[Astronomy] TV: Lesson II

[Erys Grace]

No, she wasn't going to fidget or squirm under both the professors' scrutiny.
They knew better to underestimate her like that.

As the teachers babbled on Erys listened half-heartedly, finding Hubbles rant on cowardice quite ironic as she was backed up by another teacher in putting her in her "place". Was she honestly that blind, so up on her high horse that she didn't realise she spoke of cowardice and bravery and Erys' lack of the latter, when she couldn't even handle one graduated seventh year? Lovely. As Hubbles said something about not remembering writing her N.E.W.T's at the end of last term, the Slytherin gave a pleasant smile. "You must have forgotten, Professor, I'm graduated. I stayed back a year to advance my studies." Her voice was light and sunny now, and she inwardly enjoyed the teacher's memory failure.

“you will certainly have detention. Friday I think will be
a good day. You will receive an owl giving you the details within
the next day or two. Any objections?”

[/center]
Erys shook her head with a smile at the second professor. "Oh no, I'll just be a having a life around then. No biggie, I'll postpone it. Wouldn't want to miss detention after all." Her change in tone nearly made her laugh out loud, as the sudden sincerity and happiness was sure to cause the pair whiplash. She was a little disappointed--but knew before she even started that the professor wasn't about to cave and kick her out--that Hubbles hadn't excused her from the lesson, as she would have had so much fun, but ah well. Her presence here might just irritate the former Miss Owen, and who would Erys be if not pleasantly annoying?[/font][/color]

[Angelique Juliette]

As they were talking Angel saw Erys move forward a bit, the reason was clear after a moment when a small girl a hufflepunk Angel noted because of the emblem on her robes. Angel cocked her brow at the girl as she actually threatened to sick her brother or whatever on Erys. Angel had to wonder if she was actually serious, perhaps she was mental or something. Whatever the case Angel knew Erys well enough to know she wasn't going to tolerate that. Low and behold her friend lashed back with a comment of her own and Angel snickered, it was funny after all.

Then suddenly all heck broke loose. The professor who was clearly biased, began to tell off Erys. Going on and on about insulting a member of the staff. The person in question from what she heard was the ruddy game keeper, his job was to mop up kneazle poop from the forest floor he didn't matter. Plus the Hufflepuff girl did start it and nothing was said to her for being so rude for no reason.

Erys and Professor Hubbles went back and forth, each time Professor Hubbles showing her true colours. Angel thought it was wrong and was sure she'd be speaking to her head of house about it. After a while the whole things resulted in Erys getting detuning on a Friday. That's when Angel said, "That isn't even fair, Erys didn't start any of this that girl did." Her index finger pointed at the little nothing that couldn't be bothered to look where she was going. "Where's her punishment for being so rude?"

She got in the middle of it, and she would do it each and every time because Slytherins were treated unfairly for no good reason and apparently because this professor thought that being married to the headmaster gave her carte Blanche to act that way. Belittling a student in front of another professor was kind of classless, but what can you expect from someone with no class. This always happened when you gave someone a small taste of power, they suddenly get drunk off of it.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree smiled snidely at the young Slytherins as they squirmed, moaning about unfairness and spoke with sarcastic tones. The professor was reminded of the saying 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit' but she certainly didn't need to point that out to two outstanding Slytherin Seventh Years, or did she? No! Of course not. They were smart enough to figure that one out for themselves.

"Very good, Grace," Bree said, speaking as though she had not picked up on the sarcasm. "See that you don't miss it." Prof O'Donnell waggled a long finger at the girl to go with her warning tone. She did hate to see good potential go to waste. She knew a futile argument by daylight and knew that futile meant futile. Why then this girl persisted on arguing with her teachers was beyond her.

The other Slytherin jumped in and Bree rolled her eyes dramatically, waving her arms and dropping them to her sides in frustration. Brianna O'Donnell didn't have very much patience. She fixed her green eyes on the second girl to speak, Juliette. "Juliette," she said, forcefully, her tone warning them not to cross her on this again, "if you don't want to see yourself in detention for a week with fifty less points for the house I would suggest you keep your opinions to yourself. After all that was what brough us here in the first place, isn't that right, Grace?" Bree's eyes shifted quickly to Erys Grace before she quickly turned to Dia.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," Bree said to the two girls. "Dia ... if you could ..." And Bree led Dia away from the two girls, and the other students gathered. She had important information to discuss with the Astronomy teacher that was not for the student's ears. But even as she spoke with Prof Hubbles her mind went back to the Slytherins. How silly could they be to insult a staff member in front of one such as Dia? That was really the matter at heart here; how the two missed that was the strangest thing since Peeves started wearing trousers on the fourth floor.

