Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen - Career Advice

By Order of the Ministry of Magic

Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore

as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-Eight.

The notices materialized all over the school overnight. By the following morning, the Hogwarts rumor mill was operating at full force. No matter where he went, Harry heard students telling the story of how Dumbledore had overcome two Aurors, the High Inquisitor, and the Minister of Magic to make his escape.

Cedric was known to be in the hospital wing, recovering from the pox Millie's curse had given him, and since Harry was the only other student to have witnessed the altercation, he was beset with questions on all sides.

"Dumbledore will be back, won't he?" asked Theo Nott earnestly after listening to the whole of Harry's story. "I mean, they can't keep him away for long, can they?"

"Know what I heard?" said Ron, dropping his voice with a conspiratorial air, "Nearly Headless Nick told me that she tried to get back into his office last night, after they finished searching the grounds, you know? But the Head's office had sealed itself against her. Apparently, she had a right little tantrum."

"I'm not surprised," scoffed Hermione, "I expect she really fancied herself sitting up there in his office, lording it over all the other teachers - the stupid, puffed-up, power-crazy old…"

"Do you really want to finish that sentence, Granger?"

The group looked up to find Pansy Parkinson, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle. She was smirking in a way that made her pug-like face particularly unpleasant as she pointed to the new inquisitorial badge pinned to her robes.

"I'm afraid I'll have to dock house points for that comment."

"That one of the Snitch Squad's new powers, is it?" asked Harry sardonically. Draco had warned him this would be coming. Now that Umbridge was fully in charge of the school, it seemed she was eager to make her deputies as insufferable as her.

His comment drew the attention of the three Junior Inquisitors, who turned to glower at him.

"What're you doing with the Gryffindors anyway, Potter? Thinking of reforming your little study group?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Harry stated automatically.

Crabbe sneered, "Smart… You'd be better off not trying it again, now that Dumbledore's not around to protect you…"

"Is there some new rule against talking to people in other houses?" Harry challenged, "You gonna deduct points from Slytherin if I choose to have lunch with my friends?"

Crabbe scowled and directed a particularly malevolent glance at Hermione as he replied, "One of these days you'll learn that it's best to stick to your own kind…"

Harry jumped out of his seat, reaching for his wand in the process.

"Don't try it, Potter!" snarled Goyle, who had already drawn his wand, "Unless you fancy detention with Umbridge?"

He knew he shouldn't dare. Snape had already risked altering Umbridge's memory once, and Harry wasn't about to face another detention like the last he had with the High Inquisitor. Still, he might have done something reckless, had not Hermione gripped his arm and said in an urgent whisper, "Don't worry about it. Just go find Blaise and Millie. I'll catch up with you later."

Harry, furious about this abuse of power, stalked back toward the Slytherin table, conscious of the gloating laughter of Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle behind his back. He found Blaise and Millie where he had left them moments before, deep in conversation. They had also noticed the newly enforced segregation of the four houses. It was as if all the progress the Marauders had made in forming new alliances had been set back to the founding of Hogwarts itself.

"Umbridge won't stop with banning all student organizations," Millie muttered, "She's trying to divide us entirely."

"If she pushes it too far, it'll start a riot," Blaise warned, "I met Fred and George Weasley in the hall on the way here. Seems the two of them have something big planned to welcome the new headmistress…"

"Good," replied Harry. A little rebellion sounded like exactly what Hogwarts needed.

But their revolt would need to wait a little longer. They still had their exams to contend with. Umbridge's new appointment was not the only notice that had gone up overnight. A batch of pamphlets, leaflets, and brochures had appeared in each of the house common rooms, along with a flier that read:

Career Advice

All fifth years will be required to attend a short meeting with

their Head of House during the first week of the Summer Term,

in which they will be given the opportunity to discuss their future careers.

Later that day, after their classes were done and they finally decided to take a break from their studies, Millie and Harry grabbed a few of the pamphlets and began to peruse their contents.

