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Post by Alexander Archer on Nov 25, 2007 23:47:21 GMT -5
((OoC: Students are expected to post before 5:30pm 28th November (time zone GMT + 12 (+ 13 because of daylight savings)). This is equivalent to 11:30pm 27th November for anyone in the time zone GMT – 5 (Eastern time), I believe. Any questions, PM me [alex23])) Finding the Astronomy tower quite as he had last left it, Alex had paced up the last few steps of the spiraling stairway to emerge upon the flat plain. A light breeze tugged at his hair as he approached one of the many, large windows. Stopping to take a deep breath and simply enjoy the revitalizing effects of the slightly nippy breeze that signaled the approach of winter, a content sort of smile rose onto his features. While he enjoyed teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts immensely, there was nothing like being up in this tower on a calm, starlit night. Noticing there was nothing he could really do until the class began, he simply went over to his desk. Placing his things upon it, he promptly moved over to the board. Picking up a stubby piece of white chalk, he traced the words ‘Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9’ onto the black surface in neat, cursive handwriting. Setting the chalk down once more, he returned to his desk and took a seat, awaiting what was sure to be a definite lack of students for this lesson. With Dylan currently out of classes, as well as Ariana, he worried a bit for the latter’s aptitude in the class if she was not even attending. More than that, he worried for the wellbeing of the Ravenclaw. After his late-night conversation with D’rorah, he knew that he was at this moment still recuperating from his injuries in the school infirmary. Pondering a multitude of things, Alex leant back in his chair and waited for what few students would show up. With a flick on his wand, a table appeared upon the board, depicting the severe lack of students expected to show up to this class. Out of respect for Dylan's noticeable absense, he left his name completely absent, not wishing to draw attention to the fact that he would not be attending. In time, he would alter the colours from red to green as the students showed up. D’rorah Philosophy | Keaira O’Connell | Zane Bishop | Susan Matthews | Alessandro Darko | Aiden Christian | Wysteria Edwin | Mallan Baine |
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Nov 27, 2007 8:51:07 GMT -5
With plenty of time ahead of her, Susan stumbled up the stairs of the Astronomy Tower. She figured she had plenty of time, considering she would be coming from her common room, which was only on the floor below. As she entered the class room, it seemed evident that she was quite early. With a quick glance at the clock, she found that she was only a few minutes off of being late.
"Good afternoon, Professor Archer," Susan greeted amicably. As she took her seat, she looked to the board. Along with the lesson for today, was an attendance sheet. It was almost embarrassing to see that only four students were signed up for the class. Susan saw that Dylan's name was excluded from the list. Susan was inwardly grateful to Professor Archer for not bringing attention to his absence.
"Small class today, huh?" Susan said, examining the list as she unpacked her telescope and text book.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Nov 27, 2007 13:25:23 GMT -5
D’rorah made her way into the Astronomy tower, materials in the satchel which seemed to be ever-present on her shoulder. While she by no means looked completely rested and refreshed, there was a vast improvement in her appearance from the night before. The dark circles under her eyes had retreated appreciably and her facial expression was not quite as tense as it had slowly become over nights of very little sleep. “Good evening, Professor Archer,” she greeted simply as she took her seat. Her greeting to him was much the same as it would have been to any Professor. She knew that it was of paramount importance that his involvement in the Shadow Wars remain somewhat under wraps. It would not do for the Mage’s minions to take notice, nor would it do for the Headmistress herself to have any knowledge of their newly-forged alliance.
She began quietly setting out her things, preparing for the class to begin. Glancing at the board, she assumed they would be studying the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 in this class period. That might prove interesting. Comets were indeed interesting celestial bodies… relatively small objects with their own fixed orbits which moved at a much higher speed, relative to other celestial bodies. Balls of ice and rock until they came close enough to a star or a planet’s atmosphere to melt enough to create the tail most people associated with them.
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Post by Alexander Archer on Nov 27, 2007 13:53:04 GMT -5
Wondering if even Alessandro would turn up, considering he was not genuinely registered for the class, he found his attention diverted by the entrance of his first student. Glad that at least someone had cared to show up, he smiled broadly at Susan. “Good evening, Miss Matthews!” he offered happily, his eyes following her as she selected a seat. Hearing her next words, his smile was replaced by one that appeared rather half-hearted. “Ah… yes. Normally we would have a few more, but it appears you’ll get more one-on-one lessons if attendance continues to remain at this level,” he commented quietly, worrying about the lack of interest in Astronomy.
Noticing another entrant into the tower, he smiled at the effect the drought had obviously had on her efforts of sleeping. “Good evening, Miss Philosophy,” he greeted in light return, a good-natured smile still evident on his face. Checking his watch, he saw a few minutes still to go and, knowing well the last-minute entrances many students seemed to make, decided to wait a little while before beginning his lesson.
