» Scorn The Sunset, Open

[Alastair Knox]

It wasn't yet curfew. Not yet curfew, but very nearly dark. Alastair Knox was patrolling the grounds. Or at least, he had ended up doing so while focusing half his attentions on the view of the darkening sky. How unusual.

He supposed most people found sunset beautiful. Sunset and sunrise, the promise and denouement of day. He was sure others didn't appreciate it at all. Alastair was more thrilled by anticipation of the night, of being able to see the stars again. Night was so much more vivid, so much bolder, far clearer and yet endlessly more mystifying.

It wasn't late in the day, so the students were still allowed out. In fact, it had only been an hour or two since their ordinary lessons had concluded. However, in these wondrous winter months, the great burning ball of fire that was the sun was overpowered more easily by the darkness.

Alastair strolled some more, deep in thought. A few students meandered past. The individiual strands of grass of the pitch of roll of the great lawns were blustered about by the forceful breeze. It was undeniably freezing out. Alastair tugged his winter cloak up further around his neck, his thoughts falling into fragmented questions and silent, discontented ululations about the weather and filthy muggles and mudbloods and his mess of a life in general.
And why would anyone be outside on an afternoon like this?

"What's that you're doing there?" He barked suddenly, eyes as piercing as a hawk's as his usual starry-eyed gaze snapped back to Earth and found a figure practically under his nose.

[Elijah-Thomas Burke]

One of the best things about winter was it got darker earlier. Therefore one could already be outside protected by the cover of darkness prior to curfew occurring. In the early fall and late spring professors could watch from a window and see one wandering across the grounds right before curfew. It was good for them most of his schoolmates were to incompetent to connect such dots and managed to easily be caught.

Himself though he was taking advantage of it being nearly dark to wait outside before it did. He needed ingredients for a potion he was debating on working on over the holidays and the easiest place to get such ingredients was the forbidden forest. For now though he was reading a book under a tree with his wand lightly illuminating the pages waiting calmly.

"What's that you're doing there?"

Sometimes professors were just as blind as his fellow students. Should the professor had looked down he could have easily seen that he was reading. Of course his quickly shutting the book would harm the professors curiosity on the subject of the book as the cover was a typical herbology tome. Hidden inside the cover was a rather advanced potions book that referenced a few objectionable experiments done during the last century.

History was important, especially if it was history others would be more interested in forgetting.

Elijah-Thomas said " Reading. " in a rather dull tone. He had little desire to deal with such annoyances as a professor tonight. Even if the appearance of the professor had effectively ruined his night and rescheduled his ingredient gathering to another night. Looking up at the professor with a rather annoyed expression on his face he held back the smart remarks that were drifting through his mind.

[Alastair Knox]

He stopped short, standing idly near enough the radius of illumination to see a dim outline of a boy, as he said,simply sitting, reading. He almost walked on immediately, dismissively.

Once he'd seen who it was, Alastair changed tact slightly. The boy was a fifth year, if he remembered correctly, therefore Astronomy was still compulsory for him. And Burke - the boy's last name - was a Slytherin. Though Alastair had been a Gryffindor at school, making Slytherins his natural enemies, it was not quite so in his case. He'd not been a clear Gryffindor upon sorting; he'd felt more suited to anywhere but the house of the lion, and often wondered that his impassioned temper had been the only thing to sway the judgement. And another thing, Slytherins were people he could generally respect, if only because they were the most likely to share his values. Or, more specifically, his prejudices. For Alastair, to whom all muggles - and by extension muggle-borns and muggle-lovers - were scum, the Slytherins were primarily pureblooded, and therefore safe to interact with.

Still, there had always been something off about Burke. Something not quite right, something questionable. Suspicious. Even this moment couldn't quite plead innocence. Alastair merely raised one eyebrow.

In a stern though not particularly irate tone (though he didn't want to let on that he was curious in any sense), Alastair responded to the one-word reply Elijah-Thomas had offered. "Odd place to be reading, wouldn't you say, Burke? Plenty more warmth and light in the castle. No shortage of places to read."
He wasn't even thinking of punishing the boy - no rules he was breaking, either, so no cause to, no matter how strange or antisocial the boy's activities. He wasn't even demanding an answer, but exercising his right to comment. He'd definitely be keeping an eye on the Slytherin, though.

