1 May 2012
Tuesday around noon
History of Magic classroom

Professor Knox Greyfriar was going on.

"... and it's to your credit to be starting early. It's been in fashion for decades, I'm sure, for students to wait until this time in their seventh year before bushwhacking a path from academics to something applicable, and I haven't found that Ravenclaw are exceptional in this. I'd say it's Hufflepuff who are more aware of life after Hogwarts than the rest of the houses, honestly. I think it's because no one excepts very much of them here, don't you find? Surely not," the Headmaster answered Blake for himself.

"You give everyone a chance. You're just that sort, aren't you? Just the same, you're doing us all proud, Mr. Knight. So what have you got for me?"

Some weeks ago, following the end of his year's career day, Professor Greyfriar had set Blake Knight to put his mind to applying classroom lessons to practical application, something that answered the question, 'what is the point of studying the History of Magic?' which was something everyone had to figure out for themselves. The Professor had no objections either to Mr. Knight incorporating any other courses of study that interested him, not excluding the study of ancient runes or Arithmancy - both subjects with bad reputations.

The professor, a bear-sized old wizard, found his chair and sat back with a creak.

Though the 6th Year History of Magic class was later in the afternoon, Blake had made his way to the classroom for the lunch hour intent to discuss what amounted to an Independent Study project Professor Greyfriar had assigned to him about career aspirations. Like many of his classmates, Blake had always had thoughts about the future swirling in the back of his mind somewhere. He and Kelvin even had quite a lengthy conversation about futures before the year started. Then, he had talked casually about something to do with curse breaking or muggle studies. Settling on one specific career always felt tedious for him, which was more than likely that was because he had so many interests and saw so many possibilities. How could one combine the subjects History of Magic, Arithmancy and Runes into a profession? He imagined he was not the first nor the last who would grapple with the idea. Surely such accomplished wizards like their headmaster had done so back in their day and so it made sense that Blake had sought out his advice. He had not expected the side project, but he did not begrudge it, especially if it helped his focus.

As the bear of a professor spoke about starting early verses procrastinating to 7th year, Blake found himself quirking a small grin. And the query about Hufflepuffs almost elicited a response except before Blake could eek anything out, Greyfriar moved on, making it clear that it was essentially a rhetorical question at best. So he nodded in agreement and waited for the inevitable question to drop. Which it did.

"Well," the Ravenclaw hedged, sliding his books onto the nearest desk and slipping easily into its corresponding seat. Blake pulled out a few pieces of parchment that he had brought, which displayed his neat writing and intricate diagrams or drawings. He looked to it and then back up with a furrowed brow. "I'm actually not sure if I've managed to narrow anything down or just create a more jumbled mess. But ultimately I posed the over arching question of what truly interests me on the most basic level." When he said it like that, it sounded quite silly and vague and so he rushed to add, "I think what kept coming up is an enjoyment of puzzles. Or that which challenges my mind, stamina, wits or just generally pushes me to my limits. It can be both mental and physical, if that makes any sense." Taking a breath, he kept going, presenting his opening charge. "I've decided that I don't really enjoy being smart just for smarts sake. I can do book learning well enough like any good Ravenclaw, but honestly Professor, I just want to truly get to the meatiness of a task or problem. Break it all down to build it back up. Which sounds....insane. But in doing something like that -- be it cursebreaking, obliviating, unspeakable-ing....a wizard would need all the parts from subjects like History of Magic, Runes and Arithmancy, right?"

Blake wasn't sure if that was where he should stop, but he decided see if Greyfriar was following. He truly hoped so.

The Headmaster was a fellow who showed his interest (or disinterest, as the case might be) earnestly, approving or disapproving of notions even before whoever he was talking to had finished talking. Blake Knight was an easy talker and Greyfriar would say he was capably introspective. He knew his heart and knew about it. Rarer among youth and young men was this quality.