"I don't think I fancy being a Healer," Millie remarked, "They require at least an E at the NEWT level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts…"

"What's wrong with that?" asked Harry, "Your marks are good enough in Defense and Transfiguration, already. And Blaise can help with Charms…"

"Bedside manner," Millie replied with a shrug, "Not sure I've got the nurturing temperament for healing."

She glanced over her shoulder at Blaise. He was stretched out across one of the common room sofas, flipping through the pages of a novel. He hadn't even glanced at any of the career leaflets.

"Aren't you at least going to look?" Millie asked dryly.

"I think I've already made myself clear," Blaise replied, "I don't intend to work."

"Oh, come off it. How else are you going to support yourself?"

"Easy. I'll follow mum's example and marry rich. Several times if I need to."

Harry smirked. "You'll have to tell me what Snape says about that plan when you meet with him. What sort of coursework do you recommend for being a kept man, professor?"

The reminder of his upcoming career advice appointment caused Blaise to groan. To prevent himself from having such an uncomfortable conversation with Snape, he set his book aside and absently picked up a brochure labeled "Muggle Relations."

Harry continued to look over his own flier. It made a career as a Curse Breaker for Gringotts sound very interesting, but they wanted experience with Arithmancy. Harry set this aside with a sigh of disappointment and continued to browse the pamphlets before him, but none of the options he saw stood out. The picture he had painted for Blaise applied to him as well. He knew he would need some idea of what he would like to do after Hogwarts before his meeting with Snape.

Eventually, he sought Nell's advice. As a Ravenclaw, he assumed she would be full of plans for her future studies and career aspirations. But as the pair of them walked back to the castle after their Herbology lesson the next day, she admitted that she was equally at a loss.

"I think it's absurd to expect a bunch of fifteen-year-olds to know what they want to do for the rest of their lives!" she grumbled irritably, adjusting the strap of her bag. It looked ready to burst from the number of books and papers she was already carrying. Harry wondered if the stress of their upcoming exams was weighing heavily on her, as well.

"What about you?" she asked after a brief pause, "Have you considered what you'd like to do once we're out of school?"

"To be honest, the only thing I've ever really thought about is how to get through each day."

Nell sighed in agreement. Cautiously, she glanced over each shoulder, as if checking to see that they were quite alone. They had been walking slowly, in part due to the weight of Nell's bookbag, which seemed to be dragging her down. They were now a fair distance from the other students who were making their way back to the castle.

"What about the Marauders?" she whispered, certain that they wouldn't be overheard, "These exams have got me near my breaking point, but at least practicing with everyone was fun! Think we can risk another meeting?"

Harry shook his head. Meetings with the Marauders would be impossible now. Umbridge knew about the Room of Requirement, and she had Filch keeping a close eye on the seventh floor corridor. He had talked it over with Blaise and Millie, and they briefly considered moving their meetings to the Chamber of Secrets again. But even this was too risky. Snape knew the Chamber's location, and there was no knowing how far that information had spread among the faculty. If they weren't careful, Harry would not get off easily a second time.

After Dumbledore's sudden disappearance, Fudge and Umbridge had been too busy searching the grounds to remember the two students they had dragged to the head's office. McGonagall had taken the opportunity to escort Cedric to the hospital wing to have the hex treated, while Harry had been sent to his dormitory under strict orders to "keep his head down." Harry intended to take this advice. The Marauders were finished.

Nell sighed. "Shame that Cedric ratted us out. I'd have liked to practice the Disarming Spell a bit more with you all..."

"It wasn't Cedric's fault," Harry said, "Umbridge had slipped him some Veritaserum. But I know how you feel. Helping out with the Marauders was one of the few things I had to look forward to…"

Nell smiled sadly at him. "Yeah, I really enjoyed our meetings."

