All that was missing, thought Kiri, was an ominous creak as she opened the large door to the Observatory. The room was completely, weirdly empty. No telescopes, no desks... no leftover possessions of Professor Forrester.
The professor she'd expected to be there, Truebridge, wasn't there, either.

Kiri resisted the urge to check behind the door - that was something she'd expect Professor Kazimeriz to do, not Professor Truebridge. Standing there by herself in the large empty room felt very awkward, and it didn't help that she had no idea why she'd been chosen to take History of Magic with the fifth- to seventh-years. The little note the professor had sent her had taken her completely by surprise.

She stepped a few metres into the room, playing with the strap of her bag uncomfortably and wondering what the streak of paint on the Observatory's floor.

It was a crime to see the Astronomy tower without astronomy equipment. Just...an absolute crime.

Sniffing a little, he wandered into the tower and sighed heavily. There was absolutely nothing left in the tower at all, almost as if Forrester had never even been here. And that fact that they had History of Magic in here just made the place feel--alien and foregin.

And--HE HAD PAINTED ON THE FLOOR!

The audacity! Truebridge was cool and all but to disfigure the astronomy tower like that was NOT COOL.

Unsure of what to do next, he stood near the door, looking around the room and half wondering if Forrester's ghost might appear out of nowhere.

Nikki climbed the stairs to the advanced history of magic class, carrying her rather heavy textbook and her book bag slung across her shoulder. As she continued walking up the stairs, Nikki wondered why a History of Magic class would be held in an Astronomy Tower...wouldn't Astronomy be held in the Astronomy Tower? Strange...but oh well.

Nikki made to the top and walked into the circular room. No one was in the room except for her and another girl. Even the professor wasn't there. And no desks or cushions...how weird. So Nikki just walked into the room and stood there, looking around like an idiot.

History of Magic... to be honest, Livvy had never been quite fond of the subject. Though the debate for the final last term had been great fun. She had really stepped out of her comfort zone. Yeah. Livvy? Comfort zone? No way. But it was true. And Livvy was feeling a bit of reluctance as she made her way up the Astronomy Tower. How odd things were with all the new arrangements.

As she entered the Observatory, it was... WHOA. It was. Um. Different. The cushions were gone. The desks were gone. The telescopes were gone. No sign of it actually ever being an Astronomy classroom. No sign of Professor Forrester ever once being there. Professor Forrester... Why did she have to think of such unhappy thoughts these days?

Uncomfortably, Livvy shuffled herself farther into the room, nodding at the girl that was already in there and offered a small smile. She glanced around herself and at the Observatory, noticing the streak of paint on the floor. Staring at it curiously, the girl stuffed her hands into her pants pockets, as she waited patiently for Professor Truebridge to enter the classroom. Or anybody.

As she headed from the Common Room to the Observatory, LouAnn noticed Kiri, a Slytherin girl she'd met in Diagon Alley, headed to History of Magic class, as well. LouAnn wondered why this class was being held in the Observatory, as a few people had told her that Professor Truebridge normally taught in a classroom of his own. She hadn't asked any questions, though, as she was still the new kid and really didn't know what to expect anyway.

When she entered the room, she stopped to take a long glance around, paying close attention to the curving line covering most of the floor. The room was so...empty. LouAnn wondered for a moment if the few students who'd wandered inside had been unfortunate enough to end up in the wrong room, which wouldn't surprise her the least bit on her part. LouAnn still had trouble locating the places where she was supposed to eat and sleep, much less learn. She walked forward, half expecting the floor to creak, then stopped just beside Kiri. She gave the girl a little smile, but otherwise remained quiet. History of Magic class was rather...eerie, yes?

It was... odd, to say the least, for Rachel to step into Astronomy knowing that Professor Forrester won't be there. She had grown fond of the man over the years - even though he had still scared her, he was the best Astronomy teacher ever.

And now he was gone. Clipping her abstract mask on, the sixth year entered the classroom and stopped dead at the sight that greeted it. It was... EMPTY. But not just devoid of objects - it was literally empty, cold, scary, unh- WHATDIDHEDO?!

Rachel's eye caught the red line painted on the floor and she almost yelped out loud. HOW could they DO such a thing? It was one thing for History of Magic to be held here but if he wanted to disfigure something, couldn't he do it in his own classroom? And NOT here... For, well, obvious reasons.

