It was only the first day of the trip and so much had happened to Zoe Torret. Already they had explored some of Egypt and the young witch had loved it. She had never been to Egypt and when the chance came up to go Zoe had nearly pounced on her parents to sign a permission slip. They, of course, had said yes and packed her accordingly. Joy, Zoe's mother, had even insisted she take her special traveling suitcase with an Undetectable Extension Charm on it. Zoe had insisted to take her cat Snowy along with her and made sure to pack supplies for the cat.

The group had just finished dinner and began three hours of freetime at their hotel. Zoe took this opportunity to visit her roomate, Professor Levartian. She was the 13th girl on the trip and either had to be with two other girls or room with an adult. As she loved to be kind and close to professors, Zoe opted with an adult roomate. She chose Professor Levartian, as she was Zoe's Arithmancy teacher. Who knows, they might even become close despite the fact that Levartian was head of Gryffindor, not Ravenclaw.

Zoe brushed off her Muggle shirt and skirt, making sure it was completely clean. After finding she was good, Zoe walked over to the professor, her cat lying on her shoulders as usual. "Hello Professor. This trip really seems like it'll be fun, and with good food as well. Did you enjoy dinner too?" She had decided to start just a simple topic to perhaps spark something more. A soft but still friendly smile was upon her face and Zoe was keeping her usual kind to professors attitude. It wasn't a lie Zoe sometimes warmed up professors to get on their good side, those who like you aren't as hard on you when you mess up and will sometimes award you more often. It didn't take a Ravenclaw to understand that. Not to say she didn't enjoy speaking with professors at Hogwarts without wanting to take advantage, their extreme knowledge the professors often had of their subject or even some relating subjects dazzled the girl.

Myrni had enjoyed the first day of travel and settling in on the trip and it really had highlighted how stressed and conflicted she had been during the past year. Not long after leaving school grounds did Myrni feel as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Did placing distance between herself and all of her troubles spell instant cure? There was still a lot of travel to go to say for sure.

After shopping with some of the students who had wanted to do it and after dinner, Myrni returned to her shared hotel room and decided to spend some time corresponding with her family, specifically her aunt and cousin in the states. She glanced up when Zoe walked in the room and smiled.

"It is a nice trip so far. And I don't know about you, but I enjoy trying new foods. Definitely different from what we're used to in the Great Hall, don't you think?" She grinned at the young girl. Then she turned her attention back to finishing up the last bit of her letter before she set her writing supplies off to the side.

"So do you have any plans for the rest of the evening? Are any of the other students planning any gatherings? You do have some time before curfew...you don't have to spend your time with a fuddy duddy uncool professor like me," she joked. The professor reached out to scratch the girl's pet on the forehead. "And I'm sure they would enjoy the chance to meet your little buddy here."ญญญ

Zoe nodded. "Yeah, it is nice trying something new. I like new foods, and I'm sure that the meals can only get better from here." She waited patiently as the professor finished her letter, raising an arm to pet Snowy. The cat purred at her master's touch, rubbing againest her quite familiar hand.

As Levartian finished her letter, Zoe ran her hand once again over her pet then lowered it. She laughed at the presented question. "I don't have any plans, and I haven't heard of any gatherings. Not sure who I'd go hang out with. I'm the only one of my year here and no one else here I'm really close to. Not sure whether seven at night is the best time to be trying to make friends." Snowy made a motion on Zoe's shoulder signaling she wanted to get off. Zoe bent down and the nimble cat leaped off, walked over to the bed. "And don't worry," Zoe added. "You're not that uncool. Maybe a little but not that much." A sly smile upon Zoe's face told that she too was joking. "Honestly, you're my favorite female professor and teach my third favorite class." The smile that Zoe now had wasn't a joking smile, but a truthful one.

Zoe walked over to her suitcase, opening it. She wasn't sure if the remarks the professor had made were from humor or from the wish for her to get out of the woman's hair. She had interupted her writing a letter after all. Glancing over to see where Snowy was, which was now the bed which Zoe and Levartian would be sharing since this was a teacher's room, the girl withdrew a digital camera from a skirt pocket. Her friend Rebecca gave it to her to take pictures of the trip and already it had proven itself useful. Zoe looked it over for a few moments before putting it into the suitcase. There was little chance she would need it that night.

