midnight tea | lusie & toby

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

It had been a little over a month since Toby and Lusie decided to go steady. He couldn't believe how quick time flew by, not that he was counting. Toby appreciated that he could be his true self around Lusie. She was so easy to adore, he cared very deeply for her. Today while studying in the Library they landed on the topic of sneaking around Hogwarts, Lusie mentioned the only sneaking around she had ever done was to the kitchens late at night, which Toby found surprising, as well as equally hilarious. That was when they both came to an agreement to meet at midnight in the kitchens. Toby was always up for an adventure, he'd never been in trouble before, so he was willing to risk it for a girl. Well, not just any girl - his girlfriend. The rush was also pretty cool too, he was starting to learn.

The lanky Ravenclaw made it to the entrance of the kitchens right in time, where he stood before the ancient painting which would eventually grant them access to the glorious kitchens where they could enjoy a spot of tea. He didn't enter yet because he wanted to wait for Lusie. She wasn't one to be late, ever, and the Hufflepuff quarters were adjacent to the kitchen, so he figured she'd appear at any second. Toby stood close to the wall so if he heard anyone he could hopefully hide if it wasn't Lusie. His heart was beating out of his chest because he had to creep from the Ravenclaw towers to the dungeons without being seen.

@lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie wasn’t sure why she felt so comfortable telling Toby that she snuck out to have tea and biscuits in the kitchens after curfew. She knew Toby wouldn’t get her in trouble and she was feeling very comfortable with him now, but it was still so unlike her to admit, so naturally her cheeks blushed red when she heard the words flow out of her mouth. But then Toby was so into it. He said he wanted to go with if her if she was planning to go tonight and she smirked before agreeing to go with him.

She felt bad that he had to sneak all the way from his tower down to the basement, but he had insisted that it was fine. She had it easy since her common room was just around the corner from their destination, which was why she was so confident sneaking there normally. She rounded the corner and saw a body lead into the shadows. It had to be Toby. If it wasn’t, they would certainly have called her out by now. She wasn’t exactly being sneaky. “you could have gone in.” she said with a smile when she finally made it to the painting.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

Toby stifled a laugh when he heard Lusies voice urge him that he could have gone inside without her. Instantly agreeing with her. "That was creepy, wasn't it?" he asked her, chuckling at the question. Toby pulled her into a quick, warm hug, and planted a kiss on the cheek, before releasing. As they parted, he offered her a slightly awkward smile, because sometimes he couldn't believe that he was with Lusie. It was such a surreal, but nice feeling. After a second, Toby gestured toward the ancient painting with a funny look, "So, I hear that you...tickle the pear?" he asked with a snort, only because he had never done it. "You do the honors. If I do it, we may get locked out because the portrait probably fancies you." he laughed, eyeing the picture with a look of playful suspicion. 

@lusie

[Deleted]

Lusie laughed a little when Toby admitted that it was a little creepy that he was just standing there. It was a little creepy, but she understood it. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek, to which she responded with a little giggle. Having a boyfriend was fun. He left her go and then insisted that she should open the kitchens for them because it probably liked her better. “you may be right about that. she giggled again. She led him by the hand down to the panting and then tickled the pear, which caused the painting to swing open, allowing them access. They climbed inside and were greeted by a group of houseleves. “Ms. Lusie! Tea and chocolate biscuits?” One of them asked her. She nodded enthusiastically. This was one of the only places that she liked attention. She adored the house elves.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

Toby chuckled when Lusie agreed that the painting would probably like her more. Well, it made sense since she was already a frequent visitor to the kitchens. He offered the Princess a hand as he stepped into the portrait, greeting the house elves with a friendly smile and wave. Toby liked house elves but he usually refused their assistance since he felt capable of performing most tasks. Toby took a seat at the long table, smiling as the house elf asked Lusie about her 'usual'. "Ah. Chocolate biscuits, huh?" he raised a playful brow and nodded his head, "In true midnight munchie fashion." Toby stated with a chuckle. He patted the bench next to him so she would sit near him. "Now, the important details... How do you take your tea?" he asked her curiously, always ready to sit and learn something new about his girlfriend.

@lusie

[Deleted]

Toby teased her about her chocolate biscuits and she stuck her tongue out at him as she took a sat across from him at the long table spanning most of the length of the kitchen. The room was dim and warm and bustling with friendly energy and plants that Lusie figured were probably overflow from the Hufflepuff common room. It reminded her that the climbing ivy on her bed frame was looking rather untrimmed. He asked how she took her tea and she shrugged, trying to hide the cheeky smile that was forcing its way onto her face. “it depends on who’s around when I’m drinking it. I prefer a lot more sugar when I’m on my own than I would dare to take if my mum or grandmother were around.” she explained. It would be improper to take 3 spoonfuls of sugar in one teacup. But Lusie was worried she was becoming addicted to sugar. “what are you going to get?” she asked.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

Toby's expression flickered with interest when a cheeky smile started to cross her face. The way she explained her mothers side eye with extra spoonfuls of sugar was very relatable, "My mum is the same way." he chuckled at her cheeky smile because in reality it was something so innocent and cute. "I promise not to judge..or I'll just look away." he promised her jokingly with a smile, though he truly would do it for her; anything to be a gentleman. When she asked him, he scratched his chin thoughtfully, "I'm a chamomile drinker by night, and black tea during the day..." he stated with a solid nod, not having to think about it. The house elves must have overheard because two kettles and a mountain of chocolate biscuits appeared on the table, labelled both of their choices of brews. Toby gave the elves a couple of gracious thank yous. Toby tilted the kettle with a smile and poured for Lusie, "For m'lady.." and then poured his own.

