Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives;
"Miss Evans, is there something I can help you with?"
Lily lingered at the corner of her desk, fidgeting with the strap of her bag, as the last few members of the class filed out to head to lunch. Minerva watched her curiously, as the girl took a deep breath and nodded.
"Yes, actually, Professor I was wondering if maybe I could talk to you about my choices for next year?"
Minerva tried to hide her surprise. It was only February of her second year and the young redhead was already thinking about her third year options? Well, the Transfiguration teacher supposed it was better to be prepared than to just choose at the last minute. She nodded and waved her wand to summon a chair at her desk.
"Of course, Miss Evans. Take a seat."
The redhead flashed a brief smile and took the offered seat.
"Thank you, Professor." She answered politely. "I just don't know how I'm meant to choose between all my subjects. Or even how many I am allowed to take as a maximum limit."
"Have you thought about what you want to do after school? That often helps with these subject decisions." Minerva offered helpfully and was perplexed as Lily's face fell.
"No. I haven't a clue what I want to do past Hogwarts."
"Well that's okay."
"Really?" Lily seemed genuinely shocked. "It's just...everyone I talk to seems to have a plan. Emmeline wants to become a Healer, Marlene is planning to work as an Unspeakable, Potter and Black are going to apply for the Auror training programme, Mary is pretty much guaranteed a job with her father at the Ministry and I just-"
"Miss Evans." Minerva held up a hand to stop the girl in her tirade. The redhead fell silent with an embarrassed blush crawling across her cheeks. "I did not know what I was going to do after Hogwarts at your age."
Lily's expression brightened somewhat.
"Really?"
"Really." Minerva offered a rare smile at the girl in front of her.
And then, with innocence only a 12 year old could possess, Lily turned those brilliantly green eyes on her Head of House.
"Do you know now?"
"I'm sorry?" Minerva asked, confused as to what the girl was asking.
"Do you know now what you want to do when you're older?"
The question was so surprising that Minerva genuinely laughed and blinked rapidly at the girl in front of her before finding her voice.
"Do you know something, Miss Evans? I still haven't a clue."
Some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
~*~