I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.

Extended Family

Chapter 83 – Careening Career Counseling

Takes place at the same time as chapter 104 of Family.

They say preparation is the solution to adversity. If one is adequately prepared, then they can conceivably account for all sorts of situations and variables.

McGonagall had been a professor and Head of House for a very long time. She had earned all her knowledge through hard work and experience. She was not arrogant to think she was the best Head, nor the one that was most liked. She did think she was more than adequate for the most part and did care about her students.

However, this day, one that happened every year, was always a bit difficult. Some years were more difficult than others but they all had a bit of difficulty to them. It was an important day after all, for both her and her students.

She cleaned her office of what little clutter that dared accumulate. She made sure her posters and flags were straight and clean. She arranged the pamphlets on her desk and made sure that the tin was full of biscuits. Her tea pot puffed slowly, kept warm with a charm. She checked her drawer and made sure she had extra quills, parchment, and ink as well as a couple vials of Calming Draught and some pain relief potions on hand.

The Calming Draughts were typically for students but she had to partake two years ago for reasons that were obvious if you thought about them.

Deciding that all was in order, she glanced at the clock. She was ready a bare few minutes before the first appointment. Good.

She took a deep breath and thought about the dinner and treat she had waiting for her at day's end.

-0-

She looked over the notes she had written in the file. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, Mister Finnegan?"

Seamus shrugged weakly. "Ma'am?"

"Mister Finnegan, despite you insinuating as such before, I do not bite."

"I…uh…I knew I shouldn't have listened to him," Seamus muttered, face bright red. "In my defense, I was a firstie."

"Hmm, and when you told the other first year students that I have been known to bite?"

"…continuing tradition?"

She sighed and thought fondly of the treat that was waiting for her later. "Mister Finnegan, you are aware why you are here in my office today."

"Yes ma'am."

"Then let us trim the fat and get to the meat of it and not waste time, shall we?"

"Yes ma'am." He pulled on his tie a little. "I…I want to work in the Ministry."

"Do you now?" A thin eyebrow rose on McGonagall's face.

"Yeah, I want to work in the Department of Games."

"That makes sense. What exactly do you wish to do there?"

"Well, I just thought it would be fun to work there. Talk to players for Quidditch and other things, organize events, that sort of thing."

"I hope you realize that it is not all fun and games, despite the department being literally called that."

Seamus managed to keep himself from snorting. "Yes ma'am. Me Mum works for the Ministry, in Magical Records. I know it's a professional job and won't be just me messing about."

McGonagall nodded. "Good. Ministry work is indeed stable, most of the time, and your proclivities for pyrotechnics would lend well to the spectacle for the Department of Games." She gave him a piercing look. "Now are you sure you would be content with such a career?"

"Yes? I mean, I'm not clever enough for most other things like the law or the Unspeakables."

"Perhaps not but you are clever enough for most things. You do have a flair for gregariousness." She sighed at his lost look. "You are very social."

"Oh right, Da says I'm good at making friends," Seamus said.

"Quite. That would be useful for the Games but you may also consider International Cooperation. You have the knack to put people at ease."

"Thank you?"

"You are welcome. Now as far as class requirements go, there really is not any for those two departments. Maintain your grades at around Exceeds Expectations and not going below Acceptable will serve you well. Perhaps you should reach out to Professor Flitwick for public speaking practice as well as developing interpersonal relations. He is very good at that."

"Thank you, Professor! I'll do that."

She gave him a slight smile. "Off you go then, Finnegan, after helping yourself to some biscuits of course." She waited for the door to close and sighed softly. "That was not as hard as I thought it would be."

-0-

"I see Seamus was here before me," Dean remarked.

"Whatever gave that away," McGonagall commented dryly, brushing the last of the crumbs off the desk and refilling her biscuit tin.

"Well, he told me," Dean said with a remarkably straight face.

"That would do it," she replied, almost smiling. "Now Mister Thomas, I imagine you have career options in mind?"

"Yes Ma'am. I want to do something with art. I'm good at it and like it."

"Yes, I have enjoyed the banners you have done in the last years. You have a talent for it." She enjoyed his look of pride. "Now, when you say something with art, do you know what?"

