The Department of Astronomy

Home tower of Aurora Sinistra, interim professor.

[professor-sinistra]

OOC

I'm having trouble gettting my Skype set up, and so it might be a little bit before I can join you there--I know I was never the most active on that front, but it was fun to really think about a character I hadn't given a lot of thought to before. Hopefully I can write fic for Aurora someday! Until then, you can always find me on my personal blog (primeideal.tumblr.com), and/or e-mail me at [email protected]. Thanks for everything!

Edit: Skype works again, Ember.Nickel. But I'm hardly ever on that account so best to contact me by e-mail or personal tumblr, if you'd like to say hi! :)

[thelovelyameliabones-archive-de]

009. Somebody Told Me...

Aurora Sinistra

…can win a game of Wizard’s Chess in only four moves.

…has her hair insured for 10,000 galleons.

…used a Time Turner to provide council to Galileo during that embarrassing “flat earth" ordeal.

[professor-sinistra]

My salary is mostly room and board so I haven't chanced the hair-insurance thing. However, I refuse to confirm or deny 1 and 3.

[professor-sinistra]

9. Somebody Told Me

Arabella Figg...

...Imports loads of Class A Non-Tradeable Materials, then sells everything she doesn't hatch.

...Smuggles the Daily Prophet into the Muggle World, under the guise of toilet paper.

...Is running for Parliament in the next Epsom and Ewell election.

[professor-sinistra]

Which one of your students are you currently suspicious of?

Who says there's only one?

(There's...not that many. But I prefer to communicate through more, ah, secure channels.)

[professor-sinistra]

Do you believe all children are innocent or are there some damned from birth to harbor evil and hatred? As a teacher, what do you see that defines budding darkness in teenagers?

Neither. Nobody is damned from birth, at least not more so than the hate in all of us, but even in childhood people begin making choices that make them...less than "innocent."

I'm not going to tell you exactly what I look for, because I don't know who you are and for all I know, delinquents out there are reading this and trying to figure out what gives them away. I'm not a perfect judge of character, either. But there are clues.

[professor-sinistra]

6. Today's World: Charmed Lives

Aurora paced outside, enjoying what passed for the springtime breezes, hustling by what passed for a path, and raising her eyebrows at students who had been known to pass classes, on occasion. The wind sheared across the lake, and the surface of the water beat along the shore every so often.

At the very edge of the water, Catherine, one of the third years, was crouching. No, kneeling, heedless to her dirty robes.

"Hullo?" Aurora called softly.

Catherine whirled around, almost upsetting some...contraption?...on the shoreline. "Afternoon, Professor?"

"Is everything all right?"

"Oh yes. I'm just practicing my Freezing Charms!" She pointed with obvious, if unnerving, pride to an artificial icicle, floating point up in the middle of the lake. "Professor Flitwick said I needed work."

"I'm...sure he'll be impressed with your dedication. Have you considered practicing, er, indoors?"

"Oh no. Seeing as how whenever I try charming things in the library, I wind up sticking book pages together. It's really awful. I don't think they want me to come back."

"Well I'm sure everyone's welcome in the library. What about trying to find an empty classroom?"

"Oh I couldn't do that. Besides, what if someone found me?"

"There's nothing wrong with practicing your coursework. If a professor needs the classroom, they might know where open space is."

"I didn't mean a professor--" Catherine broke off.

Of course. It would be her dormmates who she was hiding from, no doubt. Or perhaps the boys across the hall. Aurora nodded, and Catherine glared--the students seemed incredulous that Aurora had ever been that young. "I think your charms are coming along very nicely. Come on, let's get you inside."

[thelovelyameliabones-archive-de]

March 18, 1979: Amelia Bones at the Ministry of Magic

[mrs-alice-longbottom]

Alice had been pleased to escape from her normal work routine. Not that she didn’t enjoy finding the bad guys, and surely she would have loved to find out who had killed Prosecutor Jones, but this was equally important at the moment. She listened carefully as Amelia Bones spoke and nodded every once in a while. The crowd wasn’t all too pleased, a bit shocked too, but in fact it was understandable. Things weren’t going on as planned, they had failed protecting their owns and now they should be protecting wizards outside the MInistry too. It all sounded too much, but it was what they needed to do. If the Minister of Magic had agreed to this sivilian protecting operation, then what was Alice or anyone else to disagree. Plus she found it important also.

