DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.
The time for the end-of-the-year feast had arrived. All the students sat at their respective house tables, all except Severus Snape who sat at the Gryffindor table next to James, opposite to Lily. Dumbledore stood up, ready to begin the final announcements.
"Another year has gone by, and now those of you, who have finished, will have the choice of what to do in their lives, how they chose to spend their lives, using the skills and knowledge honed and gathered over the years." Dumbledore announced.
He then moved on to the house cup saying, "We have Gryffindor with 450 house points, Ravenclaw in second place with 420 points, Hufflepuff in third position with 400 points and Slytherin in fourth position with 390 points. The winner of the house cup this year is Gryffindor, with 450 points. Congratulations to all Gryffindors!" Everyone at the Gryffindor table clapped and cheered. Severus looked slightly disappointed but clapped along with the other Gryffindors as well. James patted him on the back saying, "No offense mate." Severus responded, "It's alright. It's just a feeling of house pride. But, it's not so bad considering which people are in my house. You know what I'm talking about." James smiled sympathetically at him and said, "Just don't forget we have a speech to give today for all houses, and beyond too." Snape smiled in response and nodded.
Dumbledore had just finished saying 'Tuck in' when he suddenly noticed James and Severus getting up and moving towards him. James and Severus approached Dumbledore respectfully. Severus said, "Professor, we would like to share a few word of our own with everyone, if that is alright." Dumbledore looked surprised but said, "It's alright. Go ahead. I'm sure they all must be wondering what you're planning to say."
James and Severus turned around and faced the students in the Great Hall, standing side by side, with determined looks on their faces.
And then James broke the silence saying, "Students of Hogwarts, from every house. With permission from Headmaster Dumbledore, we wish to share some words with you."
Severus spoke, "Students of Hogwarts, as you are well aware, the fight against the Dark Lord goes on, outside these walls. He seeks to conquer us all, and make slaves out of Muggles and Muggleborns. Is this right? Absolutely not!"
James continued, "Lord Voldemort seeks to tear us apart, divide us all through terror. Shall we stand by and watch this happen, or shall we fight back and defend them, and in turn, ourselves?!"
"I say, we must fight! Let us all unite against the Dark Lord! Let us all set aside grudges and fight together for a safer, happier world!"
"Severus and I were once enemies, bitter rivals to the core, but we are now friends."
"We saw each other in the worst way possible, but love for a friend, Lily Evans brought us together, ended our hostility towards each other, and sowed friendship between us."
"Therefore, let us guide each other through friendship and join the fight against the Dark Lord!"
"To all Purebloods, especially to all Slytherins, Muggleborns are NOT abominations, but simply perpetuators of a new line of wizards and witches."
"With this, let us all unite, whether Pureblood, Half-blood, or Muggleborn, and with this unity, we will surely win against darkness, with our Headmaster, Professor Dumbledore by our side!"
James and Severus then raised their wands and declared, "Stand Together, Win Together, or Die Together!" They then joined their wands together and produced a shining white beam of light and mist from their wands which shot straight upwards and took the form of the Hogwarts Crest, which shone brightly for a few moments before the fading. Many students stood up and clapped enthusiastically, especially the Gryffindors. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff students eagerly clapped and cheered as well. Severus was pleasantly surprised to see even a few Slytherins clapping along, although they were quickly silenced by glares from Avery, Mulciber, and other Slytherins in league with them.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the other teachers all clapped happily for James and Severus even as they thanked everyone for their patience and Dumbledore for granting them the opportunity to speak. James and Severus then made their way back to the Gryffindor table where they received many warm congratulations from their friends. Sirius loudly cheered for them shouting, "That was awesome!" and Lily hugged James while Marlene hugged Severus. Dumbledore then stood up and thanked James and Severus for their words, and the feast began.
Sometime after the feast was over, James, Lily, Marlene and the other Marauders including Severus were sitting together in the Gryffindor common room near the fireplace.
James then pulled out a small box from his pocket and stood up before moving in front of Lily, as if to ask her something. Severus looked at him and gave him an approving nod. James then asked Lily, "Lily, there's something I really, really, want to ask you." Lily responded, "Ask away James."
James then opened the small box to reveal a diamond ring, knelt down in front of Lily and asked, "Lily Evans, will you marry me?"
Lily was amazed when she heard that and she enthusiastically declared, "Yes James! I will marry you!" before proceeding to pull James up with her hand and share a kiss with him.