Chapter 26: Foundation
Thursday evening's Astronomy class was held at the top of the castle's tallest tower.
The late-September night sky was crystalline, the Scottish Highland air sharp and transparent.
"Tonight we shall learn to locate the sky's dominant star — Sirius." Professor Aurora Sinistra's voice was as gentle as the night breeze.
She was an older witch, silver hair pinned neatly at the back of her head, her robes embroidered with tiny constellation patterns that seemed to carry starlight when she moved.
"Sirius is not merely the brightest star in the night sky. In magical terms, it is also regarded as the symbol of guidance and loyalty. Many ancient navigational charms and long-range communication spells rely on observations of it for calibration."
Students worked in pairs at brass-mounted telescopes. Regulus partnered with Alex Rosier.
Avery had declared he had zero interest in staring at a handful of luminous dots all evening and had retreated early to a corner with a few Slytherin boys to yawn.
"Start by leveling the base," Regulus instructed, his voice low, guiding the slightly flustered Alex.
"Right — keep the bubble centered. Now release the vertical lock and point the barrel southeast, elevation roughly twenty degrees."