Chapter 16 Professor Trelawney’s Prediction

irritates euphoria at fin aloney winning the Quidditch Cup lasted at least a week. Even the brave bulge happen uponmed to be celeb stinkpoting as June approached, the daytimes became cloudless and sultry, and all anybody felt resembling doing was strolling onto the grounds and flopping garbage bug out on the grass with s eeral pints of iced pumpkin juice, perhaps compete a casual game of Gobst whizzs or watching the giant squid propel itself dreamily across the surface of the lake. further they couldnt. Exams were nearly upon them, and instead of lazing swell-nigh discover spine(a), the students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying to bully their brains into c erstntrating while enticing wafts of summer air drifted in through the windows. Even Fred and George Weasley had been spotted working they were active 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 qualif ication Hogwarts impinge onered. As Percy hoped to enter the Ministry of Magic, he needed top grades. He was becoming increasingly edgy, and gave actually severe punishments to anybody who disturbed the quiet of the common room in the evenings. In fact, the only someone who seemed more than anxious than Percy was Hermione. provoke and Ron had given up inquire her how she was managing to attend several classes at once, but they couldnt restrain themselves when they saw the exam schedule she had drawn up for herself. The first column readMonday9 oclock, Arithmancy9 oclock, TransfigurationLunch1 oclock, Charms1 oclock, Ancient RunesHermione? Ron make out cautiously, because she was liable to explode when interrupted these days. Er are you sure youve copied down these times by rights?What? snapped Hermione, picking up the exam schedule and examining it. Yes, of course I have.Is in that location any point asking how youre going to sit for two exams at once? express Harry.No, say Hermione shortly. Have either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Gramatica?Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a dapple of bedtime reading, state Ron, but very quietly. Hermione started shifting heaps of parchment. Harry, Ron, and Hermione had plenty of probability to speak to Hagrid.Beakys gettin a bit depressed, Hagrid t oldish them, bending low on the pretense of checking that Harrys flobberworm was still alive. Bin cooped up too long. But stillwell recognise day after tomorrow one way or the opposite They had Potions that afternoon, which was an unqualified disaster. Try as Harry might, he couldnt get his Confusing Concoction to thicken, and Snape, stand up watch with an air of vindictive pleasure, scribbled something that looked suspiciously like a zero onto his notes before moving away.Then came Astronomy at midnight, up on the tallest hover History of Magic on Wednesday morning, in which Harry scribbled everything Florean Fortescue had ever told him about medieval wit ch-hunts, while wishing he could have had one of Fortescues choco-nut sundaes with him in the inhibit classroom. Wednesday afternoon meant Herbology, in the greenhouses under a baking-hot sun accordingly stake to the common room once more, with sunburnt necks, thinking longingly of this time succeeding(prenominal) day, when it would all be 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 taken a sorting of obstacle course outside in the sun, w here(predicate) 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 climb 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 around to watch Ron and Hermione. Ron did very well until he reached 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 minute inside it, she burst out again, screaming.Hermione said Lupin, startled. Whats the matter?P-P-prof McGonagall Hermione gasped, pointing into the trunk. Sh-she said Id failed everythingIt took a little while to calm Hermione down. When at last she had regained a grip on herself, she, Harry, and Ron went back to the castle. Ron was still close to inclined to laugh at Hermiones Boggart, but an argument was averted by the sight that met them on the top of the steps.Cornelius Fudge, sweating reasonably in his pinstriped dress, was standing thither staring out at the grounds. He started at the sight of Harry.Hello there, Harry he said. Just had an exam, I expect? Nearly finished?Yes, said Harry. Hermione and Ron, not being on speaking terms wit h the Minister of Magic, hovered awkwardly in the background.Lovely day, said Fudge, casting an eye over the lake.Pity sorrowHe sighed deeply and looked down at Harry.Im here on an unpleasant mission, Harry. The Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures required a witness to the 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 scheduled for this afternoon, said Fudge, looking at curiously at Ron.Then you might not have to witness an execution at all said Ron stoutly. The Hippogriff might get off before tidy sum Fudge could answer, two wizards came through the castle doors behind him. One was so ancient he appeared to be withering before their very eyes the other was tall and strapping, with a thin back mustache. Harry gathered that they were representatives of the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures, bec ause the very old wizard squinted toward Hagrids confine and said in a feeble voice, Dear, dear, 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 broad thumb along the blade of a shining axe. Ron opened his mouth to say something, but Hermione nudged him hard in the ribs and jerked her guide on toward the entrance hall.Whyd you give notice me? said Ron angrily as they entered the groovy Hall for lunch. Did you see them? Theyve even got the axe ready This isnt unspoilticeRon, your dad works for the Ministry, you cant go saying 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 set up Hermione didnt really believe what she was saying. All around them, people were talking excitedly as they ate their lunch, happily anticipat ing the end of the exams that afternoon, but Harry, Ron, and Hermione, lost in mystify about Hagrid and Buckbeak, didnt join in.Harrys and Rons last exam was Divination Hermiones, Muggle Studies. They walked up the marble staircase together Hermione left 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 unpunctual studying.Shes seeing 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 devoted to crystal gazing. Have either of you ever seen anything in a crystal ball? he asked them unhappily.Nope, said Ron in an offhand voice. He unbroken checking his watch Harry. knew 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 t he property run for, the rest of the class hissed, What did she ask? Was it okay?But they all refused to say.She says the crystal balls told her that if I tell you, Ill have a painful accident squeaked Neville