Professor Trelawney stared at Sherlock, her shock beyond measure.
She couldn't believe how this young boy could peel away layers of her past simply through observation.
Just as Sherlock had deduced, due to various reasons, she had long remained in this tower, barely communicating with anyone except when selecting students for Divination class each year.
This also meant she had no idea that someone like Sherlock had come to the school.
"Is that all?"
The interrupted Sherlock seemed somewhat disappointed. "I haven't finished explaining my deduction process yet!"
Seeing Sherlock like this, even Harry, who had been worried sick, felt somewhat sorry for him.
"Forget it, Sherlock—"
"Enough, that's quite enough—"
Professor Trelawney returned to that particularly vague voice she had used when first meeting everyone. "I think that's all for today's class. Yes, please pack up your things—"
After witnessing the confrontation between Professor Trelawney, who represented the "future," and Sherlock, who represented the "past," all the students were in somewhat of a mental state.
Seeing that Professor Trelawney had issued an order to leave, they silently returned their teacups, packed their bags, and quietly departed.
"You'll be late for your next class."
Just then, Professor Trelawney suddenly said weakly to Neville, "So you'll need to work extra hard to catch up on your assignments."
Neville was startled at first, then nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken.
Seeing Professor Trelawney about to cause more trouble, Sherlock immediately snorted coldly.
"Professor, you had an argument with a certain colleague not long ago, so it would be best to remain humble and not repeat past mistakes."
Before Sherlock could say anything else, Harry and Ron quickly dragged him out of the classroom.
Couldn't they see that Professor Trelawney, slumped in her chair, already looked more dead than alive?
If Sherlock said anything more, they might literally anger this professor to death.
In any case, due to Professor Trelawney's behavior, the first class of the new term was hardly pleasant for anyone.
Fortunately, Sherlock managed to forcefully win what seemed like a losing battle at the last moment.
While Hermione certainly felt that Sherlock's actions were satisfying, most people still believed Harry's days were numbered.
After all, Professor Trelawney's performance just now didn't seem like acting.
If she had such good acting skills, she should have been awarded an Oscar.
So most of the class began looking at Harry strangely, and even Ron, his best friend, seemed to avoid Harry's eyes.
Clearly, they all believed in divination and prophecy.
This state continued into the next Transfiguration class.
In third year, Professor McGonagall finally began teaching more advanced Transfiguration.
The first lesson was explaining Animagi to everyone.
Her keen senses quickly noticed the problem.
When she demonstrated the practical application of Animagi by transforming in front of everyone, more than half the class seemed distracted.
These were naturally the students who had just come down from Divination class.
Professor McGonagall, being straightforward by nature, directly asked Hermione what was going on.
"Professor, we just had our first Divination class, reading tea leaves, and the result—"
"No need to continue!"
Before Hermione could finish, Professor McGonagall interrupted her with a frown, "Miss Granger, just tell me directly—who among you is supposed to die this year?"
The entire class looked at her in surprise.
Only Sherlock clasped his hands under his chin, smiling as he asked. "So this isn't the first time Professor Trelawney has made a death prophecy?"
"Exactly right, Mr. Holmes!"
Professor McGonagall looked at Sherlock approvingly, confirming his statement.
"Let me put it this way. since Professor Sybill Trelawney came to this school, she has predicted that one student would die every year."
"And so far, not a single student has died, yet she continues this death prophecy with great enthusiasm?"
"Precisely, Holmes. If I weren't someone who never speaks ill of colleagues—"
Sherlock immediately understood that the person who had argued with Professor Trelawney in his deduction was none other than Professor McGonagall herself.
This made perfect sense.
After all, Professor McGonagall was naturally rigorous and serious in character.
Yet both Professor Trelawney and the Divination class she taught seemed like random guessing—no, in Sherlock's view, it was random guessing.
Of course, Professor McGonagall was of noble character, and though she had opinions about Professor Trelawney, she wouldn't speak ill of her in front of students.
Indeed, Professor McGonagall next stopped targeting Professor Trelawney personally and instead aimed her criticism at Divination as a subject.
