Well, here's chapter 11! thanks for the reviews! they keep my inbox so very happy :) it might take me a while to get the next chapter up... i'm working on another ficcy too! i wont be posting it for a while though...

Chapter 11 – It's Over

Rachel awoke at 7:30 on Monday morning. Riley and Ashley who had come back late last night occupied the beds beside her. Rachel hadn't gotten much sleep last night. Everything seemed to be spinning in her head. She slowly got up from her bed and looked at her appearance in the mirror. She was still wearing the same oversized clothing from the night before, her hair looked like a messy birds nest and her entire face was puffy, blotchy and red. Her eyes looked tired. Overall she looked a torn mess. Her mother would have vomited at the sight of her.

Rachel took a quick shower. Once she was out she looked at herself in the mirror again. It wouldn't have made any difference if she was in the shower for 10 minutes or 10 hours, she still had the torn, blotchy eyed face. Rachel sighed as she put on her school uniform and began working on her hair. She began to get frustrated, her hair wouldn't stay and it wouldn't work in a ponytail. She was on the verge of throwing her hairbrush down when she heard two voices from behind her.

"Need some help?" Ashley asked grabbing Rachel's hairbrush and began to tie her hair back in a neat ponytail.

"Thanks." Rachel sobbed feeling completely useless.

"How are you?" Riley asked shocked as she looked at Rachel's reflection in the mirror.

"Does my face not give it away?" Rachel asked sarcastically.

Riley sighed. "Im going to kill Black." She muttered.

"No, im going to try and talk to him." Rachel said hopeful.

Riley and Ashley sighed. "Ok." Keeping their opinions to themselves knowing that whatever they thought of that idea Rachel would do it anyway.

Ashley finished with Rachel's hair and the three girls walked out of the dormitory to find Lily waiting for them. Riley closed the dormitory door behind her making a huge clunk sound; everyone in the Gryffindor common room went quiet and steered at Rachel.

It took Rachel a while to wonder what they were all steering at when it hit her. Sirius, along with the marauders was the populist boy in the school. Offcourse everyone was going to know. Before she could tell them all to stop steering at her and her odd appearance, Riley had dragged her out of the common room and into the deserted corridor.

"Hi Lils." Rachel said once they were out of the common room.

Lily gave her friend a hug. "How are you?" She asked concerned.

"Depressed." Rachel replied simply.

"Lets go to breakfast, Im going to give Black hell."

Rachel gave Riley a look. "See how we go."

The girls walked down to breakfast. The great hall was packed students, pouring over there food. Lily led the way to the Gryffindor table. Rachel saw James, Remus and Peter sitting near the middle of the table. Sirius wasn't there. That was odd. Rachel thought. Where was Sirius? Her question was almost immediately answered, Riley pointed to a group of Gryffindor's near the end of the table. Amongst the group was Sirius with Suzy. He had obviously decided to sit with her and her giggling 'preppy' mates.

Rachel heaved a sigh. "This could get messy. I'll talk to him at dinner."

"Good idea." Ashley said.

Rachel's morning was not great. All her classes on her stupid timetable were with Sirius and Suzy. "Bloody fantastic." Her friends would hear her mutter every few minutes. Transfiguration was a nightmare. Suzy kept sending evil smirks in Rachel's direction; as for Sirius he ignored Rachel as if she was part of the wall. James and the rest of the marauders sent Rachel a letter during Defence against the dark arts telling her to meet them after class. The teacher, Professor Barret had caught Rachel reading it and took it from her, much to Suzy's satisfaction. Sirius acted as if nothing had happened. Rachel would need to talk to him at dinner.

Finally the bell for the end of defence against the dark arts rang. Rachel was the first out of class, closely followed by James.

"Come here." James said dragging Rachel down the corridor with Peter, Remus, Ashley and Lily in tow.

"Are you ok?" He asked giving his sister a hug.

"Peachy!" Rachel laughed sarcastically.

James just sighed. "I dunno what happened," he said placing his hands on her shoulders. "Sirius only told me that you called Suzy a Bitch."

"Ha, is that all that rat told you?" Riley screamed. "Oh he left out all the good parts."

"James, he completely ignored me when I asked him what was wrong. He said absolutely nothing. Then Riley started yelling at him and he said I meant nothing to him and that he had to put up with me only because im your sister." Rachel said in one breath making it hard to understand.

