Eskimo'sRsxy – yeah, Lily and James are so cute! Uh ha, there's an arranged marriage still! It will come in the next chapter after this! Thanks for your reviews!
Chloe – ahh your so lucky to be going to Fiji!
Alyssia – Thanks so much for all your reviews! Ha, I know you want Sirius and Rach to get together so much! I think you will like this chapter! They will be together soon!
Maraudergirl7- Thanks so much for your reviews! Ha, I love Lily/James too!
Dracozgal4ever – Thanks for your reviews! That's cool about your name being Ashley! I take it you love Remus?
Anna – Thanks for your review! Yeah I agree, I need a BETA! Once I've finished the fic, I'm going to go through and edit it properly so hopefully it will be better if I post it again!
Anon – I actually had no idea! There's so many marauder fics out there I suppose! But off course now I know I will give recognition at the end of the fic! Thanks for your review!
Anusha – yes I know the title is part of Kelly Clarkson's song Breakaway. I might have mentioned it somewhere, im not too sure!
The lady Luthien – Thanks for your reviews! I love Lily and james being together!
WhiteCamellia – Yay! I love Lily and James too! They're so cute!
Yume-dream – haha! Yeah, you'll find out about Sirius's feelings in this chappie!
ladyleo222 – thanks for your review!
CaptainOats+PrincessSparkle – ha, I love your name! I really should put this under the Sirius section, shouldn't I? Thanks so much for your review!
The all mighty and powerfulM – Lol thanks for your review! It was pretty cute! I just had to do it!
Fork-tofu-pingpong-fish – Ha thanks for your review! So I take it you don't like Megan huh? Ha!
ApplePie – Pie? Ha, random! Uh Thanks for your review… I think!
Meg – thanks! I'm glad your enjoying the fic!
Lillith Potter – ha, thanks for the review! Mwah, they might shag soon! Ha, I dunno yet!
Pronsie – ha, thanks!
Ok, now for the next Chappie!
Chapter 19 – Megan's helping hand.
If Rachel thought James's and Leah's get together was big news, she had seen nothing. The story of James and Lily's get together had swept over the school faster than Rachel could say "True Love!"
Both Lily and James agreed that they had wasted enough time being at each other's throats. They were now officially together, in a strong relationship. Lily had left behind her bitterness and as much as James tried he couldn't get rid of the prankster within him. Truthfully, Lily didn't mind James's prank schemes; she loved him for who he was.
Since the get together, Rachel couldn't help but feel happier at Hogwarts. She felt like everything was how it's supposed to be. She spent more time with James and the marauders as well as her girlfriends, they kind of all hung out in a gang. Rachel felt more open, now that her brother knew about Sirius and her diet. But no matter how great things seemed, she could think of something that would make it perfect, as well as celebrating Lily and James's get together, she would love to celebrate her and Sirius's get together.
Rachel was doodling on her parchment in the middle of a defense against the dark arts lesson. She couldn't be bothered listening to what the teacher had to say, instead she found drawing Sirius's names in hearts much more fun.
"I am happy to say we are going to have a student teacher with us for the rest of the year." Professor Barret announced making Rachel look up from her paper full of hearts.
"Now that I have everyone's attention," Barret said shooting a glare at Rachel. "This teacher is all the way from France, and very skilled at defense against the dark arts. I believe his name is Paul Ross."
The minute Professor Barret had said the name, something clicked in Rachel's mind. It wasn't until James swore rather loudly did Rachel recognize the name. Paul Ross was Olivia's fiancé. So if Paul was in the country, that meant Olivia was too. Beginning to panic, dreading seeing Olivia, again Rachel swore.
"You know what this means don't you?" James asked Rachel.
Rachel nodded furiously. "Olivia's in the country!"
James swore under his breath. "This cannot be good!"
Professor Barret had now had enough. "Calm down, both of you!" he screamed. "Mr. Ross is very talented, you should be honored."
"It's not him were worried about." James muttered, causing Lily to laugh.
"When's he coming?" Sirius asked.
"Him and his fiancé are due to arrive shortly."
