Early this morning the day began darkly gray, windy, and with steadily deteriorating weather. The only thing that pulled me from the warmth of my bed was the possibility that Lilt was down there. Dreadfully true, breakfast had not begun, however, connections with a fruit bowl portrait, a ticklish pear, and the house elves, makes it possible for one to obtain food.

I pulled on my pants and a sweater that I could barely see in the dark. For all I knew it may have been navy, black, or hot pink with obnoxious neon orange polka dots, which was not so unusual had I been into Sirius' ridiculous wardrobe. Although I do end up with most of his crappy clothing and he gets all of my good stuff.

I made my stumbling descent downstairs to food, and ultimately Lily. I was thankful to see that my sweater of concealed choice was maroon.

Lily heard me as I was nearly right behind her and she turned towards her approacher. I met her gorgeous emerald eyes with my own hazel eyes and smiled to her and said, "Good morning."

Down in the kitchens I was, as always, well received, and given a generous slice of warm Black Forest Cake. Many more items were offered my way but I only accepted a moist muffin. I asked for two cups of tea. One for Lily, and one for me.

Walking back through the portrait hold to Lily, I smiled again at her as she looked up. I walked over and casually set her tea before her.

"I figured you might be chilled and would want something to warm you up."

There was a brief flash of suspicion in her eyes, so brief I was sure I had imagined it. She must have been shocked that I had not referred to a sexual comment as an alternative to the tea.

"Thank you," she responded, almost ashamed of her mistrust.

I dashed upstairs to get my books. When I returned, Lily had left. Her books and tea taken with her; wherever that may have been. Somewhat disappointed I lay myself down on the couch and unwillingly fell into a peaceful sleep.

When I awoke it was daylight, or what daylight had decided to be that day, which was not much different than the darkness there had been when I woke up hours earlier. There was still a darkish gray sky and now accompanying it was a bitter steady rain beating down the windows of the castle. It would be sleet by afternoon.

The portrait hole opened and in came Lilt with her books. Merlin knows what happened to the teacup.

"Hello," I attempted cordially.

The wild and infuriating look on her face and in her eyes told me that 'hello' was a mistake.

"What are you getting at Potter?" she was whispering this dangerously, and with deadly control. As she said this she dropped her books, with a heavy tense thud, onto one of the tables and I heard breaking porcelain, indicating that I had, indeed discovered the teacup.

I suppose that her raucous voice of rage was so as not to cause a seen, apparently she wanted to be invisible even in her anger.

She continued, "All morning you've smiled, brought me tea, told me 'hello', and 'good morning'! Honestly, what the hell are you trying to pull?"

"I…Lil…Evans…no," I did perform well. "I just… I wanted to be…I don't know…ni…oh forget it."

"No," I had reeled her in. "Tell me." She looked genuinely interested. And so demandingly strong.

"It's just…I'm sorry." I spat out quite tactlessly. "For everything." I finished lamely.

"Oh…well…okay."

She spun on her heels and left; her face matching the hue of her hair. She hadn't forgiven me, but she hadn't not either.

She dashed back in for a brief moment and said, "Oh, by the way, your sweater is on backwards." I suppose that would answer my question as to why she had initially met me with that strange look. I smiled inwardly and looked embarrassedly at her, she was gone again. And I was able to laugh.

Progress…

A/N: Review me and let me know what you think or ideas you may have for later on. (On my other stories as well. I need help!) Feel free to read them as well. I would also like to thank all of my reviewers! Thanks so much! You keep me going! xoxoxo