p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin soon went back to his dorm to report to Angelica. She was waiting for him. "You wanted to see me?" The short human asked curiously. He couldn't have gotten into more trouble without knowing, could he?/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Please tell me you did not lose Gryffindor another twenty house points, Collin?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"In truth, he had, but he got points more often then lost in the long run he knew. He sighed. "I'll find a way to get our House Points back."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""You had better. Everyone in Gryffindor is suffering for your poor decisions." Collin rolled his eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Yes, because the entire points system relies on one pint sized human and his points list. Got it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Angelica wasn't listening again though. "You're ruining any chance we have of winning the house cup."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed once more, knowing she wouldn't stop until she had the cup in hand at the end of the year. "What can I do to make it better?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Angelica gave him a hard look. "Go to class. Focus on your schoolwork. Do everything in your power to earn more House Points."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Oh is that all?" He rolled his eyes, as that was already the plan./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""And I know this is very difficult for you, but please, stay out of trouble." … okay, that one was a bit tougher, but it wasn't like Collin went looking for trouble! It just… tended to find him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""I… will try…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Do better than try! You have Potions Class and Charms Class tomorrow! Get to class on time and earn Gryffindor some House points!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin nodded and left to do his homework. The next morning, he found a note from Rowan as he got ready for the day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""I can't believe I'm saying this, but you need to put down your books and talk to me about that locked room." It said in Rowan's writing. Collin went down to the Great Hall to see his friend at breakfast./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan smirked. "There you are! I hear you've been busy excelling in class and earning house points for Gryffindor!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled, happy someone appreciated his hard work. "I'm trying. You're the one who got me points in flying class though. Oh, and I still can't believe I got points in Potions for helping Merula out! Not only have people been helping me get house points, but I do believe I have a plan to get in the room Mrs. Norris is guarding." He grinned slyly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Brilliant! What's your plan?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""First, we need to get past Mrs. Norris. If we give her a sleeping draught, it will knock her out just long enough or us to get past her. Then we need a way to get inside the door. The unlocking charm, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Alohomora/em/strong, should do the trick. I think Flitwick is teaching us that today. Third, we need the Knockback jinx, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Flipendo/em/strong. It'll help us escape I we get trapped inside the room like with the Devil's Snare from our first week."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan frowned as he thought on this. "If you ask Snape to help you brew a sleeping draught, he'll get suspicious…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin just smiled. "He's a brilliant potion master, but he's not the only competent one with a cauldron. I'm going to ask Penny Haywood, the Hufflepuff."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Penny Haywood?!" Rowan's eyes widened. "She's the most popular girl in our year, if not in all of Hogwarts!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Is she now?" Collin raised a brow as though he didn't know. "She offered to help me if I ever needed anything, and she said she's pretty good with potions."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan nodded. "She's being modest. If anyone in our year knows how to brew a sleeping draught, it's her. What about Filch?" Rowan asked, his worries catching back up to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grinned deviously once more. "I was inspired by your love of research, and decided to do some o my own research on Filch. I think I can throw him off our trail. There is one more thing…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed. "Loathe as I am to admit it, I think we'll need a third person to pull this off. I don't want to endanger anyone, but I can't do this alone, and us together still wouldn't get it done."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Who else do you want to bring?" Rowan asked curiously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin didn't hesitate. "Ben Copper. I trust him as much as I trust you, and Flitwick says he's gifted in Charms. We're good, but for a teacher to admit someone is gifted means they have a good talent, and that will help."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan nodded with a slight frown of concern. "I like Ben too, but, I mean… he's a… coward…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled. "I think he's braver than he knows, and if we give him a chance, he'll prove it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan still hadn't warmed up to the idea yet, but nodded. "Well, I suppose he is a Gryffindor, so he should be brave. I'll honestly be shocked if you can convince him to go, so… good luck, Collin. Just let me know when you're ready to execute the plan."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"The boys went off to Charms class after they were done with their breakfast. Flitwick was on his usual pile of books. "Welcome, everyone. Today you will learn the unlocking charm, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Alohomora!