A shift in fate | Mattheo Riddle

Twenty-one

Draco let out an exaggerated sigh and sat up straighter. "Oh, for Merlin's sake. Can we just get this over with?" He snatched the little Divination book off the table and flipped through the pages, scanning for the meanings. "Alright, let's see—oh, brilliant," he said with a smirk. "I pulled The Lovers."

A few students snickered, and even Mattheo shot Draco an amused look.

Professor Trelawney gasped softly, her hands hovering near her face in dramatic anticipation. "Ah, The Lovers! A card of great significance, Mr. Malfoy. It signifies an important choice in relationships, a moment of deep connection or transformation!"

Draco snorted, cutting her off. "I doubt that, professor."

Professor Trelawney, either ignoring their exchange or choosing to see it as a prophetic sign, clasped her hands together with excitement. "You see, class? The cards never lie!"

Draco slumped back in his chair again, groaning. "Oh, please."

Harry gave a quick, awkward nod. "Right. Uh, well—that's it, I guess."

Professor Trelawney looked positively radiant, as if their readings had confirmed some grand prediction she had made long ago.

"Fascinating," she whispered, more to herself than to the class. Then, with another dramatic sweep of her gaze, she looked around for her next victims.

I exhaled, finally shaking off the tension I'd been carrying. The tarot readings had already been more revealing than I was comfortable with. The last thing I wanted was for her to call on me next.

Mattheo nudged me with his elbow, smirking. "Guess fate's got a sense of humor, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, still not entirely out of my thoughts. "Yeah," I murmured, glancing at my cards again. 

Professor Trelawney's gaze drifted across the classroom, scanning for her next unfortunate victims. My heart pounded as her eyes flickered in our direction, and for a brief, horrifying moment, I thought she might call on Mattheo and me. The last thing I wanted was to announce our reading in front of the whole class.

But then, thankfully, she turned her attention elsewhere.

"Ah! Mr. Fred and Mr.Ron" she announced, clasping her hands together. "Would you dear boys share with the class what the cards have revealed to you?"

Fred and Ron exchanged glances—Ron looking absolutely mortified, while Fred's grin stretched from ear to ear.

"We'd be delighted, professor," Fred said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "An honor, really. I've been dying to share my deep, mystical revelations."

Ron groaned. "Fred—"

"Now, now, Ron, don't be shy," Fred interrupted, waving him off. "Tell the lovely class what fate has in store for you!"

Ron sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, uh—I dunno if I did it right, but apparently, I'm gonna be 'faced with an important decision' soon, and that 'the universe is guiding me toward my true path'—whatever that means."

Fred snorted. "I told him it's finally time to choose between extra breakfast or extra lunch. A life-altering decision, really."

The class chuckled, and even Trelawney let out a soft, knowing hum. "Ah, yes, a crossroads indeed... The threads of fate are delicate, Mr. Weasley. I do hope you will make the right choice when the time comes."

Fred, still grinning, leaned forward and gestured to his own spread. "Mine, on the other hand, said I'd experience an 'unexpected shift' that will 'challenge my perception of reality.' Which is fantastic, because I've been waiting for something exciting to happen. Maybe I'll wake up and realize I've actually been the Chosen One all along. Imagine the headlines—Fred Weasley: The Real Boy Who Lived."