Thornton kept meaning to go to the observatory after dark, but Professor Flamsteed had seemed so... off... recently that Thornton didn't want to bother him.

And so the planetarium in the middle of the day was what he could manage.

His personal copy of The Complete Constellation Dictionary, with bookmarks sticking out in multiple places, tucked under his arm, he peeked into the room. Would there... be instructions on how to turn on the equipment?

Perhaps he hadn't thought this through. Stepping into the middle of the room, Thornton tilted his head at the equipment. This looked... complicated. Why hadn't Father let him just bring his telescope?? He could have used it from the dorm.

Sigh.

Carrying a few star charts tucked neatly under his arm and a thick binder opened up in his hand as he walked, the astronomer entered the planetarium and kept his nose stuck in all his research rather than look where he was going. There was no fear of him tripping, however, as he knew the place like the back of his right hand. He had studied the back of that hand for many years now as he gripped quills and pencils you see.

"Oh, Mr. Baines, hello there," he said after finally looking up from his papers. He took a few steps down from the entrance at a playful gallop and shut the binder. "Not disturbing some deep thought or discovery, am I?"

Thornton turned and smiled. "No, Professor. Not yet." He shifted on his feet and hugged his book to his chest. It was quite fortunate that the man had shown up. Thornton hoped he wasn't imposing.

"Actually.. I was hoping I could see the stars for the northern hemisphere in summer?" He paused, looking at the contraption in the middle of the room. "If it isn't too much trouble for you to show me how to make this work, that is."

Thornton looked at the man expectantly.

"Oh, stellar," he grinned as he continued to make his way eagerly down the stairs. Although the use of yet had certainly tickled his interest.

"Certainly! It is no trouble at all. What year were you hoping to look at?" he asked as he set his star charts and binder down on the table. "The year you were born? That seems to be a popular one with students." Who he hoped to Merlin were not doing it for astrology purposes. Bloody highly inaccurate scientific hokum!

Reaching around the side of the projector and pulled out a touch screen pad and then headed towards a nearby seat. "Handy little muggle device. Pity that I had to taint it a little with some enchantments to make it work here at Hogwarts." Not that he was a muggle artifacts purist or anything. The astronomer was just not a fan of altering something that was in its true state so to speak...unless it was in the name of science.

Probably why he had never been especially proficient at Transfiguration.

Thornton smiled. It was nice having the proper Professor Flamsteed back, not whatever had been going on in the astrophysics lab. But Thornton was smart enough to know that broaching such topics would be incredibly impolite.

"Thank you," he said, walking to stand next to the man. Oh. He needed a year. Biting his lip, Thornton thought. He'd asked for summer, so... "My sister's, I think," he finally said. Maybe he could sketch the skyscape for her. "2079."

Thornton nodded at the professor's explanation, though he didn't necessarily follow. He often forgot that muggle machines did not work here at Hogwarts, if only because Thornton often forgot about muggle machines in general.

The smile did not go unnoticed - had it been one of relief? - the astronomer was too busy pressing buttons on the touch pad to pay too much attention to the physical gesture.

"Have a seat, Mr. Baines. Far easier to look up while sitting down in these comfortable chairs," he said with a gesture towards one of the empty seats. In fact, he was going to take a seat himself. "Now, for complete accuracy, if you can give me the precise date of your sister's birthday...and we'll just set this for...oh...8 pm." His slender, but masculine, fingers flew over the screen as he adjusted a few settings.

"You were quite stellar in the recent Gobstones match, Mr. Baines. Have quite the knack for it."

Just not quite as good as Mr. Zeke, but it had been quite the battle between the two of them and entertaining to watch.

Thornton hurried over to a chair and leeaaaaaaned back, even though there was nothing to look at quite yet. Book in his lap, he drummed his fingers on the cover.

"August 31st, 2079," he responded, without looking. Smiling to himself, he started mentally composing the letter to his sister about how they had a machine at school that let him see what the stars looked like when she was born.

