Understanding, Accommodations & Job Hunting

"Well..." Levin awkwardly smiled, "Professor, considering my financial situation, I think opting for second-hand clothing is a sensible choice. I noticed a good second-hand clothing store nearby."

Professor McGonagall observed the boy, noting his lack of reluctance. He seemed to have outgrown the need to flaunt his attire in front of peers. 

"Oh, I see."

Indeed, with Levin's student loan, buying new clothing was unrealistic. He had calculated meticulously: his first-year loan was thirty galleons, halving each subsequent year. 

The wand from Ollivanders alone consumed one-third of the loan, leaving little for essentials like textbooks, which cost at least ten galleons. From the remaining ten galleons, he aimed to acquire a cauldron and glass bottle set for Potions class, dragon skin gloves for Herbology, and folding telescopes for Astronomy. New robes were out of the question; they'd be a luxury.

Guided by McGonagall, they procured slightly oversized old robes from a second-hand store, anticipating Levin's growth. Next, they found a set of used glass bottles—still usable despite scratches. Second-hand books, available abundantly at Flourishes and Blotts, were preferable to Levin. They often contained helpful annotations from previous students, aiding learning significantly.

Levin was cautious, avoiding textbooks marked by poor students, especially those adorned with doodles. With five galleons left, Levin needed only a cauldron and a telescope.

"Should we buy new ones? Five galleons should cover it," McGonagall suggested.

"No, Professor," Levin shook his head. "I'd rather wait. With nearly two months until school starts, I might find suitable second-hand options and save some galleons."

Levin's frugal philosophy stemmed from his previous life, where he learned to prioritize savings for emergencies. Levin understood that financial prudence was key. Galleons aren't everything, but they sure help.

After a moment's thought, Professor McGonagall concurred with Levin's plan and handed him the remaining student loan. From her brief observation, McGonagall deemed Levin a remarkably independent young wizard. After apparating back to the orphanage, she departed, unaware that Levin had different plans.

Contrary to her assumption, Levin intended to remain in Diagon Alley and earn his keep. He'd realized that to progress quickly, he needed more than just book smarts; he needed practical experience with magic. As a mere Hogwarts freshman, his best bet for magical immersion was to stay in the wizarding world and engage in its daily life. The quickest route? Employment.

Back at St. Lerke's Orphanage, Levin spun a tale for the director: "...due to my unique circumstances, the school arranged a work-study position for me before term started. It not only pays the bills but also provides meals..."

The director, ensnared in a confusion spell from McGonagall, easily bought Levin's story, swayed by his [Charming Humans] aura.

Preparing for his last night at the orphanage, Levin pondered his luggage. There wasn't much besides clothes, but he planned to stock up on stationery from the Muggle world.

He'd need ink and paper; Hogwarts only required parchment for homework, but he preferred quality paper for personal use. Since he'd never used a quill, a pen was essential, and he resolved to purchase one on a budget. If not for the restriction on Muggle-made school uniforms, he'd have opted for them.

Once everything was sorted, Levin remembered a Hogwarts rule: young wizards could use magic outside of school during the first semester holidays. Hermione had even practiced spells at home before the Trace was added post-first semester.

With that in mind, he opened the "Standard Spells: Elementary" book on his desk, determined to brush up on his magic skills.

"A spell, is a controlled manifestation of magic, typically enacted by meeting certain conditions, to influence the world supernaturally. Generally, four main conditions lead to successful spellcasting: wand gesture, incantation, concentration, and intention."

"Spells are usually categorized into Charms, curses, transfigurations, healing spells, jinxes, hexes, and counter-spells each possess distinct properties and serve specific purposes within the realm of magic."

"A charm, also known as an enchantment, is a spell that imbues an object or organism with specific properties it did not previously possess. For instance, the Color Change Charm alters an object's hue and Wingardium Leviosa is a charm that induces levitation, hence its alternative name, the Levitation Charm. Charms can also alter particular aspects of appearance, such as color or facial features, and even influence the emotions of individuals."

...

"After reading 'Standard Spells·Elementary' and gaining insight into the magic system, you notice its deficiencies."

"Understanding the arcane magic system, you begin classifying spells accordingly."

"Utilizing an attribute template, you analyze your attributes and those of others."

"Name: Levin Green

Race: Human

Level: LV1 Wizard/LV1 Psion

Attributes:

Strength: 6

Constitution: 6

Agility: 8

Intelligence: 14

Perception: 12

Charisma: 14

Specialties: Exceptional Comprehension, Psychic Power LV1, Magic Power LV1

Spells: 

LVL1: Conceal Thoughts, Charm Humans (Passive), Speak with Animals (Passive) 

LVL4: Dimensional Anchor"

"With your remarkable understanding, you grasp the arcane magic system and attribute panel effortlessly."

"Unlike the Harry Potter magic system's broad classifications, the arcane system is more defined."

"Arcane magic splits into eight schools: Protection, Conjuration, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, Illusion, Necromancy, and Transmutation and spell difficulty ranges from levels 0 to 9, with legendary spells above level 9."

"Additionally, a super-magic system enhances spells by increasing their difficulty."

Although Levin grasps only a framework now, he believes that with time and deeper research, he can integrate Harry Potter spells into this system and introduce unique aspects to this world's magic. After contemplating the new system, Levin delves into 'Standard Spells - Elementary,' embarking on the journey to master each spell—one step at a time.

The Wand Lighting Charm, the first spell recorded in the textbook, is the simplest form of luminous magic. It illuminates the tip of the wand, providing clear visibility in the dark. However, concentration is essential when casting this charm to avoid accidentally setting the wand on fire.

