#mndstarter

Seventh year was quickly coming to an end, much too quickly for one Cooper Anderson. Now he had to start thinking about the next chapter of his life. Like his late father, Cooper was finally settled on the path he’d been working towards for most of his school career. The young wizard wanted to become an Auror, to use his passion and skills in a line of work he was deeply enthused about.

With the sudden death of his father, Cooper had had a great deal of disturbance to the first term of his last year. Now it was time to take a breath and try to get himself throughout the rest of it. The school were accommodating, Cooper knew he probably wouldn’t have made it through to the other side of Christmas without some of the Professor’s support. Though now he was ready to move past it.

It had been over Christmas when the thought had come to mind. Now Cooper adored his mother, he was a huge momma’s boy and still at a few days away from eighteen would rather curl up by her side than go out with friends. Yet there’s a time when every little bird needs to fly the nest and leave home.

Cooper had sent a letter to the Auror’s department at MACUSA. The idea of spending a few years in America had always appealed to the Slytherin. After reading about Newt Scamander’s travels over and over at bedtime, he was determined to get some travelling done during his life, so why not start now?

Nobody could deny that Cooper was ambitious. Having written a well worded letter to the department over the holidays, he had; stated his case for why he would be suited to train there; referenced his grades, skills and ambitions; as well as maybe throwing in a cheeky name drop of one Richard Anderson.

The response had been delivered earlier that morning during breakfast, the corner of the envelope landing in his bowl of cereal after Humphrey failed at his aim again. Though the snake hadn’t been able to bring himself to read it yet. 

Monday, for once, whizzed by. He attended his classes, turned in his homework, then spent the evening hollering at the players from the ground for some small coaching sessions; he knew better than to get on a broom just yet. Now Cooper had taken himself off to the quiet ambience of the infamous Great Hall.

The fires crackled and popped in the corners of the room and the rain trickled down the glass-pane windows. Wind whistled through the rafters and there was a gentle warmth and calmness about the room. A couple of other students were spread out in the vast room, each minding their own business. With dinner having finished hours ago, the room was free as a quiet space for individuals.

Parchment, quill and books were spread out on the table, he was trying to work his way through a Potions paper. It was probably one of his weaker subjects. Not that he was failing the class by any means, though he had to put some graft in if he wanted to round the grade up to an outstanding. Cooper was determined to work for his final grades, knowing most of them were the key to a successful position within the Ministry, plus they looked impressive on job applications.

The seventh year was sat quietly, which for anyone who knew Cooper, wasn’t a thing that came by often. Running his thumb over his bottom lip in thought, his gaze stayed fixed on the dancing flames that aided in lighting the room. 

A quick surge of frustration mixed with anxiety, excitement, worry and all those feelings bubbling in the bottom of his stomach, caused him to reach into his trouser pocket, pull out the folded envelope and tear it open, revealing the letter.