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Chapter 677: Careers in the Wizarding World
🕑 Added 2025-04-04 11:44:09 +0000 UTCDue to the heavy workload, something unusual happened during this year's Easter holidays: not a single student at Hogwarts decided to go home. The Hogwarts Express waited at the platform all morning, but no one boarded. Everyone, by sheer coincidence, chose to stay at school.
This had never occurred in previous years.
The library quickly became the most popular spot, filling up by 8 o’clock each morning. Arriving late meant scrambling to find another place to work, armed with borrowed reference books. But that was far less convenient.
The professors' assignments weren’t just abundant—they required extensive knowledge from various subjects. One or two reference books rarely sufficed. Often, students had to interrupt their work to make additional trips to the library.
As a result, many began waking up earlier and earlier, especially fifth and seventh-year students, who were often found waiting outside the library by 6 o’clock.
A holiday, indeed—but one more exhausting than regular classes.
“Madness… the whole school has gone mad.”
Early one morning, Mikel and Ryan grumbled in the dormitory while pulling on their robes.
“Now we have to get up an hour earlier just to barely snag a spot in the library. I’ve never been up this early before...” Mikel muttered irritably, glancing at Kyle, who was just sitting up in bed. “Why aren’t you dressed yet? Never mind, I’m not waiting for you. Do you even need a spot in the library—if there’s still room, that is?”
“No, you go on ahead,” Kyle replied with a wave. “I just applied to the Ministry of Magic for practical activities, so I don’t have to do my homework.”
Mikel, halfway out the door, froze and turned back stiffly.
“What did you just say?” His voice rose sharply, resembling a goose with its neck pinched. “No homework? And the professors agreed?”
“Well, most of them agreed,” Kyle said, stretching. “It’s a serious matter, and even the minister approved, so there was no reason for the professors to refuse.”
For a moment, Mikel and Ryan felt as though their stomachs had been filled with lemons, their expressions sour and twisted.
“It must be nice to work for the Ministry of Magic…” came Mikel’s begrudging comment.
“Although it’s not a job I particularly like, I have to admit it comes in handy at times,” Kyle said with a faint smile. “Keep at it, and one day you might have the same opportunity.”
“Huh!” Mikel snorted dismissively. Without another glance, he and Ryan left the dormitory.
Kyle might be exempt from homework, but they weren’t. Any further delay would cost them their seats in the library.
The dormitory grew quiet after they departed.
When Kyle eventually wandered down to the common room, he found it packed with students busy at their desks. Every armchair was occupied, and the tables—once laden with snacks and drinks—were now buried under heaps of books and parchment.
Kyle, sensing the mood, refrained from mentioning his lack of assignments and quietly left.
The Great Hall was similarly bustling, second only to the library and common room. Students there combined meals with studying, saving themselves a trip, and the communal atmosphere allowed for the easy exchange of reference materials.
The result was a noisy, lively scene.
After a quick breakfast of fried egg and ham sandwiches, Kyle stepped outside to the grounds.
With Kanna and Cedric both occupied, Kyle didn’t want to appear as though he had nothing to do. He decided to pay Hagrid a visit.
Hagrid’s face had healed significantly since Kyle had last seen him, leaving behind only a few faint scars.
“What brings you here?” Hagrid asked with a broad smile. “Have I not yet congratulated you on joining the Ministry?”
“Let’s not talk about that,” Kyle replied, rubbing his forehead. “What are you working on?”
“I’m making a bowl,” Hagrid said.
“A bowl?” Kyle repeated, puzzled. He glanced at the piece of wood Hagrid had set aside. It was hollowed out in the middle, but judging by its size, it could probably double as a bathtub for first-year students.
This was supposed to be a bowl?
“Oh, no, I misspoke,” Hagrid quickly corrected himself. “I meant to say I’m making a wooden bucket… well, to feed the Thestrals with. The old one got chewed up and damaged.”
Kyle studied Hagrid’s slightly guilty expression and suddenly pieced it together. “It’s not for the Thestrals, is it? This is for the giant you’ve been hiding in the Forbidden Forest, isn’t it?”
