H is for HEALER

It wasn't until much later - the beginning of her fifth year - that Lily realized her calling.

"I think I'm going to be a Healer," she said to McGonagall during her Career Advice session. "I know I'll need Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Charms, and - oh, I'm forgetting one."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," McGonagall said.

"Right. Defense. Well, I'm already doing well in all those classes, except maybe Defense, but if I work hard on that one I think I could get enough OWLs. What do you think?"

McGonagall leaned forward and braced her elbows against her desk. "I think - and I don't say this to many students - that you will succeed in whichever field you choose, Miss Evans."

Lily's mouth split into a grin. "Oh, Professor, that's not true. I could never be a teacher, for example. I don't have the patience. I don't know how you do it."

McGonagall smiled. "You'd make a fine Professor, Miss Evans, and Hogwarts would be lucky to have you."

She laughed. "I'm going to be a Healer," she said firmly. "Something happened last summer, and I know I need to be involved with medicine."

"Oh? What happened?"

"Well . . . my sister got engaged. That's where it starts, I suppose."

"Mum," Petunia announced, coming downstairs for breakfast. "Dad. I've got news."

Lily looked around the empty kitchen. "I'm the only one down here," she said.

But, as usual, Petunia didn't acknowledge that her sister had spoken. "Vernon and I went out last night. To the park, where we met so many years ago."

"You met Vernon at a park?" Lily leaned her elbow against the counter. "I didn't know that."

She was ignored. "He waited until the sun had gone down, and all the children had gone home, and then he told me he loves me, and he can't imagine his life without me, and he asked me - he asked me - oh, look!" She held out her left hand, where a silver band sporting blue sapphires encircled her fourth finger. "We're engaged! I'm bloody engaged!"

"And you're young," Lily said, reaching out to examine her sister's hand. "You're seventeen."

"I'll be eighteen in the fall, and what do you care, anyway?"

"I don't." Lily looked alarmed. "No, Tuney, really, I'm happy for you!"

"Thank you." Petunia looked at her, really looked at her, for the first time in years. "I'm happy that you're happy, Lils."

"I'm happy that you're happy that I'm - no, I'm stopping this here."

Petunia was grinning again. "He's coming over for breakfast to meet everybody."

"Wait, he hasn't met Mum and Dad yet?"

"No." The doorbell chimed, and Petunia let out an uncharacteristic giggle. "That's him, that's him!" She raced to open the door. "Vernon," she said, ushering her guest inside. "This is my sister, Lily. Lily, this is my fiancé!"

"And he was the fattest man I'd ever seen in my life," Lily finished. "I was actually scared for him, health-wise. But if this person makes my sister happy, I have to do everything I can to keep him around. Which is why I've decided to go into medicine. So that maybe I can guide him to a healthier lifestyle."

McGonagall had her mouth pressed into a thin line. "You care deeply for your sister."

Lily nodded. "She's family."

"Well, I certainly hope she appreciates you." She Vanished her notes. "I'm afraid our Career Advice session is over, but if you ever change your mind about this career, my door is always open."

Lily stood. "Thank you, Professor. But I won't change my mind."

[100 Prompts: "I'm happy for you." "I'm happy that you're happy." "I'm happy that you're happy that I'm - no, I'm stopping this here."]

[So You Think You Know Your Character Competition: Lily Evans - what are your goals for the future?]