Lesson Two - Fourth and Fifth Years / done

[rachel]

Doing something that she had really hoped that she would never have to do, Rachel prepared the practice tests for her students. They would not be doing a test today, no, but they were going to be reviewing a ‘pretend test’ that is similar to what their owls would be like. Rachel wrote each of their names on the front of the books, and slipped them into a bag. Each bag, contained a study diary, mapping paper, an exercise book, a practice test, and writing materials. These were to help them for their owls, that a few of them would be doing this year.

Rachel sat down at her desk, opening a book up to the page. Flicking her wand at a piece of chalk, Rachel began reading something that she had wrote before the lesson had begun. “Rachel Kinsley.” She began. “In these bags, you will find a booklet of mapping paper, an exercise book, for writing your findings in, a test, that is very similar to the one that some of you will have to complete later in the year, a study diary, to write down what you have to study, when you have to, and some writing materials, magical pens.

The woman had never wanted to combine the two classes, but with the lack of each year, she had no choice. Anyways, bigger classes were always better than smaller ones.

[Lianna Maylorn]

Astronomy's late hours were always something she had to get reacquainted with after the summer's passing. It was after all, the only class that actually had evening hours, still there was little doubt that she was taking it much better than any of the first years could possibly dream to manage - actually they had probably already collapsed into slumber without much provocation by lecture. She had back then, why should things like that have changed over three year's time?

One of the first things the Hufflepuff had noticed during the Sorting Feast was the absence of Professor Marcos, a man whom everyone for awhile at least had seemed to fear and really she didn't find his absence all too surprising. The Daily Prophet had pinned him to be a monster, books and myth only spread distaste even more so. The number of letters the Headmistress had to have received by year's end could only have been just shy of phenomenal! Truthfully, Lianna didn't doubt that several of those letters had come from her own father, but what could she really do? In the end he always seemed to believe more in Hogwarts than a single person and her mother chose to not get involved. What did it really matter anyway? She would always be coming back until the end of her seventh year, even if it seemed so many more - be they student or staff - would be sadly continually failing to do so.

The only real lingering question was which of the many new staff faces was going to fill his void. Marcos had been creepy without much question but he definitely knew what he was teaching, and even though she’d found him more creepy than most she would take creepy over someone she couldn’t learn from. It turned out that the position would remain vacant for the first quarter and she would

“Kinsley…bag…map…book…writ…”

As Lianna had climbed the stairs to the Astronomy Tower that first real night of class, the voice of a woman drifted into her ears with a drone that already made her prefer Marcos’ creepiness by far. She had left earlier than originally planned to avoid being late but honestly if Marcos’ replacement was any good then why was she preaching her lesson to herself…or had she gotten the times confused and was already late? With that simple afterthought as a potential possibility the fourteen year old covered the remainder of the stairway two at a time only to discover that outside of their new Professor that she was in fact the first to arrive. There was absolutely no way was she being turned into competence’s guinea fowl for the evening…

She loitered just outside the door, rummaging into her bag.

[Emeric Troy III]

Astronomy, constellations, stars.

Interesting? Far from it in Emeric's opinion. It was one of the more boring of classes that Hogwarts offered, and unfortunately it was also one that he would have to take until he graduated the school. He heaved a great sigh as he started walking up the many flights of stairs that would eventually take him to the Astronomy classroom. Going from the dungeons to the towers was quite a walk, so Emeric took special care to leave early from his Common room where he had been studying during a free period.

Even though he didn't like the class, he didn't want to be late for it. It would make a bad impression on the new teacher, and Emeric wouldn't have liked that very much. Aside the fact that the woman taught a boring subject, Emeric found her interesting. She was younger than most of the other teachers around Hogwarts. Had the higher powers become that eager for a new teacher at the place? He couldn't help but wonder all of these things as he ascended the stairs. He also began to wonder what had become of Marcos. Where did he flee to? Emeric had gotten used to the man rather quickly, and just as easily - he was gone. It wasn't exactly a big shock, though.

