Thanks for the reviews on chapter 13! Now, this chapter has its happy moments and it's sad moments! I think you guys will like this chapter! I sure loved writing it! I've written the next chapter already and I'm just editing it, I hope to have it up this weekend!

Chapter 14 New lovers, new friends, and another ex GF.

Rachel always dreaded Monday's. She hated how the teachers were always so enthusiastic to get as much work done as possible. It only made things worse that she was dressed in a chicken suit.

The sound of rain pouring in on the windows woke Rachel early. Ashley typically was already up. Rachel took this as a perfect opportunity to talk to her about Remus.

"Ash!" Rachel screamed jumping out of bed. Her blonde hair looking like a birds nest. "We have to talk!"

Ashley stopped brushing her hair and looked at Rachel. "Uh ok,"

Rachel grabbed Ashley by the arm. "Not in here," she said pulling Ashley out of her chair. "Commonroom."

"I take this is going to be serious." Ashley said as she got dragged down the stairs like she wasn't able to walk by herself.

"Deadly," Rachel replied as she led Ashley into the commonroom. As expected it was deserted. No one in their right mind would be up this early. Rachel and Ashley sat down on the nearest sofa.

"So what is it?" Ashley asked.

"It's Remus." Rachel replied trying not to smile.

"Is he ok?" Ashley asked concerned.

Rachel laughed. "Apart from being completely lovesick he's fine."

"Lovesick?" Ashley asked weirdly. "Who's he in love with?"

Rachel raised her eyebrows at Ashley as if that was the most obvious question ever. "Do you really not know?" Rachel asked, still with her eyebrows raised.

Ashley looked directly back at Rachel as if she had no idea who Remus was in love with. It took a while to actually sink into Ashley that it was her that Remus loved. All of a sudden Ashley's eyes expanded nearly twice the size, she covered her hands with her mouth with a shocked look on her face.

"I…uh…when?" She said, not too sure on what to say.

"I've known for too long, but it wasn't until recent events that brought it to light." Rachel said mimicking exactly what Remus had told her.

"Recent events?" Ashley asked, still with wide eyes.

"He told me yesterday."

"Oh my god," Ashley said. "Are you sure?"

Rachel nodded.

Ashley removed her hand from her mouth, behind her hand was hidden a huge smile. "I'll be right back." She jumped up from her seat and ran up the stairs heading to the boys dorm. Way at the top of the stairs was Remus's dorm. Ashley paused at the door and looked down at herself. She was in her tatty uniform and her hair was barely decent thanks to Rachel who took her hairbrush off her. Ashley swept away some dust from her skirt and straightened it, not that it made any difference.

Ashley took a big breath and knocked on the door.

She heard scattered noises behind the door then Sirius's voice boomed over the other entire scattering. "Who the hell is waking us up at this time of the morning!"

Ashley giggled and looked at her watch. It was 7:15. Finally the door opened. Remus now stood at the door with his Hogwarts pants on and his white top unbuttoned. Ashley instantly went red.

"Uh Ash, what you doing?"

Ashley smiled. Remus was the only person who called her Ash apart her friends. "I…uh…I need to give you something." She stuttered.

Remus looked confused. "What you want to give me that's so important it couldn't wait until breakfast?"

"This." Ashley said wrapping her hands around Remus's neck and kissing his passionately. Sirius and Peter, who had come to the door to investigate had their jaw's wide open. Remus and Ashley finally broke apart.

Ashley and Remus both had giant smiles on their faces. "Rach," Ashley whispered.

Remus smiled. He leaned down and kissed Ashley again. "You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this."

"Yeah third year!" Sirius laughed from behind Remus.

"Shut it Padfoot," Remus blushed. "Uh do you want to get some breakfast?"

Ashley smiled. "Let me fix myself up first."

"See you in 10 minutes?" Remus asked.

Ashley smiled. "Sure," She said. She pulled Remus in one last time and kissed him. "Ten times better than Bret!"

Remus closed the door, looking like the happiest man alive.

Rachel, who had gotten impatient with waiting for Ashley decided to head to breakfast with Riley. Lily was already seated at the Gryffindor table when Rachel and Riley turned up. James was sitting as close as he dared next to Lily.

"What took you guys so long?" Lily asked murderously casting a sideward glance as James as if to say 'how could you leave me alone with him for any longer than I have to?'

