Well this is the end my darlings.

Nearly 3 years after I published this, I have finally come to the end of the story. To me it feels like the right time, I didn't want to ruin the story by lots of pointless chapters of them dating. I suppose my decision was influenced by me being in my final year of school and of the feelings I have about leaving, but I think this chapter stays true to the characters this story is centred around.

I would like the thank everyone who has been reading this story, whether from the beginning or not and I am truly grateful for all the encouraging words, all the favourites and story alerts. I would especially like to thank my best friend Lucy, who has always been there when I needed a helping hand on any chapters or some fresh ideas. I hope you all enjoy the last chapter of alternate ending and pray it lives up to your expectations.

Much love,

T x

Epilogue

"Whatcha doing?" Sirius mumbled, voice muffled by the yawn that escaped his lips. He slid his bare back down the cold wall, his chin resting on his knees as he stared at his pensive best friend.

James' hazel orbs shifted from the dusty fog that was settling across the water of the Black Lake, to Sirius' face. He paused for the briefest second then, "I'm going to ask her to marry me Padfoot-today."

There was a stunned silence; Sirius eyes widened considerably and he let out a barking laugh. "You're fucking mental Prongs! You know that?" Sirius shook his head; a huge grin lighting up his face.

James' heart swelled at his brother's acceptance of the biggest decision of his life. A smile curled his lips; an air of happiness surrounded the boys, sitting in the early morning light. "I love her Padfoot, that's never going to change. I've loved her forever and I want to be with her until my dying day, no matter how far away...or close that is."

A shadow passed over James' face and Sirius' smile diminished immediately. "Don't talk like that Prongs," His voice was sharp, the edge making it seem rougher than usual.

James sighed, the weight of the world on his slim shoulders. "I can't help it Pads. People are dying, everyday, good and bad. We've leaving school today and then it could be us." He dropped his head, determinedly staring at his bare feet.

Sirius surveyed his friend for a moment before deciding to do what he did best: lightening the mood. He launched his self at his best friend, pushing him to the ground before playfully ruffling his hair. "We're the Marauders mate. The most talented, the cleverest, most brilliant, handsomest" Here Sirius wiggled his eyebrows and James took the opportunity flip them and pin him to the ground, laughing at Sirius pout when he went for the hair. "men of our generation. No one's going to touch us. Old Voldy's probably quaking in his bed at the thought of us being let loose."

James shook his head, a smile fighting its way onto his lips, despite the heaviness of his feelings. "Cocky bastard."

"That's what they call me. Now get off me you fat lump!" Sirius shoved James to the floor, scooting back to the wall, but instead of going back to the other side of the window he sat next to James, shoulder to shoulder. Unconsciously moving to the position they would always be in, would always fight in, always sleep in, always live in; next to each other. "Seriously Potter, lose some weight, Lily's not going to want to marry someone obese, when she can have someone like moi," He waved a hand down his perfectly toned body with an air of arrogance only he could get away with. James laugh faded quickly, fitting the pensive atmosphere of the morning.

The two boys sat in silence for a while, each pondering what the future would bring. Sirius uncommon softly spoken words broke the quiet of the morning.

"I never told you...that night, our first day here, you cried out her name in your sleep."

James whipped his head from the window to Sirius and was met by steady, serious eyes that spoke only of the truth. James' eyes softened, "I guess my heart knew before my head I was going to marry her someday." They shared a soft smile that they would ashamed to let anyone else see.

Sirius knew his heart better than anyone else in the world. Better than James himself. He knew this was the right thing for James, the only thing that would make him happy. Other people would say they were crazy, that they would never last, but Sirius knew the truth. He knew that his brother would do anything for Lily, would die for Lily.

James looked up and turned his gaze to the man at his side, "Will you be best man?"

His heart flashed in his eyes, Sirius not even trying to keep his face blank. Sirius clasped his brother in a tight hug that spoke the loving words he couldn't bring to pass his lips. "Was there ever any doubt about it?" James returned his embrace equally strongly, breathing in the scent of his best friend, of his brother, of the person that would never leave his side.

They separated and James let a joking smile curve his lips upwards, creasing his eyes. "Well you know, cousin Charlie has always wanted it. He might fight you for it."

"Let him bring it, everyone knows a brother trumps a cousin, especially from a smarmy prat like Charlie."

James laughed loudly, "Can't deny that. Besides I think mum would have my head if anyone else had the honour. Probably never speak to me again."

Sirius smiled secretly and didn't speak the words of gratitude he felt, the warm feelings he got when James talked of his family-of their family. And now they were going to build a new family. A family that would be build on love and trust and everything that was good in the world.

They were sitting under their favourite beech tree by the lake; his head was resting on her lap as her hand gently wove through his unruly hair, massaging his scalp soothingly, fingers dipping to caress his cheek every so often. Lily could not remember being more at peace than she did in this moment. The feeling of being in the present, just being there, when she was with James was magical. Everything else fell away. When she was with James she felt like she was home. She always felt more herself when she was with James than when she was with anyone else, or even by herself. James...loving, comforting, wonderful, sexy, loyal, beautiful James. Lily didn't know what she'd done to deserve James, or even how she'd ever existed without him. He now consumed her every thought, whether waking or dreaming. She yearned to be with him, even when only separated for an hour. She loved him...

