4 October 1950
Minerva knocked on Professor Dumbledore's door. She waited for a while but when there was still no answer she knocked again a little harder.
"Come in," he called. Minerva entered the room and closed the door carefully behind her. "Ah, Miss McGonagall, good evening," said Dumbledore, looking up from his work. He put his quill down and folded his hands on the table. "What can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to thank you personally for the Prefect badge," Minerva said. "It's—well, it's something my father can understand and he really is very proud."
"Not at all, McGonagall," Dumbledore said. "Really it is the Headmaster you should be thanking, not me," he added.
Minerva shrugged. "Even so," she said. "I am sure the Head's of Houses have a say in the final decision."
Dumbledore's mouth twitched but he didn't comment.
"I also came because I think I have changed my mind about what I would like to pursue as a career," Minerva added, a little more worried now. "I know I said I wanted to go into research," she added, to which Dumbledore nodded, "but now I am not so sure. And I am worried that perhaps I have chosen the wrong NEWTs for this particular area."
"I have 15 minutes before my next class, McGonagall," he said kindly. "Would you like to discuss it now?"
Minerva nodded, unable to hide her relief. "If that's all right?" she said.
Dumbledore nodded and indicated that she should take a seat. "What are you hesitating between?" he asked.
"Well, I do enjoy Transfigurations," Minerva began, wanting to make it clear. "But I am thinking that perhaps a career in research will not be as practical as I would like it to be."
"Too much time spend writing papers?" Dumbledore interjected.
He caught her eye and Minerva smiled embarrassedly. "In a way," she conceded. "I thought perhaps working at the Ministry might allow me to put some of my knowledge into practice."
"The Ministry?" Dumbledore said, raising his eyebrows.
Minerva nodded. "I was considering the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," she continued to explain. "I heard that the Auror department may be opening up again after what happened with Grindelwald. Not that I would like to become an Auror per se," she clarified hurriedly. "But I would not want to close too many doors by picking NEWT subjects that won't allow me to progress in those areas. Should I want to follow that path later on," she added.
Dumbledore nodded, his brow creasing slightly as he thought. "I believe the only NEWT subject that you will have to take is Potions," he said slowly. "If a career at the Ministry is something you would like to explore."
"I thought so," Minerva said. "Arithmancy and Ancient Runes as well."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled slightly. "You were not in great need of my advice, where you?" he said, with a smile.
Minerva looked up and smiled a bit too. "Not really about NEWT subjects," she admitted. "I wanted to ask if you know of any other career paths I could pick that involve Transfiguration in some way?"
"Work at the Ministry usually involves using a lot of Transfiguration knowledge," Dumbledore said carefully. "Particularly work at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."
Minerva nodded.
"Research, as you mentioned last week," he added, "is also an interesting area to go into. However, if you are interested in the practical side of things as you mentioned, perhaps teaching might be an area you would be interested in pursuing?"
"Teaching?" Minerva repeated.
Dumbledore nodded. "You would fit the criteria very well, I believe," he continued.
Minerva blushed a bit. In truth, it had never occurred to her that teaching might be a path she would want to go down. Now that she thought about it, however, it did not seem like such a bad idea.
"Perhaps," she said slowly.
Dumbledore smiled. "You do not appear entirely convinced," he said, amused. "I can find some leaflets for you relating to working at the Ministry. I believe the Department of Magical Law Enforcement also offers summer internships. I can find out more about that if you wish?"
"That would be really kind of you, Sir," Minerva said.
"Not at all, McGonagall. I am glad to see you taking so keen an interest in your future."
Minerva smiled. "It's a big decision," she said simply.
"Indeed it is," Dumbledore agreed. "However, it is worth remembering that one can change their career as many times as they would like. Should they so wish," he added.
"I understand."
He nodded, just as the bell rang. "Very good," he said. "I shall let you go to your next class then, McGonagall. I will let you know if I find anything more about careers at the Ministry."
Minerva stood up and picked up her back. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. I appreciate it."