Christmas decorations were now hung all around the castle as the days grew colder, more snow cascading down from the sky. Aside from the Gryffindor-Slytherin game, the second game before holiday break had also been the talk of the whole student body, not because of a fist fight, but because of it's length.

The Hufflepuff-Slytherin game, which happened approximately two weeks after Gryffindor's, was one of the most short-lived games that the students had witnessed. They were barely five minutes in to the game when Hufflepuff's seeker, Hallie O'Connell, had heard the silent buzzing of the snitch's wings hovering a foot away from her, snatching it up quickly, thus ending the game.

The Slytherins did not like it all too much, because it meant that the only shot they had for winning was with Ravenclaw, and Florence was training her team hard for it.

As Holiday break grew closer, Hogwarts had again started up their annual Career day event for all of their seventh year students. It was a chance for them to meet with potential employers in order for them to have stable jobs as soon as they graduated.

Xander, for one, had been looking forward to this affair, wearing his business attire (as they were required to) with his prefect badge fastened on his suit.

"They can see it perfectly, Xan, don't worry." Nicolai chortled as she watched her best made fiddle with his badge infront of the common room mirror. Xander swiveled around to frown at her, who was just casually lounging around on the sofa. "Aren't you atleast a little bit interested in finding yourself a career?"

She shrugged, "I don't even know what I want to do yet. It all sounds extremely boring. Jobs, in general."

"That's why we have career day, Nic." Florence chimed in, setting her book down onto the center table, "So you could canvas on the jobs available in the wizarding world."

"Yeah it's not like I haven't canvassed on jobs. My parents did it with me and Penelope every summer ever since she started her O.W.L.s. I was in my third year."

"So...nothing?"

"Nothing sounds appealing. Parents were horrified when I told them that, and thrilled when Penny decided that she wanted to work in Ministry like them. Even more when she packed her bags and left for MACUSA... And little old Nicolai Bridgette, seven months shy from graduating, still indecisive..."

"You'll find what you want to do, Nic. You still have plenty of time..." Florence consoled.

"Says you, Miss Holyhead-Harpies-team-member-in-training." Nicolai rolled her eyes, before flopping back against the backrest of the couch, "I'm probably just going to stay back here in Hogwarts and bunk with Hagrid..."

"That is if he'd want to bunk with you." Xander said, "You are quite a messy person."

"Well if Hagrid says no, there's always Filch and Mrs. Norris." Florence chipped in.

"Not helping," she told the two.

"You'll be fine, Nic. We promise. Not everyone knows what they want to do as soon as they get out of Hogwarts." Xander shuffled over to plop beside her, "Now stop moping around, you're going to get your business clothes creased. We have a job fair to show up for."

"Yeah, Nic. I'll come with you, if that helps. I don't really need to do anymore canvassing."

"Speaking of, did you send your application form in yet?"

"I'll have it sent by the end of the day." Florence said, "I already talked to mum about it. She's ecstatic."

"Well then, off we go! We wouldn't want to be late now would we?"

The house tables in the Great Hall had disappeared, now replaced with a carnival-like display. There were stalls everywhere, each occupied by wizards in posh uniforms of their designated careers. Ministry departments, all but the Aurors, had their own stalls, as well as Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade stalls such as Floreen Fortescue's ice cream shop, Flourish and Blotts and Madame Puddifoot's.

Nicolai goggled at the tea shop stand, "I didn't know they were hiring outsiders. The business has always been in their family."

"Word on the street says Mrs. Krosky doesn't have a successor. That's why she's forced to venture out this year." said Xander, "Maybe you could work there. You've always been a fan of their tea."

"Doesn't mean I want to work for her... Come on, let's look around more. Is there anywhere in particular that you'd want to check out, Xan?"

"Yeah, the Department of Runes and Symbols just over there..."

"Sounds boring..." Nicolai remarked. "Just your type, eh?"

"You can go ahead, Xan." Florence said, waving away Nicolai's words, "I'll walk with her."

"Will you? Thanks, Flo. I'll see you two later!"

"He's been ditching us quite a lot this year, don't you think?" she said, watching him go, "Our little Xander's all grown up, Flo. I feel like a proud parent."

She chuckled, "Come on, let's find you a job."

"Where's Fred and George, by the way?" Nicolai asked as they passed by the Zonko's stall, "They might be interested in signing up for this."

"If you must know, they have bigger plans than just working for a joke shop." Florence told her, "They said they couldn't be bothered with all this. Infact they're outside now testing out one of their products."

"Why outside?"

