"This is making my brain hurt." Dorcas groans as she looks at the chessboard, sitting across Cassiopeia, who is paging through a book as she waits for Dorcas to make her move. "When I taught you how to play, it wasn't meant for you to outsmart me!"
"Everything Cassiopeia learns she ends up excelling in it." Marlene points out as she glances at the board curiously. All five girls are sitting at one of the tables in the Great Hall. Marlene, Lily and Mary are trying to study, but sometimes getting distracted by the chess game going on.
"That's not true. I can't seem to figure out Defense Against the Dark Arts." Cassiopeia says with a huff as she glances at the blonde over her book.
"Well we all know you want to become the Potions Professor, so no worries about that." Lily points out, making Cassiopeia shrug and watch as Dorcas moves her Rook to A6, putting it right in the path of her Bishop.
"Bishop to A6." Cassiopeia hums, making her Bishop move to the Rook and destroy it, making Dorcas huff. Cassiopeia smiles sheepishly as she moves the broken pieces of the Rook off the board.
"Merlin's sake." Dorcas groans, making Cassiopeia giggle.
"Happy Monday my nerds." James exclaims as he and the other boys join them. Remus sits down next to Dorcas and Sirius next to Cassiopeia. "Who's winning?"
"Looks like Cassie is." Remus muses as he looks at the board carefully, making Sirius grin proudly.
"That's my girl." He says happily as he raise his hand for her to high five and she blushes as she does it.
"Queen to F5." Dorcas hums and Cassiopeia looks back at the board. She bites her lip in thought as she looks at the board. In the two moves she could get a stalemate, but she didn't want to end on a stalemate, she wanted to end on checkmate.
"Knight to C4." Cassiopeia says, making Remus raise an eyebrow.
"You could have done a stalemate." Remus points out and she shrugs.
"I know. But I'd rather end it on checkmate." She admits and Dorcas playfully glares at her.
"So are we going to do anything exciting today other than play chess and study?" Peter asks, making the girls look at him and shrug.
"I think I'm going up to the Astronomy tower after this." Cassiopeia says, making Dorcas look at her with a pout.
"No rematch?" Dorcas asks, making her shake her in denial.
"No way. If we start the whole rematch thing, it'll end up with us playing all week." Cassiopeia points out and Dorcas snickers as she nods in agreement.
"Hey, Dor. Maybe you can help me with something after." Marlene says, making Dorcas look at her and nod with a soft smile.
"Oh, Cassie. Could we come up with you in the Astronomy Tower? You could show the boys your paintings." Lily asks, making Sirius perk up at the idea.
"I'm down. Only if you're okay with it." Sirius says, making Cassiopeia hum and nod.
"Sure. But my paintings are in my room, not in the tower." Cassiopeia points out.
"Don't you need to get your painting stuff?" Sirius asks, making her turn to look at him and shake her head.
"I'm just sketching today. I'll us a pencil and notepad. Usually I sketch before I paint it." She explains and he hums in understanding.
"I bet Sirius would love a portrait." James says teasingly and Sirius smirks.
"You're right. What does it take to get a portrait?" He asks her and she smiles softly.
"Sure, I could do that. But are we talking full body or only face?" She asks and he grins.
"Full body of course!" He says excitedly and she giggles softly.
"Well, I hope you feel patient enough to stand for at least forty minutes. I did a full body and I nearly changed my mind. But it's totally worth it." Marlene admits and Sirius shrugs.
"I'm sure it is. That's why I'm doing it." Sirius says confidently.
"A whole canvas with him on it is just going to fuel his ego. Is this really a good idea?" Remus asks teasingly, making Sirius glare at him playfully.
"Shut it, moony." Sirius shakes his head with a smile.
"By the way, it's your turn again." Dorcas says, bringing Cassiopeia's attention back to the board.
"Queen to G7." Cassiopeia hums, making her Queen destroy Dorcas' Queen, before turning to face the king in the corner. "Checkmate."
"This is the last time I play with you, Cassie!" Dorcas groans as Cassiopeia giggles and the others chuckle softly. "Marlene let's go. Before I ask for a rematch."
"Okay. We'll see you guys later." Marlene chuckles as she closes her book and stands up. They all wave at Dorcas and Marlene as they leave. Mary sighs and closes her book as well.
"I'll go. I'm meeting up with Fabian. Bye." She hums, before leaving as well.
