//------------------------------//
// Astronomy Under the Sun: 8 
// Story: Twilight Buys a Wand 
// by Kentavritsa 
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Astronomy is a nocturnal activity, everyone knows that.

Of course, even I had known Astronomy was an activity best performed in the dark; this incidentally occurs between Dusk and Dawn.  However, I had other ideas.

This is the time, when Twilight permits the impossible; but alas, I am Twilight.

As the Element of Magic, I am the one with the best Potency and Versatility.  Even if some try to deny it.  I just have to practice, hard; and it is alot of work, practicing and exercising to maintain it.

The issue with daytime, for the Astronomer is the light pollution; leaning towards producing only the nocturnal Astronomers, even to this very day.  How can I practice Astronomy, while maintaining all my social duties; being the princess of Friendship, even if I currently do study abroad at Hogwart’s school for Wizards and Witches?

Naturally, I could find but the one solution; to filter out the light pollution, and I intend to apply a shield to this end.

I had trotted up to the top of the Astronomy tower; the logical location, for what I had in mind.

On the off chance, I had asked my teacher to stand by my side for the occasion; thus Aurora Sinistra is standing by my side, looking forwards to explore this exploit with me, in the hopes of a success.

Summoning a Teacher, or Professor would not be too easy a feat; unless you had a good reason, aforementioned teacher or professor had an invested interest in.  In this case, Aurora had to be interested, in seeing the stars coming out.

Even if shields is not my speciality, that is my brother shining Armour’s forte; I am just the Unicorn, with the mark of Magic, and the elemental and powerful magic in particular.  My brother had managed to teach me a plethora of shield spells; even if they are less than what my brother could make out of them.  Most of the time.

“This.. should be most interesting..” Aurora offers.

“Yes, it should; if only one could just filter out, all the light of the day, first!” I put forth.

“Yes, that has always been the issue; with the daytime Astronomy, of what ever purpose you may be!” she mumbles.

“With the one Celestial body, as our Bane...” I explain; “But, I think I finally have figured out a solution; if only I could only blow up my bubble enough..” I continue; as I light my horn, in the clear and obvious intent.

“A bubble?” she inquires; “What kind of a bubble; you don’t mean to suggest you could erect a shield, to filter out all that light..” she mumbles thoughtfully; in the incredulous tone, of one too far steeped in the belief to the contrary.

“You probably want to avert your gaze..” I offer; "while I engage the spell, I had in mind!” I suggest, as I weave the spell, I had intended to engage here.

“It is the middle of the day, and a particularly bright one at that..” she observes; “how bright could your spell possibly be?” she inquires.

“The brightness is merely convenient..” I point out; “are you familiar with powerful spell casting?” I inquire, as I am finalizing the last elements of the spell, preparing to power up fully.

“Had it been at night, I would already have seen the stars; wouldn’t I?” she inquires, before she can have a glance of the intensity; “You don’t cast powerful magic, in order to illuminate the area; if you want to go out, stargazing!” she exclaims, sternly.

“Oh, but I already knew that..” I offer, “I have been practicing Astronomy before!” I point out.

“This, should be fun..” I ponder, as I snicker at the absurdity of the situation; but I want to see her reaction, as Aurora is the first to see the sky with me.

“I do own a telescope of my own; but that is neither here, nor there?” I offer, quite helpfully.

“A telescope?” she inquires.

“Well, why not?” I inquire; “Just as I have a castle of my own, and a library, fit for a Princess..” I then add.

“With all that; what could the stars possibly offer you?” she inquires.

“A Book Horse can wander the stars, at night; then continue, to read all the books of the world the next day..” I offer.

“A Book Horse?” she inquires.

“Oh, just the local expression; maybe you were more familiar with terms like: Egg Head, Book Worm or Nerd?” I inquire.

“Either way; please, avert your gaze..” I offer; “It’s about to be brilliant!” I then warn her.

“Wait.. what is that light?” she inquires.

“Just a shield spell, the one I am about to be casting..” I explain.

“Oh..” she gasps.

The next instant, the sky is lit up by what appears to be a new star.  At least, it is the impression; in the eyes of anyone looking in the general direction; where I am currently standing, as the orb is reaching its size.  The light then floods down the length of the horn like an avalanche.  As the light aura is reaching my forehead; the orb once more is cascading outwards in ever increasing speed; as the orb grows with alarming rate.

“Probably for the better, that we are so far out in the countryside; so that people can’t see the event, and figure out what I am doing..” I point out; “Aside from what will be the immediate effect; for anyone unfortunate enough, to watch it head-on!” I then add.

“You caught me off guard; or I would have warned you, about casting such a bright spell even out here!” she responds; “You know; the Muggles could see you, aside from hurting the eyes of all the unfortunate observers!” she then pushes forth.

