Chapter 689: Obfuscation and Pretense
Chapter 689: Obfuscation and Pretense
After dinner, they returned to the Gryffindor common room.
Albert had to go back to the dormitory to feed his cat first, before bringing Tom to the common room to let him socialize with the other cats. It wasn't good for him to be cooped up alone for too long.
Fred, George, and Lee Jordan were unusually quiet as they studied, preparing for their Potions essay assignment.
They had no choice but to get started on it, as Snape had assigned them a lengthy essay on moonstones on the first day of school, due in the next Potions class.
Albert had mentioned that he might not be available in the coming days, so the trio had no choice but to work on it right after dinner, to avoid spending even more time and effort on it later.
"Its characteristics and pharmaceutical uses; I think if we include this and make the font a bit bigger, we should be able to fill the required twelve inches," said Fred, gathering the information they had found.
The three of them pooled their resources, and it seemed they had enough material.
"I think we should find some more, just in case. We can't include everything we've found, so let's focus on its medicinal value. I remember Love Potions require a small amount of moonstone, too..." George began, but trailed off as he noticed Hermione approaching. "Oh, Hermione, is something the matter?"
Albert was flipping through the materials they had gathered, structuring the essay in his head, when he noticed someone approaching. He looked up and his eyes fell on the ginger cat at the girl's feet.
"Your cat?" he asked.
"His name is Crookshanks," Hermione said, "I bought him in Diagon Alley during the summer."
"He looks like he's seen a few years and hasn't had it easy," Albert remarked, eyeing Crookshanks and reaching into his pocket for a packet of dried fish, hoping to befriend the cat.
Meow! Tom, who had been napping on the table, suddenly became alert at the sight of Albert offering treats to another cat. In a flash, he darted in front of Crookshanks, standing protectively between them and giving the new cat a warning glare, despite his usually laid-back demeanor.
"Jealous, huh?"
Albert scooped Tom up, scratching him under the chin and chuckling, "I never knew you were so possessive, Tom. You're such a grump!"
Hermione jumped back, startled, thinking the two cats might come to blows.
As Albert reached out to pet Crookshanks, Tom batted his hand with his paw, still wary and protective.
"He really is jealous," Albert laughed, no longer teasing Tom. He turned to Hermione, "What's up?"
"It's about Divination class," she said.
"You're going to say that Professor Trelawney is a fraud, aren't you?" George interjected.
"Write your own essay," Hermione retorted, undeterred.
She continued, addressing Albert, "I find Divination rather vague and confusing, with a lot of guesswork involved. It just doesn't feel reliable, and Professor Trelawney even saw a sign of death in Harry's tea leaves."
"Did Potter take that black dog as an omen of bad luck?" Albert asked casually as he set Tom down on the floor.
"You know about that?" Hermione asked, surprised.
"I ran into him in Diagon Alley during the summer holidays. He asked me about it, and I told him it was just a stray dog," Albert said, watching Tom warily eyeing Crookshanks. "Seems like Potter hasn't let it go and is still spooking himself out."
"I thought it was a stray dog, too," Hermione said, relieved to have found a common ground. "I think Professor Trelawney is putting on an act. Many people say she's a fraud, and this morning, she even prophesied that Harry would die, but Professor McGonagall said that she predicts the death of a first-year student every year..."
"In a way, you're not wrong," Albert said ambiguously.
"I'm considering dropping the class; it's a waste of my time," Hermione said bluntly. While she had only attended one lesson, her impression of Divination was not favorable.
Albert looked into Hermione's eyes and smiled, "Do you remember what Professor Trelawney said at the beginning of your class?"
"What she meant was that divination requires a certain talent. If you don't have that talent, you'll only learn a little, no matter how much time you spend on it. That's why divination is considered the most difficult subject," Albert explained.
"But Professor Trelawney expressed it in such an abstruse way..." Hermione began, but Albert cut her off.
"Indeed, obfuscation and pretense are common among diviners because predicting the future is incredibly difficult," Albert said, motioning for Hermione to follow him to a more private spot to continue the conversation.
Once they found a quiet corner, Albert continued, "Professor Trelawney is the great-granddaughter of the famous seer, Cassandra Trelawney. She does possess the gift of prophecy.
”
"But why do you say that Professor Trelawney is a fraud?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
"Professor Trelawney is unable to utilize her prophetic gift. How should I put it... It's like having a hundred galleons, but not being able to spend it," Albert directly revealed to Hermione. "So, Professor Trelawney, unable to see snippets of the future through a crystal ball like I can, resorts to obfuscation and pretense to gain the trust of others. In truth, most witches and wizards don't believe in prophecies."
