60 ~ Let Yourself Be Told the Future

They looked way too happy throwing spells at each other

"What's the purpose of the cards? To gain impressions of future events," Professor Flowstick explained and we were in Divination, "Lay the cards for your partner and try to see into the future. Trust in the cards!" After this speech she made a strange hand gesture from top to bottom. Today the professor wore little bells on her wrists and ankles.

Why? Please don't ask me. She's simply a madwoman one does not need to understand.

"Is Moonykins ready to know his future?" I asked Remus teasingly, who as always sat beside me in Divination. His green eyes were still fixed on the professor and it was obvious the Gryffindor was not a fan of Tarot cards. "They're just random pictures on paper," he was already complaining. I breathed out theatrically. "Oh, come on, then let's have a look at your pretty little pictures," I said cheerfully and shuffled the cards in front of me. While doing so, I glanced around the room and the first students present began reading out the future to the person opposite them. "Aren't you curious at all?" I asked and with my left hand laid four cards onto the table. "No," came the logical answer from Moony. I rolled my eyes, then arranged the cards in a cross shape. The first card to the left, the second to the right, the third above and the fourth below.

Then let us begin.

"So, your first card reflects your current situation. It is the 'Knight of Cups'." "Aha." "This card stands for," I began my lecture, à la Professor Sirius, and opened the correct page in the book, "self-sacrifice, self-redemption and repression of instinct, meaning repression connected to your desire for redemption from a situation involving erotic emotional entanglement. Ha, ha, how fitting!" I rejoiced, because after the holidays there had been the thing with Harmon. "And in relationships this card shows that this is an emotional time for you at the moment." "Okay, next?" my counterpart demanded. I looked at the second card, then raised my voice: "The second card shows what has become unimportant, meaning what you cannot influence. Here you have the card of the 'Ten of Cups', which symbolises the path to inner fulfilment. Also very fitting that it is unimportant that you must perhaps find inner peace. In relation to others the card shows that something has changed, though it is no longer important, or at least that is how I am interpreting these words now," I said and looked at the letters in the book. "But whatever, on to the third card, Moony, which shows what you should pay attention to now, dear friend. You have the card 'XIV-Temperance', which stands for the golden mean and the search for one's true inner core. You should take care of yourself, though at the same time let your inner problems rest because of the previous card. You should find peace." "Mhm..." I looked at the brunette. We sat on strange cushions and Remus had pulled one knee against his body while studying the cards. His expression was easy to interpret, because he thought it was ridiculous and wondered why he had once let himself be persuaded that the four of us should take Divination. "And the last card tells you what comes afterwards, so after this entire situation," I continued, looking at the last card, which showed a sword, "The 'Ace of Swords'. This card stands for mental activity that brings you clarity. If one relates it to love, then it can lead to a fruitful conversation or the overcoming of deep-rooted problems. Also fitting, ha!" Moony glared at me, because we were still annoying him about Phil.

Don't understand it, you've got a great future.

"The cards look good, Moony, be happy!" "If you say so." "Yes, if I say so," I confirmed and Remus looked at the cards strangely once again. I merely shrugged, then gathered the cards up. I handed them over to Remus, who shuffled them. Behind us Prongs and Wormtail were currently talking about their cards. Consequently Remus laid out my cards for me and predicted things for me as well, though with less enthusiasm. In the end the card of the 'Two of Wands' lay on the table and Professor Flowstick walked past our table. The bells on her ankles had announced her. "Oh my," escaped her throat, "Mister Black, pay more attention to your surroundings. This card tells you that you will soon display selfish behaviour, at least in love." "Only in the future?" Prongs teased from behind us. Remus suppressed a laugh, causing me to throw my friends a warning look, because Flowstick actually liked me. "But this is not so terrible," the woman said. She crouched down beside Remus to study the cards. Moony immediately shifted a little away and from his expression one could tell that Flowstick was once again wearing too much perfume. "Your inner pain should become unimportant. You should focus on delight and harmony, though the shadows of that may be desire, indulgence and raw sensuality. Your general situation is currently your self-realisation, which is often the case with young people." After she had finished and the cards had unfortunately made many of my love affairs obvious, my friends were amused, though Remus still looked at the cards strangely. "That proves nothing at all," he said once the professor was gone, "it's pure coincidence." "Not fate?" "No." "Then don't believe in it." Thus the rest of Divination passed. Prongs had been predicted unresolved tension by Peter, which in regard to Evans could certainly be true. Wormtail's future looked darker, because estrangement had been predicted for him, even if his current situation also involved much warmth. But as I said, Tarot cards were strange, because in that aspect I shared Remus' opinion. Any card could reflect any phase of life.

After Divination we had a double lesson of Defence Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins after lunch. Something that pleased me immensely and made me capable of leaping for joy. Meaning no. "So, welcome to today's lesson!" the professor demanded our attention. This year she had ended up with the Defence Against the Dark Arts position and she was a strange woman. Not like Flowstick, but the complete opposite. Professor Grey had, true to her name, greying hair. She was a tall woman with a stern face. Constantly she wore a perfect trouser suit beneath her black robes and her hair was tied in a low bun. Her black eyes examined everyone as though she could decipher their darkest secrets. Judging by the family name Grey, I knew that they were often found in Slytherin and Ravenclaw. Because of this the Slytherins liked this year's professor and immediately fell silent.

The excitement is understandable though.

