My favorite subject - and looking for the Orion group on Elective Hall

Professor McFarlan

April 29, 2007 11:39 PM

Fourth and Fifth Year Class by Professor McFarlan

Kathleen sat at her desk meditating. She called on the spirits of peace and harmony to bless this place she called her new home. The Heavens knew there were children that needed a bit of peace in their lives. The faces of Morgaine, Hyana, Paul, and, yes, even Brett, flitted through her mind as examples. There were other young people whom she hadn’t yet met that also could use a safe place free from fear.

From what she’d read in the newspapers, one young man in this upcoming class didn’t need any sudden surprises. It would be better to introduce the crystal and then invoke it when everyone was sitting in their seats expecting the show in nice cushy chairs with arms that could take being gripped hard if the need arose. They were old enough to understand the crystal's concept and a few bright minds might be interested in the precious stone.

Tapping her wand at its base, the stars vanished, leaving a barren classroom once again. No shadows, no corners where someone could hide, just big empty space. The recliners were still in their circle, no one sitting behind another, all with a full view of the entire room.

Of course, McFarlan knew that he would be humiliated if he thought this was all done for him. So, she decided this would be a good opportunity for an object lesson for the fourth and fifth year class. Pointing to the center of the room, she conjured an easel with a two dimensional star chart. From the open door of her office a box full of protractors, straight edged rulers and compasses loco motored itself to sit in front of the easel. With another wand wave, the door to her office shut. All in all, it made a hideous display.

Keeping in mind the lessons learned earlier, Kathleen drew out a mirror from her desk. There were others in this class who would never except what she was trying to teach if she looked frumpy. Well, they may never except what she was teaching no matter how impeccably she applied her lipstick, but the less ammunition she handed them, the less she’d have to duck. Checking her reflection, she freshened her makeup and made sure every strand of her shining auburn hair was in place. She wore the standard professor’s robes, but understanding how their game was played, she stood and used a pressing spell to make sure that it was wrinkle free. Frowning, she looked past her robes to her shoes. The high heeled pumps were the latest style but Goddess, they hurt her feet. One more hour, Kathleen promised her toes, and off those wicked things come.

The students began to arrive, have a good look at the sadly unadorned classroom and the Muggle equipment and take their seats. Kathleen studied each one carefully. Who would think what she had planned later in the term was a chore or a treat? Well, there was no finding out staring at them. Time to transfigure herself into a teacher once again.

“Hello, I’m Professor McFarlan, your Astronomy instructor. Please observe the usual classroom courtesies and we should get along fine” Professor McFarlan greeted them with a smile. “What you see before you are the tools my former university students had to use to do their assignments.”

Her eyes swept the classroom to measure the students’ reactions to the implied notion that they were actually going to have to use them as well. Making a circling, then a sweeping motion with her wand, she relegated the mess to a far corner as she grinned mischievously. “Of course, you are blessed with the ability to use different tools.”

“No doubt, you’ve over heard from the younger students that they experienced quite a different vision when entering this room thanks to this.” Professor McFarlan crossed over to her desk and indicated crystal. “My parents created the magic using the power of the crystal to hold memories of a sort. They then commissioned Astronomers to instill several different scenes into its memory. By touching the correct faucet and saying the proper spell, you can transform a dull, lifeless room like this, into just about any galactic scene you wish.”

In clear view, so everyone could see what she was doing, she touched the stone and uttered the incantation. It began to glow and the room was transformed into the miraculous 360 degree view of the solar system she’d treated the other classes to.

“I want you to break up into four groups. Each group will be assigned a constellation to find in these heavens. You may use your text books to assist you. Along with a drawing, I also want you to write down three or four things you know about the constellation. The legend behind its name, what other cultures may call it besides its Latin name, its relationship to how we use magic, or other nearby stars that may relate to it. The first group will be Draco, the second will do Ursa Major, the third- Ursa Minor, and the fourth, Orion.

