The fat-nosed wizard threw a money pouch at Lupin, and several Silver Sickles spilled out.
After shooting Lupin a disgusted look, the fat-nosed wizard slammed the shop door shut and kept grumbling under his breath.
"Damn it! Just my luck!"
"Bloody hell! I'll have to scrub the entire shop from top to bottom. This place reeks of Werewolf!"
Lupin stared blankly at the tightly shut door, utterly motionless.
Only after a long while did he bend down to pick up the money from the ground.
His clothes did not fit very well. When he bent over, ugly creases appeared across them, exposing the tattered shirt beneath.
As he was picking up the coins, Lupin suddenly saw someone reach down and take one of the Silver Sickles.
"Sorry, sir, that's mine..."
Lupin looked up, and a young boy's face entered his view.
The young gentleman was neatly dressed and handsome, with a gentle smile that made him seem approachable.
"Your money, Mr. Lupin."
The boy held the Silver Sickle out to him.
Lupin accepted it blankly and asked, "Sir, how did you know..."
"Sorry." The boy smiled at him. "I overheard your conversation just now."
"Looks like you need a job."
The boy narrowed his eyes and glanced at the shop that had thrown him out. The implication could not have been clearer.
Lupin shrank his shoulders awkwardly, about to speak, when the boy suddenly said, "Perhaps you could look for Headmaster Dumbledore. He's recruiting professors. You could give it a try."
After saying that, the boy walked off toward a photography studio without waiting for an answer.
A lively young girl came out of the photography studio.
The two of them appeared to be companions.
Lupin frowned as he watched the strange boy leave. He found him vaguely familiar, yet