"And then there was us." Remus says as the six left turn to look at each other. "So Astronomy Tower?"
"You bet. Race you guys there!" James exclaims as he jumps to his feet and runs off, Peter and Remus quickly following behind. Sirius slowly stands up, before looking down at Cassiopeia.
"I'll see you up there." Sirius smiles, before running to catch up with his friends.
"I feel like I'm dating a five year old sometimes." Lily sighs as she and Cassiopeia pack their stuff, putting it into their bags.
"It's kind of funny." Cassiopeia admits, making Lily giggle and shake her head.
"I'm happy you like them. It would really suck if one of my best friends didn't get along with my boyfriend and his friends." Lily muses as they start walking in the direction of the Tower.
"Well, I was more worried they wouldn't like me." Cassiopeia admits, receiving a look of disbelief from Lily.
"Are you kidding? They do like you. Especially Sirius. I never thought you two would get along so well. I mean, opposites attract, but wow." Lily giggles, making Cassiopeia blush as she looks down for a split second.
"Oh, shut it. He's just very nice." Cassiopeia says with a shrug and Lily smirks.
"And very good looking." Lily points out, receiving a look from Cassiopeia. "What? Just because I have a boyfriend, doesn't mean I can't admit that. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if James admits he's in love with Sirius."
"I'd have my bets on Remus and Sirius, actually." Cassiopeia says, making Lily snicker and nod in agreement. "That's true, though. He is very good looking. I'm actually looking forward to making his portrait. Although, I'm pretty sure I'd never do him Justice."
"Don't be foolish, Cassie. You'll do amazing as always." Lily says firmly, as they start walking up the stairs.
"You always say that. And you're my best friend, you're extremely biased." Cassiopeia says stubbornly, receiving a playful glare. As they reach the top, they find the boys already there, either leaning against a wall or sitting on the floor.
"Took you long." James whines, making Lily roll her eyes as she walks up to him.
"So this is where you've been hiding the whole time?" Remus asks as he looks out one of the windows, looking at the view of the whole castle and quidditch field. "Quite the view you got here."
"It's inspiring." Cassiopeia admits as she sits down next to Sirius, while Remus turns around to look down at her.
"I can imagine." Remus chuckles as he leans back against the wall. Cassiopeia turns to look at Sirius, with a soft smile.
"Ready to make your portrait?" She asks softly and he stands up, with a smirk.
"Born ready, darling." He says, making her smile and shake her head as she pulls out notepad.
"So wait, we're just going to stare at him for the next few minutes? Can I start gauging my eyes out?" Peter asks jokingly, making Sirius playfully glare at him.
"I'll have you know, that I'm a visual blessing to you all." Sirius says firmly, making Lily snort as Cassiopeia shakes her head in amusement and starts drawing him.
"That's true. He is one good looking man. I've never seen a more good looking man than him. Damn." James shakes his head with a sigh, making Sirius grin happily.
"At this point, you might as well just get married." Remus muses, causing both James and Sirius smirk at each other.
"I don't see why not. Cassiopeia has to be our flower girl, though. Remus is my best man. Peter you'll walk me down." Sirius says, making James shake his head.
"Why do you have to be the bride? Why can't I be the bride?" James asks, making Sirius give him a look.
"Because, I'd be the most good looking bride ever. If you can't appreciate my beauty, I don't think this will work out." Sirius says dramatically, as he crosses his arms.
"So, what? You're just going to break up with me now? Is this how it's going to be?" James asks, equally as dramatic. Lily facepalms, as Remus tries not to laugh at his idiotic friends and Peter watches clearly amused, while Cassiopeia tries to stay focused on her drawing as she fights a smile.
"I guess that's it. Seven years, thrown out the window just like that. All because you can't appreciate who I am. Unbelievable. You cheating on me with Lily hurts less." Sirius cries out, making Lily snort and James look away dramatically.
"I've told you, you're the only one that matters to me. Don't bring Lily into this." James says, making Sirius wipe away a fake tear as he sniffles.
"I mean it says a lot if he chose me over you." Lily jokes, making Sirius gasps as Cassiopeia slaps a hand over her mouth, while the other three boys burst into laughter.
"How dare you, Lily?" Sirius breaths out, making her snicker and shrug innocently.
"Merlin! I can't breath." Peter wheezes as he is basically rolling on the floor laughing.