With the prospect of meeting with two young ladies with an array of interests for job consultations, Celeste figured it might be best for them to all meet together in her office. Though for the sake of making the second and fifth year feel comfortable and not brought before a professor like they were in trouble, she had made sure to have cookies for the gathering. Homemade goodies always made things better.

Time all set and Hamish having dropped off the notes alerting Ms. Rowle and Ms. Ackerly to their appointment, the astronomy professor was there waiting patiently for both girls to arrive at the scheduled time. The older woman sat in a chair reading a book while her familiar rested on his perch over her shoulder.

Aurora admitted that she was a little confused by who had been chosen as her career mentor considering that she was absolutely useless at Astronomy and had no intention of ever being an Astronomer in the future. About the only thing that was space like in her life was the fact that her middle name was Celeste and her bestie nicknamed her after the northern lights. To be honest the second year had no idea at all what she wanted to do nor was she really thinking about it but she had a major fear of being left out when it came to activities in Hogwarts and she truly wanted to be involved in everything whether it was appropriate to her or not.

She had signed up for Mermish classes with the idea that they would be singing pretty songs and swimming about underwater only to be extremely disappointed in the revelation that real Mermaids were nothing like the fairytale characters she had seen in the movies and were actually quite scary up close. She had considered signing up for the school choir only she wasn’t exactly the most talented of singers and her repertoire was a little limited. She thought about debate club but the problem was she was quite agreeable and certainly gullible and would be terrible at arguing despite often being the loudest one in the room.

The second year arrived at the Astronomy tower perfectly on time thankful that the walk from the Ravenclaw Common Room wasn’t too far for her little legs. She knocked on the door to the office and politely awaited a response before heading in. She had been taught manners after all, even if she was often found speaking a hundred miles per hour and interrupting (although with no malicious intention) others conversations. She wasn’t familiar with the other girl she had been chosen to partner with so didn’t know who exactly to look out for. It was true however that the poor other girl did not know what she had been signed up for when it came to Aurora.

Meredith had never visited a professor's office in her five years at Hogwarts. As she walked down the seventh-floor corridor, she felt strange, as if she were being summoned to Professor Gert's office for misbehavior. Of course, this was not the case, and she would only be meeting her together with another girl for a career consultation.

When she looked up from checking her watch, Meredith noticed a young girl walking around the corner in the same direction she was. She wondered if this was Aurora. As she rounded the corner a moment later and saw that she was a younger student, the Gryffindor grew confused as to why she had been paired with a twelve or thirteen-year-old rather than someone her own age... Did the professors think that low of her? She was aware that she wasn't the best student, but come on T_T

"Hiya. Are you Aurora?" she asked as she approached the girl with a wave of her hand and watched her knock on the door.

Professor Gert looked up as a hoot escaped Hamish, the owl almost seeming to have sensed they had company as the sound was soon followed by a knock on the office door. Setting aside her book and glasses, the woman got up and strode across to open it, smiling as she noticed not one but both of her students she was meeting with had arrived. So punctual and perfect with no one needing to awkwardly wait for the other. She knew the mix of ages and houses might prove interesting, at least the former, but the astronomy professor wasn’t too concerned.

“Guid afternoon, Ms Rowle, Ms Ackerly,” she greeted, stepping back and pulling the door open with her. “Do come in and have a seat,” she instructed, motioning to the more casual seating area with the cookies that she had vacated rather than spots around her desk. Nothing to be worried about you see.

Meredith had been waiting with her hands in her robe pockets and when the door to the office opened, she turned her gaze from Aurora to the Professor. "Hi Professor," she said as she waited for the woman to take a step back and let them into the office.

The Gryffindor wasn't sure what to expect, but she hadn't expected the office to be so...normal. At least for an Astronomy Professor's office. The girl was briefly distracted by the devices on the shelves and the owl, so she did not walk over to the casual seating area. That was until she spotted the cookies... "Can i have one, Professor?" she asked as she gestured towards the plate.

OH HI NEW FRIEND!

Aurora was relieved that when she signed up for this whole job consultation thing she had specified that she wanted to be with another student. Although she would’ve preferred to have been with one of her close friends, the Ravenclaw had a talent for talking to absolutely anyone whether they wanted her to or not. Meredith got a huge grin and a nod in response to her question before the door to the office was promptly opened and they were invited in.

“Good afternoon Professor Gert” she smiled sweetly and politely following Meredith in with a bit of a bounce in her step. Was she supposed to be nervous? Aurora wasn’t sure she was even capable of that feeling right now, perhaps because she didn’t really know the point in a job consultation and therefore was just taking this as a friendly chat between a lovely Professor and a new friend.

Oooooh cookies!

Her eyes lit up as she spotted the sweet treat near the seating area.

Celeste could tell easily that there was a mix of energies from the two girls, a bit of nerves and excitement radiating from each of them. And she had to imagine that there might be a touch of awkwardness given their difference in ages. “O’ course,’ she remarked with a nod. “That is what they are thir for,” she assured both of them. The cookies were free to consume. As for taking a seat, the astronomy professor returned to the chair she had previously vacated, awaiting both girls joining her in the sitting area.

