The next three years went pretty fast for James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, Arabella and Alicia. James, Sirius and Remus became the most popular guys in school. They had girls at their feet, hanging on their every word. They had a different girlfriend every week. Peter hung around them, occasionally getting a girl who just wanted to be with a Marauder, any Marauder. James, Sirius and Remus were all on the Gryffindor quidditch team, as chasers. James was the captain.

Lily, Alicia and Arabella were the most popular girls at the school. Boys would do anything for a date with one of them. Unlike the Marauders, however, they very rarely accepted any offers, so even a 'hey' from one of them was an honour.

The Marauders and Lily, Arabella and Alicia were essentially two different groups, maintaining a loose friendship. The girls disapproved of the Marauders playing with girl's feelings, and never missed an opportunity to say so.

Lily, Ali and Ara were sitting on the Hogwarts Express, talking about their summer. Ara had stayed at Ali's house, and as Lily lived next door to her, they had spent the whole summer together. James and Remus had stayed at Sirius' house, so neither group had seen the other for ages. So anyway, Lily, Ara and Ali were talking when the Marauders came into their compartment.

'Hi. Bye.' said Ali.

Sirius pretended to look upset. 'You want us to go? But we only just got here.'

'Touching story' said Lily. 'Really is. But you know girl talk.'

James rolled his eyes. 'You've been together for the whole summer.'

Ara said 'Yeah, now go.'

'C'mon guys.' said Remus. 'We have to go pick up some Hufflepuffs anyway.'

'Oh yeah.' said Sirius, his face lighting up. 'Let's go Prongsie!' he dragged James and Remus away.

Lily raised an eyebrow. 'Prongsie?'

Ali rolled her eyes. 'Save us.'

Ara said 'Hey you know they looked pretty good.'

Lily smiled. 'Yeah, Ali, when'd your brother get so HOT?'

Ali looked at her in shock. 'James? James Potter? Hot?'

Ara said 'I prefer Remus, myself. But, you know, that's just me.'

Ali went into shock again.' Are you blind, or did you not see Sirius?'

'Ooh, Ali likes Sirius.' teased Ara.

Ali glared at her and was probably about to say something about Remus when the food lady came. 'Anything off the trolley dears?'

They bought chocolate frogs, bertie botts every flavour beans, and sugar quills. When she'd gone, Ara said 'Ok, but do they like us?'

'We'll make them.' replied Ali.

'You can't make them! Anyway, what if we just become the flavour-of-the-week?' said Lily.

Ali smiled. 'My cousin did this once. It's this thing, and you prepare these steps, so they like you. It's easy.' She pulled out a blank book, and a quill. 'Ok, so we'll make the first step one my cousin taught me. You just 'accidentally' let them find you in your underwear.'

Ara and Lily stared at her. 'You have got to be kidding!' said Lily, disbelievingly.

'Nope.' said Ali. 'My cousin said it was fail proof. It makes them think of you like that every time they see you.'

Ara said 'I guess we could do it.'

Lily nodded. 'So what's step 2?'