Something in her melancholy expression reminded Harry of the secret that Nell had been keeping. Feeling a little mischievous, he teasingly remarked, "Yes… It's a shame you won't be able to see your crush anymore."

"You don't know that."

"Ha! So they must be in Ravenclaw!" Harry said triumphantly. "If you're still seeing them outside of the Marauders…"

"I could see him in class, you know. I have Potions with the Hufflepuffs and Charms with Gryffindor. Not to mention Herbology with you…"

"Sure, but then he'd have to be a fifth-year, like us," Harry agreed. He could tell from the color that rose into Nell's face that he was on the right track. "Right, so if it isn't me or Rivers…"

"Harry…" Nell said warningly.

"And it must be someone really embarrassing for you to keep it a secret… Oh no, please tell me it isn't Draco."

"Harry!"

"Neville? Ron? Theo? Stop me if I'm getting close…"

"Harry James Potter! If you don't stop this instant…!"

"Dean? Oh come on, it must be Dean. If it's not him then that only leaves…"

Harry's eyes darted forward. He could see Blaise and Millie, silhouetted by the doorway leading into the castle as they waited for him and Nell to catch up. At the same moment, Nell uttered a high squeak and promptly punched Harry in the arm. It was all the confirmation he needed.

"Blaise?" Harry hissed, "You've got a crush on Blaise?"

Nell buried her face in her hands, but not before Harry saw the dark red blush suffusing her cheeks.

"Hang on… I thought it was someone embarrassing! Someone like Draco or Neville would have been…"

"It is embarrassing!" Nell protested, raising her face toward Harry once more, "Every girl in school ranks Blaise in their Top Three. And most of the boys, too! Liking him is just so… so… basic!"

"But I thought you hated Blaise! You thought he was the Heir of Slytherin!"
"God, Harry. That was so second year! A girl can't change her mind?"

Harry grew thoughtful. It was true that Blaise was tall and handsome, but even Harry knew that his friend was also vain and haughty. Nell didn't strike him as the sort of person to be attracted by such a proud personality, though he supposed stranger things had happened.

"Wait a minute…" he said after this moment of quiet reflection. "You have a ranking system?"

"What?"

"You said Blaise was in everyone's Top Three. Where do I fall?"

Nell rolled her eyes, but she answered, "If I tell you, do you promise not to tell Blaise?"

"I'm not making any such promise."

"Then I'm not telling you what your rank is!"

"Fine. I'll ask Millie."

"You know Millie doesn't care about stuff like that."

"Hey Blaise!" Harry called, waving his arms above his head, "You won't believe the most amazing thing Nell just told me!"

Nell socked him in the arm a second time. Harry, laughing, looked at her teasingly.

"Alright!" she relented, "You're solidly top ten for most girls. But don't let it go to your head. For most, it's because you're famous."

"I'll take what I can get," Harry replied with a smile. "And your secret is safe with me… for now."

Nell glowered at him, but they were almost caught up with Blaise and Millie, so she had no time to retort. She cast one last, threatening glance at Harry before she ran ahead to her next class.

"Took you long enough…" Blaise said, rubbing the back of his head with a sigh. "What were you and Willoughby talking about, anyway?"

"Oliver Rivers," Harry said with an easy shrug, "Did you know that he fancies her?"

"Does he?" Blaise asked with genuine interest. "Well, how does Willoughby feel about him?"

"Actually, Rivers thinks she's interested in me…"

Blaise snorted. "Who would have a crush on you? And don't say Hermione. The girl's clearly got bad taste…"

Harry smiled, but said nothing to defend himself. He knew that Blaise was always fascinated by the latest romantic gossip. He also knew that nothing made someone more interesting to Blaise than the knowledge that they were attractive to others. He had asked Daphne Greengrass to the Yule Ball merely because she was the prettiest girl in their year, after all.

Nell might resent the object of her own affection, and she may repent ever admitting as much to Harry. But as her friend, he privately vowed to help her. For now, it was enough to have planted a seed.


