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Career interviews were never Minerva’s favorite time of year, it seemed no one quite knew what they wanted with their life. Muggleborns simply knew too little about the wizarding world to have any knowledge of what they’d like to do within it, and those with the knowledge rarely had any aspirations that would motivate them through their final years of school. There was really only one student who knew of the wizarding world and had the drive to push through the grueling NEWT classes, but he would have the hardest time of them all.
Minerva would be lying if she said she wasn’t a little curious as to what “The Marauders” as they called themselves wanted to be as they grew up. Of course James Potter and Sirius Black needn’t worry about a high paying job, she did want to know what they thought about their futures. She shouldn’t have been surprised when James said he wanted to be an auror if he wasn’t able to play pro quidditch (she assured him he could).
Sirius mad a joking comment on how he could just be a trophy husband (she was pretty sure she knew exactly who he would be one to) but after some careful prodding and silence Sirius took a breath and admitted with shaking hands that he’d like to do something in social services, due to his own upbringing. Minerva gave him a rare smile, offered a biscuit, and helped him plan out what classes to take.
Peter Pettigrew was less certain of what he wanted, but eventually let up that he would like to pursue a simple, yet still admirable, job in the Ministry of Magic like his own father.
Who Minerva was most excited for was the young Mr. Lupin. Remus would always light up in class whenever he succeeded in difficult magic. He was dedicated to his schooling, pushing through even when he was white as a sheet and in obvious pain, but most importantly, he loved learning. From what minerva gathers from class discussions and her time as a cat (not that she would ever spy on her students, it’s for the good of the school really), Remus Lupin was always in the library, reading, or hosting a study group for his peers. Lily Evans helped him of course, but she knew Remus was the real leader of such a group. Secretly Minerva thought he should be a professor.
All this to say, Minerva McGonagall was completely surprised when Remus Lupin showed up looking quite melancholy indeed. Gone was the gleam usually present in class, gone was the usual student, the elder witch had become used to over the many years. Minerva thought he must be ill, but the full moon was two weeks ago; Remus should be feeling his very best.
“Have a seat Mr. Lupin”, Minerva said, pointing the chair across from her. Remus moved to sit down quietly, he has yet to utter a single sound. “Have you put any thought into your future, your grades are excellent, you shouldn’t have many problems getting qualified.” Remus just shrugged.
“Are you telling me you haven’t put a single thought into your future, I expect this from others but I highly doubt you have gone this long without considering where you want to go”
Remus fidgeted with his hands, wiping his hands on his trousers before finally speaking, “I uh-” his eyes looked teary, “I've looked at some muggle jobs, or I could work on a farm near my home, they’re family friends”, he looked defeated.
Minerva studied the boy curiously, he did not seem to be joking. “I assure you, you are more than capable to work a respectable wizarding job, your grades-”
“Mean nothing” Remus interrupted, his hand shaking.
Minerva furrowed her brow, “I hold the belief that school is important, and I was under the impression that you did too.”
Remus was looking at the floor scratching his arm, “I do” he said, “just not for me”
The professor furrowed her brow
“It doesn't matter how many N.E.W.T’s or O.W.L’s I have when-” he took a deep breath, “when all they’re going to see is my registry number”
Minerva inhaled, she had temporarily forgotten, encased the welcoming bliss and acceptance that Hogwarts had offered, that the world would not be kind to Remus Lupin.
“I'll be better off than most”, Remus said “I can live with Sirius, or James, or my parents. It’s not like I’ll starve”
Minerva placed her head in her hand, “do you mean to tell me that all your education, soon to be seven years of fine wizarding education, is to be boiled down to you not starving?”
“Most would say I shouldn’t have gotten any education”, he was trying to pass it off as a joke but his voice was quite bitter.
“Those people are wrong,” she said firmly. Remus finally met her eyes, “I can assure you, you have not been given this opportunity to throw it away. There are a great many people who would be swayed with a letter of recommendation from me, and a great many more if Dumbledoor were to give you one, which I am certain that he would. So I ask you Mr. Lupin, what would you like to do with your future”
Remus’s eyes widened, but she could tell he was thinking. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind getting a teaching post somewhere. I like my study group well enough”
Minerva smiled, “that is admirable, and I can say that it would quite suit you”. The witch then laid out the classes for Remus to pursue should he take up a post somewhere, and Remus left her office much more cheerful that he entered.