He sat up, though, at the next remark. "Oh. Thank you s--," whoops. "Professor. My.. how to describe what Seren was? She'd been his nanny, and was Mairwen's, but she had also managed his schooling, but governess didn't quite capture it... Rather than go for role, he opted simply for what he called her. "My Seren taught me how to play." Even though she really wasn't supposed to.

His fingers flew over the touch screen again as dull beep beep bleep noises cut the comfortable silence with each movement. "And we just hit enter and....voila!"



With a flick of his wand - because he had not yet installed one of those clapper things just yet - the professor dimmed the lights so they could see the projected sky a bit easier. "There we are. August 31, 2079," he said proudly while tucking the touch screen away so he could lean back in his chair with both hands resting comfortable behind his head.

Seren? Wait...surely not the same Seren, right? It was in that moment that the astronomer realized how little he actually knew about his colleagues - with the exception of Medea for obvious reasons. And in a way Andy Pandy, but not entirely by choice. He did know that the Seren he knew was knowledgeable when it came to quidditch...and they had watched many gobstones matches at Hogwarts together... "Seren....Bentley?" he asked after a few moments.

"Whoa," Thornton whispered as the lights dimmed and the sky appeared overhead. Blinking, he tried to find a constellation he recognized to orient himself, but could not tear his eyes away from the ceiling to open his book.

But Professor Flamsteed's question did have him turn his head. It occurred to him that he didn't know Seren's last name and he felt a brief pang of guilt about it. But he knew it wasn't Bentley because he knew that was an old professor because he'd overheard people talking about her leaving. "No. My Seren lives with us and helps take care of my sister. Did my lessons, too." That was... sufficient, yes?

Looking back up to the ceiling, Thornton waited a few moments. "Professor? Can I ask for a favor?"

The astronomer smirked and tried to muffle his amused chuckle with his fist at the boy's reaction. "First time in a planetarium, Mr. Baines?" The first year's reaction indicated as much. "Nothing compared to the real thing, but it will suffice and is quite handy for research."

Ah, okay. Clearly not the same Seren, so that was a bit of a relief to know that the former Herbology professor had not been leading this double life that he was entirely unaware of. Well, he was still unaware of a lot of things, but at least one less thing to check off on that list.

"A favor? Sure," he nodded. "Hopefully it is something I can deliver on."

"It is..." Thornton whispered in response, fascinated that something created by muggles could replicate the sky like that. He thought about some of the evenings when he'd been able to persuade his parents that simply laying in the grass and staring at the sky constituted study. Mostly, though, at-home astronomy was him and his father with their telescopes, drawing charts. Telescopes. The favor.


"Um, well," Thornton began nervously. "I was wondering if you could maybe, if it's not too much trouble, write to my father?" Thornton bit his lip and considered his next words. "He said I had to leave my telescope at home and I thought maybe if you suggested that I should have it here, he would let me bring it next term?" Thornton wiggled in his seat, putting the book down on the empty chair next to him. If Father even let him come back for next term given what was going on. "I don't think he'd agree if it was me asking but if it came from you and that it was about school work and not just me wanting to have it, then he might?"

Word from a Professor might be enough. So long as Father didn't hear about the food fight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

"It is..." Thornton whispered in response, fascinated that something created by muggles could replicate the sky like that. He thought about some of the evenings when he'd been able to persuade his parents that simply laying in the grass and staring at the sky constituted study. Mostly, though, at-home astronomy was him and his father with their telescopes, drawing charts. Telescopes. The favor.


"Um, well," Thornton began nervously. "I was wondering if you could maybe, if it's not too much trouble, write to my father?" Thornton bit his lip and considered his next words. "He said I had to leave my telescope at home and I thought maybe if you suggested that I should have it here, he would let me bring it next term?" Thornton wiggled in his seat, putting the book down on the empty chair next to him. If Father even let him come back for next term given what was going on. "I don't think he'd agree if it was me asking but if it came from you and that it was about school work and not just me wanting to have it, then he might?"

Word from a Professor might be enough. So long as Father didn't hear about the food fight.

He wasn't sure how much to read into this. Not too many youngsters his age had the privilege of being taken to a planetarium muggle born or not. The wonder and excitement was quite telling, however, and reminded him very much of the same spark he had seen in Miss Cambridge's eyes back in her second year. Yet another aspiring astronomer? He selfishly hoped so.

