Chapter 98: Musical chair
“I wonder who’s going to teach us divination now that Professor Trelawney is gone.” Hermione remarked as she made her way up the ladder to the elective classroom with Rose and other fifth-year students. “Did your parents tell you anything?”
“No. I haven’t seen them this week-end. I’m as clueless as you are. I wish it could be my dad, though.”
“Why? Is Professor Potter a seer too?” Lavender Brown, one of their roommates, asked with her best friend Parvati Patil by her side.
“Oh, no. Dad is no seer but you don’t need to be one to practice divination.” Rose replied as she leaned down to offer her hand to Lavender who took it and was pulled up.
“That’s correct, Miss Potter.”
Everyone turned around to see Rick sitting at the teacher’s desk with his feet on it.
“Da-! I mean, Professor!” The surprise was such that she slipped on the decorum. Something she hasn’t done since her first year when Rick was teaching DADA
“You’re replacing Professor Trelawney, sir?” The hopeful tone in Hermione’s voice wasn’t missed by anyone. More than that, she seemed eager.
“I am.”
“But… What about Ancient Runes?”
“That’s taken care of, Miss Potter. Now if everyone could take a seat. Not you, Miss Potter, Miss Granger. I need you two to go to the library to pick up the textbook that everyone will use while I’m teaching. Don’t worry you already know what I’m going to talk about.”
“Oh, sure, Professor.”As Rose and Hermione climbed down the ladder, they could hear Rick begin the class.
“Divination is separated into two main branches. The first one is…”
“Oh, they’re getting the introduction we got.” remarked Hermione.
“So that’s why we were sent to get the books. He did it on purpose. Leaving them there I mean.”
“You think so?”
“That’s something he would do. Dad doesn’t like wasted time. Hearing something he already knows is less important than… I don’t know… You and I having the time to talk about anything?”
“That’s... Doesn’t make sense but at the same time it does.”
“It’s his Hufflepuff side.” Rose joked.
In ten minutes they reached the Library and asked Madame Pince for the textbooks. The woman asked them to follow her to the backroom and pointed at a hundred textbooks on a table.
“That’s a lot of books.” Rose commented.
“Maybe your father wrote them? Like the DADA Textbook last year? They encompass multiple years.”
“They do, Miss Granger. They’re very well written too. For once I was able to make sense of divination.” Madam Pince revealed.
“Divination for Dummies” Rose read aloud the title. “Yes, definitely Dad’s work.”
“Do we need to take them all, ma’am?”
“Preferably.”
“Well, I hope my expanded pockets will be able to fit them all.
To Rose’s disappointment they didn’t. A dozen had to be carried in their arms which wasn’t much of a hassle. When they came back to the ladder, Rose put the books on the ground and levitated them through the trapdoor.
*Hem* *Hem*
Turning their heads, the two young witches were met with Umbridge.
“May I know what you are doing outside of class? Skipping perhaps?”
“We’re not, Professor. We were bringing the new divination textbooks as asked by-”
“Fifteen points from Gryffindor each and a detention for lying Miss Granger. There is no divination -”
“Miss Granger, Miss Potter what’s taking you so long to-”
Rick’s voice came from the trap door up the ceiling. His face frowned when he saw Umbridge.
“Dolores, may I know why you’re delaying my students from getting back to my class?”
“And what class is that?”
“I think the fact that we’re in the divination classroom is pretty telling as to what class it is.”
“You’re the Professor of ancient runes! You can’t teach divination!”
“Since I have a mastery in divination, I’m pretty sure I can.”
“You do not have a mastery in Divination!” the toad objected.
“I do since Summer of 92. Now enough talking, Granger, Potter, get up here.”
They didn’t need to be told twice. The girls quickly climbed up.
“I will check this with the ministry!” That was said with such distaste
“Suit yourself, Dolores. Oh while you’re at it, take a look at my other masteries too. Just in case I replace a Professor who suddenly falls ill.”
Any retort she made was unheard as Rick closed the trap door behind Hermione.“Hmm, sir?”