[Angelique Juliette]

Two big egos in one room, however will they fit in the classroom to teach them a lesson. Perhaps if they stand side by side the largeness of their heads might allow them space. Angel wanted to tell them both to go straight to hell. Who did they think they were, Erys didn't even start anything and she was being penalized over some dirty nasty gamekeeper. This school was truly falling into the hands of do gooder nobodies. It was sad to see the school in the hands of such gutter snipe.

The only reason she didn't tell off O'Donnell who should learn to keep her own mouth shut since it wasn't her class to begin with, was the threat of loosing that many house points. Fifty was a lot to them so she bit her tongue, but this surely wasn't over.

As the two "Professors" walked away Angel shook her head and looked over at Erys with a most sour expression on her face. Now she didn't even want to be in the room at all, she was better off in the common room with the dog boy him she could tell off without fear of loosing points. Taking a deep breath she wondered if she was going to stay or go because learning anything from either of those two was the last thing on her mind.

[Dean Hogarth]

Dean casually turned over another page in his textbook when his eyes just happened to wonder over to the watch around his wrist. At first the time registered with him and he made a small groan of how late it was, sadly it took a few moments for it to click and for him to realise that Astronomy started in less then ten minutes. “Oh flip-flops!” He exclaimed letting out a rare burst of annoyance. Dean detested the thought of being late for any lesson but being late for Astronomy that had to be a crime punishable with weeks in Azkaban.

Quickly rolling up his assignment which he had promised Professor Owen (she would never be a Hubbles in his eyes) even though she had told him not to bother. The pervious lesson they had had a small debate on the stars surrounding Auriga and Dean was determined to write up his theory for the Professor to read over and hopefully sway her opinion.

This was in fact all the Hufflepuff could think of as he ran to the Astronomy tower, taking the steps two sometimes three at a time in hope he would not be later then he already was, however the class seemed to be gathered at the bottom of the final flight of steps and the atmosphere was tense. Professor Owen and Professor O’Donnell were muttering away to each other in the corner while the class was divided up into two Slytherin’s and two Hufflepuff’s…well Dean knew where he was going to stand.

“Hey guys.” Dean muttered to the other Hufflepuff’s. “I am guessing I do not want to know what has been happening.”

[Narcissus Drachen]

Narcissus rested against the cold wall with his arms folded behind his back, observing the confrontation duskily. Erys knew he found her vileness charming, but the spectacle had put a disappointed frown on his face. He couldn’t help but find her whole performance rather rehearsed. The professors grouped and Angel returned to standing commandingly next to Erys, her rebellion in actions rather than words. Erys had trained her well.

“Mrs Hubbles,” Narcissus rolled away from the wall and slinked over to the two women, their intimate whispers dying. He eyed Professor Hubbles obediently. “Teach me a lesson too?”

[Dean Hogarth]

Nervously fidgeting with the role of parchment in his hand Dean nervously looked around the corridor, noticing the class divide or more house divide that was occurring in the lesson. However one thought it would be fun to try and breakdown these divides and Narcissus made his move, but instead of sticking with his band of Slytherin’s he moved towards the professor. His groomed words and cool voice filled the corridor and what he had to say…well it caused a gagging reflex in Dean, what a sick thing to say and to such a Professor as Professor Owen.

With a small huff Dean thought he would be her knight in shinning armour and save her from yet another Slytherin and one with such a cruel sense of humour as Drachen. Summoning his courage Dean stepped forward, his heart was racing, his mouth went dry and he was strangling the life out of the role of parchment he had in his hand.

