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Chapter 11: Flighty Experiences
Madam Hooch waited for the students that stood on either side of her next to brooms. “Welcome to your first flying class. I will be your instructor, Madam Hooch. You’ll begin by observing, before learning to summon your broom in your next flying class.” She looked at them with golden eyes shining. She had white hair but looked far from old as it spiked in a wind blown fashion. “Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone, step up to the left side of your broomstick.”
Ben gulped. “I’ve been dreading this class all summer…”
Collin grimaced. As had he, but he had to be brave to help Ben. “You’re afraid of heights?”
“Falling from heights, mostly. I told you I come from a Muggle Family. The idea of flying through the sky on a broom is terrifying.”
Collin smirked weakly at the lion cub. “Believe it or not, I’ve never flown on a broom either. Dad didn’t want me to worry about magic before school started, so I only focused on my muggle schooling.”
“Really? You went to muggle schools?”
“Yep.” Collin was a little proud of that since he knew things that some of the wizards didn’t in that regard.
Ben was still scared. “I don’t think I can do this, Collin…”
“You can do it, Ben. Just concentrate on the broom, and try not to think about falling. If you start to fall, we’ll catch you. Alright?”
“Promise?”
“I promise to try my best.” Collin nodded. He was the smallest there after all. Even smaller than most of the Mobians of his year.
Ben was still scared. “That’s not very reassuring, but I suppose I have to try sooner or later…”
Madam Hooch had been watching this interaction. “Even you don’t have anything to fear from today’s lesson, Mr. Copper. You will only be observing today…” That helped a little. Madam Hooch then went to the front of the group. “Listen up, everyone. I am going to demonstrate proper broomstick techniques. The teacher summoned up her broom without a word and started hovering. Then she started showing her flying in a small area skills. “Keep your feet free of your robes, or you will surely fall to your death.” Collin looked at her questioningly. That wasn’t going to help Ben.
Rowan was muttering. “If I can eat an entire pack of acid pops in one sitting, I can certainly do this…”
Collin glanced at the taller human with a funny look. ‘Acid pops? Really?’ Then he looked at the broom he had. ‘I wonder if my sister rode on one of these…’
“You’ll likely take a painful tumbel if you lose focus for even a second. Pay attention to me!” Hooch snapped. She then looked at Collin. “What did I say about Robes?”
“Don’t keep your feet in them if you don’t want to die.”
“Good.” She then looked at the whole class again. “Listen up, boys and girls. I am going to explain several important bits of information to you.” This time she was on the ground, pacing through the group of no more than twenty students. One of the students asked if the brooms had been jinxed, but she assured them they hadn’t.
Merula was acting smug. “I’ve been to every Quidditch World Cup since I was born.”
At the end, Hooch asked a question. “What Quidditch player looks for the golden snitch?” Collin’s hand shot up the fastest. “Yes, Mr. Hedgehog?”
“The Seeker, Ma’am.”
She nodded. “That’s correct.”
As the class was nearing an end, Ben and Collin started talking. “I suppose I don’t have to worry about falling if I never actually fly… Thank you for helping me, Collin. I may be able to fly soon if I keep following your lead.”
Madam Hooch came over and noticed this. “I think you’ve chosen a fine tutor, Mr. Copper.” She then turned to Collin. “Mr. Hedgehog, you appear to have a knack for helping your classmates overcome their fears. Ten points to Gryffindor.” Collin’s heart sung. He had won back that which he had lost. Now Angelica had no reason to be angry with him!
Collin then turned back to Ben. “You just need to get used to the idea of flying, Ben.” He said with a smirk. “I’m sure Rowan has some books about flying that we can borrow.”
Ben smiled back. “I do like reading books. Hardly anyone ever falls to their death while reading books…”
Collin then sighed. “I’ve been meaning to talk to Rowan anyway. We’ve had a rough go of it so far, and I think he takes it harder than me. I’m… sorta used to rough goes after all…”
“You should ask him to play Gobstones! I’d play myself, but I’m afraid of getting sprayed…”
“Huh… haven’t played that before… sounds fun. I’ll ask. Thanks, Ben.”
Collin ran off after class to find Rowan.
He found him in the Courtyard. “There you are, Rowan. Are you alright?”
“I should be asking you that!” Rowan said surprising him. “I heard you nearly got killed by Merula and some Devil’s Snare!”
“Heh… well…” Collin sighed. “Hogwarts shouldn’t be about bullies, and barely escaping death. It should be about learning magic, making friends, and having fun…”
“Well let’s play Gobstones. I play it on the farm all the time, and it’s great… I play it mostly because I’m not strong enough to help with the actual farming…” Then he smiled again. “It will be fun to play with another person for once… OH, and thanks for helping me adjust to things here, by the way…”
“Really?” Collin felt like he hadn’t helped at all. “I feel you’ve helped me more, what with how understanding you are, and how you know pretty much everything about Hogwarts.”
“I wish I could explain why Merula is such a bully…” Rowan scratched his head. “I’ve been researching her family to try and understand why she acts the way she does…”
“Let’s just relax. You can tell me what you found out about Merula while we play…” Collin tried. He didn’t want Rowan to have to worry much about Merula.
“Brilliant! Gobstones is the finest skill-testing manual dexterity game in the world! It’s a bit like the muggle game of marbles, except that every time a point is scored, the loser gets sprayed in the face!”
Collin grinned at that. “That sounds bloody brilliant! What are they sprayed with?”
Rowan laughed a little in embarrassment. “No one knows, but it smells awful!”
“Well now we must play! I just have to find out how bad it smells.” The two laughed as they set up their game.
“Good luck, Collin! The only time I ever lose at Gobstones is when I get distracted…”
Collin smirked. “So, Rowan, what are your favorite books?” Collin asked. Rowan instantly went into a spiel about his books until he found himself coughing at the scent of something he had been sprayed with. The boys chuckled.
“Good play, Collin. I would have countered if I wasn’t so distracted…”
“Thanks, Rowan. I think I’m starting to understand Gobstones.”
“How do you like Gobstones?”
“Oh, I think they’re fine, but let’s talk about wand wood.”
“Huh?” Another spray of stink hit the darker skinned boy. “Bleh, hehe. You’re doing well, Collin. I’ll never win if I keep getting distracted…”
“Looks like I picked a good strategy then…”
“Let’s join the Gobstones Club.”
“I’d rather discuss study habits.” This time, Collin got sprayed. “Bleck, that does stink.”
“Hehe, told you. I can’t believe you might still win though.”
“The library might also burn down as well.”
“WHAT?” That worked. “BLECK! Agh, seriously.”
“Sorry, Rowan, didn’t think that would be your reaction.”
“It’s fine. You beat me, Collin! Pretty impressive for your first time playing Gobstones.”
“Thanks.” Collin smiled.
“Good game, Collin. Some people think Gobstones isn’t cool, but I’ve always considered it to be the thinking wizard’s Quidditch. Thanks for playing. I’ve never ben especially good at making friends.”
“Me either, so don’t worry. We became friends pretty quickly…”
“Most people think I’m either a useless weakling or an awkward nerd, but you’re weird like me.” That was the first time Collin didn’t mind being called weird. “No offence.” Rowan finally realized what he had said.
Collin laughed. “I take it as a compliment.”
While the two were still talking, Merula Snyde came up behind them. “Isn’t this precious?” The boys turned and looked at her. Rowan was apprehensive while Collin just looked a little sad. “Hello, Kintobor. You are unfortunately looking well after wrestling with the Devil’s Snare.”
Collin grimaced. “You should see me on a camping trip. I like living in a cave.”
“While you were off playing with plants, I’ve been doing a little research about your sister.”
“Oh? That’s old news, isn’t it? Why don’t you just leave me alone about her?”
This was where Merula actually got serious, and it was sad because Collin could tell she believed she was right. “Because you’re a danger to Hogwarts just like her, and none of us will be safe until you’re gone.”
“What are you talking about, Merula?” Rowan asked curiously.
Merula smirked. “Kintobor’s sister didn’t just get expelled for endangering the entire school in search of some imaginary vaults…” Collin blinked in surprise. He hadn’t known about any vaults having to do with her disappearance. “She immediately went missing, and the next time she was seen, she was working for Voldemort.” Collin deadpanned right there. That was the biggest lie he had ever heard. Whoever her source was, it was crap.
Rowan went into a slight panic at the Dark Lord’s name. “You can’t say that! You have to call him He who must not be named!”
“I say what I want.”
Collin rolled his eyes. “I’ve noticed. I also have good enough knowledge to know you’re lying about my sister having anything to do with him.” His eyes darkened. ‘She doesn’t know the truth. She doesn’t know the connection between the Kintobors and the dark one… heck, she probably doesn’t even know his name was Tom Riddle.’
Merula just smirked. “No wonder the professors were talking about you before the feast.” She smiled darkly. “They’re wondering if you work for the Dark Lord too.”
Collin shook his head and sighed. “What happened to you to make you so mean? Why don’t you just live your own life, and leave me alone? You don’t know the truth. You scrape the surface, but fail to see the forest for the trees.”
Merula growled. “Why don’t you just drop out of Hogwarts? Save Gryffindor and your little friend here the embarrassment of being associated with you.”
Collin raised a brow. “I think you’re just afraid that I’ll be better than you.”
“Afraid? I’ll duel you right now.”
Collin waived it off and started to walk away. “You aren’t worth my time, Merula. Keep your nonsense to yourself.”
“DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME!” She pulled out her wand as her purple eyes glared at the young boy. “Flipendo!” Collin suddenly pushed Rowan out of the way of the spell as it hit him in the chest, knocking the smaller human to the ground. “Learn a few more spells, Kintobor. Maybe next time you’ll put up a fight.” Merula started to walk away.
Rowan helped the smaller boy up. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve had worse.”
“Merula is never going to leave us alone…”
Collin gritted his teeth, his sky blue eyes turning steel as he thought about what he needed to do. “Not unless I learn more spells, and find someone who can teach me how to duel…” He hated the idea of fighting, but he knew it was a necessary evil in this case.
Chapter 12: Firsts of Many…
The next time Collin had flight class he made his way over to the training grounds with a rush. Today he would summon his broom. Madam Hooch was already waiting. “Welcome back to Flying Class. After observing for your first lesson, I will now teach you how to summon your broom. Before you can summon your broom, however, you need to learn how to maintain it. To your broom care stations!”
There was a set of tables setup with different booms for everyone to work on. Collin and Rowan were set up at a table with Merula, and a blonde Hufflepuff student named Penny Haywood.
The groups worked on trimming the edges of the bristles on their brooms, waxing the handles, and listening to Merula make empty threats while talking about how much better she was than everyone.
Collin finished his up by applying a nice shine of polish to his broom before joining the others as they prepared to summon their brooms.
“It’s time to practice summoning your broom. Step up, hold out your right hand, and say… up!”
Collin and the others practiced a few times, though Merula was quite distracting as she said her broom at home was “Better than this rubbish” and a few other things that sounded just like rubbish to Collin. ‘You’d think Merula would care more about her safety than her bragging…’
Hooch went down the line, eventually getting to Collin’s turn. “Now, Mr. Hedgehog… let’s see you summon your broom.”
Collin took a deep breathe as he looked at the wand. “Up.” He said calmly. The energy that the broom went to his hand with was surprising to the young eleven-year-old, even if it was a bit slow. He was quite happy with the results.
After his flight class, Collin took a break and met Ben in the Courtyard for a game of Gobstones before going to Potions Class. The strategy to win against Ben seemed to be playing on his fears, which made Collin feel bad. He apologized for startling him before rushing off to Potions Class.
It seemed that Professor Snape was going to give them another shot at making the Cure for Boils potion.
“Given the sorry state of your previous attempts, today we will be reviewing how to brew the Cure for Boils Potion.” Snape rolled. “Learn this now so you don’t come crying to me in a few years on the night of the ball. I suggest you listen closely lecture on the Cure for Boils, because I won’t be answering any silly questions.” Collin spent the entire class portion looking over his notes and concluded that he might have used a couple too many dried nettles. Snape stopped in front of Collin’s desk and waited for the eleven-year-old to notice him.
Due to Collin’s extreme fear of human adults still plaguing him a little, he didn’t take long. He quickly looked up with startled blue eyes, visibly flinching at how close the adult was to him. “Y…yes… sir?” Rowan and Merula both looked at him with surprise. He didn’t have that problem the other day! That time though, Snape wasn’t right next to him, he had remained a good three to five feet away.
Snape either ignored it or didn’t notice. “Since you love questions so much, Hedgehog, here’s one for you…” Collin looked up curious. “What is a side-effect of Pepperup Potion?” The class hadn’t studied that yet, but Collin’s eyes lit up.
“Steam coming out of your ears, sir.”
Snape nodded. “It seems you are capable of learning, at least something.” He then strode to the middle of the room near his cauldron. He then addressed the class. “For your benefit I’ll demonstrate how to brew the Cure for Boils again. I suggest you pay attention.”
Collin and the others made their way to the cauldron. There was a stool set aside for Collin because of his height. Snape indicated for the boy to stand on it. Collin sighed and nodded as he stood on the stool with his journal and quill. Merula and a few of the other Slytherins chuckled and muttered insults. Merula made a comment on Collin fitting into a cauldron.
“If you have been focusing, then one of you can hand me the next ingredient for this potion.” While the other students were busy looking at their lists, Collin had already jumped off of his stool and grabbed the next ingredient. “At least you know how to fetch.” That was as close to a thank you as the boy could hope for, and he took it with a short nod.
After that, Rowan and Collin went into the back corner to grab their potion ingredients that they would need for the Cure for Boils Potion. Rowan commented on how dark it was, and Collin pulled out his wand to cast Lumos to help them. They found all the ingredients they needed quickly after that. Then the two boys started to talk as they started to mix their potions. Collin was careful to clean his cauldron before he started mixing this time in case Merula did something again. He was grateful that she didn’t.
“Hey, Collin?” Collin looked over to Rowan as he finished up. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you have a method for remembering all of our ingredients?”
Collin grimaced. “I’ll share it later.”
Professor Snape suddenly piped up as he made his way to the center of the room again. “Finish your Cure for Boils Potions. I expect to see improvement after all this review.” Collin quickly put the finishing touches on said potion and turned it in. Snape sneered at it, but replied. “At least you didn’t break anything this time, I suppose.” Collin grimaced and shrugged. In his mind, that was a pretty good praise from the Potions Master.
After Potions, Griff found Collin and gave him a note from his Prefect, Angelica. He had to meet her and Rowan on the Training Grounds later. He met up with them, Rowan being the first there. Rowan waived. “I wonder what our Prefect wants to talk to us about?” He asked curiously.
Collin sighed as he scratched the back of his head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Merula somehow got us kicked out of Gryffindor.”
Rowan looked at his smaller friend sympathetically. “Do you want to talk about what she said about your sister?”
Collin shrugged. “You know more about her than me. Most of it coming from the Daily Prophet…” Collin sighed. “Far as I can tell, my sister was obsessed with two things, the first was getting away from our abusive human family…” Rowan’s eyes widened in shock. “And the second being that there were Cursed Vaults containing mysterious treasures hidden at Hogwarts.” Collin shrugged again. “No one really believed her though… I was too young when I heard about it to do more then gurgle, whine, and well… whatever other noises babies make.”
“You really were that young, huh?”
“It happened like ten years ago. I don’t know why everyone is making such a big deal out of her actions so long after. Sure, she broke all kinds of rules, and yeah, I heard she put people in danger trying to prove she was right. I’m not following after her in that regard.” Collin placed his right hand on his chest, clutching some of his robes. “Some people say she unleased curses upon Hogwarts, at least from what I read. Some say, she herself was cursed. Everyone pretty much thought she was mad. Heh, now it seems that ten years later, they all think the same of me.” His eyes darkened once more as he thought of something else. “Merula was lying about her being involved with Voldemort, but she was right about her being missing.” Rowan flinched at Collin’s bravery to use “His” name. “After she got expelled, she ran away from home, trying to take me with her. Heh, it was one of the times that I saw my father actually try to… never-mind, look no one has seen her since, and the closest rumors I know, say that she came back here to try and find the vaults again.” Collin pursed his lips as he tried to think on something. “Sometimes I wonder if she really was mad… it runs in the family after all… and then…” He looked up with his pleading sky blue eyes filled with sadness. “I sometimes wonder if I’m mad too…”
Rowan smirked and ruffled the brown spiky headed boy. “I don’t think you’re mad, Collin. I think you’re brilliant, and I’m glad you’re my friend.”
Collin smiled once more, some of his worries squished for the moment. “Thanks, Rowan.” Collin then scowled as he looked towards the castle. “Merula will keep attacking us until we do something to stop her.” He thought about his shield, and remembered it had limits against plants like the Devil’s Snare that had tried to kill him. He didn’t want his friends to suffer because of him. He didn’t like fighting, but he couldn’t run forever. “Any ideas on how we defend ourselves?”
It was then that Angelica showed up. “That’s exactly why I invited you here, Collin.”
Collin looked ashamed. “You know about what happened with Merula?”
Angelica nodded and looked at the boy with concern. “Word travels fast at Hogwarts.” She realized she might have judged him a little harshly. She sighed and rubbed a hand through her short spotted hair. “I wouldn’t be doing my job as your Prefect if I didn’t help teach you to defend yourself.” She then looked between the two humans and smirked. “I’m going to teach you two how to duel.”
Collin blanched as he thought about what that would entail. It took him a moment to clear those aside. “But we don’t know any dueling spells…” He pointed out, realizing that she meant small time stuff, not what he was used to…
Angelica smirked. “Gryffindor keeps a secret dueling book hidden in the Artefact Room. It will teach you various spells, potions, and techniques.” She started walking off. “Meet me again after you’ve learned a dueling spell, and I’ll teach you everything else you need to know.”
Chapter 13: Seering is Believing
Collin and Rowan had no trouble making it to the Artefact room. Rowan was already excited. “They say untold treasures lie within the Artefact Room.”
Collin chuckled and held his nose jokingly. “Along with untold odours…” To be fair, the room did stink. “Come now, let’s hurry up and find that dueling book…”
Rowan grimaced as the smaller already started looking. “I’ll fight the urge to catalogue every single amazing thing in this room. I’ll probably fail, but at least I’m good at multitasking.”
While the boys started searching, Collin started hearing things, particularly someone calling for him. “Collin…”
The short boy in question turned to his taller companion with a questioning gaze. “What?”
Rowan looked back with equal confusion, “What, what?”
“…you didn’t say my name, did you…?” Collin deadpanned as he looked at his friend.
“No, I didn’t.”
Collin frowned. “Great…. Now I’m hearing voices…”
“It wasn’t me…”
Collin shook his head. “It must have been my imagination. Let’s just find that book…” Something about the voice had seemed feminine anyway. Maybe a vague memory he only partially remembered from his infancy? Maybe a distorted voice of his adopted aunt chiding him in his head for searching for a fighting answer? Who knows.
The boys kept looking for what had to be an hour before Rowan found it. “I found the book!”
“Brilliant!” Collin responded with glee as he crawled out of an area at the top of one of the shelves.
“Now we can learn a dueling spell, so our Prefect can train us to stand up to Merula!”
Collin had only just managed to catch himself as his head started to pound. “AHH!”
Rowan helped him down, the boy’s vision going grey. “Collin! Are you alright?”
Collin managed to start picking himself up again. “I…I saw something… in my mind…” He groaned as Rowan helped him sit up against a shelf. Collin tried to concentrate. He opened his blue eyes and looked up towards Rowan as his friend tried to help him. “A… a walking suit of armor. A staircase shrouded in mist… Ice encasing Hogwarts…” He started to get panicky. “spreading faster and faster…”
“Ice?” Rowan asked with concern.
Collin nodded, fear shaking him. “And… I heard that voice again… it… it said, ‘The ice is here. The Vault will open.’…” Collin bit his lip wondering what his friend would think, what he should think…
Rowan, seeing his friend’s fear, placed a hand on his shoulder. “I still don’t think you’re mad, but I wonder if your sister saw these same visions…”
“L…let’s just get back to the Gryffindor Common Room,… and… get some sleep.” Collin wiped his brow.
Rowan helped him to their dorm. “Get some rest while I read through this dueling book. We’ll catch up later.”
“R…right..” Collin stuttered before going to his bed. Rowan went down to the common room and sat in front of the fireplace to read. Occasionally though, he’d pause his reading, something he never did before, just to check on his smaller friend. He’d find Collin dead to the world, unaware of how alive his mind truly was.
Chapter 14: New Spells and New Friends
The next morning, Collin met up with Rowan in the great hall. Rowan was still pouring over the book while eating some toast. Collin sighed and served himself up some eggs and bacon from the magical serving dishes.
“How are you, Collin?” Rowan managed to ask with barely a glance. “Have you had any more visions since we left the artefact room?”
Collin sighed and shook his head. “No. I would tell someone, but with Merula going on about my sister, people already think I’m mad.”
Rowan nodded. “I know you’re the one who deserves to be upset,” the taller boy looked across the table at his shorter companion. “But these visions have me rattled. Do you mind if we catch our breath for a bit?”
Collin smiled gratefully at his friend. “That… sounds like a brilliant idea, Rowan.”
The two kept talking over breakfast. “Your vision really has me worried, Collin… have you had visions before?”
Collin shrugged. “I’ve heard voices before.” He had no reason to hide it from his friend.
“Visions can be dangerous…”
Collin sighed as he looked at his friend with a slightly desperate look. “That’s… why I need your help…”
Rowan smirked. “Thanks for making me feel better, Collin. I’m just worried about you…”
Collin smiled back. “I’m sure you’ll feel better after I answer all of your questions…”
Rowan nodded and proceeded to his next question; “How can I help?”
“With Knowledge and Friendship, as cheesy as that sounds.” Collin chuckled, already feeling a touch better.
“Well I feel a lot better now.” Rowan chuckled back. “There are just a couple of things that are still worrying me.”
Collin nodded. He tried to look confident. “I’ll answer all of your questions, Rowan. You’ll see there’s no reason to worry.”
Rowan nodded as he asked his next question. “Do you think it was a warning?”
Collin thought about it. “Or a clue… maybe both…”
Rowan nodded. “Thanks, Collin. We’ll work out what your vision means together.”
“T… thank you, Rowan. That means a lot to me.” Collin felt touched that his friend would be willing to help him out with such a thing. “I feel better about my visions, but I’m still anxious about this duel…” Collin sighed. He didn’t like fighting. He knew how to avoid fights, not how to actually fight. He preferred fixing people, not breaking them.
Rowan showed the book to Collin. “Thankfully, the dueling book we found details everything you need to know to defeat Merula.”
“That’s great, Rowan!” Collin’s eyes lit up. “What did you find?”
“So many things! What do you want this new spell to do?”
Collin thought about it briefly before responding with “Have many uses… I want to beat Merula in a duel, but I’m not a duelist. Teach me a spell I can use for other things besides dueling.
Rowan frowned as he looked through the book once more. “Hmm… I’ll keep reading until I find the perfect spell. I can teach it to you in the Gryffindor Common Room later on one of our breaks.”
“Thanks, Rowan.”
Rowan then smirked. “Want to hear something amazing that the book has to offer?”
“Yes!” Collin smirked. If Rowan thought it was amazing, it must be good.
“Professor Flitwick is a champion duelist! You should ask him to give you some tips, or even teach you a cool dueling spell.”
“Whoa!” Tiny Flitwick, who was barely taller than Collin, was a duelist? And a Champion one at that? “Thanks so much, Rowan. I’ll learn all of this as fast as I can before Merula has the chance to bully anyone else… or at least… I’ll try…”
Later that night, Collin went out to the courtyard to look at the stars when he found Professor Flitwick of all people! He took a deep breath and went over to the professor.
“Um… excuse me, Professor Flitwick? I have a question for you…”
Flitwick turned in surprise to see the short boy. It was strange to have a human shorter than him for once. Even most of the Mobian children, save for certain species of rodents, were taller than him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Hedgehog?” He asked with a kind smile.
Collin sighed and scratched his head. “Professor… is it true you were a dueling champion before you taught at Hogwarts?”
Flitwick looked amused. He didn’t find many of his students looking for that information. “It’s true. I can Stupefy and Protego with the best of them. I have a shelf full of trophies to boot.” He chuckled.
Collin nodded, still nervous. “I don’t really… want to ask this, but… do you think you could teach me some of what you know?”
Flitwick looked at the boy with concern. “The Hogwarts curriculum includes lessons on many defensive spells, Mr. Hedgehog.”
Collin nodded with regret on his face. “I… I need some advanced instruction, Professor… please…”
“Hmm.” Collin didn’t even seem to want to know how to fight, so why ask for the skills? “Tell me… why do you want to duel?”
Collin sighed. “To defend myself and my friends… I’ve been attacked before. I want to be able to defend myself. I’m tired of seeing those who I care for get hurt and I not able to assist in any way.”
Flitwick nodded, a little impressed with the eleven year old’s answer. “That’s understandable, but Dueling should always be your last resort.”
Collin nodded, a little hope in his eyes. “Teach me, Professor. I won’t let you down.” Flitwick thought about it for a moment, still seeming hesitant. “Please. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, sir.”
Flitwick sighed as he looked over the young human. “I was afraid things might be difficult for you here at Hogwarts given your birth family’s reputation… strange how all of them are focusing on your sister… she was the most mild of the group…” He muttered absently before returning his attention to his student. He sighed and then looked determined. “I may be able to teach you the finest self-defence spell I know…” Collin’s eyes lit up. “I will teach you one spell. The duelist’s most essential spell. Expelliarmus. It is intended to disarm your opponent without causing them injury…”
“Brilliant!” Collin was overjoyed. He hated the idea of hurting others.
“Then let’s begin.” Flitwick taught him the correct position and movements. Within the next hour, Collin had mastered the spell, but Flitwick wanted to be sure. “Good, you have the hang of it. Now, let’s see you cast the disarming charm on me.”
Collin nodded and took up his position. “Yes sir.”
Flitwick had seen the boy in many forms over the few weeks he had been at the school, but the confidence he radiated when working on mastering something to defend others as he was trying for here, was his favorite. With a quick swish of his wand, a shout of the spell, the professor had lost his wand, only for it to end up in the hands of the young man in front of him. Collin walked over and handed it back.
Flitwick smiled proudly at the prodigy. “You’ve done it! You truly do have a gift with charms.”
Collin blushed. “Thank you so much, Professor Flitwick. This will be a huge help.”
Flitwick nodded before thinking on something. “You might also consider practicing with Mr. Copper. He’s hesitant, but very skilled.”
Collin nodded with a grin. “I will. I’ve always thought that Ben is better at Charms than he lets on.”
Flitwick then got serious again. “Promise me that you will only duel if you have no other choice, Mr. Hedgehog.”
Collin swore up and down he would. “I promise, sir. I promise I’ll only duel to defend myself, Professor.”
Flitwick smiled kindly at the shorter fellow. “Good. I believe you have great potential, and I would hate to see you ruin it by breaking school rules. Duelling is not allowed on school grounds without permission, Mr. Hedgehog. If you use this spell for anything except self-defence, I will be forced to recommend your expulsion.”
“You won’t have that worry from me, sir.” Collin smiled weakly as they went in. ‘I don’t want to disappoint Professor Flitwick, but if I don’t duel Merula, she’ll never stop bullying everyone… Thankfully, Expelliarmus should be exactly what I need to win our duel… I wish this didn’t happen to me…’
The next morning, Collin met up with Ben in the Great Hall. Ben looked worried as the two sat down for breakfast. “What’s wrong, Ben? You look worried.” Collin grimaced. “I mean, you look more worried than usual…”
Ben sighed, his depressed face showing heavily. “I don’t think I can do this anymore, Collin.”
Collin raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t belong at Hogwarts. I thought I would be able to adjust, but the longer I’m here, the more I find to be afraid of.”
Collin sighed in relief. “Is that all?” He chuckled weakly.
“How do you stay so brave?”
“I…” He wanted to admit to being afraid, but he didn’t feel that would help much in this case. “I stay active. I get afraid sometimes too, but I try to distract myself by exploring the castle, and meeting new people.”
Ben grimaced. “Do you think hiding in a cupboard would also work?”
Collin shook his head with a small smile. “No. You’ll be fine, Ben. Let’s just talk about what’s worrying you, and I’ll do my best to make you feel better.”
Ben nodded. “Okay… but I’ll just tell you some of what’s worrying me, so that we aren’t here until year-end exams.” Collin nodded in agreement. “I don’t think I belong at Hogwarts, Collin… There’s so much to be afraid of…”
“Everyone feels afraid sometimes.” Collin pointed out.
“Our friends aren’t scared…” He pointed out Penny Haywood and Rowan Khanna who were talking farther away in the hall. The Hufflepuff hadn’t talked to Collin much yet, but he would know her soon enough.
“We’ll keep each other safe.” Collin said firmly.
Ben smirked. Collin was a small human, even smaller than most of the Mobian students. Yet, he was trying to help him be brave. “Thanks, Collin. I feel a bit better, but I’m still not sure I belong at Hogwarts…”
“Everyone feels like that sometimes, Ben. Some more than others even…” He thought about himself with this statement before shaking his head. “Let’s just talk more…”
“Why was I put in Gryffindor?”
“Oh that’s easy! You’re a lot braver than you know. It takes courage to admit to fear.”
“Really? Huh… I feel a lot better, but I’m still wondering if I should go back home…”
“Come now, Ben. Let’s just keep talking. You’ll see that we need you at Hogwarts.”
“Heh, need me? I belong in the muggle world.”
“I belong in a grave…” Collin muttered before clearing his throat. “You belong at Hogwarts, Ben.”
Ben thought about it and smiled. “Thanks, Collin. I don’t know how I’d make it through Hogwarts without you.”
Collin blinked in surprise. “Um… you’d do fine.” He hadn’t expected that compliment.
“Thank you, Collin. I’m feeling much better about surviving my time at Hogwarts. I’m going to try what you suggested, and try to distract myself with an activity when I’m feeling afraid.” Ben smiled.
Collin smiled back. “That’s great, Ben. You’re one of my best friends here, and… and I know I’ll need your help to find out what really happened to my sister…” While he hated to admit it, he needed to figure it out in order to shut people up.
“I’ll do my best to help however I can, Collin. If nothing else, I know all the best hiding places.”
Collin nodded, feeling reassured. “Yeah, that’s actually more helpful than you think it is.” He himself knew the good use of a hiding place.
After breakfast, Collin went down to the dungeons for his Potions Class. Students were all talking about how he had screwed up his first potion, and today was a new one. He was determined to show what he was capable of though. Collin made his way over to Professor Snape. “Is it true we’re learning how to brew the Wiggenweld Potion today, Professor Snape?” He asked as he brought out his notebook to check his notes on the syllabus.
“It is.” Snape sneered, though he looked cool as a cucumber. “When you inevitably fail to brew it correctly, take responsibility this time instead of blaming Merula Snyde.”
Collin nodded slowly before daring to speak up again. “I’ve heard that Wiggenweld Potions can be useful in duels…”
“I sincerely hope you plan on breaking school rules by dueling, Hedgehog. It will give me the excuse I need to finally be rid of you.” Collin’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the taller man. Snape didn’t care. “Now, take your seat, and shut your mouth.” Collin nodded and did as told. Snape then addressed the class. “Today you will learn to brew the Wiggenweld Potion. It is a powerful healing potion that can be used to heal injuries, or reverse the effects of a Sleeping Draught.” Collin wrote all this down, careful to get all the details. He loved studying medical books back home, and this was close. “Be especially careful with the Sloth Brain Mucus.”
Merula snickered. “Yeah, Kintobor. You don’t have any brains to spare.”
Collin looked at her. “You know… I think you’d get along well with my human uncle. He loves insulting me as much as you do.” Merula blinked in shock as Collin just started on his potion notes.
“The lesson starts.” Snape announced. “We will begin with a demonstration of brewing the Wiggenweld Potion. Come up to my table.” Collin made his way over to the stool that was set up for him while the other students stood close to watch the potion master’s ease with highly dangerous chemicals. If they weren’t witches and wizards, they’d accuse him of magic. Collin made a note to find out who invented the Wiggenweld Potion later. “Keep track of all the ingredients, students…”
After the demonstration, Rowan needed help finding Salamander Blood from the ingredients stock. It took them only a few minutes to find it with Collin’s proficiency in Lumos helping them to search the dark corners of the dungeon. The two sat down afterwards to check that they had everything. Collin kept pouring over his book as he went, making sure to add things as instructed. His mind calculating how much to add in certain cases where exact measuring tools weren’t allowed.
Halfway through, Snape called them to weigh their Lionfish spines on a scale he had, one by one. When Collin came up, he didn’t need to ask how to use the scale, unlike most. He simply had an idea for it. He zeroed it out, and then placed the spines on it, getting the measurements he needed.
After they were done, Snape told his class that he expected perfection once more on this. Collin took a deep breath and finished up his potion, taking care how much to stir it and how often. “Almost finished brewing my first Wiggenweld Potion. Now to stir anticlockwise…” He muttered to himself as he did his task.
“Wow, Collin! Your potion looks perfect.” Rowan exclaimed.
Collin grimaced. “Don’t jinx me again, heh.”
Snape came over and looked. “It appears to be passable.” Then he turned to Merula’s, who’s looked exactly the same. “Miss Snyde’s concoction, however, is flawless.” Collin shrugged. So what if Merula was better at Potions. He was fine so long as he did well enough to get a good grade.
“Thank you, Professor Snape.” Merula beamed. Collin actually let out a small smirk. She was genuinely happy with her work. He couldn’t fault her there.
Collin looked up at Snape. “What can I do to get better at Potions, Professor?”
Snape looked down at the boy with indifference. “Can you suddenly become someone who isn’t entirely incompetent, Hedgehog? That would be an excellent start.”
Collin took the insult with ease and sighed. “No, but I’m hoping to become a little bit better by emulating your mastery, Professor Snape. I’ll never match your skill and knowledge, but I’m hoping to at least become a middling student by copying a true Potions Master like you.” He truly did feel this way, which was unfortunate, as the boy had yet to realize he was indeed a good student, and quite good at potions as well.
Snape however was secretly pleased with the response, though a little confused and surprisingly concerned. “I appreciate your determination in spite of being a hopeless failure, Hedgehog.” Then he surprised the trio at the table. “Ten points to Gryffindor.” Collin looked up at him with shock.
Merula just rolled her eyes though and tried to get the attention back on her. “Professor Snape recognizes perfection when he sees it.” She then sneered. “And everyone recognizes that you’re an embarrassment, Kintobor.” Collin shrugged, irritating the brunette even more.
Rowan looked at his friend apologetically as Snape walked off. “I’m sorry, Collin. Snape and Merula really do have it out for you.”
Collin let out a huff of a laugh. “I hate to say this, after everything we’ve been through, but I am honestly not worried about Snape and Merula. I’m actually concerned about my sister for some reason, and those accursed Cursed Vaults…”
“Huh…” Rowan smirked. “I’ll meet you back in the Common Room. I have just the spell you asked for.”
“Thanks…” Collin quickly cleaned up his equipment and rushed off to the Common Room at the top of the tower.
When they got in, Rowan quickly explained he had found a tickling charm, Rictusempra!
Collin scratched his head, unsure of how this would work out. “Tickling charm… I said I wanted a spell that would be useful for more than dueling…”
Rowan was quick to point out that “There are literally hundreds of documented cases where witches and wizards saved lives by tickling someone.” That appealed to the young wizard quickly enough, as he liked the idea of becoming a healer of sorts.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
Rowan quickly started teaching Collin the charm as best as he could. They were both surprised when it had taken a mere hour to get it done. Collin had learned quite quickly.
Rowan smiled. “I think you’ve learned the Tickling Charm, Collin! Try it out.”
“On you?” Collin asked with concern.
Rowan smiled proudly. “I might not be the strongest, but tree farmers are resilient folk. I will withstand your hilarious spell. Don’t you think you should test the spell before dueling Merula?”
Collin frowned. “Not on you. I’d rather not test dueling spells on my friends…”
“That’s what friends are for, Collin.” Rowan smirked, trying to convince his friend. “Hit me with your best shot!”
“Alright… best brace yourself for intense tickling, I suppose.” Collin sighed and got into position. “Rictusempra!” Rowan was instantly put into a laughing fit. He had even fallen onto the floor and couldn’t stop. “Oh, scrap metal! I’m so sorry, Rowan!”
Between his laughter, Rowan managed a reply. “Don’t be… HA-HA.. sorry. It’ll be worth it to see the … HA-HA… look on Merula’s face when you… HA-HA… use it on her in a duel!”

Description
Chapter 11: Flighty Experiences
Madam Hooch waited for the students that stood on either side of her next to brooms. “Welcome to your first flying class. I will be your instructor, Madam Hooch. You’ll begin by observing, before learning to summon your broom in your next flying class.” She looked at them with golden eyes shining. She had white hair but looked far from old as it spiked in a wind blown fashion. “Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone, step up to the left side of your broomstick.”
Ben gulped. “I’ve been dreading this class all summer…”
Collin grimaced. As had he, but he had to be brave to help Ben. “You’re afraid of heights?”
“Falling from heights, mostly. I told you I come from a Muggle Family. The idea of flying through the sky on a broom is terrifying.”
Collin smirked weakly at the lion cub. “Believe it or not, I’ve never flown on a broom either. Dad didn’t want me to worry about magic before school started, so I only focused on my muggle schooling.”
“Really? You went to muggle schools?”
“Yep.” Collin was a little proud of that since he knew things that some of the wizards didn’t in that regard.
Ben was still scared. “I don’t think I can do this, Collin…”
“You can do it, Ben. Just concentrate on the broom, and try not to think about falling. If you start to fall, we’ll catch you. Alright?”
“Promise?”
“I promise to try my best.” Collin nodded. He was the smallest there after all. Even smaller than most of the Mobians of his year.
Ben was still scared. “That’s not very reassuring, but I suppose I have to try sooner or later…”
Madam Hooch had been watching this interaction. “Even you don’t have anything to fear from today’s lesson, Mr. Copper. You will only be observing today…” That helped a little. Madam Hooch then went to the front of the group. “Listen up, everyone. I am going to demonstrate proper broomstick techniques. The teacher summoned up her broom without a word and started hovering. Then she started showing her flying in a small area skills. “Keep your feet free of your robes, or you will surely fall to your death.” Collin looked at her questioningly. That wasn’t going to help Ben.
Rowan was muttering. “If I can eat an entire pack of acid pops in one sitting, I can certainly do this…”
Collin glanced at the taller human with a funny look. ‘Acid pops? Really?’ Then he looked at the broom he had. ‘I wonder if my sister rode on one of these…’
“You’ll likely take a painful tumbel if you lose focus for even a second. Pay attention to me!” Hooch snapped. She then looked at Collin. “What did I say about Robes?”
“Don’t keep your feet in them if you don’t want to die.”
“Good.” She then looked at the whole class again. “Listen up, boys and girls. I am going to explain several important bits of information to you.” This time she was on the ground, pacing through the group of no more than twenty students. One of the students asked if the brooms had been jinxed, but she assured them they hadn’t.
Merula was acting smug. “I’ve been to every Quidditch World Cup since I was born.”
At the end, Hooch asked a question. “What Quidditch player looks for the golden snitch?” Collin’s hand shot up the fastest. “Yes, Mr. Hedgehog?”
“The Seeker, Ma’am.”
She nodded. “That’s correct.”
As the class was nearing an end, Ben and Collin started talking. “I suppose I don’t have to worry about falling if I never actually fly… Thank you for helping me, Collin. I may be able to fly soon if I keep following your lead.”
Madam Hooch came over and noticed this. “I think you’ve chosen a fine tutor, Mr. Copper.” She then turned to Collin. “Mr. Hedgehog, you appear to have a knack for helping your classmates overcome their fears. Ten points to Gryffindor.” Collin’s heart sung. He had won back that which he had lost. Now Angelica had no reason to be angry with him!
Collin then turned back to Ben. “You just need to get used to the idea of flying, Ben.” He said with a smirk. “I’m sure Rowan has some books about flying that we can borrow.”
Ben smiled back. “I do like reading books. Hardly anyone ever falls to their death while reading books…”
Collin then sighed. “I’ve been meaning to talk to Rowan anyway. We’ve had a rough go of it so far, and I think he takes it harder than me. I’m… sorta used to rough goes after all…”
“You should ask him to play Gobstones! I’d play myself, but I’m afraid of getting sprayed…”
“Huh… haven’t played that before… sounds fun. I’ll ask. Thanks, Ben.”
Collin ran off after class to find Rowan.
He found him in the Courtyard. “There you are, Rowan. Are you alright?”
“I should be asking you that!” Rowan said surprising him. “I heard you nearly got killed by Merula and some Devil’s Snare!”
“Heh… well…” Collin sighed. “Hogwarts shouldn’t be about bullies, and barely escaping death. It should be about learning magic, making friends, and having fun…”
“Well let’s play Gobstones. I play it on the farm all the time, and it’s great… I play it mostly because I’m not strong enough to help with the actual farming…” Then he smiled again. “It will be fun to play with another person for once… OH, and thanks for helping me adjust to things here, by the way…”
“Really?” Collin felt like he hadn’t helped at all. “I feel you’ve helped me more, what with how understanding you are, and how you know pretty much everything about Hogwarts.”
“I wish I could explain why Merula is such a bully…” Rowan scratched his head. “I’ve been researching her family to try and understand why she acts the way she does…”
“Let’s just relax. You can tell me what you found out about Merula while we play…” Collin tried. He didn’t want Rowan to have to worry much about Merula.
“Brilliant! Gobstones is the finest skill-testing manual dexterity game in the world! It’s a bit like the muggle game of marbles, except that every time a point is scored, the loser gets sprayed in the face!”
Collin grinned at that. “That sounds bloody brilliant! What are they sprayed with?”
Rowan laughed a little in embarrassment. “No one knows, but it smells awful!”
“Well now we must play! I just have to find out how bad it smells.” The two laughed as they set up their game.
“Good luck, Collin! The only time I ever lose at Gobstones is when I get distracted…”
Collin smirked. “So, Rowan, what are your favorite books?” Collin asked. Rowan instantly went into a spiel about his books until he found himself coughing at the scent of something he had been sprayed with. The boys chuckled.
“Good play, Collin. I would have countered if I wasn’t so distracted…”
“Thanks, Rowan. I think I’m starting to understand Gobstones.”
“How do you like Gobstones?”
“Oh, I think they’re fine, but let’s talk about wand wood.”
“Huh?” Another spray of stink hit the darker skinned boy. “Bleh, hehe. You’re doing well, Collin. I’ll never win if I keep getting distracted…”
“Looks like I picked a good strategy then…”
“Let’s join the Gobstones Club.”
“I’d rather discuss study habits.” This time, Collin got sprayed. “Bleck, that does stink.”
“Hehe, told you. I can’t believe you might still win though.”
“The library might also burn down as well.”
“WHAT?” That worked. “BLECK! Agh, seriously.”
“Sorry, Rowan, didn’t think that would be your reaction.”
“It’s fine. You beat me, Collin! Pretty impressive for your first time playing Gobstones.”
“Thanks.” Collin smiled.
“Good game, Collin. Some people think Gobstones isn’t cool, but I’ve always considered it to be the thinking wizard’s Quidditch. Thanks for playing. I’ve never ben especially good at making friends.”
“Me either, so don’t worry. We became friends pretty quickly…”
“Most people think I’m either a useless weakling or an awkward nerd, but you’re weird like me.” That was the first time Collin didn’t mind being called weird. “No offence.” Rowan finally realized what he had said.
Collin laughed. “I take it as a compliment.”
While the two were still talking, Merula Snyde came up behind them. “Isn’t this precious?” The boys turned and looked at her. Rowan was apprehensive while Collin just looked a little sad. “Hello, Kintobor. You are unfortunately looking well after wrestling with the Devil’s Snare.”
Collin grimaced. “You should see me on a camping trip. I like living in a cave.”
“While you were off playing with plants, I’ve been doing a little research about your sister.”
“Oh? That’s old news, isn’t it? Why don’t you just leave me alone about her?”
This was where Merula actually got serious, and it was sad because Collin could tell she believed she was right. “Because you’re a danger to Hogwarts just like her, and none of us will be safe until you’re gone.”
“What are you talking about, Merula?” Rowan asked curiously.
Merula smirked. “Kintobor’s sister didn’t just get expelled for endangering the entire school in search of some imaginary vaults…” Collin blinked in surprise. He hadn’t known about any vaults having to do with her disappearance. “She immediately went missing, and the next time she was seen, she was working for Voldemort.” Collin deadpanned right there. That was the biggest lie he had ever heard. Whoever her source was, it was crap.
Rowan went into a slight panic at the Dark Lord’s name. “You can’t say that! You have to call him He who must not be named!”
“I say what I want.”
Collin rolled his eyes. “I’ve noticed. I also have good enough knowledge to know you’re lying about my sister having anything to do with him.” His eyes darkened. ‘She doesn’t know the truth. She doesn’t know the connection between the Kintobors and the dark one… heck, she probably doesn’t even know his name was Tom Riddle.’
Merula just smirked. “No wonder the professors were talking about you before the feast.” She smiled darkly. “They’re wondering if you work for the Dark Lord too.”
Collin shook his head and sighed. “What happened to you to make you so mean? Why don’t you just live your own life, and leave me alone? You don’t know the truth. You scrape the surface, but fail to see the forest for the trees.”
Merula growled. “Why don’t you just drop out of Hogwarts? Save Gryffindor and your little friend here the embarrassment of being associated with you.”
Collin raised a brow. “I think you’re just afraid that I’ll be better than you.”
“Afraid? I’ll duel you right now.”
Collin waived it off and started to walk away. “You aren’t worth my time, Merula. Keep your nonsense to yourself.”
“DON’T WALK AWAY FROM ME!” She pulled out her wand as her purple eyes glared at the young boy. “Flipendo!” Collin suddenly pushed Rowan out of the way of the spell as it hit him in the chest, knocking the smaller human to the ground. “Learn a few more spells, Kintobor. Maybe next time you’ll put up a fight.” Merula started to walk away.
Rowan helped the smaller boy up. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’ve had worse.”
“Merula is never going to leave us alone…”
Collin gritted his teeth, his sky blue eyes turning steel as he thought about what he needed to do. “Not unless I learn more spells, and find someone who can teach me how to duel…” He hated the idea of fighting, but he knew it was a necessary evil in this case.
Chapter 12: Firsts of Many…
The next time Collin had flight class he made his way over to the training grounds with a rush. Today he would summon his broom. Madam Hooch was already waiting. “Welcome back to Flying Class. After observing for your first lesson, I will now teach you how to summon your broom. Before you can summon your broom, however, you need to learn how to maintain it. To your broom care stations!”
There was a set of tables setup with different booms for everyone to work on. Collin and Rowan were set up at a table with Merula, and a blonde Hufflepuff student named Penny Haywood.
The groups worked on trimming the edges of the bristles on their brooms, waxing the handles, and listening to Merula make empty threats while talking about how much better she was than everyone.
Collin finished his up by applying a nice shine of polish to his broom before joining the others as they prepared to summon their brooms.
“It’s time to practice summoning your broom. Step up, hold out your right hand, and say… up!”
Collin and the others practiced a few times, though Merula was quite distracting as she said her broom at home was “Better than this rubbish” and a few other things that sounded just like rubbish to Collin. ‘You’d think Merula would care more about her safety than her bragging…’
Hooch went down the line, eventually getting to Collin’s turn. “Now, Mr. Hedgehog… let’s see you summon your broom.”
Collin took a deep breathe as he looked at the wand. “Up.” He said calmly. The energy that the broom went to his hand with was surprising to the young eleven-year-old, even if it was a bit slow. He was quite happy with the results.
After his flight class, Collin took a break and met Ben in the Courtyard for a game of Gobstones before going to Potions Class. The strategy to win against Ben seemed to be playing on his fears, which made Collin feel bad. He apologized for startling him before rushing off to Potions Class.
It seemed that Professor Snape was going to give them another shot at making the Cure for Boils potion.
“Given the sorry state of your previous attempts, today we will be reviewing how to brew the Cure for Boils Potion.” Snape rolled. “Learn this now so you don’t come crying to me in a few years on the night of the ball. I suggest you listen closely lecture on the Cure for Boils, because I won’t be answering any silly questions.” Collin spent the entire class portion looking over his notes and concluded that he might have used a couple too many dried nettles. Snape stopped in front of Collin’s desk and waited for the eleven-year-old to notice him.
Due to Collin’s extreme fear of human adults still plaguing him a little, he didn’t take long. He quickly looked up with startled blue eyes, visibly flinching at how close the adult was to him. “Y…yes… sir?” Rowan and Merula both looked at him with surprise. He didn’t have that problem the other day! That time though, Snape wasn’t right next to him, he had remained a good three to five feet away.
Snape either ignored it or didn’t notice. “Since you love questions so much, Hedgehog, here’s one for you…” Collin looked up curious. “What is a side-effect of Pepperup Potion?” The class hadn’t studied that yet, but Collin’s eyes lit up.
“Steam coming out of your ears, sir.”
Snape nodded. “It seems you are capable of learning, at least something.” He then strode to the middle of the room near his cauldron. He then addressed the class. “For your benefit I’ll demonstrate how to brew the Cure for Boils again. I suggest you pay attention.”
Collin and the others made their way to the cauldron. There was a stool set aside for Collin because of his height. Snape indicated for the boy to stand on it. Collin sighed and nodded as he stood on the stool with his journal and quill. Merula and a few of the other Slytherins chuckled and muttered insults. Merula made a comment on Collin fitting into a cauldron.
“If you have been focusing, then one of you can hand me the next ingredient for this potion.” While the other students were busy looking at their lists, Collin had already jumped off of his stool and grabbed the next ingredient. “At least you know how to fetch.” That was as close to a thank you as the boy could hope for, and he took it with a short nod.
After that, Rowan and Collin went into the back corner to grab their potion ingredients that they would need for the Cure for Boils Potion. Rowan commented on how dark it was, and Collin pulled out his wand to cast Lumos to help them. They found all the ingredients they needed quickly after that. Then the two boys started to talk as they started to mix their potions. Collin was careful to clean his cauldron before he started mixing this time in case Merula did something again. He was grateful that she didn’t.
“Hey, Collin?” Collin looked over to Rowan as he finished up. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Go ahead.”
“Do you have a method for remembering all of our ingredients?”
Collin grimaced. “I’ll share it later.”
Professor Snape suddenly piped up as he made his way to the center of the room again. “Finish your Cure for Boils Potions. I expect to see improvement after all this review.” Collin quickly put the finishing touches on said potion and turned it in. Snape sneered at it, but replied. “At least you didn’t break anything this time, I suppose.” Collin grimaced and shrugged. In his mind, that was a pretty good praise from the Potions Master.
After Potions, Griff found Collin and gave him a note from his Prefect, Angelica. He had to meet her and Rowan on the Training Grounds later. He met up with them, Rowan being the first there. Rowan waived. “I wonder what our Prefect wants to talk to us about?” He asked curiously.
Collin sighed as he scratched the back of his head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Merula somehow got us kicked out of Gryffindor.”
Rowan looked at his smaller friend sympathetically. “Do you want to talk about what she said about your sister?”
Collin shrugged. “You know more about her than me. Most of it coming from the Daily Prophet…” Collin sighed. “Far as I can tell, my sister was obsessed with two things, the first was getting away from our abusive human family…” Rowan’s eyes widened in shock. “And the second being that there were Cursed Vaults containing mysterious treasures hidden at Hogwarts.” Collin shrugged again. “No one really believed her though… I was too young when I heard about it to do more then gurgle, whine, and well… whatever other noises babies make.”
“You really were that young, huh?”
“It happened like ten years ago. I don’t know why everyone is making such a big deal out of her actions so long after. Sure, she broke all kinds of rules, and yeah, I heard she put people in danger trying to prove she was right. I’m not following after her in that regard.” Collin placed his right hand on his chest, clutching some of his robes. “Some people say she unleased curses upon Hogwarts, at least from what I read. Some say, she herself was cursed. Everyone pretty much thought she was mad. Heh, now it seems that ten years later, they all think the same of me.” His eyes darkened once more as he thought of something else. “Merula was lying about her being involved with Voldemort, but she was right about her being missing.” Rowan flinched at Collin’s bravery to use “His” name. “After she got expelled, she ran away from home, trying to take me with her. Heh, it was one of the times that I saw my father actually try to… never-mind, look no one has seen her since, and the closest rumors I know, say that she came back here to try and find the vaults again.” Collin pursed his lips as he tried to think on something. “Sometimes I wonder if she really was mad… it runs in the family after all… and then…” He looked up with his pleading sky blue eyes filled with sadness. “I sometimes wonder if I’m mad too…”
Rowan smirked and ruffled the brown spiky headed boy. “I don’t think you’re mad, Collin. I think you’re brilliant, and I’m glad you’re my friend.”
Collin smiled once more, some of his worries squished for the moment. “Thanks, Rowan.” Collin then scowled as he looked towards the castle. “Merula will keep attacking us until we do something to stop her.” He thought about his shield, and remembered it had limits against plants like the Devil’s Snare that had tried to kill him. He didn’t want his friends to suffer because of him. He didn’t like fighting, but he couldn’t run forever. “Any ideas on how we defend ourselves?”
It was then that Angelica showed up. “That’s exactly why I invited you here, Collin.”
Collin looked ashamed. “You know about what happened with Merula?”
Angelica nodded and looked at the boy with concern. “Word travels fast at Hogwarts.” She realized she might have judged him a little harshly. She sighed and rubbed a hand through her short spotted hair. “I wouldn’t be doing my job as your Prefect if I didn’t help teach you to defend yourself.” She then looked between the two humans and smirked. “I’m going to teach you two how to duel.”
Collin blanched as he thought about what that would entail. It took him a moment to clear those aside. “But we don’t know any dueling spells…” He pointed out, realizing that she meant small time stuff, not what he was used to…
Angelica smirked. “Gryffindor keeps a secret dueling book hidden in the Artefact Room. It will teach you various spells, potions, and techniques.” She started walking off. “Meet me again after you’ve learned a dueling spell, and I’ll teach you everything else you need to know.”
Chapter 13: Seering is Believing
Collin and Rowan had no trouble making it to the Artefact room. Rowan was already excited. “They say untold treasures lie within the Artefact Room.”
Collin chuckled and held his nose jokingly. “Along with untold odours…” To be fair, the room did stink. “Come now, let’s hurry up and find that dueling book…”
Rowan grimaced as the smaller already started looking. “I’ll fight the urge to catalogue every single amazing thing in this room. I’ll probably fail, but at least I’m good at multitasking.”
While the boys started searching, Collin started hearing things, particularly someone calling for him. “Collin…”
The short boy in question turned to his taller companion with a questioning gaze. “What?”
Rowan looked back with equal confusion, “What, what?”
