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"How's it going, Padfood? " asked James during a breakfast with a smile on his face,"You go first out of all of us. How do you feel about that? Excited?"
"Yeah, as excited as ever" Sirius replied.
"Have you made plans for the future yet?" Remus asked politely.
"Yes, to get as far away from my bloody family as possible," replied Sirius, and James smiled radiantly at him.
Remus rolled his eyes.
Well, yes, getting away from the Blacks was all Sirius was thinking about. He'd mentioned it a lot over the last few years - but it was during the last Christmas that he'd sworn to himself that if they treated him like that again, he didn't give a damn whether he was of age or not, he'd just run away from home. Remus knew that these were not just empty words thrown to the wind.
"Speak of the devil" , Sirius muttered exasperatedly as Regulus Black headed towards them.
"Sirius," Regulus said in a dignified voice.
"Regulus," Sirius replied in the same tone, and James, Remus and Peter snorted with laughter. Regulus measured them with a cool gaze.
"What is it, Reggie ?" Sirius asked, already normally, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
"I asked you not to call me that!" Regulus furrowed his eyebrows, and Sirius raised his own high.
"And since when do I do what you ask me to do?"
Regulus rolled his eyes.
"Mother asked me to talk to you."
"Couldn't she have written a letter or something?" Sirius asked with a note of irritation in his voice.
"She could. But you don't read letters from her," Regulus replied dryly.
"Oh, right" Sirius sounded as if he suddenly remembered that, "So tell me. What did our dear mommy want?"
"I'd rather talk to you alone," Regulus cast a glance at Remus, James and Peter.
"Well," James spoke up, "If so, you could have approached him in an empty corridor rather than in the Great Hall. You know... This is where everyone can hang out. Blacks with the rest of the commoners."
Regulus didn't seem to understand the irony, and merely growled through his teeth:
"I couldn't, because you go everywhere with him!"
"Jealous?" James bared his teeth, to which Regulus only squinted and looked like he wanted to reply something, but Sirius interrupted him:
"Well, Reggie," He stood up and patted his brother on the shoulder, "Come on then. You can tell me what's the kind of secret knowledge our mother wants to pass on to me."
"Don't call me ‘Reggie’!" Regulus was offended, to which Sirius laughed.
"Oh, don't be so indignant already, Reggie," said James.
"Yes, Reggie" Remus spoke up, "Next time why don't you sit down with us and we'll talk about your mother together?"
"This is a good idea," James said with a smile, "For now we only know one side of the coin. We'd love to talk to you too, Reggie."
"You're idiots" Regulus commented dryly, but Sirius looked amused.
___
"What did your little brother want there?" asked James as they walked together to Professor McGonagall's office to talk about the future.
"Oh," Sirius waved his hand, "Just some nonsense crap that our mother told me to tell McGonagall. You know that I'd be working at the Ministry in some high position, where I'd obviously be spreading the idea of blood purity. Old hag. As soon as I turn seventeen, she'll never see me again."
"Sure," replied James with a smile on his face,"And we'll help you with that."
"Sure," said Peter, who looked stressed from the morning and was quieter than usual, but now when they stood outside the McGonagall office - his face was just green.
"What's going on, Wormy?" Remus asked gently.
"I... don't know what to say," said Peter slumping back in his chair, "I'm not fit for anything !"
"That's not true," Remus replied softly, "McGonagall will surely give you some advice. In my opinion you are talented in transmutation."
"What?" Peter furrowed his brow, "In transmutation I'm the worst."
"You're an animagus, Pete," James said quietly with a smile, "And that's probably the hardest thing to do in transmutation."
"Well, that's just it," Remus smiled, "All it takes is a bit of effort and you really might find that you outperform everyone else in a lot of things."
Peter still didn't look convinced, but he forced a weak smile.
"Mr Black?," McGonagall spoke up, leaning her head out of the study, "May I ask you?"
"Of course," said Sirius with a nonchalantly smile, "Anything for you, Professor."
McGonagall made no comment on the remark and closed the door behind her and Sirius.
___
Sirius entered Professor McGonagall's elegant office and stated in his spirit with undisguised pride that this was probably his first time, while he is here and he has no troubles.
He sat down in the chair opposite McGonagall's desk and waited, trying to look as relaxed as possible, but at the same time his strict upbringing subconsciously made him to be upright and elegant.
'Mr Black," McGonagall began. There was a sternness in her voice, but also a palpable warmth, "As you are well aware, you are facing OWL's in a few months. This is a serious moment, and their results could determine your future."
