Chapter 52 – NEWTs and Future

Tensions were running increasingly high for Connor and all the other seventh years. There were less than two weeks left before the NEWT exams and Connor had to admit, he wondered how he would manage. He was so exhausted, he wondered how he would stay awake long enough to do his exams. He was convinced that once they were over, he would sleep for an entire week.

But the NEWT exams also meant an end to Hogwarts. That thought was bitter to Connor. More than once, in the last few weeks, he wondered what would happen to him once he was done with school. And more than once, he wondered if he would be allowed to visit the Wing of Seers, and the Keeper's Chambers. While, for the last four years, everybody had considered the Chambers to be his, he was yet to be told he would always be welcomed there.

Lost in his thoughts, Connor walked into the Great Hall to join his friends for breakfast. The previous night, he had spent it in the Chambers, studying mostly, but also talking to Profina about his future prospects... or lack thereof.

"Connor, you're never going to believe this!" said Guinevere, slamming the newspaper on the table before him the minute he took his seat.

Connor had to read the headline three times before it even made sense to him. The news was that shocking.

"I take it you didn't see that one coming," said Gregory with a frown.

Connor shook his head, re-reading the headline for a fourth time.

"Unspeakable dismantled," it read.

"How? Why?" he asked, looking up at Guinevere.

The Unspeakable.

One of the Ministry oldest departments.

One of the most prestigious positions to hold at the Ministry.

"The official press release says they outlived their usefulness," said Lena.

But Connor could see she didn't believe any of it.

"We think they had something to do with your Visions," said Guinevere, opening the newspaper. "See this man?" she asked Connor, pointing at a picture of a group of Unspeakables. "Doesn't he look familiar?"

And he did. Connor could have sworn he had seen him before.

"He was in your Dreams, Connor," said Lena. "And so was this one," she said, pointing to another one.
"The vipers' nest in the heart of the Ministry?" he asked.

"We believe so," said Lena. "Unfortunately, we don't have Coterie meetings anymore; we don't have a way to ask Professor Potter."

"We'll know... in due time," said Connor

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Connor was exhausted.

NEWTs exams were held over two weeks and they seemed to never end. The previous week, Connor had gone through his Potion and History exam and today, he was to sit for his Transfiguration exam.

He was lucky. After that one, he only had his Charms exam left. He was already so tired, he wondered how he would have managed had he had more than these four exams like so many other students did. And he also wondered how these other students actually managed.

"Your circumstances are different, Connor," had said Profina's ghost, the night before. "You have a lot more to contend with than most people will ever have."

Of course, she had spoken about his Seer powers.

"Maybe," he had answered. "But that will not help me when I'll try to get a job," he had said shortly.

His head pounding, probably from his lack of sleep, Connor made his way to the Great Hall for his Transfiguration exam. All the information he had studied just danced in his head in a sequence that absolutely made no sense to him anymore. Rubbing his temples, he walked into the Entrance Hall. When she saw him, Joanna frowned in concern.

"Connor, are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," he answered shortly, the throbbing in his head becoming more insistent.

Joanna gave him a last worried look before she turned around and preceded him into the Great Hall. Connor took a seat at the table next to her and waited for the Ministry officials to pass the written exam. The Official was handing out a copy of the exam to the student in front of him when the Great Hall suddenly disappeared and all became black.

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"How long has he been like this?"

Connor recognised the voice, the accent.

Bradley.

"Two days," answered Mrs Weasley.

"What happened?"

"He had a Vision."
"Is he... is he going to pull through?"

"We don't know."

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"Connor, the train is leaving in an hour," said Joanna, her voice distorted by her crying. "I don't want to leave... none of us do, but the Headmistress won't let us stay. We love you, Connor. Please, please come back to us."

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Connor slowly opened his eyes. He felt so weak, he could barely move his head. And he wasn't sure where he was. He peered into the darkness and recognised the Hospital Wing.

'What now?' he thought.

He looked on the other side of him and there, sitting on a chair, slept Bradley.

"Bradley?" he called, his voice cracking from misuse.

The Australian boy suddenly woke up and looked at him.

"Connor!" he exclaimed, jumping off of his chair and kneeling next to Connor's bed. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Thirsty," said Connor.
"Oh, yes!" said Bradley, jumping to his feet.

He went to the bedside table and retrieved a glass with a straw, which he offered to Connor. Connor took a few slow sips and recognised the taste of the Fortifying Potion. He drank some more and let go of the straw.

