"Great idea, Headmaster, we'll start planting them now," Violet chimed in. "And don't worry, we'll be careful not to step on any of them." Oh my stars, she sounded like a little toady, didn't she? But she was doing what she knew all the teachers were doing, putting the best face on things in front of that nosy bunch of board members or inspectors or whatever they were.

She had involuntarily edged closer to Trent and the professors (and away from the intruders following them). Was she a starry-eyed fan of Malachi Trent? No. But right now, things were shaping up to be Hogwarts vs. the Outsiders, and so she was definitely going to be on the side of Hogwarts. Now those brief acting lessons last year would come in handy, as Violet prepared to convince the board that she was an enthusiastic, well-behaved, dutiful little student.