"Come here." James said sympathetically pulling Rachel into another hug. "I think you've got to talk to him, alone."

"Dinner." Rachel said simply.

"Good idea," Remus said joining in the conversation. "Im sorry Rach."

"Thanks Remmy!" she said smiling for the first time that day.

"Remmy?" Remus asked confused.

"Ha, new name for you!" Rachel said giving Remus a hug. Remus always managed to cheer Rachel up.

"Why aren't you hanging out with Black anyway?" Lily asked confused.

"He said he wanted some to spend with Suzy." James said sounding annoyed.

Rachel managed to live through the afternoon's lessons. Finally it was dinnertime. For some reason she felt so nervous. She was only talking to Sirius; she had never felt so nervous before. She had gone through about 1 million times in her head what she was going to say. She just hoped it would work.

Rachel, her friends and the marauders, minus Sirius entered the great hall. As usual, it was packed. All the teachers were sitting at the table enjoying the end of another Monday and all the students were happily eating too.

Rachel spotted Sirius right at the end of the Gryffindor table sitting with the same group as breakfast. Rachel tuned around to face her friends; she took a deep breath, turned around again and walked down the Gryffindor table in Sirius's direction.

As she was walking down the table groups of Gryffindor girls gave her evil looks and smirks. Rachel ignored all of them; they could think what they want. She thought. Suzy noticed Rachel coming and took the chance to make some more comments.

"Come to have another go at my boyfriend?" she said with a smirk, emphasising the word 'boyfriend.' Sirius turned around, not knowing Rachel was even there. He still had no emotion on his face whatsoever. It was hard for Rachel, let alone anyone to tell how he was feeling.

"Don't you dare hurt Sirius!" One of Suzy's friends said.

Rachel ignored both comments, not wanting them to get the better of her. "Um I was wondering if I could talk to you." Rachel said a bit unsure of herself.

Sirius, not looking to pleased about it stood up reluctantly. "Fine." He muttered. He knew he was going to get a lecture sooner or later from either Rachel, her friends or the marauders, so no better time than now.

Rachel nodded. She led Sirius out of the great hall. Once they were in the entrance hall, where it was quieter Rachel began talking.

"Listen, I know you're probably the last person who you want to talk to right now," Sirius shuffled slightly. "But I really want to talk about whatever happened and sort things out. Come on Sirius, we are really good mates, I don't want to ruin our friendship. Im really sorry for what I said, but what you said to me wasn't nice and what Suzy says to me is horrible," Rachel's voice was shaky. She was so nervous coming to talk to Sirius, but she knew it had to be done. "But Sirius, why did you snap at me and not my mates who said exactly the same thing?"

Sirius spoke. "I dunno. I though you were better than your mates, and you respected me, my decisions and the girls who I go out with. Why don't you like the girls I go out with?" Sirius muttered.

Rachel took a deep breath; she wanted to tell him everything. Her plan, how she felt about him, everything. But she knew she couldn't. "I do respect your decisions and you can't really say that Suzy likes me, you've head the things she's come out with!" Rachel said feeling a bit more confident.

"I don't care what Suzy says about you!" Sirius said angrily. "Listen, there's no spark, nothing, no friendship between us… absolutely nothing, I've moved on, so should you."

Rachel watched as Sirius slowly turned around. A tear rolled down her puffy check, she felt miserable, sad, useless, confused. But behind all that misery was a tinge of anger. She couldn't take it much longer, she couldn't keep the anger bottled up inside.

"I thought you wouldn't care," Rachel half yelled, half sobbed. "Because what you said behind my back was worse! Yes, that's right Black, I was there, I HEARD YOU!" Rachel yelled before breaking down completely. She didn't care if Sirius was still there, he could see how much he had hurt her. She crumpled into a crying heap on the floor, not caring if anyone walked past. Right now she didn't care about anything.

After 10 minutes Rachel regained herself and slowly got up from the cold, hard castle floor. It looked as if everyone was still in dinner, finishing off their meals. Not wanting to cause another commotion Rachel slowly walked back up to the Gryffindor common room alone.

