Violet had skipped dinner today--she was worried about so many things that she just couldn't eat. Anyway, she was starting to think her bottom was getting too big, anyway. Besides, she had a lot of thinking to do. And this deserted corridor seemed as good a place to be alone as any (if you could really ever be alone in this castle).

As she walked past the portraits and statues, she glanced up at them from time to time, but none of them seemed to be in their frames or if they were, they were off in the distance. That was just great--desert us all in our hour of need! Though Violet supposed if she had the chance, she'd take a bunk, too--especially after what happened to that other portrait a while ago.

Suddenly Violet noticed sparks illuminating the hallway up ahead of her, and she felt the unmistakable tingle of magic. Oh no, what was going on!?! Was she walking into a trap? Her first impulse was to turn and run, but she almost thought she heard a soft sound far behind her, and wasn't sure which direction was the most dangerous.

So she drew her own wand and advanced slowly and quietly to the point where the sparks were coming from. Then stepping out boldly with her wand pointed, she started to cast a spell: "Expec....!!!" But it was only one of the first years with a book, practicing, apparently. Violet lowered her wand, hoping the girl didn't notice that her hand was trembling just the tiniest little bit. "Oh, sorry. I didn't know anybody else was up here."