Disclaimer: All the characters that you recognize belong to J. K. Rowling. The plot of this story was greatly inspired by the movie, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

"Seventh year already, can you believe we've made it this far?" James Potter asked his three best friends, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew.

It was the first day back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and this was the gang's last year there. And now, they were currently on the Hogwarts Express, riding the train to their favorite school ever.

"I know, it's hard to believe we haven't been expelled yet," Sirius Black said with a laugh. When he laughed he always had an attractiveness about him. He looked charming, yet seductive all at the same time, making girls go crazy for him. That and his gorgeous black hair and puppy dog brown eyes.

It was quite true too. The four boys made up a group, in which they called themselves the Marauders. And as a group, they had probably broken more school rules than the rest of the school combined. They were always sneaking out of the castle late at night, or running down to the kitchens for a late night snack. Not to mention the constant hexing on their fellow classmates.

"I still can't believe that Dumbledore actually made you Head Boy, Prongs!" Peter said. He shook his blonde hair out of his watery blue eyes as he spoke, an action that he had to do quite often.

Prongs was James's nickname. It happened a few years ago, the greatest thing the Marauders ever pulled off. You see, Remus Lupin was a werewolf. Once a month he was forced to leave the castle grounds so that he could transform without harming anyone. This did not set well with his three best friends. They hated the thought of their friend having to be all alone during the full moon.

And to stop that, they devised a plan. A plan that was both very illegal and very dangerous. But they pulled it off, James, Sirius, and Peter all became Animagi. James could transform into a stag, Sirius a large dog, and Peter a rat. Now, since it was safe to do so as animals, they all accompanied Remus during his transformations, running wild once a month.

"Yeah, seriously, he must have been off his rocker," Sirius said.

"I know," James admitted, he too was wondering what possessed their Headmaster to make him Head Boy. But the one good thing about it though, was that Lily Evans was hands down going to be made Head Girl.

James smiled just thinking about her. She was a gorgeous red haired girl in their year, also in Gryffindor House. She had almond shaped green eyes that made any guy tremble with love beneath her stare. Lily had perfect white teeth that shined whenever she flashed her award winning smile.

She was perfect, and James knew already that he loved her. The only problem was that the feelings weren't returned. He had being chasing after her since their fifth year. He was charming whenever she was around, he showed off without even meaning to. Yet, she still wouldn't give him the time of day.

In fact, she was the only girl in the entire school that wouldn't give James Potter or any of the other Marauders the time of day. She couldn't stand any of them, not even Remus who was by far the most responsible out of the four boys. He even looked the most responsible, with his milk chocolate colored hair and soothing brown eyes. But Lily didn't like him either.

She was different though, much different. She wasn't fooled by James's messy black hair, hazel eyes, 6'2" frame, outstanding grades, or even by the fact that he had been elected Quidditch captain in his sixth year. She didn't care about his good looks, or even his smile that drove most girls crazy. No, Lily Evans wasn't just different, she was far from ordinary. But it was this and so much more that drew him towards her.

"Thinking of a certain Miss Evans?" Remus asked.

James snapped back into reality, blushed and answered, "How'd you know?"

"Well, for starters you were staring off into space," Remus told him.

"And we were just talking about you being Head Boy, and she's obviously Head Girl," Sirius added.

"And, when isn't your mind on Evans?" Peter said, it wasn't a question, but a statement.

"Okay, you caught me," James told the group. "I can tell though, this year's going to be different. This is going to be the year that she's going to go out with me."

All three of his friends burst out laughing at that statement. Lily Evans, date James Potter, fat chance there. Every time James asked her out before, she'd come up with some witty response, saying that she'd rather date the Giant Squid, or that she'd rather date Snape. And those two things were definitely at the very bottom of the datable list, especially Snape.

Severus Snape was also in their year, but he belonged to Slytherin House. The house that nearly every dark wizard had graduated from. James often said that if he had gotten sorted into Slytherin, he'd drop out of Hogwarts and learn his spells at home from his mother. Snape was certainly the most disgusting kid in their grade. It looked like he never showered, judging by his greasy hair anyways. Snape was also the target for most of the Marauders pranks. Whether it be hanging him upside down from a tree or hexing him until he needed to visit the infirmary.