"Good morning to you too!" Riley said pretending to sound offended. "But it's Rach's fault. She's been playing matchmaker."

This caught both Lily's and James's attention. Rachel smiled and took a seat in-between Lily and James. "Just helping out Remus." She said simply.

James smirked knowing exactly what she was talking about. Lily looked clueless.

"Helping Remus with what?" Lily asked confused thinking it was something to do with schoolwork.

Rachel began to answer when she saw Remus and Ashley walking into the great hall, hand in hand. "Look for yourself." She said looking in the direction of Remus and Ashley.

Lily gasped. "Are you for real?" forgetting completely about the schoolwork.

Rachel nodded. "They were meant for each other."

Ashley let go of Remus's hand and quickly ran over to the Ravenclaw table to explain to Bret things were over with them. Remus continued walking in the direction of Rachel and the others. His smile only grew bigger and bigger with every step he took.

He stopped and looked down at Rachel. "I take it you told her?" Remus accused her.

"I did." Rachel admitted.

"Stand up." Remus instructed seriously.

"Watch it Moony." James said cautiously as Rachel stood up.

As soon as Rachel rose on her two feet Remus lunged for her and held her in a very tight embrace. "Thank you!" Remus yelled loudly, still not letting go of Rachel in the chicken suit.

Rachel smiled. "I'm glad you're happy." She said as James, Lily and Riley laughed.

"I will return the favor someday." Remus whispered thinking about Sirius. He finally let her go.

Rachel beamed. "Thanks."

The end of September was approaching. The 7th years had been kept busy with homework. As for Lily and James, they had so much on their plate they barely had time to breathe. Remus and Ashley were rarely seen without each other. Remus still talks about the day they got together and how it was the best day of his life. They spent numerous amounts of time alone together. Remus often kicked Sirius and Peter out of the dorm so Ashley and he could have some privacy.

Rachel, Riley and Lily noticed a change in Ashley ever since she began going out with Remus. Everything to Ashley seemed perfect. She was always happy and never complained about anything, which suited Rachel, Lily and Riley perfectly fine. They were happy for their friend.

Both Rachel and Sirius's chicken charms had worn off. Sirius was still going out with Suzy. Rachel hated seeing Sirius with her. She was glad he was happy though. After the whole chicken fiasco, Sirius had gone back to ignoring Rachel completely. Rachel thought Sirius was trying to give her the impression that he didn't exist. Rachel hardly saw him anymore, and when she did, Suzy was draped around him like a cloak. Sirius didn't draw attention to himself anymore, he barely spoke in class and shooed off his fan girls whenever they got close. Rachel didn't like the new Sirius. This wasn't the Sirius she fell in love with. She had tried blocking Sirius's weird behavior and concentrate on her diet and school but she couldn't forget completely. Whenever she went for a walk around the quidditch pitch, Sirius filled her head. She got an image of him on a broom.

It was a Thursday afternoon. The marauders, Lily, Rachel, Riley and Ashley were in their last class for the day, double charms. Ashley typically had decided to sit with Remus at the back of the room, leaving Lily, Rachel and Riley in their normal spot of the class. Rachel didn't mind charms. Maybe it was because she sat so far away from Sirius and other distractions that she actually concentrated on her work. Rachel, Lily and Riley were amongst the first few who managed to make a raccoon fly. The marauders were not having much luck. Remus and Ashley were in a deep conversation about something other than charm. Sirius looked like he hadn't slept for days. Peter was slouched back in his chair pointing his wand at paper looking bored. But what looked oddest was James. He was trying to talk to Sirius, who wasn't paying much attention.

"Padfoot," James said angrily, waving his hand in front of Sirius's face to make sure he wasn't sleeping. "Have you listened to a word I said?"

Sirius blinked a few times. "Something about Lily." He muttered turning the other way, obviously too tied to listen to James's muttering.

"Forget it," James muttered furiously, knowing Sirius had lots on his mind too. He went back to concentration on his raccoon. He couldn't get it. Something isn't right. He thought to himself. I can't seriously be over her!

Somehow, he wasn't exactly sure how James survived Thursday's classes. No matter how much he tried he couldn't concentrate on his work. His mind kept wandering, thinking about different things, thinking about Lily.

