Lily Potter (Harry Potter's Twin)

Chapter 32

I awoke on the day of my career advice early, feeling anxious. I didn't know what I was going to aim for. I haven't really thought about my future, mostly everyone else's future. I could just think of something simple, like Healing.

After lying in bed for a while, I got up very quietly and moved across to the window, staring out at a truly glorious morning. The sky was a clear, misty, opalescent blue. Directly in front of me was the Forbidden Forest. Something caught my attention at the edge of the forest. I squinted into the sun and saw Hagrid emerging from between the trees. He seemed to be limping. As I watched, Hagrid went to his cabin. I watched for several minutes but Hagrid did not emerge again.

I knew that Hagrid's half brother was in the forest, but I didn't know if anyone else did. When would Hagrid tell us?

I turned away from the window, headed to my trunk, and started to dress.

I was in a great mood today until the dreaded meeting drew nearer and nearer. At half-past 3, I left to go the appointment with Professor McGonagall.

"Hello, Professor," I said as I entered the office.

"Sit down, Potter," said McGonagall tersely. Her hands shook slightly as she shuffled the many pamphlets littering her desk. I heard some else sniff in the corner. I looked around.

Professor Umbidge was sitting there, a clipboard on her knee, a fussy little pie-frill around her neck, and a small, horribly smug smile on her face.

I sat down with my back to Umbridge and did my best to ignore the scratching of her quill on her clipboard.

"Well, Potter, 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 year," said Professor McGonagall. "Have you any ideas about what you would do after you leave Hogwarts?"

"Er," I said.

"Yes?" Professor McGonagall prompted me.

"Well, I think it would be a Healer," I said honestly.

"You need top grades for that, " said Professor McGonagall, extracting a small leaf that carried the cross bone-and-wand emblem of St. Mungo's on its front. "They ask for at least an E at N.E.W.T level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defence Against the Dark Arts. You will have to be in training for 4 years before you will be a real Healer. "

Umbridge gave a very tiny cough, but Professor McGonagall ignored her.

"You'll want to know the classes you ought to take, I suppose?" she went on, talking more loudly than before.

"Yes, " I said.

"I would advise Potions, because Healers frequency need to be brewing up potions for patents. Professor Snape has marked you an 'Exceeds Expectations' but you should now he refused to take students who get anything other than an 'Outstanding' in O.W.L.s. I would also think you should take Transfiguration, I've marked you an 'Outstanding' so I should expect you in my N.E.W.T.s class," McGonagall looked at the pamphlet again. "You have averaged an 'Exceeds Expectations' in Charms, your Herbology work is an 'Acceptable', and so is your mark for Defense Against The Dark Arts, but I am sure that with a competent teacher you would be an 'Outstanding'."

"Okay, and if I take those classes, I could become a Healer? " I asked to double check.

"Yes, Potter, " said Professor McGonagall. "I must ask you, what area are you thinking about working in? "

"I was thinking about working in the Potion and Plant Poisoning, actually," I said.

"Then really work on Herbology and Potions, okay?"