Speaking of which, where WAS Truebridge? Looking around, she couldn't see him anywhere. She began running through a list of possibilities when she noticed Livvy.

Oh, boy.

I'm ok - I'm not ready, but I can still do this.

...
Oh, bugger.

Reese Upstead walked towards the Astronomy Tower, stopping in the doorway to take in the surrounds. Why had the History of Magic classroom been moved to the seventh floor? She wasn't too sure about the answer to that question, she just knew this is where she had to go for that class.

She turned her head around to see if she could spot Torin coming towards the tower, but sadly, she didn't. Where was Hotty McHotty at? He better not be late for class! She wanted someone to work with if they had to chose partner or something. Finally stepping out of the doorway, she walked to the other side of the room (far away from Jack Fritzera, may I add) and waited for the Professor to come in.

Well, at least Kiri wasn't alone anymore. Whether it was because of the unaccustomed emptiness of the Observatory, or the lingering memories of Professor Forrester who'd taught them in this room (or simply because Professor Truebridge was not around), everyone else seemed slightly uncomfortable as well. She gave a little shrug and sort-of smile to LouAnn - and to the other girl, too -, indicating that she didn't know what this History of Magic lesson would be about, either, and turned to glance at the other students who'd shuffled in.

They all seemed, instinctively, to be quieter than usual.
But Kiri was nervous. Most of them were in their last or second to last year at Hogwarts. She felt distinctly out of place.

Cheerfully, Celandine skipped into the Observatory and sat herself down in the centre of the room, crosslegged and apparently oblivious to the tension and the slightly mournful atmosphere the room had.

Copernicus wandered into the Astronomy tower, trying to recall what it had looked like when he'd first attended the classes as a fifth year. Hm. It was probably markedly different, but considering Cope actually really liked Truebridge... it was an improvement.

He dropped his bag on the floor and then glanced at everyone standing around awkwardly. At the very least, he could stand awkwardly near Celandine. Cope scooted his bag toward her.

The first thing Evolette McKenna noticed, upon entering the room.... was the obvious, LOUD.... quiet. No one was talking, everyone was just standing around, and looking at eachother.

Blinking to herself, she chose a spot, and stood, waiting to see who else would show up, and if anyone was going to say anything, or if they all were going to stand there.... and stare.

HMMMM.

Torin entered the classroom, not really sure why they were now studying up here. It made no sense as to why people wouldn't study History downstairs and Astronomy up here. But Professors were weird.

He looked around and saw Reese was there. And Jack. Gulp. He would have to talk to him later. But for right now...

He would have to try to stay away from Reese.

Mr. Plymouth Glen Morgan had not been to the Astronomy Tower since... well, only once since the dinosaur incident. Astronomy and Plymouth did not go well together. However, Plymouth and Truebridge did (or so Plymouth thinks, anyway).

Plymouth noted the line on the ground and naturally went to investigate it. Curious Ravenclaw, and all.

"Hmmmm....."

He used the line as his personal tightrope and hummed carnival music. "Doodoodoodleeedooodooo," Plymouth walked down the line, arms spread wide.

Tugging lightly on a lock of dark chocolate hair, the seventh year entered the Observatory with determined steps and with an indifferent expression plastered on her pale face.

Because this was not the History of Magic classroom. What was wrong with the History of Magic classroom that they just had to take the class in the observatory? Also, where was the furniture? The room was completely empty, if you overlooked the people already in there - which, if you are Willow Kovac, you would.

Frowning, the brunette went to lean against the wall and dropped her messenger bag on the floor.

Audio walked in, a book under his arm as his pace slowed to almost a complete stop when he walked in to see everyone in complete silence in the empty classroom. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on or why no one was speaking, so being Audio, he broke the silence.
"Whats the squiggle on the ground for?" he asked, pointing to it as if it were a foreign object.

There were a few things Daphne Hopton's eyes took in as soon as she entered the room. First, it was the lack of furniture. Where was she supposed to sit? Did Professor Truebridge honestly expect her to stand during the remainder of the lesson? Did this mean they'd be doing some kind of energy exerting labor?