It had hit him hard. James was over Lily. After nearly 7 years of being in love with her, it had suddenly hit James that he wasn't in love with her anymore. James had tried and tried to get Lily and all this time she had refused. Now, James had given up.

He sat in his room deciding if he should tell Lily, in her eyes, the good news. Finally, he came to the conclusion that there was nothing else for it. He would talk to Lily, now. Maybe even ask to be friends.

James got up from his bed and paced around his room a couple of times, trying to figure out what he was going to say. After a few minutes he had it sorted what he was going to say.

As her walked down the stairs from his dorm he spotted Lily sitting on one of the sofas doing her homework. That was all she seemed to be doing these days.

"What you doing?" James asked taking a seat next to her.

"I'm busy Potter." Lily said not bothering to look up.

"Uh Lily, I was wondering if I could talk to you," James said looking down. His hands caught his attention, they were shaking. That was a first, James thought. "It's important."

Lily slammed her book shut and placed it on the ground. She crossed her legs and look at James. "What is it?"

Everything James had planned to say seemed to vanquish from his mind. He sat in front of Lily looking like a total fool, not that he cared. "Uh," James said stuttering.

"I haven't got all day James!"

James sighed. "Lily im Sorry for being such a prat around you for since like ever. I just really liked you. And now, I think I've gotten over you," Lily raised her eyebrows as if she didn't believe him. James continued talking. "So I was wondering if we could be friends?"

Lily still had her eyebrows raised. "Is this a joke?" She asked.

James shook his head. "Nope. I'm not in love with you anymore."

"About time!" Lily said almost untruthfully. There was a bit of her that was sad James had moved on. She supposed James had gotten sick of her rejecting him and being a total bitch. I shouldn't be so shocked, she told herself. He wasn't going to wait around forever. Lily blocked her sadness she was feeling and concentrated on the part of her that was relieved James was over her. "So you want to be friends?"

James nodded looking hopeful.

Lily laughed. "This isn't a plan of yours or a joke or something is it?"

"No," James said. "Im serious."

"Well I suppose we don't really know each other. Maybe under all your arrogance there's something nice." Lily said, still not completely sure of what she was saying.

"Great," James said awkwardly. "Well, I'll see you later Lily."

"Uh bye." Lily said half amused by James's all of a sudden change of attitude. Maybe this was a new James Potter, Lily said hopefully. Piff, who am I kidding. James couldn't change to save himself.

James left Lily alone to finish her homework. He felt weird. He had just talked to Lily without making a total dick of himself, part of him felt good.

Lily watched James walk out of the portrait. She didn't know how to react to what just happened. She thought she was dreaming, James Potter is actually going to lay off! She couldn't believe her luck, but there was that pang of sadness inside her that she tried to ignore. After all, James couldn't be that bad could he?

She decided to go find her friends and tell then her good news. Lily found Riley, Rachel and Ashley in the library looking for potions answers.

"You won't find the answers in that book." Lily said picking up what Ashley was reading. The book was titled. 'The top 10 kissing places.' Ashley blushed as Lily laughed at what she was reading.

"I wasn't…uh…I."

"Save it Ash," Lily laughed. "Here." She said throwing her friend the correct book titled 'potions.'

"I thought you had finished your essay," Riley said bitterly from behind her book. "I don't suppose you've come to help us have you?"

Lily laughed. "No, but I've got some news," Riley and Ashley out their books down in interest, turning their heads in Lily's direction. Rachel swung back on her chair still with her face buried in her book. "James just told be seriously that he isn't obsessed with me anymore," Rachel was so shocked she lost balance and fell off her chair landing on the floor.

"You gotta be kidding?" She yelled from the ground.

Lily looked at Riley and Ashley who had matching shocked looks on their faces. "No, im serious."

Rachel picked herself up and glared at onlookers laughing. "I don't believe that!"

"Neither did I at first." Lily muttered.

Riley smirked. "Are you saddened at all?"

Lily glared. "Relieved is the word I would have chosen."

"Denial." Ashley muttered.

"Looks like your too late anyway!" Riley said smirking.

"Oh be quiet," Lily huffed. "I never did, never have and never will like James."

"First name terms now are we?" Riley asked with a smile.

Riley quickly covered her head with the nearest book as Lily picked up a book and began to hit her lightly on the head.

"So what happens now?" Rachel asked.

"We're going to be friends." Lily said, even the thought of it sounding weird to her.

