Attendance:

Joshua Harcroft Freya Jansdotter Megan Ruiz Sasha Schlagenweit Beatrix Dark Adrienna Hayes Peyton Wentworth Blake Knight Cait Morrigan Reynaud Chancelier Mystique Ketteridge Madeline Pratt Roxanne Cross Ayla Collins Bellatrix Dark Erin Harper Julian St. James Vincent Pennyapple Xavier Tawse Evie Pascal Jordyn Dimbleby Neely Woolfolk Ferguson Amherst Callum Knight             Class starts at 11:30 PM. The objective of today is to locate one's Zodiac in the sky and place it down on their star-chart. (Please note that your charrie must already be in class, else they are late.) -- Demetri's Professional Attire. -- Demetrius wasn't the most... Orthodox Professor, but some days he knew he had to get his students to do work. He silently roamed around the tower, watching as each student picked a partner to find their Zodiac signs with. "To make things easier on yourselves, you lot could always pick someone with the same sign as you," Demetri announced, scratching his freshly-shaved chin. He looked more like a student than ever, his face so innocent and young. He was simply giving them all a suggestion.... But Demetrius knew better... The students would pick their friends and possibly sit around the whole time doing nothing. "This is for a grade, you know," Demetri told them, not exactly sure if he was lying just yet, "I know you guys are used to lazing around, asking me questions, listening to me lecture," He liked to keep the class really easy and smooth, after all. People asked him about planets and galaxies and whatnot... It was quite entertaining for Demetri at least. "But if you wish to pass your OWLs, you need to be able to locate planets and stars and constellations, all that fancy stuff. So this is simply me easing you into it," though Demetri didn't even wish to work that day. But he knew what he had to do. And he wasn't about to let his students fail. "Any questions while we're starting?" Demetrius smiled at them all. It was cold as hell and he remembered to put a charm in the room to keep everyone warm. However, they were on the top of the tower now. It was cold, icy, and perfect for stargazing. Hopefully his students would understand... And hopefully they remembered to stay warm for his class. Demetri didn't want anyone freezing, but since they were so used to his warm room, they might have forgotten to wear an extra coat. Even though the Woolfolk boy had definitely announced to everyone in the last class that they'd have to wear extra layers. But did they really listen to him? Demetri knew there was tension between him and some of the other students (ie, Neely and Sasha). But he remained neutral towards them. He treated them like every other student... Which, being Demetri, was overly friendly and silly. The man had already set up his own telescope, it was pointing directly at the planet Venus. He wrapped his fingers around it and continued to smile his boyish smile at all of them. "Lovely night, isn't it?" He joked, though he felt perfectly comfortable. Demetri was an Astronomer, after all. He didn't mind the cold any more since he's always up all night staring at the stars. It sounds rather lonely, but that was Demetri. A lonely, lonely man who lived in a Lighthouse and befriended squids and children alike and didn't even care. Demetri was just so gosh darn happy.

Xavier sat on the outer ring of students upon the Astronomy Tower. He was sitting around with a few of his friends, most notably the Dark sisters. Ever since his break down in front of Bella he had been trying to define what they meant to each other now. At least she had taken to wearing the necklace he had made for her birthday now.

Xavier was wrapped up in a travel cloak, a heavy Slytherin scarf, a pair of black gloves and his dark brown hair was covered by a black and green knit cap. He was nice and toasty on the highest tower in the middle of the night at the peak of Winter's beginning. He was bent over the telescope searching the sky for the unmistakable pairing of Pollux and Castor. Once they were spotted it wouldn't be a problem to find the rest of Gemini and sketch it out. Thankfully he was a winter constellation and wouldn't have a problem finding his zodiac sign.

Xavier always found it fitting that he was a Gemini. The twins had a certain significance to him, since he had always viewed the twins as being the two sides of himself, the side everyone else saw and the side of him that he kept hidden away from almost everyone he knew. There were only a few people that saw the other side of his coin, the darker side that hid in the shadows.

