The First Ride: Part 4

Valeria awakes with a startle. She had dozed off momentarily due to the lack of sleep she had received the previous night - stayed up thinking and worrying about what her family would say if she didn’t get into Slytherin. All her bloodline had been successful Slytherins and all the same expect her to be sorted into the house as well. Secretly, though, she wishes she will be sorted into Gryffindor because of her hidden yearn for adventure. She can’t see herself in Hufflepuff, though Ravenclaw makes sense because of her bookishness and sharp intellect.

All the girls - Gemma, Nikki, and Alex (as she had faintly heard while half-asleep) - look so ecstatic about attending their first year at Hogwarts and all seem to be bookworms. So Valeria, who had not spoken much during this train ride at all but is feeling braver and more open about talking to others, sits up so that her behind grazes the edge of her seat. And, with a cough, clears her throat.

“So… uhh… what do you think will be your favourite subject?”

She looks intently at the other girls - her potential friends, but also potential rivals to the A+ crown - anticipating their responses.

“Well… for… for me personally, it would be Charms. And Potions,” Valeria says with a sheepish grin.