Even outside of lessons, Anastasia had a habit of reading her tea leaves every time she finished a cup. Trenton told her she was being silly, that nearly all of her predictions had failed to pan out, but Anastasia fancied herself a true believer and merely waved him off with the assertion that, as a non-seer, she was just happy that the occasional cup had been right about her future. It was a cyclical argument; every time he shook his head at her, and every time she smiled and kissed him on the cheek. It was alright if Trenton didn't believe in tessomancy, Anastasia had enough faith for the both of them.
As it was, she had a free period that morning and decided to spend it enjoying some the decent weather while she could. Fall was fast approaching and she needed a thick sweater, but the weak rays of sun poking through the clouds were enough to get Anastasia outside. Sitting on a bench in the courtyard, she cautiously looked around for passing teachers before conjuring up a steaming pot of tea and a cup. Magic was strictly forbidden outside of classrooms, but it was a spell she had long since mastered and Anastasia knew that she of all people could do no harm by using it now. There were a few others smattered around the clearing, but she hoped anyone who noticed would have the decorum not to tell on her.
The tea - a nice black with a hint of apricot - warmed her hands delightfully and she took her time sipping it at as she read the first two chapters of her History of Magic book. It wasn't the most interesting material, but if she was one day going to be an important member of society Anastasia felt it was important she learn the entire history of the magical community as best she could. The last of her tea drained away before the end of the second chapter, Anastasia allowed herself a little break from reading. She set the book down on the bench beside her, careful to mark her page and paragraph, and drained her cup into the flowerbed beside her. Looking excitedly down into the bottom, she felt her heart sink deep into the pit of her stomach. Instead of an acorn or the sun she had been hoping for, there was instead the distinct outline of a dog she and any other pureblood would know in an instant.
The Grim was the last thing anyone hoped to see in the bottom of their tea cup, least of all someone who truly believed in the power of tessomancy. Anastasia felt nauseous and immediately set the cup down as far away from her on the bench as possible. There was no way she was going to die, it was impossible. Yet the cup had predicted it would come to pass, surely that had to mean something? No, like Trenton had been telling her for years, it was just some soggy leaves that happened to be in an odd formation, that was all. Yes, of course, that was it. Just some soggy leaves.
But Anastasia knew deep down she didn't really believe that. She had always believed in Divination, every bit of it; how could she now give up that belief just because she didn't like what the leaves were telling her? Fearful and frustrated, she tried to distract herself by picking up the History book again, but after reading the same paragraph five times through and not absorbing more than six words, she sighed and slammed it down on the bench once more. The cup was just staring at her, pitying what was left of her poor life, to be cut off far too soon. She picked it up roughly and smashed it against the ground. Her mother would be appalled at such violence, she realized a moment too late, her cheeks flushing red. The sound of shattering china drew the eyes of the girl sitting nearby, and Anastasia did her best to compose herself.
"So sorry," she said with a weak smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I - there was a bug."