Finally locating Pollux Xavier took out a quill and piece of parchment scratched his name and date on the top and started to sketch out Gemini, switching between adding a star to his parchment and looking into the telescope to see which one was next. When the simplistic constellation was complete he labelled Pollux and Castor and then in larger writing put Gemini on the bottom. Well that took him a total of fifteen minutes, what was he supposed to do for the other fourty five minutes of class?

Peyton was huddled up on the top of the Astronomy tower. He had his robes wrapped tight around himself having forgotten to bring along his outer travel cloak. Thankfully he had a spare scarf and gloves in his school bag and so he wasn't freezing but he wasn't comfortable either. He was dead tired though. With the mid terms coming up he was desperate to make sure he had all of his homework finished and since it was his OWL year there had been a lot of homework to get done. Thankfully Astronomy was an easy class. Peyton was actually interested in the subject. He figured it had some sort of connection to his love for playing Quidditch. He was just fascinated by the sky and being able to soar through it, studying the stars was all part of his love for it.

Professor Woolfolk was a little weird but he was okay in Peyton's books even if he was a little daft at times, like tonight. The assignment was to study the sky, locate your own zodiac constellation then do a sketch of it for your star charts. What he seemed to over look for the assignment was that it was the start of winter and so there was only a certain amount of signs visible this time of the year. If Peyton remembered correctly the Zodiacs visible in the winter were Gemini, Taurus, Aries, and Pieces. His own Zodiac of Virgo was only visible in the spring along with Leo, Cancer, and Libra. The remaining Zodiacs Aquarius, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Capricorn were visible in the summer. He didn't think Woolfolk would have forgotten this fact and was beginning to think that maybe this was all just some sort of test. Either way not having to draw out his constellation allowed Peyton to keep huddled up and conserve his heat.

He glanced around at the rest of the class wondering if anyone else was going to realize what he had. He sighed and chewed on his lower lip while looking up at the sky. He wished it had the answers he so desperately needed, like if he'd ever be able to get all of his homework done? Would he be able to pass his mid terms? Would he be able to stay on the Quidditch team? And most importantly where the hell was Sasha?

Thankfully Ayla remembered they were going to be spending the class outside tonight and was appropriately dressed wearing a travel cloak over her school uniform, a Hufflepuff scarf wrapped tight around her neck and her black pixie cut hair hidden - with the exception of her fringe - completely under a yellow and black knit cap. She was sitting around with a group of her friends her grey and green egg nestled in an extra Hufflepuff scarf and still wearing the small Ravenclaw knit cap she had put on it during the Quidditch Game. She glanced up at Blake who was sitting on the other side of the egg from her.

Ayla quickly turned her attention back to her telescope not wanting Blake to catch her staring. She knew that the project was making her feel closer to the Ravenclaw boy but she didn't want to freak him out either. The last thing she needed to do was let him know just how much she cared about him now, they were only supposed to be friends.

She scanned the sky for any sign of Scorpius. She knew that the brightest star within her Zodiac constellation was Antares but she wasn't able to locate it. She wasn't all that great at Astronomy. She loved the stars and the way the sky looked when it was littered with them but she was really bad at remembering constellations. She searched the sky again and huffed. She could locate Orion, it had always been the most recognizable constellation for her even when she was a little girl but there was no sign of Scorpius.

She looked up at their wacky Astronomy teacher, "Professor Woolfolk? I can't find Antares."

Figaro was about fifteen minutes late, but he came up the tower stairs as if nothing at all was wrong.  Professor Woolfolk was a cool and didn't seem to care about silly rules.  His class was pretty easy anyway, so Figaro knew he wouldn't miss much other than seeing his breath in the cold.  As he came up the steps, he pulled on an oversized knit beanie.  Without even looking at the professor to offer a word of apology for his tardiness, or to find out what the class was doing, Figaro went to find a seat with his friends.

Whoever they were right now. 

Sasha was extremely suspended and had been gone for years.  His letter had been returned and Figaro assumed it was a muggle post problem.  But he'd kind of expected a letter from Sasha at some point.  The pouty little prince was probably sulking.  Figaro had never been suspended before, but he figured Sasha was taking it harder.  Sasha loved school way too much.