“Sorry to interrupt Professor’s…” Dean shot the male Slytherin his most venomous glare, before glancing back at Professor O’Donnell, but letting his gaze stay on Professor Owen. “But I…er…have that assignment I promised you….the one on Auriga.” He offered her a small hopeful smile, but it faltered ever so slightly as his nerves started to break through.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

"Yes, yes," Dia was saying excitedly, "and that's the whole point!" Her arms were thrown up in relief and fell limply to her sides, her face bright with delight and her smile was bright. Her loose hair that curled on her shoulders bounced sharply, however, when students approached the two professors standing to one side. Dia instantly spotted trouble when the face of Narcissus Drachen came towards them, looking enquiring.

Dia turned to the shorter boy, her smile still on her face, but at his words her smile faded. The teacher looked at the boy for a moment, with a mixture of more pity then flattery on her face but it was wiped clear by the sight of yet another boy: Dean Hogarth. The parchment he offered her she took, and smiled widely at it as she unrolled the top section of it. She read the words greedily but turned back to Dean quickly.

"Dean," she said, rolling up the parchment again, "I told you you didn't have to. But I shall certainly read it. Thank you." She smiled at him and nodded her head. "Ten points for the effort. I'm sure you had a lot of other work to do." Dia smiled at the boy again before turning back to Bree. "Are you happy with the arrangements?" Dia asked, "shall we go then?"

[[updated points ~ Brianna O'Donnell will lead the class from here, follow her]]

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree simply nodded her head at Dia who seemed to think this was a very good idea. She was glad for the distraction when students came to bug them; Bree got to roll her eyes without Dia seeing, just like she had been wanting to do since Dia had sprung this cockamamie scheme. Bree was only going through with this because, according to the school rules, there needed to be two teachers present for this sort of outing, not that this sort of outing had ever been done but that was beside the point entirely.

Bree crossed her arms and looked down the Slytherin that slithered over. His 'line' was typical of this one and Bree had come to the conclusion that he was part of the reason that Slytherins had a bad name. She didn't say anything though as she know that if she did she would end up taking points from him and her own house and since they were already starting the lesson off on a negative number Bree didn't much fancy that.

A Puffle came over almost instantly after the Slytherin and gave the Astronomy Professor a piece of parchment. While the two boys were focused on Dia, Bree focused on them. How Dia did not see what was going on here Bree would never know. It was a pathetic in her eyes but they were young, they would get over it, besides the all too apparent fact that Dia was now married had to dull their hopes somewhat.

Dia turned to Bree and the Care of Magical Creatures Professor simply nodded before walking down the corridor through the two boys, past the two Hufflepuffs and to where the two Slytherins were standing. "Right class," she said, clapping her hands together, "here's the plan: we are going to go to Hogsmeade now. Walk quickly, keep up and don't talk louder then a whisper, the paintings don't seem to like that much." She spoke louder towards the end and down the corridor someone groaned.

"Ok, follow." Bree turned sharply on her heal and walked down the corridor. Quickly she reached the stairs and wizzed down the many flights, though between the fourth and third floor she was held up because the stair case decided it didn't like letting people walk down it. Needless to say, Bree's tapping foot worked over time then. She wanted to get to the destination as soon as possible so they could get this show on the road.

The front door had been left open for them, clearly Dia had done her work, and she took the stairs down to the lawns at a quick gallop. Down the lawns she went towards the gate that would be where they were exiting the school grounds. From the height Bree was walking she could see the gate was already open, and a piece of parchment was nailed to the wall. When she was next to it, Bree pulled the parchment off the wall and smiled broadly. "Pull the gate close behind you," Bree called to the back.

The parchment read: "You took too long. Close the gate behind you."

Walking through the gate, the path to Hogsmeade lay head, but Bree stopped a few feet off the path and stood next to a rusty steel drum lid that was lying on the grass in the shadow of the wall. "Quickly everyone," Bree said, "quickly. Everyone hands on before the count of five. One ... Two ... Three ..." Bree had bent down now, her knees creaking loudly "Four ... Five!" And sharply on the count of five the portkey pulled all that were holding it with it into a swirling whirl of colour.

It threw everyone down in an open place where there were no clouds, no trees, no grass, and no lights from distance cities. The ground they landed on was hard but covered in sand. The moon, only a quarter full, didn't give as much light as it did before they left Scotland, and so they stars were thrown into sharp definition, as though you could reach up and touch them.

