Sam was sneaking out to see Em whenever she got the chance, Emerald was growing at a truly alarming rate, and she proudly told Sam that she had to go deeper into the forest to catch bigger prey because the rabbits that she had eaten when she arrived in the forest weren't enough for her anymore. To be perfectly honest Sam completely understood because she was sure that Em wouldn't have been able to fit in to her bedroom at the orphanage now.

In the six weeks that had passed since Sam had found Emeralds egg in the forest, she had grown almost six feet and she had a wing span of about eleven feet. To their utmost pleasure Em had started to fly a few weeks ago and they agreed that when Em was strong enough Sam would be able to fly on her back.

When Sam couldn't get away from the orphanage she and Em would comment on random things over their link. The link between Sam and Em had only become stronger and because of it, the two understood each other extremely well and could constantly feel each other's emotions and thoughts. Sam had never trusted anyone else before Emerald and was delighted at having a friend that didn't think she was a freak or strange in anyway although at the beginning Sam had been a little reluctant about sharing any of her past with Emerald and Em had given Sam her space on this topic. Em even went as far as to stay out of her memories of anything that Sam deemed off limits, for which Sam was exceedingly grateful. However a few weeks ago Mrs. Hamilton had caught Sam sneaking back in and had beaten her raw for almost half an hour. For most of the punishment, Em had pulled Sam into her mind to protect her from the brunt of the pain that she was experiencing. That night Sam had willingly told Em everything about the orphanage because they had discovered another fact about their link. If one of them hurt then the other felt it.

Despite that, this was turning out to be the best summer of Sam's life, and consequently, she was growing worried that it would be taken away from her. When she voiced her concerns to Em, she was told that nothing short of death could ever separate them. Sam thought that was an odd response but it made her feel good that Em had that much faith that they would stay friends that long.

--

Minerva McGonagall was the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, head of Gryffindor house and the strictest professor at Hogwarts. However she was kindhearted and brave, noble and good, and above all she was compassionate, she cared for her charges well being above all else.

As a part of her duty as deputy headmistress it was her responsibility to visit all students that where muggle-born or any potential students that live at an orphanage. That was the reason that now the professor was walking down the street of a muggle town trying to find a Mrs. Hamilton's orphanage.

When she finally came to the correct address, she walked up to the porch and rang the doorbell. She waited a few minutes and then the door opened to reveal a slightly plump woman.

"Yes?"

McGonagall looked at the women summing her up and quickly coming to the conclusion that this was a spiteful, malicious woman and not to be trusted as far as she could be thrown.

"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall and I am here about one…"She consulted her list "Samantha Evans."

"What about her?"

"I would prefer to discus this in a more private area, if you may?"

The woman looked at her for a moment then turned away and walked back into the house calling over shoulder

"Follow me."

McGonagall followed the woman into the house and followed her through in to an office that was situated near the back of the orphanage. When they entered the room, McGonagall took a second to look around.

'Well it seems that this office reflects the personality of the person occupying it.' She thought.

The room had a polished mahogany desk that was pushed up against the back wall of the room, the desk was overflowed with the orphans' files and other documents and it was obvious that no work had been done in quite a while. In front of the desk where a few lumpy looking chairs that looked as if they had had something spilt on them and of not being at all comfortable. Overall, the room was dark, dirty, unorganized, and unwelcoming, the complete opposite of her own office at Hogwarts.

Mrs. Hamilton sat down on one of the chairs and indicated for McGonagall to take the slightly stickier one. McGonagall sat down on the very edge of the chair trying to avoid the stickiness, which she could now identify as some kind of alcoholic beverage, as much as possible.

"Well what has that stupid wench done now?"

McGonagall was starting to hate the woman more and more every time she opened her mouth. However, she kept her face blank and ignored her as if she had deigned her question unimportant.

"Miss Evans" the emphasis that she put on the name was the only acknowledgment of the comment "has been down on the list of people to attend our school since birth. It is my job to inform her of her acceptance to our school and to give her the list of required items."

"She's been accepted to your school?"

"Yes"

"And who may I ask is financially responsible for her? Because mark my words I'm not going to be paying for that little twerp to go to some high and mighty school."

"There has been a scholarship set up for her by the school."

"So nothing will be expected of me once she leaves? Where is this school exactly?"

"Our school is located in Scotland and provides all essentials to a normal life including board, all that is required from you is that she be allowed to return here every summer until she is of age"

"How is she getting to this school of yours? I'm not going to be driving all over the country just to get the girl to school"

"I will escort her to get her school supplies and then on the first of September I will accompany her to Kings cross to get the train to school."

Mrs. Hamilton looked at her for a moment as if to confirm that nothing would be anticipated of her and then said.

"I suppose you want to see her now?" Mrs. Hamilton asked.

"If you could please show me to her it would be very much appreciated." Replied McGonagall.

"Her room is upstairs last door on the left." Said Mrs. Hamilton "I'm sure such a talented women such as you can follow those instructions"

The only reaction that the professor gave to remark was the slight thinning of her lips.

"And I thought that those muggles that Harry was forced to live with where the worst of the bunch but obviously that is not the case" She muttered to herself as she climbed the stairs and came to the landing.

McGonagall walked over to the foretold door and knocked gently. There was a quiet 'come in' and she opened the door her eyes made an automatic sweep of the room and found it to be clean bright and welcoming to those who dared to enter. Her eyes moved to the girl and she was shocked to come face to face with an eleven-year-old reincarnation of Lily Potter.

--

Sam was brought out of her thoughts by a polite knocking at her door.

Who could that be? the rest of the orphans avoid me and Mrs. Hamilton's knock is nothing like that She said to Em.

Well ask whoever it is to come in so that we can find out replied Emerald

"Come in" Sam called as she stood up and straightened her clothes and patted down her hair.

The door opened to reveal a tall graceful woman who from the first glance commanded respect. What surprised Sam the most about having this stranger in her room was her expression when she saw Sam. First came shocked recognition and then painful realization and then a look of deep sorrow before it was all hidden behind a professional mask.

I wonder what that was all about said Em at first it seemed as if she recognised you.

"Hello, how may I help you Ma'am?" asked Sam.

"You're Miss Samantha Evans correct?" asked the woman not unkindly

Her tone surprised Sam for a second before she answered with the affirmative.

"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall from Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry."