Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Harry Potter franchise. Any recognizable characters/locations/magic-thingies from the series belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I have written this for entertainment purposes, not gain.

After completing their N.E. that afternoon, Alice and Lily spent their time discussing their summer plans.

"We could go dancing," Lily said, washing her hands. "Or to the beach, maybe?"

Alice stood in front of one of the washroom mirrors preening. "Sounds good, but I'm not sure what Frankie's got planned."

Lily waggled her eyebrows and made loud, obnoxious smooching sounds, earning a jab in the side from Alice's bony elbow. Alice turned back to the mirror to give her appearance a once over, and let out a screech when she saw the reflection of someone standing behind them.

Lily jumped. "Chuffing Nora!"

The two whirled around to face Evelyn. Neither of them had heard her enter through the bathroom door, nor did they have any idea how long she'd been standing there without interrupting. Her long hair was let down out of its usual bun, and Lily took notice of the chain she'd given her was once again attached to her glasses.

"Hello," Evelyn said, seemingly timid.

Lily didn't return the greeting, crossing her arms over her chest in a decidedly unfriendly manner. She was wary and just a little bit angry with Evelyn, having spent the last few weeks being given the cold shoulder.

Alice glanced between the two awkwardly.

"Those exams were a bugger, weren't they?" she asked in an attempt to break the palpable tension. She looked at Lily expectantly.

"Yeah, they were," Lily answered, after a long moment. "They would have been a lot easier though, if you hadn't left studying until the last minute."

Alice rolled her eyes. "Well, we can't all be as smart as the pair of you."

Evelyn smiled hesitantly, as though expecting to be rejected. "So, you did well?"

Alice shrugged and turned back to the mirror, pretending to fix her hair. She gave Lily a sidelong glance, knowing that the last few weeks had been especially hard on her.

Lily sighed. "I did alright, I think."

Evelyn nodded.

"...How'd you do on the Charms portion?"

"Surprisingly, well. It was the Herbology portion that gave me the most trouble."

"Oh really?"

"I couldn't for the life of me recall how to tell the difference between a Flitterbloom and a Devil's Snare."

Uncomfortable silence fell upon them once more. She'd intended to mend broken fences as soon as examinations had come to an end and, now that they had, she was more determined than ever. So she stepped forward and revealed what she'd been hiding behind her back—the infamous copy of Persuasion by Jane Austen.

"I read it," Evelyn said, nervously.

Lily, despite hurt feelings, took the peace offering without hesitation.

Evelyn looked down at her feet, ashamed. "I'm..." The apology caught in her throat.

Lily took a deep breath, releasing all of the frustration and anger she'd been carrying around, and gave Evie a smile. She then flung herself forward and caught the taller girl in a hug that she awkwardly returned. And just like that, all was forgiven.

Alice, who was glad that this hadn't become another Snape fiasco, turned around to face the friends. "You're lucky," she said, grinning cheekily. "I would have made you grovel a bit more."

The Marauders sat out by the edge of the Black Lake, the latest Hobgoblins' song blaring loudly on Remus' portable radio. It was one of their favourite places to kick back and relax, and this was possibly one of the last times they'd be able to enjoy it before they said goodbye to Hogwarts forever.

Peter and Sirius stood in the water with their trousers rolled up to their knees, skipping stones. Remus and James sat by the tree discussing summer plans.

"Well, first and foremost, I'd say we should go on a good, old fashioned pub crawl," James said, laying back and lacing his fingers behind his head.

Remus smiled wryly, looking up from the Daily Prophet's fiendishly difficult crossword. "Only if you promise to keep me from dancing on tables, stripping, and making a general fool of myself."

"I am only one wizard! You're asking for a miracle!" James joked.

"I give up," Peter said, unable to compete with Sirius' technique. He stepped out of the water and sat on the grass next to James.

"You just need practice, Wormtail," Remus said.

James snorted. "He's had seven years practice!"

Sirius laughed, flicked his wrist and tossed the stone he was holding, watching it skip further than the rest had.

