"SO, JADE Evers... you don't know what you want to be?"

She nodded, staring at her hands folded in her lap. Her nails were freshly painted a dark blue, though it had already started chipping on her thumb nail.

Her left hand unraveled itself from the other and she began to fiddle with her gray skirt. She played with the pleats in it, running her finger back and forth between them.

"Well, you're on track for at least an Exceeds Expectations in most of your courses. There are a lot of paths you could choose, Jade. Have you considered being an Auror?"

She sighed, picking at her thumb nail again. A piece of nail polish flaked off, dropping to the dark gray stone floor beneath them.

"Is that not something that interests you? Well, you could go into caring for magical creatures, I know you and Ms. Lovegood are involved with each other, and she could certainly help you with that. You could go into Herbology too, you're on track for an Outstanding in that class."

When Professor Flitwick spoke of Luna and her being involved, she shrunk into her chair. She felt her cheeks start burning, and she could feel Umbridge's squinty eyes burning into the back of her head. It was a bit awkward for her to hear her Head of House talk about her relationship, especially when they were discussing careers.

"What about becoming a historian? You enjoy reading and writing, and we could always use a new History of Magic professor."

Professor Flitwick gave her a wink, a grin spreading across his small face.

"That's something I thought of, but I'm not really sure what I want to pursue." Jade answered finally, dropping her arms to her sides.

She straightened up in her chair, her back cracking between her shoulder blades. She had been slouched over for most of their conversation, and her back had begun to hurt.

"May I suggest something, Professor Flitwick?"

The sickly sweet voice echoed in her head, bouncing back and forth between her ears. Jade didn't want to hear what the old toad would say, and she certainly wouldn't follow any advice she gave her.

"The Ministry is always an option, Ms. Evers. We provide many amazing job opportunities for people with outstanding marks like you. Just look at Percy Weasley, he's doing wonderful in his work for the Ministry."

Professor Flitwick turned to her and nodded, his glasses sliding down his nose. He pushed his glasses back up and cleared his throat, folding his tiny hands into his lap.

"Well, Jade, I hope you're able to make a quick decision. I think you'd be wonderful at any of the career options suggested today."

She heard a quiet hem from the corner Umbridge sat in, but paid her no mind. She smiled at Professor Flitwick, grabbed her books, and dashed out of the room.

Outside of the classroom, three people were waiting for her, each looking bored, dazed, or a mixture of both.

Mandy was resting her head on Anthony's shoulder, her ginger hair covering her face so no one could see it. Jade heard her snore, though it was quiet, confirming her suspicion that she was asleep. Anthony was waving his light brown wand around, though he gave a lazy grin at her as she exited the classroom.

Luna was across from them, her legs tucked under her. Unlike Jade and her friends, Luna was not in a traditional uniform, opting for a red long-sleeve shirt and matching pants. She had her Butterbeer cap earrings in, and she was putting a silver necklace on when Jade walked out.

"Someone didn't get much sleep last night I'm guessing?" Anthony whispered, pointing his wand at Mandy.

Mandy snored louder this time, her right arm falling limp next to her. Her head rolled off Anthony's shoulder, landing directly on his stomach. He jumped, wincing in pain, nearly dropping his wand on the ground.

Luna laughed, her pale hands covering her mouth to try and quiet it.

"We should probably wake her up anyway, don't want Umbridge to waddle out here and yell at us for being disruptive, or for her to think anything suggestive is going on."

Jade waved her hands around, motioning particularly towards Mandy's head's placement. Anthony shrugged, then gently lifted her head from his stomach. 

"Hey, sleepy, wake up."

She let out a loud, aggressive yawn, then stretched her arms over her head. Mandy rubbed her eyes, blinking rapidly as she glanced at the surroundings around her.

"You weren't in there that long, I don't know how I fell asleep."

"It's all right, I'd be asleep too if I was waiting in a cold, dim corridor for my best friend."

Jade reached out and punched her shoulder as she stood, pushing her forward slightly. Mandy swung back, punching Jade in the center of her chest. She stumbled backward, trying to regain the breath that had just be knocked out of her.

Luna stood, wrapping her arms around her to steady her.

"I didn't think I was that weak." She gasped, letting out a breathless laugh.

"I didn't think I was that strong. It's even."

"I don't think that's what being even means." Luna piped up, keeping her left arm around Jade as they walked down the corridor.

Jade moved Luna's arm from around her once she fully recovered, gripping her hand instead. Luna ran her thumb across Jade's index finger and knuckle, a habit both of them had picked up once things began to go downhill at Hogwarts.

"How did you career advice go?"

Her voice was hushed, like she hadn't wanted Anthony and Mandy to hear, but they whipped their heads around instantly.

"I still don't know what I want to do. Umbridge was really pushing the Ministry, though I figured she would, being Fudge's ears and eyes in the castle, and all."

"Well, what about Flitwick? He had to have said something interesting." Mandy replied, turning and walking backwards toward the Great Hall. Her heels dug into the floor as they walked, the rest of her feet barely touching the stone.

"He suggested a historian, implying that I could replace Binns as a professor."

"Hey, that's not a bad idea! You're a great writer, Jade. History could be perfect for you." Anthony turned his head to speak to her, though it was almost impossible to hear over the din of the Great Hall.

The floor in front of them was bathed in an orange glow, and the students were especially rambunctious today. A stray Weasley product flew through them as two second years rushed past, pushing each other into the Great Hall.

"Everyone seems to be in a good mood." Luna said as they sat down.

Jade shook her head, reaching past Luna for a slice of ham.

"Is there something Professor Flitwick said in the meeting that you didn't bring up?"

"He suggested caring for magical creatures, and then said that the two of us could be a good duo, considering we were, and I quote, 'involved with each other.'"

Luna didn't reply, just chewed on a piece of roasted potato. Jade didn't know if she said the wrong thing. Would Luna be upset with her for proposing the idea? It was Luna's thing, and she did it with her dad, nonetheless. She didn't want to intrude on something that was important to them.

"I think it's a lovely idea, though he did phrase that a bit weird. You're a writer, and I'm the caretaker. As Anthony said, and I quote, 'you're a great writer.'"

"Using my own lines against me, are you?" Jade asked, poking her in the side.

"Not against you, I just like the things you say."

Luna leaned over and kissed her, a quicker peck than usual. That was to be expected, they were in front of everyone in the Hall after all.

Her lips were soft, and Jade could barely taste mint, despite the roasted potatoes and gravy Luna had just been shoveling down.

Was everything about Luna soft? Jade thought as they pulled away, moving back towards their half-full plates. Her hair, her skin, her lips, everything was as soft as a feather on her. Was it weird for her to think this? Maybe, but it was a pleasant thought compared to the stress she had been feeling the last few days.

I wonder if she thinks the same about me.