"Constellations are things in space," Elijah answered as he raised his hand. Yes, he was here again in Astronomy class, even if he had managed to create a make-shift bomb last lesson with his rocket. However, he liked Burbage so that was worth coming along for. Maybe she'd have another mid-life crisis and deduct a million points this time? That could be fun. Could it even be called a mid-life crisis considering she was so old? Hm.

Eliza was hoping they'd get to do something a little less rocket related in the second lesson, so she was pleased when the conversation started out with constellations. She didn't have many memorized but she knew the gist of what they were, or so she thought anyway. "Constellations are groupings of stars that can be seen from Earth, and well other planets too of course if we could be on them to look...though they might look differently there. Anyway they were recorded by ancient cultures and usually named for the shapes they made, like animals and such." She hoped they'd get to view some! Maybe there would be a meteor shower or something soon that they could enjoy.

Why not too specific? West found that confusing. Wasn't the point of learning stuff about being specific? He tipped his head to one side and decided that since she was asking for meaning... well, he put his hand up. "It comes from latin, umm.... Constellatio? And it means a set of stars, or a group or whatever. But its kind of not just any old group, its like a particular group, and there are eighty-eight of them. If its not one of them groups, then its not actually a constellation."

A constellation? SELINA KNEW ABOUT THIS! One of the many benefits of having virtually an astronomer for a boyfriend was that she actual KNEW the answer to these questions, since Gideon's expertise was in the stars. Also, that was usually the more romantic setting to teach her about astronomy anyway. Physics did not scream romantic.

But she rose her hand and answered Burbage, "Oh Professor! A constellation is a group of stars that make up a picture from our point of view on earth. Except ALL of these stars are not even in the same galaxy. They just appear to look that way." BAM!

So she had been hoping that after the lesson started the Professor would pop out the sodas like last time but now she was asking questions and there was still no sugary incentive to pay attention.

Sigh.

Alexa rested her head on her desk and listen as she addressed the class. Well. At least this time there were no pictures with impossible people that she didn't know. This counted for something if you asked her. This way there wouldn't be nearly as much guess work.

She listened to each of her classmates giving their definition of constellation and was now convinced that it wasn't that prize you won for coming in second. Such a good thing she hadn't been the first to answer; that might have been embarrassing. "Are they those stars that you can play connect the dots with? You know, 'cause they make a picture when you're done?" She asked curiously and did this mean they were gonna play that game? Hopefully because she was really good at it!

Cora's mind wandered to stars. She thought about them, about space, about planets. She was a bit spacey sometimes. But she couldn't help it, they were just SO BEAUTIFUL. And the mystery of it all was alarming. What was hiding out there in the dark?

Cora waved to Ethan and Elliot, and then smiled at Eliza. Those three seemed to be in almost ALL of her classes.

"A constellation is simply a way in which we on Earth identify stars. They form pictures which we can see, but are not actually linked to each other." Cora thought about stars in groups like families holding hands. She giggled. Some people honestly thought that stars were grouped by nature? Well, there was gravity pulling bodies towards each other, but this had NOTHING to do with that. She imagined the ones who had ultimately decided to form pictures in the sky before there were constellations. Seemed like a wonderful job.

Beezus had entered the classroom, gave the Professor a quick nod with a small smile before proceeding to the nearest seat she could find. Really, she wasn't in the mood to go choosing which spot was best to settle herself on. She was still disappointed with how their recent match with Hufflepuff went. And...Professor Burbage's sing-song voice wasn't really helping either.

Constellations? They were talking about constellations?!

*Cue eye widening and inner flailing and small excited gasp*

What did she know? Maybe..just maybe, today's lesson would somehow lift her mood. She loooooved stars. They were like glittering, luminescent dots that lived and brightened the darkness that enveloped the sky at night, and dots were sapid.

She was about to raise her hand and give her own definition of what a constellation is right after some of her classmates have given theirs, when she heard Kurumi's answer.

O______________________O

That hurt! Aren't real? But...but...the Big Dipper! ..and Orion's belt!

Things in space? And?

Beezus waited...waited eagerly for Elijah to continue but that was his answer. O_____________________o Seriously?! Constellations were more than that! Not just mere things. Merlin!

