alt_sinistra | Astronomical updates, and other quick notes

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Astronomical updates, and other quick notes

I’m still feeling rather inspired after last night - the chance to talk to my astronomical peers about a topic near and dear my heart does give a lift. Georg: thanks again for the opportunity, it was delightful, and I appreciate your attention in all the planning. Everyone else: I’ll do my best to make it in April, you’re all right it’d been entirely too long.

I’m particularly intrigued by some upcoming projects, especially one that promises substantial refinements in the astronomy involved in locational magic (such as used in the floo network) and another focusing on the mysteries of star creation. (For older students: several projects are offering summer internships and not all of them require NEWT level work in astronomy. Stop by for details.)

I also got several useful references for my own research, and I’m quite excited to dig into that, now we’ve gotten back into the rhythm of the school term. It seems that errors crept into previous detailed work on stars in Ursa Major. My end goal is deeper study on the origins of those stars, but clearly a corrected survey must happen first.

To my NEWT students and the YPL counsellors:
What a lovely thing just after lunch! Thank you for such a thoughtful present and I especially treasure the notes. (And thank you, for not just leaving it for me: so much more fun to see your faces.) 6th years, now I know why you all couldn’t stop grinning this morning!

Office hours this week
As I was out last night, I expect to be in my office between dinner and curfew tonight (and tomorrow, and Friday) for anyone with questions about your first assignments of the new term (or your exams, if your marks are still mysterious.) Next week, I’ll settle into the schedule we’ve discussed in class.

One last note:
Would the following please stop by my office during any of my office hours, sooner rather than later? You’re not in trouble, I promise. (Diggory and O’Flaherty, same matter I mentioned Sunday).
3rd years: Bradley, Clarriker, Inglebee, Lovegood, Sandoval, Stevens, Zimmerman
4th years: Brocklehurst, Bones, Bundy, Hopkins, Jones, Longbottom, Macmillan, Moon, Parkinson, Perks, Weasley
5th years: Begy, Bobolis, Cadwallader, Coote, Dunstan, Gamp, Jones, Robins, Sloper

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I don't see how we could be in trouble, Professor. Well, maybe Weasley. Only joking!

You all do worry if I don't make that clear.

Though you're quite right, everyone's been remarkably well-behaved recently given the usual back-to-term silliness.

Perhaps we ought to have a ball before the start of every term, then!

I'll be there after dinner tonight, Professor.

We can go up together, yeah?

See you after dinner.

Works for me.

What do you think she wants us for, anywiz? If we're not in trouble.

I've no idea, really. But she's put down quite a few people we know, yeah? Like Neville and Sally-Anne, and Mandy and Sue and Luna. And Katrina, although you know her better than I do. I guess we'll find out.

Or sometimes it worries other people too. I'm glad you said that about not being in trouble!

You're quite right, Miss Jones.

Though as a rule, I try never to use the journals to call out individuals for poor behaviour: I still think that's something that should be handled privately whenever possible.

Nashira should find you sometime today with more, but thank you again for last night, and for making an honest attempt. I know it was hard, but I hope it helped ease a few of your worries to see me - us - in person. More pleasure than pain in the evening, anyway?

At least think about that offer from Cantus, would you? I think you’d like working with him, and he’d be fair. It’s got to be better than your current place. Or if not that, one of the others. You know I’ll gladly write you a rec (and properly document your quality of work), just tell me who to send it to.

I’m hoping for some proper time with the UM data this evening: we’ll see how that goes. And of course, looking forward to more time to collaborate soon.

Gilly -

You’re right I’ve been quite the hermit for a few years in professional circles. Amazing how fast we fell back into the old wonderful patterns given half a chance, though, and I'm fully reminded of all the reasons I love chatting with you.

About that experience you mentioned: look, I know two other people who’d like to talk about that kind of thing, and one of them’s suggested a chat over dinner sometime. Why don’t you join us? The friend you mentioned, too, since you vouch for her discretion. Tuesdays are the only night I can easily manage, though. Or would that be a problem with Juniper?

And if you’re serious about coming out and talking to my students, please. The new model really is lovely: I find more things to appreciate every night I have it out, and I should have time this week to really read through the journals about it properly at last. (And I'd love the notes you offered to share, of course, whatever isn't proprietary design work.)

