Lilian was furiously writing.
Don't get it wrong; she wasn't diligently studying as mentioned in her letter, but seizing the opportunity to write gossip news for an obscure London newspaper.
Yes, gossip news.
Let's face it, even J.K. Rowling, who wrote "Harry Potter," barely had a chance to get published, let alone have magazines interested in her work. How could Lilian, a homeless girl, write articles that perfectly cater to the London market?
Gossip tabloids only care if the articles are captivating. Lilian, often victimized by FAKE NEWS in her previous life, eventually bent for ten pounds.
Ah, the dragon slayer becoming the dragon, all due to lack of money.
Among those writing for these gossip tabloids, anonymity is not uncommon, and Lilian blending in is not surprising. Once accepted, articles pay from ten to a hundred and eighty pounds —
Even though she's unfamiliar with London in 1991, it doesn't stop her from fabricating bizarre news, and that's how she saved up her money.
Once she enters Hogwarts, this money-making business will likely cease. But not to mention, even if Hogwarts includes board and lodging, as a growing girl, Lilian needs to prepare for necessities like sanitary pads.
What about the holidays? Staying at school is still uncertain, but surely not living under a bridge?
At least buy a suitcase before school starts!
And clean underwear...
Life is so hard.
Fortunately, she's good at making up stories, especially urban legends and secret tales. Every article earns her 50 pounds, a chance Lilian wouldn't miss!
Calculating, she now has nearly 300 pounds saved, enough to rent a place for almost half a year, or exchange for about 60 Galleons — truly good news.
Once again reviewing her savings, she sealed all the stories she accumulated into envelopes — she had an agreement with Hank to mail one each month. If there's a fee, Hank gets 10%.
There's risk, as money tests morality.
But as a homeless girl, Lilian has no other choice. At worst, she loses the effort of writing the articles.
(Of course, Lilian believes that once she learns magic, she'll find a way to get her money back.)
Hank is kind, and Lilian has decided not to harm him even if there's no money involved.
It's her way of repaying him.
But this is just the hardship of this term. She plans to befriend Hermione after enrollment. Maybe next term, she can entrust this work to her family.
With the money-making task done, Lilian opened "Hogwarts: A History."
Her mind drifted for a moment — in her previous life, she always found Harry Potter quite unheroic, brainless, talentless, and as annoying as any adolescent boy.
But when this slightly annoying character became her psychological anchor in this world, Lilian had to admit she saw him through a filter.
When she received those three pence again —
Ah, the earnestness of a child, truly moving for an older woman.
YOU ARE READING
Joyful Magical Days
FantasyOn Dudley's birthday, Harry Potter, who was doing chores at home, received a letter from a stranger, who addressed him as: 'The Boy Who Lived Through Great Hardship'.
