Tea Leaf Divination

"The O.W.L.s Divination exam mainly tests foundational divination knowledge, focusing on tea-leaf imagery, celestial patterns, and the like. Although few students choose Divination as an elective each year, the pass rate is still 60%," said Dumbledore.

"As long as the students can correctly remember the meanings behind each omen, they can pass the exam."

Viktor's expression became even more puzzled, an unusual moment where his mood was plainly visible.

"But hasn't Professor Trelawney failed to make an accurate prophecy for years? I met her briefly during my interview yesterday, and her Inner Eye seemed very unclear."

Dumbledore looked a little surprised. "Indeed... but I have heard her make a prophecy before."

"What good is that?" Viktor frowned. "If Trelawney herself doesn't know how to open her Inner Eye, how can she teach her students to open theirs?

If students can't see the future, can they truly be considered capable of divination?"

Dumbledore was silent for a moment before asking back,

"...Does divination require one to see the future?"

"Doesn't it?"

"? "

Viktor and Dumbledore stared at each other, both falling into silence.

Even Rufus Scrimgeour, standing nearby, didn't know what to say.

— Wasn't divination all about playing with tea leaves, stargazing, and then spouting a bunch of cryptic and ambiguous remarks?

Last year, The Daily Prophet had even joked that Divination should be renamed How to Bluff and Fool People. Many wizards felt the class was entirely useless and should be abolished, but it had survived all these years thanks to Dumbledore's insistence.

So were they actually right all along?

Unbelievable.

On the other hand, Viktor's expression was one of resigned realization.

"Perhaps our concepts differ. At least where I'm from, wizards who can't see the future but pretend to be prophets are simply called: frauds."

Prophecy wasn't a legend in Viktor's homeland.

While only a few wizards could accurately foresee the future decades ahead, most could at least predict minor fortunes and misfortunes, or sense a glimpse of what lay ahead.

If Hogwarts students couldn't even manage that—then what they were learning wasn't divination at all!

Staring at the sky and fiddling with tea leaves like Trelawney? That was fraud, not divination!

Viktor sank into a deep silence.

"......"

Dumbledore shook his head helplessly, exchanging a knowing look with Scrimgeour.

Dumbledore then asked with interest,

"So, how would you define divination? Is Unfogging the Future inaccurate?"

"That book isn't wrong," Viktor replied.

"The methods and interpretations described are feasible. But the problem lies here: the same pattern might represent different things to different people. Even seeing the omen itself requires magical control. If one cannot open their Inner Eye, what they see will be entirely meaningless."

"For example… Professor Dumbledore, may I borrow your teacup?"

"Of course."

Dumbledore handed over his teacup. At this point, the tea was nearly gone, leaving only the leaves at the bottom.

Viktor took the cup, holding it in his left hand, giving it three light shakes, then clenching his right fist gently before opening it above the cup.

A nameless white mist emerged from his seemingly empty hand, spreading over the tea leaves, obscuring their shapes.

Scrimgeour couldn't help but comment, "Wandless magic? And quite the atmosphere you're creating."

Viktor shot him a glance but said nothing.

He placed the cup on the table, slowly spinning it as Dumbledore and Scrimgeour leaned in to watch the swirling tea leaves.

For some reason, the mist Viktor conjured lingered, shrouding the leaves as they turned, heightening the mysterious atmosphere—exceeding even Trelawney's theatrics.

Three pairs of eyes scrutinized the rotating tea leaves.

As Viktor gazed at the leaves, faint, almost imperceptible red glints flickered in his dark, shadowy eyes.

The mist and leaves seemed to swirl together, presenting the trio with some kind of vision.

"A looming shadow… This likely signifies a persistent danger, ever-present and soon to surge back. It requires careful handling to avoid being engulfed."

His voice turned hoarse and ethereal as he spoke.

"Even Professor Dumbledore in danger? I doubt that," Scrimgeour murmured skeptically. "He's England's most knowledgeable wizard, after all."

Viktor ignored him, continuing to turn the cup.

He moved his right hand slightly, causing the mist to stir and the tea leaves to shift again.

"A broken pendulum, missing its hands… Time is running out, implying that any reaction must come quickly… But the damage is minimal, suggesting limited danger and a high chance of success."

"A mirror, facing figures… The true threat lies within."

After saying this, Viktor's voice faltered. He stopped turning the cup, then muttered in a low tone:

"He will not die, as he has never truly lived."

The mist writhed like a great moth, faint patterns forming within it. Seven indistinct shapes seemed to appear, but before anyone could discern their meaning, the mist dissipated, revealing only the tea leaves underneath.

Viktor set down the cup.

Scrimgeour's skeptical expression remained unchanged. But Dumbledore's face turned serious, his hand tightening under the table despite his calm demeanor.

The room fell into silence.

After a moment, Scrimgeour asked, "Is that all?"

"That's all," Viktor replied.

"...With all due respect, this seems no different from Professor Trelawney's methods," Scrimgeour said, frowning. "I've heard that Europe's infamous Dark Lord, Grindelwald, was a Seer who could project future visions into reality."

"Only a few are born able to see the future. The rest must pay a price," Viktor replied cryptically.

After completing his prophecy, Viktor waved the teacup toward the teapot, which slowly carried it toward the sink.

The room remained silent for a while.

Dumbledore stared at the table with his bright blue eyes, lost in thought.

Finally, after several seconds, he snapped back.

"Apologies, I was distracted."

"I've seen your abilities now, Mr. Vanderboom. I believe you are capable of taking on the role of Divination professor. We won't trouble you further. Let's just set up a repelling charm and be off."

"Oh, and Professor McGonagall asked me to inform you that she will still meet you at Charing Cross Road at the agreed time. She wants to discuss your teaching and employment arrangements. Additionally, due to recent staff shortages, you may also be assigned some administrative duties."

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