A Sign in the Tea Leaves
Astoria stirred her tea absentmindedly, watching the amber liquid swirl in her cup as the scent of bergamot and cinnamon filled the humid air of the Divination classroom.
Professor Onai stood at the front, her keen eyes sweeping the class. "Today, we will be reading the patterns in our tea leaves," she announced, her voice carrying a serene authority. "The art of Tasseomancy is delicate, requiring intuition, patience, and an open mind. Let your thoughts drift, and allow the leaves to show you what you need to see."
Astoria exchanged a look with Natty, who sat beside her, ever poised and attentive. "I suppose it's too much to hope for a simple 'you will pass all your exams'?" Astoria murmured.
Natty chuckled, shaking her head. "It depends if the leaves are feeling merciful."
At the next table over, Sebastian leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he smirked at Garreth. "This ought to be interesting. Let's see if the leaves predict you setting something on fire by the end of the week."
Garreth grinned. "You say that like it would be a bad thing."
Professor Onai moved through the tables, instructing the students to take slow sips of their tea before swirling the remaining dregs and flipping their cups onto their saucers. Astoria followed suit, tapping her cup three times before lifting it with care. The damp tea leaves clung to the bottom of the porcelain, forming a distinct pattern.
A chill rippled down her spine.
The symbol was one she had seen before—not in any textbook, but in the ancient Keepers' trials. The sigil of Ancient Magic.
Her breath hitched slightly, and she exchanged a glance with Natty, whose eyes flickered with recognition. "Tori... that looks familiar."
Astoria tilted the cup away, concealing the mark from prying eyes "Would it be too optimistic to call it a coincidence?" she murmured.
Sebastian, meanwhile, was peering into his own cup with an unimpressed look. "It just looks like a blob. Does that mean I'll be eaten by a troll?"
Garreth leaned over, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Let me see. Ah—no, no, this is far worse. This isn't a troll, mate. This is the unmistakable sign of eternal suffering. An affliction commonly known as...unrequited love." he hummed in mock seriousness, "See? A broken heart. Blimey, never thought I'd see anything but a detention slip in here ever since our second year."
Sebastian let out a long-suffering groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're joking."
Garreth shrugged dramatically. "I don't make the rules, mate. The leaves don't lie."
From her seat, Imelda, who had been eavesdropping, smirked. "Oh, this is gold. Maybe the leaves are trying to tell you something, Sallow."
Sebastian shot her a glare before shaking his head, muttering something about how ridiculous Divination was. But the faintest hint of colour crept onto his face, something Astoria didn't fail to notice. She bit back a smirk of her own, pretending to sip her tea.
Professor Onai chose that moment to approach their table, glancing down at Astoria's cup. Her expression was unreadable, but she studied the pattern longer than necessary. "That is... an interesting one," she said carefully. "Perhaps something worth reflecting on."
Astoria nodded, tucking that thought away for later. She had a feeling this wouldn't be the last strange omen she'd see this week.
As the lesson wrapped up, students began clearing their tables, but Sebastian leaned slightly toward her as they gathered their things. "What did your leaves say?"
Astoria shrugged. "Just the usual vague warnings and strange sigils. You?"
Sebastian scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Apparently, I'm due for a grand love affair. Imagine that."
Astoria feigned deep contemplation. "Merlin's beard, maybe it's with Garreth."
Sebastian groaned as Garreth waggled his eyebrows. "Don't tease me, Astoria. I'm flattered."
As they left the classroom, the playful banter between them all continued, but the unease in Astoria's chest momentarily faded.
The tea leaves had whispered a truth she wasn't ready to face just yet. The sigil of Ancient Magic... what could it mean?
And why did she have the sinking feeling that her past and future were about to collide once more?