"Just doing art work really. I figured I can do stuff for Muggles and Magicals, keeping the works separate of course. I figured that would give me enough to do and live off of. I know it's not easy but still, I want to do what I like." He hesitated. "I have a question."

"Ask it."

"Why aren't there any classes on art and painting and things?"

"Once upon a time there were, but as time passed, interest waned and the class was no longer available. People changed priorities and the demand was not there." She looked at him. "Even in your year, not too many are interested, are they?"

"No, and it's weird. Muggle schools have them."

"Magicals in Wizarding Britain can appreciate art of course, but it is less so than other parts of the world I have gathered."

He looked glum. "I started a club but there wasn't that much interest."

She nodded sympathetically. "I had hoped that you would gain more attention. That being said, you have maintained the club rather well."

"Yeah, some people only want to draw whatever or others want to argue about established artists but I've made a few friends who've wanted to keep at it."

"Have you considered teaching?"

Dean blinked at her. "No, can't say I have."

"Sometimes, all it takes for interest to grow is someone passionate and wanting to share their passion."

"Are you saying I could teach art classes?"

"Certainly. As long as you prove that you are comfortable with the material, then you can teach." She huffed ever so slightly. "As you have no doubt encountered, the ability to teach well is not as closely regulated."

Dean snickered. "Yeah, just a bit." He looked thoughtful. "That's…not a bad idea actually."

"I am glad you think so," she deadpanned, making him snicker more. "But yes, perhaps if you become a teacher, grow the interests of others, then in years to come, there will be more opportunity and appreciation."

"I'll definitely think about that. What classes do I need for it?"

"I have little experience with art myself, save for carefully wording my responses to essays, but if you are interested in different mediums then Charms and Transfiguration will serve you well. If you can incorporate magic into your art, then you can enhance the appeal of the class. You do adequately in both so to continue on, you will need to put in some more work. That said, I am confident you could rise to the occasion."

"Thank you, Professor. I like that idea a lot. Plus I can do my own art while teaching it."

"Quite. You can hone your craft in multiple ways."

-0-

"Professor?"

"Yes, Mister Longbottom?"

"Aren't we supposed to be talking about my career counseling?"

McGonagall gave him a look that made him squirm slightly. "Are we not doing that?"

"Uhm, you asked me about the plants in your office," he said lamely.

"And you have answered my questions and given quality advice."

"Thank you, or you're welcome, I mean-"

McGonagall then did something he had never expected her to do, smile slightly and give off the hint of a chuckle. "Do relax Longbottom, I do not bite despite what your year mate says." She relaxed when he did. "Forgive me, I thought that you were rather set in your career. You have not hidden your desire at all."

"Right, but I didn't know if you were going to talk me out of it."

"Perish the thought. You are a good student in Herbology, the best in your year. You are passionate about it. Why on earth would I try to talk you out of pursuing a mastery in it and going further?" Her features sharpened. "Or do you think all witches of the age like your grandmother share similar ideals?"

She snorted at his gaping and sputtering. "That was a joke, Mister Longbottom, have a biscuit and do relax. I like to think that I am not petty enough to blame students for liking other subjects more than mine. You never enjoyed Transfiguration and that is quite okay. I never quite had the thumb for Herbology, as you see from my poor plants."

She opened a file and showed Neville a letter. "Besides. I have here a very formal document from Professor Sprout that says if I tried to dissuade you in any way, shape, or form, then she would see me in the dueling circle for the slight."

"Wow, really?" Neville gasped.

"Indeed. I respect her as a friend and fellow professor and have a healthy respect for her skills in the circle so I have no desire to cross her, or you, for a myriad of reasons."

"Thank you, Professor!"

McGonagall's smile grew ever so slightly. "Now, tell me about this plant. I have reason to believe that it has been trying to open my biscuit tin when it thinks I am not looking."

-0-

"Mister Weasley."

"Hi Professor." Ron looked at the vials McGonagall set on her desk. "What are those?"

"Calming draughts," McGonagall said. "Just in case I…or you…need them."

