For a young wizard who hadn't even started school yet, how was he supposed to find a decent job in Diagon Alley?
First—rule out Gringotts.
Of course, given the wizarding world's… questionable logic, Lewis's math skills as a former STEM student could easily outperform ninety-five percent of wizards.
Working as an accountant or clerk there would be effortless.
But that required the goblins to believe him.
Next, shops like Potage's Cauldron Shop or Quality Quidditch Supplies were also out.
Their goods were all heavy—cauldrons, broomsticks—clearly requiring physical labor.
With his small frame, that wasn't happening.
After eliminating those, there were still plenty of options:
Potion ingredient shops, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts, the ever-popular Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, stationery shops…
His top choice was naturally Flourish and Blotts.
Because he could read for free.
Of course, that was just Lewis's perspective.
Reality?
He chose the shops.
The shops didn't choose him.
"You're too young!"
"Not of working age!"
Seriously? Wizards were this law-abiding?
Their society was basically a century behind Muggles—
So why not adopt hiring practices from a century ago too?!
Lewis's job search hit a wall.
Until he arrived in front of the Magical Creatures Shop.
A crowd had gathered outside, with loud commotion inside.
With nothing better to do, Lewis squeezed his way in.
Inside, a female clerk was frantically trying to catch a Niffler in a large cage.
Beside her stood a sharply dressed man in a tailored suit and top hat, arms crossed, watching impatiently.
Nifflers were small creatures with long snouts and black fur—like a cross between a platypus and a mole.
Gentle by nature, they loved digging—and above all, shiny objects.
They stored treasures in a pouch on their bellies and would tear apart their surroundings to find anything that glittered.
Treasure hunters often used them as assistants.
The clerk cursed as she struggled.
"You little pests! Which one of you stole Mr. Moore's pocket watch? Come out!"
There were at least six Nifflers in the cage, darting around chaotically.
She finally grabbed one, holding it upside down and shaking it violently.
"Don't grab me! Don't grab me! I'm gonna throw up!" the creature complained.
Through Animal Communication, Lewis could hear it clearly.
After shaking it for a long time, only a single silver Sickle dropped out.
"Damn it! Not this one!"
She tried to move it to another cage, but the furious Niffler bit her.
She yelped and let go—
And the creature jumped right back into the group.
Worse, all the Nifflers looked nearly identical.
Her effort had been completely wasted.
Watching the chaotic scene, Lewis suddenly smiled.
Not out of schadenfreude—
But because he realized something.
A job opportunity.
He stepped forward and tugged on the clerk's sleeve.
"Hello, big sister. My name is Lewis Green. I think I can solve your problem."
The clerk, already stressed, was about to snap—
But when she turned and saw a cute young boy, her anger instantly softened.
"Well… hello, Mr. Green. I'd be happy to help you, but as you can see, I'm a bit busy right now. Could you wait a moment?"
Lewis shook his head.
"You misunderstood. I'm not here for service—I'm here to help you."
"…Help?"
"I can find the Niffler that stole the watch."
The clerk looked him up and down, skeptical.
"I appreciate the offer, but you're too young. You might get hurt trying to catch them."
"You're overthinking it," Lewis said with a confident smile. "I don't need to touch them."
He stepped up to the cage and spoke:
"Hey, little guys—who got a new treasure just now?"
To outsiders, it sounded like gibberish.
But it closely resembled the sounds of a real Niffler.
This was Animal Communication in action.
The strange sight made the clerk pause.
Inside the cage, the Nifflers froze.
They were just as confused.
Why was this giant creature speaking their language?
Was this… a giant Niffler?
Their tiny brains couldn't process it—but they answered anyway.
Lewis turned back to the clerk.
"I've got it. The thief is that one—the one missing a finger on its left front paw."
Still doubtful, the clerk grabbed the indicated Niffler and shook it upside down.
A golden pocket watch fell out.
"Yes! That's it—my watch! It was the best gift Marlene ever gave me!"
The suited man rushed forward, picked it up carefully, and tucked it away before thanking Lewis and leaving.
The commotion ended.
"Thank you—thank you so much!" the clerk said, grabbing Lewis's hands after the crowd dispersed. "You saved me!"
Then, curiosity took over.
"You mimicked their sounds… and identified the culprit instantly. How did you do it? Can you actually talk to them?"
Lewis shook his head, then nodded slightly.
"Something like that. I have a aptitude—I can vaguely sense animals' emotions."
He deliberately downplayed his ability.
The clerk gasped.
"Incredible! You have the same gift as Mr. Newt Scamander!"
Newt Scamander—the famous magizoologist and author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. A legend in the field.
He was known for his ability to communicate with magical creatures.
That was exactly why Lewis held back.
There was a saying—
Half a step beyond genius, you're a prodigy.
One full step beyond, you're a madman.
Claiming he could communicate was acceptable.
Claiming full conversation? That was too much.
Sure enough, the clerk's gaze softened further.
"My name is Hayden Trist. I work here at the Magical Creatures Shop. Thank you for your help, little one. If you ever need anything—creatures or supplies—I can give you a ten percent discount within my authority!"
"It's nothing," Lewis said modestly, waving it off.
Then he looked up at her with innocent eyes.
"So… are you hiring part-time child labor?"