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Chapter 11 - The North Tower

Time in the library came to a close as time for Astrology neared. The first years returned to their dorms to get their pen, paper, book, and telescopes and met Professor Flitwick in the common room. "Now, tonight I will not be around to guide you back to the common room. So, pay particular attention on the way there so you can find your way back tonight. Don't forget to get enough rest tonight because you still have morning classes."

After Flitwick led them out into the halls, Steven made note of statues and such on their way to the tallest tower at Hogwarts, the North Tower. Once they arrived, the Ravenclaws noticed that for the first time, the other students had arrived before them. He saw Harry Potter among them and then Flitwick introduced them to Professor Sinistra.

Speaking in a low tone, Sinistra welcomed them as Flitwick hobbled back down the stairs and closed the door. "This is Astrology, but just because it's not called Astronomy doesn't mean you won't be studying the stars. In this class, we will be looking to the cosmos to determine future, past, and present happenings in the universe. We'll start by going over your signs, Gryffindor first."

Each one of Gryffindor either gave Sinistra their sign or their birthday. She would speak a few words and go one to the next. "Ah, Harry Potter," Steven heard her say, "I already know that your sign is Leo, a true Gryffindor."

She finished with the Gryffindors and came to Megan first. She moved down the row of them and skipped Steven. She came back to him at the end. "Mr. Pront, please tell us your sign."

"Well, I don't know my sign, but I was born on December first," Steven said.

Professor Sinistra smiled, "Another house member who truly belongs. You are a Sagittarius, Steven. Your planet is Jupiter, keep a close eye on it and its companion Jupiter."

Ahem, I haven't done this since chapter one, but let me take an aside here once again. Now, Steven is taking this all rather well isn't he? Becoming a wizard, learning the truth of his parents' death, going to London, being immersed in a strange new world, having someone claim rights to his owl, and now being called a 'house member who truly belongs' by a professor he doesn't know. Oh wait, I think it's all finally caught up to him, let's watch.

Before Sinistra could return to the middle of the circle on the roof, Steven walked beside her and asked, "What do you mean by 'another house member who truly belongs?'"

She stopped and turned to look at him, "All of that will become clear in time, now return to your station."

Sighing and walking back, Steven paid attention as Sinistra instructed the class in the proper use of the telescope and how to interpret the information in their text. After two hours of star gazing, Sinistra allowed them to return to their common rooms, but Steven stayed after.

"Professor Sinistra, I hate to keep bothering you, but a lot of weird things have been happening to me lately and I have this feeling that you know what's going on."

Leading him down the stairs, she tried to calm him, "Don't worry Steven, no harm will come to you as long as you remain true to your sign."

"That's doesn't help me not worry."

"Then let this calm you, Professor Dumbledore, Professor Flitwick, myself, and countless other professors will be keeping a watchful eye on you."

"Again, not helping."

She turned to him with a rather upset look on her face, "In time, you will learn." And she walked away to her office.

Steven turned down the hallway and took a right at a painting of a young boy and young girl playing with an unknown animal. His footsteps echoed down the deserted hallway as he wished that he would've just went along with the rest of the Ravenclaws. It wasn't like Professor Sinistra had given him that much information.

A sudden creaking of a door caught Steven's attention as he whirled on his foot to look behind him. Out of one of the classrooms stepped a dark figure, one that Steven could not identify. Without much more thought, Steven turned and darted down the hall as the figure gave chase.

Steven immediately noted that the figure sounded as though it was a walking car crash, as it made an enormous amount of sound as it ran. Then it struck Steven, this was a knight's suit of armor. Steven stopped and turned to face the suit because he knew what this was; this was a chameleon ghoul playing games with a first year.

As the suit neared Steven it drew its sword. Steven was just barely able to duck in time to avoid the charging sword. He turned to see if the suit was making another pass as he saw Professor Snape charge down a set of stairs, take his wand, and speak "Finite Incantatem!"

The suit of armor fell harmlessly to the ground and an eerie green mist rose from it. "Mr. Pront, return to your common room now, the path is guarded."

Unable to mutter a thank you, Steven took one last look and jogged back to the common room.