"Welcome," Bree said, being one of the ones who managed to take a graceful walking landing, holding her arms wide to show them all that lay around them, "to the Sahara desert and your evening's challenge."

[Narcissus Drachen]

Professor Hubbles smiled sparingly and Narcissus stood still, his attentiveness unwavering. He had expected the pity, for he was so cutely sad sometimes, but was he not worth even a little token amusement? She turned from him with feline contempt, in no mood to be stroked, and Narcissus peered intrusively at Dean. Wait your turn next time. He blew him a kiss and trotted after Professor O’Donnell, his beautifully ill-fitting Head of House. It was a shame she didn’t actually live with him.

She kept ahead of them deliberately, partly in a hurry but also to avoid talking to them, Narcissus guessed. They passed idle warlocks and intelligent otters hanging on the walls, several straightening up hopefully as they spotted Narcissus, but he focused diligently on snaking along behind the professor, leaping left and right behind her in private play. He fully suspected she saw him prancing about, but nobly ignored him.

Outside the gigantic gates Narcissus was the first to grip the edge of the steel lid, conveniently cuddling up to Professor O’Donnell to make room for their takeoff, but he had absolutely no time in which to familiarise before they were hurtling through the vast world.

The heat of real-time pressed in and Narcissus abandoned the lid early, spiralling down into soft, warm dune.

[Dean Hogarth]

Dean’s heart was beating faster then it had ever done with Professor Owen shot him that smile and took his assignment off him. The Hufflepuff was finding it hard to control his breathing as he watched the beautiful professor’s eyes dance from side to side as she quickly ran over his words. As her harmonious voice rang out around them Dean could not help but grin like at Cheshire cat not only had he won points for Hufflepuff but he had also been the reason for that smile of the Professors face.

Turning rather smugly to the Slytherin the Hufflepuff was rather surprised to see Narcissus blow him a kiss, so surprised that all Dean could do was stare open mouthed in shock, cheeks burning red through the thin layer of stubble filling the fifth years face. Not wishing for Professor Owen to see him like this Dean quickly shuffled off after Professor O’Donnell as she lead them away out of the castle and towards Hogsmeade.

Dean could not help but groan when he saw the portkey, he had only ever used one once before and it was not a pleasant experience and this one was almost as bad. Due to his less then perfect ability to travel and spin in circles Dean lacked the ability to land properly and was almost grateful for there to be a load of sand t land on. Spitting out a mouthful of the stuff the Hufflepuff pushed himself up and looked around barren region around them at the Professor’s welcome.

“I wish I packed another jumper.” He muttered to himself as automatically he raised his head to the night sky.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia walked at the back of the small group, making sure that everyone went where they were supposed to. Bree kept a quick pace and once or twice she fell behind she had to jog to catch up a little. She didn't know how the shorter of the group would manage it but still, she kept them in line and going till they got to the port key. Dia too put her hand on it in time and went flying with the class through time and space till they reached their destination.

It had to be said that this idea had been nurtured by Moswen, the family friend who lived in Egypt the last time she had been in Egypt. Walking around the group of students sprawled on the floor, Dia took in a deep breath of the fresh cool air. The sun had gone down and you would have expected it to be cold but Dia had picked this specific night because the winds were moving in such a way that the warm air was being forced downwards and keeping them all from freezing.

Bree made a very dramatic welcome and Dia stiffled a giggled behind her hand. "Enough of that then," Dia said, waving her hand at the professor with a smile. "We are going to be navigating our way via the stars out of this desert but-" Dia held up a finger in interjection "- we will be doing it in two groups, two directions, and the first back to the school Entrance wins their respective houses fourty points."

As she watched the students stand up, Dia smiled at them. "Each group will be going with one of us." Dia pointed from herself to Professor O'Donnell. "Erys, Alice, Ellie," she looked at each in turn, "you will be going with Professor O'Donnell. Angelique, Dean and Narcissus will be with me. Each of us know where we need to go and each point is equal distance from here. You have forty-five minutes before the portkeys run out so best not dilly-dally."

Giving Bree a good luck squeeze on the arm before walking off in a random direction.

[Ellie Rook]

"I'm very well, thanks Professor Hubbles." Ellie said with a large smile, emphasizing the Hubbles. Ellie will alway and forever be jealous of the former Dia Owen, marrying her one and only school crush, Professor Hubbles. However, Ellie couldn't help but love the Ravenclaw head of house, and therefore, no hard feelings would ever be shown from the silly teenager.

