Astronomy Lesson #1

[Juniper Primrose]

Juniper was delighted as the night sky was clear, bright and ready for her students to take in the delights of the evening. Few students ever came to her class bright eyed, but it was a delight in the end. There was a cool breeze that made Juniper smile, the crisp air around Hogwarts school, and the memory of her school days back in America.

No chalkboards, or desks set up for this class. It was on the top tower, open to the elements and wonderful for the Professor who had no fear of heights. She did however have a fear for her students, and for that there was a special enchantment around the outside edge that made for certain no one would fall over.

There where some stations set up, all pointed to the sky, the bright stars, and the elegance of the way they where designed, she could not help but love the magic that was within the very sight.

“Welcome to Astronomy.” She began once students started to arrive. “Please three to a station.” She smiled, her dreamy voice seemed stronger in the night, it traveled further then in a crowded room. “I am glad to see everyone make it here on time. Before we begin I would love for everyone to introduce themselves. As your professor I will tell you a little about myself, and why you can learn from me.” She said walking around the tower, her dark brown hair almost reflected the night sky.

“I am Professor Juniper Primrose, and as I already can note some have noticed, I have an American accent.” She smiled at the student who abruptly toped speaking. “While I may not have grown in this wonderful atmosphere rest assured I know very much about Hogwarts, and its history. This is shown by the fact that I am the Head of Ravenclaw. However I do not only welcome Ravenclaw student but all student who want to talk.” Juniper looked so young, it was such an accomplishment in her life to be where she was.

“Astronomy is a powerful and delightful subject that I am sure at times you will be slightly tired of, but remember that no matter where you are, the sky and the stars are not going to be different. They are all the same, they live and die in their due time.” She glided on the stone, not making a sound as she stepped on each one, taking in all the faces, a smile on her own.

“Tonight we have a great but rare thing to see so well. The Orion Nebula. I have supplied you all with extra magnitude binoculars. You should aim your binoculars at the line of stars below the Belt in the constellation Orion. Located right over here.” She gestured to the night sky, that seemed so vast. “The fuzzy star in the middle is actually the glorious Orion Nebula, a stellar nursery illuminated by bright, newly formed stars.”

However she wanted to teach even more she wanted to know her class, and her students. “But first before we learn about the delights of nature and the sky I would like to learn about each of you.” She said looking at the students, “Anyone can go first.” She said as she looked for anyone of the group to speak up, no matter how tired they might be.

[lukusmathew]

Lukus looked at the teacher, and decided he may as well introduce himself as everyone else seemed to be too scared.

He stepped forward and smiled at her.
"I'll go first," he told Professor Primrose. "My name is Lukus Mathew Pevineve, I'm from Sweden but I've lived in Britain for a few years and I speak English fluently. I've always thought that the one thing that never changes around the world is the stars that we see, it's almost a way of uniting all of the people on earth because we see the same thing no matter who we are, which language we speak and where we live. That's why I decided to take Astronomy: because I love the stars and how they are always stable in our world no matter what else happens, and no matter what terrible things go on. the stars are always there."

Lukus flushed, realising he'd just said a speech and stepped back to the other students.

[Juniper Primrose]

Juniper smiled listening to the student, he had strong and wonderful ideals and it was such a treat to hear them. His vision of the stars was much like hers, and that was why she taught this class out of all others. “Thank you Mr. Pevineve, That was wonderful.” She said once he stepped back, he was confident and that was such a good quality in students.

“You are very right, the stars are a stable, and constant reminder that we are all connected and all part of the same world. Magical or non, as well as every creature too. I must say that is why I enjoy this class the most, because the sky is so vast, so much to discover, yet so much of it is known by each and everyone regardless of language, age, race or anything really.” Juniper said really happy with the young man and hoped that others would have similar ideals and would be really happy about the class.

“Okay, who would like to be next?” she asked scanning them; she hated to point anyone out, and would never do such a thing to her students. She figured that they would warm up to her in time and did not mind waiting.

