Padma was on the search for Stephen. She hadn't seen him since Tuesday, which was strange enough. He was missing classes as well and she could only assume that either he had taken himself to the hospital wing or he was hiding out in the library trying to learn more about the virus. Either way, he could have at least told her what he was doing.
Walking through the silent library, Padma hadn't expected to see Verity at one of the tables. She stopped short, thoroughly surprised to see her former pupil working with her wand. Momentarily forgetting about Stephen, Padma approached Verity quietly and watched as she attempted the spell again.
"You're holding it incorrectly," she said softly. "Hold your wand as though it's a quill and try again."