Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter
Written for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments): Triwizard Tournament (Task 8)
Prompt: "When in doubt go to the library", Sirius Black, Albus Dumbledore
Remus shook his head in exasperation. "You do realise that this is your future we are talking about Padfoot?"
He scowled back at him. "I may be lazy, disorganised and irritating but I'm not an idiot."
He smiled back at Sirius placatingly and sighed. "I don't know what to tell you Sirius. Only you can make these decisions."
"There's nothing I want to do. Why can't I just take a gap year and think about it?"
"If I know you at all, I know that you are unlikely to spend any time whatsoever thinking about your future career while on a 'holiday' of any kind."
Sirius groaned in frustration. "It's impossible Moony! How am I supposed to pick a career when I'm not even capable of turning up to breakfast in matching shoes?"
James snorted as he came to sit beside Remus on the couch while Sirius continued to pace in front of the hearth. "That was really funny."
"Anyway, Padfoot you should take a leaf out of my book. You know what I always say-"
"When in doubt go to the library" James interrupted Remus with a smirk.
"You know, that's not such a bad idea!" Sirius grabbed his bag and dashed out of the common room.
James watched him go in shock. "What? Since when does he actually listen to anything we say?"
Sirius scanned the shelves, searching for anything that might catch his eye. Moony's advice had seemed brilliant at the time but now he was actually in the library he found himself surrounded by books that seemed to be written solely for goody two shoes who wanted to grow up and become the next minister for magic. Sirius scowled and replaced yet another book on the shelf.
When he heard a polite cough behind him he toppled backwards with a shriek, dragging half the books on the shelf with him. He ended up in a heap at the feet of none other than the headmaster himself. Professor Dumbledore peered through his little glasses with something akin to amusement in his eyes.
"Professor Dumbledore!" Sirius scrambled upwards, rushing to assure the professor that he was doing nothing wrong. He supposed that it would be natural for the headmaster to be suspicious of him, given his reputation, but surprisingly the man didn't seem surprised to see him there.
"Ah, Mr Black. I was hoping I might run into you. Professor McGonagall tells me that you're struggling to decide on a career path."
Sirius looked around helplessly at the piles of books detailing various possibilities for a life after school. With a wave of his wand Professor Dumbledore sent them all flying back to their rightful places on the shelves.
"Perhaps you should consider not what you feel you ought to do, but what you enjoy doing. There may not be an obvious career, but if you are good at something and enjoy it enough, you will find a way." Pausing for breath he continued. "Now, I am biased but I notice that your transfiguration marks are particularly high. And I understand you have partaken in some... extra curricular transfiguration practice."
Sirius listened in surprise. Dumbledore knew about the animagus project? That had to be what he was referring to. Even more surprisingly, he seemed to know and care about Sirius' marks. No one else (with the possible exception of Moony) did. Certainly not his family. Thinking of his family made him consider which books Reguluswould use to search for a career. How to be a Death Eaterprobably.
"Mr Black?" Dumbledore sounded amused and Sirius realised he had let his mind wander. Dragging his attention back to their conversation he noticed the professor was staring at him, as if waiting for an answer to a question.
"Sorry Professor, what did you say?"
"I was simply wondering whether you would care to come to my office on Tuesday night at 5 o'clock. I would be willing to explain to you some of the practical applications of transfiguration."
Sirius looked at the professor in disbelief. Who did he think Sirius was? He had a reputation to maintain. He couldn't be seen going to the headmaster for extra lessons. He would be ruined.
As Sirius considered the idea though he began to change his mind. This was his future after all and it wasn't like he had any better ideas. Besides, no one needed to know why he had been summoned to the headmaster's office.