Even as Sasha slowly pushed open the door to Professor Reid's office, he still hadn't decided exactly how he was going to approach this meeting.  Should he really start out discussing his own career ideas if for no other reason than to try and convince Professor Reid this meeting wasn't a complete ruse?  He had thoughts and ideas.  Some of them were probably ideas she'd be interested in.  Some he was being very very careful about with whom he shared them.  Her insight would prove valuable and he had made the appointment for himself. 

And, at least if he did mention his own ideas, his signing up for career and NEWT counseling with Professor Reid wouldn't have been a complete lie. 

Only mostly one.  Sort of. 

He had his school records and transcripts[1] with him, just in case he did decide to go the semi-honest route.  His transcript from his muggle school was really only included with the papers for Professor Trishna's benefit - and, chances were he was the only Professor here who'd be able to make sense of them.  Or recognize their merits. 

"Ma'am," Sasha offered in greeting with a polite dip of his head.  "Thank you for making arrangements to meet with me.  I appreciate you taking the time."  He hesitated a moment, glancing down at the collection of papers in his hand, his mind racing through a variety of arguments in a last ditch effort to come to some decision. 

With a resigning sigh, Sasha set his transcripts down and sat down, himself.  "I lied," he confessed then quickly shook his head.  "I mean, not really.  I didn't lie.  I have some thoughts about NEWTs and career and such and I do want to know what you think but - there was another reason I asked to speak with you." 

1.	Transcript

Aileen straightened in her seat and smiled warmly at Sasha as he entered her office, pleased that he'd made an appointment to see her after the rather dismal week of career counseling. Though a few bright students had made career appointments with her, there were many others she'd had to lecture about their marks, and she was looking forward to speaking to a student who showed real promise.

It didn't hurt that it might ruffle Trishna a bit if he found out. Aileen held no animosity towards him like she had towards Bombay, but a victory was a victory, and professors seemed to squabble over Sasha like hippogriffs over a prized egg.

"Of course, Mr. Schlagenweit," she gestured towards the seat in front of her desk.

What he said next caused her to blink in surprise. He'd lied? Was the guileless boy even capable of that? Aileen gave him a curious, warily amused look, half expecting him to confess that he hadn't thought things through to the last detail like he normally would. That was what she was here to help him with, however.

"What other reason would that be?" Aileen sounded unconcerned, then paused. "Are you settling in alright?"

Returning to school must be quite an adjustment with everything he'd been through.

Sasha offered Professor Reid an apologetic, guilty grimace as he settled himself in the indicated seat. 

He grimaced again, Professor Reid's question about how he was settling in intensifying his guilt.  But, he nodded with a shrug and offered an answer.  "I - ja.  I guess so.  It's kind of weird being back; I'm moving back to Ravenclaw tower this weekend so that might help.  I wasn't too sure I was coming back, but-" 

"I am planning on continuing with runes, if I can," he added.  "I'm having a hard time figuring out what to drop but I'm fairly certain runes isn't going to be one of them.  I'm trying to find a way to keep up with them all, if I can. But-"

He was stalling.  Or placating.  Or a combination of the two. 

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about Abby.  And, her ... career counseling."  Which, of course, was none of his business.  He knew that.  He'd have no reasonable counter argument if Professor Reid pointed that out.  Uncharacteristically enough, though, he was willing to be persistent on this matter.  "I know her parents don't expect much from her but I ... from what I gather, you don't agree.  But, I'm worried." 

Aileen's spirits began to dampen as she listened to Sasha's wavering interest in Runes. He didn't sound like a student who was passionate about it. He sounded like a student who hoped to achieve as much as possible without being critical enough about what he really wanted; the opposite of Figaro, but almost as worrying.

When he brought up Abby, her shoulders stiffened in surprise, and she put on a neutral mask. He said her parents didn't seem to expect much from her. That was true. He claimed he was worried. Aileen believed that, if only because he and her sister had become fast friends over the past few months. She knew how much his friendship meant to Abby, and it only heightened her opinion of the boy.

