It was hard to imagine that Salazar Slytherin, one of the revered founders of Hogwarts, would choose to live a life of obscurity, akin to an insect. His pride was too great to allow him to fade into the background, which is why he abandoned his research on Horcruxes. John speculated that Voldemort might have discovered the concept of Horcruxes in this very place. The records hinted at the existence of Horcruxes but lacked detailed instructions. However, John's immediate concern was unraveling the mystery of soul separation.
Deep within the Chamber of Secrets, John was surrounded by mountains of ancient texts and artifacts. It was no wonder that Salazar Slytherin's ideological differences with Godric Gryffindor were so profound. The chamber housed a treasure trove of knowledge, far surpassing the collection in the Restricted Section of the library. Slytherin's contributions to the magical world were not only groundbreaking but also timeless. Immersed in these ancient wisdoms, John's understanding of magic, particularly in the realm of the spiritual, deepened significantly.
"Time and soul, two untouchable taboos," whispered legends in the magical world, foretelling doom for those who dared to explore these mysteries. Undeterred, John spent his nights in the secret chamber, absorbing knowledge like a parched sponge soaking up water.
The following day, John faced the logistical nightmare of his ambitious course selection. At 9 a.m., his Divination, Muggle Studies, and Arithmancy classes were scheduled simultaneously. Despite anticipating this conflict, it still caused him a headache. "How did Hermione manage this?" he wondered.
In the auditorium, John encountered Heinrich and Malfoy. By a stroke of luck, Malfoy had chosen Arithmancy. John, seizing the opportunity, presented Malfoy with a star badge, much to the latter's astonishment and delight. However, John quickly clarified, "Don't misunderstand. I'm giving this to you so you can attend the class on my behalf and share what you learn." The badge was part of a strategy to "split the screen" for attending multiple classes at once.
Malfoy's excitement waned, while Heinrich, intrigued by the badge, requested one for himself. Recognizing Heinrich's prowess as a top student from Durmstrang, John complied, igniting a flare of jealousy in Malfoy. "Why does he get one?" Malfoy protested, feeling slighted. John's succinct reply, "He is strong enough," left Malfoy at a loss for words.
The previous day, a rumor had spread that John had chosen Slytherin, leading to an impromptu duel between Heinrich and some Slytherin students. Despite not being as effortlessly dominant as John, Heinrich's performance solidified his reputation. Even Malfoy, attempting to challenge his friend, ended up petrified for hours. Slytherin House, now teeming with combatants eager to prove their strength, had adopted a new mantra: "Power comes first," overshadowing the traditional emphasis on pureblood lineage.
With Arithmancy and Divination sorted, John sought a proxy for Muggle Studies. Daphne Greengrass volunteered, captivated by the badge. Handing it over, John was met with a grateful smile from Daphne.
As class time neared, John's curiosity about Divination grew. He possessed a latent prophetic ability that had yet to manifest, and he hoped that Divination might unlock his potential.
Breakfast that morning had its own drama. The Weasley twins, noting Heinrich's vampiric appearance, spiked his milk with garlic essence. Heinrich's reaction was swift; after spitting out the tainted milk, he brandished his wand, seeking retribution. The twins, leveraging their knowledge of Hogwarts' nooks and crannies, made a quick escape. "Oh, how childish," John said, shaking his head in mild exasperation. He reached into his small bag and pulled out a mapo tofu-flavored ice cream, offering it to Malfoy. Malfoy devoured it, his expression contorted as if he had just ingested something utterly repulsive. Unfazed, John announced he was heading to class first.
The Divination classroom was located in the Astronomy Tower, a place John had yet to explore. Thankfully, he had the Marauder's Map to guide him. Upon reaching the Astronomy Tower, he noticed a trapdoor. Before closing the map, he failed to observe an oddity: three Hermiones were indicated on it. The trapdoor released a ladder, and John ascended to find several students, including Neville, had already arrived.
"Early as always, Neville," John greeted as he approached.
The classroom was an eclectic mix of an attic and a teahouse, featuring small round tables surrounded by calico armchairs and bulging poufs. A dim red light bathed everything, with curtains tightly drawn and lamps shrouded in large crimson scarves, creating a stifling atmosphere. A fire blazed under the mantelpiece, heating a large copper teapot. The tea it brewed had a pungent aroma that was somewhat off-putting.
John found a seat and soon noticed Professor Sybill Trelawney emerging from the shadows. She embodied the quintessential image of a fortune-teller: a slender figure exaggerated by large glasses that magnified her eyes, adorned with an array of beads, chains, bracelets, and rings. John couldn't help but think of Harry's prophecy as he observed her. Despite her eccentric appearance, there was an undeniable accuracy to her predictions.
Professor Trelawney, sensing something unique in John, approached him with a sudden intensity. "My dear, I sense a remarkable talent within you," she said, her voice taking on an ethereal quality that captivated the classroom.
She placed her hands over John's eyes, urging him to relax and connect with his aura, which she claimed was exceptionally bright. Under her guidance, John felt a surge of colors behind his closed eyes.
"Now, tell me, what do you see?" she asked, releasing him.
"I saw Hermione and the others entering," John replied, just as the trio walked into the classroom.
The students were astounded by the accuracy of John's vision. Harry, puzzled, sought clarification from Neville, who explained John's prediction with admiration. Hermione, skeptical, reasoned they had simply encountered John earlier. Both Harry and Ron shared her doubts, suspecting a jest at play with Professor Trelawney.
However, Professor Trelawney was thrilled by John's apparent gift, lamenting how her own punctuality and predictions were often dismissed by others, even her fellow professors. Seeing John as an opportunity to validate her abilities, she encouraged him to delve deeper.
"Let go and allow the Celestial Eye to guide you," she instructed, eager to see what further visions John might reveal. John suddenly found himself enveloped in a profound sense of oblivion. In that moment, it was as if he could perceive far beyond the ordinary. To the onlookers, it was a startling transformation; John's eyes snapped open, revealing an expanse of pure whiteness. A palpable tension radiated from him, causing a stir among those present. In a sudden, forceful gesture, he seized Professor Trelawney's hands, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from her.
"When the moon is full, and wolves howl in unison with dogs, as rats flee and distant elders reunite, those ignorant of the truth will be crippled, and transgressors will be engulfed by the dark tide," John intoned, his voice taking on an almost melodic quality. The room fell into a chilling silence, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air. Professor Trelawney, taken aback by the intensity of the moment, had not anticipated such a powerful effect.
As John emerged from the trance-like state, he noticed Professor Trelawney's shocked expression. "Sorry, Professor, I didn't mean to," he apologized, quickly releasing her hands. Professor Trelawney, managing a strained smile, reassured him, "It's alright, my child, you've succeeded."
The classroom buzzed with a mix of relief and excitement, akin to the aftermath of an explosion. "A prophecy of death, foretold by the black tide," one student murmured. "John Wick has predicted death," another whispered in awe. Skepticism and curiosity clashed as the students debated the authenticity of John's prophecy. "Can we really believe this? Or is it all just a deception?" someone questioned. Amidst the chaos, even Hermione, a known skeptic of divination, found herself grappling with doubt.
Harry, overhearing the mention of a howling dog, furrowed his brow in concern, his thoughts drifting to the mysterious black dog he had encountered. The lesson had certainly provided ample fodder for speculation and gossip among the young wizards.
In no time, rumors of John's ominous prophecy spread throughout the school like wildfire, igniting a flurry of whispers and speculation about the foretold events.
_________
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