Astronomy Tower

Taking the steps two at a time, Alex hurried up the stairs to the tallest tower. His heavy footsteps echoed loudly down the stair, making him cringe at the thought of being caught here after hours. Especially alone at this time of night. He had his reputation to think of after all. But Alex couldn’t help it as he needed some time alone for the moment that couldn’t be provided in the Ravenclaw Towers. The first day back at Hogwarts had caused excitement among the students causing their emotions to run high. Ordinarily, Alex would have been right down there celebrating with them as seeing girls after hours were his expertise. However, it suddenly hit him after his second butterbeer that he was a 7th year. After this he would be expected to return home, a place where he avoided at all costs.

Bracing his arms on the windowsill, Alex leaned forward to glance out the window at the sky above. A rusting of wind drifted past and ruffled his blond hair the slightest, causing a lock to grace his forehead. As his gray eyes stared up at the clouds, his mind was elsewhere. As a hidden habit of his since childhood, Alex started to talk aloud to himself for a moment.

“What should I do? Hogwarts has been my home for seven years; this is where I’ve been able to make a name for myself. In contrast to home where I barely have a name.” He murmured to himself with a slight sigh. He knew his parents would expect him to join the Ministry of Magic and possibly the Order of Phoenix if possible. And not that Alex didn’t care persay, he just wasn’t overly passionate about either one. In his mind, he was honestly still a kid, unsure of the future and his life. Groaning to himself, Alex dropped his head on his folded arms for a second, just letting the silence of the night sink in to clear his thoughts.

Sky Black climbed the long and steep flight of stairs that led up to the astronomy tower. She often came here to be alone, to think, work on her spell creations or to simply gaze out at the evening sky. She loved astronomy, every aspect of it. The dark night sky almost seemed a retreat for her. She loved night time, thrived on it actually. The twinkling stars and the irradescent moon seemed to relax her as she gazed apon them. Her Mother did a great job naming her. Sky was a name she loved, it was different and it represented one of her loves, though she perferred the black night sky to the bright blue one. Maybe this was because Sky considered herself a dark person. She certainly potrayed darker characteristics, that was for sure. It was almost as if the dark night absorbed into her some how when she was this close to it. She felt impowered by it.

She neared the top step and walked into the top room of the tower. She walked across the room, he eyes fixed out into the night. Orion was so clearly seen this time of year. She continued looking at the few contellations that could be seen as she slowly walked towards the center of the room. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a boy. She quickly turned her full attention towards him. She eyed him for a moment, she had seen him before, though she didn't remember having any classes with him. Then again, maybe she did. He was obviously not a Slytherin, otherwise Sky would have known him right off. She decided to take the normal Sky approach with him. She was known for her unpleasantries, and she certainly was not going to change them for him.

A sly smirk spread across her lips as she continued eyeing him for a few more moments. She then noticed a Ravenclaw patch on the breast of his robes and she sighed. 'Well, better than seeing a Gryffindor up here.' She thought to herself. She had to think about what she was going to say to him. Him being up here, in the tower was at least something they had in common. He must have some kind of passion for the night sky and all of it's beauty.

She took a deep breath. What she would like, nothing better was to have Rory up here with her. She wanted to share all that she could about herself with him. She might be evil, dark and sinister, but she did have a few things she was passionate about, like the night and the sky and it's beauty. Someday, hopefully soon she could talk to him about that.

Her thoughts quickly went back to the Ravenclaw in front of her. Her deep green eyes locking into his, narrowing a bit. "So, what brings you up here?" A bit of a smirk returning to her lips. "Certainly a Ravenclaw, such as yourself, wouldn't know a thing about the darkness and all the power it posesses."

