There were fewer things more unpleasant than an angry Holly—and there were many things that could make Holly angry. It seemed everyone was intent on making her angry this month, including mindless mudbloods and even the house matron, who'd punished her for participating in class! If she hadn't been so stubborn about wanting her education, she may have professed how better off she would have been home-schooled; at least there she'd be dealing with a well-educated, agreeable governess rather than a bunch of dim, witless people from across the British Isles!

She'd settled on one of the couches in the Slytherin Common Room, finally at peace with her surroundings for the evening, when an darned elf decided to invade her space.

"I shall not move for an elf, thank you very much," she responded indignantly, scrunching her nose in a taunting manner. "Besides, aren't elves meant to work when those they serve aren't around? You're supposed to be invisible to me," she added with a dismissive wave of her hand.