Quote:
Originally Posted by
sweetpinkpixie 
Chuckling, the astronomer shoved his hands into his trouser pocket while boyishly rocking back on his heels. "I know you won't, Mr. Toby," he replied with a shy smile.
Giving one last grateful bow of the head - because of the article the Hufflepuff would soon write - Airey decided that he ought to head back to his office to try and catch up on all the research he had fallen behind on.
"Until next time then. Live long and prosper."
And then, after delivering a proper Vulcan salute, the man made his way back towards the Astronomy Tower.
Toby smiled again at Airey, and nodded at him, reaching down to pick up the missing poster he'd set aside while they saw to secret handshake business. He looked and watched the astronomer make his exit, before turning his attention to straightening out the poster again, uncreasing it by 'ironing' it against his leg. Okay, so. He'd need to talk to Gabriel about that article, and obviously
write it.
And he needed to find a way to remember the handshake, too. In fact, as Toby headed across the Great Hall and out the front doors, intending to check the grounds again for Pebbles, he began practicing each of the steps with an imaginary Airey. It probably looked pretty strange. But then, he thought, as he stepped out onto the grounds, stranger things had happened.