PRECEDENT : Draco Malfoy II

39

"An Unspeakable?" Professor Flitwick adds.

He came prepared with his own folder, and I with mine. We are in his office, just us pair, and displayed on the table between us are every grade I've gotten in every subject, notes left behind by all of my professors, and some projects and essays from other classes. My essays are fine enough, but it is project work where I do the best. Practical casting is not a skill of mine, but with Michael's permission, I brought in the music box I taught him how to make, and I have the Remembrall that I've modified with magic I learned from the Sagum to blush darker if you are approaching a missing thought.

He's particularly impressed by it as a modification of a summoning charm, since it does not need the name of what one's forgotten, but just the impression of it.

I've also got my sigil, and all the research I created into crafting it, and the paperwork that shows it's sealed by the ministry, and I also brought my research into other wizards who have been known to have such two lines. There are some that are disconnected, separated, and that can mean many things, but none that I've come across with parallel lines. Not many other witches have self-taught themselves occlumency, and though I don't think I'm particularly good, it's something good.

"Yes," I nod to the professor. "An Unspeakable."

He strokes his mustache, thumbing through the paperwork again, "I'm impressed you even know about such wizards. They aren't in the career pamphlets, are they?"

I pick up another sheet from another pile, one with research on potential careers. It's a page I copied from a textbook I found deep in the confines of a shelf on the layout of the ministry. "I found the bottom floor while looking for potential ministry jobs."

Knowing about Unspeakables isn't all that strange, for a young witch who grew up with magical parents. My circumstances make the world harder to navigate. I spent the entire break researching other careers. I could be a magical innovator, but there is less job security in such a field. Likely, I would have to begin by working for a different wizard. There's also other decisions. Would I be the kind of person who creates moleskin pouches and other items most wizards can save up and buy? Or would I be the kind of person who creates the different instruments in Professor Dumbledore's office, the strange and occult even by the standards of witches?

"Interesting," he agrees, scanning the page. "I do think it's possible. Your charm work is exceptional, and your research on thought and time are quite phenomenal."

"I think I prefer time," I tell him. "I wouldn't mind working elsewhere with thought, but I find time magic to be more reactive. With the omniocculars, it was always clear when something was going wrong. Thought just seems to stop."

"Time does always keep moving forward. It does not pause the way the mind can," Professor Flitwick murmurs to himself while he sorts through the pile of other careers. "I do think you could do quite well as a magical innovator. Do you know the Weasley twins?"

I shuffle in my chair, hoping he isn't asking about our club, "a bit. Why?"

"They might be able to help you establish connections as an innovator," Flitwick says. "Your ability to modify magical artefacts and adapt spells is quite remarkable. I could see a fruitful career from such an opportunity."

"Could I not be an Unspeakable?" I ask. Before Draco mentioned it, I hadn't given working at the ministry much thought. It seems something I would be adept at doing. I know how to keep secrets.

"Well, there is nothing that would stop you necessarily," Professor Flitwick says. "Unspeakables do not recruit Hogwarts students. You would likely have to start in another area in the Ministry of Magic and remain there for at least a decade. Perhaps the Department of Magical Transportation would be suitable if you were interested in magic related to space. There are a number of careers in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes which would relate to you career. Obliviators alter muggle memories, although muggle-borns do have some difficulties entering the department based upon empathy for the muggles involved. The Accidental Magic Reversal Squad requires witches and wizards who can problem solve quickly and work under pressure."