"I wonder how long that's going to last! Knowing James, about 3 minutes before he wants to snog you." Riley said laughing uncontrollably. Lily grabbed the book again and hit her harder. Riley began to scream. Suddenly madam Prince came running from behind a bookshelf.

"Books are not supposed to be treated like that!" She screamed. "And I don't tolerate loud noises. Now OUT!" she screamed. Shooing Lily, Riley, Rachel and Ashley out of the library in giggles.

A few weeks had passed since James had told Lily his new. Lily now actually fully believed James, he was truly over her. Things seemed to work out better. There were no arguments anymore and Lily found head girl duties actually being fun! She was amazed at how much her and James actually had in common and how much time she had spent wasted fighting with him. Rachel was right, he wasn't that bad. Infact he was growing on Lily everyday. It wasn't just the fact that James had stopped pestering her. But his big head had deflated a couple of sizes. He had somehow managed to extinguish his old arrogant habits and was now completely arrogant free. Lily liked the new James. A bit more than she was actually leading on, but she was too stubborn to admit it.

Rachel dieting plan had begun to seriously take its toll. She had dropped one dress size and her uniform was getting to the stage where she needed a new one. In the weekend she wore a new pair of jeans that she had recently brought in Hogsmade and a zip up jersey that made it more obvious. Lily, Riley and Ashley were regularly commented on Rachel's sudden change.

"You look so different!" Riley said giving Rachel what seemed like the one hundredth hug that day "Im so proud of you! Even with everything going on with Black, you've stuck to it!"

"I still can't believe he's being such a dick about it!" Ashley said angrily.

"He's got to get over himself!" Lily muttered.

"Give him time." Rachel muttered.

"Time!" Riley yelled. "It's been 9 weeks!"

"She's got a point," Lily said fairly pulling out her transfiguration book from her bag. "He's got to get his act together."

Rachel knew they were right. She had become more depressed each day. One day it got as bad that she didn't talk to anyone all day. Even her flute teacher had picked up on Rachel's depression. Rachel now picked out sad, slow songs to play and she should sing songs that made her remind her of Sirius. Mrs. Mchattie had assumed it was about a boy. Her advice to that boy was to get his act together.

But little did the girls know that getting his act together was exactly what Sirius was doing.

Sirius paced up and down in the Gryffindor common room. He had asked. Suzy to come and meet him at 5:00, it was now 5:10. He was now annoying everyone with his continuous pacing.

"Padfoot I've read the same line over and over again for the last 5 minutes! Can't you go and pace somewhere else?" Remus asked hopelessly from behind his giant book.

"She should be here soon, I don't know what's taking her so long." Sirius muttered.

James smirked. "If I didn't know any better I'd say Mr. Padfoot is nervous!"

Sirius stopped walking. "I'm not nervous." he lied. Deep down he was petrified. He knew what he was about to do had to be done. He just wished he could have done it sooner and saved himself a lot of time and heartbreak.

Finally Suzy strolled down the stairs looking like a spoilt princess. Sirius sighed as he saw her approach in a flirty skirt with her hair done up in a style that looked like it had taken hours. Obviously, Suzy had the idea Sirius was taking her somewhere nice, that was not the case. He looked down at his pathetic clothes. He hadn't even bothered to change. He wore his old jeans and a button up polo with his top 3 buttons undone in a way that only Sirius could get away with.

"You look pretty." Sirius said as Suzy approached him and kissed him sweetly on the lips.

"I know," she said. "It took me ages!"

I bet it did. Sirius thought bitterly. That was the problem with Suzy. She had to apply piles of make up and were flash outfits to feel like she was comfortable with Sirius. They barely talked. Infact, this would be their first proper sit down conversation.

"So where are we going?" Suzy asked grabbing Sirius's hand as she led him out of the Gryffindor common room.

Sirius thought quickly. "Uh room of requirement."

Suzy looked a bit unsure but agreed. "Lead the way!" She said happily.

It was silent all the way to the room. The only conversation Suzy attempted to make was about Rachel. "Have you seen her uniform?" She asked with a sneer. "It makes her look fatter than usual."

Sirius had no comment for that. He didn't like talking to Suzy about Rachel. He stayed silent.

