"Severus," Professor McGonagall said, raising her voice, "Will has a talent rarely seen in Hogwarts' history! He could earn twelve Outstandings! With results like that, he could take any job he wanted.
"Beyond the Association of Magical Apothecaries and the Rune Association, the Ministry of Magic, St. Mungo's, and every other employer in the Wizarding World would open their doors to him."
"Endless possibilities?" Snape shook his head. "Minerva, do you want Will to become an Auror? A Magizoologist? A doctor at St. Mungo's? Do those foolish jobs, running all over the world and mucking about in the dirt, deserve his talent?"
Snape's gaze settled on Will. His bottomless black eyes fixed on him, and his voice held an almost fanatical certainty. "Will... is the future of Potions, the one who will usher in a new era! Making him waste his time at the Ministry of Magic or anywhere else would be the greatest insult to his talent!"
"Severus, you can't be so absolute," Professor Flitwick cut in. "Will's ability in Charms is just as remarkable!"
"Oh, on that point," Snape said, giving Professor Flitwick a look, "Filius, I agree with you completely. But Will is a Slytherin, and I am Slytherin's Head of House.
"Dumbledore may want us to decide together, but I stand by my view: Will's talent for Potions far exceeds his talent for Charms."
Professor Flitwick smiled, unbothered by Snape's displeasure.
In fact, Professor Flitwick seemed to ignore Snape's jab entirely as he said to Professor McGonagall:
"If Will wants to return to Hogwarts to teach someday, he's already qualified to teach either Charms or Potions Class. He has no need to collect twelve Outstandings. And from the look of things, I doubt he'd want to take Divination anyway."
"But—" Professor McGonagall tried to argue.
"Now,