[lukusmathew]

"Thank-you professor Primrose," Lukus replied, blushing.

[Annabelle Merlin Grace]

Annabelle had fallen out of her bed knowing that she had to get to class on time. She had already been late for all the others. She arrived on time for this one, but pure luck as the half awake hufflepuff was not really sure what she was going to be doing tonight. Did they just look at the stars? Seeing the class it was cold but not as could, as it should have been outside, must be some magic. She was standing there listening to the first person speak up, and he seemed to be awake. Was this a normal thing? She was convinced that everyone in the class was crazy, including herself for signing up to it.

It was when she took a step forward she noticed her very pink and very fuzzy slippers on her feet. Her face turning another shade of pink to match her hair and slippers she took in a breath trying to wake up once more because she had to speak. She was getting used to the idea of class bonding before lessons. TO her it was strange but she did not mind.

“Well, I don’t mind going next, after all I already forgot my shoes what more could I do?” she said with a smiled and looking at her feet, no bother worrying about it anymore. “My name is Annabelle Grace. I just moved here from Vermont with my father. I took the class because, well I thought it would be nice to have a reason to look at the stars.” She said not sure if she said enough or too much. I mean she could go on normally but the yawn that ended her statement seemed to be the right note to finish on.

[Juniper Primrose]

(I will start the lesson shortly, just want to give others a chance to get into intorductions, but anyone can join in at any time too)

Juniper smiled seeing the young hufflepuff,, just as she had expected some students to be. A little tired and a bit out of place here on the astronomy tower’s ledge. She was happy to hear that she was from Vermont, “That is lovely Annabelle, I grew up in Massachusetts, not far from Vermont. So if you ever have the desire to talk about home with someone I don’t mind. It is a big move after all.” She said and laughed, “And I do not mind anyone wearing slippers to class, they are rather comfortable. After all it is a late class.” She said sure that she would not get any student in trouble with the other professors, “but that only goes for my class.” She said sweetly.

“Okay, who would like to be next?” Juniper looked over the students, some looking up to the sky and others just hoping to avoid this annoying introduction bit.

[farah]

Groggy and half-dazed, Farah Astair woke up at 1 am to find herself face down on an open book in the library with a half written essay next to her. She checked the nearest clock and quickly became alert. "I missed Astronomy! Sh*t!" She hurriedly got her things together and sprinted back to the Ravenclaw Common Room and threw her things onto her bed as she scrambled to find her time turner, completely oblivious to the fact that she may awaken sleeping room mates. When she found it she quickly wrapped it around her and got together everything she thought she might need for Astronomy and turned time back an hour and twenty minutes.

Once back in time, Farah sprinted to the Astronomy tower, determined not to be late. She arrived 5 minutes early and completely out of breath. She sat down and put her head on her knees and tried to regain her breath while the professor waited for more students to arrive. When she felt calmer, Farah looked up at the teacher whom she vaguely recognised. When instructed, Farah walked to a station. However, she didn't want to join a group of people she didn't know, so she sat by herself at an empty one, hoping that she wouldn't have to be forced to join a group of people whom she didn't know.

Farah listened attentively to Professor Primrose, throughoughly enjoying her accent. Having an accent herself from being polylingual, Farah was greatly captivated by foregin languages and accents. When told about binoculars and the Orion constellation, Farah was even further intrigued. She had yet to learn about the cosmos in previous schools and before the Professor could say otherwise, Farah had her hands on a pair of binoculars. Dijectedly she put them back when she heard it was sharing time.

Farah didn't think she'd be interested in hearing stupid things about her classmates, but she found out that one kid in particular was sort of like her. He grew up in different countries, and, she assumed, was at least bilingual. That was interesting to know. The next girl to go up was also American and it appeared she had forgotten to properly dress. Farah thought that the slippers were a violation of the dress code and by first impression decided she didn't like the girl. She was a little bothered when the teacher started to relate to her about growing up in the US.

