Rain

The night had been a quiet and clear one, but throughout the course of early morning, it had begun to rain. Not a being a very heavy sleeper, the boy’s eyes opened as soon as the drops began pattering against his bedroom window. He pulled the red and blue blanket under his chin and rolled over to his side, squeezing his eyes shut.

The chill that the rain brought crept in through the parts of the blanket that were not tucked under him, and he shivered. He curled himself into a ball and tried to relax, but he just couldn’t get back to sleep now that he was already wide awake.

Throwing off the blanket and sitting up, he glanced quickly at the bedside clock. It read 3:45 am. The plush carpet beneath his bare feet felt warm and he curled his toes around the fibers and rubbed his feet against it until they burned from the friction.

His eyes traveled around the… of his large room. The creamy butter color on his walls looked pale blue in the semi-darkness. Bordering the room, just under the ceiling, was a pattern of boats sailing on the ocean.

He had many toys, some he played with and others he just had because they looked fun and he wanted to try them. He got bored with them very quickly and they often found themselves fraying and catching dust in a far corner of his room, never to be looked at again but to be replaced by new ones. All of his furniture, including his bed, dresser and a writing table and chair, were pearl white.

The room was loud; everything in it was stressed to the point of being forced, but how better to drown out un-wanted noise than to have something louder, more forceful, to serve as a colorful distraction.

The square of light with little black dots spattering across the wall held his attention and he padded across the room to draw the long curtains close, having to pull them from the middle because he wasn’t tall enough.

In the now pitch darkness of the room, the small crack of orange light coming through his partly opened door was more pronounced. Someone wasn’t asleep. It could be one of the maids but they’d know better.

His eyes lit up.

He pulled open the door slowly and peeked outside as quietly as he could. If Artemis saw him he’d have a fit. He pouted. That butler could be such a pain sometimes, acting as if he himself was the head of the house.

The light was coming from the room at the far end of the hall, and he knew all too well which room it was. He smiled and tip-toed down the hallway, too interested in his destination to take notice the row of tall arched windows that were bare to let the light in on sunny days. Out there was so different compared to his room. The dark brown and black furniture certainly made it seem more sophisticated but gave it the air of being gloomy. The rest of the mansion hadn’t really been changed either but even if it were to be painted bright colors, just like his room, it would do little good.

A cracking noise was filtering through the open door and the boy knew at once who was in the room. He smiled and made a move to open he door when a sound startled him.

It was low and soft. A musical note. The one note became four, and from the four a slow sonata. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to be whisked away on a cloud of music. To him, it was the most beautiful sound in the world.

He hadn’t noticed that he had been leaning on the door until it fell open. When it didn’t creak, he thought he’d been safe, unnoticed- the music hadn’t stopped-, but when he peeked in, intense blue eyes were trained on him.

His mouth formed a small ‘o’ at being caught so easily. At first he thought the player of the piano would’ve been angry with him for being so intrusive, or maybe shout at him for barging in, but when their face broke into a smile, he had to contain himself from mirroring it.

With a short motion of the head, he was beckoned inside. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before mentally scolding himself for it. There was simply no need to be afraid. He eased through the small space and closed the tall door behind him unconsciously. He jumped slightly when it clicked, eliciting a quiet laugh from the other person.

The boy squinted. Light cascading down from the chandelier and reflecting off the immaculate marble floors made the room seem eerily bright. He loved this room. It was his favorite in the house. The ceiling was so high that he doubted he could ever reach it unless he could magically sprout wings. It reminded him of a small version of their ballroom with its curvatures and warm honey and gold colors. As throughout the whole house, floor to ceiling arched windows covered as much of the walls as they could.

The room was stunning, but he could admit that he focused less on it when he was in the room with the person currently sitting in front of a large, black piano, who had turned away from him, and was now giving the instrument his full attention.

The boy just stared in wonder, completely taken by the pianist. The way he sat with his back straight, his long legs perfectly in place. The way his wavy black hair fell onto his shoulders and into his eyes. And his hands; his fingers seemed to be made for the keys, to slide across them gently and deftly, never clumsy, always elegant. He was a picture. A masterpiece.

