Chapter 56 - Time

Time seemed to pass quickly in the halls of Hogwarts, I stuck to a rather boring schedule. Teach, visit the dueling club every once in a while, and tutor students I think needed the extra help.

Since my chat with Bellatrix Black, she has avoided me like the plague. I can tell her mind is unwell, and from what I could glean from the future was the issue would only get worse.

I contacted Arcturus shortly after she tried to swindle ritual lessons from me, he seemed to be deeply troubled by the news her mind was slipping.

I think this summer break he will try to find a method to fix it, I hope he can. But, I think I will have a conversation with him beforehand.

I'm worried in their pursuit to stop the fall of their house the Black family will ruin or inconvenience some of my plans.

Anyway, since the introduction of my final assignment, I've changed the way my class was operated. At the start of every class like usual I will have the students practice control, then I will give them time to get into their groups and practice or plan. Finally, I would revisit a divination method I already taught about and teach more about the subject.

I don't think it will benefit the students if I overload them with so many different techniques which is why I taught the most basic ones and have been going back to let them practice and show the fruits of their own self-practice.

The techniques might be basic in principle but, if properly mastered they are very useful.

It was now only a couple of weeks till the semester ended and the students and teachers alike headed back home for the summer.

I for one looked forward to the break I had much to accomplish this summer, and I was excited just thinking about it.

Currently, I sat in the great hall eating dinner with the other professors, as I bit into my food I saw Lucius Malfoy scowling in the corner of my eye.

Since his embarrassing loss to Frank Longbottom, Lucius has been trying with all his might to regain the past prominence he once had in the Slytherin house.

Sadly for him; to do that the best method would be to duel Frank Longbottom again in front of the whole school. But, Professor Abara and Yowie simply won't let that happen.

I heard he tried to attack Frank in the halls but was stopped by his head of house, Horace Slughorn.

Horace is an interesting man, he seems to surround himself with the influential. But, even with him knowing my last name he hasn't made any attempt to approach me, it's odd as I would think he would jump at the opportunity.

I decided to keep an eye on the man.

After dinner, I left to return to my room as I rounded the corner Minerva stood in my way.

I could already feel the sigh building in my soul.

"Professor Morpheus," she greeted me with a small smile

"Minerva, what brings you over here?" I asked with a small smile as this corridor was unused except for my room

"I came to apologize, I was unfair to you when we first met. I've thought about what you said when you came back with what you found about Mr. Note. And, I was in the wrong, if someone judged me harshly over the fact they didn't like my mastery I would be upset as well," She said calmly

I was honestly surprised, I didn't expect this out of her.

"Thank you, Minerva. I know you dislike divination but, I hope one day you will start to see it as something other than a waste," I replied

She nodded, "I already am, my Gryffindors in your classes seem to love what you teach them and show off what they have learned," she seemed to care a lot for her students

"Thank you, I try my best to teach the students things that will be useful to them in the future," I replied with a smile

"Can I ask you something, Professor Morpheus?" Minerva asked suddenly

"Of course," I nodded for her to ask the question

"Why do you only use first names? I hardly think you mean it as disrespect but it's something I've wondered about," she admitted with a sheepish smile

I chuckled, "Truthfully, where I attended school we just used the first names of everyone, it wasn't very formal, I just got used to it,"

She laughed, "I see, thank you for satisfying my curiosity, have a good night," she said before walking off

"Have a good night Minerva, and please feel free to call me by my first name as well," I said to her back

Once she left I shook my head with a wry smile, these professors have many layers.

***

Finals week approached quickly, much like my midterms, I decided to space out my exams in the last week so I could get every group in for their exam.

I coordinated with some other professors to explain the exam might take longer for some students so they might be late.

So far every group has done well, and I am proud of their achievements. Divination isn't easy, I'm glad they are taking this seriously and putting in the work outside of class.

"Xenophilius, Amelia, and Narcissa. Not a group I expected but I'm excited for your results," I said to them as they prepared

This group was one of the best from my third-year batch, each of the students has had spectacular success in at least one method of divination. They seemed to lock into an uncanny sense of focus, their teamwork as they performed the spell was nearly perfect,

Xenophilius was the one receiving the vision, I could see him fall into a trance singling the group's impending success.

His eyes snapped open as he rose from his seated position and walked toward the door. His group got up with shaky steps clearly out of energy.

I stood and followed as the group made their way to the library, entering the library Xenophilius approached a bookshelf and found a book titled, 'The Truth Of Time'.

Opening the book a ring fell out, picking it up he smirked, "We did it~"

It seems Xenophilius ran out of the amount of time he could stay normal and now he is back to his usual airy personality.

"Good job, you all performed excellently. Before you leave for summer break I will give you each a short letter summarizing where you can improve," I said with a small smile before turning around and leaving

I have to attend another group's demonstration in thirty minutes and I would like to get the letters done before then.

***

At the end of the week, the students were setting off to leave and I delivered all of my letters.

No group failed, yes some groups needed more than one attempt but they got it eventually.

I sat in Albus's office, "I will be away for the summer, I will send letters detailing things from what I see. Send Fawkes if you need me," I told him while taking a sip of tea

Albus nodded, "I will keep that in mind, I look forward to the information you provide," he smiled slightly

I laughed, "Do you regret it?"

"The contract?" Albus asked

"Yes, do you regret it," I asked

"No, and I hope the day I regret it never comes," he replied honestly

I looked out the window, "Me too,"

I stood up laughing, "Well, let's win a war!"

With that, I left his office next time I see him I will have a much clearer picture of what is to come.

—-

A/N: Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324 also forgot to put this in the other chapter but for those who know of the dream ruby I am not making it the same power level as source material that would be absurd