McGonagall's Proposal

After buying the wand care kit and quick-storage sleeve that Ollivander had tried so hard to sell, Li Wei and Professor McGonagall left the wand shop.

"Whew~ We finally have everything!"

Li Wei cheered. They had been so busy that the sun was already sinking westward, but he and Professor McGonagall had finally finished preparing everything he needed for school.

Sometimes, he thought it was fortunate that only some of the little wizards attending Hogwarts came from Muggle families.

Otherwise, with only those few staff members at Hogwarts, they probably really would not have been able to handle it all!

What the cheering Li Wei had not realized was that now that everything was done, it was also time for him and Professor McGonagall to part ways for the time being.

Professor McGonagall was silent for a while before cautiously asking Li Wei:

"Li Wei, are you going back to Wu's Orphanage? If you are, I'll come pick you up again when it's time for school."

Remembering Mrs. Lisa's vicious words, she could easily imagine that if Li Wei returned, that Muggle would definitely refuse to let him attend Hogwarts.

"No, Professor. I'm not going back!"

"If I go back, Mrs. Lisa, the matrons, and the caretakers definitely won't let me go to Hogwarts!"

Hearing McGonagall's words, Li Wei's face filled with resistance. He shook his head and said that ever since leaving Wu's Orphanage, he had not planned to return.

"Then where will you live?" Professor McGonagall was delighted to hear him say that and immediately asked. She quickly added:

"What I mean is, if you don't mind, you can move in with me. I would absolutely welcome a kind, sensible, clever, and adorable child like you as a guest in my home!"

"Before school starts, I can also tutor you a little and tell you about the wizarding world!"

Hearing Professor McGonagall's proposal, Li Wei could not help swallowing. He had nearly agreed right away.

Heavens, this was one-on-one tutoring from Professor McGonagall!

Never mind other magic—if Professor McGonagall personally tutored him in Transfiguration for a month before school began, then with his Good-level talent in Transfiguration, would he not stand out the moment he entered Hogwarts?!

At that moment, Li Wei Jines had to admit that it was an enormous temptation, so great that he had nearly agreed out loud!

But no!

He had not forgotten that he was a transmigrator with a system. He still had a huge pile of newly loaded MODs that he had not yet checked or studied.

Although Professor McGonagall could not see the smoke that made up the system.

The effects produced by the other MODs were plain to see.

If a new MOD caused something Li Wei could not explain, then at Professor McGonagall's home, under the watchful eye of this old cat lady, he would be unable to defend himself and trapped in a difficult position.

Forcibly suppressing the urge to agree, Li Wei revealed a grateful smile, bowed to the professor, and said:

"Thank you, Professor. I truly appreciate your kindness!"

"But this would be too much trouble for you. And even if I could stay at your house for now, when school is on holiday, I can't keep living with you all the time, can I?"

"You can, Li Wei. You can!"

But to Li Wei's surprise, Professor McGonagall suddenly interrupted him, leaving him unable to voice the excuse he had prepared:

"Actually, I want to adopt you, Li Wei! I want you to be my child!

It may be a little abrupt to say so, but I have no children, and you have no one to rely on. Wouldn't that make us family?"

Professor McGonagall spoke with complete sincerity. Her eyes even reddened slightly, and she was nearly in tears.

Give love to others, and you will receive love in return!

She recalled Dumbledore's words. Treat children with love and tolerance, and he had specifically asked her to pick up little Li Wei. So that had been his intention!

Professor McGonagall's proposal truly caught Li Wei off guard. Faced with her heartfelt sincerity, he was deeply moved as well and nearly agreed!

But... but...

His emotions urged Li Wei to agree. Professor McGonagall had been so good to him—how could he reject such a sincere invitation from her!

Agree to it. Wouldn't you finally have the real family you had always longed for?

A voice deep in Li Wei's heart shouted fiercely, urging him to agree at once.

And as if to make Li Wei realize the benefits of agreeing, that voice kept adding thoughts to his mind:

With Professor McGonagall as family, he would no longer need to worry about anything. He could safely and happily be a little wizard and live out his magical life in peace and joy!

Under Professor McGonagall's expectant gaze and the voice constantly urging him from within, Li Wei opened his mouth, nearly ready to agree.

