AN: I altered the course of events with Slughorn teaching a bit in this chapter. Be prepared, it's not the real HP storyline. I changed it to kind of make up for the fact that in one of the earlier chapters I wrote a scene where Snape was teaching potions on accident. So bear with me, thanks :)

Rachel had been very busy with the end of term exams coming. She was singing much more than usual, as well. After the match, she and Kurt were hanging out with Quinn and Draco a lot more, sometimes Santana as well. Santana was out of the common room most of the time however, off with Brittany Pierce. Actually, Kurt was darting in and out a lot more as well, sneaking off to the lake with Blaine. No one aside form Rachel liked that Kurt was dating a Gryffindor, but he had never been one to stifle his odd interests and everyone was pretty used to it at that point. Expect the unexpected.

One night, Kurt and Draco had both stormed off after an argument about male roles in society and had left Rachel and Quinn alone to think about how stupid men really were in silence. Quinn was writing in a little journal she wasn't letting anyone look at, and Rachel suspected she was writing done her feelings. Rachel was writing up a digram for Transfiguration on the proper wand movements for their latest learnings. Quinn had claimed she had already done all her homework, but Rachel doubted it. With Quinn due to give birth in the next few weeks, that was all that seemed to be on her and Draco's minds.

However, Draco was spending more and more time away, doing things no one knew about. He claimed he was going to the library, but no one wanted to check and prove him wrong. If he was lying, what was he doing? No one was more touchy about it than Quinn, who wanted his attention more than ever.

In reality, Draco was stealing away to work on the Vanishing cabinet in the Room of Requirement, the stress of everything going on causing him to nearly pull his hair out by the handful, and he would only admit to himself that he spent a few nights in bed broken down and crying silently into his pillow, hoping that Kurt couldn't hear him.

Quinn had a lot on her plate as well, and the last thing on her mind was Noah Puckerman. She didn't even know what she was going to do with Isabella once she was born, and she was actually trying to push the thought of Puckerman away. If she decided to keep Bella, she decided she would like to introduce her to Noah and let her know both her fathers. But the resentment that they all still had towards each other needed to end before that was possible and she knew her boys weren't ready to make up yet.

At least, she was ready to completely forget about him if it weren't for Rachel.

"Quinn?" Rachel asked, sounding a little less confident than usual.

"Yes?" Quinn asked, not looking up from her journal in which she was confiding how scared she was about the future. Her face was blank.

"I'm sorry if this is a sore spot for you and feel free not to answer me, but can you tell me what Noah Puckerman is like?"

Quinn closed her little book and looked up at Rachel, her face still eerily blank.

"Sure. He's arrogant and a bit manipulative, he knows what he wants but he's kind of a slacker, he's confident and annoying and persistent… But he's not a bad kid. He's pretty loyal and he stands up for the kids he's not bullying. He's a real Gryffindor." she said. Rachel nodded slowly.

"And how much time did you spend with him, you know, as-"

"We weren't ever a couple." Quinn cut across her. "But three weeks. You know how Proffesor Slughorn came in later than Dumbledore wanted him to?"

Rachel nodded again.

"It's because when Dumbledore couldn't get Harry to come in and persuade Slughorn to work here because of his muggle guardians or whatever, he used me. My parents work up pretty high in the Ministry and my mother is a potions maker. So Slughorn wasn't persuaded, and when word got out Dumbledore chose me for it, he started hanging around me trying to get more popular. That's when we slept together. But after a while he seemed to actually start to like me.

"You know, Slughorn was tracked down by the Death Eaters again after we came, and that's why he came back to teach, so he could get away. I could tell Puck liked me because he stuck around for a bit after Slughorn came back even."

Rachel smiled. "Good to know." she said cheerily, even though she had no use for the information. Quinn slumped over in her chair.

"I just took a huge rant. I'm sorry."

"No Quinn, it's perfectly fine! You know you can talk to me if you need to anytime, don't you?" Rachel asked, and Quinn nodded.

"Why the interest in Puckerman?" Quinn asked curiously, trying to steer the conversation away from her need to reach out and talk to people.

"Well, a while ago I met him in the halls at night, and he was a lot different than people make him out to be. He's been nicer to me after, too. Helping me in potions and all that. I don't think Kurt appreciates him coming over to our table, but either way." she said casually, trying to act dismissive.

"Rachel, do you have a crush on him?" Quinn asked with a small grin on her face.

"No! No." Rachel said. "I just find him very interesting. And I do admit, he would get my mind off Finn… I need to recognize that it's over between us, and it's time for me to move on."

"Good for you…" Quinn said, distracted again by picking at her cuticles.

"W-Would you approve of me dating Noah, if that ever were to happen?" Rachel asked.

"I wouldn't mind it. I think now, since I have Draco, he's free to do whatever he wants. And so are you, Rachel." Quinn said, looking up from her fingers. Rachel nodded, staring at the fireplace.

"Are you still all wrapped up in Finn?" Quinn asked, setting her journal down and looking over at Rachel, who was still averting her eyes.

"I don't know. I'm sure I still like him, he was the first person I ever fell in love with! And I feel awful for asking about Noah, we've only ever had a real, solid conversation once… Have you ever felt like you liked two boys at once?"

Quinn nodded. "Of course I have. Three this year actually, you should know that."

"Oh yeah, sorry."

"It's ok. It feels like a long time ago now. Well, it feels like everything happened fast, but it's so distant…"

"I know what you mean."

"But Rachel, if you're really having trouble with this boy thing, I would chose Puck. If you fell for him after Finn, a little part of you probably just wants him more. But that's just my say." she said quietly. Rachel nodded again.

Five seconds passed before Santana stormed up.

"There's something I have to tell you guys, since we hang a little." she said.

They both just looked at her curiously.

"I'm a lesbian." she said, obviously expecting a bigger, more extravagant reaction than the one she got.

"Oh, well that's good to know." Rachel said with a little shrug.

"How did I see that coming?" Quinn said, seemingly to herself but loud enough so everyone could hear.

"Wait, you guys don't really care?" she asked incredulously.

"What, do you want us to try and burn you at the stake or something?" Quinn asked skeptically, arching her eyebrow.

"No, but-"

"You expect the worst, we understand." Rachel said sympathetically.

Santana sank into a chair.

"Can I ask you guys for advice?" she asked. Rachel nodded right away and Quinn rolled her eyes. "So tonight, I'm the advice booth." she mumbled. Santana shot her a glare.

"What do you like that guys do for you? Like, what's impressive?"

Rachel and Quinn both paused and thought for a minute.

"When they're nicer than you would expect." Quinn said, pointing her quill at Santana. "When they compliment you. Very specifically. You know, I like your shirt and your eyes look pretty, things like that." Rachel chimed in. "And when they get you meaningful things. Like necklaces relating to whatever pet name they give you. That stuff." Quinn added thoughtfully. There was another pause before Rachel said "And when they do things just for you. Ditching class to come and see you, for example. That's romantic."

"Why, you trying to impress someone?" Quinn asked, grinning a bit.

"No!" Santana said, then paused before saying "Yes…" in an almost mopey way.

"Ohmygod, tell me who!" Rachel said, bouncing on the edge of her seat.

"Brittany, from Hufflepuff…" Santana said, looking down.

"Oh yeah, you do sneak off to spend time with her all the time! But I heard you have Ravenclaws with you too…" Quinn said, looking up at the ceiling. Santana shrugged.

"They're friends too." she said.

"Of all the people to make friends out of her own house…" Rachel said with a little, teasing grin at Santana.

"Santana, do you know anything about Noah Puckerman?" Quinn asked suddenly, and the grin was wiped off Rachel's face as fast as possible. Yes, Santana was a friend, but she could start rumors! Rachel didn't want everyone thinking she was head over heels for Puck, she wasn't sure of her feelings for him yet.

"Yeah, I've slept with him." Santana said casually, and Rachel blushed. "I guess he's pretty good looking. He's kind of a show off. I dunno much else."

Quinn shot a look at Rachel and Rachel glared back, and Santana saw the incredible tension in their eyes and stood up.

"So yeah, bye." she said a bit awkwardly, and left them alone.

