Chapter 1:

The holidays dragged on and on. Mum was in a state about the news which was also gloomy. Ginny basically wasn't allowed to leave the house. There were plenty of disappearances happening every other day now, but being cooped up during the holiday was no fun either.
One Friday evening, Tonks was over visiting us. Lupin was busy at work and she said she needed some company, "Can't we go out?" she asked Ginny pleadingly. Ginny groaned and shook her head, "I wish! But mum won't let us! She'll have us die here before we can leave the house." Tonks smirked at her and whispered, "You're forgetting something. I'm part of the order. She'll let you go out with me."
This caused Ginny and Hermione to grin at each other. Hermione had come a lot earlier this holiday. She hadn't really explained why…said her parents had gone on holiday without her for some reason or other. This had seemed a little strange but she didn't question it. She sat reading a book by a fire, but glanced up at the mention of going out. Hermione grinned, "Going out? Where Tonks?"
Tonks laughed, "Let's make it a girl's night! Find Ginny a new man!" Hermione frowned and whispered, "Ginny, are you ready for that?" Ron was outside in the garden de-gnoming with the twins. Tonks and Hermione were staring at her and she shrugged, "I guess now is as good a time as any." Hermione raised her eyebrows, wondering why her friend was acting too happy to find someone new.
Tonks beamed and said, "Cool. I'm going to go and tell your mom." Hermione nodded and once Tonks was out the room, she whispered, "Ginny! You still aren't over Harry!" Ginny rolled her eyes and retorted, "So? You still aren't over my brother." She picked a pillow up and threw it at Hermione, who was blushing like a beetroot. She said firmly, "I don't like Ron in that way!" Ginny rolled her eyes and smirked, "Come on, Hermione. You're just denying it. Everyone else can see it!"

Just then, Fleur showed up in a long, blue gown. She looked troubled and asked, "Who does 'mione like? And what iz siz talk I hear of going out! I would love to, cause I am tired of being cramped up in zis 'ole!" Ginny, Hermione and Tonks all glanced at each other. Tonks grinned, "You know, Fleur, I think we've completely neglected to throw you a bridal shower!" She glanced at Ginny pointedly and nodded eagerly, "Yes! We should go and celebrate, don't you agree?"
Fleur grumbled, "I would do anything to get out of zis tiny house!" Ginny bit her lip, refraining from retorting which was really difficult. Bill was away on business and so Fleur was spending a few days at the Burrow on her own, preparing for the wedding. It made life really hard for everyone involved, particularly Molly.

Ginny grinned and said, "Tonks, maybe you should ask mom?" Tonks nodded her currently pineapple-yellow hair. She said it meant she was ready for some fun. She got up and went to find her mother. They all followed her into the kitchen and her mother was hunched over a wedding magazine. Tonks knocked on the door, "Molly, can I have a word please?"
Her mother glanced up and she said, "Sure Tonks. What's going on?" Tonks sat on the edge of the table and she said enthusiastically, "Well… we realized that we hadn't thrown Fleur a bachelorette party, you see…" Molly raised her eyebrows skeptically and she said firmly, "No. Absolutely not!" Tonks sighed as she approached Molly, hopping off the table, "But they'll have me. I'll make sure they're ok. It will be one harmless night of fun, Molly. What could happen? We can't live cooped up in here all summer…"
Tonks trailed off and Ginny could see understanding cross her mother's tired features. She sighed in resolution, "Fine. Where are you going?" Tonks grinned at shrugged, "We don't know yet. Maybe just to the town's pub, hey girls?" She turned to the rest of them and even Hermione wasn't protesting.
Molly sighed and said, "Fine. But you're taking your brothers with you." This caused Ginny to groan, "Mum! That defeats the point of a girl's night out! This is supposed to be Fleur's bachelorette! That means no guys allowed! It won't be any fun with Ron around!"

My mother raised her eyebrows at me and said warningly, "Ginny…you either go with your brothers or you don't go at all!" This caused her to huff and fold her arms but otherwise she didn't say no. Instead she nodded, "Fine, Fleur. But you're all home by twelve and if not, Arthur and I will come looking for you personally."
Tonks nodded in agreement, "Understood Mrs. Weasley." Ginny looked at her watch. It was about fifth hand and just about working. It was only nine now! They were only allowed out for three hours! She bit her tongue though. She knew if she complained again they wouldn't be going.

XXX

Ten minutes later, after they had all dressed up and dolled make-up on, Tonk's apparated them into the town. Ottery St Catchpole was not a big town. It had a main road and then several streets that ran off it. The main road was where all the hub was of course. Ron had looked all too eager to leave, as had Fred and George of course.

They went into one of the only pubs in town. It was a bit run down but it still served good food and drinks. Tonks bought drinks and said, "Cheers!" She herself didn't have anything alcoholic. She nodded at Ginny and said, "I promised your mother only one drink." Ginny grumbled, "This has to be the most boring bachelorette in history."

Fleur didn't look too impressed either as they sat down at a booth. She said unashamedly, "If we were in France we would be having a far better time, I guarantee it!' It did kind of remind her of the Three Broomsticks, but a less homely version. It was a pity is was a muggle pub…since that meant no Butterbeer. There was a guy DJing at least so they all gathered after they finished their drink and danced on the dance floor.

