Epilogue

The whole wizarding world returned to normal not long after the fall of Voldemort. Hogwarts was repaired quickly to allow students to return to the school. Sirius was offered the Defence against the Dark Arts job, which he accepted much to the shock of McGonagall. It was a shock to everybody. He accepted the post a year after the war ended. "You? Teach?" May laughed as they sat down to dinner. The children were in bed, expect Cecilia, who was staying with George. She had recently done her NEWTs and was relaxing by working with George in the shop. "I never saw you going back to Hogwarts to teach. Especially since you terrorised the school when we were there."

"I think I would do well as a professor." Sirius grinned as he leant back on his chair. "I was thinking about moving us all to Hogsmeade. There is a cottage available." He smirked as she put her knife and fork down. "Three bedrooms. Plenty of space for growing children."

"Sirius Black, have you forgotten that we have three children? I don't see Cee sharing with any of them. Nor Thomas with Lyra. You know they fight like cat and dog." Raising an eyebrow and returning to her dinner.

He laughed. That famous barked laugh. The one she loved but rarely heard any more. "I don't think our eldest will be living with us for much longer."

"Will you allow it though?" Chuckling at the thought of Sirius letting their eldest daughter leave to live with a boy.

He nodded, "I would. She has argued with me about it. You were her age when you moved in with me. That was her argument when she suggested to move in with George."

May laughed, "you told her before me?"

Sirius nodded. "I wanted her opinion. To see if she thought you would move to Hogsmeade. Then she told me about her idea of move in with George."

For a moment, May thought for a moment. "Well, since it is a good opportunity for you. I will agree to it."

Sirius and May tried to have more children but they discovered that May's accident in the battle of Hogwarts had caused her to become infertile. They didn't mind because they were happy with their three. On the first day of the school summer holidays, three years after they moved to Hogsmeade, Cecilia came bounding into the cottage, practically bouncing on her heels. "Mum! Dad!"

"In here!" Shouted her younger sister, who had recently turned 4. "Cee!" She ran to her big sister and hugged her tightly. To Lyra, Cecilia was the best person in the entire world.

Cecilia lifted her sister up and carried her into the small sitting room. "I have some news."

"You better not be pregnant." Sirius glared at her. "I told him..."

"Dad!" She interrupted him. "I'm not pregnant. I'm engaged!" Shifting Lyra onto her hip and holding up her left hand. "George proposed this morning at breakfast." She grinned broadly at her parents, who were smiling back at their eldest child. "Well, say something!"

May stood up and hugged her daughter. "Congratulations sweetheart." Kissing her cheek before stepping back for Sirius to hug Cecilia. They celebrated together for the evening with George.

In the years that followed the Black family were faced with only happiness and love for each other and those around them. Cecilia married George from the Potter mansion and they were blessed with two children; a boy named Fred and a girl named Annie. They were the first of eight grandchildren for Sirius and May.

The year Thomas started Hogwarts, May was offered the position of Potions mistress when Slughorn finally retired. She accepted enthusiastically. May had returned to her shop, which she still owned but Cecilia ran the shop alone and looked after Lyra during the day until Lyra started Hogwarts. May never thought that she would be a teacher in a million years. She watched as her son was sorted into Gryffindor and her daughter was sorted into Ravenclaw.

Thomas went on to be a healer, like his mother was. But throughout school, he was like his dad. A Lothario and a troublemaker. Which Sirius found funny. But May was not impressed. But when he became Head Boy, he found himself working closely to the Head Girl, who was the shy, quiet girl in Gryffindor. "It's a bit like James and Lily all over again. In his last year, he gets a girl." May laughed as they watched their son from the teachers' table. They could see their son was infatuated with the Head Girl, who was called Daisy Woodward. They remained together after Hogwarts, married and had four children; all boys called Callum, Kai, Peter and Luke.

Lyra was not the quiet one in school but she was not like her brother with a different partner every week. She played quidditch from her second year onwards, playing the beater position, just like her dad had done when he was in school. "She is more like you than she likes to admit." May chuckled as they watched their daughter play as quidditch captain in her last year of Hogwarts. "She's applied for the Auror programme."

"Really?" Sirius raised his eyebrows, not taking his eyes off the quaffle. "She'll make a brilliant Auror. Harry will keep an eye on her." Wrapping his arm around his wife.

Lyra joined the Auror programme after leaving Hogwarts with all her NEWTs. There she met Teddy Lupin, who joined a year after her. They started a relationship very quickly, even though they said that it was weird at first as they grew up together as best friends and he had just broken up with Victoire Weasley. They remained together and they married six years later in France, in front of their family and friends. They were blessed with two children; a boy called Remus and a girl called Dora, after his parents. It was not Teddy's idea to name his children after his parents but Lyra's.

May and Sirius remained at Hogwarts until their early 80s, when they retired back to the Potter manor, wanting to live their retired lives where they practically grew up. They were together for another 8 years until the worst day of Sirius' life arrived. A few weeks after her 89th birthday, May fell ill with a chest infection. She could not shift it. Thomas examined her and shook his head. "It's not good, Mum."

"I thought so." She chuckled as he helped her to sit up against loads of pillows. "How long?"

"I don't know, Mum. It could be any time between tomorrow and next year." He held her hand. "No matter what I do, it will happen, Mum." He said sadly. "I'll get Dad." Thomas stood up and looked down at his mother, who looked older than she did. Her long hair had turned grey but she kept it long. When she used to work, she used to wear it in a long plait.

Thomas did not come back but Sirius came in. His own hair had turned grey. "Thomas told me." He sat on the edge of the bed. "This isn't right."

