"A bunch of tea leaves," Orli said, curling her lips as she began comparing the patterns in the book one by one.
"Here's a blob that looks like a bowler hat. Maybe you'll work for the Ministry of Magic in the future," Orli suggested.
"Don't tease me, Orli," Hermione shot her a reproachful look. "You know my thoughts on that, you're saying it on purpose."
"Then you take a look at mine," Orli said, feeling that reading tea leaves was truly not her forte, and Hermione clearly didn't possess any sort of "inner eye" either.
"This looks like a rose or perhaps a peony," Hermione said dryly, flipping through the book. "Obviously, it's a sign of love." She turned the cup over again. "But if you look at it this way, the pattern becomes a hanging bat. What's that? A bad omen?"
Just then, a burst of laughter erupted from Harry and Ron's side. Professor Trelawney, looking displeased, walked over and snatched the teacup from Ron's hand.
"A falcon... dear, you have an enemy," Professor Trelawney announced.
"But everyone knows that," Hermione muttered loudly, earning a glare from Professor Trelawney. "Everyone knows about Harry and the Dark Lord."
Professor Trelawney deliberately ignored her, her large eyes peering into Harry's teacup as she continued to rotate it.
"A club... an attack. Dear, dear, this is not a fortunate cup," Professor Trelawney's eyes widened dramatically. "You have a grim."
Harry's face turned pale. The others nearly covered their mouths with their hands, feeling a chill.
"I don't see anything grim about it," Hermione said bluntly. Professor Trelawney eyed Hermione, growing increasingly displeased with her.
"I mean no offense, dear, but I find your aura to be very small. Not much foresight," Professor Trelawney remarked.
"When will you all decide whether I'm going to die or not!" Harry shouted, a bit exasperated.
"Alright, Harry," Orli stepped over, pretending to scrutinize the cup for a moment. "You are the Chosen One, destined for a showdown with your enemy. Your fate is fraught with tension, danger will often be by your side. But if you overcome the greatest ordeal, your future will be bright."
She mimicked Trelawney's dramatic tone, then secretly winked at Harry and Hermione.
"Oh, child, what's your name?" Professor Trelawney looked at her with surprise. "Your intuition is very keen, much better than some of your classmates."
"Thank you, Professor. I'm Orli Waters," Orli replied, giving a slight bow.
"I think that's enough for today's lesson," Professor Trelawney said in her most ethereal voice. "Please pack up your things."
The group of four descended Professor Trelawney's ladder and spiral staircase, heading to Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class. Harry, still a bit upset, asked Orli:
"Why did you go along with Trelawney?"
"Oh, Harry, don't take it to heart," Orli waved her hand dismissively. "I was just rephrasing what everyone already knows. You and the Dark Lord are enemies, and once you defeat him, everyone's future will be bright. It's easy to come up with. Trelawney just likes making sensational predictions. You can safely predict your tragic fate, and she'll give you high marks."
"This class is utterly pointless, a complete waste of time. If doing well in Divination means I have to pretend to see omens of death in a bunch of tea leaves, I'd rather not take it at all!" Hermione scoffed. But Ron seemed to have a completely different idea:
"If I predict I'll die in the future, say eighty years from now, do you think she'll give me an O?"
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