Rhia trudged up the steps to the Astronomy tower. Her breath billowed out in white mist and Rhia hugged herself as she attempted to get warmer. 'Just a few more steps to go!' Rhiannon told her in her mind. 'Come on, Rhia! It's a gorgeous night for moon-gazing!' Although Rhia didn't agree with her goddess on many things, she had to concede the point. 'You're right,' Rhia thought/told her. 'The sky's clear, there isn't much wind, and you get a clear view of the moon. A perfect night... and just in time to recharge your magic, right?' Sending her friend/daughter-figure a mental picture of her nodding, Rhiannon flew out of Rhia's body with a "Whoop!" and she floated up to the Astronomy Tower. Reaching the top of the steps, Rhia breathed a sigh of relief but quickly drew a sharp breath once she saw Sky Black. 'Be careful...' Rhiannon warned. Rolling her eyes, Rhia replied, 'As if I need the warning.' Rhia had suspicions that Sky was a Death Eater and she didn't want to take any chances in case her theory was proved right.

On sight of the gorgeous sky, Rhia felt a smile spread itself across her face before saying, "Hey Alexander, Sky." Rhia leaned against the wall keeping her from falling off the tower while she turned her face to the sky.

"Certainly a Ravenclaw, such as yourself, wouldn't know a thing about the darkness and all the power it posesses."

Glancing out the corner of his eyes, Alex spotted Sky, a girl in his year that never kept quiet about her fondness for the Dark Arts. Although as for the moment he was on neither side, Alex was more on the side of the Order as He Who Must Not Be Named caused too much death and turmoil throughout the years. Especially for Cedric, someone that Alex has started to feel closer to, something he barely felt for people his age. Lifting his head, Alex refused to turn around and look her in the eye, yet his lean body tensed up to be cautious of any sudden movements she would make. After all, like she had said, Sky was a Slytherin and he was a Ravenclaw.

“Yet in the darkness there’s always the beautiful bright moon that no matter how slight, can always disturb the darkness and change it. I’m surprised you don’t know that already, seeing as you’re a Slytherin and should be aware that darkness never lasts.” Alex remarked with a slight smirk on his face as he continued to gaze out the window.

Hearing footsteps, Alex cocked his head around and smiled warmly as Rhia, a cute 5th year Gryffindor entered the tower quite loudly. Although she was in another year, Alex always knew each of the girls at Hogwarts, although some more personally then the others. His entire stance and face changed to a more comfortable position then when he was alone with Sky. As he was usually comfortable around girls, that is girls with nothing to hide in contrast to Sky who he believed had an ocean of secrets she would never tell. “Hello Rhia is it?” He asked as he perched himself on the windowsill to face both girls. His eye level was a bit higher from the height. “Just call me Alex, Alexander makes me feel like a pompous prat.” He joked with a half wink.

Smiling, Rhia instantly felt more at ease w'hen confronted with Alexander's - no - Alex's joking manner. "Yes, it's Rhia," she replied and sat on the edge of the wall... there was an absolutely gorgeous view.

From her spot, Rhia had a bird's view of the Forbidden Forest and the lake. She sighed at the beauty of the picturesque scene as she watched the moon's reflection dance upon the little waves that floated and then disappeared on the lake. Looking up, Rhia could clearly identify the constellations of the Phoenix and Orion. 'It really is a great night for star and moon-gazing,' she thought as she took in the sights and sounds of the Earth and the celestial heavens.

“Just call me Alex, Alexander makes me feel like a pompous prat.”
Coming back to earth at those words, Rhia turned towards him and answered, "Yes, but isn't that what you are?" Shaking her head slightly, Rhia continued," Just kidding, Alex. I think you're in Ravenclaw... am I right?"

She had the dreams again. Why couldn't she just get rid of them or something, but no mater how much she tried they just kept coming back. Maybe it meant something? SHe never really tired to figure them out, although now it did seem logical. Letting out a sigh, Kendal looked out around her. Not a trace of Filch or Mrs. Norris - luck was with her so far. She wasn't sure where she was going, there wasn't a destination in mind. But, her feet seemed to have a mind of their own and soon brought her to the astronomy tower. Kendal smiled slightly as she climbed the stairs - maybe a little star gazing would help. It had been awhile since she was last up here with her friends.