“Yes, Miss Davies?” Rick replied as he distributed the textbooks around.
“How many masteries do you have?”
“Thirteen.” Rick replied nonchalantly as he went back to his desk. He stopped mid-way when Hermione made a strangled sound.
“Thirteen?! How do you get thirteen masteries, Professor?”
“The same way you get one, Miss Granger. Hard work, dedication and time.”
“B-but, Professor Potter said you had none when we were in first year!”
“Correct. I passed them all during the Summer of 92.”
““““Impossible!””””
Many students didn’t believe him, so Rick called for Karkass and had him fetch his certificates.
“When I wasn’t playing quidditch or raising my children, I spent all my free time preparing for them. It was only in 91 when I discovered that I’d like to teach while I took over DADA that I decided to finally pass them all. I just had to present my research and my aptitude which was a quick affair.”
The whole class looked at him as if he was some kind of monster.
“You’re going to mess with Umbridge like no tomorrow, aren’t you, Professor?”
“Take five points for Gryffindor for discovering my evil plan, Mister Weasley.” Everyone had a good laugh at that, especially with the mischievous grin on Rick’s lips. “By the way, did she issue a punishment?” he asked his daughter.
“Fifteen points each and a detention.”
“Thirty points to Gryffindor. As for the detention, I’ll see the headmaster. Punishing students because they break the rules is one thing. Punishing them for nothing is another which I do not abide by. Anyway, what I just taught you is actually the very first chapter of the book. It’s the very basics on the subject. There will be a quiz next class about it. It will be easy, really.” Rick added at the end to relax some students. “There will be a few definitions and five questions. Honestly if you were attentive you will have an acceptable with your eyes closed.”
Rick went to a small chest at the foot of his desk and opened it. Pointing his wand at what was inside, plenty of items levitated out of it and ended up on his desk.
“One by one you will come to pick one of those tools. Today’s objective is to see what type of divining suits you the most. We will use them all but once we find the one you’re more comfortable with, you’ll have to practice with it outside of class. Inside of it we will continue to practice with the others, so you know how they work. Now, Miss Davies, let’s start with you.”
One by one the students picked an object of their choice. When one was taken, Rick pulled an identical one from the trunk. Rose ended up with a pack of tarot cards.
“Of course, we can’t test all the types of divination in the classroom. For example, aeromancy which is…? Miss Padma?”
“Reading atmospheric conditions.”
“5 points for Ravenclaw. Yes. Aeromancy is reading the changes in the weather. Wind blowing, cloud formations, you understand that we can’t really do that in class. If you’re passionate about divination I encourage you to try those forms of divination in your free time. The legal ones at least. I don’t want to have to explain to the DMLE that you sacrificed a chicken on an altar to know about what the person you’re crushing on likes, Okay?”
The tone was light and made the students chuckle.
“Sir, what’s your… method?” inquired a very curious Lavender.
“Methods, plural, Miss Brown. Just because one method fits you doesn’t mean others won’t fit. In fact all diviners have multiple affinities. In my case, I’m very good at runic divination also called rune casting but also numerology and arithmancy. Now go ahead, try on your own.”
Rick let the children try their own things. After a quarter of an hour he began to walk around and have a look. Helping anyone who wasn’t quite sure about what they were doing or help in interpreting the results they got. When he arrived at Rose she was a bit annoyed with her reading.
“Problems?”
“A bit, yes. I’m not quite sure about some cards.” Rose replied with a frown while looking at the Devil card.
“Let me see.”
Rick looked down and observed the cards she pulled and their order.
“The first card represents how you feel about yourself. The tower is… You feel that the disruption and sweeping change you are going through, or fear you are about to go through, will be catastrophic. You need to recognise that such upheaval can force new directions that you never dreamed possible. Subconsciously you may have wanted change, but as is often the case, the solution isn't always as we expect.
The second card is what you want. The Devil suggests that what you most want at this time you can't have, and like the forbidden fruit this only makes it all the more tempting. Alternatively you know you could go for something, but it would be a bad choice and you'd be doing it for all the wrong reasons.
