ORDER ONLY: Careers Advice

[alt_harry]

So. I thought I'd write two sets of people. But, you know, if anyone else has stuff they want to suggest, they can.

Comments

Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_harry]

It's not really careers advice, because I'm not sure if I'll have a career. I mean, it's not like I'll be working for the Ministry or becoming an Auror or joining up with a Quidditch team or something. You know.

Anyways. I sort of wanted to ask about what you thought it would be good to learn. In order to be able to do what I've got to do. Because we don't know a lot, except for that there is a Horcrux. And that we could all stand to be better at Defence.

And. I got Es in Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, Dark Arts, Herbology, and Potions, and an O in Defence. I thought I'd drop Creatures, unless there was a good reason to keep taking it that I should know about.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_alice]

Thank you for writing, Harry. I'll see what I can sort out here, and if you want to talk further, I can certainly make arrangements to talk with you when you visit Grimmauld.

First of all, I do think Defence and Apparation would be good to brush up on over the summer, and Remus and I have been talking about survival skills that we might have you all work on as well.

You're right in that there are an awful lot of unknowns, and goodness knows what will ultimately prove useful to you. We'll all be learning as much as we can about Horcruxes, which is a good place to start.

In terms of courses, a general set of knowledge will most likely serve you well. And you never know about Creatures -- generally speaking, for instance, having the ability to obtain wand core materials or make alliances with certain types of magical creatures may prove incredibly useful to the Order in coming months and years, and even though you might not be asked to do any of that sort of thing personally, it could still be more valuable skill set than you've given thought to.

But I think the most useful skills you can continue to develop are your leadership skills. Even though Madame Umbridge is no longer a presence at Hogwarts, you can continue in a similar vein to what you and the rest of the ISS developed last year -- you personally showed a great deal of compassion to your fellow students, particularly the half-blooded ones, and regularly stepped into the position of speaking out for their rights. It might be harder to continue to do that sort of thing exactly in a less fraught environment, but I think that the more you can take advantage of shifting tides at Hogwarts, the more support we'll ultimately have.

Taking full advantage of the galleon, for instance, and the regular Defence meetings. Setting up a safe space where people feel they can talk. I know this is all a bit vague for the moment, I'm still working on some specific suggestions, but you're in a real position to make some very positive changes for a lot of students at Hogwarts, and that can certainly continue. I can see how what you've done in regards to halfblooded students at Hogwarts might trickle out to have a meaningful impact on the way the people of the Protectorate think about blood and rank, for instance.

Changing hearts and minds can take a long time. As members of a younger generation, it's going to be so very important for all of you to be at the forefront of those changes whenever you can.

Is there anything you can see yourself doing for the Order or the Institute (other than fighting Voldemort) that you'd particularly enjoy, or want to be a part of?

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_harry]

Like what Sirius does with the Grim Truths. Only at Hogwarts. Sort of.

And yeah, I can see how Creatures might be useful. Maybe. It's not super hard or anything. I could take it instead of Herbology. I'll think more about it.

And I don't know. I mean, you've got a lot going on. More than just rescuing babies and things. I bet we could find something to do over hols. We could talk more about it on Wednesday. I like flying, and I guess I'm okay at it. I know you probably don't need a bigger boat now, but maybe we could go flying for other stuff. Like helping scout out farms. Because we'd be less suspicious if we brought like a picnic or something.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_sirius]

Your dad and I wanted to be Aurors, too. I think that's as good a model as anything for what you'll need, in addition to everything Alice said.

Having a knowledge of Creatures is good but not as important as simply understanding how to treat them, for the most part. Look how handy it was to know how to ride a hippogriff. Or work around dragons. But will you need a N.E.W.T. level? Probably not, especially with Charlie around to give advice.

But as far as leadership ... I agree with Alice but I'm not sure how else to tell you how to work on it. It's something that comes easily to some and never to others. It's more than just standing up and speaking out. It's to do with integrity. People have to believe you can do what you say and that you will do it, too. I tend to think actions are the only currency there that will pay off.

One thing I'll say to you, Harry, is that you could do with indulging your Gryffindor side a little more. You tend to act most decisively when you don't worry about what people will say, or what will happen. I'm not advising you to be rash on purpose, but more that you seem to lock yourself down when you think what might happen if you do make that comment or defend that person. I know you don't want people to think you're using your status - but in this sort of fight, it's your status that is your best defence against retaliation. You could do with asserting yourself more often, not hanging back to wait for others to prod you into doing the right thing. The others will follow, if you act with conviction and commitment, and don't let anyone else push you around.