/em/strong" Flitwick smirked. "It's the very best spell when a wizard forgets his keys." Then he paused and thought on that. "Come to think of it, with Alohomora, why would a wizard even need keys?" He shook his head. "A discussion for another day, I suppose. Wands up, everyone!" The class had sets of padlocks on their desks. "Alohomora is a spell that will open many doors for you. Let's begin with a demonstration of the unlocking charm. Watch me, students!" The professor then proceeded to demonstrate on a large lock in front of him. Collin, as usual drew out the wand movements while Rowan wrote all the instructions. "Moving on, I will now show you some tips for casting the unlocking charm." After a bit, he looked around the class. Collin already had his wand out and was concentrating on the lock. "Collin Hedgehog!" Collin's head shot up like a rocket. "Come join me in the aisle please. Just show the proper stance." Collin did so wordlessly before the group was split into two. Collin's group went over to the chalk board to study the spell effects. When the groups switched, Flitwick spoke up again. "Many young witches and wizards take liberties with pronouncing Alohomora. Make sure you get it right." Collin and Rowan cracked open their books once more to study the spell's pronunciation. Near the end of the class, Flitwick nodded. "I believe you all are ready to make the attempt. See if you can unlock the lock in front of you." The students got right to work on it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin did the movement slowly, but with enough precision that the lock opened as he said "Alohomora."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Flitwick smiled as his class packed up. "Well done! You've successfully unlocked another piece of knowledge at Hogwarts!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin muttered under his breath as he packed up. "And I'm one step closer to unlocking that door…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"After his later Potions class, Snape left the room, and Penny came in. "Well if it isn't the hero of Hogwarts…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shook his head. "I'm no hero… thank you for agreeing to help me brew a sleeping draught."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""My pleasure. People always come to me for gossip, so it's refreshing when someone recognizes my skill with potions. Why do you need me to help you brew a sleeping draught anyway?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shrugged, sensing no real harm in telling her. "Mrs. Norris is guarding a locked room I want to enter, so I need her to take a little nap."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Exciting! Don't worry, Collin. Your secret is safe with me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Where did Snape go anyway?" He started looking around a bit nervously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Penny rolled her eyes. "We lost our defense against the Dark Arts Professor. Snape is campaigning to Dumbledore even though the position is cursed." She shook her head. "Rumor is, he's not going to get it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shook his own head. "I feel like I didn't learn anything at all in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Penny smiled. "Well you're about to learn something about potions right now…" The two got started. Penny guided him through each step, carefully instructing him on how to create the desired potion. Soon the potion was done. Penny was quite proud of her student. "Impressive potioneering, Collin. That sleeping Draught could knock a Romanian Longhorn on its tail."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grimaced. "I sincerely hope I don't run into dragons… but thank you, Penny. I owe you one."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""It's the least I can do for the hero who stopped Merula Snyde from bullying everyone." Collin just shook his head again. "Good luck, Collin." Penny continued. "I can't wait to hear what happens." With that, Collin left to find Ben Copper, the cowardly lion cub./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin found Ben in the great hall eating his meal. "Ah, Ben, there you are. Just the fellow I was looking for." He said with a smile at the young cub./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben smiled. "Oh, Collin. Nice to see one of the people I'm least uncomfortable to be around."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grimaced. "I need your help."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben kept up his smile. "I owe you for saving me from Merula. As long as it isn't anything too dangerous…" That was when Ben grimaced./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""It's not too dangerous…" Collin was quick to try and calm his flighty friend. "We're… going to a forbidden corridor where we'll just have to sneak past Mrs. Norris before entering a mysterious locked door… that's all…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben frowned. "You and I have very different definitions of dangerous…" He shook his head as he tried to understand. "Why do you want to get inside of the door?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed. "It's a long story, Ben."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben looked at the small human with a serious gaze. "If you really want to convince me to go with you, you're going to have to tell me the whole thing…" Then he grimaced. "And calm my nerves…" Collin nodded. He could do that. "There's no chance I'll ever be brave enough to join you, but I suppose you can try…" Ben looked at Collin full of confusion. "Why me though?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Because you're my friend, and you're gifted at Charms."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""What if we get caught?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""We won't, I promise. And if we do, I'll take full responsibility."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben sighed. "Alright… I'm still afraid, but I'll do my best to help you, Collin…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Thank you, Ben."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Are you sure that I'll be able to help?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled. "I've seen you in charms, Ben. You're a powerful wizard for someone who's afraid of magic. Between Mrs. Norris, the locked door, and whatever is on the other side… well I'd feel a lot better having you there with me and Rowan."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben nodded again. "Okay… I'll go…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin lit up. "Amazing! Thanks, Ben! We'll probably do it after the holidays."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben shook his head and groaned. "Thank me if I don't flee in terror at the first sight of Mrs. Norris."