Thanks for the reviews! Yeah, last chapter was rather short, and so is this one! But the next chapter is way longer! I've written it already, I've just got to edit it and then I will post it! Hopefully by Tueday or maybe sooner if I get more reviews! – Hint hint –

So, this is the chapter that many of you have been waiting for! Enjoy!

Chapter 20 A Proposal she refused to accept

Things at Hogwarts had become busy. NEWTS were just around the corner. But NEWTS was the last thing on Rachel's mind. Her mother had sent a note by owl a week ago saying James and Rachel were expected to come home for break.

Rachel didn't like the sound of that. She didn't think she would live being under the same roof as her parents and Olivia for an entire two weeks. But she was pleased when Sirius agreed to come and James had made arrangements for Lily to come also.

Rachel wouldn't have minded staying at Hogwarts for break. The past month had been her best ever at Hogwarts. Rachel was glad her and Megan had become friends. It amazed both girls how much they actually had in common. Even Riley had warmed up to Megan.

Rachel packed the last of her things. The train was leaving in just under half and hour. She scooted any old thing into her trunk and clicked it shut. She dragged it down to the Gryffindor commonroom. The marauders plus Lily, Riley and Ashley were sitting down waiting for her.

"Ready!" Rachel said half out of breath.

Riley jumped up and gave Rachel a hug. "Owl me ok!" she said as if Rachel was going away for a month, not two weeks.

"Course!" Rachel said laughing.

"See ya Rach." Ashley said huddled up next to Remus who gave Rachel a friendly wave and a wink, which he sent in the direction of Sirius. Rachel smiled and nodded.

"Well see you guys in two weeks." James said standing up.

"Wish it was longer!" Sirius said with a grin.

"Bye Padfoot!" Peter yelled sarcastically.

Rachel and Lily heaved their trunks behind James and Sirius who had taken the lead.

By the time they were in the corridor Rachel was sure her hand was going to fall off.

"Stupid trunk! It's too heavy!" Rachel yelled.

Sirius stopped. "Let me." he said grabbing Rachel's trunk.

"You don't have to." Rachel said feeling stupid.

"I want to." Sirius muttered.

Lily winked at Rachel who smiled. This week was going to be interesting.

Interesting was not the word Rachel described her first few days back home. She preferred the words 'crap.' Her mother had been in tears for a whole hour when she saw Rachel walk in the door looking slim. Kate had also made the hugest fuss over Lily ("Oh James, she's gorgeous!") causing both Lily and James to go scarlet.

Olivia and Paul had been walking around the mansion hand in hand, kissing at dinnertime, making Rachel and Sirius feel very uncomfortable. Olivia had gone as far as asking Rachel what kind of guys she preferred once at dinner. James had made several loud coughing sounds saying he could give Olivia a good example. Rachel had whacked him over the head. But the worst was yet to come.

It was Wednesday afternoon and Olivia had requested that everyone was to eat afternoon tea together outside in the yard. The only time the Potter's ever ate out in the yard was for special occasions. Rachel didn't like the sound of this afternoon tea. But she knew if she didn't go, she would have her mother on her case for the rest of the holidays.

At exactly three o clock Rachel, Lily, James and Sirius headed out to the yard. None of the teens could be bothered dressing up specially; after all, it was only afternoon tea. Rachel had to smirk when she saw her parents, Olivia and Paul dressed up in Sunday best clothing whereas her, James, Lily and Sirius were dressed in old jeans and tops.

"Oh Rachel why wear that?" Olivia asked as everyone took a seat.

Rachel frowned. "I felt like it." She said coldly.

"What is the reason for this afternoon tea?" James asked.

"We have some news." Kate said happily. Rachel noticed her dad frown.

"Spill?" Rachel said not interested.

"It concerns you Rach." Olivia piped in.

Rachel slowly looked up. She saw her father lower his head. "Ok."

"Lib would you like to do the honors?" Kate asked.

Olivia nodded. "Rach, do you remember how I met Paul?"

Rachel nodded. "Arranged marriage. Stupid if you ask me!" Rachel said without hesitation.

Olivia took a deep breath. "Well your mother and I have found you a husband!" Olivia said cutting to the chase.

David lowered his head right down to his knees in a disapproving way. Rachel laughed.

