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Family
Author: Capri Brycin
Date: 02-06-16 15:55
Capri had been on her own with Zoe Jane for about a month now and things were going well. She missed Mark and the companionship that he offered; however, she did not miss the drama and fighting that always happened.
Zoe Jane was getting big and her benefactor was helping her out a great deal. She was able to keep her flat – the one that she and Mark got together when things were happier between them. However, the more she looked back at it they were never happy. He was always sort of distant with her like he was still in love with Kate. Then it hit her, that was it, he was still in love with Kate. She sighed deeply and looked to her nursing baby. She shook her head and whispered to something to Zoe Jane.
When she was done feeding the baby she took Zoe Jane in her carrier and went to her parent's house. She was going to visit with them for a bit and see if they would be willing to watch Zoe Jane while she worked. She hoped they would.
She arrived at her family home and saw that her brother was there; this made her smile. She and Amyas had always been close and she loved spending time with him. He also liked his niece.
"Hi!" She said as she knocked and then walked into the house.
"Hello!" Amyas greeted her and then gave her a hug.
Capri hugged her brother back as she set the baby's carrier down. She wrapped both arms around her brother and held him for a long time before letting go. "It is good to see you."
"You too. How is the baby doing?" He asked as he looked down at the infant carrier. He smiled and he leaned down and unbuckled the baby and pulled her out of her carrier. He began talking to her and cooing to the baby.
"I am going to go talk to Mum and Dad while you play with Zoe Jane." She said, Amyas nodded his head and smiled down at his niece.
Bookselling
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 02-07-16 08:35
As they had done for many years now, Lysander and Julian promoted their bookshoppe at Career Day. They talked about what it was like owning their own business, how they acquired the books they sold, and how they decided on prices. Owning a used bookstore was a bit different from a bookstore that sold only new books which usually came through a specific vendor or the publishers themselves. Used books came from a variety of sources, including the auctions that Lysander loved attending.
Lysander recognized some of the older students who stopped by the table, either from previous Career Days or Hogsmeade visits. He didn't know most of the younger students, except those who lived in the village. The one first year student he knew the best was Grace.
"Is it strange, being here with Grace a student?" Lysander asked Julian during a lull between visitors.
"A little," Julian replied, "but then it's been strange not having her at home all term long. Just wait till Charlotte starts at Hogwarts."
"There's still a little while yet for that," Lysander mused, "though if she had her way, she'd have gone with Grace."
Julian chuckled. "I don't doubt it."
Charlotte was at home on babysitting duty. In actuality, Caerwyn was watching all the children, but Charlotte believed she was in charge of the twins and Dylan. She seemed pleased with the responsibility, and it distracted her from being the only one (besides Caerwyn) not at Hogwarts today.
A group of girls came up to the table. "Do you ever have summer jobs?" asked one as she fluttered her eyelashes at the two older men.
Lysander deferred to Julian, who answered the question and handed each girl coupons for the bookshoppe. The girl who'd asked the question deliberately rubbed her thumb across Julian's palm as she accepted the coupon.
After a bit longer at the table, the girls finally ran out of reasons to linger and moved on to flirt with someone else.
"Did she slip you a love note too?" Lysander teased.
Julian grinned, showing his dimples. "I've got two words for you, Lysander: Harriet Snider."
Lysander choked on the tea he'd just sipped and laughed loudly. Years ago the former Hogwarts Headmistress had flirted with him at a Career Day, and then she'd roped him into working on a long-term project in the library.
Julian laughed too but stopped abruptly when Grace came over with her friends Rand and Oliver. Lysander took another sip of his tea and then joined in on the conversation.
Emerson Squared
Author: Kody
Date: 02-07-16 11:07
Christopher Emerson sips from a freshly refilled cup of tea with a drop of honey. He has been coming to the Hogwarts Career Day since the event was first held.
Emerson Squared is his business baby and as such he's always happy to talk about it. The only drawback with Career Day is that not many students are all that enthusiastic about financial analysis and economics. Their eyes tend to glaze over fairly rapidly.
A girl who is probably a fourth or fifth year approaches. "What's Emerson Squared?"
"A firm that offers advice on finance and economics."
"What does that mean?"
"Let's say you have a big pile of galleons and want to turn that big pile into an even bigger pile. I, or someone else with Emerson Squared, would discuss your best options for doing just that."
"Is the work hard?"
"It can be quite the challenge. I have to stay current on the financial markets and the economy around the globe. Then have to take the information and figure out from it what to tell each client to help them best meet their needs."
"There aren't any classes for that stuff here. Did you go to a school that had some?"
"I went here. My interest started when I was fifteen and my father insisted I hold a summer job to better understand the true value of money. The job was in a Ministry of Magic department where economics and finance played a big role. My interest was sparked and been growing ever since."
"Still?"
"Oh yes. I love what I do. I love how intricate economics is and the challenge of financial analysis."
"Did you have to study a lot?"
