It took Abbi every bit of strength not to insist that 'may' had been the keyword of Flamsteed's words. She knew that her vibrant personality would regain any brownie points she'd loose for her tardiness. She'd admit though, being on time was the more advisable option. The problem was: time had never been her best friend no matter how much she had tried to impose a perfect relationship.

"What if I don't want neither of those - yet?" she began walking towards the lounge as she added the last word. She may have also snickered at Flamsteed's remark, about Pebbles and Boulders, in the process, but it meant no offense.

If only she was able to take the matter more seriously. Perhaps in time she'd become motivated, but now there was absolutely nothing. All she wanted was her gap year, or two or more.At least she was trying. she was here after all, wasn't she? Well then. She plonked herself on the sofa and waited for the talking to begin.

The Innovation Lounge didn't look much different if at all from the last time he and Professor Flamsteed had both been in the room together. Of course there wasn't a charms professor turned toad and back again between them this time around. And no loss of wand and threat of trouble from Bellaire to follow it up either. He certainly expected this gathering with him and his head of house to go far better than previously.

Benny had taken the lead on the way over, the sound of Pebbles the pet rock confirming the man moving along with him to the door. The seventh year stepped inside and debated his next move. To sit or remain standing, at least until Flamsteed did. Finally he opted just to take a seat in one of the chairs so they could talk for however long this lasted. He had noticed the file under the other man's arm and wondered just what was in it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talikins

It took Abbi every bit of strength not to insist that 'may' had been the keyword of Flamsteed's words. She knew that her vibrant personality would regain any brownie points she'd loose for her tardiness. She'd admit though, being on time was the more advisable option. The problem was: time had never been her best friend no matter how much she had tried to impose a perfect relationship.

"What if I don't want neither of those - yet?" she began walking towards the lounge as she added the last word. She may have also snickered at Flamsteed's remark, about Pebbles and Boulders, in the process, but it meant no offense.

If only she was able to take the matter more seriously. Perhaps in time she'd become motivated, but now there was absolutely nothing. All she wanted was her gap year, or two or more.At least she was trying. she was here after all, wasn't she? Well then. She plonked herself on the sofa and waited for the talking to begin.

Shutting the door behind them, the professor opted to sit at the piano rather than the sofa or any of the other chairs. For what reason? Eh, he just felt like it, there was no hidden meaning behind it.

"The standard, I use the term loosely, formula is that upon graduating from Hogwarts one either attends university or finds a job, but there is nothing wrong with taking a gap year...as long as you have a plan of some sort," he nodded, all eyes on the Gryffindor. "What all were you considering, Miss Campbell?"

Anywhere he had connections, perhaps? Be able to hook her up with some opportunities?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

The Innovation Lounge didn't look much different if at all from the last time he and Professor Flamsteed had both been in the room together. Of course there wasn't a charms professor turned toad and back again between them this time around. And no loss of wand and threat of trouble from Bellaire to follow it up either. He certainly expected this gathering with him and his head of house to go far better than previously.

Benny had taken the lead on the way over, the sound of Pebbles the pet rock confirming the man moving along with him to the door. The seventh year stepped inside and debated his next move. To sit or remain standing, at least until Flamsteed did. Finally he opted just to take a seat in one of the chairs so they could talk for however long this lasted. He had noticed the file under the other man's arm and wondered just what was in it.

Strolling into the room with the ceremonious clunking of Pebbles following behind, Airey shut the door behind both of them and gestured towards the sofa. "Please, take a seat if you'd like, Mr. Atreyu," Airey offered with a nod.

Plopping himself on the opposite end of the sofa, setting Pebbles down on a cushion on the floor, Airey set the seventh year's academic record out on the coffee table for them both to look at.

"Well, Mr. Atreyu," he chuckled. "You have a pretty pristine academic record here and I expect you will be receiving an acceptance letter from university soon."

SPOILER!!: Flamsteed

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Strolling into the room with the ceremonious clunking of Pebbles following behind, Airey shut the door behind both of them and gestured towards the sofa. "Please, take a seat if you'd like, Mr. Atreyu," Airey offered with a nod.

Plopping himself on the opposite end of the sofa, setting Pebbles down on a cushion on the floor, Airey set the seventh year's academic record out on the coffee table for them both to look at.

