Electives

[alt_sally_anne]

It's time to choose electives, or at least we're supposed to choose by the end of the month. I made an appointment yesterday with Professor Slughorn to ask him for advice, because I particularly wanted advice on what would help me get ahead considering my blood status. Professor Slughorn said he'd have to think a bit about careers -- well there's Master Brewer of course but he agrees I'm probably not good enough at Potions to manage that one. But he suggested I try to take Dark Arts, he said a Dark Arts OWL opens a lot of doors even when the job doesn't require Dark Arts. He mentioned a few students who graduated in the last few years who were halfbloods who had the Dark Arts OWL (not the NEWT, that class is harder to get in) and who did well for themselves.

So I've decided I'll sign up for Care of Magical Creatures, because I've been looking forward to that one since I came to Hogwarts. And Ancient Runes, because it sounds interesting. And, I asked Professor Slughorn to recommend me for Dark Arts. I don't know if I'll actually get in or not; it's up to Miss Professor Carrow in the end. I heard a rumour she's said she might do a one-day introductory class and see how well everyone does, but I'm not sure it's true or not.

If I don't get into Dark Arts I'll probably take Arithmancy. Divination doesn't sound all that interesting.

Comments

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Ron, I don't know why you'd want to take Divination, Ancient Runes sounds like a much better class. Also, part of what makes Runes interesting is that they're a way of doing magic without a wand, if you're going to have to keep on with your broken one it's a class you could still get good marks in. If you revised, anyway.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_neville]

WHY in Merlin's name are you CHOSING to take Dark Arts? I mean, it's Miss Professor Carrow!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Because Professor Slughorn thinks it'll help me get a job when I finish school. He said that's true even if the job has nothing to do with Dark Arts.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_neville]

Oh, I--well, I see. I guess.

Still, ugh. Maybe you're right about her not letting you anyway. Fred and George Weasley said that Percy Weasley applied, and she didn't let him in and he had just about the best marks of anyone in Gryffindor. Who knows what she's looking for?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Not Gryffindors, probably.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Oi!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Oi yourself, eejit. I just said CARROW didn't much like Gryffindors, that's a compliment not an insult!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

It's the way you said it, innit?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

He did?

The twins said that?

How did I not even know that! That's excellent!!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Anyway I probably won't even get in.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

I bet you do.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

I'm sure you're trying to be flattering but it is CARROW we are talking about here.

Both the Carrows hate halfbloods and Amycus Carrow hates me extra because I'm too good at his subject. Professor Slughorn might be disappointed if I just assumed I couldn't get in and didn't try, so I'll try, but seriously, she won't let me take it.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

I can't tell if you want to get in or not. Do you? Cause if you do, then I hope you do. But if not, I wouldn't bet she won't let you in, cause she might and then you'd be stuck.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Well, but it's more history and all, isn't it?

But, yeah. It can't be as naff as Divination sounds, but I dunno.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

It's not HISTORY OF MAGIC though, it's a HISTORICAL METHOD OF DOING MAGIC.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Well, yeah.

And if both you and Pansy are taking it, that'd be something. But then you'd have to help me when I turn out to be dead hopeless. You sure you want that?

Still. I dunno about sitting around looking at crystal balls and reading tea leaves and whatall in Divination.

[alt_pansy]

Well, I know I'm taking Care of Magical Creatures, and also Runes. But I'm still deciding between Dark Arts and Arithmancy. I suppose I'll have to make up my mind eventually. Or Professor Carrow will make it for me.

[alt_ron]

Wait. You're taking Runes?

Huh.

[alt_pansy]

Yeah, I figured it might end up being useful.

[alt_ron]

Oi. All this worrying about what we should take so we can get this job or that one, it makes my head hurt.

[alt_pansy]

Yeah, I know, Sally-Anne seems to have it a lot more figured out than I do. For me right now it's more about whether something could maybe open up some possibilities, you know? I don't know if I'll like Runes or not, but I think the possibilities there are more the sort I'd like to find out about.

If it makes you feel better, I have no idea what sort of job I want.

[alt_pansy]

If you could make a living teaching chess or something, you'd be set.

I don't know what I could make a living out of. My talents are pretty useless, really. Maybe I could make some money coming up with creative insults to sell?

[alt_pansy]

I could charge by the word.

"You niffler-sniffing truffle eater!" ...That'll be five sickles please.

[alt_ron]

Heh.

I bet you could get people to buy them.

Oooh. You could make cards that say things like that when you open them. And people'd buy them to send to their boss or their Auntie Ethelburga who smells of moth crystals and always makes them kiss her when she visits.

[alt_pansy]

Ooh. If Sally-Anne made the paper all folded fancy, it'd be really funny, because it would look like a really pretty card, and then you open it up and it calls you a pixie pustule or a nailbiting loon, and it takes you by surprise.

[alt_pansy]

I should make a line of them next year at Valentine's actually. Although for Harry's sake, I wouldn't make them talking ones.

[alt_ron]

Oh, I bet that would make him laugh to get a totally flowery, sparkly, girly one that opens up and says, "Cheers, newt-breath!" or "Piss off, doxy dung!"

Can I put in my order now?

[alt_pansy]

And from what I know about it it's sort of like finding patterns and solving puzzles and drawing symbols and things, and I like all that.

[alt_ron]

Finding patterns and solving puzzles.

So, d'you think it's like chess, then? about strategies? and planning and all? Cause I'm good at that sort of thing. Huh. Maybe I could do that.

[alt_pansy]

You are really good at chess and things, I'd bet you would be. It might even be fun?

[alt_ron]

Yeah. Maybe.

When do we have to say what we're going to take?

[alt_pansy]

You're asking me? I've no idea.

Soon, though.

[alt_percy]

Ancient Runes is interesting. It's my favourite class, I think. And useful, my brother Bill has said (he used it to parlay a career first in banking and then in Wizarding communications).

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

See, Percy saying it's his favourite? That's not exactly making me think I'd love it. You know?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Do you just automatically decide anything he likes must be dreadful?

Which quidditch team does Percy follow?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

The Cannons, of course. But that just proves that sometimes he sees sense, not that his opinion's one anyone ought to follow. I mean, he'd take a subject because it's got loads of homework or because he reckons it'll 'build your character' (wot?), and that's just daft.