This Is Where
2. Speak
Parvati and Padma remained silent on the boat ride up to the castle. They'd happened to be in the same boat as the Irish boy who'd run from the compartment earlier, and guilt had run through Parvati at the sight of him. He'd greeted them politely, though, and then chatted animatedly to the black boy beside him the whole way up to the castle.
They remained silent as they walked up a rock passageway and were handed off to a fierce witch in green robes. They remained silent as the witch took them to a room and explained all about the houses. They remained silent as other students broke into worried whispers about how they were going to be sorted.
Someone bumped into Parvati and caused her to stumble into Padma.
"Oh, sorry," said a high voice.
It was the girl with the pink bow who'd looked in on the compartment earlier, but she showed no sign of recognition as she gave Parvati a small, apologetic smile.
"I'm, um, I'm Lavender. Lavender Brown," she said, nervously tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "And you?"
Parvati swallowed. "Um - "
Padma had let go of Parvati's hand and was now gripping her wrist very tightly, warning her not to speak, not to break the silence. But Parvati wanted to break the silence. She didn't want ostracize themselves away from the people they were going to live with for seven years.
"I'm - "
A few screams sounded from behind them, and Parvati was interrupted by the arrival of some ghosts gliding into the room. She scoffed to herself. It figured. She was going to try to introduce herself again but then the witch had returned and told them to get in a line.
The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin.