Professor Trelawney's Prediction

Calendar and Dates

This chapter begins just after the previous chapter, briefly sketching the events of the end of May, before arriving at the main scenes that take place on the last day of final exams, the day of Buckbeak's appeal. Since the decree of execution gives the date, we know that the chapter ends on the sixth of June.

• Time Line: The End of PA - essay by Hollydaze
• Chart showing the events of the evening of 6th June (NB the chart shows this date as 9th June in error):

Interesting facts and notes

Exams in every subject are the main focus of this chapter - the third years frantically try to cram in extra revision, some of them at the last minute.

...still looking everywhere for her Arithmancy book.

Consequently, Numerology and Grammatica was a third-year textbook for Hermione's extra Arithmancy class.

Hermione had been right; Professor Flitwick did indeed test them on Cheering Charms.

Hermione had missed this Charms lesson earlier in the year, when she disappeared in front of the classroom door. Although she probably has studied them outside of class but, as predicted, Professor Flitwick has set them for the end-of-year exam.

"I can’t believe I missed Cheering Charms! And I bet they come up in our exams. Professor Flitwick hinted they might!" (PA15)

"P-P-Professor McGonagall!" Hermione gasped, pointing into the trunk. "Sh-she said I’d failed everything!"

Poor Hermione - as confident as she presents herself and no matter how hard she studies, the Boggart's threat in the Defence Against the Dark Arts exam presents her worst nightmare.

Parvati came back down the ladder glowing with pride.
"She says I've got all the makings of a true Seer," she informed Harry and Ron. "I saw loads of stuff … well, good luck!"

Obviously, for a few students like Parvati Patil, making crystal ball predictions comes easily.

But Professor Trelawney didn’t seem to hear him. Her eyes started to roll. Harry stood there in a panic. She looked as though she was about to have some sort of seizure.

Whereas, when Professor Trelawney makes a real prophecy it takes over as a painful experience.

Exceptional character moments

Hermione sure that she has her exam timetable correct, even though it makes no sense to anyone else.

Hagrid saying "Beaky's gettin' a bit depressed", when it is more likely that he is depressed about Buckbeak's trial and appeal.

Ron wanting to go after Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge even though Hermione reminds him that it wouldn't be a good idea as that is his dad's boss.

Hagrid making sure that Harry, Ron and Hermione leave before the appeal, even though they want to stay to support him, since he doesn't want them to be there when the expected worst outcome happens.

Memorable lines

"Has either of you seen my copy of Numerology and Grammatica?"
"Oh, yeah, I borrowed it for a bit of bedtime reading," said Ron, but very quietly.

"Mine still had a spout for a tail, what a nightmare …"
"Were the tortoises supposed to breathe steam?"
"It still had a willow-patterned shell, d’you think that’ll count against me?" [students other than Hermione worried about their Transfiguration exam performance]

"Indeed!" whispered Professor Trelawney, scribbling keenly on the parchment perched upon her knees. "My boy, you may well be seeing the outcome of poor Hagrid's trouble with the Ministry of Magic! Look closer … does the Hippogriff appear to … have its head?"

Hagrid was not crying, nor did he throw himself upon their necks. He looked like a man who did not know where he was or what to do. This helplessness was worse to watch than tears.

Words and phrases

• Cupboard
• Queue
• Revision, Revising
• Sit (An Exam)

Characters Introduced

• Walden Macnair