Secondly, Daphne took in the sight of Celandine and Copernicus together, standing awkwardly in silence. In fact, everyone was silent for the exception of some kind of humming which came from, not surprisingly, Plymouth Morgan. Standing in front of him with a brow raised in inquisition, Daphne stood off in a distance. "What are you doing?"

Fred came into the History of Magic classroom for class as was specified on his schedule. He wondered why class was in the Observatory and the professor was;nt there. And what was that curved line on the floor gonna represent in the class if anything. So many questions he hoped to be answered when class officially began.

"Hehe - I'm walking the tightrope," Plymouth answered as if that were clear as day. He pointed down at the line at Daphne's feet. "Careful, Daphadil. Want to hold my hand? Wouldn't want you to fall. It's a LONG way DOWWWWN," and Plymouth threw his voice and made accompanying echoes. "Hehe."


History of Magic - never boring.

There was a blink before the Gryffindor glanced down at Plymouth's hand. Bringing her honey colored eyes up, Daphne threw a pleading glance at Celandine and Copernicus; maybe they could convince Plymouth to--not do what he was doing. Her eyes soon moved to a silent and COOL Willow Kovac.

Taking Plymouth's hand, Daphne tugged at him. "Look. It's Willow Kovac. Let's go say hi."

And not pretend they were walking on a tightrope like CIRCUS people.

Truebridge entered the observatory with a cardboard box in his hands, stunna shades on and expression even more sombre than usual.

"Glad to see you all here. Please be welcoming to the younger students who have been given permission to attend this class."

He strode to the side of the room where there was no line, standing in the gap between where each end started.

"First of all, the reason History of Magic is up here is because your new... professor who is supposedly going to teach astronomy, finds the stairs disagreeable and decided he much preferred my office. Some of you may know who this man is, those of you in 5th year I believe would have been first years the last time he taught... well it wasn't precisely here, but he was supposedly teaching History of Magic. Apparently he feels like my office is rightfully his. In any case, Berty Borr is there. I am here. So this is where we are for classes."

Ethan put the box down and straightened up again.

"For anyone who is concerned, the observatory will be returned to its former state after the class is over and yes, you may still at any time, use the observatory for your Astronomy studies."

They'd need it.

"Does anyone have any questions or anything they'd like to say before we start?"

The sad thing, Issy realized, was that she had grown used to these sorts of settings: walking into class to find no furniture, no seats, no desks. Still, lack of cushions was a new thing. Typically, they at least had a cushion or something to sit upon. Wrinkling her nose and dropping her mouth into a frown, Issy crossed her arms as she walked into the classroom, noting the kids who were already there.

Ahh... and of course, Willow was against a wall, not seated on the floor. Nothing out of the ordinary there.

Hitching the strap of her bag over her shoulder, Issy held her chin high as she strode towards her friend. Instead of leaning against the wall beside her, though, she carefully and daintily lowered herself to the floor.

"Never were one to lower yourself to such standards, eh, Willow?" teased the smaller girl, looking up at her friend as she curled her legs beneath her.

Her eyes drew momentarily towards Plymouth, who seemed to precariously be walking the line on the floor. One eyebrow arched into her fringe as he explained to Daphne that he was... walking the tight rope? She shook her head slightly.

Weird.

Her attention turned to the Professor as he explained the location of the classroom setting and now, both eyebrows arched.

Sabrina Evanstar blinked as she stood next to Willow in the observatory. The first question that crossed her mind was exactly what their History class was doing in the Astronomy tower, which is something that had been puzzling her on the whole trip from the Ravenclaw Common Room to the said destination. Next ... where was the Astronomy equipment and why on earth was Professor Truebridge not here?

Still mulling over these questions, the blonde was staring at the arc which had been painted onto the floor with the same puzzled expression she had had the whole way to the observatory when Professor Truebridge turned up.

Copernicus was STARING at Daphne and Plymouth holding hands. When did that happen? He nudged Cela with his knee.

And then Professor Truebridge showed up, and Cope grinned. Thank goodness. No more awkward standing around and looking at each other. "Professor, I've heard that past History of Magic professors used to teach in all sorts of odd places. That being said... we don't mind a few extra stairs for a good lesson. Sir."

Celandine shrugged at Copernicus and gave him a little look that quite clearly said that she thought it was a good thing, then she cheerfully raised her hand.

"Whats with the line sir?"