Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the ideas associated with it. I'm afraid J.K. Rowling does and I am just telling the story the way I believe it could possibly play out.

The morning after the night dubbed the night of revelations the small group of friends was in a very good place. Lily and James were ecstatic about becoming parents. Sirius and Ella were thrilled about revealing their true feelings to their friends and becoming baby Potter's Godparents.

"Sirius, can you really believe that our two best friends are having a baby? I mean wouldn't it be wonderful to have a baby around the house. To love and to care for, it will be amazing to have the little darling around."

"Well I never really saw myself as the 'family man', but since we are going to be the little guy's Godparents I guess it will be nice to spoil him rotten and then send him back to Lily and James after."

"When you say you never see yourself as a 'family man' what does that mean? I mean does it mean we will never get married"

"No of course it doesn't. I love you Ella, I really do. It just means that I'm not quite ready for the level of commitment Lily and James have."

"I love you too Sirius. And I wasn't trying to get you to propose on the spot. I'm happy with our relationship, especially since it is no longer a secret."

"I'm glad," he said as he got up and kissed her goodbye. As much as I'd like to stay here with you, James would kill me if I wasn't there to help him. So I will see you at dinner tonight. We are going to that new restaurant in Hogsmeade to celebrate the soon to be Potter right?"

"Yep, dinner is at seven so do not be late Black," she said as she kissed him goodbye.

After Sirius had left for work Ella began to get ready to go herself. She couldn't believe how well things were going. Life was finally settling into her favour. After what had happened with Remus she was more than a little cautious when dealing with the marauders. After all he had been the nice one and yet he had broken her heart. Now she couldn't hold a grudge about how he had ended their relationship, like she had when they first broken up, anymore. She now knew that everything he had done was for her own protection as he didn't want his being a werewolf to end up hurting her. Yet it still hurt her that he took the manor he did to achieve his goal. She still couldn't bring herself to speak with Dana White. It wasn't like she still had feelings for Remus anymore they were nothing more than friends these days. Still she wondered that if a sweet heart like Remus was capable of doing what he did then what was Sirius capable of doing? She knew that she loved him and had for sometime now. That wasn't going to change so she had resulted to trust him completely and hope she wouldn't have to deal with consequences of that decision later. After all her relationship with Remus hadn't been a total disaster, it was through him that she had met Sirius in the first place. She sighed as she threw floo powder into the fireplace and went to work.

"James?"

"Yeah, what is it Sirius?"

"How did you know that you wanted to marry Lily?"

"What?" James asked looking up from his paper work with an inquisitive look on his face. "What would you want to know something like that for? You wouldn't be thinking of settling down now would you?"

"As a matter of fact I am. I mean you believe me when I tell you that I was as surprised as you are. I mean I don't know how it happened it just did. I love her and I think I'm ready to get married. I mean we are already living with each other. I love everything about her."

"Wow, I guess I really never realized that you and Ella were getting this serious about each other. I mean I had sort of guessed that there was something between you guys before you told us last night I mean the way you went on about her. There was also the fact that you stopped seeing other girls all the time. But I never really figured just how far gone you were. So what are you waiting for, I mean if you really feel this way about her then you need to just take the plunge."

"I don't know. I don't want to do anything to screw this up. There is also Remus to think about. I mean we all know that he was really into her. If I up and marry her he is going to be really, really angry isn't he. This is so confusing."

"If you really feel this way about her then just ask her Sirius. Whatever Ella and Moony had died a long time ago when he did what he did to her. You're never going to be happy until you do this so just ask her."

"I know, I know. I guess I'll go look at rings in Hogsmeade tonight before we go dinner. Boy is she going to be surprised. I told her this morning that I wasn't ready for marriage yet. I have to say I was so convincing that I nearly convinced myself."

"Good the surprise proposals are always the best. I mean Lily didn't even see it coning when I proposed to her. To realize just how good at it I was you also have to take it into consideration that I had asked her a hundred million times before that."

That night when Sirius reached Hogsmeade with James they had a half hour to spare before they were to meet the others at the restaurant. They made their way to the jewellery store. There were plenty to choose from and Sirius was beginning to believe he was in over his head. When the sales clerk came over to help them James couldn't help but laugh at the way that his friend nearly hugged the woman when she asked if they needed help.

"Now what type of ring do you think your girlfriend will like sir?"

"Well she is a historian so I was thinking something that looks antique."

"That will be no problem. Have you seen the selection we have over here."

"Wow, yeah these are the type of rings that Ella would like. What about this o…"

"Hey guys what are you doing in here?"

Sirius, James and the saleswoman turned around to see Peter and Remus standing in the doorway.

"How did you know we would be here? Do the girls know where you are? You weren't followed were you?" Sirius inquired all this very quickly not leaving the pair anytime to respond in between questions.

"Um… We were on our way to dinner when we spotted you through the window." Remus explained when Sirius stopped talking.