“Your next class will not meet for a week. At that time we will be meeting on Saturday night when we will be camping out and finding these and other constellations in the real heavens. More details about that will be posted on your Common Rooms boards shortly.

“Concerning today’s assignment, you may get up and move around or sit back. I’ll be moving from group to group to learn your names and answer any questions you might have. I look forward to getting to know each of you. You may begin.”

OOC: As with the other classes, Google away or use your imaginations. Just keep it real and have fun. Please note that this class will only run for a very short time as I want you to have plenty of time to enjoy the field trip before the end of term.

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Subthreads:

My favorite subject - and looking for the Orion group by Zack Dill with Professor McFarlan

Insert Title Here. by Kaylie Brockert with Professor McFarlan

This Class is Closed by Professor McFarlan

Taking advantage of the special dispensation by Mia Kerova with Professor McFarlan

0 Professor McFarlan Fourth and Fifth Year Class 1467 Professor McFarlan 1 5

Zack Dill

April 30, 2007 12:48 PM

My favorite subject - and looking for the Orion group by Zack Dill

When Zack entered the room, he was slightly disappointed. He'd heard rumors about what the younger years had walked into and he had been looking forward to the same experience. Instead, it was just a normal room that didn't even have desks. Giving the cushioned lounge chairs a dirty look, he chose one and sat down in it. If they weren't going to get the planetarium, the least they could get would be real classroom desks and chairs. Needing to write on his lap brought back terrible memories of Care of Magical Creatures. At least this was inside.

He pulled out the black spiral notebook he had labelled with the subject name and turned it to the first blank page. He uncapped his pen and gave the room another inspection. That was when he noticed the protractors and rulers. He sat up straighter in his chair, his eyes lighting up and he even smiled a little bit in excitement and anticipation. Would they be doing some math in this class? Zack really hoped so. Astronomy was a true science back in real school, he hoped the magical world didn't leave anything out of the way they taught it.

Then class began. He nodded in absent-minded agreement as Professor McFarlan told them that the usual class rules applied. That was reassuring when the only places to sit were recliners. His interest spiked as she drew their attention to the graphing supplies and told them all that she'd taught at a university level. This was looking to be as wonderful a class as he'd come to expect from Astronomy.

His hopes were dashed, however, when she sent the supplies away and implied that magic worked just as well. He slumped lower in his chair and his disappointment was obvious in his expression and quiet release of breath.

It didn't last as long or stay as complete as he'd expected, though. Just a few moments later, she was telling them about the crystal and Zack was all ears again. So that little crystaline structure was where the planetarium views came from? He really hoped that someday he'd learn the grittier details about how that worked.

For now, though, Zack was content to gape at the scene that the classroom was transformed into. Now this was cool. Only long ingrained classroom manners and habits allowed him to pay attention to what Professor McFarlan said next. That was fortunate, else he wouldn't have had any idea what the day's lesson was.

She continued on about a field trip next Saturday, which made him a little nervous because the real sky was, well, outside, and you could only see the stars when it was, you know, dark out. On the other hand, there was going to be adult supervision, so presumably any of the rumored nasties in the Labrynith Gardens would be kept at bay. As long as he didn't hear too much rustling in the undergrowth, he figured he'd be okay.

Released then to create groups to begin the assignment, Zack stood up and moved nearer to the three bright stars of Orion's belt. He was particularly partial to the Orion constellation because that was the one that housed Betelgeuse, the home star system of both Ford Prefect and Stephen Baxter.

Ignoring the recliners, he knelt down on the floor (his less than five foot tall frame almost disappearing behind one of the chairs) and began writing out a list of facts that he could think of off the top of his head into his notebook. The page looked like this when he glanced up to see if anybody had joined him yet.

Orion Constellation

[There is a rough drawing of the constellation, with lines connecting the stars here. Each star is a dark filled-in circle, with the brighter stars having a larger diameter. Betegeuse and Rigel are labelled.]

