Season Six, Round Nine: Career Consultation

A/N: For the Quidditch League. Enjoy!

Disclaimers and Warnings:

- I don't own Harry Potter.

Team: Puddlemere United

Position: Keeper

Position Prompt: Minerva McGonagall

Word Count (Minus A/N): 1716

"Come in," said Minerva, and the door opened to reveal one Sirius Black.

Black dropped into the seat in front of her desk, seeming almost bored.

"Now, Mr. Black," said Minerva, picking up his folder, "this meeting is for you to discuss any potential career ideas you may have, and which subjects you will be taking during your sixth and seventh years. Dare I hope you have put ser—genuine thought into what you would like to do after Hogwarts?"

"I know exactly what I want to do," said Black, a perfectly serious expression on his face. "I have got what it takes to train security trolls."

Minerva stared at him for a moment.

"If you will not take this seriously—"

"I always take things Siriusly."

"Mr. Black, I'm warning you—"

"Okay, sorry," said Black, though he didn't sound like it. Suddenly he looked hesitant. "Well… I think I'd like to be an Auror."

"An Auror?" said Minerva, sifting through the pamphlets on her desk and retrieving the small, dark one for the Auror office.

"Yeah," said Black, gaining confidence. "I mean, my family was full of Dark wizards, people who would torture and kill Muggles and Muggleborns without a second thought, people who feel no hesitation is using Unforgivable curses and other Dark magic. I want to do some good in the world, and help get rid of people like them."

"That is an admirable sentiment, Mr. Black," said Minerva approvingly. "Now—" she opened the pamphlet "—you would need top grades to be accepted into the Aurors. They require no less than five N.E.W.T.s, and nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations.' And even if you achieve that, there is the rigorous training regime that the Auror recruits must go through before they can even think about going into the field." Minerva gave Black a stern look. "They will not tolerate any mischief-making, so if you're ser—if you truly want to become an Auror, then you will have to make significant changes to your temperament during classes."

"Yeah, all right," said Black, leaning back in his seat and causing the two front legs to rise off the ground. "It's a great sacrifice, but I'm willing to give up my happiness for the sake of humanity." (Minerva internally rolled her eyes at his dramatics.) "What grades'll I need?"

Minerva flicked her wand, and the chair dropped back to the floor and stuck there. "Defence Against the Dark Arts is the main N.E.W.T.," said Minerva, opening Black's folder and looking at his grades. "You seem to be doing perfectly well in the class. Keep up these grades, and you should be fine. You will also need Transfiguration, as Aurors do much Transfiguring and Untransfiguring during their work. Again, you will be fine, as long as you keep the average of 'Exceeds Expectations' that you have in my class."

Black nodded, uncharacteristically solemn.

"A N.E.W.T. in Charms is also required," Minerva continued, "as they are useful in almost every career. And Potions—knowledge of poisons and antidotes is essential. The fifth N.E.W.T. is for you to decide. As long as you achieve higher than 'Exceeds Expectations' in all of these classes during your O.W.L.s in order to advance to N.E.W.T. level, and maintain these grades for your N.E.W.T. examinations, I don't see why you wouldn't be accepted into the ranks of the Aurors. Now," she said, looking up at her student, "do you have any questions?"

Black shook his head. "No, Professor."

"Very well." Minerva closed the Auror pamphlet and Black's folder. "You may leave."

Black gave her a grin, and said, "See ya, Minnie!"

Then, before Minerva could chastise him, turned and dashed out of the office.

"Enter," called Minerva.

The door opened, and Remus Lupin stepped into the room, looking much too thin and haggard for a sixteen year-old.

"You may sit," said Minerva, nodding at the chair in front of her desk. Lupin collapsed into it, a look of gratefulness flickering over his features.

"How was the last moon?" asked Minerva gently, noticing that her student still looked ill.

"It wasn't bad," said Lupin, and didn't elaborate.

Minerva didn't push. "What career would you be interested in pursuing after you graduate Hogwarts?" she asked, her voice returning to its normal no-nonsense tone.

"What I want doesn't matter," said Lupin, a bit bitterly. "No one would hire a werewolf. I suppose my best chances are doing odd jobs in the Muggle world."

"Nonsense, Mr. Lupin," said Minerva, looking her student in the eye. "Anyone would be lucky to have you as an employee. Your grades leave nothing to be desired, your work ethic is commendable, and your disposition is kind and patient—that is, of course, when you aren't causing mischief with your friends Messrs. Potter, Black, and Pettigrew."

