A/N: I know it's been an extremely long time, but this is by far one of the longest chapters I've ever written, and I wanted to make sure it all sounded semi-right before going up as this is the last chapter. I hope it was worth the wait!

A large part of this chapter is dedicated to BrownEyedAthena for questioning on the fight between Sirius and Kelly. I hope this makes the story seem more complete.

All thoughts are italicized.

XxX

A case of senioritis had never been more evident in a group of Hogwarts' seventh years. Students stared idly out classroom windows while teachers tried to press additional information into already bursting brains. Those students who had slacked off in previous years frantically scribbled down unneeded notes, spending endless hours cramming for the impending NEWTs. As the eve of exams drew closer many students, including the marauders, through in the towel, mutually deciding that if they didn't know what they needed now they never would. And then there were those like Lily Evans; students who, for the most part, agreed with the marauders' philosophy yet couldn't resist studying their notes occasionally, often for unintended hours. These were the students who were fearful that if they didn't give in to the urge to reread over a certain subject it would undoubtedly appear on the exams in great detail.

As their days at Hogwarts drew to a close, however, most students abandoned their studies in favor for leisurely strolls across the grounds. But unlike most students, Lily and James' strolls were almost always strictly business. They had taken a lot upon themselves in deciding to organize the graduation ceremony, and James was adamant that everything needed to be perfect. They had scoped out the area for the reception and had roped it off from students. Little by little each day they slowly accumulated decorations and in the spare time had begun to set the area.

Having decided to let as few seventh-years as possible see the area before the ceremony, Lily and James had enlisted the aid of the younger prefects. Though they had directed the prefects multiple time throughout the year, the Head Boy and Girl found this ordeal very trying; James in particular. He wanted everything to be perfect and was so easily frustrated that he ended up doing the majority of the tasks himself, opting for the "if you want something done right, do it yourself" method. When James grumbled to Lily at the end of the day about the "incompetent" prefects and everything that he felt "went wrong," Lily simply laughed and kissed his forehead. She loved the drive in James, his unwavering determination, but even she could see when the boy just needed to have fun. His antics were something for her to laugh at and, in turn, her laughter seemed to soothe his sour mood. And as Lily found amusement in James' frustration, he seemed to find the same in her occasional panic attacks. One moment Lily would be laughing with Maren, and the next she'd be sized by a momentary memory lapse with which she felt the need to go tearing through each of her textbooks. The first time this had occurred James had taken great pleasure in hiding her transfiguration textbook, but as her panicked frenzy soon escalated to a flood of tears he'd learned that it was better not to toy with her during these phases.

Though the seventh-years continued through the motions of preparing for graduation, none seemed to take into account that this was the last time they'd be doing so.

XxX

"Li-ily! Lily, Lily, Li-ily!"

Lily looked up from where she'd been studying her History of Magic notes with Maren, Dorcas, and Andromeda. James had come bursting through the portrait hole, his face red and panting heavy with exertion.

Lily cocked her head to the side, her flaming red hair cascading over her shoulder. She glanced at her friends who merely shrugged before she rolled her eyes back to James. "Um, James?"

James skidded to a halt in front of the table, kneeling beside Lily. "Lil, will you go to the dance after graduation with me?"

Lily had to bite her lip to keep from asking. James came running in here just to ask me that? "I assumed we were already going together. After all, isn't that one of the perks to having a boyfriend? You always have someone to go with."

James' brow furrowed, "So, you weren't planning on going with Amos Diggory?"

Lily regarded him with a strange look. "No . . ."

"Even though he gave you a bouquet of roses?" James prodded.

Lily exchanged glances with her friends, "Roses?"

James' eyes widened, "You mean he didn't give you flowers?"

"No . . ."

"And he didn't propose to you in the middle of Muggle Studies?"

"James, I don't even take Muggle Studies."

James blinked, "You don't? Hey, you're right, you don't!"

Lily rolled her eyes at her friend who were all trying hard to restrain their laughter.

"So," James continued, sounding relieved. "No one asked you to the dance?"

"Yes, people asked me, but I told them all I was going with you." She hastily added, seeing James' downtrodden expression.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," Lily couldn't help smiling.

"You're the best," James smiled and kissed Lily before running back out through the portrait hole.