"Oh, that would be no trouble at all, Mr. Baines. I have a few letters I need to owl off myself, so I will just add that to the list," he saluted the young man. "In the meantime, you are more than welcome to check out one of the many tucked away in the Observatory for your personal use." It was not the same, he understood that. The professor had been rather possessive of the first telescope he had ever been given. A Celestron’s NexStar 130SLT, which was above and beyond what was required to bring to Hogwarts. It had been his precious...and when some classic example of the inverse ratio between the size of the mouth and the size of the brain Slytherin had broken it...well...he had hexed their fingers right off.

Not that Mr. Baines needed to know that.

Thornton smiled and turned his gaze back to the ceiling. "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it." The letter and the loaner telescope. He reached over to grab his constellation dictionary, then, flipping through the pages, trying to match what he saw overhead with those shapes in his book. He slipped ripped pieces of parchment inbetween the pages, marking the ones he thought he had identified.

And then he had a thought.

"Professor?" he offered, hesitantly. "Could you... maybe not mention the trouble I had with my spells? I didn't tell them." He bit his lip and looked at the man, an expression of worry plainly visible. He was not one to necessarily share his troubles - after all, burdening others with your own minor difficulties was impolite - but it was something weighing on his mind heavily after the holiday break. "I know they're concerned with how much I'm learning and I'm afraid they won't let me come back next year."

Hopefully omitting the fairtytale wonders went without saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

Thornton smiled and turned his gaze back to the ceiling. "Thank you, Professor. I really appreciate it." The letter and the loaner telescope. He reached over to grab his constellation dictionary, then, flipping through the pages, trying to match what he saw overhead with those shapes in his book. He slipped ripped pieces of parchment inbetween the pages, marking the ones he thought he had identified.

And then he had a thought.

"Professor?" he offered, hesitantly. "Could you... maybe not mention the trouble I had with my spells? I didn't tell them." He bit his lip and looked at the man, an expression of worry plainly visible. He was not one to necessarily share his troubles - after all, burdening others with your own minor difficulties was impolite - but it was something weighing on his mind heavily after the holiday break. "I know they're concerned with how much I'm learning and I'm afraid they won't let me come back next year."

Hopefully omitting the fairtytale wonders went without saying.

"You are quite welcome," he saluted the Ravenclaw while trying not to lean over too much to see just what sort of research her was hoping to accomplish. The astronomer had his own to take care of, not necessarily with the current projection, so he ought to focus on his own calculations before getting nosy.

Although he did spot the constellation book out of the corner of his eye.

Well...this was...all unexpected. "I don't see why I would, Mr. Baines," he replied as he set his work on his legs. "Your spellwork and the necessity to have your own telescope are hardly connected. Save for the Telescope Focus Charm." Quite the...intriguing request. Although a bit alarming that the boy's parents seemed doubtful the Ravenclaw was learning anything. "Is it learning or mastering, Mr. Baines?" he asked casually as he looked down at some notes on a piece of parchment, trying not to make a big deal out of the situation. The boy was obviously nervous.

Thornton exhaled the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding and nodded. That made sense. He just didn't know what the Professor might include.

"They have concerns," Thornton said glumly. "About the quality of the school." Thornton rubbed an itch on his nose. "Over holiday they were talking about having me tutored at home instead, like they were." He shrugged, and pretended to try to identify another constellation. It was blatantly obvious, however, that he was doing no such thing, as he flipped the same page back and forth.

"If they knew I was struggling, I think they'd do it." He swung his feet and looked up at the ceiling again. Maybe it wasn't a terrible idea? He had some friends, but not a ton. And there was certainly something weird happening at this school and it had affected him too.

He still had no idea what had happened to that flute.

But what sorts of awesome things would he miss not being at Hogwarts. Like this! Thornton opened his eyes and stared thoughtfully at the constellations above.

