, First Job

Chapter 4 My First Job

The path that comes into view is relatively wide, and although it is still crowded with people in the evening, it does not feel crowded at all.

As you watch all sorts of people pass by, most of them wearing long robes and pointed hats, with only one or two in suits, they don't seem out of place here.

The area is surrounded by various buildings and shops, including the iconic Gringotts, Eira Owl Shop, Flourish and Blotts, Florin Pop Ice Cream Shop, and Patchy Crucible Shop.

Familiar shops reappear one by one, the overlap of illusion and reality makes everything seem both mysterious and magical.

"Some things and landscapes can only be truly appreciated by experiencing them in person. Just like someone who has never been to Egypt will never understand the awe-inspiring sight of the towering pyramids and the giant Sphinx in the vast desert."

Ian stared blankly at the scene before him, his heart filled with excitement and anticipation. After all, no HP fan could remain calm upon arriving at Diagon Alley.

"However, the most urgent task is to find a job that can sustain me. I hope there are no restrictions on child labor in the wizarding world."

Money can take you anywhere, but without it, you can't move an inch. Ian, who had struggled for over thirty years in his previous life, understood this principle better than anyone.

There will never be a shortage of jobs in this world, but sometimes it takes the right time and the right opportunity to get one easily.

Obviously, Ian didn't meet the latter two criteria, so unlike in previous novels, the protagonists couldn't easily find a well-paying job in Diagon Alley.

Although she managed to strike up conversations with nearly half a street of shops without getting hurt thanks to her stunning good looks, she eventually had to admit that magic was just too convenient.

With a flick of the wrist, he effortlessly accomplished what seemed like a tedious task to the average person, much like a conductor in an orchestra.

So there's no shortage of cheap labor here.

"It seems that no matter the world, skilled people are always in high demand. It's normal that someone like me, who can only do odd jobs right now, doesn't have many opportunities. But there are still some things I need to do my best to ask around at these shops before it gets completely dark."

Ian gazed at the Madam Malkin's robe boutique before him, lost in thought. Without further hesitation, he naturally pushed open the door and entered.

"Darling, is there anything I can help you with?" Before her stood a short, plump witch with a beaming smile.

Although Mrs. Malkin was asking her routine questions, the admiration in her eyes was impossible to hide. She had already noticed it when Ian was watching from the doorway.

After all, such a handsome boy is rare. His perfect figure and temperament, as well as his lonely and melancholy eyes, are something I have never encountered in the decades I have been running my clothing store.

Looking at the slightly reserved young man in front of her, Madam Malkin seemed to understand something and said, "Or you can rest for a while, after all, there is still quite some time before the shop closes."

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I wanted to ask if you need any apprentices or other odd jobs here. I need a job, madam, could you provide one?"

Perhaps the safety net mechanism really kicked in, after being rejected more than ten times in a row.

This time, Mrs. Malkin did not refuse outright. She looked the boy up and down and said, "Perhaps I need a professional fitting person, and he also needs to work as a concierge."

After a slight pause, Mrs. Malkin explained:

"You know, as the start of the school year approaches, a lot of energetic young wizards come to order school uniforms, and sometimes I really can't handle them all by myself. I work 8 hours a day, and of course, I'll offer 15 Galleons a week. I don't know if you'd accept that."

In fact, Mrs. Malkin had her own plans. She had this feeling the moment she saw Ian; this boy was a natural fashion model. Especially after hearing that he was looking for work, she agreed without any hesitation.

After all, she had been constantly crushed by the Tuofan Clothing Store for so many years that her Madam Mokin's Robe Specialty Store had become a synonym for vulgarity and ordinariness.

"Perhaps this year my shop can become a fashion trendsetter in the wizarding world, and may even surpass that damned shop in one fell swoop." Thinking of this, Madam Malkin was very excited.

After a brief agreement, she couldn't wait to summon the ever-present measuring ruler. The ruler flew to Ian and began to record his body data in detail.