Zoe stuck her hand into what seemed like a bottomless pit and felt around. Finally, her hand ran across what she was looking for. She pulled out a mouse toy and it wriggled, trying to get out of the girl's hand. The toy was obviously enchanted. "Hey Snowy." Her master's voice got the cat's attention. Seeing the mouse toy, she sprung from the bed. Zoe tossed the toy into the air, Snowy jumping towards the toy, her claws outstretched. They hit their mark. The mouse was left with a large gash, stuffing spilling out the side. It hit the floor motionless. It was hardly a second later before the stuffing disappeared, the gash healing itself and the stuffing that was lost seeming to regrow. The toy again came to life and began to scurry along the floor, though it had no legs. Snowy continued hunt the immortal mouse. Zoe smiled, used to this way of the toy, and walked back over to the professor. "Her favorite toy," she stated. "My father enchanted it himself."

Myrni was glad that so many students were taking advantage of this kind of trip to gain exposure to other cultures and experiences. Most of them were young and still a ways off from needing to choose a career path, but she considered that it might be enough to spark and interest in them for something beyond book learning and typical school activities.

Zoe seemed to have a good head on her shoulders. Myrni had been able to get to know her from Arithmancy class and she hoped the young Ravenclaw would choose to continue through to NEWT level.

"Is there anything you're really looking forward to while on the trip," Myrni asked. "It's only the first day and there's plenty planned out." The Arithmancy professor reached for the itinerary and briefly perused it.

Myrni chuckled when Zoe told her how she and her class ranked. "Oh really? So what are your second and first favorite classes?" She was interested to know which classes hers had lost out to.

She watched with interest as the girl played with her cat and for a moment wished that she had kept a pet or two. But she knew that her schedule hardly allowed her the time to pay it the proper attention.

"How long have you had Snowy?"

Zoe nodded. "Oh yes. I am so looking forward to most landmarks or temples or other famous parts of Egpyt.  There is so much to do in Egypt, I've heard about it's grand history and many temples. Did you know ancient Egypt was one of the first civilizations in the world? Rebecca told me that," Zoe stated proudly. Rebecca had taught Zoe Middle Eastern history after she said that she was studying another type of history, the history of England. This was a lie, but got Rebecca to tell her what she was learning. Zoe and Rebecca sent letter back and forth about school, Rebecca often talking about what they learned and Zoe talking about how students acted in class or the latest about the clubs she was in, stuff about social things in the school. This was because of the fact that every class Zoe had was called Muggle class. This she could do easily, but she could not make up all the lessons not knowing anything about the subjects. It still worked out to be good letters, because a lot always seemed to happen in Hogwarts. "I'm also looking forward to the beach here. I almost never go to any beaches and I do enjoy them."

Zoe wasn't afraid to tell the professor which classes she prefered, she was sure Levartian would respect her decision. "Charms is second, I've always loved it, and Muggle Studies is first," she answered quickly and with sureness. The girl knew very well which classes she liked and didn't, she had long ago made a list.

As Zoe watched her cat play with its toy, Professor Levartian asked how long she had Snowy. "Oh, it seems like forever. She was my birthday present when I was 10, back then she was just a cute little kitten. Weren't you girl?" Snowy paid no attention to her master, continuing to chase and slash the enchanted toy. "I love my little girl. She's just like another family member. She's still got a good ten years to go. But I'll be sad to see her leave." Cats had a much shorter lifespan than humans and that had been made clear to Zoe. Yet she couldn't imagine life without her cat. The fun of watching her play, the soft fur againest her neck, the meows and purrs. Somehow Zoe had spent 9 years of her life without Snowy. Ten years wasn't short, it was still a lot of time to have fun with the furry creature.

Zoe looked at Professor Levartian. "I have a question for you now. Why did you choose Egypt for the Hogwarts trip?" This was something Zoe had been wondering. It was a very nice country, but she was sure another place would have been just as interesting. Either the professor liked Egypt for a reason, or she picked it for no real reason. Maybe it was its normal tourist attractions. Zoe had no idea.

"I did know that," Myrni said with a nod. "Although I must admit that it's been a really long time since I've studied all the hidden details about this amazing land." She grinned. "But if you like it that much, there are lots of jobs in magic that will allow you to work here. Who knows...maybe one of them will be your calling...."