The common room was deserted. Rachel retreated to her dormitory. It was a mess. Clothes, makeup, books and lolly wrappers were scattered everywhere on the floor. Great. Rachel thought to herself. She walked over to her mirror and surveyed herself. No wonder Sirius runs a mile from me, she thought. She looked hideous. Her uniform was in an untidy state that her mother would not approve of, her ponytail was a mess and her face was red and puffy as usual. Rachel didn't think she had lost any weight, judging by her appearance. This made her even more depressed and frustrated at the same time. I must be stupid, she thought, that this diet thing would ever work. She kicked the nearest book across the room in frustration and plumped down on the nearest bed.

She looked around the messy room. A pair of scales caught her attention. She remembered them to be the ones she had snuck form home to weigh herself every so often.

"May as well shall see." She muttered as she got up and walked to the scales. She made sure no one was secretly in the room before jumping on the scales.

Rachel waited anxiously; the scales sometimes took a while to come up with a number. Finally a number appeared on the scales. Rachel raised her eyebrows in surprise at the result. She had lost 4 kg. (8.8 pounds.) In just 3 weeks. She smiled to herself. Her diet plan was working.

Rachel sighed. She wished the truth or dare night had never happened. She would feel so much happier about losing 4 kg. She could have celebrated with her friends. Celebrating was the last thing Rachel felt like doing.

Feeling only slightly better about her weight loss, Rachel decided to go into the common room; she would have to face everyone at some stage. It might as well be now.

Hastily Rachel changed out of her uniform and into some jeans and a hoddie. She left the dirty and slightly smelly dormitory.

The Gryffindor was quickly filling up with students returning from dinner. Various Gryffindor's took all the seats by the warm fire. Others were spread out around the room, spilling over homework and textbooks. Rachel scanned the room closer. She found Lily, Riley and Ashley in a corner whispering in a circle, occasionally sending evil glances at Sirius who was with the marauders. Rachel approached them.

"Hi." Rachel said apathetically.

"Hi. How were things with Sirius? He didn't say anything when I screamed at him at dinner." Riley asked a bit confused.

Rachel gave the girls a depressing look. "Oh it was bloody fantastic!" Rachel said catching everyone off guard. "Yeah, I asked Sirius what was wrong with him and why he blew off at me specifically and he wouldn't reply and only asked stupid questions, then he said he never cared about me, which made my day!" She said sarcastically. "Oh yes, he walked away so I yelled at him and yelled that I heard him when he called me fat." Rachel's expression was livid.

"Did he hear you?" Lily asked calmly trying to keep the peace. If James's temper was anything to go by then Rachel could only be the same.

"I dunno," Rachel said considering this for a moment. "I half wish he did, but it would only make things worse if he did."

"Do you still like him after all this?" Ashley asked.

"Course she doesn't!" Riley answered for Rachel. "Right Rach?"

Rachel sighed heavily. "Well, I wish I didn't. I wish I hated him for what he's done but –"

"Are you saying you still love Black?" Riley asked in utter disbelief.

Rachel pulled a sad face. "Yes, I've got it pretty bad."

"Well you can't help how you feel." Lily said.

"Suppose so." Riley replied still in disbelief. "Well, if you wont be mean to him then its up to us to be total bitches!" She said happily.

"Yeah, we got your back covered!" Ashley said comfortably.

"Course," Lily finished. "It will turn out right in the end."

Rachel smiled. She felt lucky to have such great friends. She didn't mind if Sirius stayed mad at her forever, as long as she still had her mates. "Thanks. Im tired. I want to try and get some sleep, if I can."

"Ok. Night," Riley, Ashley and Lily said together watching Rachel march back up the stairs.

Rachel awoke the next morning to the scratching of Riley's quill.

"What you doing?" She asked groggily looking up for a better view.

"Finishing off Barrett's blasted essay." She said hurriedly returning to the parchment.

"Yeah, coz she was too stupid to do it last night like Lily and me." Ashley said putting her hair into a high ponytail.

"Typical." Rachel muttered, getting herself up and walking into the bathroom for a shower before breakfast.

Rachel emerged from the bathroom 20 minutes fully dressed and looking like she had everything together, like everything was normal.

"You look better." Ashley commented, piling her bags into her bag.

"Yeah, maybe Black will see that he hasn't screwed with you at all!" Riley said happily.

