Career Advice
O.W.L.s were approaching fast. The Fifth-Year workload increased even further. Liam and his friends spent more and more of their free time in the library, completing assignments and reviewing concepts.
Liam was prepared to be a good sport and invite Vanessa to his Runes study group. Umberto, however, dissuaded him. “She’s lost her passion for the subject,” Umberto told Liam one day after Arithmancy. “She’s focusing on her other classes.”
“I don’t know that I ever had passion for Ancient Runes,” said Liam.
“Not going on to NEWT level?” asked Umberto, teasingly.
“No.”
Thankfully, his young charges knew their way around campus by this point and needed less guidance. He still checked in with them twice a day to make sure they were bathing regularly and keeping up with their homework. Otherwise, his focus was elsewhere.
Even Quidditch took a back seat during this time. Liam could only manage one hour of practice each week. He did speak privately to Marty Remington and relay the comments of the Gryffindors.
“They think you lot are sitting around too much,” said Liam. “They’re not going to go easy on us.”
“Don’t worry, Wren,” said Remington. “We’ll pull it together. Competition will make us sharper.”
Liam nodded and said no more about it, but his doubts remained. The Gryffs are going to flatten us.
In Transfiguration one morning, Professor Meadows handed out Career Interest Forms. The form listed hundreds of careers gathered into categories: Business, Finance, Government, Health, and Law. Liam scanned the list and noted that “Gringott’s Treasure Hunter” was indeed a choice, so he checked it.
Michael and Fortney both checked the box for Aurors. “Neither of us have the grades for it, really,” said Michael, later, “but that’s the dream, right?”
“You checked some other boxes, too, right?” asked Liam.
“Oh yeah,” said Michael. “Business owner. I’ve got to make Grand-mum think I have some ambitions. Now I can say, ‘I’m going to be an entrepreneur.’”
“What kind of business are you going to run?” asked Liam.
Michael just shrugged. “I’ve got time to figure all that out.”
Philip checked several boxes within the Government section, including “International Business Regulations,” his father’s department.
“Is that what you want to do?” asked Liam. “Follow in your old man’s footsteps?”
“Well, if I have a choice, I’d follow my uncle and go into Muggle Relations. This department had grown in prestige during the Shakelbolt administration. It’s now quite prominent and important. I want to make sure people like you have an easy time assimilating into Wizarding Culture.”
Though he didn’t say so, Liam figured Philip had another Muggle-born student on his mind, also: Pauline Langlet.
Gillian wanted to cover sports for the Daily Prophet. “I want to be the beat writer for the Harpies. I can be the ultimate Harpies insider!”
“I bet they don’t hand those jobs out to kids right out of Hogwarts,” said Liam.
“You’re such a downer,” said Gillian.
“That’s exactly what I told her,” said Sadie. “You’ll have to cover the Chudley Cannons for a few years before you get one of the top teams.”
Liam asked Sadie, “What have you got picked out for your future job?”
“I would love a research position like what my father has,” said Sadie. “Comparative Magic. Live amongst a non-human magical group for a time and study how they use magic differently.”
“Sounds cool,” said Liam.
“So long as nothing eats you,” said Gillian with a laugh.
Liam’s conversations with his Slytherin friends went very differently. “Gordon and I will be going into law,” said Umberto. “We’re meeting with a lawyer from a London law firm. Ronald Reuel will be joining us. Those London firms work the young associates to death, but there’s money to be made. Once we make partner, there’ll be money and power.”
“Classic Slytherin traits,” observed Gordon, archly. Liam nodded.
Umberto did not dismiss Liam’s job choice of Treasure Hunter out of hand. “Gringott’s is a solid employer. Everybody needs a banker, and the goblins are always looking for human liaisons. Who are you meeting with?”
Liam had to look on his paper to see. “Some bloke named Bill Weasley. Is he related to the guy who runs the shop?”
“Yes,” said Umberto. “Bill is the eldest of that clan, I believe. Did you hear who Morwena is meeting with?” Liam shook his head. Umberto, with a gleam of triumph in his eyes, said, “Helen Hellgate!”
“Dunno who that is,” said Liam.