"Well, Mr. Atreyu," he chuckled. "You have a pretty pristine academic record here and I expect you will be receiving an acceptance letter from university soon."

Benny absently watched as Professor Flamsteed set himself down on the couch, the pet rock cushioned on the floor. And then the folder was placed on the table between them and as it was opened, the seventh year became fully aware of its contents, even before the man spoke up on the subject. "Well I have tried my best," he remarked truthfully. Granted it hadn't been the easiest at times, and if he hadn't a best friend that kept him on top of assignments there would have been more stumbles.

Letter from uni...that got a nod from him. "I certainly hope so." Plans for the future weren't set in stone until that time, no matter how confident he might attempt to be.

Larissa looked around the seating area for a few minutes. She really didn't know what she was going to do about her future. She was nerves when she should be excited but after losing her parents nearly a month ago she didn't know if she had a future.

The brunette stood up when the head of house showed up. "Hi." the seventh year gave him a small smile. It looked a bit forced. She couldn't really do a genuine smile these days. "No I wasn't waiting that long. I just showed up a little early." Her mother had always told her that showing up early to any sort of meeting or class was a good sign and a good routine that one should get into when they have a job in the future.

The eighteen year old stood up and walked into the lounge for the meeting. She looked around the room in awe.

SPOILER!!: Bennyyyyyyy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Benny absently watched as Professor Flamsteed set himself down on the couch, the pet rock cushioned on the floor. And then the folder was placed on the table between them and as it was opened, the seventh year became fully aware of its contents, even before the man spoke up on the subject. "Well I have tried my best," he remarked truthfully. Granted it hadn't been the easiest at times, and if he hadn't a best friend that kept him on top of assignments there would have been more stumbles.

Letter from uni...that got a nod from him. "I certainly hope so." Plans for the future weren't set in stone until that time, no matter how confident he might attempt to be.

There was certainly no doubt about that, and it was not just reflected in the seventh year's grade. Of course marks were not the only things indicative of effort, such as Mr. Atreyu's extensive extracurricular activities, but the Gryffindor's certainly helped his case.

"Stellar to hear," he nodded. "So, before we get to looking at the big pictures, anything hinge on your NEWT scores?" For university, that is. Specific programs that required certain marks to attain and all that. Just so the astronomer could try and help in any capacity possible to prepare him, especially considering some of the alternative methodologies this term.

SPOILER!!: Larissa

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinosaursOnASpaceship

Larissa looked around the seating area for a few minutes. She really didn't know what she was going to do about her future. She was nerves when she should be excited but after losing her parents nearly a month ago she didn't know if she had a future.

The brunette stood up when the head of house showed up. "Hi." the seventh year gave him a small smile. It looked a bit forced. She couldn't really do a genuine smile these days. "No I wasn't waiting that long. I just showed up a little early." Her mother had always told her that showing up early to any sort of meeting or class was a good sign and a good routine that one should get into when they have a job in the future.

The eighteen year old stood up and walked into the lounge for the meeting. She looked around the room in awe.

"Well, that is a bit of a relief," he chuckled as he lead the way and shut the door behind them for a bit more privacy. "And quite professional, I may add."

Gesturing towards the sofa, Airey took a seat at one end and set the folder on the table for the time being. "So, Miss Mikos," he began, admittedly more than a little regretful that he did not know the seventh year as well as others. "Have you given your post Hogwarts career any thought?"

Small place to kick start this conversation.

And hopefully that would not open up any floodgates to panic.

The seventeen year old looked around a little more and nodded towards Airey. "Oh? Yes. My mother told...I mean she used to tell me that it's best to be five to ten minutes early to important meetings just in case paperwork needs to be filled out." Being a few minutes early wasn't so bad, it actually calmed her nerves down.

Larissa took a seat on the sofa. She looked at him and listened to what he had to say. "No...not really." She shrugged."I mean I have thought about it a lot all throughout the year but I don't know what I want to do." Larissa sighed. "I was thinking about favorite classes that I've been to this year but I don't have any favorite or least favorite classes." The brunette wondered if anyone else had told the professor that in years past.

"With recent events in my life I really don't know what to do."

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

There was certainly no doubt about that, and it was not just reflected in the seventh year's grade. Of course marks were not the only things indicative of effort, such as Mr. Atreyu's extensive extracurricular activities, but the Gryffindor's certainly helped his case.

