Chapter 782 - Slug Club Banquet Upshot Ⅱ (1/2)
The centaur, Ronan carefully takes the witch before him. The witch is rather thin and wears a leaf-green cloak. She wore rather large glasses which only served to magnify her eyes. The witch did not wear many adornments, but he was able to spot at least an amethyst ring on her hand and that of a moonstone bracelet. Both wore excellent magical conductors, a piece of jewelry that not many wizards nor witches nowadays wore.
”She is your companion?” Ronan pointedly asked the witch.
The witch flushes in embarrassment and slowly lowers her wand. Releasing the hem of her skirt, Sybill replies, ”I was nervous, so I thought to see what Ailroumancy might reveal,” she paused. ”You wouldn't happen to be the assistant Professor for Divination, would you?”
Sybill flushes even more mortification at her rude words. ”I apologize for my lack of manners,” she said in a fl.u.s.ter. ”My name is Sybill Trelawney, and I am the new Divination Professor. Who might you be?”
”Ronan,” the centaur simply replied. ”And I have been requested to aid in the teaching Divination, and in turn am honored to answer the call.”
”That is rather kind of you to say,” Sybill said misunderstanding Ronan's reply, before muttering, ”Nox.” The bright light at the end of her wand goes out plunging into utter darkness for a moment. Their eyes adjust to the dim light emitted from the torches lighting the front gate, and those from the castle windows.
Ronan hoofs clatter loudly against the cobblestones as he approaches the witch. With care, he hands the purring beast in his arms over to the witch named Sybill. Sybill carefully takes Miss Arlo from the centaur's arms. Miss Arlo lets out an unhappy meow at being removed from her new favorite being.
Sybill firmly places Miss Arlo back into her cat carrier and closes it shut lest Miss Arlo gets other ideas. From inside the carrier, Miss Arlo lets out an unhappy howl, before curling up in silence. Miss Arlo would be certain to give her human the cold shoulder upon being let out of her enclosure.
Ronan lifts his gaze to stare at the heavens that are partially covered by trails of clouds signaling that a strong winter storm follows. Seeing the centaur staring at the sky, Sybill pauses to make small talk before entering the castle. This was her co-professor, and she wanted to be on better terms with him.
Too nervous to use her practiced, soft, misty, ethereal voice, Sybil nervously says, ”Cepheus & Cassiopeia are circ.u.mpolar tonight along with Andromeda and Cetus. I always thought it was a terrible Greek tale that these constellations were named after. What parents permit for their daughter Andromeda to be chained to a rock for the sea monster Cetus to consume and appease the gods. At least Perseus in the end rescued her, but still, it is not a terribly kind familial tale.”
Ronan pulls his gaze from the heavens and reassesses the witch named Sybill Trelawney. For a magical human, she was not too terrible. She at least knew the stars and trusted in that which read. Perchance this year would not be so terrible in the accompany of this witch.
”Madam-,” Ronan politely begins to say before he is cut off.
”Sybill would be just fine,” Sybill shyly interrupted. ”We are co-professors after all.”
”Sybill,” Ronan said, ”may I help carry thy feline companion?”
”Thank you,” Sybill happily said before bending down and letting out a small huff. Miss Arlo's cat carrier was a tad heavy. She carefully handed the carrier to the handsome, bare-c.h.e.s.ted centaur.
Ronan carefully takes the cat carrier, before Sybill grabs her carpetbag. ”I am certain that Professor Dumbledore is waiting inside,” she said, before leading the way inside.
Indeed, Professor Albus Dumbledore was waiting just inside the doors next to the shining suits of armor. There was a child-like twinkle in his blue eyes as he peeked at the two of them from behind half-moon spectacles. ”Welcome Professor Trelawney, and Ronan to Hogwarts,” he said causing his moon and star robes to rustle.
Tugging on his long white beard that is tucked into his belt, Professor Dumbledore says, ”The students have already had their dinner, but if the two of you are hungry, you may summon the house elves to bring food to your quarters. The house elves can fulfill almost any type of request and then more. They've been most spontaneous as of late, but they are very hungry to learn of the world about them. A rather wonderful sight to see.”