RP Astronomy Tower

yes

Evangeline hurried up the stairs with her bag, anxious not to be late. As she got to the door, she held it open for Amy with a smile, checking the classroom while she did. Good, it seemed they were still missing a few people.

Amy entered and then looked around for Lily, who was waving by a desk.

Evangeline let Amy go in first, and sat at a desk near her, but not next to her. Was she being too clingy? She hoped not. She had very little knowledge of how to make friends casually. Her mother had only taught her about 'society friends' - people you had tea with because they were of equal social standing to you, but didn't actually like all that much. People like the Blacks.

Amy was about to suggest moving closer to Evangeline, when Professor Drox entered the classroom with a flourish. She was a young, dark skinned woman, with black curls and a pointed nose. Her green, thin eyes peered over black frames, and she wore deep blue lipstick.

PD: Ah... My NEWT class. 

Her lips curved into a smile. She had a cool, classy air about her, and a willowy frame.

Evangeline sat up a little straighter when Professor Drox came in, glad she was all ready for the lesson.

PD: Good afternoon, class. I am Professor Drox, as I'm sure you know. Welcome to astronomy. First things first, who can name me 'The dog star'?

Evangeline raised her hand.

E: Sirius.

PD: Correct - but do not tell Mr Black that he's a star, his ego is inflated enough as it is.

This made Evangeline genuinely giggle. Truer words had never been spoken.

Amy had to admit, Evangeline reminded her very much of the astronomy professor. The way they held themselves, perhaps? Or the air of aristocracy- Professor Drox had been a famous model before teaching at Hogwarts.

PD: And can anybody name the correct way to locate Jupiter?

Despite knowing the answer, Evangeline didn't want to seem like a know-it-all, so she politely kept her hands in her lap and looked around to see if anyone else would answer. It was true, she was poised, and graceful, the very model of a society girl with her perfectly groomed appearance and polished manners. But there was something real about her, deep down, that told you she wasn't fake.

Professor Drox turned to Lily, who's hand was raised.

PD: Lily?

L: Generally, Jupiter rises in the southeast portion of the sky and appears to travel southward across the sky. 

PD: Wonderful!

Evangeline smiled at Lily when she got the answer right. Obviously her mother had taught her to smile often to seem polite. Unlike her mother's smiled, though, Evangeline's never seemed condescending.

PD: And finally, who can tell me the one star that never moves?

Having waited a decent amount of time, Evangeline raised her hand again.

PD: Evangeline.

E: The North Star, Polaris.

PD: Brilliant. 

She adjusted her glasses before continuing.

PD: Well it's clear that at least two of my NEWT students will be good contributors... Others, however? I wonder.

She looked over her glasses at Amy, who had not even raised her hand. The Professor's gaze was not intimidating. Rather, it was searching for potential.

Once her assessment of Amy and the rest of the class was done, she cast up a star chart, empty, on the board.

PD: You might recognise this from your OWL exam. What I want you to do today is to fill in as much as you can from memory, bearing in mind that today is the second of September, and last year was a leap year. This will be done in absolute silence.

Amy began to work, as did Lily. It was tough, but most of it had already been instilled in their memories from last year.

Evangeline finished first, no surprises, as astronomy was one of her best classes. Well all of them were, really. She waited for everyone to finish.

Amy finished just after Lily. Amy's was a decent piece of work... If you squinted.

Evangeline sat up a little straighter as Professor Drox collected in the charts.

PD: Thank you, class! I'll be marking these for next lesson. For your homework, I would like you to complete the same chart, pretending that it is two days after the winter solstice.

Amy groaned.

PD: Of course, you could always leave my class?

She was joking, but there was a steely glint in her eyes.

A: Sorry Professor.

PD: Okay, off you go. Until next time! I'll see you at midnight on Wednesday.

Amy started to pack her stuff up.

A: Lily, is it apparition tonight?

L: I don't know...

E: Yes, it is. I heard some Hufflepuffs talking about it on the way in here.

A: Oh brilliant! I can't wait. Are you doing it, Evangeline?

E: Oh, yes! I had a few months head start at Beauxbatons, but not much, to tell you the truth the teacher wasn't very good, so I'm looking forward to tonight!

Amy twirled around, her eyes squeezed shut.

A: I've been practicing my technique.

E: I can tell - mind the stairs!

She exclaimed as Amy twirled closer to the open door that led straight out onto the steep, spiral staircase.

A: Oh!

She stopped, laughing. 

L: Lets go, Dizzy.