Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter in any shape or form. I only own my characters and the plot.
Geth342: Hey hey, a quick update and the second half of chapter 14. After this, updates will be slower. Oh and by the by...CAN SOMEONE PLEASE REVIEW? See, there appear to be at least 5 people reading this story yet i get at most 2 reviews :( I can tell you that reviews do inspire me to update quickly- one of the reasons my J&H story is on hiatus is because i lost inspiration due to lack of readers and reviewers (although that probably won't happen here). To my 2 reviewers, you are both awesome :)
And yes, i know that in OotP, the careers interview isn't until around April or so but i don't see why it can't be in January.
Anyway, i hope you enjoy, please read and review. Thanks.
Chapter 14: The Careers Interview.
Of course, as soon as I got back to the common room, I had to warn everyone about Simon. I did this by walking into the common room and standing on a table to get everyone's attention. Once they were all looking at me, I explained that the Ravenclaw was not to be touched and that no one nearby where he was should be either. In addition, when he was alone it would be a good idea to be friendly to him. This was met with many grumbles but I quickly told them what good a spy could do for us to which no one had much argument. At least, no argument that they could voice without suffering the consequences. As the days passed, my punishments had become worse and worse.
I finished with a description of what he looked like and told them to ask the First years if they were unsure. After answering questions from people (a lot of which were 'Why do we need a spy again?') I walked around to where Seifer, Jade and Jake were. I smiled at the two boys and gave Jade a peck on the lips. It might have been my imagination but I could have sworn that she moved back slightly, almost in revulsion. And for a moment, I thought I saw fear in her eyes- but when I blinked it had gone and I didn't want to ask her about it. Instead I sat down and put my arm around her. Again she seemed to flinch but before I could ask, Seifer looked at me.
"Achilles arrived earlier. Don't ask me how he got in here I don't know, but he left a letter for you." Seifer said. He held out the letter, in its envelope. Thankfully my parents had stopped writing addresses and putting stamps on it. I grabbed it and pretended to be disgusted.
"An envelope?" I asked, wrinkling my face. "When will they learn that the muggles bring nothing but trouble? Honestly." I turned to Seifer. "Did you read it?"
"Of course not." Seifer replied. I narrowed my eyes, wondering if he was lying. If he was, well, there wasn't much I could do about it. Maybe wipe their memories later. But for now I needed to read the letter. I looked at the others.
"I need to see what this is about. If you'll excuse me." I considered giving Jade another kiss but considering her reactions I decided against it. Even if I was imagining it, it was easier not to bother. However, just as I got up, Seifer coughed. I looked back at him.
"Hey Zac," he said nervously, "you shouldn't be too harsh on your parents. I mean, if you got out of those thoughts, they can too. You just gotta….educate them. Y'know because they're the ones who look after you and…" His voice trailed away. I was not the only one staring at him in astonishment.
"Right," I said after a moment, "I'll be sure to remember that." I turned back again.
"Wait," Jake called. I turned around. Any more turning and I'd fall over from dizziness. Jake looked embarrassed as he spoke. "Seifer's right. You should appreciate people who love you. Treat 'em right, y'know…" His voice also trailed away as catcalls started. I raised my eyebrow.
"Sure…I'll, uh bear it in mind. You guys haven't been hit on the head in Quidditch have you? Well, I need to go read so see ya." I turned away, wondering why those two had gotten so soppy. Especially Jake- Seifer was touchy about parents but Jake never took anything seriously.
As I said, I can be really stupid sometimes.
I sat down on my bed, pulled the drapes around and ripped open the envelope. Lying back on my pillows, I began to read.
Annwyl Zac,
Sorry for not sending this with the morning post or with any money but we wanted to tell you the news. Exciting news!
Well, mum went for a scan yesterday and we decided that we would like to know the identity of the baby after all. So we asked. And you're having a brother Zac.
I looked up for a moment. A brother. Chad. Chad Carew. I sighed. It was a pity that the name I had sent wouldn't be used. I carried on reading.
