Emily sighed. Of course it was only natural for Vanessa to reply with one word answers or short phrases, she wasn't one for long conversation. She had always been the quiet, cool-tempered, easy going one.
"Classes are ok", said Emily bluntly. Truthfully, she wasn't enjoying them as much as she otherwise would have been.
"The ministries been interfereing..." she began, glancing around the common room nervously almost expecting Gevrik or whatever his name was to pop up out of thin air.
"... the curriculum in every class has a muggle focus on it. Seriously every lesson feels like a mugle studies lesson." she complained. It had indeed been getting on her nerves.
"And there is a man from the ministry- in charge of security I think.... security of what- I dont know. But either way he's been keeping a close eye on the teachers. Had a go at Professor Tate's lesson the other week. Nasty man..." she trailed off, imagining all the hexes she would love to use on him.

After a minute of silence she nudged her friend in the ribs.
"Of course I'm top point scorer- for now..." she grinned.
Emily was two things. Firstly she was clever, and secondly she was competitive.