His fingers eased up and he turned his head lightly to look through his curtain of hair. He smiled again.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked softly, blinking slowly with his smile still in place.

The boy shook his head and twisted his fingers together. “No, the rain…” He trailed off.

The older boy let his eyes remain closed for a fraction of a second before his smile faded briefly. He turned his head to the windows. “Shouldn’t be a problem, Gabriel.”

“It’s not-” he started hurriedly, sensing a change. “It’s just… I’m sorry.”

The older boy turned to him again, staring dead in the eyes, something that the smaller boy both frightened and thrilled at the same time. He nodded and just like that his easy smile was back. He patted the space next to him on the bench and the smaller boy took it without hesitation.

The older boy rested his cheek on his head and ran his fingers idly along the keys, playing a familiar melody from a music box they both shared. He laughed and the vibrations that went through his hair made Gabriel smile. It wasn't very often, but he loved when they were together like this, alone and peaceful. No inhibitions in the way, the older boy would be warm and affectionate,

“I forgot you can’t play the piano yet. Oh dear, I’m showing off aren’t I?” he teased.

Gabriel flushed. “I can play too, but I mostly play the violin. If I put more effort into it…” Gabriel tried desperately, but they both knew better. His piano skills were poor at best. He knew he would need to practice to become truly good, but he found himself contented by just watching it being played.

“I’ll learn if you want me too,” he said meekly, turning his head to see the expression on the other’s face, and breathing the familiar scent of his skin from being so close to him.

His timid statement only made the other laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be a master of your own trade in no time,” he soothed, pulling him closer in a one-armed hug. “Here, I’ll give you a few pointers.”

He took the boy’s small fingers in his own pale, long ones, and placed them on the keys. “One here….and another here…These are the most important, okay? You’ll have to remember that when you’re playing. I remember it took me a while before I could-”

When the older boy’s hands stopped moving and his voice faded away into slurping noises, Gabriel-confused and surprised- looked up and screamed. What he saw made his blood run cold and his heart stopped beating. The drawing room was gone and so was the piano. In fact he was floating over a river.

The boy, the masterpiece was still; his face and skin were blue and cold as death. His clothes were soaked and water poured from his eyes and his mouth that was frozen open in shock. His hair that was mingled with seaweed hung around his face and dripped water down his cheeks.

The eyes that he loved so much were frozen like liquid sapphire and stood out even more now. When the dead eyes moved to look at him, the boy screamed, and screamed. And screamed. And fell.


{}


Gabriel tried to take in as much air as he could into his deprived lungs when he sat up too quickly. His hair stuck to his cheeks and neck, damp with sweat. He was shivering so badly that he had to clasp his hand over his mouth. He looked around the room trying to get his bearings and to get his breathing to come normally.

The sky outside was still dark and the moon hung overhead in between a sea of stars. A quick glance at the clock. 3:45 am. Right on time.

His hand slid to his neck and closed over something cold and he squeezed it. He pushed back his hair and flopped back into his pillow when he felt like he could breathe again. He could try to get back to sleep now but somehow he knew he never would be able to, not with the blood in his veins racing.

It was like this after every nightmare. He would be unable to close his eyes for at least another twenty minutes until the dream wore off and he found something that could occupy his mind until he felt at ease, and then he would reach for it; the small red vile that he kept under his pillow at night and hid during the day.

There was nothing to reach for now. No comfort there for him to drown himself in, so he settled for staring at the shaft of moonlight shining on the bedside table. He could hear Severus’ slow rhythmic breathing from across the room and he allowed his thoughts to drift there.

What a troublesome predicament. He sighed dejectedly. No it had to be done. Besides, it wasn't like he was doing it on purpose. He would never do anything to hurt Severus intentionally but he couldn’t let his final year at school to be a dud. He had to get the last laugh, the final blow, and if it so happened that Lily Evans was the key, then it was simply unavoidable.

Gabriel wouldn’t usually put much thought into these kinds of things, but it gave him something to focus his mind on until the stars began to disappear into the paling blue sky. It was still way too early to go down to breakfast, but he was beginning to feel restless so he dressed quickly and left as quietly as he could.

