The new face of evil - 8 years out

Ron looked stunned but then started laughing. "Good one Harry. Like you'd dump Steffi to go out with Ginny." Ron stopped laughing when he felt his ears growing. Ginny had hexed him. "Ok, I'm sorry Ginny, but come on. Now Harry, you never go after the girl, so who finally got you to make the first move?"

"I swear, it's Ginny," Harry said looking worried.

Both Ron and Parvati looked back and forth from Ginny to Harry and back. Parvati was the first to speak. "That's great you two. How'd he do it?"

Ginny started to answer but Ron cut her off. "You're really going to date my little sister?" he asked this very seriously.

Harry looked at him with the same serious expression. "That's the plan. I haven't yet, but she did accept. Are you ok with it?"

"You really broke up with Steffi so you could ask Ginny out?" Ron asked and Harry nodded. There was silence for a minute then Ron continued. "You know. I'm pretty much ok with that. Better than the git's she had been dating."

Ginny got up and hugged Ron tightly. "You know of course that if you hurt her."

Harry spoke up. "I'm sure there wouldn't be much of me left when Ginny got done, but whatever there was, you and the rest of the family would finish me off," Harry said without smiling.

"Something like that," Ron said shaking his head. "But just think of that swimsuit model." Ginny pointed her wand and Ron said, "Kidding, just kidding. Who else knows?"

"No one," Ginny said. "We wanted to tell you first so don't tell anyone. We're going to tell mum and dad and then let the rest find out on their own," Ginny added with an evil grin.

The group moved to the couch and Parvati asked again how Harry had asked so Ginny told the story but left out everything that happened after leaving Hogwarts.

"Do you always have to go overboard?" Ron asked.

"You should try it once in a while Ron," Parvati teased. "Maybe it would get you special treatment at home."

Ron's eyes lit up. "We'll talk later Harry." Then he thought. "I don't want to hear you two talking like that."

Ginny put her feet up on the table and almost instantly Ron said, "You two haven't! Ginny. Are those Harry's socks?" Ron looked very flushed.

Ginny blushed and said, "Well, it looks like they are."

Harry's eyes got big. He thought his felt different this morning; he must have picked up Bills. Ron stared at him. "You two haven't have you?"

Harry started shaking his head no but Ginny said, "That's none of your business Ronald."

"Don't talk like that Ginny. This isn't funny. You haven't had your first date yet, and I don't care how long you've known each other." Ron was almost yelling.

Harry kept shaking his head no but Ginny spoke again. "It's my business if we have or haven't. But just this once I'll answer. No, we haven't. But since you brought it up, I may just shag Harry right here on the couch after you two leave tonight."

Harry hung his head and kept shaking it. Parvati started laughing loudly. "Ginny. I think I handled the news pretty good. Don't go pushing me over the edge yet. You know, Harry just seems to have a way with women. They all want to shag him right from the start."

"And how often does he actually let that happen Ron?" Ginny asked calmly.

Ron looked at Harry and said, "Never. He always makes them wait. Bit stupid if you ask me."

"So if you don't have any faith in me, at least have some in your best friend," Ginny said.

"Don't talk to me if you two ever start doing anything," Ron finally said.

The rest of the evening went well. Ron had taken it much better than Harry expected which gave him some hope about telling her parents. Ron and Parvati were just about to leave when Ron said, "You'll be leaving soon won't you?"

"He'll leave when I'm ready for him to go. Goodnight Parvati," Ginny said and Harry just waved.

Once the two were alone Harry said, "Remind me to never ever make you mad. You're scary, you know that?"

She gave him a deep kiss and said, "I wanted to do that since you got here. You know I kept having thoughts that you changed your mind and weren't coming."

"Never," Harry said kissing her again. "That would have broken my promise to be totally honest. If anything ever changes, I'll talk about it immediately to see if there is something we can do. I won't keep it bottled up."

Ginny asked, "How long 'til Ron comes back?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders and was helping pick up when Ron popped back into the kitchen, not five minutes later. "Thought you were leaving?"

"You shouldn't do that unless you're prepared to see things you don't want to," Ginny said. "I may just have Harry put some anti-apparation wards on the house."

"You'd do that too since they don't mean a bloody thing to him," Ron said before leaving.

After they finished picking up, Harry said he needed to leave. "Can I convince you to stay again?" She asked.

"You could, but I think it's best if I go home. I really want to date you, not just move in with you. I know we have a head start on being comfortable with each other, but I don't want to take advantage of that. How about we go out Friday and then tell your parents on Saturday? If they don't kill me, I'll feel much better," Harry said before the two of them kissed goodnight a few times and Harry left.

