Lesson I: Tea Leaves [1st - 3rd]

[rosalie]

Rosalie walked into her classroom from the hallway. Her eyes looked around the room for anything that seemed out of place. There were two China cups and saucers at every table and two tea bags for every table. She took a deep breath trying not to let everything go to her head. The new teacher assistant to Divinations walked over to her desk and sat down her books on her desk.

Miss Moore picked up a piece of chalk and began writing on the board. Her handwriting wasn't the best but it would do for now.

Tea Leaves

Here are some examples of what tea leaves look like and what they mean. If you do not have one that looks like it's on the list ask me. I am here to help you so you pass this class. If you have any questions at all just ask me. I'll answer any questions you ask.

Anchor - Voyage, rest, a lucky sign, success in business & love
Bat - Fruitless journeys or tasks
Cannon - Good fortune
Duck - Wealthy, plenty
Eagle - Honour and riches
Fish - Riches, immigration
Goat - Sign of enemies
Hare - Sign of a long journey
Ring - Marriage[/size][/i]

I will be using this site for your Tea Leaf symbols. Please pick one from the list from the site. Ask questions about your tea leaves. Don't act like you know everything because I gave you a whole list of things.[/size]

After writing on the board she put the chalk down and rubbed her hands trying to get the chalk off of them. Rosalie looked around the empty room again and hoped everything would go according to plan. She pulled out her chair and sat down. Miss Moore opened up her plans for today and began going over them for what seemed the thirtieth time. I hope everything goes okay.

Oh, the hot water. We're going to need that. There was a huge stove on the other side of the room. There were kettles already on it ready to be heated up. It's not going to work with cold water. Rosalie picked up her wand and muttered a spell under her breath. Then a fire was lit and the water started getting heated. The cups!

She got up quickly and picked up the chalk again. The nervous teacher wrote on the chalk board:

DO NOT BREAK THE CHINA!

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Hopefully that would keep kids from breaking them. Even though they could be repaired. She didn't want tea all over the carpet and on the fabric covering the tables. Rosalie put the chalk down and rubbed her hands again. Turning around she kind of wished the class would start so that she could get this over with. This are not always what they seem.

The bell rang for students to go to their classes. I hope I don't bore them at all. Rosalie moved in front of her desk and sat on it waiting for her students to being the first lesson. Hopefully they have good manners. I don't want a bunch of rude little kids in here.[/font]
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[gerardturner]

<sup>Everytime, he always seemed to take Divination for an Option. The subject had grown on Gerard ever since he had first taken in. A smile. Slytherin teenager wandered in direction of the class, climbing the stairs to the classroom. He did not know whom was to be teaching them this year, it wasn't the old Teacher Assistant sadly. That young man had taught him alot, however Master Turner could not remember his name. Still, the man had been quite brilliant. Another smile.

It seemed, peering into the classroom, that he was first in. "Well, well, that doesn't happen often," he whisphered to himself, entering. In the front of the classroom was a young woman. Ger Bear found a seat in the back of the classroom. Basically had any place to sit, since no one else was inside. Eyes again captured this fine-looking woman, whom Gerard gave a boyish smile too. "Morning Miss ..." Sadly her name was not in the board, so he would have to wait for her to tell him.

He shrugged, reading what was on the board. His notebook and quill were placed on the desk by him, he wrote the notes down. It would take him a while, but at least he would remember it after class.</sup>

[robotboy]

Dezi wandered into the Divinations classroom. This was one of his favourite classes. He liked the T.A. and the material they were being taught was quite interesting. He thought it was a good idea to start going to classes, since he wanted to move up a year this time around. Seeing that he was the second one to arrive, he thought he was doing pretty good in his vow so far.

The only other people in the class was Ms. Moore and a Slytherin boy. Who looked younger than him? No, not really. But he'd never seen him around before. For some reason, he looked familiar. Shrugging, he decided he should make some new friends. Taking the seat next to him after a slight nod and smile to the T.A., he grinned at the boy.

"Hullo. I'm Desiderio Moretti. I go by Dezi, though." Taking out a notebook, he glanced at the board and waited for other people to arrive, the class to begin, and the boy to answer him.

