"My dear child,"
Professor Trelawney suddenly opened her eyes, which had been narrowed moments before.
"You have The Grim!"
"The Grim, my dear!"
"That sinister great dog that haunts the graveyard!"
"My dear child, it is an omen... the worst of omens... an omen of death!"
Nearly everyone else in the class covered their mouths in horror and looked at Harley with pity.
Hermione's face was furious. "I don't think that's The Grim!"
"Deciding someone's fate based on a pile of tea leaves is just a con!"
"And you're a professor! How can you frighten a student with something like that?"
"I'm going to report you to Professor McGonagall. You've violated the professional ethics of a teacher!"
At Hermione's last sentence, Professor Trelawney's otherworldly air abruptly vanished for a moment.
At the same time, an expression of utter distaste appeared on her face. "Forgive me for saying so, my dear."
"But I see that the aura around you is very faint, and you have little perception of the future. My words may be unpleasant, but they are the truth."
Hermione's anger grew even more pronounced.
She was about to say something else, but Harley stopped her.
"Professor," Harley said in a clear, respectful voice, quite unlike Hermione's,
"May I ask you a few questions?"
"Oh, certainly, my poor child." Professor Trelawney's expression changed again, returning to its kindly look.
She even let out a heavy sigh, as if Harley had little time left to live.
"Um," Harley said, touching her chin with a finger. "Professor, are you saying I'll encounter The Grim and die sometime this school year?"
"Oh, yes, my poor child." Professor Trelawney sighed heavily again.
"The Grim! The Grim has appeared in your cup!"
"Professor, you know that last term I killed a Basilisk left behind by