The way classes are scheduled, there’s no one day that would work best, so we might as well make it an early evening, whenever works for you. Could be a weekend, too - just need to avoid other events. You’d be welcome to dinner, too, or I’d treat you in Hogsmeade if you prefer. If you give me a handful of possible dates, I’ll go from there, but you might be a nice distraction round about March.

Any word back from Dai? Eager to hear whether the axe falls there or not. Seemed rather an inscrutable type- difficult to read, even for me.

Well, you know it's not the first time I've had people be wary of me for my name and associations. But it's been a few years since my last encounter, though.

They all seemed to love you presentation, from what I saw. Bet you'll be getting a lot of complimentary owls in the next day or two. Which you utterly deserve, by the way.

Not yet. I sent Nashira off after class late last night, so I'm hoping to hear back tonight - I'm eager too, obviously. And yes, he was being hard to read. I was having trouble figuring out what he thought, and I've near enough twenty years practice.

As to that ... well, he does have family reason, as I said. Not for you, but your brother and Evan. I know it's hard, though, love. And thank you again for your patience.

As to the presentation, well. Yes. I was quite pleased. And it was lovely to catch up with everyone - I can't believe I'd missed a year's worth of meetings. And seeing Gilly properly, and Gramercy, and so on was wonderful.

And then - you were off to set up after lunch, I think. But my newts and several of the YPL counsellors snagged me. They've been scheming - lead by Vesta Chambers and Maxine O'Flaherty, I'm sure - to make me a scrapbook. With some truly lovely notes in the back, as well as the more usual bits (though they only chose the good photos and press, and comments about articles I've done, and so on.)

Anyway. Nice thing to pull out on the bad days, when I'm worried nothing I touch will ever go well again.

Could have very well have been me, and he knows that. Just a stroke of luck that it wasn't.

Now tell the truth- a few of them are wondering how you're managing with a philistine like myself, aren't they? No research credentials on me and they know it. But I'm not too worried. It only means they'll be forced to conclude that I have positively mind-blowing moves in bed. Even better than solving the riddle of the stars' origins in Ursa Major.

But I did follow along easily enough with your lecture. I can see how your students would appreciate your approach.

Well, yes, on that. When I think that a fortnight later, and .. well. Not sure I could have talked him round that at all. Pretty sure not, in fact.

I did hear a few things in that line. Though really, that's as much my doing as you: for a long time I had quite the reputation for going for the smartest one in the area. (You heard Gilly at the head table: the others are less flashy, but all much like that, really.)

Thing is, love, you challenge me like that.

Not the exact same way. But I get more out of it, I think. Instead of keeping up with brains, you stretch me to learn new things. And get my head out of the stars, which I appreciate now and then.

(I also like your very real skills in private, mind, if that weren't entirely obvious. But I'd prefer to be quietly smug and satisfied about that. Aren't you the one who likes leaving people guessing?)

As to the lecture, told you. Besides, I wouldn't be much of a teacher if I didn't adapt to my audience. A good third the people there live in theory - rarely touch a telescope. A third rarely touch the theory. Splitting it down the middle and talking about applications solved a lot of problems, and let me show off some lovely examples.

I wish I knew where Nashira was.

And might I add that it looks like you're getting quite a bit of use out of that telescope, too. It makes me dead chuffed to know I've given something you'll get so much use out of.

Well, perhaps he couldn't write back straight away. I'm sure Nashira will be around sooner or later.

You should be chuffed. And smug, and pleased. (And I am certainly delighted.)

Nashira came, just now. Let me quote you the most relevant bit. He says:

“Seeing you.... you look right happy with him. Never seen you like that, aware and matching and falling into ease with someone else’s gravity. And yet, not planet and moon, uneven, but star and star.

Still wish you hadn’t, not with him. But I’m more willing than I was to admit you might be seeing the good of him true, and what might be, not was. (You’re right persuasive, bach: can’t get what you said about being fair out of my head now.) Still not sure anyone’s worthy of you, but.. I’ll bide, and listen and all. Give you space to convince me.”

Translated, something convinced him last night, more than my letters could. He can get quite stubborn, if pushed, but this is an open door, and time to prove I’m right, and ... quite the compliment to you, given where he started.

