Emma comes from a small Welsh wizarding family. No remarkable deeds or great bravery have ever come from the Hughes family. Emma is entirely atypical of this boisterous and land-working family, being a quiet and studious young girl. She has four older brothers and so is very used to being a mouse. Her brothers are all much older than her, even the youngest of them has already left Hogwarts.  None of them were strong academically and they are all four out, living their lives. 

Emma was an unexpected child and, whilst her parents were delighted to finally have a girl, they had been looking forward to having, finally, some time to themselves. Her brothers are Huw (21), Geiraint (23), Denver (24) and Dai (25). They are very fond of their 'little mouse' as they call Emma, but they wonder, sometimes, if there might have been a mix up in the hospital, so very different is she. 

Emma's parents Marianne (57) and Huw Snr (62) are both wizards and they are very pleased with how well Emma has done in terms of learning and study. They worry, however, that their youngest child is not good at making friends and is, fundamentally, very shy. She would much rather be alone with a book and does not like others' company, except her family.