Renting a Room at the Leaky Cauldron

"Thank you, Tom. Sorry for the trouble of looking after this child!"

At the Leaky Cauldron, Li Wei had returned with Professor McGonagall. Before he could even speak to Boss Tom, Professor McGonagall was already talking with Tom.

There was no need for Li Wei to painstakingly negotiate with Tom himself.

As Hogwarts' deputy headmistress, the head of Gryffindor, and a renowned professor of Transfiguration, McGonagall had already settled Li Wei's lodging arrangements at the Leaky Cauldron with Boss Tom.

She had even found Li Wei a part-time job at the Leaky Cauldron—washing dishes!

"It's nothing, Professor McGonagall. Li Wei seems like a sensible, hardworking child to me!"

Having grown accustomed to greeting all sorts of guests and reading people at the Leaky Cauldron, how could Boss Tom not know what he ought to say at this moment? Smiling, he said to Li Wei:

"Little wizard, Professor McGonagall has already told me about your situation!"

"You really are such an independent and self-reliant child!"

"You want to rent a room here for the holidays, right? I'll clear out a room for you later. The rent will only be two Galleons per week, and breakfast is included every day. Does that sound all right?"

"Of course, sir. Sorry for the trouble!"

Li Wei was overjoyed when he heard Boss Tom's words and hurriedly replied with gratitude.

He had not expected Professor McGonagall's influence to be so great that she could secure such cheap rent for him.

He had observed earlier that one Galleon could buy roughly eight cups of Butterbeer at the Leaky Cauldron.

In other words, his weekly rent was only equivalent to sixteen cups of Butterbeer!

Such cheap rent was like staying in a hotel in a major city for a week while only paying for eighteen bottles of cola. No one would believe it if he told them!

"And about the part-time job," after settling the rent, Boss Tom glanced at Professor McGonagall and said with a trace of pity in his heart:

"You won't need to help with anything else in the kitchen. You only need to wash the piled-up dishes clean every noon and evening."

"Ah, you're still so young, yet you already have to work! Muggles really are cruel!"

"But you'll have to quickly learn Aguamenti or Scourgify, otherwise this job won't be easy for you."

"As for your wages, I'll pay you ten Galleons a week, and lunch and dinner are included. What do you think, little wizard Li Wei?"

Hearing the generous terms Boss Tom offered, Li Wei immediately guessed that Boss Tom had only made this offer out of respect for Professor McGonagall.

Otherwise, as a wizard who knew magic, Boss Tom could run the entire pub splendidly on his own. Why would he spend the high wage of ten Galleons a week to hire a little wizard who did not even know magic yet?

"But Boss, isn't ten Galleons a little too much?"

Li Wei raised his head and asked cautiously.

As he spoke, he cast a careful glance at Professor McGonagall, who stood beside him.

Heaven knew that in his previous life, when facing those exploitative bosses who made people work overtime without pay, he would never have said something as self-betraying as asking whether his wages were too high!

Professor McGonagall said nothing, merely pursing her lips more sternly.

Boss Tom, however, burst into laughter upon hearing that. He patted Li Wei on the shoulder and said:

"Not high. It isn't high at all. In fact, I'm a little ashamed, child!"

"When our Hannah comes to help, I give her the same amount as weekly pocket money. Even so, every time she collects her money from me, that little darling sticks out her lips so far she could hang an oil bottle from them! Hahaha!"

Professor McGonagall was still somewhat worried, so she cautioned Li Wei:

"Don't feel burdened, Li Wei. We are absolutely not giving you special treatment!"

"Also, I know you want to study some magic in advance before school starts, but you must not casually try any dangerous spells. I don't want to hear that you blew up the Leaky Cauldron!"

"Of course, as your professor, I must also hold you to strict standards. If you cannot handle this job, or if you cause Tom any trouble, I'll take you back to my home. Do you hear me?!"

Listening to Professor McGonagall's sharp words and soft heart, as well as her patient reminders, Li Wei nodded earnestly, touched.

"I understand, Professor McGonagall. Thank you for your help. I'll work hard and support myself!"

"You child..." Professor McGonagall's eyes reddened again. She did not know what was wrong with her today; she had become so sentimental.

"That's good. Remember what I said," Professor McGonagall reminded Li Wei again, then turned to Boss Tom with lingering concern. "Sorry for the trouble, Tom. Let's go take a look at the room you arranged for this child!"

"All right, please follow me!"

Boss Tom smiled and led Li Wei and Professor McGonagall to a room used for storing miscellaneous items.

With the rent being so low, Professor McGonagall and Li Wei had long expected that Boss Tom would not arrange one of the regular upstairs guest rooms for Li Wei.

However, the so-called storage room was not actually that bad.

Boss Tom casually waved his wand and moved all the clutter away. Then he cast Scourgify and Whirlwind Sweep, clearing away all the accumulated dust, grime, and musty smell.

A small, clean room of roughly six square meters appeared before Professor McGonagall and Li Wei. It had a wooden bed with neatly arranged bedding, as well as a wooden table beside it with an oil lamp on top.

Although the little room had no windows and felt somewhat enclosed, its overall conditions were actually better than Li Wei's room at the orphanage.

Professor McGonagall still found it a little upsetting to see, but Li Wei was extremely satisfied with the room.

The lack of windows was especially valuable. Moreover, the room was tucked away in a corner of the Leaky Cauldron, far from the guests constantly coming and going.

A room like this was simply perfect, whether for practicing magic or researching system MODs!

After placing the large pile of newly bought items in the room, Li Wei looked around and said to Boss Tom with a smile:

"I think it's great. This is the one, Boss Tom!"