𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 - 𝐀 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲

chapter three - a lesson in manners

The girls had spent the earlier part of the morning enjoying their Friday privilege of getting some fresh air in the courtyard before lessons - or in Violet's case, detention - began. She was still lamenting it when the third year girls who called themselves the Winx showed up, having apparently snuck off somewhere the night before.

It was nothing too surprising; well intentioned as most of those girls seemed to be, they had a knack for attracting trouble. What made Violet and the rest of the fairies gasp in awe was the sight of Layla. Her transformation looked completely different, and she glowed in such a way that it was as if her power was emanating from within her.

The beautiful moment didn't last too long, however, as Griselda soon stomped to the scene - which gave Violet the strangest feeling that the Winx would soon be joining her in her punishment. But something changed as Griselda looked overcome by an expression of deep sympathy, and for once, she appeared to lead the girls to the headmistress's office with the intent to help, not punish.

Violet brimmed with curiosity to find out just what had happened, but both her sense of decency and focus on her own looming fate prevented her from being a busybody.

"The stress is eating at me," she unhappily told Jenny. "I'd rather she just tell me what I'm going to be made to do instead of just being left to wait for the worst."

Half an hour flew by with Violet's failed attempts to distract herself, and by then she almost felt relieved when Amy's predictions about an assembly ended up being true.

The reason for one being called was to discuss the extra security that would be added to the school in light of a dangerous threat that had reappeared in the Magical Dimension; a dark wizard called Valtor.

Violet already knew a little about him, as her father had specifically warned her to be careful. He'd apparently lost contact with several planets and royal families already because Valtor had wrecked what he described as "irreversible anarchy" on them.

Her heart chilled as Faragonda recounted the destruction of yet another planet that had occurred only hours ago. Planet Espero, one of the most peaceful planets there was, had been attacked without so much as a fighting chance.

"And that's why," Faragonda concluded, "me and the other members of staff have come to the collective decision to place a barrier around the school. Nobody can go in or out without Ms Griselda's express permission."

There was a roar of indignant cries.

"Quiet!" Griselda commanded, with such a ferocity that silenced the whole room and convinced Violet that Valtor wouldn't be a threat any longer if he only had Griselda yelling at him. "This is for your protection, ladies!" she scolded, eyes flashing around the room. "Our school is home to countless ancient spells and artefacts, over a thousand of them in our library alone! And there is no doubt that sooner or later Valtor will turn his focus on Alfea in order to get to them."

A ripple of fear went through everyone.

"We don't mean to put you under complete lockdown," Faragonda said. "But restrictions are necessary, and I hope you will all be understanding of the matter and do your best to comply. Classes are cancelled for the rest of the day. You are dismissed."

Hoards of girls stood up to leave, their previously lacklustre mood replaced now by a relief that their weekend had been extended to include today.

Violet might have risked leaving with them if Griselda's stern gaze had not been looking directly at her.

She walked over to her reluctantly.

"Don't think your behaviour from yesterday has been forgotten," warned the woman. "Your detention is taking place in the library where you'll be reorganising the restricted section of books for Ms Barbatea. Luckily for you, the Winx have found themselves in trouble too, so you won't have to do it alone." With a decidedly dissatisfied 'hmph!', Griselda walked away, grumbling as she did so.