A/N: Seriously - I'm floored. My story was hit 1,180 times on Tuesday when I posted the last chapter, which is like 700 more hits than I typically get. I had more reviews, more favorite lists adds, more everything! It was soooooo nice, and made the time I've put into the story feel so worthwhile. SO THANK YOU! :) :) I can't explain to you how giddy fanfiction emails make me, and you all made me smile all day!

So below I have written an epilogue. I maybe should delete it - I'm not sure if it adds anything to the story. But I've had this in my head for a while, so I thought I'd share. It takes place just before we are reacquainted with Sirius in the chapter 'Padfoot Returns' in the Goblet of Fire. Hope you enjoy. :)

The Chauvinistic Stag

Epilogue

Thick, gray clouds cluttered the sky as the residents of Hogsmeade scurried like ants from shop to shop to complete their morning chores before the hoards of students arrived. The locals knew that trying to brave Honeydukes, or Zonko's, or even the owl post was virtually impossible on a Hogwarts Saturday. It was great for business, though, and wonderfully entertaining, so no one ever complained.

Sirius wagged his tail slightly as he remembered his trips to Hogsmeade as a student; him and James bouncing through town any day that they chose, flirting with Madam Rosmerta, and stocking up on dungbombs; or showing Kylie the Zonko's secret passageway for the first time, and her screaming because a rat scurried by; or running through town in the dead of night with Peter, Remus, and James - the marauders - the kings of the school. He laughed to himself, as well as he could in dog form, as he thought of how stupid they were. But he didn't regret a minute of it.

But his laughter faltered as he thought about how he had never appreciated how good he had had it until now that it was gone. He took things for granted. Everything, in fact. Sirius swallowed hard as he tried to bury the feelings of utter sadness he knew would envelope him if he let them. No, he wouldn't think about Peter, and how he had double-crossed them all. And no, he wouldn't think about Remus, who was now more alone than ever before. And no, he wouldn't think about Kylie, who had moved to America after he had been sent to Azkaban. She never knew the truth. She thought he was the traitor. He had had a ring in his pocket the night that James and Lily had -

No, he wouldn't think about James and Lily.

He turned to walk back to the cave where Buckbeak was sheltered, but then he noticed a boulder about twenty feet below him. He had been trying to ignore that boulder since he had arrived on this mountain. But with his mind already on James and Lily, and the prospect of seeing Harry in a few short hours, he approached it.

He vividly remembered the day that James had brought them all here - the whole gang - himself, Lily, Remus, Kylie, Peter, and Britta. It was a few months after the school term had started in 1978 - so the year after they had graduated. It was a Sunday. The sun was hot, the breeze was nice; the day was perfect.

While Lily was animatedly chatting to Kylie and Britta, James tossed Remus a camera - the same one, in fact, that had been used to capture his chess piece moment - just before everyone apparated to the mountainside.

Looking back at that now, that should have tipped him, Sirius, off that something big was coming.

They sat around that boulder for a while, talking about memories from school, and how life had changed since they had started working. Kylie sat on his lap - she was still with him them, and Lily sat on James's, until suddenly, James pushed Lily up, and jumped up himself, grabbing her hand.

"I have something to show you," he said, and then he nodded his head to Remus for him to follow. Remus jumped up eagerly and smiled hugely, causing Lily to look at him suspiciously.

"You all right, Remus?" Lily had asked.

Remus just nodded and continued smiling in response.

James lead Lily around the boulder, and naturally, everyone else followed, too. He ran his fingers once nervously through his hair, and then pointed to a side of the boulder, though he needn't have, Lily was already looking there.

"Oh," she gasped.

Then, "Oh!" she gasped much louder, throwing her hands up to her mouth. Remus started clicking away on the camera madly, and Sirius could no longer see James's head. Sirius pushed around the boulder to see his best friend on one knee, a small box opened in one hand.

"Lily Evans," James said. " Will you marry me?"

Lily didn't respond, but she was nodding her head fervently, her red curls swaying with gusto. James pushed a small ring on to her finger, and then she pulled him to her - Sirius couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying, or both - and kissed him avidly, no sense that anyone else was watching - or that Remus was documenting it all on film. Kylie and Britta let out small cheers, and when James pulled away, his smile was unparalleled to anything Sirius had ever remembered.

Sirius trotted around the boulder, looking for the exact location where James had proposed. It didn't take him long to recognize the ridges in the ground, that even after fifteen or so years, still remained the same. He looked up at the boulder and whimpered slightly as he read the gleaming carvings still prominently etched into the stone.

J + L

27-10-1977

Forever

27-10-1978

Sirius howled once, unable to contain his emotions. In that moment, he made a pact with himself that James and Lily would live on forever through Harry. This was no longer a mission to be a good Godfather, or a friend to his best mate's son, but it was a fight to do everything he could to keep the forever of James and Lily possible. Through Harry, both James and Lily were still alive. And as long as Harry was still alive, James and Lily were, too.

The clouds were beginning to clear. The boy who lived would be here soon. The boy through whom James and Lily still lived would be here soon. Harry would be here soon.

A/N: Okay, seriously, the end. :) I love you, Sirius! Is it sad that I actually teared up writing this? Wow. I can answer that - Yes. Lol.

Anyway, if you think this epilogue does not add anything to the story, could you let me know? This is my first time ever writing one, and I'm not sure if it really benefits the story.

Thanks one last time for the amazing support. If you could submit me a final review of your thoughts, it would surely be fantastic - ;) hint hint.

Reviews make me :D just like I hope this story made you :D.

J/L + MPP (no W) forever!!!

Later days.

Best,

Kate