldemort. I suppose we'll find out sometime by the end of this month. Isn't that right…Hermione?" Harry looked around the table for her.
"She followed us in here right?" said Ron. "Was she here when you two came?" he asked Ginny and Luna.
"Nope." Ginny responded. They began looking around the room for Hermione but were interrupted when Professor McGonagall approached the table. She adjusted her bifocals and looked down at them.
"Mr. Potter may I speak with you for a moment?" she asked.
"Oh, sure Professor," answered Harry. McGonagall began to walk away from the table, and Harry had to jump out of his seat to follow. He lifted his finger to Ron, letting him know he'd be right back, and promptly followed McGonagall out of the Great Hall and into the corridor.
A few minutes later they sat across from each other in McGonagall's office. She slid the tin of biscuits toward Harry and insisted he take one. "I am sure you are aware of why I called you here."
Harry really had no idea. His head swam with a hundred different reasons that she could have possibly called him to her office, very few of which were very good. "Actually I don't" he responded shyly.
"Oh well then you are in for a treat Mr. Potter," McGonagall crossed her arms on her desk as Harry let out a small sigh of relief. "Or not." Harry's sunken feeling came back.
"Mr. Potter I am appointing you as head of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, which yes of course means you are back on the team." McGonagall smiled at him. Harry was so excited and happy he couldn't help but smile, and he almost started to blush.
"But," said Harry, "aren't the seventh years usually appointed as head of the House teams?"
"Yes, that is usually the case. But this year we are at a…lack of those. Miss Johnson, Miss Spinnet, and Miss Bell all graduated last year. I find it very unlikely that the Weasley twins will be returning either. That being said we are…"
"Lacking a team?" Harry finished for her.
"Yes, very much so. We have you as Seeker of course, which means Miss Weasley will have to be relocated to another position. With Mr. Weasley remaining Keeper and the possibility of Mr. Kirke and Mr. Sloper returning we still need to find a few new players. If the case is that those two do not return we're going to have to, in all honesty, form a whole new team."
"So you want me to find a whole new team?" Harry was shocked.
"I know it is a lot to ask, but I'm sure you are up to the task Mr. Potter. House tryouts and practices start Wednesday of next week. I'll post that we're looking for anyone who can…well…fly a broom." McGonagall looked over at the Qudditch House Cup that sat fixed in a case on the wall. "I do hope we don't have to hand that over to Professor Snape this year. Do me proud will you Harry?" she said it as more of a statement than a question.
"I will," said Harry, standing. It was rare a professor ever used a student's first name, and this told him that the entire Gryffindor Quidditch Squad most likely was going to be depending on him.
When Harry returned to the Great Hall a few minutes later he found that Hermione had returned. "Where did you go?" They said in unison. Hermione smiled and gestured, "You first."
"McGonagall just made me Captain of the Quidditch Team!" Harry said proudly.
"BRILLIANT!" Ron ushered Harry into a large hug that very nearly knocked the both of them over. "So I guess you're back on the team then!"
"Yeah, but we've lost quite a few members. It looks as if we're going to have to recruit half a team or more. You and Ginny are the only people that are on the team for sure."
"I'm still on the team? Even with my keeping abilities?" Ron looked stunned.
"Of course-"Harry was interrupted by the bell signaling the end of their lunch period. He grabbed his things. "Divinations next?" Ron nodded in agreement. Hermione said a rushed goodbye and headed off for Arithmancy, as Ron and Harry headed off for the new Divinations classroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The classroom was not much of a classroom at all, but resembled that of a small green forest clearing. The only sentient classroom object was a long fold out table that had been placed near a tree at the back of the room. Parvati Patil and Lavender Brown were already seated upon small tree stumps when Harry and Ron entered. Harry took a seat next to Parvati and smiled at her.
"Harry," said Parvati smiling back at him. She moved her bag aside to make a spot for Ron, who quickly jumped upon the offer to sit on the luscious grass of the classroom floor. Students slowly began to file in, finding seats wherever they could. Neville being the last to enter had to force Harry to cram over against Parvati to find a seat.
