When the students cleared out of the hospital wing, the professors left with them. Zita took Jolly with her as well. It was just my grandpa, Daphne, Bran, and Edna. Madam Pomfrey was there too, but she was off in the corner at a desk with various mixtures.

"Rollie, I'm staying here in Hogsmeade until tomorrow. How are you feeling? I would love to take you and your friends out to eat or for some butterbeers if you're feeling up for it?" my grandpa said.

"Yeah," I uttered. "That sounds great."

I slid my legs over to the side and lifted off the bed with gentle care. My knees wobbled. Bran came to my side and held me steady. He said, "You sure you want to go out, Rollie? Maybe it's best you lay down some more."

"I'll be good," I patted him on the back and stepped out of his grasp, standing free with proper balance. "See?"

All of them smiled at me.

"Glad to see you're better," Daphne said.

We departed the hospital wing and left the castle. It was around 7PM, and it was already dark outside, but the moon was shining bright. Daphne had brought my denim jacket to me, so I wasn't too cold on our walk.

Arriving at The Three Broomsticks, it wasn't nearly as crowded as when I went with the rest of Hogwarts, but there was an older crowd of folks. Ranging in age from twenties to sixties. A host took us to a table right away. The atmosphere was different, it felt cozier and laid back. The whole place glowed with amber light from the lanterns, and the windows had fog around the frames.

"You've got some good friends here, Rollie. Much like me, they were worried sick about you," my grandpa smiled. "Order whatever you'd like, please don't hold back, I'll take care of the check."

Bran's head twitched at each of us, and he ordered two butterbeers right away. I ordered some 'bangers and mash' which was still a new dish for me, but I loved it. Everyone else ordered food and butterbeers as well.

"I gotta say, Rollie, I'm so proud of you, and each of you. All of you played brilliantly. It took me back to my old days," my grandpa said.

"Thank you," Daphne and Edna smiled.

"I didn't play, though," Bran hung his head.

"It's alright, your cheers and support are an important component to the game too," my grandpa replied. "Say, Rollie, I was anxious about you there, what happened with those birds? The Hogwarts teachers didn't really know what that was about."

"Neither do I, Grandpa, I wish I did. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. Good thing the Patronus saved the day. Have you started working on one in class? You better start practicing to defend yourself if no one else is around."

"Yeah, we've started lessons but haven't had much luck. It's difficult magic," I sighed.

"What's your Patronus, Mr. Magpie?" Daphne asked.

"Oh please, call me Logan. My father was Mr. Magpie. But to answer your question, my Patronus is a sheep."

"Wow, I would love to have a sheep as mine, they're so cute. What's the happiest moment you think about when you summon it?" Edna asked.

"Well, I think about the day I heard that Rollie was born. Before that, it was the day my daughter was born... And before that, it was my wedding day... My first Patronus, though, I used my memory from the first time I kissed my future wife. But everyone is different. Take some time and live life, have fun. That's my advice! You kids are young still, but you should still try given all this madness," my grandpa took a swig of his butterbeer. "So, what are all of your plans for the holidays?"

Daphne's face lit up. "I'm glad you said something! I've meant to bring this up to you, Rollie! My parents host a Christmas dinner, and we have a bunch of people stay the night. Mostly family members of mine, but Bran and Edna stayed over the past two Christmases with their parents. You and your grandpa would be more than welcome to stay. I already asked my parents if you could join, and they said, 'of course.' You should really come! Unless you have plans, in which case, I totally understand."

"Well," my grandpa started, "it was just going to be Rollie and me at the house unless he wanted to stay at Hogwarts, but I would be honored to be a guest at your home. Up to you though, Rollie, I'm happy either way."

"Don't feel like you have to make a decision now, I just didn't want to forget," Daphne said.

"Yeah, that sounds wonderful, I would love to do that," I said.

The whole table beamed.

"So it's settled. Christmas at Daphne's!" my grandpa chimed.

***

It was the last week in November, and I had a different my pep in my step. When kids looked at me in the hall, it wasn't for my mohawk anymore. I overheard whispers everywhere through the castle.

"That guy is tough!"

"I wouldn't mess with him."

"You think he's as good a wizard as he is a Quidditch player?"

"The Gryffindor matchup will be amazing. I can't wait."

"Is he that good, or was that a fluke?"

Although some of the students didn't look at me. It was like they were trying to avert their attention away. Which is what I was used to at Huntshrow.

One late Friday afternoon, I was on my way to practice, sporting my denim jacket again when I saw Professor Hawthorne strolling down the other side next to Mr. Lancaster. Hawthorne stopped the moment he saw me and sighed.

"Rollie, are you violating the Hogwarts dress code again? After I already specified not to wear that jacket?" he said.

"Oh, uh, it's alright, Hawthorne, I've seen 'im wear it, and I told him I quite like the jacket," Lancaster shrugged. "I suppose you could fault me for that."

I fidgeted in place, looking at Hawthorne but not directly into his beady eyes. My heart was racing.

"Mr. Lancaster, do you mind waiting for me down the hall? I would just like to speak with Rollie for a brief moment."

"Sure thing," Lancaster moseyed to the other side of the corridor and leaned up against the stone wall.

"Ahem," Hawthorne cleared his throat, and frowned as he looked upon me. "Rollie. I'm sorry to do this, but the second time I tell you to correct a behavior isn't good. I have to inform Zita about this."

