𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)

Chapter 3

After a long journey, Sarah set foot on solid ground and looked ahead. While her very first friends moved toward the carriages, she had to join the first-year students in a true ritual. A burly man with a beard divided them into various boats, which were then transported to the school.

It was embarrassing,it cannot be denied. Imagine a girl clearly older being observed by three first-year students. With her eyes fixed on the grand structure, Sarah set aside the doubtful looks. The school was an architectural masterpiece , large and imposing, leaving her breathless.

After leaving the small boats, Sarah, along with all the first-year students, headed into the castle. Enormous staircases, long corridors, and a sense of security: Hogwarts was both spectacular and mysterious. They were stopped by a tall woman with a hollow face and a large pointed hat covering her head. She looked at them all without blinking, holding a long list of paper.

"Welcome, I am Professor Minerva McGonagall. In a few minutes, you will cross this threshold and join your peers. But before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses. There are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. For the time you are here, your House will be your family. Triumphs will earn you points, and rule violations will lose you points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points will win the House Cup."

She turned her gaze to Sarah, and a strange smile appeared on her previously serious face.

"The Sorting Ceremony will begin shortly."

She turned and entered the great hall without saying more. Soon after, they were ushered in, walking in a line to the exact spot where the ceremony would take place. Long tables stretched across the hall, now filled with students on either side. Sarah was not immediately the center of attention; Dumbledore stood up and walked towards them.

"A new year is about to begin, and besides the usual recommendations, it is time for the Sorting Ceremony. This year we have a significant addition: a new student will be joining us from today. Sarah Settimini, please step forward."

Sarah looked at the professor, the only friendly face for now. Many students began to talk among themselves, and small whispers filled the room as Sarah took her place on the stool, allowing everyone to observe her. She put on the hat, which immediately began to speak, making her flinch.

"Oh... finally... I have been waiting for years for this moment... a brilliant mind, intelligence and sensitivity... but no, also cunning, something... strange... no, no, you, YOU are made for something else, your story is an example... it's better... GRYFFINDOR!"

The table of that House erupted into cheers and applause. Sarah saw her uniform change color, her tie becoming red. She stood up and, with a happy expression, walked toward Hermione, who was beckoning her to sit with her, Harry, and Ron.
"I knew it, Slytherin would have been your ruin."
Ron smiled, glancing behind him where Draco Malfoy was sitting.
They soon heard someone calling Harry, wanting his attention.
"Potter... Potter!" Draco whispered, smirking at Harry.
"Is it true that you fainted? Did you actually faint?"
Sarah was struck by his tone, observing a boy beside him who was laughing. She stopped Harry from replying and said, "Well, if he is here it means he's ok now no? You'd probably have reacted the same way."
Draco looked at her, curled his lip in a small sneer, and turned to his friends.

But Dumbledore had another important announcement: a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor would soon be taking Gilderoy Lockhart's place.
"Please welcome Professor Remus Lupin, who has kindly accepted the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts."
Hermione looked at her friends and immediately understood, "That's why he gave you the chocolate."
The man stood up from his seat, visibly embarrassed, and Sarah applauded him, feeling she should thank him for the help he had provided.

The ceremony was followed by a big dinner, and chatter filled the hall until they started walking to what would be the Gryffindor common room. After giving the password, Hermione showed her the huge red-and-gold hall and then led them up the stairs to the corridor and their rooms.
Three beds filled the space, two of which were already arranged with small items belonging to the occupants. Sarah's things, however, were at the foot of her large bed.
"Fortunately, we will be roommates, and Ginny will be with us as well, Ron's sister."
Sarah began to arrange her things, adding a touch of personality to her small space. Shortly after, the door opened, and a girl entered, smiling.

Ginny looked at her new roommate and smiled.
"Ron has already told me everything. I'm Ginny Weasley, second year, and, well, your roommate along with Hermione."
Sarah introduced herself, and soon, with their pajamas already on, the three of them began to chat. Hermione and Ginny were what Sarah had been missing for a long time: two friends with whom she could talk freely.
It felt so natural and unfiltered, as if the three girls had been waiting for the right moment to meet and spend this school year together.
Sarah was happy and went to bed, anxious for the first day of school.