The third card is your fears. Justice. There could be agreements or legal affairs that concern you and you certainly don't want to lose - you feel quite strongly that you are in the right. Stay calm and level-headed and seek sound counsel if you need to.
The fourth card is what’s going for you. The hermit reveals you are instinctively taking time to relax and reflect, drawing on your inner strength and wisdom to guide you through this difficult period in your life. Time is a great healer, so even if you don't know quite what to do now, you will eventually make the right decision. The Hermit signals a warning not to make hasty decisions. Make sure you observe a period of rest and recuperation if you have been unwell.
The fifth card is what’s going against you. The fool says to beware of impetuous and impulsive decisions, they could cost you dearly. Draw on your knowledge and experience. Perhaps there are naive and immature beliefs behind your current desires. In other words, reign in the ‘Gryffindor Forward’ until you’re sure of your answer.
The sixth card is the likely outcome. The world says that success, fulfillment and conclusion are near at hand - the successful outcome to a venture, satisfaction in a relationship and efforts rewarded. It is a culmination of events and indicates material wealth and greater spiritual awareness. You may decide to purchase your dream house, act upon a wonderfully-fulfilling relationship offer or embark on a self-actualization journey.
Does that speak to you?”
“... It does. Most of them.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Rose shook her head negatively. “Alright. Note the cards you got and write what you think they may refer to in your life.”
He straightened up and began to go away when Hermione stopped him.
“Professor, I have a problem.”“Yes? What is it?” He turned around to look at the bushy-hair witch.“I asked… well… I asked something…” she began to blush. Clearly she wasn’t comfortable about talking about her question. “And I obtained the Hagalaz rune. I don’t understand how destruction could help me with… Well, what I want to know.”“Not destruction, Miss Granger. Hagalaz is more about rebirth.”“But I read that it was destruction.” she replied with a frown.“Then your book has been written by a quack. Hagalaz is linked to destruction, yes but one that leads to something new. It could be good or bad. Take phoenixes for example. When they’re too… old shall we say, they burst into flame and from their ashes a new baby phoenix is born. Hagalaz is… a necessary destruction in order to bring about the rebirth of a new world, or a new phase of one's life. It can be interpreted in two ways.
The first is to let go of the past. Only through the destruction of certain psychological aspects, emotional blocks, and ties to the past can we move forward. That which currently exists may need to be destroyed in order for positive change to occur. Frequently it is a fear of destruction and loss which prevents future growth.
That was the first, now the second is: indicates that a temporary setback or obstacle has arisen -- one which the individual will necessarily get over very quickly. Disappointment may also be indicated here, and a realization that the path that one has set out on is not the path that one is meant to be on. Hagalaz reminds us that such disappointment is a necessary first-step in achieving change. A need to refocus and retask one's energies.
While the main lesson of this rune is positive, it must be cautioned that a setback will happen for a reason, and it is important not to let history repeat itself. An opportunity will come in which one can better oneself. It may be painful, but ultimately it will prove beneficial.
Other possible literal meanings of Hagalaz in a reading include bad weather, or emotional outbursts. Since the weather is fine and you do not look like you’re emotionally… unstable let’s say, I doubt that’s the interpretation you’re looking for.
Hagalaz is indirectly… a rune that leads to introspection and wisdom. Does that help with your question?”
“It does, Professor, thank you.”
Rick nodded and went to do another round.
“Your father is the best, Rose.” Hermione whispered to her closest friend once Rick was far away enough to hear her and her opinion.
“Don’t I know it.”
“In twenty minutes he made me change my opinion on divination.” Padma said from the side. “Maybe I’ll take the elective beyond our OWL.”
“I don’t know, Pad. On one hand he made divination less mysterious, on the other he made it make sense and broaden our horizons on what we can do with it. I really don’t know what to think about it.” her Gryffindor twin, Parvati, was a bit torn by Rick’s teachings.
“Well at least he’s good to look at.” Lavender's absent minded answer was accompanied by a stare fixed on Rick’s ass while he leaned forward to help Ron with his xylomancy. She had a dreamy look on her face.
“Lavender!” gasped Hermione in shock but with a blush.
““Yes.”” nodded the twins in agreement with the blonde lion.
“That’s Rose’s dad!”
“It’s alright Hermione. They’re not the first to find my dad attractive. He’s married twice, remember? And both my mom and aunt Bella are head over heels with him. He even kind of dated Susan’s Aunt while at Hogwarts. Fleur has a huge crush on him too and so do most of the girls and women who know him. You can’t imagine the number of comments like that I heard over the years. Really, that’s nothing new and I’m used to it.”
“B-but-”
“Delicious.” Lavender licked her lips while still looking at Rick’s ass.
“It’s not like you’re not having a look yourself, Hermione. Don’t think I never notice your not so furtive glances when you’re visiting.” teased Rose. That made Hermione squeak in embarrassment and blush even redder to the hilarity of the other girls. “My Dad is a catch. It is what it is. Unfortunately for the witch population, my dad is madly in love with my mom and Aunt. So keep dreaming on girls.”
“Oh, I will, Rose. I definitely will.” It was a miracle that Rick’s pants were not set ablaze by the intensity of Lavender’s stare.
When class ended, Rick reminded everyone of the test for their next lesson and gave some light homework. Students just had to present their results for the day. Before she could leave, he stopped Hermione for a bit and surprisingly Ronald too.
“Since you love reading so much and own so many books, Miss Granger, I would recommend you try bibliomancy.”
“Blimey! There is a divination with books?” Ronald was dumbfounded by the revelation. “How does that work?”
“Well… You let your hand guide you to a book, open it at a random page and put your finger anywhere on it without really thinking about it. From there you take just the word your finger landed on or the sentence or the paragraph. It’s a bit asinine I know.” he quickly said when he saw Hermione’s dubious look. “But it has been reported to work. It wouldn’t be a branch of divination if it didn’t. And even if it doesn’t work, I’m sure you’d have a good laugh thinking about how the word could fit or not fit what you had in mind.”
“... I’ll try it professor. If only to verify if it works for me or not.”
“Chances are it may. The branch of divination we’re good at usually reflects what we like. I have a profound love for runes and I found myself or rather my magic connecting to rune casting more than any other methods. Remember to let logic out and just let yourself be guided by your magic, Miss Granger. Logic comes…”
“Afterward.”
“Yes. As for you Mister Weasley, I would suggest you note any… weird feelings you have.”
“Why?” the redhead asked.
“Rose talked a lot about your adventures over the years. You believed you’d have to fight a troll to be sorted and two months later, you fight a troll to save Miss Granger. How in second year you got the feeling that Lockhart was a fraud which turned out to be true. Third year?”
“I joked Hagrid was cross breeding species and last year he came up with those bloody blast-ended skrewt.” He replied with wide eyes. “Does that mean that I…”
“May have a bit of a gift? Perhaps. Perhaps not. It’s up to you to find out. If you’re interested you should look up inductive and intuitive divination.”Ron nodded a bit dumbly at what he had just heard. Rick shoo-ed the two students away and closed the classroom. With no more divination class until the afternoon, he went to see how Fleur was doing with her own. She found her sitting at the teacher’s desk and reviewing the homework she collected from the third year.
“Class is over, you should take a break as long as you can. Trust me.”
“Oh, I’m just checking zhat everyone gave me zheir homework.” she gave him a very happy smile which told him something really good must have happened. He bet his money on putting Umbridge in her place.
“I got a visit from the toad and sent her packing promptly, I suppose she came here?”
“Oui.” She nodded while finishing to look at a stack of parchment. “Sent ‘er packing too, la pétasse. She believed she could dismiss me as you thought. She wasn’t ‘appy to know zat as your apprentice, only you can dismiss me.”
Both teacher and student grinned at each other in complicity. Fleur finished with what she was doing and they both went to the Great Hall for lunch.