"Good, better I see her than to have you for detention," I said, and I wished I didn't.

Hawthorne took a deep breath, I couldn't tell if he was depressed or irritated. "You know, it's been tough navigating these waters with you here. I didn't expect a transfer from anyone, let alone you. If I could take back what I did, I would. I'm just hoping we can put that behind us, leave it back across the pond."

I gulped, my stomach twisted into knots. "I'll take my detention with Zita," I stormed past him, down the corridor, and towards the Quidditch field.

***

Saturday morning Bran nudged me awake, whispering, "Rollie, wake up."

"What is it?" I flipped the covers off my head.

"Professor Sprout wants to see you, she's out in the common room."

I sighed. "Great, thanks," I tossed off the sheets and put on my robes.

"Is everything all right? She seemed pretty serious, no smiles at all."

"Yeah, I guess. I don't know. I'll tell you and the gang about it later."

Going down to the common room, Professor Sprout stood by the exit.

"Good morning, Rollie," she muttered.

"Good morning. What's going on?"

"Come, follow me, we'll talk on our way," Professor Sprout nodded and led our walk up through the castle, climbing numerous steps. "Professor Hawthorne said that he told you to take off a denim jacket, twice. You do realize wearing that breaks the dress code, correct?"

"Yeah," I grumbled.

"If he didn't have to tell you a second time, you wouldn't need to see Zita," Sprout's tone was parental.

"I know."

A moving circular stone staircase took us to a narrow corridor with a gargoyle statue. Professor Sprout whispered something in the statue's ear, and it stepped aside. Walking in, I was taken aback by the paintings of all the previous headmasters around the circular room. There were bookcases too lining the walls. An arched window with a bluish glow from the early morning tinted the space dominated by a fireplace off to the side.

"Thank you, Professor Sprout, you may head back," Zita said, sitting at a desk, writing something on a piece of parchment.

Professor Sprout turned around and left the room.

"Please, have a seat," Zita motioned at the chair in front of her desk.

Sitting down, I wondered, what's going to happen? Am I going to have to write an essay? Am I just going to have silent detention for a while like Daphne did? Am I going to be banned from the next Quidditch match? Will I-

"Rollie. Professor Sprout told me the situation that occurred with Professor Hawthorne. Yes, we do have a dress code here at Hogwarts, and unfortunately, your denim jacket does violate the rules. Yet, I'm aware of your previous experience with Professor Hawthorne from Huntshrow."

I took a deep breath. "What did he tell you?"

"Everything," Zita frowned. "I can't imagine what it was like to go through that experience. While words can't undo the damage done, he's awfully apologetic and regrets it every day. When he found out you were coming to Hogwarts, he almost quit, so you could feel more comfortable and safer here."

"Why didn't he?"

Zita paused. "I convinced him not to. With what's going on with the Forbidden Forest, the more powerful wizards and witches we have here, the safer everyone else is. To be honest, after I heard about the incident, I was wary of him, but as far as I can tell, he's been on his best behavior. The other professors have their eyes on him, as well, at my request, and he cannot host any detentions, nor be in a space with two students or fewer."

"Okay," I wanted to roll my eyes, but I nodded instead. "So, what's my punishment for all of this?"

Zita smiled. "Really, I just wanted to have a chat with you. Promise me you won't wear the jacket on weekdays, but if you really must, save it for weekends."

I lifted my eyebrow.

"Not to mention," Zita added. "I actually enjoy the groups that you have patched on there. Takes me back in time to much younger days. And The Beatles? I was such a fangirl. They were the most magical muggles in existence back then. Did you ever listen to The Muggles? They were a band here in England that mimicked The Beatles style, but much lesser-known."

"I'm not familiar at all," I shrugged.

"Allow me to play them for you. I think you might really like them," Zita pulled out her wand from the desk, flicked her wrist, and an enchanted phonograph in the corner of the room sang out a terrific beat and bass line. Higher pitch harmonies and psychedelic sounds reminded me of the signature late-60's style.

"Wow, these guys sound terrific," I smiled. "Can't believe I've never heard of them."

The music quieted down after another minute, Zita's lips curved up. "Are you familiar with The Weird Sisters?"

I nodded.

"They are actually performing a show in a week at Hogsmeade. Why don't you go and take a friend," Zita pointed her wand at her desk, and two metallic squares floated out and landed in my lap.

I picked up the tickets and studied them for a moment.

THE WEIRD SISTERS. GENERAL ADMISSION. THE WITCH'S HAT.

"The Witch's Hat is a nice venue in Hogsmeade. Please, go and take a friend," Zita said.

"I don't really understand. While I'm really grateful and appreciate these tickets, it doesn't make a lot of sense. I get in trouble twice with a professor, and instead of detention, I get rewarded with two concert tickets?"

Zita paused. "I understand your confusion. Let me say that I agree with your frustration on the dress code here at Hogwarts, but this is a traditional school with many values tied in with the Ministry of Magic. I can't change the rules. Therefore I don't believe you should've been in trouble in the first place. Your jacket doesn't have harmful messages, nor does it hurt anyone. How ridiculous is it that it can't be worn? Anyways, if you'd like to go now, you're more than welcome to."

"Well, thank you, I really appreciate this," I said, smiling as I held the tickets. "I'll let you know how the show is."

"Sounds good. Have a wonderful weekend, Rollie."