Still, Abby's career options were none of his business.

Aileen let out a sigh and settled back more comfortably in her chair, pursing her lips and giving him a frustrated look. Had Abby asked him to do this? That was the question on the tip of her tongue. Yet again, her younger sister was looking to others for guidance, seemed to be trusting people she had known for months or even minutes more than she did Aileen. Perhaps it was a part of being a teenager, or perhaps it was because Aileen had only started acting like a proper sister when Abby had appeared on her doorstep in November. Whatever the reason, it hurt, especially when she'd been trying so hard lately to make things right. She had the urge to lash out at the student in front of her and tell him to leave in as cold a manner as possible.

Taking a deep breath, she glanced down at her desk, then looked at Sasha. She'd been completely silent for a few moments.

"I'll listen to your concerns, if you agree to talk about yourself and your own career ideas once we're through speaking about Abby," she informed him quietly, looking somber.

"And remember, Mr. Schlagenweit, I'm the professor here, and you're the student. She's my sister, while you've only known her for a few months. I appreciate your concern and how kind you've been to her, but my willingness to listen isn't a promise to heed your advice." 

She probably hadn't needed to say that to a student like Sasha. There were boundaries, however, and she didn't want to be criticized by a fifteen year old. Aileen had given him fair warning.

She hadn't said anything but she didn't need to.  Sasha had long ago learned to watch authority figures closely for signs of disapproval.  The tension; the terseness in her facial features.  It was all there and, even before she'd said anything, he muttered a quiet and earnest apology. 

He expected Professor Reid to tell him to bugger off and had even been carefully calculating his options if that did happen.  Would he actually refuse and stand his ground?  Part of him somewhat hoped that'd be the case. 

Luckily, it appeared that wasn't a question he was going to have to find an answer to.  A broad grin spread across his face and he nodded.  "I - yes, ma'am.  That seems fair enough."  He'd have to worry about how he was going to approach his thoughts about career options later. 

No, right now he had to tackle figuring out how to approach this conversation topic with Professor Reid.  Was it better to cut to the chase first and use his reasoning to smooth the ruffled feathers or should he offer the reasoning first and try to lead Professor Reid on a calculated road to the conclusion?  He'd tried to visualize this conversation several times over in his head but, even now, that didn't seem to be helping much. 

"When I first met Abby, it seemed like she was convinced she had only a handful of options because she was a squib.  And, I think she's learned to accept her parents' views and doesn't expect much of herself.  That's ... well, most importantly, that's wrong.  I think she has a lot of potential.  And, a lot more potential than anyone is willing to give her credit for.  But, I just ... if she had more opportunities to explore the things she can do rather than just sitting back and focusing on the handful of things she can't do, she'll start to see her own potential more.  I think she needs to broaden her world and get out more and I think I've talked her into going to classes at one of the muggle schools with me over the summer."

There.  It was out there.

Aileen raised her eyebrows in surprise as Sasha began expanding on his thoughts, charmed by his insistence that Abby had potential. The shy, self-effacing boy was making an effort on her sister's behalf, and willing to face Aileen to do it.

But she also caught the blatant message that Abby had potential despite her rather limited upbringing. As much as Aileen was willing to admit her family's faults to herself, hearing a young, naive teenager say that they were wrong caused her expression to cool a bit.

When he mentioned muggle classes, her expression turned positively frosty.

"It's funny," Aileen commented after another long pause. "Abby hasn't mentioned these classes to me at all. She probably thinks she's going to hop into one of those death traps you call an automobile," her eyes narrowed, "arrive at her muggle class miraculously escaping injury, and then send me a cryptic text message that she knows very well I won't be able to receive via owl."

Abby's favorite excuse of 'but I sent you a message!' only worked for so long.

Finished making Sasha uncomfortable (for now), she settled back into her chair and went into professor-mode.

