Hogwarts Most Eligible Bachelor

Disclaimer: I have no intention to profit from this story. James Potter, Lily Evans, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew belong to JK Rowling. I own Samuel and Holly Potter, Danielle Burke, and Madeleine Alcott.

Summary: James Potter is heir to a huge fortune; the only catch is he has to find a suitable wife by December 25. The only problem is James doesn't have good luck with the ladies, so his friends decide to hold a contest for him, and he is to choose his wife.

Author's Note: It's been a year. Hate me. I'm updating. I think I can finally finish this. Hope you enjoy! Also, you guys keep in mind this will be a three part contest with the winner being announced and married to James on the 24th before the stroke of midnight.

Four months later.

"Lily, this is so exciting!" Danielle exclaimed. Both girls were backstage waiting for their names to be announced so they could walk on stage and present themselves as hopeful Mrs. Potter-to-be's.

Lily rolled her eyes and smirked. Over the past four months she had grown into the idea of this whole contest, she had even come to like it. But Danielle, man Danielle was so excited and enthusiastic Lily was sure she would win hands down just for that. "I know, Danielle. You've told me at least ten times tonight. Now, scoot. They're about to call your name."

Danielle gasped, her eyes widened as she heard her name being called out by the announcer. She squealed and rushed out onto the stage, nearly tripping over her own feet. Lily heard Danielle announce her name into the microphone and sighed. What a night she was in for.

A few more names were called and Lily was growing more anxious with each name. "Lily Evans." The announcer called out and she drew in a breath. This was it. She stepped out onto the stage every bit as confident as if she had done this a thousand times. She smiled at the crowd as she stepped up the microphone and said her name. With another smile she turned from the crowd and headed into the line with the other girls.

After the rest of the names were called and all fifty girls were lined up on stage, the announcer spoke into the microphone. "There you have it, ladies and gentleman. Fifty beautiful, young and talented woman, all competing for the prize only one will walk away with. Being named Mrs. James Potter."

James, who had been watching from a secret room on stage where he could see the girls, but they couldn't see him, smirked. He had already narrowed down his choices and by the end of the night, half of them would gone, leaving twenty five to go on to the second round.

Backstage the woman were all changing into their formal wear. The first round was an easy one. They would all model two outfits, formalwear and swimwear and at the end of the night, after James' decision, only fifteen would return the next night.

Lily and Danielle had chosen simple but elegant bathing suits for their choices. Lily believed even if she had lowered herself to competing for a man she had no choice in winning, she might as well do it with some dignity, unlike the other girls, she thought, glancing around her. All around her women were in scantily clad bikinis and thongs leaving little to the imagination.

Lily had a simple one piece, one shoulder, black form fitting bathing suit, while Danielle's mirrored Lily's except hers was a light pink. As was pageant rule, both girls donned their heels, checking their reflections in the mirror once more and lining up to head out on stage.

"Alright, Ladies and gentleman, here are our fifty contestants in swim wear!" A beach-themed song was playing as the girls strutted their stuff out onto the stage, stopping three times to give the audience a full view – and fantasy – of who could become or not become Mrs. James Potter. Danielle gave it her all, working the crowd when she stopped to pose, while Lily remained more reserved, keeping her hands on her hips, just being herself, but still gaining the admiration of many.

Once all fifty young women were backstage, they were made to reline up, and parade back on stage where over half would be sent home. Lily felt her palms begin to moisten and her feet feel slippery in her shoes. What she thought was stage fright was more than that.

Fifty beautiful young women were lined up on the stage. "Fifteen will leave here," the announcer finished. He paused for effect and turned back his hand as if he were welcoming someone. The stage turned around to reveal not James but Sirius. He glided up to the microphone. "Welcome. Everyone. Honestly, James and I were never expecting this kind of turnout. We had close to a thousand applicants, and out of those thousand, these fifty were chosen. That speaks a lot for them. Let's have a big round of applause for these wonderful women who we are delighted to have grace our stage."

He stepped back, clapping loudly himself, while his eyes roamed over the young women. Danielle who stood entranced by him, met his eyes then blushed looking away.

The announcer took back his microphone, stepping back up to it once more to begin announcing. "Out of these fifty, only fifteen will remain. Who will they be? We'll tell you right now. Will Miss Parker please step forward!" Close to the announcer, a brunette with curly locks stepped forward, nearly crying with joy.

Four more names were announced. Lily reached her hand up to wipe away sweat on her brow from the hot stage lights beating down.

"Miss Burke!" Danielle, next to Lily screeched with joy in her ear. Lily offered her friend an excited smile and hug as Danielle to her place as the sixth woman next to the final five. Seven more names were called.

Lily was sweating bullets. Her bangs clung to her forehead as she clenched her hands at her side. I'm not going to get picked. I'm not going to get picked. I knew it. Why did I enter this stupid –

"Miss Evans!"

Lily stood there. She felt someone push her forward. Her mouth opened in shock as she walked awkwardly over to the line, still in shock.

When the last name was called, the unchosen women left the stage for the fifteen finalists to parade around once more. "Here you have it ladies and gentleman. I'm Sirius Black and we're out for tonight. See you tomorrow when only five women will move on to the final round. Who will become Mrs. James Potter?"