"Wow," was all Sirius, Remus, and James could say when they saw the new girl. Sirius whistled. "She's hot."

Melanie jabbed her boyfriend in the stomach and frowned. "She's only part veela, Black. You don't go ga-ga over some girl like her."

"I would admit," Remus stated, "She's really beautiful, Melanie, but she isn't part veela. Yes, she might have the long silky blonde hair and those mysterious and charming blue eyes…"

"…And the womanly curves…" Sirius put in before he was jabbed again. "Okay, Melanie, no need for another hit."

Sarah glared at the boys. "Come on, Lily, Melanie. Let's leave them to stare at her. Boys can be such jerks sometimes."

Soon, the Marauders found out that the new student's name was Rebecca Ruppert. She was an exchange student from Beauxbaton, one of Hogwarts' rival schools. It didn't take too long for the guys to see that she was an egotistical girl who thought that she was the queen of the school. Many younger Hogwarts males threw themselves at her feet, but she would only look on in disgust and eye one of the male students in James' table.

Sirius whispered, "Hey, Prongs, I think she's checking you out. Maybe you should try dating her."

"Thanks for the advice, Padfoot," James said, "But I don't think I'd like her even if I do date her."

"Heck, just do it for fun!"

Remus shook his head. "Sirius, I think you should watch what you say in front of Melanie. I would wonder what she might do if you actually wanted to go out with Rebecca."

Sirius chuckled, a bit too nervously, as he saw that Melanie was eyeing him with intense anger. He patted her shoulder. "Oh, calm down, Mel, I didn't mean anything by it, honest. Just don't…turn me into anything, ok?"

"I mean, fine, I'll admit, she's a thousand times better looking than anyone in this school," Lily said, with a little hint of envy. "But that doesn't mean she could be perfect. For goodness' sakes, I'm Head Girl, and I'm ugly."

James and Remus looked at each other. Other than Melanie and Sarah, the two boys were one of Lily's closest friends. "You're not ugly, Lil," Remus spoke up.

Peter nodded in agreement. He had a crush on Lily Evans, and wanted to be in good terms with her.

"Yeah, Lil," Sirius said, startling the group, "You're not ugly, you're just one of those people who don't care about their appearance much."

James nudged Sirius. "Um…I think you got her angry."

True enough, Lily's green eyes flashed angrily and she stomped away from the Gryffindor table. She sat far from the Marauders and was chatting with a younger Gryffindor student until Dumbledore came up to speak. He went on about his regular announcements; welcoming the first years, the Forbidden Forest, news of the exchange student, and then it came to Quidditch.

"We won't be having our regular Quidditch teams this year," the Headmaster said.

This caused James, Sarah, and Sirius to drop whatever they were holding onto the floor (in Sirius' case, he dropped his wand, causing a small explosion that startled everyone).

"WHAT?!" James and Sarah cried out. James was Captain and Seeker of the team while Sarah had been Gryffindor Chaser. Since Sirius was chosen as Beater just two years ago, he also cried out, frustrated, "How could you cancel them?! This is our last year to play! And win!"

Dumbledore silenced the protesting students and continued, "You misunderstand me. I said we wouldn't be having our regular Quidditch teams this year. However, we will be sponsoring this year's International Quidditch Match. Two of our rival schools will be bringing their best teams along for the competition. The winning team is rewarded 2000 Galleons, which will be split amongst themselves of course. "

Everyone in the hall started talking at once. James and the rest of the Marauders had the gleam in their eyes as they thought of the prize. Only Lily frowned. "Are you guys crazy?!"

"What's wrong?" Melanie asked.

The Head Girl kept frowning. "That tournament is highly competitive! People are fifty feet in the air, and you wouldn't know what those schools will do to any of you! What if you seriously get hurt?"

"Aw, Lil," James whined, "You know that any of us are capable of taking care of ourselves. You shouldn't worry much about it. Besides, no one has died from an actual Quidditch match anyway."