Finn walked up to Rachel outside of Potions the next day, eager to talk to her. He heard a rumor she ad a crush on Puck, and he had mixed emotions. Of course he was feeling a little protective. He knew Puck was capable of doing bad things to girls, and he wanted Rachel to be safe and happy. Sure, they weren't really dating, but they had been on and off during fourth and fifth year and he knew how she liked her boys. Puck seemed kind of an unlikely choice. But he knew if she started going out with Puck, he was a free agent for as long as they were together. Rachel would be off his back for a while, and he liked the idea. She was a good girlfriend, but when she was being overbearing and possessive, it was annoying.

"Hey Rachel." he said as he walked over to where she was standing with Kurt and Blaine. They all turned and looked at him, Blaine more politely than Kurt and Rachel. Rachel looked pleasantly surprised, and Kurt looked a bit suspicious. He knew how unsteady Finn and Rachel's relationships could be and how brief talks could leave Rachel in a depression for days.

"Oh, hey Kurt. Blaine." he said with a little head nod. Blaine unconsciously moved closer to Kurt, and Kurt waved at Finn before leaning into Blaine and saying "Come on honey, they need their privacy."

Finn looked at his little brother and Blaine walk away. Honey? Where did that come from?

"Hi Finn." Rachel said shyly, and Finn's eyes darted back to her. He grinned a half grin at her.

"Is it cool if we talk?" he asked, and she nodded. "Of course."

"I heard from somebody that you were interested in Puck." he said bluntly, and they both looked over to where the mohawked boy was talking casually to Harry, Ron and Hermione. Their eyes briefly darted back to each other.

"I don't Finn, I've only really talked to him once." Rachel said, looking down and remembering the conversation she had last night with Quinn. Which reminded her of Santana coming out. Which reminded her of-

Her thoughts started to miserably trail off, mainly due to the fact she stayed up late to finish her homework and was ready to find the nearest bed and pass out on it right away. However, Finn brought her back to the present.

"Oh. Well I was just gonna say, like, if you did, I think that would be pretty cool as long as he liked you."

"Really?" Rachel asked, something incredibly similar to hope exposing itself in her voice. Finn nodded.

"But Rach, you hand out with Quinn and you know what he can do to a girl. I'm just gonna say, he's kind of a womanizer, so if you ever were to date him…"

"Finn, I'm sure I could keep him under control." Rachel said steadily. Finn raised an eyebrow.

"You sure? Cause he's kinda further along with the whole boys-and-girls thing than you are…" Finn muttered.

"Someone doesn't have to know much about sex to keep their boyfriend in check." Rachel said firmly, looking a little less than pleased.

"No, that's not what I meant! I just mean if he gets tired of dating you, he'll move on pretty fast and you'll… You'll…"

"I understand, Finn." Rachel said with the same firm tone as Slughorn opened up the doors to his room. "I'm glad we had this talk."

"I didn't mean to offend you or anything, I just-" Finn started, trying to explain himself. Rachel cut him off.

"No, Finn, I really do understand. Thanks for warning me." she said kindly, smiling up at him. "And if that day ever do comes when I want to date him, I'm glad I have your approval."

Finn nodded, his little half grin back in place. "Sweet. So, see you later." he said, walking into the Potions classroom.

Rachel felt liberated. Now that she knew Finn was really ready to move on, and he had put it in words and gave her permission to date his ex-best friend, she felt like she could move on too. The little romantic feelings she had for Finn were still pining after him, wishing he would make up with her and pay her more attention, and she doubted they would ever go away. But now she was ready to go and put herself out there, she was ready for more men and more romance, more singing and a better social life with real, established friendships. Now that she knew they could both move on happily, she knew she could do anything without having to worry about Finn's disapproval. It was an amazing feeling.

She, Kurt and Blaine walked into the Potions room and sat at the table they usually occupied near the center. Rachel knew she wouldn't be able to worm her way into Kurt and Blaine's conversation. They were talking about nothing too interesting, but the way they talked to each other was the hard part to get around. They were both so obviously glad to be open with their relationship status that their relief was just leaking into every word, and Rachel wasn't part of that equation. It didn't bother her though, she knew they would get over it soon and just settle back into normality.

Puck swaggered up to their table and sat down across from Rachel, smiling his dopey smile.

"Hey Rachel." he said smoothly, and Rachel smiled at him.

"Hello Puck." she said cheerily.

"You look happy today. Whassup?" he asked, leaning on the table as Rachel started pulling her potions tools out of her bag.

