Ms. Portrait was not her name. She may only be reduced to a painting on the wall now but she still had a name, a correct one that was not merely a consequence of her circumstance. Valeria set out to correct her but was cut off by a question of chickens and a road?

She couldn't tell where this was going til the young man informed it was getting to the other side? The woman's face fell, uncertain how it was meant to be funny. His joke was no better, in fact it set the scowl deeper.

"Young man, there is nothing remotely entertaining about the pain and suffering of others." She gave him a stern look to ensure he understood what she was saying before allowing the smallest smile to grace her features once more. "I am Valeria Myriadd, former Professor and Gryffindor Head of House. Now then, Dears." Her gaze shifted between the two.

"Tell me a proper joke and I'll tell you a secret."