"The wizarding world is a big place," she informed him more calmly. "Why do you think she should venture into the muggle world to broaden her experience? There are plenty of wizarding careers that involve little to no magic. The real issue is getting past the stigma she faces as a squib." Which was no small feat. "And getting her to think more seriously about her options," she admitted.

"I'm in a position to help her with those challenges, as long as she stays in the wizarding world."

There was a lot Aileen had decided not to say, but everything she'd told him at least factored into her resistance to muggle options.

Sasha nodded.  He hadn't known Abby hadn't told Professor Reid but that bit of news didn't surprise him, either.  "She actually doesn't know I'm talking to you," Sasha admitted with a sheepish, apologetic grin that faded almost as quickly as it had arrived.  "I just think ... she'd be more comfortable with the idea if she had your support.  It's not easy doing something like that on your own.  And, since I'm the one who talked her into it, it just seemed like I should-"  Explain himself?  Face the consequences?  He shrugged having not found an end to that sentence that seemed prudent to share. 

Color flushed across Sasha's cheeks, knowing full well the mention of 'death traps' wasn't entirely random.  "I'm really sorry."  He'd officially lost count of how many times he'd offered an apology for that ... excursion.  He wanted to point out that brooms weren't exactly risk-free but somehow knew that seemed like a bad idea. 

"Well, sending an owl from class would be difficult.  My Jack hides in my sleeve pretty well but I think they'd notice if he flew out ..."  Probably not the point she was making. 

Sasha nodded but it was probably pretty obvious he wasn't convinced.  The wizarding world really wasn't that big of a place.  "I - yes," he agreed.  "But, I think having an opportunity to be in classes with other kids her age is more important, whether or not she gets a job in the wizarding world.  I mean, personally - I think it would be best if she could come here.  I think it's stupid she can't.  Sure, she can't really do everything in all the classes but there are non-squibs who aren't really much better.  But, just because she can't, doesn't mean she should be isolated - waiting for us to go on break so she can spend time with other teenagers." 

"And, I'm definitely not saying she should leave the wizarding world behind or that she shouldn't consider careers in the wizarding world.  I just think ... taking classes in the muggle world would broaden her horizons.  It would give her more options and more choices.  And, give her options of careers where being a squib isn't going to limit her earning or promotional potential." 

Aileen nodded when Sasha offered further explanation and apologies, ignoring the comment about his owl. What mollified her the most was the knowledge that Abby hadn't asked Sasha to talk to her after all. He was doing this on his own.

She smiled wryly when he pointed out that Abby could likely do just as well as some of the wizarding kids, if given the chance. That didn't mean Abby wouldn't get teased or singled out, but Aileen liked the sentiment much better than the thought of her sister attending a muggle class with... muggles.

"She should be around kids her own age. Unfortunately, Hogwarts has a long way to go before it ever becomes squib friendly." Aileen was under no delusions that she gave a rat's tail about other squibs; the only reason such a progressive statement came out of her mouth was because it affected Abby. She just hoped that Sasha would keep their conversation to himself. The last thing she needed was for the Headmistress to accuse her of challenging her decisions.

"Still, I'm not convinced that we should be spending our energies trying to integrate her into a world that isn't quite... hers. The learning curve is steep, especially for someone with little exposure to muggle ways and environments. If anyone can learn quickly, and do it with peppy resolve, Abby can," Aileen tilted her head, confident he'd agree. "But she'd have to work harder to get to the same level as everyone else. In the classroom, and in casual conversation," Aileen paused.

"I can't imagine that she would have enough time to feel like any less of an outsider," Aileen commented softly. "What I can imagine is that she'll get very excited about this new thing in her life, and leap into it with gusto, until it becomes too difficult and she runs up against boundaries. And you, Mr. Schlagenweit, will return to Hogwarts in September, possibly leaving her more confused and discouraged than ever before."

A grim outlook, but one she felt needed to be said.

