Divining the Future // Hogwarts Career Day

Meg was bouncing on her heels with excitement - well, she had been up until very recently; now she found herself seated at a table in the Great Hall, more sort of...quivering, with excitement. The Great Hall! She couldn't describe in words how great it felt to be back at Hogwarts, just broad smiles and random exclamations of excitement. Working in Hogsmeade, she was always close, but longing looks out the window were nothing compared to actually being back inside the castle. Meg had a lot of fond memories in this place, even during the bad times. Actually, during pretty much her last time in this exact Hall, it had been a place of grief and loss as the Battle of Hogwarts wrapped up. But being back in it didn't make Meg feel sad; it made her feel proud. Hogwarts rebuilt itself. The sacrifices of her friends weren't made in vain.

Hogwarts was even improving, as if that was possible! Professor McGonagall (it was Headmistress, now, wasn't it? That made Meg smile) had certainly done a whole lot in an incredibly short amount of time. Not that it surprised Meg. The woman was amazing, if a little strict. She supposed it took discipline to accomplish something like this. Hogwarts was having a Career Day - Meg wasn't sure Hogwarts was even allowed visitors back in her time. And here she was now, a full grown adult (by some standards), back in the Great Hall and ready to teach some students about the wonderful world of Hospitality.

Looking around at all of the other careers represented in the Hall, one would think Meg would feel sort of silly, just a bartender and all. But Meg took her job very seriously. In her opinion, hospitality was a cornerstone of the wizarding world. Wizards and witches were ambitious travelers, creative geniuses, and all around busy people. They often didn't have the time or space to take proper care of themselves - and that's where people like Meg came in! She was committed to taking care of the essentials - food, board, friendly conversation - so the wheels of the wizarding world could keep on spinning. Meg loved her job, and she signed right up when McGonagall put the call out for career representatives.

And though she was proud, Meg was also reasonable. She knew she might not attract the most attention today. There were some seriously cool people sitting at the tables around her (including Luna, who's gaze she was busy avoiding). Curse breakers from the bank, dragonologists, and Actual, Real Life, Alec Wayland (gods, he was just as handsome up close as he was on a broom). But Meg was prepared. She had a broad basket sitting on her table, and it was filled with tiny bottles of butterbeer. Sure, there was a snack table up front...but who could resist the tiny, cute bottles? Meg had novelty on her side, if nothing else. Meg smiled politely up at Professor McGonagall as she opened up the Hall to the students, awaiting any curious little ones.

Alec stood behind his table, full of too much energy to sit. The tall beater had his arms crossed over his chest, stance casual and a half cocked grin on his face as the students started to filter into the hall. His ten person table was draped in a Puddlemere blue table cloth, the actual league trophy standing as a shiny centerpiece. There were little Puddlmere freebies littering the table. A basket of squishy stress relievers shaped like golden snitches, complete with wings that fluttered when you squeezed it. There were stacks of team pennants, paperweights shaped like little beaters bats with the team name stamped in the side. It was a nice little layout, if he did say so himself. Sure to draw a crowd.

He was glad to be there, standing in the Great Hall. He didn't necessarily feel the nostalgia that others did, he enjoyed his time at Hogwarts no doubt, would be nowhere without it but his life since then was fulfilling but he liked reaching out to the younger generation. Maybe there was a shy kid in the crowd who'd find his niche in the Quidditch team and bloom, just like he did. The intentions behind his presence at career day were mostly genuine but there was a slight ulterior motive. He was Team Captain and that meant he was responsible for making sure his team had every advantage possible going into each season. To do this he needed to keep tabs on the upcoming talent, figure out who needed to be approached close to graduation about trying out for the reserves. It wasn't just skill he was looking for either but enthusiasm. It didn't matter how good one was at catching a quaffle if they lacked the motivation and passion for the sport.

