"What's this reporter blabbering about?! Has he already made a move on that little girl?"
A furious roar erupted from the Gryffindor table, where a student, clearly outraged by the article, was incensed at the reporter's unprofessional behavior and apparent predatory tendencies toward a young girl.
"Maybe this 13-year-old is just too charming," Peeves, the poltergeist, floated behind the student, offering his most venomous speculation. "You know, as a Squib, seeing a Daily Prophet reporter—a real wizard—must've thrilled her. Perhaps she made some seductive moves herself?"
"How dare you… How could you say something like that?!"
The fifth-year boy was trembling with rage, barely able to hold his wand steady. No student had ever managed to discipline the mischievous Peeves; only the Slytherin ghost, the Bloody Baron, could keep him in check.
Peeves was about to continue his taunts when Regulus Black waved his wand, sending the poltergeist flying across the room like a deflating balloon. Peeves let out a hissing sound as he passed through walls and vanished from the Great Hall.
The Slytherin table burst into synchronized applause, which even spurred some Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students to join in.
At Hogwarts, Peeves was synonymous with trouble. Many students despised him, but as a peculiar kind of ghost, there was little they could do about him.
On the other hand, Regulus Black, as Snape's teaching assistant and a Slytherin alumnus, was naturally seen as one of their own. His actions were a point of pride for Slytherin, and the applause was well-deserved.
Harry Potter: "He's coming, heading straight for Hogwarts."
Ron Weasley: "Harry! Hogwarts is safe. He shouldn't be able to get in."
Hermione Granger: "Dafton Town isn't far from here."
Ron Weasley: "But every entrance is guarded by Dementors."
Harry Potter: "He escaped from them once before. Who's to say he won't do it again?"
Hermione Granger: "Exactly! Sirius Black could show up at any moment. The chances of catching him are slim."
Ron Weasley: "Hey! You're in Ravenclaw now. Stay out of Gryffindor's business."
Hermione Granger: "I'll be wherever I want to be. You don't get to tell me what to do."
If Regulus Black hadn't suggested that Harry and his friends might need help, Hermione Granger would have had no interest in getting involved in their adventures. Every time, they stirred up a mess of problems they couldn't solve on their own.
In their first year, during the Philosopher's Stone incident, if Hermione hadn't stepped in at the last moment, who knows if Harry would've been possessed by Voldemort? He might've ended up like Professor Quirrell, with a grotesque face sprouting from the back of his head.
In their second year, during the Chamber of Secrets fiasco, if Regulus Black hadn't located the Chamber first and dealt with the Basilisk, Harry would've faced the real monster. Instead, he was manipulated by illusions, playing the role of the heroic protagonist in a thrilling but ultimately safe adventure. Harry had no idea he was merely a puppet in a carefully staged performance.
Now, in their third year, Harry Potter was clearly in trouble again. Knowing what she did, Hermione had no desire to join his adventure squad.
But how could she refuse Regulus Black's request, especially after his passionate kiss?
"Headmaster, I don't have any classes this afternoon. I'd like to visit Dafton Town."
Regulus Black had every reason—both personal and professional—to investigate the situation there. After all, he had arranged for Lucy Piddle to send Sirius Black to that location, though even he wasn't entirely sure of the specifics. Still, the plan had worked well enough, and he needed to gather more details about what had happened.
"If you wish to go, then go," Dumbledore replied, winking mischievously with a sly grin. Did the headmaster really see Regulus as some sort of lolita enthusiast? Even if that were true, with so many professors present, could the old man be any more blatantly inappropriate?
"Thank you for understanding, Headmaster. I'll go right away."
Regulus Black was supposed to have a class that morning, but after Dumbledore said that, he no longer felt like attending.
Snape turned to look at Dumbledore. Clearly, it was his Potions substitute class, and now he'd have to attend in person. On top of that, he still had a pile of ungraded homework waiting for him!
Dumbledore was momentarily stunned. From Snape's meaningful glance, he knew that some of the potions that had been scheduled for delivery would now be delayed. As for how long the delay would be—it would depend entirely on when Snape was in the mood. Otherwise, poor-quality potions made in a bad mood were quite common.
The other professors shook their heads one after another. They were already familiar with the entanglements between Dumbledore and the two black bats.
Hear nothing, ask nothing, stay away from trouble to stay safe!
Regulus Black summoned his carriage and left Hogwarts. Some students who witnessed this wanted to inspect the Dementors, but instead, they bowed respectfully toward the carriage.
When Harry Potter was in his third year, a new subject was introduced—Divination, taught by Sybill Trelawney.
Divination focused on methods of prophecy. However, Sybill Trelawney not only lacked physical charm, she also lacked teaching ability—even though she had been hired by Dumbledore for having once prophesied the connection between Harry Potter and Voldemort.
After more than ten years, her teaching methods had not improved in the slightest. She still relied solely on students' personal intuition and talent.
Sybill Trelawney's Divination class was held in one of Hogwarts' towers. Her classroom was filled with teacups—or rather, "cupware"—stacked everywhere. One corner was even piled high with cups forming a wall.
Just like her habit of making baseless predictions, she would tell anyone she saw that they were doomed or would die soon. She applied the same approach to grading: the more bizarre and tragic a student's prediction was in their homework, the higher the score they received.
Thus, it was both the most hated and most loved class among students. Hated—because it felt like a scam and was completely useless. Loved—because it was the easiest class to earn credits in. All you had to do was predict your own death. Students who were articulate could earn their house a lot of points.
No matter how frustrating it was, they had to stick with it.
Usually, in the first lesson, Sybill Trelawney would teach tasseography—reading tea leaves. Students were paired up and asked to read each other's tea cups, interpreting the remaining leaves.
In truth, for students encountering Divination for the first time, this was pointless. It would've been better to memorize the textbook first. As a result, Harry and his classmates just started making things up as they stared into their cups.
Thanks to tips from upperclassmen, they all knew how to earn credits in Divination.
During class, Ron looked into Harry's tea leaves and started spouting nonsense about how Harry would find joy in suffering.
"Harry will encounter trouble—severe trials and pain. But I also see the sun... and happiness. So... you must endure the pain. You'll find joy in it, Harry!"
"Give me the cup!" As soon as Sybill Trelawney took the cup, her expression turned tense, and she abruptly set it down on the table.
"My child, you... you've seen the Grim!"
The word "Grim" carries meanings like grimness, cruelty, coldness, and terror.
In the Divination textbook, "Grim" also has its own explanation: the Grim, a monstrous black dog, is one of the most terrifying omens in the world—a sign of death.
Harry Potter held his cup carefully, trying to make out the tea leaves at the bottom. Sure enough, the dregs had formed the shape of a black dog.
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