"Because the last time they tested the wildfire whiz-bang indoors, they nearly set the vacant room that they use on fire. Which would have devastated atleast a hundred sellable snack boxes."

"I don't even know if I want to know what a wildfire whiz-bang is." Nicolai blinked, before her eyes averted to a group of stands at the far corner of the hall, "Jillian's signing up to be a Healer. She has the grades for it. An O in Herbology and Charms."

"That's a nice choice. Working at St. Mungo's. Great pay too, as I heard."

"Yeah and her sister's a Healer too. So she has someone to recommend her into the program. Infact, I'm pretty sure her sister's at their stall now."

"Why don't you go meet her?"

Nicolai blinked, "Jillian offered to introduce me as well...but I don't think it's the right time yet."

"Why not?"

"Because, we aren't really on the meet the family level yet...you know? Jill and I are several levels below from that."

Florence chuckled, "If she offered to introduce you to her sister, I'm pretty sure that means you're already on that level now, Nic."

"Really?"

"Yes! Now go and meet her. I'm sure Jillian would still take you up on that offer."

"Well what about you?"

"What about me?"

"You didn't even have to come down here but you did to accompany me. I don't want to just ditch you."

"You won't be ditching me. And don't flatter yourself. You're not the only reason why I came down. I wanted to check out the job fair, too." Florence chuckled, "Now go. I'm going to look around for a bit, then head upstairs."

"You're sure?"

"Definitely."

"Thanks, Flo. Love you!" she gave her a brief hug, before bounding towards Jillian. Florence smiled subconsciously, "They do grow up so fast."

There were League Quidditch groups present in rhe job fair as well, namely Puddlemore United, Falmouth Falcons, Pride of Portree and others. Several people crowded around them, the forms nearly running out. The stall set up for the Harpies was bare and empty, inferably because they were not taking any recruits for the moment.

A form was waved infront of Florence's face, the startled girl swiveling around to find Oliver Wood, a big smile on his face, "Price, isn't it? Ravenclaw Quidditch team? Heard you're captain now.

"Oliver Wood. Long time no see." she said, "Playing for Puddlemore United then? How are they treating you?"

"Oh no, I'm just a reserve player. Hopefully, I'd get to be main player once one of them retires." he chuckled, handing her the form once more, "Maybe you'd be interested in Puddlemore?"

"Oh, no thank you. I'd love to, but I've been recruited by the Harpies already."

His brows shot up, "Really, now? I've heard that even getting on reserve in that team is pretty hard. Good on you, Price."

"Yeah. I had a bit of help from the inside, though. My friend's sister is on the team... Adrianna Haddlowe. Talked Gwenog into training me to replace one of the chasers by the end of League."

"That's fantastic! Better than I've started out with. Who would have known that the Harpies were taking in recruits. Best of luck, then, I'm sure it would be a great experience. Gwenog Jones is amazing, I met her at the Quidditch Cup last year."

"I've heard many great things about her too."

"Also, I've—Weasley!" Oliver yelled, a grin breaking out on his face as he spotted one of his former teammates, pulling him in for a hug, "How are you, mate?"

"Same old, same old. You've been busy..."

"So I have. And you, same as always?"

"Yeah...pretty much." Fred chuckled, "I actually came over to pick up Florence. McGonagall's looking for her, for some reason..."

Florence raised her brows, "McGonagall? But she's your Head of House."

"Believe me, I'm just as confused as you are. She told me it was urgent."

"Er...okay. Does she want me in her office? Or anywhere else?"

"I believe she said in her office."

"So, mate, what have you been up to?" Oliver asked, and soon the two were busy catching up. Florence didn't mind walking to Gryffindor's Head of House office by herself, thinking of all the possible reasons as to why she was being called up.

Maybe it was because of the equipment that she accidentally broke during her last practice?

"Miss Price," Professor McGonagall greeted as Florence entered her office. She waived airily to the seat infront of her desk, gesturing for her to take a seat.

"Right," Professor McGonagall began, "You might be wondering why I sent you up here. I presumed you would be with Mr. Weasley, and when you weren't, I asked if he could go look for you. I hope it was no trouble."

She shook her head.

"Professor if it's about the Quidditch equipment that I broke, I'm sorry, I already told my mum about it, said she'll send in money for replacement—"

"The Quidditch equipment is no matter to me, Miss Price, although you do have to discuss that with Madame Hooch. You're here for an entirely different reason." she took a folder out of one of her desk
drawers, "This matter, is entirely different and nowhere related to Quidditch."