Harry awoke early the next day. He was feeling anxious. His Career Advice appointment with Snape had arrived.

It would be the first meeting he had with the Potions Master alone since their fateful Occlumency lesson and Dumbledore's flight. Although Snape's anger had cooled after he and Harry talked, he was sure to be furious after learning about Harry's involvement with the Marauders.

Despite his desire for something, anything to delay this appointment, he arrived at Snape's office in a timely fashion.

"Take a seat, Potter," Snape said curtly, pointing toward a hard chair placed directly in front of his desk.

He still seemed angry and resentful. Harry was sure he was about to receive a harsh lecture, when he heard a little "hem" from the corner of the room. With a sense of foreboding, Harry turned slowly. Umbridge was there, a clipboard balanced on her knee, smiling smugly when Harry met her eye.

"As you already know, we're here to talk about your career ideas," Snape said in a flat voice after Harry had reluctantly taken his seat. "This meeting will help you decide which subjects to pursue in your sixth and seventh years… Well? Have you thought about what you plan to do after you leave Hogwarts?"

All of Harry's preparation flew out of his brain. He was too distracted by the sound of Umbridge's quill, ceaselessly scribbling on the parchment behind him, as if she were copying an exact transcription of all that was said. He fumbled with his words, and an impatient Snape asked again, "What do you want to do with your life, Potter?"

It was a loaded question, and one Harry wasn't sure he could answer. He had once considered becoming an Auror, but after everything that had happened with Professor Moody, he was no longer sure….

"An… An Auror… Maybe…." Harry mumbled through his confusion.

Snape, who seemed desirous to simply get this meeting over with, pulled out a pamphlet and said, "You will need top marks for that. They ask for a minimum of five NEWTs, and nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations.' You would also be required to undergo a series of character and aptitude tests…"

At this moment, Umbridge gave a very tiny cough. Snape ignored her.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts is a necessity, of course. And I would further advise Transfiguration, as it is often required in an Auror's work. Unfortunately, I would also recommend Potions. But I warn you now, Potter, I will only accept those who achieve 'Exceeds Expectations' in my NEWT level classes…"

Umbridge coughed again, much louder this time, and even Snape could not pretend he hadn't heard her. He turned to her coldly, and with a voice completely devoid of irony, suggested, "I have a very effective draught that would cure you of your cough, Inquisitor."

"Oh, no thank you, Severus!" Umbridge said with an affected laugh, "I merely wanted to know if I might make the tiniest interruption?"

Snape made an impatient gesture with his hand and sat back in his chair. Harry couldn't remember if he'd ever seen Snape so obviously irritated before.

"It's just that… I was wondering if Mr. Potter has quite the right temperament for an Auror?"

"Fascinating," said Snape before quickly moving on. "As I was saying, Potter, you'll need to bring your Potions score up to standard if you want to… What is it?"

Umbridge had coughed again.

"Well," she said in her simpering fashion, "I only meant to add, that as far as test scores go, Mr. Potter's performance in Defense Against the Dark Arts…"

"Has been remarkably high" Snape rejoined, clearly at the end of his patience.

"Indeed? I thought you received my note? Mr. Potter's scores this year have been…"

"Professor Lupin and Alastor Moody thought you showed great promise, Potter…"

"Oh dear," Umbridge tittered dreadfully, "I was referring to Mr. Potter's scores with a competent instructor…"

Snape's face had taken on a deathly pale hue. Harry didn't know if it was the insult to Moody or Remus that had pushed him close to the edge, but before he could interrupt Umbridge again, Harry made an announcement of his own.

"I've changed my mind."

Snape and Umbridge stared at him.

"I don't really want to be an Auror," Harry said cheerfully, "Sounds too difficult, now that you mention it. Instead, I think I'll become the Minister of Magic."