"He has decided that he is ready to take a stroll down the aisle. Yes my friends our dear Padfoot has gone and grown up on us. He is going to ask dear sweet Ella to marry him," James said with a snicker. The words had barley come out of his mouth when he realized the impact that they could have. He looked towards Remus and then back at Sirius. They were staring at each other.

"Ella? Wow I didn't realise that there was anything between the two of you." Remus remarked after a moments silence has lapped.

"Look, Moony I didn't go looking for this it just happened. I mean one minute I'm despising the way she has girlied up my house, the next I'm head over heels for the woman what can I say."

"How long have you been seeing her?"

"About three months now, officially. I swear Moony I'd never do anything to hurt you on purpose. I just can't help it; I love her like I've loved no other."

James was beginning to believe that a fight might breakout any minute. Then Remus being the type of man he was smiled and James knew all would be well. It was a good thing too seeing as it was James that convinced Sirius to propose to Ella.

"Excuse me sir but have you made up your mind as to which one you want yet?" The sales woman asked from behind the group of friends who had all momentarily forgotten she was there.

As Sirius searched for the perfect engagement ring with the aid of the sales woman and the encouragement of the Marauders there was one in the group who wasn't into the festivities.

"I can't believe that filthy half-breed has managed to convince Sirius to marry her. Peter mumbled under his breath as he watched his friend look at the ring selection.

"Sorry I'm late. I just couldn't put down the artefacts that we bought off of Gringotts last week. You see they gave them to me to analyze because they were retrieved from the Elvin colonies. They figured since I was half elf I would be able to interpret them better than anybody else. They even said that after I've finished with the analysis that I could set up the exhibit myself."

"That's amazing Ella You really do deserve this."

"Thanks Lily that means a lot to me. Where is everyone?"

"Don't know they haven't got her yet."

"Hello ladies. Did you miss us?" Sirius inquired as he waltzed in with the rest of the gang.

"Immensely," came Lily's reply. "We were about to file a missing children's report on the lot of you."

"No need to mom." James said with a sweet smile as he kissed his wife hello. "We were able to follow the bread crumbs and find our way back."

The group sat and talked as they waited for their main course to arrive. Nearly everyone at the table seemed on edge. James and Lily were anxious to tell the rest of their friends about their big news. After all a baby was a big deal. Not to mention that they had told Sirius and Ella as soon as they had found out. What if the others were offended that they hadn't been among the first to know. What if they were hurt that they had already asked the others to be the baby's godparents. Lily was barley a month pregnant and already it was so complicated. As Lily and James sat contemplating the woes of would be parents Peter sat beside them in a rut. Peter was worried someone would pick up on the negative feelings he was harbouring for the mudblood and the half breeds sitting near him. Why did James and Sirius have to choose these two? They could have had anyone they wanted but instead the settled for a couple of in-superiors. They had betrayed there own kind. Peter knew deep down that the dark lord had the right idea. It was enough that they were friends with Remus. It wasn't his fault that he was a half breed. He had had it forced upon him unlike the elf. She knew she didn't belong and yet she kept butting in where she didn't belong. No doubt she had given Sirius a love potion. Why else would he want to marry her. As Peter sat dwelling in the negative feelings that engulfed him every time he was near his friends, Remus sat dwelling on what had happened earlier. He was slightly depressed as he thought about the ring that was destined for Ella's finger. Despite what he had told Sirius earlier he wasn't over her. He loved her and always would love her. She was always in his heart. He knew that he had hurt her he had even done it on purpose. He didn't want her to get physically hurt yet what he had done to prevent that had emotionally hurt the pair of them. If they hadn't had so many mutual friends Remus doubted very much that she would have ever talked to him again. As Remus sat stuck in his own little hell, Sirius was worried that the girl of his dreams wouldn't want anything to do with him. She had been a few years behind them at school. She was her year's notorious goody two shoes and that was the reason he had never considered going out with her. Not that he finally had her he never wanted to lose her. Yet he still wasn't sure that he was ready to put everything on the line by asking her to marry him. After all they had only actually been dating for there months. On the other hand there was no denying how he felt about her. Oh how was James able to talk him into this? And last but not least Ella was afraid that something was wrong with Sirius. He sure was acting funny. So was everyone else on the other hand. She knew what was up with Lily and James. The others on the other hand were a mystery to her. Peter had a scowl on his face and stared at her with a look fit to kill. Remus was also starring at her with a sad wistful look on his face. Then there was Sirius that didn't look at her at all and was looking anywhere else except her eyes.

After the group had finished eating they descended into an awkward silence. It was weird their used to never be this kind of silence in the group. When finally Lily and James looked at each other a blurted out their secret, "We are going to have a baby."

At there proclamation Sirius and Ella smiled and nodded while Remus smiled and congratulated the couple. Peter on the other hand went very quiet and became very pale. He quickly recovered and also extended his best wishes to the beaming couple and made an excuse as to why he had to leave early. He had to inform his master straight away of the news. Nobody took any notice of his strange behaviour.