Hagrid hesitated but eventually sighed. “Alright, you’ve got me. It’s for Grawp. I’ve been trying to teach him to eat properly, but it hasn’t been going well. He seems to prefer just holding his food in his hands. Oh, Grawp is his name, by the way.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary, Hagrid,” Kyle said thoughtfully. “Even if giants wrap their food in mud, it’s not going to make them sick, is it? And honestly, with their level of intelligence, I doubt they’d grasp the concept of using cutlery. Why bother?”
“No, I have to teach him some manners,” Hagrid insisted firmly. “If I do, I can show everyone he’s not dangerous.”
“Show everyone?” Kyle blinked. “You mean take him out… to Hogwarts? Or are you planning to have him help you as a gamekeeper?”
“I know it sounds hard, but I have to try,” Hagrid said, resuming his work and scooping out sawdust from the wooden bucket. “He’s too small to live with the other giants. The Forbidden Forest is the only place where he has a chance.”
Hagrid’s eyes glistened with tears as he added softly, “He’s my brother. I can’t just leave him behind.”
“Your brother?” Kyle asked, startled.
“Well, half-brother,” Hagrid clarified, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “He’s a pure-blood giant. I should be thanking you, actually.”
“Thanking me? For what?” Kyle tilted his head, trying to recall what he might have done to help Hagrid recently.
“Yes, last time at The Three Broomsticks, I heard from Professor McGonagall that you were the one who got Umbridge to leave,” Hagrid said, sounding relieved. “To be honest, while that nasty woman was here, I felt like I could be fired any day. She hinted as much more than once."
“I can’t imagine what would have happened to Grawp if I’d been forced to leave. He’s only sixteen feet tall, weak, and helpless. What could he do in the Forbidden Forest?”
Kyle fought to reconcile the words sixteen feet tall with weak and helpless, but he let it go.
“I was even thinking about asking you to look after him...” Hagrid continued.
“I’d be fine with that,” Kyle replied casually. “I don’t have much going on lately, so I’d be happy to help.”
“Oh, no need now,” Hagrid said, waving his hand. “That’s why I wanted to thank you. Now that Umbridge is gone, I won’t be expelled and can take care of Grawp myself. Besides, I don’t want to trouble you, especially with your exams coming up.”
“Believe me, Hagrid, it wouldn’t be any trouble at all,” Kyle assured him sincerely. “You don’t need to hold back with me.”
Kyle couldn’t hide his curiosity—he’d never seen a true giant before, not even in Newt Scamander’s famous suitcase. This was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss.
“I appreciate it, I really do,” Hagrid said after a pause, “but no. Grawp doesn’t know his own strength. He could hurt you without meaning to, and I can’t take that risk.”
Hagrid glanced toward a rope lying near his cabin. Kyle followed his gaze. The rope, as thick as his wrist and similar to what dragon handlers used, was snapped in the middle. The jagged ends suggested it had been torn apart.
“As you can see,” Hagrid said, gesturing to the rope, “I had to tie Grawp up to keep him from wandering too far into the forest and getting into trouble. But even this wasn’t strong enough, so I replaced it with a thicker one."
“Now you understand, don’t you? The strength of a pure-blood giant is terrifying. Even a playful tap could break your bones.”
Kyle wasn’t deterred by Hagrid’s concerns. As someone familiar with dangerous magical creatures, the idea of meeting a giant intrigued him more than it scared him. But Hagrid remained resolute.
Without his guidance, there was no way to find Grawp in the vast Forbidden Forest. Even though the thought was a little mean, Kyle couldn’t help wishing he had waited a few more days before advising Fudge to deal with Umbridge. Maybe then Hagrid would have been more desperate for help and willing to reveal Grawp’s location.
But it was too late for regrets now. Hagrid was unwavering in his stance, and by noon, Kyle returned to the castle, a bit disappointed.
...
As the holidays passed, the weather grew clearer with each day. The warm, gentle breeze brought a drowsy sensation, but few could indulge in rest. Most students forced themselves to stay indoors, completing homework, reviewing lessons, and making frequent trips to the library.
