Author's Note at the end of this chapter. This is the last chapter. I hope you enjoy it. I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters, J.K. Rowling does!!! This chapter its like 15 pages typed and I thought it would be a nice gift to end on a long chapter.

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James and Sirius entered the common room one evening after another long night of detention. With all the students studying James and Sirius doubled the trouble they usually caused since the common room was becoming as quiet as the library.

Though it was midnight many students were still up studying, their noses inches from books or parchment. Students sat on the floor, chairs, tables, and in front of the fireplace studying with books surrounding them. James and Sirius spotted Remus and Peter studying near the first year girls at a table in the corner.

"Having fun?" James whispered as he and Sirius sat down next to Remus.

"Looking good Remus," Sirius pointed at Remus' face. He looked as bad as he did after the full moon with his tired and abused tires that had both dark circles under them and were red. His neat brown hair was messy, though no where near as messy as James' hair.

"I'm so tired, but I need to get this done," Remus let out a big yawn.

"Remus what's-?" Peter started.

"Ask James," Remus spoke quickly and looked at James pleading.

"What Peter?" James asked.

"I can't find the name of the wizard who found the twelve uses of Dragon Blood!"

"Dumbledore did it Peter," James told him at once.

Peter nodded and looked back down at his notes.

"I've had to explain everything to him," Remus whispered to James. "I've barely gotten through Transfiguration and I really needed to finish both Transfiguration and Charms today."

"Come on, let's get some sleep you can study tomorrow," Sirius stood up. He yawned and stretched, "Wow, detention really makes you tired."

"Exams are a week away," Remus eyes looked quickly at all the scattered papers and books. "I have to stay and study."

"You are going mental on us Remus," James shook his head and grabbed his arm, "To bed we go."

The four boys went to their dorm. At the door Sirius turned to James, "I'm glad we aren't putting ourselves through this misery."

"I know," James shook his head at the other two.

It was a slow week. Sirius never saw Andromeda, but then he realized that she would be taking her N.E.W.Ts soon and was in the Ravenclaw common room studying even harder than Remus. There was not a lot to do with everyone studying. James and Sirius were causing mischief daily now to deal with their boredom. They crept into the Slytherin common room one night and took all the books that had been left there and threw them out. They upset teacher's classrooms and left Dungbombs and Stink Pellets all over the halls. Not once did they study for exams.

After detention they would either make some more mischief or go back to the common room and play wizard's chess as everyone else studied. Peter would come to them with a problem and feeling pity to Remus, who dealt with Peter all the time he was studying, they would answer his questions for them. Lily Evans would look up every once in a while to make sure James wasn't studying. A few times she listened to James answering one of Peter's questions and she doubled her studying to make sure she won the bet.

And so exams came. The common room was barely empty at all; students had no time to rest between exams, they continued to study throughout the night, during the meals and between exams. The first year Gryffindors had Transfiguration first. For most of the students, it was a nightmare. They were called up one by one and told to turn a mouse into a snuffbox. James, his best subject being Transfiguration walked up to her desk without a care in the world. He flicked his wrist, pointed his wand at the mouse and there was a perfect snuffbox. Sirius grinned remembering his own perfect snuffbox. Remus did well too, but Peter's still had whiskers and sticking out was the nose of the mouse. Lily sweating all the way up to Professor McGonagall's desk was able to turn her mouse into a snuffbox too. In Charms, they had to make a pineapple tapdance across a desk. Lily, Charms being her subject had the pineapple performing a wonderful tapdance show for the class. Sirius made his bow to the class when he finished, and James and Remus did the requirements for the exam. In Potions, Sirius was tempted to sabotage Snape's potion but since their teacher never took her eyes off the class the whole time he wasn't able to do anything. They worked on their Forgetfulness Potion without speaking and barely looking at each other.

Their last exam was History of Magic, which James and Sirius finished before the period was half over. They sat back in their chairs and pretended to sleep while everyone else worked hard trying to figure out the answers in their exam.

Exams ended at last. The first day of freedom no one in Gryffindor was awake before noon except Sirius and James. They worked all morning playing tricks on the students of Gryffindor. Buckets of water were magically placed above the beds of some students, while Dungbombs were hovering over other beds. At 11am, James and Sirius went down to the Great Hall for a late breakfast and all the tricks went off. They ran down the hall with the yells of the Gryffindor students ringing in their ears.

There was a great deal of noise in the Great Hall at lunch when all the students finally appeared. No one in Gryffindor had any doubt to who was responsible for the mischief in Gryffindor Tower.

They were leaving the Great Hall when they saw Andromeda get up from the Ravenclaw table. They waited for her and she greeted them warmly.