Gaaaaaah, her expectancy for this lesson's topic to lighten her mood had radically evaporated. No, she wasn't going to talk...just because...Yes, she was going to stay sitting there, pouting.

Honestly, can her week get any better?

Marion smiiiiiled at their responses. This was exactly why she looooved teaching the subject. The students were sooo enthusiastic. She waited for everyone to answer before she beeeeamed at all of them. "All of you are smart. Good job!"

"In a way, you're all riiiiight." Marion nodded, still smiling.. "A constellation is a formation of the stars, perceived as a design or a shape of some kind. Eighty-eight of the constellations are now recognized, a few of them more popular than the rest." Marion's eyes twinkled before she added, "And like someone pointed out rightly, Constellations are not reeeeal. They are a way to help us understand how the stars are aligned in the sky."

"Sinceee you all have an idea as tooooo what a constellation is, I would like you all darlings to name one constellation and tell me something about it." BEAM.

As she had mentioned Orion's belt, Sarah felt only right to talk about Orion. She raised her hand. "Orion is a famous constellation. In Greek Mythology Orion was a hunter, yet in different cultures he has different names. I like this constellation because it is seen all over the world. It is also the most visible to people. As I mentioned before, Orion has a belt, represented as three diagonal stars. In South Africa, where my mother was born they call it the drie susters, which in English means the three sisters. Just above those three are four stars which are his torso, beneath the belt is another three smaller stars which are said to be his sword. Why a hunter would need a sword elludes me... I think Hunters just need Bows and Arrows, much safer for the hunter that way."... She loved going off topic.. didn't she? She loved just lying and looking at the stars. Stars were just so far away and things and so many.This is what she called real astonomy.

Beezus' weird looks did not go unnoticed. Elijah had considered for a moment that the girl may have been having a stroke, and therefore, attempting to communicate to him to help her. However, some huffy movements and some seriously professional pouting began to make Elijah believe she hadn't been satisfied with Elijah's answer...

SPOILER!!: Burbage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marion Burbage

Marion smiiiiiled at their responses. This was exactly why she looooved teaching the subject. The students were sooo enthusiastic. She waited for everyone to answer before she beeeeamed at all of them. "All of you are smart. Good job!"

"In a way, you're all riiiiight." Marion nodded, still smiling.. "A constellation is a formation of the stars, perceived as a design or a shape of some kind. Eighty-eight of the constellations are now recognized, a few of them more popular than the rest." Marion's eyes twinkled before she added, "And like someone pointed out rightly, Constellations are not reeeeal. They are a way to help us understand how the stars are aligned in the sky."

"Sinceee you all have an idea as tooooo what a constellation is, I would like you all darlings to name one constellation and tell me something about it." BEAM.

... WELL, lookie here, Beezus! Apparently he was smart and that his answer was correct.

Hawt Hufflepuff 1 - 0 Grumpy PoutingClaw

He pretended to listen on as Burbage began talking a string of nonsense. He couldn't understand why on Earth they were having to waste time learning about something that the Professor had just said didn't actually exist... pointless much?

'Ohhhhhh, HEEEaaaveeennnnns dears! Let us discuss the unciorn eating galaxy called Goblatronnnnnn. But, DEARSSSS! Letttt us be made awareee, that such a galaxxxyy doesn't actually exist. HEAVennnnss nooooo! I just want tooo wasteee your timee with all the useless knowwwledge I've gained in my GAAJJILLLONNN yeeeaarsss. Why YES Beezus, I ammm older than the universe itselfffff'

*back to reality*

Elijah's thoughts made him escape a slight snort, amused at himself and his head's own impression of the hilariously fun Astronomy Professor. Oh! Next question was up.

Elijah raised his hand, not one to miss the opportunity to provide some nonsense answer in the hope of earning some more house points, "Well, my perrrrssssonal favourite is the Burbage constellation," Elijah offered smiling. "It didn't exist," much like the other constellations, APPARENTLY, "until just now when I decided to create it. I trullly believe someone as awesomely intelligent as yourself deserves a constellation named after them, Professor." WINK.

He was so good at this class.

