hit the books | cass & toby

[tobias charles watkins]

April 2025

Monday afternoon. Most people hated Mondays, but Toby found it the perfect day to get ahead for the week. Classes were finished for the day, but Monday afternoons were special. Mondays were meant getting his extra reading done and remaining coursework completed. As a proud Ravenclaw, and extraordinary student, Tobias Watkins loved any reason get ahead in his academic achievements. His second favorite was getting his mates to do it with him. Most of the time he was able to get his girlfriend Lusie to sit in the library with him, but alas, today she was busy with other Princess-y commitments. Kinsey was with Riley. He had already come to terms that he'd be studying alone, until he saw a head of pink hair... 

Toby knew Cass hated studying and homework. She made a horrible Ravenclaw in his opinion because of that fact, but she was easily one of his top 5 favorite people in his house because of her upbeat attitude and personality. Toby approached the fifth year girl easily, who was sitting peacefully on a bench in the courtyard alone. "Well, well, well..." he approached her with a playfully sarcastic scolding tone, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "You look like somebody that should be studying!" Toby accused her her with a chuckle, wondering if he'd be able to convince her.

@cassiopeia

[Deleted]

There was nothing quite like Monday to put Cassia in a good mood, except of course for Saturdays. Although most people hated the thoughts of starting over with their boring routine, she tried to see the beauty in going to classes and doing what was expected of students; failed miserably, of course, but since eight-hours sleep were so important to keep her young and with a shiny skin, the Ravenclaw minded this day a lot less than most of her peers. In fact, it just so happened some of her favorite classes were on Monday! Considering Cassiopeia wasn’t the best at school and quite hated the thought of studying, it meant something.

By the time classes were over and done with, however, she felt like all the effort in the world had been done by her brain and far from wanted to concentrate on reading books or further studying. “You can breathe easy, Sabrine, I promise. Just let all of the work to me and you’ll be gorgeous next time he invites you on a date!” A grin spread across Cassia’s future as she took a better look on her friend’s hair and wide wide shoulders. She’d already thought of the perfect outfit and come up with three different ways her hair could look beautiful. Of course, she’d spend the next few hours drawing it all with as many details as possible. Sabrine had asked to pay for a more careful eye perception and while the Ravenclaw didn’t mind not getting paid, the coins gave her a further sense of success. It was recognition!

Which is why Cassia spent the better part of the following hour by herself, careful eyes approaching the once blank piece of paper through various angles, while hands slowly, lovingly drew lines. In the span of fifty-five minutes, the girl had finished drawing through different versions of Sabrine's face, in which she presented haircuts that were much different from what she had now and so much prettier. It wasn’t that her friend was ugly, far from it! The Blishwick didn’t believe in ugliness, after all. It was that… if somebody could be described as erased, it was her friend; she could certainly be more in the spotlight, and Cassia was sure it would happen with a better haircut, some makeup and a few less careless choices of clothing. The two versions were beautiful in their own ways, and she couldn’t be more excited to start the third.

That is, when sarcasm dressed as a person showed up right next to her, wearing a smile that might have set her heart on a race if this weren’t Toby. As in, the guy who could be described as her older brother for how long they’d known each other, and how much he enjoooooyed trying to convince her to do things she hated. As an example, studying! “You look like somebody who should leave me alone!” Pouted, laughter seemingly dancing in her eyes with the way the corners of her lips had lifted before they showed that Cassia-y expression. It wasn’t a rude tone or one that meant she truly thought he should go, but more of an inside joke. “And yet here we are, doing nothing we should be….” Hand traveled upwards to her mouth’s direction before she faked a yawn. Fake dramatics he'd spot on right away. When both her hands settled on her lap, however, resting the drawings, he’d see a grin. Toby was one of these people that no matter what, always managed to make her feel a little happier, even in days like these, when she was already walking on cloud nine.

“C’me here, will you? I need to know how I’m doing with these drawings! They’re so much more fun than studying.” Corners of her lips still lifted by the time he settled - or not - on the bench next to her. “I should even teach you how to draw- hmmmm, not a bad idea.”