He waltzed through the empty common room. Maybe he should stay there? Pull up a chair by the fire? No, he didn’t feel like it. His feet needed to move, he needed to find something to do with his hands. He rubbed his eyes irritably and looked back toward the direction of his room. Going back wasn't an option, so he dragged on in a daze.

His feet took him to the Astronomy Tower and he idled in the morning air for a while before his stomach growled in protest from the lack of nourishment and he finally went to breakfast.

Thank goodness the Great Hall was empty except for the scattering of insomniacs like himself. He paid them no attention, and because he paid them no attention, he failed to see Pricilla trying desperately to catch his eyes from the Slytherin table, until it was too late.

“Good morning Gabriel. Slept well?” Pricilla smiled up at him when he stood over her. With a heavy sigh, he sat beside her and propped his chin in his hands. The only thing he hated other than waking up early, was waking up too early.

“No. And it seems like you didn’t either,” he said, drumming his fingers.

Pricilla looked confused. “Why do you say that?”

Gabriel eyed her. “To put it bluntly, you look like you just literally rolled out of bed,” he sneered. Her hair was sticking out at every angle and her eyes were heavy with sleep. She smoothed her hair down with her hands self consciously.

“It’s not that bad is it?” she whispered, ducking her head low and trying to straighten out her hair.

Gabriel yawned and closed his eyes. “No. I just thought well, you know, girls were bothered by those things.”

“What things?”
|
“Not looking pretty and such,” Gabriel said slowly. Why couldn’t the food just appear when someone sat down? That would make things so much easier for people who were in a hurry.

Pricilla didn’t reply so Gabriel cracked open an eye. She was staring at him with her mouth and eyes wide open- with in addition to her tired look just made her look demented.

“What?” he asked coldly.

She shook her head. “Nothing. I’ll be right back.” She left in a hurry shielding her face, without looking back.

And just like that, he was alone again. Gabriel didn’t bother to answer her. He wouldn’t be there when she returned. Served her right for rushing out of bed just to have more time to annoy him. He was feeling sleepy and he would rather take his chances with an unresponsive Severus than a strange Pricilla.

It was still early enough for him to get in a couple hours of sleep because he had the first two morning periods free. He only got halfway to the dungeons when a gloomy Severus walked toward him. He thoroughly admired Severus, only he possessed the ability to look frightening at any time of day, even at seven- thirty in the morning.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and bent his head. Severus was pointedly glaring at him with every step he took, his intent on ignoring Gabriel completely clear. This is ridiculous he thought.

Gabriel moved in front of him to block his path. Severus tried to side step him but Gabriel just moved in front him again. Severus growled and stepped to his left but Gabriel spread his hands to stop him while smiling coolly at the annoyed look on his face. He tilted his head and smiled mockingly but Severus was anything but amused. He kept eye contact but his eyes darted briefly to the left. Gabriel caught it quickly and anticipating the move, shifted to the left but when he did, Severus ducked under and past him to the right.

Gabriel spun around and grabbed his arm to stop him from moving. “How long are you planning to ignore me, Severus? You do realize that we sleep in the same room don’t you?”

Severus glared daggers at the hand that was restraining him but Gabriel didn’t budge an inch. This had to be taken care of now before it got out of control.

“It’s going to go on for as long as your little plan is in motion.”

Gabriel winced. “Don’t say plan like that. Jeez, your making it sound like if I’m some evil villain.”

Severus raised a challenging eyebrow.

“There is no plan Severus,” Gabriel said tiredly.

“So what do you call last night,” Severus pressed, coming closer to Gabriel and boring into his eyes. Gabriel cleared his mind and let go of Severus’ arm.

“I would call last night, last night. Is there any other name for it,” he smirked.

Severus grunted and walked away. “What do you want me to say? I know you sometimes have a selective memory but you were there. She smiled at me and I smiled back. I was being polite so-”

Gabriel recoiled when Severus sprang back with the speed of a cat and drew himself up to full height, mere inches from his face. “She did not smile at you,” he hissed, stressing the pronunciation of every word.

Gabriel threw his hands in front of him in surrender. “Okay, okay. She didn’t smile at me. Don’t know what I was thinking.”

