Rain

Gabriel stifled a groan that was bubbling in his throat at the amount of bad luck he’d been having for the morning. He would have liked to say that things couldn’t have possibly gotten any worse but they just had. Potter parked himself in front of him just as he had done to Severus a moment ago, and he could fully grasp the fact that it wasn't at all amusing if you were on the receiving end.

“What do you want?” Gabriel demanded irritably. He really wasn't in the mood for this. Not this early in the morning. He always enjoyed a good challenge so maybe later, but definitely not now.

James glared at him, unmoved by his attitude. “Piss off. Don’t take that tone with me Monte. I know what you’re up to.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes and peered around him at the collapsed armor; the helmet was several feet behind him. “So that’s what all the racket was about then. Guess I can add eaves dropping to your dismal repertoire.”

“Don’t try to twist things around! I wasn't eaves dropping.”

“Is that face supposed to frighten me? Here’s a hint, next time you try to intimidate someone, don’t do it after they’ve just caught you sneaking around behind armor,” he sneered, pushing past him.

“You know what, fuck you. What’s going on? What are you planning with Lily?”

Gabriel turned sharply, making James, who had been following him, stop suddenly to avoid running into him. He cocked an eyebrow. “Such a dirty mouth you have,” he smirked. When the other boy narrowed his eyes, his smug expression only grew. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t know what I'm talking about my arse,” James spat, increasing his pace to match Gabriel’s long strides. “I know how you work, Monte.”

“You don’t know anything about me, Planter.”

“I know that you put a charm on me last year that stuck my mouth closed for a week!”

“It was an improvement. You should thank me,” Gabriel laughed, walking backwards so he faced him.

“I could think of a few ways I’d like to thank you,” James mumbled darkly.

“So could I,” Gabriel mumbled back before he knew what he was saying.

James’ brow creased and Gabriel had to turn away. What the hell was he doing? It was bad enough that he was smiling but what on earth was he saying?

His mind screamed ‘Bed. Now!’ and he would be more than happy to oblige. That could be the only explanation he could think of for his behavior, his sleep deprivation.

He cleared his throat and started walking furiously. “Leave me alone Potter, I’ve already told you what I had too, now bugger off.”

“What?! I’m not finished with you yet,” James said, refusing to let him go that easily.

“Look, get the bloody girl if you want too, what is your problem?” he snapped, loosing his composure now.

“I don’t want to see you near her again!”

Gabriel scoffed at his oh so ‘serious’ tone. “Big words. We both know you were spying on me so I’m sure you heard what I told Severus. There is nothing involving Lily.”

“I saw you waving at her last night.”

“Is it against the law to wave at someone? Besides, she waved first,” he added in a deliberate undertone just to see that vein that would appear right at the side of James’ temple. He saw it so much that he decided to name it Jim. ‘Lo Jim

“I swear this time is different. I’ll kill you if you touch her!”

What was it with them? What was it about that particular girl that made Severus and James like this? He couldn’t see it. He could however see the rage in their eyes whenever the subject of her was brought up and it frustrated him.

“You’re so jealous it’s pathetic. There’s nothing there for you so what’re you trying to prove? You’ve been stalking the poor girl for so long but I bet I could probably do a better job in a shorter time, so just shut up and let me get some sleep!”

James was completely silent after Gabriel’s rant. Gabriel, having vented and successfully silencing James, felt immensely better and he turned his back on him and walked away.

“And just so you know, I plan to show you how much better of a job I can do,” he added, over his shoulder with a wave which provoked more foul language being hurled at his back from James.

{}


“I tell you he’s planning something. Are you listening to me!?”

Sirius nodded, rubbing the sleep from the corner of his eyes. James was sitting at the edge of his bed, gripping the sheets until his knuckles were white and practically shouting in his ear.

“You’re not listening,” James said Shaking Sirius frantically.

“I’m listening James,” Peter said cheerfully, but just continued shaking his victim.

He had burst in madly and shouted until he had awoken all of them from their beds. No sooner than their eyes were open did he start to recap his morning, not caring at all if they were listening. He mysteriously left out the part where Lily had appeared to be waiting for Monte. It was his imagination.

Remus was still lying on his stomach with one of his legs hanging over his bed. Sirius, who was planning to pull the covers over his head and ignore him, couldn’t, because James had singled him out as his main target.

“James, what were you doing up so early,” Sirius croaked, obviously still sleepy but managing an effort for James’ sake and so that James wouldn’t shake away his sanity. He wouldn’t let them sleep when he had something to rant about anyway and they all knew that the quickest way to get him to shut up would be to humor him.

James grunted and mumbled something.

“What?”

“I said, aren’t I allowed to wake up early? That’s not the point here! That bastard Monte has something up his sleeve to throw at us.”

“How did it get to us now?” Remus grumbled with his head still smothered in his pillow.

