The next morning Emilia woke up early. She got dressed and crept down the stairs. When she reached the common room it was completely quiet except for the crackling of the wood in the fire. Emilia sat down on one of the couches and looked around. In the far corner stood the Christmas Tree with a large pile of presents underneath, each labeled with their names. On the wall was a portrait of a sleeping wizard, and opposite was a blank canvas. Emilia smiled, she knew that it was the portrait of Godric Gryffindor. He loved to wander the portraits of the castle and Emilia decided that was where he was. Emilia turned around when she heard footsteps on the stairs. Down the stairs came two of her friends, Jessica and Harry. Ron and Hermione followed a few minutes later, still rubbing their eyes.
"Let's open some presents!" Jessica exclaimed, being the loudest of the bunch.
"Ok." everyone else said at the same time. They all laughed and passed each other their presents. Jessica opened her's first and held it up for everyone to see. It was a brand new wand with a book on simple spells. Hermione opened hers next and held hers up as well. It was an advanced spell book and an autographed copy of "Magical Me" by Gilderoy Lockhart. Ron opened his and frowned. It was a hand knit sweater with a large "R" on the front, he also got a bag of candies which made up for it. Harry opened his package and pulled out a long cloak, none of them knew what to say.
"Try it on." Ron said. Harry threw it on and his body disappeared.
"Cool" Jessica said.
"It's an invisibility cloak they're rare." Hermione informed them. They all looked at Emilia, it was her turn to open her present. She slowly tore the wrapping and discovered a box, the room was tense with anticipation. Emilia opened the box and at the bottom sat a ring. Emilia pulled it out and held it up to the light that was now streaming through the window. She saw now that it was a gold ring with an aqua coloured stone.
"What is it?" Ron asked, Hermione looked clueless. Emilia slipped it on her finger and a warmth emanated from it. They all got up and opened their stockings and found new quills and scrolls. In the very bottom Emilia found some owl treats for her snowy owl Elli. Emilia started to think about where Elli was, then she felt a slight breeze.
"Emilia?" Jessica said,
"I'm here." Emilia replied, but all that came out was a screech.
"Look an owl." Ron said, pointing in Emilia's direction. Emilia waved her arms but instead felt herself lift off the ground. She flew hap-hazardly to the window ledge and perched there. Hermione walked over to Emilia,
"Is that you?" she asked, Emilia nodded.
"Cool." Jessica said. Harry came over and Emilia sat on his arm.
"We'd better get you to Professor McGonagall." Harry said. They all left the common room, Emilia still perched on Harry's arm. When they arrived at the Professor's door, Jessica knocked. The door opened and Professor McGonagall stepped out.
"Yes." she said, then spotted Emilia on Harry's shoulder.
"Mr. Potter, you know owls are not allowed in the halls." she said.
"I know Professor, but we have a little problem." Harry said.
"Come in then." she replied. The group of them crowded into the office.
"What is it?" Professor McGonagall asked, once she had shut the door. Harry lowered Emilia to the desk and she hopped off. Harry pointed at Emilia and said,
"her." Professor McGonagall looked at the group.
"I am no specialist in owls, you should take it to Hagrid." she said. Emilia waddled over and picked up a spare wand that was lying on the desk. She then made the swish and flick motion with her head. The paper beside her began to float off the table. Professor McGonagall stood back dumbfounded.
"Are you trying to make a fool out of me?" she asked them sharply.
"No Professor." Hermione said.
"Then why did you bring this owl to me?" she asked.
"I don't know how to say this, but that owl is Emilia." Jessica explained. Professor McGonagall looked at the desk.
"How do I know you aren't lying?" she said.
"Can owls do magic…" Hermione said. Professor McGonagall took it as a suitable answer. She held out her arm and Emilia stepped on.
"I can do nothing, she will have to transfigure herself." Emilia tried to say.
"How?" but all that came out was a "chirp."
"Emilia, think about yourself, what you look like." Professor McGonagall said. She sat Emilia in a chair.
" When you are ready." she said. Emilia thought about herself and felt a cool breeze pass around her. Emilia looked down at her arms and saw her hands. The ring still twinkled on her finger.
"Thank you, Professor." Emilia said.
"Your welcome, But I have a question." Professor McGonagall said.
"Yes." Emilia said.
"How did you transfigure?" she asked.
"I got this ring for Christmas, this morning." Emilia replied, holding out her hand.
"Ah, I see. Be careful what you think of, Ms. Potter. These rings are very powerful." Professor McGonagall said. As she said this, Emilia caught a ring like hers glittering on the Professor's finger.
"Professor?" Emilia said.
"Yes, Emilia." she replied.
"Can you transfigure?" Emilia asked.
"Yes, but I am limited to the form of a cat, my ring is different." she said.
"The ring you have is rare." she continued. Once they had left the Professor's office, they headed to the Great Hall for lunch.
The rest of the week went by normally, with Emilia being much more cautious about what she thought of. After classes on Friday's, Emilia would trek down to Professor McGonagall's office. She would give Emilia lessons on how to control her transfiguration. That night Emilia sat on her bed reading her D.A.T.D.A textbook. Suddenly it hit her that she had forgotten her scroll down in the Common Room. Emilia opened up the door quietly and crept out. She tip-toed down the stairs and entered the now dark Common Room. Emilia pulled out her wand from her robe sleeve.
"Lumous." Emilia whispered, and her wand tip lit up, showering the room with light. There on the table in the corner was the scroll just where she had left it. As she picked up the scroll she heard a noise behind her. Emilia turned around and saw nothing.
"Hello?" she said, out into the darkness. When there was no reply, Emilia headed towards the stairs.