Alec drew a lot of attention, even before the students were allowed in. He was one of the more popular Quidditch stars so it was only natural, a little awkward but he did his best to put on a polite, charming smile and wave whenever he caught the eye of his fellow career day guests. He thought he caught the blonde at the hospitality table staring or at least trying not to stare once or twice. The beater ran a hand through tousled black hair, smiling as the first students approached.

Lyall looked round at the hall from behind her table, fiddling absently at the locket round her neck. How long had it been since she'd been here? At least 33 years, how they'd flown. Her smile grew as the Headmistress spoke - she'd heard great things about her, and even with only a glance she could tell they were true. One look at the regal, no-nonsense posture told her that Minerva McGonagall meant business. She respected that, always able to recognise authority.

She looked at the other tables, examining the other career options. A wandmaker, a Quidditch player (he was famous, yes?), an auror (but of course - auror was a popular choice, not many seemed to think of the danger) and more. She knew that her table wouldn't be the most popular, not with all of these other options. Still, she was happy to share her experience with anybody who wanted to listen.

Her set up wasn't very impressive compared to some (was that butterbeer at the hospitality table?), but it served the purpose. Some leaflets on different magical creatures, seeing how they were the main part of her job, and lists of possible Ministry jobs. It was mostly going to be advice and answering questions, was that wrong? She sighed slightly, almost laughing at herself. Going back to school had turned her back into the questioning child she had once been. She sipped at her water as the students trickled in, waiting for visitors.

Lyall was talking over some of the finer details of becoming a head of Department when a loud crash reached her ears. She jumped, darting round to see a boy, a boy fixing her with a truly angry look. He wanted to hurt her, she could see that, and it scared her slightly. The look on his face was the most poisonous she had ever seen in her 50 years, and she had seen many.

Excusing herself and giving a convinient leaflet, she walked towards the fuming child, thankful for her flat soled shoes when she had to speed up to catch him. She watched him shove a student out of the way, and as she reached out her hand, her mind flew through the reasons for hatred. The legislation. That was obvious. So was it a relative? Was it him? Was it a vampire? A veela? A werewolf?

After what seemed like an age her hand touched lightly on his sholder, and she spoke in her calmest, most soothing voice. "Are you alright? Come back to my table and we can discuss why you appear to hate me so." She smiled slightly, nodding her head towards her station. Perhaps she could explain herself, explain her department. Explain that she had absolutely nothi g to do with this bloody disgraceful legislation!

Tags: @julia7

Alec's table quickly drew a crowd of enthusiastic students, some seeking legitimate advice and others, starstruck, were seeking autographs. He'd signed everything from crumpled up parchment to an actual bludger in between answering questions. Some were very thoughtful, others seemed to be asking questions just to be noticed. It was amusing and the lazy grin on his face never left. He spoke honestly and openly about anything the students brought up. How much he made, favorite and least favorite part of playing quidditch, if he and the rival teams were really buddies off the pitch. He and Cass were good friends, he and Avery not so much. Most teams didn't take their on pitch rivalries to heart. He'd have a firewhiskey (edited to butterbeer for the younger ears) with any of them and gripe about how blind the ref was or how the wind had been working against them that match.

There was a small kerfluffle, someone shoved someone else and he paused to look past his gaggle of students. Alec set down the paperweight he was fiddling with and was prepared to intervene when another adult got there first and he resumed his little career speech, reaching for the mini beaters bat to keep his hands occupied. The questions were starting to get a bit repetitive now but one girl, part of the kerfuffle, had wandered over and pipped up with one of her own. It was a good question, one that implied the girl at least had a level head on her shoulders. Had she looked a little older he might've investigated a bit to find out her name and add it to his mental persons of interest list. (Aje and he went way back and Quidditch days. He could always ask him.)