When they arrived at the room of requirement Sirius paced up and down three times and thought of the room he needed. He would bet anything Suzy was expecting a room with a huge bed lightened with candles or a sofa, perfect for making out on. This was not want Sirius wanted. He paced the last time then suddenly a door appeared. He opened it for Suzy and she entered.

It was a simple room with 2 sofas only big enough for one person per seat. There was a small fireplace to the left and in the middle of the sofas was a coffee table with Butterbeer and a plate of biscuits.

Suzy looked surprised. "This is different." She said looking around the room.

"Uh yeah," Sirius muttered stepping further into the room. "Why don't you take a seat, there's something I've got to tell you."

Suzy paused. "I can think of something better to do!" She said cheekily walking up to Sirius with her typical grin and kissing him straight on the lips. Sirius lightly kissed back. Finally he pushed her off her.

"I have to tell you something first." He said firmly.

Suzy smiled and sat down. "Ok." She said sweetly.

Sirius planted himself down on the other sofa, a bit unsure where to begin.

"What's it about? Is it Rachel?" Suzy asked furiously. "Because if it is I'll sort her out!"

Sirius sighed. "She comes into it, but it's about us. Our relationship, it's not working."

Suzy looked shocked. "It is working!" She yelled.

Sirius sighed. He had expected Suzy to take it bad. "All we ever do is snog. There's no real connection."

"I thought you liked Snogging!" Suzy yelled.

"I do…I did. But we have no connection, there's no spark." Sirius said calmly.

"Are you saying there's no connection when we snog?"

Sirius tried not to laugh, "I'm saying that's all we do," Sirius said. "I'm over all the Snogging. I want more in a relationship. I want someone I can talk to and someone who can make me laugh. Someone who isn't just with me for popularity and a chance to brag."

"But we do talk!" Suzy yelled getting angry.

"No, you complain about Rachel and I can't take that anymore. She was right, James was right, Riley was right, everyone's been right! I can't be with you anymore," Sirius slowly got up and headed to the door. He wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.

"This is all Rachel's fault!" Suzy yelled angrily. Sirius turned around. He was shocked to see Suzy didn't even look remotely sad or upset. She look angry and simply pissed off.

"No," Sirius said, surely. "You can only blame yourself."

"What have I done?" Suzy yelled standing up and walking over to Sirius.

"Listen," Sirius said getting frustrated. "We're not meant for each other."

"How does Rachel come into this?" Suzy yelled, obviously not giving up.

Sirius decided not to answer that. He didn't even know what to say. Instead he turned around and walked out the door ignoring Suzy's yells that were echoing from the room.

Sirius walked as fast as he could without running. He wasn't sure where he was heading; he just wanted to get away from Suzy and all his other complications. He wanted someone to talk to, but he didn't know whom. He needed someone who would fully understand and agree to help him. Sirius sighed and leaned against the nearest wall. The first person Sirius would think of going to would be Rachel. He slide down the wall onto the ground, exactly like Rachel had done. He covered his head in his face, ignoring the huge headache in his head.

It had to be done. Sirius told himself surely. She was only good for one thing. And shagging isn't the answer anymore. Sirius said firmly in his mind.

Rachel, he had treated her in such a horrible way, words couldn't describe. She had full right to hate him. It had taken Sirius this long to realize all this wasn't Rachel's fault. She was right, Riley was right, everyone was right it was his fault.

He wanted to find her, tell her he was sorry, and tell her it was his fault. He wanted to feel the friendly comfort whenever she hugged him or gave him encouraging words. She understood him fully; the only person he wanted to be with right now was Rachel. He wished he could run up and give her a big hug and say sorry, but he knew that not even 100 hugs could make up for all she had been through.

Sirius had never felt more alone. James was finally getting on with Lily. Remus had Ashley; Pete was probably out with some Hufflepuff. All he wanted was Rachel's friendship back.

But Riley was right. Rachel wasn't going to bow down to him like he was some sort of god. She never had and probably never will plead for him to go out with her. She was different from all the other girls in the school who would bow down to Sirius and plead for him to go out with them.

He couldn't believe he had been so stupid, so blind. Rachel's friendship was worth more to him than any girl who just wanted to shag. He couldn't believe he had been so horrible. Sirius was disgusted with himself. He buried his head further into his hands and silently cried

Yes, sad, very sad! The next chapter is my favorite chappie so far!

Next Chapter – Sirius acts on his feelings. Heh that's all I can say! I don't want to ruin it!