Finally making his way to the Astronomy tower, Emeric noticed someone just standing out in the hallway of the classroom. A small smirk settled onto his face as it was accustomed to doing so as he walked towards the girl. " She won't bite, you know. " He said, looking the girl over and remembering that it was Lianna. She didn't talk much, so Emeric never paid her too much attention before.

[Matilda Wentworth]

Matty liked Astronomy. She didn't hate it, nor did she love it to bits. But the girl had to admit, she was fond of the subject no matter the Professor that taught it. It was pretty much a big bludge, and you got to look at some cool stars and that at night. It was alright, yeah. Despite the late nights. They weren't so awesome sometimes. Marcos had been an alright man. He was tough, but fair, and highly interesting. The teenager heard rumor of his abandoned position being filled with a new Professor, which was proved to be truthful. Matty enjoyed this subject, so she was happy to have a set teacher back on class.

The girl left her Common Room with time to spare to get up to her room. She hummed a soft tune on her way up the many staircases, and only stopped once she reached the last stairwell in the Towers. Matty spotted two others students in front of the doorway, and hitched her messenger bag up onto her shoulder. The girl ran a hair through her straight brown hair casually, letting it fall onto her shoulders. "Hey Lianna." she said giving the younger Huffle a small wave. She really had no idea what was going on with the two, so the older student proceeded into class. As she passed the Slytherin, Matty flashed the boy a grin she had used so often on him, before saying "Mr Troy." with a nod. Another Common greeting she used for Emeric. The girl then entered the class, spotting their new Professor. "Hey Professor Kingsley," Matty said with a polite smile before taking her seat. Things didn't look too bad, so far.

[Tianne Webster-Barrett]

Tianne groaned as she pushed her cat off her bed. Astronomy was not her cup of tea, nor was it her pumpkin juice, coffee, milo or water. It was a nothing subject to the girl, and she wasn't the biggest fan of the professo who taught it. He was a vampire, and Tianne just found that downright spooky and scary, odd, yet, thrilling. It scared her, to think that she was so close to a vampire, but she get used to it, she liked sitting in the back row anyways. Pushing her curly hair off her face, Tianne galnced at her watch. She yawned, after just waking up from what seemed like an eternity, although she was not refreshed, Tianne could not make out the time. Was it 11:50?

Jumping up off her bed, Tianne grabbed her stuff that she had previously packed and ran out of the common room. She was going to be late for the one lesson that she was scared of the professor. She didn't want to get a detention with him alone... Tianne ran up the stairs, trying to find her way to the Astronomy tower. Was it left, right, right, left, right? Or right, left, left, right, left? Choosing to go the first way, Tianne groaned, after ending up at the Owlery. It was mainly because she had just woken up, that she could not find her way, but it frustrated her. Throwing her bag down and consequently breaking an ink bottle, Tianne slumped to the ground. It was 11:58, and she was going to be late, if she made it at all. Hopefully Professor Marcos was going to be sick that lesson, as Tianne was totally oblivious to the fact that her new HoH was her astronomy Professor.

[Beau Hopkins]

Beau rubbed away the feeling of sleep from his eyes as he walked up the large amount of stairs to get to the astronomy classroom. He slipped by the small group that had gathered, going unnnoticed for the most part. He tried his best to stifle a yawn as he peered at the door, finding it open but not all that inviting. Why wasn't anyone else going in the room? As he entered the classroom slowly, he did realize that he wasn't the only one there. " Hullo, Matty. " He said, his voice showing off the fact that he was both tired and groggy.

" Hmm... " He hummed softly to himself for no apparent reason as he looked forward to the new Astronomy Professor. Beau was tempted to say hello to the woman but decided that it would just take too much effort on his part. He leaned forward over his desk, resting his head for the time being. Just a little... rest...

[Autumn McLoughlin]

Since arriving at Hogwarts Autumn had been going to sleep quite easily. Her days had been so stuffed with homework and classes she'd been going to sleep very early. She sat in the common room reading a muggle book until some of the other kids in her year had to leave for Astronomy. She headed up by herself, not really trying to be too early. As she finally found her way to class she noticed someone who brought a smile to her lips.

