Things Not Seen

Chapter 17

     I quickly got lost in all of the pushing and shoving people so I came to a stop and decided to just wait until everyone was off the train. I suddenly felt someone grab my hand and I was being pulled along.

We came to a stop. "Come on Vale! We have to get to the boats!" I heard Mark shout in the distance. I still didn't know who had helped me through the crowd but I pushed that out of my mind. I let Delilah guide me to where Mark was. I stopped when I heard water.

"Uh Mark is Hogwarts like on a beach or something?" I heard Mark giggle. "No there's this huge lake called the Black Lake that all the first years have to cross on boats to get to the castle." I was becoming more and more confused. "Castle?"

"Just come on!" Mark suddenly grabbed my hand and told me to step into something. I did so cautiously and immediately sat down when I felt it rock. "Are we in a boat?" I asked Mark. "Yep, all of the first years get to take boats to the school isn't that cool!" I smiled at his excitement. "Yeah it is pretty cool."

I felt the boat rock again. "Hai! I'm Mark!" I suddenly felt very shy and I stroked Delilah gently. "I'm Madeline." I heard a very quiet voice say. "Well that's a cool name! You already know I'm Mark and this is Vale!" I felt her gaze on me and I shifted uncomfortably. I felt the boat rock again.

"Hi I'm Mark and this is Vale and Madeline!" I heard a snort. "I think they have voices, don't you think they can speak for themselves?" The boy had a perfect Spanish accent and sounded very arrogant. I felt bad for Mark who hadn't said anything. I felt the boat start to move forward.

"Is that a dragon? As a pet?" I gave a small nod. "How preposterous!" I continued to stroke Delilah's back, trying to ignore the boy. "Well, I'm Nicolás Rohan." "Great." I heard Mark say sarcastically. I stifled a giggle. "Do you think that's funny, Vale?" Nicolás asked. I shook my head. "Hmph. Good."

The boat came to a stop and Nicolás got out and stalked off without another word. Mark helped me out of the boat and Delilah led me to the doors of the castle. I could hear Mark jumping up and down beside me. "I can't believe it we're here! We're actually here!" I smiled. "I can't wait to get sorted! Ooo and Jonathan told me that the food they serve in the Great Hall is delicious!"