"Why would you or I…" Ron snorted. "Right, sorry, I forgot."

"I wish I could," McGonagall said dryly, making Ron snort again. "The meeting between the twins and I was a bit of a fiasco. I erroneously thought I would save myself some headache by conducting the meeting at the same time."

"If it makes you feel any better, you're like the only other person that can handle them."

"Really?"

"Yup. They respect Mum because, well, she's Mum. They don't respect or listen to any of the aunts in the families. They listen to Dad because he can get scary when he's the one that's laying things down. They only listen to Bill and Charlie and Percy because they can sometimes out-duel them. Oh and they listen to the Chasers because, well you know. But yeah. They typically don't want to cross you if they can help it."

She sat back in her chair, feeling pleased. "Well then, perhaps I have taught them something all these years."

"Don't tell them I told you or they'll do the opposite to prove a point," he warned.

"I value my sanity so there is no danger of that," she said seriously. She encouraged Ron to take some biscuits and she opened his file. "You are a fine student, Mister Weasley. Your grades are consistent and you do the work. Now, what are your aspirations?"

Ron shrugged weakly. "I…don't know really."

"Is there anything you want to do or pursue as a career?"

"Not really," he admitted. "This kinda sounds stupid, but there are things I know I don't want."

"That is a start. Go on then."

"Well, I really don't want to work at the Ministry. It sounds really boring and I don't really care about Muggle stuff or well…anything departmental. Dad's great of course and it's up Percy's alley but it's not for me. I'm not clever enough to do what the twins want to do. I don't like curse breaking or dragons."

"Knowing your dislikes is as important as knowing your likes. There is no shame in that."

Ron felt better at her encouragement. "Problem is, I like Quidditch but I'm not great at it like the others. And I rather have fun with it. I've heard Wood talk about being a pro and it sounds so much. I like chess, but can't really build a career out of it." He shrugged again. "So, yeah, I don't know and it's kinda concerning."

"At least you have thought about it," McGonagall said. "I can tell when a student simply does not care or has not thought of it at all. You simply have not found what you desire yet."

"And that's not a bad thing? Shouldn't I know by now?"

"Not at all. There are many who spend considerably more time trying to discover what they wish to do. Not to mention plenty of people change careers during their lives. People's tastes change and that is quite normal."

"Thank you, that makes me feel better," Ron said with evident relief. "What should I do?"

"I would say continue working hard and maintain your grades at an even pace. Take the N.E.W.T.s in the classes you are strongest in, and they will give you plenty of knowledge for when you do discover what you like. Perhaps we can meet at intervals to continue to go over your options if you would like another point of view apart from your family's."

"I'd like that. Thank you!"

"You are welcome." She put the vials of potion away. "And I am quite happy I did not need these."

"You won't need them next year. Ginny is pretty set on the League."

She breathed a deep sigh of relief and Ron chuckled as he helped himself to more biscuits.

-0-

"Hello Miss Brown."

"Hello Professor!" Lavender sat at the desk and smiled cheerily.

McGonagall's smile was much smaller but sincere. She was fond of the bubbly girl. Lavender, while not the best student, was diligent in her school work and was a very kind girl. She never caused any noticeable trouble. "Have you put any thought into your future career?"

Lavender nodded. "Yes Ma'am. Parvati and I have plans to go into business together."

"Oh? That sounds encouraging. Doing what?"

"We noticed that a lot of…uh…" Lavender flushed a little.

That made McGonagall raise an eyebrow. "You may speak your mind, unless it involves something incredibly inappropriate."

Lavender giggled. "Oh, no, not really. We noticed that a lot of Pureblood Magicals don't know how to dress like Muggles and Magical fashion is really…stodgy. So we're going to open up a clothing store with different styles and things."

The professor breathed an inner sigh of relief. "Ah well yes, you are not wrong. Fashion in Wizarding Britain is quite…old-fashioned one might say. The Purebloods prefer it, as far as I know of fashion and admittedly it is something I do not care much for."

"But what if it's more because they don't know," Lavender said, growing excited. "Some of the Pureblood kids at school are pretty keen on the idea and Parvati and I've made a few things they've liked. We figured that if we slowly introduce more, there would be more people willing to try."

"A bold plan but you may find that some people are rather set in their ways. Some might try to demean your efforts as too new and…unbecoming of 'proper' Wizarding pride," McGonagall said slowly, carefully choosing her words.

"We know and it's intimidating," Lavender admitted. She straightened and looked resolute. "But we have to try and see, right?"

"Quite right," McGonagall said approvingly. "Have you considered what courses you need to continue?"

"Charms and Transfiguration I think, 'cause of how we want to make clothes and things," Lavender said. "I've been trying to work harder in your class."

"I have noticed and I approved before knowing the reason, and continue to approve now," McGonagall said, enjoying Lavender's happiness. "If you continue to improve, you will do fine on O.W.L.s and will happily accept you into the N.E.W.T.s class."

"Thank you, Professor!"

"A question if I may."

"Of course."

"You have a flair for writing. Your essays are always interesting to read. Have you considered pursuing it?"

Lavender blushed. "Uhm, not really? I mean, I like to write here and there and figured the professors would enjoy reading essays that were…"

"More interesting than the subject matter?" McGonagall smiled at Lavender's giggles. "Like I said, they are interesting to read and more often than not, correct. I think you should try to continue with your writing."

"I'll definitely think about that! Thank you!"

-0-

"Really?"

"Did you have no idea how well you were doing in your studies?" McGonagall asked, slightly disbelieving.

Parvati shrugged weakly. "Never…thought about it that much?" She flushed at McGonagall looking slightly disapproving. "I mean, I knew I was keeping up and doing well but I never thought about it too much or…cared." She winced. "That sounds worse than I mean it to."

"Do explain then," McGonagall said dryly.

"It's just, you know my sister Padma."

"Not well but yes."

Parvati shrugged again. "She cares more about studies and school and stuff. She likes learning and studying everything, always has. That's fine with me. That's what makes her, her. I do my best but I don't push myself like her, I like other things and she hasn't held that against me either."

"Ah. And others do?"

Parvati looked away. "Yeah, you can say that. Ever since I was little, if I did well on something school related, I was told that Padma did better. So I guess I stopped caring after a while."

"I understand."

Parvati looked at McGonagall with surprise. "You do?"

"I have taught many students and many siblings, identical or fraternal as well as in different years. Many families fostered environments of comparison and competition. Some leaned into it, others resented it." She thought back on an important conversation she had with someone very dear to her. "You are Parvati Patil, a person apart. You are not your sister nor should you be and you should be recognized on your own merits."

Parvati blinked. "That's really kind of you to say, thank you."

"I am sorry others do not share the sentiment."

Parvati's shrug was one born from time and weariness. "I'm used to it."

"That does not make it right," McGonagall said simply. "However, let us return to the focus of the meeting, on you. You are doing well in your classes and I have already spoken with Miss Brown who has said you two are looking to work together in the future in a clothing related business."

"That's right. Lavender and I really want to make it work and we've been planning. We think we can make it work. It'll be hard but what isn't?"

"Indeed," McGonagall said, nodding proudly. "I forgot to mention this to Miss Brown, but if you like, I can try to arrange some time for you two to meet some other small business owners. Perhaps work with them in some sort of apprentice capacity to gain some experience? I unfortunately am not familiar with any who work in clothes, but the basics of running a business are universal."

"We'd love that!" Parvati gasped. "I'd really appreciate it!"

"Excellent. Let me see who will be willing to aid me in this. Most probably will, they were in your position themselves after all."

"Thank you for helping us."

"I would be a poor Head of House if I did not try to," she said firmly.

-0-

McGonagall watched with amusement as Hermione set her things out over the desk, opening a notebook and making sure her quill was ready. "As organized as ever, Miss Granger."

"Well this is a very important meeting," Hermione sniffed.

"I think out of everyone in your year, you would have everything well thought out," McGonagall said with a hint of sarcasm.

"That is beside the point," Hermione said. She sighed at McGonagall's snort. "But you are not wrong. I had some ideas."

"Had and not have?"

"I've been thinking more on things and well, maybe my ideas have shifted," Hermione admitted.

"Go on then, educate me," McGonagall said, smiling slightly at the emphasis on the second to last word.

It was Hermione's turn to snort lightly. "When I first started Hogwarts, I wanted to learn about everything and wanted to do things as soon as I could and lay the foundation."

"Yes, I recall when a first year came to me for career pamphlets."

Hermione coughed. "Right. So much sounded interesting. Healing of course. My parents would love to see me be a part of the medical field like they are. I do like potions a lot, now more than before admittedly. Seeing how other magical races are treated was a huge eye-opener and I thought about working with them." Her voice faded.

"Go on, Miss Granger," McGonagall encouraged.

"Then I started noticing more and more how Muggleborns are treated. When my family started getting to know Sirius and the Tonks family, we never realized just how little we knew. And I read everything I could before school and the stuff we were told were never in that kind of information. If we're so terribly prepared, no wonder the vast majority of Muggleborns are so unaware of everything. And that's why there's so much difficulty for us in just about everything!"

McGonagall shifted a little in her seat. "It is…problematic," she said diplomatically. "I have done my best with Muggleborn students but certainly there are many things that cannot be properly conveyed."

"My family only knows a lot now out of luck really," Hermione continued. "Me being friends with Harry and meeting Sirius and Andromeda and Ted. They've been so kind in helping us and that's an opportunity that most Muggleborns will never have. And…I want to change that. I want to make things better for people like me and what we go through."

She hesitated. "I learned that to help others, you have to help yourself too. And…I want to make things easier for future Muggleborns and make things better for everyone. I never realized how difficult things really are until you notice them."

McGonagall looked at Hermione with an expression that was pride and sadness all in one: proud of her passion, sad that she knew where it arose from. "I can think of few finer pursuits," McGonagall said sincerely. "A solicitor's path then, is it?"

"Yes Professor. I talked a little with Ted and I think I want to go that route. I also want to be familiar with Muggle law so I can help on either side for Muggleborns."

"Ted would be the best to approach for that. He has done well as a solicitor and I know he is familiar with either side of the law as well." McGonagall smiled and showed a letter to Hermione. "In fact, he has written to me about you."

"He did?!"

"He did. Said he found you engaging and driven and would be more than happy to assist you. In fact, he is willing to apprentice you once you graduate and help provide you with real world experience as you do further schooling."

Hermione looked shocked. "I didn't know he was going to write about me."

"Ted has an excellent eye for character, obviously."

Hermione blushed. "Well, that's wonderful. Are there courses I should focus on?"

"Not typically. Ancient Runes is a bit of a flex for the Purebloods since you could look at ancient laws and rituals. Arithmancy helps with thinking laterally as well as critically. Muggle Studies if you wish to work with Muggles but you are Muggleborn and can probably teach the course adequately. As long as you perform well, which is laughable to imagine that you will not, you will be likely to be accepted into any Law school, especially with Ted endorsing you."

"That makes me feel better," Hermione sighed.

"Good. Remember to relax."

"I still can't believe you made Harry a prefect for the sole purpose in forcing me to relax," Hermione grumbled.

McGonagall laughed. "Not the sole purpose but certainly a strong one." She looked unimpressed at Hermione's look. "Tell me I am wrong."

Hermione huffed. "Oh, speaking of…"

"You should know that I never discuss a student's meeting with their peers without express permission," McGonagall said, deeply amused. "And claiming privilege via family tie in this case, does not count."

"He did say we were like a parent and teacher conversing over his head in third year," Hermione said.

McGonagall laughed again. "He did but still, I will not betray his confidence. You will have to ask him later. Him and Mister Weasley."

"Oh fine," Hermione sighed, smiling wryly while McGonagall snickered.

-0-

Snape entered the quarters and he looked at the other Heads there. "My apologies, it appears I am late."

"No, we got started a little early," Sprout said and waved him over.

"I see," Snape said and sat at the table, accepting a glass of alcohol from McGonagall. He glanced at the box in the center of the table. "Not one of our usual snacks when drinking and commiserating."

"Potter baked these," McGonagall smiled. "I'm sharing some with you."

"They are wonderful," Flitwick said. "I only managed to have a few from the box in the teacher's lounge."

Snape took one and bit it, chewing slowly. "It is quite good," he said softly.

Sprout cleared her throat. "So, what's the worst one you heard today?"

"Mister Corner asked which career would garner him the most attention," Flitwick sighed, rolling his eyes. "When I suggested he go into modeling, he said he had standards for the attention he was seeking."

Sprout snorted. "Mister Smith had the gall to say that he had no reason to look for a career and fully expected to be given a place on a team in the Quidditch League."

"Oh I hope someone does, if only to see him fail," McGonagall said sharply.

"Normally I'd question that sentiment but I know how serious you are about Quidditch," Sprout smiled. "That and I do not disagree with you."

"Very serious," McGonagall said, smoothing the edges of her Portree flag. "I think Severus will have us beat however."

"Whatever gave you that idea," Snape said, his voice drier than a bone bleached in the desert sun. "With Crabbe and Goyle both grunting at me like trolls, Nott acting like he never heard the word career before, and Parkinson saying her aspiration is to 'marry wealthy', I have plenty to place blame."

"How many pain relief potions did you drink today?" Flitwick asked.

"Just the one." He smiled thinly at their snorts. "An extra-strength one that was keyed to slowly release throughout the day."

"Has it sufficed?" Sprout asked cheekily.

"I find myself looking for additional medication," Snape said, holding up his whiskey glass.

"Actually, I do have a question about one of yours." Sprout leaned forward. "About Mister Malfoy. He's been rather subdued this year."

"Ah." Snape and Flitwick exchanged a look. "Yes. He had his shortcomings very plainly made in front of his face."

"What does that mean?" McGonagall asked.

"The unpleasant incident at the Defense Club," Flitwick said. He took a sip when McGonagall glowered. "Picking a fight with Mister Potter, losing said fight spectacularly, then being healed by Mister Potter was rather illuminating."

"That'll do it," Sprout agreed. "Then when the news broke that Mister Potter put an end to Riddle once and for all…"

"He finally learned just how outclassed he was," Snape said quietly. "And the rest of the House has watched his fall from grace and have done nothing to help him."

"Hmm," Sprout grunted.

"Quite," Snape said.

McGonagall refilled their glasses. "Well, here's to us then, surviving another year and another career day."

The four Heads tapped their glasses against each other and sipped in companionable silence.

"So they grunted the entire time?" Flitwick asked.

"Yes and it pains me to admit this but after five years, I have learned how to speak their language as it were." He rubbed his forehead while the others laughed. "Grunting is surprisingly evocative with the right inflection."

"What magazines did you tell Mister Corner to model for," Sprout snickered.

"I did not make it that far," Flitwick confessed. "Not that I think he would be successful in that regard to be fair. He has taken to using a pipe to appear erudite and to enhance his so-called 'charm'."

"Does he now? And what did you say to that?" McGonagall asked, deeply amused.

"I told him he looked gassy," Flitwick said and he and Sprout and McGonagall howled with laughter while Snape chuckled softly.

"And you had no true headaches this year?" Snape asked.

"Surprisingly not, thankfully, because I am still trying to recover from the one two years ago," McGonagall said, pouring herself a large measure of whiskey.

"Ooh I remember that night," Flitwick laughed.

"I do not, I remember the hangover the next day," McGonagall sighed.

-0-0-0-

jouve25 - I also love the cooking ones. Food and cooking are passions of mine.

Ghostwriter - They are a nice close bunch aren't they? It's nice having that kind of support.

EbonPurlight - Thank you, glad you like them.

Thundramon - Aside from the designed foil characters like Allain and Wigs for example, I try not to have prop characters. I don't want to have a lot of characters that are simply there to make the others look better. It's important for characters to feel complete with positives and negatives and want them all to share the light when they can. I don't want Hailey and Hadley to be there to make Dahlia look more important or be better and hope that they do all three show to be real and important characters in their own right.

WriternotAuthor - Glad you thought so. I was pleased with the overall humor and tone of this chapter.

DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles - Me too. Hope you've been well.

guest - Glad you liked it.