*Â ofjustins
 Justin listened to Ernie as he talked. Truth to be told he was happy to be back at Hogwarts, but on the other hand going to Mexico had been such a welcome vacation that he wouldnât have minded it that it lasted a couple of weeks longer either. Being in the muggle world was welcoming because no muggle knew what was going on in the wizarding world. It made Justin worry a lot less than he did when he was at Hogwarts and reading about the attacks on muggleborns and high-profile Ministry employees in the Daily Prophet. That wasnât something that Justin wanted to think about, so heâd much rather let Ernie talk on about his wand malfunction and all the courses he got good grades in. Of course he did, Justin wasnât surprised by that at all. Ernie was smart and he put in a lot of work to get his good marks.  âI failed Potions,â Justin declared with a grin that told Ernie he wasnât particularly sad about it. âThankfully. Now I canât even take it, even if I really didnât want to.â Unlike Ernie he wasnât great at all his classes. He had trouble concentrating for a longer period of time, especially when a huge amount of theory was involved. It made subjects where a lot of spellwork was involved easier, because that was applying theory. Potions, on the other hand, meant you had to pay constant attention. It just wasnât for him. âCongratulations on your outstanding marks! I knew youâd do great, Ernie,â he said, clearly pleased for the other. He did get an Outstanding in Herbology, but that wasnât something he was going to say in that moment: Ernie seemed disappointed that he hadnât. âMy best OWL result was Charms, as it turns out,â he told the other. That was his other Outstanding. His other upcoming NEWT subjects were Exceeds Expectations (with the exception of History) but he failed three or four of his classes too.  Justin followed his friends in the direction of the doors that would lead to the Entrance Hall and in extension the staircase. âI know you do,â he said with a nod. âBut I love the dirt and grime, so youâll have me to accompany you during Herbology.â It may not be spells, but Herbology was working with your hands and trying to figure out plants and apparently that was just what Justin was good at. Plants were much more straight-forward than people. âYou canât drop Runes, Iâm going to take Runes,â he said with a slight shake of his head. âWhat kind of top spot do you want, exactly? Do you have a career plan?â He could imagine that Ernie had one or was working on one right now. The question that followed was one Justin saw coming and he had his answer ready. âApart from Herbology and Charms, Iâm taking DADA, Runes, Transfiguration and History,â he said. He frowned at Ernie when the other specifically asked if he planned to do something in the magical words, but he did appreciate the thought. Everyone else would just assume he would do so whereas Ernie wondered about it. âI donât know yet,â he said truthfully. âBut I also donât know if there will be a place for me in the wizarding world, with the war going on and all that,â he said. âPlanning feels a little useless due to that.â
Ernie was taken aback when he heard Justin failed potions, shooting the boy a frightened look before composing himself, in case his shock would be taken to heart. However, observing Justinâs smile, Ernest wondered if the boy really wasnât bothered at all. It was unimaginable to him; Ernie would certainly beat himself up for years over a failing grade. âI- I guess thatâs lucky, then?â he said, though he wasnât so sure. âI mean, yay, one less class you have to take. Maybe itâs not so bad- potions sucks, and itâs almost as messy as Herbology,â he said sourly.Â
âWow, I knew youâd do well in Charms!â he complimented supportively. âYou are really talented at that kind of thing.â Ernie had seen Justinâs talent first-hand in Dumbledoreâs Army, so there was no surprise that heâd get a good OWL for that subject. The two of them often practiced together, as well, so they knew each otherâs experience level pretty thoroughly. âThat means weâll both be continuing Charms! Fantastic, we can keep studying together. I was already laid out the curriculum for the first quarter on a day-by-day basis. Thatâs what I was doing back there,â he nodded to the Great Hall, âSo I can share that agenda with you if you want. Stick to the schedule and weâll be top-of-the-class,â he shot Justin a large prideful grin.
Hearing that Justin was going to take Runes, his smile faltered, but he shrugged it off. âI guess I wonât drop it then. Iâll just be really busy this year, but thatâs okay.â He chewed his lip for a second, contemplating his answer. Where exactly did he want to end up in the Ministry? He knew that most of the positions were awarded through patronage, experience, and seniority, so it would be a long and uphill hike. Heâd have to start off somewhere in a paper-filing position, but he was determined to climb the ranks. âTo be honest...â he started quietly. Though it wasnât the most prestigious position (meaning he wouldnât admit it to anyone other than Justin), there was one department that had particularly caught his eye. âI was thinking of the International Magical Cooperation department. If I had a seat in the International Confederation of Wizards, I feel like Iâd be living my dream job--and, actually,â he continued, now that he was talking about yet another subject he was passionate in, âI would want to push for Hogwarts to offer International studies classes as well. History of Magic just doesnât cut it, in my opinion.â He looked over at Justin and smiled. âAnd Iâm positive that if I simply out-work everyone else, I can get there in record time.â










