On the twelfth day of Christmas,
My true love gave to me
Twelve Christmas courses,
Eleven children looking for Santa,
Ten intruders prowling,
Nine dancing trees,
Eight hours of therapy sessions,
Seven Brotherhood members shaking,
Six teachers on a hunt,
Five scary rounds,
Four students playing hooky,
Three musicians out of tune,
Two dancing lovebirds
And a Wolverine in a pear tree.

Xavier could not be more pleased and proud of everyone in that moment. Now that the midnight excursion was over and the children being filled with food and gifts, he had a quiet moment to himself to contemplate the holiday. In the dining room, he eyed the crowds, teachers and students alike. Everybody was busily stuffing their faces with the twelve Christmas courses he managed to have catered. He was amused that even Logan joined in merrily and ignored Scott.

However, there was something slightly different in the air. Xavier sensed that something was a little off nearby. He spent a few minutes easing himself away from the head of the table and wheeled himself around the mansion. The noises receded behind him. Logan started to follow in a worried fashion, but Xavier managed to steer him away. The focus had to be on Jean for a few minutes. It wouldn't please Scott, but Xavier did not want Logan to go after his old friend.

Magneto was in the dimmed living room. He eyed the visible decorations with disdain. Xavier could not fault him. After so many years, his old friend still disliked the hope and joy of the season. There was no more family. They were all dead. He made his choice to disband what were the G-Men in Cuba. He and Mystique had been together on and off for decades. Bitterness always followed with each new decision, from the moment the concentration camp killed his family, and Christmas did not seem a priority. It had disappeared long ago.

"Well, well, well," Magneto began. He found a seat nearby. "Your students have done an excellent job, Charles. I applaud their ingenuity and strength."

"They find goodness where they can," Xavier offered. He motioned to the cheery room. "Even the smallest of things can brighten their lives. Anything I can do for my children, I will."

Magneto nodded sagely. "It's too bad that you will always be hunted."

"Let them come, my friend. I do not fear anyone. Pity the fool who comes knocking at my gates again."

"I already saw that they came. Wolverine takes care of them quickly."

Xavier disregarded this. He had lectured Logan time and again on violence when it wasn't necessary. However, if Magneto was commenting on it, then something was wrong. There was something he knew about the school that the Professor did not. Xavier wasn't going to pry though. His friend came without his customary helmet. It meant that there was a truce. If it would be for the day, so be it. He'll take it in stride.

"I see that you came to banter," Xavier pointed out. "I will not tire myself with your games, Erik. What is it that you came to tell me?"

"I thought your mind could see it."

"For today, I am choosing to ask and not seek. You extended the olive branch."

Magneto was sarcastically startled at such a revelation. "Me? Invoke peace? On a day such as today? Why, Charles, I wouldn't dare!"

"Let me know if the children are safe," Xavier begged. "This is all I want."

For a moment, Magneto hesitated. It wasn't his way to disclose the whole truth. The way Xavier asked though made him reconsider. After all, it was Christmas. He would gift this to his old friend once and never again.

"For now, they are," he revealed, moving to leave. "Next year, there's a possibility that they will be rounded up. Let them enjoy this moment. They might not see it again."

The Professor paused, seeing the honestly in Magneto's eyes. He also saw the farewell. "I think I'd like to enjoy my twelve Christmas courses with this knowledge secret," Xavier finally said. "Goodbye, old friend. Until we meet again."

Magneto touched his hat and disappeared into the darkness. Xavier thought that he heard him wish a happy holiday, but it could have been an echo of others, a trick his powers played once in a while. He doubted it though, staring into the chair that Magneto occupied moments before. He had been given a great piece of information. He will not waste it.

Yes, it was time to rejoin the party without thinking of tragedy and pain. Xavier turned around and wheeled himself back into the light and sound. It easily changed his mood. Even through the last of the food servings, he thought back to Magneto. It had been a surprised indeed to see him. What was better was that there was a chink in the armor. He was lightening up after all.

At least there's still some goodness in Erik after all

This is it. Thank you to everyone for the wonderful encouragement! I hope you all enjoyed it! I don't know if I will write another holiday special, but I am working it through. We'll see! :)