@lusie

[Deleted]

Toby admitted that he was the same with with his mum and Lusie was glad to hear that it wasn’t just her that let her sweet tooth lead her to disapproving glances from parents. Sugar ran her world. “yes please look away. I can’t take the shame.” she giggled, helping herself to a biscuit that appeared, warm and freshly baked on the table. He explained what kind of tea he liked and as he did, the kettles appeared as well, as if on cue. “I’m a mint tea drinker myself. Though there’s a hybrid of spearmint and chamomile that I enjoy on cold days.” it was the coziest blend that ever touched her tongue. “have you tried buttermint?” she asked while he poured her tea. How very sweet of him. While Lusie was kind of used to people doing that for her, she wasn’t used to it being someone of her own age, someone who was a friend. It would take some getting used to. She blew a bit of the tea as she stirred her sugar in and then took a little sip before returning to her biscuit while it cooled a little more. “do you think you’re going to the flower festival next month?” she asked. Lusie normally enjoyed it.

tobias charles watkins
(I love their domestic chats about tea lol)

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

Their tea session was already in full swing thanks to the house elves. It was as if they knew they were coming. Toby didn't grow up having house elves because his parents were less traditional. He sat across from Lusie, enjoying their conversation about tea. Lusie asked him if he ever tried buttermint tea and he cocked his head to the side, "No, I don't believe I have..." he stated thoughtfully, scratching his imaginary goatee. "What's that?" the Ravenclaw asked, always ready to learn about something new. Especially in the tea and herb world. Toby didn't normally stray from his chamomile. The princess followed by asking if he'd be attending the upcoming flower festival. As an Herbology student he usually attended but he didn't plan on it yet this year. A slow smile spread at the corners of his lips, "If it means I get to go with you, yes." Toby told her confidently, attempting to flirt, but dreading the awkwardness that always loomed at the back of his mind. He was getting used to those kind of things, being more assertive. Toby raised the tea cup to his lips carefully and took a sip, curious to how she'd respond. 


@lusie

[Deleted]

Toby admitted that he had never tried buttermint tea and Lusie hadn’t really expected him to have, it was kind of obscure. To her knowledge, only one well known brand made it and even then it was kind of hard to find. “Those little mints they put on tables at parties and at restaurants that melt in your mouth. The sweet, smooth ones, they make a tea with them, or, based on them, i guess. It’s incredibly sweet.” she explained. She, with her sweet tooth, loved it, but her mother hated it. She couldn’t deal with how sweet it was and sickly sweet smell. He took a drink of his tea and then said he’d be going to the flower festival if it meant that he would be going with her. She gave a laugh and rolled her eyes. “You think you’re so charming don’t you?” she teased. But she had to admit, she was definitely charmed by him. “Well Lucky for you I was planning to attend with you. I need to make a new flower crown.” it was the only kind of crown she cared to wear.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

March 2025

Lusie explained the tea a little further, Toby's concentration was completely fixated on her. He was enjoying their silly midnight conversation about tea. They were so civil. Toby nodded along, understanding the tea solely by her description. "Like dinner mints? Interesting. I'll have to make an effort to try it because of you." he smiled sweetly.

The flower festival sounded like it would be a great time. He was an Herbology nerd so he was sure there was something other than flower crowns to strike his fancy, but he was happy doing whatever Lusie wanted to do anyways. Anything with Lusie. However, he couldn't help but make a silly joke about it. "Ohh, so the real crowns aren't good enough, huh??" he teased lightly with a playful twinkle in his warm brown eyes, raising his eyebrows comically to challenge her. Toby enjoyed being cutesy with Lusie but it was equally fun being able to playfully tease her. They were mates before deciding to go steady so Toby was comfortable joking around with the Princess. Lusie easily dished her own fair share of sassiness, which he loved and adored, he knew she could take a little herself.


@lusie

[Deleted]

Toby teased her about the real crowns not being good enough for her when she brought up that she wanted to make a flower crown at the flower festival and she rolled her eyes. But the truth was, they weren’t. Not that they weren’t good enough, per say, but they just weren’t what she wanted. Lusie would have been perfectly happy not being born into the royal family and getting to wear the cheap, plastic tiaras instead of the real gold ones that cost more money than she’d ever see in her whole life. Talk about a stressful situation. “If I could get away with wearing a flower crown anytime I’m made to wear a real one I would, without a second thought.” she giggled and stirred her tea. “I think you’d look good in a flower crown too - maybe with hydrangeas.” she teased.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby chuckled when Lusie made a joke about how he would look good in his own flower crown made of hydrangeas. ”Hey, if that’s your sort of thing, I will wear hydrangeas for you at the Flower Festival.” he told her solemnly, mostly jokingly, but if Lusie made him one he’d surely wear it to make her laugh. There were times he didn’t mind being the butt of jokes, that was one of them. Anything to make his dear girlfriend smile.

The portrait suddenly shifted open, and the Ravenclaws eyes darted to the entrance, “OH, f—frick.” Suddenly flustered, he jumbled his words - remembering that he was in presence of a princess. His hand yanked her hand to crouch low behind the table top, nearly knocking over their tea party.

@lusie
(You can decide who entered or if false alarm lmao)