"I'll go next, ma'am." Farah said shyly. She stood up in front of the class and started to speak. "Hi, I'm Farah, but if," Farah struggled with th sounds even after knowing languages that required them for years, but she tried to do her best,"t'hats too strange a name for anyone to remember, you may also call me Alli." She rolled her l so that it sounded like an r as well, as in Japan she went by that name and wasn't sure if she'd rather be called Alli or Ari now that she was in a country that didn't mix the two letters together. "I'm a transfer student from Japan, but I'm not Japanese, alt'hough I do have a very mixed heritage." Farah realised she was almost on a rant. She tried to get to the point. "Anyways, I am taking t'his class because in my ot'her schools I went to didn't teach astronomy and t'he stars seem almost magical to me and I would enjoy learning about t'hem." Farah quickly moved back to her station, hoping she didn't make a fool of herself. Even if she did, she reminded herself that she was here to learn, not to socialise. I must not forget why I'm here...

[Janet Numan]

Janet was awake, alert, but mostly bored. What was this? Her eight time taking this class, this absurd class? She did not like it, nor did she want to waste time staring up at the sky looking at the stars. Listening to everyone with their moments of sharing Janet did not want to. She hated this boring ritual that they each class had, just get the lesson over with!

There were way to many people in here that had been to far too many places. Janet had traveled, but like they had. Her travels were not something she would talk about nor be excited to let others know. She was however quite the brit non the less.

“Janet Numan, I play Chaser for the quidditch team, and I just want to get this year finished.” She said plainly when the professor looked at her in the corner of the tower. There was nothing more to say, she was not gong to go over board like telling anyone about her past, and she at least did not look like a fool in some pink slippers. She too sat alone, but she could care less what the lesson was about.

[Juniper Primrose]

Juniper had such a great selection of students this year. Farah seemed intelligent, and collected. She loved her accent, which seemed to be from many languages, and she assumed English was not her first. It was a real treat to have such a diverse class, she would be learning a lot this year from them. “Japan is lovely Farah, I visited there before. I hope that you enjoy the class. The stars are very magical, and am glad you decided to join the class.” She said to her. She was pleased that her class seemed very receptive to learning about the stars.

Then when she looked about the room, a brunette spoke up, simple, and blunt. Juniper did not mind at all. “Well very nice to have you in class too Miss Numan.” She said to her and decided that introductions were complete. It was time to learn tonight.


“Okay, now that we all know each other a little better lets get started. Everyone take a pair of binoculars I have supplied, or use your own if you want to. If you have your own be sure to set the magnitude to one hundred thousand.” She said as she took her own pair that was hanging around her neck. She had a spell that made it so you did not need them, but it was the first lesson, it was going to be simple.

“If you have them set look over in this direction.” Juniper pointed to the sky, the northwest night sky was just beautiful but when you looked in the binoculars which were so very strong it seemed like another world all together, amazing that it was all there, up in that sky everyday and night.

“Look closely to see the glorious Orion Nebula”
www.astronomy.com/asy/objects/images/orion_neb_eddie_500.jpg[/img]

Juniper herself sighed at it in delight. “Does everyone see it?” She asked, looking away from the sight to address her class she continued. “The Orion Nebula is considered to be one of the most scrutinized and photographed objects in the night sky, and is among the most intensely studied celestial features. A muggle, Erdenerdorj Dulguun imaged the nebula from Wichita, Kansas, November 18, 2006. His picture was wonderfully detailed and has been studied by both wizard and non wizards for many years. The sky is something that we all want the answers to.” Juniper said as she looked around for any hands.

“The nebula has revealed much about the process of how stars and planetary systems are formed from collapsing clouds of gas and dust. Astronomers have directly observed protoplanetary disks, brown dwarfs, intense and turbulent motions of the gas, and the photo-ionizing effects of massive nearby stars in the nebula.” She stopped.

“I will have plenty of office hours if anyone needs assistance remembering any of these facts.” That was often her way of letting the students know to take notes, and ask questions. Juniper herself owned a quick notes quill, while she did not like the students using them she did allow them on occasion.

After this they would enter into the group work, but it was first important to wait for questions.