Portkey travel isn't that bad. It's not the most comfortable method of transport because you feel like you're being sucked through a tube, but you don't feel as disoriented as you would if traveling by portal for the first time.
It may take some convincing, but if you'd like I could get you a job around base. Not an official soldier of course, but you might help us out with assignment. We have to go after criminals that are too dangerous for the police, so having another person skilled in sorcery ( or witchcraft, however you say it) would help out a lot.
The pay isn't that great, but it has a lot of benefits.
Should I even bother asking about the tomato business?