[Divination] TV:LI The tea leaves are lovely

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash waited for a moment, and when it seemed as if no one was going to volunteer an answer, he spoke up like the good, intelligent little Claw he was. "Reading tea leaves, also known as Tasseography is a form of divination which relies on the psychic's ability to interpret the different symbols and patterns created by loose tea leaves or coffee grounds in a cup."



Ah...the long, boringly descriptive explanation, gotta love those Claws!

[Eliot Moss]

Divination was one subject Eliot had never bothered to indulge in before that year, and so he found himself already two or three pages into the chapter after seating himself in a somewhat empty corner. When the professor stood up and began the lesson, he snapped his book shut and shifted in his seat to get comfortable.

Tealeaves seemed like they would stir some excitement in the class, or at least predict a number of wonky futures, so the Ravenclaw couldn't help but listen to the lecture avidly, making notes of Ashton's knowledgeable answer though having a bit of difficulty wrapping his mind around such an abstract concept.

[Jason Walker]

Jason sighed before continuing onto the topic, finishing up explaining what Ashton didn't know. "Reading tea leaves is also known as Tasseomancy and is a divination method used in western traditions. Tasseomance, or Tasseography, also refers to reading coffee grounds and wine sediments in the east. The term derives from the French word tasse, or cup, which in turn derives from the Arabic tassa, which also means cup."

He wasn't sure, nor did he care about anyone elses language ability when it came to a multitude, but he had to explain it. Besides, more points for his house. [/color]

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

When it seemed that once again, no one cared to divulge any information, Ash spoke up once more, adding to Walker's explanation, "To read someone's tea leaves, you must prepare a cup of tea with loose tea leaves. A small, white cup with no designs or patterns on the inside walls is ideal. Have the person drink the tea, leaving a minute amount of liquid in the bottom of the cup, as well as some tea leaves. Holding the cup in the left hand, he or she should slowly swirl the contents of the cup around three times clockwise. Try to make sure that the leaves are moved towards the rim of the tea cup."

He paused, then continued, "Then, the person should place the cup upside down on the saucer, holding it there for 7 seconds while letting the fluids drain. When the tea cup is placed right side up again, the handle should be facing the reader while he or she interprets the symbols and images." Ash stopped there deciding that that was enough, and anymore may be considered overkill! Although he couldn't help but smirk at Walker, How do you like them apples, Snake? he thought to himself. If it was a war of intelligence and wits the Snake wanted, it was a war he would get....

[Jason Walker]

Good thing Jason liked apples, expecially since he could easily crush them with his fist. Rolling his eyes as Ash droned on, he shook his head. Looks like the pussy cat wants to play. The boy didn't need to be a Ravenclaw to outwit the frail child that challenged him.

"You forgot to mention that there are over one hundred symbols you may recognize, one hundred thirty four to be exact. I could go on, but I wish not to butt heads with the likes of you. But, all of what you said might or might not be true, more than likely not, but that is besides the point. I am here to listen to the lesson the Professor has to teach, not words preached from the foul mouth of a Sodomite. Now, if you will be silent, listen to the Professor and preferably quit breathing, this class could continue on instead of being interrupted by your foolish jealousy feud. And if you know all of the information, don't bother taking the class."

The snake smirked and relaxed back into his cushioned chair with the most comfortable expression and body language one would have ever seen. Ah, the joys of superiority. Jason looked back to the Professor with shimmering hazel eyes that spoke of a clear wisdom and authority. After a moment, he returned his gaze to the rest of the class room, tilted his head back before closing his eyes in satisfaction and resting his head on his arms that were placed behind it. [/color]

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash's eyes narrowed at the Snakes words, a cold rage growing inside him, "For your information, I do know that, I just didn't say anything about it because I wanted to leave something for Professor Edgecombe to say!" he snapped, glaring coldly at Jason. He didn't even bother responding to the 'sodomite' remark, just rolled his eyes at the Slytherin's immaturity and ignorance.

How people could still be so intolerant in this day and age, he would never know. Who cared if he loved another boy? It wasn't any of their business what he did with his life, so they should just stay out of it!


((okay, that sucks....))

[Jason Walker]

(Atleast you tried.))

A deep chuckle emitted from Jason's throat as he watched the pussy cat hiss and spit out his remark. "I'm sure. You didn't leave much room for her teach. Too bad you didn't stand up and just teach the class yourself."

The snake could tell that his words had obviously gotten to the small Ravenclaw boy, which had made him laugh at the boys weakness of willpower. No wonder he was with another boy and sorted into Ravenclaw. All the while, Jason never even bothered to crack open his eyes. Gods forbid he should need to set eyes on the frail thing again. [/color]

[Bradyn Reed]

The cat was out of the bag for him, more literally than you will ever hear that phrase used, and yet he couldn't face Ellie to see her reaction. Instead, he just acted like she wasn't there and tapped his quill lightly on the table as if he was suddenly studious and completely concerned with the class. At least when he decided to pay attention to it instead of his girlfriend, things got interesting.

