"On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me… seven swans a-swimming"

"Here, I saved you an egg." Those were probably not the first words James had expected to hear first thing in the morning, but they came from Lily so he could overlook that.

"Uh…thanks?" Lily thrust the small candy egg into James' hand.

"Well I could have eaten it."

"Yeah, like she ate all the others." Chimed in one of Lily's friends as she sat down beside the two of them in the common room. Lily turned a deep shade of red.

"They were tasty ok?"

James laughed. "Glad you liked them."

"She still could have shared." Moaned her friend as her stomach began to grumble ungraciously. "Can we go for breakfast now?"

"Sure, coming James?" It was the first time James had actually been invited to breakfast with Lily, usually he would just invite himself.

"Think I'll pass today sorry Lil."

"Oh, okay." Lily and her friend left James In the common room to wait for his friends.

It had taken James a lot of self discipline to turn down Lily's offer, but he didn't want to seem desperate, besides he'd see her at breakfast later, with his friends.

"Whoa, way to channel the self control lover-boy." It was Sirius; apparently he'd heard their conversation. "Always keep them wanting more." He gave him a showbiz like wink.

"Does nobody say good morning anymore?"

Lily and her friend walked quietly down to breakfast, however, it was a companionable silence, in fact it was rather awkward.

"Your disappointed, I can tell."

"What? Now why would I be disappointed?" Lily was clearly trying to play dumb, and failing badly.

"'Cause Jamesey-pie told you where to get off."

"He did not. He's just waiting for his friends. They always go to breakfast together."

"If you say so."

"Besides I'm not disappointed."

"So what you going to do about these swans then?" Remus asked James later that day. The snow clouds had long past and had left the sky above Hogwarts a bright blue. The boys were making the most of the un-seasonal warmth by sitting outside.

"Sorted."

"What already?" Sirius looked bemused.

"Yep. Not real swans of course, would be too much hassle." James looked pleased by his uncharacteristic use of common sense.

"So what have you got?" chorused Remus and Sirius.

"You've got to be kidding." Remus sighed.

James had taken them to the prefects' bathroom. The huge pool-like bath in the middle of the room was already filled with water, and floating on the surface were seven white rubber ducks.

"It's genius!" Sirius was almost crying with laughter.

"It's…original, I'll give you that." Remus was astounded. "Where did you find white rubber ducks?"

"I didn't I charmed them to be white."

"Well at least there was some effort involved then."

A/N another short chapter, whoo lol. I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews so far. Next chapter is going to be a wee bit longer- since of course the seventh day of Christmas is new years eve. So expect some more fun, and maybe a bit of romance…

On the downside I don't think I'm going to make it in time for the 6th  But I shall try my best.

Happy new year!

Heather x