FACTS

1. Orion is a hunter.

2. The three bright stars making up Orion's belt are three of the brightest stars in the sky. Also, Rigel and Betelgeuse are also very bright, making Orion one of the easiest constellations to find and recognize.

3. Betelgeuse is Orion's left shoulder. This is one of closest stars to our solar system. It is a red giant and very large.

1 Zack Dill My favorite subject - and looking for the Orion group 40 Zack Dill 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 13, 2007 1:56 PM

Sometimes a floor works better than a chair by Professor McFarlan

OOC: I apologize for waiting so long to pay attention to you. I was waiting in the hopes that more students would join us. BIC:

Professor McFarlan sat at her desk for several minutes, grading papers from her other classes while she allow the students to pick their work partners and settle down. When the whispers, giggles and mutterings died down to an actual work hum, she glanced around. Most of the students had teamed up and were busy working on their sketches and papers. One dark haired young man seemed to have chosen to work solo which was fine if working by himself had been his choice and wasn‘t being left out deliberately.

Observing his body language, he didn’t seem ostracized and by the look of concentration on his face, he was really enjoying his work. McFarlan set aside her paper work, stood and wandered among the students, getting their names and commenting on their work. She eventually strolled over to the student who appeared to want to tackle the assigned task by himself. She sat on the edge of the recliner that he’d abandoned and peered over his shoulder, checking his progress. The diagram was quite good. He’d paid attention to details and distance relationships that was often overlooked even by her former university students. The facts he had added to accompany the drawing were short and succinct but accurate.

“You might want to add Canus major and minor.” Kathleen smiled down at the boy. “The Hunter never goes anywhere without his faithful companions. Also, you might want to add a note telling what the Hunter is stalking. All in all, this is a very good beginning, Mr.__?”

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0 Professor McFarlan Sometimes a floor works better than a chair 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Zack Dill

May 14, 2007 12:57 PM

Especially for writing on by Zack Dill

Nobody there. He looked around and it seemed that if there was an Orion group among his classmates, they were working independent of him. That was fine. Zack preferred to work alone, as long as he didn't get in trouble for not following instructions. He looked over at the teacher, but she was going through some papers and didn't seem overly concerned that one of her students hadn't grouped up. Even better.

Zack opened his books in a semi-circle around him for easy reference (Zack had borrowed far more than the simple text book from the library for this class) and added labels to the other stars that he hadn't known off-hand, including the scientific notation for Betelgeuse and Rigel as well. Under his facts list, he added important details about what color each star was and the approximate number of light years each was from Earth.

The next time he looked up from his work, he was a little surprised to find Professor McFarlan herself sitting on the reclining chair beside his piece of floor and reading over his shoulder. Zack sat up straighter and turned the paper so that she could read it easier.

When she finished, she suggested adding Canus major and minor, so Zack nodded agreement and started drawing in the appropriate stars into his diagram. A quick look had told him that there would be just enough room to fit in the additional constellations without sacrificing an accurate scale.

"Zack Dill," he answered absently when his name was prompted for. He finished shading in one of the stars before he looked up again. Proper diagramming required full concentration and Zack wanted to give it the attention it deserved. "From Alderaan," he added, though the Aladren House badge was as prominently displayed on his robes as his Prefect badge was.

He gave his paper the briefest of glances, and then shifted it to the class text book which was open to the description of the Orion constellation. "He's hunting the other animals in the sky," Zack told her, uncertain if she wanted him to answer aloud or just write it down. "Taurus and the rabbit, Lepus, specifically," he clarified, repeating what he'd skimmed over in the book a few minutes ago.

The myths weren't hard science, though, so they had taken second string to the other information Zack had recorded. "And, by some accounts, Scorpius, though they never inhabit the sky at the same time. The legends vary though," he said pointing to one of his books. "That one says they killed each other, Orion and Scorpius, I mean." He pointed to another, "That one says only Orion died, and that one," yet a third book, "says Artemis was tricked into shooting him and doesn't mention Scorpius at all. So I wasn't sure what to put down in my report. My sources are contradictory."