We know you'll be excited and maybe a bit disappointed. But having a sister won't be too bad for you. Besides, you did pick her name. Little Holly. You'll have to tell us how you picked it at some point. We'll definitely tell her that it was you who picked it.
I looked up again in confusion and then reread the paragraph. Little Holly? So I was actually getting a sister? I reread the letter and suddenly noticed that there was a stain in front of the word 'brother', presumably covering the word 'not'.
Holly is due in late May or early June. I know you have exams around then but please, come and visit at some point just to greet her. I'm sure the school won't mind you having a weekend here or something. Reply soon.
Hope you're well.
Love Mam a Tad.
I put the letter down, altered it and stashed it in my trunk. Getting out of school to see my sister. Not a bad idea, except I would probably be off then anyway- we usually got a few weeks off after the OWLS as a reward. Then again, I supposed that I needed to greet my new born sibling at some point and the school wasn't likely to fall down the moment I left. I'd have to ask Chappell about it though, which meant I couldn't reply yet so instead I went back to the common room. Seifer, Jake and Jade had been joined by Zoë and Tahir. I walked over to them, interrupting their discussion.
"Hey." I said as I sat down.
"Hey." They mumbled. Seifer smiled.
"So, did you get over your parents en- enelope long enough to read what they wrote?" He stumbled over the unfamiliar word but the others weren't stupid. As Tahir and Zoë exchanged surprised glances, I considered kicking Seifer. Not for the first time, I wished that I had been here to receive the letter. But as fighting hadn't exactly helped me much that day, I settled for glaring.
"Yes I did," I replied coldly.
"And?"
"The name has been used." I hoped Seifer had enough brains to work out what I meant. His eyes widened for a moment in understanding. Looking briefly around, I saw that the others (except for Jade) were confused. Jake opened his mouth to ask but Jade nudged him in the side. I smiled at her, grateful. She didn't meet my eyes.
"Oh Zac, you haven't read the notice, have you?" Tahir asked. I shook my head and he pointed over to the notice board. "Chappell posted it just now. Go read- I think you're first."
I asked him what I was first for but he just told me to read the board so with a sigh, I got up again and walked over to it. Just my luck, Chappell had left before I could speak to him. Bad luck, but then that was all I seemed to be having that day. Dispersing the crowd around the notices, I read the new piece of parchment.
All 5th year students are required to have a careers interview with their Head of House during the spring term. These will last between 20 - 30 minutes. Below are the times of each student's interview. Do not be late.
Professor Trent.
I looked down the list until I reached Slytherin.
Zac Carew- 28th January, 10:35 AM
Adam Etasyl- 28th January, 12:20 PM
Jade Fornoy- 29th January, 11:45 AM
And the list went on, ending with Jake. There were huge time gaps between the interviews, presumably to fit in with schedules. Unfortunately, I was the first one to go so I had no way of knowing what it would be like. I went back to my friends and sat down.
"This is a bit sudden. They haven't even given us information on careers. What?" Everyone had started to laugh, much to my bewilderment. I stared at them, wondering if they had all lost their minds. Eventually Tahir deigned to explain.
"The leaflets have been around for ages," he laughed, "you just haven't picked one up. Look, there's one over there." He gestured to a nearby table. I walked over to it and picked it up.
"A career in…law? What the hell, I'm not doing that. Sod that. Are there any others about?"
They laughed again. Jake struggled to reply, but he eventually managed. "Nope," he said, "everyone else has gotten them. You shoulda been quicker." I growled but before I could respond, Seifer announced that it was time for dinner, and then, as an afterthought said that there could be some leaflets near the Great Hall on the general notice board. We decided to go there first.
I knew my luck really had deserted me when there were no leaflets left. Adam spotted us (he had been doing some homework because he was seriously behind) and wandered over.
"What're you all looking at?"
"An empty leaflet box." I replied angrily.
He sniggered. "I can see that but why?"
"Looking for career leaflets but they've all gone. I hate people." I felt like kicking the wall but this wouldn't have been a good idea. Instead I glowered at a Hufflepuff who was looking at us. She scuttled away but it didn't cheer me up.
Adam laughed again. "Probably the idea that you should share with your mates. And get there early."
