Chapter 8

Career Advice and OWLs

"It was okay. McGonagall said that all I need to do is bring up my Charms grade when I get into the NEWT class," Lee remarked. "Good luck, George," he added, and Fred and I echoed him.

George entered the office, and Fred, Lee, and I started on the Potions homework. "Name 15 poisons that can be cured by a single element and explain why this element will work," I read aloud. Because of my aptitude for the subject, we finished quickly and started on our Charms homework.

"Name three charms that have been useful to you in your everyday life and 6 inches on how these spells have helped you," Fred read aloud.

"Good ol' Flitwick, giving us easy homework," remarked Lee.

And sure enough, we finished by the time George came out. "It went well. McGonagall said that I needed to bring up my Transfiguration grade a little bit. Next up is Fred," said George.

We wished him luck and started on our Divination homework. "All we need to do is fill out that stupid dream chart," said Lee. So we made up our bull crap dreams then interpreted them.

When we'd all finished, I said, "Let's see, I have dying three times, and being successful twice. Ohh…my dream about flying means I'm gonna die soon and live a long and happy life." George and Lee howled with laughter as Fred came out of the office.

"McGonagall's all mad 'cuz I said my career was to be Minister of Magic. She ended in screaming that I better get a NEWT in every subject then. She's all worked up, so…good luck, Paige," stated Fred.

I entered the office and saw McGonagall slightly redder in the face. "Do you have any ideas about careers you'd like to pursue?" McGonagall asked.

"Umm…well, I was thinking of an Auror or Curse Breaker, Professor," I answered.

"Okay. You'll need to have five NEWTs to be an Auror. I'd recommend Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Arithmancy, in your case, and Defense Against the Dark Arts to be an Auror. You'll need Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Arithmancy to be a curse breaker. You're averaging between Exceeds Expectations and Outstanding in Potions, but considering that Professor Snape is such a tough grader, you'll easily get the required Potions grade. Since Mr. Weasley got me so worked up, I'm going to do something completely uncharacteristic. I'm going to let you in on a little secret-Snape admitted not too long ago that you'll probably be his only new NEWT student," McGonagall said. I was surprised, but I can't say I wasn't pleased. McGonagall continued, "Charms you might need to bring up. You're averaging an Exceeds Expectations, but Flitwick's very lenient. Your Transfiguration is averaging a little higher than Exceeds Expectations, so you're good to go on that. Defense Against the Dark Arts you're averaging between Exceeds Expectations and Outstanding, so you're good to go on that. In Arithmancy, you're averaging an Outstanding, so you're definitely good on that. Honestly, I'm surprised you aren't going for more careers that require Potions and Arithmancy, as you have an aptitude for both of those subjects."

"Well, Professor, I don't want to work at the Ministry as anything other than an Auror, and there weren't any other positions that required Potions and Arithmancy. However, if I decide to be a Curse Breaker, I know it's an added bonus to have NEWTs in other subjects, so I plan to take NEWT classes for those five subjects, as long as I get the required OWL," I answered.

"Very well, then. You may go. And Paige? Good luck," McGonagall said.

"Thanks," I replied and left the office.

"It went well," I told Fred, George and Lee. "I just need to improve in Charms." I didn't tell them about what Snape said, because if I told them, the whole school would know, and I didn't want the school to know my business.

Before we had much time to mull over the career advice, OWLs were here. My OWLs would last just over two weeks and went: Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Potions, History of Magic, Divination, Charms, Arithmancy, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and finally Astronomy.

The Transfiguration theory went well; I was only unsure of a few questions. The practical went even better, because I did the spells nearly perfectly.

Care of Magical Creatures theory went well, but the practical wasn't so hot. The niffler I was supposed to be handling toke the gold buttons off of the examiner's jacket. When I told Fred, George, and Lee, they broke down in laughter.

Potions theory went excellently, and the practical (if possible) went even better. I made the draught perfectly (not to brag). The examiner, an excitable man called Mr. Tofty said, "I've heard rumors that you can brew Veritaserum…"

"Professor McGonagall mentioned that my examiner might mention that," I laughed. "I already brewed the potion, just in case," I said, pulling the flask out of my robe. I labeled it and handed it to Mr. Tofty. "You can test it if you want, but if you perform this simple Charm, you'll be able to tell," I added. I performed the Color Change Charm and nothing happened. "Veritaserum is the only known potion that can't change its color. And poorly brewed Veritaserum will change its color," I explained.

Mr. Tofty looked like he was about to burst. "How long have you been able to produce Veritaserum brewed like this?" he asked.

"Since fourth year," I replied nonchalantly.

"My dear, you and Professor Snape are the only living wizards I can think of that are able to produce this potion, and he couldn't brew it perfectly until seventh year!" Mr. Tofty exclaimed. He was still muttering as I left.

My History of Magic sucked, I could tell, and not just because I'd been paid 5 Galleons to fail it.

Divination actually went pretty well…if I'm lucky I might have passed. My only mistake was a big one though. I dropped the crystal ball out of frustration after I had 'Seen' the examiner marrying a dog. It was kinda creepy, but hilariously funny.

Charms went well. Theory was okay, but I'm pretty sure my Growth charm might have earned me an Exceeds Expectations.

Arithmancy went wonderfully, what can I say? My answer to one of the questions- What subject would you relate most to Arithmancy? - was pure genius. Most people said the Muggle subject of math, but I answered Ancient Runes, because Ancient Runes is the translation of words, and Arithmancy is the 'translation' of numbers.

Herbology I might have scraped an Acceptable in. I did well in practical examinations, but I got very few of the answers in theory correct.

Defense Against the Dark Arts definitely went well. I did very well against the boggart and was able to answer the question about the werewolves very well.

Astronomy would have gone well, but I didn't have time to finish the chart, and kept getting distracted by Fred and George pointing their telescopes at me. (Idiots…)

After that, OWLs were over and I could breathe again. Fred and George had earned 30 Galleons each by failing OWLs, which they said was enough to start experimenting.

"I hope the results get to the Burrow soon, so I won't be freaking out," I hoped.

"I hope they don't," stated George.

"Mum'll kill us. We can only get a maximum of 3 OWLs because we were paid to fail six," Fred added.

"Well, good luck with Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. Hope your Mum doesn't catch you," I remarked as I headed up to my bed to crash.

A/N: I hope you liked my theory about why Fred and George only got three OWLs. They're such brilliant wizards; this seemed the only logical way for them to fail all those classes! 