After mastering the Wand Illuminating Spell, Levin's proficiency in arcane magic led to an upgrade known as the Dancing Light Spell. With this upgrade, he could conjure a small light at the wand's tip, illuminating an area up to 30 meters. Furthermore, he gained the ability to control this light, allowing it to move within a specified range.

Levin tested his newfound skill, experimenting with different levels of brightness and even controlling the light to fly around him like a firefly. Impressed by its versatility, Levin further tested its range, discovering it could travel up to 20 meters before extinguishing due to energy depletion.

Pleased with his success in inventing the Dancing Light Spell, Levin marveled at his own genius. He continued to practice and refine the spell until he became proficient, even managing to extend its range to a maximum of 30 meters.

Despite his achievements, Levin felt drained of magical energy after extensive practice. Satisfied with his progress for the day, he retired to rest, eager to explore further magical possibilities.

The next morning, Levin bid farewell to the orphanage director and embarked on a journey to London, where he pondered the potential applications of his new spell. With thoughts of creating magical items and opportunities for financial gain, Levin's mind buzzed with plans for the future, though he recognized it was still early in his magical education to pursue such ventures.

..

Upon approaching the counter, the bar owner, Tom, immediately recognized Levin from the previous day.

"Oh, you're the new student from yesterday. Levin Green, right?" Tom recalled the young man standing before him.

"Yes, Mr. Tom, just Levin is fine," Levin replied politely. "I'm in need of accommodation until school starts, but I'm on a tight budget. Could you recommend the cheapest place to stay? And if it's not too much trouble... do you happen to have any openings for a part-time waiter?"

Tom hesitated, considering Levin's worn clothes and earnest expression. Suddenly struck with a sense of guilt for thinking of turning him down, Tom thought of a way to make it work.

"Ah, I've got it!" Tom exclaimed. "I have a spare utility room here at the tavern. You can stay there rent-free, in exchange for cleaning it before and after your shifts. I'll throw in a hearty bacon sandwich for breakfast each morning. How does that sound?"

"Cheers, Mr. Tom, you're a proper gent," Levin expressed his gratitude warmly.

With a nod and a smile, Tom replied, "No worries at all, Levin. Just happy to lend a hand to a bloke in need."

Feeling appreciative of Tom's generosity, Levin quickly settled into his new living arrangement in the utility room. With a wave of his wand, Levin knew that cleaning the room would be a breeze, making it more of a favor than a chore.

The [Charming Humans] skill really comes in handy. With his natural charm, most folks tend to warm up to him right off the bat. Plus, once he starts talking sweetly, he can pretty much get away with anything.

The utility room isn't spacious, though. It's pretty cramped after he sets up a mattress and a table. But Levin figures it's better than nothing for now. After quickly packing his bags, dressed in his second-hand wizard robe, Levin made his way to the backyard with his wand in hand. Following the example set by Professor McGonagall, he tapped gently on the brick, allowing it to reveal the entrance to Diagon Alley.

With lodging secured, Levin turned his attention to finding a paying part-time job to sustain himself until school began. How does a young wizard who hasn't even started school find a decent gig in Diagon Alley?

First off, let's rule out Gringotts. Sure, with Levin's logical chops from his previous life in science and engineering, he could outmatch over 95% of wizards in math. That's more than enough to handle accounting or cashier duties at Gringotts. But getting those goblins to buy it? That's a whole different spell to cast.

Then there are places like the Crucible Shop or the Quidditch Boutique. Nah, the stuff they deal with is all bulky. It's either heavy lifting or physical labor, and with Levin's arms and legs, he's not built for that kind of hustle.

So, after scratching those off the list, what's left? Well, there's the apothecary, Owl Shop, Flourish and Blotts Bookstore (free reading material, anyone?), Madam Malkin's Robes for school uniforms, Florin's ice cream joint, and the Diagon Alley stationery spot for all your quill and parchment needs.

Naturally, Levin's first pick is Flourish and Blotts. I mean, come on, free books! But turns out, they're not hiring anyone as green as him. Figures. Seems like the wizarding world's job market is just as picky as the Muggles'. So, what's a young wizard to do? Well, Levin's luck turns when he stumbles upon the Fantastic Beasts store.

There's a whole commotion outside, folks crowding around, and Levin, with no job prospects in sight, decides to check it out. Inside, he spots a female clerk wrestling with a Sniffler, trying to wrangle the critter back into its cage. Meanwhile, some snazzy-dressed dude in a top hat watches, tapping his foot impatiently.

Now, Snifflers are these creatures with long snouts, covered in black fur, kind of like if a platypus and a mole had a baby. They're gentle, good at digging, and have a serious knack for shiny stuff. Give 'em something sparkly, and they'll stash it away in their belly bag, wrecking everything in sight just to find more bling. So yeah, Nifflers are like treasure-hunting sidekicks, and it looks like the ones here are causing quite the ruckus.

The female shop assistant cursed in a rush: "Which one of you damn little rascals did it? Whoever swiped Mr. Moore's pocket watch, own up!"

Levin could see there were at least six Sniffs in the big cage, scurrying away from the flustered clerk. Finally snagging one, she held it upside down, swinging it around.

"Don't catch me, don't catch me, I'm so dizzy!"

Through his ability to talk to animals, Levin could hear the little critter's protests. After a lengthy shaking, all she got out of it was a measly silver sickle from its pouch.

"Darn it, not this one!"

She tried to transfer the Sniff to another cage, but the irked critter snapped and bit her. Yelping in pain, the clerk let go, and the Sniff scampered back to its buddies. To top it off, these Sniffs all looked so alike that the clerk couldn't tell them apart. Ouch, all that effort for nothing.

Seeing the flustered and furious look on the clerk's face, Levin couldn't help but crack a grin. Not because he was reveling in her misfortune, but because he saw an opportunity. Stepping forward, he tugged on the hem of her clothes.