Lilya woke the next morning, washed, and went to the dining hall for breakfast. She sat at the end of her class’s table as always, away from the others. Lilya was the youngest person in her grade. It’s not every day that you find an eleven year old in eleventh grade. She was very popular among the first years, but the rest of the school ridiculed her. Lilya had no family apart from the school, she had no money. The first years admired her but as soon as they saw how the others ignored her they left Lilya to herself. None of them wanted to be ignored so they avoided those that were. Lilya’s only real friend in the school was the Professor. He was the one who had found her.

          Lilya’s birthday was coming up soon, she would be turning twelve. Little did she know that this birthday would be better than any other.

***

          It had been three weeks since Lilya’s discussion with the Professor. Tomorrow was her birthday. As Lilya went to sleep she wondered hopefully if she’d be getting any good presents this year, as she usually just got books. Then she drifted off to sleep.