"What happened?" he asked.
"You had a Vision," answered Bradley, pulling his chair closer to Connor's bed. "Something about a saviour, I heard."

Connor remained quiet, not remembering any of it, as usual. He would have to look in the Book if he wanted to know the exact words.

"Ginny Potter had her baby," continued Bradley with a smile. "He's big, I was told. And the school year is over. Any idea what you're going to do now?"

"My exams?"

"Well, I reckon you'll have to speak with the Headmistress about that. She's been worried, you know, and she's a really nice lady."

Connor did not really know what to say to that but he was getting so tired again, his eyes closed of their own accord.

"Before you sleep again, you should drink some more of this," said Bradley seriously, offering Connor the straw again.

Connor took a few more sips, closed his eyes, and before he knew it, he was asleep.

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Connor threw one last took towards the door as he was encouraged by Mrs Weasley and Bradley to take Floo Powder so he could go home to the Burrows. After ten days in the Hospital Wing, he was now released and could go home. He had really wished he could see the Headmistress before he left so he could talk to her about his exams but she had been called away from school on an important business and had already gone for a few days. Regardless, Connor could not help but look at the door, one last time, hoping to see her walk in.

"Don't worry, Connor," said Mrs Weasley, putting her hand on his arms. "She will visit with us soon enough."

Connor nodded, took the Powder and threw it on the fire.

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It took three days for the Headmistress to visit the Burrow. She had come in the course of the weekly Quidditch game. By that Sunday, Connor found himself depressed and very worried about his future. He had heard some of his friends had already found apprenticeship but he was still at home, not knowing what he could expect now that he was done with school but not with his NEWT.

When she arrived, Connor was in the stands, sitting with Ginny and Bradley, holding twelve days old Albus in his arms. Connor could not help but look at him fondly, remembering that despite the fact he wanted to be a father, he would simply not get the chance. The thought made his heart pinch and he fought the tears he felt coming.

"Connor, may I have a word?" asked the Headmistress, breaking his train of thoughts.

Connor hesitated a moment, not wanting to let go of little Albus.

"That's okay, Connor," said Ginny with a reassuring smile. "I'll keep him for you."

Connor gave Albus back to Ginny and stood up. He followed the Headmistress out of the pitch and to the tents which were ready for the after match buffet. Exhausted by his short walk, Connor took a seat in the empty tent.

"I should have come earlier," began the Headmistress, taking a seat herself. "I'm sure you have been wondering about your NEWTs."

Connor nodded.

"Well, I have talked to the Ministry and you can take them again in the first week of July, if you so desire."

Connor sighed in relief. He still didn't know what he could do but at least, he would completed his final exams.

"Mr McKeithan, I have a proposition for you," said the Headmistress, bringing him back to the conversation. "You see, Hogwarts find itself in desperate need of new teachers..."

Connor suddenly looked up.

"... especially in Divination," she continued. "Since you are quite versed in the subject, more than anyone in quite a few generations I may add, the school faculty and myself would be quite honoured if you would consent to teach it, beginning this September."

Connor just stared at the Headmistress dumbfounded. Of all the things she could have said or asked of him, it was the last thing he had expected.

"Of course, we would expect you to occupy the Keeper's Chambers, unless you have another preference of course."

"No, no!" he said quickly. "The Chambers are fine."

"Do I take that you are accepting, Mr McKeithan?" asked the Headmistress with a raised eyebrow.

"I... what about the curriculum?" he asked.

Connor had never taken Divination but he knew what had been taught. He didn't see himself teaching parlour tricks as it was far from what he was going through.

"To do with it as you please, as long as it is acceptable to the Board of Governors," answered the Headmistress. "Until I met you, Mr McKeithan, I had never believed Divination was a subject worthy of being part of the Hogwarts curriculum."

Connor was rather surprised by her admission. She had made so many changes to the school curriculum since she had become Headmistress, he would have thought she would have got rid of what she didn't like.

Then something else crossed Connor's mind: all the teachers were, for the most part, single or, if they had a spouse, they were not living on school grounds.

"What about Bradley?" he asked, staring at his hands.

He had waited a year to finally be with him and, even if the Headmistress's offer was good beyond his expectations, he really wanted to be with the man he loved.

"Professors do not have spouses at school as a general rule but he can stay in the Chambers with you," conceded the Headmistress. "We only ask that you be discreet about it."

Connor nodded in understanding.

"Will you consider my offer, Mr McKeithan?" prompted the Headmistress when he wouldn't say anything more.

"Yes, Professor, I will."

