CHAPTER 8

Harry had beaten a twelve-foot mountain troll and almost died felling of his broom in his first Quidditch game, but he was safe now.

Harry and I sat together the following days. Telling each other about both school-going and outside-Hogwarts. I told Harry about my four years at Hogwarts before he came and I told him about living with the Holts. Harry surprised me with his stories about the Dursleys. After all there were still so many thing Harry didn't know, but I wasn't the right person to tell him already. Holidays were over now and I really started to worry about the exams, my O.W.L.s were coming closer and closer. Harry however seemed happier than ever before. To give me even more stress for the upcoming examinations, a batch of pamphlets concerning various careers appeared on the tables in the common room around Easter. I hadn't had the slightest idea of which job I'd like to go for. A notice appeared on the board for the fifth-years:

Careers Advice
All fifth-years are required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House during the first week of the summer term to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below.

I looked down at the list and found that I was expected in Professor McGonagall's office at three O'clock this Monday, which meant I would be missing the last part of Ancient Runes. Most of the fifth-years spent the last days of holidays studying and reading all the careers information.

Rose's parents were both working at the Ministry of Magic so she would work there too. Percy's father was at the Ministry as well and though Bill had a job at Gringotts and Charlie worked with dragons in Romania, Percy also wanted a job at the Ministry. Oliver was planning on a Quidditch career. But what about me? Where did I want to go with my future?

"Sit down, Potter", said Professor McGonagall when I walked into her office at three O'clock for my appointment. "Well, Potter, this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into the sixth and seventh years", she said, "Have you had any thoughts about what you would like to do after you leave Hogwarts?" I shook my head and said: "Not really, I was thinking about, maybe, travelling abroad."

"You have had a lot of distraction around you I hope you will do a better best while studying for your O.W.L.s", McGonagall looked me in the eyes, "There is a lot of Magical activity in Germany, if you'd like to go there. I will do some research for you, Miss Potter you can go now." And that was that. Percy and I spent most of our time in the library and Olivia mostly joined us to study together. On a Thursday morning however, Percy and I were walking to the Great Hall for breakfast when noticing the giant hourglasses that recorded the house points. Gryffindor, suddenly showed a hundred and fifty points fewer than the day before.

"There must have been a mistake", said Percy. How could Gryffindor suddenly be last when it had been first just the day before? Then Rose came running towards us, she was furious.

"Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, our hero, has lost us all those points, him and a couple of his stupid first-years-friends!" I looked at her confused, but the story started to spread. From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school, Harry was suddenly the most hated. Everyone had been looking forward to finally not letting Slytherin go with the House Cup, but it seemed that they would win for the seventh year in a row.

"Rose, you don't have to be so upset, we have all once lost point for Gryffindor", I tried to talk to her.

"But never a one hundred and fifty in one go!" she screamed, "Emily, you are protecting him."

"Of course I am protecting him!" I shouted back, "He is my brother!" And with that Rose and I didn't talk to each other anymore. But exams had started and to my great relief it wasn't as bad as I had feared. When the last exam, History of Magic, was done and Percy finished overviewing the whole exam, we were free for still one whole week. The weather was beautiful and I went outside with Percy to enjoy it. After the weekend I was again sitting outside with Percy. He was just about to place his lips on mine when a slight cough behind us announced that someone was watching.

"Kuch, uch", I turned and saw Professor McGonagall standing behind me, "Miss Potter, the Headmaster would like to see you in his office", she said and her eyes told me to follow her. Again I went upstairs after passing the gargoyles, that now carried the password 'liqueur wand'.

"Ah, Miss Potter", said Professor Dumbledore, "Please sit down, there is something I have to tell you."

I think you can already guess what that will be ;) This chapter has taken me a while, but it's here. Next update will be there very soon!
Don't forget to review!