Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 555: Chapter 553: Cooperation

Lupin had a strong desire to go to Romania. A few months ago, he had written a letter to the Fire Dragon Reserve, in which he not only included his work experience at Hogwarts but also openly declared his Werewolf identity.

The other party replied as well.

There was neither the expected outright rejection nor the common demand for a pay cut. Instead, they gave him the opportunity for an interview.

The only requirement was to obtain a recommendation letter from Dumbledore, or at least two Hogwarts professors, as proof of his work and character.

Lupin could completely understand this. Compared to the harsh requirements he had faced before, these seemed incredibly simple, even insignificant.

The Fire Dragon Reserve was probably the only place left that could offer him a normal job.

Momentarily, Lupin oscillated between his job and Harry.

Kael saw the conflicted look on his face and couldn’t help but speak up:

”I have an idea that would allow you to stay here without worrying about your salary. Do you want to hear it?”

”You have a way?” Lupin blurted out.

He knew Kael was very smart. It was thanks to Kael’s idea that Sirius had been exonerated.

Perhaps he really had a good solution to his current problem.

”Hmm, I can lend you some Galleons,” Kael said.

Lupin sighed with some disappointment.

”Lend me Galleons? No way, I can’t take money from a student.”

”But you’re not a professor anymore, are you?”

”Really, it’s not necessary.” Lupin shook his head with a bitter smile. ”As embarrassing as it is to say, I can’t repay it.”

”No, you can,” Kael said with a smile, pointing to the worn-down house in front of them. ”Isn’t this a ready-made solution?”

”What?” Lupin was somewhat puzzled.

”Didn’t Sirius just say he wanted to hand over the Shrieking Shack for you to manage?” Kael said. ”This is the last remaining Wizard Village, right next to Hogwarts. In such a great place, you can just open any shop and make money.”

”This was bought by Sirius,” Lupin said solemnly. ”If he truly wants to open a shop, no matter how much profit there is, it’s his. I can help, but I would never touch a single Knut.”

”What if you also spent money and bought a half-share?” Kael shrugged. ”I can lend you 2,500 Galleons to give to Sirius. Then this place will be co-owned by you two. I’m sure he wouldn’t refuse.”

”That does make sense... wait, how much did you say?” Lupin asked, his expression freezing.

”2,500 Galleons,” Kael said, puzzled. ”Half of 5,000, that’s accurate.”

”I know, but... how could you possibly have that much money?”

”It’s not that bad,” Kael scratched his head.

To be honest, he wasn’t too sure how much money he had now, but he certainly had two or three thousand. After all, during the last Quidditch World Cup, they made a big profit. Even split six ways, it came to nearly a thousand Galleons each.

And not long after, adding the thousand Galleon prize money from the Triwizard Tournament championship, even if he lent Lupin some money, Kael would still have plenty left over.

But even if it wasn’t enough, he had other ways. For instance, he could ask Conna to help sell some Basilisk skins to Snape.

However, this was quite risky... if Snape knew the Basilisk was with him, even with Conna’s help, he probably wouldn’t hand over the money easily.

So if possible, Kael didn’t want to use that method. After all, he just had to wait a few months for the championship prize, and there was no need to take risks.

At this moment, Lupin still hadn’t quite gotten over the shock.

He knew Kael had money. He had witnessed the scene of students lining up to buy things on the train last year.

But two or three thousand Galleons... was that not a bit too exaggerated?

”Kael, how old are you this year?” Lupin murmured.

”Fifteen, just old enough for the Goblet of Fire,” Kael replied.

Lupin’s eyes grew more bewildered.

Kael had earned over two thousand Galleons at fifteen. What was Lupin doing at fifteen... oh, right, busy covering for James and Sirius’s rule-breaking antics.

”But...” Lupin started to say something but was interrupted.

”This is already the best solution that enables you to stay with Harry,”

Kael said. ”Moreover, these 2,500 Galleons aren’t a gift; you’d need to pay them back. Besides, if you want to take care of Harry, you’ll need your own business.”

Lupin was a bit moved.

He stood there, frowning as he pondered for a long time. It wasn’t until Sirius and Harry came out of the Shrieking Shack that he finally made up his mind.

”I’ll pay you interest, and if you refuse, I’d rather not take it.”

”Why would I refuse someone willing to give me money?” Kael smiled and said, ”Then it’s settled.”

”Alright.” Lupin nodded with some difficulty, his expression slightly heavy.

”Well then, wait a moment.”

Kael took out his trunk, placed it on the ground, opened it, and then walked inside.

Involuntarily, Lupin took a step back. He remembered that last year when he transformed into a Werewolf, it was from this trunk that Kael pulled out the Devil’s Snare.

Afterward, he spent quite some time in the Hospital Wing.

Thinking of this, Lupin couldn’t help but glance angrily at Sirius.

”What’s with that look?” asked Sirius, who had just come out of the Shrieking Shack, completely baffled. ”I haven’t offended you, have I? By the way, where’s Kael?”

”In his trunk,” Lupin replied, his tone irritable. ”You better not say anything right now, or I might just lose control and punch you.”

”What’s going on here, this is so confusing,” Sirius muttered.

After a few minutes, Kael returned.

In one hand, he was carrying a smaller trunk; in the other, he was clutching a squirming and chirping Niffler, which took a lot of effort to toss back into the trunk.

”It’s all here, just about right.” Then, Kael handed the small trunk to Lupin, ”Do you want to check it again?”

”No need.” Lupin shook his head.

Though he said that, he couldn’t help but open it for a look.

The trunk had been enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm, filled to the brim with gleaming Galleons.

Lupin’s hand trembled slightly, almost dropping the trunk full of money to the ground.

If he still had any doubts before, seeing this trunk brimming with Galleons had completely convinced him of Kael’s words.

”You’ve been carrying this much money around with you?” He said, somewhat incredulous. ”Why not keep it in Gringotts?”

”Why should I pay Goblins to guard my gold coins?” Kael replied as a matter of course.

Gringotts had one Fire Dragon guarding hundreds or thousands of Vaults, while he had one Fire Dragon guarding one Vault. Which would be safer was clear as day.

The only thing he needed to guard against was the Niffler.

This little creature’s pouch could really hold a lot; it had managed to stealthily purloin more than a thousand Galleons from the Fire Dragon’s hoard.

Coincidentally, during one of its thefts, Kael happened to catch it red-handed.

”What are you two talking about... and what is this thing?” Sirius couldn’t resist coming closer.

Lupin took a deep breath and turned to say, ”Come with me, Sirius, I have something to discuss with you.”

”Can’t it be said here? Harry and Kael aren’t outsiders.”

”No, come with me.” Lupin insisted.

”Alright then.” Sirius relented, following Lupin back into the Shrieking Shack.