And then there was Xavier Tawse.  They'd been tight since they were awkward, gangly little kids.  But the piss-poor job Xavier had done backing him up on their illicit trip to Knockturn Ally had soured their friendship.  Figaro would have snuggled up to Callum Knight rather than shake hands with Xavier right now.

And so, with his normal entourage in the pot, he sidled up next to his housemate Ayla Collins.  "It's in Scorpio," he supplied with a 'duh' face.  Wasn't she a Scorpio like him as well.  "You're making Hufflepuff look bad when I'm better at this than you," he joked.

-- Uniform. --

Beatrix flicked her pink hair out of her face and sighed. It was freezing out! Was this class even worth it!? But she was wearing a nice sweater at least. The girl was squished up next to Xavier, Bellatrix, Vinnie, some other people... And... Sadly... Callum. But the two had their wanky lil' project for Care of Magical Creatures and he was Xavier's friend. It wasn't that bad, after all. Callum was being rather... Pleasant when it came to the project. Though Beatrix still couldn't exactly trust him.

When it came to the assignment, however, Beatrix simply sat there, not doing anything. She and Bella were Scorpios, after all. They wouldn't be able to see their constellations. However, once Xavier started jotting down Gemini on his chart, Beatrix followed suit. There. She was done now! Now she could simply snuggle up with Vincent until class was over, right? But then Ayla Collins spoke up and pointed out that she couldn't find Scorpio...

Either the girl was daft or Woolfolk wasn't very good at his job.

The girl's hair fell into her face again and she flicked it back once more. Beatrix really didn't mind Ayla Collins, even if she did compare her to a pig. Bea really was a nice girl... She just had evil tendencies. Then again, who didn't those days? "If she's actually looking for Scorpio right now... Did Professor Woolfolk ever teach the third years about constellations?" Beatrix whispered to the small group, a playful grin forming on her face.

She leaned into Vincent and stopped herself from insulting Ayla behind her back. Surely someone would overhear her and get snippy and Beatrix had no patience for that. She was slowly falling back into her normal, happy state. She was even actually making her hair pink again, rather than the natural, blinding blonde she had been using for a week or two. Normality made Beatrix feel a lot better... She didn't feel as alone.

"Now what do we do?" Beatrix asked, finishing her sketch of Gemini. It looked almost exactly like Tawse's, only more detailed and less manly (Which was basically the only way she could describe Xav's handwriting without feeling weird about watching him write). Did Woolfolk even plan this? Or was he simply making things up as he went...? Was he even an Astronomer or just some weird man in a suit!? Beatrix bit the tip of her tongue. Knox must have sent in a spy... A very slow one at that.

"Professor Woolfolk? I can't find Antares."

It took a moment before Demetri realized the plain-as-day mistake he made. Scorpio wasn't viewable in Winter... Crap. He was mainly focused on actually teaching a class for once that he had forgotten not everyone was a Taurus, which could be seen during Winter. "Indeed you can't!" Demetri began saving himself, though for a split second his students could most likely tell he was perplexed by Ayla's statement. In no way would he have blamed the student, after all. He immediately thought it was his own doing... And, of course, it was. Demetri smiled and left his post at his precious telescope to stand next to the small Hufflepuff.

As he stood next to the girl and opened his mouth to continue speaking, Figaro Sellaphix decided to rear his head in and sat down next to the Collins girl. Demetri didn't say anything about how he was late, but he did send a disapproving look down at him when he teased the girl. "Now, now... She has pointed out something very important," He smiled at the class and patted Ayla on the shoulder, "Can anyone tell me why Miss Collins can't find Antares?" He glanced around the tower, looking as excited as can be.

