Some street in Hogsmeade

Holly walked with Eric, holding his super manly duck umbrella above her head. "Are you sure you don't want an umbrella? It's pouring."

"... Yeah, okay." He went under it too.

"So, besides what's happened between the crazy friendships, you know, how's your year been?"

"Hmm... pretty boring, to be honest. My studies are going down... tons. I'm not doing well. Oh, and I got a letter from my parents."

... "Olivia?!"

"I'd be happy to help you! And you got a letter from your parents?! What did it say?"

"They disowned me. And nah, I'll be fine. I've just found out that the Hospital is selling stuff for Dyslexia, so I'll just get some, and it should get better. It sucks I have to find out nOW, though..."

"They what?! That's terrible, even if they never did treat you right... oh Eric, I'm sorry. But, at least your dyslexia will get better!"

Eric grinned. "Yeah, that's true! How about you? Are you doing fine?"

"Yeah, I guess... besides all of this drama that's going on with the friendships and stuff, nothing's been happening. My older sister's having boyfriend problems or something though."

"Really? I've never had a girlfriend so I guess I'm pretty useless in that area!" Eric said with a smile. "Actually, when I was 10, I met a girl that would follow me- EVERYWHERE. Then we kind of drifted apart. I wonder where she is now..."

"Aww, that's so sweet! You should get a girlfriend, though--dating is a natural part of life!"

"Yeah... Not this year, though."

"Next year, then! Or over the summer."

Eric nodded. "YeAH." His voice cracked again.

"Hey, your voice cracked! Again!"

"Shut up! It's embarrassing..." His cheeks grew red and he stared at his feet.

"Don't be embarrassed! All boys go through it. Some faster than others. And I bet the ones who mature the slowest will end up being the most mature in the end!"

"But still. Now?"

"Hey, some boys don't deepen their voices until they're older than sixteen... probably."

Eric frowned. "It's still embarrassing" He suddenly had that longing, sad look. "I remember when Antonio and Fry would make fun of me. Gosh, the nostalgia. I miss those days."

"Oh yeah, huh... I remember that, too. You said something really weird, but I forget what it was. Ah well. I miss the younger days, don't you? Carefree and innocent."

Eric frowned. "Why does everyone say that? 'Carefree and innocent'? It's so... simple. The old days were more than that. It... it was much more than that."

"It's the only way TO describe it simply. I mean, to appropriately describe our younger years, it would take so long... we were happy, we were all best friends, and didn't care about who dated who or who had a bigger chest."

"Yeah, but we weren't that innocent, Just reminding you..."