"I can't believe we did it!" James exclaimed as they finished the graduation ceremony.

"I can't believe we're leaving." Stella sighed, gazing up at the place she loved most in the world. The place she had come to call home.

"I know, seven years…and now it's all just, over." Lily breathed.

"Where did the time go?" Sirius asked.

"No idea." Remus sighed.

"So what's everyone doing now that it's over?" Peter asked.

"I'm going to marry the love of my life," James grinned, making Lily blush the color of her hair. "and we're going to move in together, and have lot's of babies."

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves!" Lily giggled, smacking his arm playfully.

"Who would have thought, this time last year that James would be able to talk about having kids with Lily right in front of her without being hexed into…whatever she calls it." Sirius chuckled.

"Oblivion." Remus supplied.

"I did. I always knew you two love birds would end up together." Stella smiled.

"Well I'm going to buy a house, and live with Stella and the little rugrats. Then I'm going to become a kick ass auror and kick moldy voldy's arse!" grinned Sirius.

"Ditto!" Stella sang.

"What about you, Remus?" James asked.

"I'm going to find a job, as an author, maybe. I definitely want to contribute to the order in any way possible, too." Remus told them.

They parted with Hogwarts with some sad goodbyes, and boarded the train, where Lily joined the marauders compartment for the first time.

The Hogwarts express was mostly empty, because only the 7th years got to go home a month before school was out for the rest of the students. Stella and Sirius both stayed at James' house that night, deciding to go out searching for a home the next day.

It took them a week to find the perfect place, but finally, they had found it. Stella fell in love with it instantly.

It was a cottage, on a beach. It was very private and secluded, being the only thing on the beach. It was called Shell Cottage.

The house had five bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a full kitchen, a dining room, a living room, and an additional room for a purpose they hadn't thought of yet.

Stella got the master bedroom, despite insisting that Sirius took it. He paid for the house on his own. Stella wanted to help, she was going to sell her mom's house for the money, but Jason said he wanted it to live in when he graduated from Hogwarts, so they honored his wishes. Stella didn't want to go back there; it had too many painful memories.

They set to work decorating their home. They painted and furnished it, devoting most of their time to making it the perfect home. Whenever they weren't doing that, they were at James and Lily's new flat. It was a lot smaller, it only had 2 bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen and a living room, but it was perfect for them.

Sirius found out that Stella was an amazing cook, much to his relief, because he was clueless in the kitchen. She was making breakfast one morning, while he read the daily prophet.

"Just one more week till the kids come home." Sirius told her.

"I know," Stella grinned. "I can't wait."

"Did Jason decide to come?" he asked.

"He's coming over for dinner the first night, and every Sunday. But he wants to stay at our old house on his own, he likes independence. I'm fine with that, though. He is almost 17." Stella explained.

"Gotcha. Do you think the kids will like it here?"

"I'm sure they'll love it." Stella smiled. "Did you think about what I said about your brother? It couldn't hurt to extend the invitation."

Sirius shook his head. "It's nice of you to offer, but he wouldn't come anyway. He's such a kiss up to my mother, and he worships moldy…I wouldn't trust him around the kids anyway."

Stella sighed. "If you say so…"

She knew how much it bothered Sirius that his brother was a death eater. He was just a kid, after all. She had felt the same way about Jason.

Sirius and Stella met the kids at Kings Cross station a week later, they were bouncing with excitement to see their new home.

They all rushed upstairs to see the rooms.

The first room was Stella's, the biggest, and the only one with a private bathroom. The second belonged to Sirius, the third was Olivia's, the fourth belonged to Bella, and the fifth was for Nicky and Dominic to share.

"We were going to put the girls together so you could have your own room," Stella told Jason. "But since you said you were going to our old house, I figured you wouldn't mind."

"I don't." Jason assured her, not offended in the slightest.

"How come I have to share with Dominic and the girls get their own rooms?" Nicky asked.

"Because you'll be getting your own flat in 2 more years, and the girls are stuck here for 4 or 5." Stella told him. "Plus, you know them. They'd kill each other."

"Good point." Nicky nodded.

To celebrate the kid's homecoming, they decided to throw a little dinner party. Stella invited James, Lily, Remus, and Peter over, but the latter 2 had plans so just James and Lily came over. Gabby and Dean came over too, for a sleep over.

After dinner, the kids went up to their rooms to chat with their friends. Dean was bunking with the boys for the night, and Gabby was sleeping in Livie's room.

"I feel so grown up, hosting dinner parties and all." Stella chuckled, sipping at her glass of wine.

"It's weird, isn't it?" James laughed.

"So when's the wedding?" Sirius asked.

"Speaking of that…" Lily smiled.

"We had something to ask you two." James finished.

Stella and Sirius exchanged a glance, and then turned back to their friends. "Shoot."

"Will you be my maid of honor?" Lily asked, her eyes glowing with excitement.

At the exact same time, James asked, "Be my best mate?"

"Of course!" Stella exclaimed.

"Always have been." Sirius smirked.