A Muggle Cafe in London

Holly was waiting here, sitting in a booth by a window, sipping her coffee. She had sent a letter to Eric, after a while--apologizing profusely for not getting to chat with him sooner. She had gotten a new job, as an accountant, and she knew he had gotten a job as well. She hoped he wouldn't be mad at the sudden invitation--she knew how angry he had gotten when Jake sent him a letter.

Holly took another sip of her coffee, staring out the window dazedly.

Holly was lucky- because she was a girl. Eric had more respect for her, knowing her longer, and because he wouldn't be able to yell at her, that would just be mean. So he did arrive, wearing a thick coat, and looked around the warm and cozy coffee shop. He was fiddling awkwardly with the buttons on the front, looking kind of lost. He hoped he entered the right shop, and was searching everywhere for Holly.

Holly waved. "Eric! Over here!" she called, grinning. Good, he wasn't mad. He was here. She felt relief wash over her.

"Oh.. hey!" He walked over, and gave her a friendly hug, and pulled off his coat. Indeed, ever since getting his job, he had bulked up from all the hard work and such. Sure, they had paperwork, but once in a while they had to get out there and help with this and that, usually tough work.

Holly couldn't help but let her gaze wander to his biceps. Geez, since when had they gotten so big and shapely? And since when had his hair gotten so long? He actually looked a bit... well, handsome, in some way. Not like she thought he was handsome, she could just see how other girls would see him. "Erm, Eric? Have you been working out? You look bigger," she said politely, taking a sip of her coffee and looking back up at his face, not his arms.

He blushed brightly, his eyes wide, and looked down. "Really? I didn't notice... Umm, well, I did, but I have to tell you! I got a new job, I'm an auror's assistant! It's amazing- he was my friend at Hogwarts, his name is Nicolas Sawyer! And, I guess that's why you think I'm... err, bigger, but isn't that amazing!?"

"Nicolas?! Really? Wow, you're his assistant?!" Holly grinned widely at him. "I can't believe it! That's great! Well, no wonder you got muscles, being an Auror must be tough..." She stared out the window again, so not to look at... them. "It seems like you got taller, too. Hey, how's that one girl you were dating...? Are you still together?"

"I got taller?! I didn't notice that at all, Holly!" he grinned. "It makes me so happy to hear you say that. Oh, Jessica? I kind of lost contact with her last year... We haven't talked too much..."

"Really?" Holly turned back to stare at him, her expression full of sorrow. Jessica was the first person Eric had dated, really. "But you guys were such a cute couple!"

Eric shrugged. "She went her way, I went mine. It doesn't matter, though. How about you?"

"Oh, I see. Well, nothing exciting's really been happening, for me... I'm an accountant now." Holly smiled softly. "It's pretty boring, actually. I've got about enough money to move out."

"That's great! Move out! I haven't moved out yet- I'm looking for a place, though... And, you? An accountant? How do you have the patience? I mean... You?"

Holly laughed. "It isn't that hard... just a bunch of numbers to keep track of. But it's wholly time-consuming."

"You should opt for something more exciting. I mean, you're restraining yourself from what you can really do."

"Like what?" Holly raised her eyebrows, leaning back in the booth.

"I don't know. Something more action-filled. More exciting."

"Like WHAT? I don't have the grades to become an Auror or anything, I don't think... nor have I participated in the battle. I just walked around, and, well, you know."

"So? You should still try to get in!"

"Maybe in a few years. I'm perfectly fine where I am now."

Eric decided to drop it. It was her choice, after all. "Oh, okay, then!" he smiled. "So... why did you pick for us to meet here?" he asked, looking around. It was a cute place- very homey with big comfy couches and chairs. But, it was pretty simple compared to all the wizard coffee shops.

"I didn't want people to get the wrong impression," Holly murmured. "People we know. They might start talking. Or, heck, I just like simplicity sometimes."

Eric nodded. "Yeah, it's a nice place, really. I could fall asleep in here!" he began laughing.

"If you do, I'm not waking you up!" Holly said jokingly, smiling herself.

Eric's laughter faded into a grin. "Oh well. I wouldn't mind spending the night in here!"

"Really? Who knows what goes on in here after closing time!"