Without doubt, it would be a while before I forget the breakfast of Saturday February the 15th. Somehow, I don't think Professor Lupin was likely to forget it any time soon either. I mean, it would be pretty hard to forget that roughly two thirds of the schools students had followed you with their eyes locked on your new outfit as you walked up to the teachers table, some of them sneering (mostly Slytherins, who cares about them anyway?), though most of them wearing looks of polite interest. And let's not forget the many – admittedly, mostly female – students giggling nervously, staring shamelessly with their mouths hanging open, sighing loudly and even whistling.
Unfortunately, though Professor Lupin related memories or incidences were always enjoyable, no amount of happy patrolling could distract me from the stress of the approaching NEWT's. Every passing day, every lesson, every minute spent pouring through book after book was a dreadful reminder of the exams that awaited the seventh year students that June. The exams that would more or less determine our future careers.
"Audrey, I think I am going to crack," I cried throwing my quill down on to my dismal DADA assignment in frustration. It was very late at night, everyone except for the seventh years, a few fifth years and Hermione Granger was asleep.
Audrey looked up at me from across the table, putting down her own quill and rubbing the sleep out of her tired eyes.
"Me too, this is just too much. It's like doing OWL's all over again, but worse," she said bitterly.
"A trillion times worse," I added, stifling a yawn.
"Have you finished Lupin's essay yet?" she asked.
"No!" I moaned, slamming my head into my arms, "And I'm so tempted to do a crappy job off it too, but I can't, I've done that too many times and he always knows when I haven't put in real effort. How about you?"
"Almost done… but I really can't continue. Do you think we could finish it off during our free tomorrow morning?"
"Sounds like a good plan to me!" I agreed, thinking that at least I can finish it off when it's nice and early and my brain is actually functioning.
But of course, I was wrong, for our morning free the next day was after transfiguration, where McGonagall gave me even more to worry about.
"Now is the time you all need to start thinking about your future professions, and considering where to lodge job applications. Most of you, I am sure, will already know exactly what you intended to do after Hogwarts, others will be less certain. Now is the time for you to think and to take advantage of the resources Hogwarts has to offer. Talk to each other, to teachers, make use of the library. Everything will help you in making your decision."
Just when I thought things could not get any more stressful.
"Audrey," I said as we walked to the library, "Are you still planning on working at the Ministry?"
"Yeh, that's the plan," she replied, "And you still haven't got a clue?"
"No freaking idea," I said, shaking my head miserably, "I feel so behind! You and Percy both want to work at the Ministry, Oliver wants to be a Quidditch player… it's like everyone knows except for me!"
"Nothing at all?" Audrey pressed, "Think about what subjects you like."
"I love potions. That's got to be something right? I mean, we have Snape for it and I still enjoy it. I enjoy charms too… I don't mind transfiguration."
"Wow, what about DADA, thought that would be at the top of the list?" Audrey asked mockingly.
I laughed, "Yeh, it's pretty good. But I can't see myself having a career in it. Mind you, if you're thinking I'm going to say I love it just because of the teacher, think again. I've always enjoyed it when we actually had decent teachers though."
"No, I didn't expect you to be so shallow. But you know what I think you would like?"
"What?"
"Healing, it combines everything you like, doesn't it? Potions, charms, and you never know when you might need to transfigure something…" Audrey suggested.
"Healing?" I considered it for a moment, thinking out loud, though not too loudly as we have just entered the library, "I'm squeamish though. I don't mind blood. Blood is cool. I don't mind scars either. Scars are really cool. But guts and open wounds and poisoning and all that? And the death and sadness? Nah I think I'll pass."
Audrey rolled her eyes, "Yeh, blood is a blast, isn't it? Anyway, what about research then?"
"Research?" I asked, this time with considerable interest, "What type, exactly?"
"I was thinking potions. I know St Mungo's has a research area where they try to make potions to cure things. And they've just expanded their research facility to included research for remedies for creature-induced injuries."
"Hmm… you know, that does sound pretty cool…" I said, cheering up slightly, "Yeh, actually, I think I might like that. I think I might look into it…"
AN – Sorry, I know it's short, but things start to get very interesting next chapter, trust me. ;)