“…you didn’t say my name, did you…?” Collin deadpanned as he looked at his friend.
“No, I didn’t.”
Collin frowned. “Great…. Now I’m hearing voices…”
“It wasn’t me…”
Collin shook his head. “It must have been my imagination. Let’s just find that book…” Something about the voice had seemed feminine anyway. Maybe a vague memory he only partially remembered from his infancy? Maybe a distorted voice of his adopted aunt chiding him in his head for searching for a fighting answer? Who knows.
The boys kept looking for what had to be an hour before Rowan found it. “I found the book!”
“Brilliant!” Collin responded with glee as he crawled out of an area at the top of one of the shelves.
“Now we can learn a dueling spell, so our Prefect can train us to stand up to Merula!”
Collin had only just managed to catch himself as his head started to pound. “AHH!”
Rowan helped him down, the boy’s vision going grey. “Collin! Are you alright?”
Collin managed to start picking himself up again. “I…I saw something… in my mind…” He groaned as Rowan helped him sit up against a shelf. Collin tried to concentrate. He opened his blue eyes and looked up towards Rowan as his friend tried to help him. “A… a walking suit of armor. A staircase shrouded in mist… Ice encasing Hogwarts…” He started to get panicky. “spreading faster and faster…”
“Ice?” Rowan asked with concern.
Collin nodded, fear shaking him. “And… I heard that voice again… it… it said, ‘The ice is here. The Vault will open.’…” Collin bit his lip wondering what his friend would think, what he should think…
Rowan, seeing his friend’s fear, placed a hand on his shoulder. “I still don’t think you’re mad, but I wonder if your sister saw these same visions…”
“L…let’s just get back to the Gryffindor Common Room,… and… get some sleep.” Collin wiped his brow.
Rowan helped him to their dorm. “Get some rest while I read through this dueling book. We’ll catch up later.”
“R…right..” Collin stuttered before going to his bed. Rowan went down to the common room and sat in front of the fireplace to read. Occasionally though, he’d pause his reading, something he never did before, just to check on his smaller friend. He’d find Collin dead to the world, unaware of how alive his mind truly was.
Chapter 14: New Spells and New Friends
The next morning, Collin met up with Rowan in the great hall. Rowan was still pouring over the book while eating some toast. Collin sighed and served himself up some eggs and bacon from the magical serving dishes.
“How are you, Collin?” Rowan managed to ask with barely a glance. “Have you had any more visions since we left the artefact room?”
Collin sighed and shook his head. “No. I would tell someone, but with Merula going on about my sister, people already think I’m mad.”
Rowan nodded. “I know you’re the one who deserves to be upset,” the taller boy looked across the table at his shorter companion. “But these visions have me rattled. Do you mind if we catch our breath for a bit?”
Collin smiled gratefully at his friend. “That… sounds like a brilliant idea, Rowan.”
The two kept talking over breakfast. “Your vision really has me worried, Collin… have you had visions before?”
Collin shrugged. “I’ve heard voices before.” He had no reason to hide it from his friend.
“Visions can be dangerous…”
Collin sighed as he looked at his friend with a slightly desperate look. “That’s… why I need your help…”
Rowan smirked. “Thanks for making me feel better, Collin. I’m just worried about you…”
Collin smiled back. “I’m sure you’ll feel better after I answer all of your questions…”
Rowan nodded and proceeded to his next question; “How can I help?”
“With Knowledge and Friendship, as cheesy as that sounds.” Collin chuckled, already feeling a touch better.
“Well I feel a lot better now.” Rowan chuckled back. “There are just a couple of things that are still worrying me.”
Collin nodded. He tried to look confident. “I’ll answer all of your questions, Rowan. You’ll see there’s no reason to worry.”
Rowan nodded as he asked his next question. “Do you think it was a warning?”
Collin thought about it. “Or a clue… maybe both…”
Rowan nodded. “Thanks, Collin. We’ll work out what your vision means together.”
“T… thank you, Rowan. That means a lot to me.” Collin felt touched that his friend would be willing to help him out with such a thing. “I feel better about my visions, but I’m still anxious about this duel…” Collin sighed. He didn’t like fighting. He knew how to avoid fights, not how to actually fight. He preferred fixing people, not breaking them.
Rowan showed the book to Collin. “Thankfully, the dueling book we found details everything you need to know to defeat Merula.”
“That’s great, Rowan!” Collin’s eyes lit up. “What did you find?”
“So many things! What do you want this new spell to do?”
Collin thought about it briefly before responding with “Have many uses… I want to beat Merula in a duel, but I’m not a duelist. Teach me a spell I can use for other things besides dueling.
Rowan frowned as he looked through the book once more. “Hmm… I’ll keep reading until I find the perfect spell. I can teach it to you in the Gryffindor Common Room later on one of our breaks.”
“Thanks, Rowan.”
Rowan then smirked. “Want to hear something amazing that the book has to offer?”
“Yes!” Collin smirked. If Rowan thought it was amazing, it must be good.
“Professor Flitwick is a champion duelist! You should ask him to give you some tips, or even teach you a cool dueling spell.”
“Whoa!” Tiny Flitwick, who was barely taller than Collin, was a duelist? And a Champion one at that? “Thanks so much, Rowan. I’ll learn all of this as fast as I can before Merula has the chance to bully anyone else… or at least… I’ll try…”
Later that night, Collin went out to the courtyard to look at the stars when he found Professor Flitwick of all people! He took a deep breath and went over to the professor.
“Um… excuse me, Professor Flitwick? I have a question for you…”
Flitwick turned in surprise to see the short boy. It was strange to have a human shorter than him for once. Even most of the Mobian children, save for certain species of rodents, were taller than him. “What can I do for you, Mr. Hedgehog?” He asked with a kind smile.
Collin sighed and scratched his head. “Professor… is it true you were a dueling champion before you taught at Hogwarts?”
Flitwick looked amused. He didn’t find many of his students looking for that information. “It’s true. I can Stupefy and Protego with the best of them. I have a shelf full of trophies to boot.” He chuckled.
Collin nodded, still nervous. “I don’t really… want to ask this, but… do you think you could teach me some of what you know?”
Flitwick looked at the boy with concern. “The Hogwarts curriculum includes lessons on many defensive spells, Mr. Hedgehog.”
Collin nodded with regret on his face. “I… I need some advanced instruction, Professor… please…”
“Hmm.” Collin didn’t even seem to want to know how to fight, so why ask for the skills? “Tell me… why do you want to duel?”
Collin sighed. “To defend myself and my friends… I’ve been attacked before. I want to be able to defend myself. I’m tired of seeing those who I care for get hurt and I not able to assist in any way.”
Flitwick nodded, a little impressed with the eleven year old’s answer. “That’s understandable, but Dueling should always be your last resort.”
Collin nodded, a little hope in his eyes. “Teach me, Professor. I won’t let you down.” Flitwick thought about it for a moment, still seeming hesitant. “Please. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, sir.”
Flitwick sighed as he looked over the young human. “I was afraid things might be difficult for you here at Hogwarts given your birth family’s reputation… strange how all of them are focusing on your sister… she was the most mild of the group…” He muttered absently before returning his attention to his student. He sighed and then looked determined. “I may be able to teach you the finest self-defence spell I know…” Collin’s eyes lit up. “I will teach you one spell. The duelist’s most essential spell. Expelliarmus. It is intended to disarm your opponent without causing them injury…”
“Brilliant!” Collin was overjoyed. He hated the idea of hurting others.
“Then let’s begin.” Flitwick taught him the correct position and movements. Within the next hour, Collin had mastered the spell, but Flitwick wanted to be sure. “Good, you have the hang of it. Now, let’s see you cast the disarming charm on me.”
Collin nodded and took up his position. “Yes sir.”
Flitwick had seen the boy in many forms over the few weeks he had been at the school, but the confidence he radiated when working on mastering something to defend others as he was trying for here, was his favorite. With a quick swish of his wand, a shout of the spell, the professor had lost his wand, only for it to end up in the hands of the young man in front of him. Collin walked over and handed it back.
Flitwick smiled proudly at the prodigy. “You’ve done it! You truly do have a gift with charms.”
Collin blushed. “Thank you so much, Professor Flitwick. This will be a huge help.”
Flitwick nodded before thinking on something. “You might also consider practicing with Mr. Copper. He’s hesitant, but very skilled.”
Collin nodded with a grin. “I will. I’ve always thought that Ben is better at Charms than he lets on.”
Flitwick then got serious again. “Promise me that you will only duel if you have no other choice, Mr. Hedgehog.”
Collin swore up and down he would. “I promise, sir. I promise I’ll only duel to defend myself, Professor.”
Flitwick smiled kindly at the shorter fellow. “Good. I believe you have great potential, and I would hate to see you ruin it by breaking school rules. Duelling is not allowed on school grounds without permission, Mr. Hedgehog. If you use this spell for anything except self-defence, I will be forced to recommend your expulsion.”
“You won’t have that worry from me, sir.” Collin smiled weakly as they went in. ‘I don’t want to disappoint Professor Flitwick, but if I don’t duel Merula, she’ll never stop bullying everyone… Thankfully, Expelliarmus should be exactly what I need to win our duel… I wish this didn’t happen to me…’
The next morning, Collin met up with Ben in the Great Hall. Ben looked worried as the two sat down for breakfast. “What’s wrong, Ben? You look worried.” Collin grimaced. “I mean, you look more worried than usual…”
Ben sighed, his depressed face showing heavily. “I don’t think I can do this anymore, Collin.”
