"Shall we go then?" Cordelia asked her reflection in the mirror of her vanity. Her dark locks were pulled into a messy ponytail and her pale yellow apron was free of all flour, coffee, and other miscellaneous stains. Studying her features was something she rarely did, but she found herself spacing off more often since the days after winter. Running her fingers over her brows, she thought for a moment she was staring directly into her brother's eyes. The iron colored resemblance was uncanny. Her features were soft in contrast to her sharp tongue and steadfast independence. Thoughtfully, her fingers moved to her lips. Something was absent in the touch of her fingers that she couldn't explain. Eli had told her that her lips were what gave her emotions away-not her eyes. He had explained to her on multiple occasions that her smile could light up a room. The last memory of him became suddenly fresh in her mind and she swallowed hard.

"Bloody hell, Eli…how did you talk me into this?" Cordelia's skate-covered feet trembled beneath her and, had it not been for the young man supporting her weight, she would have been victim to the hard ice floor many times over.

Eli's golden tendrils fell into her peripheral vision as he tilted his head close to her ear. "You're doing fine." He assured with a chuckle. "Just look straight ahead."

Cordelia did as instructed and held her breath as if the lack of oxygen would help better her balance. She felt Eli's grip loosen from around her waist and she panicked. With an uncoordinated jerk of her arms, she clutched onto Eli's scarf and lost her footing completely, bringing them both tumbling down onto the ice with a crash.

"Ahh!" Cordelia yelped, landing on top of her unfortunate skating partner. Eli let out what sounded like a gagging cough. "Oh!" Cordelia quickly regained her composure, trying to quickly get off of him, only managing to fall on top of him again. This time, Eli let out a burst of uncontrollable laughter.

"So, Winter Break's almost over. Rather depressing, eh?" Eli's Scottish accent warmed Cordelia more than the hot chocolate in her hands. "But I'll look forward to the Spring. Plenty of rain…" They had congregated into Eli's living room in front of a roaring fire shortly after escaping the frozen lake in the back yard. Cordelia bit the inside of her cheek, not wanting to think about more time spent on scrolls and potions. Eli's cerulean eyes bore into hers for a moment. He smiled and touched his lips to her hair. "Don't worry. Only one more year after this. We'll get through it. And then…well, maybe things will be different." Eli trailed off, his eyes losing some of their warmth.

"What do you mean?" Cordelia asked.

"Well," Eli began. "Maybe the war will be over. And then we won't have to worry about who's muggle-born and who's not."

Cordelia sighed heavily. "I hate it when you call it that."

"Call it what?"

"A war."

"People are dying, 'Delia. What would you call it?" Eli challenged.

Cordelia bypassed his question. "The Ministry will sort everything out and we won't have to worry about what to call it."

Eli sighed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "I hope your right..." His gazed moved to her hand, and he smiled at the ring on her forefinger. "It looks good on you, ya know?" he stated light-heartedly, changing the subject.

"I really do love it, Eli." Cordelia replied, fiddling with the amber gem. There was a strange but beautiful golden mist that swirled within and captivated her.

"I wanted to give you another reason to smile. Now more than ever." He replied lightly. "I love your smile. Don't ever lose ever lose that, yeah?"

Cordelia moved her lips to his jaw. "As long as you're around, that shouldn't be a problem."

Eli's eyes drifted for a moment, but he held his smile. "Happy Christmas, 'Delia."

"Cordelia! I could use your help down here!" Leroy called out, snapping her out of her reverie. She forced a smile one last time, finally managing to make it look convincing and straightened out her apron, placing her wand in her back pocket before heading out into the dining area where she was greeted with heavenly aroma of freshly baked crumpets and cakes.

The shop was small, but comfortable. A dozen round tables, made especially to seat two people, lay scattered amongst the shop, golden-lit candles gracing the center of each one. A large glass door with two windows on each side, large enough for the whole top halves of the wall, gave a large view of the growing storm outside. Cordelia looked on, starting to miss the sun.

Aside from the occasional ding of the oven and the pattering of rain on the windows, the store was quiet. The morning rush had come and gone; the only customers left were a casually dressed, elderly couple who sat by the window sipping espresso, and a portly individual mulling over The Daily Prophet, lemon bar in hand. Having already completed mid-day prep, Cordelia sat at on a stool behind the front counter, reading further into Oliver Twist while stroking the grey fur of her cat, Pip, who let off a content purr. After wiping down the tables, counters and windows multiple times, baking a dozen blueberry and cherry turnovers, having a cup of black coffee (2 sugars), and washing and putting away the dishes, she had failed to find another way to occupy herself.

Mr. Fenwick, a built bulk of a man with a curly brown mop of hair, ascended from the kitchen with a tray of pumpkin loaf, but didn't fail to notice the lack of customers and Cordelia's comparable lack of energy. Setting the tray on the table, he took his wand from his pocket and let it hover over the loaves for a moment, a dark powdery substance raining down from its tip. He gazed at Cordelia again and sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. Winter had changed her from the light-hearted girl he had brought in years before into a stranger, quiet and resigned. She put on a convincing façade for her friends. That was 'Delia…never wanting to burden anyone with personal negativity, instead putting up a shield of hollow laughs and empty smiles. Mr. Fenwick saw right through it.

"'Delia…" he began hesitantly. "You know, it's not so busy today and I'm all caught up with baking. Maybe you should take the rest of the day off. Catch up with your brother and the rest of your friends, yeah?"

Cordelia tore herself away from her book as Pip jumped from her lap. "You sure?" She asked quietly.

"Yea yea. If I need help I'll get a hold of Benji. Merlin knows he could be more useful around here."

"Too right. Thanks, Roy." Skidding her chair against the floor, Cordelia stood and made her way to her room, when Leroy suddenly stopped her, placing a large hand on her shoulder.

"It'll get better, 'Delia." He offered quietly. "I know you. You'll get through this."

"Am I that obvious?" Despite herself, Cordelia smiled weakly and buried her head into Leroy's chest to avoid his stare. "I know, Roy. It's a work in progress."

Leroy cleared his throat uncomfortably at her affectionate gesture and patted her back in an attempt at comfort. "And I've seen progress. Just continue when I'm not around, yeah? I'm a bit mature to follow you to school."

Cordelia smirked. "That's what I've got Benji for. Believe it or not, he did manage to pick up some endearing qualities from you."

"I'm not exactly comforted by that."

"Give yourself a little credit, Roy. He did learn from the best."

At the compliment, Leroy coughed and led her gently from behind the counter. "Off with ya now, before you make an old man blush."

"Right," she chuckled, removing her apron. "And, Roy?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks."