Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.
AN: I always found it odd that Hogwarts students picked their electives at the end of their second year but career advice was given in their fifth year. What if the courses you picked aren't the ones that you need? They don't really get any specific advice particularly those that are muggle born or raised. The idea for this story came from this passage of the Chamber of Secrets.
"It could affect our whole future," she told Harry and Ron as they poured over lists of new subjects, marking them with checks. (Chamber of Secrets)
If you notice Rowling writes "lists" which is more than one however, further on in the she switches to list and then it turns out there are only 5 electives; Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and Muggle Studies!
This is my take on how electives should have been chosen.
A notice had gone up on the notice board of the Gryffindor Common Room as well as the other houses at Hogwarts.
All second year students are required to attend a meeting with their Head of House to discuss electives and future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below. (1)
Harry noted that his appointment time was right after Hermione's the next day.
The tables in the common room were littered with various leaflets advertising different career possibilities.
The various possibilities kept all the second years a buzz with excitement and apprehension. Hermione in particular took the matter very seriously as she started drawing up charts with the various professions that interest her as well as the required electives.
"It could affect our whole future," she told Harry and Ron as they poured over lists of new subjects, marking them with checks. (Chamber of Secrets)
The boys glanced at each other before starting to peruse the various lists and pamphlets.
Dean Thomas, the Gryffindor artist responsible for all of the Quidditch banners was drawn to the Painters Guild.
"It says here I would need to have an EE in NEWT level Charms and Potions, the main core subjects are required to be at an Acceptable!" he voiced his excitement, before choosing to sign up for soft electives.
Harry's attention was drawn by the Gringott's pamphlet.
"Listen to this: Are you seeking a challenging career involving travel, adventure and substantial, danger-related treasure bonuses? Then consider a position with Gringotts Wizarding Bank, who is currently recruiting Curse-Breakers for thrilling opportunities abroad…" (2)
"My brother Bill is a curse breaker, he's currently in Egypt," Ron put in. "Says he loves it."
"You'd need to take Arithmany and they also recommend Ancient Runes," Hermione mentioned without looking up from her chart.
Gringott's pamphlet had left the strongest impression on Harry's mind as he listened to his fellow Gryffindor's debate the pros and cons of various professions.
Poor Neville was swamped with a letters from various relatives that were all willing to give advice to the lad. Percy was walking about the common room willing to give advice to all and sundry.
"Hey look! Quidditch! It says here that team scouts routinely show up to games and invite players to join them starting fifth year!" Ron exclaimed excitedly before realizing that he wasn't on the House team. "You could do that Harry!"
"It's not a very certain career choice though is it?" Hermione voiced her opinion. "What if you don't get picked or if you suffer a serious injury during a game that ends your career?"
Harry was forced to agree with Hermione as he remembered the pain from the rogue bludger hitting his arm and all his near death experiences on the pitch.
Before Ron could launch into a rant on the merits of Quidditch, a squeal attracted their attention to Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil who were excited over Divination and being able to predict the future.
"Think of the possibilities! To know what lies in your future before it actually happens!"
Giggling, the two continued to peruse the pamphlets as the rest of the second years also returned to their reading.
Harry, who had never travelled, unless you count Uncle Vernon's crazy journey to the shack on the island travelling, was most interested in the Curse Breaking option. The idea of seeing the world had been ingrained and was now growing in him.
Soon it was time to head to bed but already most of the second years had selected their preferences.
AN: I hope you're enjoying the story so far.
(1)Modified slightly from the original message from OotP
(2)The passage in italics is taken from OotP