“In order to see a star, I make one; even if temporary, and chancing a few observers..” I snicker.

“That is bordering on Poetic” she just gasps.

“Yes, I guess that may be a side-effect of being the Royal Book Horse?” I inquire; “but alas; I think you can look up, in just a few minutes, or so!” I then exclaim.

“A Royal Book Horse?” she mouths; “Now I have seen everything..” she mumbles; “so, I can look up, now?” she then inquires.

“If this works, as intended; I am creating an artificial solar eclipse, as local as it may be!” I just offer.

“So this will be, like looking at the sky; during a regular eclipse, just without the intruding eclipsed star in the middle of the sky?” she inquires.

“The Sun will still remain up, on the sky; but you will not see it, or the light it is emitting...” I respond, with a slight snicker.

Since the shield starts to form out of the massive field of raw magic I am putting out; the sky is starting to darken, for every observer on the top of our Astronomy Tower.  Though this is limited to just me, and our Astronomy Professor: Aurora Sinistra.

As opposed to a regular day; there is no dusk or even a twilight, the light of the day is simply fading away until the sky is black.  Covered with the stars of the night, such as Princess Luna would have placed her lovely stars on the night sky.

“Okay, this is beautiful!” Aurora exclaims.

“Yes, it is..” I respond, with a slight hint of a snicker on my voice.

“How long will this shield stay up, and how durable is it?” she inquires.

“This is a permanent shield, that will remain up, until it is destroyed; but since it is not affected by physical objects like a defensive shield; it should stay up until this tower is leveled to the ground, no one stone on another..” I offer.

“That, would be impressive; if this would be the case, as you are suggesting..” she gasps.

“I learned most of my shields, from my brother: Shining Armour; and he is the Master of Shields, since it is his special talent!” I explain.

“I will have to inform our headmaster Albus Dumbledore of your breakthrough..” she points out; “then it is up to him, whom he is informing, and what he is telling them!” she points out.

“Even he may enjoy a starry night, in the middle of the day; if and when he is in the mood for it, as it is visible all day and every day, all year around!” I offer.

“Yes, he just may!” she suggests.

“Well, since this shield is up; I guess I can continue, with the rest of the fun!” I enlighten her; “the rest, will not be quite so eye-catching and isn’t emitting all that much light!” I then add, almost as an afterthought.

“If you don’t mind, I think I will stay here for a while; just enjoying the sight and gaze at the stars..” she mumbles.

“Please do, I don’t mind; besides, the rest of this should be quiet enough not to distract you!” I explain.

I light up my horn, drawing in all the power required; before I cast the spell, expanding the floors with three feet.  From there; I repeat the process; lighting my horn, pulling in the power required for the next spell.  Since this castle is littered with hidden passages and changes on a whim, a few more additions should not be all that much of an issue.  Even if the blueprints will be a bit off, from now on.

I am adding three floors above the last year’s dorms, and seven below them; adding some more height to the tower, offering an even better view of the stars than we already do have.

“One final item, before I go..” I inform our Astronomy Professor; “Just in case of bad weather, and the likes..” I then add, as I am lighting up my horn once more.

“Oh..” she just responds.

As I finally do cast the spell, this shield is averting winds and rain as well; aside from reinforcing the structure to handle both the added weight and stresses I am adding to the tower.

“I guess I will see you, next Astronomy class..” I now offer.

“Yes, I guess you will!” she responds, before I am taking the flight of stairs down to the next floor under the outlook position.

I walk down the flight of stairs, as my work is done; stopping, oat the second of the newly added floors.  I open the door, stepping in; scanning the expanse of the still empty room.  Closing the door, behind myself; adding a measure of privacy, just in case someone were to walk by the door.

“Wait, maybe I could make a few more, last-minute additions to this tower?” I ponder; lighting my horn and draw in the power; casting a spell to reduce the length of the flight of the stairs to half its original length.

I once more light my horn, drawing in the power for a series of spells; intended to decorate the room, I had just created for myself and my own purposes.  First, I lay down the white Oak-wood floor, and a matching ceiling; before I cover the walls with a pink Cherry-wood to make it more homey.

In the middle of the room, I am placing a door, to an inner sanctum; where I can enjoy the moment of reading and book-walking.  Inside the inner room; I cover the walls with the appearance of heavy tomes, covering the walls.  Of course; I am placing a book-case on the right and left of the door, where I can see and access the books of my choice.  Finally, I am erecting a reading pulpit to the right and left of the door; halfway between the door and the wall, just Pi feet from the wall between the book-cases.

“Wait, I do need one more item..” I exclaim, as I conjure up a comfortable cushion for me to rest on while I read or walk in the book of my choice.

“There, perfect..” I exclaim; as I am examining my handiwork.


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