"How were the exams?" She asked them.

"Easy, yours?" Sirius asked.

"Simple," James also responded.

"From Hell." Andromeda sighed.

"Peter and I studied but these two," Remus pointed to James and Sirius, "didn't. They caused trouble the whole time."

"I wish I could have joined them instead of studying," Andromeda laughed. "I'd leave the detentions to you two of course."

"Thanks," Sirius smiled. "Where's Ted?"

"Sleeping, he had rounds last night," Andromeda told them.

"We didn't see him," James shrugged.

"I'm sure you have means so he or other Perfects couldn't see you either," Andromeda smiled knowingly.

"Maybe," James grinned.

"What are you four doing today now that you are free?"

"We thought of visiting Hagrid," Sirius told her, "Will you join us?"

"Sure, I wanted to see him before I go anyway," Andromeda said. "I've been visiting him since I was a 1st year."

The four Gryffindors and one Ravenclaw headed for the doors. They talked all the way down to the hut, James and Sirius told Andromeda all about the bet and the trick they played on the Gryffindors.

Hagrid was outside his hut sitting in a large chair with a huge mug of something in front of him. He raised one of his large hands up in welcome and then stood up.

"Come and have a drink with me," He said and they all went in and sat around his large table.

"Hi Hagrid," James said.

"How did yeh exams go?" He asked as mugs were placed in front of everyone.

"I'm just glad they are over," Andromeda sighed again in relief.

"Easy," James told him.

"Simple, and we spent the every night in detention," Sirius smiled.

"Yeh didn't study?" asked Hagrid.

"Didn't need to," James told him.

"Not once," Sirius said proudly.

"Never did well on exams meself," Hagrid confessed. "What are yeh five doing this summer?"

"Going to hell," Sirius grimaced.

"Nothing."

Andromeda smiled, "The usual." She glanced at Hagrid and they shared a look.

"What?" Sirius noticed and looked between them.

"Nothing Sirius," Andromeda smiled down at her cousin.

"How is Ted?" Hagrid cleared his throat and asked.

"He's good, he's moving out of his house this summer. He bought a place in London."

"That's good, good for kids to get away from their parents," Hagrid smiled more.

"What's going on?" Sirius asked.

"Nothing Sirius, you are too suspicious," Andromeda shook her head.

James exchanged a look with Sirius and Remus, "Do you think there will be trouble this summer with the madman?"

"Yeh not suppose to know anything about that," Hagrid didn't look too shocked that they knew about it.

"We have ears and eyes Hagrid."

"And we are 11, we are curious," James added.

"Yes yeh are 11 so don't worry about nothing," Hagrid told them seriously.

"Hard not to when it's happening around us," James told Hagrid.

"Nothing is going to happen, so stop yeh asking," Hagrid said.

Andromeda and Hagrid started talking about magical creatures and it gave time for Sirius and James to look at each other. They had not forgotten about the conversations they had heard earlier in the year. They were also wondering what was going on between Hagrid and Andromeda.

When they left two hours later Sirius hounded Andromeda all the way back to the castle, "What do you two know what we don't?" Sirius asked again.

"Nothing Sirius so drop it," Andromeda said again.

Sirius sighed.

"Let it go Sirius, she's not saying," James shrugged.

Sirius groaned. He hated when things were being hidden from him.

The next day was the Leaving Feast. The four Gryffindors celebrated along with their House, for they had won the House Cup thanks to the win of the Quidditch Cup. The Hall was decorated in Gryffindor colors, and all the banners in the room had Lions on them.

The four Gryffindors had played their final trick of the year by bewitching the food at the Slytherin Table to taste differently, the meat tasted by pepper, the potatoes like burnt toast, and the pumpkin juice like sour milk. The Slytherins had a fit, though for awhile it seemed the joke had not worked as none of the Slytherins made too much of a fuss. Bellatrix ate some potatoes had started screaming that it was Sirius and James who did it and that they should be punished. It just made the Gryffindors laugh even harder.

After the Feast, most students started to pack if they had not already started. The first year boys though went to bed; they would pack in the morning. They stayed up late talking about their summers and trips that they would go on. Sirius was rather quite here, he sat on his bed and listened to Peter talk about the trip his parents were going to take.

The next morning trunks were filled and closed, and students started to make their way to the train. They talked excitingly about their summers. Plans for trips to Diagon Alley and their friend's houses were being planned already.

Sirius sat by the fire in silence. His trunk was not packed yet, and he had no desire to either. He was imagining his summer, and his parent's actions toward him. He would do anything not to have to go back to Grimmauld Place. He wished he could stay at Hogwarts.

