1Chapter five: first dates and surprises

The next day seemed to just drag by. Every time Harry looked at the clock, it seemed that only minutes passed when it felt like hours. He could tell Ginny felt the same way. By the time they were ready to leave, Harry could barely conceal his excitement. He was planning on taking Ginny to this great Italian restaurant he found in muggle London while shopping around for his new flat and then to see 'Grease' at the local theater. He had never seen the film himself, as the Dursley's never really allowed him to watch movies with the rest of the family but he knew Ginny would just love the classic American musical.

Harry was dressed and waiting in the sitting room when Ginny came down the stairs. When he laid eyes on her, his jaw dropped. She was wearing a black dress that fell right above her knees. It was form fitting and seemed to accentuate her body in all the right places. Her hair was swept up in an elegant twist and she had a slight touch of make up on her face that seemed to make her glow.

'Wow. You look great', breathed Harry.

'You don't look too bad yourself', said Ginny, blushing.

It was true. He was wearing a pair of khakis and a blue button up shirt. His hair was still as messy as ever but he did clean up nicely, thought Ginny.

'You ready to go?', asked Harry.

'Sure, if you tell me where we're going', said Ginny playfully

'It wouldn't be a surprise then, would it?', said Harry with a sly grin. He took her hand and led her out to the back garden to the apparition point. 'Hold on tight' he said. He felt her squeeze his hand and he turned on the spot and apparated into an alleyway about a block from the restaurant.

'Where are we?', asked Ginny, looking around the alleyway confused.

'About a block from our destination. I didn't want to apparate there directly just in case we were spotted. Come on', said Harry, taking her by the hand and leading her down the street toward the restaurant.

When they reached the restaurant, Harry went up to the hostess, 'Reservation for two. It's under Potter', he said.

'Right this way Mr. Potter', said the hostess, motioning for them to follow her to a secluded, candle lit table on the terrace.

Once they were seated and ordered a bottle of wine, Harry reached across the table and took Ginny's hand.

'I'm really glad we decided to do this tonight. Have I told you that you look absolutely gorgeous?', he asked, looking into her eyes.

'Only about a thousand times', she replied, blushing.

After they placed their orders, Ginny excused herself to the lady's room. Once she had left, Harry glanced up to see none other then Vernon Dursley approaching his table.

'What do you want?', he asked his Uncle as he approached.

'Now you listen here boy, I want you to get the rest of your things out of my house', spat Uncle Vernon. 'And then I never want to see you again.'

'Anything else?',asked Harry as pleasantly as he could. He was not going to let this encounter ruin his evening.

Just then, Ginny returned to the table. 'Am I interrupting anything?', she asked.

Uncle Vernon gave Ginny a cold, appraising look. Turning back to his nephew he said, 'Just come and get your things boy, so we can be done with you.'

'I'll be there first thing tomorrow morning', said Harry. 'I can't wait', he added sarcastically.

Vernon stormed off to rejoin Petunia and Dudley without saying another word. He noticed his Aunt glowering over at him and Ginny but Dudley kept glancing at him anxiously. He couldn't quite figure it out but decided to just shrug it off. After tomorrow, he would never have to go back to Privet Drive and would never have to see the Dursley's again.

Who was that?', asked Ginny, turning back to Harry after watching Vernon storm off and sitting back down at their table.

'Oh, that was my dear Uncle Vernon. He wants me to come get the rest of my things tomorrow', said Harry. 'But I don't want to talk about them.' He was saved from further questioning by the arrival of their food.

After they had finished their meals and about a bottle and a half of wine, Harry saw the Dursley's getting up to leave out of the corner of his eye. He noticed that Dudley was not following his parents out of the restaurant but instead walking toward their table. Before Harry had time to even stand up, Dudley said, 'Good to see you Harry', handed him a piece of paper and walked away.

Harry sat there for a minute confused, holding the note Dudley handed him before Ginny asked, 'What was that all about?'

'No idea', said Harry

'Well, what does the note say?', she asked.

Harry unfolded the note and read: Harry- Meet me at the café up the street tomorrow at around noon. -Dudley

'I wonder what he wants?', asked Harry looking across the table at Ginny while folding the note back up and placing it in his pocket.

'I guess there's only one way to find out', said Ginny. 'Are you going to meet him?'

'I think I will', said Harry slowly. 'The last time I saw Dudley, he seemed different. Maybe this will be a good thing', he added as he paid the waiter who had just came back with the check.

'Come on', said Harry, as he stood to help her to her feet. 'Our evening's not over yet, I have one more surprise.'

About a half an hour later they were in line at the theater for popcorn. 'What is this place?', asked Ginny as she looked around the lobby. Harry just smiled. 'You'll see', he replied simply.

Once they had taken their seats and the movie began he looked over at Ginny. She was wide-eyed during the entire thing. By the time the movie ended she had the biggest smile on her face.

So, did you like it?', asked Harry, grinning as they made their way back through the lobby of the theater.

'That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!', exclaimed Ginny. 'Dad would just love this. We have to bring him sometime. You know how he is when it comes to muggle things.'

Harry smiled. 'We better get going. I promised your mum I wouldn't have you out too late', he said.

Together they made their way back to the alleyway they had apparated to, with Ginny humming the songs from the movie. Once they reached their destination, they clasped hands while Harry turned on the spot, taking them away from the most perfect evening the two of them had ever had.

******************************************************************************

A/N: I'm sorry, I know it's a really short chapter. I'll get the next one up soon. Please Review!!! :)