Lily turned back to her friends, "So, what was that all about?"

The other three girls looked and each other before laughing. "Sirius."

"You really think so?"

"Lily," Maren laid her hand on Lily's arm, "your boyfriend just ran in here convinced that you were going to marry Amos Diggory. Who else could convince James of that? I mean, I know James is paranoid, but seriously."

Lily swatted at her friend, "Oy, that's my boyfriend you're talking about."

"Which is what makes it all the more tragic."

"At least I'm not the one who's seemed to have overlooked the fact that her boyfriend is a-" Lily froze mid-sentence, mortified at what she'd almost let slip.

"The fact that my boyfriend is a what?" Maren asked curiously.

"He's a, uh," Lily floundered, "um, a . . . prefect . . ."

Maren rose her eyebrows, "Smooth, Lil, real smooth."

"No to interrupt or anything," Dorcas smiled sweetly, "but might I interject that this discussion is slightly depressing for me 'n' Andy as we are currently boyfriend-less?"

"Sorry," Maren and Lily chorused, smiling apologetically.

"Not a problem," Andromeda smiled as the girls all turned back to their notes, only looking up to clarify a scrawled date or to ask a question about one of the numerous goblin rebellions.

Dorcas tapped her pencil against the hollow of her shoulder, surveying the other three girls as they bent over their notes. For reasons no doctor had ever been able to explain to her, Dorcas had a very short attention span. Combined with her short temper and frequent bursts of energy, it took more than patience to maintain a stable friendship with the girl. Sighing, Dorcas slammed her textbook shut, receiving numerous "Shh!"s from vexed students. "Oh, shush yourselves!" She yelled back, ignoring the glares. "So, what are you all planning on doing after Hogwarts?"

Andromeda shrugged, "You already know my answer. I have absolutely no idea. I want to help people, but I know I don't have the courage to be an auror."

Lily nodded, "I don't know how anyone can do that, to purposely put their life on the line."

Andromeda sighed, "I know that's what Sirius is going to do. I think he sees it as a way to erase his shame of being a Black."

"I think all the marauders are planning on being aurors."

Dorcas looked at Lily in surprise, "Even Peter?"

Maren snorted before Lily could respond, "Peter has followed in James and Sirius' footsteps all seven years at Hogwarts. Your really think he's going to stop just because school's over?"

"Lily," Andromeda looked closely at the girl, "I don't mean to pry, but isn't that going to be kind of hard on you? How are you going to cope knowing that James is out there?"

Lily smiled wryly, "The best way I know how, I'm planning on studying to be a Healer. I figure at least this way I won't be feeling completely helpless."

The girls all sat immersed in thoughts of Lily's bravery, knowing that she was putting herself in a thoroughly depressing situation. How would she survive if James was brought in in an incurable state?

Dorcas cleared her throat, "What about you, Maren? Any thoughts on after school?"

"That's easy," Maren grinned, "Muggle/Wizard Relations."

Dorcas wrinkled her nose, "Sounds perfectly boring, if you ask me."

"Well, no one asked you, did they?" Andromeda rolled her eyes at her friend.

"My brothers are Muggles," Maren explained, unfazed by Dorcas' declaration. "And with everything that's been going on lately, I think the world could use a little union between the two worlds. After all, unsuspecting Muggles are being used as pawns in Voldemorts plans every day, aren't they? It's only fair that they're at least a bit informed about what's affecting their lives."

Now it was Lily who rolled her eyes, "You really shouldn't have gotten her started; she can go on for hours about this."

"Just because I know where I stand . . ." Maren started hotly.

"And soon the whole common room will know where you stand, Mari." Lily spoke in slow tones, as if explaining the situation to a small child. "But you see, we all have exams tomorrow, so I think it's probably best for the entire castle if you keep your views to yourself until after graduation, okay?"

Maren grumbled to herself about insufferable know-it-alls and pointless-exams, but relented and turned to a fresh page in her notebook, leaving the rest of the common room to study in peace.

