Just as she had promised Pips, Kurumi approached the staff table with a slight tremble in her step. What was she supposed to say? On top of that, what would the word of a fourth year weigh in the mind of the Headmaster and the staff?

"Headmaster..." Kurumi squeaked, raising her hand as though she were in the middle of a lesson. "I-I'll speak for the elf." She already had a few thoughts swimming around in her mind as it was and, strangely enough, the words of Professor Vindictus came to mind. Odd.