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Please tell me you did not lose Gryffindor another twenty house points, Collin?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"In truth, he had, but he got points more often then lost in the long run he knew. He sighed. "I'll find a way to get our House Points back."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""You had better. Everyone in Gryffindor is suffering for your poor decisions." Collin rolled his eyes./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Yes, because the entire points system relies on one pint sized human and his points list. Got it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Angelica wasn't listening again though. "You're ruining any chance we have of winning the house cup."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed once more, knowing she wouldn't stop until she had the cup in hand at the end of the year. "What can I do to make it better?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Angelica gave him a hard look. "Go to class. Focus on your schoolwork. Do everything in your power to earn more House Points."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Oh is that all?" He rolled his eyes, as that was already the plan./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""And I know this is very difficult for you, but please, stay out of trouble." … okay, that one was a bit tougher, but it wasn't like Collin went looking for trouble! It just… tended to find him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""I… will try…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Do better than try! You have Potions Class and Charms Class tomorrow! Get to class on time and earn Gryffindor some House points!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin nodded and left to do his homework. The next morning, he found a note from Rowan as he got ready for the day./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""I can't believe I'm saying this, but you need to put down your books and talk to me about that locked room." It said in Rowan's writing. Collin went down to the Great Hall to see his friend at breakfast./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan smirked. "There you are! I hear you've been busy excelling in class and earning house points for Gryffindor!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled, happy someone appreciated his hard work. "I'm trying. You're the one who got me points in flying class though. Oh, and I still can't believe I got points in Potions for helping Merula out! Not only have people been helping me get house points, but I do believe I have a plan to get in the room Mrs. Norris is guarding." He grinned slyly./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Brilliant! What's your plan?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""First, we need to get past Mrs. Norris. If we give her a sleeping draught, it will knock her out just long enough or us to get past her. Then we need a way to get inside the door. The unlocking charm, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Alohomora/em/strong, should do the trick. I think Flitwick is teaching us that today. Third, we need the Knockback jinx, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Flipendo/em/strong. It'll help us escape I we get trapped inside the room like with the Devil's Snare from our first week."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan frowned as he thought on this. "If you ask Snape to help you brew a sleeping draught, he'll get suspicious…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin just smiled. "He's a brilliant potion master, but he's not the only competent one with a cauldron. I'm going to ask Penny Haywood, the Hufflepuff."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Penny Haywood?!" Rowan's eyes widened. "She's the most popular girl in our year, if not in all of Hogwarts!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Is she now?" Collin raised a brow as though he didn't know. "She offered to help me if I ever needed anything, and she said she's pretty good with potions."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan nodded. "She's being modest. If anyone in our year knows how to brew a sleeping draught, it's her. What about Filch?" Rowan asked, his worries catching back up to him./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grinned deviously once more. "I was inspired by your love of research, and decided to do some o my own research on Filch. I think I can throw him off our trail. There is one more thing…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""What?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed. "Loathe as I am to admit it, I think we'll need a third person to pull this off. I don't want to endanger anyone, but I can't do this alone, and us together still wouldn't get it done."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Who else do you want to bring?" Rowan asked curiously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin didn't hesitate. "Ben Copper. I trust him as much as I trust you, and Flitwick says he's gifted in Charms. We're good, but for a teacher to admit someone is gifted means they have a good talent, and that will help."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan nodded with a slight frown of concern. "I like Ben too, but, I mean… he's a… coward…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled. "I think he's braver than he knows, and if we give him a chance, he'll prove it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Rowan still hadn't warmed up to the idea yet, but nodded. "Well, I suppose he is a Gryffindor, so he should be brave. I'll honestly be shocked if you can convince him to go, so… good luck, Collin. Just let me know when you're ready to execute the plan."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"The boys went off to Charms class after they were done with their breakfast. Flitwick was on his usual pile of books. "Welcome, everyone. Today you will learn the unlocking charm, strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"Alohomora!