1 Zack Dill Especially for writing on 40 Zack Dill 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 17, 2007 8:01 PM

Especiall when you can stretch out by Professor McFarlan

Professor McFarlan was surprised. The details this Fifth year came up with was astounding. It wasn’t so much that he’d found the information, that was all in the materials provided. It was that he’d had the interest to look it up and retain it. Even at the university level, unless the student was incredibly into one aspect or the other of a subject, they tended to do the least amount of work as possible. Zack Dill made sure he had covered all bases even if he didn’t seem to be as enthralled with myth as much as fact. Well, not everyone could be as romantic at heart as she.

McFarlan noted the Aladren Prefect badge and the obvious note of pride in Zack’s voice when he declared his House. The studious reputation of the Aladrens may explain some of the lad’s enthusiasm for this assignment, but not all of it. Professor McFarlan suspected there was something more. A passion for the subject perhaps?

“Good to meet you, Mr. Dill.” Kathleen nodded toward the young man. “Tell me, are you as diligent in all your studies, or is Astronomy a particular favorite of yours?”
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0 Professor McFarlan Especiall when you can stretch out 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Zack Dill

May 18, 2007 10:56 AM

Well, my books need more room than I do by Zack Dill

Zack's lighted up at the Professor's question and he even smiled. It was always a good thing when a teacher realized you had a genuine interest in their subject. There might be extra credit research projects or even an assistantship in his future. That would look really good on his college applications. His college applications would need all the help they could get because he had no idea what real universities would make of his current transcript. His grades were fantastic, of course, but the subjects, well, they weren't exactly a core curriculum for normal schools.

"I'm always diligent," he promised her - he was a genius after all and he wouldn't want anyone thinking he wasn't good at all his studies - "But I especially love the sciences in general and Astronomy in particular." Whether that was because it was the only one Sonora offered or because he would have loved it anyway was anyone's guess. "It's fascinating. The Universe is so big and people have been able to extrapolate so much from just a few relatively short intra-system journeys, some high-powered telescopes, and a lot of math. I've been looking into astrophysics as a college major."

A side thought occurred to him and he perked up even more than he already was. "Do you know calculus?" he asked hopefully. She taught Astronomy at the university level, after all. Complete with protractors and everything, so there had to be some math involved. "I've been trying to teach myself, but I'd like someone to make sure I'm doing it right and Professor Williams said it wasn't feasible for me to take classes at a normal school. She hadn't thought anybody here at Sonora was qualified to teach it though, since it's mostly used by mundanes and all the professors here have been schooled by primarily magical institutions."

1 Zack Dill Well, my books need more room than I do 40 Zack Dill 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 18, 2007 9:04 PM

There's Plenty of Floor to Use by Professor McFarlan

It took a moment for Professor McFarlan to take in everything the boy emoted. He clearly had extraordinary intelligence. If he were as talented magically, there was nothing this boy couldn’t do.

She’d made note of many promising students that day that she’d planned to push and Zack Dill just made the top of the list. Gee Wiz, Kat who does he remind you of? She didn’t doubt that he wasn’t as diligent as he claimed, but she would be have to be careful not to burden him down with too much extra work or his grades in his other classes. Still the temptation to give Zack what she had to claw and scratch for was too tempting.

“Oh yes, I’ve advanced degrees in both Muggle and Magical sciences and it wasn’t easy, let me tell you.” Professor McFarlan whispered so they wouldn’t distract he rest of the class. “I didn’t start getting interested in the hard sciences until I was almost twenty. I had to play catch up on many Muggle studies without any background math or science at all except those few places that intersected so irretrievably, my Wizarding professors couldn’t avoid it.

“I know calculus and physics, but those aren’t my favorite disciplines. Still, I’ll help you if you’re serious and you won’t let down on your regular studies here. You don’t want these grades slipping especially with CATS coming up.” McFarlan laid a hand on his shoulder. “I really have no time until after the field trip. Until then… give me a moment will you?”

