Grading, Grading, Grading {Open}

[PROFESSOR MINERVA MCGONAGALL]

Minerva sat at her desk in her classroom. She had a stack of papers ranging from her different classes from first to seventh. Usually she kept up with the paperwork, but in the last day or so she had fallen behind and so she needed to hurry up and get things done. Minerva saw several ghosts had come in to her classroom. She didn't bother them they didn't bother her. It was like an upspoken rule.

Her graying hair was in its normal tight bun. During school hours she kept her look severe, but she never punished her students without due cause. Minerva loved her students. Most tried their best in classes, but one in particular always pleased her. Hermione Granger was a great student and a good role model for the rest, though not everyone followed Hermione's footsteps. And sometimes being a smart student didn't help matters.

The sun was barely reaching the midway point in the sky. Almost noon and almost time for lunch. Minerva was starving, but she could hold off eating for a little while longer. This was her "office hours" and if any student or staff wished to talk to her then this was the time to do so. Movement caught Minerva's eye and she looked up.

[Ginny Weasley]

OWL year. Ginny was so looking forward to it. She was going to study every day and take extra careful notes... At least, that's what she'd told her mother. Actually, Ginny had yet to crack open a book. It wasn't a big deal; she had loads of time to study before the exams. Only, if things kept going this way, she wouldn't study for them at all. Disappointing Mrs. Weasley was not an option, though, so Ginny knew she better start studying when she got the next chance. The problem was that there was always something better to do. From hanging out with friends to visiting Hogsmeade, Ginny's life was pretty packed. Or, at least, she told herself those were more important things and that her free time was already being taken up by them. OWL year crept up on her. Where had the time really gone? It didn't seem like it was so long ago that she'd been worried about a stupid little diary in her first year. Now she was getting ready to take exams that would sort of determine what she could do after leaving Hogwarts. That was still practically three years away with it being only the beginning of her fifth year. It seemed like such a long time from now. She couldn't think of anything happening after Hogwarts. This was it.

The red-haired girl walked the halls, carrying her bag that held the books that she had needed for the day. Fifth year wasn't just OWL year. During the fifth year, students were required to meet with their heads of house to discuss their future career paths. Again, what was there really after Hogwarts? Ginny had no idea. Ideally, she'd want to play Quidditch. The game was the one thing she was really interested in. She should pick an actual career though, right? Fred and George were doing well with their joke shop, but Ginny still thought that their mum wasn't too thrilled about their choice in professions. Ginny, on the other hand, thought it was brilliant. She had gotten her pet pigmy puff from her brothers. Arnold was just fantastic.

Ginny really didn't want to have this conversation, but as she hadn't scheduled one yet, she thought it best to just walk in and either set up a time, or maybe Professor McGonagall was free and she could just talk to her now. The latter was preferred, actually, so Ginny could just get this over with. She took a deep breath and slung her back over her shoulder before walking into the room. It looked as though McGonagall was either expecting her or had heard her out in the hall. “I was wondering if you were busy, Professor. I thought, maybe we could have that... erm... career discussion... if you're not doing anything, I mean.”

ooc: hope it's okay that I jumped in, it said open. If it messes things up let me know and I'll delete it.

[PROFESSOR MINERVA MCGONAGALL]

Minerva had glanced up when she heard footsteps in the hall. A short time later, Ginerva Weasley came into the classroom. The aging professor listened as the girl if she was busy and if they could have the career discussion right there. Glad for a chance to take a break from grading papers Minerva set everything aside and indicated that Ginny sit, "Of course we can discuss it now. Have you thought about what you wanted to do? Anything that interests you?" Ginny was a good student. She did her best in classes, but from the way she was all nervous Minerva got the sense that Ginny had yet to do any serious studying. If she was to have a career outside of Hogwarts she would need to buckle down.

Minerva's graying hair was in its regular tight bun as she looked the girl over and got out the information needed for the various careers available after Hogwarts. Information on Aurors, teachers, Healers, and more were soon laid out in front of Minerva. She sat back and looked at the girl. Minerva had seen many students over the years and most of them were just as nervous as Ginny was feeling now. She pulled out a tin and held it out, "Have a ginger snap." Minerva didn't usually eat these, but she kept some for students when needed and it seemed that it was needed now. Minerva always admired Ginny. The girl may be a bit procrastinating when it came to some things, but she was a good student and Minerva looked out for her.

