Zach had never been the best student, hadn't received the highest marks in their class in any subject. Really, when employers came battering down doors to look at people, he wasn't one of them. Nor was he any teacher's particular favorite. But he had worked hard, and he had applied for the Experimental Charms job on practically a whim. He hadn't thought he could get it, but he had, and more than that, Zach did well. He was good at what he did, and he was confident at it - not just at dance or piano or something. Those mattered too, but it had been harder to be proud of his own work. "It's the first time I've been really good at something...magical," Zach admitted, "I can look at what I've done, and I know it's good. And I know more about it than anyone else. And I could probably out-charm any of our classmates now, even the best ones."
That made him smile a little. But he kept thinking of Cedric. That almost made him squirm. "I was really close with Cedric," Zach stated quietly.