Demetri actually felt great when he was teaching the class. His relaxed, question-and-answer classes were probably never going to happen again. Plus, once they started getting into the warmer seasons, the students would probably enjoy staring at the stars a whole lot more. He was even planning what else he could do in future classes. Mainly, he wanted the students to see the planets... But even Demetri, the star-loving lunatic, knew that teenagers wouldn't want to get up at 3:00AM to see Jupiter perfectly in the sky. However, he'd attempt to get classes together at certain times to see the other planets.

"What other constellations can we not see tonight?" Demetri offered another question and then even threw another one in, "What are a couple of constellations we can see?" Ohh! He felt like such a professssuuuhhh! Demetrius was indeed proud of himself. Not only for being an okay Professor that class, but for actually saving his own butt for once.

[Outfit]

It was bloody freezing and the professor had him outside at midnight! He was barking! He had to be! To make anyone go outside in this had to have escaped from the loony ward of St. Mungo's! Perhaps he had; Bellatrix wasn't entirely sure of that. She had thrown on every piece of her warmest clothing she could find and tried to stuff it all under her robes, but it hadn't been able to fit.

The sixteen-year-old was wearing a shirt underneath the dress which made it tight across her chest, but she'd rather be slightly uncomfortable than freezing her arse off. She'd deal with the suppression of her breasts. She had her hair pulled down completely and uncurled in its natural state, a rare sight, and had pulled a silly hat on over it to keep herself from freezing. Although no one could see it, she was indeed wearing the emerald necklace that Xavier had given her for her birthday. Her Slytheirn scarf was wrapped twice around her neck to create a mask over her mouth so no one could see her teeth chattering and the tights, even though they included leg warmers, did very little to warm her legs. The boots, thankfully, were extraordinary! What upper parts of her legs the dress didn't get, the boots warmed the lower parts so well that it almost made her thighs warmer. Almost. For once, she was entirely bundled up and sitting as close to Xavier as possible to keep warm. Well, that was part of her intention.

Professor Woolfolk was keeping them all busy. Like her sister, she didn't bother trying to look for Scorpio because it wasn't around to view. Less work for her! If only the Scorpios could shut their books and go back to bed. Bed. The word alone made her yawn which became visible out from behind the scarf tunneling her neck. She was so sleepy, but being cold was keeping her too awake. If only she could get warm. She'd be asleep faster in the flash of a Snitch. After her yawn, her blue eyes settled upon her astrology chart. This thing had insane markings on it that were at least giving her an A in Astronomy.

"Can anyone tell me why Miss Collins can't find Antares?"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. The girl was an idiot, truly. Her worst mistake was making Xavier cry, but Bellatrix had paid the 3rd year back for that. She smiled to herself. For once, just to make the girl feel stupid and to actually try to play the part of the "know-it-all", Bellatrix raised her hand. When she was called upon, she promptly answered with a sneering tone.

"One to two weeks before and after November 30th, it disappears because the sun casts a glare." She smirked, her gaze directed at Ayla. "That means it becomes the shadow due to the brilliance of the sun's light. No one can see it. It's insignificant."

There was a hidden message in that comment. Ayla was insignificant in Bellatrix's star chart. The Slytherin had been awfully pompous the past several weeks, but as she had said at the girl's party, Xavier was definitely improving her mood. She was beginning to learn the balance her sister had: cruel to those who wrong her, nice to those who don't. Kind of like giving Duke the Toad a treat every time he didn't annoy the hell out of her. And Bella fully intended on rewarding her sister and Xavier for being her friends.

Wow. That was as awkward as the day she had said it to him. Xavier and Bellatrix were friends now. He wasn't teasing her anymore and she wasn't chasing down the halls trying to hit him with a jinx. She glanced up at him briefly. He really was kind of cute and he was definitely charming. Realizing she was staring at him, she quickly darted her eyes back to her star chart and hoped he hadn't caught her.

outfit | coat

"Sure you have enough clothes on there?" Vincent teased, quirking a brow and wrapping himself around Beatrix from the back. "Not that I'm complaining." He kept her gently caged on the freezing balcony, his hands grabbing hers as his arms properly encircled her. Raising both pairs of hands, he pulled Bea's small arms over her head and cupped them to his mouth, blowing warm air against her fingers. The tickling breath stopped as reality set in. He supposed they would have to start their assignment. They were, afterall, Prefects.