"Nothing much. I was just talking to Finn, but other than that, today is as ordinary as ever." she said with a little shrug.

"Wait, was Finn the one who made you so happy? Are you two getting bak together or something?" he asked quickly, obviously eager for details. Rachel laughed.

"No, of course we're not. That's over and done with, finally. He actually…"

"What? What is it?"

"He gave me permission to start seeing other guys. Specifically you." Rachel said shyly, her smile disappearing as she started obviously longing for some sort of response.

"Well, do you wanna date?" Puck asked, just as eagerly. "Cause I was kinda thinking, I know we only talk during this class and stuff but you're a pretty cool chick, and…"

"No." Rachel said bluntly. Puck looked at her in shock. "What?"

"I said no, Noah. You're charming and handsome, but I think it would be nice to be single for a while. I mean, I was obsessed with Finn for nearly three years! Don't you think it's time for me to take a break?"

She had that overly-cheerful, almost dopey and perfectly Rachel-esque smile on her face. Puck sighed.

"Sure, I guess, when you put it like that. But you know where I am if you need a man."

He got up and moved as if he was going to walk away, back to the table where Sam, Seamus, and Dean sat.

"Wait!" Rachel said, her hand convulsively moving out as if to grab his sleeve. He turned around and looked down at her.

"I still need help with my potions. And it's not like you're the only Gryffindor at the table either. Sit." Rachel said, and Puck sat. Blaine gave Puck a small wave at the mention of their house, and Puck gave him a little head nod back.

"Ok, as long as Hummel doesn't start criticizing the Puck-hawk again."

"No promises!" Kurt said in a sing song voice, his eyes still on Blaine. Rachel snorted into her cauldron as Slughorn started the lesson.

Puck knew there was a reason he must be good at potions. It was the only class he cared all too much about, really. There was just something cool about the stuff you drink directly relating to your health and your future and all that. But he never really knew why he set much store by potion-making, but now he suspected that fate gave him that particular affection for the class so he could impress Rachel Berry. She was the first Slytherin he met that wasn't particularly good at potions and needed his help. It was the first time he felt that fate had really laid a hand in his life, except for his brief fling with Quinn. He was almost fully recovered from that drama, however, and wanted to move on and be the same old Puck he used to be. Yes, that Puck that moves from girl to girl faster than Harry Potter could attack Draco Malfoy. But Rachel made him stop and reconsider.

He never really found himself to be the type that fell for girls without some outstanding physical attractiveness or snotty, I'm-a-bitch attitude. The defensiveness and sensuality turned him on. But there was something different about Rachel, something nice. Yeah, she was annoying, but she was brilliant. She didn't take no for an answer. Her determination and excitement were infectious, and the fact that she always went for the underdog in terms of friendship made Puck think she wouldn't mind if he could vent to her about the way he felt about some things. Also, the way she laughed was adorable.

Thinking those half-serious, mushy thoughts about a girl made him think he was kind of a wimp, but hey, didn't it happen to everyone at some point? Better now with Rachel than later with some loser of a girl who wasn't worth his time.

So he found himself nearly dozing off as Slughorn explained the lesson, staring at Rachel, and for the first time he had to have Rachel explain what they were doing to him.

"You so like him! I swear, there's no denying it. You two are adorable." Kurt said triumphantly at the dinner table, cheerfully spooning mashed potatoes onto his plate. Rachel made a pouty face at him.

"I do NOT like him! And neither do you, at all. So why are you so excited?"

"Because you're a good girl, Rachel, and you deserve a guy in your life that makes you happy. Finn only got the worst girlfriend you could be cause it was your first try at all of that and it messed up everything. But now that you have experience, we can get everything to work out!" he said, digging in. Rachel looked over at Quinn, hoping for backup on the matter, but she and Draco were talking with Santana and Rachel wasn't in the mood to interrupt.

"You're right, Kurt. I do deserve someone who's worth my attention. But you don't have to play matchmaker with me just because I originally set you up with Blaine and now you're together."

"Wha- Blaine doesn't have anything to do with this!" Kurt said suddenly, swallowing his mouthful of food. "I'm just saying, you have a semi-nice guy who wants to date you! I say go for it."

"I wasn't asking your opinion…"

Kurt rolled his eyes at her and kept eating.