Once at the top of the stairs, she reached for the door and pushed it open. The door sht closed behind her, which made her jump a little. SHe hadn't expected that. Her eyes immediatley found her way to the sky. It was a lovely night, a bit chilly though. She wrapped her arms around herself in means to warm herself and stared up at darkness. It was like a painting...a stunning one. The stars dotted across the sky and the moon was glowing so brightly she could she the light of it brightening up the grounds below. She hadn't noticed the others that were already up here with her - the sky had her captured.

Stepping forward, Kendal took hold one of the telescopes and peered through the lense. It caused everything to appear ten times mor closer. She felt all her worres fly off her chest and her thoughts about the dreams vanished. She smiled a litte, thinking she should come up here alot more often.

Sky stood there listening to Alex as he spoke. A smirk spread across her red lips as he spoke. “Yet in the darkness there’s always the beautiful bright moon that no matter how slight, can always disturb the darkness and change it. I’m surprised you don’t know that already, seeing as you’re a Slytherin and should be aware that darkness never lasts.” Sky let out a sinister sounding laugh. "The moon and all of her beauty is an aid to help the dwellers of the darkness to be able to find their way. She herself is a dweller of the blackened night, for night is when she graces us with her luminous presence. I am SLytherin yes, but it stretches way beyond that, way beyond. The darkness does not last for ever, but neither does the light. It's about balance. We need both light and dark in order to survive. Just keep in mind that each side has it's strengths and it's weaknesses. Only one however will prevail." She stood there for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly at him. She had no reason to not like Alex, but then again, she had no reason to like him. Sky pretty much stayed away from those that did not run in her inner circle. She would speak to others on a neutral topic unless the occasion called for her harsher ways, this she was quite well known for.

Sky looked over her shoulder and saw the Rhia had just come up to the tower. Sky knew Rhia from quidditch. "Rhia." She said and nodded in her direction. SHe listened to the exchanges between Rhia and Alex for a few moments and then made her way over to one of the telescopes near the windows. She pressed her eye to the base of the scope and carefully arched her back. She looked out onto the grounds of Hogwarts, focusing mainly on the Forbidden Forest. One of Sky's favorite places. She had snuck there often to perfect her darker charms she had created. Ones so dark and sinister that she couldn't do them in school, that was certain.

::When Roran gently grabbed Sophie's hand in the Ravenclaw Tower a tingling feeling went up her spine and she couldnt help but smile. She was so amazingingly happy with Roran and imagined them being together forever.::

::He was leading her to another one of the towers... but which one? Sophie had first met hin the Astronomy Tower, it was a beautiful night and she couldnt sleep so she snuck up there to look at the stars. Aparently Roran was having the same problem and did the same thing. Sophie was looking through one of the telescopes when she heard a strangers voice from behind her and she jumped, turned around and saw Roran standing there... in all his glory. That was the night she had fallen in love with him. The way he spoke to her, and laughed at her jokes. He was so full of life and knowledge, she drank in everything he had to say.::

::Sophie was right, he led her straight up the long stair case to the Astronomy Tower. It was a fairly chilly night and Sophie was in her pajama shorts and a t-shirt. She shivered as she gazed out at the stars, and Roran came up and hugged her from behind, keeping her warm. They stood there for a while, just enjoying the stars and eachother. Then Roran spoke the words she had been waiting for.::

Rhia suddenly looked towards the doorway of the Tower and saw two Ravenclaws approaching. She was about to greet them, but stopped when the guy began to talk. Rhia listened and smiled as the Ravenclaw asked the girl out and after they kissed, she raised her hands. Rhia clapped softly and turned to Alex. "Isn't that sweet?" she said softly. Turning to the two Ravenclaws, Rhia said, "I'm so happy for you guys. What're your names?"