Disclaimer: I own nothing, it's all J.K. Rowling's.

Author's Note: Well, here it is, the final installment. I'd like to thank all of the reviewers, especially those of you who were kind enough to review more than once, to help out with writer's block, and to ask questions that got me thinking about this story. So, without further ado, I present to you…

Out of Our Hands

Chapter 14

James and Sirius sat deep in thought, now down in the common room, pretending to try to do homework. Remus, not noticing their vacant expressions, threw himself into the chair next to them, and sighed. When they didn't look up, he sighed louder. This time, they glanced up.

"I got a letter this morning," he sighed, meaning it this time instead of simply looking for attention. "The Ministry has placed another restriction on werewolves. They've decided we infect 'full-bloods' when we are close to them, such as dating. Or specifically dating, whichever, and have formally requested Lily and I break up."

"I got a similar letter," Sirius groaned. "Only from my parents." The group fell into silence again. "I know!" Sirius exclaimed. "We'll simply leave! Run away, never to be heard from again!"

"That's great, Sirius!" James said with mock enthusiasm. "Except none of us have graduated yet! You aren't even seventeen yet!"

"Right. I'll admit, that's a bit of a drawback," Sirius shrugged. "So I'd have to go home for a while. Or something."

"How about that be a last resort?" Remus said. "Right after 'comply with demands,' maybe? I realize you don't particularly like your family, but the rest of us would like to see ours once in a while."

"To be fair," Sirius pointed out. "James' parents are cool with us, and Lily's wouldn't know anything about your little problem." Remus rolled his eyes. Sirius had taken the news of his being a werewolf surprisingly well, and he and James were even working on a way to help him, so they claimed. They also claimed to be close to a breakthrough, which Remus was quite positive he didn't believe. As much as Sirius didn't care about his 'problem,' he definitely didn't understand all of the things that went with it.

"Sirius, even if the Ministry didn't find out, and get us in trouble for not complying with proof we've broken up, her parents are muggles. What, exactly, would I do on the next full moon?" Sirius shrugged.

"That's it!" James exclaimed. "We just need proof we've broken up. Something the Ministry and the Blacks will believe. Then they won't care how much we all see each other, because they'll think absolutely nothing will come of it!" The other two gave him blank looks. "Well, what would make them convinced that we'd all moved on? Or, at least, two of us? Marriage! Two of us will simply have to get married! Or, rather, Lily and I will have to. After all, Remus would have the same problem with either of us, and somehow I doubt your parents would approve of a Muggleborn, Sirius."

"And you think this will work?" Sirius asked doubtfully.

"Only one way to find out," James said, standing and making his way over to Lily, who had only just entered the common room. He led her over to two empty armchairs in a private corner of the common room. They put their heads together for a while, whispering back and forth. About ten minutes later, James stood and flashed a huge grin to the common room at large, which was quite full at the moment, as it was just after breakfast on a Saturday, a prime laze-around-and-do-nothing hour.

"Finally!" he exclaimed, moving to the middle of the room, pulling Lily along with him. "We'll go to the Leaky Cauldron the first weekend away from here!" Lily nodded, playing along.

"About time, mate," Sirius said instantly falling into the roll of happy friend. "If I had to hear you go on and on about how much you liked Lily one more time I think I'd go mad!"

"You think he's bad," Remus countered, putting on a brave face. "You should hear her. 'Oh, I've liked him for so long, but I just don't know what to do.'" This, of course, amused the other Gryffindors, never mind that they'd thought Lily and Remus had been going out. Apparently, they had simply started becoming even closer friends after James was moved out of the Tower. And the Blacks had been completely unfounded in their accusations, obviously.

James smiled, surveying the room. After all, what would they know about the relationships? Remus and Lily were only really close to James, and to a lesser extent Sirius, so they could conceivably be the only ones who would be officially told they were dating. Their behavior, if you were not aware of the situation, didn't appear to be anything to terribly out of the ordinary, or at least not out of the ordinary given the fact that the third part of their group had moved out. James and Sirius could, in theory, pass everything off as only following orders to all but they people they were closest to, who they knew would swear they knew no such thing.

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James and Lily had firmly established themselves as an 'official' Hogwarts couple by the time they were leaving for Kings Cross. Once at the station, they continued the charade.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter stood nearby, waiting, they thought, to be introduced to Sirius Black. They, however, were in for a bit of a shock.

"Mum, Dad," James said, coming closer. "I'd like to introduce you to Lily Evans." He saw his dad getting ready to interrupt, so he rushed to continue. "My girlfriend." Both were shocked. They spied Sirius saying hello to his parents only a little ways a way. James leaned closer, as if to kiss his mother on the cheek, and instead whispered, "I'll explain later."

She smiled. "It's so nice to see you again, Lily dear. Hopefully we'll be seeing you much more often now."

Soon, James was dragged away to be introduced to Lily's parents as well.

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True to their word, the following weekend found both teens seated at a cozy little table for two in the Leaky Cauldron. They later made a big show of going to the jewelers to pick out a promise ring. Typically, each exchanged family promise rings that had been handed down for generations, but they were using the excuse that, as Lily didn't have an ancient family ring to give, that they would be getting new rings. The real reason, however, was that they didn't want to have to deal with the charms that went with the rings. While you could eventually overcome the charms that bound the two partners together, to use those rings would make their plan completely impossible. It would, undoubtedly raise a few eyebrows, but it couldn't be helped.

Lily eyed the ring as they walked down the street. They all knew trouble was brewing, but hopefully they would be strong enough to make it through.

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Author's Note: Well, folks, that's the end of Out of Our Hands. The sequel, Still Not In Control, is being written as I type this note. It actually turned into a bit of a blessing I lost what I had to it when our computer (the computer I have to use thanks to the crappy modem on our other one, ironically enough) crashed and the floppy disks decided they needed formatted. I am trying to find a copy of two of the 'extra' moments that went along with this. Ever the eternal optimist, so long as you don't ask anyone who actually knows me, I'm still hoping for the hard copy.

If you have any ideas for the 'extras' stories, please, let me know. They could be anything, something you feel needs further explaining (from either story), or a scene you'd just like to see.

The first chapter of Missing Scenes: OoOH and SNiC is being posted!!!