Astronomy Newsletters and Starry Winter Skies PV • R. Fairchild

𝕽uth Fairchild patted her stomach, sighing contentedly to herself. The Christmas Feast filled her up more than the stuffed turkey on one of the tables of the Great Hall, one of the many delicious dishes the girl had gotten her hands on. Boy, Ruth felt like she was about to burst. Perhaps she shouldn’t have so much as wiped through all four courses, taking a bite out of everything. However, the girl couldn’t help herself. Christmas had never been as crowded or as joyous. The Fairchilds didn’t invite anyone over, leaving only the eight of them having Christmas dinner together.

It wasn’t that it wasn’t lovely. It was simply the fact that the family dinner didn’t consist of grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts. Friends, even. No friends invited. Memorable dinners, but there was no reason to cook for more than what they could eat, resulting in Ruth always seemingly eating a restricted portion (mind you, her appetite increases and her stomach may as well be a void for Christmas dinners). Here, though, it was a buffet of food. So, so many food. The elves had done well, cooking up a meal that satisfied all of the students and professors staying at Hogwarts for the holidays.

At least, Ruth assumed it was all. She hadn’t been keeping track who had gone or left the school, besides the prefects. Pam and Ira, for instance, had gone home, making her slightly glum and less accompanied (more disappointed that Pam had gone home, of course. Ira can do as she pleases). She had barely seen Gemini or Mamori either, though Aurelia was constantly darting about. Ruth wasn’t sure where. She often found herself presuming her Hufflepuff acquaintance had somewhere educational to be, nothing regarding W.H.I.P. If it was, wouldn’t she have been informed?

Ruth couldn’t remember seeing Aurelia at the feast. Then again, she was busy eating her life out…so much, she almost forgot about today’s trip to restricted town. Ruth grinned at the recent memory, fresh like wet paint. She could still remember the taste of all those Honeyduke treats she got to try with Jan. What a memorable day. Such a fantastic Christmas.

…After the feeling of nausea goes away. She clutched at her stomach. Regret, regret, regret. Why had she eaten so much?! Ruth groaned, her legs beginning to move further away from the Great Hall (bursting of festivities) and towards the staircases. She couldn’t comprehend where she was going. If she got herself walking, maybe she’d be able to rid the suddenly uncomfortable full feeling she gets whenever she eats to her heart’s content.

Hogwarts was brimming in steps. It was bound to happen eventually.

She certainly couldn’t head towards the dormitories. It wasn’t much of a walk away from the Great Hall, having only been a floor up from the dining and assembly centre. Maybe somewhere else, somewhere further away, higher. Ruth grinned as a thought drifted into her mind. She knew just the place.

As Ruth walked up the steps of the Astronomy Tower, she remembered how desperately she had wanted to go up the to watch the stars in the middle of the night. That was how she got to meet Avis twice, and Achelous. Mm. So much memories. She giggled, reminiscing how the three of them had gotten stuck in a closet. How coincidental was that? Too many coincidental things happened to Ruth here.

As she rounded the corner, she spotted the unruly curls of hair and a very familiar girl standing in the centre of the hallway, as if hesitating in front of the Astronomy class’ entrance door. Ruth could recognise the hair anywhere. Aurelia.

She sneaked up behind her, then spun around to pop up in front of Aurelia. There was no chance the girl noticed her. She was a sneaky one, the quiet one. The one with the grace of a cat. Ruth jazzed hands-her, exclaiming, “Aurelia! Merry Christmas.” She wiped a bead of non-existent sweat from the hefty climb. “Gosh, good to see you up here and up high. I believe you have the same thought as I did” Her cheeky smile got wider and she made a grab for Aurelia’s hand. “Come on!”

Preparing to drag @Aurelia Valentine into the astronomy classroom

𝕽uth barked out a soft laugh at Aurelia’s surprise, but wasted not in going through the entrance, slipping in (the door being unlocked felt like a bad sign, but there wasn’t enough time to wonder about that) and heading up to the highest of all highs— the grandest and breathtaking view awaiting for them at the top. Of course, when she made a try for the second floor of the classroom, the one with an outside level above the class, it was locked. Oh well, they could settle for the 360-ish views given to them. “What are you doing?” Aurelia hissed from behind her, her mitten hands still tucked between Ruth’s until she tugged it away. Ruth’s smiled wavered at the sight of Aurelia’s eyes dilating slightly, the fear prominent. Despite how brave Ruth might have acted at the front, she knew not to make fun of Aurelia’s anxiety of trespassing. They shouldn’t be doing it.