"Absolutely. Brilliant, Mr. Knight," he answered without delay, sitting forward to rest his elbows on the desk. Blake was a young wizard full of action. He moved, he acted, he was involved.

"How capable are you in the muggle world? That could be a revealing answer. If it's a strange place for you, how would you feel to be thrown in, to..." Knox flourished a hand, "...to be thrown in. Obliviators must be fluent with the mundane and totally dedicated to the Statute of Secrecy - not everyone can stomach it. Curse-breaking, less exposure, opportunities beyond the Ministry. Unspeakables though - my impression is of them holed up in that strange warren, deep in magic, far from the upside world."

"Capable in the muggle world?" Blake repeated, his brow furrowing as he tried to pick up on where Greyfriar was headed with his questioning. Their headmaster was adept at nudging students to deeper thinking and even when someone like Blake knew that is what he was trying to do, he was glad for the extra prodding. With all of the other things occupying his mind, Blake could admit that he didn't always follow every notion or thought to its very lengths. He could get lazy. Even when he wanted to do his best.

As the Headmaster qualified his query about the muggle world, it was if a light dawned on him and Blake's eyes brightened. "Ah, yes, I think I actually do well in the muggle world." He ducked his head as he said his next words to his elder. "You know my family, sir. Probably better than even I do. And you've known me since I started here. I think it's safe to say that I'm the only member of my family who cares about the muggle world. Who would live or survive in it. Or dare I say, thrive?" Blake clasped his hands together tightly on the desk and leaned forward over them. With a sigh and a half grin when he finally looked at Greyfriar, he added, "I think it's safe to say that it might not really be much of a strange place at all." He paused before stating matter-of-factly, "Throw me in anywhere. If you think I would fit then....yes."

Knox was so amused by Blake's manner. It was self-assured, interested, and unintimidated - content, maybe, and not awkward at all in the attention from his professor. Knox wondered if that easiness would last through his seventh year when faced with the reality of the complexities of life outside of the castle. Knox sometimes wondered if this was what drew so many of his students to work in the Ministry, the very school-like nature of it.

No, the Headmaster smiled and nodded along. Blake was not ready to commit to anything and that was perfectly fine.

"That's a terrible thing to do to an old wizard, Mr. Knight. No no, I'm not throwing you anywhere!" he laughed. "Imagine I set you down a path and you end up dead or bored and then it'd all my fault. Oh, that Professor Greyfriar, that hack, put me up to this! I trusted him. How would I live with that? No, I shall invite credit as an inspiration only. Blame me if you wish, but not for your career choice. Anything is fine by me."

He got up from the chair to move around the small lecture theatre-style classroom. "No, Mr. Knight, let's consider your options narrowed for the time being. Obliviator, Cursebreaker, Unspeakable - or an unspoken fourth option. Research them, try them on for size. Summer is not far away. Think of it."

Blake regarded his professor skeptically. "I dunno. I think you tend to do a pretty good job of throwing us in places, Sir. And that's not in a bad way, I don't think." Even as he said it, Blake realized what an odd thing it was to say to one of his elders. He wasn't intentionally trying for his comment to sound ass kissery in nature. But that is what it indeed sounded like. He could feel the heat rushing to his face.

The Ravenclaw was grateful when Greyfriar seemed keen to move on and move to outline options. Blake sat up straighter, genuinely interested to go into more detail. And he considered what he had said previously. He questioned, "Which of those three would you think involved the most puzzles? The most variable in one's day-to-day life? And are there any options for a hybrid?"

The history professor erupted into a short peal of booming laughter at Blake's contradiction, that Greyfriar did in fact not hesitate to lob students hither and thither.

"I am accused!" he laughed and wagged his finger.

Blake pressed for more concrete guidance, but his professor considered this counsel at an end.

"Questions for the experts, Mr. Blake, not some old fool with reading glasses. Begone. Out, out of my sight. Have a lovely day!"

Never was a student so cheerfully banished from extra studies than today Mr. Blake Knight.

fin