I grinned thankfully. "Great, so you'll share with me?" I asked eagerly.
He smiled cruelly. "Nope, Slytherin rule- don't share anything you won't get back. Keep your stuff to yourself." Everyone burst out laughing. I snarled angrily.
"What a load of bull."
"Way it works Zac, just the way it works." He looked at the doors to the Great Hall. "Come on, let's go eat. I'm starved." He sauntered into the Hall before I could respond. The others followed, still laughing. I entered last. Adam was getting too cocky around me. I needed to sort him out before he found an advantage and defeated me. But how? Try as I might, the answer didn't come to me.
By Monday I had read the law leaflet about 100 times- if nothing else, I supposed I could talk about a career in law for half an hour. And although I would not admit it to anyone, after the thirtieth time it had actually started to appeal to me. People who like public speaking and to argue. People who felt strongly about issues and weren't afraid to tell others…it sounded like my sort of thing. Besides, as it looked like I had no other ways of finding new careers I would probably have to talk to Chappell about law.
In addition, Kali had furnished Simon with some dung bombs and told him to use them on the two targets and then mumble a certain spell to follow. It was a success and, best of all, Simon told me that the Ravenclaws were getting confused over who was pulling pranks- they had thought it was us but there had been no Slytherins nearby at the time of the prank. I had to smile when he told me that I was right about the Slytherins being friendly- after waving at a hulking fourth year and being terrified that he would be beaten up, the fourth year had waved back. And other Slytherins also greeted him when he was alone. I couldn't help laughing when he told me that. He was incredibly easy to manipulate.
I ignored the talk about the two Ravenclaws beating me up, merely sneering at anyone who asked. After Simon's prank, I brought that up instead causing all the Slytherins to laugh. People left me alone after that.
On Monday, I left Transfiguration five minutes early, wandered down to the dungeons and stopped at Chappell's office. Knocking politely on the door, I waited anxiously, my hands stroking the much read pamphlet inside my robes. As soon as he told me to enter, I walked inside and sat down on the hard wooden chair. Sometimes I wished that the dungeon rooms were a bit more comfortable.
He spoke first. "Good morning Zac."
"Morning Professor."
"Well, let's cut to the chase. Any careers in mind?" He sounded jovial. I couldn't help smiling back.
"Uh…well all I got was something on law so that, I guess." This made Chappell laugh.
"You're deciding your future based on what pieces of paper you picked up?" He enquired. I blushed.
"Of course not," I replied, "but it seems like a good place to start. Sir."
"Fair enough. So, do you want to work in law or are you clutching at straws?"
"It seems interesting sir."
"Why?"
I wasn't expecting that. I thought for a moment. "Well I like debating and standing up for people. And problem solving. It sounds like my sort of thing." I smiled, pleased with my answer.
"I see," he replied, "any thoughts on which kind of lawyer?"
"Erm…" I hadn't given that any thought so I picked the first one which came into my head. "Human rights." This actually did sound like my sort of thing so I decided to stick to it.
"Human rights?" He didn't sound convinced.
"That's right." I said firmly. "Human rights."
"Okay…so do you know what you need?"
"Skills or qualifications sir?"
"Qualifications."
"No sir." I had always gone out of my way to avoid looking at that part for too long. Exams depressed me.
"Well, you need quite a lot. They expect NEWTS in either Ancient Runes or Muggle Studies, you need several Outstandings at OWL and NEWT and for human rights, you'll need an OWL in Muggle Studies which I don't believe you have."
He was right. No self respecting Slytherin chose that subject. Perhaps that was why he had looked so confused. I thought quickly. "I do have a good knowledge of muggles sir. Sadly, my parents are obsessed with them. I can tell you anything you need to know."
Indeed…alright then Zac, what is the purpose of a telephone?"
I smiled confidently. "To communicate with other people without having to meet them or send a letter." That was easy.
"If you really do know so much, then tell me, is Manchester United going to win the Premier League?"
I stared at him. "Are who going to win what?" My knowledge of muggle sports had more or less gone down the drain. He winked at me.