Lily shrugged and walked away. "Suit yourself."

Sarah stopped her daydreaming and looked on as Lily disappeared. "What's wrong with Lil?"

"She's probably still angry at what Padfoot said," Peter answered.

Again, Melanie jabbed Sirius. "You should really consider people's feelings before you say something horrible like that."

"Ow! Okay, I'll try to remember your little piece of advice, sheesh."

After the feast, everyone went upstairs to the common rooms. On their way up the stairs, Sirius, James, and Remus were flocked around by girls of all ages, mainly 5th, 6th, and 7th years. Sarah and Melanie managed to slink away, while Peter moved to a far corner, meditating his thoughts.

"Ladies, ladies," Sirius chuckled, flashing his irresistible smile, "No need to crowd around Remus and me. We're taken already. James here is still available though, if you are interested."

James glared at his friend. "You didn't have to announce it like that."

Sirius grinned. "You're welcome, Prongs."

"So, you are James Potter, yes?" a voice said from behind.

Everyone turned around to see the new exchange student. Her eyes were greatly amused.

James gulped and smiled back. "Yes, that's me. What do you want?"

She laughed. Most of the girls left, since they were discouraged due to Rebecca's immense beauty. The girl moved on closer and whispered in James' ear, "You busy Saturday night?"

"No," this time it was James' turn to be amused. "If it's a date you want, though, I'm afraid I don't have time for one."

Rebecca looked shocked, and then smiled mockingly, "What? Ze notorious James Potter who broke many hearts has no time to date? Tell me, you think you are too good for me?"

Sirius and Remus quietly moved away from the uncomfortable situation James was handling. Lily was watching curiously and slowly crept up to stand near James' side. The Head Boy shook his head. "It's not that. It's because you seem to think you're the most beautiful girl ever to grace the school. I kind of don't like your attitude."

Melanie glanced at Lily, as she walked next to her friend. James Potter, telling a girl that he didn't like her attitude? There must be something about Rebecca Ruppert that James really did dislike. The two girls heard Rebecca ask, "Oh, and what kind of girl iz ideal for you? Someone smart and ugly?"

Lily giggled, then closed her mouth as Rebecca looked at her. The exchange student pointed at the Head Girl. "So, you think she could stand a candle up to moi?"

James shrugged. "She probably does, if she fixed herself up and all."

"James!" Lily said, happy and appalled at the same time, "Don't drag me into this!"

Melanie hushed her friend. Rebecca and James ignored the two; both determined to gain the upper hand. The gorgeous girl continued. "I see. Well, here's a bet, Potter. You turn Miss Red Head into ze princess you see her as and I will never bother you again. Failure to do so, and you agree to my terms, which iz, a whole year being my boyfriend."

"He'll take that bet!" Melanie cried out, "Won't you, Potter?"

The Head Boy nodded, ignoring Lily's screams of protest. Rebecca laughed again and left the scene. James shook his head. "She would go pretty well with Snape. Beauty and the Beast if you ask me."

"James Potter!!!" Lily screamed her loudest. "How dare you use me as a part of this game you are playing with her!"

Melanie laughed. "Oh, hush, Lil. Besides, you do need a makeover. Who knows, we might find the real face of Lily Evans in there."

James looked closely at Lily and suddenly groaned. "Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?!"

"Yes, what have you gotten yourself into?" Sirius asked, "Prongs, have you no sense? You can't magically turn Lily into a model in a matter of weeks!"

Remus and an angered Lily spoke up, "Why not?"

Melanie gave Sirius a warning look. Padfoot kept his mouth shut. James let out another groan. "This is impossible! I can't make you into a beauty queen! Even Melanie couldn't match that overbearing woman that she is!"

"Well," Lily crossed her arms over her chest. "I told you not to go and put me in your argument."

Remus looked Lily over, seeing her in a new perspective. He smiled slightly, "You know, Potter, I do think you can win the bet. I really do."