Under such conditions, even a Dementor might leave Hogwarts hungry.
It wasn’t until the final days of the holiday that the castle atmosphere shifted slightly.
In the Hufflepuff common room, tables were strewn with pamphlets, flyers, and notices about various wizarding careers. A new announcement on the notice board caught everyone’s attention.
“Career guidance?” Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow as he stood before Professor McGonagall. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It’s quite simple,” Professor McGonagall said, handing him a pamphlet. “It provides fifth-year students with advice on career paths they might be suited for. By sixth year, they can choose their courses accordingly.”
“Wait...” Kyle said, flipping through the pamphlet. “I didn’t have this in my fifth year.”
“That’s because we—myself and the headmaster—agreed you didn’t need it,” Professor McGonagall said, not looking up from her desk. “Of course, if you’d like to participate now, it’s not too late.”
“Alright, no need,” Kyle replied quickly. “So, why did you ask me to come here, Professor?”
“To assist, of course,” she said, straightening a stack of pamphlets. “Every year, many students express interest in working for the Ministry of Magic. As the Senior Assistant to the Minister, it’s your responsibility to offer guidance.”
Kyle frowned, confused. “When did I ever say I wanted to help—” He paused mid-sentence as Professor McGonagall gave him an amused look.
Oh.
Kyle remembered how, not long ago, he had used his Ministry position as an excuse to avoid homework by claiming it was for “practical activities.” No wonder she had signed off on it so easily.
“Alright,” he said with a sigh. “When do we start?”
“Now,” she replied crisply.
“So soon?” Kyle asked, glancing at the stack of materials. “Shouldn’t we give them time to think about what they want to do first? The notice only went up this morning—most people probably haven’t even finished reading the pamphlets yet.”
“That’s fine,” Professor McGonagall said. “The timing is staggered. Most students will come after the holidays, but there are always a few who want guidance immediately.”
No sooner had she spoken than a knock came at the door.
A fifth-year Gryffindor girl entered. Kyle recognized her vaguely but couldn’t recall her name. She seemed eager yet uncertain as she explained her dilemma: she wanted to work at the Ministry of Magic but couldn’t decide between the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes and the Department of International Magical Cooperation.
“I suggest the Department of International Magical Cooperation,” Professor McGonagall said after listening carefully. “Your grades are strong and well-rounded, with no major weaknesses. Plus, I understand you speak French, which is a requirement for that department.”
“Yes...” the girl said, hesitating. “But I think the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes would be more challenging—and less boring.”
Kyle couldn’t help but smile. Classic Gryffindor.
Professor McGonagall turned to him, silently inviting his input.
“Actually,” Kyle said, “the Department of International Magical Cooperation isn’t boring at all. But if you’re set on the Department of Accidents, you’ll need two N.E.W.T.s in Charms and Transfiguration, with grades of ‘Exceeds Expectations’ or higher. It’s a strict requirement, so I’d suggest focusing on those subjects in sixth year.”
The girl nodded excitedly, thanked them both, and left.
Not long after, another student arrived—a boy torn between becoming a Healer at St. Mungo’s or working at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. While Professor McGonagall advised him, Kyle idly flipped through the career pamphlet in his hands.
He was surprised by the sheer variety of jobs available in the wizarding world.
Curse-Breaker at Gringotts, which offered thrilling opportunities abroad, required expertise in Transfiguration, Charms, and Arithmancy.
Healer at St. Mungo’s required proficiency in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Muggle Liaison didn’t demand much—just a certificate in Muggle Studies.
Some careers were even more unusual:
Mycologist
Owl Breeder
Broomstick Tester
Potions Taster
Troll Security Trainer
One pamphlet in particular caught Kyle’s attention. It advertised opportunities at a dragon reserve, featuring vivid illustrations of dragons in flight and a wizard astride a broomstick.
“Are you looking for a challenging job? Do you want to tame and work with the most powerful magical creatures? Soar through the skies and experience the world from a new perspective. If you have what it takes, join us!”
Kyle couldn’t help but be impressed by how enticing it sounded. He wondered if this was the very brochure that had inspired Charlie Weasley to head to Romania.