Most students loved to watch them beat up on him, even members of his own house. He was such an oddball. The only student who didn't like to watch the hexing occur was none other than Lily Evans. She stopped them every time they did, only to be called a Mudblood by Snape.

Although he called her the foul name that made fun of her muggle parentage, she never failed to come to his side, or any other student who the Marauders picked on. Lily was just too sweet for her own good, always wanting to protect the world from any kind of danger, including that of her own classmates.

"I'm serious," James said while crossing his arms. His friends were still laughing at the thought of Lily giving him a chance.

"What makes you think she'll even consider you?" Remus asked, trying his hardest to bring his laughter to a stop.

"Because, I'm exactly the kind of guy she needs. I'm smart, talented, good looking," James started.

"And modest too," Peter joked.

"Oh, shut it," James snapped, only half joking, "Really though, I'm what she needs. I know what women want, I know how to please them. I know when to comfort them and how. I know how to win them into my heart. I could make any woman fall in love with me."

"Then why hasn't she dated you yet? You've been after her for two years already," Remus said.

"Yes, but you see, I was lacking one quality then that I have now. Maturity," James told his friends.

With that said all three of them cracked up laughing once again. James Potter, mature? Not a chance there. He still found putting off dungbombs in the corridor to be the most exciting thing at Hogwarts, that and watching the caretaker clean up after them.

"I'm not kidding, even my mother and father said I've matured a lot of the summer," James said.

"But you're forgetting that they were slightly drunk at the time," Sirius reminded him. He lived with the Potters every summer and holiday since their fifth year, when his own parents disowned him because he didn't want to join the most feared dark wizard, Lord Voldermort, in his conquest to rid the world of muggles and muggleborn witches and wizards.

"So, what if they were a little tipsy, they still said it," James protested.

"It doesn't count," Remus said, siding with Sirius on that one.

"I can still get her to like me, I know I can," James stated.

"Really?" Sirius doubtfully asked.

"Yes," James countered.

"Well, if you really think that you can get Lily Evans to date you, then I think we should make a little wager out of it," Sirius replied.

"What kind of a wager?" James asked, he was intrigued.

"Well, if you can get Lily Evans to date you in less than ten days, then you win," Sirius replied.

"Ten days?"

"Yup," Sirius answered.

"I think that's a little unfair," Remus put in.

"Thank you, Moony," James told Remus, Moony being his nickname due to the fact that he was a werewolf.

"Ten days isn't a long time at all, at least not for the start of school. If it were a few months into the year, I'd say that was plenty of time for the bet, but not now," Remus added.

"Okay, fine," Sirius said.

"Okay, so what, you're going to make it a month?" James asked.

"No, I've got a new idea," Sirius answered. "If you can get Lily Evans to date you during the school year, then you win."

"You're giving him the whole school year?" Remus asked, very surprised by this.

"Yes," Sirius replied.

"What's the catch?" James asked, knowing that this would be too good to be true.

"After ten days, she's got to be in love with you," Sirius answered.

"Love him?" Peter asked.

"Yeah, I mean, Prongs, you said it yourself, you can make any woman fall in love with you," Sirius said, recalling their conversation as of two minutes ago.

"What do I win?" James asked.

"Fifty galleons, but only if she's in love with you," he answered.

"James, are you sure you want to do this?" Remus asked.

"Yeah, what's the worst that could happen?"

"Well, for starters she could find out about the bet," Remus stated.

"Relax, it'll be fine. And in no time at all, I'll be fifty galleons richer," James replied, and then added, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to meet with the Prefects and the Head Girl for a little bit." All three boys watched as he left the compartment and shut the door tightly behind him.

"Ten galleons says she won't date him at all," Remus said.

Author's Note: Thanks for stumbling onto my story and reading it! I'd love to hear your feedback!