Ah....yes, well. The professor could not deny that Hogwarts had been getting more than its fair share of bad press these days. There was always something going on at the school, but despite all that students were still passing their OWLs and NEWTs and going on to have stellar careers elsewhere. So, really, was there honestly a need to be too concerned? He was just a bit biased on the matter, naturally, as the school being closed down would effect his livelihood quite dramatically.

The astronomer swallowed hard before speaking. "They are considering removing you from the school?" The importance of the wording of this letter over a telescope suddenly became very weighted. And while he was not one to want to get involved in the personal lives of students - although some were thrust upon him - he felt like he could negotiate with himself enough to do so this time. It WAS in the name of education, after all. "Would you like for me to say a few words to them regarding the importance that you continue your education here? At Hogwarts?" Two fwoopers and one VERY strategically placed stone.

Thornton nodded solemnly when Professor Flamsteed restated the problem at hand. His parents were indeed actively reconsidering their decision to send him to school. The thought made him queasy, which he supposed was a good sign. If he'd learned of this in October, he might have readily agreed.

He closed the book and frowned in thought. Was that asking too much? "I don't want to... impose... any more than I already have." With the telescope request and all. But he couldn't deny that it might help, especially coming from the Astronomy professor. Thornton drummed his fingers on his book cover, trying to decide what to do.

"It might help," he finally said. "But only if it isn't any trouble for you." Thornton wondered what his father would think if he knew that he was seeking intercession from a professor on his behalf. It was either a good form of self-advocacy or the airing of private business, and Thornton just didn't know which.

Always worrying about what was proper was... tiring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe

Thornton nodded solemnly when Professor Flamsteed restated the problem at hand. His parents were indeed actively reconsidering their decision to send him to school. The thought made him queasy, which he supposed was a good sign. If he'd learned of this in October, he might have readily agreed.

He closed the book and frowned in thought. Was that asking too much? "I don't want to... impose... any more than I already have." With the telescope request and all. But he couldn't deny that it might help, especially coming from the Astronomy professor. Thornton drummed his fingers on his book cover, trying to decide what to do.

"It might help," he finally said. "But only if it isn't any trouble for you." Thornton wondered what his father would think if he knew that he was seeking intercession from a professor on his behalf. It was either a good form of self-advocacy or the airing of private business, and Thornton just didn't know which.

Always worrying about what was proper was... tiring.

Airey chuckled and shook his head. Not because he found what the boy had said foolish or anything of the sort, but for reasons he would rather keep to himself. "It is hardly imposing to ask a Hogwarts professor to write to the parents of a Hogwarts student about extending their studies at Hogwarts." Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts...teach us something pleaaaaase...and all that. Airey was never all that fond of the song, so preferred not to actually sing that out loud at the moment.

Logic. Yes, it was only logical for a professor to wish their student to stay at the institution of their employment.

"I certainly hope it does, Mr. Baines. I see a bright future for you and it would be a shame to not be able to see it unfold," he grinned as he returned his attention to his parchment and quill to jot down a reminder to write Mr. Baines' family.

He looked back up at the projected sky after tucking his quill away once more. Time for a more cheerful change of topic, yes? "See anything interesting?"

Good. Thornton did not want to feel as if he were wasting the professors time or asking for inappropriate favors, but Flamsteed seemed amenable to the request. Though, he wasn't sure what that laugh was all about.

Thornton smiled at the praise, however. He'd wondered, when his parents suggested his leaving, if he really fit in here or could manage the work. But he'd gotten some special attention and was making progress.

Not to mention the sudden, successful shield charm he'd managed in the middle of the food fight. Heh.

Thornton looked to the professor and then up at the projection. Grabbing his book again, he showed it to Flamsteed.

"Father gave me a constellation dictionary, so sometimes I pick one in the book and try to find it in the sky. Or pick one out in the sky, or fake-sky, and then try to find it in the book. See what they look like in context." Thornton shrugged.

Squinting up at the rounded ceiling, though, he pointed. "But that one, there," he said, wondering if pointing was simply enough. "I don't recognize it."

The boy's lack of protesting further was enough of a confirmation for the man to move forward with said letter writing No pressure or anything. He ought to have proposed another little professor meet and greet so he could get to know the parents of his students a bit better. Studying the parents' behavior had, in the past, given him some insight to how best handle their children. Had confirmed a few things about Miss Cambridge for sure.