“That’s right. He only annoys you,” Peter snickered.

“What exactly is he planning, prongs?” Sirius tried to distract him, diffusing an explosion of sorts he would say.

When it came to Gabriel Monté, the slightest thing set James off. Sirius didn’t much understand the bad blood between them, but James couldn’t stand him for some reason. He never personally interfered him or the others, he only seemed to bother James, but an enemy of James was an enemy of theirs as well in his mind.

“I don’t know Padfoot, but I just know it’s diabolical.”

Remus snorted. “Diabolical?”

“Yeah and…and - And, he’s trying to steal Lily from me!”

“Are you saying he likes her too?” Peter was lying on his back, flicking the underside of Remus’ bed, trying desperately to annoy him.

“No, he doesn’t. He’s trying to get back at me!” James shouted and started pacing the room.

“Prongs, mate calm down,” Sirius soothed, “nothing to over exert yourself over.”

“What do you mean nothing!”

“He means hasn’t the thought ever occur to you that he’s just trying to wind you up,” Remus said, taking a swing at Peter’s head which he avoided and stuck out his tongue.

“I don’t care; he’s been a pain in my arse for too long. Something’s got to be done,” James continued, not one to be swayed.

“I’ve got an idea, how about we neuter him?” Sirius teased. Remus laughed. “I was just about to suggest we lock him in with moaning myrtle. That’d teach him.”

“I’m serious. He’s a cocky, self-absorbed, hypocritical bastard, but he has to have a weak spot.” He’s obviously spotted mine. James looked out through the window thoughtfully.

“I’m going to find out what it is.” James’ resolve was concrete and the marauders exchanged looks.

Sirius spared him a derisive snort before retreating under the covers. “Good luck.”


{}

Pricilla exhaled, letting out a breath that that she’d been holding for the last minute. The approaching footsteps she had heard weren’t from Gabriel, but someone else and her body gradually relaxed again except for the persistent fluttering in her chest. She fussed with her hair and kept rubbing her nose and forehead to make sure that they weren’t oily. It was like a nervous habit she had whenever she knew she would see him, the urgent need to make herself perfect in his eyes.

She bit her lip and looked around the emptying common room from her waiting position by the door. Gabriel was late for their first night of rounds. No biggie really, he was always late. She guessed he wasn't a very punctual person, although she had never really seen him late for anything else. But at least he tried to be on time for her, right? He tried his best, and she could appreciate that. He wouldn’t purposely leave her hanging because of her behavior this morning would he? She shouldn’t have left him like that. It was rude and uncalled for in her opinion, but she was angry and hurt.

A knot began to form in her stomach and she considered the idea of going up and doing something unreasonably foolish, like running into the boys’ dormitory and throwing her arms around him whispering a thousand apologies. It was something she always longed to do. Too bad she wasn't nearly as brazen as her thoughts allowed her to believe she could be. She should be! Maybe that would get her somewhere, anywhere than where she was now, she thought with a frustrated huff.

Her annoyance was quickly forgotten when a tall figure, walking as languidly possible, sauntered across the room, hands in his pockets, head inclined to see as little as possible of what he passed.

Her stomach flipped. She wasn't even bothered by the fact that he was obviously taking his time; in fact, she wished he would walk a little slower. She tried to peel away her eyes and stop leering- as she was sure she was- but it never worked before so trying now would be useless.

He lifted his head slowly and she was met with the fierceness of his amber eyes, even though his face was otherwise relatively expressionless. He looked to be in a better mood than he was in the morning and he didn’t seem upset with her. So she forced her quivering lips into a smile.

Gabriel didn’t bother to return one. “I apologize for being late,” he said, in a tone that could easily be mistaken for apathetic. Pricilla shook her head, too distracted by the way his lips had formed the words to take note of what he was actually saying. When he frowned in confusion at her unrelenting tare, she flushed.

“Ready?” she asked hastily, trying to cover her embarrassment.

Gabriel nodded and gestured with a sweep of his hand for her to proceed ahead. She repressed a giddy giggle. She knew it was nothing special for her, just his upbringing, but she would never tire of his impeccable manners.

She started at a slow pace, allowing him to catch up and fall into place beside her. This was perfect. Just the two of them, strolling alone, maybe this was the break she needed. A little quality time could go a long way. Of course she wouldn’t dare push it. She considered herself lucky to be even near him. Girls would kill for the opportunity she had so she counted herself lucky. She found it strange that he didn’t seem interested in anyone, but who was she to complain.

Gabriel was a person who valued solitude and only associated himself with people who he considered similar to him or who fascinated him to a certain extent. The thought that he might find her fascinating made her blush and she cupped her heated cheeks in her hands. She must calm down and relax. Gabriel might think she’s a basket case. She chanced a look at his face to see if had noticed anything but he was looking straight ahead with a scowl on his features.