"I could lend you a spare pair of gloves," he offered as he pulled away just enough to reach down and fish through his bag. He grabbed a quill, a sturdy notebook, and a slip of parchment from inside said notebook. "But they're probably too big for you."

Standing up properly again, so that he was perfectly taller than Beatrix and her identical (though less pink-haired) twin, he balanced the notebook against the balcony's edge and looked out into the frosty night. He sneaked peaks at Bea's sketch as he began his own, quill pressed gingerly to parchment, mouth in a pensive (but pleasant) frown. They had become closer since the dance-- the kissing, too, had helped, and had become more frequent-- and Vincent found himself enjoying the Ravenclaw as a friend and study buddy as much as a snogging partner. In other words, a real girlfiend. Though he hadn't quite put it in those words yet. He'd been meaning to...

He grinned as he watched her add the finishing details, those subtle but unmistakable feminine niceties. Different from a male's brand of precision, but just as admirable.

Finishing his own sketch, he drummed his fingers against the parchment, keeping it pressed safely to his notebook's smooth surface. His ears absorbed the professor's words from beneath his hat (from which dark curls spilled just barely, not quite concealed by even the most functional of winter wear). His hand found its way blindly to the small of Beatrix's back, contenting itself where his arms had left off, and Vincent tilted his head back to study the stars.

"Hydrus," he murmured, and then repeated it more loudly, catching Woolfolk's eye. "Hydrus, the Water Snake."

Xavier had stared after the third year when she posed her question. He found it hard to believe that she was that stupid. Looking over her current situation, sitting with her fellow third years with her CoMC egg nestled in front of her Xavier found it more likely that she was just distracted. He had always thought of her as a smart girl, or at least a clever one. It took a lot of smarts to be able to figure out the amount of personal information that the Hufflepuff had a knack for weaseling out of people. A little lacking in common sense, not knowing when to keep her mouth shut, but definitely not stupid. Xavier concluded that she was definitely just distracted. He quickly pulled his eyes away trying to remind himself that he didn't care what little Miss Collins did with her life anymore.

His attention was quickly brought to Bella as she answered Professor Woolfolk's almost flustered question. It seemed the Astronomy teacher was as daft as Ayla was. He fought back a scowl at the tone in Bella's voice. He didn't want her to know that he thought the little jib was uncalled for. Although he had been all for Bella taking out her anger on the Hufflepuff, after discovering what had happened at the girl's birthday party he thought the twins had gone overboard but he knew better than to let them know it.

He moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her lower waist his fingers rubbing as much of her tight clad thigh as he could get to, figuring that particular spot would be colder than the rest, "Great answer." He said to Bella rather lamely while giving her a goofy yet charming smile. He had been really enjoying being able to spend time with her without having to worry about getting jinxed.

Ayla was glad her back was to the Slytherins. She didn't think it would help her any if they caught the giant blush that had taken over her face. She couldn't believe she had been so stupid, at least it seemed that Professor Woolfolk was equally surprised by her question. It seemed the goofy Professor wasn't aware he had assigned a project that half of the class wasn't able to complete. At least he hadn't scolded her for it, he seemed relieved actually that she had spoken up about the mistake he had made, even if it made her look like a complete fool in the process.

She gave Blake a quick glance wondering if he thought she was as much of an idiot as the Slytherins did. She turned her eyes back to her empty star chart and sighed. She was just feeling all around miserable. Even the light rattle from within her egg wasn't enough to make her feel better. She couldn't help but wish the holidays would come quicker. She needed some time away from school and the problems she had been having that year.

Determined to save face she added in a meek voice, "You can see Orion."

"Sure you have enough clothes on there? Not that I'm complaining."

