A/N: So I've decided that this is the epilogue and therefore the end of The Stag and The Doe. But the good news is I'm not finished with James and Lily yet, I've already got the next story idea and the first chapter written of Torn Between Two. Thanks to all of those who have read this, reviewed, followed and favourited this story, and thank you to JadedLights who has been a dedicated reviewer and reader.

The day had come, the one day that they had hoped wouldn't come around so quickly. As Lily shut the lid of her trunk, she gazed around the room one last time. The beds were made and the curtains tied into their place, ready for the next batch of students who were going to spend the next seven years of their lives in. Her dormitory would no longer be a place where she, Alice, Marlene and Mary could have a girl's night in with sweets from honeydukes and butterbeers from Rosmerta's.

The night before she had placed her hat on the top of her head before straightening her robes and exiting the dormitory. The end of year feast the night before had been one that Lily would always remember, her boyfriend had promised her that because the pranks that he and the marauders had pulled had been rather low key; the one at the end of the year would be big. So just before the desserts came up from the kitchens, the whole hall was silenced. The marauders had gotten hold of some fireworks to whizz into the Great Hall and give the whole school a colourful display. Over the Hufflepuff table the fireworks exploded into a giant badger who was digging into thin air. Over the Ravenclaw table, a silver eagle erupted and flew a few inches from where it had been formed. It was on the Slytherin table that made the rest of the hall laugh, A giantic snake had formed at the end of the table nearest the teacher's table.

The snake slivered down the table, the students jumping back in fright as the snake hissed at every one of them until it stopped it front of Snape, Avery and Mulciber. The firework snake seemed to solidify and continued to stare at the three boys; causing them to feel slightly wary. After a few moments of muttering from all four house tables, the snake exploded and a lot of green slime covered the three boys. There was an outburst of laughter as Snape, Mulciber and Avery rushed from the hall and down to the dungeons and Lily turned to her boyfriend with an amused smirk on her face.

"I wouldn't normally approve but that was quite amusing." she had whispered.

James merely grinned at her and replied: "Revenge is sweet and the marauders needed to go out in style."

"Lily?"

She blinked and turned to face Marlene who had returned to collect her belongings, snapping out of the memory of the end of year feast. Lily smiled at her best friend and picked up her trunk and both of them left the room together to meet the others in the common room. Her friends stood not too far from the portrait hole waiting for them. Looking around the common room one last time, they departed; all feeling a sense of dread that they were now facing the real world of jobs and responsibilities beyond those of education.

When they reached the grounds, the group stopped. James handed over his and Lily's trunks to Marlene and Sirius and told the group to go on without them to which their friends all smiled and carried on down the gravel driveway to board the train. Lily eyed her boyfriend curiously as they walked over to the edge of the lake and stopped not that far to Hagrid's hut.

"Lily, this past year has been one that I will never forget and I hope that we have many more together." James started.

"I hope so too." Lily replied with a smile.

James kissed her briefly before bending on one knee and pulling a small velvet box from the pocket of his jacket. Her hand went instantly to her mouth and her eyes widened in shock, she hadn't been expecting this.

"Lily Evans I love you more than my own life, I can't be without you. I want a life with you, I want children with you. I want to fight over stupid things until the early hours of the morning and spend the rest of the morning making up. I want to wake up to your messy hair and bright smile every morning and go to bed keeping each other warm on the coldest nights. Lily, marry me?"

"Yes!" she squealed in delight.

James grinned from ear to ear as he slid the ring gently onto her finger and stood up to kiss her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and he lifted her off her feet as they broke the kiss. It was when they saw Professor McGonagall approaching them that James set Lily back on her feet.

"Potter, Evans you need to get down to the train." said McGonagall.

"Sorry Professor, we're going now." Lily replied.

"Congratulations on your engagement." said McGonagall with a small smile.

"Thank you, Professor."

Lily and James walked down the gravel driveway and Lily turned to her fiance. It was weird to think he was that to her now.

"How many people knew?" she asked.

"That I was going to propose? Practically the whole school, you know gossip." James chuckled.

Lily laughed and they finally reached the train and boarded, finding all their friends eagerly awaiting for their return. The two slipped into the compartment and sat in the spare seats, with all of their friends staring.

"Well?" Marlene insisted.

Lily grinned and showed off the engagement ring that James had placed on her hand minutes ago, the other three girls squealed in excitement and started talking about dresses and flowers. The boys shook hands with James and said their congratulations before Remus and Peter settled into a game of exploding snap and Sirius started a snogging session with Marlene, the two had grown not to care about the audiences they gained.

As the train slowly pulled out of Hogsmeade station and began the journey back to London, James turned to Lily.

"I'm so happy you accepted." he whispered softly.

Lily smiled and kissed his cheek lightly.

"I love you." she replied.

"I love you, although a part of me was nervous you'd say no."

Lily continued to smile as she looked him deeply in the eyes.

"You told me once that we belong together and with each day that passes I believe that it couldn't be more true." said Lily warmly.

James kissed her forehead and held her hand, silently agreeing with Lily's statement; with each day and night that passed he couldn't believe how lucky he was to have his love returned by Lily Evans. Each day and night that passed he knew that two had become one.