Having not seen any younger students struggling to find a partner (and blatantly ignoring Aria's increasingly rude behavior, Violet decided her solo practice had been enough. But really, what was up with Aria? The way she was acting, you'd think Violet had thrown her favorite puppy in the Great Lake or something. Sure, they'd never been particular friends, but Violet couldn't think of anything she'd done to upset or anger the younger girl, either. Maybe it was just the effects of being a Fifth Year. At any rate, Violet did not have time for adolescent sulking this year, between getting ready for her N.E.W.T.S. and making future career choices. And before any of that, she needed to get through this DADA lesson.

Violet sighed. She was not only a little afraid of heights (which she would never, ever admit to anyone, ever, she was not at all confident when it came to athletic feats. While she felt pretty confident that she could execute the spells necessary to reveal the platforms, jumping onto them, especially if they were very far apart, was quite another matter. She was glad she'd made some extra bruise salve in the Potions Lab.

Finally reaching the top of the stairs, she was rather impressed to watch Professor Madigan deftly leaping from platform to platform (and even more impressed with his imaginative scenarios--he sounded like a fellow writer!). And then it was her turn. Duo seemed to be the way to go here, since it gave one a wider view of the course, so..."Duo Verdimillious!" Violet cast firmly and confidently, and sure enough, a pattern of six platforms appeared outlined before her. Immediately, she jumped onto the first one and then the second. The third was a bit further away and she needed a minute to gather her resources and take a step back before attempting the leap, and just managed the landing as platform three faded away from under her (though she could still feel it there--what a weird sensation!). But now the rest of the revealed platforms had vanished.

Oh well, not to worry, Violet could always cast another spell. "Duo Verdimillious!" And there were six more platforms. Violet continued this way across the long room, revealing six platforms but usually only managing to land on three before the spell faded. She was just not athletic enough to do this quickly, and she'd learned from painful experience (Animagus training, anyone?) that trying to rush things usually wound up with her falling down and having to start over. Once she actually made four platforms in a row, though the last one was just far enough away that she lost her footing and slipped off it, and wound up hanging by her hands as the surface disappeared beneath her. Good thing her imagination was good enough to allow her to visualize where the platform still was and she was somehow able to muster up enough upper body strength to pull herself back up and continue on.

Finally, after what seemed an age and in an exercise that had grown much less exciting now that she was getting tired), she cast a final "Duo Verdimillious!" and saw only four platforms left. Nearly there. Taking care not to slip up at this late stage in the game, Violet leaped--one, two....threeee. Did she say the last one was the final spell? She was lying to herself, she was not about to attempt four jumps in a row again on the very last one. "Duo Verdimillious!" she cast one last time, and reached the final platform, and then the stairway down. Finally! She slowly made her way back down the staircase, her legs feeling a bit weak under her. "Made it," she commented, panting slightly as she passed Professor Madigan at the bottom.