Collin raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t belong at Hogwarts. I thought I would be able to adjust, but the longer I’m here, the more I find to be afraid of.”
Collin sighed in relief. “Is that all?” He chuckled weakly.
“How do you stay so brave?”
“I…” He wanted to admit to being afraid, but he didn’t feel that would help much in this case. “I stay active. I get afraid sometimes too, but I try to distract myself by exploring the castle, and meeting new people.”
Ben grimaced. “Do you think hiding in a cupboard would also work?”
Collin shook his head with a small smile. “No. You’ll be fine, Ben. Let’s just talk about what’s worrying you, and I’ll do my best to make you feel better.”
Ben nodded. “Okay… but I’ll just tell you some of what’s worrying me, so that we aren’t here until year-end exams.” Collin nodded in agreement. “I don’t think I belong at Hogwarts, Collin… There’s so much to be afraid of…”
“Everyone feels afraid sometimes.” Collin pointed out.
“Our friends aren’t scared…” He pointed out Penny Haywood and Rowan Khanna who were talking farther away in the hall. The Hufflepuff hadn’t talked to Collin much yet, but he would know her soon enough.
“We’ll keep each other safe.” Collin said firmly.
Ben smirked. Collin was a small human, even smaller than most of the Mobian students. Yet, he was trying to help him be brave. “Thanks, Collin. I feel a bit better, but I’m still not sure I belong at Hogwarts…”
“Everyone feels like that sometimes, Ben. Some more than others even…” He thought about himself with this statement before shaking his head. “Let’s just talk more…”
“Why was I put in Gryffindor?”
“Oh that’s easy! You’re a lot braver than you know. It takes courage to admit to fear.”
“Really? Huh… I feel a lot better, but I’m still wondering if I should go back home…”
“Come now, Ben. Let’s just keep talking. You’ll see that we need you at Hogwarts.”
“Heh, need me? I belong in the muggle world.”
“I belong in a grave…” Collin muttered before clearing his throat. “You belong at Hogwarts, Ben.”
Ben thought about it and smiled. “Thanks, Collin. I don’t know how I’d make it through Hogwarts without you.”
Collin blinked in surprise. “Um… you’d do fine.” He hadn’t expected that compliment.
“Thank you, Collin. I’m feeling much better about surviving my time at Hogwarts. I’m going to try what you suggested, and try to distract myself with an activity when I’m feeling afraid.” Ben smiled.
Collin smiled back. “That’s great, Ben. You’re one of my best friends here, and… and I know I’ll need your help to find out what really happened to my sister…” While he hated to admit it, he needed to figure it out in order to shut people up.
“I’ll do my best to help however I can, Collin. If nothing else, I know all the best hiding places.”
Collin nodded, feeling reassured. “Yeah, that’s actually more helpful than you think it is.” He himself knew the good use of a hiding place.
After breakfast, Collin went down to the dungeons for his Potions Class. Students were all talking about how he had screwed up his first potion, and today was a new one. He was determined to show what he was capable of though. Collin made his way over to Professor Snape. “Is it true we’re learning how to brew the Wiggenweld Potion today, Professor Snape?” He asked as he brought out his notebook to check his notes on the syllabus.
“It is.” Snape sneered, though he looked cool as a cucumber. “When you inevitably fail to brew it correctly, take responsibility this time instead of blaming Merula Snyde.”
Collin nodded slowly before daring to speak up again. “I’ve heard that Wiggenweld Potions can be useful in duels…”
“I sincerely hope you plan on breaking school rules by dueling, Hedgehog. It will give me the excuse I need to finally be rid of you.” Collin’s gaze sharpened as he looked at the taller man. Snape didn’t care. “Now, take your seat, and shut your mouth.” Collin nodded and did as told. Snape then addressed the class. “Today you will learn to brew the Wiggenweld Potion. It is a powerful healing potion that can be used to heal injuries, or reverse the effects of a Sleeping Draught.” Collin wrote all this down, careful to get all the details. He loved studying medical books back home, and this was close. “Be especially careful with the Sloth Brain Mucus.”
Merula snickered. “Yeah, Kintobor. You don’t have any brains to spare.”
Collin looked at her. “You know… I think you’d get along well with my human uncle. He loves insulting me as much as you do.” Merula blinked in shock as Collin just started on his potion notes.
“The lesson starts.” Snape announced. “We will begin with a demonstration of brewing the Wiggenweld Potion. Come up to my table.” Collin made his way over to the stool that was set up for him while the other students stood close to watch the potion master’s ease with highly dangerous chemicals. If they weren’t witches and wizards, they’d accuse him of magic. Collin made a note to find out who invented the Wiggenweld Potion later. “Keep track of all the ingredients, students…”
After the demonstration, Rowan needed help finding Salamander Blood from the ingredients stock. It took them only a few minutes to find it with Collin’s proficiency in Lumos helping them to search the dark corners of the dungeon. The two sat down afterwards to check that they had everything. Collin kept pouring over his book as he went, making sure to add things as instructed. His mind calculating how much to add in certain cases where exact measuring tools weren’t allowed.
Halfway through, Snape called them to weigh their Lionfish spines on a scale he had, one by one. When Collin came up, he didn’t need to ask how to use the scale, unlike most. He simply had an idea for it. He zeroed it out, and then placed the spines on it, getting the measurements he needed.
After they were done, Snape told his class that he expected perfection once more on this. Collin took a deep breath and finished up his potion, taking care how much to stir it and how often. “Almost finished brewing my first Wiggenweld Potion. Now to stir anticlockwise…” He muttered to himself as he did his task.
“Wow, Collin! Your potion looks perfect.” Rowan exclaimed.
Collin grimaced. “Don’t jinx me again, heh.”
Snape came over and looked. “It appears to be passable.” Then he turned to Merula’s, who’s looked exactly the same. “Miss Snyde’s concoction, however, is flawless.” Collin shrugged. So what if Merula was better at Potions. He was fine so long as he did well enough to get a good grade.
“Thank you, Professor Snape.” Merula beamed. Collin actually let out a small smirk. She was genuinely happy with her work. He couldn’t fault her there.
Collin looked up at Snape. “What can I do to get better at Potions, Professor?”
Snape looked down at the boy with indifference. “Can you suddenly become someone who isn’t entirely incompetent, Hedgehog? That would be an excellent start.”
Collin took the insult with ease and sighed. “No, but I’m hoping to become a little bit better by emulating your mastery, Professor Snape. I’ll never match your skill and knowledge, but I’m hoping to at least become a middling student by copying a true Potions Master like you.” He truly did feel this way, which was unfortunate, as the boy had yet to realize he was indeed a good student, and quite good at potions as well.
Snape however was secretly pleased with the response, though a little confused and surprisingly concerned. “I appreciate your determination in spite of being a hopeless failure, Hedgehog.” Then he surprised the trio at the table. “Ten points to Gryffindor.” Collin looked up at him with shock.
Merula just rolled her eyes though and tried to get the attention back on her. “Professor Snape recognizes perfection when he sees it.” She then sneered. “And everyone recognizes that you’re an embarrassment, Kintobor.” Collin shrugged, irritating the brunette even more.
Rowan looked at his friend apologetically as Snape walked off. “I’m sorry, Collin. Snape and Merula really do have it out for you.”
Collin let out a huff of a laugh. “I hate to say this, after everything we’ve been through, but I am honestly not worried about Snape and Merula. I’m actually concerned about my sister for some reason, and those accursed Cursed Vaults…”
“Huh…” Rowan smirked. “I’ll meet you back in the Common Room. I have just the spell you asked for.”
“Thanks…” Collin quickly cleaned up his equipment and rushed off to the Common Room at the top of the tower.
When they got in, Rowan quickly explained he had found a tickling charm, Rictusempra!
Collin scratched his head, unsure of how this would work out. “Tickling charm… I said I wanted a spell that would be useful for more than dueling…”
Rowan was quick to point out that “There are literally hundreds of documented cases where witches and wizards saved lives by tickling someone.” That appealed to the young wizard quickly enough, as he liked the idea of becoming a healer of sorts.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
Rowan quickly started teaching Collin the charm as best as he could. They were both surprised when it had taken a mere hour to get it done. Collin had learned quite quickly.
Rowan smiled. “I think you’ve learned the Tickling Charm, Collin! Try it out.”
“On you?” Collin asked with concern.
Rowan smiled proudly. “I might not be the strongest, but tree farmers are resilient folk. I will withstand your hilarious spell. Don’t you think you should test the spell before dueling Merula?”
Collin frowned. “Not on you. I’d rather not test dueling spells on my friends…”
“That’s what friends are for, Collin.” Rowan smirked, trying to convince his friend. “Hit me with your best shot!”
“Alright… best brace yourself for intense tickling, I suppose.” Collin sighed and got into position. “Rictusempra!” Rowan was instantly put into a laughing fit. He had even fallen onto the floor and couldn’t stop. “Oh, scrap metal! I’m so sorry, Rowan!”
Between his laughter, Rowan managed a reply. “Don’t be… HA-HA.. sorry. It’ll be worth it to see the … HA-HA… look on Merula’s face when you… HA-HA… use it on her in a duel!”