"This is a sick joke right?" Rachel said not believing what she was hearing.

Kate shook her head. "No honey. We've arranged for you to get married!" Olivia said cheerfully as if Rachel was in for a great treat.

The grin on Rachel's face vanished. She looked from her mother, to her father (whose head couldn't be seen) to Olivia who was beaming.

"Your not kidding are you?" Rachel said horrified.

"Its for the best honey." Kate said.

Rachel stood up from her seat still not believing what she was hearing. James stood up next to her. There was an instant uproar.

"NO WAY!" Rachel screamed. "I am not getting married!"

Olivia stood up too. "It's arranged now. Simon is coming over tomorrow!"

"Oh is that his name is it? Simon? He sounds like a right plain Jane already!" Rachel screamed angrily.

Sirius laughed. Lily frowned at him.

"You are getting married!" Kate said firmly.

Rachel shook her head, letting tears escape her eyes. "No im not!" she sobbed. "James tell them!"

"She's can't get married." James said firmly.

"And why not?" Olivia asked.

"Because im in love with someone!" Rachel screamed, causing birds in a nearby tree to take flight. She didn't dare look down at Sirius at this point.

Olivia laughed. "Love? You don't know the first thing about love!"

Rachel shook her head slowly. She wished Sirius wasn't here. It would make things so much easier.

"If your in love with someone, how come your not together?" Kate asked.

"Because he doesn't feel the same way!" Rachel yelled getting very inpatient. Tears were now streaming down her face very fast. She had completely forgotten that Sirius and Lily were also here. Although she didn't care, she felt the need to cry.

Olivia laughed. "That's pointless!"

Rachel was now extremely mad. She took two steps towards Olivia. Yelling numerous amounts of swear words and threats. James ran after her and grabbed her hands to stop her.

"She can't get married!" James said angrily.

"Let me go James!" Rachel said warningly. James only tightened his grip.

"You are getting married!" Olivia yelled loudly.

"NO I'M NOT!" Rachel screamed. "I'M SEVENTEEN!"

"Come on Rach, let's get out of here," James said casting Olivia and Kate a disapproving glare. "Sirius, Lils, a bit of help." He said.

Sirius immediately stood up and reached for Rachel's other hand. Lily stood at James's side, not too sure what exactly to do. James and Sirius dragged Rachel up to her room; the continuous yells of "I hate you!" could be heard back down in the garden.

"You heard the girl. She's in love with someone!" David said fairly.

Olivia shook her head. "Too bad!"

"I hate her!" Rachel yelled between sobs. James and Sirius had dragged her up to her room.

"Honey, it will be ok." Lily said sympathetically.

"No it won't!" Rachel snapped. "Olivia wont rest until I say "I do" to this French bastard!"

James took Rachel by the shoulders. "I wont let that happen to you," He said calmly. "But please calm down."

Rachel took a deep breath. James always managed to calm her down. "I hate her!"

James nodded. "So you've said."

Rachel glanced up at Sirius. He was looking anywhere but at her. Rachel didn't know what to think, let alone say.

"Would you excuse me?" Sirius muttered, his lips barely moving. He didn't wait for a reply; he slowly turned around and left.

Rachel looked helplessly from James to Lily. She shook her head. "And I was planning to tell him these holidays." She muttered.

"Tell him then!" James said surely.

Rachel shook her head. "When we kissed he said it was the scenery getting to his head! What does that tell you?" Rachel yelled. "And now he just walks out!"

Lily put a hard around Rachel. "He kissed you. Then he knew he was in love, he could tell. He couldn't bring himself to admit it, that's why he's made up all these excuses!"

"Are you truly in love with him?" James asked seriously.

Rachel looked her brother right in the eye. "Yes."

"Then were going to help you." Lily said at once.

Sirius walked into his own bedroom. He almost despised Olivia as much as Rachel did. He had planned to tell Rachel his feelings these holidays, and now he couldn't pluck up the courage to do it. He had heard Rachel yell that she was in love with someone. He had no idea who it was.

Sirius felt like his happily ever after plan had been sucked from him again. For weeks he had been thinking the same of story, him and Rachel running off together. Now that theory seemed impossible.

Sirius got up and paced up and down his room. He could see outside his window Kate, David, Olivia and Paul still seated outside. Olivia had a folder in her hands. Sirius was sure it was weeding plans.

He started pacing again. Sirius put his hand into his pocket and pulled out a red box. He opened it. Inside was the bracelet he had brought for Rachel at the beginning of the year. The one she chose out when they were in Hogsmade together. He had gone back the next day and brought the silver bracelet with the heart saying 'I love you.' Mrs. Jones wasn't impressed to see Sirius and made him pay extra for the bracelet. Sirius still brought it; he couldn't wait to give it to Rachel. Now he wondered if he would ever get to give it to her.

Rachel had spent all Thursday in her room with Lily. Rachel had written to Riley, Ashley, Remus and Peter and invited them all around to the mansion for the rest of the holidays. Rachel has said they HAD to come and she didn't care how they got here, they just had to come. Remus had written back saying they will arrive later today. Rachel hoped it would be before Simon showed up.

Unfortunately Rachel was out of luck. Kate knocked on the door, asking Rachel to join her down stairs. She gave Lily the choice, Lily off course decided to come.

"Don't tell me Frenchies here!" Rachel said sarcastically. Rachel had thought of a new plan to piss her parents and Olivia off. She simply wasn't going to cooperate. She would be plain rude and try to make Simon run a mile from her.

"Simon." Kate corrected her.

Rachel ignored her. "James, Sirius! Come quick!" Rachel screamed. "Frenchies here!"

"Rachel! Please cooperate!" Kate snapped. It was too late. Both James and Sirius emerged from behind a door. Rachel locked eyes with Sirius, who quickly turned away. James however smiled at her.

Kate led Rachel down to the entrance. There waiting for them was Olivia, David and Paul.

"Oh what a great turn out!" Rachel said sarcastically grasping her hands together.

Olivia shook her head. "Your not doing yourself any favors."

Rachel ignored her. "So where is Frenchie?"

Just then a tall man emerged from the dining room. He had short brown hair that was groomed back in a way that Rachel was sure his mother must have done. He had green eyes, much like her own, lightly tanned skin and a firm looking body. To Rachel he looked like your average good-looking guy.

Rachel tried not to laugh. "So your Simon!" she said in a fake French accent that made James laugh.

"Rachel! I've heard so much about you!" Simon said in an accent that made Rachel shiver.

"So you would know that I'm a crazy, wild, uncontrollably, loud, rude, stubborn, sarcastic, fat pig then!" Rachel said happily. "Did mum tell you I used to be the size of a house?"

"Rachel!" Kate screamed casting a warning look at James who had to cover his mouth to stop himself laughing.

Simon smiled. "No, I've been told that you're a gentle, nice, soft, tender girl."

Rachel couldn't help herself. She burst out laughing, falling onto the ground. "TENDER? Who are you describing?" Rachel said hardly able to breathe. She knew Riley would love to see this.

Simon didn't flinch. He offered his hand. Rachel shook her head and turned around. "Sirius help me up," she said smiling. Sirius grinned and grabbed Rachel's hand, pulling her up.

"Would you like to show me around?" Simon asked.

Rachel shook her head. "Nope," she said bluntly. "Oh I think you should know, I'm in love with someone, not you."

"Rachel!" Olivia screamed. "You are expected to spend time with Simon, get to know him. Go on little dates with him!"

Rachel looked horrified. Before she had the chance to object, the front door swung open. Rachel's face expression changed instantly when she saw who was standing at the door.

"Sorry were late!" Riley beamed, inviting herself in.

Rachel beamed, she had never been happier to see her friends in her life.

"What's going on?" Ashley whispered.

Rachel smiled. "Oh just my crazy mother setting me up, yes, I'm expected to marry this dude, sorry I forgot your name!" Rachel yelled.

Riley, Remus, Peter and Ashley looked confused.

"I'll tell you all about it!" Rachel said happily, eager for a chance to get away from Simon. Rachel began walking up the stairs, ignoring her mother's yells.

"Simon, I'm so sorry for her behavior!" Kate said. "She's taking it bad!"

"No, no, I think she's cute!" Simon said happily.

Haha! Aren't I evil! Don't worry; things will get better, promise! I alsopromise to get the next chappie to you ASAP!

Next Chapter – Sirius and Rach get caught in a very awkward situation and they clear some things up.