XxX

To say that the NEWT examinations passed by uneventfully would hardly be truthful. It was a time of stress that most seventh years would be dying to forget, yet they knew the memories would be imprinted in their minds for a lifetime. No one would forget how a nervous Hufflepuff had mumbled the wrong incantation beneath their breath during the Charms exam and let loose a series of small tornadoes loose in the Great Hall. Nor would they forget how the Marauders had charmed all the suits of armor to sing a revised version of "There Won't Be School No More" to the tune of the Battle Hymn Republic each time a Professor walked by. (A/N: Find the book of poems "No More Homework, No More Tests" if you want to know what I'm talking about).

By the end of day three of their NEWT examinations, the seventh year students had little time to celebrate before returning to their dormitories early in order to prepare for the graduation ceremony that evening. To be truthful, however, most students would be forced to admit that it was the ceremony they were most looking forward to, but the dance that would be held afterwards. It would be the last chance to talk with friends before boarding the Hogwarts Express the next morning and riding off into their new lives. Though they all tried to keep the mood light and cheerful while dressing, the fact that this was the last night in what they had considered home for the past seven years lingered darkly in the back of each student's mind.

But unlike most students, Lily Evans' mind was fully occupied with two things: how she looked, and how much of a fool she was going to appear when she stood to give her speech in front of all the seventh years, their parents, and the Professors.

"Lil," Maren said for what she felt was the hundredth time that evening. "You wouldn't have been chosen to give a speech if Dumbledore didn't think you were cut out for the job. And besides, you look gorgeous; James isn't going to be able to string two words together when he sees you in this."

Lily had no doubt that the latter part of the sentence was true. She did look fairly good in the creamy white dress robes she'd found clinging to her every curve. Her hair was piled on top of her head with no more than a few wisps sweeping the back of her neck. But even knowing that she looked "gorgeous" did nothing to soothe her nerves. "Mari, everyone thinks Dumbledore is off his rocker, he's been wrong before."

Maren had to smile at this, "Like how you were so sure he was wrong with his chose of Head Boy? You were sure that he was 'off his rocker' then, but that turned out okay, didn't it?"

"I guess so . . ."

"You know so, James has been a great Head Boy and you are going to give a terrific speech. You've always been a great public speaker, Lil, rather you intended to or not. That's what made you a fantastic prefect, the way you could whip speeches off the top of your head to give to those people you caught. And they way you always told off James in front of the school, you never had any stage fright then."

Lily blushed, "No, I guess not. But those were all spur of the moment things . . ."

"So think of how much better it will sound when you've practiced it a hundred times. Besides, if you freeze I'll come to your rescue. I've heard your speech so many times that I could recite it in my sleep."

Lily smiled, reaching over to give her friend a hug. "Thanks, Mari, you're the greatest."

"Duh, why else would you have been friends with me for the past seven years?" Maren teased, "After all, Lily Evans never has settled for second best."

XxX

James paced anxiously around the Entrance Hall, waiting for Lily to arrive. They'd planned to enter the ceremony together as James was the Master of Ceremony and Lily was valedictorian. He'd never been more nervous in his life; for the past month he and Lily had been planning for this ceremony, he'd put everything he had into it, now all that was left was to sit and watch and pray that the ceremony wasn't one gargantuan mistake. He could hear the murmuring of the restless audience within the Great Hall. "C'mon, Lil," her muttered under his breath, "Where are you?"

"Right here," she murmured in his ear. James whirled around to find Lily standing in front of him, glowing radiantly in the dim light. "Sorry I'm late, I got a bit held up with Mari."

"T-that's, f-fine," he stuttered, staring dazedly at her.

She giggled, "I take it I look okay, then?"

"You look . . ." James searched for a word that would do justice to her angelic appearance. "Beautiful."

Lily flashed him a brilliant smile, "Well, in that case, Mr. Potter, I do believe I need an escort."

"Why, Miss Evans, do forgive me for being so rude. You look absolutely ravishing this evening. Perchance may I accompany you into the Great Hall?" He bowed, extending his arm out for hers.

"Why, of course, Mr. Potter. I thought you'd never asked." Lily linked her arm with James and together the two walked into the Great Hall, a wave of tumultuous applause washing over them as they strolled to the stage.