After the incident in Ginny's first year Minerva kept a closer eye on her to make sure it never happened again. So far Ginny was behaving like a normal person and Minerva's eagle eye was seen less and less, but she never stopped keeping an eye out for the girl. Minerva waited for the girl to respond. This year saw no end to students coming to her to discuss their futures with her. Some still hadn't decided and then there were those who set near impossible tasks for themselves in order to get into their chosen career field. Minerva remembered when Harry said he wanted to be an Auror, but didn't have the grades for it. When Horace took over as Potionsmaster the boy had learned that his grades were good enough for him. It was always refreshing to see students get a happy look on their face when they could try for their chosen careers.

[Ginny Weasley]

If there was one professor in the school that Ginny felt comfortable around, it would have been McGonagall. She supposed it would probably be the same for any Gryffindor. Professor McGonagall was their Head of House. Most of the professors were okay, really, but there was just something different about speaking to your Head of House than to another teacher. Not to mention the fact that anyone could tell that Professor McGonagall was experienced and she was a top notch educator. Then there was the fact that McGonagall, without saying a single word, demanded respect. It was in the way she walked and held herself. Everyone shut up when she had something to say.

The red-haired girl walked to the professor's desk tentatively, watching every step and debating on whether or not to turn around and say something about having something else to do. But she did need to get this conversation over with, and maybe if she could get some advise from her Head of House, Ginny would know better what exams she should study more for. “Well, not really, Professor.” At least Ginny was answering honestly. She really had no idea what she would do after Hogwarts.

Ginny took a ginger snap and sat down on the side of the desk opposite Professor McGonagall. The whole idea of doing anything after Hogwarts was just inconceivable at this point. She was still in her fifth year. There were two whole more years go go. Hogwarts was what Ginny knew. And there was a lot to live up to after Hogwarts. “It's just, there's a lot that could be expected of me. My brothers all have great things going for them and Ron... well, his grades aren't that great but he passed his OWLs and can do that whole auror thing...” Gringotts, dragons, ministry, joke shop, auror... all of the good things were taken. “Really, I just like Quidditch. But mom wouldn't go for that and I should probably have a back up anyway. I just don't know what...”

Ginny's first year had been horrible. The Chamber of Secrets had left her afraid and vulnerable. She'd grown up, of course, and that was (mostly) behind her. She still thought about it from time to time, but there was nothing for it. It was all in the past and Ginny would just have to live with what happened. So far, she was doing a fairly good job. But even though she'd been in so much danger her first year, Hogwarts still felt like one of the safest places to be. It was her second home. She wasn't ready to put Hogwarts behind her.

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[PROFESSOR MINERVA MCGONAGALL]

Minerva set aside what she was doing and gave Ginny her full attention, "Miss. Weasley. I know exactly how parents expect you to have a respectable future. Trust I have gone through the same thing when I was growing up. If you think Quidditch is for you I say follow your heart. Quidditch is a great game and I'm sure that no matter what you do your mother will be proud." Minerva smiled. She went through this all the time with other students. In the end they found where they belonged and had a great career. "I remember when your mother was here in school. She was a great student and is still a great witch. She just wants you to have a good future. I believe you are the favored child for her. I see how much love she gives you."

Minerva let it sink a little before going on. "Miss. Weasley. Not everyone becomes an Auror or a teacher. I happen to be here because it was what I wanted. I started off as a Ministry worker, but as time went on I knew that it was not meant for me. I came here and as soon as I did I knew this is what I wanted. Just explain to your mother what you want. I put my full faith in you and respect your choice. You don't even need a second job. Not if you don't want to." Minerva meant what she was saying. Ginny was a very good student and despite what happened in her first year here she had pushed on and made sure to do well in her studies. And Minerva was right in telling Ginny she didn't HAVE to become an Auror or teacher or anything like that. "Now I have to ask you this. Do you want to play Quidditch professionally? You can do that and make a career out of it. Its more grueling than school Quidditch. As you know full well a professional Quidditch game can go on for days. Do you want to do this?"