Ginny nodded at him before making her way back to the booth they always sat at. She supposed she should see his need for regularity as endearing. They came to the same place they had their first date. It was cute, and she did like him for it, but sometimes it got monotonous. She smiled as she saw him. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek before sliding into the booth across from him. "Hi."

"Hello Ginny. You look lovely tonight, as usual." He smiled at her, all the while inwardly cringing at how short her skirt actually was. As much as he liked her legs, he didn't want the whole restaurant to notice how lovely they were. He'd wrap his jacket around her shoulders if they went anywhere. It probably hung lower than the skirt anyway.

Ginny set her clutch down on the table, reaching for a glass of water and taking a sip. "How was work?"

"Smithers was in a nit about last quarter's numbers being off, but I think he's figured it out by now. How was yours? Save any lives today?"

"I don't think so. Actually, works been... work." She furrowed her eyebrows. "I've been giving a lot of thought to opening my own practice. I actually think I'm going to go through with it." She sat back in the chair. She hadn't really told Roger much about her plans, not sure what he'd say. "We haven't found any premises yet, but I've found someone who's interested in being my potions guy."

He nodded at her absently, looking over the menu. "Do you know what you're going to order?" He always ordered the same thing, but she liked to keep the staff on their toes.

The fact that he didn't ask her to elaborate on her plans wasn't surprising. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to have that same excitement she usually mustered when talking about the clinic. She had a feeling he'd think it rather foolish and brash of her to leave Mungo's so soon.

She didn't look at the menu. She had it memorized. "Chicken Parmesan, I think. I've heard it's pretty good." She smiled at him, not surprised that he didn't need to look either. She grabbed a bread stick from the table and bit into it, smiling slightly at him. "How's the leg?"

She always asked about the leg, despite it being months since the charms bracing it had been removed. He wasn't sure whether it was because she expected the healing she'd done to backfire, or if she was truly concerned. He smiled gently at her. "It's doing well, Ginny. I would say that it was because I hold some sway over the healer, but we both know that you'd be as professional with any of your patients."

Ginny smirked him, leaning forward and grabbing his hand on top of the table, squeezing it. "Well, I'd say you're right about the sway thing. I have been just as professional with my other patients, but I just don't think they'd enjoy me in this skirt as much as you do." She thought about telling him that she'd bought new knickers, but decided against it. Somehow she was sure he wouldn't approve of that type of dinner conversation.

His eyes darted up to hers, an eyebrow raised. "Let's hope not." He motioned for the waiter, who'd been hovering nearby. Roger was a large tipper, and the staff had gotten used to waiting on him. "Bernard, Miss Weasley would like the Chicken Parmesan and I'd like the usual, if you don't mind." He turned back and looked at her. It was obvious she'd spent time on her appearance and he appreciated her trying.

She fidgeted with her napkin, smiling at him slightly. "You don't happen to know of any open buildings that would serve as a good healing clinic, would you? We've been unsuccessful as of yet and I was really hoping to have someplace by the 20th." She'd been to view several places after she'd gotten off work at nights, but nothing had screamed out to her yet. She'd know when she found it. That's how it always happened.

Roger knew of a place. In fact, he'd heard her mention her problems finding a place before and yet he hadn't said anything at all about Winchell's old store front. Pete Winchell worked with Roger and his father had ran a dry goods shop in Hogsmede until last year, when he'd retired to Ibiza. They were currently looking for a tenant to let the place out to, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to say anything to her about it. He still didn't like the idea of her going into business by herself. He shook his head and took another sip of his pumpkin juice.

"That's alright. Fred's been looking around. He'll find something." Her mind was swimming with doubt. She had no idea if they'd find anything, really, but she didn't want to appear weak in front of Roger. She was struggling for something to say, and blurted the first thing that came to her mind. "How's your mom?"

"She's good." The air felt lighter to him as the conversation shifted to something he didn't think he had to hide from her. "Loves living out of the country, though she's dying to meet you, you know... but I told her to hold off. Don't want to scare you off this soon, you know." He smiled but it never reached his eyes. This soon? Nine months is 'this soon'?

"France can be really great in the fall." Ginny actually had no idea how France was. She'd never been there, but she'd heard good things. "Once I get some time off, I'd love to meet her." Ginny wasn't sure why she said it, really. They'd been dating for months, but she was fairly certain it hadn't gotten that serious. At least, she didn't think it'd gotten that serious. Had it gotten that serious?

Not knowing what was possessing him, actually, quite appalled that he was about to say it but unable to stop himself, he quietly asked, "And your family? When would be a good time for me to meet them? Your brothers?"

Ginny swallowed reflexively. "I wouldn't want you to meet them all at once. I wouldn't put anyone through that. Maybe one at a time would be safer." Her heart had started pounding at his words. Why did she have to ask about his mom, knowing that it would lead to him asking about hers? "Fred was actually asking about you, too."

Roger nodded. He may only be an investment banker, but he was quite able to recognize the subtle change in her voice and demeanor.  If he didn't think she was a good match, he'd have left her ages ago. Her complete inability to open up could be dealt with. The no sex thing was hard, but he was nothing if not loyal. As it was, his mother was very concerned with family blood, and while there were harsh things whispered about her family, there was no question about their purity. When their food arrived, he sighed. She always laid into it with a gusto, and he found himself clearing his throat because, once again, her elbows were on the table.

Blushing, Ginny removed her elbows from the table and placed her napkin in her lap. She wasn't sure what it was, whether he was worried about her manners when she met his mother, eventually, but he was very concerned with making sure she did things properly. She was so used to just eating, loud conversation filled dinners at the Burrow coming to mind, that she always had a hard time remembering her manners. She felt bad, making him embarrassed to be seen with her. People always spoke so highly of him, she'd hate to stain his reputation.

She tucked into her food, using it as a viable excuse not to talk. She didn't know why this was so awkward. It was usually awkward, but not this awkward. She couldn't think of anything that had happened since the last time they'd seen each other that would make it this odd. What had changed? She smiled slightly at him as she took a bite of her chicken. She didn't think things were supposed to be this hard, but then again, maybe it was supposed to be this hard? She knew she wasn't making it any easier, not wanting to let him in, but she wasn't sure how to change.

Their meals were not usually very animated, and that was how he preferred them.

Wiping her mouth on a napkin as Roger paid their bill, Ginny slid out of the booth, grabbing her clutch on the way. She felt Roger's hand at the small of her back as she led him out the front door. She turned as they exited, smiling. "What else did you want to do tonight?"

He looked down at her as he wrapped his jacket around her shoulders. "I was thinking we could take a walk down Diagon, if that's all right with you?" At her nod, they walked toward the park on the far end of the ally. The Halloween decorations had come out already and Roger kept his mind free of negative thoughts about their relationship by pointing out the more amusing figures as they walked. He'd already put too much effort into the relationship to give it up now.

(Thanks to </a></b></a>jandjsalmon for helping with this scene!)