Rachel cringed at the mention of Sirius. She had been cringing and shaking everything Sirius was mentioned. She found it highly annoying. "Maybe." Rachel replied simply.

"Now, if you would excuse me, I have to go and meet Bret for breakfast!" Ashley said not waiting for a reply as she basically jumped out of the dormitory.

"Poor girl." Riley sighed. "She loves a Herbology freak!"

Rachel's day was more or less the same as yesterday. Classes were a horror. She couldn't concentrate on any of her work. There was only one thing on her mind, Sirius. Ad much as her friends tried to persuade her that Sirius wasn't worth it, nothing sunk in. Sirius had stuck to his original plan of ignoring Rachel completely, which seemed to make matters worse.

Lunchtime couldn't come sooner for Rachel and Riley.

"Finally a break!" Riley said happily as she came out of the Astronomy tower.

"Yeah," Rachel replied miserably.

Riley sighed. "Try not to worry about it too much."

"It's a bit hard not to."

"I know."

Lily, Rachel and Riley entered the great hall without Ashley, who had gone to see Bret, again.

As Rachel and Riley tried to look for Ashley and Bret, something caught Lily's eyes down the end of the Gryffindor table. It was a huge red banner above the Gryffindor table. Lily read the words on it. 'Potter, stay away from my man!' Down below the banner, seated were Sirius and Suzy. Neither Riley nor Rachel had spotted the banner yet; they were still looking for Ashley. Lily had a look of disgust on her face, the kind of look she had when James had done something bad.

"Uh Rach…" Lily said trailing.

"Hmm." Rachel replied turning around to face Lily. Instead she looked up at the banner, which caught her eyes. She steered at it for a moment before having the sinking feeling of what it said. A disgusted look that could match Lily's appeared on her face.

"He's gone too far!" She said marching down the Gryffindor table in Sirius and Riley's direction with Lily and Riley in tow.

"Ya like the decorations Potter?" Suzy asked smugly.

"Charming," Rachel replied sarcastically. "What the hell is going on?" She asked looking in Sirius's direction.

"I was bored." Sirius said lamely, not bothering looking up from his lunch.

"The real reason Black!" Riley screamed angrily.

This time Sirius looked up. "Oh im sorry, I thought I made it obvious," he said with a glare. "I hate you," He said looking at Rachel. "Because you called my girlfriend a bitch." Sirius yelled, grabbing the attention of nearly everyone in the hall.

Rachel looked Sirius directly in the eye. She showed no sign of anger of madness, just a feeling of serious hurt. She said nothing.

"What a pig," Riley yelled at Sirius. "How can you be so blunt?" She screamed. She had caught the full attention of everyone in the hall.

Sirius ignored her and turned his attention to Rachel. "You, stay away from me, leave me alone. I don't want to know you. I don't know why I ever befriended you. I've got other friends and a girlfriend who I LOVE," Sirius screamed, putting a tone on 'love' "SO PISS OFF!"

Rachel raised her eyebrows causing tears to escape her eyes. She stood in silence for a moment, in front of everyone. There were silent gasps and people whispering. She couldn't take it anymore. She had to escape. Two tears rolled down her face. Rachel turned her back on Sirius and Suzy and ran out of the great hall. The sound of her footsteps echoing through the hall. She was sure every pair of eyes was watching her. Some People even yelled out "Cut!" and "Bummed out!" But at the moment she didn't care. She didn't care what they all thought.

"BASTARD!" Riley yelled at him as she raised her want and fired different spells at him. Sirius blocked them, not bothering to fire anything back.

That caught the attention of professor Mcgonagall who came rushing over. "Miss Smith please excuse yourself from the hall." She said sternly.

Riley did not go quietly. "Me? Excuse myself?" she asked in disbelief. "Why don't you ask Black to move his fat ass!" she said shooting Sirius the dirtiest look.

"That's enough. Miss Evens, kindly escort Miss Smith out of the hall." Mcgonagall said severely.

'Come on Riley." Lily pleaded, not wanting to make the situation worse, for Rachel's sake.

"Yeah, lets you and find Rach." Ashley said who had come rushing over from the Ravenclaw table.

Riley shot numerous swear words at Sirius while Lily and Ashley dragged her out of the hall. "DICKHEAD!" Riley screamed as she got dragged out of the hall and into the entrance hall.