"Stellar to hear," he nodded. "So, before we get to looking at the big pictures, anything hinge on your NEWT scores?" For university, that is. Specific programs that required certain marks to attain and all that. Just so the astronomer could try and help in any capacity possible to prepare him, especially considering some of the alternative methodologies this term.

Big picture...NEWT scores.

The latter had been on his mind a lot lately, especially with all the studying he and Adi had been doing. And the one certainly stood in the way of the other if only because his exams marked his complete graduation from Hogwarts. "Um...I haven't noticed anything that threatened it. Well other than the fact I'm pretty sure my Care of Magical Creature's NEWT is really pivotal of course." When one was planning on studying magizoology, it was best to ace the corresponding subject during the younger years of schooling for sure.

"And Thompson had mentioned charms and I've been doing my best to improve there." His OWL had barely made an Acceptable on the grading scale. Hopefully all he could go was up.

SPOILER!!: Larissa!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinosaursOnASpaceship

The seventeen year old looked around a little more and nodded towards Airey. "Oh? Yes. My mother told...I mean she used to tell me that it's best to be five to ten minutes early to important meetings just in case paperwork needs to be filled out." Being a few minutes early wasn't so bad, it actually calmed her nerves down.

Larissa took a seat on the sofa. She looked at him and listened to what he had to say. "No...not really." She shrugged."I mean I have thought about it a lot all throughout the year but I don't know what I want to do." Larissa sighed. "I was thinking about favorite classes that I've been to this year but I don't have any favorite or least favorite classes." The brunette wondered if anyone else had told the professor that in years past.

"With recent events in my life I really don't know what to do."

Airey raised his brows and continued to nod his assent. "A very useful bit of advice indeed. I echo your mother's sentiments." Something that would have served him well during his initial attempts at landing himself internships and part time jobs.

Alright, so they were starting from the ground up, perhaps even basement level, but it was not an issue. Well, it was but was not. Just meant that he needed to exhaust his resources a bit more. "Alright, now I know this may seem a bit irrational for my profession, but let's put academics aside and think elsewhere. What sparks your interest?"


Oh. Oh wait. Had something happened he should be aware of? Standard teenage angst or.....

SPOILER!!: Benny!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Big picture...NEWT scores.

The latter had been on his mind a lot lately, especially with all the studying he and Adi had been doing. And the one certainly stood in the way of the other if only because his exams marked his complete graduation from Hogwarts. "Um...I haven't noticed anything that threatened it. Well other than the fact I'm pretty sure my Care of Magical Creature's NEWT is really pivotal of course." When one was planning on studying magizoology, it was best to ace the corresponding subject during the younger years of schooling for sure.

"And Thompson had mentioned charms and I've been doing my best to improve there." His OWL had barely made an Acceptable on the grading scale. Hopefully all he could go was up.

Nodding along, the astronomer was relieved that most of the pressure was off the seventh year. Not entirely, but the majority, with it riding on a subject that the young man arguably excelled at naturally so unless something as absurd as teenage angst were to distract Mr. Atreyu, he should be fine. "Well, from what I can see your Charms marks have improved, so just a bit more elbow grease and that shouldn't be an issue for you either," the astronomer nodded.

"Which campus is it you applied to, Mr. Atreyu?" he asked, the actual location at the moment slipping his mind. "Has there been any talk of scholarship funds for excellence in creature studies?" If not or unknown, the latter of which very well may be the case, he was more than willing to write to the dean and recommend the young man be considered for one.

Larissa nodded at him. "My mother was an amazing woman." she really was and now her and her father weren't here to help her decide any of this. She felt lost but even when they were trying to help her she didn't get very far.

She wanted to be more help. She really did but she was just hopeless right now. "...I don't know." Larissa sighed. Maybe this was a mistake. She was just not any help to Professor Flamsteed or herself right now. She felt bad. "I've been thinking about a career choice since last year and I haven't been able to figure out what I want to do or what I would like best." She was just hopeless.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Nodding along, the astronomer was relieved that most of the pressure was off the seventh year. Not entirely, but the majority, with it riding on a subject that the young man arguably excelled at naturally so unless something as absurd as teenage angst were to distract Mr. Atreyu, he should be fine. "Well, from what I can see your Charms marks have improved, so just a bit more elbow grease and that shouldn't be an issue for you either," the astronomer nodded.