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Connor and Bradley had accepted the invitation to spend the evening at Guinevere the next Friday. Connor had looked forward to it since he hadn't seen most of his friends in quite a few weeks. After a nice dinner, they had taken their drink to the living room where they sat on Guinevere's sofas and floor.

Guinevere, who took a seat on the armrest of Gregory's chair, looked down at her boyfriend with a radiant smile. Just before dinner, Connor had found out Gregory had moved in with her.

"So now that Guinevere is playing for the world team, who wants to come and see her play?" asked Gregory with a loving smile at Guinevere.

"Oh! I would love to go see her play!" exclaimed Allison, clasping her hands together against her chest.

"We'll see her play at the Burrow too, won't we?" asked Lucas.

"Yes, of course," answered Guinevere.

They all agreed on a date and Lucas turned to Gregory.

"So where did you land now that you're done with school?"

"At the Quidditch Shop," answered Gregory with a grin. "It's temporary but it's a lot of fun for now. And you?"

"At the Daily Prophet," answered Lucas.

That took Connor by surprised. He had never taken Lucas for the writing type.

"I'm covering the Law Enforcement Department as a trainee. And I see Zarek every day!" he added, looking at Zarek.

"How come?" asked Gregory, looking at Zarek also.

"I'm an Investigator trainee," answered Zarek, looking up at Lena with a loving smile.

"And I, I am now an International Magical Cooperation Liaison trainee," she said proudly.

"I don't think that surprises anyone," said Allison with a chuckle.

Connor had to agree; that didn't surprise him either.

"What about you, Allison?" asked Lucas.

"I went to my dad's import/export business," she answered. "It's pretty fun. He's considering opening a shop and I'm helping him with that."

"And you, Noëlla? Did you get into St. Mungo's?"

"Yes," answered the black girl shyly. "Accident Reversal Department. What about you, Joanna?"

"I'm going to a Muggle University for a while," she answered. "In psychology."

"What does that do?" asked Lucas.

"It's a Healer for people's head," answered Guinevere.

"What will you do with that?" asked Lucas.

"I'm not sure just yet," she answered. "And what about you Bradley?" asked Joanna.

It warmed Connor's heart to realise his friends included Bradley in their conversation.
"Well, I just got a job at the Three Broomsticks," he answered.
"Wow! That's cool!" exclaimed Lucas.

"Well, I never held a steady job before but since I will be sticking around for a while..." he said, looking up at Connor with a smile.

Connor smiled back at him, feeling lucky they had found each other.

"And you Connor? Where to next?" asked Allison.

"Hogwarts," answered Connor. "Divination Professor."

"What?!" said Gregory.

"No!" exclaimed Lena.

"Really?" asked Lucas.

"Yeah," answered Connor, chuckling at his friends' reaction. "It came as a surprise to me too."

"But you didn't even take the class," said Lucas.

"Like he really needed it," retorted Guinevere.

"Trust me Connor, you didn't miss anything," said Theo. "Will you be changing the curriculum?"

Connor looked at his Slytherin friend for a moment before answering. For a reason he could not explain, he felt like Theo was deliberately redirecting the conversation away from the job topic, as if he didn't want, or couldn't answer that question himself. And Connor realised Theo was in fact the only one who hadn't said what he would do next.

"Yes, I'm changing all of it."

"Are you moving to the Chambers?" asked Guinevere.

"Yes, I belong there," he answered.

"And Bradley?" asked Lucas, looking at the Australian boy.

"I am too," answered Bradley.

"Wow! The Headmistress must really want you," said Lucas.

"Of course she wants him!" exclaimed Guinevere. "What kind of statement is that?"

"Well, have you seen a Professor living at Hogwarts with their spouse?" asked Lucas. "Even Professor Longbottom doesn't live there with Hannah."

"Of course he wouldn't!" exclaimed Allison. "Who would want to live at Hogwarts instead of the Leaky Cauldron?"

"Well, now that you mention it..." said Lucas, inclining his head in agreement towards Allison.

But Connor did not really agree. He would have rather lived in the Chambers than anywhere else. It was where he was safe and where he belonged.

Connor looked at his friends with a small smile on his face. They were now talking about the 'good old days' at school, Theo's profession completely forgotten. He looked at his Slytherin friend again who slowly looked up at him, as if he had felt Connor had been looking at him.

"Why?" mouthed Connor.

But for answer, Theo only shrugged.