Umbridge sputtered unintelligibly. Since her words had failed her, she settled for scribbling furiously on her scroll of parchment. The corners of Snape's thin lips twitched, revealing the shadow of a smile.

"The Minister of Magic is an elected position," he said, "It requires someone with considerable charisma to obtain votes…"

"I'm the Boy Who Lived," Harry reminded him cheekily, "And I've fought off Voldemort loads of times and lived. What's not to like about me?"

Rather than chastise him for his arrogance, as he would have done in the past, Snape played along with his game.

"Most people who aspire to the position start with gaining experience in another department of the Ministry. What exactly would you like to do if you were elected?"

Harry didn't have to think. Although he'd suggested the position merely to get under Umbridge's skin, he knew what it was he wanted to do. As soon as Snape asked the question, the answer came to him immediately.

"I want to help people," Harry replied, "Half-humans, especially. Like werewolves and centaurs and merpeople… And all kinds of magical creatures, too. Like giants, goblins, and house-elves."

"Then perhaps a position within the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures? You're already taking Professor Hagrid's course, and your marks are very good… A few years experience in the Ministry, and I'm sure you'd have no difficulty campaigning for Minister of Magic…"

Umbridge was now having paroxysms of anger. She stood up. She was so short that it hardly made any difference, but her simpering, sweet demeanor was gone, replaced with a cold fury that was oddly sinister when paired with her absurdly pink dress.

"Harry Potter has no chance of replacing Cornelius Fudge!" she declared.

"But Fudge won't be the minister forever," said Harry.

Umbridge's face had turned crimson with anger. Snape, relishing her discomfort, smoothly declared, "You'll have my vote, Potter. And I will personally do everything in my power to see you succeed in the Ministry, provided that you oust corrupt officials…"

Umbridge seemed to be on the verge of interrupting again, when their meeting was cut short by the sound of a very loud commotion. Screams and yells reverberated from somewhere just above them. It sounded as if an explosion had gone off.

Umbridge paused before she could deliver her harangue and stared fretfully at the ceiling. Snape, who still had not risen from his seat, coldy said, "Shouldn't you see to that, headmistress?"

Scowling, Umbridge drew her wand and rushed out of the room. Snape then glanced at Harry.

"Do you have something to do with this?" he asked.

Harry swore he had no idea what was going on. Snape nodded once, then gestured to Harry. He rose from his desk and made his way out the door. This time, Harry remained by his side, his wand at the ready.

The source of the pandemonium was not difficult to find. One floor above them, students scurried in all directions, fleeing from a colorful inferno. Someone had set off what appeared to be an enormous crate of enchanted fireworks.

Snape and Harry stopped at the top of the stairs that led down into the dungeons. They were transfixed by the sight of dragons, composed entirely of green-and-gold sparks, which were soaring up and down the entrance hall, breaking formation to chase students down corridors as they emitted loud fiery blasts. Harry noticed that some of the screams had turned to laughter. Apparently, the fireworks had been charmed to avoid setting the castle ablaze. Elsewhere, shocking pink Catherine Wheels, five feet in diameter, were whizzing harmlessly through the air like flying saucers. Harry spied a rocket with a long tail, like a miniature comet, trailing brilliant silver stars as it ricocheted off the walls, leaving bright spots of glitter in its wake, but otherwise causing no damage. Other than being bright, loud, and chaotic, the fireworks did no harm. At least, not to the school.

Umbridge stood frozen in the middle of the hall. She was gazing with openmouthed horror as several enchanted sparklers wrote swear words in midair, seeming to taunt her in particular. Suddenly, one of the Catherine Wheels stopped its seemingly random spinning, and decided to whirl straight toward Umbridge. She screamed with fright, jumping out of the way as the firework whizzed straight past her head and out of the open window behind her.

The incident served to snap Umbridge out of her trance, and she angrily directed her wand against the nearest firecracker. It was not spirling through the air at random, but remained suspended in place. It exploded in a shower of sparks, but rather than fade away, it seemed to reverse on itself, exploding over and over again, gaining energy and brightness with each pop!

