The next day, Collin found himself moving swiftly through the corridors after a quick breakfast of toast and orange juice. He couldn't help it. He was about to learn his first spell. He carried with him a bag that was almost as big as him, which surprised others around him what with how fast he raced to his class. He had Charms this morning with the other first year Gryffindors.
He made his way over to the teacher, who was a human like him, but seemed to also be as short as him! It gave him quite a delight as he noticed it, before realizing that the man's pointy ears indicated he was at least half elf. He didn't care though. He was going to learn magic! He figured he should introduce himself. He was still a bit nervous. "Pleased to meet you, Professor Flitwick. I'm really looking forward to Charms."
Flitwick looked the boy over and recognized him from the staff's conversations on new students. "You're Collin Hedgehog! If you're anything like your sister, Hope, you'll do just fine. She was one of my most skilled students." Collin's eyes widened in shock and awe. That was the first good thing he had heard of her in years. Flitwick proceeded to ruin it… only a little… by continuing with; "That being said, she was also one of my most rebellious students… are you going to follow the rules?"
"I'm certainly not up for trouble. I'll follow as best as I can. I'm only here to learn, sir." Collin looked deflated, which worried the old teacher.
"Very well, Mr. Hedgehog. Please have a seat. Class is about to begin." Collin went close to Rowan and sat down, opening his book, retrieving his quill and ink, and looking expectantly at the teacher. "Welcome to your very first Charms Class at Hogwarts. I will be your instructor, Professor Flitwick. Please pay close attention to the instructions, and take great care practicing the spells you learn. Today we will be learning a very important spell known as the Wand-Lighting Charm." Flitwick pulled out his wand. "This charm is useful in dark places, whether you are searching a shadowy room for hidden dangers," He then chuckled. "Or trying to find a scroll that rolled under the sofa." He took a stance and waved his wand carefully. Collin took note on how it went. "LUMOS!" The wand lit up brightly. "Now it's your turn to give it a try. You're probably wondering how. I'll explain it to you. Listen closely." Collin's quill was already inked, as was Rowan's while they listened to instructions. After a few minutes, Flitwick asked a question. "Lumos provides…?"
Collin's hand shot up, and the tiny elder nodded to him for an answer; "Light!"
"Very good, Mr. Hedgehog." Collin smiled again, happy to be right. "Now, you all try it. Remember… Lumos."
Collin looked over his notes again while others started practicing already. Rowan was doing both at once. After two minutes, Collin took a deep breath and cast his first spell. "Lumos!" Much to everyone in the room's surprise, the spell was quite bright from the young wizard, though, probably not as bright as his blush as he realized what he had done.
Flitwick on the other hand was happy. "Well done, Mr. Hedgehog. That's the best executions of the Wand-lighting charm I've seen from a first-year in quite some time. Ten points to Gryffindor." Collin's grin just wouldn't go away.
Rowan even congratulated his smaller friend. "Nice work, Collin! I read everything I could find on the wand-lighting charm, and yours was still better! You're a natural."
Collin grimaced and rubbed the back of his shaggy brown hair. "Heh, thanks… um… Potions is next. I have a feeling facing Snape won't be so easy…"
