Last chapter. Wow. Although it's not very long, for me, this story is a huge accomplishment because it's the first time I've pre-written something and stuck to some semblance of a schedule. It's been an amazing time writing this. I have absolutely adored this concept and I dont think anyone should be surprised if I decide to do another Muggle!AU sometime in the future.

Also, there are some more Marauder works on my page if anyone is interested.

I want to thank each and every one of you who read/reviewed/favorited/followed this story, your motivation means the world to me :")

As always, any form of constructive criticism is welcome.

Thank you.

Word count: 2055

(18/11/17)

Sirius could hear the front door open from where he was in the kitchen and cocked his head when he heard two sets of voices. One was James, that he knew before he heard the voice but the other was distinctly female and definitely not Lily. She had a very high pitched, almost grating, voice that you could recognize anywhere and this was definitely not it.

Waiting patiently for the footsteps to make their way into the kitchen where he was sitting at the table, with papers spread all around him, his face cleared when he saw Marlene, in the process of saying something that was making James guffaw like an idiot.

A small smirk grew on Sirius' face as he watched the two of them interacting together, homework lying forgotten behind him as he turned fully.

While people often liked to comment on the fact that James and Lily had the potential to make an extremely attractive couple, they often forgot the tiny little fact that they were way too incompatible to ever work together. While they were just fine as friends, as lovers it would just be a bet as to who'd stab the other first. Not a matter of if, but when. Both of them were explosive, extremely volatile personalities and putting them together for long periods of time was just a bad idea all around.

Marlene, on the other hand, from the interactions Sirius had had with her, was perfect for James. Almost scarily so. They were similar enough that they had a foundation to build upon, but after that, they had enough differences that they wouldn't get bored with each other. Unfortunately, Sirius knew just how easily James could lose interest in a person, whether romantically or otherwise.

Of course, both of them being the casual, playful people that they were, they probably wouldn't even enter a 'relationship' and instead just decide to fool around until one fateful day when they realized that they had legitimate feelings for each other. Sirius was looking forward to that day.

Although Sirius didn't know Marlene anywhere near well enough that he knew James- he didn't know anyone as well as he knew James- he knew that she preferred casual hookups to serious relationships just as much as James did and he knew that she would be the perfect match for him.

"Hey, Pads," James greeted as he entered the kitchen, his laughter finally under control and Marlene entering just behind him.

"James. Marlene," Sirius nodded at each of them in turn. "Where are you two coming in from?"

"Oh, went for coffee," Marlene replied. "We were...comparing Abrahamic religions. I only found out James has Theology today. It was an interesting discussion. It's been some time since I've had anyone to talk to about this, considering Remus really doesn't like religion and most of my other friends don't really give a shit.

"I didn't know you took theology as well," Sirius commented curiously. "I've never seen you in the class."

"Oh no no, I don't," Marlene denied quickly. "I wanted to but my schedule's too full for that. I'm really interested in it, though."

Sirius nodded in understanding.

"I get that. I really, really wanted to take Philosophy but one, it didn't really go with my other subjects, and I didn't have a free space for it either. I do read up on it whenever I get time, yeah, but it's not the same you know?"

Marlene hummed in agreement. She opened her mouth to reply but it was James who spoke instead of her.

"You guys and your studies, I swear. I have never met bigger nerds," he shook his head ruefully.

"You've clearly never spent all that much time around Remus then," Marlene shot back.

James grinned at her, "He's still not bad as either of you. Before you two decide to get into a discussion, let me just tell you that we don't have time for that."

Sirius placed a hand on his chest, a faux offended expression on his face. "What did we ever do to you, Prongs, for this cruel treatment?"

"And why don't we have time?" Marlene interrupted before James could reply to Sirius. Despite knowing them for not very long, she knew that once they got started, they could go on for hours and it was very hard to separate them. Better to finish it before it even began.

James frowned slightly. "Did I not tell you? We're going out for dinner today."

One dark brown eyebrow raised as Marlene looked at him in confusion. "We are?"

"Ah yes. I thought we could go and try the new Indian place that just opened up. I've heard it's really good," This time it was Sirius who replied. "Unless you don't want to…?"

She immediately shook her head, "Oh no no, that's not it at all. I'd love to come. You're lucky I love Indian as much as I do."

"We know, Remus told us," James replied cheekily.

"Right then, now that that's settled. We'll come pick you up at 7?" Sirius enquired.

"Yeah, that works," Marlene accepted. "How are we going?"

"James has a car, so we'll be using that. I'm afraid my bike can't handle four people yet," Sirius grinned. Marlene shook her head fondly but didn't say anything else. She was actually quite looking forward to the dinner, if she was being honest.

"Okay, this is fucking amazing," Remus moaned as he put scooped some of the butter chicken with his naan. He closed his eyes as the intense flavors all hit his taste buds at once, dancing across his palate and generally creating a pleasurable atmosphere in his mouth.

Opening his eyes, he saw Sirius' grey eyes darkening as he replied in a husky tone, "I agree. It truly is."