"You okay Sirius?"

"Yes I am, just wishing I didn't have to go home," Sirius sighed and continued to look into the fire.

"We will be back here soon, and then we can figure out this Animagus business," James sat down next to him.

Sirius nodded, "I'll do what I can this summer. I have nothing else to do."

"Same here, I'll probably train all summer for Quidditch though."

"I want to try out too. Maybe my uncle will buy me a broom!"

"Ask him," James looked around. "Train leaves in about an hour. You all packed?"

"No."

"Let's go then."

"All right," Sirius got up with a heavy sigh and together they went up to their dorm.

Sirius quickly threw stuff into his trunk while James, Remus and Peter watched. They were all packed and had already made sure they had everything. Now they stood by the door and waited for Sirius.

"Good packing Sirius," James commented as Sirius threw his textbooks on top of his robes.

Sirius didn't respond. He was checking under his bed for everything. He grabbed one last book and shut his trunk, "That's it."

"Let's go, would hate for the train to leave without us," Remus remarked.

"That would be just horrible," Sirius said sarcastically.

Gryffindor Tower was empty when they got down. It seemed that everyone else was already down in the Entrance Hall or at the Station. The four Gryffindors walked slowly, and Sirius looked around him once more trying to take it all in.

Down at the Platform they put their belongings away and took the last compartment. They settled down for a game of Wizard's Chess just as the train started to go and Andromeda came into their compartment.

"Sirius, can I speak to you for a moment privately?"

"Sure," Sirius got up, "take over for me Remus."

He followed Andromeda out of the compartment. Andromeda led him all the way down to the front of the train, where the Perfects usually sat. It was empty and they took seats. Andromeda smiled fondly at her cousin and spoke softly, "I'm so proud of you Sirius, you have done so well this year."

"I wouldn't have been able to without you," Sirius told her.

"Yes you would have, you have three of the greatest friends in the world, especially James," Andromeda told him. "You will do well with them."

There was an uncomfortable silence as Andromeda tried to find the right words. She opened and closed her mouth a few times and finally took a deep breath and looked Sirius straight in the eye; "This is good bye Sirius. I won't be seeing you for some years."

"Goodbye? We will see each other soon, I know we will. You and your sisters are always at Grimmauld Place."

"No Sirius, I'm not going back to my house. I'm leaving my parents. I'm marrying someone and we are moving away."

"They already have married you off?" Sirius said in disbelief.

"No Sirius, I'm marrying someone of my choice. Ted asked me to marry him, and I said yes," Andromeda smiled. "He asked me last time we went to Hogsmeade."

"But… but- he's a muggleborn!" Sirius' eyes opened wide and he started to shake his head.

"I know."

"They will disown you!" Sirius said louder.

"I don't care, I love him," Andromeda confessed. "We have been going out since my 5th year, and I've worked so hard to keep our relationship a secret from my sisters. They know now of course, but that can't be helped."

"What about me?" Sirius asked.

"You don't need me Sirius, you have your friends," Andromeda told him.

"But… but yes I do, I can't survive with them all summer. Andromeda!" Sirius couldn't believe what was going on. He had just assumed that he would have at least someone who liked him sometimes during the summer.

"I'm sorry Sirius, but I know that you will be fine. I see that you four have such a tight bond that it won't break. Trust me, and trust them if not yourself. This summer just remember the good times with them, and you will make it this summer, I know you will." Andromeda hugged him tightly, and Sirius returned it. He bit his lip to hold back tears.

"I will owl you if I can in September, and maybe we can see each other, but you must go on and live your life with your friends. I must go and live mine life with Ted. One day though we will meet again and until then good luck Sirius. Promise me something?"

Sirius nodded.

"Don't let them get the best of you," Andromeda asked. "You have your mother's temper, and they will try and make you angry, and make you do something you will regret. I know that one day you will leave them, but please Sirius not yet. Be careful around them, and don't do anything foolish."

Sirius looked her in the eyes; she was pleading him now. He opened his mouth slowly to speak, "I promise."

"Thank you," Andromeda hugged him again.

"Will you sit with us until we get to the station?" Sirius asked.

"Yes, I'll meet you down there. I'll find Ted," Andromeda stood up.

Sirius sat there for another minute after Andromeda left. She was getting married… and he didn't know when he would see her again. He had hoped that he would see her over the summer, his cousins were over for dinner constantly. But now he would be by himself. He sighed and got up thinking the summer was looking even better.

He went back to the compartment and sat down. He did not resume his place in the Wizard's Chess game that James and Remus were playing. He looked out the window until the compartment door opened and Andromeda and Ted came in.