The girl shrugged, easing into Vincent behind her. Beatrix's lips curved into a smile as the Slytherin boy pulled her hands up to warm them, her arms over her head. She was definitely comfortable with the boy, she wasn't getting choked up on everything he said... Though her heart definitely skipped a bit every time he was even in her line of sight. "I've played quidditch in a tank top and shorts in this weather," When it wasn't so icy, actually. But it was still freezing. "I'm sure I can deal with this," She giggled and let her hands fall back down to her lap.

"I could lend you a spare pair of gloves,"

The girl giggled again, "They definitely wouldn't fit, but sure... Why not?" Beatrix stuffed her hands under her armpits. Though that wasn't the cutest way to stand, but it helped nonetheless. Beatrix herself was growing much more accustom to being around Vincent. He distracted her most of the time, unless they were studying (Which were the only times she really attempted to control her stares and giggles), but who was she to complain? Contrary to what people would believe, she didn't exactly pester the boy to make things official. She was letting everything go on smoothly. Even if she did wish he would simply ask already.

Woolfolk spoke up and admitted he was a doofus and was starting to ask people questions. Beatrix let everyone else call out their answers since she was already in the I'm-Gunna-Half-Ass-This-Class-Today mood. Bellatrix spoke up and said how they couldn't see scorpio because it was 'insignificant'. Surely no one could be so stupid not to realize she was making an insult towards the poor Collins girl. "Bellatrix, really?" Beatrix whispered at her sister with a snap, "Haven't we done enough damage?" Beatrix was too sweet for her own good sometimes.

Beatrix naturally leaned in closer to Vinnie when he placed his hand on her back. She smiled up at him as he answered, her eyes slowly gliding to the stars above. It WAS a lovely night... And she was definitely glad she and Vincent had taken Astronomy. He definitely calmed her down, as did stargazing... She was super relaxed.

"There's Monoceros," Beatrix added after Vincent spoke, "The unicorn," of course Bea would be the one to know that. She loved unicorns after all... And kittens. And Vincent. Just adorable things in general. Beatrix leaned her pink head on Vincent's shoulder, not tall enough to actually lay it down, and sighed. "You'll be walking me to my common room after class, won't you Vinnie?" Beatrix asked, innocently. The boy usually did, anyways. She simply thought it was adorable.

"One to two weeks before and after November 30th, it disappears because the sun casts a glare. That means it becomes the shadow due to the brilliance of the sun's light. No one can see it. It's insignificant."

Demetri nodded, slowly, giving a very confused stare to the girl. "Well, yes, that's correct..." He smiled, uneasily, "Interesting way to put it, but... Yeah," he wasn't very... Well, he didn't know anything about teenagers. How was he suppose to know she was really insulting the Collins girl? "Very good, anyways!" Demetri clapped his hands together. He was quite uncomfortable by her tone of voice and choice of words, but she was a Scorpio herself so he wasn't that surprised.

Other students answered Demetri, each one of them correct. He bounced on his heels, completely thrilled about it all. "Very good, very good!" He said, giving Ayla another pat before walking back towards his telescope. "Ten points to Slytherin, five to Ravenclaw and... Lets give eight to Hufflepuff for Miss Collins's awesome question and answer!" It was an odd system the man had, but if anyone argued he would also take away strange amounts of points.

"Alright! All together, there is Orion, Canis Major, Canis Minor, Gemini, Auriga, Crater, Taurus, Hydra, Lynx, Monoceros, Sextans, and Aires,*" Demetri told them all in one breath. Each time he named off a constellation he would fling an arm out, his fingers pointed, like he was shooting a gun. He took a deep breath and smiled at them all, "You may want to write those down, since they will be on your midterm," that sly cat! "I will pick a select few, and I won't tell you guys which ones, and you will have to find them and chart 'em," and Demetri might possibly not care if they cheat.

"So, for now, pick one and chart them!" Demetri told them, "It'll help you get ready for the exam if you start studying now!" he told them, "It will likely be right before holiday break, depends on how mean I'm feeling," Demetri joked. The exam would have to be soon since the break was coming up fast. They didn't need that many days to look at three constellations, did they?

