Harry Potter: The art of divination

The castle was brimming with noise and chatter as the students filled into the great hall. The joy and excitement were palpable, the castle felt alive with so many students walking around brimming with joy to learn magic.

As each house settled into its tables many discussions were brought up. During dinner, gossip was usually spread about. Rarely were the tables discussing the same thing.

Tonight was special though, as the students began to eat similar conversations began to crop up amongst the tables.

"Cissy, how was divinations today? I still can't believe you decided to take it with that freaky-looking teacher," Bellatrix cackled while asking her dear sister

Narcissa perked up instantly, a wide smile spreading across her face, "Today's class was especially fun! We learned about group casting. It's like working as a team to cast one big spell, though the layout of what we did seemed more like ritual work," she whispered to her sister toward the end

Instantly the purebloods in earshot perked up, "Really?" Bellatrix asked in astonishment

"Yes it was really interesting, I'm sure not all group casting is like that maybe it's just for divination," Narcissa pondered

Bellatrix didn't hear her sister though. Her mind was locked on the word 'ritual' she had always wanted to try them out but, England banned their use. The Black Library had many books on the subject but it was hard to learn from only books.

"Maybe I should talk to this professor," she said softly

Narcissa hearing her added, "It would have to be before one of his classes finding him in the castle is impossible,"

"Really, You've tried?" Bellatrix asked

"Mmhmm I tried to find him to ask some questions and it was impossible I had to wait till our next class," Narcissa said in exasperation

Not far from the sister pair a young Lucius Malfoy eavesdropped, a wide grin plastered on his face.

'I must tell my father this news' He thought excitedly

On the other side of the hall, the Gryffindors were having a very different discussion about Morpheus's class.

"And then it was all like BOOM! And swear on Merlin's inverted nipples, I felt as if I could defeat Headmaster Dumbledore!" One Gryffindor named Frank Longbottom said with a wide grin

"You don't need to be so crass!" A young Alice Willshire admonished

"Sorry sorry geez" Frank mumbled

"That sounds brilliant! Sucks that professor teaches it he's too scary," A young voice spoke breaking the awkward silence

Frank looked to see who spoke and saw an ugly kid, he had to search his memories to find just who this kid was.

"Peter!" He said a little too loudly in comprehension, "You get used to it, he's not all that scary," Frank hastily added

"Tch, you guys don't know the half of it," James mumbled as he remembered that fateful meeting in the headmaster's office

"Oh be quiet James you only say that because you're always getting caught by him," A young female voice said while laughing with her friends

James instantly became flustered, "It's not like that Lily! I haven't done anything since the whole Headmaster thing, that guy is just really scary," James tried to convince the table

"Yeah in looks maybe, he's actually a good teacher sod off Potter," Frank said shaking his head at the younger Gryffindor

"And then there I was helping my fellow students see into the future like I can," a haughty voice sounded from the Ravenclaw table

"I said to my pitiful classmates, 'Don't worry with me here nothing can go wrong!'"

"Bloody hell Lockhart we were in the class too, you didn't even get the chance to go up!"

"Lockhart, have some shame"

"Wanker,"

The Ravenclaw table was interesting, to say the least.

The Hufflepuff students who have Morpheus for a professor were actually coming up with ideas to practice casting spells in a group. Of course, before they tried anything they would ask their professor if it was safe.

As the Hufflepuffs looked up from their carefully planned outline on a piece of parchment they noticed Professor Morpheus and Headmaster Dumbledor were both gone.

*Morpheus pov *

I sat across from Albus in his office, Fawkes was perched at his side instead of on his usual resisting place.

Albus gently massaged his brow, "you know why your here," he said his voice sounded very tierd

I shrugged softly, "Albus, it was just a little group casting,"

"This is your problem, you seem to want to undermine my authority and Britain's laws at every corner. The 'group casting' as you are call it has a very different name and that is only taught to fully grown wizards, the children shouldn't be learning it. And then you used a ritual for an example!" Albus sounded very angry now

"Okay so I taught them a little sychonized spell work, it's only taught to grown wizards because you don't use the bloody ritual method in the first place! It's perfectly safe for children to learn synchronized spell work within specific ritualistic patterns," I replied harshly

Albus shook his head, "why do you want to teach the children this in the first place Morpheus, even if you say it's safe the Wizengamot certainly won't think so,"

Albus is a lot of things but sadly stupid isn't one of them, I can't create another lie it would just hold him off for a little bit. He also likely won't let me off with mysterious divination ramblings.

"Soul Oath," I replied calmly after weighing my options

Albus froze instantly, "No," he replied narrowing his eyes

"Then we are what is called an impasse," I replied while getting comfortable in my chair

Albus sighed heavily, it seems he's been doing that a lot recently, "Is what you are about to say really that important,"

I laughed lightly, "At first it will seem important then it will seem like I should have just asked for a regular oath. Then in the future, you will look back on this day as one of the most important meetings of your life,"

"This decision cannot be made lightly," Albus thought aloud

"Your right, take your time to think about it. I will continue to teach my class how I want to. Conceding to your point I will steer clear of these two topics until you make your decision. Though I will only do this until winter break, after that, I will teach how and what I want," I told him my conditions plainly

"Very well, I will not see you out," He said to me

As I left his room I could hear Fawks's song trying to cheer Albus up.

Soul oaths are much different than regular magical oaths. Magical oaths have way too many loopholes, it's actually astounding how many loopholes there are.

Soul oaths are the most sacred oaths, in a sense soul oaths are ritualistic. There is not a single loophole for the soul oath, and most importantly if your soul begins to waver in upholding the oath disaster can strike.

If you completely break the oath your soul is sent to a realm of torture and agony.

I've only ever made two soul oaths in my life. I decided to make a third for one specific reason, I need Albus Dumbledor. I need him on my side to prepare the students.

I can see the fire in his heart being snuffed out by old age and loss but, if I can pour gasoline on that fire and alight it anew a Dumbledore worthy of his titles will be born.

-end -

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