DIV-OWL Lessons

The practical portion is a horse of a different color when compared to the mass theoretical exam. Instead of lining up with a sea of other Fifth Years in front of the Great Hall, you make you way to the Divination lounge all by yourself, wishing you had more than just your nerves for company. You arrive at your appointed time and wait a moment before knocking on the closed door. At a muffled exclamation of “Come in!” you push open the door hesitantly, as if you think there might be a chance to turn around now, just as long as the examiner doesn’t lay eyes on you. Still, you tell yourself not to be silly and force yourself to walk in.

The Divination lounge looks strangely empty without the other students, the professor, and the normally untidy piles of books everywhere. Instead, an aging silver-haired man with an impressively braided beard greets you cheerily. This must be the dozenth examination he’s done today, but doesn’t seem at all tired, though perhaps a bit hoarse. He waves you into the classroom to sit across from him at one of the room’s circular tables. Before you have a chance to look around more, he introduces himself in a croaky voice that is hard not to find endearing when paired with his enthusiasm. “Professor Harr,” he announces, “I’ll be examining you today. Now don’t be nervous -- no good to do that, no -- we’ll get started right away to take your mind off of it.” He extends both of his hands on the table towards you, allowing you to inspect them. “Now, what do you see in my future? For the record, my right hand is my wand hand.”

As you finish the palm reading, Professor Harr nods contentedly to himself, seeming to store away the information for later when your grade is calculated.

He withdraws his hands once you are done with him, and fiddles in the pocket of his maroon and toffee plaid robes. He pulls out his wand and performs a complicated maneuver that leaves the two of you sitting in darkness apart from the night sky. It looks as though you are peering out over the ocean. Though you cannot see him, apparently the man is still there, and you hear him speak up to prompt you, lest you forget the point of being here other than looking at the breathtaking view. “Marvellous, isn’t it? Spain has always been a favorite of mine…” He seems to get himself back together. “Tell me,” he continues in a conversational voice, “What do you see here? Anything of importance?” Peering into the dark, you turn your attention to the assortment of bright lights in the sky, attempting to identify celestial bodies and their arrangements before launching into your explanation.

You’re not sure how much time has passed, as the various planets and Moon haven’t moved at all, though you’re sure it’s been more than just a few minutes. You finish up your explanation and look vaguely in the direction where you think Professor Harr is. You hear his disembodied voice sound out approvingly. “Yes, yes. That will do just fine.” He mumbles, mostly to himself. You hear a rustle of clothing -- likely him going for his wand again -- and the next thing you know, your surroundings are completely back to normal, though you suspect it was all just an illusion.

When you have a moment to adjust to your surroundings, you realize a pile of cards has been put face down on the table in between the two of you. You don’t remember seeing them there before. Still, it’s not the weirdest thing that’s happened during your O.W.L.s (and maybe not even the weirdest thing that’s happened during this examination), so you shrug it off. “We’re on the final stretch!” The plaid-clad man declares jubilantly. “Now, I have a question to ask you. I’m having an issue, and I need you to consult the cards for me and let your Inner Eye see what the best course of action is. You see, my least favorite cousin has borrowed an enormous sum of money from me, oh, five years ago now. I haven’t seen a Knut of it back! Now, our mothers -- yes, my mother is still alive, no need to look so surprised! -- our poor mothers, who are sisters, hate it when we argue, so I’ve been trying to hold my tongue. However… I rather do need that money back. How should I proceed?” The man allows you to take the cards in your hands and shuffle them before placing out three cards in row. You decide to use a simple, three card spread and begin your reading, but can’t help but wonder how old this man’s mother must be.

As you finish your reading, the man thumbs his bearded chin thoughtfully, though gives nothing away. You extend the cards out to him and he directs his attention back to you and stores them in yet another pocket of his robes. “Now that your psychic energies are flowing,” the old man croaks happily, “we will conclude this part of the examination with a clairvoyant reading.” The man sits back in his chair as if to wait. “Take your time, take your time, my dear child. You can’t rush these things. Although… you do only have a quarter of an hour left.” Apparently sensing some discomfort, he adds. “Let your mind flow freely, and tell me what your Inner Eye has to say. Anything at all: past, present, or future.”

You let your mind wander loose and find that there is quite a bit of fodder for a daydreaming state, what with the hubbub of O.W.L.s your brain has seen a lot of use and there has been a lot of activity in the castle. You allow your mind to take you where it will and mention a few things of particular interest to the man. You finish just in time, and the bearded examiner hoots delightedly. “Aha, we beat the clock!”  He claps his hands together as if you both just completed an arduous task. Actually, come to think of it, that’s exactly what you did. “Excellent, excellent. Lovely to meet you.” He extends his slightly warm hands to shake yours. “Perhaps I’ll seeing you in some of your other examinations. But if not, best of luck!”

 Lesson and assignments written by Professor Venita Wessex