She walked into class, looking around. She noticed a lot of people who she had classes with earlier. A few names came to mind but she didn't say hi. She noticed the teacher, her head of house sitting in the front. She gave her a wave and a smile. She made her way into class, slipping around where Beau was sitting quietly not disturbing him. She sat next to him, putting her bag down quietly. She leaned over to him, speaking quietly. "Why Beau! This is no place to sleep."

[Beau Hopkins]

Beau was in a slow, troublesome part of sleep where he was barely drifting off. He dozed in and out of consciousness, feeling content to just sit and sleep. It seemed, though, that someone had other plans for him.

His head snapped up, all too aware that someone had started talking to him. ' This is no place to sleep. ' He once again rubbed his eyes so he could see who it was talking to him. He had guessed from the girl's voice that it was Autumn, and seeing her there standing over him only confirmed it. His big stupid grin appeared as he answered her quite groggily. " It was until you came along. Some people like to get some sleep every now and then. " He was teasing her, but sleep did sound rather nice at that moment in time.

[ellie]

" Today is a wonderful day... For I am going away. Not the the circus, not to the pool... " Ellie's soft singing voice trailed off as she neared the Astronomy room. The song was childish and stupid, but it always brought a small smile to Ellie's face for some reason. It was possibly because she remembered singing the song when she was a small child and would go to school at the day care she went to or maybe just because the song was meant for a child.

Ellie hummed the rest of the song as she walked passed several students standing out of the classroom. She gave a few brief thoughts about why they were standing there instead of inside the classroom. Surely the lesson was about to begin? She shrugged her shoulders as she walked into the room, forced once again to choose a group to sit with. The option was there to sit with Autumn and her brother, but she decided to decline this time around. Besides, from the looks of it, her brother was still a bit sleepy. What fun would that be? Ellie walked over to where Matty was sitting. " Mind if I sit here? " She asked, brushing her bangs aside slightly as she talked.

[Lianna Maylorn]

Rummage. Rummage. Avoid going into the classroom. Rummage.

"She won't bite, you know."

If the Hufflepuff had actually been rummaging for a real purpose she probably could have ignored the Slytherin's comment but her ruse came to an abrupt end as his words shattered her ears and claimed her attention. The rummaging stopped and light green eyes met brown just as Matty passed by with her greeting and entered without as much of a pause. "I know she doesn't bite," Lianna retorted with the slightest twinge of a smile. "Not so sure about you though."

Okay so the second part wasn't the friendliest sounding comeback out there, but she hadn't snarled or anything of the like either. He had called her out when she was clearly...busy...it was rude but beyond that it was one of his business to begin with. It was moments like this that while they only further extended her anti-socialism she felt for some reason strangely proud of herself for not being timid anymore. Rising to her feet and picking up her bag, the Hufflepuff then finally crossed the threshold of the tower-classroom herself and claimed her own seat a couple chairs away from Matty and the other fifth years who seemed to dominate the class attendance. Could she still have gotten the times mixed up?

Well, she wasn't about to let that chance bug her now. She was there, the board practically dripped of incompetence, and if she was lucky she would get to see the stars. That last bit more than made up for all the possible faults, even if she could've managed it equally nicely from the owlry.

[Emeric Troy III]

Emeric turned his head to watch Matty as she walked by, greeting her with his normal nod. " Miss Wenworth. " He said, watching as the older Hufflepuff girl walk into the classroom before his eyes turned on Lianna once again, waiting for her to respond to his comment. She appeared to be looking in her bag for something, but as she had stopped when he actually started talking to her, the Slytherin felt sure that the girl was just putting on a front to get him to go away. It gave Emeric more of a reason to stick around. Lianna seemed to have some other ideas, though, as she picked up and left.

His eyebrows raised slightly. It was the first time anyone had never... walked out on Emeric and he wasn't used to being the one following. But he did, following the girl and sitting next to her. He placed a passable smile on his face, turning to Lianna and continuing their former conversation. " I don't bite. Unless I'm asked to, that is. "

Emeric didn't know why he was bugging Lianna, or why he was getting such a kick out of bothering her.