Harry was having lunch with Sirius the next day. "We're making progress on the next project. It's not looking good for her you know. She's right up top with the rest of them," Sirius said.

"I still don't believe she really knows what's going on with the stuff," Harry replied.

"You're not going to let any surfacing feelings for her cloud your judgment are you?"

It annoyed Harry when Sirius questioned his ability. "No Sirius I'm not. She's just a friend and will never be anything more. It will never be like it was and if we see that she's involved she'll get the same treatment as the others."

"Fine, I'll drop it," Sirius finally said. "Want to come over for supper tonight? Kelly and James would love to see you."

"Can't, I have a date. I'm actually kind of nervous about it," Harry said.

"Nervous. Why? You've been dating Steffi for a while now. Not going to ask her to marry you or anything?"

Harry laughed. "I'm not seeing Steffi anymore. I'm going on my first date tonight and I want it to be special."

"Oh. You know, it's your business and all but I wish you'd stay with one girl for more than a few months. We just get comfortable with them and you go and spring new ones on us."

"I hope this one will last much longer," Harry said and kind of blushed. "This could be the one."

Sirius looked shocked and then kind of chuckled. "Right. You haven't even been on a date yet and you're talking about the one. You go and get me convinced that you're so much more mature than I think and then say something like this."

"I'm going out with Ginny Weasley tonight," Harry said and it shut Sirius up quickly.

"Really? Kind of sudden isn't it?"

"I don't think so. You told me I should have done it five years ago. For once I wish I would have listened to you," Harry joked back.

"Let that be a lesson to you. Always listen to your godfather." Sirius smiled and gave a sigh. "So, who knows?"

"Ron, Parvati and now you. If she wants to have a second date with me we'll tell her parents this weekend.

"Well, congratulations. I wasn't expecting this," Sirius said. Harry went home early to make sure all the arrangements were made. He silently thanked Hermione again for having him put in a Muggle telephone. Making plans for a date where he wouldn't be recognized often called for Muggle devices. Harry was getting very nervous about this date, and couldn't remember the last time he was actually nervous about a girl. He had liked the girls he dated for more than a couple times, but it was never that important to him. Even though he felt comfortable with Ginny, the act of taking her on a first date really made him nervous.

Harry appeared outside of Ginny's front door. This was something he almost never did. Normally he popped into her back yard and knocked. He stood there trying to calm his breathing for a moment and knocked. Ginny looked confused. "What are you doing out here?" she asked before pulling him inside.

"Picking you up for our date. Don't tell me your other first dates just popped into your back yard or into your kitchen?" Harry said kissing her on the cheek.

"I don't let guys know where I live before the first date, so I would usually meet them someplace."

"Oh. You look great Gin," Harry said looking at her warmly.

"You too Harry. You look like a very respectable Muggle," Ginny grinned.

"Are you ready?" he asked and she took his arm before they popped to the Leaky Cauldron. They both drew looks for being nicely dressed like Muggles, but Harry was so well known in here that no one bothered him. "You two look very nice. Not spending the evening here I take it," Tom the owner said as they walked by.

"Hi Tom. No, we're going to wander around Muggle London tonight. See you later," Harry replied before he and Ginny went out the door into the Muggle streets. Harry walked holding Ginny's hand as they talked about nothing important. They arrived at a very nice and popular restaurant where Harry had made reservations. He and Ginny walked up to the hostess who asked his name. "Harry Potter, I should have a reservation."

"Yes Mr. Potter," the hostess said not impressed by the name at all. "If you would like to wait in our lounge, it should only be a few minutes," the lady said, motioning them to a quiet lounge area.

Harry put his hand on Ginny's back and ushered into the area before getting her a glass of wine from the bar. When he came back to sit next to her, she was smiling broadly. "You'd make a fine Muggle Harry. I bet you're not used to having to wait on a table."

Harry gave a smirk. "I'll have you know, I spend a great deal of time in the Muggle world. It's the only place I can feel like a normal person. I come around here and just walk around sometimes. I really never get tired of standing in line with everyone else."

Ginny gave him an appraising look. "I didn't know you did that."

"Good. There're still some things you can find out about me. It's ok coming here isn't it?" he asked.

"Oh yes. I've never been here and it is kind of nice not having everyone pushing to be around you. I think I can understand why you like it here."

Harry leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. "I know I should wait until after our first date, but you just look so beautiful." Ginny blushed brightly. "Want to know something else I bet you don't know about me?"

She nodded. "I actually have flats in Muggle London and in Muggle Paris. When I really need to get away I go to one of them."

"Really? You actually live like a Muggle?" she asked, obviously surprised.

"Well, not totally. Everything in the flats is Muggle-stuff, but I still do everything magically."

"Will you show them to me?" she asked.