"It's alright, I would have been worried if you knew that. Sadly my sister is married to a muggle and so I too know all about them. Perhaps you can sit this paper next year then Zac."
"Yes sir."
"I see your grades are doing well but Professor Shalia will only let people with E or higher into her class. Currently you're getting As. Do you think you can improve?"
"Definitely sir." I never put much effort into homework but I thought that perhaps I should start.
"So, any other careers in mind?"
I thought quickly of some muggle careers and then translated them into magical ones. They couldn't be too different. "Yeah…politician or teacher would be fun I guess."
"Why?" Once again, I was forced to think quickly. The politician one was easier as I could just say what I had said earlier. I think he saw through my reasons to be a teacher though for he did not ask about it. Finally he asked if there was anything else I had in mind. I was about to say no when I thought of something.
"Yeah…auror sir." I replied, trying not to laugh. The teacher looked at me.
"Okay…but I have to warn you now Zac, that includes a lot of hard work and I'm not sure if it's really your sort of thing."
"Oh." I was a bit put out- I didn't like being told that I couldn't do something.
"But if you are serious about it then you need to take Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts and…ah, you don't look so sure any more."
"I'm not," I replied honestly, "so I think I'll give it a miss sir." He nodded and this time when he asked about careers I did the simple thing and said no. We talked for a few more minutes about careers and getting me to meet a lawyer and whether I could leave after the exams to visit my sister. Finally, I left, just in time for break.
And that was when I found out.
As I walked into the busy corridors of Hogwarts, I spotted Zoë and Jade so I walked over to them. Or behind them at any rate because there were too many people to allow me to walk next to them. Just as I was about to tap my girlfriend on the shoulder, I heard her say something which hurt me more than I could say.
She said, "I know Zoë, but Zac scares me too much. Jake said I should break up with him as well but he'd kill me. He would probably kill me." There was genuine fear in her voice. I stopped in the corridor, watching the pair go on, ignoring the people who walked into my back. Until Seifer did. He asked me how the interview went. I dragged him into an empty classroom.
"Am I scary?" I asked fiercely. He stared at me.
"You are when you drag people into classrooms." He replied after a moment. I resisted the urge to curse him.
"No, seriously. Am I a scary person?" I demanded.
He looked around nervously. "Uh…no more than usual. What's brought this on?"
I studied him for a moment before finally replying. "I heard Jade talking. About breaking up with me and-"
"Oh!" Seifer interrupted. "Stop right there. You heard her say she's scared of you. I see." He looked at his feet for a moment and tapped the table. Just as I was about to ask him if he was going to tell me anything, he looked up and spoke softly. "Listen mate, you want the truth?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'm telling you now, as your best friend and not as a Slytherin or a member of your plan or anything so don't get mad, but…nearly everyone's scared of you." I stared at him, horrified, as he continued. "Ever since we came back, you've been obsessed. And anyone who complains gets a yelling or a curse put on them. You act like everyone's friend but when they mess up and tell you to tone it down, you suddenly change. Whenever Jade speaks to you, you snap at her and then later you pretend to be sorry. No offence but you've been acting like a monster. I even heard some first years call you the new Dark Lord."
I closed my eyes, unable to believe what my best friend had just said. Softly, I asked him about Jake but he refused to answer. It didn't matter though. I could tell that Jake fancied Jade and so telling her to break up with me was for his good as much as hers. It was so obvious now- his soppiness, always talking to her, everything. He wouldn't dare tell me of course- if I staked any interest in a girl, the other boys instantly backed away. This being so, if I knew that someone else had an interest in the girl before me, I did not mention my crush, instead letting them carry on. In Jade's case, I had made it clear instantly.
Eventually, I opened my eyes.
"I…did all that?" I asked. He nodded. I looked away.
"I'm sorry." He said. I ignored him, still thinking. The new Dark Lord. That wasn't what I wanted. At least, I didn't think it was.
I wanted justice.
I wanted equality.
But no, I wanted power.
I wanted to be the leader.
It was all so clear to me now. I left the room as Seifer asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to break up with Jade, to put her out of her misery.
And I didn't let any of the tears fall from my eyes until I was safely in one of the toilets.