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

April 2025

When Cassa responded to Tobys comment about how she would be studying with a joking insult, his expression flickered with humor. His mouth opened to an 'O' shape, "Oooh, buuurn..." he snapped his fingers sassily in a Z formation with a neck snap. To be fair, he was the oldest to three younger sisters, so he absorbed plenty of sass over the years to use against his friends. Toby knew that Cassa was joking with him, so he could mess around too. She told him to come here and he shrugged his shoulders, he always gave in easily to his friends. The lanky Ravenclaw sighed dramatically, "Lets see who will be begging for my help around June when your OWLs come around." he eye rolled, taking a seat next to his friend as she mentioned something about teaching him how to draw.

Shaking his head from side to side, he chuckled, "Nahh, I'm not qualified to judge your work, I'm rubbish at drawing." he told her honestly with a snort, but still wanting to see what she had done. Toby turned to his pink haired friend after he sat down next to her,  "In primary school I used to get into trouble because I refused to draw clothes on my stick figures - probably because I didn't know how to - so that was the end of my drawing career." Toby rambled on dorkily, ready for her to show whatever she had drawn to him. Tobias Watkins had many artistic traits but drawing certainly wasn't one of them. Shaky hands were to blame there, but he was great at the piano and writing his feelings and dreams onto paper, but not drawing. "Well, lemme see then.." he encouraged her with a wave of the hand toward her sketchbook.

@cassiopeia

[Deleted]

Although Cassia spent most of her time tackling serious issues, she couldn’t help but cherish the moments in which her mind wandered far away from life’s troubles. Lately, her focus was set decreasing the alarming number of female students who had no idea spells could make their lives so much easier - with fast and painless shaving, for example. She’d given a workshop on how best to wear makeup if they meant to avoid collateral damage to the skin, and the many ways wizarding fashion could be used to their benefits as opposed to having women look twenty years older. Her success on such missions was proof Hogwarts could use of more girls willing to speak of beauty and intimate things, without the shaming atmosphere constantly brought by older people.

These were honourable missions. However, she’d slept less in the past two weeks and could barely find time for herself. Every single feedback helped to improve her mood, turning restless nights into the work of dreams; but she knew there’d be a time she would have to lay in bed for hours, otherwise who knows for how long her uplifting mood could last. Now that Toby had come her way, she knew it was the perfect excuse to wind down and have some carefree, harmless fun. “Well, it’s not my fault you’re a great teacher!” Chuckling, she did nothing to stop grinning; because of him, she had avoided failing one of her worst subjects the past year, and that was quite an accomplishment.

“See, everybody says they shouldn’t be the judge of something they don’t know, but I say the opposite! Art is all about how you perceive things, and you see with your eyes, with your heart, not your hand.” There was a genuine look to her face that said this that she had just said was neither a joke nor satirical. After all, she deeply believed everybody had something special to them. Still, she couldn’t help herself from frowning, a curious manner to her expression. “That’s perfect! Thank you. But please don’t tell me they forced you to draw?!” Cassia couldn’t help being this surprised, even if she didn’t mean to… growing up, she couldn’t remember any instance in which herself or a colleague were forced to do something they didn’t want to. Even as simple as drawing. “So?” Expectant to his feedback, fingers slightly crossed though he might not see it.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

April 2025

Toby's expression flickered to one of surprise when Cassa started explaining how she felt like art didn't take a professionals opinion. "I get you." he chuckled with a nod. It seemed like something she really believed in. The Ravenclaw nodded along respectfully, not really agreeing with her, but finding her words inspiring and maybe a bit truthful. He had never considered himself artistic, he was more of a musician, a pianist to be specific. 

When she asked if they forced him to draw, he shook his head from side to side, "Nah, more like begged me to stop drawing all together." he joked with her playfully with a snort. Honestly he couldn't remember if they actually begged him to stop, but they definitely begged him to draw clothes on the figures, something he never figured it out. Toby peered over her work to give it a lookover since she invited him. His warm brown saucers of eyes scanned the page curiously, enjoying that his friend actually felt comfortable enough to give him a peak into her personal work. A smile slowly curled at the corners of his lips, "That's brilliant." he complimented, taking it all in. Toby pointed at one section with a solid nod and smile, "I like that part..."

