Oh yes. O.W.L.S. Violet had forgotten by now the stress of the past year, especially as she had been laboring under the after-effects of Poppy's potions, which apparently had caused some sort of allergic reaction in her. As it turned out, she had surprisingly managed to get ten of them, failing only Divination (no surprise) and Muggle Studies (a bit of a surprise, but probably inevitable).

"Oh yes, I'd forgotten about O.W.L.S. I know it's no help for someone to say this, but I'm sure you'll be fine, given that you've been working hard for the past 4 years. My brain was foggy for half of last year from Poppy's potions, and I still managed to do pretty well. I'm kind of in denial this year, but I suppose next year I'll be back to being stressed again over the N.E.W.T.S."

And--a birthday! Violet realized she hadn't even known when Ashley's birthday was, and thought she should have, so she could have gotten her something. "Merlin, I didn't even know it was your birthday, I'm sorry." Violet decided she was a terrible friend and that was probably why she didn't have so many. "Let me buy your lunch, for a present," she offered, trying to make up for it. "I just turned eighteen myself back in October--I'm a year behind everyone in my class, it's kind of awkward." Though Violet had finally come to terms with that awkwardness and was just waiting until she graduated and didn't have to worry about being the same age as the people she worked with any more. "Did you know that the Elves will bake you your own special little cake if you tell them it's your birthday?" This still amazed Violet, although she hadn't taken up Jude's suggestion when it came down to it, choosing only to ask for crumpets and some nice Assam tea.