Later that night the common room fills with people. It was Astronomy night, and as Snape was their house teacher he would escort them to the Astronomy Tower. It is rumored that the teachers were trying to come up with a way for students to do this class from their dorms, but this became problematic, what with the Slytherin house being fully immersed in a lake and all.

The first night they had Astronomy some of the dorms had to be knocked on, as some students either didn't know where they were supposed to be or they just thought they'd decide to skip it entirely. However, there was no such luck. This left a few of the boys embarrassed, as after Snape knocked and no one answered he just came in to make sure they were coming out to be showed to class. I think everyone learned their lesson.

"You would think there would be more students," comments Harry as he observes that even though the room is just a little full, it still doesn't have as many people as their table did.

As they begin to leave Draco comments, "The class is optional for sixth and seventh years."

"Must be nice," complains Harry. "To actually get some sleep around here."

Draco tries to keep himself warm by crossing his arms and rubbing one with his other hand, "It's not like we're not given time to sleep. It's just that if we don't sleep during the short window they give us, then we will certainly be tired the next day."

Harry shakes his head, "I don't even think it matters if we sleep during that time. I just wish I could go to sleep earlier. I'm rather used to going to sleep before ten, and then waking up in the earlier part of the morning."

"Yeah, well, you won't be able to do that here, it seems."

It's quiet for a little while, as they venture up the tallest tower. The mass grows slower, as each step is more tiring than the last, but a steady pace is maintained as they follow the unaffected Professor. Harry looks over and sees Draco breathing heavily, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm fine," he spats. "I just hate stairs, especially long, winding ones. I much rather like the concrete ramps we have in our house."

Harry responds, "Just try to relax. I'm sure we're almost there." and they were almost there. It was only a few minutes later that they were met with the huge, flat surface that was the Astronomy room. The students were supposed to have their own telescopes, but there were a couple for those who didn't. Harry looks at the teacher sitting at the circular desk in the center of the room. She had brown skin, dark brown eyes, and dark brown hair poked out of her traditional witch's hat. Her outfit seems to be more earth tones, but it's hard to see with all those papers stacked around her.

"Ahg," Malfoy complains. "What are they doing here?"

Harry had seen Professor McGonagall speaking with Professor Sinistra, but he only now notices that a few feet away from them are Ron, Hermione, and Nevil. Harry walks up to them, Malfoy only reluctantly following. "Hey. What brings you here?"

Hermione tries to laugh it off, "I was so angry with Draco yesterday I had completely forgotten about Astronomy. We told McGonagall we had just fallen asleep, but she's having us make up for it."

"Wait a minute," Harry almost laughs. "You mean to say that all that time, there was a class marching through the halls just waiting to find us?"

"It'd be more complicated than that, Harry," she says. "The Astronomy Tower is above the entrance to the school, the entry to it being just above the grand hall up just a floor or two. It's really not a surprise we didn't see anyone or that they didn't see us."

Harry nods in acknowledgement, but Ron interrupts the moment, "So, what's going on here? You still friends with this twat?"

Harry looks to where he's gesturing and sees Malfoy. He opens his mouth to explain the complicated situation, but Malfoy speaks before Harry can say a word, "You know what, yeah. We are friends. Do you have a problem with that?"

"You know, actually I do."

Harry sees Ron pull up his sleeve, as if he's getting ready to pull a punch, and Draco just stands fearlessly still. He grabs Draco's arm, before he hurriedly says to Hermione, "I'll catch up with you later." before he drags Malfoy away and begins to set up the telescope.

Draco speaks with irritation, "Hey. What was that for?"

"What was what for?"

"I was standing my ground and you just pulled me away."

Harry wonders why Malfoy didn't just resist the pull, if he really had wanted to stand his ground, but looking at him Harry realizes it doesn't look like he has a lot of muscle on him, "Look. I'm sorry. I just don't like confrontations, and we do have work to do."

Draco takes a deep, long breath, "Okay. Alright. What are we doing?"

Harry finishes putting the telescope together, "We have to map which region of the sky the constellations are currently in."

"Sounds easy enough." Draco sets out his ink, quill, and the worksheet.

"Remember," these assignments are due by the end of class.

"I remember," Draco comments, only in slight irritation. "At the end of class we turn this in, only to grab another assignment and do what we can during the week which a textbook and not a telescope can provide. Then we are expected to finish the rest in the span of an hour, after just having had climbed the largest staircase known to man."

"No need to be so dramatic, Draco."

"I'm not being dramatic. I think it's a very reasonable assessment," he assures. "We grab an assignment, are expected to know which questions will need the book or the telescope, and do the ones that need the book before class so that you have enough time to do the telescope ones."

Harry slightly nods in understanding. He's not quite fond of having timed assessments either. At least in other classes they were usually given another day to work if the majority of the students couldn't complete the task. "You're right. We aren't given a lot of time, which is why we should be more focused on working. We can complain afterwards."

"Right," Draco mumbles as he looks over the worksheet. "So, where is Capricorn this time of year?"