Riona Murphy is of the stubborn sort. Once her mind is made up about anything, wild Thestrals couldn't move her. She also possesses a quick mouth and a quicker temper, a fiery disposition that fits her fiery hair. Despite this, she an optimistic and dreamy girl, often lost in thought.

She grew up in Limerick, Ireland, surrounded by a large, all-wizard family. Ever since she could listen, all she'd heard about was magic and how great it made life and how amazing it was to have. Of course, that meant that she waited with bated breath for her own magic to develop.

When she was nine years old, it finally did.

She was playing at a Muggle playground with her younger cousins, both of whom also hadn't displayed any magic. They were playing a game with the swing set, when a twelve-year-old Muggle boy approached, demanding that they bequeath the swing set to himself and his brother. One of Riona's cousins suggested that they play their game together. The boy laughed, and then stepped over and pushed her off the swing she was on.

She landed awkwardly on her arm and started crying. The boy laughed some more, while Riona ran over to help her up. The boy attempted to push her over too, but found to his surprise that he couldn't move her. Riona, bristling with fury, shoved the boy backwards and he flew back several metres. He got up, looking confused yet spiteful, spat in her direction and left with his brother.

And that was how she knew she was magic.