Ugh.

Sincere as her words had been to Irene the Wampus could have done without that pleased expression upon the Pukwudgie's face. Her brief moment of humility by no means was an invitation to braid each other's hair and gab about the latest issue Teen Witch (the likes of which Valerie did not subscribe to to begin with) and she trusted the younger girl understood that. "If I were not in such need for this scholarship..." she began, her voice trailing off and electing not to finish the thought. Her opinion on things had been crystal clear all along and such sentiments (the depths of them) were those reserved for a select few. None of whom were present currently. "...I found myself wishing briefly I had been eliminated in either the first or second round to spare him having to endure the experience."

Looking away from Irene to hide the vulnerability that had overcome her eyes (essentially looking anywhere but at her peer) directed her attention to Lachlan. Who was around food again. Thankfully she already had her selected cake in hand and therefore would continue to keep hush hush and instead merely offer him a curt nod as he occupied himself with the Hogwarts librarian. Composed once more, she turned towards Irene and merely shrugged. Professor Williams was too complex for the likes of Irene.

Ignoring whatever exchange was going on between Irene and Zoryn completely, Valerie instead continued to make a dent in her Victorian Sponge. That was until the small one began speaking to her again. "I do," she confirmed while helping herself to a larger helping on her fork.

At least the cake was moister than their conversation had become.