"It's wonderful." He gave her a tight smile before shoveling a forkful into his mouth as if to emphasise this fact. He chewed slowly and swallowed even slower, if possible. While he didn't want her any less than before, he was wary. He believed in the Almighty and a sense of purpose and direction. He didn't believe that each person wandered aimlessly through their lives, but rather, that there was a God above leading them where they should go. Until December, he had never questioned his path. It had been set out before him in an obvious way - and except for a few setbacks and moments of doubt, Oliver had thus far never doubted his God.
It was true, had he been anything but a Christmas and Easter church goer, he might have had more reason to doubt his faith, seeing as magic and religion, at least his religion, didn't exactly go hand in hand. But Grumps' mother had instilled a keen sense of religion in Grumps, and Grumps, in turn, had made sure his children and grandchildren said their prayers and has some modicum of religion, no matter how tiny.
But now, now Oliver felt lost in an ocean. What had God meant by putting him here? What purpose did a traitor have? What point had his imprisonment proved? How did being branded and fucking Katie and starting this with Lisa get him anywhere? Oliver wondered, not for the first time, what the hell he was doing here and what the fuck had come over him. Still, looking at Lisa, letting their eyes connect - he knew something was special about her. She held some answer, he just wasn't sure what. Whatever it was, he meant to find out and he knew, though he wouldn't admit, that he was in too deep to back away even if he wanted to.
When the meal was finished, he paid the bill, stood and extended a hand to help her stand. He tried not to bite his lip or look too nervous and instead gave her a brief smile, what little smile he could muster. He let go of her hand and gave her a small bow.
"Miss Turpin, I hate to cut our field trip short, but I must be going. I am meeting a friend in just a moment, and I'd hate to make her wait. Your French is much improved and I will see you on Monday for our next lesson." His words might have been misleading, but the look in his eyes was not. He continued on, in a nearly whispered French. "In the alleyway, two minutes." He gave her a look, ascertained that she took his meaning and understood his guise before bowing again and exiting the restaurant. He dipped into the alley without trouble and took a shaky breath. Oliver's God hadn't abandoned him when Grumps died, or his father, and He hadn't abandoned him in Azkaban. Oliver had made it through jobs in Knockturn and mutilation, self-inflicted and by means of torture. He wouldn't be abandoned here or now and he'd go one. The Ministry hadn't destroyed and a girl certainly wouldn't either.