Comets

[alt_sinistra]

I’ve been asked to spread the word that the Astronomy Guild will be hosting a special presentation about the Bright-Deverill comet in February. Discovered last year by Guild Master Georg Bright and Guild member Cantus Deverill, it is expected to be quite bright when it approaches its closest point to the earth this April.

The lecture is intended for a general audience, as comets have particularly interesting implications for Potions, Divination, Herbology, and various subbranches of magic. Several Guild members will present on different aspects of the comet’s discovery, path, and implications. Specific topic details will be announced in Georg Bright’s journal as they are made.

The general presentation will begin at 7pm on Monday, February 10th, at the New London Guild Hall at Burlington House, Piccadilly. There will be some additional smaller topical discussions led by specialists from various fields beginning around 9pm, and if the weather is clear, the country Guild Hall in Cornwall will also be open for observation with assistance from various Guild members. You can reserve a seat by contacting the Guild - someone is by the floo during business hours.

My students know we have been discussing the comet in class this year as relevant to the curriculum. While attending this lecture is by no means required or expected, there is some room for students who wish to attend. If you are interested, please let me know below, or in person by January 15th, so we can consider arrangements.

I do hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Comments

Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_sinistra]

Pansy -

I’m writing both because I think you might find the above lecture of some interest, for its overlap with various fields, and because - well. I missed seeing you on Saturday, and wanted you to know I did. I still appreciate your efforts last year, particularly. I heard there were a few challenges with the opening, but you all seem to have handled them nobly.

I do hope I’ll get a chance to talk to you at the St M’s Gala - congratulations on the Junior Auxiliary, by the by. Or some other event, if not there. And in the meantime, I hope you have an excellent holiday.

Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

I got your letter, and how very thoughtful of you! It's much appreciated. We'll be certain to make good use of your gift, and I do hope you'll have a chance to stop by once things have settled down.

I missed seeing you as well. My hope is that this entire situation is temporary, and that when we've had enough distance, hindsight will show a sharp business decision rather than petty rebellion. I'll certainly be at St Mungo's, and am very much looking forward to seeing you there, and might have to arrange to bump into you elsewhere for tea some time as well.

And the lecture does look like it would be interesting -- I'd like to go along. I hadn't even thought about the implications for Potions, and would certainly want to hear more about that. I wonder -- since Ron Weasley started the distance flying club last summer, I've been learning more about ley flying -- would it impact that at all?

Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_pansy]

And may I just say again, I'm so very sorry for showing up late the other day to your test. It's not something I plan to make a habit of.

Re: Private message to Pansy Parkinson

[alt_sinistra]

Oh, excellent. It seemed the least I could do. I was so impressed by the twins and the mask work last year. And while part of me can scarcely encourage certain of their pranks, the rest of me would far rather have good humoured amusements and entertainments than other kinds, and I entirely appreciate their creativity and skill. (I keep thinking back to the fireworks, especially.)

I do hope the situation's temporary for you. I never quite went through that estrangement with my parents, but I did with other people in my family, and it is rather difficult, isn't it? But mine wasn't petty rebellion, and I'm sure yours isn't either, but instead a way of finding your own place in the world. Which, really, is what it means to grow up, and certainly part of what I'm supposed to be encouraging you to do as one of your teachers. (Which tells you a bit about my own loyalties, I suppose, but I've never hid that one.)

I'm glad, about the lecture, and I've got your name on my list. You know, there's at something about the ley flying in one of my books that wasn't all idiotic tosh - I'll have a rummage, and if I turn up anything, I'll get Georg to add it as one of the discussion topics after the main presentation. (People have some exceedingly odd ideas about comets, and part of the point of this is to educate them about the actuality. The more variety we can offer, the better.)

As to the exam - ah. I was more than a little upset frustrated, but I really do appreciate the apology, and I know it's exceedingly unlike you. On a far happier note, seeing you will make the St M's gala entirely more pleasant, and I'd certainly love tea if we can arrange that.