Sasha shook his head.  He didn't really get it.  Not every student could perform at the same level and schools made allowances for students with ... well, being a squib was kind of a learning disability.  Wait - no.  It wasn't.  It was just ... he didn't know. 

"Beit Gaddol has started admitting squibs."  He didn't elaborate on whether that was intended as a suggestion or something else. 

Sasha nodded, leaning forward slightly with obvious conviction.  "But, I know she can do it," he insisted.  "It's not that different from us trying to integrate with Hogwarts.  And, I think she wants to try."  It frustrated him that it being a challenge for Abby to integrate was seen as a reason to not help her try.  She certainly wasn't going to succeed if that was the perspective everyone took.  "And things aren't ... it's more diverse in the muggle world.  Even if she slips up, it won't ... accidentally mentioning dragons isn't going to do much more than make people think she's eccentric.  And, there's lots of muggles who don't mind eccentricity." 

"But, right now she's an outsider in both worlds," Sasha pointed out, shrugging his shoulders.  "And, I -" 

He didn't really have a ready made argument to what would happen come September.  In his head, he'd been picturing the ideal scenario: he'd help her connect with people in the muggle world who could then, in turn, continue to help her even when he came back to school.  It wouldn't be the same, of course.  They wouldn't know the bigger picture.  But, given the way Abby was so quick to change subjects when it became difficult, he suspected Aileen's concern was valid. 

But, then, again, "how much of that is from everyone around her not expecting much of her?" 

He hadn't meant to say that bit aloud.  But, he had.  And, it was out there. 

"There are remedial classes in the muggle world.  I'm sure there are people - teachers who'd help her.  And - my sister.  Or, maybe I could keep going to classes with her in September."  The later, he knew, was a long shot.  In an ideal world it might work but he knew it would probably never happen.

With growing skepticism and a twist to her mouth, Aileen listened to Sasha mention Beit Gaddol, then insist that Abby could integrate into the muggle world because she really wanted to, and that most muggles didn't mind eccentricity.

Her skepticism morphed into sudden irritation when Sasha suggested that he continue attending muggle classes with Abby in September. He so quickly disregarded his magical education, as if it weren't a privilege to attend Hogwarts.

"Absolutely not!" She stated with a firm shake of her head. "You're not putting that responsibility on your shoulders, or throwing away your opportunities here. I'm certain Abby would be uncomfortable with that as well. Make decisions for you, for yourself, and let me worry about putting Abby first."

Guilt flared even as she gave him her most authoritative look. Had she ever put Abby first? How could she? She'd arguably done the most for her out of the Reid family, but she had her own job and life to worry about, and trying to play catch up after fifteen years of ignoring issues was no easy task.

If anyone else had been sitting in front of her right now, like an adult or a less favored student, Aileen would have ended the conversation and spared them further frustration. But a part of her wanted him to understand. Abby might be able to follow Sasha for a little while, but Sasha was just one person, a teenager who was (rightfully) still figuring out life for himself. Offering the aid of his muggle sister or other teachers did very little to reassure her that muggle classes would benefit Abby. Aileen didn't know enough about the muggle world to be there for her, and she certainly was not joining her in remedial classes to do it. The idea, in her mind, was ridiculous.

"We've already established that for a muggle class to be of any use to Abby, she'd need to be involved for longer than one summer," she stated flatly, face impassive. "How long before she sees any benefit? Months? Years? And after all that time, it still might not be enough to catch up to other muggles competing for jobs in the muggle world.

"If she tries to apply for a job in the wizarding world, how is she going to justify her time and new skills? Few careers attach value to muggle relations. Unless you've got one foot in the wizarding world, and one in the muggle world, and you've been navigating between the two for a good portion of your life," she gestured towards him, "I see a few dismal outcomes. She'll be in remedial classes, while you'll be in advanced classes or starting your career. She'll throw her effort into classes that will take years for her to reach a payoff, and she'll have to explain what she's been doing to any number of wizarding employers."

