The First Ride: Part 7

Their very own private sorting?

A part of Valeria wishes that she can experience the entirety of the sorting ceremony, from walking through the grand doors and down the polished floors of the Great Hall, all while marvelling at the dynamic ceilings and floating candles, to shuffling between fellow first years in order to catch a glimpse of the legendary Sorting Hat singing his song before being sorted.

But surely, Valeria is relieved that she will not have to sit on the old wooden stool, a tattered hat on her head, with hundreds of eyes staring at her as the hat decides - with utmost difficulty - which house will have the honour of taking her in. She is relieved that she will not receive looks of disgust, hatred, and fear should she be sorted into the house of her ancestors. She is relieved that her brother will not be there to witness her “demise” should she be placed into any other house other than Slytherin.

“We ask that you exit the train at exactly midnight and head to the Shrieking Shack,” the letter had said. Valeria recalls that, recently, Alain had told her a story about the Shrieking Shack. Rumour has it that the famous Harry Potter and his friends, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, had encountered a werewolf in mid-transformation whilst there in their third year. Just a rumour, though.

Nonetheless, Valeria cannot help but feel exhilarated as excitement rises through her veins. The train comes to a halt; first years stumble out, babbling along the way. Through the window, Valeria spots a gigantic figure - old, but bearing a warm smile and kindness in his eyes - ushering the students into small wooden boats. Patting Nikki on the back, nodding, Valeria - the girl overflowing with wanderlust - agrees to accompany Nikki to the Shrieking Shack for their private sorting ceremony.

Approximately an hour more of waiting, but Valeria does not mind whatsoever. She is alongside friends, awaiting her very first adventure.