"Congratulations Riley," Ashley said. "I dunno how you made things better."

Riley ignored her. Something more important had caught her attention. There, huddled up once again on the cold castle floor was Rachel trying her hardest to keep the tears inside. Riley instantly ran up to her, deciding this was not the time for Rachel to be alone.

Instead of saying something like she normally would, Riley decided that whatever she had to say, Rachel didn't need it. She would leave the talking to Lily, who was more suitable for that part of the job. Riley sat down next to her friend and put a warming arm around her. Lily and Ashley did the same.

Lily took this as her que to begin talking. "Rach, Sirius," Lily began, a bit uncertain of what to say.

"Sirius is a bastard." Riley said, not being able to help herself. Rachel sobbed louder. Lily and Ashley glared at Riley.

"No," Lily said a bit unsure. "He is inconsolable. He is surprised in what you said. He knew that Riley, Ash and me would speak our minds but he didn't think you would. That's why he's acting how he is."

Rachel took this into account. Lily was right; she always was with this type of thing. Still, in Rachel's mind it didn't make her feel better.

"We will take care of Black. I can talk to him if you want, try to talk him around." Ashley commented.

Rachel let out a fresh bunch of sobs. She felt so useless, she couldn't manage talking to Sirius by herself and now she feels like she has to leave it down to her friends. "I feel so useless!" She cried into Riley's shoulder, trying to hide her puffy, swollen, red face.

"Oh Rach," Lily said helplessly. "He must have really hurt you."

Rachel nodded, not bothering to say anything. One million things were buzzing through her head at the moment. She didn't even know what to say.

"Things will be ok. I think you need some time off," Ashley said. "Term break is coming up soon. Why don't you go home with James, get out of here and even work harder on your diet?" Ashley said gently.

Rachel thought. Maybe a break from everything was what she needed. She knew Sirius would want to stay at Hogwarts; maybe it was best if she went home with James.

"Yeah, leave Black to me!" Riley said tightening her grip on Rachel.

"Us!" Lily corrected her.

"Us," Ashley said quietly. "Don't worry, we will have things sorted by the time you get back!"

Rachel tried to smile but she couldn't manage it. "You guys don't have to," Rachel mumbled. "This is my mess."

Riley raised her eyebrows. "Rach you're not yourself," Riley said. "You don't suit being depressed!"

Rachel sighed. "I know."

"Well then it's final. You're going home with James this Friday." Lily said clearly.

Rachel nodded, deciding not to argue. She didn't want to go back to her parents, and leave her friends. At least James could keep her company.

By the middle of the week Rachel had confirmed that she should be returning to the Potter mansion with James for term break. Rachel's week at Hogwarts had been one of the worst ever. The news of Rachel and Sirius's fight had spread like fire all around Hogwarts. Now, everywhere Rachel went she got pointed at and everyone began whispering. James had told her everyone had labelled her 'the girl who Sirius hates." Or "the depressed monster."

She didn't really care what people thought of her, she was well used to it. Sirius had abandoned his original idea of ignoring Rachel, he now chose to criticise Rachel at every chance he got.

James seemed torn between his sister and best friend. Whatever he said to Sirius it didn't sink in. Sirius assumed Rachel had put him up to it, which she hadn't. He had no choice but to carry on as normal.

Rachel, all week had been a nervous wreck. She had gone from the bubbly, happy person to the depressed and miserable person within a few days. The person inside her had changed. She no longer talked as much as she did, she hardly smiled, there were always more tears than laughter, and everything had changed. The only two things that seemed to stay the same was her lack of concentration in class and her feelings for Sirius.

It was Friday morning; Rachel was sitting with her friends, enjoying her last breakfast at Hogwarts for 1 week.

"What are you guys getting up to while im gone?" Rachel asked finishing off her Porridge.

"Well, apart being total bitches to Black, I suppose nothing." Riley said miserably.

"And homework!" Lily said happily.

Riley made a face. "Piff, yeah, can't forget homework!"

"What are you going to do for an entire week at the mansion?" Ashley asked.

Rachel thought. She didn't really know what she was going to do. "Hang with my brother."

"Ah, Lily are you jealous?" Riley teased. "Rach gets a whole week alone with James!"