That was too much for Rachel and James.
"NOW?" Rachel screamed hopelessly.
"Yes now!" Barret yelled back.
No sooner had he spoken did the door open. The whole class turned around. Rachel and James shivered as Paul and Olivia stepped into the classroom.
Olivia was petty with short thin black hair, whereas Paul was tall, fully built with light brown short hair. The pair walked down the middle of the room, Rachel noticed a huge rock that probably resembled an engagement ring.
"Class, may I welcome Paul and Olivia." Professor Barret said happily.
"It's so lovely to be here!" Olivia said in a French accent, which made Rachel shiver more so than ever.
"Paul will be helping me out while Olivia has some family business to sort out." Barret said.
Olivia gave a little wave to Rachel as if she was 5 years old. Rudely, Rachel ignored her and steered at James with a confused expression as if to say. 'What family business?'
Having to put up with Olivia back in the country, let alone Hogwarts, did not go down well with Rachel and James. Olivia treated the pair of them like 5 year olds. But Rachel had to put Olivia to the back of her mind. She now had the whole Hogwarts talking about her, and for a good reason.
After nearly three terms of dieting, Rachel was now happy with her appearance. The fat that used to surround her face had gone, giving her face actual shape, instead of just a round ball of flab. Her middle had lost the most weight. Rachel now had proper curves. Her legs had also lost a lot of fat, ok, they weren't tanned yet, but they still looked good. Overall Rachel looked like a new person. She had students looking at her; some girl didn't even recognize her.
Wherever Rachel went, whispers would follow her. Compliments would be shouted in classrooms. For nearly the first time in Rachel's life, she was being noticed in a good way.
"Can you believe how good Rach looks?" Lily asked James one Saturday night. James had surprised Lily with a private dinner in their commonroom.
James beamed. "She looks so different," He said munching on a chicken piece. "I'm proud of her."
Lily smiled at James from across the table. "Has Sirius said anything?"
James frowned slightly. He didn't know how someone could be so blind. "Nope. Don't you think someone should tell him?"
Lily furiously shook her head. "James Potter don't you dare say anything!"
James smiled again. "As you wish." He said leaning in for a kiss.
Spring had come around fast. Hogwarts was now completely free of snow and miserable weather. The fresh smell of spring now surrounded Hogwarts. Rachel wandered down the corridors by herself, wishing her mood suited the great, happy weather.
It was Valentines Day, and again, Rachel was alone. Lily and James were out somewhere, as were Sirius, Megan, Remus, Ashley, Riley, Sam, Peter and Monica. Rachel felt sick having to think of her friends out having fun with their dates, when once again, she was dateless. She hated Valentines Day. She didn't see the point in having another day of the year to feel like crap because you're single. Although Rachel was used to it. Every single Valentines Day was the same; she never had someone to share it with.
Rachel retreated the library. She was sure there would be no soppy couples in there. Sure, she was happy everyone had dates; she just wished she were one of them. The library was almost dead. The only other people in there were dateless, lonely people like herself. Feeling right at home, Rachel took a seat and buried her head in a book called 'love potions and more.'
The book was rather interesting. It had all sorts of spells and potions about love and relationships. Rachel was seriously considering doing one of these spells on Sirius when she saw someone sit down next to her.
It was Megan, looking lovely in a light pink skirt and black fitted tank. Megan was the last person Rachel was expecting, what the hell did she want now? Rachel thought.
"Hi," Megan said uncertainly. "I need to talk to you."
Rachel hastily shoved the love book down and looked at Megan innocently.
"Come to tell me I'm not allowed to talk to Sirius now have we?" Rachel asked bitterly.
Megan smiled and shook her head. "No. Actually the complete opposite."
Rachel looked up from the table, now completely interested. Maybe Megan hadn't come to pester. "Fire away."
Megan took a deep breath. "You look great by the way."
Rachel smiled. "Glad you noticed." Rachel said. "Unlike somebody." She muttered furiously.
Megan laughed. "You think he hasn't noticed?" she asked amazed. "Rach, off course Sirius has noticed."