"If you don't dump me, maybe I will," he said and was just leaning in for another kiss when the hostess came to show them to their table. They ended up in a quiet booth back in the corner. They took their time with the meal and Ginny kept commenting that everything took so long in Muggle restaurants. Harry didn't mind because that gave them plenty of time to talk. After the meal, they walked hand-in-hand up a few more blocks to the theatre district. Harry went to the call window and picked up their tickets and they went to see the production. It was supposed to be the current popular thing to see and Harry had to ask a connection to get them the tickets.

Ginny had never been to a Muggle production like this and was really enjoying seeing all the other people dressed up and how they acted. "They're so much more proper than wizards are at these things," she commented. They went to their box seats overlooking the stage and waited for the production to begin. The production was very elaborate and Ginny seemed to be in awe of the whole thing. This wasn't Harry's favorite thing to do but he had been correct in guessing that Ginny would really enjoy it.

Once it was over and they were back on the street Ginny exclaimed, "That was fantastic. Can we come see it again sometime?"

"Of course. If you still want to go out with me we can have another date, and if not, we'll come as friends."

She hit his arm and said, "I really can't believe we're on a date. You know I'm not nervous or anything. I just feel so comfortable with you."

"I'm not sure that's a good thing. You're supposed to be excited to be on a first date," Harry said getting a sad look on his face.

"I am excited. It's just that it feels so right," Ginny replied giving him a peck on the cheek.

"It's not quite over yet," Harry said and flagged down a carriage being pulled by a large white horse. Harry talked to the driver for a couple minutes and then helped Ginny get into the carriage. It had gotten a bit cool and the man offered them a blanket. Harry took the blanket, smiled at Ginny and said, "May as well do it the Muggle way," before spreading the blanket over their laps. He put his arm around Ginny and she snuggled into his side enjoying the ride. Their driver took them through a large park that had many trees lit up. Ginny couldn't believe how warm and comfortable she felt. She had always dreamed about being out with Harry and now that she was, it felt like the most natural place to be. When they were leaving the park, the driver turned and asked, "Are you sure about the destination sir?"

"Yes, quite sure," Harry replied and pulled Ginny a bit closer. Before long, the carriage stopped in front of the corner that contained the Leaky Cauldron and the driver helped Ginny out before saying, "Not the safest part of town sir. Will you be alright?"

"I think we'll manage, but thank you," Harry said and tipped the man. They watched the carriage go around the corner before they entered the Leaky Cauldron. Even though it was very late by now, there were still many oddly dressed witches and wizards talking. Harry led Ginny off to one side and he apparated them back outside her front door.

"Harry. I'm with you, why didn't you just go inside?"

"First date Gin. I need to say goodbye at your door. I hope you don't think this is too presumptuous, but I'd really like to kiss you," he said looking straight into her eyes.

Ginny felt like she could just melt into him and pulled him close before he kissed her. If it was possible, this one made her feel even better than the first one by the lake had. She actually felt weak-kneed when he finally pulled away. "Um...want to come in?" she asked.

"Want to...Yes...But since it's our first date I won't. I really had a good time tonight, thanks for going out with me."

"Thanks for finally getting up the nerve to ask me. You should have done it years ago," she said giving him a quick kiss.

"You could have asked me you know," he stated.

"You don't know how close I came to doing that. Every time, you would do something sweet and I'd be happy enough just being your friend."

"Well, then I'm sorry for being stupid for so long. Just think we'd be way beyond first dates now. Maybe I would be coming in," Harry said raising his eyebrows.

"I'm ok with you coming in tonight Harry," she said and quickly blushed.

"I should go before I lose my will power. I'll meet you at your parents tomorrow. Thank you for a great date Gin," Harry said and kissed her cheek.

"There's such a thing as going too slow Harry," Ginny said with a sly smile.

"We can work on that after our next date if you'll give me the chance," he said with a smile.

"I'll hold you to that Harry. Goodnight," Ginny said before going inside and closing the door. Harry quickly went home feeling happier than he could remember feeling. Ginny went inside and actually jumped up and down a few times and fell onto the couch laughing. This had been a perfect evening. She had gone out alone with Harry and he paid attention to her, laughed at her jokes and treated her like he really wanted to be there with her. She couldn't believe it was actually happening. Ginny usually took things very slow when she dated a boy but she would have skipped all of that if Harry had come in. Something about her always wanting him and her knowing what kind of a person he was made her want to experience everything with him. Maybe it was also because she felt safer with Harry around than at any other time. She actually said to herself, "You're not going to make me wait for much longer Harry Potter." As soon as this thought came out of her mouth, she blushed and started laughing again.