Ruth felt it too, the terrible sensation of rule breaking. Oh, but the thrill. Ruth wasn’t a measly Ravenclaw, those that actually seemed to think and strategise. Ruth wasn’t some brave Gryffindor, someone who could easily waltz into an outs of bounds. She wasn’t a Slytherin either, one who wouldn’t mind breaking rules, maybe. (She didn’t know too many Slytherins to confirm that stereotype) She was a Hufflepuff, and she stood nowhere between any of the values of the other houses.

Ruth sighed, turning to face Aurelia, arms akimbo and ignoring how jumpy her accompany was. “We aren’t breaking a gazillion rules.” Maybe just one, or two. They couldn’t possibly get caught already. It was Christmas, for goodness sake. Besides, surely Professor Starwise was in a jolly enough mood to allow for them to enjoy a little bit more time here? Ruth was ready with a simple reasoning to persuade the Professor to let them stay, even if it meant him staying with them.

Oh, she’d risk it for the stars.

Ruth, almost forgetting Aurelia was with her, began to walk away from the girl to the plump cushions provided in the “corner”, heaving up a couple and placing them slightly further away, still very much close to the transparent walls. Silent, she ushered a bunch of blankets into Aurelia’s hands, the soft and warmth leaving her as she passed them to the girl. Ruth herself took a couple and spread it out on the seats, then hurried to get herself a fidget. Something to fiddle her hands with while stargazing.

She settled into the comfy nest then, snug and unprepared to go anywhere. Of course, in case of Professor Starwise, her reasoning of placing the cushions not so far from their resting place stood. They were soft, making it much easier to quietly put back as well. The fidget on the other hand…if Ruth simply didn't have enough time to hide, she would just put it back later. What Professor counts all their fidgets?

Gosh, she really hope she didn’t jinx that. Ruth leaned forward, using her breath to fog the glass in front of her and making a wipe, an attempt to clear out some of the blurriness. It worked ever so slightly. Enough to make the young Hufflepuff satisfied at least.

She turned to Aurelia. “Please, come sit with me.” Ruth wondered if there was much of a pleading tone in her case, before turning back to watch the stars, waiting. It wasn’t too late in the night, not enough time for the Ursid Meteor shower, especially since the show was close to over. Mm, the last celestial showcase of the year.

Ruth leaned back further, sighing as her eyes gazed upon each glittering sun. She could stay here forever. Stop breathing, stop thinking. Eyes wide, taking in the sight. The dusk, the dawn, the day and night. Everything.

What did I do to deserve such a beautiful world?

In love with the stars with @Aurelia Valentine

𝕽uth was very much delighted to find Aurelia join her within the cushions whilst wrapped up in the blankets Ruth had handed to her. The girl smiled at the sight, amused as she hadn't meant for Aurelia to use the blankets for such purpose. Oh well. It wasn't a big deal.

Ruth pondered Aurelia's question, her eyes still wandering from one star to the next. A pleasurable sensation came over Ruth as she did so, making the girl shiver and tuck herself further into the blankets. "I don't." Ruth answered smoothly, leaning forward to touch the transparent wall with her fingers, sliding across the smooth surface. It left no smudges, something Ruth had known, since she had gone to the lavatory to wash her hands.

"In a glass bowl, you're trapped. There's only a limit to where you can go. If you feel that way, I understand." She gestured around them, "To me, however, I feel as though I'm just flying, mesmerised with the sky and the stars. I feel like they embrace me every time I stare a moment longer." Isn't it funny how Ruth had little knowledge of astronomy? It was a bummer, seeing as though stars were so interesting.

All those times Ruth had spent with her mouth agape and wide eyed while staring at the stars had made her thirsty again. That problem wasn't helped as Aurelia joked about sneaking in hot chocolate. Gosh, a mug of those would make her so warm, and honestly, Ruth had wanted to sneak a cup out of the Great Hall. She had savoured the idea of having one last sip before Christmas was over, though she jolly well knew she'd be having a couple more whilst Winter was still up and running.

Ruth let out a chuckle, hoping it was enough to allow Aurelia to think it was funny. She was glad to see that the Hufflepuff witch beside her was growing more and more relaxed by the minute.

"Do you know what meteor shower is on tonight?" Ruth asked her. She did, of course, but Ruth simply wanted to know if it was going to be a surprise for Aurelia. Honestly, I think not.

OOC:

Reducio

I’m so sorry it’s so short!

@Aurelia Valentine

—Astronomy Newsletters and Starry Winter Skies—
𝕽uth raised her eyebrows in question as Aurelia presented her an article. “Astronomy At Present: December 2024 Holiday Issue” Ruth had never seen it before. Perhaps she had only been focusing on the Hogwarts Headliner that she never went beyond scrounging for other newspaper articles. After all, the Headliner provided her with good enough information, a pleasure able amount that satisfied her somewhat. She should probably be more curious from now on.

