Turns out Pluto wasn't Pluto, and that didn't make Bev a happy snake. She was ready to go and SLEEP. Focusing back on the sky she scanned every blinking light, occasionally glancing at the chart.

Oh. Wait. Ha.

The chart was upside down. Weeeeell. Hmph. That wasn't cool. Flipping it over, she gazed back at the sky. Okay, Pluto, where are yah? Hmm? HMMM? Oh! There. RIGHT THERE. She checked her chart, and, indeed, it was.

Thank Merlin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Penguin

He cleaned up his things, gathered his box of planets and waving non chalantly at the professor he spoke a goodbye. Later professor. Your class is one of the best this term. What other class could he create his own solar system. Granted, it was weak looking except for his gassy planet, but still he'd made it.

Hufflepuffs were known for their generosity and this one was being far too generous. Still, Airey meet the young man with a smile. "Thank you, young man. And thank you for all your effort this term."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grrr..Meow

picking it up he walked by the professor on his way out. "Thank you Professor for a wonderful lessons and i'll see you next year" he smiled at him and started to make his way to his room.

Airey waved to the Gryffindor as he departed. Next year. Yes. Hopefully that would happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

Heading back over to her work station, she grabbed her bag and solar system before making her way over to Professor Flamsteed. "Thank you so much for the wonderful lessons this year. I had so much fun even though some of it is really hard. You are my favourite Professor, you so had better be here next Term." He would be... right? She wanted to see all of the Professors next year.

Smiling at the man, she walked out of the classroom. It was time for bed.

Blasted something in his eyes just now. Excuse him as he casually attempted to rub it out....

"Thank you for your kind words, Miss Carrington," he smiled at the girl as she left. Next year...........

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Was class over already? Disappointed, Adi removed his eye from the telescope as Professor Airey began addressing the class. Oh he had on something? He hadn't really noticed he had been the first Hufflepuff to finish. Grinning at his fellow winners which included Sophie, he shuffled up to the Professor to collect his prizes. A book and sweets. Two of his favourite things! "Thank you, Professor,'' Adi said.

Before leaving the class, Adi put away everything that had to be put away. "Bye, Professor,'' he called as he left. "Brilliant classes this term.'' Yep. And he was looking forward to more awesome classes next term.

"You are quite welcome. Brilliant work this term as well," he nodded towards the boy as he left.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

And what was that? Kitchens tomorrow? "Sure thing Professor. I'll be sure to bring fireworks." Blasting things in the kitchen....she'd have never thought of it but the Professor did. This was why he was the Professor, mhm, lots of big ideas he had.

Fireworks in the kitchen? Must be some sort of sweet that he was not aware of. This WAS Alexa Cambridge we were talking about here. Probably was even a confection that she had invented herself. "I look forward to it, Miss Cambridge."

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Aww, she got a gift? Brynn collected her things and wandered up to the teacher's desk. The blue one was obviously for her and she opened it up, peering inside. Oh! She got a Nutella Neptune! The other stuff was great too, but it was what she had wanted all along. Beaming, she shuffled over to Flamsteed. "Thanks, Professor," she said as she reached her arms around him for a hug. "See ya." Time to go eat some planets.

"You're welcome," he grinned at the young Ravenclaw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Banana

"Ohh, chocolates!" she exclaimed. Then... Uh oh. Lex was in here. She should have kept that down to a dull roar. "Thanks, Professor!" The seventh years were getting something, too? Ohh! Sophie wondered if Flamsteed would notice if she went and stood in that line, too!

"You're welcome and good work," he winked at her.

SPOILER!!: 7th years!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireboltAvis88

Sander looked away from the telescope's viewfinder when the Astronomy Professor began to speak. Sadly, class was over and for him this would be his last Astronomy lesson in Hogwarts. Sander sighed getting all emotional again.

....the Professor wanted to speak to the 7th years? Sander wondered whether he wanted to talk to them about their coming NEWTs exam. Sander shuddered just at the mention of those two words.

NEWTs Exam!!

Did they really have to sit for it? Could they like just bypass having to do that since they were now old and probably couldn't remember anything they had learnt in the past?

Sander reluctantly walked over to his workstation and checked to make sure everything was clean and in its proper place before packing his things into his backpack. Slinging it over his shoulder, Sander walked up to Professor Flamsteed.

"Professor, you wanted to see us? I'm a 7th year," Sander identified himself just in case the Professor was wondering what he was doing there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

... ... Oh?

Alec was confused. Naturally. He had just headed back to his desk to pack up his items when he heard what Flamsteed had to say. All the seventh years? They weren't in trouble, right? Not that he could remember think of something they all could have done to be in trouble so... yeah. Confused.

Once he was done packing up his things, the boy swung his bag over his shoulder before heading all the way up to the front of the classroom. "Everything okay, Professor?" Mentioning the fact that that had been a good lesson can wait. And hugs. Hugs can wait too. Instead, he was just going to stand there with his hands in his pockets looking lame ... cool? Eh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemon

Her... last Astronomy class from Airey Flamsteed.