Patting Zack on the shoulder, she stood up and walked briskly over to her desk. Rummaging through a drawer, she grabbed some blank star charts. Then she disappeared in her office and came out a moment later carrying three books. Sitting down in the abandoned recliner, she held them out to her student.

“You may borrow these for a little ‘light reading’ Professor grinned. “There’s a couple of tutorial books on higher math and a primer for mapping stars. You can have these charts to practice on and, after class, you can grab one of each of the tools in the box to use. After the trip, I will see what free time I have to get together with you and help you where I can. Can you be patient until then?”

Professor McFarlan was just about to see if anyone else needed her help when something else struck her. Zack had used the word ‘mundane’ to describe non-magical people. The was only one place she knew of that used that phrase. A slow smile spread across her face and she turned to face the Aladren Prefect.

“Tell me, Mr. Dill. Do you read Piers Anthony?”
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0 Professor McFarlan There's Plenty of Floor to Use 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Kaylie Brockert

May 20, 2007 8:50 PM

Insert Title Here. by Kaylie Brockert

Astronomy had never been a favorite class of Kaylie's. She wasn't the least bit good at it, since it involved facts and paying attention. She much preferred wand work. Kaylie liked looking and the stars and daydreaming but thought the subject of astronomy was rather dull. What the planets were made out of held no real interest for her and trying to figure out where they were in the universe was difficult.

To make matters worse, the fourth years were in class with them. Kaylie slumped in her chair, trying to resist the urge to look over at Chris. She both did and didn't want to be around him. On the one hand, Kaylie loved being around him and missed him terribly. On the other, it hurt seeing him and not being able to talk to him.

She sighed and tried to focus. Just looking at the equipment at the front of the room made Kaylie's now constant headache worse. Relief flooded her when she found out they wouldn't be using them. The last thing she wanted to do right now was try to do anything requiring problem solving and complex thought. Kaylie felt like she just couldn't deal with much more. Her head was about to explode.

As the lesson began, she pulled out her astronomy book. Obviously, Kaylie didn't know anything about those constellations at all. She'd have to read about them before she joined a group.

Before long, Kaylie's mind began to wander. She could never think about this stuff for very long. Her eyelids began to feel very heavy and she fell fast asleep. She'd been so tired lately with everything that was going on.

11 Kaylie Brockert Insert Title Here. 43 Kaylie Brockert 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 20, 2007 10:58 PM

This Class is Closed by Professor McFarlan

Kaylie and Zack...If you want to continue your posts we can as you are the only two here.\n

0 Professor McFarlan This Class is Closed 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 21, 2007 2:02 AM

How About the Legend of Sleeping Beauty? by Professor McFarlan

The last student left and Professor McFarlan sighed with relief. Two visits (one she was very much looking forward to), supper, and a little paperwork and her first day was done. It went much better than she’d expected. She’d even met a few students who showed extraordinary promise in the field of Astronomy if she could keep their interest peeked.

There were also those students that simply touched her heart for one reason or another. Those who were delightfully feisty, like Brett, distracted but smart, like Saul, or just plain cute, like Derek made her smile. There were also those she wished who could just snatch up and take away to a safe place and help them unlearn all the garbage their parents taught them and allow them to experience what it was like to be real kids for once. Then there were those who’s shyness and insecurities reminded her of the tiny little buds on the roses in her office that, with a little love and care, will one day burst into amazing blooms.

She touched the crystal lovingly with her wand, silently sending thanks to her father for making it for her and the room reverted to its natural state of barrenness. She went over to the box that was now minus a few of its muggle tools thanks to interested students and closed it intending to make the rest a donation to Professor Williams’ Muggle Studies class. She picked it up and began to carry it to her desk when out of the corner of her eye, she saw a girl sound asleep in one of the recliners.