“Noo I know ye probably weren’t expecting to be paired off with me given Astronomy wasn’t listed as a career choice for either of ye.” Not that she was concerned or hurt about that, it wasn’t a subject for everyone. “But I assure ye I can certainly help with any questions or thoughts on the matter. And I do have connections in various fields…ma eldest son is a dragonologist…” she mused looking to Aurora first who had listed enjoying care of magical creatures. “And ma husband and other son are both accomplished potions masters should ye lean towards that choice,” she continued, looking to Meredith who proclaimed potions a favorite.

“To begin…why don’t each of ye tell me about interests outside of the school subjects.” She remembered Ms Rowle mentioning something about journalism, but it could help for either of them to round out what they enjoyed or did well in. There were far more things that what Hogwarts taught. Or for Ms. Ackerly, what she was subjected to for her first two years before electives were allowed.

If Aurora was going to be completely honest with Professor Gert, she had no idea what it was she wanted to do in the future nor had she really given it any consideration other than that it had to be something she absolutely loved. The twelve year old was one of those constantly happy-go-lucky types who would potentially throw herself into anything whether she was good at it or not. She was also pleased that they weren’t going to be forced into taking Astronomy as the subject did confuse the blonde to no end and she was sure that she’d make a terrible Astronomer. Stars were pretty but that was the extent of her knowledge about them.

Dragons were also cool but being so petite and lacking the commanding attitude that a dragonologist required to be safe around the magnificent creatures, she was sure that they weren’t part of her future either. As for her interests outside of school, they were plentiful thanks to her Ma’s insistence on the Ackerly’s involving themselves in the Muggle community as much as possible. “I’m really good at ice skating!” she beamed. Being a professional ice skater hadn’t been a consideration despite her Ma’s love of sports. “I also love horses and one of my friends Evy let’s me ride hers when we are home from Hogwarts.” Other than that Aurora was your typical twelve year old girl with a love for animals and everything PINK!

Meredith walked over to the seating area, her gaze drawn away from the family photos on the shelves. She felt a bit jealous after looking at the photos. His family never wanted to take a photo together before she got sent to Stemp House. She took a cookie and ate it quietly as Aurora spoke. So she enjoyed ice skating and horse riding? She was curious as to what the Professor could do with such information. She was only twelve though, and she still had a long way to go before she could even do her OWLS.

The Gryffindor was about to reach for a third cookie when Aurora stopped talking. She shrugged as she leaned back without a cookie because it would be rude to talk with food in her mouth. "I enjoy taking pictures and developing them in the potions lab to make them move, I guess." What else did she enjoy? "I like exploring places that few people visit..." she said. "Uh...in the muggle world" She wasn't looking for ways to sneak out of the castle so she could explore...

The astronomy professor listened intently as first one girl and then the other answered her question, the woman absently snagging a pad she had stashed under book to scribble on with the quill lying beside it. Her memory wasn’t always how it used to be and she wanted to have the details for further reference. As well as keep the information straight between the two students. Ice skating and horses for the young Ravenclaw…pictures and traveling and exploring for the older Gryffindor.

“All wonderful interests,” Celeste remarked as she mulled over where to begin. “Ms. Rowle, ye had mentioned the photography in yer survey and perhaps parlaying it into working with Daily Prophet which is definitely an admirable path.” And the woman wasn’t about to put down the paper even if it had some questioning times. “But I add t’ that perhaps working with TerrorTours or the like both in the wizarding an muggle world. That way ye cuid travel an explore new places and take photos for publicity as ye go. Along the way maybe ye cuid also put yer love of potions and charms into research as ye travel. Maybe find a way to improve techniques.” Basically, there were ways to put even the smallest interests and strengthens into a career.

And now her creature lover.

“Well both interests cuid be made into a future career,” she remarked truthfully as she worked to get her thoughts in order. Though Celeste herself wasn’t to up on careers in professional sports, especially those more suited for the muggle world. “However, I’m thinking perhaps you might be interested in Care of Magical Creatures. There are a guid number of types of winged horses and there is always need for people to take care of them or perhaps breed them. “Of course, in Ms. Ackerly’s case there was plenty of time for other interests to develop or wean. “Just something to think on.”

Aurora was actively trying to listen in to the advice that Professor Gert was giving until she remembered the existence of the cookies and suddenly her brain was full of sugar cravings and the idea that if she could go to the kitchens and find some ice cream she could make a delicious cookie sandwich. Whilst she was talking to Meredith it wasn’t a problem as her career path sounded as if it was going to be completely different to hers but as the conversation shifted back to the Ravenclaw, she had to think really hard about what had been said.

“I don’t think I’m good enough to be a professional ice skater yet” she pouted. Whilst she was still living at home with her parents it was quite easy to go to the rink for practice after school. At Hogwarts they weren’t allowed to leave and sadly it had been a couple of months since Aurora had touched blade on ice. Working with creatures did sound like a viable option however. “Are there Winged Horse Jockeys?” she asked. At a very petite 4’5 (and a half) she certainly was short enough to be considered for that type of profession. Whether she was fast and confident enough was another matter. “Or maybe I could be a Creature Healer? Will I have to get really good grades in everything? What subjects should I take?” SO MANY QUESTIONS!