Myron Wagtail (myronwagtail_) wrote, @ 2020-03-31 11:19:00 |
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He was reading over the notice to himself under his breath. They'd just returned from break, and he saw his name on the list. He was grateful he wasn't missing anything from his Defense Against the Dark Arts class, but he would miss a bit from History of Magic. He moved out of the way so the others from his year could get their times, and left the Common Room to grab some breakfast and attend his first class of the day.
Dinner rolled around, and he sought out Kirley and Bill at their spot. "'Ello," he greeted them, taking his seat. A bowl of tomato soup and a plate of cheese toasties materialized in front of him.
"So Myron... what are you going to do when you're out?" asked Bill, before taking a sip from a goblet of pumpkin juice.
"'M not sure, honestly..." Myron replied, ripping off a piece of the sandwich. "I don' wanna desk job or anythin' like that. It just sounds too borin'."
"Isn't your dad an Auror?" Kirley asked next, folding his arms on the table.
"Yeah...," Myron said. "I think he'd want me t' go for that but I don' think that's really quite what I wanna do, myself."
"I wouldn't want a desk job either," said Bill, scrunching his nose. "I've always liked the idea of being a Curse-Breaker, though... it sounds fun. I'd get to travel a bit, get out of the UK for once."
"I hear you there, mate. At least you've got that going for ya," Myron grinned. "I do know I like music... That Tremlett kid in Ravenclaw, Donaghan. He's been showin' me all sorts'a Muggle music."
"Oh, Donaghan? He seems fun," Kirley said. "My mum keeps going on about Quidditch this, Quidditch that. I like Quidditch, but I have a bloody sister she can groom for Pride of Portree."
A hand thumped Kirley in the back of the head and he turned. "Hey!"
His sister, Meaghan, had overheard him in passing. "Don't be a git, Kirley. Mum doesn't need to groom me for anythin'. I've always wanted tae join Pride of Portree and you know it."
"Alright, alright. Geez, easy on your Beating arm," Kirley mumbled. Myron fought the smirk that was trying to show and straightened his face out once Kirley gave him the look.
"Anyway..." he continued, changing the subject. "Kirley, you play the guitar, don't ya? Wouldn' it be wicked if we started a band? You, me, Don... I'm sure we could find others to join. Bill?"
"You think we could pull that off, Wags?" Kirley asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I've got my sights set on that Curse-Breaker position, Myron," Bill said, giving him an apologetic look. "But... if you guys get famous, I'll gladly be your first fanboy."
"That's adorable..." snorted Myron, nudging Bill with his elbow. "An' yeah, Kirley... I think we could. You all tell me I'm good at singin'. But a band ain't a band without instruments. Donaghan can tell us more about the Muggle rock bands."
"Sounds like a plan ta me," Kirley agreed.
The hours passed by and it was now time for Myron to meet with Professor Snape. He knocked on the door to his office when he got in the classroom, and could hear Snape invite him in.
"'Ello, Professor.. I'm here about that appointment?"
Snape set down the book he was reading, marking his place. "Yes, the career advice meeting. Take a seat, I won't keep you here long but standing the whole time is not needed."
"Thank you, Professor," he replied, taking his seat.
"Let's start with your marks. I have them here," Snape said, pushing a piece of paper towards him. Myron read them over. Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms were the highest. Anything with practical applications seemed to be decent, but he knew decent wouldn't be anough if Snape had anything to say about it. History of Magic wasn't his favorite class and definitely not his best, but he did his own independent study during his free time each day to make up for how often he fell asleep in class. Looking back up at Snape, he gave the paper back.
"Now... hear me out," Myron warned. "I don't really want a conventional job, but I'll do it if all else fails."
"All else?" Snape asked, raising his eyebrow.
"I know my dad Kieran would want me to take a stable occupation with the Ministry..." Myron said. In the presence of his mates, he tended to let his natural dialect take over, but since he was with Snape, he was trying to enunciate and talk proper. "But I'm leanin' more towards the arts, if I'm bein' completely honest."
"The arts?"
"Yeah, I was talkin' with some of my mates. I was thinking after we were all out, we could start up a band. I've got a lot of ideas."
"I see," Professor Snape said. "I'm sure you understand, with your marks, why I would be concerned with this decision. When you apply yourself to your work, and don't hold things off to the last minute, you've produced some excellent work."
"Yes, Professor?" he asked. His eyebrows furrowed.
"I do want to see you succeed, Mr. Wagtail, and if that is your ambition, then I support it. However, it would be unwise to not have a secondary plan. Your ambition comes with a great risk."
"I've thought about that too, Professor... I have. And I was thinking. My father would want me to follow him as an Auror, but I can't let go of this other aspiration of mine just because everybody else wants me to do something else."
"Understandable. What was your plan then?"
"I honestly don' fancy the idea of bein' an Auror. But I do know what you mean. Pardon my language, but it'd be shoddy of me to not have a backup plan if being in showbiz doesn't work out," he explained. "So... how about this? I'll work these next couple years to get the marks I need in the classes I need to be an Auror. But my first priority will always be my music."
"Very well," Snape replied. His lips curled into the slightest of a smirk. "Let's go over the marks."
"Of course, Professor," he nodded. Snape flipped the paper over and turned it towards him, using his wand to point out the various details.
"You need at least an "Exceeds Expectations" on five different N.E.W.Ts; Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Herbology, and Charms. As for the arts, there is a school that caters to witches and wizards seeking a career in that field. The Wizarding Academy for Dramatic Arts. I recommend sending them an owl for information."
He visibly cringed at "Potions". He wasn't exactly sure how Snape felt about his performance in that class, especially when he definitely struggled with some things.
Snape tilted his head at him, his eyebrow raising.
"Potions... not my greatest class," he said, chewing on the inside of his lower lip.
"I will have some classes arranged after-hours, for tutoring." Snape assured him. "I warn you, they will be difficult, but they will give you the edge you need to get an acceptable mark on your O.W.Ls. You are in my House, and I expect you to get good marks in my class. It will happen, if I have anything to say about it."
"Erm... thank you, Professor. I'll take any help I can get."
"I will say this, your tendency to be genuine gives you a far better chance at being liked by the public than that Lockhart lout. His overinflated ego hides the fact he doesn't have much actual talent," Snape said as he took a piece of scratch parchment and wrote down the information for WADA before passing it off to Myron.
"It appears that we have this all sorted, then," he said. "You are dismissed, and may return to your classes. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some work to do, myself."
"Ugh, don' remind me of Lockhart," Myron groaned. He only had to suffer one year with Lockhart, but one year felt like a thousand with the bloke always touting himself. "Thank you, Professor Snape," he said, standing and grabbing his bag. "Enjoy the rest of your day."
"Hm. I'll pull you aside after the next class with the details for the extra tutoring. Now go, and you as well."
The meeting went a lot better than he thought it would. He wasn't sure how Snape would react to him declaring his after-school ambition but Snape seemed placated by the fact Myron had a backup plan, so he was glad to at least have his support.
Even though Myron was sure what he wanted to do was music, he also realized there was a chance it could fall through, and the last thing he wanted was to be stuck working at the Leaky Cauldron. Being an Auror was better than nothing, but he was holding out hope. He just had to convince his friends to follow him, he couldn't very well start a band by himself.