[Elijah-Thomas Burke]

He found the castle had a definite shortage of places to read. The common room was filled with housemates wandering in and out and he assumed they all skimmed over shoulders. Or if they didn't they were fools as he certainly took a quick look at what people were reading as sometimes it could be useful. After all, the books people choose said a lot about them. Then there was the library which had a similar issue with people who were not good enough to even get into Slytherin. Maybe an argument could be made for a small number of individuals in other houses though he was not even bothering to make them.

Elijah-Thomas said " I'd disagree. " though to be honest he knew blatantly insulting his classmates even if it was deserved would be frowned upon. So he continued by saying " It is quieter out here. "

Then he looked curiously asked " There are also more productive places to be prior to curfew. " Then with a pause he added " The forest perhaps? " Figuring it might be fun to lead the professor on a goose chase. Or at least lead the professor away from him so he would not have to move prior to curfew, as any sane person would probably assume he left and not bother to come back.

Then he remembered the gentleman taught astronomy. A useful class as sometimes it occurred after curfew plus he had to admit he still had a boyhood interest in the stars. Not that such an interest was one he advertised readily. He continued by saying " Or if my calculation were correct about that meteor shower might I ask why you did not bring out a telescope. "

[Alastair Knox]

Much as Alastair still thought it was odd, the boy, however dully it was put, had something authoritative about his curt argument. "I'll give you that." Alastair replied with a sharp nod. "It is quiet." He even took a moment, a pause, solely to consider the sounds of the early evening, of which there were not many but the effects of the breeze. He couldn't quite decide whether it was solemn serenity or something sinister in the surroundings.

Alastair's eyes narrowed rapidly at the mention of the forest from Burke. The forest, as a productive place to be before curfew? What exactly was the boy suggesting by that? Allowing his eyebrows to inch higher, he also let his hawk-like stare scan his surroundings, paying particular attention as he stood, his body turning moderately to follow the sweeping survey of the grounds, to the forest, the dark shadows of trunks and canopies. Alastair's tone was deadpan to hide the sharpness he felt in his mind as he replied, almost disinterestedly (for two could play at the game of dispassion and reservation, as if they knew a great deal more than they were letting on, whether or not that was fact); "And what would you mean by that, Burke?" A pause, a slow breath to emphasise only calmness, "Have you noticed anything... in the forest, perhaps?"

His slow but suspicious manner altered abruptly at the mention of a topic Burke must have known would distract the Astronomoy Professor completely. "Why, that is to be congratulated: thank the heavens some students see the benefits of paying attention in their lessons." His eyes brightened slightly in the growing mothy darkness as he looked far upwards from the figure of Elijah-Thomas. "You are certainly correct about the meteor shower soon tonight. However, it would be just as clear, if not clearer, in the sky from the Astronomy Tower as usual - though if I decide to remain out in the grounds-" Damned Professorly patrolling duties on the very night there was something he actually wanted to see... "-It will not be too taxing for me to simply Summon my Astronomical equipment."

[Elijah-Thomas Burke]

At least the professor had the common sense to be aware of the comparative sound differences between outside and inside the castle. After all, he doubted Hogwarts would hire anyone who could understand the simple fact that stone walls carried echos and young children were noisy. Though it took only a second of consideration in the back of his mind to count a couple of professors he doubted could come up with that realization even if it was pointed out to them.

He had to hold back a chuckle as the professor's reaction implied he was about to run after some geese. As any implication of anything interesting in the forest would be much more complex to chase after than a single goose would have been. Perhaps the professors observation skills were not as good as he had previously given him credit for. As would anyone seriously expect him to be sitting under a tree if he knew of something interesting occurring in the forest. Most likely he himself would either be directly involved or be around enough people his alibi would be rock solid. He said " My lack of noticing anything probably has little to do with how productive it could be compared to here. "

Game. Set. Match. Good luck to the geese.

Though the professor was here speaking to him interrupting his reading. A rather predictable fate with how things went so at least the quality of the distractor was better than most. He smiled slightly when the professor congratulated him for actually paying attention to class. Not due to the reason for the congratulations, but mostly due to it being directed towards himself. He said " I'd have thought the light from the castle might reduce your vision quality. " Apparently he likely thought wrong. Not that he ever intended to test out such a theory after curfew in such a predictable place.