"I did and still do. When I started out there weren't classes I could take unless I went to a Muggle school, which I did, but I also interned and had an apprenticeship. Now, someone wanting to go into economics or finance or both as they are closely related and intertwined in many ways can take course through St. Emrys and gain a degree. Interning and apprenticeships are also available. In fact, Emerson Squared offers a number of student intern positions."
The girl shows just enough interest that Christopher gives her a few handouts of information, including one with an application for an intern position. She meanders off to another booth, leaving him alone for a few minutes to finish his cuppa while snacking on a handheld meat pie.
Architecture, WWN, and Sports Journalism
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 02-07-16 12:12
Wotan handed over an architectural model kit of Humbatas Stadium to a boy who had spent a long time asking questions about designing and constructing buildings. The boy's eyes lit up and he gushed, "Oh, thank you, Sir! I love Quidditch!"
Wotan smiled and said, "You're welcome. Thanks for asking some great questions."
The boy wandered off with a huge grin on his face and met up with his group of friends, to whom he showed off the box. He couldn't wait to work on the kit and was even considering leaving the Great Hall for his common room. His friends convinced him to check out one more booth, though, which just so happened to be the one Bronwyn manned.
"Do you know all the members of the Weird Sisters?" asked another boy.
Bronwyn shook her head. "I've seen them in concert plenty of times and have interviewed them too, but I wouldn't say I actually know them."
"But you've met them!"
"Yes, and other musicians as well."
"That is SO wicked."
"Does everyone who works for the WWN meet celebrities?"
"I think chances are good you'd meet somebody, but it really depends on what your specialty is. For example, if you're an advice announcer like I currently am, then you're not likely to interview anybody famous. On the other hand, if you are in the business of rock and roll, then you would talk to bands from time to time, or if you are the sport announcer, then you might interview professional Quidditch players."
"Cool!"
"Have you visited my brother's table yet?" Bronwyn asked, pointing a few tables down where Siegfried talked about sports journalism. "He writes and photographs for Quidditch Illustrated and gets to attend matches all around the world. He's interviewed a lot of professional players and coaches."
"Cool!" "Wicked!" "Awesome!" exclaimed the boys.
The wandered over to Siegfried, whose table had various copies of the magazine for which he worked on display, including a whole stack of the latest edition, which he was giving away for free.
He had some of his own photographs and articles also on display, in case anyone was specifically interested in his own work. As they'd done Bronwyn before him, the boys only wanted to know about his celebrity encounters. Siegfried did his best to satisfy their curiosities and then suggested they visit the Quidditch table, where their own coach stood as presenter, along with another pro player.
Blossom's
Author: Blossom
Date: 02-07-16 19:34
"Did you have to do loads of training up?" the seventh year inquires.
Blossom smiles. "Well, ideally, yes, but I approached things somewhat backwards."
Feeling a cough coming on she holds up a finger to indicate she needs a moment then takes a drink of the soothing warm tea. Growing up in the USA, Blossom only sometimes drank hot tea. She drank iced tea far more often. Since coming to Great Britian she has being more and more fond of it served hot and has enjoyed trying the vast variety of flavors available to the point she's a regular at places like Botanicals & Beyond and Rosa Lee Teabag.
When she speaks again she explains, "I did some research on running a day care. I spoke with others and did observations then opened the day care in Hogsmeade. Then I started the real learning, including taking a program at a Muggle college. I've since taken some courses at St. Emrys as well and I've done a massive amount of reading on my own."
"Sounds like a lot of work."
"It was and it is but I found it to be interesting and very rewarding."
"What about the primary school?"
"I felt there is a need. Did more research. Talked to a long list of people. When I decided to go forward with it, I then sat down with a number of education professionals to determine what exactly would be needed and began getting backers."
"Lots more work."
"Yes, but it's paid off."
The seventh year asks a number of other questions, including how the idea for the gaming center came about. After wrapping up the conversation with Blossom she walks over to the other Blossom's booth where Daria is chatting with a small group of boys about having a job that involves games such as wizarding laser tag and wizarding paint ball.
The boys have asked many of the same questions Daria has fielded all day. For example, "Do you get to play all the games?" "For free?" "Are you good at all of them?" "Is it fun to be paid to play games?"
There are a few other standards and variations of all of them. As yet another student asks, "You get paid to play games?" Daria explains, "I do but there's a reason. I have to make sure the different games are working properly. All the wands for each game that uses them have to be regularly checked and tested. I also should be familiar with each game so that if someone has a problem or has questions, I can better help."
Daria had never thought she'd love working at a gaming center as any sort of career but the longer she's worked for her sister Blossom and the more she gets to express her creativity by helping think of and design new games or tweak existing ones, the happier she's become.
Adding to her happiness is a new ring that sparkles on Daria's finger. Kody not only finally officially popped the question but they have narrowed down a wedding date to three possible days ranging from this coming fall to spring of next year.
When the same seventh year approaches with a slew of questions, Daria easily rattles off answers. Though she says much the same thing she's always said when coming to Career Day, she does not sound rehearsed in the slightest and her excitement and enthusiasm shines through.
