Foucault County

In a decently tidied bridge hole

July 31, 1991

...

Surrey

Little Whinging

Number 4, Privet Drive

Under the staircase storage

To Mr. Harry Potter

...

Dear Harry,

Surprisingly, the day I received the letter happens to be your birthday, so happy birthday!

From today, your life will change drastically!

Don't ask me how I know... Maybe, it's because of an owl?

That's right, on July 22nd, while I was revising my second article under the Bridge, an owl (or maybe a tawny owl? Sorry, I can't really tell) appeared.

You know, green ink, a badge —

[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore

(President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Grand Sorcerer, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot)

(A word here: That title is really awe-inspiring, truly high-end!)

Dear Miss Lilian,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Enclosed is a list of all necessary books and equipment.

The term begins on September 1. We await your owl by July 31st with your reply.

Deputy Headmistress

Minerva McGonagall

...

Did you receive it?

I guess you must have since you are the famous "The Boy Who Lived."

Even more fortunately, soon after I finished writing the reply, Professor McGonagall came personally —

Sorry to say it this way, but after a loud bang, we met under this decently tidied bridge hole.

(Professor McGonagall's sympathetic look was a bit unexpected, but actually, I'm not that miserable.)

Then, as a student in need, I received a stipend in Galleons (thank goodness, otherwise, without nine years of compulsory education, even though I now have saved thirty-five pounds, it would still be too hard to afford school).

Now, I can answer your question.

I, Lilian, am eleven this year, my birthday is 7.22 (you can think about what gift to give me next year).

Regrettably, I probably won't be able to join you in Diagon Alley, as Professor McGonagall specially came to guide me, so by the time I'm writing this reply, I've already been to Diagon Alley.

— The magical world is truly magical.

But due to monopoly, it's really hard to bargain.

But, that doesn't stop me.

On the day I went to Diagon Alley, I saw some senior students obviously in uniforms, so I specially chatted with them and bought their soon-to-be-discarded first-year textbooks.

Wow!

Much cheaper than the second-hand bookstore I inquired at before!

But I guess these seniors are not very academic, their books are even quite new (except one book's cover is burned in a circle, apparently scorched while practicing a spell).

Scales, telescopes, cauldrons, and the like, probably used every term, I had to buy second-hand.

Luckily, I found a set in good condition.

I didn't buy a pet, heard the school has some. Just heard that all electronic devices don't work at Hogwarts, so if I can't send emails, my writing career might end before it starts.

Even if handwritten, I can't expect an owl to send my manuscripts, right?

Looks like I need to think of other ways to make money at school.

The efficiency of mail is really too slow now, Harry, I can't wait to start the magical lessons, so I probably won't write to you in August.

On September 1st, I'll wait for you at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Hope you can recognize me.

Yours faithfully,

Lilian