Style // Sirius Black

Chapter XL

The calm before the storm. Where nothing but serenity covers a landscape and carefree thoughts plague the minds of the future victims. Nothing inhibits people's lives, and there is no immediate threat wandering around the next corner. The shadow behind you is just your own, and the shivers you feel are from the wind—peace, mitigation, whimsey.

But then the whispers start. The subtle change in the wind and the trees begin waving in a different direction. The shadows are no longer your own, and an uneasy sense of unknown lurks around each bend. Friends become strangers, and strangers become threats. A sense of mystery lingers during this period of change, making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up in a warning. You are no longer in control; you are just a leaf blowing in that wind, ducking and dodging the oncoming branches waiting to knock you from the air or impale you.

Times like these are what nightmares base themselves on.

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Lightning cracked outside Lyra's window as she sat atop her bed, parchment placed over a book and another spread open beside her. Her love laid soundly asleep at her side, curled into her thigh as the rain beat down the window. The jumper she wore added an extra layer of warmth next to the fire that blazed across the room and the candle she used for light just next to her, the flame reflecting on her glasses. Despite the roaring weather just outside the walls of where Lyra sat, she felt unbelievable comfort. Laughter sang from outside of her dorm as the other Marauders all relished in the peace during the third week of the school year.

Through the last few weeks, Pierre had thoroughly ingrained himself into the group once more. Lyra had to coax Sirius through it, seeing as he still was wary of the French boy. She couldn't blame him; there was a past to both of them that she was still ignorant about, and it was risky trusting someone like Pierre. He was a part of the same group the students were working against, but he provided valuable information. Things that Lyra wouldn't have been able to learn without the position Montagne was in.

Living up to their deal, Lyra had also opened up to the idea of Dumbledore working in their favour versus against. She trusted her twin's judgement, and both were aware of what they were asking one another for. Both were sacrificing some of their pride by listening to the other, but it was best for the group and the world that they lived in. If Sirius and James opened up to Pierre, then Lyra owed them the courtesy of listening to them about Dumbledore.

A knock ringing from the door pulled Lyra out of her trance of charms homework. With a wave of her hand, the door swung open to reveal the French transfer in question. Her back tightened, and Sirius stirred ever so slightly next to her but didn't wake from the deep slumber he had fallen into. Lyra placed her quill to the side and pressed a finger to her lips as she beckoned Pierre further into the room.

"I didn't mean to bug...." Pierre whispered, his voice calm to not wake the sleeping Black brother next to the Potter, "I was just wondering if you wanted to come raid the kitchens?"

"Oh," Lyra responded, eyebrows raising. The only time Pierre and she spoke outside of the group was about a new strategy or more information he had collected. He rarely invited her and Sirius along when the two were alone, "I'm gonna say no this time, Pierre. Don't wanna wake up Sleeping Beauty."

Lyra saw a flicker of disappointment fall onto the boy's face at her decline before he quickly bowed out of the room. She stared at where he had just stood and replayed the crestfallen expression he had worn, eyebrows knitting together in curiosity. Lyra had begun to run her fingers through Sirius's hair without her coherent knowledge, soothing the newly rapid heartbeat that pounded in her chest. A sense of unease found home in her stomach as the last moment ran through her mind repeatedly.