Aileen shook her head, letting her frustration show through. "I see no reason to make it clearer to her that she's an outsider in both worlds. Which is what this would accomplish."

Sasha flinched, slightly, when Professor Reid quite bluntly rejected the notion of him going to a muggle school in the coming year.  It had been a casual thought - one he didn't think would have prompted such a reaction.  Personally, he didn't see the big deal and that uncertainty showed in his face.  These past three months had shown him, if nothing else, then he could manage perfectly well without Hogwarts.  Hogwarts certainly made getting his education convenient but it certainly wasn't vital.

"There are wizarding students who are home schooled," he pointed out.  "And, tutors - I ... I don't know.  I'm planning on coming back for NEWTs, but I did alright away from here.  In some ways, I did better away from Snark than I did here before.  But, if I did decide to go to a muggle school, instead, I would be doing it for my own reasons."  It wouldn't have been out of responsibility for Abby.  That would have just been another benefit. 

He wasn't sure if it was intentional or if he was somehow giving that impression, but Professor Reid seemed to think he was trying to make Abby into a muggle.  He wasn't.  She wasn't a muggle.  No more than he was.  Ok.  So, a little more than he was.  And, trying to make her into a muggle seemed to give the impression that being a squib wasn't good enough just as much as isolating her from witches and wizards her age. 

All of which just wasn't really the point anyway.  "If the primary benefit of Abby taking classes with me over the summer is to give her an education that would allow her to compete against other muggles to get into Oxford Law then, yes, she would need to be committed to it for longer than a summer.  And, if at the end of the summer, that's what she decided she really, truly wanted to do than I think she could do it.  And, we should help her.  But, that's not ..." 

Sasha scratched his head for a moment.  A year ago, there was no doubt Sasha would have bowed his head and apologized for the inconvenience at the first sour look from the Professor.  He still wasn't exactly brimming with confidence but he also wasn't wilting like a flower that had decided to bloom next to a hot air vent.  He didn't have a clue why.  But, he was somewhat surprised by himself when he pushed on.

"She already knows she's an outsider in both worlds," Sasha said with a shake of her head.  "Hiding her away isn't going to make her forget.  All this will do - it'll just ... expose her to more options.  Let her meet people she could be around during the year.   If, at the end of the summer, she doesn't want to keep doing the school part, she doesn't have to.  But, she could still keep in touch with the people she meets.  Like my teammates or something.  And, maybe something she sees in the muggle world will give her ideas for something she can do in the wizarding world.  You can't argue she's more likely to come across career options that don't involve magic in the muggle world.  Maybe she doesn't do well in anything else but really likes the drama club.  Or, photography.  Or - she meets someone who's father works in fashion - or - it's just ... it's just giving her an opportunity to explore more options.  It's not about the academics."  Which, wasn't an easy thing for Sasha to admit.  "It's about getting her out of her house."

Aileen had noticed the flinch, and shook her head at Sasha's reasoning to continue studying away from Hogwarts if he chose. It bothered her that he'd even consider picking tutors or homeschooling over the opportunities offered here. She couldn't comment without getting upset with him, however, so she let it go.

His points about Abby were beginning to make sense, and she found her resolve wavering. She could support getting Abby out of the house! She wanted her to spend time with people her own age over the summer, and when students returned to Hogwarts too. Muggles were a last resort, but Aileen saw them as temporary fixes until Sasha and Neely graduated.

Aileen studied his face. If he was criticizing her silently, he did a good job of hiding it. He never said that she should be doing more, that she'd taken too long to start caring about Abby, or that she was close minded and overly negative. He never pointed out that the purist ideals she'd been raised with might be affecting her judgment. All of those points would have had some merit. Sasha simply focused on Abby, and what was best for her.

Settling back in her chair, Aileen let out a small sigh. Her expression was tired.

"Alright," she conceded with an air of defeat and relief.