“Hellgate was a Seventh Year Slytherin when we were First Years. Morwena had a few clashes with her. Morwena wouldn’t take orders from one of Hellgate’s acolytes. Now, Morwena wants an introduction into Wizard Politics, and Hellgate is a young recruiter and gatekeeper. Should make for an interesting meeting.”
The night of the event, Liam dressed in his cleanest shirt. On the advice of Professor Meadows, and several of the girls in his life, he wore a plain black tie rather than his red Arsenal tie or his black and yellow striped Hufflepuff tie. He and his friends walked up the stairs to the Entrance Hall.
The House Elves had made quick work of the Great Hall. The dishes were all cleared away, and the tables were swept to the sides. In their place were booths for private meetings. There were signs above each booth, some with plain typed words, others with elaborate logos.
Liam searched the signs until he saw the Gringott’s sign. It was a copy of the large sign that hung in front of the bank branch in Diagon Alley. There, sitting in the booth, was a man with longish red hair. When Professor Meadows walked by, he stood and greeted her with a warm, two-handed shake. He was quite tall, Liam noted.
Meadows spotted Liam and motioned him to join them. “Bill, this is my Fifth Year Prefect, Liam Wren. He’s expressed some interest in working for Gringott’s.”
“Hullo, Wren,” said Bill. His handshake was firm and vigorous. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
The two sat down, and Meadows moved on. Bill opened a folder on his desk and perused the contents. “I have a copy of your transcript, here. Your grades are good. Arithmancy and Runes. We like to see that. No fluff classes for you.”
“I’ll be taking Magical Creatures as my Granger,” said Liam.
This made Bill laugh. “Didn’t have O.W.L. condensed classes in my day. You’re lucky. McGonagall brought some great ideas to the school.”
Liam leaned close to Bill and said, “Gringott’s Treasure Hunter – is that a real job?”
“Yes, it is,” said Bill, “though honestly, it doesn’t come up very often. See, we at Gringott’s encourage our customers to keep their treasures in our vault. That way, when someone dies, the heirs can always gain access the vault, assuming they have the proper documentation.
“The trouble is, most wizards don’t trust goblins. They’d rather keep their treasures on the premises and guard them with magical traps. The problem with that is, the owner dies, and the heirs can’t get at the stuff. They can’t defuse the traps. They don’t know how.”
“That’s when they call the Treasure Hunters!” said Liam, eagerly.
“Exactly! But in the meantime, until that circumstance arises, you’ll be a clerk at the bank. A teller.”
Liam’s hopes deflated. “Got it.”
Bill’s eyes twinkled, and he gave Liam a big grin. “Don’t get discouraged. Gringott’s has bank branches in all the major wizarding villages: Godric’s Hollow, Druid’s Grove, Faerydale, and of course, London. Anywhere you want to live, you can get a job at Gringott’s. And remember, wizards don’t trust goblins. They would much rather work with a wizard. A hardworking kid like yourself will have a client base in no time at all. And when their uncle finally does kick the bucket, they will come to you to help them get their treasure.”
While Liam met with Bill Weasley, Umberto, Gordon and Ronald Reuel stood in awe of a young lawyer from a London law firm. He wore a grey pinstripe suit with a cream-coloured handkerchief in the pocket. His dark brown hair was slicked back.
“Slytherins and Ravenclaws, that’s who goes out for law,” said the lawyer. “I was in Slytherin, of course, but there are plenty of people at my firm from Ravenclaw, too. Didn’t associate with anyone from any other House in my day at Hogwarts. Nobody worth knowing in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff. My attitude probably cost me the Prefect title, but I don’t care about that now. If you want to work for Bear Grimm, be ready for twelve-hour days. The money’s good, but there’s no time to spend it. Thank god for time turners, right? When the Partners are feeling generous, they’ll spring for lunch. Plenty of food and drink. Can last for two-three hours, but you still have to get the shit done ….”
Philip, meanwhile, made his way to the Ministry booth. He expected that whomever was working the booth would be someone he knew. It was – his uncle Glyn from Muggle Relations.
“Hullo, Uncle Glyn,” said Philip.
“Hullo, Philip my boy. Having a good term?”
“Yes. It’s going as well as can be expected.”
“Splendid.” Glyn looked through the papers in his file, lingering on Philip’s grade transcript. “Arithmancy scores aren’t bad. Could be better, but you should make the cut based on your other classes. Just don’t flub up the O.W.L.s.”