[gryphon]

After climbing the many stairs to the divinations classroom, Gryphon was a little exhausted; especially since she had heard this class was on only seconds ago outside the castle. Well. You can imagine her sitting there on a bench nibbling on some caramel popcorn, mildly taking in other students passing words. The simple phrases, their shrugged shoulders at not participating in Divinations this term that was starting right now.
She had practically run all the way to class, taking the stairs in twos. 'That’s right go ahead and bust your ankle for a class. Seesh.' It was a silly thing to be doing since she was just recovering finally from her fall at the Quidditch Pitch last term- to risk re-breaking them was plain stupid. And Gryphon knew this just only she needed to be at this first lesson on time. For if she wasn't on time then she may miss out on the introduction to the whole class for the term. Miss out on something perhaps important... Who knew.

Catching her breath and rearranging her fly away hair, Gryphon entered the class room. Smiling a small smile to the teacher and taking a seat by herself. Books on her table and already scribbling down notes from the board. Excited at the idea of tea leaves and for telling the future.

[gerardturner]

^{It didn't seem long until a boy sat beside the young Slytherin. The fella' introduced himself as Dezi. Dezi Moretti. His eyes gleamed, knowing this certain young man was related to a dear friend of his. "Avery's brother, right? I'm a friend of hers, Gerard Turner. Pleasure to meet you, Dezi."} It was from this boy that Ger could discover if Panda Girl was still at the school, he only hoped so. It was true he missed her, and it scared him slightly that she would be leaving in a couple terms. How sad.

Another entered, this time a girl - but she did not say Hello. Instead she found a seat on her own. In hope of being nice, he gave a small wave - she could always sit next to him if she wanted to feel included.

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[josie]

Josie sighed as she climbed what seemed like the hundredth staircase that day, she felt like she spent more time on the stairs than in any of her lessons. At least they hadn't moved around on her this time and given her twice as much work to do. She was late enough as it was.

She glanced at the portraits lining the walls as she made her way to wards the divination classroom. She wondered what the lesson would entail and if there would be anything practical to do or if it would all be notes. Josie loved practical work and felt it was easy to learn the material if you were hands on with it. She really wanted to well in her classes. Amazingly she was enjoying them all and had a rather tight schedule as she hadn't wanted to miss out on anything.

She had been a little distressed when she realised she would be dropping a class this term, she loved flying as well!

She transfered her bag from her left shoulder to her right as she entered the classroom. Looking round she spotted only three other students, non she recognised, and the T.A.

She noticed the board and stood where she was to read the chalky notes, she smiled. Sounded fun.

Realising she was still standing she blushed a little and sat in the nearest seat available. Pulling her books and quills from her bag she dropped it on the floor under her desk and straightened up. "Hey," She said to everyone in general with a friendly smile before she began jotting down the notes on the board. Eager for the lesson to start.

[wolfeh]

'Ah, Divination. My favorite subject.' Faye thuoght as she walked to her class, unable to keep a small smile from her face. Then she saw the stairs. Graoning, she walked up yet anothre flight of stairs, grumbling inwardly about how Hogwarts had too many stairs. After raching the classroom, she took a moment to catch her breath before opening the door.

The room felt so...relaxed. Faye's smile grew slightly dreamy as she read the board and nodded to herself, finding a seat. She looked at the other students-none familiar- and gave a small smile at them in hopes maybe one would talk to her. As it stood, she had only one friend; not that she minded of course, but one could never have too many friends. Not for the first time, Faye cursed her shyness.

The Gryffindor girl took out a writing utensil and a piece of paper and began to take down notes, waiting for the class to begin. She couldn't wait to start reading the tea leaves, and hoped she wasn't horrible at it.

[josie]

Josie was idly doodling on the corner of her page of notes. She tilted her head to the side, at one angle it looked like a butterfly if you squinted, she really was a terrible drawer. She sighed and leaned back in her chair a small smile playing on her lips. She loved classes but she hated waiting for them to get started. She was itching to begin.

