Lady Stardust

30. October

October 2nd

Ariene walked out of Seraphina's office that day exhausted. This training was so complex and she made it sound so easy, it infuriated her. Ariene had never had to try this hard to learn something before. She held her homework in her hand, trying not to wrinkle it, and she made her way back to her dorm.

"Hi," James said when she walked in. Ariene exhaled as she shut the door.

"Hi," Ariene said, setting her work on her desk.

"What's all that?" Peter asked. Ariene sighed and sat on her bed, smiling a little when Bowie immediately curled up in her lap.

"Homework. I've really got to practice," Ariene scratched under Bowie's chin, and he began purring softly.

"Hey, could you practice by letting me know what Lily will say when I ask her out?" James asked.

"No," Ariene said, raising an eyebrow in his direction.

"Was that 'no' to practicing or 'no' as her response?" James asked, flopping on Sirius's bed so he could look at her better.

"James, you don't have to be a seer to know what she'll say" Ariene looked away. James whistled and raised his eyebrows.

"Harsh."

"I'm tired."

"Hm, well just keep me updated," James muttered leaving Sirius's bed.

"Where are you going?" Peter asked.

"Prefect meeting," James smiled. He left, closing the door.

"I swear, it's insane how excited he gets for these meetings." Ariene snickered at Peter's comment, and he looked up, raising his eyebrows. Ariene blinked and looked down.

"I should be going," Ariene said, checking her clock. She moved Bowie aside before getting up.

"Oh, okay. To meet Dorcas?" Peter asked. Ariene smiled and nodded. Peter blushed and looked away.

"Oi. Pete. We're not an item." Ariene raised an eyebrow.

"Oh. You're not?" Peter asked, looking up shyly. Ariene frowned and shook her head.

"Is that what people are saying?" Ariene asked, immediately thinking of Marlene.

"Um, it's just odd that you spend so much time with her, and-"

"Peter, we are not together. She's not like me." Ariene said. Peter nodded, still looking down.

"Okay, well have fun," Peter mumbled. Ariene nodded and left the dorm.

October 14th

"Come on Ariene!" Seraphina slammed her fist on the table.

"Look, I'm trying, okay? It's not that bloody simple!" Ariene said. "Merde," She muttered.

"Just tell me! What's my next move?" Seraphina asked. Ariene buried her face in her hands as she stared down at the chessboard. Seraphina was an amazing occlumens, and Ariene just got more frustrated as she tried to read her mind.

"What's my next move?" Seraphina insisted.

"Give me a minute!" Ariene snapped. Okay. Her bishop could take my queen, but my knight is guarding it that way, and the pawn... fucking chess.

"For the last time Ariene, it's not about the game!" Seraphina said, exasperated.

"What do you mean! What do you mean!" Ariene yelled.

"Use your techniques!" Seraphina yelled back. Ariene clenched her eyes shut and tried everything to see into the future. She gasped as she found herself in a vision.