The boy was trying, that was clear enough, and trying hard, nodding in agreement to every word she spoke and concentrating fiercely as she'd asked, face scrunched up tightly as he tried to think of nothing else, nothing apart from the year ahead and everything there in. All the lessons and the quidditch games and going into Hogsmede and all the lessons and spending time with his friends and maybe Al if Al wanted to because Al was always very kind and he always had a smile ready and... "I'm not nervous." He told her, trying to sound brave and strong and grown-up, because he was really, despite what the other's thought. "I'm ready! Really, really ready!" He said, eyes opening to look at her, expression expectant and awed.
"Would you come on holiday with me, Billy? And show me Greece?"