Disclaomer - Same as always.

Chapter 69

By the time Easter rolled around, tension was building throughout the school as end-of-the-year exams approached. The Marauders felt it more this year than any other thus far, because this year they had to take their O.W.L.s. That also meant that it was time for each fifth-year to meet with his or her head-of-house to discuss what careers in which they would be interested. Knowing their careers let them know what grades they had to achieve on their O.W.L.s in order to be accepted into the advanced courses.

Remus was most tense about this meeting. Many places would not hire a werewolf for even simple jobs, as they were generally mistrusted and considered unreliable.

"Mr. Lupin," Professor McGonagall began the meeting. She gestured to the chair across from her, "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you, Professor." Remus was one of the first to have his consultation. His prefect duties had him busy during the time he should have been slotted, so he opted for an earlier meeting time.

McGonagall regarded him for a moment before continuing. "Mr. Lupin, have you given thought to what career interests you?"

"Yes Professor. I would like to be a curse-breaker… for Gringotts, maybe."

She raised an eyebrow. "Indeed. Very well. The goblins are very particular about whom they choose." Remus' head dropped for a moment, but McGonagall continued on. "You will have to achieve 'Outstanding' on your Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic O.W.L.s, as well as 'Exceeds Expectations' in… well… everything else. However, to enter my Advanced Transfiguration class, I require an 'Outstanding.' That is quite a few 'O's' Mr. Lupin. However, I have full confidence in you ability to attain those grades."

Remus smiled shyly. "Thank you."

"There is quite a lot of travel involved in being a curse breaker."

"Yes ma'am."

Professor McGonagall paused before continuing. "Mr. Lupin… I do not at all want to discourage your choice. You are bright and very capable. But… have you considered your… condition, in light of extensive travel?"

Remus stiffened. In truth, he had expected his lycanthropy to come up sooner. "I have thought about it and, no, I don't have that worked out yet."

"Mmm. If I may make a suggestion," she waited for Remus to nod his ascent. "It might behoove you to speak with the Headmaster." Remus' eyes widened almost comically and Minerva McGonagall had to school her features to prevent herself from smiling. It was obvious the boy had expected to be discouraged from whatever path he had chosen for himself. "Professor Dumbledore is very well… connected. He may be able to help you secure safe-havens in the various locations that your travels may take you."

"Thank you Professor. I… I don't know what to say."

Professor McGonagall clasped her hands together and leaned forward in her chair. "Mr. Lupin, I am not suggesting that you will have an easy time of it. I fear that any path you choose will be more difficult for you than most. But I will not be the one to stand in your way. And know that there are many of us who are willing to help you in any way we can. You have proven yourself a student of fine character and I am confident that will take you far. You are, after all, a Gryffindor."

Remus nodded. He was saddened by the reminder of trouble he was sure to face, but he was also relieved to hear the words of encouragement, especially from someone he held in high esteem. He hoped he would not have to ask others for help, but he was not so naïve as to think that some good connections wouldn't help him in the future.

Sirius was the next of the Marauders to meet with Professor McGonagall.

"Mr. Black, what is it you wish to do?"

Sirius confidently answered, "I want to be an Auror." Something flashed in McGonagall's eyes and Sirius wondered if she was thinking of all the detentions he had received – something that might be frowned upon by those in law enforcement.

McGonagall cleared her throat before speaking. "You will need to achieve 'Outstanding' on your Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.s. You will also need to achieve 'Exceeds Expectations' on your Potions, Charms, Herbology, Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures. And, of course, a passing grade is needed for any other classes you plan on continuing." She gazed intently at Sirius a moment. "You know that becoming an Auror is extremely difficult and taxing. It requires three years of additional training after leaving Hogwarts. Not to mention the intensive personality profile and background check that is run."

Sirius frowned, wondering where she was going with this speech. He also wondered if his family background would hinder his ability to become an Auror.

"It's also… not safe. Times are getting darker. That job will be very much like enlisting in the military during a time of war. Do you understand that?"

Sirius was surprised by McGonagall's candor. He decided this would be possibly his only chance of finding out information from an adult other than his parents. "Does this have to do with Voldemort?"

Professor McGonagall let out a slight gasp and raised her hand to her chest. "How do you know that name?"

"I've heard it. I think he's the one my parents refer to as The Dark Lord."

McGonagall nodded jerkily, confirming what he and the other Marauders had been able to piece together. "Sirius." Sirius tensed at the use of his first name. "Are your parents involved with… He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named?"

Sirius wondered how much to divulge. "I know they support his views on muggles, half-bloods, and half-breeds. They're not Death Eaters, if that's what you're wondering."

Again, McGonagall looked shocked. Not many students had more than a passing knowledge of Death Eaters. Most only knew what they had heard about in the papers. She suspected there were quite a few Slytherins who knew more than most, perhaps even more than she did, though she was loath to admit that to herself. They were still her students, after all, and she preferred to think of them as innocents. That was why she feared for Sirius and his choice of becoming an Auror.

Professor McGonagall remembered Sirius' reluctance to speak about his family in the past and wondered how much he would divulge now, if she pressed the issue. "Have they spoken with you about the Death Eaters?"

Sirius snorted before he could stop himself, remembering the conversation he had had with his father a few years back, in which he was told he would one day become one. Sirius coughed to try to cover the snort, then he cleared his throat. "Yes. They've mentioned them."

"Do they know any?"

Sirius wondered what would happen if he told the truth. Throwing caution to the wind, he answered, "They want me to become one. I'm sure they know a few."

McGonagall huffed quietly. She wasn't really sure what to do with this information. She did know that she would be going to see Dumbledore as soon as this meeting was over. "But they haven't mentioned any names?"

Sirius hesitated. He had never heard names mentioned, and he could only guess at certain family members' involvement. "No."

Minerva got the feeling that there was more behind that "no," but she wasn't sure what to ask. Sighing, she decided she had gotten as much information as she could for the time being. "Very well. And thank you for your forthrightness."

Sirius nodded and left. He was eager to get back to the others and share the conversation.

"And Mr. Black." Sirius paused on his way out the door, and turned to look back at his professor. "Our side will do well to have you."

Sirius nodded again, thankful that at least Professor McGonagall would not hold his family against him. And he smiled at the thought of being on the right side and even being welcomed there.

Peter told McGonagall that he wanted to work in the Ministry – something to do with Muggles. When she looked over his school record, she agreed that this was a good choice for him. She let him know he would need an "Exceeds Expectations" on the Muggle Studies O.W.L. and gave him the requirements for entering the advanced courses of his other subjects. She also said she could recommend a few people at the ministry who were involved with Muggle Relations as liaisons, as well as people in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts division, if he was interested in speaking with them.

When James met with McGonagall, he told her he wanted to be an Auror. He wasn't really sure if that was true, but he knew that's what Sirius was going to say and, besides, he liked the idea of fighting for good and putting bad guys away. Professor McGonagall gave James a similar speech about dark times ahead and to think carefully about this decision, though she had no doubt he would make a fine Auror.

The year was not yet over, however. Not only did they have to pass their O.W.L.s, James had two more quidditch games to win, and the egg contest was still underway. Then there were the monthly moonlight escapades, Hogsmeade trips, and finding ways to make Snivellus' life as miserable as possible, as well as anyone else who happened to annoy them on any given day – most usually Slytherins. So much to do, so little time.

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A/N - Thank you very much to all who took the time to review. I appreciate it. Hope y'all are still reading and enjoying. Thank you to my awesome betas - Mom, mei mei, and J.A. Carlton. Much love.