Astronomy ~ Lesson One ~ Second Years

It would be interesting, Colin thought to himself as he entered his classroom to see which students decided to continue with his lesson. He had a feeling that he would have some dropping off, but perhaps he would also get some knew students.

Leaning against the edge of his desk, he gave a slight sigh, ran his hand through his hair before settling in to begin.

Damian entered the Astronomy classroom, blue eyes narrowing. A mulish expression had settled itself on his face.

No else had arrived, yet. Seth, of course, was still sick, so he got to sleep in the dorms. Damian wasn't sure who else was meant to arrive. Damian didn't care one way or another.

Sitting, he gazed straight ahead, his expression unwavering.


(OOC: Head's up - Dame WILL be acting out. You are free to take points or send him to the headmaster, accordingly. Thought I'd warn you.)

(NOTE: Hey, for next lesson, since you seem to have so few students, feel free to combine years, okay? -Soph)

Alex walked into class and only saw one student in there. Alex took a seat. "Good morning professor and Damian" Alex smiled and got out what she was going to need for the class.

Colin clicked his tongue at the rather dismal appearance. Just one very sullen looking Mr. Grey, and Ms. Gilbert. He would have to be having a word with the other students that were on his list.

"Well, this appears to be all we are going to get today, so let's get right into it," he began, "Can either of you remind us of what we were speaking of at the end of last year - lets all just use this as a nice refresser to put the summer behind us and begin to use our brains ones more."

"Astral bodies," Damian responded moodily. "Primarily the moon and planets. Sir."

"Thank you Mr. Grey," Colin nodded. "Yes we were looking at the moons and planets. I'm assuming that you all rememeber what we did last year so there will be no more review other than that and I want to jump right into this lesson.

"So what can either of you tell me about Mercury? I want to give each planet a little more attention than the glossing over they got last year."

"Mercury is the planet closest to the sun," Damian said, tone bearing the faintest trace of snideness. "Then, Venus, then Earth. Then, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Mercury is the smallest planet, uninhabitable because it's too hot.

"Shouldn't we have covered all this last year?" he asked a bit cockily, adding almost as an afterthought, "Sir?"

Colin bit back retort at the boys comment. The tone had certainly left something to be desired but at least someone was participating, so he would let this one slide.

"Correct, and yes we should have, however, because of certain curcumstance we ran out of time," he responded, "Now Mercury out of all the planets is most like the moon, does anyone know the theory of why that planet is lacking what the rest of the inner planets have?"

"It lacks a substantial atmosphere, because the solar winds keep blowing it off.

"Sir, if we were supposed to cover all this last year, how did we run out of time?" Damian questioned. "Didn't you make out a lesson plan? Or did you not have the time because you got the position later?"

Subconsciously, the boy knew precisely how poorly he was behaving. He wasn't even sure why he was speaking so disrespectfully to a professor, and his head of house at that.

Somehow, he bring himself to feel sorry.

Sighing heavily, and leaned forward onto his desk.

"I did have lesson plans," he responded evenly, "however, it does make it difficult to finish a full schedual when you do arrive to a postition late."

"Now, can we continue with this lesson Mr. Grey or do you have more of my teaching habits to critique?"

Damian's eyes widened in feigned innocence. "I was just curious, sir," the boy said.

"Please continue, sir," he said courteously.

Colin's lips thinned as he looked at the boy. He, of course, wasn't a fool, so he did not believe the boys 'just curious' remark, but seeing as he had stopped for the moment there was no reason for him to not continue with the lesson.

"Yes, the solar wind removes the atmosphere from Mercury, there is also so beleif that Mercury actually also lacks a crust, and what we see now is mostly its core.

"Now moving on from Mercury we have Venus, which I do believe we covered the most important bits last year. Venus, not Mercury, is in fact the hotest planet, because of its thick atmosphere. The Muggle world is worried that their machinary is doing the same thing to earths atmosphere.

Colin paused for a moment before continueing on.

"So, assuming we all know a fair bit about our own planet, that brings us to Mars - the red planet. Who wants to tell me what makes it that colour?"

"Because it's covered in iron oxide, sir," said Damian.

"Professor, what is the purpose of this class?" he asked abruptly. "I mean, it's interesting and all, but what does it have to do with anything? I mean, astrology, you might be able to use to figure out stuff, but isn't astronomy mostly just for people who like to look at the stars and planets? What good is it? We can't even use it for anything."

"Thank you Mr. Grey," Colin turned to write something on the board, but stopped as the boy continued to speak.

The man clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as the boy talked.

"I am sorry you feel that way, Mr. Grey," he said evenly not bothering to turn around to look at the boy. He was rather done with him, himself, "If this class is such a waste of your time, please by all means, leave. There is nothing keeping you here."

"Alright, professor," Damian said, tone agreeable enough. He stood, putting his belongings in his bag.

The boy made his way towards the door, slowing to a stop as he came even with the Astronomy Tower's large telescope.


"It's incredible," Damian echoed. Had that really been just a year ago? That simple moment...

"I'm not gonna take your class anymore, professor," Damian spoke up. He didn't turn back towards the man; he didn't want his Head of House to see the tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. I... Th'only reason I took this class is 'cause of the t-teacher before you."

He closed the distance to the exit, resting a hand on the door handle. "Sorry," he whispered hoarsely. Then, opening the door, he left.

Colin felt some of his irritation at the boy's antics leave him, as the boy himself left and the reason for the misbehaving was put into this mind again.

"That's quite alright Mr. Grey," he said softly.

Once the boy left he sighed and looked at the only other person in the room. He was done with this lesson for now. He figured it might not be completely professional, but then again, Colin had always wondered if he had been cut out for this job in the first place.

"You know what Ms. Gilbert," he said turning back around and looking over at the girl, "I think that shal be all for today. I would like you to read about the rest of the planets, and present me a paper on them at the begining of the next class, but you are free to go."

Alex watched Damian leave the class and looked at the Professor. Alex was still shocked that happened and decided to see if the Professor minded it. "Professor O'Brian are you alright that he left the class room" Alex asked looking at him.

Colin ran a hand through his hair and attempted to smile at the girl.

"I did give him the option did I know?" he asked, "I would prefer to have students who wish to be here. So if Mr. Grey's reasons for being in this class have proved no longer to be useful to him, then yes I am fine that he did what is best for us all in the end."

Alex got up and gave him a small smile. "If it helps, I like your class even if sometimes I have no clue what the answer is, it's still fun to learn stuff I don't no about" Alex said.

"Thank you Ms. Gilbert," Colin smiled and nodded.

Alex nodded. "You're welcome" Alex smiled. She remembered what he said earlier. "If you still want me to leave I will" Alex said looking at her Astronomy Professor.

Colin nodded, "Go Ms. Gilbert. Have fun, don't worry about my class for the rest of the evening. I'll see you at the next lesson."

Alex nodded at him. Alex grabbed her stuff and walked to the door. She turned back around. "Don't worry about him, your still kick ass" Alex smiled and walked out the door.