But Mr. Baines...well...he could only speculate and theorize. Hmmmm.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOH," Airey exclaimed with the enthusiasm of an osmophilic organism in Honeydukes. "I'm quite the fan of National Geographic Backyard Guide to the Night Sky. Was one of the first astronomy specific books I received as a child. First edition." It was in his office actually, a bit worn at the edges and its binding fairly loose...but still in good condition. He just couldn't bring himself to charm it to mint condition.

Ceasing his trip down memory lane - Christmas memory lane to be specific - his gaze followed the Ravenclaw's finger and let out another manly 'oooooh' before speaking. "That is Grus, whose name is Latin for the crane." But he would let the boy look it up in his book rather than give him all the fascinating details of the constellation. "Quite the lucky find."

Thornton laughed at the Professor's exclamation, his shoulders shaking as he tried to stifle it.

But Thornton didn't recognize that title, which he thought odd, given the library at home. "Is that a muggle book, professor?" he asked, curiously. He wondered if he'd be permitted to have a copy. It wasn't that his parents had anything against muggles, but they weren't exactly fond of muggle things in the house.

Nodding at the information about the constellation, Thornton flipped through his book until the page on Grus was visible. Reading aloud, he mumbled to himself. "Fully visible south of latitude 33N, Grus has twelve stars and is one of the southern birds, along with Phoenix, Tucana and Pavo."*

Face screwed up in concentration, Thornton flipped through the book to locate the other constellations. Peering at the simple line renderings in the book and then starting back up at the ceiling, Thornton lost himself in the search for the other birds.

*ooc: whatup, Wikipedia

Now he was wishing that he had that particular book with him...not that it had any relation to the research he had initially come here to do. "It is. By the National Geographic Society. They are a muggle non-profit scientific and educational institution over in the United States. Have a fascinating magazine as well, but I had to cancel my subscription a few years ago." Did it matter that it was muggle? The astronomer was slightly curious as to why the Ravenclaw had asked about the distinction.

He nodded as the boy read. "Yep, that's the one. Quite difficult to view from Hogwarts naturally, but given that the planetarium provides an uninterrupted view of the night sky, you are able to see it now." Otherwise, well, trees and mountains and Merlin knew whatever would most likely be hiding it from view

Seeing that the boy had gone back to work, Airey pulled out his own parchments again - star charts dotted with a few red X's here and there followed by dotted green and orange lines to signify predicted cosmic movements. If calculations were correct...he may be able to execute some transit photometric methodology....hmmmm...

Thornton kept looking up at the ceiling, then down at the book, then back up at the ceiling, identifying and locating each of the Southern Birds, making little marks in his book with his quill.

Closing the book, then, he unfolded a piece of parchment and, after some consideration, slid to the ground to have something to lean on. Craning his neck to look over his shoulder at the projection, he sketched out a quick rendering of the constellations positions relative to each other. He'd had an idea for a gift for Mairwen and it was going to take a little planning.

Satisfied that what he'd scribbled down was at least the rough relative positioning, he folded the parchment and tucked it inside his book. Standing, he looked over at the professor, hoping that he wouldn't be interrupting.

"Excuse me, professor?" he said, in order to get the man's attention. "I've finished my work. Thank you for your help with the projection." He smiled, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "And, um, thanks for the letter, as well."

And with that, Thornton made his way from the planetarium and back to the common room. He had art supplies to gather.

Looking up from his own charts when the Ravenclaw spoke, the professor offered the boy a salute. "Of course, Mr. Baines. This facility it available to you whenever you need," he smiled. "If you need assistance, you can always come knocking on my office door or if you happen to know Miss Wisteria she is also quite knowledgeable about this equipment." At least until the end of this term that is. After, well, she would be graduated and off on the next great adventure.

"You have a stellar rest of your day."

Once the boy had left, Airey reset the settings on the projector so that he could return to his own research. He would just stick around here for a little while longer before heading down to the Great Hall for his next meal.