Christmas in Gryffendor Tower. Christmas at Hogwarts. Baubles floating in the Great Hall, no classes and long evenings in the common room. James was there.... And Lupin. James because he said his parents would drive him crazy and Lupin because... he didn't say, but he stayed over the holiday vacation. Christmas Eve and Peter had left for home about a week earlier, leaving the three the only sixth years and three of the very few at Hogwarts. Dinner that night combined all the remaining students and teachers into one of the long tables. James, Remus and Sirius sat together near one of the ends. Dumbledore and a couple of scared looking first years sat in the middle.
The food was Hogwarts' usual splendor and the sixth years spent the time between courses amusing themselves with the crackers that were piled in front of every plate. Soon the crackers were almost gone and there was a pile of stuff in front of their plates and desserts replacing the main dishes. Reaching over his pile, James piled some of everything onto his plate.
Remus grimaced and searched through his pile of prizes from the crackers for a Sugar Quill. Sirius grinned as he saw, and managed to get some of the sugaries before James could take and eat it all. From his miniature mound, Sirius held up one of the spun sugar quills and grinned. "Looking for one of these?"
Remus returned the grin and swiped at it half- heartedly, still full from the dinner. Sirius grinned and forked over the confection. James rolled his eyes (no mean feat with sticky substances up to his eyebrows) at the shamelessness of his friends and continued eating. Remus caught James' eye and grinned motioning at one of the first years who was shaking so badly that she couldn't eat her dessert as she stared at Dumbledore in awe, and the other first year who was staring avidly at Sirius, drool nearly apparent on her face. Remus gestured to the latter first year and then at Sirius and mouthed 'mine'. James' grin grew even wider and he shook his head, finishing his dessert.
Sirius looked up too late to catch the point of the conversation, and looked at both his friends, a confused look on his face. James and Remus grinned and pointed out the first year who was oggling Sirius. Sirius then stood up to leave, new possessions in hand. As the three walked out the door of the Great Hall, Sirius took Remus' hand, and in that fashion walked back to Gryffendor Tower.
Sitting at the table in the Great Hall, Dumbledore watched the boys and smiled gently, some of the worry for the future gone from his eyes.