Astronomy at eleven o'clock at night caused Tamara a physiological sense of revulsion.
Not only because it required climbing the tallest tower during sleeping hours, but also because the late nights of September in the Scottish Highlands were so cold it felt like kissing a Dementor.
As the Slytherin first-years wrapped themselves in thick cloaks and panted their way up the final stretch of the spiral staircase to the top of the Astronomy Tower, the biting cold wind instantly poured down their collars.
Goyle hunched his shoulders, his teeth chattering. "Why can't we have this class during the day? Or use magical projections indoors?"
"Because the stars don't come out during the day."
Pansy Parkinson said while shivering, trying to shrink herself into Goyle's broad shadow to hide from the wind.
Tamara stood at the edge of the tower, her black robes flapping loudly in the night wind.
Her face appeared even paler under the moonlight, almost blending in with the surrounding stone walls.
This body was too weak; long-term malnutrition made her more susceptible to the cold than ordinary children.
The cold wind cut across her cheeks like a knife, stripping away what little body heat she had.
Yet she remained standing straight. It was a pride engraved in her soul, belonging to the Dark Lord—even if she froze to death, she would die like a statue, never huddling together for warmth like that group of Hufflepuffs nearby.
Yes, this class was shared with Hufflepuff.
That group of little badgers in black-and-yellow robes was huddled on the other side of the tower like a flock of cold-fearing penguins, chirping and complaining about the weather or sharing hot biscuits smuggled from the kitchens.
Just then, Professor Aurora Sinistra, who taught Astronomy, walked over.
She was a dark-skinned, serious-looking Witch wearing deep blue robes patterned with stars.
"Alright, stop complaining."
Professor Sinistra's voice wasn't loud, but it was clearly audible on the open tower. "Astronomy is a subject that requires patience and precision. Now, set up your telescopes and adjust the focus."
"Tonight's task is to observe Jupiter's moons and map out their orbital trajectories."
"Everyone must draw one; hand them in before class ends."
The students began to get busy.
Metal stands made a harsh scraping sound on the stone floor, and the clicking of adjustment knobs rose and fell.
Tamara skillfully set up her brass telescope.
For someone proficient in various miscellaneous studies, star charts were child's play.
In her past life, to study the relationship between the Dark Arts and celestial phenomena, she had spent countless nights on this very tower.
She knew the name of every star, knew when they were brightest, and knew what kind of fateful omens they represented.
In less than ten minutes, Tamara completed her observations and precisely drew Jupiter and its three surrounding moons on a piece of parchment.
"Perfect."
Tamara put down her quill, gently breathed out a puff of warm air, and rubbed her somewhat stiff fingers.
Just as she was about to find a sheltered corner to wait for class to end, a suppressed sobbing sound drifted over.
"Ugh... I can't see it... where is it..."
The voice came from the nearby Hufflepuff camp.
Tamara turned her head.
She saw a little girl with two golden braids—Hannah Abbott—tearing up in frustration in front of her telescope.
Her hands were beet-red from the cold and shaking so much she couldn't precisely adjust the fine focus knob.
Moreover, because it was so cold, her ink seemed to have thickened, and her quill wouldn't leave a mark on the parchment.
The more anxious she got, the more she shook; the more she shook, the less she could see.
A few nearby Slytherins let out low snickers.
Hearing the mockery, Hannah cried even harder, her face a mess of tears and snot, looking utterly pathetic.
A few Hufflepuffs nearby wanted to help, but they were in a scramble themselves.
Tamara watched this scene with cold eyes.
[Ding! Detected a classmate in distress.]
[Current Attribute Panel: Wisdom 19/20.]
[Hint: You are just one step away from unlocking the next spell.]
[Triggered Mission: Warm Sun on a Winter Night.]
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