Ellie decided to just sit back and watch as Erys just dug herself a deeper and deeper hole. The Hufflepuff tried not to smile as no only did she get points taken away, but a detention as well. Just like a Slytherin to get herself all hot and bothered for something little. Ellie knew enough not to voice any of her opinions out loud, especially with the Slytherin Head of House here too.

As Professor O'Donnell joined them, Ellie got suddenly worried that the lesson would involve animals somehow. Why else would the Care of Magical Creatures Professor come up here. However, Ellie followed the Professor down the tower and coming to rest as a rather rusty object. Ellie was slightly confused at what was going on, and as the Professor bagn to count she decided she should probably place her hand on the drum as well.

Ellie felt like she was catapulted through water as the Portkey pulled her. She landed in the soft sand, the rest of the class with her. Ellie looked around, and smiled. Egypt. It was on her top list of favorite places she had lived. The sun had gone down, so the stars were shining brilliantly, and the normally hot atmosphere cooled instantly. Ellie wondered what they were going to do, and what they could be doing with Animals and stars. But as Professor Hubbles explained, Ellie's fear of seeing any animals subsided. However, she sighed as she heard the groups they would be going in. Grace would be forced to spend quality time with the Hufflepuffs, lost in the desert no less. Lovely for them.

Ellie sighed and waved a smile goodbye to Professor Hubbles as she walked over to Professor O'Donnell. "So Professor, please tell me that we won't be encountering an magical beasts of any kind today..." Ellie said, a small smile on her face as she joked. The Hufflepuff was ready to go, and ready to win, even if it meant working with the Slytherin who once found great enjoyment out of Ellie's pain in a specific Dark Arts classroom.

[Alice Simmons]

Everything that had gone on in front of the small Hufflepuff was almost too much for her to get her head around. The while situation had escalated to such a height, so from a simple threat by Erys two professors ended up jumping down her throat…not that Alice was complaining, it was nice to see people stick up for her brother and also as a Hufflepuff it was always fun to see a Slytherin get caught. There were many occasions during the debate did the little second year want to jump in but common sense prevailed and she kept her mouth shut.

A few more late comers showed up and soon they were on their way, ready to start what promised to be an exiting lesson. Professor O’Donnell led the way and at a quick pace, so much so that the small Hufflepuff had to run to keep up with her other classmates. However being the smallest had its advantages as she was able to fit under the arm of one of the older Hufflepuff’s to get a clean grasp on the portkey, the problem was that Alice had never been good a landings and like many of the other students landed on the sand covered desert floor with a thud.

Pushing herself up and brushing the sand off her robes Alice listened to what Professor Hubbles had to say, nodding her head to show that she was listening and understanding that they had to do. Marcus would be so jealous when she told him about this in the morning, she was actually in Egypt! Skipping to Ellie’s side the young Hufflepuff thought she would stick with her elder housemate more in fear of what Erys would do to her more then anything else, although at least they had Professor O’Donnell, she was nice...in her own way.

[Erys Grace]

{ Ooh, this is crap. xD }

Zoning out for a bit, it seems that when she came to and snapped back into reality Hubbles had paired her with two PeachPuffs and her Head of House. Inside her mind was screaming in protest, but there was no point in losing even more points from her house. Though she'd be sure to gain them back tenfold later on, she didn't want to fight the pompous professor anymore. "Right." The Slytherin muttered, stepping up to the other three in her group and letting her face fall neutral. She was outnumbered here, and she was nearly having a brain aneurism trying to keep all the remarks inside. Biting her lip and looking elsewhere, claws digging into the palms of her hands as she waited for them to set off, Erys wondered why on earth she took this class in the first place. Had she been drunk? High? She must have not been thinking clearly, must have. Must must must.

Is there any way of projecting a little star chart in my hands? Erys thought curiously, staring at her upturned hands--complete with little claw indents and everything from her earlier bout of anger--knowing that there probably was but not recalling learning a way to produce anything like it in the classes she took at Hogwarts. Aunt Melinda would be able to teach her, she used to be an unspeakable for the Ministry, yeah? Awesome.[/color]