Philip nodded. His father had said the very same thing to him several times over Christmas Break. “Dad wanted me to take Runes, but it seemed so dry. I’m always so happy to be out by the forest to see the Magical Creatures.”
“Runes is overrated in my opinion,” agreed Glyn. “The goblins care about it, but hardly anyone else does. What department do you fancy applying to?”
“Actually, I’d like to join yours. I want to do my part to make our society more equitable, more accepting and inviting of new members.”
“Fine sentiment, and, it’s the way things are trending these days in government. You’ll do well to keep talking like that. Though, God help us if the Conservatives ever take power again.”
“Can’t imagine that happening,” said Philip. “Even my Slytherin friends are Progressives.”
“Are they, now? Times change, don’t they? Rich said you hang out with the Felwich girl.” By Rich, he meant his brother Richard, Philip’s father.
“Yes, sometimes,” answered Philip. “Morwena is as progressive as they come. She’s very bright and she gives impeccable advice.”
“Felwich’s girl is a Prog? Imagine that!”
At that moment, Morwena was meeting with an old rival, Helen Hellgate. She had not seen Helen in several years. When Morwena was a First Year, Helen tried to assume control over Morwena’s coven through her acolyte, Delia Soulbridge. Morwena spurned Delia’s advances. Helen was furious that Morwena attempted to conceal from the other Slytherins the fact that Pauline was Muggleborn. Robert Kaufmann came to Morwena’s defence, but Morwena had won some prestige by standing up to the older girl.
Morwena doubted that Helen had forgotten about the incident. Whether she had forgiven it was an open question.
For the occasion, Morwena wore a modest, tea length dress, plum coloured, over which she wore a dark grey cardigan. Helen was wearing a business suit – a solid gray skirt with a matching jacket over a cream silk blouse. Morwena smiled demurely and waited for Helen to make the first move.
Helen smiled broadly and greeted Morwena with a hug. “Oh Morwena, you’re looking fabulous! And congrats on your election to Prefect! No surprise, of course. And now you’re wanting to go into law and maybe clerk for a Wizengamot judge at some point?”
“Yes! I’m very interested in getting involved in legislation.”
“Get right into the nitty-gritty. That’s great! There’s a Pre-Law class you can take next year as part of your NEWT studies. And then, once you get to Uni, you’ll need to major either in Law or Poli-Sci. Law if you want to actually write legislation. Poli-Sci – that’s my major – we take the big picture approach. ‘What are we trying to accomplish? How are the polls on this issue?’ That kind of thing.”
Morwena smiled and nodded, but inside, she was squirming. Big picture? I’d rather do the right thing than check polls and watch weathervanes.
“Either way, it’s long hours, especially during big votes like for the budget. Legislative negotiations can go deep into the night. Drafts get written and re-written a dozen times before the final wording is approved. I’m one of the people that goes around counting heads, making sure we have enough votes to pass the bill.
“Sometimes it’s really boring, but you wouldn’t believe the parties we get invited to! These Wizengamot judges, they really know how to put on a spread. Or, more likely, they pay the right people to do it for them. It’s fabulous. And everyone is there. On New Year’s Eve, I met the Malfoys! Draco and Astoria!”
“Oh! That’s amazing!” said Morwena, trying her best to seem genuinely enthusiastic. She had also met the Malfoys. It was a business function hosted by her father, a more intimate gathering than what Helen was describing. She found Draco to be cold. He was mostly interested in speaking to her father and the other men that were present. Astoria was off in a corner, trying to keep Scorpius, then an unruly toddler, in line. Morwena had stepped in and entertained the child for a bit to give his mother a chance to relax and socialize.
It did sound exciting – attending parties and getting close to people of great power. Morwena, though, was far more interested in being in the room as complex legislation worked its way through the system – what Helen had dismissively referred to as “the nitty gritty.”
I hate big parties. I’d much rather sit down and get things done.
Morwena listened to Helen go on and on about the parties she attended and the famous people she had met. The trick was to be wide-eyed and fascinated, and to laugh at all the right spots. Helen had forgiven her, it seemed, and she was willing to encourage Morwena and even vouch for her. Helen’s endorsement was her key into the world of Wizard Politics.
Where I go from there, we’ll just have to see.