Professor McFarlan frowned. How could she have missed seeing the girl during class? She could just kick herself. McFarlan always prided herself on her observation skills and her reputation for having eyes in the back of her head. This was inexcusable. Feeling incredibly guilty, she quietly set the box down and went over to the girl. She perched herself lightly on the arm of the chair. She reached down and very gently laid her hand on the young lady’s fore arm.

“Class, is over.” Professor McFarlan said softly. “Are you feeling alright?”

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0 Professor McFarlan How About the Legend of Sleeping Beauty? 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Mia Kerova

May 21, 2007 7:41 PM

Taking advantage of the special dispensation by Mia Kerova

Dropping her bag beside one of the recliners in the circle, Mia sat down in the chair with some curiosity. Recliners? Every teacher had a quirk or two, right? So the new astronomy professor was no exception. Everything else seemed pretty plain and boring despite what younger students babbled about the room looking like they were in outer space. A plain classroom, a regular chart for looking at the stars and planets and whatnot. At least the chairs were comfortable.

The professor began a lot briefer than other teachers and then she made things a little more interesting. Turned out the kiddies weren’t lying after all. Professor McFarlan explained about the crystal she had. She tapped it and said a spell and the entire room changed. Mia actually caught herself reaching for her bag as the room disappeared and was replaced with a completely three-dimensional view of outer space. The only way she saw where her black bag was in the mostly black background was because she saw the bronze prefect badge she pinned to the side of it, not caring to punch another hole in her shirt and not feeling like wearing her school robe. It was usually draped over her arm.

The classroom really became an incredible sight. Enough to get her troubles out of her head for a class period. She always knew magic was the greatest thing ever. And then it got better when the professor mentioned a campout next Saturday night to find the constellations they were looking at outside. She loved the classes with more freedom. You didn’t get campouts for other classes. This was quickly becoming a second favorite to Care of Magical Creatures.

When they were to divide into groups, Mia grabbed her bag and went to the first star grouping she recognized. Spotting the Big Dipper, she went towards it and sat in the recliner closest do it, pulling up her knees. If she knew the simplest ideas of astronomy, she knew that the Big Dipper was part of Ursa Minor…no. Major. Major, right? Yeah, it was part of Ursa Major. The Big Bear. No. The Great Bear. That was it. She got her notebook for Astronomy and propped it open on her knees. She began jotting down what she knew.

Ursa Major

-means “Great Bear”

-contains the Big Dipper

-the Big Dipper is made of the seven brightest stars in the constellation

Mia tapped the eraser on her notebook, (She tried, but just couldn’t get into using a quill. She didn’t like writing with things she couldn’t erase which was why she rarely used pens either) and looked at the constellation again. Maybe she didn’t know the simplest ideas of astronomy. But maybe a sketch would make her notes look better as she thought of anything else she might know. The whole point of being there was to learn, right? As she began the drawing at the bottom of the page, she wondered if anyone else with her constellation knew anymore. She decided to go for the textbook when she finished her sketch, as she was pretty sure she had written all she knew off the top of her head.

0 Mia Kerova Taking advantage of the special dispensation 0 Mia Kerova 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 22, 2007 9:03 PM

Solus Gratia by Professor McFarlan

Professor McFarlan wandered over to where another student chose to work alone. In the reflection of the enchanted starlight, she’d noticed the look on this young ladies face when she mentioned the field trip. Evidently the idea met with approval of this one. There were more like her, of course. There were also those that looked a bit nervous and those very few who’d actually rolled their eyes and seemed put out at the whole idea of a night camping under the stars. Well, one couldn’t please everyone.

Another interesting thing about this particular girl was that she was using a pencil. That was a bit of a surprise. Even Muggle born children usually adopted the fad of using quills. While she would insist on quill produced final drafts of any formal projects, just as she insisted on typewritten papers at the university, pencils were far more practical for fast work.