She looked up as another girl entered the classroom, she returned her small slightly shy smile with a bright beam of her own.

Last term she had been shy and hadn't made as many friends as she had hoped to so this term she had resolved to put her shyness aside and be the bright kid her closest friends new all the time.

"Hey," She said turning in her seat to look at the girl hoping she didn't mind her interrupting her note taking. "I'm Josie." She smiled waiting to see if the girl would reply or tell her she was busy. She was hoping for the first.

[wolfeh]

Faye looked at the girl as she acknowledged her. Smile growing, she spoke. "Hi. I'm Faye. Nice to meet you." she said. She was glad someone was talking to her and was being nice to her. She hated not having her friend in her classes, but was glad she knew at least one person's name other than her own. "I love Divination. I can't wait to start." she said with a grin. Divination was something she knew; something she was good at.

[rosalie]

Rosalie watched as more students walked into her classroom. At first only two had shown up which had her quite worried for a second. She was thinking no one was going to show up. ;_; Rosalie wrote their names down on a piece of a paper as they walked in and sat down.

"Quiet down everyone," she said softly. She refused to talk any louder. If they didn't calm down a bit she would be quiet then make a loud noise with the use of her wand to make them shut up. "Welcome to the first lesson of the new term. Today as you can read we're reading tea leaves. This is a simple class and it actually really hard to fail this class. Now we're going to begin.

"You all have a tea cup and a saucer. I'm going to come around and put hot water in your cups so that no one gets burned. Once I put the water in your cup but the tea bag in the cup and wait till you get a dark colored water. Then take out the tea bag and wait till your drink cools down. Drink the whole glass and then you'll see tea leaves.

"After you do that put the saucer over the cup and turn the cup upside down on the table. The saucer should be against the table cloth and the cup ontop of the saucer. Turn the saucer clockwise three times then pull the cup up. You'll see the tea leaves on the saucer then you can read them.

"Any questions, comments, or concerns?"

Rose got up and began putting water into everyone's cup.

[Use this site to pick a symbol of tea leaves. Pick anyone you want your tea leaves to look like. Tea Leaves]

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[holly]

Holland had never had the best memory. He frequently forgot birthdays, appointments, his homework, and yeah, even classes. Hnn. So imagine his surprise when it had suddenly dawned on him as he was eating a yummy piece of buttered toast, that he had his first Divination lesson to go to. Pouting, he'd left his toast and ran as fast as his legs could carry him through the corridors, even though he knew he'd be late anyway.

Biting on his bottom lip nervously, the Hufflepuff slipped inside, trying to be as quiet as he could, and slid into a seat near the back. Casting his dark green eyes downward, he bliked at the cup and saucer on his table. He had to, drink it? Ew. Holland didn't like tea very much, only on occasion, and this really wasn't one of them. As the TA filled his cup, he dropped the tea bag in, and kept his eyes down, watching the clear water slowly turn darker and darker.

[batgirl]

Divination. Erm. Right.

Alright, So Ranka was a tad bit late. she was sure it was nothing too major, right? Of course not! at lest she showed up, that is all that really mattered. Making her way to the Divination classroom, Ranka hurried in the halls, getting some glances from passer - byers, but she ignored them for the most part. No need to give glances to people you don't know. Reaching the door, Ranka slipped in the door quietly, sneaking into the back of the classroom and taking a seat a few desks over from the two boys, and another few seats away from the other boy who had came in late. She passed a glance to them and a small smile before looking to the front of the class.

Tea leaves? Ranka thought to herself. Great. that is just what she wanted to be learning. She had already read all about them, but she supposed that actual practice might be somewhat useful to her. Shrugging the negativity off, Ranka took out her notebook and wrote the things on the board down on her parchment, placing her quill down when she was done. The T.A began to fill up the cups, Ranka looked down at her cup. Normally people from England love tea. Ranka, however was not from England, she was from Russian, and she hated tea. She gave a small look of disgust, waiting for the teacher to fill her cup. Eh, looks like she'll have to drink it - suck it up, Ranka.

