May faded away gently, giving June her crown of flowers. June, in her stead, blossomed with the love with which had been given so freely. At the end of her reign, the feeling was a mixture of bittersweet excitement.
The girls roamed the halls of Hogwarts, recollecting every occurrence that had happened within these walls that knew such happiness. Mary and Marlene, for they had been close throughout the entire stay at Hogwarts, walked together, laughing when a memory rekindled its flame within their hearts.
Lily walked along, pausing to bid farewell to many of the painted souls who had so often provided her with "little gems of wisdom", as they were apt to call it. She wished she could reach out and hug them but she knew that was impossible. She could merely content herself with the hope that the words she used could possibly convey the emotion she felt.
The suits of armor bowed as she passed, the ghosts smiled sadly. It was part of the tradition, to part with the students they had come to know and love. The Grey Lady of Ravenclaw passed Lily along her way to the tower, giving in place of her usual haughty glare a kind smile. Lily was pleased to be able to smile back.
Bidding farewell to Nearly Headless Nick nearly broke her heart. He had been a source of much conversation in her early years at Hogwarts, before she had blossomed into the girl that everyone knew now. He had sat with her in the library for so many years, comforting her as she raged with anger at the predicament James had thrust her into and later as she sobbed at the news of her parents' joint death. It was he who had cheered her up, he who ensured that Peeves would not force her into the spotlight in one of his cruel tricks. Lily held back tears as she gave Nearly Headless Nick a hug, even though it made her entire body feel like an icicle.
James was experiencing the same anguish at leaving Hogwarts. He roamed around anxiously with Sirius, Remus, and Peter. They walked as a pack to thank the house-elves for all the feasts they provided and all the cleaning they did. They went round to the Whomping Willow's secret passageway by the light of the crescent moon, recalling so many adventures.
As a group, they decided to thank the Fat Lady.
"Madam," Sirius bowed gallantly to her, "We, the Marauders, would like to thank you for all of the assistance you have provided throughout the years."
"Had it not been for your selfless generosity, many an adventure would have culminated in a punishment of the severest nature," James continued.
"The possibility of expulsion has been prevented countless times, thanks solely to you," Peter bowed his head in gratitude.
"So we, the Marauders, beg of you to accept this humble token of our gratitude," Remus smiled as two old and fat friars walked into the Fat Lady's portrait carrying a large barrel of wine. They were followed by the portrait of a little girl carrying a stunning arrangement of flowers.
"We thank you most sincerely for all of the nights you sat awake, waiting for us to appear," Sirius smiled widely.
"We also beg of you to allow us one last request," James said in a slightly wheedling tone.
The Fat Lady, who had already begun to drink from the barrel, raised a thick eyebrow at him. "Yes?" She asked somewhat nervously.
"We request permission to inscribe our names, or rather the monikers that we have chosen, upon the golden scroll of your frame. We avow that our signatures will in no way tarnish your exquisiteness. Indeed, the writing shall only be visible to those who know where to seek it." Sirius recited, though it did not sound memorized. The foursome had spent hours perfecting it to sound chivalrous and gallant, the tone that the Fat Lady adored.
She hesitated for a moment, her eyebrows knitting themselves in concentration. Slowly, her round mouth moved to speak. "Oh alright," she said with a small sigh.
Remus carved slowly with his wand, making certain that each letter was crafted perfectly. He then carved his name and stood aside to let Peter take up his writing. After Peter, Sirius beamed at his friends and signed. Finally, James took his wand in hand to pen his name.
When they finished, they stared at their handiwork.
Noli nothis permittere te terere.
Acta est fabula, plaudite!
Misters Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs
The Fat Lady had watched with growing curiosity as they wrote with such precision upon her frame. They had read the statements aloud and the Fat Lady was puzzled.
"What does it say?" She asked, cocking her head.
Sirius grinned. "Don't let the bastards get you down."
"And the second part means 'the play is over, applaud!'" James explained.
"You four have always been strange," the Fat Lady said, more to herself than to them.
Remus nodded quite seriously. "Yes madam, we have. But we have you to thank for allowing us to remain so."
The Fat Lady rolled her eyes and continued to drink the wine they had given her.
The boys walked into the Gryffindor Common Room, examining everything closely. The armchair they had singed during a particularly violent game of Wizard's Chess, the couches on which so many fond memories had been made (Sirius smirked upon recalling them), the secrets that had been shared in a dark corner. One secret in particular stood out in their minds.
It was their second year and they were sitting as a group in the darkest corner. It was not a position they usually occupied, preferring to sit in the center and have attention lavished upon them.
"So I suppose you don't want to be friends anymore," Remus Lupin said quietly, staring at the ground.
"Are you mad?" James exclaimed so loudly that a few of the Gryffindors turned to see what the commotion was about.
"Of course we want to be friends," Sirius said in a softer voice. "You're one of us, mate."
"You're in it for life," James added.
Peter nodded. "We can't let you out now; you're one of our best friends."
"Besides," Sirius winked, "we'd have to kill you. You know too many secrets."
"Listen Remus, give us some time and we'll help you out, alright?" James looked at him seriously. "'Cos we're not the type of mates who ditch a fellow simply because he's got a furry little problem."
Sirius nodded gravely, adding, "Your problem is our problem, Remus. We'll do what we can to help you."