Foolish little weakling, of course Ash would take every opportunity to fight with a snake. Bray was rooting on Walker even though it was associating with the enemy, and luckily, he placed his bets on the right side. But the whole process was mindlessly boring and full of information that any Claw who skimmed the book could mindlessly spit out. Really? Did they think they were being impressive? Bringing his hand up to rub at his temple when it was over, he sighed and spoke up. "Are you two twits done yet? I'd like the vein in my forehead to stop throbbing sometime soon." And hopefully that would be a cue for this nitwit professor to take care of his class. Honestly, what was she doing, letting students run a muck like this? After his outburst he'd actually thought she was tough like his sister, but apparently, he was wrong.

[Cairo Blackwell]

Pretty much ignoring the pair as they jousted words, she heard the 'twit' comment from Bray--whom she had met earlier, she did recall--and her large eyes snapped up to meet his. "Hey Laura, did you know a twit is a pregnant goldish?" She questioned him, completely serious as the fact was completely true. "You just called them pregnant goldfish." Beginning to laugh, the Slytherin rapped her fingernails against the desk briefly, wondering if the professor was going to step in sooner or later and break things up. Some of the other people wanted to provide information for the lesson and receive points, too.

It was so stupid of them, really, to fight like that.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash just glared at the lot of them, not even bothering to respond to their petty remarks. Why he even bothered talking to these people, he could not figure out. Although....he did have ways of getting revenge.... a sneaky smirk came across his face as he thought of the many things he could do to make Walker pay. And they were pretty good....well, not good, good. But good ideas...

Hmm, let's see...I can dump a tea cup on his head...I can bombard him with pillows, I can dump my inkwell on his head... ooh...inkwell sounds nice....Yep! Inkwell it is! Deciding that the inkwell trick would have to wait until later on the lesson, he turned his attention back to the topic.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Even in class there was competition. Hannah got more answers than she bargained for both boys ere right but they were actually fighting about it. Hannah just stood back watching, life was full of things to get angry over, full of things to fight about but this was just well childish. Arms crossed over her chest she wondered if and when they'd realize this. Finally another student stepped in making a few comments that she would deem comical. If she wasn't the professor she would have laughed.

"Yes that's enough I think, Ashton and Jason thank you for your very well informed answers you were both correct and I do appreciate the enthusiasm. I wish some of the other students had half as much." It didn't skip her notice that quite a few of the students sat back and offered nothing not even a guess.

"Now that all of that has been settled I think it would be good for us to try out reading each others tea leaves. Please find a partner, but I do have one request Jason and Ashton I think you two should partner up." Hannah had no idea why she chose to do this perhaps it had been their near bout over the correct answer, or the fact that they were the two that seemed to be interested in the lesson at all, whatever it was she thought it would be interesting to see if they could work together.

[Jason Walker]

Sighing, Jason accepted his defeat by the teacher and nodded reluctantly. Great.

One thing though. If they were to work together, Ashton had to play by Jason's rules. "Laurent. My table." Were the only words offered to the Ravenclaw as the Slytherin kicked out an empty chair, offering it to him at his table. [/color]

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash groaned silently, accepting defeat. Standing up, he trudged over to Jason's table and set his things down with a thump. He sat down, cursing his bad luck in French, "Grand! Juste effing grand! J'ai juste dû ouvrir ma grande bouche et finir par devenir être apparié avec lui! La façon d'aller Laurent! Vous avez vraiment vissé celui-là en haut!" Sighing, he said, "Alright Walker, let's get this over with."

((Translation: Great! Just effing great! I just had to open my big mouth and get paired up with him! Way to go Laurent! You really screwed that one up!))

[Jason Walker]

Jason simply sighed and shook his head. "La fois prochaine, Laurent, vous veillent pour parler dans une langue que je ne sais pas. Puisque, vous lui récupérerez plus tard le fois de l'atleast dix." With that, his eyes narrowed dangerously at Ashton before he turned his attention back to the professor, almost shooting daggers at her for her choice of partners.[/color]

(( Translation: Next time, Laurent, make sure you speak in a language I do not know. Because, you will be getting it back later on atleast ten fold.))

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

She knew her decision wouldn't be popular with the two of them, but she didn't need or want discord in her classroom so maybe putting them together would prove beneficial. Perhaps it might just be entertaining watching the two of them try to get along. "Ok the rest of you please pair up so that we can begin we don't have all day now" the rest of the class was seriously lacking in their good graces. Hannah didn't want to have to sit around and pair everyone up Jason and Ashton were a special case. Class needed to get started but she was stuck with a bunch of lumps for students. Standing she waited a few more minutes, if they didn't get a move on she'd be forced to do it for them.