He was going to miss this, the comfortable simplicity of this life. Hogwarts had always been his home, something to look forward to during the summers when he was trapped in his parents' house with their bigotry. It was the place he'd met his friends—his brothers. Now he was expected to go out into the world and actually do something other than piss about with his mates. Perhaps he could play Quidditch professionally, or build broomsticks or become an Auror. He had plenty of opportunities available to him, more than someone like Remus did anyway. But there was nothing Sirius could think of that was worth devoting the rest of his life to.

Just then Remus' radio started to crackle and change stations. Peter gave it a smack, earning a disapproving frown from Remus. A warm breeze rustled through the leaves, and caressed the surface of the lake. A strange feeling came over Sirius, as though he was being watched. He slowly turned and looked around for what he guessed was the cause of the disturbance.

She was approaching them, hair flying free behind her. The anger he felt towards her had dissipated since their shared detention a few days ago. Yet, as much as missed her, he wasn't prepared for them to be friends. Every time he saw her, his chest tightened painfully, remembering how happy she'd once made him. It was the happiest he'd ever been, and he'd wanted to hold onto it forever. But...what was that Muggle poem she'd recited to him, on one of their many walks last autumn?

Nothing gold can stay. Truer words were never spoken.

She was close now, gracefully walking towards him. Her glasses hung on the chain around her neck, and she wore a familiar expression on her face. It was the same look she'd worn the night they'd slept together—vulnerability. He felt a small spark of hope ignite inside him.

"Evelyn?"

She never broke stride, nor acknowledged the other Marauders who she'd taken by surprise. She walked past them, determinedly. Sirius didn't dare move as she stepped towards him, splashing through the water.

His mouth was so dry that he couldn't speak. His palms were sweating and his heart was racing as she stopped right in front of him. Her close proximity made him anxious and he waited on baited breath for her to speak.

But she didn't say anything. Instead, she leaned in and brushed her lips across his in a kiss.

At first he went rigid from shock, but soon he was wrapping his arms around her waist and returning the kiss, his body remembering the feel of her. He'd missed the taste of her, the way her nails dug into his shoulders, and how she sighed sweetly into his mouth. He remembered this all too well. It was the same rush of feelings and sensations she had always inspired.

Yet, this kiss was different. It was almost as though every kiss they'd shared before had been in practice for this one. It was the mark of something, though he wasn't entirely sure what. He couldn't focus or think reasonably when she was so near to him after weeks of being apart. He pulled her even closer, lifting her and propping her against his body, wanting to revel in this for as long as it lasted.

This didn't happen to be for much longer, as it turned out.

Sirius soon lost his balance and toppled back into the water, bringing Evelyn down with him. The kiss was broken, with a flourishing splash. The shock of the cold water had them scrambling to sit up, spluttering all the while.

Peter, Remus and James—who'd Sirius and Evelyn had forgotten were there to witness everything—pointedly looked away, trying and failing to hide their hysterics. Sirius stood up, pushing his wet hair away from his face. He looked down at a wet Evelyn, long hair plastered to her head and shoulders.

He hid a smirk and offered her a hand in getting up. She moved her hair out of the way, and stood. She was dripping and shivering, but all the while smiling at him.

"We should dry off," she said, squeezing his hand before letting it go. "But perhaps afterwards, we could speak privately?"

"Sure," he said. "We can go for a walk."

They met outside of the Entrance Hall after changing out of their wet clothes, and then proceeded to stroll across the grounds. The awkward silence between them dragged on painfully. When she practically mauled him earlier, she hadn't really given much thought to how she should approach this conversation. While they both excelled at having the last word, neither was particularly efficient at starting important conversations.

"So...?" Sirius shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. "You wanted to talk."

After that kiss earlier, Sirius felt as if the anticipation was going to burn him from the inside out. He listened to her recount the series of events that had led to her epiphany. He practically held his breath the entire time, eagerly awaiting the part in the story when she would confess her undying love. However, she seemed to be struggling to find the right words. Eventually he took pity on her when her ineloquence became almost painful for him to witness.

