A new leaf (Howl x reader fan fiction)

Chapter 1

Sometimes I want to love. But I know that I'll just end up unhappy. I'm already boring, dull and unhappy anyways. Besides I can't even love myself never mind anyone else. These words oddly encouraging help me get through the day.

My blunt pencil scratches across my parchment as I study from spell books, one of my favourite pastimes, I was learning , ' more like teaching myself ', a rather difficult spell; until I was annoyingly interrupted by a musical knock on the door. My teenage tendencies took the better of me when I didn't answer the door. Then realisation took place as I remembered that it could very well be the land lady asking for the rent. Which I did not want to give her.  Aggravated, I sat up from my desk and walked to the door; unlocking it, to be met with the face of one of my students.

To make some extra money I'm an English teacher. Not to be a typical sad story, hopeless case, but my parents threw me out of the house at the age of 12. I was going to leave anyway. They never really took care of me, they didn't abuse me, they would just forget I exist and leave days on end. Most of the time with no food. So as you may have guessed I have been solo for quite a while. Of course tutoring children isn't nearly enough money to cover living, maybe it was for the rent, but food, cleaning supplies and other essentials had to be bought through more work. As a job I sell spells, mostly spells for luck, enhancing beauty - that one is really popular among older women and girls my age-, repair spells and potions for the sick. Nothing else really sells so I have never had the problem of having to learn a new one.

"Hello Henry it's great to see you again, how are you?" I said walking him into the study.

The 'house' I was living in was no bigger than the size of a cottage. In the heart of Market Chipping. It bears a bedroom, a bathroom, -which are both rather small- a kitchen that joined into the living room / dining room. And right next to it was my study which consisted of a desk scattered with sheets of paper and pencil sharpenings. Another desk (which was for my students) a bookshelf which is now becoming too small. And another shelf with all my ingredients and supplies; -this shelf tends to scare a lot of my students, however I'm no evil witch nor evil person so they have nothing to worry about- .

"You to miss (L/N); I'm doing well, it was my mother's birthday yesterday and I made her a cake," the ten year old boy said.
"That sounds great Henry, wish Mary a happy birthday from me," with a flick of my wrist I pulled a bunch of lilies out of thin air, " and give these to your mother for me."
Henry sat in awe as most of the children do when I do anything with magic.
" I will !" He said excited.

That afternoon -when Henry had gone home- I counted my money and I had enough to pay the rent and meals for a week. I sigh as I stare outside the window at the bustling shops. I'm going to have to find work. Although I'm not really qualified for any jobs I'll have to find it somewhere. Otherwise I might not be able to pay the rent next month. I have too many worries for a sixteen year old girl.