She was relieved but followed his line of sight and her eyes narrowed as well. She was sure she snarled, she certainly felt like it. There were two people walking a little way ahead of them. That hair could only belong to that Gryffindor Miss Perfect Lily Evans and the boy beside her would have to be James Potter.

She concluded in less than a second that Gabriel would have to be staring at Evans, and her blood boiled. He was staring at her on the train yesterday as well. It was becoming something she couldn’t just overlook anymore.

Gabriel’s face suddenly broke out into a grin and Pricilla’s brows knitted in confusion, not even bothering to hide the fact that she was staring at him anymore. Evans had just given Potter a dirty look at something he had said and walked ahead a little faster. Was Gabriel smiling because of her?

“Gabriel, are you alright?” said Pricilla, fixing him with a concerning look and smiling when she finally got his attention.

He shook his head. “No, not at all,” he said so calmly that Pricilla almost scoffed thinking he was playing. He looked down on her suddenly, and his features eased as if he had just remembered something very important.

“Pricilla,” he started seriously, “I’m afraid I haven’t apologized for my behavior this morning. I’m really very sorry if I said anything rude.”

Once Pricilla got over her initial shock, she nodded. Gabriel led her by the elbow and continued. “Yes, I think it all boils down to the fact that I’m virtually clueless about girls.”

Pricilla felt like she would faint.

“I know it’s a silly question but… what, exactly…do girls like?” Pricilla was taken off guard by his vulnerable look and of course the question he had just asked and the fact that he willingly told her something personal about himself, all at once.

What could she say to those gorgeous expecting eyes she was looking into? Was he asking her this to find out how to better interact with her? She masked her shock and elation well.

“Um, well…” Pricilla sat in the sill of a window while Gabriel remained standing over her.

“Girls like a gentleman,” she explained in a dreamy voice, gesturing toward him. “They like someone, who is witty, funny, but can be serious when the time comes. Romantic. Very sensitive and who has a lot in common with them and listens well. Not all girls go for the forward, smart-ass type. They tend to like the quiet, mysterious ones.” That are extremely handsome.

Gabriel nodded his head attentively to everything she was saying, he was literally drinking it up. “Hmm, lots in common… romantic…”

“Yes,” she replied excitedly, glad to be having this level of conversation with him.

“Okay, and how do you know if a girl…you know… fancies you?”

“Well, she’ll more than likely act different around you, a bit shyer and out of character. Although they are some who’d come right out and say it,” she said nervously.

“Hmm.” He actually looked serious about all of this. He was staring at her intently, almost demanding. “But how do I know for sure?”

“I doubt that‘ll help you much,” said a voice heavy with amusement. “Is this you idea of doing rounds, Monte.”

Pricilla could see Gabriel’s jaw clenching but other than that he showed no sign that he had even heard him until he turned around. “Yes, and I’d be correct in assuming that this is your idea of annoying me. What do you want?”

“What do I want? A new broom would be nice. But what would really take the cake would be you to move your arse and do your job.”

“And you’re doing what exactly?” Gabriel countered.

James’ eye twitched. “More than you are,” he said through gritted teeth.

Gabriel’s lips curled and waved him away like one would bothersome child. “I’m sure you are Planter, now shoo.”

“I’m going to fucking kill you!”

“What an interesting little thing you are.”

“James, I barely left you for a minute. What’s going on?” Lily had arrived, and if Pricilla wasn't as watchful as she was, she would have missed the way the red-head’s eyes lingered a little too long.

“Nothing. Monte here is holding a therapy session instead of what he’s supposed to be doing.”

Gabriel bristled. “I don’t exactly see you setting an example, Head Boy.”

“That’s because I’ve got to be watching over incompetent people like you. You need a babysitter.”

“You’re one to talk Potter. You’d need a guide to find your way inside your enormous head.”

“Why you self-righteous ponce,” James snarled, clenching his fists.

Lily watched their exchange quietly and let out a tired sigh before he lips curved into a smile. She folded her arms and addressed the both of them. “Well you are Head Boy, James so maybe you’re right. Maybe Gabriel needs someone to show him what needs to be done.” She looked at Gabriel impassively when she said this. “You can do it,” she said to James with a malicious smirk.

Oh she was good, Pricilla thought wryly. From the look on her face, she was clearly enjoying this. If Pricilla didn’t hate her for capturing Gabriel’s attention, she probably would have admired her style. Probably.

James looked like he was about ready to wet himself and Gabriel was massaging his temple.

“What? Lily, what are you saying?” James pleaded. “How could you do this to me?”

She turned and walked away and Pricilla- seeing an opportunity- was quick to follow. The best way to bring down the enemy camp was to attack from the inside. She gave Gabriel one final glance and hoped that he took advantage that was handed to him as well.