Rachel looked up at Megan. She had no idea where this conversation was leading.
"How…when? What's going on?" Rachel said stuttering.
Megan laughed. "Firstly, I think I owe you a huge apology. I shouldn't have been so blunt with you about Sirius and most of all I should never have teased you about your appearance," Megan looked like she had planned this out in her head for days. "And about that whole Potter thing, im so sorry."
"It's ok, I understand." Rachel said still confused why Megan was actually here.
Megan shook her head. "There's more," She muttered. "I love Sirius, but I'm not in love with him. But I know you are. And I also know I can't fight fate."
"Fate?" Rachel asked confused.
"You and Sirius." Megan muttered.
Rachel shook her head. "The relationship is defiantly one sided! Sirius adores you, not me!"
Megan laughed and shook her head. "No. Sirius has always loved you. Even before you lost weight."
Rachel shook her head again. "He called me fat! I heard him!"
"No," Megan said surely. "He told you about his feelings for you at one stage didn't he?"
It was then that everything came clear to Rachel. "So he liked me then too?"
Megan nodded firmly. "Honey, you guys have wasted enough time fighting and mucking around, it's time you guys got together. I'm breaking up with him."
Rachel didn't know what to say. "Uh,"
Megan laughed. "Rach, he's as blind as a bat, someone needs to fill him in!"
Rachel laughed. "Thanks." She said reluctantly
Megan smiled and hugged Rachel. "I hope we can be friends."
Rachel smiled. "Love to." She said letting go of Megan.
Megan had agreed to meet Sirius out by the lake. She didn't want to explain all this on Valentine Day, but she knew she had to.
Megan hated herself more for it when she saw Sirius in shorts and top, playing in the sand like a little kid in a sandbox.
"What took you so long?" Sirius asked letting the sand flow through his fingers.
Megan smiled and sat down next to Sirius. "I bumped into someone."
"Who?" Sirius asked not looking interested.
"Rach." Megan said.
This caught Sirius's attention. He looked up. "Oh."
Megan shook her head. "So blind." She muttered.
"What?" Sirius asked confused.
Megan cut to the chase. "How come you have enough time to go out and make other people fall in love with you but you don't have time to pay attention to the one that already does?"
"Sounds like something Rach would…" Sirius stopped in mid sentence and looked at Megan who was beaming.
It was then that everything fell into place in Sirius's mind. Rach, her diet, all her tears whenever she saw him with Megan or Suzy.
"Sirius I love you, but I'm not in love with you. And you probably love me, but you're not in love with me. Ever since I've got back, I could tell it wasn't me you wanted to kiss, it wasn't me you wanted to spend your time with and it wasn't me you wanted to go to the ball with."
Sirius shook his head. "Rach doesn't like me!"
Megan tried not to laugh. "Are you in love with her?"
Sirius stayed silent for a few moments. He knew the answer to that question. Yes, he did love her but it didn't matter because Sirius knew she didn't love him.
"That doesn't matter." Sirius muttered, avoiding Megan's eyes.
Megan screwed up her face. "Sirius I'm not telling you anything else. Fate led you and Rach this far. Now it's up to YOU to make it happen!" Megan yelled hopelessly.
She stood up. "I'm sorry to do this to you on Valentines Day but there's someone else you should be with."
Sirius stood up. Megan gave him one last hug before departing back to the castle. She knew it wasn't her place to tell Sirius that Rachel loved him. She knew that was something Rach had to do on her own, something that connected two people together. Unlike most girls, Megan was smiling as she walked back up to the castle. She had just ended it with Sirius and she was smiling, she was happy with the arrangement.
Sirius watched as Megan walked away. He hoped her and Megan could be friends, because she was a great girl. Sirius just didn't feel that way about her anymore.
Sirius wondered what to do next. For the first time in 7 years he was alone on Valentines Day. Now he knew how Rachel must feel every Valentines Day. Rach, even the thought of her made Sirius's insides squirm.
Sirius had always known, known there was something there, a connection. He tried to get rid of it, he tried ignoring it and he even tried hating Rachel. Nothing seemed to work and now Sirius knew he couldn't put it off anymore, he had to admit it. He was in love.