He continued " I often forget how convenient summoning could be. " It was a good trick as far as magic went. Even if it was one he rarely used as when one summoned something it went through the air and could easily be followed to his location. Perhaps discretion was something the professor did not need. He continued " Though that may be directly related to the fact it would foolish for me to do such a thing after curfew which is when the shower occurs. "

[Alastair Knox]

Alastair's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and he didn't refrain from scanning the horizon, though Burke's unhelpful answers about possible activity in there didn't make the man immediately rush off. There were no signs of a disturbance, and he couldn't expect the Slytherin to be aware of anything amiss unless he was involved in it himself. And yes, then he wouldn't be sat so nonchalantly under a tree so near by. Still, Alastair, pretending to clasp his wand in his right hand absently, had already uttered a non-verbal incantation. Homenum Revelio and a select few other spells offered no suggestion of students or suspicious goings-on under cover of the trees.

"I'd have thought the light from the castle might reduce your vision quality." Hmph. Alastair did feel a little disgruntled at that, though his mood was a little plumped up by the fact that one of his students would even care to make that observation. It did give him some kind of faith in the intellect of the next generation. Perhaps it was just because Burke had been raised right - Slytherins were after all, nearly always pureblooded. Little to no influence from those damned muggles.

"Alas, I have further duties as a Professor that, at this time, prevent me from retreating to my location of choice, the Astronomy Tower. And when the meteor shower occurs, I ought to be patrolling the grounds to round up any stragglers." He said so dispassionately, the word stragglers uttered almost disdainfully. "Still, I might manage to do perfectly well gazing away from the direction of the castle," He explained breezily, glancing over his shoulder at the brightly lit beacon of the castle windows in the dark afternoon.
Looking back to the student, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of suspicion. But that could be merely due to the slight oddity of what he'd seen and heard about the boy in general. "Are you hoping to stay out to examine the meteor shower, Burke?" Alastair interrogated, allowing himself - yes, allowing - to fall for the child's subtle attempt at getting out past curfew, though the subject of Astronomy did mellow him considerably... and if that was truly what the boy intended on doing, Alastair saw no wrong in giving him permission to do so. "I wouldn't suggest staying out too late without permission; anyone might deem it dangerous, or even suspicious." He raised an eyebrow, waiting to see if Elijah-Thomas would try and get this permission.

[Elijah-Thomas Burke]

He could tell the professor was suspicious. Not that he needed to be able to tell as he always assumed anyone interacting with him was suspicious of him. The issues of prior terms were not something forgotten, and the occasional check-ups from an individual in the Auror's office were rather obvious. Even if his father tried to keep them discrete to some extent.

It was simply his father did not have as much influence as his father would have liked.

He also noted the professor mentioning he was planning on staying out and patrolling even with the meteor shower. An act that would certainly ruin his plans so oddly enough the Professor was saving him a likely detention. Or a warning of what he would be facing if he choose to stay out late as he was confident of his odds of getting his ingredients with Knox on patrol. He remained silent as Professor Knox commented on stragglers like himself.

He certainly had little intention of admitting to any intentions of staying out late. Even if he could easily use it as a moment to make himself seem like a more model student. Though a more model student would have probably asked for information previously. Then he saw an opening when the professor mentioned permission. Looking up he said in a rather deadpan tone " You offering me permission to do such a thing. " As he would be more peaceful looking at meteor showers than dealing with his housemates.

Of course there would be no chance of fetching the ingredients he originally planed but it might be a decent way to spend his evening.

[Alastair Knox]

Alastair really could not be certain he'd gotten the measure of this boy, not even after years of teaching him, not even scrutinising him in the fading light at present. Perhaps it was because he said so little, let so little slip by in his expression, tone or actions - at least, not in the presence of a professor. Alastair was half-annoyed and half-admiring at this, for, he ruminated, he himself had always possessed that brazen, self-revealing quality that meant he occasionally, impulsively, had no choice but to share his emotions, in an almost Gryffindor fashion. (Not surprising, considering Alastair had been one.) The sentiment was most often anger. Rage, fury, wrath, it didn't matter what you called it... luckily tonight Alastair was calm. Almost jovial, as far as he got, truthfully.