"I don't mean to appear indecorous, but I propose—if you are amenable, that is—that you...that we resume...Sirius...what I'm getting at—or what I'm try—I missed you and—"

He took her by the hand, mercifully silencing her. He smiled and entwined their fingers together. Her dark eyes brightened with hope, as he brought the back of her hand up to his lip so he could brush a tender kiss across her knuckles. It wasn't what he'd wanted to hear, but it was enough to send his heart soaring.

"I know."

In the long run, perhaps it wasn't words he needed from her. Though as articulate as she normally was, he really only required this: to be allowed to hold her hand. So long as he had that freedom, nothing else mattered.

A few days later...

On the Hogwarts Express for the last time, Evelyn sat in the cramped compartment with her friends. The seventh years had been escorted across the Black Lake to Hogsmeade Station on little dinghies, giving them one last look at Hogwarts Castle in all its glory.

Evelyn stared out of the window in contemplation, as the train pulled out of the station and started its journey. She'd arrived at Hogwarts a different person. She'd been lonely and miserable without actually having known it. Now, she had people that cared for her, who she cared for and not out of a sense of obligation. She had seen people change—Sirius and Maureen to name a few. She'd lost Luther, who she'd thought would always be by her side. Her entire life had changed, and as soon as she got to Platform 9 ¾ she knew it would change all over again.

Alice slurped her iced pumpkin juice loudly, drawing Evelyn out of her reverie.

"Thirsty, Alice?" Remus asked, seated across from her.

She smiled. "I'll need to be hydrated for when the train stops."

Peter gave her a confused look. "Why?"

Lily sat on James lap, as there weren't enough seats in the compartment. "Her Frank will be there," she sniggered.

"So?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Honestly, Wormtail, have you been living under a rock?"

James frowned. "I don't get it, either."

"Really?" Lily looked at him, incredulous.

"Yes," he said, before cocking an eyebrow suggestively. "Care to explain it to me?"

She shook her head and playfully smacked his arm, but kissed him anyway. The affectionate pair were another example of change that Evelyn had been witness to.

Sirius took Evelyn's hand, entwining her fingers with his. She didn't look at him, but squeezed his hands and smiled.

"I'm glad you two lovebirds are flying again," Lily said.

"Me too," said Sirius. "But I can't but help but think I should've made her get down on her knees and grovel."

Alice chuckled. "That's what I said!"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, but stayed quiet. If nothing else, she deserved a bit of ribbing for what she'd put them through.

"What are you going to miss most about Hogwarts?" Remus asked her later, when the train was whizzing along the countryside.

She arched her eyebrow in consideration. "I'm not entirely sure."

"I'm going to miss it all, I think especially the Sorting Ceremonies."

"Why?" she asked, not having expected him to say that.

He smiled and brushed his fringe out of his eyes. "It's where it all started for me. It was the moment when I realized something spectacular was happening. The hat put me in Gryffindor, and because of it my whole life changed."

She smiled thoughtfully. "I was never sorted."

"Do you ever wish you were? Or wonder what House you might have ended up in?"

She shook her head. "No," she said. "I've spent a great deal of my life defined by my allegiances. The notion of letting a hat decide where my heart should lie seems just as unwise."

Remus mulled over her answer. "But the Sorting hat sees inside your head, it knows who you are."

"How could it?" she asked. "Until recently, I didn't know. I still don't think I know myself entirely. Though, I suppose that's what time is for."

Remus bobbed his head, conceding to her logic. "That's very wise."

She gave him teasing smile. "Said one fool to another."

Over the course of the trip, the others had looked for distractions. Alice, James and Peter had turned to a game of Exploding Snap, and Lily had cracked open a book. Meanwhile, Sirius had leant his head back, closed his eyes and let the motion of the train lull him to sleep.

"What are you reading, Lily?" Remus asked.

She showed him the cover. "Jane Eyre. Evelyn insisted I should read it."

"I think I've heard of it," he said, his father having been Muggle born. "Does it have a happy ending?"

He looked over at Evelyn for an answer.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Sirius' chin drop to his chest and his head loll forward. Every so often when a card would explode from the other side of the compartment, she would glance over to see if it had disturbed Sirius' sleep. But Sirius was so at ease both awake and in slumber that it never did. Her thoughts briefly flitted to Maureen, who differed from him so much in her incapability to be content—even with her own dreams. Evelyn's thumb gently caressed the back of Sirius hand, which still grasped her own. "It's bittersweet."