He breathed a sigh of relief when Severus backed away from him and put a comfortable amount of space between them. He could still feel Severus’ stare on him and he had to look away. He was glad when the other boy broke- what was in his opinion- the uncomfortable silence that followed.

“I don’t care about whatever revenge you want to exact of Potter, but keep Lily out of it,” Severus instructed coldly. Somewhere behind them there was a loud crash, like a suit of armor collapsing, and it drew Severus’ attention for a moment.

“Say his name and things just fall apart.” He laughed stupidly, suddenly desiring nothing more than to be in his bed with the sheets pulled up over his head.

Severus acted as if he hadn’t spoken. Gabriel’s temper flared. He wanted to tell Severus how stupid and dramatic he was being. He wanted to tell him that he was protecting someone who probably didn’t give a rat’s ass about him anymore and that he should open his eyes to what possibilities lie elsewhere, but he bit his tongue. It took all his self control.

“Severus, how can I get you to understand that I have, no,” he laughed with frustration and rubbed his temple, “no, possible, interest in Lily Evans. How can I make you understand this!”

“Put an end to everything that you’re planning.”

Gabriel’s was stunned silent. “What?”

Severus smirked. “No plans, no nothing. No involving Lily.”

“Fine.” Gabriel knew when he was defeated. There was no sense in causing an avoidable commotion. “You can stop smirking now,” he added bitterly.

Severus, finally satisfied, walked away.

“Um, Severus… do you think…” Gabriel scratched the back of his head awkwardly, fumbling with the right words. He barely caught the projectile that was flying toward him; a small red vile, its contents half empty.

“That should do until I have access of the potions lab today,” Severus drawled and stalked away again. Gabriel squeezed the bottle in his hand and smiled. Severus must have saved it for him. He always thought ahead and planned for any situation. Gabriel was lucky if he planned ahead for two minutes into the future.

Consequences for actions always seemed so far away to him; maybe that was why he and Severus were how they were now, because he didn’t stop to consider the consequences for his actions that day two years prior. Even though the outcome was horrible, every time he thought about it, he couldn’t see himself not doing what he did.

The bottle began to sway in his hands. He squeezed it but the swaying didn’t stop. Maybe breakfast wasn't that far away. He could wait now that he and Severus were speaking again, he’d have someone to talk to. If only his head would stop moving and let him focus on walking.

“Hello,” came a girl’s voice from behind him. It was so soft that for a minute he thought it might have been Pricilla. He quickly dismissed it because the girl didn’t immediately cling to him. He used his hand to keep his balance while trying to blink away the dizziness. “Hello.”

“Gabriel, wasn't it?” There was another loud crash that made him nearly trip over his shoes. What the hell is wrong with this school? He wondered. A hand rested on his abdomen to help him from falling over and he stopped to get a good look at who he was actually talking to.

Standing there, smiling quite nicely was Lily Evans. He knew his mouth must have been hanging open from the irony of the situation when she gave a little laugh. She remembered my name?

“Lily…”

“Are you alright? You don’t look so well,”

“Well I can go ahead and throw away that new face cream I was using then.”

She laughed and he instantly tried to straighten himself, the feeling of guilt permeating him. But he wasn't doing anything. He was just talking. He promised not to include her in anything but he could still talk to her right. She had made the first move. Again. Severus couldn’t very well complain. But why was he talking to her if she wasn't needed for the plan? There was no need for him to be courteous.

“Were you headed to breakfast too?” she asked, walking in a pace that suggested she might be waiting for him to walk with her.

“Er…” Severus just headed in that direction. “No, I was going back for something I forgot.” He managed a curvature of his lips that he would’ve liked to think was a smile.

“Oh… well I guess I’ll see you around then.” She kept shifting on her feet but she returned his smile.

Gabriel bowed his head slowly in confirmation. “Right.” He honestly didn’t know what else to say in reply to her. Was she implying that she wanted to see him again?

She hesitated for a moment more before walking away and leaving behind a bewildered Gabriel. He tilted his head and watched her go. Curious thing.

What a strange morning this had been. Was this what it was like to wake up early? He would have to remember to never do it again. He would give anything for it to be over, but when he rounded the corridor, James Potter was leaning against the wall with his arms folded and looking about ready to ruin his day.