"It seems many of you have chosen this course. Of course, that's your freedom, and I won't interfere.
But in my personal opinion, Divination is the most imprecise branch of magic, and I have little patience for it.
So now, can you tell me who's supposed to die this year?"
"It's Potter!"
Lavender Brown couldn't help but say, "Professor, Professor Trelawney said she saw the Grim, an omen of death!"
"Professor Trelawney also said that Divination is the most profound of all magical arts!" Parvati Patil added.
"Ha-ha."
Hearing the two young witches' words, Professor McGonagall's face showed obvious disdain.
Seeing an ominous death omen was one thing—after all, she did this every year.
But to dare tell students that Divination was the most profound?
What nonsense was she spouting?
If Divination was the most profound, what did that make Transfiguration?
Never mind Transfiguration—even Professor Snape's Potions couldn't be compared to Divination.
At this moment, Professor McGonagall even considered telling Professor Snape what Professor Trelawney had said.
But she immediately realized this wouldn't be appropriate in front of students, so she coughed and looked at Harry.
"Potter, I've made myself quite clear. That professor likes to welcome each new class by seeing death omens, but...
In my opinion, you're in perfect health, so please forgive me—I won't excuse you from today's homework."
Professor McGonagall had made a rare cold joke.
But not many people laughed.
She didn't mind, turning instead to Parvati Patil.
"Miss Patil, regarding the claim that Divination is the most profound of magical arts, I personally reserve judgment.
The reason is simple. true Seers are extremely rare, and Professor Trelawney—"
She realized she had accidentally returned to discussing Professor Trelawney personally and quickly stopped herself.
"In any case, I assure Mr. Potter that if he really dies, he won't need to hand in his homework."
This time, someone finally laughed.
It was Hermione. Her laughter was so hearty that it showed several of her teeth.
Harry also felt somewhat relieved.
Leaving that dim red-lit classroom with its stupefying incense made Harry feel much clearer-headed.
But not everyone felt the same way. His good friend Ron was still worried.
Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil, who had just spoken up for Professor Trelawney, were also whispering, stealing glances at Harry as they talked.
"Hermione, I think you should consider getting your teeth straightened."
Just then, Sherlock suddenly spoke up.
"Really?"
Hermione became excited at once, "Sherlock, do you prefer teeth that are neater and more attractive?"
"No, this has nothing to do with personal preference."
Sherlock said seriously. "All your baby teeth have now been replaced by permanent teeth, but currently, your upper front teeth cover your lower front teeth too much—this is a symptom of deep overbite.
Due to abnormal bite relationships, the upper and lower teeth bite too tightly, causing uneven pressure during chewing.
Over time, the biting surfaces of your lower teeth will show excessive wear, leading to dentin sensitivity, and in severe cases, it can cause pulp lesions.
From my observation, you also have a habit of biting your lips, which will further exacerbate this phenomenon.
So, for your health's sake, you should get orthodontic treatment as soon as possible. I believe your parents should be very aware of this."
Hermione: "..."
Hearing Sherlock's familiar-sounding speech, Hermione felt terrible.
Instead, Harry and Ron nearby started laughing.
It was genuine laughter from the heart.
But when Hermione looked their way, both immediately turned around, whistling and pretending to look at the scenery.
"Actually, for many years, I've been trying to convince them to let me shrink my teeth."
Hermione took a deep breath and patiently explained to Sherlock. "But they hope I'll persist with wearing those orthodontic wire braces.
Just as you said, they're both dentists and very aware of the implications.
But precisely because of this, they think teeth and magic shouldn't be mixed together."
After Transfiguration class ended, everyone noisily headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
"Cheer up, Harry!"
Noticing Harry's low spirits, Hermione coaxed. "You heard what Professor McGonagall said—don't worry about any death prophecy."
"But what about Neville's teacup? That prophecy came true, and he broke two of them!"
Ron, about to stuff a sausage in his mouth, stopped and said excitedly.
"Very simple—because that was psychological suggestion."
"Psychological suggestion?"
Hearing Sherlock's words, Harry, Hermione, and Ron all looked at him.
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