Lily stared out at the outline of the castle, illuminated by the fading sun. In her mind, memories were playing out, flickering through her best and worst times at Hogwarts. Following every argument with James, every furious and passionate word thrown at him, following every lesson where magic once again captivated her, following every laugh with her friends. She would miss them. The ache in her heart had been growing each day with the thought of leaving Hogwarts, of leaving her home, her friends, the security of being safe.

"James I don't know what I'm going to do without Hogwarts, without my friends, without you. How can the real world ever compare? How can I ever be as happy there as I am here?" James shifted his head in her lap and stared up at Lily with wise eyes that had seen more than any boy of eighteen should have. He captured her hand and intertwined their fingers, pressing a kiss to her knuckles before speaking.

"Lily, you can't be afraid of change. Sometimes change is bad, but sometimes it brings the most unimaginable pleasure. Look where we would be if you hadn't been willing to change our relationship. You would still hate me...sometimes you've just got to leap, not knowing whether you are going to fall or fly-and this is one of those times. But whatever happens, I will always be there for you. Nothing could ever change that, no change of scenery, no distance, no amount of time, nothing."

James sat up suddenly and crawled onto his knees, taking both of Lily's hands in his and staring at her with an intensity that was not in James' expressions. "Lil, I've got to tell you something and I don't want you say anything until you hear me out. Ok?" She nodded quickly, a frown marring her features at the seriousness that laced his tone.

"Lily, I fell in love with you the second I laid eyes on you. You bumped into me as we were waiting for the sorting hat, and your red hair got caught on my button. I knew then it was fate that we should meet...Lily the day that you said yes to me, was the happiest moment of my life. I love you more than anything else in the world. You are perfect, so sweet, so caring, yet so fiery and the smartest witch I've ever had the fortune to meet-pureblood or muggleborn." Here, James broke his speech to caress the flush that was heating Lily's cheek with his praise. He pressed his lips lovingly against hers, eyes searing into hers, for a second before continuing. "Lily, when we leave Hogwarts today, I'm signing up to the Order of the Phoenix. We're at war, and I'm going to fight. I'm going to fight for all the innocent people; I'm going to fight to protect you and all the people like you. And if I die, the only regret I would have is not having you as my wife." James dropped to one knee, eyes searing into her soul. "Lily, will you marry me?"

The tears that had filled Lily's eyes during his declaration now rolled down her cheeks, and she nodded numbly, speechless. With his eyes so full of love, so full of passion how could she do anything else. "Yes James, yes I'll marry you." Her laugh of pure joy tumbled out of her mouth with a sob as James crushed her to his chest and twirled her around, one hand anchoring her to his body while the other was buried in her scarlet locks. When he finally put her down he peppered, desperate, ecstatic kisses up her neck, finally sealing his lips to Lily's with a look so moving, so full of joy that she wanted to stop in that moment, forever. His lips moved slowly over hers, savouring the moment and making sweet love to her mouth. His tongue worshiped every crevice of her warm mouth and danced with her tongue, twirling and dipping until Lily was dizzy from pleasure. The passion his kiss brought was accompanied by a swell of love.

"I will spend forever, trying to be worthy of you. But I promise I will love you as you deserve." James whispered into her ear, his sweet breath fanning across her face and making her shiver.

Lily shook her head, eyes brimming with tears and took James' face between her hands. "James, it is I who have never deserved you. You are so loyal, so brave, so full of love for everyone; it doesn't matter if they are your best friend, a little first year or a hot-headed, stubborn red headed girl who didn't deserve your admiration." James tried to butt in but Lily pressed a finger to his lips and continued despite the tears flowing down her eyes. "You are respected above all others, not just for being Head Boy or being Quidditch Captain, but because people look up to you and aspire to be like you. Your courage knows no bounds and I want you to know that when you join the Order of the Phoenix, I'll be going with you. I want to fight beside you-always."

They embraced emotionally, whispered words of love and hope uttered, heard only by themselves.

"I love you Lily, more than I ever thought possible."

"I love you James-forever."

It was sealed with a kiss. A kiss of true love. A kiss that spoke of never ending passion, of an emotion so fierce that even in death it lived on.

Four boys, sworn brothers, were silhouettes in the fading sun, watched by perhaps the greatest wizard of all time, dreaming of the great things they would do. Dreaming of the battle they would soon face, of the courage they would have to exhibit, of the friends they would need to depend on, of the love that would be needed to get them through unscathed.

Only when the sun dipped beneath the horizon did they turn away from the place that had been their home for the past seven years. Only then did they embark on the journey that would mark the beginning of their lives, of their destiny. The four boys solemnly left their home behind and walked, shoulder to shoulder, to the steaming engine had marked the beginning of the best years of their lives, and now marked the end, but marked the start of the rest of their lives.

A red-headed girl joined them and slipped her hand into his fiancées, her look a silent declaration of her emotion of the loss of their childhood. Her fiancée draped his arm over the shoulder of his brother, not needing words to tell him how he was feeling.

Silence surrounded the three people tied together by love and a friendship that would stand the test until the end of time. Three people, three extraordinary people: two whose love would make the most famous child of all time, destined to defeat the dark lord, one who would be loyal until the very end, who would die fighting and protecting that same boy who he loved like his parents did. Three people, walked to meet their destiny, to see if they could make, an alternate ending.

The end.