Chapter 903 - 363: Career Counseling (Part 2)

Chapter 903: Chapter 363: Career Counseling (Part 2)

"I understand, Professor." Ron replied in a low voice. He remembered what Professor McGonagall had just said, so he looked up and asked, "By the way, Professor, you mentioned a performance test just now?"

"Not performance, Weasley." Professor McGonagall clearly gave a momentary hint of holding back laughter but managed to control it, "It’s a personality and intelligence test. You need to demonstrate good responsiveness under pressure, which is a basic requirement for an Auror — and you also need tenacity and dedication, because an Auror undergoes three years of training, not to mention using defense spells requires extremely proficient skills. This means you need to learn a lot even after leaving school."

Ron felt a bit worried, wondering just how difficult these requirements for an Auror would be.

However, years later, when Ron was facing Auror’s special training, he recalled the level of training Harry arranged for him back then —

Who would let first-year students practice like that!!!

As Ron walked out, Hermione gave him an inquisitive look, patted his shoulder, and then walked into the office.

After a moment, she walked out with her head held high.

"What did Professor McGonagall ask you?" Lavender asked in a low voice.

"Just some routine questions, though I noticed each person’s employment direction differs, so the questions are also different," Hermione whispered comfortingly, "Don’t worry, Lavender, it’s nothing."

When Harry walked in, he saw Professor McGonagall put away a Ministry of Magic recruitment leaflet.

Seeing Harry come in, Professor McGonagall looked up and gave him a warm smile.

Once he was seated, Professor McGonagall posed a question.

"Tell me about your employment plans, Potter."

"I want to be an Auror, Professor." Harry answered.

He expected Professor McGonagall to say a lot, but she merely nodded seriously.

"Good, with your abilities, Potter, not becoming an Auror would truly be a pity; you were born for this career... Well, our career counseling session is over, Potter."

Having said those words, Professor McGonagall cleaned up the items on the desk and put them aside.

Harry: ?

Was that it?

After tidying up, Professor McGonagall noticed Harry was still seated, so she asked, "Why haven’t you left, Potter?"

"Don’t you have anything else to say, Professor?" Harry asked uncertainly.

"Say what?" Professor McGonagall nudged her glasses, "Like with Weasley, and tell you the requirements for being an Auror? Oh, Potter, you clearly meet the various requirements of the Ministry of Magic for Aurors, even more so in some aspects. If the Ministry doesn’t recruit you knowing you want to be an Auror, that’s when I’d have something to say — now, you can call in the next person, Potter."

The expression could be described as impatient, as if Harry was wasting her time by lingering.

But actually — that’s indeed how it was.

Harry took a deep breath.

You make such a good point, I find myself speechless.

All he could do was turn and leave, letting the next person in for career counseling.

"Why were you so quick?" Ron asked curiously when he saw Harry come out.

"Professor McGonagall just asked about my employment direction," Harry said, spreading his hands, "I said I want to be an Auror and she said I meet the Ministry’s Auror recruitment requirements, so she let me go."

Ron was somewhat stunned.

"That’s different from me." He said quietly.

"Yes, if you could best Harry in a duel, I’m sure Professor McGonagall wouldn’t have much to say to you either." Hermione chimed in dryly from the side.

"Also true." Ron accepted Hermione’s dry comment.

A few days later, Hogwarts’ career guidance finally wrapped up.

Most fifth-year students found their employment direction, only a few lost lambs were still unsure what or where to go.

"Actually, I think if you’re not working at the Ministry of Magic, you shouldn’t find a job in the Magic World," Hermione softly said, "Think about it, you might only earn dozens of Galleons a month, and according to the exchange rate, five British Pounds for a Galleon, earning only a few hundred pounds a month, what are you doing it for? Sweeping floors in the Muggle world earns over five hundred pounds a month."

"The logic is indeed sound," Ron replied, using a baguette to scoop the cream mushroom soup, "but exchanging pounds for Golden Galleons is troublesome, Hermione."

"A bit troublesome, but it earns more, Ron." Hermione laughed and said, "Let’s not argue about this, focus on your problem. You need at least five courses with excellent grades to qualify for the advanced class. Otherwise, you won’t be selected by the Aurors."

"Other courses aren’t a problem, just Magic Potion Class." Ron chewed like a hamster, "I really can’t summon much interest in Magic Potion Class, yet Professor McGonagall warned me it’s a necessary subject for aspiring Aurors."

Harry suddenly said, "Ron, is it possible you don’t dislike Magic Potion Class, you just dislike Professor Snape?"

"There’s a possibility, indeed." Ron nodded as if he gained insight, "Think about it, if our Magic Potion teacher were a pretty lady, I’d surely enjoy Magic Potion Class; but if our Magic Potion teacher is Professor Snape, then I’d..."

Saying up to this point, he suddenly went silent.

"Then you?" A greasy voice asked from behind.

"Then I’d definitely like Magic Potion Class, Professor." Ron spun around and said with a forced smile.

He had paused because he suddenly remembered his Word Spirit Constitution.

(Battle Cry: When speaking ill of Professor Snape, randomly summon Professor Snape to appear nearby)

Professor Snape was like his spirit guardian, always appearing at just the right time behind him to ruthlessly penalize his moments of badmouthing.

"Is that so?" Professor Snape smiled mysteriously, "Since you love Magic Potion Class so much, then... Wednesday and Friday evenings, come to the Slytherin House office, I’ll personally tutor you in Magic Potion Class, how does that sound?"

Ron swallowed hard.

Snape glided away, and only when he was out of sight did Ron lament, "Oh dear, Merlin’s beard, why would Professor Snape suddenly think of calling me to his office for personal tutoring? Hasn’t he always disliked Gryffindor?"

"I don’t know either." Hermione frowned, "Perhaps someone mentioned this to Professor Snape? Hence, he sought out Ron for tutoring... Who could that be? Might it be Professor McGonagall?"

"Probably not?" Ron thought, "Harry, do you have any clues?"

When he looked at Harry, he found him with both hands behind his head, engrossed with the view outside the window, while whistling.

"Harry?" Ron asked again.

"Oh?" Harry turned, smiled, and asked, "What’s up? Anything?"

"I was asking..." Ron recited his earlier speculation.

"I don’t think so, Ron." Harry said, "Given Professor Snape’s character, he’d only heed suggestions to personally guide Slytherin students. I think it’s just because you summoned him by speaking ill of him, as a punishment rather than a reward."

"Probably." Ron shrugged.

Hermione glanced at Ron, then suspiciously at Harry.

She felt things weren’t that simple.

Something fishy was going on!