James cleared his throat, approaching the podium. He glanced down over the crowd, his eyes lighting on those who had stood by him all the years at Hogwarts, the people he would never forget. Taking in a deep breath, James smiled slightly; this ceremony was for them. For the people who spent their lives making everyone else's seem worthwhile, it was for them that he wanted this evening to last a lifetime.

Lily was slightly more nervous as she took the stand, she knew how important this ceremony was – not just for James, but for the school as a whole. She knew that this would be the last graduation ceremony of its kind, the last ceremony before the wizarding world turned to face the growing threats Voldemort and his kind. It was for this ceremony that she had worked her hardest to write and memorize the perfect speech, the speech that she felt so unworthy yet so privileged to give. Lily could feel James' eyes on her, she could feel his smile, his trust within her; and with the knowledge that he was sitting there loving her, Lily began her speech.

XxX

A string quartet played merrily by the stone fountain, their music stands dimly lit by the fairy lights strung about the garden. Students laughed giddily as they stood talking by the buffet table, sat round small circular tables, and swayed on the dance floor. As far as James could tell, the ceremony had been a success and the dance was promising to be even better. He couldn't help but feel proud of the work that he and Lily had done. He leaned back in his chair, smiling smugly at Lily, Remus, Maren, Sirius, and Peter. "So, am I brilliant or what?"

Lily bumped her shoulder against his, "Excuse me, but did you just say that you were brilliant? I think you were meaning we."

"Of course," James grinned, "Of course I meant we! You just heard me wrong, is all."

"Oh, uh-huh."

"Seriously!"

"Seriously?"

"Seriously!"

"Oh, I am so sure, James Potter." Lily winked at the other four at the table as James mouthed wordlessly at her.

"Li-ily!" he whined, "I'm serious, I meant we! Really I did! You have to believe me, I-"

"Hey, Lil," Sirius nodded at her, "What d'you say you put an end to his babbling?"

Lily smiled mischievously, "Of course. James," she turned to her boyfriend, cutting off his rambling with her lips against her. "Shut-up."

The table applauded as the now speechless James kissed his girlfriend back, trying hard to keep from grinning.

Sirius was the first to interrupt what was promising to be an interesting make-out session. "As much as I'm enjoying this little rendezvous of yours, I think I'm going to take this as my cue to leave." He rose to leave as James removed one arm from around Lily to wave Sirius off.

Sirius smirked as he left the table. If anyone had told him at the beginning of the year that he'd be spending his graduation watching Lily and James snog, he'd have suggested that they'd had one too many fire whiskeys. Not that he wasn't pleased with how the year had turned out, it was much quieter in his dorm for one thing, without the endless moans of the pains of unrequited love from James. But Sirius had to admit that he did miss have a girlfriend of his own. Suddenly, Sirius noticed a particular girl on the dance floor, a girl he felt compelled to have one last conversation with before saying good-bye forever. After all, that was the point of the dance.

"Hey, Davies," Sirius sauntered over, "mind if I cut in?"

Davies glanced at Sirius warily, and what boy wouldn't? No one wanted Sirius Black for competition, especially when competing for one of his exes.

Kelly Stevonson gave Matthew Davies an award-winning smile, "Would you mind, Matt? It won't take long, I promise. Why don't you go get us some drinks?"

Davies scowled at Sirius before kissing Kelly on the cheek and slinking off, continuously throwing glances over his shoulder at the two.

"Hi," Kelly breathed as Sirius slid his arms around her waist.

"Hi," he smiled back.

There was a slight pause as the two swayed together in time with the music. Kelly exhaled deeply as her body relaxed against Sirius. This felt so right, standing there wrapped in Sirius arms. Suddenly the silence was too much for Kelly to bear. This was their last night together, possibly the last night she'd ever see Sirius, she couldn't just let him walk away without letting him know everything she'd kept bottled up inside . . . without letting him know how she really felt. Kelly wished she had the poise of the movie stars she admired so much, the characters who seemed to know exactly what to say in all the right moments. Unfortunately for her, life was never as easy as the movies made it seem. She cast her mind around nervously searching for a topic, any topic at all. She lifted her head off of his shoulder, staring soulfully into his dark eyes. "I'm taking a year off to study in France . . . will you visit me?"

"Of course."

"I heard there are a lot of beautiful girls there; maybe you'll find someone who can treat you the way you deserve." She smiled coyly.