"You offering me permission to do such a thing." Well, well, well. Burke had spoken again. And Alastair couldn't tell whether it would be a clever thing or not to encourage the young Slytherin. He hadn't quantified whether or not Elijah-Thomas was even sincerely interested in the meteor shower, though at the very least, the boy had been the one to bring it up.
He folded his arms nonchalantly, casting his eyes towards the sky as he answered smoothly, "I could well do that. Certainly, I don't permit things like this lightly - but if this is a student showing an interest in Astronomy, I cannot fault it - and therefore I would offer permission to any such student, provided they stay in my sight for the whole duration of their post-curfew activities." It was a rather long winded reply, though it came with a warning of consequences. Alastair finally glanced back down at the boy. "If that appeals to you, so be it. I would recommend setting up the telescopes just over there..." He pointed over to a mound of grass, a hill, where the view would not be tooobstructed by the castle, its light or the rising canopy of the forest.

"What were you reading?" He added, almost conversationally, once he remembered the student had been already consumed in an activity.

[Elijah-Thomas Burke]

It was certainly an activity for the night and one much more entertaining than dealing with his housemates. So with a smile he said " I'm agreeable to that. " People probably always thought he was up to something and perhaps it would be neat to have no ulterior motives for something. After all, his plans of sneaking in the forest were ruined and he had no intention of taking such risks after already being seen outside.

In fact, if he had been dismissed by the professor he would have sauntered away slowly then once out of the professors sight ran back to his common room and forced an appearance on the couch until bed time. It was always easiest to prove people wrong when one was suspected of something. Naturally those occasions were rare as he was usually up to something.

Standing up he pointed his wand towards the castle and said " Accio Burke Patina Telescope. " It was a thirty inch scope he figured would demonstrate he held some interest in astronomy. It was on par with the school telescopes even except for it had a better lens with some more powerful viewing enchantments than the school ones did.

"What were you reading?"

He did not even blink as he said " A rather dull blather debating the reason that devil's snare reacts to movement by attempting to choke it. One of the authors presents a theory that devil's snare is actually derived from a vine that was planted in venom of a magical species of snake. " Then he stopped realizing one it would probably bore the Astronomy professor and two he was not sure how he felt about the theory. Especially since while he had such a book in his bag it was certainly not in his lap.

Grabbing his bag he placed the book inside it and hoped if questioned further he could simply grab the correct book out.

Now he started moving as he saw his telescope coming towards him and reached out to grab it calmly. Perhaps it was good his father bought this as a distraction for him, even if it was honestly one of a handful of times he used it for something other than spying on people from his bedroom in Wellingtonshire.

[Alastair Knox]

Alastair mustered up a suprised smile when the Slytherin agreed. Well, it would make a change to his solitary study, and he was especially pleased to have found a student that would honestly stay out in the company of a professor to learn, rather than any number of things he could be doing with his peers. He nodded, watching as the boy summoned his telescope, doing the same, only wordlessly. When one of the telescopes - one of the better ones, one he'd paid for out of his own wage - had sailed down to the grounds precisely where Alastair wanted it, he turned to survey Burke's model, rather impressed. "Good quality, that is. You bought it expressly for Astronomy, did you?" He mused, more to himself than to the student, to be honest.

He listened attentively enough despite not bothering to glance at the boy again while Burke explained the Herbology theory. Alastair had never minded the subject of venomous plants, particularly, but he hadn't ever set much store in the real use of it, either. "I wouldn't know if it was, I must admit," He replied, admitting his own ignorance as to the origins of devil's snare and wondering whether the theory was a founded one. "But I'd expect Professor Prince would be more than willing to debate the issue with you himself. Still, back to a clearly more interesting subject..." He added, almost making a joke there as he stared with a steely eye at the student. "Astronomy, Burke... come on then and get your telescope set up." He waved his wand at his own to set it safely on the earth, ready to fiddle with its knobs and dials and the angles to get a perfect view of the coming meteor shower. It might prove to be a worthwhile night after all.


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OOC: Hey Ollie! Just a note to say that due to a lack of muse for this character, I'm dropping Alastair, but I wanted to round off this thread with this post; I hope you don't mind! (I'm also sorry for the extremely long wait!) Thanks for threading with him, anyway! :3