/em/strong" Flitwick smirked. "It's the very best spell when a wizard forgets his keys." Then he paused and thought on that. "Come to think of it, with Alohomora, why would a wizard even need keys?" He shook his head. "A discussion for another day, I suppose. Wands up, everyone!" The class had sets of padlocks on their desks. "Alohomora is a spell that will open many doors for you. Let's begin with a demonstration of the unlocking charm. Watch me, students!" The professor then proceeded to demonstrate on a large lock in front of him. Collin, as usual drew out the wand movements while Rowan wrote all the instructions. "Moving on, I will now show you some tips for casting the unlocking charm." After a bit, he looked around the class. Collin already had his wand out and was concentrating on the lock. "Collin Hedgehog!" Collin's head shot up like a rocket. "Come join me in the aisle please. Just show the proper stance." Collin did so wordlessly before the group was split into two. Collin's group went over to the chalk board to study the spell effects. When the groups switched, Flitwick spoke up again. "Many young witches and wizards take liberties with pronouncing Alohomora. Make sure you get it right." Collin and Rowan cracked open their books once more to study the spell's pronunciation. Near the end of the class, Flitwick nodded. "I believe you all are ready to make the attempt. See if you can unlock the lock in front of you." The students got right to work on it./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin did the movement slowly, but with enough precision that the lock opened as he said "Alohomora."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Flitwick smiled as his class packed up. "Well done! You've successfully unlocked another piece of knowledge at Hogwarts!"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin muttered under his breath as he packed up. "And I'm one step closer to unlocking that door…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"After his later Potions class, Snape left the room, and Penny came in. "Well if it isn't the hero of Hogwarts…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shook his head. "I'm no hero… thank you for agreeing to help me brew a sleeping draught."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""My pleasure. People always come to me for gossip, so it's refreshing when someone recognizes my skill with potions. Why do you need me to help you brew a sleeping draught anyway?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shrugged, sensing no real harm in telling her. "Mrs. Norris is guarding a locked room I want to enter, so I need her to take a little nap."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Exciting! Don't worry, Collin. Your secret is safe with me."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Where did Snape go anyway?" He started looking around a bit nervously./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Penny rolled her eyes. "We lost our defense against the Dark Arts Professor. Snape is campaigning to Dumbledore even though the position is cursed." She shook her head. "Rumor is, he's not going to get it."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin shook his own head. "I feel like I didn't learn anything at all in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class this year."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Penny smiled. "Well you're about to learn something about potions right now…" The two got started. Penny guided him through each step, carefully instructing him on how to create the desired potion. Soon the potion was done. Penny was quite proud of her student. "Impressive potioneering, Collin. That sleeping Draught could knock a Romanian Longhorn on its tail."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grimaced. "I sincerely hope I don't run into dragons… but thank you, Penny. I owe you one."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""It's the least I can do for the hero who stopped Merula Snyde from bullying everyone." Collin just shook his head again. "Good luck, Collin." Penny continued. "I can't wait to hear what happens." With that, Collin left to find Ben Copper, the cowardly lion cub./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin found Ben in the great hall eating his meal. "Ah, Ben, there you are. Just the fellow I was looking for." He said with a smile at the young cub./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben smiled. "Oh, Collin. Nice to see one of the people I'm least uncomfortable to be around."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin grimaced. "I need your help."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben kept up his smile. "I owe you for saving me from Merula. As long as it isn't anything too dangerous…" That was when Ben grimaced./p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""It's not too dangerous…" Collin was quick to try and calm his flighty friend. "We're… going to a forbidden corridor where we'll just have to sneak past Mrs. Norris before entering a mysterious locked door… that's all…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben frowned. "You and I have very different definitions of dangerous…" He shook his head as he tried to understand. "Why do you want to get inside of the door?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin sighed. "It's a long story, Ben."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben looked at the small human with a serious gaze. "If you really want to convince me to go with you, you're going to have to tell me the whole thing…" Then he grimaced. "And calm my nerves…" Collin nodded. He could do that. "There's no chance I'll ever be brave enough to join you, but I suppose you can try…" Ben looked at Collin full of confusion. "Why me though?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Because you're my friend, and you're gifted at Charms."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""What if we get caught?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""We won't, I promise. And if we do, I'll take full responsibility."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben sighed. "Alright… I'm still afraid, but I'll do my best to help you, Collin…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Thank you, Ben."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;""Are you sure that I'll be able to help?"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin smiled. "I've seen you in charms, Ben. You're a powerful wizard for someone who's afraid of magic. Between Mrs. Norris, the locked door, and whatever is on the other side… well I'd feel a lot better having you there with me and Rowan."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben nodded again. "Okay… I'll go…"/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Collin lit up. "Amazing! Thanks, Ben! We'll probably do it after the holidays."/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"Ben shook his head and groaned. "Thank me if I don't flee in terror at the first sight of Mrs. Norris."/p