"There's only one beautiful girl I want to find, and she's standing right in front of me."

Kelly blushed furiously, sliding back a step so that her hands were now on his shoulders, rather than wrapped around his neck. "Sirius-"

"Shh," he soothed, "It's all right, I know."

"I didn't mean to leave it like that, back in the hospital wing. It's just that, losing you would have hurt too much. I would rather part as friends with the promise of visiting each other, than as lovers who will simply move on." She looked up at him shyly from beneath her lashes. "Is that too much to ask?"

Sirius grinned, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

XxX

Back at the table, Maren tugged on Remus' arm. "C'mon," she whispered into his ear, "let's give them a moment."

Remus nodded, following Maren away from the table and to the edge of a fountain. She looked particularly pretty, he couldn't help noticing, with her wire-copper curls spilling down the back of her midnight blue robes that glimmered in the fairy lights.

"I almost lost faith in those two," Maren sighed.

"What? Lily and James?" He smiled, looking back to the table where James was currently whispering something into Lily's ear, making her laugh. "I knew they'd work it out eventually."

"And what about us, Remus? Will we working it all out?"

Remus' head snapped up in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Maren shrugged, turning her head away before Remus could see the hurt in her eyes. "I know you keep secrets from me, that there's more to you than you let me see . . ."

Remus swallowed hard, his throat seeming to have suddenly gone dry. "Maren, I'm so sorry."

She shrugged again, turning back to him, the hurt replaced by a strange sadness. Wordlessly she curled her arms around his neck. "Let's just dance."

Remus obliged, placing his hands on the small of her back. But as Maren laid her head on his shoulder, his heart tightened in his chest and he knew he oculdn't just let it go. "I never meant to hurt you," he whispered.

Maren pulled back, offering him a crooked smile. "I know you didn't."

"It's just hard for me to open up sometimes; you can ask James and Sirius. They didn't know anything about me – other than what they saw – until third year, and by then we'd already been 'best friends' for three years."

"Remus," Maren smiled, "It's okay, I understand."

He looked pleadingly at her, "are you willing to wait for me?"

Maren gave a soft laugh, "Of course," she kissed him lightly on the lips. "Now, let's dance."

XxX

"Hey, Lil, dance with me?" James stood, offering a hand to his girlfriend.

She flashed him a brilliant smile, "I thought you'd never ask."

Peter watched enviously as the two danced their way onto the floor, James twirling Lily every so often in his revised version of the waltz. He watched James spin Lily outwards, pull her back, and dip her low to the ground, sending Lily into a spasm of giggles. He watched as Lily spun inwards to James, planting a kiss on his lips before spinning out again. Peter watched as Sirius strolled over, his eyes shining and hair tousled. He watched Sirius steal Lily out of James' arms and twirl her around before pulling her close, sticking his tongue out at James while Lily's head was turned. Peter watched as Maren and Remus danced over from some obscure area to join the other three. And Peter watched the dance partners change once more. And as Peter watched the five friends smile and laugh, he began to realize how little he belonged in the group, how no one seemed to notice or care that one of their members was missing. But as Peter rose from the table and slipped off into the shadows, he failed to watch Lily step away from the crowd. His eyes downcast and blood pumping in his ears, Peter failed to see Lily's eyes light on him and to hear her voice call him. Without so much as a backward glance, Peter distanced himself from the group for what would eventually become a lifetime.

XxX

"Hey, Lil, can you toss me that bag?"

"Siir, can you hoist this up for me?"

"Has anyone seen my wand?"

"Where's my badge? I haven't lost it once all year! Where could it have gone?"

"SIRIUS!"

"What? Why does everyone always assume I'm responsible for every thing that goes wrong?"

Maren rolled her eyes, "Because you always are."

"Oh, James?" Lily's cheeks flushed as she looked down at the Head Boy badge pinned on her chest. "I've got it. Mine must be in my bag."

"See, see?" Sirius yelled triumphantly, "I didn't do it!"

Remus snorted, "Not without lack of trying."

"So, Lil," Maren smiled teasingly, "How did you end up with James' badge, hm?"

The red of Lily's cheeks deepened. James draped an arm around Lily's shoulders. "M.Y.O.B."