Ginny lay in bed for a long time that night replaying the date she had just been on. She wanted to remember every second of it. She felt like the most special girl in the world. She had enjoyed being a Muggle for the evening since Harry seemed so comfortable doing it. Finally she dozed off and replayed the date in her dreams, but this time it ended the way she had wanted it to.

Harry also lay in bed without sleeping for a long time that night. He had felt so good having Ginny with him tonight. Why had he waited so long, he had lost so much time with her? He couldn't believe how frustrated he was. For the longest time, he hadn't minded putting of being intimate with any girl he had dated, but he really had a hard time leaving Ginny tonight. He kept telling himself that he wanted everything to be perfect and not feel rushed. When he finally fell asleep, he had a smile on his face the entire night.

Waking the next morning, Harry's smile quickly faded when he remembered that they were going to tell Ginny's parents tonight. Ron had taken the news ok, maybe her parents would. Harry spent the day going to his two flats and making sure they were very clean in case he ever showed them to Ginny. They were both clean of course but he went over everything again just to make sure. He stayed at the one in Paris until it was time to go to the Burrow.

Ginny had arrived at the Burrow earlier that day and couldn't sit still the entire time. She kept trying to read but couldn't get past the first paragraph before starting to giggle. "Ginny dear, are you all right? You're acting quite queer?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

"It's just been a good week at work mum," Ginny said giving her mum a kiss on the cheek. Ginny began helping her mum cook and kept humming. She didn't notice the strange looks her mother kept giving her.

"Isn't it just a beautiful day mum?" Ginny asked

Mrs. Weasley looked out the window and then to her daughter. "Is there something you want to tell me dear?"

"No mum. I just think it's a great day, that's all," Ginny said, going back to helping cook, but couldn't contain herself. "I'm dating someone new," she just blurted out.

Mrs. Weasley smiled at her daughter. "Well, that explains why you're so happy. Tell me about him."

"He's nice and sweet. He's gorgeous. He's perfect," Ginny said in a sighing voice.

"Well all that sounds good, but we still want to meet him if you're going to be seeing much of him. He must be special for you to be in such a good mood," Mrs. Weasley said smiling at her only daughter.

"Oh mum, I know you'll love him," Ginny said blushing.

The table had been set for four people since Ginny told her parents Harry was going to come over. "Why was Harry coming dear?" Molly asked her daughter.

"He was not doing anything tonight and I just invited him. That's ok, isn't it?" Ginny asked.

"Of course it is. You don't need to ask. Harry's always welcome here. How has he been?"

"Oh mum, he's great," Ginny said before she caught herself. She started blushing and said, "I mean he's doing great."

Mrs. Weasley studied her daughter and said, "I see."

Just then there was a knock on the door and Mr. Weasley opened it to find Harry outside. "Harry. Come in boy, come in," he said shaking Harry's hand.

"Hello sir." Harry replied and walked in. Mrs. Weasley came and gave him a big hug. "How are you dear?"

"Fine Mrs. Weasley. Thank you for having me tonight," he replied.

Ginny came and gave him a longer hug than Harry thought she should have. "Thanks for coming Harry," she said.

"I'll take any chance I can get for you mum's cooking," Harry replied. He noticed Mrs. Weasley looking at him differently. The meal was great, as Mrs. Weasley's food always tasted fantastic to Harry. She had always treated Harry like a member of the family. This fact made the prospect of telling them he was dating their daughter all the more daunting. When dessert was served, Harry felt Ginny kick him under the table.

"Um...Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, can I tell you something?" Harry asked, suddenly becoming very nervous.

Mrs. Weasley didn't look too confused but Mr. Weasley did. "Of course Harry, what is it?" he asked.

"Um... well sir I...I mean we...well I wanted to tell you that I asked Ginny out on a date the other day and she agreed," Harry blurted out and sat up straight. Ginny kept glancing between her mum and dad.

Mr. Weasley looked shocked, but Harry couldn't tell what Mrs. Weasley was thinking. "Um...Aren't you dating that model?" her dad asked.

"No sir. I...We broke up so that I could ask Ginny out," Harry said feeling like he could be sick.

Her dad started to say something but Mrs. Weasley beat him. "What brought this on Harry? You've known her for a long time."

"I've thought about it many times before," Harry said and started blushing. "I guess I was just too scared to ask. But I've finally started taking my godfather's advice about not being afraid to go after something I really wanted. I thought it was worth the risk to ask."

Mr. Weasley then asked, "Have you already gone out?"

Ginny spoke up. "Yes dad. Harry took me out last night. We went to eat at a Muggle restaurant in London and then to a Muggle play before he dropped me off at my front door," she said glancing at Harry.

Mrs. Weasley smiled a bit and said, "Well, I couldn't be" but was cut off by Mr. Weasley asking. "What about your job Harry?"