"Which campus is it you applied to, Mr. Atreyu?" he asked, the actual location at the moment slipping his mind. "Has there been any talk of scholarship funds for excellence in creature studies?" If not or unknown, the latter of which very well may be the case, he was more than willing to write to the dean and recommend the young man be considered for one.

Yes, the only thing that could have made it easier was actually having full Care of Magical Creatures lessons other than the Centaurion Seminar since it left him to do a more independent study to make sure he covered anything else that might be in the exam. But that was unavoidable due to Thompson’s surprising departure and the school’s inability to hire anyone else to fill the subject’s position. It was his turn to nod as Flamsteed mentioned the betterment of his charms grades that he had already managed thus far, the Gryffindor hoping he could manage to continue it well enough.

“Edinburgh,” he remarked, answering the man’s question about campuses. “Adi and I figured out it was the best for both of our degree paths.” Benny couldn’t help but be mildly bashful about that fact and somewhat of a confession given it was evidence of their stronger relationship. More than just two best friends who had decided to share an flat while they went about their university studies.

As for the subject, the Gryffindor had to admit it was a new thought. “No…nothing actually.” Somehow actually getting in had completely overriding anything else. Hopefully that wasn't a bad thing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinosaursOnASpaceship

Larissa nodded at him. "My mother was an amazing woman." she really was and now her and her father weren't here to help her decide any of this. She felt lost but even when they were trying to help her she didn't get very far.

She wanted to be more help. She really did but she was just hopeless right now. "...I don't know." Larissa sighed. Maybe this was a mistake. She was just not any help to Professor Flamsteed or herself right now. She felt bad. "I've been thinking about a career choice since last year and I haven't been able to figure out what I want to do or what I would like best." She was just hopeless.

Was.

Oh.

Excellent tact there, Flamsteed. Way to hit that compliment right on the head. Sweet solstice.

Loosening his tie a bit while retaining a neutral, if not confident, outward appearance, the astronomer decided to alter his plan of attack on the subject. Not that the words he was about to utter next were a serious suggestion, but it was like what often happened when he and Medea went out to dinner. The whole what would you like? Oh anything or I don't know scenario. At least it was to him.

No one was ever REALLY at a complete loss. Especially not when presented options.

"So, if I were to suggest custodial work at the Ministry, that would have some appeal?" he asked. Rhetorical, of course. He hardly believed that Miss Mikos would find any appeal in such a field. "If I may be blunt here, Miss Mikos, but you may be applying too much pressure on finding the right or perhaps even perfect solution. It is perfectly acceptable to look ahead and not be sure about what precisely it is you want to do. Gap years are something that a few of your fellow graduates are looking into so that they can find themselves. Uncertainty does not mean failure, but giving up certainly does." He leaned back a bit in his seat and pursed his lips for a time.

So...about that custodial work? Ha.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holmesian Feline

Yes, the only thing that could have made it easier was actually having full Care of Magical Creatures lessons other than the Centaurion Seminar since it left him to do a more independent study to make sure he covered anything else that might be in the exam. But that was unavoidable due to Thompson’s surprising departure and the school’s inability to hire anyone else to fill the subject’s position. It was his turn to nod as Flamsteed mentioned the betterment of his charms grades that he had already managed thus far, the Gryffindor hoping he could manage to continue it well enough.

“Edinburgh,” he remarked, answering the man’s question about campuses. “Adi and I figured out it was the best for both of our degree paths.” Benny couldn’t help but be mildly bashful about that fact and somewhat of a confession given it was evidence of their stronger relationship. More than just two best friends who had decided to share an flat while they went about their university studies.

As for the subject, the Gryffindor had to admit it was a new thought. “No…nothing actually.” Somehow actually getting in had completely overriding anything else. Hopefully that wasn't a bad thing.

Edinburgh....did he have any associates there that may be able to give him some insight into the Creatures studies based scholarships. Perhaps Kiera would know of something, even if her field was far different than the one Mr. Atreyu would be studying, he assumed. Unicorns hardly breathed fire, so he heard.

"Excellent campus," he nodded. Where he had graduated himself, although he had not opted to go for a shared flat. Could not deal with any sort of distractions while he had to focus on his studies to make up for some of his less than stellar academic years...despite what was reflected in his OWL and NEWT scores. "Well, I suspect once your application is processed and accepted there will be some forms that will come with your acceptance letter. I'll write to a few people and see what the options are. I've heard that the Creatures community can be especially generous."

