"So why are you staying here?" Tom responded. Since you're here, what's the point of complaining outside?
Hermione softened her tone. "I don't want to have a failing grade on my academic record..."
Although Hogwarts doesn't use a grading system, having a "poor" or "fail" mark on one's record is very unpleasant.
The Divination exam was time-consuming, and the line was moving very slowly, making life seem questionable. Every time a student descended the silver staircase, the others would silently approach and quietly ask about the content of the exam.
But none of the students were willing to reveal the questions.
Neville agreed: Professor Trelawney had warned them that anyone who disclosed the exam questions would face a great disaster.
Tom believed in that. If there were no disasters befalling those who revealed the questions, Professor Trelawney could simply mechanically change the results and give you a failing grade. When you took your report card home, you would understand what a "disaster" meant in terms of fate. After all, results in the magical world aren't sent to parents as text messages like Hogwarts tradition.
It probably wouldn't be possible, Tom thought, because if it were, Fred and George would have already grown and strengthened that business.
While Tom was lost in thought, the door to the Divination classroom slammed open, and Hermione descended the stairs quickly, with a furrowed brow.
From behind the door, Professor Trelawney's furious shout could be heard: "From the first day you entered this class, I realized you lack the noble talent required for divination. I've never seen a student with such a mediocre and irredeemable mind! If the most talented student in the class is mixed with your lack of talent, they will become as insignificant as everyone else."
The watching students fell silent.
Hermione raised her head, angrily gazing at the swinging door, and responded bluntly, "I've never seen such an absurd professor, and I never thought I'd have to act in Hogwarts. You've lowered the average of all Hogwarts professors!"
All students: ...
Professor Trelawney behind the flap door: !!!
Hermione left her speechless. After a moment, Professor Trelawney spoke with a trembling voice, "I don't want to see you in my class ever again..."
"I couldn't ask for more!" Hermione adjusted her backpack on her shoulder and left without looking back.
The students' reaction was surprisingly unanimous: they all remained silent and watched Hermione leave. At this moment, no one dared to enter the Divination classroom and continue the exam. If they entered now, they would undoubtedly face Professor Trelawney's fury, and their grades wouldn't look promising.
In the midst of the silence, Ron stealthily approached Harry and whispered, "I'm willing to spend ten Galleons to see how her exam went."
Tom, who was standing nearby, rolled his eyes. Hmm, he would be willing to spend twenty Galleons.
When the exam becomes desperate, and you have an argument with the examiner, it's the first time you see this.
"Why isn't anyone coming? Are they planning to give up the exam? Next!" Professor Trelawney's voice from above carried an unusual tone of anger.
The other students directed their gaze at Tom. In terms of skill, he was the best in Divination in his year, and in terms of relationship, after the disaster Hermione caused, shouldn't he fix things?
Tom, you're the only one who can calm Professor Trelawney's anger!
Under everyone's gaze, Tom mustered the courage and climbed the spiral staircase.
Today in the Divination classroom, it was hotter than ever, despite it being midsummer. The curtains were drawn shut, and the fire crackled in the fireplace. Combined with Professor Trelawney's trance-like state, Tom seriously suspected that one of Divination's tricks was to make you faint from heatstroke.
Tom made his way through the clutter of tables and cushions in the classroom and approached Professor Trelawney. Today, Professor Trelawney wore the same attire as always and had a large crystal ball in front of her. Tom astutely noticed a small new hole in the floor.
"I knew it was you, Yodel," Professor Trelawney said upon seeing Tom, her mood seeming to improve, or perhaps, in those short ten seconds, she managed to adjust her attitude. With an ethereal tone, she said, "Come, let's forget unpleasant things and immerse ourselves in the noble and sacred task... Look into this crystal ball and then tell me what you see. Don't rush, dear, take your time..."
Professor Trelawney displayed surprising patience with Tom, who was known for his clumsiness.
Tom knelt on a cushion, but inside, he was not at ease. He had the impression that today, Professor Trelawney would make a prediction. According to the original timeline, she predicted Peter Pettigrew's escape and Lord Voldemort's return.
So... today, in this altered timeline, would Professor Trelawney make another prediction?
"You mustn't cloud your mind; it's a great taboo in divination," as if Professor Trelawney had guessed Tom's thoughts, she couldn't help but reprimand him. Then her tone became somewhat awkward, "I already knew that mediocre girl would have an extremely negative impact... But, my child, don't worry, I'm a very tolerant person; I won't take her rude behavior seriously... This is something we all need... a good dose of patience..."
Professor Trelawney seemed to attribute Tom's restlessness to Hermione and offered him some words of consolation.
Tom knew that it was now time for the exam, and he could only take two deep breaths and try to empty his mind of intrusive thoughts.
He stared at the crystal ball, trying to see something inside.
The white mist swirled and swirled... The stifling heat in the room and the smoke escaping from the chimney made Tom dizzy, and what he saw in front of him became increasingly unclear, as if he were peering through frosted glass.
Finally, Tom saw something.
"I see... one, two, three... four shadows... they seem to be animals of different sizes and shapes..."
"Oh, I see," Professor Trelawney asked kindly, "what are they doing?"
Tom looked closer and saw that two clouds of mist seemed to intertwine and then separate, one of the mist clouds drifting away slowly.
He told Professor Trelawney what he had seen with all sincerity.
The professor let out a meaningful "oh" and murmured to herself, "Could it be... discord? Was there any change before and after the intersection of the mist clouds?"
Tom shook his head.
"Oh, my child, it is very likely that you have seen the tragic fate between you and your friends," Professor Trelawney said with a tone of sadness.