bright skies, bright eyes (lily).

[sirius black]

Too many days a year, Sirius woke up and was greeted by the soft pattering of rain against his windows. Too many days, one step outside would be enough to soak his clothes through. Too many days, the sky was painted a dark, musty grey, and it looked menacing, a threat for him to stay inside-- or else.

But today wasn't one of those days. Today, the boy had woken up to sunlight streaming in through his window. The sky was a brilliant blue, interrupted only by a few white clouds that sailed lazily along, and there was no hint of rain at all. The day beckoned to him, rather than threatened him, and despite all of the drama occuring around him, Sirius was grinning as he raced along the corridors and out to the back lawns.

Everything had been so difficult lately; the past few weeks had reminded him more of his days at his parents' house than the supposedly-glorified days at Hogwarts. Peter was off doing his own thing for once in his life, not trailing along with them as usual-- and Sirius couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what caused the change. Remus was... well, he was pretty much the same, studying and working hard, though his typical never-ending patience seemed to have its limits lately. And James was a horror to be around; he was his best mate, it was true, but there was only so many times he could assure the boy that he didn't need Lily Evans before he started getting depressed as well.

And Sirius couldn't afford being depressed; his optimism and easy-going nature was one of the few things he had going to him, and James was slowly draining him of energy. In fact, that past night he'd been shouting in his sleep, resulting in Sirius waking him up and listening to not only the nightmare, but everything he could have possibly done wrong in his relationship with the red-haired girl. Sirius had assured him that he didn't need her and forced him back to bed, but had then spent the rest of the night wide-awake himself.

Today was going to be a just-for-Sirius day, he declared silently as he settled himself underneath an overlarge oak and closed his eyes. He'd get some well-deserved sleep-- James had been keeping him up, night after night, fretting about the girl he loved. He'd try to ignore the guilt that rose in his chest everytime he had to listen to how perfect the redhead was. And he'd spend the day avoiding anyone who would cause him added stress.

Yes, the sky was a sign. It would be a good day.

[lily rosalie evans.]

lily rosalie evans.

[/font]
just for the record the weather today
is slightly sarcastic with a good chance of;
a. indifference or
b. disinterest in what the critics have to say.
{we're just a wet dream for the webzine}[/center]

the morning, though brilliant, did not find lily in good spirits. in fact, it was her opinion that the sun mocked her in her current state of misery and apprehension. she pulled her ginger waves back into a ponytail and slipped a pair of cheap but over-sized sunglasses on her face so she didn't have to look anyone directly in the eye. it was sunny, but it was still january and bitterly cold, so lily dressed in a pair of faded skinny jeans and a nude colored off-the-shoulder sweater. when she stepped out of gryffindor house, she wasn't exactly certain of where she was going, but it felt nice to be out of the house and away from everyone who couldn't possibly know she was pregnant, though she was paranoid of it every second.

her legs carried her across the back lawns outside the mansion that housed her fellow gryffindors. a sigh escaped her lips as she realized that she wouldn't be able to continue inhabiting it once her child was born. no one wanted a screaming baby keeping them up half the night. she may not have much more gold than what her parents left her with and the leftovers of her summer job, but at least her tuition was paid off before her parents' passing.

lily stopped short at the sight of one of gryffindor's more attractive gentlemen. her face paled and she entertained the idea of a hasty retreat for only a moment before her legs were once again moving, this time carrying her straight for sirius black. pieces fell together quickly and harshly as she realized that james might not be the only one affected by this. in fact, he might not be affected much at all.

[/size]

[sirius black]

Having been able to transform into his animagus for years now, a few dog-like traits had rubbed off on Sirius. He was partial to scratches behind the ear. His laugh had taken a bark-like edge to it. And his hearing was stronger than most anyone he knew. So it came as no surprise that he heard the footsteps approaching, and he opened one eye lazily, wary as to who it was.

The other eye opened with a start as he registered the slim shape and red hair of Lily Evans, headed determinedly his way. He hadn't talked with her at all since... well, it'd been months. She'd appeared in his thoughts more often than he cared to admit, though he hastily pushed her away every chance he got. She was James'. She was strictly out-of-bounds for him, no matter what, particularly now that his best mate was empty without her.

He'd assumed they'd stay clear of one another after the particularly nasty breakup that ensued, just out of principle. James was tortured by the mere thought of her, and while Sirius tried to avoid him as well, they were still close. He still considered Lily's reasoning behind breaking up with the boy a low blow-- he didn't drink that much, not really. And he was trying for her; he hadn't known the girl was so petty, and he had started harboring harsh feelings for her, though mainly from his own guilt.

So when she approached, he simply watched her, forcing down the natural grin that was threatening to form on his face. She'd have some explaining to do; he knew she loved James, and there was no way his drinking could cause her to dump him. Something was up, and she'd better have a damn good excuse.

All thoughts of the good day ahead had successfully been thrown out the window.