[rachel]

Rachel rubbed her eyes. She couldn't read, not now, anyways. The woman couldn't wait for the students to arrive, and when they finally did, it was evident that the twenty-eight year old was more excited than them. They all seemed so tired, like they had in every single lesson that Rachel had taught. Remembering her fellow classmates when she was in her fourth year, she remembered that no one shared the sam passion for studying the stars that she did. It was a funny thing, but Rachel was always so enthusiastic about her astronomy lessons, and she hoped that she would have one student that was the same as her.

Smiling at each student as they entered, Rachel tried to remember their names. It was difficult though, she was yet to meet most of them properly. She could tell that there was going be some that would be harder to teach, they basically looked like they were bored already. Rachel hadn't even spoken yet. She knew that there would be some students that she would like more than others, but she couldn't express favouritism.

"Okay, students." She said, smiling at a couple of them. "I'm going to begin the lesson, even though we obvoiusly don't have a full class. I apologise for last lesson, as I was sick, and therefore incapable to teach. Which means, to make up for that lesson, we are going to have to work extra hard. Today, we will be looking at Venus and Jupiter, and making a comparitive picture of what we see, as well as a one hundred word essay on each, describing them. Any questions?" Rachel smiled, happy to have gotten rid of all that information.

[ Class has now begun. Those who are not here, make sure you have an excuse! Everybody else, keep up the good work and post more! The longer this thread is, the more points will be awarded. ]

[Tallulah Skeffington]

Tallulah was lucky this night. She was almost late to class. She snuck in right before the professor called to order. With a smug grin she sat in a seat in the back. She didn't want to get on anyone's bad side yet. She quietly pulled out her notebook and opened it to a fresh page. She pulled her chair in straight, making sure she wasn't slouching.

As she looked around she noticed Emeric sitting with another girl. She wished she had gotten hear earlier as to sit with him. He understood her at least. She made a mental note to find her after class and walk down to the common room with him. If she walked with him she wouldn't get lost. That she knew.

[jacquelynchaput]

Damn! One minute to spare and just as Kinsley was saying ‘Okay students’, Jax was skidding into the room, her feet losing complete traction on the stone floor and she landed head over heels on the floor. She kept going, however, not about to be late for class with her own Head of House… all she needed was to be called into her office or something for her tardiness. Jax rolled her eyes to herself as she climbed up into the chair that was directly on the other side of Lianna…

“Dear Merlin… you see that bat!” Jax exclaimed softly as she shuttered in her seat. “I swear, it was huge! The thing chased me all the way…” it wasn’t until she realized that the professor was talking did her eyes open wide, and her smile was that of a nervous grin toward the professor as she sank down in her seat. Her elbow hurt, as well as her chin from her fall, but she wasn’t about to rub either place for fear that someone would ask her if she was alright. That was embarrassing enough as it was.

Looking around, she finally then noticed who was sitting on the other side of Lianna. It was Emeric Troy the Third. Jax looked at him, smirked and rolled her eyes. It seemed he liked the bumbling and giggly girls less than she had thought. Jax snorted and shook her head. He’d make an excellent counter part to the crew. Between her and Snake going out, Lianna and her being… well, they weren’t friends, but they hung out in classes comfortably enough… and then some Slytherin who seemed to get a kick out of just being around them… yea, Jax could see the kid as a great addition to the group.

Silently to herself as Jax looked back to the front of the room for class, she was proud and just plain excited to even have anyone she could call her own group. Sure, she had had a group of the guys back home that she hung out with all the time that was her group, but never a real group at Hogwarts. Everything was coming together nicely and Jax was super thrilled. It didn’t matter anymore if she just lost her house points… she actually had friends, and a good life, and a girlfriend… what more could she have possibly asked for?

[rachel]

+ 5
Lianna Maylorn
Matty Wentworth
Emeric Troy
Tianne Webster-Barrett
Autumn McLoughlin
Beau Hopkins
Ellie Hopkins

+ 3
Tallulah Skeffington
Jax Chaput

Point Tally
- Ravenclaw = 18 points
- Gryffindor = 0 points
- Hufflepuff = 15 points
- SLytherin = 8 points

Remember to post more in the upcoming lesson! It'll be up shortly.