Disclaimer: Nothing here is owned by me, I wish my imagination was that good.

Really short final chapter, I know, I'm sorry (i told you all I hate endings). But I want to thank you all, everyone who has taken the time to review my story, you've made me so happy and I can honestly say this story wouldn't have an ending if it weren't for all of you. Thank you for all the comments and critiques, hopefully they will help me become a better writer, maybe I'll even manage a sequel!

I hope you've enjoyed reading this story as much as I've enjoyed writing it, I'm just sorry it had to end!

Epilogue

Lily Evans turned her face towards the sun as she stepped out into the warm April breeze, closing her eyes to soak in the warmth. Today was the first day the sun had fully appeared from behind a constant layer of clouds, and she was planning to make the most of it.

She hummed as she walked over the grass, twisting her hair over one shoulder and thinking about the past year, and how much crazier it had been than she had ever imagined.

If someone had told her this time last year that right now she'd be James Potter's girlfriend, she would have kicked them in the shins.

Not even mentioning that she was actually James Potter's orphan girlfriend with plans to join a secret society and fight a dark lord as soon as she left school.

After that awful night when she had been attacked by two Slytherin boys, Dumbledore had called her into his office.

Mostly to tell her that he was sorry but he just didn't know who had done it. He had his suspicions of course, and Lily had the feeling that not much went on in this school that Dumbledore didn't know about.

But without proof, there was nothing he could do.

Instead he told her about a secret society he had formed called The Order of the Pheonix, made up entirely of members that had already left school and were rallying to fight against Lord Voldemort.

The Professor hadn't even had the chance to stop talking before she'd asked to join.

For her, it made complete sense. She had suffered at the hands of Lord Voldermort's followers for long enough, if she could do even the tiniest thing to ensure no one else had to suffer through the same pain, she would.

Then of course, all four Marauders had signed up, and these days she just couldn't seem to go anywhere without them.

Thinking of those four boys always brought a smile to her face.

She really had no idea what she would have done without them this past year. They seemed to still be saving her in fact, as Sirius had offered her a place to stay in the summer.

He had used the money he had inherited from his uncle Alphard to buy himself a flat, which just so happened to have a spare room. Sirius had insisted it was just because he needed someone to cook for him, but she didn't believe him for one second, and she wasn't sure she had ever been so grateful to anyone.

James hadn't been happy about it.

The big fanfare he had predicted when they announced their relationship hadn't happened. But a lot of money had seemed to change hands. And despite the uptake in glares she was receiving from other girls, Lily hadn't really noticed that much of a change either.

So when he had pointed out that he was her boyfriend and it should really be him she was living with and not some other boy, she had rolled her eyes and pointed out that Sirius wasn't exactly just some other boy.

James hadn't shut up about it until last week, when she'd asked him to be her date to her sister's wedding.

She'd been thinking about it practically since she received the invitation, and he'd been the most amazing support since her parents had been killed it just seemed logical to invite him.

He'd been so happy he hadn't stopped grinning all day, but he had finally shut up about her living with Sirius.

Especially as he pointed out that he would probably be there all the time anyway, as he was Sirius' best friend.

Lily grinned when she finally spotted the four of them, sat in their favourite spot by the lake under the big beech tree.

She shook her head slightly as she paused to watch them.

James was sat with his back leant against the trunk, casually flicking his hair as he read from a book propped open against his legs. Remus was lay on his stomach, occasionally scribbling on a scrap of parchment and glancing up at the rippling water of the lake. Sirius and Peter were involved in what appeared to be a very intense game of chess, judging by the lack of black pieces Lily had to guess that Sirius was winning.

She settled herself down beside James and crossed her legs, "Are you catching up on Transfiguration?" She asked, taking note of the book he was reading.

"You are coming into an exam free zone, Evans" Sirius warned her, pointing his finger in her direction but not taking his eyes off the chessboard. "Do not ruin the mood."

Lily rolled her eyes and leant her head against James' shoulder, who moved to wrap his arm around her and pull her against his chest.

Sometimes the change in their relationship still baffled her. Often because it just seemed so natural, as easy as breathing, she wondered why she had denied it for so long. Sometimes she thought James knew what she was feeling before even she did.

"We're not all geniuses like you, Black" she pointed out.

"I am very blessed" he agreed, smiling smugly as he prodded his knight to make a move.

"Do me a favour, Wormtail" James said mildly as he played with Lily's hair, "Kick his self centred butt."

Peter's brows furrowed together and he stuck his tongue out in concentration.

"I could help" Lily suggested, making a move to escape James' arms.

"You stay where you are, Evans" Sirius narrowed his eyes in her direction.

"Afraid you'd lose?"

"Afraid you'll cry when I beat you, more like" Sirius grinned.

Lily made to lunge at him but James grabbed her around the middle, "Hey get back here you" he chastised, "I was comfy."

Lily rolled her eyes but allowed herself to be pulled back against his solid chest.

"No being gross either" Sirius said, turning his attention back to the chess board. "You two are driving me mad, it better not be like this all summer."

"I don't think you need to worry" Lily assured him, "I'll be too busy to get up to much."

"Busy doing what?" James asked, his brow furrowing.

"Working I suppose" Lily said, "I'll have to do something to pay Sirius back."

"I've told you already, you don't" Sirius assured her.

"I've really been wondering about coming back to school at all next year" she admitted to them.

Sirius almost upended the chess board and he turned to look at her, the constant scratching of quill on parchment paused briefly as Remus said, "Why wouldn't you come back to school?"

"I just need to start thinking about where to go after school, and maybe getting a job."

"There's plenty of time for that" Sirius waved his hand airily.

"I don't exactly have a home to go to once this is all over."

Sirius looked at her as though she was stupid, "Of course you do."

"Haven't you worked it out yet, Lil" James said softly, wrapping both his arms around her to pull her tight against him. "This is your home" he breathed softly down her ear.

She hesitated for a second before resting her head against him again and allowing a smile to circle her lips, of course he was right, her and now she had never felt more at home in her life. Just in that moment Lily was sure that she could face anything that was about to come, as long as she had these four crazy boys.

They were her home.