"Yes, of course, Professor," Sirius' voice was more amused than serious, but McGonagall ignored it.
"Have you thought about what you would like to do after graduation?"
Sirius leaned back in his chair with a slight smile.
"Who knows" He shrugged his shoulders, " Honestly? I have no idea. Maybe travelling? Somewhere far away. As far away from my twisted family as possible."
McGonagall ignored his hooky tone.
"I understand. Of course, travels are expanding, but I know you have other ambitions as well. Perhaps you have more in you than just a desire to escape?"
Sirius was a little taken aback by the serious tone of her voice. He suddenly began to think a little more.
"Hm..." He furrowed his brow, "I don't know. Maybe an auror? I could join the aurors office. I'll make a bit of a fuss there."
McGonagall pondered strenuously on something.
"Auror. Well. You've got very high marks in Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transmutation, and you've also done well in Charms and Potions, yes. But please also remember that being an auror is not an easy path. Full of sacrifices. It requires maturity and seriousness, but if you care about fighting evil, then...."
"Fighting - Sirius said suddenly, as if he had come out of his reverie, "Just that. Fighting."
"Sorry?" Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows high.
"I want to fight, Professor" Sirius said suddenly with determination in his eyes, "I see what Voldemort is doing. In families like.... Such as mine, they support his actions. They brag about them. I don't want to and won't stand by and watch. I don't. I know I have a choice. I will fight."
"That is," McGonagall frowned, "Wait, Mr Black. You mean to tell me that you want to.... fight against You-Know-Who and his followers?"
"Yes, exactly," Sirius replied with seriousness, "And if that means I'm going to be an auror, or whatever.... That's exactly it. I want to fight against dark magic."
"Well, I understand," replied Professor McGonagall after a moment of silence, "Good. However, do you understand that this is not an easy path?"
"Of course," said Sirius, "But it is something I want to do."
"Then thank you, Mr Black for talking to me," McGonagall spoke up, but something like maternal concern sparked in her eyes.
Sirius smiled cheerfully and left the office.
___
Remus slowly entered Professor McGonagall's office, who sat at her desk smiling softly. He sat slightly tense across from the teacher who was just reviewing his academic results.
"Your grades are impressive, I must say" she said suddenly, "You are achieving outstanding marks in almost all subjects, Charms, Transmutation, Defence Against the Dark Arts. You really have many doors open to you. Perhaps there is something in particular you have been thinking about? What career are you attracted to?"
"Professor," Remus smiled pale, "Excuse me, but.... I think we both know that my options are.... quite limited."
He gave her a knowing glance. McGonagall furrowed her brow in surprise.
"Mr Lupin," There was something akin to concern in her voice, "You have immense talent and intelligence. A whole world of possibilities stands before you. I could write you letters of recommendation to many places. The Ministry of Magic needs such capable wizards like you..."
"Professor," Remus grimaced slightly, but decided to sound firm, "No one would hire a werewolf, you know that. And certainly not the Ministry. It's not a matter of talent, or my school performance. It's a question of... of who I am."
Remus felt a wave of bitterness, but didn't let it show - he continued to smile at McGonagall.
"Mr Lupin," McGonagall sighed, "I know you have the challenge of fighting prejudice ahead of you. Prejudices that I hope will one day disappear," she added firmly, "but you can think about yourself now and not let those prejudices limit you."
A moment of silence fell. Remus furrowed his brow and thought hard. Fighting against prejudice. Fighting.
"If there is anything I can do," Remus spoke up, speaking very slowly, "It is to try to fight. Against prejudice. As you say."
"Yes," Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows, "Yes, of course. So maybe..."
"So I can fight," Remus said suddenly excited, "I can show that werewolves are more than just monsters. That they are on the good side.There is a war on.Voldemort and the Death Eaters....what they do is horrible. I can fight them.I want to fight them.If by doing so there's even a small chance that it will change the way people look at people like me.... Then I want to try."
McGonagall frowned. She looked at him with undisguised sadness.
"Mr Lupin," she spoke at last, and the tone of her voice became gentle, "You are very brave. But you know... This is not the only way. You don't have to make such sacrifices."
A silence fell. A silence that, according to Professor McGonagall, was going to change Remus' mind. But Remus already knew he wouldn't change his mind. This is what he can do.This is what he should do. If I want change, I have to be the cause of it, he stated in his mind and felt a sudden surge of pride.