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Post by aidenchristian on Nov 28, 2007 0:21:16 GMT -5
Aiden, as ungracefully as humanly possible, stumbled up the stairs. The discouraging look of an endless staircase before him made his heart drop. He had never in his life been late for a class and being late already wasn't helping the matter. He threw his bag over his shoulder and continued to run up the stairs. He looked at his watch and continued running.
"Hopefully i haven't missed anything," he panted under his breath. His legs ached as he neared the halfway mark of the dangerous stair case. This was one of the most danger school situation he had been in; a nearly endless staircase going almost straight up, and no handrail. He didn't let that discourage him; he kept moving. As he neared the top of the staircase he tripped again, this time skinning his knee badly and dropping the contents of his bag down the stairs. Frustrated he pulled out his wand, pointed at the books and called out "Accio!". The books flew towards him and he hoped that no one had seen. He grabbed his bag and threw it to the ledge that lead to the Astronomy classroom. He ran up the last few steps, grabbed his bag and walked into the room.
He was met with an unexpected sight, there were only a few students and class hadn't started. Aiden took a deep sigh and turned to the Professor. "Sorry I'm late, The school is slightly bigger than what I'm used to."
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Post by Alexander Archer on Nov 28, 2007 20:34:26 GMT -5
Looking around at a slight disturbance upon the stairs beyond the door, Alex couldn’t help but hold a slightly amused expression as a boy strode into the room moments later. Knowing exactly how tricky it was to make one’s way up the staircase sometimes, he assumed that the young man had simply befallen a situation very similar. “No problem, the lesson has not yet begun,” he said amicably, not recognizing the new student. Checking his watch as he said it, he noted the time. “Ah, you’re just on time, in fact.” Pushing his chair back slightly and allowing himself the room to stand up, he indicated to a seat for the boy. “Right, now I realise that this isn’t exactly a full class, but all the better for one-on-one help!” he said happily, not revealing how disappointed he was at the lack of attendance. Indicating to the board behind him, he smiled. “As you can see, we will be studying the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 tonight,” he began. His voice was quieter than it might usually be during a class, taking into consideration the fact that it was not required to carry right to the back. “This particular comet was rather important in astronomical history, given that it was the first collision between two objects of the solar system that did not involve Earth itself. It was also the first comet to be observed orbiting a planet, instead of the Sun,” he continued happily. “If you’d all like to get out your telescopes and adjust them to an inclination of 94.23 degrees, you can all see what I’m talking about,” he finished happily, waiting for them to ask any questions or follow his instructions.
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Post by Keaira O'Connell on Nov 28, 2007 21:39:52 GMT -5
Keaira knew that it had been through sheer determination that she had managed to pull herself out of her evening nap and make her way up the seven or so flights of stairs to reach the astronomy tower. Why must they put a dorm in the dungeons? She couldn’t help but let the thought slip through her mind as she made a very quiet entrance behind D’rorah. Knowing that D’rorah’s greeting would have provided a bit of a distraction she fell silently in to a chair and pulled her parchment and inks out.
With a deep breath her eyes drifted to the board. Tonight would reveal a comet in their futures. Although she felt a bit of joy in their topic, the lateness of the day weighed heavily as Keaira slowly set up her telescope. Sometimes she wished that the stars could just simply be visible at normal hours, so this class could simply be taught during the regular day. But then again, there was something simply magnificent about the night air. Peering through her telescope at the coordinates Professor Archer announced she sighed. Comets were simply beautiful celestial bodies.
Keaira's blue colored ink scribbled down a few notations as she peered through the lens of her telescope. Her mind wandered as it always did in this class. How she missed the nights spent at home. The blankets and the hot cocoa, as she gazed through her telescope wit her sister and father nearby. Those were magical evenings, carefree, and happy. Nothing like what she felt now. The dangers ever present in the darkness just a few hundred feet away.
There was no time for joyous recollections, or carefree attitudes. Instead there was fear, and attention, always alert for any changes. The slightest notice that they were in danger and she would find herself preparing for battle. At least here she knew there were friendly faces. People she could trust. D’rorah, Susan, both lightfighters, friends in battle, people that could be counted upon when the need arose. They would have a chance together if needed.