as he clambered back down the ladder toward Harry and Ron, who had now reached the landing.Thats convenient, snorted Ron. You know, Im starting to think Hermione was right about her he jabbed his thumb toward the trapdoor smash-up shes a right old fraud.Yeah, said Harry, looking at his own watch. It was now two oclock. Wish shed hurry 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 stuffWell, good luckShe hurried off down the spiral staircase toward Lavender.Ronald Weasley, said the familiar, misty voice 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 wi th his back against the wall, listening 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 do some stuff up. Dont think she was convinced, thoughMeet you in the common room, Harry muttered as Professor Trelawneys voice called, Harry PotterThe tower room was hotter than ever before the curtains were closed, the fire was alight, and the usual sickly 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 kindly gaze into the OrbTake your time, nowthen tell me what you see within it.Harry bent over the crystal ball and stared, stared as hard as he could, willing it to show him something other than swirling flannel fog, but nothing happened.Well? Profe ssor Trelawney prompted delicately. What do you see?The heat was overpowering and his nostrils were stinging with the perfumed smoke wafting from the fire beside them. He thought of what Ron had just said, and decided to pretend.Er said Harry, a dark shapeumWhat does it resemble? whispered 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 outgrowth 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 kinda sure, dear? You dont see it writhing on the ground, perhaps, and a shadowy figure raising an axe behind it?No said Harry, starting to feel slightly sick.No blood? No weeping Hagrid?No said Harry again, wanting more than ever to leave the room and the heat. It loo ks fine, its flying awayProfessor Trelawney sighed.Well, dear, I think well leave it thereA little disappointingbut Im sure you did your best.Relieved, Harry got up, picked up his bag and turned to go, but then a loud, harsh voice spoke behind him.IT entrust HAPPEN TONIGHT.Harry wheeled around. Professor Trelawney had foregone rigid in her armchair her eyes were unfocussed and her mouth sagging.S sorry? said Harry.But Professor Trelawney didnt seem to hear 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 and then Professor Trelawney spoke again, in the like harsh voice, quite unlike her ownTHE DARK LORD LIES ALONE AND FRIENDLESS, ABANDONED BY HIS FOLLOWERS. HIS SERVANT HAS BEEN CHAINED THESE TWELVE YEARS. TONIGHT, BEFORE MIDNIGHTTHE SERVANT WILL BREAK FREE AND SET OUT TO REJOIN HIS MASTER. THE DARK LORD WILL RISE AGAIN WITH HIS SERVANTS AID, GREATER AND MORE TERRIBLE THAN EVER HE WAS. TONIGHTBEFORE MIDNIGHTTHE SERVANTWILL SET OUTTO REJOINHIS MASTERProfessor Trelawneys head fell forward onto her chest. She made a grunting sort of noise. Harry sat there, staring 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 you just told me that the 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 joke aboutRise again, indeed But you just said it You said the Dark Lord I think you must have dozed off too, dear said Professor Trelawney. I would certainly not presume to bode anything quite as far-fetched as thatHarry climbed back down the ladder and the spiral staircase, wonderinghad he just hear Profes sor Trelawney make a real prediction? Or had that been her idea of an impressive end to the test?Five minutes later he was dashing 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 stopped abruptly at the sight of their faces.Buckbeak lost, said Ron weakly. Hagrids just sent this.Hagrids note 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.Lost 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 never be allowed specially you, HarryHarry sank his head into his hands, thinking.If we only had the Invisibility CloakWhere is it? said Hermione.Harry told her about leaving it in the passageway under 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 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 Ladys 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 carefully under her robes.Hermione, I dont know whats gotten, into you lately said Ron, astounded. First you hit Malfoy, then y ou 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 take care of his robes he had to keep his arms folded to hide 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 cloak on Walking very close together so that nobody would see them, they crossed the hall on tiptoe beneath 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 Invis ibility Cloak. Let us in and we can take it off.Yeh shouldnve come Hagrid whispered, but he stood back, and they stepped inside. Hagrid shut the door quickly 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 I took him outside, said Hagrid, spilling milk all over the table as he filled up the lock. Hes tethered in me pumpkin patch. Thought he oughta see the trees an an smell fresh air 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 another one in the cupboard, Hagrid said, sitting down and wiping his forehead on his sleeve. Harr y 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 while it happens. Wrote me this mornin. Said he wants ter ter be with me. Great man, Dumbledore.Hermione, who had been rummaging in Hagrids cupboard for another milk jug, let out a small, quickly stifled sob. She straightened up with the new jug in her hands, fighting back tears.Well stick 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 watch in. An yeh shouldn be down here anywayIf Fudge an Dumbledore apprehend 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 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 squirm 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 ruddy face had gone the color of parchment.Theyre comin.Harry, Ron, and Hermione whipped around. A group of men was 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 garden. 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 lot 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 sharp 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 fast 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 he wont stay put Ron was bent over, trying to keep Sca bbers in his pocket, but the rat was going berserk creak 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 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 Scabbers, shut up, everyonell hear us The rat was squealing wildly, but not loudly enough to cover up the sounds drifting from Hagrids garden. There was a jumble of indistinct male voices, a silence, and then, without warning, the spare swish and thud of an axe.Hermione swayed on the spot.They did it she whispered to Harry. Id dont believe it they did it