Chapter 16 Professor Trelawney’s Prediction

chivys euphoria at fin all t obsoletey winning the Quidditch cupful lasted at least a week. Even the weather trancemed to be celebrating as June approached, the days became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt bid doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping conquer on the grass with several pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps playing a casual game of Gobstones or findering the giant squid trigger itself dreamily crossways the surface of the lake. and they couldnt. Exams were nearly upon them, and instead of lazing some saturnineside, the students were forced to remain inside the rook, trying to bully their brains into c erst objet dartntrating while lure wafts of summer air drifted in through and through the windows. Even Fred and George Weasley had been spotted on the job(p) they were most to take their O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels). Percy was getting ready to take his N.E.W.T.s (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests), the highest efficacy Hogwarts o ffered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades. He was neat increasingly edgy, and gave precise severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common way of life in the as yet offings. In fact, the only person who seemed more anxious than Percy was Hermione. annoy and Ron had given up craveing her how she was managing to attend several classes at once, only they couldnt restrain themselves when they saw the try reveal schedule she had drawn up for herself. The prototypic column readMonday9 oclock, Arithmancy9 oclock, TransfigurationLunch1 oclock, Charms1 oclock, Ancient RunesHermione? Ron state cautiously, because she was liable to explode when interrupted these days. Er &8212 are you sure youve copied stilt these prison terms right?What? snapped Hermione, picking up the exam schedule and examining it. Yes, of course I endure.Is on that point any pane asking how youre going to sit for two exams at once? express chafe.No, p art Hermione shortly. Have either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Gramatica?Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a consequence of bedtime reading, utter Ron, except very quietly. Hermione started shifting heaps of parchment. irritate, Ron, and Hermione had plenty of opportunity to speak to Hagrid.Beakys gettin a bit depressed, Hagrid told them, bending low on the make-believe of tickinging that Harrys flobberworm was tranquillize alive. Bin cooped up too long. But stillwell tell apart day aft(prenominal) tomorrow &8212 one way or the separate They had Potions that afternoon, which was an unqualified disaster. Try as Harry talent, he couldnt get his confusing Concoction to thicken, and Snape, vantage pointing watch with an air of vindictive pleasure, scribbled some turng that looked suspiciously equal a zero onto his nones before moving away.Then came Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest tower History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which Harry scribbled everythin g Florean Fortescue had ever told him nigh medieval witch-hunts, while wishing he could suck in had one of Fortescues choco-nut sundaes with him in the stifling classroom. Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses nether a baking-hot sun then screening to the common room once more, with sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time next day, when it would all be all over.Their second to last exam, on Thursday morning, was Defense Against the Dark Arts. professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever interpreted a sort of obstacle course unwrapside in the sun, whither they had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a Grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a Hinkypunk, then stand up into an old trunk and battle with a new Boggart.Excellent, Harry, Lupin muttered as Harry climbed out of the trunk, grinning. Full marks.Flushed with his success, Harry hung nigh to watch Ron and Hermione. Ron did very well until he r from each oneed the Hinkypunk, which successfully confused him into sinking waist-high into the quagmire. Hermione did everything perfectly until she reached the trunk with the Boggart in it. After about a consequence inside it, she burst out over again, screaming.Hermione say Lupin, startled. Whats the matter?P-P- professor McGonagall Hermione gasped, pointing into the trunk. Sh-she said Id failed everythingIt took a little while to calm Hermione humble. When at last she had regained a comprehend on herself, she, Harry, and Ron went spine to the castle. Ron was still slightly inc pull ind to laugh at Hermiones Boggart, but an argument was averted by the sight that met them on the top of the steps.Cornelius Fudge, sudation slightly in his pinstriped sham, was standing thither gaze out at the grounds. He started at the sight of Harry.Hello on that point, Harry he said. Just had an exam, I bet? Nearly finished?Yes, said Harry. Hermione and Ron, non being on speaking terms with the Minister of Magic, hovered awkwardly in the background.Lovely day, said Fudge, casting an eye over the lake.Pity lenienceHe sighed deeply and looked strike take down at Harry.Im here on an mortifying mission, Harry. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the writ of execution of a mad Hippogriff. As I needed to visit Hogwarts to check on the Black situation, I was asked to step in.Does that mean the appeals already happened? Ron interrupted, stepping forward.No, no, its plan for this afternoon, said Fudge, feeling curiously at Ron.Then you might non have to witness an execution at all said Ron stoutly. The Hippogriff might get offBefore Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors behind him. One was so ancient he pop outed to be fall before their very eyes the some other was tall and strapping, with a thin back mustache. Har ry gathered that they were representatives of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, because the very old wizard squinted toward Hagrids cabin and said in a gimpy voice, Dear, unspoilt, Im getting too old for this.Two oclock, isnt it, Fudge?The black-mustached man was fingering something in his belt Harry looked and saw that he was running one all-inclusive thumb along the blade of a shining axe. Ron opened his verbalise to say something, but Hermione nudged him hard in the ribs and jerked her head toward the entrance mansion house.Whyd you inhabit me? said Ron angrily as they entered the Great Hall for lunch. Did you see them? Theyve even got the axe ready This isnt respectableiceRon, your dad works for the Ministry, you backt go grammatical construction things like that to his boss said Hermione, but she too looked very upset. As long as Hagrid keeps his head this time, and argues his case properly, they cant possibly execute Buckbeak.But Harry could tell Hermione didnt really believe what she was saying. All around them, the great unwashed were talking excitedly as they ate their lunch, happily anticipating the end of the exams that afternoon, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione, lost in worry about Hagrid and Buckbeak, didnt join in.Harrys and Rons last exam was Divination Hermiones, Muggle Studies. They walked up the marble stairway together Hermione remaining them on the first floor and Harry and Ron proceeded all the way up to the seventh, where many of their class were sitting on the spiral staircase to professor Trelawneys classroom, trying to cram in a bit of last-minute studying.Shes sightedness us all separately, Neville informed them as they went to sit down next to him. He had his copy of Unfogging the Future open on his lap at the pages addicted to vitreous silica gazing. Have either of you ever seen anything in a crystal ball? he asked them unhappily.Nope, said Ron in an offhand voice. He kept checking his watch Harry. k new that he was counting down the time until Buckbeaks appeal started.The line of people outside the classroom shortened very slowly. As each person climbed back down the gold ladder, the rest of the class hissed, What did she ask? Was it okeh?But they all refused to say.She says the crystal balls told her that if I tell you, Ill have a horrible accident squeaked Neville as he clambered back down the ladder toward Harry and Ron, who had flat reached the landing.Thats convenient, snorted Ron. You know, Im starting to think Hermione was right about her &8212 he jabbed his thumb toward the trapdoor overhead &8212 shes a right old fraud.Yeah, said Harry, looking at his own watch. It was now two oclock. Wish shed race upParvati came back down the ladder glowing with pride.She says Ive got all the makings of a true Seer, she informed Harry and Ron. I saw loads of pressureWell, good luckShe hurried off down the spiral staircase toward Lavender.Ronald Weasley, said the familiar, misty v oice from over their heads. Ron grimaced at Harry and climbed the silver ladder out of sight. Harry was now the only person left to be tested. He settled himself on the floor with his back against the wall, auditory sense to a fly buzzing in the sunny window, his mind across the grounds with Hagrid.Finally, after about twenty minutes, Rons large feet reappeared on the ladder.Howd it go? Harry asked him, standing up.Rubbish, said Ron. Couldnt see a thing, so I made some stuff up. Dont think she was convinced, thoughMeet you in the common room, Harry muttered as professor Trelawneys voice called, Harry ceramistThe tower room was hotter than ever before the curtains were closed, the fire was alight, and the usual sallow scent made Harry cough as he stumbled through the clutter of chairs and table to where Professor Trelawney sat waiting for him before a large crystal ball.Good day, my dear, she said softly. If you would kind-heartedly gaze into the worldTake your time, nowthen te ll me what you see within it.Harry bent grass over the crystal ball and stared, stared as hard as he could, willing it to show him something other than swirling w clear upe fog, but zip happened.Well? Professor Trelawney prompted delicately. What do you see?The heat was overpowering and his nostrils were bitter with the perfumed smoke wafting from the fire beside them. He thought of what Ron had unless said, and distinct to pretend.Er said Harry, a dark shapeumWhat does it resemble? whisper Professor Trelawney. Think, nowHarry cast his mind around and it land on Buckbeak.A Hippogriff, he said firmly.Indeed whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees. My boy, you may well be seeing the outcome of poor Hagrids trouble with the Ministry of Magic Look closerDoes the Hippogriff appear tohave its head?Yes, said Harry firmly.Are you sure? Professor Trelawney urged him. Are you quite sure, dear? You dont see it writhing on the ground, perha ps, and a shadowy figure raising an axe behind it?No said Harry, starting to feel slightly sick.No blood? No nodding Hagrid?No said Harry again, wanting more than ever to desert the room and the heat. It looks fine, its &8212 flying awayProfessor Trelawney sighed.Well, dear, I think well admit it thereA little disappointingbut Im sure you did your best.Relieved, Harry got up, picked up his bag and moody to go, but then a loud, gravelly voice spoke behind him.IT impart HAPPEN TONIGHT.Harry go around around. Professor Trelawney had gone rigid in her armchair her eyes were unfocused and her spill sagging.S &8212 sorry? said Harry.But Professor Trelawney didnt seem to acquire him. Her eyes started to roll. Harry sat there in a panic. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure. He hesitated, thinking of running to the hospital wing &8212 and then Professor Trelawney spoke again, in the same harsh voice, quite unlike her ownTHE DARK noble LIES ALONE AND FRIE NDLESS, ABANDONED BY HIS FOLLOWERS. HIS SERVANT HAS BEEN CHAINED THESE TWELVE YEARS. TONIGHT, onward MIDNIGHTTHE SERVANT WILL BREAK FREE AND SET OUT TO riposte HIS MASTER. THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AGAIN WITH HIS SERVANTS AID, GREATER AND to a greater extent TERRIBLE THAN EVER HE WAS. TONIGHTBEFORE MIDNIGHTTHE SERVANTWILL SET OUTTO REJOINHIS MASTERProfessor Trelawneys head roughshod forward onto her chest. She made a grunting sort of noise. Harry sat there, look at her. Then, quite suddenly, Professor Trelawneys head snapped up again.Im so sorry, dear boy, she said dreamily, the heat of the day, you knowI drifted off for a moment.Harry sat there, staring at her.Is there anything wrong, my dear?You &8212 you average told me that the &8212 the Dark Lords going to rise againthat his servants going to go back to him.Professor Trelawney looked thoroughly startled.The Dark Lord? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named? My dear boy, thats hardly something to sendup aboutRise again, indeed But you jus t said it You said the Dark Lord I think you must have dozed off too, dear said Professor Trelawney. I would certainly not take up to predict anything quite as far-fetched as thatHarry climbed back down the ladder and the spiral staircase, wonderinghad he just hear Professor Trelawney make a real prediction? Or had that been her idea of an awing end to the test?Five minutes later he was natty past the security trolls outside the entrance to Gryffindor Tower, Professor Trelawneys words still resounding in his head. People were striding past him in the opposite direction, laughing and joking, heading for the grounds and a bit of long-awaited freedom by the time he had reached the portrait hole and entered the common room, it was almost deserted. Over in the corner, however, sat Ron and Hermione.Professor Trelawney, Harry panted, just told me But he halt abruptly at the sight of their faces.Buckbeak lost, said Ron weakly. Hagrids just sent this.Hagrids personal line of credit was dry this time, no tears had splattered it, yet his hand seemed to have shaken so much as he wrote that it was hardly legible. illogical appeal. Theyre going to execute at sunset. Nothing you can do. Dont come down. I dont want you to see it. Hagrid Weve got to go, said Harry at once. He cant just sit there on his own, waiting for the executionerSunset, though, said Ron, who was staring out the window ill a glazed sort of way. Wed neer be allowed specially you, HarryHarry sank his head into his transfer, thinking.If we only had the Invisibility veilWhere is it? said Hermione.Harry told her about leave it in the passageway infra the one-eyed witch. if Snape sees me anywhere near there again, Im in serious trouble, he finished.Thats true, said Hermione, getting to her feet. If he sees youHow do you open the witchs hump again?You &8212 you tap it and say, Dissendium, said Harry. But Hermione didnt wait for the rest of his sentence she strode across the room, pushed open the Fat La dys portrait and vanished from sight.She hasnt gone to get it? Ron said, staring after her.She had. Hermione returned a quarter of an hour later with the silvery cloak folded cautiously under her robes.Hermione, I dont know whats gotten, into you lately said Ron, astounded. First you hit Malfoy, then you walk out on Professor Trelawney Hermione looked rather flattered.They went down to dinner with everybody else, but did not return to Gryffindor Tower afterward. Harry had the cloak hidden down the front of his robes he had to keep his arms folded to bedim the lump. They skulked in an empty chamber off the entrance hall, listening, until they were sure it was deserted. They heard a last pair of people hurrying across the hall and a door slamming. Hermione poked her head around the door.Okay, she whispered, no one there &8212 cloak on Walking very close together so that nobody would see them, they crossed the hall on tiptoe on a lower floor the cloak, then walked down the stone front steps into the grounds. The sun was already sinking behind the Forbidden Forest, gilding the top branches of the trees.They reached Hagrids cabin and knocked. He was a minute in answering, and when he did, he looked all around for his visitor, pale-faced and trembling.Its us, Harry hissed. Were wearing the Invisibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off.Yeh shouldnve come Hagrid whispered, but he stood back, and they stepped inside. Hagrid chuck out the door chop-chop and Harry pulled off the cloak.Hagrid was not crying, nor did he throw himself upon their necks. He looked like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears.Wan some tea? he said. His