Adventures At Echowick

Disclaimer - I really, honest, and truly own no rights to the Harry Potter books, movies, video games, board games, supplementary books, coloring books, merchandise, so on and so forth. Promise.


Astronomy

Tuesday and Wednesday were relatively uneventful as the students began settling into their new home and routines. At dinner on Wednesday night, Professor Fleet stopped at the first-years' table while everyone was sitting around, alternating between chatting and eating. When the Headmistress had everyone's attention, she reminded them, "Please remember that your Astronomy class is at ten o'clock tonight and will last until midnight. The first class of the day tomorrow will still start at eight am. To ensure you have enough sleep, please consider going back to your rooms for a nap before class. Wing Leaders will meet you in the first building of your Wing at approximately nine-thirty to escort you to the Astronomy Tower. Please arrive in your appropriate location on time, if not a little early."

She went back to the head table. Cari, tired from the day anyway, decided to take Fleet's advice and rose from her spot after she finished eating. "Hey, where are you going?" Chayton asked.

Cari shrugged. "I'm kind of tired and the professor might be offended if I doze off in the middle of class. I'm going to catch some sleep before we have to leave."

Arching an eyebrow, Kimber said, "Well, those of us who don't need a daily nap like a three year-old will be here. Enjoy naptime."

Lydia stood. "You know what? I'll join you, Cari. I'm kind of sleepy, too. Guess it comes from using your brain during the day. See you guys later."

As they gathered their things, Tessa said, "Yeah, I think I'm headed out, too."

Kimber's sarcastic voice rang out. "Tessa, you can't seriously be going to bed early like those two. I thought you were cool."

It was rare to hear Tessa sound anything but laid-back or amused, but her voice clearly showed her disdain. In a millisecond, Cari knew she never wanted that venomous tone directed at her. Coldly, Tessa corrected, "Uh, sorry Kimber, but being cool has nothing to do with choosing to get some sleep when you need it. It does, however, have a surprising amount to do with mocking people for no good reason. Toby, are you staying here or coming along?"

"I think I'll go back to my room. I had an early morning and a little extra sleep isn't going to hurt anything." Toby got up, shouldering his bag and smoothing his already-neat blond hair.

Cari couldn't help the small, vindicated smile from spreading across her face. Lydia gently nudged her with an elbow. "Isn't it nice to have friends?"

Nudging her roommate back, Cari let the smile unfurl completely. "You can say that again."


At nine-twenty that night, Cari and Lydia were awake and dressed in robes once more when a knock rang out. Lydia pulled the door open to find Shadow and Eric standing outside. "You guys ready?" Shadow asked, tugging on his robes.

Lydia leaned outside, peering around before asking offhandedly, "Where's Kimber?"

Eric shrugged. "I don't know. She stayed in the cafeteria when the rest of us went to bed. Maybe they let her stay there after curfew since we have class tonight?"

Exchanging looks, Cari and Lydia stepped into the hallway, calling back to Megan and Sarah that they were leaving. Shadow and Eric's roommates were in the hall, as well as the boys from the other Physical dorm. With Cari and Lydia there as well as two of their three dorm-mates, the small area seemed crowded. Strands of conversation crowded the air, tangling together in a cacophony of sounds. Taking advantage of the chaos, Shadow tapped Cari on the arm, motioning for her to join him in an semi-empty corner.

When they were alone as they could be in the crowded hall, Shadow studied Cari with sincerity in his eyes. "Hey, I owe you an apology." She gave him a confused stare as he continued. "When Kimber was rude to you earlier, I should have said something. I wanted to say something! I don't know why I didn't say something…" He stared off for a second, apparently deep in thought. "I was shocked, you know? I couldn't imagine that someone would be so nasty over something so small."

Again, Cari felt the need to explain her background, and since this was a more appropriate time, defended Kimber. "Well, you should know that I'm not from a good family. In fact, my family is seen as… subpar, I guess. Kimber knows that and it affects the way she treats me." She tried not to feel overly exposed, revealing so much of herself to Shadow, but what if this changed the way he saw her?

"I know that," Shadow said simply. Cari gaped at him. "I'm a half-blood, Cari. My mom is a pureblood and knows a lot about who's who in the wizarding world. She told me all about your situation."

"Is that why you've been so nice to me? Because your mother told you to?" Cari asked with injured pride. "You felt sorry for me because of who my family is? Well, don't. I couldn't be happier to be from a family who puts love above everything else and I don't need your pity!"