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Nov 29, 2007 18:48:36 GMT -5
D'rorah quietly set up her telescope at the Professor's direction and began meticulously setting it to the proper coordinates. It took a bit longer than usual, her mind still rather tired from her various exertions in helping to keep Dylan's mental and emotional state up. Though, the night of sleep provided by a dreamless sleep draught, while nowhere near as good as a real sleep, was much better than the no sleep she had been getting of late. She had paid little attention to anyone else who might be in the classroom. It would be a somewhat distant day for her, it seemed... of course, that was bound to be the case with as little sleep as she had had.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 3, 2007 18:04:43 GMT -5
A class in his sanctuary. This should be interesting. Zee was quite familiar with the stairs ascending the Astronomy Tower. Aside from the four occasions he'd met Wysteria up beyond those stairs, there was the score or so of times he'd climbed them to find himself alone. Not to mention on his very first morning at the school D'rorah had taken him up there as the final part of their tour. He was likely late for this, his first Astronomy lesson, but hopefully not by much. He expected he'd be able to get off leniently since it was his first time, and while he was quite familiar with the path from the dungeons to the tower, Professor Archer need not know that.
Zee quick stepped up the stone stairs and slid the door open just enough to slip through. Surprised at the skeletal size of the class, Zee made his way toward the front and immediately began setting up his telescope, smiling a little sheepishly and speaking softly so as to cause as little disruption as possible.
"Professor Archer? Zane Lucifer Bishop. Very sorry Sir about being late. I'm still relatively new and had to make my way through the entire height of the school to get here. I'm sure you know how confusing the many passages can be. I assure you it won't happen again. Oh! Shoemaker levy 9, eh? Splendid!"
While he actually knew little in the way of specifics about that particular comet, he hoped his enthusiasm for the lesson would also serve to deflect any ire he may have raised by coming in late. Noticing that D'rorah was in the room, Zee worried briefly about her knowledge that he had indeed been up to the tower before, but thought it unlikely she would use such information against him. There was that other issue though, and Zee made sure to keep his thoughts closely guarded, only occasionally letting out an evidently stray notion about the lesson.
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Post by Alexander Archer on Dec 4, 2007 17:52:12 GMT -5
Seeing no questions, he was about to continue. He was interrupted prior to speaking, however, upon the entrance of a late student. Not recognising him at first, he recalled him from the class list. Such a thing wasn’t entirely needed, though, given the introduction he received as the young man began setting up his telescope. “I suggest you leave a bit earlier in future, then, Mister Bishop,” he replied. “While I appreciate your enthusiasm… that will be 5 points from Slytherin.”
“Now, is everyone aligned correctly at 94.23 degrees? The many pieces you might see are up to two kilometres or 1.24 miles in diameter and were believed to have been the comet pulled apart by the tidal forces of Jupiter during a particularly close encounter. The true collision occurred when the twenty-one or so fragments hit the southern hemisphere at approximately sixty kilometres, or thirty-seven miles, a second,” he concluded happily, walking around to check the alignments on each telescope and the notes students were making.
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Post by Wysteria Edwin on Dec 4, 2007 23:48:16 GMT -5
((OOC: again I'd like some excuse b/c I've been having computer problems and...um...yeah, feel sorry for me as I play my tiny violin...
Oh, and I may mod this a bit once Aiden replies in the Owlry...if he ever gets back online...))
Wysteria enjoyed the meticulous study of astronomy; it was almost relaxing to find her stars in the charts, align telescopes, and all the other things that made the class a bit more hands-on. As the door flung open to reveal Aiden, she threw a sympathetic smile his way as he burst into the classroom with a flustered expression. She gave him a small wave and a silent mouthed "hi" before returning to her telescope.
was glad to see that Zee had finally made it in to class, albeit a little late. She smirked silently to herself, wondering what it was that kept him from being on time. As he finished explaining his tardiness to the professor though, his expression changed slightly. There seemed to be a sort of slouch in his posture Wyst had never noticed before, as if he was carrying a large weight. Her smirk faded. Taking a moment to recheck her telescope, Wyst wondered whether it would be wise to ask him if something was the matter. She rarely got a straight answer from him, but recently his responses had been more open and less wit-driven.
As the professor began the lecture, Wyst busily scribbled notes down in silence, paying no mind to the area around her.
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Susan Matthews
Gryffindor
[red]5th Year Gryffindor[/red] Shadow Warrior of Earth
goddess, nymph, divine.
Posts: 505
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Post by Susan Matthews on Dec 10, 2007 17:49:51 GMT -5
As the class began, Susan listened raptly to Professor Archer as he began his lecture. She found herself enjoying the unusually small class. It was quite unlike any other class she'd attended lately. Susan felt the pressure to be better, to rise out of the shadows lessen. She leisurely scribbled down the notes on the comet that they would be studying that night.
At the suggestion to get out their telescopes, Susan did just that. Without faltering, Susan soon had her telescope at the asked degree. It only took her a moment to spot to the comet. With the comet in sight, Susan made a quick sketch of the comet at the bottom of her notes.
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Zane Lucifer Bishop
Slytherin
[green]6th Year Slytherin[/green] Elemental Master of Metal
You people all have to learn. This world is going to burn.