Then Connor looked at Bradley, sitting on the floor at his legs. While he was not actively participating in the conversation, he was smiling and laughing with the others, perfectly comfortable in his new surroundings. Connor admired him. He did not know if he would ever be able to be as carefree as Bradley. But then again, the hand he had been dealt was very different than his, than anyone else for that matter. And his Visions could very well kill him, whether he was careful or not.

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The evening was bitter sweet to Connor. After a wonderful night among friends at Guinevere the previous night, the Coterie was now all re-united at the Burrow for their last official Coterie meeting with Harry. They had chosen that night because Bradley, who had not yet signed the roster, was at work. And Connor had to be honest with himself: he did not want Bradley to sign the roster not because he wanted to keep secrets from him but because he did not want Bradley to have to face the things he, Connor, had to face.

"Okay, children, time to begin," said Mrs Weasley, walking into the living room with a tray of biscuits.

Harry, who looked rather tired but very happy, stood up.

"I think we'll begin by giving you an explanation and telling you what we found," he began.

Connor's curiosity was peaked.

"First of all, as you all know, the Unspeakable were dismantled. The official reason is that they had outlived their usefulness, and as I can see, by the look on your faces, you don't believe this for one minute."

Connor looked at his friends. Most of them were smiling, amused.

"And you are right," continued Harry. "They were dismantled because they were behind everything that happened in the last few years and then some."

"What do you mean, Professor?" asked Gregory.

"I'm coming to that," he said. "Now, it is important for you to know that the Unspeakables still exists," he continued.

As he said that, Connor suddenly looked up at Theo. His friend seemed distracted, looking out the window as if he had no interests in what was said. Or maybe he simply already knew.

"Yes, Connor, you've guessed it right," said Harry, bringing back his attention.

"Wait! What did he guess?" asked Gregory.

"We have asked Theo to join the Unspeakables," said Harry.

Quite a few of Connor's friends gasped.

"Why didn't you tell us?" asked Lucas.

"Because even if he wanted to, he could not have told you," answered Harry. "Well, at least not until you knew."

"A compulsion of some sort?" asked Lena.

"Of some sort," answered Harry. "A spell that would prevent him to say anything if he was directly asked. We do not want the existence of the Unspeakables to be known at this time, and the only reason we are telling you is because of the Coterie roster, which we all signed."

"But why the secret, Professor?" asked Noëlla, talking Theo's hand in hers.

"Because their mandate has changed," answered Harry.

"Spies," simply said Lena.

For only answer, Harry nodded.

"So, what brought all this?" asked Gregory. "Why dismantled them in the first place?"

"We suspected some of the people who were behind the strange happenings of the last few years were indeed Unspeakables, thanks to Connor's dreams. However, we couldn't do anything because we didn't have anything other than the dreams to go by. But when Lena and Guinevere pieced together the dreams, they also gave us the break we needed. One of those dreams gave us what we needed to nail at least one. It only showed us how to look for that evidence, and once we knew where to look, it became very easy. We built our case and went after the man, which, consequently, opened the door into the Unspeakable sanctum."

"What did you find?" asked Lucas.

"They were infiltrated, as you know, by vampires. What we did not expect was to find they have been for centuries."

"Centuries?" gasped Allison.

"Yes," answered Harry. "They are the ones who made the knowledge of the Wing of Seers disappeared all those decades ago. They are the ones who orchestrated all the attempts on your life, Connor."

"Why?" asked Connor.

"We don't know precisely why but we know the vampires behind all this have a healthy fear of Seers."

"The dreams," said Guinevere. "It tells us they have something to hide."
"But what?" asked Zarek.

"A desire to conquer the world?" suggested Allison more as a question.

"And why not go after Trelawney when she had her first vision?" asked Joanna.

"We think it's because of Dumbledore and, funnily enough, Voldemort," answered Harry. "Voldemort was already after her and Dumbledore was protecting her. If anyone else had gone after her, Dumbledore would have known and try to find out who. Same for Voldemort. We think those people were not ready at the time to be known and since Trelawney was not really powerful, it was not worth it. Connor, on the other hand, is very powerful therefore worth their trouble."

"But they didn't succeed," said Joanna, looking at Connor.

"No but we don't think we had the show runner," said Harry frustrated. "The old man from Connor's dreams, the one that seemed to give the orders."

"Is he even in Britain?" asked Lena.

"We don't think he is," answered Harry.

"Did you catch any of the vampires in Connor's dreams?" asked Guinevere.

Connor looked at her and in that moment, he knew for sure she would also become an Unspeakable after her Quidditch career.