While listening people answering to Amelia, Alice was most pleased with Alastor’s words. The man knew what he was talking about and was absolutely right. “I have to agree with Moody in this. And while I understand people’s concer of how we are going to protect not only the ones working inside the Ministry but also the ones from the outside needing help”, this was adressed mostly to the man who had questioned if Ministry was capable of that. “I am sure that we can do that. Yes, there are a limited number of Aurors, whom I suspect will be doing the protecting, but it’s nothing we haven’t prepared when becoming Aurors.” She found both Frank and Alastor while saying this, and smiled to them both. It was their job, though they would have to make sure that none of the Aurors were working for Voldemort before sending to the protecting program. She stayed quiet for awhile, thinking if she should nominate the one person she trusted to do Prosecutor’s job as well as Jones had done. “I would also like to adress my nomination for Prosecutor’s position for Alastor Moody, even if temporary.” Alice knew that there would be saying for nominatin Moody over Frank, but just this once she was being a bit selfish, even if she knew that both men wouldn’t be thrilled over her words.

[thelovelyameliabones-archive-de]

“Thank you, Auror Longbottom. Your nomination of the Auror Alastor Moody is duly noted. Nominations from the public will continue to be accepted until a replacement has been appointed, as is the procedure codified in the by-laws of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.” Amelia addressed the congregation with her wand held to her throat, indicating it was her turn to respond to the concerns that had been raised. While some were more helpful than others, she’d learned long ago that eye-rolls were far too easy to detect during these public events, at least far more detectable than clenching her teeth or discretely finding something in her pocket that would distract her from hexing those smug faces in the crowd that seemed unable to take the issues at hand seriously. She’d even managed to prevent her lip from curling every time she was referred to as ‘Miss Bones,’ likening her to the public’s nanny and not a prosecutor that had more than earned her rank.

“I appreciate and understand the concerns that have been raised and I implore you all to seek an active role in aiding the Ministry in addressing these concerns and all concerns in the future. The Ministry is, and always will be, dedicated to the security of the people and ensuring their rights are protected. I assure you, the Ministry of Magic will consider temporary reforms that a time of war requires, within regulations and reason. It should be noted that the Investigations Department is the result of one of those temporary decisions devoted to the tracking down of those dark wizards who have infringed on the lives of all – Magic and Muggle alike. With that said, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will be working closely with the Auror Division to ensure the safety of all those who we exist to protect.”

[ofmoonbeams]

Despite Ted’s pleas, Andromeda had decided to attend the meeting. Though she knew it was risky, and she would absolutely die if anything happened to Ted or Nymphadora because of this, she was dying to get out into the world, and to gain information about what was going on in the Wizarding World. Being on the run, Andromeda had elected to stay at the back of the room, not wanting to attract toomuch attention to herself. In fact, she didn’t want to attract any attention at all to herself, but she couldn’t help but mutter responses to the people addressing the issue at hand. When she saw Narcissa rise, her heart sank. It had been nearly seven years since she had seen her sister, and she hadn’t expected to see her…well, ever again, much less at a conference like this. Her sister’s presence was even more of an excuse to make herself as little known as possible, and she sank further in her chair.

When she heard Narcissa’s comment, she refrained from addressing the crowd, choosing to mutter her beliefs to herself instead, “Right, because there are so many people we can trust here.” She murmured sarcastically, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Listening to the other comments, she found the one made by Alice Longbottom especially interesting. “Moody wouldn’t be a bad fit,” She mused to herself, “Dunno if he’d take it, though.” She wasn’t entirely sure it was his thing, not being on the field and all. Then again, he was aging.

[coloursofaugust-iys]

All through the input of the body of wizards and witches, the whispers of the crowd, and the response of the Ministry (or in this case Amelia Bones who was surprisingly managing her temper) Rookwood did his best not to miss anything. There were many verbal concerns in the crowd and their conversations trampled over one another in a mess that Augustus found impossible to untangle and still keep a steady eye on the key players of the Ministry. Alastor Moody, Alice Longbottom, some woman…something Sinstra, out of the corner of his eye he caught Barty Crouch Jr. talking to…was that the deceased Prosecutor’s daughter? Curious. Then a familiar Irish accent stole the show and Augustus paid heed to the conversation alone as it was passed from Alastor to Alice and back to Amelia.

“Correct me if I am wrong but is dividing our forces to protect those individuals who simply ask nicely a smart way of protecting our magical community as a whole?” Augustus words were forceful enough but his head was level and his tone controlled. Once again his wand was to his throat and held all of the nonchalance required to make his confident conclusions seem effortless. “And what if every witch, wizard, and their owls feel as though they need extra protection from the Ministry? Can the Auror Division still hold to their claim that everyone will receive equal and effective protection despite the number of trembling citizens greatly outweighs the number of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement itself?”

[professor-sinistra]

Alastor as a Ministry employee? In a desk job? That, thought Aurora, was just a disaster waiting to happen. Like he'd give two bits for paperwork, and even if he didn't, how long before Dumbledore would have him wound tighter around his fingers, pulling more strings for the greater good? That being said, the idea of a figurehead appealed to her. What about...someone already entangled in Ministry politics, someone who wouldn't have to play too much catchup? And maybe someone who knew how to defend himself. "If an urgent, short-term appointment is required, it makes sense to choose someone with experience at the Ministry, who won't need to learn all the policies for what we hope is not a long stint anyway. I would nominate Elphias Doge as a candidate."

There, that was done. Though it begged the question of how long it would last. Sneaking a glance at Alastor, she went on, "Though for that matter, is holding a snap election for this position really the best choice? Not that I'm against a more representative government--quite the contrary, I believe the Ministry needs to be more accountable and transparent at all levels. But if that's the way forward, then it makes more sense to introduce changes slowly and consistently, rather than scrambling to belatedly make new procedures for filling, ah, the casual vacancy we unfortunately have on our hands."

[professor-sinistra]

3. Long Walks On The Beach

Single black witch (early 20s) seeks wizard of any race, 20s preferred but older warlocks considered. (No students, that'd probably get me fired. And sorry Muggles, I'm very open-minded but at this point in time I can't justify putting you in any danger. Also if you are a Muggle how are you reading this?) I love travel, Quidditch, and having a good time. I'm looking to someday settle down and start a family, but not for a while yet. Although I can't promise you the most independent digs, if you ever strolled through Hogwarts wondering which broom closets would be the coziest for you and a special someone, well, I might know all the answers. Just not the Astronomy Tower, I'm sick of catching students snogging up there. No Death Eaters need apply.

[ifyousurvive-secrets]

ϟPLOT | RULES | CHARACTERS | APPLYϟ

[professor-sinistra]

1. My Lists

What’s On Your Bucket List? (things to do before you die)

1) Visit some Muggle observatories.

2) Publish my own research articles.

3) See if there's anything to so-called football.

4) Research in the Caribbean.

5) Find a successor who really loves the work here.

What’s On Your Regrets List?

1) Not spending more time with my family.

2) Getting too invested in Muggle friendships that didn't work out.

3) Not having enough friends to take out my emotions on.

4) Not being able to make up my mind on some of these studies I can't debunk.

5) Eating Bertie Botts' when Dumbledore offered me them.

What’s On Your Kitchen Counter?

I don't have my own kitchen. Last time I checked, Hogwarts' kitchen counter looked something like this...

1) bag of flour (actually hovering somewhat above the counter)

2) Billy Bumble's Bidirectional Blender, for all your multiblade needs

3) An elf, who had to climb up onto the counter to turn the pages of a cookbook too big for its species

4) The cookbook, hanging over the edge and about to fall off

5) A pyramid of silverware that shouldn't balance but does.

What’s On Your Nightstand?

1) My wand

2) A clock

3) A book I was reading

4) Empty drink glass

5) A dodgy wireless that works once in a blue moon. No, literally.

[alastortheauror-iyssurvivor-blog]

March 14, 1979 || Alastor and Sinistra || All The Walls Come Crumbling Down

[alastortheauror-iyssurvivor-blog]

  Alastor didn’t need to worry anyone was impersonating Aurora, because he knew this was Aurora. Contrary to what she thought, if anyone wanted to get to him, impersonating her was the most effective way. She was his Achilles heel, the only weakness he allowed himself. The little girl he’d saved and adopted in all ways but in name. She was his weakness, and he was glad for it. He needed that bit of humanity, someone to remind him that he wasn’t just a machine doing his job.