"I know that students are supposed to discuss their career options with their designated head of house, but this one has been entrusted by the Ministry to Dumbledore, which he entrusted to me." McGonagall slid the folder over to Florence.

She flipped it open gingerly, her face twisting into a mixture of confusion and astonishment as her eyes skimmed through the contents, "Auror Force Recruitment?"

McGonagall offered her a small smile, "The Ministry hasn't taken anyone in for the past two years, infact, I didn't think they would open slots for anyone this year. But they see your performance, Miss Price, along with a selected few who are eligible in the eyes of the Ministry. They want you to work for them."

Florence stared at the paper, "Don't I have to undergo some sort of training? Before I'm inducted into the force?"

"It's usually a three year training, beginning the minute you graduate from Hogwarts. It is...tedious...but it will be worth it if you really desire it."

"I already have a Quidditch recruitment pending..." she mumbled, McGonagall looking at her in understanding. "I see. I take it that you're not interested, then...?"

"No, I...." she paused, swallowing the lump that was building in her throat, "I'd like to...but..."

"You don't want to waste your opportunity for a career in Quidditch?"

"No...I mean, yes, that too, but I'll have to talk to my mum about this," Florence said, eyeing the paper hesitantly, before giving out an audible sigh, "I don't think she'll even want to discuss it, though. My father, he is...was, an Auror, and he......"

"Gabriel was a very diligent man..." McGonagall said, "Was an asset to the Auror force, he was. He had the grades and skill when he graduated, more so as he developed during his years in training. And losing him like that, was heartbreaking."

Florence set the folder down on her lap.

"I understand if your mum might not want you to delve into the field that took away your father's life, but perhaps, as you say, it's a career that you want to pursue. And it's a rare opportunity, Miss Price. The Auror Force does not open their doors to just anyone. They are one of the most elite departments of the Ministry, and the first line of defense in the Wizarding world. It takes so much to be even considered to join their rankings."

"I just need time to think this through, Professor."

McGonagall looked at her sympathetically, "You have plenty of time to think it over, if you cannot give an answer right now, as the forms are due when we get back from the holidays."

"Then I'll have an answer by then. Thank you, Professor McGonagall."

"You are most welcome, dear. And please send my regards to Jane. I hope she is well."

                                          ------

Florence lay down stomach first on her bed, gazing at the folder that McGonagall gave to her, which she had set down on her nightstand. The Job fair had just about ended, as the sun was setting in the sky. Footsteps going up and down the staircases were heard, her other roommates bustling in to the room minutes later, along with Nicolai and Xander.

"There she is," said Thea, "Problem solved, Clearwater."

"Flo! Where have you been? I went looking for you after I finished up with Jillian and her sister. She was very nice. I couldn't find you after so I waited for Xander to finish."

"Fred told us McGonagall asked to see you." he told her, "What was it all about? Oh! Wait, before that, Nicolai has some great news."

"I was able to choose!" she said.

"Really? Congratulations, Nic. What did you sign up for?"

"A Mediwitch." she grins, "They're like, assistant to healers. Jillian's sister recommended me to the program too. Says my grades are perfect for it."

"That's...that's great news, Nic."

"So what about you? Why the long face?"

"And why'd McGonagall call you to her office?"

She reached over and handed them the folder, "She gave this to me..."

"What is it?" Alexander asked, flipping it open, "Auror Recruitment? Flo, this is massive! Congratulations."

"How many recruitment forms are you going to get, I wonder?" said Nicolai, "But yeah, Xander's right. This is great news. Why don't you look happy about it?"

"My mum..."

"...might not agree to it because...?"

"Nic, it's obvious. Because of what happened to her dad..." Xander said, Florence nodding, "But I kinda want to do it."

"Then talk to your mum about it." Nicolai coaxed, "She'll understand. Your mum is a pretty reasonable woman."

"I don't think It's that simple, Nic..."

"When is it due? The form, I mean?"

"By the time we get back from holiday break." she grunted, "But I can't very well go and say: hey mum, happy holidays! I'm not taking that super safe Quidditch job anymore by the way. Instead I want to do this dangerous Auror business that got my father killed and left you emotionally scarred for more than a decade!"

"If you put it like that," said Nicolai, "It definitely doesn't sound good. Try a more optimistic approach."

"Even then, Nic. It's inevitable that she'll bring up my father..."

"Don't worry, Flo. You have plenty of time to think this through." said Xander, handing her back the folder, "But for now, why don't you think about whether you want to do it or not. Worry about your mum later."

"Yeah. If you really want to, I'm sure she'll support your decision."

Florence sighed, feeling her heart sink deeper, "I sure hope so."