Lily walked to the entrance hall to see a bunch of students and three very tired looking friends of hers.
"Hey, Lils," James said, kissing her.
"Get a room," Sirius said rudely with a yawn. "Oh, yeah. Hi, Lils."
"Morning Lily," Remus said, also with a yawn.
"G'morning to you too," Lily said. "Hey, Sirius, you do know that they'll magic our bags to the train, don't you?"
Sirius looked up from the old bag he was holding. "Oh, no, Lils. This bag is needed on the train."
"What's in the bag, Sirius?"
"Jeesh, Lils. You'll find out soon enough," Sirius replied, deviously.
"I was think, we should take a carriage for old times sake. Does that sound good?" asked Remus.
"Sure," Lily said. "Wait just one second before we go, though. This is probably the last time any of us will ever be in this castle."
Lils, time is running out," James said.
"Fine. Take 30 seconds to come up with your favorite memory. We'll share them on the train," she said.
"Right, and now get in the stupid carriage!" yelled Sirius.
The four of them squeezed into the carriage and took their last looks at the castle they had called home for most of the past eight years.
And then it was gone. They were no longer even on Hogwarts grounds. They were on their way home for the last time.
Shortly after, the carriages came to a halt and the foursome filed out and onto the train. Not surprisingly, the students had left the Marauder's compartment empty.
Right away, they made themselves at home. Lily switched the hard benches for soft couches. James conjured a table and placed it in between the couches. Remus conjured loads of pillows, and Sirius placed the final touch on the door; a 'Do Not Disturb' sign.
Lily and James claimed one couch for themselves. Sirius flopped onto the other one.
Remus walked over to that couch. "Hey, Padfoot. Would you mind moving your feet?"
Yeah, Remy. Actually, I do mind, so I'm not going to move them."
With a sigh, Remus conjured an armchair for himself.
Soon after, the train pulled out of the station.
About 15 minutes into the ride, James said, "Paddy, should we show poor Lils what's in that bag of yours?"
With a grin, Sirius started pulling stuff out of the bag. First came a bunch of butterbeer. Then came-to Lily's amazement-a full meal. Finally, golden plates and utensils came out.
Lily raised her eyebrows and said, "You cant' go three hours without a full meal, Sirius?"
"Nope. You can?"
"Yeah. Actually, I'm not at all hungry right now," she said.
With a grin, James said, "Lils, have some of this pie."
"Okay," she said, first kissing him, then taking the pie.
Sirius made a rude noise through a mouthful of food and shook his head.
Remus saw where this was going and said, "I think now would be a good time to share our memories. Sirius, you first."
"I forgot," he said. "Wait! I remembered. I've got two really similar memories. The first-and hold all comments until the end, Lils- is luring Snivellus into the Shrieking Shack. The second is short-it was interrupted- but it was dangling Snivellus in the air."
"Oh, yeah, those were- um, crappy memories to pick," James said, changing his sentence because of a death glare from Lily.
"Sirius Black, you are a jerk!" Lily yelled. "You almost killed him when you led him into the Shrieking Shack. And you're lucky I interrupted your game of Snape-Dangling!"
"Lily, calm down," James said, soothingly. "You're yelling at Sirius, and we all know that he's an idiot. Yelling can't change that, Lils."
"Thanks," Lily said. "What about your memory, Remus?"
"For me, I think my favorite memory was school as a whole, and my friends. That is, spending seven years with people who knew about my condition, but didn't let it bother them and wanted to help me with it."
Sirius said, "Yup, that's us, Moony. Nice, polite, caring people."
When Lily scoffed at this, he added, "No comments necessary, Lils. What's your favorite memory?"
"That's easy, " she started. "It was this past year, finally getting back at the two people who for the past seven years made my life miserable. In particular, though, I enjoyed throwing you from my room, and switching your hair. I also enjoyed mocking you in secret during our Hogsmeade trips."
"Right. Guess that leaves James," said Remus.
"Yes, Prongs, my dear man, do tell," Sirius said, in mock formality.
"Okay," James said, pointing at Sirius. "The first thing I'm going to say is that you really need to shut up. My memory was when I was finally accepted by the person who had hated me for so long and when she said she'd marry me."
"Really?" asked Lily.
"Yup," James said, pulling Lily into a passionate kiss.
"Oh, wow. This is really sweet - get a room!" yelled Sirius.
The four of them laughed and talked until the train came to a stop.
Quickly, they changed the compartment back to normal and got off the train for the last time.
They got their luggage and stood in the middle of the platform, James with his arm around Lily.
"What are you waiting for, Prongs?" Sirius asked.
"My Mum's gonna come. She wanted to say hi to you guys."
"Well, tell her I'm really sorry, James," Remus said. "I actually should be going, it's almost-"
"Full moon," they chorused.
After good byes from all of them, Remus apparated home.
Just then, they saw Mrs. Potter walking towards them.
"James?" asked Lily. "Does your mum know about us?"
Up went his hand. "I was planning on telling her when I introduced her?"
"Sounds good."
By then, Mrs. Potter had reached them. "James! Sirius!" On seeing Lily she said, "James, who's this?"
Sirius snickered, "This'll be good."
James shot him a look and took a deep breath, saying, "Mum, this is Lily Evans. My fiancé."
"Oh, nice to meet you Lily," said Mrs. Potter. "Wait, what did you say, James?"
"Lily's my fiancé, Mum. We're going to get married."
"Oh, congratulations, dears!" Mrs. Potter exclaimed. "Oh, and Sirius, dear? Why are you still here?"
"Oh, I'll be leaving soon. Just wanted to say hi, and ask if I can stay over again this summer."
"Of course, Sirius. You're always welcome. You too, Lily, dear."
"I'm going to go then, and get my stuff," Sirius said. "Wait, it's already at your house. Then, I guess I'll go get food. See you later, Prongs. You too, Evans."
He too apparated.
"Why's his stuff at your house already?" asked Lily.
"He came over the night after our Leaky Cauldron meeting. His home life isn't that great," James said.
"Lily, dear, have you and plans for the wedding yet?" asked Mrs. Potter.
"Only that Sirius will be the Best Man, and my sister will be the Maid of Honor. That is, if she'll even come to the wedding."
"I'm sure she will. Why wouldn't she?" Mrs. Potter asked.
"Mum, Lily's muggle-born, and her sister isn't a fan of magic," James explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Will you come over for dinner tonight?"
"Absolutely," said Lily.
The three of them apparated to the Potter's house, James and Lily both thinking that those were the easiest good-byes and the best year ever.