"Stupefy!" shrieked Umbridge.

Rather than halt its growing inferno, the firecracker exploded with such force that it knocked several of the nearest suits of armor to the floor.

"Don't stun them, Professor Snape!" Umbridge called.

She must have noticed that Snape and Harry had followed her. Harry glanced at the professor by his side, who had certainly made no move to help Umbridge. He seemed surprised that she assumed he was there to assist her. At the sound of her cry, he stowed his wand away and said calmly, "Of course, Headmistress. Wands away, Potter."

The initial fright had died down, and now more students and faculty had wandered into the hall, attracted by the sounds of celebration. They watched with amusement as Umbridge frantically tried several spells to tame the fireworks. She tried vanishing one shaped like a great purple smoking bat, only to have it multiply by ten, causing a swarm of bats that soon escaped down the open door at the far end of the corridor.

Several students burst into laughter at the sight of this, enraging Umbridge further. She began calling for several staff by name, including McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape. As she ordered him to assist her, Snape heaved a heavy sigh, grabbed his wand once more, and reluctantly strode forward.

Flitwick was successful in snuffing several of the sparklers himself, while McGonagall and Snape, who seemed to share a look of understanding, simply directed the rest of the fireworks in the entrance hall out the open doors and onto the grounds. When questioned by Umbridge, they reported that they weren't sure what else could be done with them. They chose to leave it to her authority to sort out.

Umbridge gazed around the room at the mess that was left behind before demanding, "Where is Mr. Filch?"

"Here, Headmistress!" called a voice from the top of the stairs. The school's caretaker was there, huffing and puffing as he hurried forward. To the surprise of no one, he was clutching Fred and George Weasley by the collars of their robes.

"Caught these two red-handed! They tried to escape down one of the secret passages, but Mrs. Norris got to them!"

It was just like the night Trelawney was sacked, only now Umbridge stood at the bottom of the staircase, with Fred and George above, staring defiantly down at her.

"So!" cried Umbridge triumphantly, looking a bit mad with her curls disheveled and her face covered in soot. "The usual suspects, I see! I suppose you thought it would be amusing to turn the school into a bonfire?"

"Pretty amusing, yeah," said Fred, a satisfied grin on his face.

Umbridge's flabby face quivered with rage. "I will have no such rule breaking in my school! You two will set an example! You're about to show the others what happens to wrongdoers while I'm in charge!"

"Oh, come on," said George lightly, "We were only celebrating!"

"Celebrating?" sneered Umbridge, "And what, pray tell, were you celebrating?"

"Our graduation, of course!"

"See, we feel we've outgrown our full-time education…"

"And we've been focusing our efforts in a more creative direction…"

"That just doesn't seem to fit with Hogwarts these days…"

"So we felt it was time to test our talents in the real world…"

"And announce the opening of our new business in the process!"

Before Umbridge could say another word, the twins had raised their wands, which Filch apparently neglected to confiscate, and called in unison, "Accio Brooms!"

Harry heard a loud crash from down the hall. The twins must have removed their brooms from the Gryffindor locker room and had them hidden nearby, for they came soaring toward him at rapid speed. Harry had just enough time to duck as they streaked over his head, coming to stop, hovering in the air, before Fred and George.

Fred threw his leg over his broom, gazing around at the assembled students as he called, "If anyone fancies a box of Weasleys' Wildfire Whiz-Bangs, as demonstrated in the hall today, come see us at number Ninety-Three, Diagon Alley - the new premises of Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes!"

"Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat!" added George, pointing at Umbridge as he and his brother lifted off the ground.

"STOP THEM!" screamed Umbridge, but it was already too late. Fred and George were soaring high above their heads, completing a full loop over the cheering crowd of students before speeding out the open front doors and into a glorious sunset.