The first few days were pretty normal by Hogwarts' standards. Classes started, Snape threatened to poison people while Filch threatened to hang them by their thumbs in the dungeons, Professor McGonagall warned anyone against fighting in the courtyard, and Professor Flitwick scolded students who accidentally blew up his charms classroom. All in all, it was fairly normal.

"Wotcher, Collin!" Collin had just arrived to his flight class that was shared with all four houses. The person greeting him was a young pale-skinned human with outrageously pink spiky hair. "Can you believe we're third-years? We finally get to visit Hogsmeade!" This was Nymphadora Tonks, who mostly just went by Tonks. She was a Metamorphmagus, someone who could change their looks on a whim.

Rowan was with her and was ecstatic. "I know! During the holidays, I researched the optimal path of exploration by constructing a scale replica of the village made entirely out of acorns." Then Rowan grimaced. "Unfortunately, I didn't think to defend my tiny Hogsmeade against an attack by giant squirrels."

Tonks just laughed. "I just can't wait to visit Zonko's Joke Shop and buy sweets from Honeydukes! And don't forget about Butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks!"

Rowan's thoughts went to how old the place was. "And do you have any idea how old the Three Broomsticks is? Think about all of the Historical research we can do!"

Collin smiled. "I have always wanted to go to Hogsmeade."

"I just need to stop Metamorphosing into teachers to keep myself out of detention," Tonks admitted.

Rowan grinned. "We should all meet at the Three Broomsticks!"

"And what about your three broomsticks?" Came the voice of Madam Hooch. "Line up! It's time for flying class.

And so, the class began with the usual broom maintenance. Collin took care of his comet, making sure it was ready for the day. Collin listened to another lecture about how easily people could get hurt or die on their broom if they're not careful. The group then worked on a refresher of summoning their brooms. Collin's still flew to his hand slowly, but surely. He didn't mind though. He knew if he needed to, it would speed up. After that, they practiced their takeoffs and got into the air. Collin easily floated up into the air and met up with his classmates. Andre, a Ravenclaw student, was teaching them to do a barrel roll, something that Collin seemed to do instinctively when playing Quidditch. Then Merula did the dumb thing and dared Collin to do a barrel roll. Collin merely rolled his eyes and beat the dare. He did several around his classmates, causing Merula to scowl. They were then called to land.

Collin noticed something off about Tonks. "Are you all right, Tonks?"

Tonks grimaced. "Well, I crashed my broom into the Owlery, the Astronomy Tower, the Whomping Willow, and Hagrid's vegetable patch… That's a few less crashes than my average, so I'd say I'm getting better."

Collin's jaw dropped almost. "Do… you need to go to the Hospital Wing?" How had he not noticed?

Tonks shrugged and laughed. "Probably, but who cares? We're going to Hogsmeade! The first thing I'm going to do is buy Frog Spawn soap at Zonko's, and slip it into the girls' bathroom… Before we got to Hogsmeade though, we need to go to our next class." They had herbology next. "You two go on without me. I have a few more pranks to plan before we head to Hogsmeade…"

Collin just laughed as he and Rowan walked off. "Alright, but don't think too hard or you'll run out of ideas." He was now getting some prank ideas to send home, and they were glorious. 'I wonder if Uncle Jules got to visit Zonko's as a student.'

Collin and Rowan met up with Tonks in Greenhouse three, as they shared their Herbology class with Hufflepuff House.

Professor Sprout greeted Collin though. "Collin Hedgehog! It's very nice to see you in Herbology Class instead of searching for Cursed Vaults."

Collin smiled, knowing she was simply teasing him. "Herbology is one of my favorite classes, Professor Sprout. How was your summer?"

"How thoughtful of you to ask! Your sister and Dad were the same way." Collin noted how she had addressed his Dad instead of his Father, for which he was grateful. She was one of the few teachers who had caught onto his speech patterns about his family. "My summer was splendid! I conducted several experiments on the composition of Dragon Dung Fertilizer."

"Really? That's fascinating."

"Yes! The quantity and quality of Dragon Dung in the fertilizer has a tremendous impact on a plant's growth."

"I would love to examine the results of your test."

Sprout's smile widened. "Of course! Students rarely show the proper enthusiasm for Dragon Dung. Ten points to Gryffindor!" Collin blushed, surprised by how easy it was to get points for being polite. "Now, find your place. It's time for today's lesson." Collin quickly got a spot near Tonks, Penny, and Rowan. "Today, we will be learning to grow Valerian. The roots of this magical plant can be used in many potions. Let's begin…"

Professor Sprout started a lecture on how to properly grow the plant in question and their uses. She then demonstrated how to replant the sprigs. Tonks and Collin worked together to get the supplies to help the plant they were assigned. Collin made sure to give his plant the right amount of water and soil. He also used some dragon dung to fertilize his plant, which was something few students managed to stomach.

It was near the end when Professor Sprout addressed the class again. "Now I will demonstrate watering the plant. Miss Haywood, fetch a pail for me, would you please?"

"Yes, Professor Sprout." Penny went off to do as asked.

Tonks was planning a prank on Madam Pince though. "Which of these plants do you think would work best for bothering a certain irritable, birdlike librarian?"

Collin shook his head. "That's not a good idea, Tonks…"

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!" Penny screeched. Collin's eyes widened as he saw a werewolf appear in front of her.

Rowan was frozen stiff. "A werewolf just burst out of that pot!"

"How the blazes did a werewolf get in here?" Collin whipped out his wand. Fighting Chiara was one thing, she hadn't meant to hurt anyone. This thing was scaring Penny.

Sprout frowned as she also whipped out her wand. "It didn't." She walked over towards Penny. "Stand back, Miss Haywood." Penny was frozen with fear. "Riddikulus!" The werewolf suddenly burst into a plushy with big goo-goo eyes.

"A boggart?" Collin had read about them in his Defense Against the Dark Arts books.

"Indeed. Nasty shapeshifting creature. It takes the form of its victim's worst fear." Collin suddenly flinched, worrying about his own worst fear. "Boggarts are defeated by laughter, so you cast Riddikulus to change them into something humorous." The boggart disappeared in a puff of smoke. "To my knowledge, a boggart has never been seen in the Greenhouses… I must report this to Professor Dumbledore immediately. Class dismissed."

As the class started to shuffle out, Collin placed his wand in his pocket once more. Tonks was curious though. "Why would Penny's worst fear be werewolves?"

"Um… they are pretty scary if you don't know them…" Collin sighed. "I'd better make sure she's okay though."