Lily scowled. "Your asking the wrong person, ask his fan girls if they're jealous!"

"DENIAL!" Riley screamed.

"I am not in denial!" Lily said stubbornly crossing her hands over middle.

'Sure your not." Ashley said.

"Not you too!" Lily pleaded, hoping Ashley would have taken her side over this ridiculous matter.

"And here comes the man himself!" Riley said happily as the marauders approached the Gryffindor table. Sirius, who was walking with James muttered something in his ear and turned in the other direction.

'Don't worry about him." Riley said seeing the look on Rachel's face.

"Rach, Ashley, Riley," James said. "Hi Lily." James said in a more cheery voice.

Lily ignored him and buttered another piece of toast. "Hi girls." Remus and Peter said taking a seat at the table. Remus typically chose a seat next to Ashley.

"God, you could at least reply." James said, almost pleading for Lily to talk to him.

"Excuse her attitude, Lily's in a grump!" Riley said laughing.

"I am not in a grump!" Lily said angrily.

"Oh I think you are!" Rachel spoke for the first time.

"What's upset you?" James asked taking her hand in his.

'Get off me," Lily said shoving James's hand off hers. James, as slow as humanly possible removed his hand from Lily's. "And nothing's upset me!"

"Sorry Lilykins," James said. "But at least you talked to me!" He said happily.

"Always thinking about yourself, aren't you!" Lily spat.

"No, course not, James said sounding shocked. "I think about you!"

Lily opened her mouth and closed them again. He was right. Lily didn't speak for the rest of breakfast.

Remus and Ashley had a separate conversation going, Peter was chiming in and out.

"Are you ready for the train tonight?" James asked his sister.

"Course I am. Are you?" Rachel asked remembering the last time when James had nearly missed the train.

"Yes," James said remembering back to last year. "I've learnt my lesson."

"Do you know what's more interesting?" James said looking at Rachel. "Everyday for breakfast you've had the same thing, porridge and fruit."

Rachel dropped her spoon on the floor and went to pick it up from under the table, hiding the red in her face. "Um yeah," Rachel said coming up from under the table. "Nice observation."

"Is there a reason?" Peter asked, who had joined in the conversation.

"Does a girl need a reason to have porridge for breakfast?" Riley asked coming to Rachel's aid.

"No." Peter said backing off. He didn't want to start a fight with Riley, after he saw what she's doing to Sirius.

"Well you better get used to full breakfasts back at the mansion." James said happily.

Great. Rachel thought. Family meals. She hated them. Her parents would sit and watch what she ate. "Can't wait." Rachel sighed.

"Girls, lets head off to classes." Lily said getting up and reaching for her bag.

"Great idea Lily!" James said happily, standing up with her.

"Are you deaf Potter?" Lily asked. "I said girls, meaning Rach, Riley and Ash.

Rachel sighed. "Come on Ash, stop flirting with Remus." Rachel teased.

Remus went red. "He's not my boyfriend!" Ashley said angrily.

"Whatever." Riley said who joined Rachel and Lily.

Ashley ran up to them, giving them huge lectures that she had no romantic feelings for Remus and he didn't even like her anyway. Remus heard all of it, sighing; he got up and accompanied James and Peter to class.

"Lils. Did you know you break James's heart every time you reject his invitations." Rachel said.

"I don't care," Lily said. "How can I like him when he's such a bigheaded, arrogant, cocky, full of himself prat!"

"Ok, calm down!" Rachel said entering the potions room. "You know he's really not that bad!"

"Rach, you're his sister!" Lily said as if that was supposed to make all the difference in the world.

Rachel waved a hand at her, motioning for her to shut up. The girls took up the table at the back of the class and the marauders, including Sirius took seats next to them. Sirius hadn't noticed Rachel was in the table next to his, if he did, he wouldn't have sat there.

The Potions master, Professor Clark strode into the room. Clark was an old man, who if you got on his wrong side, you would pay.

"Right, today we will be making a called a sleeping potion," Professor Clark began. "Now, it is difficult so I want you to work in pairs. I think you're responsible enough to pick your partner yourself."

"Hey Padfoot!" Peter yelled. "Your girlfriend is over there, why don't you go with her?" Peter said pointing in the direction of me.

