Chapter 140: Sybil Patricia Trelawney

Just as Ivan, Harry, Hermione and Hagrid were talking about Azkaban, the door to the Great Dining Hall opened again.

Professor Trelawney entered and glided toward the group, as if on roller skates.

She wore a green dress decorated with round metal discs, making her look like a shiny, oversized dragonfly.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen!" said Professor Trelawney, using her most nebulous and ethereal voice. "I have been watching my crystal ball in the tower. To my surprise, I found myself abandoning my lunch to partake of your meal. How could I refuse the impulse of fate? I immediately left my building, so I sincerely ask you to forgive me for being late..."

No one spoke, and everyone looked at her in surprise.

Ivan noticed Professor McGonagall's mouth pursed tightly and her face hardened even more.

Professor Trelawney did not sit down directly. She went halfway around the table, putting invisible pressure on everyone. She stood for a long time behind Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ivan. Her big eyes wandered all around the table.

Suddenly, she screamed!

"What is it, teacher?" the freshman in front of her asked uneasily.

"Dear boy, you won't believe it, I've seen..." Her eyes were looking at Ivan. His expression was as if he had died.

"Sit down, Sybil!" Professor McGonagall suddenly interrupted her. "Those owls and vociferations were discouraging enough You don't need to push everyone any harder!"

"I can't sit down, Minerva!" Professor Trelawney seemed to have noticed Professor McGonagall. She said in panic, "I can't do that If I sit down, there will be thirteen of us at the table! There is nothing more unfortunate than the number thirteen! Never forget that if thirteen people eat together, the first one to get up after the meal will be the first to die."

"We are willing to take that risk, Sybil." Professor McGonagall said impatiently, "Sit down, it's Christmas!"

Professor Trelawney hesitated and then sat down next to Ivan. He had a bad feeling about it and could sense that she had deliberately chosen that spot. She was looking at him with her big eyes and seemed to have something to say to him.

There was no need to guess, it surely wouldn't be good!

Knowing her, what she had to tell him was definitely something sinister and mysterious.

Ivan tried not to look at her, so he focused his attention on the plate in front of him. The situation was problematic enough as it was. He didn't want to take Professor Trelawney's curse before tonight's action.

Professor Trelawney looked at Ivan and said, "Dear..."

"Would you like some cow guts, Sybil?", Professor McGonagall interrupted her once again as she put a serving spoon into the nearest large bowl.

Professor Trelawney ignored Professor McGonagall. She looked at Ivan and then looked around. She asked quietly, "I didn't see our dear Headmaster and Professor Lupin - where have they gone?"

"Obviously, everyone knows what happened in the castle last night! I also know where Albus and Lupin are now!" Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow and said impatiently, "Even if no one told you, you must have known, right?"

"Of course I know!" Professor Trelawney looked at Professor McGonagall indifferently. "But people don't show that they know everything. I often behave as if I don't have this gift. That way, people won't feel nervous."

"That explains a lot." Professor McGonagall said bitterly, "What is this gift?"

"You have to know, Minerva!" Professor Trelawney's voice suddenly became less fuzzy, "Two months ago, I had already seen the end of poor Professor Lupin from the crystal ball. He was alone in a place filled with fear and despair."

Obviously, the place in her words was referring to the Prison for Dark Wizards, Azkaban.

That place is full of Dementors, all there is there is fear and despair. Hearing his words, everyone gasped. He seemed to have predicted Professor Lupin's tragic outcome. He would spend the rest of his life in Azkaban.

Apart from Snape's mouth still smiling, everyone else's faces grew heavier.

Harry looked awkwardly at Professor Trelawney; he rarely argued with her. Perhaps he thought it wasn't worth it.

Throughout the semester, Professor Trelawney prophesied death for him, but nothing happened. Harry was used to it.

And now, predicting that Professor Lupin was going to spend the rest of his life in Azkaban was like child's play to her.

Ivan overheard Harry and Hermione talking about Azkaban with Hagrid in hushed tones. They asked him for more details about the prison and struggled to imagine Professor Lupin and Sirius Black being locked up there, and then the topic turned to Buckbeak and Hagrid's post-Christmas hippogriff plans.

Ivan turned away and did not look at Professor Trelawney beside him. He listened absently to Harry's conversation.

Harry and Hermione seemed to be desperately searching for words to divert Ron's attention.

Other than the three of them, no one around the table was talking and the mood was somber.

That was definitely the most unpleasant meal Ivan had ever eaten. He ate the contents of his plate as quickly as possible. He whispered something to Harry and Hermione, refraining from glancing at Professor Trelawney.

Fortunately, until the end of lunch, Professor Trelawney's behavior was almost normal.

About ten minutes later, Ron was ready to leave the table. Ivan, Harry and Hermione looked at each other and quickly stood up.

"Oh my goodness! You four, who was the first of you to leave your seat? Who?" Professor Trelawney suddenly shouted.

"I don't know!" Ron said quietly.

"I don't think that changes anything!" Professor McGonagall said coldly. "Unless there's a mad axe murderer waiting outside the door to chop off the head of the first person who leaves."

Everyone smiled a little. Professor Trelawney spoke no more and looked very offended!

She glared at Professor McGonagall, grabbed a bottle of sherry from the table and left the room without looking back.

She was followed by Ron. Ivan, Harry and Hermione also hurried to follow up. According to the plan the three of them discussed at the school hospital this morning, the first step was to talk to Ron. While they asked for information, they would endeavor to keep Ron and Peter in the Gryffindor common room.