"Don't get discouraged! It's very simple! And be happy it isn't spring, because you all would have to study all night with that list," and it was quite a list, "Again, if you have any questions, just ask!"

---

* Seriously, don't take my word for it. Five different .Edu sites told me different constellations. These were the ones they all had in common.

[Outfit]

Bored out of her mind, Roxanne sat near the other third years with a wide yawn. What she wouldn't give to be cozy in Professor Cillian's Divination room. It was the only class she was comfortable in not because it required the least amount of brain power, but because it was literally the only class she got an O in. The way she could 'predict' things was unusual. She wasn't a Seer or a Fortune-teller like the rumors spread out about her claimed, but she watched people closely. Her intuition was very accurate and she could tell when people were going to get into a fight, a couple was going to be created by two individuals, and how far a person would be able to hold on to an act just by watching them.

That was if Roxanne cared or studied that person over a considerable length of time. She hadn't focused on anyone in particular, but some things were a bit too obvious for her to ignore. Her housemate, Ayla Collins, for example. She was way too open for Roxanne: the girl had a thing for Blake Knight. If it wasn't for the fact that the boy was so good-looking and popular with other girls, the mutual crush between the two of them might have gone unnoticed. Yet because each of them drew attention to themselves, be it good or bad, Roxanne had observed each individual carefully and also when they were together in classes. Yep. Aaannnyyy month now.

The Hufflepuff's eyes dropped to her own star chart. The attention Ayla got from other students was extraordinary--especially the Dark twins. That birthday party had been a big to-do for all parties involved. She had also been in the common room, lounging about, when the Dark twins showed up and tried to ruin the party. The girl sighed. What a bunch of drama. Not only over boys, but in general. She couldn't wait to get home for the holidays or at least she wouldn't be able to were it not for Vladimir Cross.

"What a nutjob," she muttered to herself as she marked Orion on her parchment.

"What're you mumbling, Roxie?"

She looked up and peered into the eyes of Garrett Thornton, a fellow third year in the Gryffindor house. He wasn't her friend per-say, but somehow she ended up beside him in every class except Divination. He hadn't taken that class because he had a firm belief that if he could pound it, it was real. After being his partner for every project, she had dug around with him and discovered (as she seemed to have expected all along) that he wasn't a brute who went around pounding things for fun. He was protective of his sisters and a fun guy who adored Quidditch; thankfully, he wasn't obsessed like some people.

"I'm dreading going home," she sighed again. "Jenny's fiancee is too involved with the dark arts and he has little tolerance for kids."

She doodled Hydra and Monoceros on to her star chart. Garrett thought it best not to ask, thankfully. It was hard keeping the secret that it was her mum's fiancee that was torturing his mum. The awful Necromancer bragged and boasted about how much trouble the poor woman was in and since she hadn't heard Garrett ever mention it to anyone, she suspected his mother hadn't told them about her dealings with the man. Once she added Sextans, Roxanne waited for class to be over.

A grade? And real work? Callum rolled his eyes. He didn't want to do any of that! Astronomy was normally so easy. And the professor was such a pushover. There were so many professors that were just not worth the gold they were paid to work here. Maybe one day Callum would be headmaster of Hogwarts and take over and run the place the right way! Kick out everyone who wasn't pure, and just have Slytherins! ... And maybe a few Ravenclaws.

He set up his telescope, and began to do that whole stupid star charting thing. He was a Libra. Whatever that meant. He knew that his stars were best visible in June- and it was December now. Callum didn't care about any of this...

The Slytherin only half listened, writing down the stars that the professor mentioned since he said they would be on the mid term. Mid terms were important. Grades in geneal were, but Astronomy was one you could study without having to do a whole lot in class. Besides, as little as they had done and considering that the professor was such a flake, it wouldn't be hard to get a good grade even if he only half assed everything.

He swing his telescope around to try to find one of the stars on the list, mumbling to himself about how stupid this all was. Mumbling very quietly to himself. So quiet it was almost as though he was only thinking it. No need to keep barking in class about how stupid everyone was, he was tired of getting fussed at for it.