Chapter 150: The Principles and Consequences of Prophecy

Professor Sybill Trelawney's class made many students uncomfortable. After all, nobody enjoys being told how horribly they're going to die. Still, it was an easy course to earn credits in, so everyone just put up with it.

"I've had enough! That severely nearsighted old woman actually said I don't have the gift of Divination!"

Hermione Granger, fuming after her first Divination class, stormed into Regulus Black's room to complain.

She was considered a top student even in Ravenclaw, yet that old woman dared to say she lacked talent. Naturally, she was furious.

"Divination does require innate talent. Those with the gift don't need to study to be able to divine. The purpose of teaching it to all students is merely to identify those with potential talent and help guide them in developing it."

Regulus Black poured Hermione a cup of hot tea. The faint aroma calmed the girl almost instantly.

"Then… do I really have no talent for Divination?"

After her anger faded, dejection took its place. The emotional rollercoaster made Regulus glance at Hermione a few more times—was she perhaps dealing with that time of the month?

Completely unaware of what Regulus was thinking, Hermione began to fall into pessimism.

"It seems like aiming for perfect grades in all subjects is just unrealistic. Maybe I should just stick to the normal timetable like everyone else. Trying to learn every subject with a Time-Turner… I was too arrogant."

Sipping her enhanced tea, Hermione's mood steadily dropped until it leveled out into calmness.

Apparently, the potion was working quite well. At this point, even a potent aphrodisiac wouldn't have elicited a reaction from her.

This potion was one of Regulus Black's inventions, called the Rationality Draught—a concoction designed to aid in his research, much like how one might drink coffee when tired. When conducting research, he drank this potion to remain clear-headed—nothing wrong with that.

"Looks like your rationality has overtaken your emotions. My tea worked pretty well, don't you think?"

Regulus also held a steaming cup of tea. Lately, he had been pouring all his energy into repairing the Nautilus. On top of that, with Sirius occupying the doghouse in the Room of Requirement, it wasn't convenient to bring girls over for fun.

So, for a rare stretch of time, Regulus hadn't been flirting or wandering among admirers. Instead, he focused entirely on restoration work.

This, in turn, made the girls even more infatuated with him—after all, a man seriously engaged in his work is at his most attractive.

Especially when his private room housed a model of a luxury yacht, and he announced plans to build one himself.

Originally, Regulus had intended to build a warship, but restoring the Nautilus had already pushed him to his limits. So, he chose a simpler vessel to begin practicing with.

In fact, older, more traditional-looking ships are better suited for magical alchemical projects. But Regulus went the opposite route and selected a model of a futuristic vessel—one that could only be conceived in a future world.

A floating sea yacht, designed after the year 2000 by visionary designers tackling global climate and energy issues. This green ecosystem platform operated with zero carbon emissions and relied entirely on renewable energy. It was a massive floating structure, also called an amphibious vessel, with a bionic design resembling a giant whale gliding through the sea. Its "body" was covered in greenery, and solar panels and pneumatic hydraulic films atop the structure powered this floating park. Inside, a fully functioning ecological system had been designed.

Dimensions: Height: 9.50m, Length: 80m, Width: 14.90m.

Regulus Black had already instructed Lucy Piddle to establish a new shipbuilding company to handle all the preparatory work.

"Yes! Your tea definitely worked. I don't feel emotional anymore. But I still want to know why I have no talent—that's something I just can't accept."

Hermione seemed determined to get to the bottom of it—clearly not one to let the matter drop until she had a clear answer.

"Then tell me, how much do you understand about the subject of Divination? What do you know about why Divination—or rather, prophecy—occurs in the first place? And what do you think about the impact of announcing a prophecy once it has been made? If you can answer these three questions, I'll tell you why you lack the talent."

Regulus Black waited patiently for Hermione Granger to analyze the problem with full clarity under the effect of the Rationality Draught.

After pondering for a moment, Hermione began attempting to answer the three questions.

"First of all, everything I know about Divination comes entirely from the textbook. I can recite it perfectly, but I simply cannot understand what it means. It's far too obscure and difficult to comprehend. Many of the predictions and their explanations lack any rational basis, relying solely on the intuition of the seer. Some results are even spoken unconsciously, without the seer being fully aware of it."

"Secondly, as for my understanding of Divination and its principles—honestly, I don't understand it at all. It feels like something that has no definite answer."

"Lastly, I believe that once a prophecy is made, it actually alters the prophecy itself. In the Muggle world, there's the theory of the butterfly effect: when a butterfly flaps its wings, even a tiny change can lead to a massive storm far away. Applied to history, this creates deviations in historical outcomes. So if that's the case, why should we even pursue prophecy? Divination, by nature, is full of uncertainties."

Clap clap clap...

Regulus Black applauded in encouragement. With her rationality taking the lead, these concerns were minor to Hermione Granger.

"Let me explain it this way—Divination requires a special talent: the ability to communicate with the world. This world, whether in the past or the future, exists as mere points along the river of time. Those with the gift can 'drink' from points in that river beyond the present moment and bring that 'water' back to the now and speak it aloud—that is the essence of prophecy."

Regulus Black explained to Hermione Granger in the simplest terms possible.

"If Sybill Trelawney's talent lies in connecting with the world, then your gift lies in understanding it. Her talent explores the possibilities of the future through connection, while your talent comprehends the truth of the present through understanding. Both of your gifts are remarkable."

Regulus Black's affirmation gave young Hermione an unexpected sense of warmth. Although, under the effects of the rationality potion, she didn't blush, her favorability toward him certainly increased.

"As for the changes in history after a prophecy appears—there's no need to worry. The very act of the prophecy being made is already part of history. What you perceive as a change is actually what was always meant to happen."

Regulus Black smiled as he explained the final part. Such a smile was rare for him. It seemed the rationality potion was boosting his acting skills—he could make any expression he wanted, completely uninfluenced by emotion.

"In other words, it was because of the prophecy that Harry Potter would become the Chosen One that the Dark Lord attacked his family. This is different from saying that the Dark Lord attacked Harry Potter's family, and as a result, he became the Chosen One. The prophecy had no part in causing that."

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Hermione Granger—she finally uncovered the truth behind the Dark Lord's attack on Harry Potter.

"It's a bit of a tongue twister, but that's how it is. 'History' had already determined that Harry Potter would face the Dark Lord. With or without the prophecy, Harry's family was doomed to die, and he was destined to survive and become the Chosen One. So for those of us not involved, the best we can do is cheer from the sidelines. After all, it's Harry Potter who has to defeat the Dark Lord."

Regulus Black casually twirled a strand of Hermione Granger's wavy hair around his finger.

"That's why I've always encouraged you to help Harry Potter—because you were already one of his closest friends."

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