Posts: 483
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Post by Zane Lucifer Bishop on Dec 18, 2007 20:09:52 GMT -5
Slightly annoyed at the loss of points, Zee hid it well and completed the assembly of his telescope. He took a few moments to gaze through the eyepiece at whatever it happened to be pointing at, simply appreciating the vastness and wonder of the universe. Seeing Professor Archer approaching, Zee quickly aligned the telescope correctly and proceeded to jot down the bit of info the professor had just relayed before he even looked at the comet's fragments.
As Archer passed by, Zee bent to gaze through the telescope once again, and kept his head down in that position even after the man had passed. His eyes however were turned sideways, and instead of watching the comet he was watching Wysteria. He enjoyed being able to see her when she was unaware of his attention, as if it were a more honest representation of her. He didn't expect her to behave any differently, and as she was simply taking notes it wasn't as if it were any great revelation into her character. It was more the idea that whether she knew she was being observed or not, she was the same person. The reassurance that she was not as two-faced as he both comforted and pained him. The sharp pain in his stomach had become more of a dull ache, but at his thoughts on his own dishonesty it flared up again. It was an odd and uncomfortable notion he had then. Zee realized that despite his persistent belief in his own impressiveness, he did not deserve either her affection or good opinion.
Sighing, the miserable Slytherin turned his attention back to the astronomical mess at the other end of his telescope rather than the one inside him.
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Post by mallan on Dec 19, 2007 2:37:01 GMT -5
Mallan had just finished unpacking his belongings when he realized that he still had a chance to make the astronomy class. He has always loved the stars; thought they were insanely mystical and beautiful. He wondered what the stars out here would look like and how a magical school approached them so he decided he'd hurry up to the class.
On his way up he still marveled at the stairs to the point where he almost stopped to admire them but managed to push himself along. Constantly moving and with no rails! The moving part was okay with Mallan but the stairs not having rails was a bit uncomfortable. Though, in a magic school it's probably fine because if anyone was to fall they could probably just cast a spell to help them out. Mallan still couldn't get over how impressive the castle was. He was still in a state of wonder even after unpacking everything. He continued imagining how many secret places Hogwarts must have and all the amazing sights when he came upon the classroom door entrance.
He opened it quietly as to not disturb anyone as he slipped into the classroom. He took a glance around noticing the cursive writing "Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9" on the board and how small the class was compared to his junior high. Though, he was sure that was to be expected in a school requiring magical aptitude. As he continued looking around the room his eyes fell upon D'rorah. He smiled a quick smile for her as he noticed there were no open seats near her. He finally saw the professor, Professor Archer as LaPointe had mentioned. Mallan waited until the Professor was done checking the coordinate settings on one of the students telescopes before speaking.
Professor Archer? (Mallan shifts his stance slightly hoping that this was indeed the astronomy class and this was Professor Archer) I am Mallan Baine. Sorry to interrupt your class but I just arrived at Hogwarts. (He gestures with his left hand to emphasize) I had just finished unpacking and was excited about partaking in your class. I hope you'll forgive me for the interruption. Is there room and an extra telescope I may use? Perhaps there is even a student to assist me so that you need not go over material that you have already covered. (Mallan smiled a nervous and friendly smile as he looked around the room hoping that someone would speak up. It was easy since he was forced to be the center of attention but he wanted to change that quickly)
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Post by D'rorah Philosophy on Dec 23, 2007 16:47:42 GMT -5
D’rorah looked up from her telescope to see Mallan enter the room. Overhearing his quiet conversation with Professor Archer, she raised her hand, indicating that she would be willing to share a telescope with him. As always, she was quite caught up—and even ahead—in her schoolwork, so assisting the new student would pose no detriment to her own work.
She quietly and unobtrusively made her way to where Mallan and Alex stood. “Professor, if I might,” she began in a quiet whisper, “Mister Baine is welcome to share my workspace for the remainder of tonight’s lesson.” She was already thinking she would have to arrange to have Mallan take a trip to Diagon Alley before the end of term in order to collect any other supplies he might not have… no, that would be the job of the Gryffindor prefect unless she were unavailable to do it. “I can see that he is caught up for the evening so that you may move on with your lesson,” she added.
Seeing as she had already volunteered her assistance to Mallan when he had acquired his wand to begin catching him up to the other students in his year, she assumed this was as good a place as any to begin. She waited for the Professor’s assent, prepared to lead the way back to her work space so they could carry out the remainder of the lesson. Her telescope was already calibrated and set to view the comet and her meticulous notes were set out to the side on the small worktable beside it. As long as Mallan read quickly and paid attention, there was no reason he couldn’t be brought up to speed for this lesson.
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