https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-147-An-Invitation-from-the-National-Team-First-Update-/13459210/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-149-Dumbledore-s-Compensation-Third-Update-/13459212/
Chapter 148: Earning a Salary (Second Update)
Chapter 148: Earning a Salary (Second Update)
Currently, since Jerry is attending Hogwarts, he doesn't have many good ways to earn gold galleons.
Although his strength has greatly improved thanks to his meditation technique and various magical practices, he could potentially venture into the Forbidden Forest to hunt Acromantulas.
However, if such actions were to be discovered by Dumbledore and others, his carefully cultivated image as a good student would crumble.
Even if he managed to obtain Acromantula venom, the issue of how to sell it for money would still be a problem.
On the other hand, the salary from the Quidditch team is different. It is legitimate and comes with no hidden risks, allowing him to spend the money as he pleases.
A minimum of three hundred gold galleons per month, totaling over a thousand gold galleons in six months, is a significant sum. Additionally, there are match bonuses, which are even higher for victories.
What can gold galleons be used for?
During the Christmas break in Diagon Alley, Jerry already had a deep understanding of this.
As the saying goes, "Money talks!"
This adage holds true in the wizarding world as well.
With enough gold galleons, Jerry can purchase more rare spellbooks, learn more magic, and buy better potions and alchemical products.
Moreover, if Jerry wants to excel in potion-making and alchemy, a substantial initial investment in gold galleons is necessary.
This is why Jerry's attitude changed so dramatically after Snape's reminder.
Time is important, but gold galleons are equally vital. The terms offered are also quite generous, making it a worthwhile deal overall.
However, it's worth noting that Professor Snape is quite perceptive.
In fact, Snape's belief that Jerry would be interested in the salary stems from his previous experience with the Nimbus 2000.
He finds it normal that even someone as talented and exceptional as Jerry, who was born in a Muggle orphanage and relies on Hogwarts scholarships for tuition, would want to earn gold galleons on his own.
Snape understands that to become a master potion-maker like himself, a significant initial investment in gold galleons is required. Given Jerry's circumstances, this might be a challenge.
While he could sponsor Jerry, he is concerned about Jerry's pride.
Therefore, when he learned that the coaches of two national Quidditch teams wanted to recruit Jerry as a Seeker, he saw this as a good opportunity.
When Jerry's attitude suddenly changed, the two coaches were momentarily taken aback, but they quickly recovered and began enthusiastically highlighting the advantages of their respective teams.
After listening for a while, Jerry interrupted them:
"Let me explain, gentlemen. You might not know, but I'm an orphan, and my current tuition is covered by a scholarship. So..."
From Jerry's perspective, it was clear that the two coaches lacked significant sales experience.
They were trying to attract Jerry by emphasizing the strengths of their Quidditch teams.
However, they were focusing on the wrong aspects. When selling something, it's not about what you have, but what the other party wants. They needed to understand Jerry's priorities and offer conditions accordingly.
Jerry's message was straightforward: I am an orphan with no background, no family, and no money. Therefore, the most important condition for me is the salary.
The other advantages of the two Quidditch teams are irrelevant. The team that offers the highest salary and the best bonuses and benefits will be my choice.
Although the two coaches rarely engaged in such negotiations, they were not stupid. They quickly grasped Jerry's underlying meaning and began a new round of competition.
In the end, it was Myle Bus, the coach of the English Quidditch team, who offered a higher salary. With a staggering 500 gold galleons per month, Jerry ultimately chose to become the seeker for the English Quidditch team.
There was no other way around it. After the last Quidditch World Cup, the English Quidditch team's performance was abysmal, putting immense pressure on Myle, far more than on Hunter.
To redeem the team's reputation and save face, Myle was willing to go to great lengths, even to the point of diverting funds from other sources to pay Jerry's salary.
Hunter had confidence in his own team. Bringing Jerry back would be a bonus, but not having him was also acceptable.
After all, school Quidditch matches were different from the World Quidditch Cup. At Jerry's young age, whether he could consistently perform at a high level was still uncertain.
He wasn't willing to take the same risk as Myle, paying such a high price, and thus, he let Jerry go.
"Alright, yes, look at the camera!"
In the headmaster's office, Jerry and Myle posed together, making a V sign.
After the terms were agreed upon, Jerry signed a magical contract with Myle, witnessed by Dumbledore and Snape, to serve as the English Quidditch seeker for one year, with the option to renew annually.
Once the contract was signed, Myle enthusiastically pulled Jerry over for a photo.
The first precious magical photo of the future legendary seeker, Jerry Carmen, and his insightful coach, Myle Bus, was thus born in the headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
No one knew the value this magical photo would hold in the wizarding world in the future.
After the photo was taken, Myle, elated, and Hunter, with a complex expression, left Hogwarts.
Jerry, seeing that matters were settled, prepared to leave the headmaster's office with Snape to return to his dorm and continue his magical studies.
However, just as he stood up, he was stopped by the kind and benevolent Dumbledore.
"Snape, Mr. Carmen, don't rush. Please sit down for a moment. I have something to discuss with you."
"Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Snape's face showed a hint of confusion, but he gestured for Jerry to sit back down.
Jerry complied without any fuss, settling himself back into his seat.
Dumbledore waved again, and a house-elf brought in three drinks before he spoke in a very calm tone:
"I believe that since Mr. Carmen has joined the national Quidditch team, there is no need for him to continue participating in the school Quidditch matches!"
Seeing Snape's face darken and his immediate readiness to protest, Dumbledore, who seemed to have anticipated this, quickly continued:
"Don't be angry. I am not singling anyone out, nor am I forcing this. It is merely a suggestion, and if you disagree, you can disregard it.
However, I hope you will hear me out before making a decision."
Jerry remained silent. As a student, though he was the one directly affected, it wasn't appropriate for him to interject at this moment.
Snape's expression softened slightly, and he responded:
"Very well, Headmaster Dumbledore. Please explain your reasoning. If what you say does not satisfy both Jerry and me, then even as headmaster, I will not agree to this absurd proposal."
Although Dumbledore was the headmaster and one of the greatest wizards of the century, Snape, with his character, did not show the same deference as others, maintaining his usual stern and cold demeanor.
But that was just how he was with everyone.
...
(End of Chapter)
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