That's not careers advice but it relates to what you're asking. How to do what you need to do.

Keeping your wand up in between casting, that'll help, too. You drop your elbow, especially if you're working with a partner.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_alice]

Yes, exactly.

For instance, when it comes to integrity and action, even though Madame Umbridge will not be directly interfering with the halfblooded students taking their OWLs next year, they'll still be at risk -- some more than others. Expanding your support and helping to provide tutors and revision sessions with the rising 5ths might be a way to show that.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_harry]

Yeah. I can see that.

And there's some people who aren't staying on at school. I could keep up with them, maybe. Make sure they're okay. Especially the people that had trouble with their foster parents.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black and Alice Longbottom

[alt_harry]

Okay.

I'll work on the arm thing.

And the other thing too.

Mrs Longbottom is right, I think it was sort of easier to do that stuff with Umbridge right there. You know?

Private Message to Mr Snape and Mr Dumbledore

[alt_harry]

Okay.

So I got Es in Creatures, Transfiguration, Charms, Dark Arts, Herbology, and Potions, and an O in Defence. I'm asking Sirius and Mrs Longbottom what they think I should learn, and I thought I should ask you too.

We have to sort out Horcruxes. I mean, that's obvious. And I have to get better at Defence. But it's sort of hard to figure out what would be useful. Anyways. I thought I'd see what you had to say.

Private Message to Mr Snape

[alt_harry]

And.

Some of us have been talking. About what we should do if they recruit us for the Council. Because some of us might be. Like Draco. And Hydra. And maybe even Justin and Pansy and Sally-Anne. And I don't know what he's got in mind for me, I never do, really, but that's a possibility.

And I wanted to know what advice you had about that.

Re: Private Message to Mr Snape

[alt_severus]

Prior to this year, I would have said I would count it unlikely they would recruit children fresh from Hogwarts, or at least not without some external danger; once that lot gained power, the existing Death Eaters would not stand for that power to be watered down, and they were no longer in need of young wands to fight their battles for them. However, He has been hard on His servants of late, and with both Lestrange and Dolohov now at Hogwarts, I can very well imagine He might look to your yearmates to expand the ranks. If nothing else, your cohort is one of the first to have known nothing but the Protectorate's might; He may find that appealing.

Attempting to predict the Dark Lord's whims, however, is a madness-inducing prospect. I would not count upon it.

Likewise, though, I would not rule it out. You are in a position to advise the others; you have seen more of what His service would entail than any of them. It is not for everyone. The life of a double agent is incredibly fraught, over and above the life of a Death Eater to begin with. You would be required to commit murder, to torture, to participate in the blackest of rites, and you would be required to kneel before the Dark Lord in perfect submission and give Him no sign that you find Him abhorrent. The risk is twofold: that you could not do what you would need to do well enough to avoid giving yourself away, and that you would find the role you would need to play had come to consume you until you had forgot it was nothing but a role.

The intelligence we could receive from such a venture would be incredibly valuable. I do not wish to discourage you from following such a path, if you — or any of your cohort — felt you could succeed at such a pretense. But it is not something to approach without full knowledge of what it will entail.

If you, or any of the others, are seriously considering such a pursuit, I strongly recommend that you see me. There are certain memories you ought see first.

You would also, of course, need to overcome the hysterical objections of the rest of the Order about putting yourselves in danger, or about what you would need to do in such a role. Of that, I will say little.

As to your subjects, I would consider Dark Arts, Defence, and Charms absolutely necessary (though Charms with your current professor will undoubtedly fail to cover the necessary elements), and Potions at NEWT-level can impart significant skill in research and co-operative work. Transfiguration, though less helpful in the tasks you will find yourself called to, would be logistically useful; you would have excuse to consult with Albus frequently. Should you wish an additional subject, flip a coin between Creatures and Herbology; I would not consider either vital.

Re: Private Message to Mr Snape

[alt_harry]

Okay.

I'll keep that in mind.

I think Draco's probably the most likely.

I'd rather

If it looks like things are going that way, I'll make sure he talks to you first.

Re: Private Message to Mr Snape

[alt_severus]

Please do. I would not wish to encourage any of you into such action -- but I would not wish to discourage you precipitously, either.

And yes, Mr Malfoy is one of the few I would say could achieve success at such a role.