Scars

Chapter Five-Teach Me

The next few days I remain alone in my room. I venture out at night to gather food from the kitchens and sometimes go flying during the day, but that's the only time I wander out. While lonely, being alone means I'm never afraid. I'm not sure how I feel about everyone coming back so soon. It'll only be a few more days now.

I'm working on a few new spells when McGonagall nearly scares me out of my skin when she bursts into my room. "Arell, onto your feet and with me." She bids before turning on her heel and marching out. Confused, but not willing to disobey a direct order, I hop up and follow her out while grabbing Sirius' sweater on the way.

"Uh, Professor-"

"Ah-ah." She waves her hand at me and I quiet as we continue marching through the halls. Down the halls, down the stairs, and finally back into her office that I first arrived in. She rounds her desk and settles down, then gestures to the seat across from her. McGonagall waves to the windows and they all snap open, flooding the room with bright sunlight shining off the snow outside. As I settle down and pull the chair close, she pulls a basket from behind the desk and sets it on top only for it to suddenly deconstruct itself to reveal a meal.

"We're...eating together?" I ask, still flabbergasted.

"You've been locked in that dorm room for far too long. You needed some sunlight and some company." She tells me and hands me a plate filled with little sandwiches and fruit. Tentatively, I take a bite and hum in appreciation at the warmth.

"It's a little too cold for proper sunlight professor." I don't mention that I often fly up to the astronomy tower, but something in her eyes convinces me she may already have her suspicions.

"Sounds more like an excuse than a reason." She accuses as she pours a cup of what looks like pumpkin juice then sets the cup before me. "It's occurred to me we might as well use you being here to your advantage. You're in your fifth year. A lot will be changing soon. You've taken all your O.W.L.s and done rather well. Have you given any thoughts to what career you'd like to pursue?" This seems so incredibly mundane after everything that's happened that I'm shocked silent. Only for a few moments though.

"A career," I repeat and stare at the food on the plate in front of me. "There's been a little too much going on for me to think about that."

"Then I'm asking you now." She pushes and waits expectantly. "Your future is important and won't wait."

"Who knows if I'll even have a future when I have a crazy uncle out there that may or may not be trying to kill me?" I ask, temper flaring, but McGonagall is nothing but steady.

"An excuse, again." She says and I huff, almost laughing. "Tell me the things you like." She requests a bit gentler this time. I throw my hands in the air and stare out the window as I think.

"Uh, quidditch, I love quidditch. Being an Auror, maybe preventing crazy shit from going on." I grimace slightly at the cuss word, but she doesn't interrupt me. A long past conversation with Lily comes to mind and I rub my lips together with indecision before voicing it. "A teacher. You know, possibly." Her brows raise at that one and I'm sure I see the corners of her lips raise. I stuff my mouth with food before I say something else.

"Well, I've been looking over your marks, including from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, and must say..." She shuffles some papers around before looking back up at me. "you have the capability of doing any of those things and more." Surprise hits me first and that almost smile makes another appearance. "You have excellent marks, nearly all outstanding with the rest being exceeding expectations. I'd suggest Ancient Runes and Arithmancy for your extracurriculars, but you're welcome to choose more. For those careers though, those two are mandatory." I nod slowly, still trying to believe in a future that I can possess. A good one.