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Chapter 331: It Was Time
Chapter 331: It Was Time
Hermione directly confronted Professor Trelawney, arguing that the shape of the tea leaves had nothing to do with ill omens.
And so, the students nearby once again debated whether Harry's tea leaves resembled a black dog or not.
Harry listened helplessly as everyone discussed his life and death, not wanting to voice his opinion. When he saw Vold approaching, he lowered his voice and said, "Even if it looks like a black dog, it's still Sirius. What does it have to do with ill omens?"
"Hmm... Right."
Vold mumbled, casually picking up Harry's teacup and examining it.
Almost at first glance, an image of a large black dog appeared in his mind.
In terms of appearance, it didn't resemble a dog that closely, but it could also be said to look like a wolf, a fox, or even a wild boar. However, in his mind, there was a deep-rooted belief—
This is the black dog!
"If I may say, it looks more like a hippopotamus..." Ron gestured to Harry, "Look, doesn't this part resemble a hippopotamus's nostril?"
"It does a bit," Harry said.
"So... er, this means you'll face some challenges..."
Ron flipped through a book.
Vold put down the teacup saucer and said to the concerned Neville, "Even if it's an ill omen, it doesn't necessarily mean death. It might just indicate some challenges and dangers... That's the meaning of prophecies—to foresee problems and find solutions, rather than giving up and accepting fate."
Neville smiled, "You're right."
After Divination class, it was time for Transfiguration class, and there wasn't much time in between.
The students hurriedly put down their teacups and rushed to the Transfiguration classroom. Vold moved slightly slower, and already half the class had left the room.
Carrying his backpack, he walked forward, casually glancing at the other students' teacups—
Cat, goat, wolf, dagger, hat, raven...
Many students' tea leaves took on unsettling shapes.
However, the students didn't seem to notice this. They made clumsy prophecies, laughing and joking, and like Vold had just reassured Neville, most of them interpreted the signs positively.
After all, most of those sitting nearby were close friends.
Only Professor Trelawney held her teacup saucer, looking perplexed.
"How can this be? Is misfortune shrouding Hogwarts?... No, it must be that these students heard my prophecy and secretly tampered with the tea leaves... They're so mischievous..."
Professor Trelawney muttered to herself, complaining about the students' mischief, as she collected all the teacups from the table.
She turned around and suddenly noticed a student behind her, giving her a start. She quickly assumed a serious and distant expression and asked, "My child, is there something else you don't understand?"
Vold looked at her, shook his head, and said, "No, Professor."
He left the classroom and went to a secluded corner, where he decisively turned the Time Turner once more.
"...If you need a noble spirit and steel muscles, don't forget to call me, Sir Cadogan!"
The short and stout knight shouted as he ran swiftly from the painting, not noticing Vold in the corridor across the way.
Soon after, Vold heard his own voice, "Good morning, everyone!"
He didn't move, waiting a few minutes until the corridor outside was quiet, then summoned his flying broom and flew straight to the library.
On Monday morning, most students without classes were catching up on sleep in their dorms, leaving only a handful in the library.
Voldemort retrieved a few books related to Divination from the bookshelves, sat cross-legged on the floor, and began flipping through them.
However, very few wizards possessed the prophetic talent like Cassandra, most merely summarized experiences and deduced commonalities. Some combined Arithmancy and Astronomy, making predictions in a more "scientific" manner.
Tea leaf readings were mostly of the former type.
More authoritative books simply listed additional reference patterns, allowing readers to guess in a certain direction during their studies.
Even if a "prophecy" was incorrect, wizards would only think they misunderstood the tea leaves, not that the book was wrong.
None of the books had an example like Voldemort, who instantly recognized a precedent.
Voldemort gently touched his eyes, feeling a faint sense of bewilderment.
Having prophetic talent was, of course, a good thing...
But he worried that the gift of fate came with a hidden, hefty price tag.
An hour passed quickly, and Voldemort realized it was almost time for class to end. He borrowed the books from Mrs. Bins and then met up with Michael, who had just finished his Arithmancy class, before heading to the Transfiguration classroom.
In Michael's eyes, they had just come from the Arithmancy classroom, but in reality, Voldemort had already attended a class and read for an hour.
If this continued, aside from the exhaustion of attending extra classes, the confusion caused by inconsistent time would be unbearable.
Thinking of this, Voldemort couldn't help but admire Percy.
He always felt that even with twelve OWLs, Percy Weasley was only good at studying and taking exams, not exceptionally talented compared to many other wizards.
Yet, Percy had endured this hectic study schedule for three years, while also fulfilling his duties as a Prefect, dealing with his younger brothers' pranks, and never showing any significant flaws. It was truly remarkable.
Soon, everyone arrived at the Transfiguration classroom.
In the first class of the new semester, Professor McGonagall began teaching about Animagi, even transforming into a cat in front of the entire class.
Some students clapped, but those who had just come from Divination class were still immersed in the death prophecy and didn't react enthusiastically.
After inquiring about the reason, Professor McGonagall disdainfully said, "Divination is one of the least accurate subjects in magic. Very few can truly foresee the future, and Professor Trelawney..."
Professor McGonagall held back, refraining from criticizing her colleague in public, but she hummed through her nose, clearly expressing her opinion.
"Potter, if you die, I guarantee you won't have to hand in today's homework," Professor McGonagall said with a straight face, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Michael, sitting next to Padma, also laughed a few times. Then, he sniffed and caught a strong, sweet scent from the girl.
It was familiar.
"Padma," Michael asked casually, "Did you see Voldemort and Hermione when you went to Divination class?"
"Of course!" Padma gave him a strange look. "They signed up for all the classes, including Divination."
Michael took a deep breath. "So it's... time..."
It was indeed time...
(End of Chapter)
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