[mileena]

Great her first divination class and she was late. Hannah walked in keeping her head down ha she found a seat at a table to herself. As the teacher went over what they would be doing Hannah sat her bag down next to her feet then looked at the table. She notice it was set for two for tea. Having never tried tea she was a little nervous, she knew she would hate it.

Once the TA filled her cup she looked around at the others so that she would know what to do. Yeah, she was so clueless she didn't even know how to make it. Taking the tea bag she dipped it in the water has she tried not to frown. Then picking up her cup she began to sip some tea.

[wolfeh]

Faye got up and grabbed a tea cup. She followed the directions after the T.A. filled her cup up, and began to sip it slowly. She loved tea, so the drinking part didn't bothre her like it seemed to bother some. Shrugging, she finished drinking her tea. She finished the rest of the directions and began reading her tea leaves. She found a crescent moon; prosperity and fortune. She liked the sound of that. Squares were also noticable. Comfort and peace were always nice. The she spotted something she couldn't quite make out. Raising her hand, she asked softly, "Um...professor? Is this a dog? I can't tell."

[robotboy]

Dezi was a bit surprised when the random boy he'd sat beside and talked to mentioned his sister. He'd never met any of her friends, except for Jackson, so this was definitely a first. Smiling a bit, he said, "Yeah, I am, actually. Nice to meet you too, Gerard. Actually, you look kind of familiar. I think I've seen you in photos in her room and in photo albums."

The class began then, and he listened to the T.A.'s instructions. Tea Leaves. He'd missed this lesson last term. Once she filled his cup with hot water, he put the tea bag inside, watching the water get darker and darker. He took out the tea bag then and waited, not wanting to burn his mouth. Eventually, it got cool enough to drink, and he gulped it down. At the bottom were the tea leaves, and he wrinkled his nose a bit. Placing the saucer on top of the cup, he flipped it upside down on the table. Turning the saucer three times clockwise, he lifted the cup and looked down at the tea leaves. Brown eyes squinted, tilting his head left and right a few times.

Eventually, he decided it was a kangaroo. Finding what that meant, he groaned a bit. Rivalry in love. That sure wasn't good, but he knew it was true, since he could tell it was going to happen. The Crystal Ball hadn't shown him anything good, now the Tea Leaves didn't either. Divination was proving to be a bit of a downer.

[gerardturner]

<sup>Awhh. Panda Girl had piccehs of him in his room. That was sweet. "Sweet. I think we might've met before actually - but never exchanged names. I've seen you before somewhere. I know I have." The Mihael shrugged. Maybe Bella knew him? That could certainly be a possibility. She was a tad bit like Avery (she had a whole board full of pictures of friends). Whereas he just had scrapbooks. Friend Scrapbooks. And then the book Kelly brought him for his birthday - the two of them.

TA had began talking, most certainly he needed to shut up now. Flashing a grin to Dezi, the Slytherin listened to Miss Moore talk about Divination, and what they were doing today. Once finishing, she wandered around the room filling their cups with hot water. When his was done, he placed his tea bad inside. The water became darker - Ger removed the tea bag. It would be too hot to drink at the moment, so he patiently waited for it too cool down. Soon enough, it became cool enough to drink, and Gerard gulped it down. In the bottom, tea leaves were left. Now time to make things happen.

Ger placed the saucer on top of the cup, he carefully flipped it over upside down onto the table. Now turning it three times clockwise, he finally lifted the cup and gazed down at the tea leaves. He pondered, what was the symbol? A baby? He rose his eyebrow. What did that mean? He quickly found it - new interests? What did that mean? A new interest as in hobby, or love? Ooh, this could be fun finding out. He was pretty much clueless if it meant new love interest. Geez ... This was weird.</sup>

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[josie]

Josie smiled as Faye introduced herself, she was so excited to be in the class it made Josie feel excited. "I've never done Divination before." She confessed, "But I'm looking forward to it."

She waited patiently as her cup was filled, she wrinkled her nose, she hated tea, really hated it but she supposed the end result would be worth it. Why couldn't they work out a way to read them without having to drink it? She wondered to herself as she took a tentative sip. It wasn't as bad as she thought although she probably should have left it to cool first as her lips were now tingling from the heat.