"Yes, we did," answered Harry, bringing Connor's attention back to the conversation. "However, we're afraid one day, the threat will be among us again," he added, looking at Connor with a certain amount of anxiety.

Connor frowned when he realised all of his friends, were actually looking at him.

"What?" he asked, after a few seconds of silence.

"The prophecy you made during your exams, dear," said Mrs Weasley gently.

Connor shook his head not knowing what he had said. He hadn't gone to the Room of Books to check and he hadn't asked anyone about it.

"You said: the one who may save us all is now among us. Protect him as he is now defenceless. Nourish him so he may grow strong. Prepare him so he may face the lonely road ahead of him with courage. Our survival may well depend on his strength and sacrifice," said Joanna.

Connor could see this did not look good. There were more dark times ahead of them.

"Connor, you made that Prophecy the day Albus was born," said Harry. "About the same time he was born," added his mentor sadly.

"It doesn't mean anything dear," said Mrs Weasley.

"Maybe," said Lena slowly. "But it would be wise not to mention Albus' birth and the prophecy in the same sentence."

Harry was still looking at him as if silently begging Connor to tell him Albus was not the one. But Connor couldn't. He just didn't know who the prophecy was referring to. Maybe later on, he would know, but not now.

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"Happy birthday!" said Bradley happily, when Connor opened his eyes.

Over two weeks ago, they had finally moved into the Keeper's Chambers and Connor loved every moment of it. Being in the Chambers felt right, felt safe, it felt like home. Of course, Bradley could not apparate directly into the grounds from the village and he had frowned at that at first but now, he was just taking everything in stride, especially since Connor had found a way for him to access the Chambers by himself.

Upon his arrival, the Headmistress had given Connor the classroom at the bottom of the stairs to the painting floor.

"Only fitting," had said Profina's ghost as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Nothing other than Divination has been taught in that classroom!"

Connor, decorating his classroom as he pleased, had smiled at her.

"So, what do you want to do today?" asked Bradley, bringing him back to the here and now.

"Something I wanted to do for years," answered Connor. "It is rather sad however."

"Will it make you happy in the end?" asked Bradley.

"I don't know," answered Connor honestly, "but it will bring me some closure."

"Okay, then let's do it," said Bradley, jumping out of bed and beginning to get dressed.

Connor admired that about him, his way to seize the moment.

An hour later, they were in London, walking down the street Connor had grown up in. He hadn't been there in five years, ever since he had been taken away by the police after his house had burned down. Nervously, he walked down the road, not daring to look at the houses for fear of seeing a burned hole.

"Connor, why are we here?" asked Bradley, no doubt sensing his tension.

They finally reached the house where he had grown up and hesitantly, Connor looked up. The house had been rebuilt and Connor could not keep his eyes from it. The red brick was new and there were nice white curtains in the windows. Pots of flowers were hung from each of them.

"What is it?" asked Bradley again.

"This is where my parents died," answered Connor.

At that moment, a young woman walked out of the blue door, holding the hand of a six year old boy. She was smiling happily at the small boy who was obviously her pride and joy. And at that moment, Connor knew the child was a wizard, that he would, in a few years, attend Hogwarts.

"May I help you?" asked the woman when she saw them.

"I... I was wondering if you had lived here long," said Connor, trying to speak around the lump in his throat.

"A little over four years," she answered with a smile. "Why?"

"I... I knew who used to live here," answered Connor.

"Oh! I'm so sorry'" she said sincerely. "I heard from the neighbours what happened. There was a fire... only the little boy survived."

As she said that, she glanced at the boy at her side.

"How did you get to live here, if I may ask?" asked Bradley.

"It's a wonderful story, really'" she answered smiling again. "I was rather down on my luck when this man about my age offered to sell the house to me... Well, he practically gave it to me really."

"Do you happen to remember his name?" asked Connor.

"Of course! I would never forget his generosity. His name was Potter... Harry Potter. He told me he had bought it from the insurance company and had it rebuilt. When he met me, down at the shelter, he thought Jason and I should have it. I heard from the shelter that he and his wife were sort of philanthropist."

Connor gave her a small smile. It fitted his mentor's personality very well. After all, he had always said he had more money than he knew what to do with.

After exchanging some more pleasantries, Connor and Bradley were about to take their leave when she stopped them.
"Sorry, I didn't catch your name," she said to Connor.

"Connor, Connor Avery McKeithan," he answered.

She gasped when she realised Connor was the little boy who had survived.

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