After Peter had left a quiet conversation was started among the small group of friends. Everyone found it impossible to be anything but happy for Lily and James. The groups didn't allow the pressures of the world they lived in dictate their mood. Finally Remus excused himself as he had to get to the shrieking shack as it was a full moon that evening. Lily and James decided that while they were in the area they would go and tell Dumbledore the good news and Sirius decided to take Ella to her favourite spot and get it over with.

"Lily James how wonderful to see you," Dumbledore said as he ushered them to sit down.

"I hope we aren't disturbing you sir." James said as he took his seat. " We just found out some good news and thought we would tell you while we are in the area."

"Well if there is something that I could use now, it is certainly good news."

"We just found out that we are going to have a baby, Sir." Lily said enthusiastically.

Dumbledore looked crestfallen. This definitely did put a damper on things. Especially as that now that Lily and James were having a baby they to may now apply to the prophecy. This was good news for Frank and Alice; however, it was terrible for the couple sitting in front of him. Well he decided he wouldn't say anything just now. After all this baby could be a girl and then the prophecy wouldn't be about the Potters after all.

"So do you think it possible, Sir?" James finished

"I'm sorry James could you repeat that?"

"I was just asking if it was alright that Lily be taken off active duty for the order. With the baby coming and all we think its best that she doesn't go chase after the deatheaters directly."

"Yes, I think that it is best that she is taken off active duty. At least until after the baby is born."

As Albus Dumbledore was having a test of conscience Sirius black was getting ready to pop the question.

"What on earth do you want know Pettigrew?" The deatheater asked as he looked at the fire grate.

"There has been a lot of activity today among the group. Sirius is asking the half- breed girl to marry him. But the most important news is that Lily Evans is pregnant just as the dark lord predicted."

"I'll see to it that the lord is informed of this news. Continue like this Pettigrew and you may just make it into his inner circle."

Peter just smiled at this thought he would be able to get into the inner circle of the most powerful wizard of all time. All he would have to do is continue to report on those blood trading ex-friends of his. He laughed sinisterly with this in mind.

Wow what a night. Remus mused to himself as he crawled into the shrieking shack. He didn't normally use this place anymore but he didn't have time to go anywhere else before he transformed. Dumbledore had told him before he left that he was free to use it whenever he pleased and he was glade for that now. He didn't like to admit it but he was upset. He didn't want Sirius to be with Ella never mind marry her. Ella had always been his dream. He had always wanted to marry her and have a family with her. Why did he do what he did? Now she was almost certainly going to marry Sirius. Why couldn't he have just told Sirius how he felt. Now he was stuck. Then and there Remus made up his mind. He wasn't going to let them get married he was going to find a way to once again be with Ella. He just hoped he could do it without losing Sirius as a friend.

"Beautiful isn't Sirius. Can't you just feel the history all around us? It is just so amazing. I can't believe that this is where Godric Gryffindor first came after he chose the sight for Hogwarts."

"Ella I've got to be honest with you. I didn't ask you here to look at the sights."

"Really, I would have never have guessed," She said with a sweet smile.

"Ella I have to ask you something. I need you to just hear me out okay. Then you can say whatever you want." Here goes nothing Sirius thought as he took a breath to continue. "Ella, I love you and I know that what I said to you this morning may lead you to believe different to what I'm about to tell you, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Eleanor Angelica Thistle will you do me the honour of being my wife?" Sirius asked as he pulled out the engagement ring he had bought earlier that day. Ella looked absolutely stunned for about half a second and Sirius began to fear that she wouldn't accept.. Then she jumped into his arms while vigorously nodding her head. It was Sirius couldn't help but think the best moment of his life up to date. Little did he know that he would be revising that thought in a few weeks time.

Later that evening after the couple had returned home Sirius began to question whether marrying him was what Ella really wanted. "So this is what you really want? I mean I love you and I don't want you to do anything you aren't comfortable with…"

"Would you stop trying to convince me that this isn't what I want. I love you and I intend on marrying you Sirius Black and there is nothing you can do about it." Ella said between kisses.

"Well you certainly know how to make a man feel wanted," Sirius replied as he kissed her back. He knew he had to stop himself soon or he would end up taking advantage of the situation.

"Sirius?"

"Um… What, what is it? Are we going too fast?"

"No, no it's not that. I was just thinking that now that we're engaged maybe it's time we um… maybe its time we… you know what we discussed earlier."

Sirius looked up at her in genuine surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely"

That was the only clarification Sirius Black needed, as he swept her into his arms and began to walk towards his bedroom.

A. N. Well I know that this chapter may seem a little jumpy, however, everything must be set up with the characters before they can achieve their own chapters. They will, however, start to split up a little more in the next chapter. Read and Review please!