The whole constellation stuff was starting to bore her. Astronomy in general was boring, but she knew that she didn't have a choice if she was going to please her parents. Ugh! They really did expect too much from her.

If constellations are not real they why did we have to talk about them huh? There were many different ones so surely she could think of one. She racked her brain until one finally came to her. "There's Chamaeleon." Ok now what about that one? "Johann Bayer drew this constellation following the description that had been given by early south sea explorers." Yup.

Minerva couldn't help but give a little smile with the older puffs comment. He was always doing something in classes. Well at least he was entertaining and it didn't seem like he got many points taken, so hopefully he wouldn't get any taken for this comment either. Puffs didn't need anymore points taken from then this term.

Okay.. back to what was asked..what was it again?? Oh right.. Putting up her hand, "Professor there is Pegasus. Pegasus is a group of starts that form the shape of a winged horse and can be seen in August." Minerva put her hand back down and smiled. She remembered that one from a few terms ago with their old professor. She always liked that constellation, because she thought a winged horse was wonderful.

Ah naming the constellations. There were so many to choose from. Vickers paused for a moment and looked away to collect his thoughts before raising his hand "Professor there is the Ursa Minor-- also called the Little Bear. Its a constellation where the North Star Polaris is found."

She was smart. The Professor just said so. Clearly there would be a game later on in the lesson and as that was the case she would happily wait. For now she would stay focused; work before play and all that formal stuff.

While the professor went on with the class she began rocking back and forth on her chair, trying to picture the pretty dots in the sky. There were so many of them and they were all so prettiful when you took the time to get to know them. Her chair came to a halt when the next question was posed. Wait...the pictures in the sky had names...?

...

Yeah...

Yeah they did, didn't they? Come to think of it, she could remeber her cousin trying to explain them to her one night. There were tonnes of them and it wasn't easy for her to remember all of them BUT she did remember one in particular. "You also have the big dipper!" The ice-cream scooper as her cousin had called. It was hard to miss when it was out.

"I think the others stars use it during those big parties in the sky, for ice-cream and other goodies." You know the kind her step-mother kept telling her she would send her to. "but there's no proof of that...I guess..."

Awarlesta recounted many she had come across her readings. "Uh, well there's Draco, or The Dragon."

Name a constellation...

Did he know one? The Slytherin placed his arm on the table and supported his chin on his hand. Another yawn escaped his mouth as he looked in front of him, still thinking if he knew a constellation. With a loud sigh, he was about to give up when one popped up in his mind. He quickly raised his hand in the air before he forgot it and answered.

"There's Cassio...Cassiopaja...(Cassiopeia) or something. And if you trace lines from five stars it should be in a W shape." That was actually all he knew....

"Well...." Jayden started, pausing in deep thought for a moment. "There is the constellation Aries, which is also part of the Zodiac." She answered, flipping her hair back behind her shoulders before she worked it back up into a more business-like bun.

Perfect.

Ella smiled up at Professor Burbage, thinking she was quite nice to call them smart. Not every professor made you feel that way and it really was nice to be reminded once and a while.

The third year scribbled down notes as Professor Burbage continued on, noting the part about constellations only being around to help us understand the stars' alignments in the sky. She really hadn't known that.

Right...what constellations did Ella know about that hadn't already been mentioned. Hmm. "Professor, there is the Andromeda constellation. It has to do with the myth about the Princess who was chained and offered as a sacrifice for Poseidon."

"Gemini," Vivi offered, with a half smile. Ironically, the twin was a Twin. June birthdays FTW. "From the latin for 'twin'. The constellation takes its name from the brightest two stars, called Castor and Pollux after the twins from Greek mythology."

And it was also a myth that Vivi understood, the love of one sibling for another and the desire to put the other before oneself. Castor and Pollux, in story at least, spent eternity together. That was devotion. Hufflepuff-like.

Well it was as if she had read his mind." Professor, There is the Hercules or Heracles constellation. It was named that because it looks like him."

