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"As a general rule, your first instinct is the right one. If you see the patient and give them a thorough examination, and it's a toss-up between two diagnoses, go with the one that jumps into your mind before you consult the books. You all have good minds, and they will usually lead you in the right direction." The medical theory professor rose from his chair to stand in front of his desk, "And I have only one other thing for today, gentlemen. Because our program is so heavily funded by the Ministry, I need thirty of my students to work at the career festival tomorrow. Since you are such a superb class, I have volunteered you." There were groans throughout the all-male class. "All you'll need to do is show up at the medical seminars and make sure nobody dies. It will be equal to a test grade. Check in with Miriam Strout. You're dismissed."
"This makes Potions seem like ever so much more fun," James muttered darkly to the student sitting next to him.
"That's really saying something if Potions at Hogwarts was anything like it was at Beauxbatons," Mason Dechamp agreed.
James and Mason had formed a sort of reluctant friendship after a few weeks of medical school. They would never be the sort that would divulge every secret no matter how private like James and Sirius, but they frequently ate together at the medical complex cafeteria and prepared for tests together. James figured the reason the two of them got along well was that James could actually understand Mason's butchered form of English, and Mason didn't particularly care if James lapsed into an unexplainably bad mood.
"Have you finished your research paper for Illnesses and Injuries yet?" James asked. "I consider myself an expert on Dragon Pox by now; honestly, I better encounter it daily in my future."
"I have absolutely no doubt you will," Mason said with his heavy accent that sounded more like I haf abzolutly no doot 'ou 'ill.
"You've really got to start listening to those English tapes you bought the other day. Seriously, how are you going to treat patients?"
"I am going to back to France. I am only getting my education here," he said with comical dignity.
"Right. Do you have big plans for New Year's Eve?"
"I believe I am going with Cosette to the cinema."
"If you want to come, Sirius is having some sort of party. I am honestly terrified; last time he took it in his head to celebrate something, I woke up on a park bench. You'll have to leave Cosette, though, since she's a Muggle. I still can't believe you're dating her…that's weird."
"This coming from the long-time bachelor who shares a flat with his best friend and watches the telly in the evening."
"Would you shut up? You have no idea."
"I've heard a few things."
"Oh have you?" James asked with a great amount of sharp sarcasm.
"Everyone has. For the first few weeks of school, everyone was whispering nonstop about you. Quite the mysterious past you've got."
"My past is not in the least bit mysterious. I graduated Hogwarts, played Quidditch, got hurt, and entered medical school. That's really all there is to it."
"Hmmm."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"People talk, that's all."
"Do I want to know what they're saying?"
"Probably not."
"Then shut up."
"I'll change the subject. Can you believe we had to go back so early? We don't even get to have a break until New Year's! That must be a real bite in the arse for Christmas fanatics like yourself. You didn't even have time to mourn the end of the season properly."
"What are you talking about?"
"You've been downright jolly these past few weeks, humming songs and all. I just about didn't know what to think. I see that you're back to your original mean state. I didn't take you to be the sort that likes Christmas."
"I don't."
"Could've fooled me."
"But that doesn't take much, does it Dechamp?"
"Ouch. You're in an excellent mood I see."
"Is this about that mystery woman that people whisper about occasionally? I haven't heard much about her, though. Did she run off with another man while you were on tour?"
"Not to my knowledge."
"So why are stranded like a heartsick puppy?"
"I am not stranded nor am I a heartsick puppy."
"Then why aren't you escorting some of your fellow and very lovely medical students around?"
"There are three female med-students, Mason. One of them speaks worse English than you, the other is attached, and the other is just abnormal."
"Abnormal can be good. Or not. So why not check out the nurses in training? I've heard there's a few part-veelas, and I know you islanders find them incredibly appealing."
"I don't think so."
"Are you gay?"
"No. Are you?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"You asked me."
"I have a girlfriend, you do not. I just wondered. Ohhhhh. You're recovering, aren't you?"
"My knee is just fine," James said through gritted teeth.
"I was talking about your failed relationship that must've ended badly. But your knee doesn't seem too spiffy either."
"Where do you get this stuff?"
"The Quibbler."
"Please, please tell me you're not being serious. Actually, I don't want to know if you are. I need to go to the library. I'll catch up with you tomorrow at the Ministry. I'll need someone to make sarcastic comments to."
"I'll be there."
James smiled slightly to himself, well, his lips quirked up minimally. It was funny that people tried to guess what was wrong with him. Okay, so it was only a little amusing, but it was still something. In reality, he was as happy as he had ever been. He hadn't come into a great load of money, or made any new great friends, or technically been out on a date that could be classified as decent, but he was satisfied temporarily. Christmas had really been great with his family. That had enjoyed themselves for one of the few times in their lives. James suspected he might have even felt that warm happy feeling Lily had mentioned. Lily was the constant thorn in his side though. She really was putting a damper in things. James wasn't going to let that bother him, though.
He was not above pursuing her. She had followed him like a thundercloud for a month, and he could do the same to her. Of course, considering that she was in Hogwarts and he wasn't was a small and minor problem, but he would not be deterred. His happiness was at risk, and he seriously felt Lily was the best possible person for him. She had opened a thousand doors in his life for him, and she was the only person who had ever done something anywhere that nice for him. That was special.
James knew that she did still care He knew it like he knew how to tie his shoes. She didn't really want to break up with him, he was certain of it. She had been confused and that had seemed like the proper thing to do at the time. Once she got out of Hogwarts, he would do whatever necessary to make her see that he was the best decision she could make.
The only thing that worried him was her apparent change. When he had seen her in Florean's, she had been thinner and she looked unhappy. Sirius and Peter had both said the same thing, and Remus had agreed when he saw her months before. She hadn't bought Christmas cards this year. It was only mildly ironic that their roles had been entirely reversed.
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Hogwarts…
Lily was abruptly sucked out of her spiral of despair on Boxing Day by the headmaster of Hogwarts. Perhaps he did it unwittingly, or perhaps he saw the desolation on the head girl's face as she skulked through the corridors, but either way, he gave Lily her ticket out of hopelessness.
"Miss Evans, do you have a moment?" he asked as they met in the charms corridor. "Would you come to my office, please?"
She followed him and took the seat he offered, waiting expectantly for bad news. No doubt some student had died or there would be a new rule put in effect.
"I know you have shown interest in becoming a Hit Witch for the Ministry, and as usual, there is a career field day on December 30 and 31. If you would be interested in attending, I will arrange to have the Hogwarts Express running to London and the Knight Bus will catch you there." Dumbledore slid a thick, yellow envelope across his desk to her and gave a slight smile, "Just fill this out and give it to me by tomorrow. I believe it will be a good opportunity for you. Have you considered whether you wish to be a field agent or on permanent desk duty?"
Lily thought about it for a moment before answering, "Well, Professor, I had thought about field duty, but I don't know if I'm up to it. It might be a little too…rigorous for me."
"The decision is entirely up to you, of course, but between you and I, you would flourish in that sort of environment. That is all, Miss Evans."
"Uh, er, thank you." As always, Lily left his office in a rather dim state of confusion and not entirely sure what had happened. But apparently, she had an application to fill out.
It was kind of exciting; she would be going to the Ministry of Magic.
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A/N: Another chapter, isn't this impressive? I think so. Anyway, is everyone excited about Christmas? I can't wait! I have decided that we are into what I am calling the extended holiday season; it's from Halloween to Epiphany. And the Russian Ballet is coming to a town near me, so I get to see the Nutcracker! So I'm just generally thrilled.