The MacFusty's Pets Booth
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 02-08-16 19:03
Coco had taken a quick break to grab some food, doing her best to keep one eye on the MacFusty's Pets booth. Indigo and she have been working Career Day together but he had to rush off to check on what might have been a veterinary emergency. Back at the table, she has just taken a bite of a mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil sandwich when a boy who looks to be more of a first or second year approaches.
"I know you. Last year, just before Easter, you helped my cat."
Coco thinks a moment then nods. "Shadow, right?"
"Yeah," then in an effort to show he has manners he says, "I mean, yes, miss. How'd you remember?"
"Not sure. I just do. How is Shadow?"
"Good. Brought him to Hogwarts with me. He was sleeping on my bed when I left my room to come down here."
Coco hands the boy a coupon. "It's not all that long before Shadow is due for a check-up. Give this to your mum or dad to use when he's brought in."
"Thanks!" He carefully pockets the slip as he asks, "Is healing animals hard?"
"It can be. One of the most difficult things is that a people healer only has to learn what's different between males and females while a veterinary healer has to learn about all sorts of different animals plus any differences there might be between the males and the females."
"Huh. Never thought about that. Some healers have, what do you call them, specials."
"Specialties."
"Yeah, that's the word. Specialties. Can't a vet healer do that?"
"Yes, and some do, for example, there are some who mainly work with dragons and others who mainly work with what people think of as exotic animals, like elephants and tigers; but, whether treating people or animals, a healer still has to learn basics. A veterinary healer will still take courses on treating any number of kinds of animals."
"Does it take a long time?"
"A minimum of three to five years, depending on the programme, and, again, depending on the programme, more if specializing. In addition to the classwork there is also a lot of time doing what's called clinical work."
"Is it worth it?"
"I think so but some might not. If they don't, then veterinary healing isn't for them."
The first year asks a few more questions before leaving with a promise to bring Shadow by to see Coco before Career Day ends. Coco returns to her food, interrupted several more times before finishing. She's just taken the last bite of the sandwich when Indigo returns saying, "Everything's fine. It was a splinter so no real emergency beyond Mr. Jameson having a panic attack over something being off with Fluffers."
"That's good, though not so much for Mr. Jameson. He's all right?"
"Fine now that the splinter is out and he's been reassured that Fluffers is not going to need some intricately difficult healing magic."
As Coco knows Mr. Jameson well, she can easily imagine the man's stricken panic when he noticed Fluffers limping. As more students have come up to the booth, neither says anything more about Mr. Jameson's tendency toward histrionics. They greet the students with smiles and answer a number of the same questions they've come to expect at a Hogwarts Career Day.
At Career Day
Author: Plum
Date: 02-09-16 10:44
Justin started out going around to the Career Day booths with roommates Nathan Stewart and Kay Dunlap but as each boy's interests caused delays for the other two moving on, they eventually ended up scattered. At times Justin thinks he wants to work in some field that would put him in the diplomatic corp. What exactly that field would be he hasn't a clue.
Other times he has no idea at all what he might like to do. As he's only got a year and a half left of school, he needs to give more serious thought. At least now with universities a growing trend in the Wizarding World he has more time to think. He doesn't have to choose something right now and then get locked into a career track he finds he hates.
Reaching the Devi Linguistic Services booth Justin stops not because he has an interest in going into a field other family members have been in or are currently in but to speak to his cousin Plum. She's talking to a Hufflepuff he knows wells because Winifred Hicks is also a sixth year. He waits until Winifred walks off, a smile and a hello to Justin as she goes.
"Hi, Plum. You look better then last time I saw you."
"Just be glad you didn't get that same flu. And hello. Enjoying Career Day?"
"Yeah, as much as I can I guess."
"That doesn't sound very enthusiastic." She gives a small laugh.
Justin shrugs then gives Plum a big smile. "I heard the news. I'm surprised you're here."
Plum's smile in response is even larger. Anthony came home yesterday. "I have found today to be long at times but I'd already committed to being here. Anthony is spending some time with Evan and Alex, poking around the house as yesterday was his first time to see it other than photos, and seeing family and friends who drop in."
From behind her Justin's brother Jordan interjects, "I offered to cover today for Plum but she can be stubborn."
"Hi, Jordan. I wondered if you'd be here."
Plum looks from one brother to the other. "It's not that I'm being stubborn. I said I'd be here and much as I'd love to be home with my husband and the boys, I shouldn't fob off my responsibilities on others."
"Yeah, but I was coming today anyway."
"To help, not to run the booth by yourself."
Justin stays a few more minutes leaving Plum and Jordan once again going back and forth about how Plum could have taken today off if she weren't so stubborn. As he walks, two letters crinkle in a pocket. One is the owl letting him know Anthony was released yesterday to go home. The other is unopened. Yet another from Luther Wenk. If Luther keeps sending letters Justin will have to give in slightly and write back, though only to tell Luther to stop writing and to leave him the hell alone.