But the rationality born of experience, along with the threat of his cheat being exposed, made Li Wei close his mouth.

Though he truly wanted to agree, he knew he could not—not only because of the risk of exposing the system.

It was also because Li Wei understood deeply what kind of person he really was!

He appeared independent and self-reliant only because his adult soul would not allow him to live by depending on others.

The kindness and consideration for others that he displayed were nothing more than an act and a disguise put on before Professor McGonagall.

In truth, if not for his gratitude toward the orphanage for raising him, he would have long since used telekinesis to severely torment those greedy people!

He was not an innocent, kind child who knew nothing of the world!

He was an adult skilled at disguising himself before others, with clear goals, a desire for greater power, a desire to master magic, and a desire to gain greater benefits!

And precisely because of that, how could an adult who had been pretending all along shamelessly accept the affection offered by kind Professor McGonagall?

How could he pretend to be a truly lonely and helpless child, then naturally become Professor McGonagall's family?

Li Wei's reason and pride would not allow him to do that.

He knew even more clearly that his adult heart carried too much. He could act and pretend to be a child, but there would eventually come a day when he could no longer keep up the performance.

In fact, Li Wei had felt uncomfortable around Professor McGonagall all day. He did not feel like himself!

"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall," Li Wei said, instantly dimming the expectation in her eyes.

Rejecting someone did not feel good either, but Li Wei still forced himself to continue:

"I'm truly grateful, Professor McGonagall, that you are willing to treat me as family. I am also willing to treat you as family."

"But even family members must let fledglings leave the nest someday, right?"

"You may not know this, but even back at the orphanage, I used my free time during the holidays to set up a stall and earn money."

"Even though the orphanage caretakers took a lot of what I earned, I still saved quite a bit. Otherwise, where did those fifteen hundred pounds come from?"

As Li Wei spoke, a proud smile reluctantly appeared on his face, but to Professor McGonagall, that smile seemed especially bitter.

Yet Li Wei soon showed a confident expression. As though he had already planned everything, he said:

"If I could earn money at the orphanage, take care of myself, and even use the money I earned to bring plentiful food to the other orphans."

"Then I think that even after coming to the Wizarding World, I can still support myself!"

"This is what I'm thinking. After buying my school supplies and textbooks, I should have around two hundred and ten Galleons left!"

"That money is enough for me to rent a simple room at the Leaky Cauldron."

"Once I have somewhere to live, I can find a part-time job in Diagon Alley that pays wages. Even if I do not earn much, I can still use it to support myself. I can also learn about the Wizarding World and practice some simple magic in advance!"

As Li Wei spoke, his face became increasingly confident, even radiant.

So what if he was an orphan?

So what if he had only just entered the Wizarding World?

Lee Wickens was confident that, relying on the MOD System and his diligent practice of magic, he would be able to get by and thrive in the Wizarding World and in Diagon Alley!

He might even achieve extraordinary things and become as famous as Harry Potter!

"Child, you are so sensible that it breaks my heart!"

Professor McGonagall's tone was full of pity. She somewhat regretted her earlier proposal.

It was not that she regretted it because Li Wei had rejected her and made her angry.

She should have realized long ago that growing up in such an environment must have wounded the child's young heart.

He was probably full of distrust, perhaps even fear, toward adults like her. Even when he sensed goodwill, he would instinctively protect himself and reject the kindness offered by others.

It was precisely because of this that Professor McGonagall found Li Wei even more pitiful!

She should not have spoken rashly because of a momentary emotion. She should have waited until they had spent some time together and become familiar before extending the invitation!

Thinking of this, Professor McGonagall knew it was already too late for regrets!

If she had known, she should have severely punished those people back at the orphanage.

For once, Professor McGonagall felt a trace of hatred toward several Muggles who did not understand magic.

She no longer mentioned adopting Li Wei, lest she deepen his resistance. Instead, she talked with him about interesting things that had happened at Hogwarts.

When the conversation grew particularly lively, she and Li Wei burst into cheerful laughter together without planning to, like a kindly old grandmother full of childlike innocence.

Professor McGonagall, who was usually so stern and serious, could actually laugh so heartily!

If the Hogwarts staff and the students who usually revered her had seen this scene, they would surely have been utterly stunned!