Chapter 34.

Life at Hogwarts had never been better for Harry then it was right now. The Marauders (Gryffindor), The Raiders (Ravenclaw), The Scoundrels (Slytherin), and The Merry Minors (Hufflepuff), although for privacy reasons Harry only knew the groups' representatives that he had talked to the first time, had all formed and the Gryffindors were well on their way to becoming Animagi, in Harry's opinion at least but as Hermione kept pointing out they only had the information but were soon to start working through several of the pre transformation stages. Due to the euphoria coursing through his veins Harry decided that it was the perfect time to book the restaurant for his first date with Ginny. Trusting mainly to Providence that he wouldn't be missed from the castle he quickly walked to the third floor corridor and slipped behind the statue of the one eyed witch and made the trip to Hogsmeade in silence. Making his way out of Honeydukes Harry searched for a place he could take Ginny. His eyes fell on Madam Puddifoot's and he shivered, anywhere but there. Harry saw a young child happily running around the street and his mother, holding what appeared to be a younger sibling on her waist. Walking up Harry asked politely if she knew of a place for a romantic dinner and she directed him to a small side street where the restaurant L' Amore took up the entirety of one side. Moving up to the front counter Harry asked if he could book a table for the 14th of February. The attendant didn't even look down at his book.

"Our restaurant is very expensive." He informed the young teen, casually dressed, in front of him. "I don't think that this is really what you're looking for."

Before Harry had a chance to reply his name was called by one of the people on his list of 'who to avoid at all costs.' Turning round Harry sighed.

"Fudge" he ground out. "What are you doing so far from the ministry, and with only one Auror too, we wouldn't want anything to happen to you." The minister bristled at the tone.

"And are we so far from Hogwarts Mr Potter. Surely you're not allowed to wander the streets as you please."

"That is no concern of yours minister."

"Ah. But it might, after all, I had three conditions for you to fulfil, I only count two."

Harry smiled. "I suppose that would be because I was under the impression that you were going to organise something but I suppose that I overestimated your skills." Turning to the Auror by Fudge's side Harry met his eyes. "Who would you advise that I get into contact with to run an information session for Aurors?"

The Auror looked once at the minister but then decided to answer truthfully. "Well, Rufus Scrimgeour is the Head Auror." Harry nodded his thanks.

"Right. Well I'll try to contact him then." Determined to get what he wanted Fudge stepped around Harry to reach the attendant.

"A table for two for February fourteen." The attendant checked his book.

"I'm sorry minister, but we just had our last free table booked by Mr Potter, maybe for a different day we would be able to fit you in." A slight flush appeared on Fudge's face as he realised that Harry had beaten him again. Placing his green bowler hat back on his head he turned,

"No. I'm sure I'll be able to find a different restaurant to eat at." Once Fudge had left Harry approached the attendant again who smiled at him.

"I've never seen anyone face down that man successfully before. What time will you be arriving?"

"Around 6:30."

"Of course Mr Potter. Just state your name and you'll be led to a table, for two I presume?" The attendant queried.

"Yes."

"That requires a 10 Gallon deposit." Harry quickly fished the money out of his pocket and payed the man. Quickly heading back to Honeydukes and Hogwarts Harry managed to slip back into the castle undetected. There he quickly wrote out a letter to Scrimgeour, determined to uphold his end of the bargain before Fudge decided to take his revenge out on Hogwarts and her inhabitants.

The next few days passed quickly, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were all diligently working through the theory of Animagi training, Harry was planning what he would ran through for the Aurors, which was to take place three days after Valentines Day, Ginny was preparing for her OWLS and he, Draco, Ernie and Terry were finalising their plans. All too soon it was Valentines Day. Harry nervously ran his sweaty palms over his dress robe as he looked at himself in the mirror. He gave a sharp cry when Draco approached him, holding something in his hands. Harry span around only to discover that the objects were a comb and a tub of hair gel. Harry tried in vain to escape but found himself pushed into a sitting position on a bed and his hair attacked. Ten minutes later when Harry was finally able to get up and check his appearance in the mirror he had to admit that his hair did look pretty good. He reached up a hand to touch it, but his hand was slapped away be Draco.

"Don't touch it. If you mess up your hair, I swear, you'll be in so much trouble." Draco threatened.

"All right, all right." Harry held his arms out in a sign of peace. Exiting the dorm Harry waited in the common room for Ginny to appear. Her hair was done up in a bun, and her robes of light green beautifully completed her image. Holding out an arm to her Harry led her out of the room amidst catcalls and whistles.

"You look beautiful Ginny." Harry whispered in her ear. Ginny giggled.

"So, where are we going?" Harry didn't answer but led her to the third floor. Glancing cautiously about led her down the corridor. Harry smiled in delight at the look on Ginny's face when the appeared in Hogsmeade. Leading her to the restaurant Harry couldn't stop himself smiling stupidly into the night. Entering the packed restaurant Harry stated his name and was led to a smile table where they were given menus. Looking around the room Harry examined the rose bushes, or more accurately, rose creepers that covered the restaurant. When the waiter arrived to take their orders Harry ordered a steak while Ginny had a pasta. They quietly talked about anything and everything. Reaching for his glass Harry sighed in contentment, this date was so much better than the one he and Cho Chang had had last year. Harry didn't think that anything could ruin this perfect moment. But a sudden calling from outside changed his thought. The cry rang through the small town, and Harry started, there was no one around this time. The cry came a third time, but growing fainter as though the person was moving away, but the content was no easier to digest.

"Death Eaters. There are Death Eaters in Hogsmeade!"