Myrni listened with interest as Zoe shared her favorite classes with her. It wasn't because she actually cared that students enjoyed other classes more than her own. It simply helped her know more about them and what made their little minds tick. And some of her best and favored students were not even going to be using her subject beyond Hogwarts. Myrni was a bit surprised when Zoe asked about the choice in trip destination.

"Oh, well...Year Out does a bunch of trips to various places all over the world," the teacher began. "It just so happened that this one had a variable schedule for when groups could come and go. The adventures continue all year long."

Zoe nodded, taking in the reasonable answer. It wasn't a surprising answer, but since the professor had asked Zoe quite a few questions she felt it was only right for her to come up with something for her. Not being able to think of another question, she decided to instead comment on one of the professor's comments about her calling. "I really have no idea what my calling is. Or where it might take place. I really want to do something with non-magic folk. I also want to do something with enchantment. I've always been inspired by my father, he always is tinkering with enchantments and has made some really nice things. I've never really enchanted anything like I wanted, but I've gotten close sometimes. I also know quite a few healing spells from my mum and I'm rather good at them, plus I can do some nice potions. As long as my job doesn't involve caring or harvesting plants, never been quite good at that. I can work with animals though." Zoe thought of jobs she could do. She knew very well that she might be able to do many jobs, but she had to find something that she wasn't just good at, but amazing at. Zoe believed that everyone had one or two things that they were made for and their mission was to find it. She liked to believe her mum and pa had found that.

Zoe looked down and found Snowy stand at her feet, the tail of an enchanted mouse toy clutched tightly between her teeth. "Took you long enough Snowy, where's the usual spark?" she asked her cat. Zoe took the mouse toy by the body, Snowy releasing it from her mother as her master took it. "This is what she usually does," she explained. "Grab the mouse then bring it to me by its tail. But she usually does it much faster. You sleepy girl?" Snowy gained a serious expression and focused fully on the squealing mouse, giving a low hiss. "There you go, now stuff gets real. Ok, go!"

The mouse was hurled into the air, Snowy getting it mid-air. She tackled it to the ground, lashing out her teeth towards the wiggling tail. "Shouldn't take her long," Zoe commented. "So, what career do you think might be good for me?" She leaned againest the wall, pulling out a braid in her hair and smoothing it out.

Myrni chuckled. "Yes, not everyone is well suited for plants and animals....aside from pets, that is." She shrugged. "Though I wasn't terrible in those subjects, I wasn't exactly jumping to do them for a living. Sometimes though, what you end up doing just falls into your lap....like me and Arithmancy. It just happened to be something I was really good at and I and I enjoyed. It constantly challenged me....like a puzzle."

Myrni continued to watch as Zoe played with her cat with interest, for the enchanted mouse was something she had never seen before. But she was called back to the conversation by Zoe's question. "Well, it sounds like you could do well with the new Muggle Affairs office at the Ministry." She paused and continued thinking. Then Myrni raised her brows and she added, "Or since you like enchantments, perhaps Obliviating might be an idea. That often requires work with non-magical persons."

Zoe nodded, acknowledging the professor's words. Snowy came to her, mouse in mouth, and Zoe threw it again. It was moments later a few words caught her by surprise. As soon as 'Obliviating' slipped through Levartian's mouth, Zoe's eyes grew wide and she suddenly fell over, banging her head againest the wall she was leaning againest on the way down. A small moan from the pain escaped Zoe, catching Snowy attention. The cat loyaly ran over to her master, rubbing againest her body as a sign of asking if she was alright.

Zoe hadn't meant to fall, she just had. It was the few seconds thinking of herself being an Obilviator that hit her harder than the professor suggesting it. Zoe's deepest largest desire was to have wizards and Muggles live together. For it to be legal for every Muggle to know who was a wizard or witch. If she looked into the Mirror of Erised she would see Rebecca and herself, both in wizard attire and on a broomstick, Zoe at the head and driving it. Of course, there were a few other details, but that was off topic. Though she understood the need for the secrecy, she still despised the law and Obilviators. The setence after that sounded quite like mockery to Zoe, working with them yes, but only to cast a Memory Charm on them. Yet the professor didn't use to word 'Muggle' in the sentence, which was a word Zoe herself never said. She only thought it.

