"So… bananas." It was one of the more random conversation starters Sirius had used.
"What about them?" Remus pretended to sound interested, but he was busy reading a rather old looking book.
"They're just interesting aren't they?"
"How do you figure?" Remus was still more interested in his book.
"Well, if you eat enough bananas they have a calming effect." Remus quirked an eyebrow as he looked at Sirius from over his book. "In Eastern Africa you can buy banana beer. Wouldn't mind trying that."
"I bet you wouldn't."
"And, I bet you didn't even know this Remmy, but there are like five different types of banana."
"Not that I'm not impressed by your interest in something other than girls and alcohol, but why the sudden obsession with bananas?"
"I just like the word really, makes a nice feeling on my tongue. Baanaaanaaa." Sirius proceeded to repeat the word banana in a variety of ways, which thoroughly perplexed and somewhat scared Remus.
Soon after the banana conversation James joined Sirius and Remus at breakfast. The Great Hall was teaming with students, some were eating, others were finishing homework before the end of the holidays, but most were talking about how they were going to spend New Years Eve.
It seemed that this year, as there had been no Yule ball, that the Heads of House were allowing each house to throw their own New Years party. It was a cause of great discussion and excitement.
The Slytherins seemed to be throwing some kind of high-class dinner party, as they felt was befitting of their pureblood statuses in wizarding society. The Hufflepuffs had a buffet planned, while the Ravenclaws seemed in disarray about the whole thing; they were the smartest students, yet they had no organisational skills. The Gryffindors were planning on the part of the century, food, and drink: of the non-alcoholic kind of course, (though someone was bound to smuggle something in, the professors had their eyes on Sirius.) dancing, and general merriment. It was definitely going to be a party to remember.
"Hey James." Remus said without glancing up from his book.
"Hey Moony, Padfoot. Where's Wormtail?"
"Still in bed as far as I know. Where've you been?"
"Getting the swans ready, I was just about to get Lily."
"Did I hear my name?" Lily suddenly emerged from behind a copy of the Daily Prophet, next to Sirius.
"Why yes you did." James smiled at her.
"Ah good, so where are these swans then? I woke up this morning and alas for there were no swans on my bedside table. Can't say that I'm surprised really. I doubt one swan would fit on my table let alone seven."
"Well, fair lady, if you would care to accompany me to the prefects bathroom then you shall get your swans." James extended his hand to Lily and escorted her to the prefects' bathroom. Sirius had wanted to join them, insisting that he just had to see Lily's face, but James had shooed him away.
Lily laughed out loud when she saw the white rubber ducks floating amongst the bubbles. She hadn't expected James to find real swans for her, but ducks, were not what she had expected.
Glad that the ducks were a success James went to find Santa's little helpers, also known as Sirius and Remus.
"Sirius says sorry he can't help out with the milk maids, but he has something he had to pick up from Hogsmeade." Remus relayed the message to James, that Sirius had given him only half an hour before.
"Damn, I really need to brainstorm, I haven't got a clue for this one."
"Luckily for you I found this then." Remus passed James a photograph. It was clearly taken with a wizarding camera, as the subject was moving. The picture was of a young woman milking a happy looking dairy cow.
"Great job Remmy. Shame there's only one."
"James, you are daft sometimes. We can make copies. Besides I have a plan."
So Remus and James set to work on Remus' plan. The evening slowly drew to an end just as Sirius arrived back in the Gryffindor common room. In his arms was a huge unmarked box.
"Where've you been Padfoot?"
"Not telling Jamesey old boy." He said patting the box. "Though you shall see later." He smiled sneakily and took the box up to the boys dorm.
Most of The girls were busy decorating the common room; they had put up banners and were tossing red and gold strands of tinsel everywhere.
"Um, could you leave that wall free?" James asked one of the girls politely, "It's just we've got something we'd like to put up if that's okay?" She nodded shyly and went on with decorating the room.
Later that evening, when the room had been decorated and James had covered his wall ready to be unveiled later, the Gryffindors tucked into a huge buffet that the house elves had set out for them. There was lots of traditional Christmas time food as well as some foreign foods laid out for a variety. The music was blaring loudly and anyone outside would have thought that the Gryffindor tower was swaying along to the beat.
Just before twelve the count down to the New Year began and everyone had their glasses raised. When the clock struck twelve, much to James' surprise Lily's voice came from beside him as she gently whispered "Happy New Year James." And gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
A/N there a wee bit of romance, James of course has yet to unveil the eight maids are milking, so the new years party, and post-kiss awkwardness shall be continued in the next chappie.