Lupin ducked his head, almost glowing with the praise. "Thank you." But then he looked up, a wry smile on his face. "But no one will think of that. They'll just be imagining a bloodthirsty monster. I suppose I am, though."

"Again, nonsense," said Minerva firmly. "You are no more dangerous than any other of your classmates during thirty out of thirty-one days in the month. Now, what career would you like to pursue after your graduation?"

Lupin looked down. "I suppose, er, I want to become a professor. For Defence."

"An excellent choice," said Minerva, "though I may be biased."

Lupin cracked a smile, which was her intention. "I mean, I like tutoring, and my friends say that I'm good at it," he mumbled. "So I thought it would be a good idea."

"Well," said Minerva briskly, looking at Lupin's file, "you would need a N.E.W.T. in Defence—though I suspect this is obvious. It is good, however, to keep your options open, so you could possibly aim for N.E.W.T.s in at least two other subjects. Based on your grades, I recommend Charms and Transfiguration."

Lupin nodded. "All right. Is there anything else I need to know? Any studying after I graduate, requirements for teaching, that sort of thing?"

"All you need to do is speak to the Headmaster," said Minerva. "He will interview you, look over your qualifications, and if all is to his liking, then you will have the position." Minerva looked right at Lupin. "I look forward to having you as my colleague."

Lupin flushed. "Thank you, Professor." He stood up, then left the room, smiling slightly. Minerva watched him go, thoughtful.

Fred and George Weasley barreled into the room, faces flushed, hair windswept.

"Sorry, Professor," said one, the two boys skidding to a stop next to each other. "We forgot."

"No matter," said Minerva. She waited for one to leave, but when they both simply stood there and looked at her, she told them firmly, "You are aware this is supposed to be a one-on-one meeting? Mr. Weasley, your meeting is scheduled to be after your brother's. Mr. Weasley, take a seat."

The two of them crammed themselves into the single wooden chair in front of her desk—it was already small in the first place for a single person, some of the larger students partly falling off, so one twin ended up halfway in the other's lap—and grinned innocently up at her.

Minerva's lips thinned. "Not you, Mr. Weasley. You may leave."

Both of them stood up.

"Mr. Weasley—oh, this is ridiculous," muttered Minerva, when both twins smirked. "George, you may return in an hour for your appointment. Fred, sit down."

Neither of them moved.

"Actually, Professor," said George, "we're going to be working together when we graduate, so we want to do this meeting together."

Fred nodded. "See," he said, "you get a break from doing these meetings, and we get more time to put toward more—" he paused delicately "—ah, productive endeavors. It's a win-win!"

Minerva sighed. "You have put thought into what you would like to do after Hogwarts, then?" she said, deciding not to argue. She Conjured another chair, letting it fall next to the original.

Fred and George dropped into the seats.

"Yep," said Fred.

"We want to open a joke shop," said George.

There was a silence as they waited for her reaction, looking at her with bated breath.

Despite herself, Minerva smiled slightly. "How appropriate."

Wide grins spread over both twins' faces.

"Right?" said Fred. "We mentioned it to Lee, he didn't believe us at first."

"Mum would go bonkers if she knew," said George. Then he suddenly went solemn, and added, with a calculating look directed toward Minerva, "But it's our decision."

"Of course," said Minerva, nodding in agreement. "In the end, each student has the final say in their career choice. So," she said briskly, "do you already have merchandise for this shop?"

"We've got some already finished," said George, Fred nodding along, "and a lot more in the works."

"Good. Technically, you do not need any N.E.W.T.s for your career," said Minerva, "but you will need to attend N.E.W.T. level classes to learn more advanced magic for use in your products. Only you know how your products are made—choose your subjects based on what is needed. All professors accept students into their N.E.W.T. classes as long as they receive an Exceeds Expectations or higher, except for Professor Snape, who requires no less than an Outstanding."

"Greasy git," Fred muttered. George elbowed him, though he wore his own look of dislike.

Minerva debated for a moment, then let it go, just this once. "Is there anything else you want to talk to me about?"

Fred and George shared a glance.

"No," said George.

"But thanks for this," said Fred, grinning. "Maybe we'll give you free samples of our stuff once we get the shop going. What do you think?"

"I will take them," said Minerva, "but only so I can add them to the list of banned items here at Hogwarts. Somehow I get the feeling that once you open, we will never have a peaceful day again."

Fred and George grinned.

"Too right, Professor," said George.

"See ya later!" said Fred, and together, the twins walked out of her office.