"Oh, dear me, I'm sorry. Must be... tired...." Zoe gave Snowy a reassuring scratch on the head and slowly got to her feet. "No, I don't think I'd.... no, not an.... Obliviator. Um... yes.... not my kind of job." A rosy blush came over Zoe's face as she stuttered an answer through her still confused mind to her mouth. "Maybe the Muggle Affairs office but even then...." The sentence was finished inside her head. Even then she'd have to work to seperate the two worlds. The worlds which were two sides of a double sided mirror, each side which only reflected its own world.

Zoe pushed that thought out of her mind and began a new one. "I was thinking more of something... well..." Once again the sentence was finished in her head. She wanted a job that wasn't just with Muggles or involved them, but something that brought the two worlds together. Replace the double sided mirror with easy to see through glass. "Like Muggle Studies professor. Teach others about non-magic folk. I've had experience with them before, they aren't some dangerous beast." Her mind began to process normally again and the ability of speech returned to her. "Professors can still use all types of magic, and I'm sure I can still have time for tinkering with enchantments. I'm just not sure I'd have what it takes. All the professors just seem, well they teach all of the wizards and witches in England, they're the best of the best! Any professor here has to be just or more talented than a very advanced wizard." Zoe remembered she was speaking to a professor and the embarrased blush she had earlier returned.

Zoe's reaction to the conversation startled Myrni and the professor's first instinct when the girl fell over was to reach out to try and help her. Shock settled over her features and she warily asked, "Are you okay, Zoe?"

Myrni wasn't sure if it was something that she had said which had caused Zoe to react in such a way. In truth, she didn't know that much about her young student and maybe there was a reason for it. She had no way of knowing what was going on in the girl's head.

"Tired?" Myrni was skeptical but she nodded and listened as Zoe began speaking again. She seemed to not be sold on the ideas of Obliviator and the Muggle Affairs office. Myrni shrugged. "Well, the beauty of it is that you still have a ways to go before you need to decide..."

Her voice trailed off when Zoe seemed intent on sharing a little more with her about her ambitions. Grinning at her consideration at being a professor, Myrni spoke supportively, "Professors are certainly a noble profession. And Muggle Studies is a subject that needs devoted scholars, particularly in this time period when there is so much change happening within wizarding culture. You are right that muggles are not as bad as some in our society like to believe. And if there's ever hope to help change that view, having those committed to changing that view point in positions of influence is important." Myrni paused and then added, "I hope you're successful in your goal, Zoe."

Zoe nodded thoughtfully at the Professor's answer. "Thank you," she responded. "I think I'll go to bed now." Honestly Zoe hardly felt tired at all, but as she just played it off as falling down because she was so tired it wouldn't be wise to stay up as late as she wished. "C'mon Snowy." The young witch began to walk back to her suitcase, the loyal cat following.

Zoe pulled out a night gown and a cat bed from her suit case, placing both on the bed. As this was the teacher room, it was one large bed the two shared. Snowy immediatly curled up in her cat bed, purring. The young witch glanced at the professor, holding her night gown in one hand. If this had been her mother or even another female student Zoe would of had no problem changing in front of her, but as this was a professor she felt less comfortable. "Give me one minute." Zoe said, and with that undressed and redressed into her night gown.

The light blue silk swirling around her legs as she walked, Zoe placed the cat bed with Snowy inside carefully on the floor next to her side of the bed. "Oh yeah, this is the non-magical one, of course," she said, reacting to the coldness of the cat bed. The cat bed Zoe usually used for Snowy was enchanted to heat up and keep the cat nice and warm. However, since they were in a Muggle area, Joy had packed the non-magical cat bed, the one Zoe used when Rebecca came over. The young witch walked back to her suit case and fished around for the cat blanket. Finding anything was going to be hard with this suit case, she could tell. Though, it didn't take long for Zoe to find the cat blanket, and she pulled it out and draped it over Snowy.

Now satisfied that Snowy was alright for the night Zoe climbed into the bed, occupying only her side. The young witch had completely forgotten about the enchanted mouse toy, which had made its way into a corner of the room. But Zoe didn't think of the toy, only of the challenges she'd face to get to get her dream job.