Neville was frantically scratching at his left arm. Long red scratch marks were left so deep that they appeared as if they were going to burst apart at any moment and start leaking blood. "What's wrong with you?" Ron asked the furiously scratching Neville.
"I don't know," Neville replied in a small voice. "Ever since this morning my arm has been driving me absolutely batty. It won't stop itching!" he scratched harder.
"Have you been to the hospital wing?" Harry asked, peering down at the long scratch marks.
"No," replied Neville. He scratched again.
"I think you might want to consider it." Ron said, as he gave Harry a questioning glance.
"But you guys always go there with large injuries. I'd feel so pathetic going in with an "itchy arm". Besides it's probably just an allergic reaction to something. I'll be fine."
"That has got to be the number one worst reason I've ever heard for not going to Madam Pomfrey. It's not pathetic Neville if it's bothering you." said Harry.
"Yeah Fred and George used to go all the time just to get out of class. All the professors figured it out though so they had to resort to drastic measures. That's why they got so involved in making those candies that make you sick in the first place." said Ron.
The classroom door swung open and the clattering of hooves stopped everyone's talking. Lavender squealed and grabbed Parvati's arm, "Oh look there he is!". The students all turned to face the large centaur that was very slowly pacing his way to the front of the room.
When Firenze reached the front of the room he turned to address the class. He threw his broad shoulders back and cleared his throat. "Good day everyone." The class muttered various replies for a moment before returning their attention to him. "I hope you all made it through the summer without incident." he scanned the room to make sure all his students were returning, although he already knew they would.
"This year you will learn the only technique a true seer will ever need. That is the how to create a prophecy. I do not expect of course that any of you will understand this or even come close to a successful premonition. It requires that of the inner eye, which is lost upon human kind," at these words Firenze was interrupted by an intense cough from behind.
Trelawney came into view out of the shadows. Half the room let out gasp of fright at not noticing her before, and the other gave out moans and sighs that she was there at all. Her wispy voice floated over the air, "The inner eye can inhabit any creature Professor Firenze."
"Yes...indeed it can," said Firenze, rolling his eyes.
Ron leaned over to Harry and moaned quietly, "I thought we were rid of that old bag. This is just great." His sarcasm was being laid thick, but it didn't bother Harry who felt almost the same way. The lingering words of Dumbledore about Trelawney's Prophecy clouded his mind.
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...
Harry snapped back to the present when Ron shoved a small crystal ball into his hands. He looked down at the small blue sphere, "It's a prophecy." Ron and Neville were having their own separate flashbacks to The Department of Mysteries.
"Not yet Mr. Potter," Firenze said holding up a small sphere. "They will not become prophecies until-"
"A prophecy is made." finished Trelawney. She sat down on a large tree stump looking as if she was purposely trying to upset Firenze. The centaur however was unnerved.
"Until that time you can use it to see possibilities of the future. Almost like reading a crystal ball. This of course is all speculatory and has never been proven, which is why Professor Trelawney will explain the process." Firenze gave her the floor.
Ignoring Firenze's comment Trelawney motioned to the table. "Please everyone approach the table, and lay your sphere down upon it." The students stood and approached the table.
"They're really at one another's throats aren't they?" said Ron taking a place between Harry and Neville.
"Yeah," said Neville, hastily putting down his sphere to resume scratching his arm.
"That's because Firenze thinks Trelawney's a quack." Harry said placing down his sphere.
"Doesn't everyone?" said Ron. He waited a moment for a response before saying, "I guess not."
Trelawney picked up a sphere of her own and began to explain the procedure. "Place both hands upon your sphere and open your inner eye, if you possess one. Release your deepest emotions and soon the sphere should swarm with color. It is by the color of your sphere that we can predict your fate!" Firenze gave a snort from behind her. The students did as they were instructed.
So it's sort of like calling a Patronus. I should be able to do this Harry thought to himself. He concentrated on the happiest moments he could remember, and then converted to the darkest memories he could muster. Soon a thin mist began to glow within his sphere, but it lacked any color. He glanced around to see similar mist appearing in the other students' spheres. Maybe they remembered about Patronuses from DA meetings too.