There was some fairly decent music playing also. Some guy in a muggle outfit came up to them and he to Ginny, "Mind if we dance?" She wasn't sure what to do. He seemed decent enough. Tall…blonde hair and chocolate brown eyes. She looked behind her and Hermione was grinning at her, nodding encouragingly.

Ginny agreed and an upbeat muggle song played in the background, which Ginny quite liked. He asked her curiously, "So, what's your name?" Fred, George and Ron were still sitting at the booth and no doubt whispering about her. She found that she didn't care, "I'm…I'm Ginny." He raised his eyebrows in surprise, "Ginny…Ginny Weasley?"
She took a step back from the guy and asked in confusion, "How…do you know my name?" He smirked and he replied, "You're Harry Potter's ex girlfriend, that's how." Ginny felt her jaw go slack. She had never expected another wizard. There weren't many in their town. He raised an eyebrow skeptically, "The rumors are true aren't they?"
Ginny glanced back at Tonks and everyone else nervously. She wasn't sure she liked this guy knowing so much about her, and she didn't even know his name. She swallowed and asked distractingly, "And who are you?" He chuckled, "I'm a Malfoy." Ginny raised her eyebrows in distaste and she walked backwards, "No way! Draco doesn't have any brothers…" He grinned at her, showing his pearly white teeth, "Who's to say I'm his brother? We're second cousins…or something like that."

Before Ginny knew what was happening, the guy pulled his sleeve up and revealed a dark mark. Ginny all but screamed as he pressed it with his wand. She hurried back to Tonks and yelled, "We've got to get out of here! NOW!" Next thing, several people in dark cloaks entered the pub and Ron, Fred and George hurried over to them.

Spells were cast, causing the muggles around them to scream in fear! Ginny reached for Ron's hand and he grabbed it, but not before he yelled, "HERMIONE!" He ran to her, and the next thing they knew, they were disapparating. They all landed safely back in the Burrow and Ginny ran through the gate, panicking. She was never so relieved to see her father in the window.

Her dad ran to her and he said, "Ginny! What's wrong!" She felt numb as she whispered, "Tonks! The pub! They're death eaters in the pub in town! Muggles…" She felt herself shaking. Her father nodded grimly and immediately dissaparated himself. Ginny almost felt like crying and she whispered, "It was my fault. I insisted we go."
Her mother approached her and said sternly, "Well…you're not going out again I can assure you, Ginny. I'm going to make sure the protective enchantments around the house are still intact. Ron and Hermione, do you mind helping me?" They glanced at Ginny, but then did as they were told. Ginny had a sinking feeling she was going to be trapped in her own home until the holidays were over.

XXX

Tonks, Lupin and Arthur returned back from the pub looking grim. Tonks was injured…she had somehow cut her leg in battle, but she said she would be fine. Lupin looked pissed off like Ginny had never seen him before. And her father was the only one who looked at her, Ron and Hermione who were sitting by the fire waiting for news.

It turns out Fred and George had stayed with Tonks to protect her. Arthur said solemnly, "You're bloody lucky, you three I tell you." Ron whispered, "Is Tonks going to be alright? You know with the baby and everything." They had been told about the baby mere weeks before. Arthur nodded, "She'll be fine. She just needs to rest. Lupin is talking to her now. I know she was somewhat of an influence in this whole bachelorette business.
He sat down in a chair tiredly and Ginny whispered, "Dad, were the muggles…" He nodded and smiled briefly, "They're fine. They're in St Mungo's getting their memories erased. Scrimgeour is not happy but I promised him it won't happen again. But I'm telling you, your mother is royally fed up. You're not going to be able to leave this house until we go to Diagon Alley again, is that clear?"

All three nodded morbidly. He sighed and Ginny ran to him, giving him a hug, "I'm sorry, dad. I love you…" she whispered. He patted her back, "It's alright. Just if your mother is in a mood tomorrow which I expect she will be…don't back chat her." Ginny nodded and watched as her father retreated tiredly to his room. She felt herself sigh in relief and shook her head.

Hermione asked her once her father had gone, "Who was that you were dancing with?" Ginny turned to face them and whispered hoarsely, "Malfoy's second cousin." Hermione gaped in surprise, "I didn't know he had any other relatives. As soon as I get back to Hogwarts…" She stopped herself then. Ginny knew she had been about to say she's going to the library. Then she stopped herself and looked at Ron.

Ginny raised her eyebrow skeptically, "You're not going back to Hogwarts, are you?" Ron swallowed and stared at the floor. He said quietly in an 'I'm trying to reason with you tone', "Ginny…" She gasped and said angrily, "No! Harry told me you weren't coming! That he was going on his own…" Hermione glanced at Ron and then said, "Ginny, that was before you guys broke up. Before we told him we were coming regardless of what he said." Ginny, not for the first time in her life, felt betrayed and angry. She turned her back on them and ran up the stairs to her room, only not slamming the door in case she woke everyone else up.

A/N: Hey guys! So I thought this would be a fun and different way to kick start sixth year! I've got one more week left of exams and then I'm free to write until my heart is content. Wish me luck!
Starrya47 I like your idea!