Silent, she peered down to read the contents, the only source of light the stars sparkling down at them, and the luminous moon. December 17th to the 25th, it wrote. Slightly disappointing that Ruth had come up on the last day possible to see the showcase, but with any luck she should be able to, right? Ruth offered Aurelia a lopsided grin, stifling a laugh as the girl seemed to bury under her curls and blanket even more. “I believe myself to be quite the lucky person,” she announced, squinting back down at the piece of paper in her hands. “With me here, we will most definitely be able to catch a sight.” Even if they didn’t, it would still be a lovely night up here with Aurelia. She could maybe even befriend the girl more.

Of course, Ruth wasn't sure how well Aurelia would take that joke. She might even think of her as a narcissist. Ruth dearly hoped not, but didn't make a move to point out it was a joke. That was fine. Ruth ruffled the pages of the newspaper a little more, making sure the ends didn't lazily slouch over.

Wow. Fascinating. Ruth found herself engrossed in the article, which was probably what Aurelia would have liked anyways. Silence. However, after drinking in as much information as she could in the dark, she turned back around to strike conversation with the dark haired girl, all the while gazing up at where Aurelia had pointed. Sure enough, Ruth could spot Polaris clearly. The Big Dipper though, was nowhere in sight. “Hey, Aurelia, you weren’t at the Christmas Feast, were you?” Ruth frowned. Or maybe she was, and Ruth was simply too busy stuffing her face with food? That'd be a shock, seeing as though Ruth's observation skills was almost never wrong. Maybe this was one of the times they could be.

Then again...that unruly mop of hair was hard to miss. Ruth decided against pointing it out, but continued, "Why'd you decide to stay for the holidays? At school, I mean."

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—A.L.A.S.W.S —
𝕽uth appreciated the snickering joke Aurelia had shot back. Perhaps her sense of humour existed, just not so much that it would overwhelm the girl's entire exterior. Ruth enjoyed people like that, those that knew when the time was right to joke and when it wasn't. Even know, Ruth wouldn't voluntarily raise her hand and proclaim that she fit into that category.

Her smile faltered just as Aurelia's did, watching as her friend's eyes died down to a dull simmer, her once sparkling eyes turning darker than it already was. Whatever she was thinking inside her head probably wasn't pleasant, but Aurelia failed to share and Ruth didn't press despite her simmering curiosity.

"Not hungry?" Ruth echoed, then her frown deepened, "You suppose?" Terrible answer. There was doubt in Aurelia's tone, and so without hesitation Ruth fished out a chocolate bar and a bag filled with pumpkin pasties, peppermint toads, acid pops and sherbet lemons , both picked out from this morning's trip to Hogsmeade. Ruth had already eaten a couple, so as she jiggled at the paperbag she was disappointed to feel its lightweight.

"I know you haven't eaten, and I probably shouldn't be giving these to you, but it's Christmas! Mindful indulgence is fine once in a while," she grinned and plopped it onto the girl's lap before she could protest. Maybe lift your mood up at the same time. That sentence was left unspoken.

Ruth perked up at the slight bitterness in her tone as Aurelia answered as to why she was staying for the fortnight. She nodded carefully, tilting her head to gaze at her. "I'm staying because I figured I could get to know the school better. Besides, I'm staying with a friend of mine. I'm sure we'll be able to spend some time together." She chuckled to herself, shaking her head as she looked away from the stars momentarily. It had barely been a few days since school break and they had already crossed one plan off their list. Ruth wasn't sure what else Jan might have install for the two but she was eager to explore the castle with him.

Her mind drifted back to the people she failed to spend time with as a result-- her family back in Bath, apparently bummed that she decided to stay. The corner of her lips turned up at the sweet reminisce of their faces. While the ache of homesickness had begun to die down, she couldn't help but relish its return, a sign that told her she was lucky to have such a wonderful and loving family. Perhaps it was ungreatful of her to not have come back to them for a short visit. After all, she had seven years at Hogwarts to explore the school and just a few months with her family in the process. She should have seized the opportunity, but she couldn't help it. Her eagerness to learn more about the school was far too much. Maybe her parents (and most definitely Aaron, her brother affected most of all) would forgive her when she visited them in the coming exeant weekend. Maybe. "They really wanted me to come back..." She stopped herself, realising that may have been a little insensitive, then cleared her throat.

"Hey, at least you have plenty of time to continue your Whi- I mean, W.H.I.P!" She blinked at her friend(?) and smiled, hoping to be radiating with positivity, just as the stars should be.

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