McGonagall sighed heavily.
"Well," She said, "I know I can't force you to change your decision."
Remus nodded and left the study satisfied that he had found his path to focus on now.
---
Peter walked into Professor McGonagall's office with noticeably shaking hands. The teacher looked at him sternly as he sat down opposite her. He began nervously fiddling with the sleeves of his robe.
"Mr Pettigrew," she began, "First of all, I want to tell you, that I believe that every student has potential. Tell me, have you thought about what career path to take after graduating from Hogwarts?"
"I-I don't know, Professor," He whispered quietly, still playing with his sleeve, "I don't know if I'm good at anything."
"Of course you are," Professor McGonagall furrowed her brow and glanced at the stack of parchments lying in front of her, "Herbology. Very good results. You also achieve fairly good marks in Charms and Defence Against the Dark Arts, so...."
"Actually, thanks to Remus," He said quickly before biting his tongue.
McGonagall looked at him sternly.
"It doesn't matter," She said, "Mr Lupin helps you with your studies, it's true, but ultimately you get something out of it for yourself. Let's think... have you thought perhaps about some position in the Ministry?"
"And what did Sirius and Remus say?" Peter asked quickly, knowing that wherever his friends were, he would manage there too, with their help.
McGonagall tightened her lips.
"Does it matter?" She asked, "You must think of yourself and your future."
Peter's face turned a shade of red. He lowered his gaze and a moment of silence fell.
McGonagall sighed and said reluctantly:
"They are considering..." She paused with a look on her face as if she had just swallowed a lemon, "The fight.... With He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his followers."
Peter suddenly looked at her with wide eyes.
"They... - they what?" He said, and his lips parted slightly, "They.... They want to fight? I thought maybe they'd pick something that would put them at easy, calm life..."
"Mr Pettigrew," McGonagall sounded impatient, "You don't have to do what they do. You can choose your own way."
"Maybe... Maybe when the war's over," Peter started, and his voice trembled, "Then I'll find. My own way."
"What do you mean by that?"
"That..." Peter sighed heavily, he looked like he was about to faint, "That.... I will also stand up to fight. Together with my friends."
McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"Mr Pettigrew, you do know that courage isn't just about fighting, don't you? It's also sometimes the ability to step back and survive so you can help others later."
"I know, but," Peter breathed heavily, "If they are going to fight. Then I want to fight along with them."
"Well then," McGonagall muttered as she pushed the parchments away from her, "So be it. Just remember that you still have time to change your mind."
Peter nodded and quickly left the teacher's office.
---
James entered Professor McGonagall's office with a similar conviction to Sirius - it seemed he had never been in this room unless he was in some sort of trouble. He sat relaxed in the chair opposite the teacher and smiled radiantly at her.
"Mr Potter," McGonagall looked at him closely, "I believe you are considering a career in qudditch, am I right?" She asked hopefully.
"Sure !" James replied enthusiastically, "Oh, Professor, that would be a dream! To play for Puddlemore United or the Montrose Magpies! Yes, it's a great future, you could say I can already see it with my eyes."
James looked up at the ceiling somewhere with a smile, as if he could literally see himself flying around on a broomstick in one of Britain's famous qudditch teams.
McGonagall sighed in relief.
"Good then," She said, looking at his academic performance, "Let's see then what you might find useful..."
"But Professor," James interrupted her suddenly, looking at her thoughtfully, "I think you know I can't have my qudditch career with what's going on in the world."
McGonagall looked at him quickly.
"Well, you know," said James with a serious expression on his face, "Voldemort and all that stuff."
"What does that have to do with anything?" McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
"How could I play qudditch in peace if there are such atrocities going on in the world," James suddenly grimaced, "No. Professor. " He sounded suddenly a little too harsh, so he quickly softened his tone of voice, "As long as that... is there and his followers. I can't stand by, collect trophies and watch idly."
"What do you mean?"
"My parents say that there is a need of willing wizards to fight it. And I... I am willing."
"Sorry?"
McGonagall couldn't believe it. Another one.
"Yes," James smiled, "I won't be able to concentrate on playing until after we beat that bastard. It's the right thing to do."
A moment of silence fell. McGonagall leaned her hand on the desk.
"All right then,'' she said, "So the fight. That's your decision, right?"
"Yes, exactly," James replied with a smile, "Then qudditch" he added quickly.
"Then the qudditch," McGonagall repeated, "Fine, thank you."
James nodded and cheerfully left the office.