Ted came and sat next to him. They didn't speak for a minute but then Sirius turned to him, "Are you going to take care of my cousin?" He asked seriously.

Ted smiled up at Andromeda and then at Sirius, "I tend to, I love her dearly."

"So do I," Sirius told him. He then smiled, "Good luck, she's a stubborn one."

Andromeda and Ted laughed, "Thank you Sirius. Trust me I know how stubborn she can be, but I also know ways to make her see things my way." Ted smiled up at Andromeda.

"I am still here you know, no need to talk about me like I was dead or something," Andromeda told the two boys.

"We know, but you get so cute when you get angry," Ted laughed.

"Oh move over," Andromeda came and sat next to Sirius. It was a tight squeeze with the three people sitting on the bench but no one moved or minded. "Are you going to try out for the Quidditch Team next year?"

"If I had a broom I would," Sirius told her.

"Uncle Alphard played Quidditch when he was in school. He will buy you a broom if you ask, he likes to spoil anyone he can."

"All right I will," Sirius smiled.

"Keep in touch with him, he's a valuable friend." Andromeda told him.

"I will."

The train moved along toward London while they talked merrily. James and Sirius played wizard's chess against Ted and Andromeda. While they played, James opened his box of Chocolate Frogs. Exam results had come the day before, and to James' delight he had beat Lily Evans in every subject except Charms. Sirius had tied him in a few subjects and had the next best grades. Lily had given him the box of chocolate cards fuming, not being able to understand how he could have beat her when she had studied the whole time. Her grades of course were extremely high, and James only beat her by a point or two on every test, except her perfect Charms grade. The game ended as the train entered London and Ted declared checkmate.

When the train stopped, everyone got out. On the Platform Andromeda and Sirius stood next to each other. Nothing was said between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw now, but Sirius took her hand and she smiled.

When they were allowed through the barrier, Andromeda saw her parents, Narcissa and Bellatrix standing together and hugging each other. James waved to his parents and turned to Sirius.

"I'll owl you," He promised.

"Bye."

"Good luck this summer." He went off.

"Bye Sirius," Remus went to his parents.

"Bye Sirius," Peter went off in another direction trying to find his parents.

"Good luck Sirius," Andromeda hugged him again. She then went up to her parents and standing in front of them cleared her throat. "This is good bye. If all goes well, I won't see you again. I am going to be a married women in a few months." She turned and took Ted's hand who was standing behind her. Together they went over to his parents. Sirius glanced a look at his uncle and aunt as Andromeda walked away, both had confused looks on their faces.

Narcissa however came up next to them and said loudly, "That's Ted Tonks, he's worth as much as a Mudblood."

Andromeda and Ted, though clearly hearing her continued walking away from them and did not turn back. Sirius looked again at his aunt and uncle who now were angry. "You disgrace to the family!" His aunt yelled.

Andromeda turned around now, but did not look at her parents but to Sirius. She smiled at him and waved. Sirius waved good bye to Andromeda and went up to his aunt and uncle.

"We are to take you home," his uncle spoke harshly. "Your parents were too busy to come themselves."

Sirius nodded.

"Let's go."

Sirius turned back to the Platform. He would see this place soon and until then he would have to make the most of his situation. He glanced around and caught James' eye. He smiled and raised his hand in goodbye. James waved and turned back to his parents.

He turned and looked at Andromeda's retreating back and wished he could be like her. He wasn't though, but one day he would. He would be free of his parents and his relations, but it was not this day. One day though, he promised himself, he would escape. He remembered his promise to Andromeda though and renewed it to himself; he would not let them get the best of him. He would not give them that satisfaction. He sighed, one day he would escape and until then, he would make the best of his situation. He turned and followed his aunt, uncle and cousins out of the train station.

THE END!

Author's Note:

First of all, thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed by story. Thank you to

Greek Witch, Thowra, Amandinka, Joslin, Celebrean, RedRaspberry, anniePADFOOT, Jeanne2, Moonysgirl, skahducky, ggyy, Damia - Queen of the Gypsi's, who reviewed last chapter! I thank everyone who has reviewed, all 301 reviews! WOW! I've never had that many! I'm glad everyone enjoyed the story!

Soon, I will post my new story, about James and Sirius' summer between fifth and sixth year. It's when Sirius decides to leave Grimmauld Place, and right now it's just a summer fic. I doubt I will write into their sixth year. So look for that soon, I'm already busy writing. I also thank everyone for their patience with my posting, lol, I'm really bad at posting chapters. I get v. lazy.