Chapter 5: Ten Thousand Jin Jin Jialong

Today, the random animal ears Allen had grown were of some unknown creature, which made him breathe a long sigh of relief; he felt he had survived another day in this world.

Hearing the dormitory grow lively as everyone introduced themselves, Allen also prepared to get up and meet them all; he wanted to find a hat to wear, but after a moment's hesitation, he decided to face his roommates directly just as he was.

He drew back the curtains, immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the dormitory; all were stunned by his ears.

Seizing the opportunity, Allen briefly introduced his situation to his roommates; everyone was captivated by Allen's story, and when he mentioned growing up in an orphanage, Allen keenly noticed Harry's gaze toward him soften, causing his heart to ache with bitterness once again.

After going around the circle, Allen had also gotten to know the other four people in the dormitory: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom, and Dean Thomas.

Everyone began to become more familiar with one another.

Ron suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "I remember! A few months ago, my mom saw an article in the Daily Prophet calling for donations to unfortunate young wizards; she was even thinking about donating something back then—that young wizard was you, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I am an orphan; I had no money to buy textbooks, or even clothes. Coincidentally, a few months ago, the Daily Prophet did a follow-up report on me, the 'Wizard with the Strongest Magical Outburst in History,' and knowing I was coming to Hogwarts to study, I asked them to mention this matter at the end of the article. I didn't expect to actually receive a pile of textbooks and old clothes; that truly was a huge help to me! I am really especially grateful to so many kind-hearted people," Allen replied.

"My grandmother even donated my old clothes to you..." Neville interjected.

"Then next time you see Lady Longbottom, please convey my thanks; thanks to your donations, I have clothes to wear, and I was even able to piece together a set of first-year textbooks that weren't too worn out."

Pointing to a pile of old books at the head of his bed, Ron said somewhat dejectedly, "At least you had a choice; my textbooks have been used several times by my older brothers, my clothes are hand-me-downs, and even my wand is my brother Charlie's old wand!"

Allen took out his wand and said, "Actually, I didn't have money to buy a wand either; this wand was bought on credit from Ollivander, and for this, I have to work for Ollivander for one holiday next summer."

Hearing this, Dean felt a bit puzzled: "Doesn't the Ministry of Magic prohibit child labor?"

"I have special approval from the Ministry of Magic, because I owe the Ministry of Magic ten thousand Jin Jin Jialong..." Allen said with a smile, spreading his hands.

The boys, having finished their chat, went together to the Great Hall for breakfast.

During breakfast, Allen received an owl from Professor McGonagall, asking him to come to her office shortly.

Thus, Allen bid farewell to his roommates and headed to Professor McGonagall's office.

Professor McGonagall was sitting behind her desk, seriously organizing school documents; seeing Allen preparing to knock at the office door, she beckoned him and gestured for Allen to sit in the chair before her desk.

Allen obediently sat in the chair; Professor McGonagall flicked her wand, and a cup flew out of the cabinet, landing on the table in front of Allen, with wisps of steam rising from the rim; Allen picked up the cup and took a sip—it was hot milk.

Looking at Allen with an expressionless face, Professor McGonagall said, "The school is fully aware of your situation; the school will do its best to support you in completing your studies. Today, I have called you here to convey to you some decisions the school has made regarding you."

Allen tightly gripped the cup in his hands and said as calmly as possible, "Please go ahead..."

"First, you must drink healing potions every month to maintain your physical condition; the school will provide these potions to you free of charge. On the 10th of each month, go to Professor Snape to collect that month's potions; if it falls on a weekend, it will be postponed to the next day, and during holidays, the potions will be delivered to you by owl."

"Next,

your situation holds great research value; Professor Dumbledore and I hope you will become one of our Transfiguration research subjects. For this, Professor Dumbledore and I will pay you a total of 20 Jin Jin Jialong each month; do you agree to this?"

"May I ask if the research method will be the same as before at St. Mangor Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries?" Allen asked with some unease.

"Professor Dumbledore and my research methods are not as crude as before; you only need to provide some products after transformation and cooperate with us in experimenting with some spells. We guarantee that these studies will not cause you any harm; we would never harm our own students." Speaking thus, Professor McGonagall's expression softened slightly.

"Then I have no objection to this point; thank you and Professor Dumbledore!" Possessing an adult soul, Allen heard from their words the kindness and care the two professors held for him.

Professor McGonagall nodded and continued, "However, considering you are still a minor, these 20 Jin Jin Jialong will not be issued directly into your hands; they will be used directly to repay the debt you owe the Ministry of Magic."

"Alright, I understand; I have no objection!" Allen nodded helplessly.

"Finally, considering you have the qualification to work with special permission from the Ministry of Magic, and combining this with the school's actual needs, the school wishes to offer you a work-study position, paying 5 Jin Jin Jialong per month, requiring you to work once a week; thereafter, your salary will be increased annually depending on circumstances. However, this salary will also be used directly to repay your debt. Are you interested in this?"

Allen thought for a moment and agreed; this was clearly another act of kindness from the school, for otherwise, who would hire an eleven-year-old young wizard who currently mastered only a few simple spells? Even a house-elf would be stronger than him.

Professor McGonagall waved her wand, placing an agreement in front of Allen, and said, "Sign it!"

"Without a pen, how can I sign?" Allen asked, somewhat at a loss.

"Previously, you had no wand, so we had you sign by hand; now, take out your wand, focus your attention on it, and then use the wand to sign your name on the agreement," Professor McGonagall replied.

Allen did as instructed and signed this indenture contract.

Professor McGonagall put one copy of the agreement away in the cabinet and handed the other to Allen for safekeeping. Then, walking up to Allen, she said, "Very well, let us first fulfill the research agreement! What organ did you transform today? Ears or horns?" Professor McGonagall looked at Allen's hat with keen interest.

"It is a pair of ears from some unknown animal," Allen said, reaching up to remove his hat.

Allen noticed Professor McGonagall's gaze upon his ears grow even softer; "They are Siamese cat ears," Professor McGonagall said, reaching out to touch them and speaking with certainty.

"Then now I must collect some fur for research; get ready!"

"Mm~ Okay! Aow~~"

Allen realized that Professor McGonagall had plucked a tuft of hair from his ears...