Nigel could not remember if hercules was fighting anything. But maybe Burbage would know. Nigel liked all the zodiac ones but they were very common like orion's belt

Name a constellation? "There's the Little Dipper," Penelope answered, raising her hand. She...didn't know much about it aside from its existence though, so she lowered her hand after that and decided to just jot down the names the other students listed off. She didn't feel like writing down what they said when adding what they knew about the constellations as well. If she needed to know that, she could probably just looked them up by their names. Didn't mean she would but at least she was able to.

Eliza smiled back at Cora, glad to see so many familiar faces. It was funny that only a few short months ago she had felt completely alone. Now she felt pretty comfortable, most of the time at least. She knew the Zodiac constellation names, but wouldn't really be able to spot them if she had to. Luckily they'd only been asked to talk about one, so she raised her hand and said what little she knew. "The constellation Libra actually used to be part of Scopius' claw, but it later got renamed and was made separate from the Scorpio constellation." She hoped that had been enough information. Maybe if she enjoyed this class well enough she would take time to read ahead in their book to learn a little extra.

Okay. Elliot's vast knowledge of mythology was coming into play, here. Constellations were usually named after myths and stuff...well some of them, right?

Hmm. She listened to her peers state some of the more common constellations...and one popped into her head, like THAT! hehe. She liked this one...because she was in Ravenclaw..and eagles..well, she liked eagles, of course.

She raised her hand, "There's the constellation 'Aquila,' which is the Latin word for eagle...he was Zeus'..." she said with a nod. She could have went into the whole story..about Ganymede being the cup bearer and all..but this wasn't her latin class. So..she just didn't say anything more on THAT. hmph.

...yeah. Oh, and did she mention that Profeeeeeeesor Buuuuuuurbage was...simply deeeeeelightful? Hmmm? *eyes*

All of them were smart? HUFF. That was so an overstatement overly stated.

The Ravenclaw, still pouting mind you, crossed her arms and listened as the Astronomy Professor went around their answers, then gave hers, a simplified, brief summary somewhat of the responses tossed around by her classmates. 88? Already? See? Was something that supposedly did not exist grow to that number when it's not true in the first place? Professor Burbage was backing her up........HUH?! WHAT? Beezus eyes wiiiiiiiiiiideeeeeeneeeeeeeeed when she heard the woman said those words. From Kurumi's mouth it was hurtful, but from the Professor's, it was devastating.

That wasn't right. Constellations were true! Her father said it were, and that whenever she'd miss him, she would just find their constellation so it was true! It was true! Deep-breathing. More pouting.

Okay, okay. Maybe scientifically, it wasn't. But for her, it was reaaaaaaaaaaaal.

One constellation eh? She had 88 to choose from, so...which one?

....Head turn to the constellation right violator....

He was kidding, right? Burbage Constellation? There was no such thing as Burbage constellation. Beezus EYED the Hufflepuff. He was definitely talking nonsense, and using their Professor's name in vain..

...hold on.....wait......freeze.....

He was giving senseless answers because the Astronomy Professor approved of it, and even delighted on it. Yeah, no offense Burbz, but yeah.. Clever, yes. That was very wise of you Hufflepuff. BUT...that was a very clear infringement to the list of constellations, a disgrace, a desecration. And nope, Beatrice Castell wasn't going to let you get away with that. She was a stargazer and that was a punch to her pride.

Oh Professor, I've got an answer! The Ravenclaw raised her hand, "Professor Burbage, I believe there is the Elijah constellation," she started, shooting the other Elijah with a furtive look. "..It is also NOT real...and it is the MOST harmful constellation to the human eyes."

GLARE.

Gideon was in his element; physics was one thing...stars and celestrial objects were more his cup of tea. And he did agree with most of what was said about constellations, including that they were more for human reconization that a physical purpose. When asked to name one and explain something about it, the seventh year astronomy buff tried to chose one, wanting to think of something others might not necessarily pick. But his thoughts were interrupted by a certain Hufflepuff.

Ugg...Elijah was such a stuck-up and the prefect had to keep himself from rolling his eyes.At least a Ravenclaw remarked smartly back at him.

Anyhooo. Raise hand to anwer.

"There is the Corona Borealis, also known as the Northern Crown which is the translation of its name in Latin," he answered, thinking back to what he knew of it in particular. " It is a constellation of the northern hemisphere best seen in July."