Even given the fact that Trelawney has made some real and accurate predictions, both small and, indeed, very large, she mostly seems like a flake. The first time we meet her, in PoA during the first class she has with The Trio, she predicts Harry’s death via the Grim.
His death is debatable at best for now, but in a way, she also predicts the appearance of the Grim itself. Far from being a symbol in a teacup, a great black dog actually appears. One can argue that she’s really only seeing the arrival of Sirius. One could also argue, however, that Sirius Black is rather a symbol for death himself. It certainly follows him. So perhaps Trelawney has some Sight.
However, what really grabbed my attention in that scene, on my second time through the series, are the predictions that Ron makes while looking at Harry’s tea cup. Ron doesn’t have any idea what he’s doing, or at least he thinks he doesn’t, but what he says makes a lot of sense.
Ron’s first words of divination are “There’s a blob a bit like a bowler hat” (Rowling, 105). He goes on to predict that Harry may end up in the Ministry of Magic. Most likely, the bowler conjures images of Minister Fudge, which would explain Ron’s association.
Ron then goes on to say, “But this way it looks more like an acorn” which symbolizes “a windfall, unexpected gold” (Rowling, 105-06). Anyone familiar with TGoF knows just how Fudge and a pile of unexpected gold really will soon be connected to Harry and in a very meaningful way.
Does that mean Ron has the Sight?
cited:
Rowling, J. K.. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. New York, Toronto:, Aukland, Sydney, Mexico City, New Delhi, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires Scholastic Inc., 1999.