Mrs. Malkin's reasoning was that as an employee and concierge of the clothing store, she had to wear the store's uniform, which was a form of recognition and promotion for the store. Of course, the uniform was free.

Ian understood and cooperated actively. Of course, free services might be his primary motivation, but some things cannot be shown outright.

In less than fifteen minutes, after the ruler finished recording, it flew back to the shelf compartment on its own.

Looking at the data before her, Mrs. Malkin breathed a deep sigh of relief. As a seasoned seamstress, this data undoubtedly proved how correct her previous decision had been.

"See you tomorrow!"

"Yes, madam. If nothing unexpected happens, I will arrive on time tomorrow."

Because the most important thing—finding a job—was solved, Ian unconsciously slowed his pace on his way back to the bar, slowly taking in the Diagon Alley under the night sky. At that moment, he fully demonstrated what it meant to be carefree and unburdened.

"15 Galleons, that's quite a lot. Although Rowling didn't write about other people's income in the original book, according to the calculations of the great god in my previous life, the average employee of the Ministry of Magic only earns 100 Galleons a month. Harry Potter buys a bunch of snacks on the train for 12 Sickles, rides the Knight Bus for 11 Sickles, and a spoonful of Floo Powder for 2 Sickles. In short, that's a pretty good income."

Ian laughed self-deprecatingly. In truth, he didn't care about the amount of money at all. Even if Madam Malkin only gave him 5 Galleons a week, or even less, it wouldn't matter.

What he cares about is whether he can gain a foothold in this world; compared to that, everything else is insignificant.

Can you be poorer than cooking porridge in the apocalypse? And to apply the most common rule for job hopping in the workplace, "riding a donkey while looking for a horse," he can't afford to be disappointed.

……

Diagon Alley is quiet under the cover of night. Strolling along this wide street, tranquility envelops the various shops on both sides, some already closed and some closing, the merchants returning home, and the laughing children.

Looking at the painting titled "Human World in the Fireworks" before him, Ian thought of the desolation and ruin he had seen in the apocalypse and suddenly smiled happily.

"What a beautiful moment, everything happened so naturally and cleverly, it's wonderful!"

Because we were enjoying the cultural and scenic views along the way, we entered the bar just as it was closing time.

Old Tom watched the figure approach and, seeing the relieved look on his face, joked, "It seems our young master is quite pleased with himself right now. Did he encounter some beautiful ladies in Diagon Alley?"

Ian didn't care about old Tom's teasing at all, because he knew that in interpersonal interactions, appropriate jokes can not only bring people closer, but more importantly, they send a signal that the other person is slowly letting down their guard and defenses.

"Ha, of course, because there were so many beautiful ladies on the street that I almost forgot the time to come back. But that's not important, because something more important has been taken care of. I found a job with Mrs. Malkin, with a weekly wage of 15 Galleons."

The reason Ian told Old Tom this information so quickly was simply because of the habits he developed in his previous life.

After all, I'm currently eating and drinking for free here, all thanks to the kindness of others who extended credit. So, it's the most basic moral principle to promptly inform the "creditor" of my creditworthiness.

Whether Old Tom cared about this small amount was none of his concern; other people had money, and Ian was responsible for his own debts. Ian had always been clear about his own position.

"Mrs. Malkin was once a great beauty..." Old Tom seemed to be thinking of something, and Ian suddenly noticed a fleeting blush and regret on his face.

"Ahem... Well, it's great that you found a job with her. Hmm, 15 Galleons is a reasonable salary. Alright, I left some dinner in the kitchen. If you need it, just go get it. If there's nothing else, I'm going to rest now. See you tomorrow!"

Watching his embarrassed figure recede into the distance, Ian was rather speechless...

New book, please add to your favorites! Please add to your favorites! Please add to your favorites! I beg you, dear readers!

(End of this chapter)