Today we were not in the classroom, but in a duelling room. It was obvious that we would be practising spells today and I had to admit that I was pleased about the change. I gave my attention to Grey, who raised her rough voice once again: "This year in Charms your focus lies on non-verbal spells. This type of magic naturally also finds use in both defence and attack." She walked leisurely up onto the platform. The students present had gathered around the platform according to their houses and all attention rested upon the woman before our noses. At present she was one of the best professors to have held the Defence Against the Dark Arts position. "For these reasons we shall concern ourselves with this type of magic today. Who can explain the meaning of 'Hex-' and 'Jinx-spells' to me?" Several hands shot into the air. I was nevertheless surprised to hear the following name. "Miss Lestrange, please." My gaze fell upon the black-haired girl who, who could have expected anything else, stood beside Snivellus. Lestrange rarely participated in lessons. She delivered excellent performances, though putting her hand up was not among her favourite activities. I knew however that she was a talented witch, something one could not merely discover through the recent pranks.

Your name says it all, I thought while studying her, because it was the truth; Death Eater families produced talented witches and wizards.

"'Hex-' and 'Jinx-spells' are understood as malicious magical applications that are annoying, though not severe, while 'Hex-spells' count among the more malicious ones," Lestrange answered correctly, "To name a few examples: Leg-Locker Curse, Burning Spell, Bat-Bogey Hex and Trip Jinx." "Very good! Five points for Slytherin," Grey praised, though her voice remained monotone at once, then she asked Lestrange: "How would you rate your practical abilities in these spells, under non-verbal use, Miss Lestrange?" "As excellent, Professor Grey." "As excellent..." I muttered beside Prongs. And yes, I admitted it, mimicking people belonged among my bad habits. At least I made Prongs giggle. As the snake Lestrange stepped onto the platform, every gaze followed her. The Slytherins however also studied her interestingly, because over the past months the Lestranges had caused a stir in their house due to her friendship with a Gryffindor, Phil. Because of this one found expressionless, respectful, shy, though also challenging looks among the snakes. No one however would dare look at a Lestrange with disdain. Her friendship with Phil could have evil ulterior motives.

I don't trust you either.

"So, now we need a second person. How about one of the young gentlemen amusing themselves so well?" Professor Grey asked. Her dark eyes fell upon Prongs and me, because we had giggled earlier. "Mister Black." "Yes, Professor?" "How skilled are you in non-verbal spells?" "Excellent!" I repeated, with straight posture and a convincing voice, like Lestrange before me, causing Prongs to suppress a laugh. Thankfully he got himself under control, even if he had to pretend that he needed to retie his right shoe. "Then come up here," the professor demanded and I obeyed, slowly walking onto the platform.Truthfully I had no desire to duel Lestrange, though when I caught her gaze, I became aware once again of just how much I disliked her. "Good, good," Grey said and studied the two of us. She seemed pleased to have us both before her. Consequently she explained the rules to us: We were allowed to hex one another with the spells just mentioned, though only briefly, and the other person could attempt to defend themselves from the opposing curse. Should it succeed, then the other would have missed their chance and the opponent could try their luck. Most importantly however, one had to cast and defend against the spell non-verbally. "Mister Black, you begin please, and to the others, silence and concentration. After this demonstration we shall do a few more, then you will all split into pairs, but let us begin!" After these words I looked at Lestrange. The nasty, self-satisfied grin upon her lips displeased me greatly. She held her wand far too casually in her right hand. Her eyes looked at me intensely, challengingly.

I'll gladly give you a few curses.

I thought as I swung my wand. Immediately, true to the Bat-Bogey Hex, little creatures with bat wings flew forth and stormed towards Lestrange. She did not even react; with a swing of her wand the creatures crumbled into dust. I nodded. Now it was her turn. Far too quickly my wand grew boiling hot, so it could only be a Burning Spell, which did not last all too long. I grimaced, then a small Trip Jinx followed and I took a step to the side. Quickly however Lestrange received a Jelly-Legs Jinx, causing the Slytherin's knees to wobble, followed by a Leg-Locker Curse, which she silently defended against. After this short display we looked into each other's eyes once more. The two of us had begun using two spells in succession against the other. The Defence Against the Dark Arts professor however said nothing, merely nodded with her hands clasped behind her back. The others in the room watched us curiously and dull light fell in through the high windows, because it was cloudy and afternoon. I paid no attention to it though, because another Jelly-Legs Jinx came from Lestrange. It struck my arm, the one holding the wand in hand. Briefly it felt as though I possessed no bones whatsoever. My wand slipped from my hand, though I caught it with the other hand. While my forearm regained its strength, the girl before me received a Knockback Jinx against her right side. Lestrange stumbled, her right knee touched the floor, though immediately a Leg-Locker Curse shot towards me, then likewise a Knockback Jinx, which I returned once more before I flew backwards. Her curse had been too strong, though mine had been as well. Naturally things had escalated between us.

With Lestrange everything can only escalate.

"Enough!" the professor thundered. I sat up and rubbed the back of my head. As I stood, Lestrange rubbed her wrist, though when she looked at me, it was a teasing look, not a reproachful one. I returned it with a deadly one and everything was as always; we could not stand each other, even if certain confrontations carried their own appeal. After this little duel however we both seemed to feel better. Grey explained that we had shown very good performances in the non-verbal aspect, even if the curses afterwards had become too much. Afterwards though I was allowed to return to the other Marauders, then the next two people stepped onto the platform and the lesson passed normally. Later Prongs and I paired together as well, which had been very amusing. So it was an entirely normal day at Hogwarts.

***

Heyo^^

I'll keep this short, we've reached chapter 60 and I want to sincerely thank all of you. I can only keep it brief because so far only the bots/scamers have found my Fanfic, or at least that's the impression I've gotten XD

Of course, I'm always happy about comments and votes!!!

Thank you all so much!!!

♥️♥️♥️

Lots of love, RaVen