My Father's Only Rule {DRACO MALFOY X SNAPE'S DAUGHTER}

Chapter Six: Career Workshop

September 1997 - Hogwarts

I didn't know what a career workshop was. But while the rest of the school was up early for class, the seventh-years were asleep until 10 a.m. when we had brunch in the great hall. We were each given a test to take while we ate. Just an assessment to evaluate the things we like. It wasn't a test you could pass or fail, but I still feel like I did badly on it. After we finished, we just hung out while McGonagall called us in one by one alphabetically to discuss the results. Jane was one of the first in.

"So what are you thinking about, Blaise?"

"Something in dark arts," Blaise said.

"Like an Auror?" I asked.

"No," he said. "Just studying and keeping up with the history. You know, artifacts and such. Documenting things for the ministry."

"Oh, cool," I said. "Draco?"

"I don't need a job," he said. "This whole workshop is stupid."

"Let's try to be positive, ok?"

"What about you, Grace?" Blaise asked me.

"I really don't know," I said. "I'm scared that I'm too far behind to even get a job."

"You don't need a job," Draco said.

"I'm aware of that," I said. "I want one. It'll keep me busy."

"I thought we'd be too busy in Spain for you to have a job."

"Am I missing something?" Blaise said.

"It's nothing," I said. "Someone's just moody." We saw Jane leaving McGonnagall's desk as the next person took her place.

"So, how was it?" I asked when she sat down.

"Not bad," she said. "Apparently these workshops are going to be weekly things."

"What?" I said.

"Seriously?" Draco said. "There are so many better things I can do with my time."

"Ok, that's nice, Draco. So what did McGonagall say?"

"Well," Jane said, "we're going to get divided up based on our possible careers. Every Friday, we don't have class. We have workshops."

"Wait, so we may not be in the same workshop?" I said. "We have all the same classes. We can't let a workshop screw it up. What did McGonnagall tell you?"

"Well she looked over my test and said it put me in the entertainer category," she said.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Blaise chuckled.

"She suggested being an actor."

"You'd be a great actor," I said.

"It would be so fun," she said. "But we don't have any acting classes or anything."

"Isn't that the point of these workshops?" I said.

"Maybe," she said.

Eventually, Draco was called up and I could tell McGonagall was not having it. He lost his attitude when she was staring him down right in the eyes. Not long after him, I was called.

"Ah, Miss Snape," McGonagall said. "Number one in the class. Go on, have a seat. Now, your answers put you in the entertainer category." I sighed a breath of relief. I'd be in the same workshop as Jane.

"Do you have any particular occupation in mind?"

"No," I said. "I don't really know."

"Well, that's alright. That's the point of the workshops. I'm sure that either Miss Baldwin or Mr. Malfoy has told you that these will be regular Friday events instead of classes. Most seventh-years enjoy not having class on Fridays. Now occupations in the entertainer category are things such as actors, writers, or professional quidditch players. You're quite talented in quidditch, have you given any thought to that?"

"No," I said. "I love quidditch but I don't know if I want it to be my job. Did you say, writer?"

"Oh yes," she said. "Does that spark your interest?"

"Well, I like to write," I said. "I didn't think it could be more than a hobby."

"Oh, well, if Mr. Lockhart were still employed here I'm sure he'd love to talk to you about that," she said.

"Who?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I hate to remind you, but do you remember Rita Skeeter?"

"Unfortunately," I said.

"Well, she writes for the Daily Prophet."

"Yes, but I like to write more stories than reports."

"Of course," she said. "Playwriting is a dying art in the wizarding world. And Miss Baldwin is quite interested in a career as an actress. Perhaps the two of you could navigate the industry together."

"I don't know," I said.

"Well, you've got all year to think about it," she said. "Next week, bring in some of your stories for Professor Gnat to look over."

"Who's that?"

"Professor Gnat will be leading the entertainment career workshop."

"How come I've never heard of her?"

"You've never had her. She's exclusively a career workshop teacher."

"Just out of curiosity," I said. "How many categories are there?"

"Entertainment, ministry, sciences, business, and miscellaneous. We have designated teachers for each workshop. In fact, here's a list of all possible careers in the entertainment category." She slides a piece of paper across her desk for me.

Entertainment

Actor

Artist

Author

Broadcaster

Director

Dueller

Editor

Musician

Newspaper Columnist

Newspaper Reporter

Quidditch Player

Singer

"Now, I want you to think about what you could possibly do with these potential occupations. And don't forget to bring something for Professor Gnat to read."

I returned to my table to find my friends waiting for me.

"So?" Jane asked.

"I got put in entertainment," I said with a smile.

"Hell, yeah," Jane said.

"What did you get, Draco?" I asked.

"Ministry," he said. "But it's redundant."

"Ok," I said, rolling my eyes. "Since we're done, do you want to get out of here?"

"Finally," Draco said, standing up.

"Hello?" Blaise said.

"Oh, sorry Blaise," I said. "Must suck to be at the end of the alphabet."

"Yeah," Blaise sighed. "But it's fine. I know Jane will stay-"

"See ya," she said, standing up.

"Really?" Blaise asked.

"I'm not at the end of the alphabet yet," Jane said. "Come on, Grace. I want a butterbeer."

Draco stayed with Blaise. I felt bad.

Eh...No, I didn't.