"I will think about it. You've made your point. You've even made a few points I agree with," Aileen raised her eyebrows.

"I'll speak to Abby and relate what you've told me. And we'll see how the conversation goes."

She could scarcely believe she was doing this, and hoped more than ever before that word of her folly wouldn't get out. Who was she kidding? Abby would announce it to the world. The flurry of owls tomorrow morning could be blamed entirely on her younger sister, Aileen would expect.

"You may make your exclamations of gratitude, now," she smiled. "Or join a debate club, either one."

He had ... she ... she thought he'd made some valid points? 

Sasha blinked as he watched Professor Reid.  She hadn't smiled at all - she'd merely just sighed.  Which meant she wasn't exactly happy with the decision.  Just ... well, acquiesced.  But, still.  He hadn't been (fully) yelled at, laughed at or hexed.  She hadn't threatened to suspend him for even suggesting it (at this point, it wouldn't have surprised him).  All things considered, that sigh was more than he'd expected. 

"I ... well, thank you."  Now, he just had to hope that Abby wasn't going to be angry that he'd talked to her sister. 

Actually, when he thought about it, he hadn't yet seen Abby get angry over anything.  Something told him an angry Abby was a scary thing. 

A brief, broad grin accompanied the 'thank you' but that was about the extent of his exclamations of gratitude.  He ducked his head in a gesture that could have either been considered apologetic or grateful just before confusion flickered back.  "We have a debate club?" he asked.  If so, it was a good question.  Why wasn't he on the team?

Sasha glanced down at the desk he was seated at, not sure if Professor Reid had forgotten about his side of the bargain and, if so, whether it was in his best interest to remind her.  He could pretend like he'd forgotten.  (Was that even believable?)  "I ... well, thank you," he repeated with just enough of a conclusive tone that her response would make it clear whether she'd forgotten about the topic of his life plans. 

Aileen's mouth twitched when Sasha wondered out loud if Hogwarts had a debate club. She shook her head in response. The student could be so insightful one moment, and so dense the next. True talent right there.

She'd expected the hesitant grin and multiple thank-yous. He also looked like he thought she'd change her mind any second, or tell him there was a catch. What she had to say in the next few minutes probably wouldn't ease his worries.

"I'm leaving it up to you if you'd like to talk about your career plans," she decided, personally feeling like she'd heard enough about muggle this and muggle that.

"I do have a small favor to ask of you, however," Aileen smiled, attempting to look reassuring.

Okay.  Maybe it had been a bit of a stupid question but it was probably no secret by now that Sasha could be gullible.  He grinned awkwardly before shrugging. 

She said she was leaving the topic up to him.  Did she actually mean it or was this one of those cases in which girls (or women) said one thing and meant another.  He'd agreed, after all.  And, Aileen had actually given him more credit than he'd been expecting.  If this were his parents, there was no doubt this would have been a test of his honor.  It would have been them seeing if he would actually take the easy out and go against his word. 

A pinch of color rose in his cheeks and he shrugged, again.  "I don't really know what I want to do," he admitted, his blush darkening.  "Other than the obvious ones - like Aurors and professors and ... well, people I've seen - I don't really know what the options are.  I haven't really had a lot of exposure to the wizarding world outside of Hogwarts.  Other than the Ministry."  And, St. Mungo's.  "I mean, I know some of them - they let me wander the career fair a little.  I know I'm not really Auror material.  But - I don't know.  There aren't really any classes I don't like.  Except Divination." 

His nose wrinkled.  "I want to do something that'll challenge me.  Everyone seems to have some ideas about what they think I should be doing."  Kronos, his parents, most of his professors as well.  "I know I'm good at logic and I actually think I really like the political side of what I'm doing with my internship.  I've been reluctant to decide, though, because I don't think I really know enough of the options." 

"Sure- I mean, of course," Sasha agreed without hesitation.  Perhaps he shouldn't have been so quick to agree but it wasn't like he was going tell a Professor 'no.'