"I still don't see why I have to be Santa." Whined Wormtail later that month.
I was evident by the decorations and happy spirits, even to someone who missed the memo that Christmas was just around the corner. The students of Hogwarts had been let off for break and most enjoyed a leisurely Christmas Eve playing chess or catching up with friends.
The marauders, however, where up in the 5th years boys dorm finalizing their Christmas prank.
"We've gone threw this 1000 times, Wormtail." Prongs said leaning on his bedpost in exasperation. "Besides, it's to late to change now. Operation Santa's debut starts tonight."
"Operation Santa's debut?" questioned Moony; his eyebrow arched up into his hairline and a small smile played on his face.
"Yeah." Said Prongs defensively "I thought it sounded good."
"Then your ears need to be cleaned out." Stated Padfoot bluntly "Put that on the list of things to do: name prank."
"Whatever, I'd like to see you come up with something better." Mumbled an insulted Prongs, then he turned to Padfoot with a look of business on his face. "So, Did you get all the stuff?"
Padfoot rolled his eyes. "Do you have to ask? Of course I got the stuff. The house elves are happily making food for a Christmas party and I got as many decorations as I could carry."
"Where'd you put them?" asked Moony
"For now I left them in the one eyed witch passageway, We'll get it later. I was also able to knick some stuff from Honeyduke's." He smiled with an arrogant air and lied down on his bed.
"Every one knows right?" Prongs clarified
"Where have you been mate?" Padfoot answered curtly "Of course everyone knows! The Marauders are throwing a Fucking Christmas party! Couldn't keep it a secret if we wanted to."
"Oh don't be so modest." Moony added sarcastically "You got the costume to, right?"
"Yeah, I got it yesterday." Prongs replied waving his hand at his friend.
"So, everything's set then." Observed Moony
"Unfortunately." Muttered Wormtail into his pillow.
"Let the games begin." Padfoot exclaimed standing up in a rush of excitement.
"Sirius Black where on earth did you get all this food?"
"Oh, Hello to you to Evans. Come to join the party?"
"Monitor you mean?" Lily scolded "I know you and your delinquent little friends are going to try and pull something and I'm not about to let that happen." She straitened to her full height. "I'm a prefect you know."
"Oh, really? Didn't notice." He rolled his eyes sarcastically "You know you need to loosen up a little bit, have some food and stand under some mistletoe."
"That is the last thing I need. Besides, I can't." she shot back
"Why? Your diet doesn't permit it?" Her eyes caught fire in fury and her mouth opened but before she cold get full use of her vocal cords he saved himself. "Not that you need a diet, come on I didn't see you at super. It's Christmas! No one will think any the less of you if you let your hair down."
"Well I don't know. For the 'lady's man' they all claim you to be you sure have a knack a pissing this one off. I know you'll pull something." She eyed the small cake in his hand with longing and suspicion, a look she often gave James.
"Go on then, I promise there's no prank planned."
"You can't fool me Sirius black, I've known you for five years…but I can't say no to a cupcake." Gingerly she reached out and took the small cake from his hand. "McGonagall had me patrolling the halls at supper."
Sirius smiled at her and winked. "Have some fun and if you need a friend under the mistletoe you know who to call."
Lily rolled her eyes. "Get over yourself, Black." But her smile betrayed her words and he walked away very happy with himself.
"Hey Moony, I got Evans off our tail." Said Padfoot sliding in next to his werewolf friend.
"How?"
"I gave her a cake with a sleeping charm on it. Simple and effective." He smiled at his own brilliance.
"Prongs is not going to be happy about that." His friend pointed out, Lily had only been prong's crush for the past four years.
"He'll get over it. Besides she'll probably think she just dozed off anyway." Moony gave him a serve glare. "What? Loosen up would you, or are you going to go all 'I'm a prefect' on my ass?"
Moony sighed in surrender and glanced at his watch. "It's five to midnight, we should probably get people to the windows."
"Easy enough. OY! THE OLD CHAPS COMING SOON GET TO THE WINDOW IF YOU WANT TO SEE!"
There was a rush to the window (mainly of first years) that wanted to put the Marauders word to the test.