Ethan's Part-Time Job Life

"Let me see..."

Ethan tilted his head up, rising slightly on his toes to look at the notices on the board.

"Assist librarian Madam Pince in organizing The Invisible Book of Invisibility, reward 5 Sickles..."

"Assist Hagrid in disposing of rotten pumpkins, reward 3 Sickles... Hmm, I have a feeling it won't be that simple."

"Assist in cleaning and maintaining Bowtruckle nests—third-year students and above required, reward 8 Sickles..."

"Assist Professor Sprout in trimming Venomous Tentacula—danger, beware! Fifth-year students and above only, reward 10 Sickles."

The notices posted low were mostly simple tasks, like helping prepare materials, cleaning up, or copying things, with meager rewards.

The higher up they were, the harder they got.

At the very top, Ethan even spotted a notice reading "Eliminate the Grindylow in the cave by the Black Lake's edge."

The reward was a generous 2 Galleons, but only sixth- and seventh-year students could apply, and they had to form a team and go with a professor.

...It felt more like the professor was taking students on a leveling trip.

As a first-year, Ethan's options were very limited.

Just as he was about to take down the notice for helping Madam Pince organize the books—

A low, drawling voice rang out:

"Look how diligent our famous great painter is, actually starting on school assignments."

Ding!

You've encountered a wild Professor Snape!

Even without turning around, Ethan could tell who it was.

Finally here, huh.

Ethan thought.

He didn't answer right away. First, he leisurely took down the notice, then turned around.

Sure enough, there was Professor Snape's sallow, hooked-nosed face.

Not far off, Malfoy and his cronies were snickering, casting malicious glances this way.

—Standing up to the pureblood supremacists of Slytherin was just part of the Hogwarts experience.

"Good afternoon, Professor Snape." Ethan withdrew his gaze and smiled politely. "Is there something you need from me?"

Seeing Ethan's smile as if nothing had happened, Snape's mouth twitched, and he drawled slickly:

"Since you're looking for assignments, I happen to have one for you."

"Come to my office after dinner today and help me process some rat livers. Oh, I recall they happen to be soaking in Toad Bile."

As he finished speaking, the students nearby all changed expressions.

Just thinking about handling that slimy, bloody mess made them feel sick.

This couldn't even be called an "assignment"—it felt more like a punishment!

Yet Ethan showed no sign of reluctance. Instead, he said, "And the reward?"

"...Five Sickles."

Snape suddenly felt like he was being taken for a ride.

That feeling peaked when Ethan broke into a bright smile.

"Deal! I'll come find you right after dinner, Professor Snape. Just wait for me."

"..."

Snape's mouth worked a couple of times, but in the end, he said nothing.

With a sharp swish of his robes, he turned and swept away.

Only then did Michael dare to sidle up, eyes wide, whispering urgently:

"How could Professor Snape do that! Even detention usually doesn't involve handling something so disgusting!"

Ethan stroked the notice in his hand, intrigued. "Rat livers are disgusting? Then I'll have to savor them properly."

"And besides, there's money involved."

That part was crucial.

Michael: "..."

He was speechless.

Well, he'd forgotten—this was the guy who'd painted something as grotesque as Broom Rash.

What might be a punishment for others.

For Ethan, it was probably just an ordinary assignment.

Just then—

Ethan looked up and met Malfoy's gaze across the Slytherin table.

Malfoy shot him an infuriatingly smug grin, said something to the crony beside him, and they both burst into laughter.

Ethan watched the scene with a faint smile, as if he weren't the least bit angry about it.

No matter what, he wouldn't turn down Snape's commission—even if it did make him feel sick.

Ethan would never cave to anyone trying to thwart him.

All he had to do was accept the challenge.

And those challengers? They had a lot more to think about.

Like... how to deal with the consequences of failure.

Ethan's eyes flicked.

Not far off, Harry and Ron were storming toward Malfoy and his gang with fury written all over their faces.

—The Chosen One would reach the battlefield in three seconds.

Soon enough.

A fight broke out over there.

"Youth..." Ethan sighed.

Michael frowned and warned him:

"You'd better watch yourself. The Malfoy family are Hogwarts governors, and they're close with Professor Snape. He's not going to get seriously punished no matter what."

Hearing his friend's concern, Ethan felt a warmth in his heart.

There were still plenty of good people in the world.

Ethan reassured him: "It's fine. I'll do my best not to end up in Azkaban."

Michael: "..."

No, not "do your best"—please, for the love of Merlin, don't end up in Azkaban at all!!

Suddenly, Michael felt like all his concern had been wasted on a lost cause.

Right. This was Ethan Vincent.

The weird painter whose reputation was the polar opposite of the Chosen One's.

The only one who needed to worry was the enemy picking a fight.

Michael silently lit a candle for young Master Malfoy in his heart.

He grabbed Ethan's shoulder, pursed his lips, and finally said with grave sincerity:

"Don't kill him. Leave him breathing."

Ethan: ?

What kind of demon did he think I was?

"A kind young wizard like me—how could I ever do something so terrible?"

"At most, I'd just scare them a little."

As he spoke, Ethan flashed Michael a smile so innocent it was almost saintly.

Which sent Michael silently chanting Merlin's name while tracing a cross over his chest.

Exorcism.

No classes that afternoon.

Some of the Ravenclaw young wizards were reading in the common room; others were in the library.

Of course, they weren't all bookworms.

Some were happy to discuss games with friends or listen to upperclassmen explain the mysteries of "egg divination."

Others went outside in groups to identify wild plants.

Ethan chose the library—not to do homework or read, but to help Madam Pince organize The Invisible Book of Invisibility.

At first, Madam Pince thought Ethan was too young to handle the job.

But she was quickly won over by his impeccable manners.

She taught him the Revealing Charm while grumbling endlessly about how other students mistreated books.

In the end, she even gave him an extra Sickle as payment.

With a stern face, she told Ethan that if he wanted, he could come help in the library every day.

In words like those, Ethan felt that even the cold coin in his hand seemed to carry a little warmth.

After dinner.

In the admiring and blessing gazes of his companions, Ethan, now transformed into a workaholic, walked toward the Potions office.

The Potions office was located underground, perpetually cold and damp, with beads of moisture clinging to the rough stone walls.

In the evening, only flickering candlelight lit the path ahead, casting an eerie and lifeless gloom.

Ethan felt right at home.

The feeling was excellent.

"Knock, knock."

He politely rapped on the door.

But after waiting a moment, no sound came from inside.

Ethan tentatively pushed the door, and it swung open on its own.

What met his eyes was Professor Snape standing alone in the dim room, motionless, staring at the paper in his hands.

Nearby, the fireplace had gone out, and the entire room exuded a chill.

Ethan immediately recognized the paper in Professor Snape's hands—it was the portrait of Lily he had drawn for him.

As if lost in another world, Professor Snape's perpetually cold and gloomy eyes were steeped in deep nostalgia and sorrow.

Before Ethan could decide whether to pretend he hadn't seen anything, Professor Snape noticed his presence.

His eyes suddenly widened, and a flush of anger at being caught crept across his sallow face.

Just as Professor Snape was about to tell him to "get out," Ethan spoke first:

"It's alright, Professor. I'll definitely draw you an even better picture next time!"

"Next time, you'll be able to immerse yourself completely, without any interruptions."