"Hmm." he said thoughtfully, scratching at his clean shaven chin. There were a few answers he could give here but he didn't want to be discouraging. "Make Quidditch your job." he finally settled on that, with a nod. "If you think you'd like to head to Hogsmeade for the weekend grab your broom and head out to the pitch instead. Got a little time after homework? Work on you flying technique or Quaffle handling. Be persistent and disciplined. But, and this is very important, as much as you make Quidditch your life, don't slack on your academics. Have a back up plan. Half the castle wants to play professionally after they graduate but there are only a handful of spots."

The beater tossed the small beater bat up into the air and caught it again. "I mean.. Some teams like the Canons'll take anyone who'd play for them but if you have standards." His grin grew as he pictured what Cass' reaction would be like. It was for the fans, really. Those who really bought into team rivalries. "There's only a handful of spots."
__________________________________________________________
Madison Kingsley

Nicole still wasn’t really sure how she had gotten talked into this thing. Mikko’s darn puppy dogs eyes probably. Seriously, the kid needed to find a way to bottle that. He could make a fortune. Not that she minded too much. Any chance to show off her work. Although somehow she got the feeling this was also a chance for Mikko to show her off to his friends. If he could pull himself away from the Quidditch stars so many of the kids were fawning over. Nicole might be cool most of the time, but if Mikko realized Alec Whatever was here, she was pretty sure she would become about as good as chopped liver. (Although who made their team’s initials PU? The jokes pretty much wrote themselves on that one.)

All in all the bunch of adults gathered here seemed pretty standard for this sort of thing. Not that Nicole had ever actually been to a career day. She’d known what she wanted to do from the minute she was old enough to understand what a dragon was. But still. There were healers, reporters, Quidditch players, and even a few more obscure jobs like wandmakers and curse breakers. One of the bartenders from Hogsmeade was also present, complete with Butterbeer samples. Nicole had half a mind to head over there and snag on for herself. Although firewhisky would’ve been better. But whatever. Corrupting young minds and all that.

Nicole herself had brought a bowl from New Zealand with an aboriginal pattern and filled it with coins from all the places she had been. It had required some spellwork to produce that many copies, but now there should be enough that each interested kid could grab one. (She told a young boy in blue robes as much, watching him dig through the bowl for one from China.) There were a few dragon teeth on the table too from various breeds just in case anyone was actually interested in seeing how they compared. She wasn’t here to draw the students in though. Dragonology wasn’t for everyone. The ones truly cut out for it would already know that somewhere in their gut. They would come on their own. Nicole just had to wait for them to show up. And make sure she snagged Mikko at some point, although she hadn’t decided yet if she was going to play the cool older sister or try to embarrass the hell out of him. Maybe a little of both. Served him right.

Alec had just finished answering the girl's question when commotion caught the corner of his eye. The boy causing said earlier kerfluffle had his wand out and pointed it at the Ministry woman. While he was sure an adult could handle themselves against a student he still thought the gentlemanly thing to do would be to head over and offer his services. He looked to the Gryffindor girl who'd asked the question, inclining his head regretfully "If you'll excuse me for a moment, Miss."

Alec shoved his hands inside his pockets and headed over to the scene unfolding. The child had just spit out a nasty comment at the woman and was in the process of lowering his wand. "Hello." he said conversationally, a brow quirking. "Cowards draw their wands on unarmed witches." The Quidditch player lifted his chin, searching the room for Minerva McGonagall , she'd lose her hat if she saw how the student was behaving. Hell hath no fury like the Headmistress scorned. "Everything alright?" Alec asked, looking towards Lyall Santel . He shifted his weight, stance casual and relaxed but shoulders tense. He wasn't much of a fighter but Alec couldn't let disrespect go unchallenged, even if it was from a petulant teenager.

Not many were fond of the Ministry, but the woman was just doing her job and taking time from what was surely a busy schedule for the students. His attention shifted to the kid, tilting his head. "What career are you most interested in? Come on, mate. I'll walk you to the table. Mine's Quidditch, there are some other cool ones too."

________________________
@julia7