No crying. Alice Fischer did NOT cry over such trivial things (or at all, as far as the public knew). Nope.

Making her way over to the professor with the other seventh years, she stood at the back of the huddle and said nothing. Aireyhead didn't even get a thank you for his wonderful lesson. Her goal was to keep her eyes on her shoes and get out of here as fast as she could, because if there was anything that could make her feel the weight of graduation... well, it was this. Ouch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

You may not hold the world in your hands, but you hold your own fate in them.

Way to get heavy on them there, Airey-face. Ella clapped for each of her classmates who received a prize, a little louder for Adi since he was one of her badgers. Yes, hers. In her old age she'd become particularly possessive. Even more so than usual which was saying something. The Head Girl pondered this while she packed up her things, careful to grab her Solar System last so that she could carry it out with her. Out...because she was leaving...oh gosh, this was her last Astronomy class.

Last class. Graduating...WIBBLE!

Shake it off, Bishop, no tears. Old age had made her more emotional too, y'know? And so the blonde badger might have had watery eyes as she made her way up to Flamsteed's desk, placing her solar system down carefully while she waited to see what he wanted. Oh, and while she was here, "Thank you for the lesson, Professor. It was fun." Tiring but fun. And no, she wasn't grumpy anymore. What had she been upset about again? Memory loss, that was pretty prevalent these days too. Also, Alec looked like a comfy place to lean against so Ella did just that, leaned her head against his arm. Hi.

Once the majority of the other students had departed, the old astronomer's gaze shifted to the 7th years that had congregated around his desk. "I've been your professor for a year now, Mr. Strand," he chuckled. "I am well aware that you are a 7th year." His blue eyes shifted towards the Head Boy now and Airey shook his head slowly before speaking. "As fine as fine can be given the circumstances, Mr. Summers."

Although he would have appreciated it if Miss Fischer would actually look at him instead of her shoes.

"I asked you all to come here because I have something I want to give you. This term has been rough, more so psychologically on all of you than previous ones." They WERE seeing themselves grow old after all and if the Daily Prophet article was any indication of what was on the kids minds, well, yes. It was an unusually traumatic term. "I have here a book I would like each of you to have," he explained as flicked his wand to conjure a book for each of them on his desk, each book contained a brief message from the professor written in the back. "My parents gave me a copy of this when I was graduating from Hogwarts. You each are facing a new chapter in your life and while this may appear to just be a silly children's book, I promise you there much more to it than meets the eye just as there is much more to all of you." He paused for a moment to you know....rub that dust from his eyes. "I can't wait to see all the places you will go in life and I wish you all the best."

'As fine as fine can be given the circumstances'

... Yeah... that didn't sound good. A curious look crossed Alec's face as he watched the Professor. What was he--

... ... Oh. Oh!

That was... well. His heart sank and, as much as he didn't want it to, his chin started wobbling. Flamsteed was right; the year had been a tough one on them. Everyone. All the ageing was just... yeah. But as much as he hated the grey hairs and wrinkles and constant back aches, Alec would go through all of that again just to stop this very moment from happening. Or face it later on.

Grey eyes flicked over towards the set of books and he picked one up, a hint of a smile crossing his face. Dr Seuss. Books by Dr Seuss held a lot of truth in them, you know. At least... to the boy. And this was about moving on with your life? Starting a new chapter? Alec gulped down the lump that had formed in his throat. This was really happening, wasn't it?

Deep breaths... deep breaths... don't say anything embarrassing...

At long last, the Head Boy piped up. "I... thanks for this gift. Really. That means a lot." Deep breaths. "And thanks for this lesson, I enjoyed it. Thanks for all the lessons. I never thought I'd be that into Astronomy, you know." Not that he was obsessed with the subject but... Flamsteed didn't need to know that. "Just... yeah. Thanks for everything."

... Pause. "Would it be... weird if I gave you a hug?" Group hug, anyone? Yeah? No?

Gulp....another gulp...he was not going to tear up...nope...nope...gosh darn it...his allergies were working up again. He was starting to have sniffles and his eyes were tearing up...and if anyone asked why he was crying...he was going to stick with that story.

Gulp...he raised a finger to his eyes and discreetly wiped said watery eyes as he looked down at the book Professor Flamsteed has just given them. He smiled. Dr. Seuss was his favorite books when he was a little boy. Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham.

Sander opened the book and read the brief message his Astronomy Professor had written inside. Feeling his throat start to tighten up, Sander cleared his throat over and over trying to clear the knot forming in it.

"Um....thank you, Professor. This is a wonderful gift and I'll always treasure it....um..." Sander tried to thank the Professor but the moment he heard what Professor Flamsteed said next, he choked up again.

He adjusted his shirt collar trying to loosen it. "Um....Professor I...I want to...say...that...that...I've enjoyedyourlessonsandIwillmissthem," Sander blurted the rest out before pulling out a tissue from his jacket and blowing into it.

"Sorry. I...I...have...have...really bad allergies right now," Sander wiped his eyes and blew his nose again.

Yes this was awkward. He hadn't expected that he would feel sad saying goodbye to this strange man, but he did.

"Thank you for an interesting year, Professor. From now on, every time, I look up at the sky, I will remember you and your lessons," Sander cleared his throat again.

Yes...awkward.

....a hug? Alec was asking the Professor whether he could hug him. Yes good idea, Alec.

"Can I hug you too, Professor? A goodbye hug." Sander asked in the event that Professor Flamsteed was in the mood for a farewell hug.

No. Nope. Not happening.

This wasn't happening. They weren't leaving. Airey wasn't giving them a goodbye gift. This wasn't... ... ...Wibble! Why was he doing this?

Ella's eyes began to water as the Astronomy Professor talked about what a trying term they'd had. It was true, of course. She'd never expected her last term to be this stressful. NEWTs was always expected to be a pain but to deal with this on top of everything had been...really hard. It was the book, though, that made the tears fall. Ella knew that book. She'd given that book to Max when he graduated and it really hit home for her that everything was ending. It didn't help that the eighteen year old didn't do goodbyes well. Didn't Airey know she was trying to do the whole denial thing? Impossible now. And so Ella wiped at her eyes stubbornly with her sleeve and reached forward, picking up a book for herself. She ran her hands over the cover and smiled faintly, listening to Airey's words. Only when the two boys mentioned hugs did she look up. Oh no, was it her turn to talk? More eye wiping happened and then she worked up the courage to say something.

"The book isn't silly, Professor. It's really thoughtful and it um...m-means a lot that you think we'll do great things." Nodnod. "And I just...I just wanted to say thank you because you're one of the best Professors I've ever had and thanks for your lessons." Chin!wobble. "And for being you because you're pretty stellar." His word, yeah? And she wanted hugs too but because she was on the verge of bursting into tears, she couldn't wait. So the Head Girl stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the man very briefly, giving him a squish. And then she let him go, grabbed her solar system, and turned on her heels to leave. Only when she made it into the hall did she let the flood gates open.

Oh gosh, she needed to get to the girls room.

She was old. She was graduating. She was never going to have another lesson from Airey Leighton Flamsteed again.

That revelation hurt more than a bludger to the stomach. Trying to swallow the lump in her throat, she quietly listened to the professor's words. New chapter? Wishing them all the best? What was he doing? Aireyhead was treating the lesson as if it was a goodbye, and the term wasn't even over yet. Acknowledging the book would mean acknowledging that everything was really... ending. Forever.

And Alice wasn't ready for that.

Obstinately keeping her gaze on her shoes, she turned on her heel when it came her turn to speak and ran from the tower. Nope. Maybe she'd come back and ask for the book later, but Alice didn't plan on crying in front of any of those people, nor did she want to acknowledge anything.

Clearly, this girl did not do goodbyes with class. Not at all.

One good thing about all the wrinkly skin was that it was a bit more difficult to notice the pursing of the lips and slight lip quivering that was going on with the astronomer right now. Or maybe all the loose skin was shaking enough that it would be noticeable? He was just thankful that there were no mirrors in the classroom.

"A hug?" he repeated, shooting questioning glances towards the two boys. Personal space was a BIG thing for the man, you know? He didn't just walk around with a sign that said 'Free Hugs' on it or anything. That seemed far too Hufflepuff to him - which was very telling considering that it WAS two HUFFLEPUFFS asking him about hugs in the first place. No, there would be no 'Hi. I'm Airey and I like warm hugs' going on here. Only before he could gently turn the two down, Miss Ella beat them to the punch and had her arms around him.

Hugging.

Him.

Personal bubble.

BURST.

...................

BURST!

He hardly had enough time to react before the Head Girl was gone and out the door. He supposed now that he couldn't really deny the other two hugs, so he tried to calm his deer in headlights look and somehow managed a smile on his face. "You Hufflepuffs never cease to amuse me," he chuckled nervously as he beckoned them over for.....................a hug.

"Miss Fischer you forgot..................." But it was too late as the Gryffindor was gone. Cue a EPICALLY SAD FACE FROM THE ASTRONOMY PROFESSOR!

Sander wiped his eyes and nose again. Darn those allergies!!

He placed his backpack and the container containing the solar system he had created on the ground, before leaning over to give his Astronomy Professor, a quick warm hug. Then he stepped back and smiled sadly.

"Well I guess I'll see you at the End of Term Feast, Professor, " Sander nodded at the Professor, getting all choked up again. Then Sander bent down to pick up his things, turned and left the Astronomy Tower for the last time.