great hands were shaking as he reached for the kettle.Wheres Buckbeak, Hagrid? said Hermione hesitantly.I &8212 I took him outside, said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he fill up up the jug. Hes tether in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an &8212 an smell fresh air &8212 before Hagrids hand trembled so violently that the milk jug slipped from his grasp and shattered all over the floor.Ill do it, Hagrid, said Hermione quickly, hurrying over and starting to clean up the mess.Theres some other one in the wardrobe, Hagrid said, sitting down and wiping his forehead on his sleeve. Harry glanced at Ron, who looked back hopelessly.Isnt there anything anyone can do, Hagrid? Harry asked fiercely, sitting down next to him. Dumbledore Hes tried, said Hagrid. Hes got no power ter overrule the Committee. He told em Buckbeaks all right, but theyre scaredYeh know what Lucius Malfoys likethreatened em, I expectan the executioner, Macnair, hes an old pal o Malfoysbut itll be quick an cleanan Ill be beside him.Hagrid swallowed. His eyes were darting all over the cabin as though looking for some shred of hope or comfort.Dumbledores gonna come down while it &8212 while it happens. Wrote me this mornin. Said he wants ter &8212 ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore.Hermione, who had been rummaging in Hagrids cupboard for another milk jug, let out a small, quickly repress sob. She straightened up with the new jug in her hands, fighting back tears.Well await with you too, Hagrid, she began, but Hagrid shook his shaggy head.Yehre ter go back up ter the castle. I told yeh, I don wan yeh watchin. An yeh shouldn be down here anywayIf Fudge an Dumbledore befool yeh out without permission, Harry, yehll be in big trouble.Silent tears were now streaming down Hermiones face, but she hid them from Hagrid, bustling around making tea. Then, as she picked up the milk bottle to pour some into the jug, she let out a shriek.Ron, I dont believe it &8212 its ScabbersRon gaped at her.What are you talking about?Hermione carried the milk jug over to the table and turned it upside down. With a frantic squeak, and much scrambling to get back inside, Scabbers the rat came sliding out onto the table.Scabbers said Ron blankly. Scabbers, what are you doing here?He grabbed the struggling rat and held him up to the light. Scabbers looked dreadful. He was thinner than ever, large tufts of hair had fallen out leaving wide bald patches, and he writhed in Rons hands as though desperate to free himselfIts okay, Scabbers said Ron. No cats Theres nothing here to hurt youHagrid suddenly stood up, his eyes fixed on the window. His normally cerise face had gone the color of parchment.Theyre comin.Harry, Ron, and Hermione whipped around. A group of men was manner of walking down the distant castle steps. In front was Albus Dumbledore, his silver beard gleaming in the dying sun. Next to him trotted Cornelius Fudge. Behind them came the feeble old Committee member and the executioner, Macnair.Yeh gotta go, said Hagrid. Every inch of him was trembling. They mustn find yeh hereGo nowRon stuffed Scabbers into his pocket and Hermione picked up the cloak. Ill let yeh out the back way, said Hagrid.They followed him to the door into his back ga rden. Harry felt strangely unreal, and even more so when he saw Buckbeak a few yards away, tethered to a tree behind Hagrids pumpkin patch. Buckbeak seemed to know something was happening. He turned his sharp head from side to side and pawed the ground nervously.Its okay, Beaky, said Hagrid softly. Its okay He turned to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Go on, he said. Get goin.But they didnt move.Hagrid, we cant Well tell them what really happened They cant kill him Go said Hagrid fiercely. Its bad enough without you split up in trouble an allThey had no choice. As Hermione threw the cloak over Harry and Ron, they heard voices at the front of the cabin. Hagrid looked at the place where they had just vanished from sight.Go quick, he said hoarsely. Don listenAnd he strode back into his cabin as someone knocked at the front door.Slowly, in a kind of horrified trance, Harry, Ron, and Hermione set off silently around Hagrids house. As they reached the other side, the front door closed with a s harp snap.Please, lets hurry, Hermione whispered. I cant stand it, I cant bear it.They started up the sloping lawn toward the castle. The sun was sinking libertine now the sky had turned to a clear, purple-tinged gray, but to the west there was a ruby-red glow.Ron stopped dead.Oh, please, Ron, Hermione began.Its Scabbers &8212 he wont &8212 stay put Ron was bent over, trying to keep Scabbers in his pocket, but the rat was going amuck squeaking madly, twisting and flailing, trying to sink his teeth into Rons hand.Scabbers, its me, you idiot, its Ron, Ron hissed.They heard a door open behind them and mens voices.Oh, Ron, please lets move, theyre going to do it Hermione breathed.Okay &8212 Scabbers, stay put They walked forward Harry, like Hermione, was trying not to listen to the rumble of voices behind them. Ron stopped again.I cant hold him &8212 Scabbers, shut up, everyonell hear us The rat was squealing wildly, but not obstreperously enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrids garden. There was a mess of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the unmistakable swish and thud of an axe.Hermione swayed on the spot.They did it she whispered to Harry. Id &8212 dont believe it &8212 they did it