And against his better judgement, Remus blushed. He actually fucking blushed. Shaking his head slightly and resigning himself to the fact that for as long as he would be in the company of one Sirius Black, there would be no predictability in his life.

"Oh my god," Marlene gasped at the same time James scoffed, "Way to go, Pads!"

Remus' face flamed at that but he managed to keep his voice under control as he said, "What?" Even to his ears, he sounded far more defensive than needed.

"Oh my god," Marlene repeated in the same tone. Sirius snickered from where he was sitting beside her.

"You guys are shagging, aren't you?" James said bluntly in his usual tactless manner.

I wish, whispered Remus' subconscious but he quickly batted that thought away before it could lead to anything.

"We're not," Remus choked out just as Sirius leaned forward to flick his fingers across James' forehead.

Rubbing his forehead, James shot a sour look at his best mate, merely sticking his tongue out when the other man said 'you know you deserve it so don't pretend otherwise.'

While the two of them had their own thing going on, Marlene turned towards Remus with a perfectly raised eyebrow.

"We kissed," Remus admitted, biting his lip. Marlene barely managed to muffle her squeal as she hastily covered her mouth with her hand.

"Woah," James gasped, making Remus realize that he had been listening into their conversation quite slyly, "I was joking. I didn't think you'd actually done anything."

Sirius sneered, "You wouldn't, would you, Potter?"

James merely waved him away, not even bothering to look at him. "Are you absolutely sure about him, Remus? Because once you're stuck with him, well…." He trailed away, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Remus was not fooled, however. He could see the overprotectiveness and the guarded suspicion swirling in those hazel brown orbs.

"Will you stop?" Sirius groaned. "I really don't need you to do this."

"Ah, but little Sirius," James started, "I do need to do this."

What 'this' was became clear to a confused Remus a few seconds later when James turned to look at him with his eyes glinting. At the same time, Sirius got up with a sigh and looked at Marlene with a pleading expression that soon had her biting her lip in amusement and following him towards the front counter.

When they were alone, James smiled at Remus. But, it wasn't one of those carefree smiles Remus was used to and he immediately knew what was coming.

"I won't hurt him," he immediately said. James looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"Is that so?"

"Definitely. I do like him, really. I won't hurt him on purpose," Remus said with absolute conviction in his voice.

"Pettigrew messed him up pretty badly," James stated baldly. "I like you, Remus. A whole lot more than I ever liked that bitch, BUT if you ever do something remotely similar to the stunt she pulled, I'll make sure Snape seems like a first grader in comparison to what I'd do."

Remus gulped, but nodded, understanding where this was coming from. He knew if someone had hurt Marlene the way Paige had Sirius, then he would be just the same and vice versa.

"I get it, really. You don't have to worry," Remus assured him. James stared at him for a full minute before his mask cracked and a hesitant smile formed on his face.

"I hope you're not offended, Moony, but I had to do that," he said apologetically, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just get really protective when it comes to Sirius. That man has absolutely no sense of self-preservation at all."

Remus smiled gently, "I'm not. I would have been surprised if you hadn't given me this talk, to be honest."

James grinned sheepishly, "Heh. Thanks. But, and I feel like I have to warn you since you passed this one and I like you, you'll have to go through the same thing with Lily, but it'll be even more intense."

"Oh?"

"Since she doesn't have the power nor the inclination to beat people up at will like I sometimes do, she uses the power of manipulation, blackmail, and fear. It's much scarier, let me tell you."

"You sound like you're speaking from experience," Remus said, amused. James shuddered as if remembering an incident from the past.

"You guys all done?" A petulant voice sounded from behind Remus, making him turn around and come face to face with...Sirius' crotch. His eyes immediately went wide as he fumbled to turn back and he only ended up pushing himself closer to the man in front of him in his haste.

He closed his eyes in resignation as his face and neck burned red. He could hear the chuckles coming from the others. He felt a hand taking hold of his cheek and turning it to the side and that was when he opened his eyes.

He could see James and Marlene, who had gone over to sit beside the black-haired man, sporting identical grins on their faces and before either of them could open their mouths, he pointed a stern finger at them.

"Not. A. Word."

Both of them mimicked the action of zipping their lips together, but sat back with Cheshire grins on their faces, making Remus sigh.

"Ah, it's okay, Remus," Sirius patted his shoulder gently, "You'll get it when we go home."

At that, the two menaces in front of him couldn't stop their laughter and burst out snickering, attracting various looks from the people around them. Remus merely banged his head on the table, wishing the ground could swallow him whole.

"Aw, Moony," Sirius cooed, "You're so adorable."

At that, even Remus couldn't help but break into a slow smile. Upon seeing it, Sirius whooped in victory with his fist pumping the air.

"I propose we have a toast," he announced when everyone had calmed down. They had glasses of something called jaljeera on their table, which was a sweet, spicy, tangy drink that left your tongue tingling. Everyone leaned forward to take a glass and raised them together.

"To friends, and new relationships," Sirius said, winking at Remus as he did.

"To friends, and new relationships," everyone echoed before clinking their glasses together.

Remus couldn't have imagined his life turning out like this when he looked at a shady advertisement so long ago, but he couldn't have wished for anything better.