Sirius didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he could tell Rachel he loved her, or if he could bottle it up inside of him for a few more weeks or if he should run up and kissed her again. He was so confused, he couldn't think straight. Thinking of Rachel only made him want her more. His insides were all funny; it was the feeling of love.
Sirius pulled himself together. He wanted to find Rachel, and just spend the day with her. Megan was right, there was someone else he should be with. There was still an entire afternoon left of Valentines Day and Sirius intended to spend it with the girl he loved, even if she didn't know he loved her.
Sirius walked quickly up to the castle and into his dorm. He had no idea where Rachel was and decided to find her on the marauders map. He spotted her in an instant. She was in the library. Sirius wondered what on earth she was doing there. Rachel hated the library.
Deciding not to waste any more time Sirius dashed out of Gryffindor commonroom and headed towards the library.
The library was basically dead and horribly quiet. Sirius looked at the tables and spotted Rachel in a heartbeat. He had to smile when he saw her dressed in torn jeans and an oversized light brown hoody, her hair swept into a messy ponytail. Sirius looked at her from a distance, in his eyes, she was beautiful.
Sirius walked forward and took a seat next to Rachel. She didn't even look up.
"Hay." Sirius muttered in Rachel's ear.
Rachel looked up to see who was sitting next to her. She nearly fell backwards when she saw Sirius sitting next to her. She smiled.
"Hay. Why aren't you with Megan?" Rachel asked.
Sirius lightly shook his head. "We broke up." Sirius said not sounding sad at all.
Rachel tried not to smile. Things were falling together. "On Valentines Day?" she asked surprised.
"We had our reasons?" Sirius muttered truthfully.
"Like?" Rachel teased.
Sirius took a deep breath; this was his chance to tell her. "Like…like…uh we just felt it was best." Sirius said stuttering.
Rachel raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be!" Sirius said.
"So why are you here with me?" Rachel asked.
Sirius's insides turned again. Here was another opportunity to tell her.
"I just wanted to tell you that you look great." Sirius said turning a deep red.
Rachel looked down, hiding the huge grin that was forming. "Thanks, but you don't have to lie, I look horrible in these jeans and this oversized top." Rachel said tugging at her top.
Sirius wanted to tell her that he thought she was beautiful whatever she wore but his throat all of a sudden had gotten awfully dry.
"No, I wasn't lying." He muttered.
Rachel could feel her face heat up. "Well you always look nice and you know it! So there's no point me commenting!" Rachel said laughing.
Sirius smiled and shook his head. "So what are you doing?"
Rachel closed her book. "Nothing. I've read the same thing over and over again."
Sirius laughed. "Do you want to spend the day with me?" Sirius muttered unsteadily.
Rachel was so close to fainting. "Uh…uh." She spluttered barely able to breathe for some reason.
"If you don't want to that's fine." Sirius muttered feeling stupid for even asking.
Rachel looked at him in horror. "No! I want to come!" she yelled.
Sirius raised his eyebrows in surprise. "OK. You want to go outside?"
Rachel nodded unable to speak. Sirius grabbed her hand and pulled her up. As he did so he felt like millions of electricity shots had gone through him again. As he pulled Rachel up, she came closer to him. He felt like melting being so close to her.
Rachel looked up into Sirius's eyes, just like she had done when they kissed.
"Let's go." Sirius said suddenly.
Rachel smiled and headed out of the library ignoring the shouts from a crowd of people yelling "Potter and Black!"
As Sirius walked down the corridors with Rachel by his side, he wanted to reach out and take her hand, let her know without words that he loved her. A thought crossed his mind that he could even casually put his arm around her and pull her close. He had an urge to reach down and kiss her passionately. But he didn't know how Rachel would react to any of those things.
So what you think? Sirius had finally admitted to himself what's going on! Hmm why do you think Olivia is back? Ha, three guesses!
Next chapter – Rachel is in for a HUGE shock… I've nearly finished with this chapter! So I shall post it soon!