My astronomy NEWTs:

[alt_sinistra]

If you get the chance, take a look at the western horizon after sunset the next night or two. Mars, Saturn, and Spica are in an unusually small equilateral triangle - about six degrees of each other. One thing everyone can enjoy are the colours: the crescent moon was nearly white last night, Saturn has a golden glow, and Mars is more orange than red. Spica herself is blue-white.

Spica, for those who don’t remember, is a particularly well-matched binary star system, and the brightest star in the constellation Virgo. 6th years, we’ll be discussing Spica in September as part of our look at precession. And for those of you who are early morning risers, Venus is particularly lovely in the hours before dawn this week as well.

I finally got a chance to spend the evening at the astronomy guild hall doing some research, and had a chance to catch up with several professional colleagues while we worked. There are some exciting topics under consideration for next summer’s guild-sponsored projects. Several have pieces that would make a good focus for the NEWT year-long research projects, and possibly open up internship opportunities for next summer. For those of you more interested in locational magics, there are a few possibilities there, as well.

Comments

Private message to Narcissa Malfoy

[alt_sinistra]

Narcissa -

I hate to trouble you on holiday, but someone left a early copy of today’s In The Soup on the doorstep at Spence, flipped to an entirely nasty story about me and Raz. And I’m sure when he finds out, he’ll be furious.

It’s not what it says that worries me - I know the truth about him and he does about me. And honestly, I’d sort of expected something like this before now. But, look, I’ve been reading In The Soup for a year, and I know perfectly well it’s usually the nastiest of the lot, but this is beyond their usual level of vile.

Implications of my past relationships. Of his. (Dredging out every old rumour imaginable, and yes, I know how many of them are false.) Of my earning the Astronomy position on my back and that I’ve been sleeping around on him all year. (When anyone thinks I’d find the time or opportunity, I’ve no idea.) And all in the most derogatory and belittling terms.

I’ve sent my owl with a note for him, because are some things I’d rather not say even in the journals, but could you tell him it’s coming? And keep an eye on him, if you would? He really is going to be upset, I think.

I was already planning to stay in for a few days - I’ve plenty of research and reading to keep me occupied - so no worries there.

Private message to Harry Marvolo

[alt_sinistra]

Look. There’s a story in one of the gossip papers that’s coming out today that I think will make Raz very angry. Can you Would you Um. Not at me, on my behalf. And his own. It's extremely nasty. (And very little of it is true.)

Can I ask you a favour? Can you do what you can to make sure he doesn’t overdo it today or do anything too foolish? I hate to ask it of you, or ask you to waste any of your holiday or limit yourself for him. Just - I’m so worried how he’ll take this, and I can't be there.

I've sent my Nashira with a note for him, and she should be there early this afternoon. It explains a bit more.

Just

Thanks.

Private message to Raz

[alt_sinistra]

Dearest,

Narcissa invited me to come earlier, if it'd help. But Mum and Dad are fussing, and Orion's already been on to me (and he is being a total prat about it), so I want to stick around and soothe them a bit.

They'll get over it, it's just messy while they sort out if they should be outraged or offended or disappointed in me, or protective or what. I promise not to leave Spence, and I'm keeping myself as distracted as I can.

But I thought tomorrow evening, maybe. I'll be sensible until then if you will be too. (By which I mean, attempting to get enough sleep and not making rash decisions. Because as tempted as I've been, I'm sure you must be too. Not about you, I rush to add, but about the rest of it.)