As she listened to the Astronomy professor she knew that what he was asking was a rhetorical question but she felt the need to answer it anyway. "Goodness, no, never." She felt that she was a little better than that.

Maybe she was stalling from the real truth. She felt like she was. She had come very close to figuring out what she had wanted to do a few months ago honestly she was thinking about it last month up until the news about her parents. Larissa sighed. "I don't want to take a year or two or even three off. I feel like if I do take time off I won't want to go back to school and learn. I do want to go to a university but the loss of my parents has really stalled some of those plans." The brunette shrugged.

"I was thinking about going to one of the campuses for Astronomy a few months ago." she said with a slight frown on her face. She loves Astronomy though sometimes she would really let that show.

She didn't want to talk about this now but the event of losing her parents had changed a lot for her plans of the future.

SPOILER!!: no need to apologize for that <3 BUT THIS WRECKING BALL OF FEELS IS ANOTHER STORY

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinosaursOnASpaceship

As she listened to the Astronomy professor she knew that what he was asking was a rhetorical question but she felt the need to answer it anyway. "Goodness, no, never." She felt that she was a little better than that.

Maybe she was stalling from the real truth. She felt like she was. She had come very close to figuring out what she had wanted to do a few months ago honestly she was thinking about it last month up until the news about her parents. Larissa sighed. "I don't want to take a year or two or even three off. I feel like if I do take time off I won't want to go back to school and learn. I do want to go to a university but the loss of my parents has really stalled some of those plans." The brunette shrugged.

"I was thinking about going to one of the campuses for Astronomy a few months ago." she said with a slight frown on her face. She loves Astronomy though sometimes she would really let that show.

She didn't want to talk about this now but the event of losing her parents had changed a lot for her plans of the future.

See? He knew it. She WAS sure of some things at least.

Puffing his chest out a bit as he got more comfortable where he sat, Airey listened carefully to what the seventh year had to say in hopes of finding another in to help her see that she probably really did have a plan hidden somewhere in her head and heart but was just too nervous to realize it when...

..................................that happened.

Right. Of course. The young woman's reaction was only natural. It wasn't like everyone had the capacity to simply shut that part of themselves down to keep moving forward, especially not for Gryffindors. Part of the man wanted to recoil and hide away due to this sensitive subject matter and what usually followed - tears - but he somehow found the courage within to stand (er...sit) firm.

"I may be the last person at this school you wish to open up to about such things," he began, knowing VERY well what his reputation was when it came to personal affairs. "But as your Head of House, professor, and someone deeply vested in your future I want you to know that I can be someone you can cry in front of or even get angry." He would prefer she DIDN'T because he was squirmy with such things, but his words were sincere. "And if you feel the need to make any sort of modifications and accommodations to your remaining schoolwork, I am sure we can negotiate something with Headmaster Botros."

Unless the steady flow of seventh year stress was what kept her grounded, of course. He always threw himself into his work after such things. The months following Medea's letter had been his most productive ones to date.

"The chance to visit campuses for Astronomy will always be an option for you, even if you need some time now," he nodded. He could personally see to that - within reason that is.

The brunette didn't want to talk about this. She knew it was an important and emotional subject but Larissa knows that the more she talks about the subject of her mother and father the more she wants to cry her eyes out. She nodded to Flamsteed as he spoke.

Larissa listened to him closely. "I really don't want to talk about it in general but I always end up do with some friends of mine here." But that was mostly because they wouldn't take no for answer.

"I've sort of gotten most of my crying and my anger out for now but I know when I go back home to Greece that those feelings will come back up to the surface again but for now I've got it under control." She wanted to keep it under control. She didn't want any modifications at all. "No, no. You don't have to do that. All this studying for NEWTs and school work is helping me keep my mind off of this right now." Larissa gave the professor a small smile.

Everything he was saying was very nice of him and all but the seventh year just wanted to get back to talking about some university campuses right now. "Do you think it's too late for me to apply for university?" She didn't know anything about academics after school. Her parents did and so do her older siblings but she really didn't have these questions running around through her head until now. "If it is too late for me to apply is there a chance that I can do an internship some place. Just to get to know about the field more?"