"Of course, what we can learn from Professor Trelawney is not just divination knowledge, but also some practical techniques."
"Are you referring to Professor Trelawney's way of speaking in riddles?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, thinking that Albert's cryptic behavior was something he had picked up from Professor Trelawney, even though all of Albert's so-called prophecies had come true.
"Yes, that's one of them," Albert didn't deny it. "Most witches and wizards are actually unwilling to believe in divination, even if the prophecy eventually comes true. Apart from a handful of true prophets who are highly regarded in the wizarding world, most diviners are seen as frauds. So, why not play the part and maybe fool a person or two?"
"Are you doing the same? But can't you predict the future?" Hermione asked, confused. "Why do you still pretend then?"
"I know you still doubt that I'm a fraud, no need to argue, I understand," Albert gestured for Hermione to stop defending him. "One day, when I'm truly recognized as a prophet, you won't think of me as a pretentious fraud, but as a respected 'seer'."
"So, are you trying to become a seer?" Hermione asked, arching an eyebrow.
"No, I'm just trying to make you accept that I am a seer," Albert corrected her. "Because, being able to glimpse fragments of the future already qualifies me as one."
"But... why?" Hermione didn't think of Albert as someone who craved fame and fortune.
"Because the words of a seer carry more weight than those of an underage wizard."
"Weight in words?"
Hermione clearly couldn't grasp the deeper meaning of his words.
"You'll understand later," Albert didn't intend to explain further.
"Do you know about Hagrid's situation?" Hermione suddenly remembered Hagrid's predicament.
"I predicted it last semester and warned Hagrid, but he obviously didn't take it seriously," Albert said calmly.
"I thought you would say that you prophesied about this," Hermione said, raising an eyebrow.
"With Hagrid's personality, it was actually predictable without the need for prophecy. I just didn't expect it to happen on the first day of school," Albert sighed helplessly.
"Will Hagrid be expelled?" Hermione asked.
"No."
Noticing Hermione's confused look, Albert explained: "Professor Dumbledore will vouch for Hagrid, so he won't be expelled."
"Really?"
Harry and Ron happened to come out looking for Hermione, and they overheard Albert saying that Hagrid wouldn't be expelled.
"Potter, you should have a little more faith in Professor Dumbledore," Albert lowered his voice and said, "Of course, the Malfoys won't let this go. When they realize they can't cause trouble for Hagrid, they will naturally look for other outlets for their anger."
"Other outlets?" The three of them asked, puzzled.
"That unlucky hippogriff will definitely be made into a scapegoat," Albert said meaningfully.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the hippogriff will be sentenced to death for injuring Malfoy," Albert looked calmly at Harry. "Of course, if you want to save it, you can write a letter to Minister of Magic Fudge, expressing your willingness to donate a large sum of galleons to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Get Fudge to put an end to this matter immediately, and you'll have to act fast because the Malfoys are also wealthy. Once they realize they can't take it out on Hagrid, they will try to convince Fudge using similar means."
Harry was stunned by Albert's suggestion of bribing Fudge.
To be honest, Harry's impression of Fudge wasn't too bad.
"But... the hippogriff is innocent," Hermione exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"The hippogriff injured Malfoy. As long as Lucius is willing to donate some money, the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures will be happy to label it as insane and sentence it to death," Albert looked at the three stunned faces and smirked. "Don't be surprised, this is politics, and politics has never had anything to do with justice."
"But... even if it goes to court..."
"The court has never been a place for justice. People use the court to defend the law, and the law has never been equal to justice," Albert mercilessly shattered the naive notions in the trio's minds. "No need to look at me like that. My family are lawyers, and I've known about these things since I was young. Maybe it's cruel to you right now, but that's just how it is. Don't hold on to any false hopes, Hagrid won't win this lawsuit."
"There's light in Hagrid's window. I want to go downstairs to see him, it's still early..." Harry suddenly said, as if wanting to avoid the cruel reality.
"I don't know if we're allowed to go out," Hermione anxiously looked at Albert, her eyes pleading for him to accompany them to visit Hagrid.
"After dark, it's best not to wander around, especially you, Potter. I heard that Black's target is you," Albert reminded him.
"Sirius Black hasn't gotten past the Dementors to enter the school, has he?" Harry said loudly.
"Then, good luck to you. By the way, give my regards to Hagrid and tell him not to be upset. I'll find a way to help him resolve this issue," Albert said, turning and returning to the Gryffindor common room, leaving the trio looking at each other in silence.
(End of Chapter)
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