It was quite possible that this was the very first time the entire year that Emmalyn was more than overjoyed to be a first year student. She wouldn't have to transform one of the hedgehogs into a pin cushion. Sure, she heard every word the professor said about the hedgehogs not being real, but it still felt wrong.

Emmalyn rose from her front row seat and took one of the thin metal pins. Upon returning to her seat, she pulled out her wand and practiced the movement. Down and backwards L flick at the end, down and backwards L flick at the end. She did the movement over and over again so when it came time to say the words, she wouldn't need to think so hard about the movement.

In her mind, she pictured the perfect Hufflepuff flag. She focused on the top of the pin, imagining it growing and changing into the flag, then pointed her wand and commanded "Mutatis Insigne." Nothing happened. Not even a slight wiggle.

Down and backwards L and flick, down and backwards L and flick. She practiced a few more times. 'Hufflepuff flag, turn into a Hufflepuff flag' she thought over and over again. "Mutatis Insigne" she commanded with more determination and focus. Nothing. Simply a pin. Emmalyn glanced around her to see how the other students were faring. Sure, she was a first year, but she figured something should be happening.

She tried her best to not get frustrated. She felt as if any time she used her wand, she failed. Maybe her wand was broken. Maybe they made a mistake at Olivanders. Maybe she just wasn't any good at magic. A single tear ran down her cheek, then another. "Mutatis Insigne" she urged towards the pin while moving her seemingly useless wand. Still nothing happened.