And she intrigued him. Sure, when she drawled on about things he wasn’t always interested in what she had to say. But he was interested in her, herself. The way she lit up when she discussed things… that was a reminder of why he did what he did, why he fought so hard for people. He fought for people like her. He fought so that they could smile and pursue the things that intrigued them. He fought for their happiness. He could sit and watch her talk for hours, and when he walked away, he always felt his resolve stronger than when he’d first started talking with her.

She wouldn’t meet his eyes as she spoke, and he knew with finality that something was wrong. His hand slid up to lace their fingers together as he tethered her. He was there. He had her. She wasn’t going to fall into that pit, because he was there to hold her tight and pull her back to the surface. He had her.

“Sometimes tha grief we ‘ave ‘nside dun’t need association ta tumble down on us. Sometimes, ‘n event that dun’t ‘ave no real ties ta us ‘s enough ta push us ovar th’ edge, n leave us ta fall.” His hand tightened around hers. “Dun’tcha dare feel stupid fer lettin this get ta ya. ‘s not stupid. Yer tha farthest frem stupid I know. N yer one o’ tha strongest people I know, Aurora. But that dun’t mean ya carn’t ‘ave moments o’ vulnerability. ‘s okay ta break down, sometimes. So long as ya ‘ave someone who carn ‘elp ya pick up tha pieces and putcha back t’getha.”

[professor-sinistra]

Aurora took Alastor's hand, at first quietly, letting his fingers poke through hers. For a moment they felt rough, bony, just another force. Then they blurred together, like the static of an ill-kept wireless.

At first she was skeptical as he rattled off excuses. What did he know, about how grief worked? But then she supposed he was aware, as well as anyone, how people's mistakes could blur into each other. Muggle, wizard, what did it matter? It was all the same. Small wonder he'd found himself fighting like he had--seeing how disgusted anyone could make you was an argument for equality that, presumably, the supremacists were too oblivious to consider.

"I shouldn't've gone..." she muttered. It had seemed like a good idea at the time. It was nice to be part of the real world, somewhere below the towers, where there was half a chance of meeting people her own age. It was just, funerals seemed to provide the only social life--as it were--for wizards and witches, those days. And if it was so natural to break down, how come no one else had done the same?

Maybe they had, and she was too farsighted to notice, just looking past them as they disappeared into the crowd, hiding their own faces.

Maybe.

"You need to get out more," she tried to laugh, "meet some of the other loonies in academia..." but she trailed off, her nose running as she shivered. She supposed he had, for that, at least his underground colleagues. And still he'd found it in him to respect her. The thought gave her a brief spurt of confidence.

"That's not your job," she said, trying to mean it, but failing once again. Of course, it was. Alastor Moody wasn't a man to just take orders from the inbox and slide them to the outbox, punching out his card at the end of the day. No, when he felt called to some vocation or another, he would see it through, come Fiendfyre or Aguamenti. "I mean, it shouldn't have to be." There was no use wallowing in counterfactuals, she knew, but by that point she didn't care. If she really was as smart as they said, she could let herself go.

[professor-sinistra]

Do you belong to a culture that has certain expectations regarding weddings and receptions?

Not as much as I

Well, in broad enough terms, sure I do.

[professor-sinistra]

Are you a people person?

Sometimes. I guess I prefer to socialize with people somewhat like me, and I don’t know how many there are, these days.

[professor-sinistra]

When was the last time you did something only for your own pleasure?

Friday.

[professor-sinistra]

What is the secret to being content in all circumstances?

Why are you asking me? Is there anyone who really knows? And if they did, it’d probably be something rubbish like a dodgy overpriced potion, so no sense barking up my tree.

[professor-sinistra]

Do you ride motorcycles? Do you wear a helmet when bicycling or motorcycling? Is it the law where you live?

No, n/a, and how should I know? I’m a witch.

[professor-sinistra]

E-D-G-A-R B-O-N-E-S!!! Or, what about Alastor Moody? I heard he's into Owl sex.

I’m aware how to read, shock as it may be, but I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. Moody, of course, is—ew.