| Dwarf
Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: #8000FF
Posts: 35,312
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Amelia "Mia" Adair
Slytherin Sixth Year
Hogwarts RPG Name:
Leigh Upstead
Hufflepuff Fifth Year  x11
|  Mod Babysitter | be curious, not judgmental
Text Cut: Flammy Quote:
Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie  "Live long and prosper, Mr. Kettleburn," he greeted the first year as a thought struck him. A thought that had been lingering ever since the feast. Well, ever since he had calmed DOWN that is. Which really meant that he had been reminded of their discussion some time after the house meeting and now and was now reminded he wanted to speak with the young man about a proposition. "About what you asked me at the feast, I believe I have a bit of an opportunity for you. Stop by my office sometime and we can discuss things in more depth."
Because he did have a lesson to teach right now.
-----------------------------------
Checking his sundial watch and nodding approvingly at what he saw, the Astronomy professor stood up and gave his wand a little flick towards the door to close it.
"Good evening, live long and prosper, and welcome to Astronomy with is never to be confused with astrology," he announced whilst giving the entire class another Vulcan salute. He, unlike so many others, was quite comfortable in this unusual environment and the uncanny but subtle smirk he word as he continued to address the class was an indication of his amusement to those observant enough to take notice. As always, there was a methodology to his madness. Well...usually there was. 85%? "For those of you who do not know me, I am Professor Flamsteed - although you may also call me Professor Airey if you so please." The Admiral, well, that was a little selfish bonus to those who wished to call him that. He wouldn't deny anyone the opportunity to do so. "Let's begin today's lesson with a brief discussion about why we study astronomy. What makes humanity look up and want to study the heavens? Furthermore, why do you think it is a subject that young witches and wizards are required to take here at Hogwarts?"
At least for the first five years of their education at least. Although, if it was up to him, it would be for all seven. But the man was just a tad biased. ...The man was talking to him, even as the eleven-year-old bundled up in his space blanket, and Callum's eyebrows shot upward in mild alarm as the professor brought up what they had discussed just yesterday at the feast. An... opportunity? "Oh?" A science-related opportunity? A geology-related opportunity?
The Gryffindor sat up a bit straighter in his bundle, a smile spreading across his face to accompany his entranced eyes, and he nodded with vigor. "Yes, sir. I will." He would stop by straight away, he would see to it, because he could not even fathom what Flamsteed had in store for him. He was simply as excited as he could ever be.
He was considering what kinds of things the professor may have had in mind when class began, and as excited as he was about their forthcoming office meeting, Callum's attention immediately shifted from thoughts of the meeting to the present. This was the class he had most been looking forward to and he was not going to miss a single word of the lecture, and immediately, he thought 'Professor Airey' had a nice ring to it. He actually preferred that over 'Professor Flamsteed,' which felt like much more of a mouthful, and 'Airey' just seemed to suit him more. It was kind of a funny name, was it not? Airey? Was it short for something, or did it mean something? Callum was unsure, but he tucked this nugget of knowledge away in his brain. Professor Airey, then.
The question the professor posed was one that made Callum actually give an audible hum of thought, and he burrowed tighter in his space blanket cocoon as if that would cover up the fact that he had just accidentally made a noise aloud. The answer was clear to him, really, but he was apprehensive about verbalizing it. Professor Airey already knew he was interested, he knew he was excited about this class most of all, but... what if he said something wrong? The professor no-doubt had high expectations for him already with his interest in science, but what if Callum opened his mouth, said something wrong, and lost all of the professor's respect? He could not let that happen.
So, instead of answering aloud, Callum snuck a hand out from his cocoon to pick up his quill, completely ignoring the others' answers, and he wrote, heavily engrossed in his own thoughts: We study the universe because we are the universe. We are the stars. The stars live within us. The stardust that makes up our being gave us life, and we would be nothing without the scientific processes of the ever-expanding universe. The study of astronomy is important to us because it hones in on where we came from, it helps us see what we will become, and how we will thrive. It shows us that we are so more than we are while simultaneously being so much less than we are. We are incredibly-made in this universe, a beacon of light as we exemplify the potential we have as living beings, but we are also just the smallest speck in all that resides beyond planet Earth. Astronomy gives us perspective, it gives us purpose, and it gives us hope for even more magnificent things to discover. The universe beckons to be studied, to be analyzed, to be explored, just as we need oxygen to survive. The universe is calling for us, and we need to answer that call.
That. That was why they needed to study astronomy, and Callum gave another hum, this time of satisfaction, as he set his quill down.
__________________  |