He ran the distance towards them and when he finally reached them, he didn't look at all as shocked as the other three to see Hermione there, only happy to see his old friends again.
They all went and sat down in the shade of an old Oak tree as the hot sun was rising higher and higher in the clear sky.
Immediately everyone bombarded Eric questions about his life. He smiled a perfect smile that made Hermione melt inside. Daphne suggested.
'Why don't we all go round the circle and talk about what's new in our lives. Eric, you start then go clockwise, so, Hermione, you next. Go.'
'Well,' Eric started. 'I've been going to a boarding school in France as you all know. I have heaps of friends including my closest friends: Pierre Taranne, Leo Coulter and Leo's sister, Amy is my best friend. I have no current girlfriend,' Hermione couldn't suppress a grin at this news. 'And get fair marks on my schoolwork. Hermione?'
She started at her name, she had been so jumpy lately, and shared her life story so far.
'Well, I also go to a boarding school far away.' She looked at Eric who looked surprised to hear this news. She smiled and continued. 'I have two very close friends: Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.' She chanced another look at Eric; he still had a rather pronounced expression of shock on his face. He soon regained his composure when she started talking again; he was taking in her every word. 'I have no boyfriend and do quite well on my schoolwork. Jeffrey?' Jeffrey dove straight into his story.
'Well, I have a magnificent girlfriend,' he beamed at Isabel, who grinned back, still holding his hand. 'I still hand around with these two and when I'm not with them, I'm with my other mates. I am only passing at school 'cause of these two's help, and my little sister Monica is still as annoying as ever at the age of 12. Bel?'
'Well, my boyfriend,' she nodded towards Jeffrey. 'Get ok marks at school. If I'm not with my wonderful boyfriend then Daf and I are hanging out with the girls. My many siblings are still up for sale,' She grinned jokingly. 'But all in all I am extremely happy. Daf?'
'Right, well,' Daphne looked a little uncomfortable. 'No boyfriend, am always a third wheel with these two.' She talked as though she had wanted to get this off her chest for a while and judging by Jeffrey and Isabel's expressions, it was new too them as well. 'I am still outspoken, more so than ever since my parents split up. I live with my dad and his girlfriend Constance. Younger brother Robert is in America with mum so I hardly ever see them. I do reasonably well at school, I mean I need something constructive to do with my time so what the hell.'
They talked and reminisced for a while until Hermione looked at her watch and saw that it was 12:30 and announced she had to go.
'What's say we all meet here again tomorrow?' Suggested Eric. 'Let's say midday?'
'Yeah, then we can go and have lunch.' Concluded Hermione and made to leave but hesitated when Eric stood up to go with her.
'The other three'll go the other way. Mind if I walk with you?'
'Of course not, I'm surprised you'd even ask.'
'Well I am always the gentleman.' He stated smiling cheekingly. She looked up at him. She stared into his eyes, the pale blue ones. The ones she had dreamed about and pictured in her mind for so long, were mere inches away from hers. She looked away with great effort and made casual conversation.
'So, tell me more about this boarding school of yours.' She asked him. He told her all about how friendly it was and how nice the students and staff alike were. She was listening so intently to him she didn't notice when they had reached her house.
'Bye, I guess.' She said to him when they stopped.
'How bout I come round here tomorrow at about quarter to and save us waling to the park alone?'
'Sure, see you then.'
'Bye.' He walked off. She stared at his retreating back. She slowly made her way inside and heaved a great sigh. "If only." She thought. "If only."