Shadow laughed, and the sound was unexpected enough to put a stop to Cari's tirade. "I know that! And my mom didn't tell me to be nice to you. She said that you had been invited to Echowick, despite some of the pure-blood community not wanting you to be here. She told me that you probably wouldn't accept the invitation because you knew people would be mean to you. That's why I've been nice to you. You're brave; one of the bravest people I've ever met. You knew the kind of treatment you would get here, but you came anyway. You stood up to them, just like you stood up to me a minute ago, and just like you're going to stand up to Kimber one of these days. Don't give me that look. You're only going to deal with her attitude for so long before you get sick of it and say something to her about it if she doesn't change." His eyes grew serious as he looked down at her. "Someday, I want to be as brave as you are, Licaria Romana."

He seemed like he was about to say something else, but their Leader arrived. She was tall and curvy, with long hair dyed a dark reddish-purple. Her voice, when she spoke, was breathless, hurried. "Hey! I'm your Wing Leader, Stephanie. Let's get you guys to Astronomy as fast as possible. I have two essays to finish before tomorrow morning."

Before Shadow could turn back to her, Cari slipped over to where her roommates were standing. "Has anyone seen Kimber? I don't want her to miss class."

Sarah rolled her eyes. "One of Megan's second-year friends stopped by and told us that Kimber is asleep on one of the couches in the first-year student lounge. Megan went to wake her up and bring her down here with us."

As Sarah finished her explanation, Megan came down the stairs, quietly merging into the mass of students. Kimber was behind her, stumbling blearily down the steps as she rubbed her eyes. Catching Cari's gaze, she shot a glare and Lydia sighed irritably. Cari laughed at her roommate. "You're just ready for a fight, aren't you?"

Still glowering at the other girl, Lydia said, "Well, her attitude bothers me. What right does she have to be so horrible to you?"

Cari shrugged. "Hopefully, she'll calm down, but for now, we'll just have to leave it alone. It's only the third day of our first year. I really don't need an enemy for the next six years of my life, especially not one who can take ten steps and kill me in my sleep."

Lydia made a face. "I guess you're right. So, what were you and Shadow talking about?" She waggled her eyebrows and Cari laughed as they followed Stephanie up to the second floor. They walked along the exterior hallway of the main building until they were at the corner between the Academic and Political Wings, where they ran into another group coming from the Political Wing.

The Political Leader, a tall boy with black hair, smiled as he called, "Hey, Steph! You finished those essays yet?"

Stephanie scowled. "Shut up, Keith. You know procrastination is my fatal flaw."

Keith threw his head back and laughed. "I can take your students up to the Tower if you want to go work on them."

Brightening, Stephanie's face changed completely as she patted Keith's cheek lovingly. "Thanks, babe. I owe you one." Turning back to the Physical students, she said, "Guys, follow Keith, here. He's a good guy and will make sure you get where you're supposed to be. Have fun and learn a lot! I'll be back when your class is over."

She turned back to Keith, who kissed her forehead. Lydia softly sighed, "Forbidden love. So wonderful."

Cari looked at her roommate in askance. In explanation, Lydia whispered, "Romantic entanglements between students are highly discouraged, especially if they are in authority positions. The board of directors thinks it sets a bad example." Cari didn't know how to respond to that, so she was glad when Keith led the group up a spiral staircase tucked into the corner of the building. He deposited them at the top and retreated back down the stairs. A few minutes later, the other two Wings joined them on the small platform atop the main building.

When they had all gathered, the sound of a softly cleared throat brought their attention to the door of the building taking up a small section of the roof. Several students asked, "Professor Brunn?" The woman did look like Professor Brunn, but Cari was standing close enough to see that her face wasn't exactly right. She had a longer nose, a few more wrinkles, and a slightly larger mouth. Her hair was completely silver, no dark gray lowlights, and her eyes were a colorless light shade in the moonlight rather than Brunn's dark brown.

The woman smiled softly. "No, I am not your Potions professor, though I do get asked that quite often. I am your Astronomy teacher, Professor Ford. Professor Brunn is my younger sister. If you'll follow me inside?" She turned and opened the door she had been standing in front of. It swung open and golden light poured out. When Cari walked inside, she saw that the room had been built in the shape of a large circle. A huge number of windows lined the walls, each one with a telescope and a desk bearing a map, a compass and protractor, a pen, and several reference books.

Chayton let out a low whistle between his teeth. "There's a small fortune invested in this room, people."

Cari had to nod in agreement. Professor Ford turned and Cari noticed with a start that her eyes were a pale, delicate gold. The shade was light enough that the teacher's eyes were almost colorless, giving her an air of otherworldly uniqueness. Professor Ford spoke simply and gently, however, nothing like her loudly dramatic younger sister. "Students, if you will each find a desk, we may get started."

Moving quickly, Cari snagged a desk, ending up between Shadow and Lydia. The layout of the classroom forced the students to twist around backwards in their chairs to stare at Ford. The professor herself stood in the middle of the circular room, having to turn constantly so she could look at each student. She let out a slight laugh. "You'll all hurt your backs sitting like that, and I do so dislike having to read angry letters from your parents. You can turn your chairs around if you would prefer."

Everyone turned their chairs around, except for the few who straddled their seats. Ford spent about half an hour explaining how the class was set up and the rest of the time was spent coaching the students on finding a few different stars on the map and then through their telescopes. It was oddly peaceful, sitting in the classroom, staring up at the pinpoints of light in the dark sky. Professor Ford had a penchant for playing soft music, mainly classical, which added to the sense of tranquility. When Cari located the variety of stars listed by Professor Ford, she felt a sense of accomplishment she had yet to find in her other classes.

By the time Professor Ford dismissed the class for the evening, Cari was almost sorry to leave. At least, she would have been if she wasn't so tired. (She tried not to dwell on the fact that Kimber had fallen asleep at her desk. Gloating is bad for one's karma.) Stephanie was waiting on the platform, along with Keith and two other seventh-year students.

"Ready?" she asked with a bright smile. Without waiting for an answer, Stephanie started down the spiral staircase and around the building toward the Physical Wing. Cari, having been one of the first to leave the Astronomy classroom, felt the need to make conversation since she was walking directly next to the older girl.

"Did you get to work on your essays?" she questioned.

Stephanie looked at her, pleasant surprise written across her face. "Good memory. They're going okay, thanks for asking. I still have some work to do on one and final proofreading on the other, but they should both be done by the time I have those classes tomorrow. What was your name again?"

Though she couldn't shake hands while they were in motion, Cari's manners forced her to make eye contact with the older girl. "I'm Cari Romana."

She was growing used to the reaction people had when they heard her last name, but Stephanie didn't blink an eye. Instead, she nodded and said, "Cool. Nice to meet you. I'm your Wing Leader, Stephanie. Obviously."

An awkward silence threated to descend, so Cari blurted, "I like your earrings."

Stephanie looked taken aback for a moment before reaching up to tug on the small bell dangling from her earlobe. "Thanks, they were a gift from my grandmother. They're supposed to be bewitched to jingle when there's trouble. Speaking of, come find me if you have any or hear about someone getting ready to start some." That struck Cari as a strange thing to say and she leveled the older girl an odd look. Stephanie shrugged. "With your listening skills, you'll probably hear something long before it actually happens. Never hurts to have some people on the ground helping me out."

The group arrived at the Physical Wing and Stephanie led them down the stair again, depositing the group in front of the doors to their dorms. "Okay, guys. Thanks for behaving, hope you learned a lot, get some sleep. Good night." All this was said in one breath and the small area remained silent until the sound of keys rang out as students unlocked their doors. Giving a small wave, Cari silently said farewell to her Wing Leader, who acknowledged the sentiment with a nod. Cari closed the door and glanced through the peephole. As soon as all the doors were closed, Stephanie turned and walked down the lower hallway toward the seventh-year dorms.

Lydia, already changed back into her pajamas, stood at the door of their room, giving Cari an odd look. "Hey. Are you going back to sleep or not?"

Shaking herself, Cari sent her roommate a small smile. "Yeah, I am. Sorry, I guess I just got lost for a second there."

Smiling back, Lydia shook her head slowly. "Yeah, that nap earlier clearly did a ton of good," she muttered as she walked back into the room and climbed into her bed. After changing into her night clothes, Cari tucked herself beneath the covers and fell into a deep slumber.


Author's Note - Garr, me hearties! Today (September 19th) be Talk Like A Pirate Day! Thank ye fer readin', an' I hope ye enjoyed this chunk o' story. Leave yer complaints or compliments in tha reviews if ye please. May tahday be filled wit' bright skies, fair winds, an' smooth seas for all o' ye!