Finally I have a chance to tell you about what happened when I was asked to perform a water bowl reading at the Dogs and Divination screening.
My partner, a little white terrier named Daisy, had just fallen asleep in the water bowl. I was a little miffed because I wanted to hear a bit about my future. But Hermione Granger-Weasley was overseeing the test, so I wanted to do my best. Once the bowl was refilled, I took a deep breath and gazed into the water. At first I felt thirsty, but then I began to relax and allowed my muzzle and eyes to move closer to the water as I looked beneath the surface.
Suddenly an image began to emerge…I saw Daisy walking alone at night along a dark path. An ominous feeling came over me, and I began to shake. As Daisy trotted further into the dark, sparks began to fly from behind the trees lining the path, and a throbbing, translucent, thick-walled bubble surrounded Daisy. I began to growl, but that broke my concentration and the image disappeared.
When I woofed what I saw to the Professors, Daisy began to shake and tremble. Professor Hagrid said, “That’s not a bubble, that’s the work of dark-bark magic. You see,” he continued, “it sucks the spirit out of a dog to keep it separate from others. Dogs can’t feel happiness unless they’re connected to people and nature.”
Headmistress Hermione looked worried. “Who would do such a thing to an innocent little dog?” Then she turned to me. “Harper, have you been reading up on the Unbarkable Curses?”
“No,” I woofed. Now I was concerned. I didn’t like this one bit.
“Try not to worry.” The Headmistress soothed Daisy with a few gentle pets. “You’re perfectly safe here at Dogwart’s. As for you, Harper, it looks like you’ve qualified for Dogs and Divination class.”
I gave a soft growl. “But Dogs and Divination takes place at the same time as Quidditch practice.”
Then Headmistress Hermione really surprised me. She pulled a small silver dog bone charm from her pocket. “This is a time turner. You’ll remember I needed one when I was at Hogwart’s. That way you can be in two places at once by repeating time.” She hung the charm around my collar. That got my tail wagging again. “You’ll be able to keep up with all of your Dogwart’s classes, not to mention your Duggle life in California.” Next she handed me an orange hat and a pair of Doggles, the standard Dogs and Divination uniform.
So that’s the story with the water bowl reading. When I start class I’m going to pretend I don’t see anything…maybe they’ll change their minds and let me out of Dogs and Divination. As far as I can tell, pooches and prophecy don’t mix. But I think I’m really going to like having a time turner!