"I know. It's not fair." May nodded. "You said you would go first, not me." They both laughed but Sirius had tears down his cheeks. "Hey. It won't be for a while." Holding his hand tightly. "Okay?"

Sirius smiled a little and brought her hand to his lips. "You just need to rest. Thomas will look after you and I will not leave your side." Kissing her knuckles once more. "Do you want me to tell Cee and Lyra?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes please. I'm going to get some sleep."

"You do that." He kissed her hand once more before leaving her alone.

May's health worsened within two months and they all prepared for the worse. With Sirius, she planned her funeral. It hurt him more than anything to be doing it but she insisted on it. "You were always the bossy one." Sirius chuckled as they lay in bed, side-by-side and facing each other.

"I know." She smiled weakly. "Hey! It won't be long. I'll see you in about ten years time." Reaching forward and pushing a strand of his grey hair behind his ear. "All right? Ten years."

Sirius chuckled and shifted forward, kissing her. "All right. Ten years."

On the 25th March, May's health was showing no signs of improving, only worsening. Sirius did not leave her side. Thomas also stayed with her to give her relief potions to lessen the pain. "Thomas. I love you and your sisters. But I want to do this with your father. Alone."

"Okay, Mum." He stepped forward and kissed his mother's forehead. "I love you."

"Love you." She smiled up at him. Despite not being able to muster the strength to fully smile, she could smile a little.

Thomas took a deep breath and left the bedroom. His sisters were waiting outside the room. They were just about to return inside but he stopped them. "No. She just wants Dad there."

Cecilia nodded and wiped away a tear. "Is that why she said that she loved us earlier?"

"Yes," said Thomas as they sat on the chairs outside the room. None of them said a word.

Inside the bedroom, Sirius lay next to his sick wife, whose breathing had become weaker and shallower. "I can't believe this." He sobbed and caressed her cheek. "I was meant to go first. Not you."

May wheezed and nodded. "I know." Her voice barely audible. "You know promises are made to be broken."

He chuckled and pushed her hair away from her face. "Not our promises." He stroked her cheek.

"I think it's time." She whispered and gave him a small smile. "I'm going to go to sleep. I always thought I'd die in my sleep." May could barely keep her eyes open but she wanted Sirius' approval to die in her sleep.

He kissed her forehead. "Go to sleep, my love." A tear ran down his cheek as she watched her close her eyes. Seeing her beautiful hazel eyes one last time. Sirius did not move from her side. He did not move from his spot at all. Two hours after she had closed her eyes, he was still holding her hand as she drew her last breath and died right before his eyes. He let out a sob as he stroked her cheek. "Come back, May. Come back. I need you."

Her funeral was attended by hundreds of people which was taking place in Godric's Hollow. Sirius had not said a word since she died. His children tried to get him to speak but it was no good. They could see that Sirius was extremely heart broken from May's death. Cecilia, Thomas and Lyra stayed with their dad for a few nights; all of them trying to comfort each other and their father.

"I don't think Dad will last long without Mum." Thomas said as he poured them all a firewhisky.

Cecilia nodded. "I think so too." Sipping her drink. "He's not eating, Tommy." Rubbing her forehead as she placed her glass on the table.

"Mum was his other half. Half of his soul." Lyra smiled a little and downed her drink in one. "She was his reason for living."

"You are all my reason for living." Sirius entered the library with a small smile. He injured himself a few months before May fell ill and required a cane to walk. He leant heavily on it as he walked further into the room. "Pour me a drink, Tommy." Groaning as he sat on the low sofa. "I'll miss your mother terribly but you three and all 8 of my grandchildren are my reasons for living a little longer now."

Lyra moved into his side, something she would do as a child. She always favoured her father more than her mother. She loved them both equally but she was more like Sirius. "Don't go, Dad. We need you."

He kissed the top of her head. "And I need you all."

Sirius broke his promise to May. He did not die 10 years after she did. He died four months after her. He died with all of his children at his side and was buried alongside his wife. The Potter manor went to Thomas. Harry and Ginny had their own home and did not want it. Cecilia was content living with George above the shop. The three Black children sat in the library a week after their father's death. "They're happy now," said Cecilia as she sipped her coffee. "They're together again." They all looked up at the portrait of their parents, which had been painted a year after the Second Wizarding War ended. It was only the two of them. May was sitting in a chair and Sirius stood slightly behind her with his hand on her shoulder. They would smile down at their children, occasionally talking to them but most of the time they talked to each other. The painting only came to life when both of them had died. No one knew why but it just seemed to. They were together again and now with their family and friends, who they had lost many years ago.

The End

A/N: Well, ladies and gentlemen, it is over. :( I am sad to end this story but it was coming to the end. I may do a few one shots that join with the story, which will be about the children of Sirius and May. So keep an eye on my profile. :D Thank you to all who have read, favourited, followed and reviewed!

Responses from chapter 34:

Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967: Thank you! Hope you enjoyed the Epilogue! Thank you for reviewing. :D

Lalina92: Well, the epilogue is not such a happy ending. But it is the end. Hope you enjoyed! :D Thank you so much for reviewing.

Rea558750: I don't want it to end but it was coming to its end. There was no more story to tell. :( Hope you enjoyed the epilogue. Thank you so much for reviewing.

Padfootette: I'm sorry that it is at its end. I knew it would end after the end of the Second Wizarding War. :( Thank you so much for reviewing.

Guest: Thank you. :)

Amelia-bella1: I was a little confused when you reviewed in the Prologue. Lol. Hope you enjoyed this epilogue. Thank you for reviewing. :)

Cap92A: Sorry! But it is the end! I knew it was coming to the end when I reached the Battle of Hogwarts. Thank you for sticking with this story from the first story to now! You're a star! A very patient star! But it is at the end! :( Thank you so much for reviewing!