Chapter 7: Part Time?!

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"We do not," Professor McGonagall says. "That remains an apprenticeship-oriented skill. It takes a great deal of practice and even more failures to become proficient enough to construct a usable wand, Mr. Lerner."

"I see." So much for those damn fanfics that make it seem so easy. "I don't suppose there is a way to earn some spending money for my supplies?"

"You must remain on castle grounds, Mr. Lerner, so even part-time jobs at Hogsmeade are out," Professor McGonagall says, her voice softening ever so slightly each time she speaks. 

"However, the teachers have been known to take on student workers, like yourself, that want to earn a bit of money." Then she adds with a smile, "at least, when we can't fill their needs with students serving detention."

"Indeed, and with the Triwizard Tournament coming up, the Ministry may be interested in having student helpers, or perhaps the delegations from Durmstrang or Beauxbatons might be interested in assistants." Dumbledore adds.

"Now that would be interesting," I admit. "I'll ask my Professors first, though, since the Tournament won't be starting until later this year. I'd rather not put any of my fellow students out any longer than needed."

"I don't think you'll have to worry about the necessities, Mr. Lerner," Professor McGonagall says. "And remember I still have to check on the source of your tuition; it may be they've left enough for all your supplies as well. But some part-time work can be useful, as long as it doesn't interfere with your classwork. Now go ahead and return to the Great Hall, you should catch the Prefects taking the First Years for the brief tour before returning to the common room."

"Thank you, Professors," I say, standing up and beginning to turn around, thinking it a dismissal.

"One more thing, Mr. Lerner," the headmaster says, so I sit back down. 

However, he doesn't speak right away, as if he's trying to figure out how to say something. 

His eyes are trained on mine, so I quickly pretend like something is stuck in my eye.

"Sorry, sir, you were saying...?"

"I merely wished to compliment your choice of companions. Ms. Granger is an excellent student and I expect shall be most helpful in getting you acclimated." He smiles in a grandfatherly way, but somehow I doubt that's what he wanted to say.

"Thank you, sir, she has already been very helpful on the train."

That gets a warm smile even from Professor McGonagall. "Indeed. Once again, welcome to Hogwarts, Mr. Lerner, you may go."

"Thank you, Professors," I say again, except this time I'm allowed to exit.

I really don't know what to expect with this mysterious benefactor that paid my tuition, but I can't count on scoring any money that way. 

What skills do I have that I can use for money? 

I could use my knowledge of gambling to set up Triwizard betting pools, but I'd need to know people with money. I wonder if the wizarding world has ever heard of point spreads and point-shaving?

That's probably not very Gryffindor-like thinking, and with no Quidditch I'd have to convince Harry to do the point-shaving. Somehow I don't think that's going to work.

I could use my knowledge of the future, but I'd need money to actually gamble with, and since I'm here, there's no telling if the future I know will be intact. 

Hell, I'm already planning on making Cedric stay alive somehow. Plus, I'd need a respectable bookie. 

If I went up to Malfoy and bet that Harry Potter was going to be a Triwizard Champion, he'd take that bet, but he wouldn't pay up.

I shake my head. Bad Gryffindor! I blame it on Barty Crouch souring my mood.

Ah well, I guess I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way. I'm still in a foul mood, but I have to remember the world of wonders in which I suddenly find myself. 

Working for a professor in a school of magic can't possibly be dull, could it? I mean, it's a school of magic for Merlin's sake!

Well that sounds like some awful foreshadowing, so I'm sure I will regret those thoughts before long.

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"So what'd Dumbledore and McGonagall want?" Ron says, then, "Ow! What was that for?"

"It's none of our business, that's what! Sorry," Hermione says, giving me her apologetic face.

"You coming?" Harry asks.

"Ah, I was going to follow the Prefects and First Years for the tour," I say, nodding to the cluster of Gryffindors. 

"I can just meet you up in the common room if you like. They have to tell me which room I'm in, after all."

"You sure? I'm sure we could show you around," Hermione offers.

"Plenty of time for that later, right?" I say with a smile. "I know I won't remember where I'm going after just one look." It's true, the Hogwarts interior isn't very well documented in canon, and I have a few dozen imaginary additions and modifications from a pile of fanfiction bouncing around in my head. 

"You guys go ahead, I'm sure you three have more catching up to do without me tagging along, being a bother."

All three look surprised at this. I wonder if I'm already 'in' with their little group, perhaps because of the stunt with Draco. 

They haven't told me any of their secrets, but then, it's only been a day, and I get the impression they're thinking about it now. 

And here I figured Hermione pestered them to wait around for me.

I hear the throng of First Years moving out so I head out. "See ya," I say, waving.

"Do you guys understand when he says some of those things?" Ron asks well before I get out of earshot. Apparently he has not yet figured out how to keep his voice down. 

"Odd Yank phrases I guess—ow! Hermione!"

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