"Worth reading?" Lily asked, only halfway through the novel herself.

Sirius unconsciously squeezed her hand. "Yes, definitely," she said.

Eventually, the trip came to an end and they arrived at Kings Cross Station. Evelyn roused Sirius, who helped her carry her trunk off the train. The seven of them stepped onto Platform 9 ¾, and were immediately bombarded by greetings from loved ones and goodbyes from school friends. Lily fiercely hugged her mum, the Marauders shook hands with their fellow Gryffindors, and Alice was kissed by whom one could only assume was Frank.

Evelyn stood alone, away from the swarm of people. She'd sent Mr. Gray a letter explaining her decision to reunite with Sirius and her friends, but he hadn't responded. Her eyes apprehensively scanned the multitude of people, searching for her sister and the tall, grim looking man that she would undoubtedly be standing with.

The platform in time became less crowded as the students began heading home with their families. Sirius returned to her side and placed a hand on her back, ready to meet her family and play the perfect gentleman he wasn't. But as far as he could tell, Mr. Gray and Maureen weren't there.

One of the train station attendants, a balding man with crooked teeth, approached Evelyn and indicated to the cardboard box a gentleman had specifically left behind for her. She knelt down and opened the box, which had her name written on the side. Upon finding what few possessions Evelyn owned packed away, she understood instantly. She had known on some level that it was coming, but the reality of it still struck her hard.

"I do believe, I've been disowned," she said to Sirius, who knelt down beside her.

He rubbed gentle circles into her back and kissed her cheek, trying to comfort her the only way he could think of. Her eyes watered behind her glasses and her shoulders began shaking in tiny, silent sobs. He pulled her into a hug and whispered soothing words into her ear.

"It's going to be alright, luv," he told her, despite his own doubt. "I'm here. I'll take care of you."

"You can stay with me," someone offered, though in the state she was in, she couldn't discern who.

She wept into the crook of Sirius' neck, tears of happiness and misery mixing together to dampen the collar of his shirt. Her life was now at loose ends, her future holding little certainty. She'd turned her back on everything she'd known for the sake of being with him. So, she clung to Sirius and let him console her. Her hands grasped the front of his shirt tightly, unwilling to let go of him now that he was all she had. For now, in the home his strong arms provided, she knew it was enough.

When Sirius finally did release her to fetch a trolley, Evelyn looked around at her surroundings with new eyes. She wiped away the remaining tears from her cheeks with her hands, handkerchief forgotten. She was unquestionably frightened, but at least she wasn't alone anymore. Her freedom had come at a high cost, but that's what she was now.

"I'm free," she whispered.

Sirius, returning with a trolley to cart her belongings on, put his arm around her. Her hands found their way to the handle bar and she steered her few worldly possessions out Kings Cross station, towards whatever future she had lying ahead.

Author's Note: It took a long ass time, but we finally made it. I cried when I finished this chapter, for reasons which I think only members of the fan community can understand. This was the first fanfiction I ever wrote, as well as the first story I ever shared with anybody. I am enormously proud of it, and myself for actually completing it. That being said, I really want to thank all of the betas who have contributed to this story. I have mentioned them by name in previous chapters, but I want to just sing their praises once more for all of their help and support. I also really appreciate everyone who read this story. I know it can be risky reading OC fanfics, but you all stuck with it. All of the kind words and advice you shared mean so much more than I can tell you. If I could hug each and every one of you, I would!

Now, for those of you who don't know: there is going to be a SEQUEL! I am currently writing the overview which I'll refer to when I start writing. I am going to take a break before I start, though. There are other projects I'd like to work on before I dedicate myself to another big story. I'm thinking it will be next year before I start posting, just so you know. Now, this story was always intended to be a trilogy. It's a big, daunting task but IT WILL BE DONE!

Please feel free to share your thoughts about this last chapter. I'm aware that the ending might seem a tad abrupt, but I felt that this was the perfect place to leave the story for now. Constructive criticism is always appreciated. Hope to see you at the sequel!