Remus had never felt so happy in his entire life. His three friends, friends who knew everything, still wanted to be friends with him. They didn't run away screaming when they found out. They merely accepted it as a part of him, as calmly as if he had told them he was prone to getting head colds. It was such an amazing feeling, to be part of such a friendship.
Sirius broke the reverie that had fallen upon them. "I'm going to find Della," he said quietly. "I want to spend a few more hours with her at Hogwarts before I end this part of my life completely."
The others nodded, understanding. They were each going to go out on their own now, it was logical for it to begin first in the place that had brought them together.
Remus smiled at the remaining two before speaking. "I'm going to go walk around a bit, clear my head." He left quickly, following the path Sirius had trod.
"I'm off to find Lily. I promised we'd bid Hagrid farewell together." James patted him on the back before leaving him all alone.
Peter watched his retreating figure, calculating the time it'd take for him to be far enough away to slip off without James or any of the others knowing where he went. Finally, when he knew he had enough time, Peter walked out of the Gryffindor Common Room and into the Slytherin one.
Lily gazed around at her friends, some new some old. She laughed as she brought back one of her favorite memories, the one in where she had met the girls she called her best friends.
First time getting ready to board the train to Hogwarts and Lily felt queasy, her stomach doing flips that belonged in a circus, not within her.
"You'll be fine, Lily," her mother said as she hugged her tightly.
Her father merely smiled as they embraced, kissing her lightly on the forehead. "Make us proud, darling."
She tried not to cry as she stepped onto the train, looking around apprehensively at the loud boys and girls.
The corridor between the compartments was filled with laughter and conversations. Students in various states of greetings clogged up the spaces, grinning and laughing.
"I had the most brilliant summer, Aelis," Lily heard a girl say, "I went to see Stonehenge and you should've seen the curses they put on that place! You know only Muggles see it as a pile of rocks. It's really this gorgeous place, loads of ancient writings. And loads of amazingly gorgeous guys!"
Lily stumbled through the corridor, catching sight of an empty one. With a deep breath, she walked in and sat down alone, gazing out of the window.
She was only alone for a minute or so before she heard the door open. A short dark haired girl stood with a bitter look upon her face. "Compartment empty?" she asked.
Lily nodded. "Er… yes…"
The girl's face broke into a smile. "Thank God for that. I've been roaming this stupid train trying to get away from my sisters! They're everywhere!"
"How many sisters do you have?" Lily asked curiously.
"A lot." The girl grinned. "It's loony at my house."
"I've only got one sister."
"Really? What year's she in?"
Lily shook her head. "My sister's a Muggle. My whole family is, rather."
"Ooh I bet you know loads of stuff I don't then. My family's all magic and it gets sooo boring."
"Speaking of boring," another voice joined them as the door slid open, "the other compartments are not. Mind if I join you two?"
"Not at all!" The girl with lots of sisters replied.
"I'm Marlene McKinnon. Who're you?" Marlene smiled at them widely.
"I'm Mary Macdonald and this is…" she trailed off.
"Lily Evans."
"So do you know anyone here?" Mary asked as Marlene settled into a seat beside Lily.
Marlene nodded. "James Potter's one of my mates. His mum and my mum are brilliant friends."
"James Potter?" Mary giggled. "My sister, one of the littler ones, thinks he's cute!"
"Oh so you know him to?"
"Not him. My mum and dad go to balls at his house though."
"So do mine!"
Lily watched them quietly, listening as they exchanged information about the Potters and laughed. After a few minutes, Marlene turned to her with another wide grin.
"I've come to a conclusion," Marlene began.
"What's that?" Lily asked.
"We're meant to be best friends." Marlene sang. "We'll be best friends foreverrr!"
The train ride home was bittersweet. They sat together in one compartment, all eight of them. Fittingly, it was the compartment the Marauders had met in. When they arrived at the train station, tears were falling freely from all those present.
"I'll miss you," Lily managed to say as she hugged Mary, Marlene, and Della tightly. "Don't forget to visit me," she told them.
The boys abandoned all shame at public displays of affection. They hugged each other openly and tightly, though their hugs were masculine.
Lily and James held hands as they walked through the barrier that separated Platform 9 ¾ from the rest of the Muggle world.
"Do you realize," James said slowly, "that the next time we cross that wall will be with our own kids?"
Lily stared at him. The thought had never even occurred to her. "That's scary," she said quietly.
James nodded. "It's frightening. We're ancient, Kooks. But that's okay." He squeezed her hand tightly. "We'll be fine."
They smiled at each other for a moment, thinking of their plans. James was going to drop Lily off before heading home to see his parents. Then he was planning on moving in with Sirius for a bit.
As they stood in the parking lot, watching their friends set off in their own cars to their own homes, Lily spoke with borrowed words. "Parting is such sweet sorrow," she said quietly.
Author's Note: All good things come to an end. And this is mine.
There are so many people I'm extremely grateful to. If I had the time, I'd name all of them. But since I clearly lack it, I'm going to just name a few. Please don't feel bad if you're not named. Your advice and reviews were equally appreciated.
Lexie-H, naughty-sphinx, StArZiLL, GlindaFied26, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, rani singala, Pyromaniac-Girl, stardust718, xSiriusxPotterx, ReadingRobyn, and Jessiquie, I am so grateful for all of your reviews and comments. They helped inspire me and keep me writing.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
The Walrus and the Oyster by Lewis Carroll