Chapter 91: The Prophecy of Death

The smoke-filled classroom was hazy, blurring the features of Professor Trelawney's face. Pansy remained wary of Malfoy, clearly apprehensive that the gray-blue-eyed boy mentioned in the prophecy might bring her harm. As for Augustus, he had no interest whatsoever in these baseless predictions.

"Now, I want everyone to pair up. Go to the shelves, grab a teacup, and bring it to me. I'll pour the tea. Then, sit down and drink until only the leaves remain in the cup. Swirl the dregs three times with your left hand, invert the cup onto the saucer, and let the last drop of tea drain out. After that, exchange your cups with your partner and interpret the tea leaves. You may use pages five and six of Unfogging the Future to decipher the shapes. I'll walk around to assist you and provide guidance. Oh, and dear—" She grabbed Klaus's arm, pulling him up. "When you break the first teacup, could you choose one of the blue-patterned ones? I'm particularly fond of the pink ones."

Predictably, the sound of breaking porcelain echoed through the classroom as soon as Klaus reached the shelves. Professor Trelawney, armed with a dustpan and broom, hurried over. "Well, if you don't mind, take a blue one this time… Thank you…"

"Tsk, tsk. This fraud must have a few tricks up her sleeve. I wonder how many fools she's ensnared with these gimmicks," Malfoy muttered irritably, still stewing over her prophecy concerning Pansy.

"Enough," Lillian said coolly. "She's still a professor. It's best to show some respect, at least on the surface. Otherwise, if she decides to make your life difficult, it'll be all too easy for her."

"Ha! You might cower before such dark forces, but I won't bow to these vile, corrupt power-mongers. As a modern youth with ideals and ambitions, it's my lifelong goal to resist such reactionaries. To submit to her? Absurd!" Malfoy declared righteously. Augustus glanced at him with surprise, as though seeing him in a new light. Malfoy basked in the admiring gazes around him, looking as pleased as if he'd swallowed honey.

"Have you paired off?" Professor Trelawney's ominous gaze landed on Malfoy. "The next exercise is critical. I won't tolerate any mistakes."

"Ah! Of course, Professor! We're just about to begin. Rest assured, we'll meet your expectations as swiftly as possible!" Malfoy instantly changed his tune, bowing and scraping like a sycophant. His dramatic shift was so swift it resembled the face-changing art of Sichuan opera, leaving Augustus deeply impressed by such rare talent.

Lillian and Augustus paired up, quickly returning to their table and trying to finish the steaming tea as fast as possible. They followed Professor Trelawney's instructions to swirl the dregs, drain the cup, and exchange cups.

"So, what's next?" Lillian glanced at page six of the book, massaging her forehead. "What do you see in my teacup?"

"Some scraps of tea leaves?" Augustus rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"Broaden your perspective, dear. Look beyond the mundane!" Trelawney's voice called out from the shadows.

"Alright, then. I see something resembling… an airplane?" Augustus squinted at the dregs. "Does that mean you're destined to become a pilot? Congratulations. Oh, and there's something like a sun too. That must mean you'll be quite happy and satisfied with this job."

"Well then, it seems I'm fated to contribute to Britain's aerospace industry, test-flying for Muggles," Lillian said, her wine-red eyes twinkling with amusement as she pretended to speak seriously, especially since Professor Trelawney was watching from a distance.

"Your turn," Lillian said, peering into Augustus's cup with a scrutinizing gaze. "Oh, it's clear—a strong wolf. It seems you'll encounter a werewolf soon."

"Indeed, and there's also a big stick, which means you'll easily defeat it. Lucky you," she added, flipping through Unfogging the Future. "Lastly, there's something resembling grapes. Ah, unexpected wealth! After defeating the werewolf, you'll gain a fortune. Marvelous. You should share some of it with me since I foresaw it for you."

Augustus kept his expression neutral, though his eyes betrayed his amusement. Suddenly, Professor Trelawney turned toward them. "Let me see, dear," she said unhappily, snatching the cup from Lillian. The class fell silent, watching intently. Professor Trelawney studied the cup, turning it counterclockwise.

"A falcon… dear, you have a mortal enemy."

"Hmm, a mortal enemy? How intriguing," Augustus responded indifferently, showing no reaction to the notion.

"A club… Lillian noticed it, but her interpretation was wrong. It signifies an attack. Dear child, this is not a fortunate cup… A skull… danger lies ahead…" The class stared in shock as Professor Trelawney rotated the cup one final time before gasping and collapsing into a nearby armchair, clutching her chest dramatically. "Oh, my poor child… It's better left unsaid… No… Don't ask me…"

"What's wrong, Professor?" Malfoy asked, feigning confusion as he leaned closer.

"An omen, dear boy, an omen!" Trelawney exclaimed, her gaze fixed on Augustus, who remained impassive, much to her shock. "A spectral black dog wandering the graveyard! My dear child, this is the worst omen—an omen of death!"

"Well, that is rather unfortunate," Augustus said lightly, his silver eyes reflecting faint amusement.

"My poor child, the most dreadful of all prophecies…" Trelawney lamented.

"To have such a terrifying vision appear in my teacup is, in fact, quite the blessing," Augustus replied with a faint smile, his eyes gleaming mischievously.

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