"M.Y.O.B.?"

"Make your own beer!"

"Thank you, Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall spoke sharply from behind the jubilant boy. "for such an educational declaration, but I believe Mr. Potter meant 'mind your own business'."

"Well, of course he did, Professor. I was merely supplying my own opinion."

"An opinion, I'm sure, we could all do without."

"Aw, c'mon Minerva, darling! Aren't you going to miss us next year?"

"No more disruptive classes? Students who actually respect their teachers, pay attention in class, and, Merlin forbid, do their homework? The mere thought, Mr. Black, is terrifying."

"Aw, you know you'll miss us!

"Yes, but unfortunately it will be hard to miss you if you never leave. And unless you board the train in the next thirty seconds I believe you'll be remaining at the school for remedial sessions with Professor Snape."

Sirius' eyes widened as he realized all his friends had abandoned him in favor of the train, "Erm, bye then!"

The marauders, Lily, and Maren stood at the windows, watching dejectedly as Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry faded from view.

"Think that's the last time we'll ever se the old place?" Maren murmured sadly, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Nah," Lily sniffled, "We'll just have to organize a reunion or something."

"Reunion?" James turned to her, quickly wiping tears from his eyes.

"Yeah, you know, like a high school reunion? We all get together after ten or twenty years and laugh at who's married whom, who's gotten fat, who's losing their hair . . ."

"Sounds like my type of party," Sirius joked, careful not to meet anyone's eyes for fear that they'd see the sorrow in his own.

The conversation slowly drifted off into a sad silence as they watched the scenery change in a rapid blur. After a few moments Lily wiped a tear from her cheek and, sighing, turned to the compartment they'd reserved earlier. One by one the others followed her, closing the book on another chapter in their lives.

XxX

After several games of exploding snap, the accidental detonation of a dungbomb, and a rejected proposal of a game of spin the bottle, the commotion began to settle in the compartment. But as conversation turned to plans for the future and the summer, James separated himself from the group, opting to revel in his own thoughts for the moment. He'd come so far in the past year, and he'd changed so much. He'd changed from head of Hogwarts' troublemakers to Head Boy. But best of all, he'd changed from the boy Lily loathed into the boy that he hoped she loved.

Tearing his eyes from the window, James watched Lily laughing with Maren and Kelly, enduring playful teasing from Sirius, and sharing smiles with Remus. Over the past year those four had become closer to him then his own family, and suddenly he couldn't picture a future without any of them. The Marauders had endured years of strife and joy together and had always come out strong, he knew they'd stay together, but what about him and Lily? James didn't want to begin to think of a life without her; without her smile, without her laugh.

"James?" Her sweet melodic voice pulled him from his reverie.

He looked up, admiring the beautiful innocence of his girlfriend. Taking a deep breath he took the plunge, hoping for the best. "I love you, Lily."

A small smile unfurled across her lips. She climbed onto his lap, placing her arms around his neck and forehead resting against his. She gently brought her lips against his, granting a sweet, chaste kiss before staring deeply into his hazel eyes. "I love you too, James."

XxX

A/N: And that's the end! It did end rather abruptly . . . but I've had this ending for awhile and had a bit of trouble connecting it to the rest of the story. I hope it doesn't flow too badly. Thank you all for being so fantastic throughout this entire story, especially those who have stayed with it since the beginning . . . I know my sporadic updates have been highly annoying, but thanks for being patient with me! You don't know how sad I am to have to end this fic.

No, there will not be a sequel to this story, or at least I'm not planning on one. I am, however, planning on writing another Lily/James fic that I'd like all of your opinions on. At the moment it's titled "Even a Rose" and the basic idea is that James makes a bet with Sirius that he can get any girl (that Sirius chooses) to fall in love with him in under a week (maybe two) and of course, Sirius chooses Lily Evans. I am, however, having a bit of a problem deciding on who to make Lily's friend for this fic (James, of course, has the marauders) so I'd like you all to give me your opinions when you review. Should I keep Maren's character or would you like a character actually mentioned in the book? (And if so, who? Emmeline Vance, Hestia Jones, Dorcas Meadowes, Marlene McKinnon, or Alice eventually-longbottom?) Thank you all soooo much!

Please Review!