Eyes still not leaving Aurora (just in case the Horned Serpent foolishly attempted to escalate things further by initiating what the Wampus could only theorize was trying to be provoked), Valerie waited. Although she could not resist looking back to the screens briefly to see what those people were doing to Ryan. Nausea had settled in the pit of her stomach and all she wanted was for the scores to be announced (of which she may not even listen to) so she could be dismissed and go see her cousin. It was in these brief moments that she caught the upward lip movements of one Dora Umbridge. A gesture she could only assume was made in sympathy for what they had all been through. She lacked the ability to return the gesture (especially now that Aurora had begun tirade number two) but a curt nod of the head was given in acknowledgement.

Rubbing salt into the wound was none other than Madelyn with another one of her poorly timed cheering routines. Valerie may have unabashedly earned the title 'Snow Queen' from her Ilvermonry peers (one that had spread to Hogwarts as well) but she doubted her fellow Wampus could understand even an ounce of what she was feeling right now. What herself or any of her fellow competitors were for that matter. If she did, she would not be validating the spectacle like she was. What a blessing it must be to be so naïve. What a blessing it was that Valerie's cheery wood wand was already holstered in her combat boot.

The exchange between Levi and the younger girl [ArianaBlack] did not go unnoticed. There was an uncomfortable itch in her chest looking at the younger that cause something to stir within, but something Aurora said thankfully drew her focus away. Had Aurora really just called Jesus...

That itch in her chest was gone and replaced with an uncontrollable nag that caused the corners of her lips to twitch (not even she would stoop so low). Had he not released himself from her grip previously she would have freed him now to handle this how he saw fit and she would be lying if she said she did not enjoy the Thunderbird's silver tongue particularly in this moment. Lachlan too in his own diplomatic manner. Not that any of it seemed to have any affect on Aurora what-so-ever. Unsurprising. The only thing that was keeping her hand from flying to her wand was the image of Ryan still playing on screen with all the occasional unintentional glances he made to camera.

It was only once people began dispersing that it actually sunk in that scores had been announced. It was difficult to concentrate on those despite the strong opinions that immediately surfaced, so she would force her weary mind to isolate the fact that she was moving on and nothing else. Although she was already planning on regrouping with Kyle later to reevaluate each other and pick apart each other's strength and weaknesses to elevate the level of competition.

As for this consent briefly mentioned (and seemingly more an afterthought than anything genuine), Valerie dug her fingernails into her palm. Ryan was eight year old and his parents wary of magic for reasons she did not comprehend but could sense every time they looked at her (particularly whenever her temper began to surface) and she could not imagine under what circumstances they would have agreed to something like this. It all only made her wish to see him more dire.

Thus, nodding with all associated parties, she left.