Chapter 92: Hagrid’s First Class
"My poor child, there's always a sliver of hope," Trelawney said in a melancholic tone, exuding an air of saintly sorrow. "Divination doesn't entirely dictate your destiny. If you diligently study this subject and avoid red-haired men, it's not impossible to escape this dreadful omen." Her demeanor, dripping with theatrical gravitas, rivaled that of a clergy member from a bygone era.
"Thank you for the advice, Professor," Augustus replied calmly. He didn't seem particularly affected, even when faced with a prediction of his death. As a legendary mage nearing divine ascension in his previous life, he had weathered countless life-and-death situations. A baseless prophecy couldn't shake him—if it could, his enemies of old would have been rejoicing long ago.
"That's it for today," Trelawney announced. "Sadly, one among you will leave us sooner or later. Let us hope that moment doesn't come too soon." Her mournful gaze swept across the classroom.
The room plunged into heavy silence. Augustus had become a figurehead for Slytherin, and even the mere suggestion of his death cast a shadow over his peers. Those who believed the prophecy were filled with anger and despair.
The next class was Transfiguration. Slytherin students trudged to the classroom in pairs, their mood somber and subdued.
"Augustus, do you believe her prophecy?" Lillian asked softly, walking beside him. Her crimson eyes betrayed a mix of worry and skepticism. "It's unnecessary to take her nonsense seriously. Honestly, Divination is one of the least valuable subjects at Hogwarts. If not for graduation requirements, I wouldn't set foot in that dreadful classroom again."
"Exactly," Draco chimed in with a sneer. "Her so-called prophecy is utter nonsense. Only someone as gullible as Pansy would fall for her drivel." His lingering resentment toward Trelawney's warning to Pansy was palpable.
"Enough," Augustus interjected with a faint smile. "There's no need to dwell on the death prophecy. I have no objections to it—it's just another fear-mongering tactic many seers employ. Once you've seen enough, it stops being surprising."
In Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall introduced the concept of Animagi. With a soft pop, she transformed into a tabby cat, complete with spectacles-like markings around her eyes.
"What's wrong with all of you today?" she asked after returning to her human form. "I can hardly recall a time when my Transfiguration didn't earn applause."
Pansy raised her hand hesitantly. "Professor, we just came from Divination. We read tea leaves, and—"
"Ah, say no more," McGonagall interrupted with a sharp frown. "Let me guess. Who is predicted to die this year?"
All eyes turned to Augustus, who nodded reluctantly.
"Of course," McGonagall said, her small round eyes narrowing on Augustus. "You should know that Professor Trelawney has predicted the death of a student every year since she began teaching here. Not one has come true. Foreseeing death is her way of welcoming new students. If I were the sort to criticize my colleagues—" She stopped abruptly, her nostrils flaring slightly. "Let's just say Divination is one of the least precise branches of magic. True seers are exceedingly rare. And as for Trelawney..."
She left the rest unsaid, but the students understood perfectly. Knowing smiles spread across their faces.
After lunch, the students left the castle for their first Care of Magical Creatures class. The rain from the previous day had stopped, leaving the skies a pale gray and the ground damp and soft.
"To be honest," Lillian muttered as they walked, "Hagrid's class feels even less credible than Divination. Who knows what sort of dangerous 'adorable creature' he'll introduce us to? Just reading the book has already lowered my expectations."
"Come on," Draco scoffed. "What dangerous creature could that oaf possibly handle? Although I must admit, this book is quite a curiosity. I spent half the summer wrestling it to keep it from destroying my other books. If Hagrid doesn't explain himself, I won't let it go."
Hagrid stood outside his hut, waiting for the students. He wore a moleskin coat, and his boarhound, Fang, sat at his feet, wagging his tail eagerly.
"Come on, everyone! Hurry up!" Hagrid called as they approached. "Got a real treat for yeh today! Gonna be a great lesson!"
He led the class to a fenced area. "Right then, everyone gather 'round where yeh can see. First thing's first—open yer books!"
"How do we open them?" Draco drawled, holding up his Monster Book of Monsters, which was securely tied with string. Similar measures were evident across the group—students had restrained their books in bags, with clips, or wrapped in bindings.
"None of yeh figured it out?" Hagrid looked crestfallen.
Then his eyes lit up as he spotted Augustus holding an unrestrained, perfectly docile book. "Augustus, yeh've managed it, haven't yeh?"
Augustus smirked faintly and nodded.
Want to read the chapters in Advance? Join my Patreon
https://patreon.com/Glimmer09