Trelawney smiled proudly. "Excellent! Just give the mist some time and soon it will form a color, from which we can start making predictions," she said excitedly much to the dismay of Firenze.
Harry glanced over at Ron who was still concentrating on his sphere. A quick shaking made him look past Ron to Neville, who was holding onto the small ball so tightly he was almost crushing it. Neville's arms were shaking furiously. "Are you ok Neville?"
"It itches…so…back," Neville's voice was quivering. With a sudden jolt of force Neville jumped bumping into the table. The table tipped over on two legs, and before anyone could stop it, tipped over onto the ground. The glass spheres rolled onto the soft grass in a large heap.
"MR. LONGBOTTOM!" Trelawney shouted as Firenze dashed toward Neville. If there was any shock at all on the poor boy's face it was hidden by the elated joy he felt at being able to scratch his arm again. He looked up at the centaur.
"Mr. Longbottom please follow me to the Hospital Wing. We'll have that arm looked at." Firenze put a hand on Neville's shoulder and escorted him from the room. The rest of the class's talk and fright slowly came to a halt when Lavender pronounced, "What does red mean?"
She stood by the large pile of spheres, holding one of the prophecies in her hand. The prophecy swirled with a deep red mist, and Lavender was staring intently at it. Professor Trelawney pushed a few students out of her way and crossed to the glowing prophecy.
"Oh red is a most glorious color, it is the color of love. It means a possibility of a new romance or love in your life." Trelawney answered.
"Too bad it's not yours," Parvati teased Lavender playfully. "You just picked that up from the pile, there's no telling who's that is." She swiped it from her hands, "It could even be mine."
"Yes all the prophecies have been mixed up," Trelawney shrugged sadly, "It appears as though we'll have to perform the enchantment again next time. Please help me pick them up." She began to pick up the small spheres.
"Hey what does black mean?" Ron asked as he picked one up.
"And Yellow!" said someone Harry couldn't see.
"Oh dear," said Trelawney as she stood up with a pile of the spheres. "Well black is a most dreadful sign, that of death. Someone in here has been marked. And yellow is a sign of great wealth and fortune." The bell rang as the words escaped her mouth.
Ron tugged at Harry's arm a few minutes later in the hall. "Hey Harry, you don't suppose that red one was mine do you?"
Harry shrugged.
"What's with you? Oh you don't think that black one was yours do you?" Ron stepped in front of Harry, making them both stop dead in their tracks.
"It very well could have been Ron. Let's just say I'm a little antsy about it."
"Come on mate, you know that Trelawney always predicts your death. She's an old nut, it'll never come true."
"Yeah," Harry started, "but this time Firenze is around, and so I'm not so sure."
"He wasn't even there, this was all Trelawney." Ron grabbed the sleeve of Harry's robe and dragged him along the hall, "You're going to forget all about this. It might not have even been yours, in fact it probably wasn't."
"Yeah," If only you knew thought Harry. As they descended the stairs for dinner a group of Hufflepuffs greeted them. Zacharias Smith headed the group and at the sight of Harry, marched proudly up to him and stuck out his chest.
"Harry."
"Zacharias."
"So are you still keeping the DA?" Zacharias hushed his words, so the group of Hufflepuffs wouldn't hear him.
"Yeah. I'm not sure when though. Do you still have your magical galleon?" said Harry.
"Somewhere, I'll find it. Some people have been asking, so I thought I'd make sure. Hey I heard the Gryffindor Quidditch team is in a real spot this year."
"Yeah it is," Harry responded a bit dispirited. "But we're still going to win." Zacharias gave a chuckle at this.
"Yeah sure, when I'm the new captain of Hufflepuff house?!" he patted Harry on the back, "Bring it on Potter. Hey see you around."
"You too," said Ron. They followed him down the large marble staircase and into the Great Hall. Everyone that evening noticed the distance Harry was giving off, and even Ginny kept her mouth shut. Things didn't change much in the common room that night much either, and he was the first to go to bed that evening.