Date: 4 September, 1944
Location: top level of the Astronomy Tower
Time: evening class
Status: Closed ( @vntonin )
Astronomy was by far Fiora’s favorite subject. It was what she was excited for above all her other classes: to learn about celestial bodies and other planets and the vast forces at work beyond their very world—it never failed to wholly captivate her. As a first year, to come to class at midnight had been a struggle worth dealing with, and Fiora was all the more pleased to return to the Astronomy Tower as a fifth year earlier in the nights; although midnight skies would provide a better view, the current timing suited her workload much better. She came to class and sat in the front—rare for her, in truth, but well worth any nerves in a case such as this.
The professor was a brilliant wizard, exceedingly knowledgable and caring greatly his subject, but perhaps a bit controlling towards the class. He had given every student an assigned place to do their work, which sent Fiora back two rows and gave her an intimidating neighbor. From listening to her friends and looking out for whomever they may point out, Fiora had a fair enough idea of those it may be best for her to avoid, but now she was placed right next to one of those very people. Briefly, she looked up at him, and it was a moment before she remembered the name that went with the face: Antonin Dolohov.
She smiled at him, but said nothing before looking down towards the star map in front of her. Antonin, from what she knew, was not a boy to be trifled with. No problem for her, really, although she felt a little off-put at the thought of having no one to share her wonder with during her favorite class. Perhaps, after a little time, he might warm up to her—she could hope for that much, at least. But, to get to that point, they would have to start somewhere. Throughout class, she didn’t speak to him, although she did glance his way with a friendly expression once or twice over the course of the hour.
In all honesty, Fiora really did know so little about him; almost nothing that could really be confirmed. But, what she did know made her feel that much more friendly towards him: he was from another country, just like her. Russian, in his case, which was almost as completely different from the Caribbean as could be, but the common factor of their foreignness remained the same despite that. Class ended, and everyone packed up to leave. As luck and a bit of subtle stealth would have it, Antonin and Fiora packed up and left at the same time. Out in the hall, she walked quietly—and quickly, to keep up with his step—by his side for a moment before at last looking up at him with the intention to say something. “What do you think of the professor?” she quipped. “I mean, at least he didn’t give us homework on the first night, but he treats us a little like first years, don’t you think so?”
