Wade had considered this question for a long time and asked calmly, "Do you also practice Dark Arts?"
"...Some," Lupin hesitated, not concealing it.
Wade nodded. "I've read in books that during the Wizarding War, the Ministry of Magic authorized Aurors to use Unforgivable Curses on Death Eaters. Dark magic, intended for harm, could also be used to protect others. This shows that the attribute of the magic is secondary; the key is the person using it."
"Dark magic is evil because it silently erodes the user's mind," Lupin quickly explained, fearing he might mislead a minor. "Moreover, Dark Arts possess extreme danger and unpredictability. Once out of control, they can cause severe harm to both others and oneself—that's why Hogwarts prohibits students from learning and using Dark Arts."
"Understood," Wade said. "If you accept this employment, you'll be my teacher. If you believe I shouldn't learn Dark Arts, you certainly don't have to teach it."
Lupin relaxed slightly, a smile appearing on his face.
He had expected someone young and famous to be arrogant, but the young man before him was surprisingly rational and open to others' opinions.
This was truly a good start.
Just then, Professor Moray pushed the door open. He scanned the pub, not deliberately looking at Wade and Lupin, but instead sat at a nearby table and ordered a mead.
"So, if I accept this job, what do I need to do now?" Lupin asked. "Since you're at school, how should our magic lessons proceed?"
"We'll discuss that later," Wade said, pulling a scroll of parchment from his pocket and placing it on the table. "First, take a look at this contract. If you can accept its terms, sign your name, and then the agreement will be officially concluded."
Lupin's expression became serious. He unrolled the parchment and read it clause by clause.
The contract's content was straightforward. The entrusted matters were no different from what they had just discussed. It additionally stipulated that the agent (Lupin) had obligations to protect the principal's (Wade's) interests, keep the principal's secrets, not cause harm to the principal, assist the principal in purchasing alchemy materials and magical items, and as a private tutor, his responsibilities included teaching knowledge, developing suitable teaching plans, and fully protecting the student's safety during magical studies.
Lupin nodded inwardly—these were all reasonable points.
Further down, upon seeing the agent's fee, Lupin couldn't help but be startled, wondering if there was a mistake.
"Base salary of 30 Galleons per week?" he said in surprise. "This is triple what was in the recruitment advertisement."
"Yes," Wade nodded. "10 Galleons a week for the agent role, and 20 Galleons for the private tutor role. This is the base salary. Additionally, you'll receive a certain commission from transactions you oversee."
Lupin was even more surprised upon hearing this. He continued to unroll the parchment and indeed saw detailed provisions regarding this aspect further down.
Of course, the end of the contract also stated that if he failed to perform his duties diligently and caused additional losses to the principal, Wade had the right to unilaterally terminate the contract.
Wade knew that given Lupin's predicament, he would agree even to a very low salary, as few people were willing to hire a dangerous werewolf. And Lupin's higher moral standards, compared to the average person, wouldn't allow him to gain benefits through illicit means.
However, a low salary combined with a contract and moral obligation could only ensure Lupin fulfilled his duties, but not that he put his heart into it. The role Wade needed Lupin to play was not that of an overworked laborer squeezed dry, but a teacher who could impart all his knowledge, a comrade who could face danger alongside him, and a partner he could entrust his rear with.
And these things couldn't be achieved without a high degree of responsibility and identification.
If Galleons could buy such a wizard's loyalty, Wade would not hesitate to empty his vault. But the reality was, if he offered a much higher salary, Lupin might suspect he had ill intentions.
Lupin repeatedly looked at the contract, hesitating. "This... this is too high."
He had only intended to find a job with a weekly salary of 10 Galleons, just enough to get by. The unexpectedly high salary made him feel somewhat uneasy.
"I expect you to deliver corresponding returns," Wade said, thinking for a moment, then added, "If you don't, I'll fire you next month!"
This statement, which sounded like a threat but also carried a touch of childishness, actually eased Lupin's tension. He smiled and said gently, "It seems I'll have to put in two hundred percent effort to satisfy my young boss."
—Or perhaps, once his werewolf identity is exposed, he'll be immediately dismissed?
Lupin thought to himself. He lowered his head and earnestly signed his name on the contract.
Wade also signed his name. With that, the contract was finalized.
Wade took out a new edition of the Book of Friends and the Lumina Badge from his bag and said, "Now, let me tell you about my new creations. Mr. Marchionne, the owner of Aslan Magic Workshop, will be at the Three Broomsticks in about half an hour. I think you should be ready by then."
Lupin looked at the items blankly. "The agent's work... it's already starting?"
"Of course," Wade raised an eyebrow, tapping the Book of Friends. "—I always make every second count."
Soon after, Marchionne arrived.
As he pushed open the door, he saw Professor Moray and Wade seated at two separate tables. With a quick glance, he understood the situation. So, he pretended not to see Professor Moray and enthusiastically greeted Wade in the corner.
Subsequently, Marchionne learned that Lupin was Wade's agent. He completely disregarded the werewolf's worn robes and disheveled appearance, seamlessly transitioning into work mode. He even praised the Lumina Badge profusely, seemingly valuing it even more than the Book of Friends.
"You finally understand the true meaning of making money, Wade."
Given that Professor Moray was right behind them, Marchionne winked and said in a very low voice, eagerly guaranteeing, "Next time you have a product like this, you absolutely must come to me! I promise I'll give you the highest price! No one could possibly offer more than me—because those foolish people can't possibly understand the greatness of such a creation!"
The brown-haired wizard came and went in a hurry, like a gust of wind, not even touching the butterbeer he had ordered.
"So... that's it?" Lupin still had a somewhat bewildered expression.
"Yes, you'll get used to it. As I said—" Wade said, in high spirits, "We make every second count."
Lupin stood stunned for a moment, then asked, "What do we do now?"
"No rush for now."
Wade handed Lupin a Book of Friends for contact and then a pouch of Galleons.
"This is your first week's salary. I think you can... uh... take care of yourself first?"
Professor Moray slowly sipped his mead, squinting as he observed his student.
The young man was laughing and talking to the wizard opposite him, a rare display of such vigor—confident, resolute, and composed, shining like the rising sun.
So exceptional.
Time... takes some, changes some... Decades, centuries pass, and in the end, one finds... it seems nothing has changed at all...