(Could I be under Imperius, indeed. I’m still near as offended about that one as you were, though I also understand why he felt he had to ask.)

Best I - we - could hope for, really. And thank you again, love. Navigating around a ~~possessive~~ prickly stubborn two-decade friendship of mine can’t be the easiest thing. I’m rather glad the first meeting is out of the way, now, and nothing went up in a burst of flame.

And see, now you've met all the important people in my life except the younger siblings, and the only thing tricky about them is finding a time we're actually all free.

Aren't some stars bigger than others? Blue giants versus brown dwarfs, for example?

Not that I'm saying that one of us is a dwarf and the other a giant, just that, you know, astronomical figurative language probably resonates more with some people than others. But I get what he's going for and appreciate the sentiment, even if I do think that of the two of us, you're a bit shinier and more glowy.

Ah, yes, but what if I've imperiused him to write this semi-complimentary letter? Have you considered that yet? No? Well, neither has he, and for that I shall be relieved.

And believe me, if you can handle having to see Bellatrix at family functions, I think I can handle prickly Dai at the occasional astronomy rabble.

And speaking of free time, you up for seeing the Falcons play the Arrows on the 5th? Cal's sent me two tickets, and I don't think he intends for me to bring along Roddy this time.

They are - but he was thinking binary stars, that more or less orbit each other. Much more equal, really. I'll show you some, sometime. They're rather fascinating. (There's some in the new project, which is part of why I picked it.)

And yes, relieved he hasn't thought of that. Hypatia, don't put ideas into his head! Besides, I watched you that whole conversation, I'll have you know. Just in case one of you needed diverting.

You do have a point on the next - in which case, you are probably getting off lightly, really.

As to Quidditch: nothing on my calendar but you and office hours, and I can rearrange those. I've had a couple of inquiries about whether we'll be seen at the Frost Faire, as well, which I suppose means we should figure that out sooner than later.

How'd duelling club go?

Yes- I felt you watching, too. I think THAT might've had more to do with his politeness (and mine) than anything else, to tell the truth. You have a heavy glance, love.

Oh yes, be "seen" at the Frost Faire. Well, it doesn't sound like a bit of good entertainment, at least, even if it's not quite up there with quidditch.

Went well- no major calamities. Harry and Draco were being a bit strained, though. Avoided partnering up with each other. Odd, that. Might have to enquire, eventually.

What, you mean seven years of keeping teenagers in line with a glance has had an effect on me? You don't say.

(Truthfully, I knew you'd be as cordial as you could. I was a bit more worried about his stubborn temper going wrong at the worst moment.)

Nothing is quite up there with quidditch for you, love. But I'm sure it'll still have its amusements.

And on that - you're right that's odd. I have their class tonight, and their lecture tomorrow. Not that we're doing anything so delicate this week, but it's always good to know.

Campanella, meet Gilly. Gilly, meet Campanella.

We’ve a table at the Archetype Cafe at half-six next Tuesday - my sister Tempest swears it’s the right place. Light meals, good desserts, designed for a fair bit of privacy in conversation.

I have one more person I’d like to invite: I don’t know her well, but she’s also had similar difficulties. So, Gilly, would you check with your friend, and invite her as well if she’s free?

Thanks, both of you. I appreciate, greatly, and look forward to some interesting conversation.

Delilah,

Thanks for your note of a week ago, though I regret the need for it. I wondered from the December YPL event if you and I might have some experiences in common.

I’m getting together with some friends with related interests for dinner at half-six on Tuesday at the Archetype Cafe, and we’d love to have you join us for some conversation and mutual support.

(Thanks again for your time in December: our YPL students greatly appreciated it and still talk about it.)

A.

I've got to say I'm very curious about what you want all of us for, Professor!

I'll wait to ask until I come up to the Tower, though.

A little mystery can be a bit of fun, hmm?

If you don't catch me tonight, you can also ask me tomorrow before dinner - I've a few magazines for your Common Room again I keep meaning to drop off.

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Astronomical updates, and other quick notes

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I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

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Private message to Dai

Private message to Gilly Chadwick

Private message to Rory

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Private message to Campanella Wright and Gilly Chadwick

Private message to Delilah Mytens

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