I disclaim the ownership on each and any part of the Harry Potter world. Hardly anything in this story is mine.

A/N: I changed the form of address for Trelawney due to the review by Very Small Prophet. Thanks again.

"The applicant, however, was the great-great-granddaughter of a very famous, very gifted Seer and I thought it common politeness to meet her. I was disappointed. It seemed to me that she had not a trace of the gift herself. I told her, courteously I hope, that I did not think she would be suitable for the post." (Dumbledore, OotP, chapter 27)

1980, room in the Hog's Head, Hogsmeade

Only two people occupied the room, sitting opposite at a table, drinking tea. One was an old man. He looked dignified despite his bright and colourful clothes and his wild grey mane. He was a headmaster of a prestigious school and had some other important titles for other days. The other was a woman, who at that time worked as a fortune teller. However she planned for this meeting to change that.

The old man spoke: "Miss Trelawney, let's discuss your application for the divination position. What are your qualifications?"

"I have this letter of recommendation." Trelawney slid an obviously old parchment to the old man (he was even older than the parchment).

He took it carefully and read it aloud.

"My great-great-granddaughter will be a Master of Divination. Sincerely, Cassandra Trelawney, November 12th, 1904"

The headmaster leveled his look at the woman, who wore the clothing which was typical for her profession.

"Miss Trelawney, I fear, I cannot simple accept this letter. You're not the only great-great-granddaughter of Cassandra, after all. I'm sure, you could proof your mastery of the subject to me?"

These words of the man seemed to anger the woman.

"Proof? Headmaster Dumbledore, one doesn't simple proof one's mastery over the art of divination! One accepts the word of a seer about who is and who isn't a master. To do otherwise, would be too dangerous by far!"

Dumbledore seemed unfazed.

"Nevertheless I need some proof of your competence to hire you. Maybe you could make a prophecy? It may be about something small. Just so I know, that you possess the inner eye."

Trelawney answered in a horse whisper after taking a deep breath to regain her bearing.

"Do you even know, what you ask for? What state is the magical world in, that one of its acclaimed leaders doesn't know that to ask for a prophecy should be a great decision after some heavy thought and not part of a simple interview? I can however predict your future by having a look at your tealeaves."

This speech, too, didn't impress the headmaster. But he emptied his teacup and gave it to the seer. Trelawney took one short look at it and then proclaimed.

"The ant and the lemon. You'll soon insult somebody mostly insignificant, but the consequences for you will be terrible."

Trelawney looked at Dumbledore expectantly, who frowned. Neither figure was mentioned with these meanings in the charts of the standard divination textbook, which he had read just this morning. He had no talent for Divination, but he had an excellent memory. The ant stood for diligent work and the lemon for an unlucky day. He tried to keep his voice gentle.

"I don't think, that this post is suited for you, Miss Trelawney. It requires hard and dedicated work and I can only hire the best. I'm sorry to say, that you don't quite meet the Hogwarts teaching standard."

Trelawney was by now fed up by this wizard, who clearly believed, that he knew something about divination, but obviously didn't. Fine then, he would be brought down. And soon, nobody, who didn't even now the basics about the magical arts, would be thought to be a great wizard ever again. She concentrated on those thoughts.

The headmaster stood up and went to the door.

"Goodbye, Miss Trelawney. It was a pleasure meeting you"

Sybill Trelawney made her prophecy.

A/N: The meanings of the symbols are made up by me. Predicting the future is a magical art and even the best charts can't contain all possible interpretations.