Drumming her fingers lightly on the table as she waited she flipped through the pages of her text book wondering what her tea leaves would tell her and how reliable they would be. She had heard Divination was merely guess work.

Taking another sip she smiled, it was warm enough to drink without having to visit the Hospital Wing for third degree burns. Gulping it down to get it over with she grinned as she placed it back on the saucer as the Professor had instructed them, turning it three times she whipped the cup back off the saucer and glanced down.

What on earth was that supposed to be, if she tilted her head to the left it looked like a pig but looking straight on it looked more like a set of scales like the ones they used in potions to measure out their ingredients.

Shrugging she looked them both up, the pig apparently meant good and bad luck mixed, did that mean she was going to experience both or that it could go either way? The scales meant Balance, well that made sense, Justice, Justice for what? Something someone had done to her or something she had done to someone else. She couldn't think of an occasion that would warrant either.

Sighing she raised her hand, she was a touch confused. "Professor are you meant to see more than one symbol?" She asked still looking down at her saucer maybe you were meant to pick the most obvious one.

That would be the Scales, oh goody a touch of Justice was coming her way. She wasn't sure how pleased she should feel about that.

[gryphon]

Listening to the teacher and carefully remembering the instructions, as she didn’t want to get any of this wrong, Gryphon waited until Miss Moore had filled her teacup with hot water. Adding the tea bag gingerly and watching it bob there in the water for a while to then remove it. At least it looked dark enough for her to drink, any darker and it would probably taste really bitter. Picking up the cup with both hands carefully, she blew on the surface a little before sipping it down slowly.

It didn’t taste like the best tea she had ever had, needed sugar. Once she had emptied the cup she turned it over onto the saucer and turned it clockwise three times as the teacher had instructed. What if it didn’t work? What if she saw something really terrible? For a long moment Gryphon didn’t want to turn the damn thing over instead just looking at it very unsure.

Glancing at the other students through her lashes so it wouldn’t be too obvious she was doing so Gryphon sighed half heartedly. They were all looking at the shapes the tea leaves had taken. She may as well do the same that’s what she was here to do. Look at lumpy pieces of soaked leaves. That some how interpreted your future. ‘Probably something to do with the saliva’ A smile curled onto her lips with the thought.

Removing the teacup from the saucer Gryphon furrowed her brow at the thing on the little plate. Mangled it looked, really weird looking. She had to stare at it for a while before she decided it looked like a swan. Defiantly not like the ones back home in France but still swan-like with it’s long curved neck and duckish plump body and webbed feet. See before she had realised it was a swan she had thought it to be a cross between a snake and a duck. That had just been confusing.

Apparently a swan stood for Good luck, a lover, a happy marriage. As two of the meanings seemed highly unlikely it put only one possible and also highly unlikely to happen any time soon. Erh terrific, happy marriage. --;

Raising her hand shyly she waited patiently for the teacher. Just in case it was some weird duck/snake thing that meant sudden death.

[rosalie]

After filling everyone's cup she put the kettles back down on her desk and sat next them. Rose looked around the room and noticed that students began raising their hands. She jumped off her desk and went over to Josie first. Luckily Josie hadn't sat on the top part of the room. Long long walk.

"Yes?," she asked as she got to where the girl was sitting. "You're only expose to have one set of tea leaves? If you have two then there is more in your future. Be careful about what you think they mean. Get the exact information."

Faye said something and Rose turned to look at her. "Let me see your cup." Rose picked up Faye's cup and looked into it. "It's a cat." She put the cup back down. She walked off from the table and went back near her desk.

"For homework I want everyone to write a paragraph about their tea leaves. That's five to seven sentences."

[mileena]

Hannah finished off her tea and set the cup down. Looking around she watched has others tried to figure out what they were seeing. Looking into her cup she moved the cup around has she stared. Squinting a little she saw it had too legs so it had to be and animal. Was it a swan? No, it was too small to be a swan. It had to be either a goose or a duck. She turned her head to the right has she tried to figure it out. "Hmm.."