Chương 304: Career Advice

The weather grew breezier, brighter, and warmer as the holidays passed, but Chris was stuck with the rest of the fifth and seventh years, who were all trapped inside, traipsing back and forth to the library. As though to underline the importance of their upcoming examinations, a batch of pamphlets, leaflets, and notices concerning various Wizarding careers appeared on the tables in Gryffindor Tower shortly before the end of the holidays, along with yet another notice on the board, which 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. Times of individual appointments are listed below.

Chris looked down the list and found that she was expected in Professor McGonagall's office at half-past two on Thursday, which would mean missing most of Herbology. She and the other fifth years spent a considerable part of the final weekend of the Easter break reading all the career information that had been left there for their perusal.

"Chris, you could try healing," said Colin on the last evening of the holidays. He was immersed in a leaflet that carried the crossed bone-and-wand emblem of St. Mungo's on its front. "It says here you need at least an E at N.E.W.T. level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. You could easily pull that off."

"Healing sounds cool but I'm not sure," Chris shrugged. She was poring over a bright pink-and-orange leaflet that was headed SO YOU THINK YOU'D LIKE TO WORK IN MUGGLE RELATIONS? "You don't seem to need many qualifications to liaise with Muggles. . . . All they want is an O.W.L. in Muggle Studies . . . 'Much more important is your enthusiasm, patience, and a good sense of fun!' I think they really need to work on Muggle relationships, to be honest."

"Listen to this: 'Are you seeking a challenging career involving travel, adventure, and substantial, danger-related treasure bonuses? Then consider a position with Gringotts Wizarding Bank, who are currently recruiting Curse-Breakers for thrilling opportunities abroad . . . ' They want Arithmancy, though. . ." Luna read in her dreamy voice. "It's not for us. I heard Goblins eat human bones."

"Well, frankly speaking, there is nothing for me," said Ginny vaguely, immersed in HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO TRAIN SECURITY TROLLS? "I won't do anything apart from Quidditch. I have made my mind, if I can't get into any international Quidditch team then I will start a training place for kids to learn Quidditch or I will look for a job in Department of Magical Games and Sports," she added grimacing.

Chris, Colin and Luna laughed.

"It won't be that bad, Gin," said Chris looking at a leaflet heading, MAKE A BANG AT THE DEPARTMENT OF MAGICAL ACCIDENTS AND CATASTROPHES. "But I am sure you will make it to the International Quidditch team. You are doing great."

"I would like to travel the world," said Luna looking out of the window. "Go to places, learn about new plant and animals then I think I will write about them. Quibbler and Chris had inspired me."

"What about you, Colin?" asked Ginny.

"Er — I am still not sure," said Colin truthfully. "I would also like to explore the magical world but I guess job at the Ministry feels more secure. Especially Auror."

"I don't think you should be an Auror," said Luna unexpectedly. "The Aurors are part of the Rotfang Conspiracy, I thought everyone knew that. They're working to bring down the Ministry of Magic from within using a combination of Dark Magic and gum disease."

For a moment, Colin, Chris and Ginny stared at each other then they burst out laughing.

"I think that's the present Auror situation, Luna," said Chris. "I am sure it will be fine when Colin joins."

On Thursday after making the best Invigoration Draught in class and leaving a praising Slughorn behind, Chris climbed to the fourth floor in Professor McGonagall's office.

"Come in," said her voice and Chris entered.

"Sit down, Christina," Professor McGonagall shuffled the many pamphlets littering her desk.

Chris sat down.

"Christina, I think you know, this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you might have, and to help you decide which subjects you should continue into sixth and seventh years," said Professor McGonagall. "Have you had any thoughts about what you would like to do after you leave Hogwarts?"

"Er —" Chris hesitated. She wanted to be a teacher at Hogwarts for years but now sitting in front of the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, she felt unsure if she was going to be qualified enough to stand next to them.

"Yes?" Professor McGonagall prompted.

"Well, Professor, I thought of becoming a — Professor at Hogwarts," Chris mumbled.

To her great surprise, Professor McGonagall smiled.

"So you want to handle a bunch of reckless, rule-breaking teenager as yourself?" She asked.

"I'm not reckless and —" Chris stopped her protest. McGonagall was right.

This got a laugh from Professor McGonagall and Chris found herself smiling as well.

"Well, which subject you want to teach?" asked Professor.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," said Chris at once and the smile slipped off from McGonagall's face.

"Well, I think you should know, Christina," she said turning serious. "That you have to at least above twenty-three to apply for any teaching position in Hogwarts. Apart from that, you have to achieve a minimum of four N.E.W.T.s, and nothing under 'Exceeds Expectations' grade, and 'Outstanding' at the subject you want to teach."

Chris guessed the reason behind McGonagall's change of attitude.

"Professor, are you worried about the — er — uniqueness of the DADA post?" Chris asked.

McGonagall looked at her sharply over her round glasses then continued, "You will need 'Exceeds Expectations' or higher at Ordinary Wizarding Level to get accepted in my class. And, I think you know, the other Professors will expect the same to attend their classes."

Chris nodded mutely.

"You have achieved 'Exceeds Expectations' in Transfiguration in the recent tests and I think you can achieve 'Outstanding' in your final exams. Then there are Charms, Potions, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, Ancient Runes and Herbology; you are achieving 'Outstanding' in most of them for years except for Ancient Runes and Herbology. You got 'Exceeds Expectations' in both in recent tests," said Professor McGonagall. "So, I think, overall you are doing fine, Christina. But don't slack now. Keep working and you will have a brilliant result to show."

Chris nodded again and after a moment of silence, McGonagall sighed.

"Christina, apart from the uniqueness of the job you want, I think you will do great whatever job you choose to do," she said. "But don't worry, maybe you will find a way to stay at the post of Defense Against of the Dark Arts more than a year. Well, it's no secret that you are a unique case too."

Chris looked up at McGonagall and saw trust and a look of proud in her eyes. She felt happy.

"Anyway, I will advise you to do something useful before you turn twenty-three," McGonagall said smiling. "I worked at the Ministry, Professor Flitwick travelled the world and won the title of best duelling champion, I think Panoma went to work with the naturalists. So whatever you do at that time, do something that makes you proud and the students looked up to you with respect. That's all."

"Thank you for the advice, Professor," said Chris gratefully.

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To be continued. . .