A/N: So let me start off by saying Happy Fourth of July everybody! :) I really hope you like this story, although its a bit different from most Lily/James fanfictions out there, I am definately liking where it is going. Also, I would really love some reviews on this story. My updates will be more frequent the more reviews/favorites/and alerts that I get!

Happy Reading xx

Chapter One: The Bet

Lily Evans sat on the couch in the Gryffindor common room, staring into the fire. Her best friends, Alice Prewett and Marlene McKinnon, sat on either side of her.

"I don't know what to do!" Lily moaned, putting her hands on either side of her face and resting her elbows on her knees. She was Head Girl, top of her class, and pretty to boot. So why couldn't she manage to get up the courage to talk to Dean McLaggen? Oh right, because he was PERFECT. She was way out of his league.

"Lily, just talk to him!" Alice said, looking over at her friend. Lily was gorgeous, though she didn't see it. She had fiery red hair, green eyes, and a really great body. She was smart, and even though she could be a little uptight at times, she didn't know how to have fun when she wanted.

Marlene nodded, patting Lily on the back kindly. "You are perfect for each other, you just have to actually talk to him so he realizes it too."

Lily shook her head vehemently. "No way. I don't even want to risk the rejection. I think I'll be better off if I just…you know….admire him from afar."

Marlene and Alice exchanged a look. This was unbelievable. Lily was usually determined to go after what she wanted, without thinking twice about it.

Before either of them could think of a reply, James Potter walked over and sat down on the coffee table in front of Lily.

"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Did you even think about loosening up a little? Maybe then you wouldn't have so much trouble landing someone to snog every now and then." He smirked. Lily looked up, and when she saw James, the sadness on her face disappeared and was replaced by a glare.

"Oh who asked you, you stupid git?" she snapped, throwing one of the couch pillows at his face. He laughed and caught it.

"Fine," he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender, "I thought I'd be nice and try to help you out, you know, us being Head Boy and Girl and all." He stood, making to walk over to the other Marauders-Sirius, Remus, and Peter-who were playing a game of wizard chess in the corner of the room closest to the portrait hole.

"How do you think you could help me?" Lily asked snarkily, standing up as well. James paused, turning back to Lily slowly.

"I'm a guy. I know exactly what guys like. I could give you tips so you can get this Dean bloke to fancy you as much as you fancy him." James replied, raising his eyebrow as Lily seemed to be deliberating.

"Well, Dean is different than you! He's not a playboy prankster who wants to snog a new girl in a closet every night."

"Trust me Evans, all guys think the same. Just because this Dean person doesn't act out his thoughts, doesn't mean he isn't thinking them." James stated, rolling his eyes at Lily's naivety.

"If I do agree to this, to you giving me advice, what's in it for you?" she questioned, narrowing her eyes.

"Well, let's make a bet. If my advice works, you help me with whatever homework I need help with and you take over my patrol when I need you to." James said. Lily seemed to think about it for a minute.

"Okay…" Lily agreed, "And if it doesn't work?"

"That's irrelevant, because it will work, but hmmm…how about I take over patrol for you whenever you want?" James said, not able to think of any other thing that would interest Lily "goody-two shoes" Evans.

"Done." Lily said easily, reaching out to shake James's hand.

"Great." James said, shaking her hand as well. He hadn't expected her to agree so easily, but he wasn't complaining. Pretty soon he would be reveling in the nights he skipped out on patrol duties while Lily took his place, and not concentrating in class because Lily would have to help him with his homework so there really was no sense in that anyways. "We start tomorrow. Six o'clock sharp. Meet me here." James grinned, already beginning to work out a plan in his head. Dean McLaggen was a goner, it was a sure thing.

Lily sighed, not quite believing what she had just gotten herself into. "See you then." She said as James walked over to his friends, apparently done with her for the night.

When she sat back down, Alice and Marlene were staring at her. "What?" she asked, looking from Alice Marlene and back again.

"This is the Lily we know and love." Marlene stated, grinning widely. Alice giggled.

"Teaming up with James Potter, the biggest playboy in the school after Sirius Black, who happens to be his best mate, to go after Dean." Alice giggled again.

Lily smiled. "Well, I realized I was being sort of a downer. I might as well at least give it a try, no harm in that. And with James's insight into a guy's mind, I might stand a chance."

"You stood a chance without James," Marlene said, "but now you are guaranteed an in."

"I only hope that he doesn't try and make me look like a bimbo." Lily laughed, just picturing James telling her to act like all the girls that he has been with.

"It's James Potter Lily," Alice replied, yawning and looking at the clock. "There's no way of knowing what he's going to have you do."

"True." Lily nodded, yawning as well. "We might as well go up to bed now. I have to get up at six! How sick is that?"

"That is sick," Marlene chuckled, "very sick indeed. Ha, you have fun with that. I'm not the one who made the bet though. There is no way I'm getting up that early."

Lily glared lovingly at Marlene as the three of them started towards the dormitories.

"Goodnight Evans!" James called from the corner. "Go and get your beauty sleep. And don't forget, six o'clock on the dot!" Lily rolled her eyes and waved her hand over her shoulder.

Meanwhile, over in the corner, James was telling the other Marauders about the bet. They sat there for another hour or so, the game of chess forgotten, and mapped out a plan to ensure that James won the bet.

A/N: Hello again. I know I already had a note at the beginning, but I just wanted to remind you of that little button right below this saying "Push me, push me, push me!"

Comment, questions, likes/dislikes/constuctive criticisim...its all welcomed and appreciated! Or, you can just stop by and say hello :) Whichever you like, please, just review.