The art of Divination, even in a magical world, seldom yields absolute truths. True Seers, though rare, are not infallible. The future is a realm of endless possibilities, where every minuscule action by an individual can create ripples that irrevocably alter the course of history. A single sneeze, or the lack thereof, could lead to entirely different life outcomes. It's no exaggeration to say that Divination is a profoundly intricate and enigmatic discipline.
Even with his usual disdain for Professor Trelawney, in this moment, Augustus felt the mystique emanating from her. She appeared to be in a state of inexplicable harmony with the flow of time and space, her being aligned to an extraordinary degree. Though physically present, she exuded an aura of remoteness, as if she existed both infinitely distant and impossibly close. Augustus's expression grew serious as he activated his considerable mental acuity, scrutinizing her unusual state.
Suddenly, Professor Trelawney spoke again, her voice raspy and uncharacteristically grave:
"The Dark Lord lies alone, friendless, abandoned by his followers. For twelve years, his servant has been bound in chains. But tonight, before midnight, the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again, with the aid of his servant, stronger and more terrifying than ever before. Tonight... before midnight... the servant... will begin... to reunite with... his master..."
The Dark Lord rising again? A flicker of unease crossed Augustus's face. Despite their two prior confrontations, where Augustus had the upper hand, he fully recognized Voldemort's overwhelming power and unshakable confidence in his dark arts. If not for Voldemort's physical limitations and intrinsic weaknesses, Augustus doubted he could defeat a fully restored Dark Lord even with his current abilities. If the prophecy held true—that Voldemort would return stronger than ever—it would be a devastating blow to the wizarding world.
"The stars shine eternal, but the Child of Destiny emerges as the sole beacon of hope in the impending catastrophe. The flame of civilization lies hidden, yet the brilliance of truth will burn brighter after the calamity. A new era is dawning. The light representing the world's essence will pass on, and after the tribulation, a new order will arise."
Trelawney's head dropped to her chest, and she let out a faint groan. Then, abruptly, her head snapped up.
"Apologies, dear child," she said dreamily, "it's just so warm today... I must've dozed off for a moment…"
Augustus's momentarily stunned expression returned to calm. He nodded slightly. "No problem, Professor. You must be tired. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
As he descended the staircase, Augustus replayed Trelawney's prophecy in his mind. The calamity she spoke of likely referred to Voldemort's resurgence. However, the so-called Child of Destiny was more ambiguous. Based on the prophecy, this individual was likely young—perhaps even a Hogwarts student. Moreover, what did the "new era" signify? If the post-calamity world represented progress for civilization, then perhaps this catastrophe was not entirely undesirable.
Outside the classroom, Harry, Hermione, and Ron were huddled together in discussion. Seeing Augustus, Harry approached him directly.
"How did it go, Mr. Augustus? This Divination exam is hopeless for me. Judging by her expression, passing would be the biggest miracle." Harry sighed in frustration.
Augustus smiled faintly. "You'll likely pass. As far as I know, no student has ever failed Divination. Don't worry too much about it."
Harry nodded, his spirits lifting slightly.
"By the way," Hermione interjected, "the final review for Buckbeak is happening before sunset. The Ministry and the Committee for the Disposal of Dangerous Creatures are coming to inspect him again. We were just planning to watch. Would you like to join us, Mr. Augustus?"
Augustus considered briefly. "The review process does seem tedious. Very well. Though it's mostly procedural, it doesn't hurt to be cautious. Let's meet in the Great Hall after dinner."
That evening, the group gathered at the appointed time and made their way to Hagrid's hut. By then, the sun had dipped behind the Forbidden Forest, leaving its golden glow on the treetops.
When they knocked, it took Hagrid a moment to answer.
"Augustus? And you lot? What brings you here together?" Hagrid seemed surprised but delighted to see them. The hut was cluttered with odds and ends.
"We were concerned about Buckbeak's final inspection and thought we'd check in," Augustus explained.
"Ah, don't worry too much," Hagrid said, smiling. "It's just the last bit of formalities. Shouldn't be any trouble. But thanks for caring."
"Where's Buckbeak, Hagrid?" Hermione asked hesitantly.
"I brought him outside earlier." Hagrid shrugged as he poured milk into a jug, spilling it all over the table. "He's been a bit off since the midday inspection—maybe stressed from all the people—so I let him get some fresh air."
Hermione nodded as she busied herself preparing tea. Then, as she picked up the milk jug, she let out a startled scream.
"Ron! I— I can't believe it! That's Scabbers!"
Ron stared at her, dumbfounded. "What are you on about?"
Hermione turned the jug upside down, and a frightened, squeaking rat tumbled onto the table. It scrabbled desperately to hide but slid off the edge.
Augustus frowned at the scene. Why would this rat be hiding in Hagrid's hut? Could it be that Hogwarts had become unsafe for him? Did someone in the castle know his true identity as an Animagus? Yet the idea of a wizard spending over a decade as a rat to evade enemies seemed improbable.
The sun was now half-set, casting a dim golden light into the wooden hut. The warm, mottled rays illuminated the dust particles floating in the air. Augustus's deep eyes lingered on the struggling rat, their depths growing darker and more profound.
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