@cassiopeia
You can decide what it was that he liked! I'm not sure what he's looking at hehe

[Deleted]

Cassiopeia couldn’t contain her smile when Toby pointed at one of her favorite parts of the drawing. Of course, she wasn’t supposed to have a preference, but instead work on each with equals amount of preparation and eagerness. Yet she was human, and the ‘skirt’ details of a dress she had drawn seemed to mesmerize whoever looked. “I like it too! It’s smart, isn’t it? Delicate enough it captures people’s attention, but not too gorgeous they won’t be soon wondering who’s wearing it. I love drawing outfits. There’s a balance to it, and I must say, I wish I could redo a lot of people’s wardrobe.” She smiled unashamedly, because even though a person’s taste didn’t give them more or less value, she dreamed of having them let her change their lives for better.

That’s when it hit her, the most brilliant idea! Oh, she couldn’t leave it there without asking, at least once. Not at all. “What if you serve as a volunteer?”

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

April 2025

The lanky Ravenclaw watched as the blue haired girls faced brightened up as she talked about her designs. Cass was very passionate about fashion and creating outfits. Toby didn't pay too much attention to that stuff, but he did have three younger sisters, one of them being very high maintenance about how they looked. Cough, Claudia, cough. Toby offered his friend a smile, "I can tell, you definitely have a knack for that stuff, Cass." he complimented her, eyes falling on her work again as he took a breath. "You should think about pursuing a career in fashion design, or, whatever it's called. You can create for Witch Weekly or something." he told her optimistically, thinking that idea was actually pretty cool. Not that he read Witch Weekly. Again, younger sisters had exposed him to that world.

When Cass had asked him to be a 'volunteer', Toby didn't really get what she meant. His head cocked to the side and he quirked an eyebrow towards his friend. "Ha-Volunteer for what?" he asked quizzically with a snort. Toby may be a brainiac about a lot of things but makeovers and stuff of the like weren't things that really crossed his mind. Toby considered himself a simple young bloke.


@cassiopeia

[Deleted]

"Oh, I do have a long-term plan, but it's got nothing to do with Witch Weekly. I mean, it would be lovely to work there, such a dream... but only for a few years! I have to focus on my goal, which is way bigger." Cassiopeia smiled rather excitedly, and it lit up her face for seconds before she had to think about his question. The girl was nothing if ambitious, eager to bring beauty for the whole world - or, at least, the entirety of Britain! "I could redo your wardrobe! Yours seem quite well defined, with good chosen clothes that I've seen so far, but there's always the need for a deeper look. C'mon, let me do this! I could so help you. And the ladies would loooove it. Well, one lady." This time there was a grin on her face. She had had had to convince him!

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

April 2025

Toby nodded his head up and down when Cass explained how working at Witch Weekly would be cool, but she wanted to focus on her 'main goal'. That was awfully mature of her for a fifth year. His head cocked to the side with a slight smile, "What's this said 'goal'?" he asked her curiously, always interested in what his friends future plans were. Unlike most kids his age, he actually enjoyed talking about those things. It was something that crossed his mind a lot now that he was getting closer to graduation. 

When Cass mentioned a 'makeover' to his wardrobe, Toby had to refrain from a comical scowl.  Toby chuckled and slapped his knee instead, "Merlin, if I didn't know you, I'd take this as a diss, mate." he chuckled some more, knowing she didn't mean offense by it at all. Toby had three sisters, and was in love with the school bully earlier this year, now he had a pretty good grasp when a girl was trying to upset him. Cass was doing the opposite. When she mentioned 'one girl' his face went red, unable to hide how smitten he was by the princess. Toby laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck, "Well, okay, Cass...anything for Lusie." he gave in easier than he thought, shrugging his shoulders upwards. Toby crossed his arms, "Only no pastels...and no shorts." he told her solemnly, narrowing his caramel eyes at her. 


@cassiopeia