Leaning over a bit to show interest in the student’s work, Professor McFarlan spoke softly into the girl’s ear. “You could add, that according to Indian folklore, the Great Bear doesn’t dip below the horizon because he tried to steal water from the earth and was banished to the skies.” She smiled down at the young lady. “By the way, could I have your name for attendance, please?”

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0 Professor McFarlan Solus Gratia 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5

Zack Dill

May 23, 2007 5:16 PM

it certainly looks infinite by Zack Dill

Zack had a new favorite teacher. He really did like Professor Kiva a lot, but there was definitely something to be said about enjoying the teacher's subject (he was quite sure Professor McFarlan was not going to ask him to abuse gnomes either and that also helped). Plus, advanced degrees in real science and magical science. Zack couldn't help but be impressed.

He was slightly disappointed that math and physics weren't her favored disciplines, but she knew them and, better, was willing to teach them to him, so he forgave her that shortcoming. He reasoned that if they had been her favorite parts of the subject she'd be a real university or high school instead of Sonora so it was just as well they weren't.

"I can wait until after the field trip," he told her, a little too eagerly, half afraid she would take back the offer. "And my grades won't slip," he promised. His Quidditch practice might suffer, but that was Anne's problem. It was probably one of the pitfalls of captaining the Alderaanian team, especially when players reached their fifth year.

As she stood and made her way to the box of tools still at the front of the room, he rearranged his schedule in his mind, leaving plenty of time for homework and CATS review, but also making time for his new Astronomy studies without completely taking out his independent research time into the other real sciences like Chemistry. If he was just half an hour late to Quidditch practice and he went to bed an hour and a half later . . . and, yeah, he could probably cut out re-reading the Star Trek novels he had with him entirely . . . manning the Prefect Station wasn't a problem since usually nobody bothered him and he could just do his work. That ought to be enough time to handle the new commitments.

He sat up straighter as she returned to him bearing gifts. Well, loners. Zack took them, and immediately began looking over the titles and star charts. He promised himself he'd have all three books finished by the day after the field trip. He'd tell Anne he was dying of fever if he had to.

"I can be patient," he promised her. He could dress like a rabbit and eat only carrots for the next two months if that's what she wanted. He was already opening the top book (ostensibly to see if there was any mention of Orion in the glossary, but mostly just to skim over the table of contents) when she turned back and asked a question that seemingly came out of nowhere.

"Piers Anthony?" he repeated, stumped. "I've thought about it, and picked one of his up in the library once or twice, but I've never quite gotten around to him. Is he good?"

1 Zack Dill it certainly looks infinite 40 Zack Dill 0 5

Professor McFarlan

May 24, 2007 4:30 PM

Infinitey is rather large by Professor McFarlan

Professor McFarlan was delighted as Zack eagerly accepted the things she offered him. Evidently this young man was going to take her at her word. She made a mental note to reserve some of her precious free time for him. The more wizard scientists the had that were willing to incorporate magic and muggle knowledge, the better for the future of both worlds. She certainly didn’t expect to take on private tutoring so soon, but the sooner Zack could get started the easier it would be to achieve his goals.

She had almost ruined her health trying to take too much on at once working on her graduate studies, so she could begin her career before thirty and she almost didn’t make it. In fact, when her parents retired, she seriously considered chucking it all and buying in with her brothers. After all, running the Cosmos would have been far less stressful and incredibly more lucrative.

A little disappointed that she’d misjudged where he came up with the term “mundane”, she explained. “Piers Anthony is a talented Muggle author who writes a series of fantasy novels that are set in the land of Xanth.

"Everyone and everything in Xanth is magical and everything is a pun. The non- magical land outside of Xanth’s magical influence is called Mundania and the habitants there are called Mundanes. When you used that word to describe Muggles, I thought you might have read the Xanth series. If you have a moment or two of free time over the summer, I highly recommend them. They’re wonderful brain candy.”
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0 Professor McFarlan Infinitey is rather large 1467 Professor McFarlan 0 5