Violet started a bit at the sound of a voice--she had thought herself alone over here, but of course this was Hogwarts, so there was always someone around. Violet was getting frustrated at not having a chance to read her letter, but she also wanted to get to know some of the other students nearer her age, and here was a girl in her own House who looked to be only about a year older.

"Hi. Um, yes I guess it is." Violet was not convinced the fire looked any different here than anywhere else, but she let it slide, taking it for the conversational opening that she guessed it was. She looked closer at the blonde girl--she didn't seem to be part of a crowd at Hogwarts, either, maybe this was her chance to make a friend. "My name's Violet P..." oh no, we're starting that nonsense again "er, Violet. Violet Blackthorne. I'm in second year, but I really should be in third. I...I was not at school last year because of...." hmm, how should she put this? "...because of family problems."