Shit! Rachel thought. I don't need a drama in potions! She turned my head pretending She didn't hear. Sirius spun around, probably expecting to see Suzy sitting there, instead he saw Rachel. He whipped the smile off his face and frowned at me. Wasn't my fault, Rachel thought, it wasn't me who said anything.

"Haha, nice joke Wormtail," Sirius yelled so everyone in the lab could hear. "No way in hell I am going with her!"

"I have a name." Rachel muttered.

Students giggled and whispered as Sirius made smart remarks. Normally, this fight would have been old news, but since Sirius was involved, it wasn't over till he said it was.

Rachel paired up with Riley as usual and the girls set to work on their potion.

Transfiguration was always a nightmare for Rachel. Mcgonagall had arranged seating arrangements and Sirius and James we're right next to her and Riley. Concentrating on her work was almost impossible. Sirius's comments didn't help.

Today, Mcgonagall had chosen to inflate pigs. A tricky spell was used and it required much concentration.

"Great," Rachel whispered to Riley. "It's the last class of the day and she makes us do something hard!" Rachel moaned who would have liked more than anything to be excused from class.

"Tell me about it."

As much as Rachel tried to inflate her pig, it wouldn't work. Lily had managed to inflate hers, as with James. Sirius was just getting the hang of it.

"Hay Prongs. The more I inflate this pig the more it resembles your sister!" Sirius yelled for the whole class to hear laughing, as is pig grew and grew and grew. "If only it would cry every 5 minutes, then it would be identical!"

Most of the girls laughed, thinking Sirius was cute for making such a remark. James whacked him on the head. Rachel wished he wouldn't, it only drew more attention to the problem. She put her head down to hide the tears that were forming.

"Oh no Black, it doesn't resemble Rach, it resembles your huge head!" Riley screamed giving Sirius's fan girls a reason to start bickering.

"Riley!" Rachel hissed as she lifted her head. The entire class was now watching the fight between Riley, Sirius and Rachel.

"That's enough!" Professor Mcgonagall screeched. "Mr Black, Miss Potter, Miss Hart, DETENTION!"

Sirius sat down with a satisfied smile. Riley sat down too thinking it was well worth a detention.

"When?" Rachel asked whipping her face.

"First day of term," Mcgonagall said swiftly. "Now, everyone return to your work!"

Great. Rachel thought returning to her work.

The end of term bell couldn't have come quick enough for Rachel. She ran out of transfiguration 5 minutes early with Mcgonagall screaming at her to return. But Rachel didn't listen; she couldn't take the remarks anymore. Within 15 minutes she had gotten her stuff organised and was waiting for James at the entrance hall, still with a blotchy, red face.

"Have fun!" Riley said as she saw James approach with his trunk in tow. "Look after yourself."

"Thanks." Rachel said giving Riley one last hug.

"Look after her James." Riley said before leaving for dinner.

"Are you ok?" James asked. "I'm here for you." He said looking into her eyes as if he truly meant it.

Rachel steered right back into his hazel eyes. She tried to not cry in front of her brother, but the way James looked at her, so concerned, it made her breakdown, everything came flooding back to her. It hit her fully how much mess she was in.

"No." Rachel said hardly above a whisper as a single tear ran down her already puffy face.

James dropped his suitcase and wrapped his arms around Rachel. Rachel leaned into James's chest. She couldn't hold it in anymore; she let all the tears come out.

The siblings stood in an embrace for a while. "Are you ready to go?" James asked.

Rachel nodded. James flicked his wand and the trunks rose into the air and followed James and Rachel. The two hoped in a carriage and rode in silence all the way down to hogsmade station.

There, waiting for them was the Hogwarts express. The train was near empty. It seemed as if they were the only passengers on it. They went into a compartment and watched as Hogwarts vanquished from sight.

"Are you cold?" James asked seeing the shivers on Rachel's skin.

She nodded.

"Here," James said pulling her close and wrapping his arm around her. "Better?"

Rachel didn't say anything. James smelt exactly like Sirius did when he put his arm around her.

"Rach?"

"Oh yes, thanks James." Rachel replied.

Next Chapter - we find out a bit about how Sirius feels about the entire fight and what happens at the Potter Mansion and back at Hogwarts!

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