Author's Note: Okay, here, finally, after many weeks, is chapter 6. I've been somewhat busy with mid-terms, and then a trip to San Antonio, but now I'm back and I can get back to work on this story!

Let's see…This chapter was REALLY HARD, because mainly all it does is introduce some new characters…I don't know, it's hard to explain, but I had to write it, so there we go. It's an important chapter in a lot of ways, but it's a bit of a mess.

Another cultural note: I know nothing about mixed drinks, so I just looked some drinks up on the internet. Fun fun!

Chapter 6

Ginny really wanted to go to the party, but she loathed the idea of going downstairs. It was just embarrassing, in more ways than one. It was most embarrassing because she was doing what she told herself she would never do: leave Sirius in her mother's care. And it was embarrassing because this was the first time in over three years that she had worn something remotely appealing. She didn't want to go downstairs and get fawned over by everyone like she was a sixteen-year-old on her first date.

And at the same time, Ginny wanted to rush to the party as fast as she could and have a wonderful time. She wanted to walk around talking to people, charming them with her intellect and her humor. She wanted to hear people tell her how beautiful she was.

So Ginny was carefully taking her time, buckling the straps on her heels, trying to resist the urge to toss her hair over one shoulder and smile flirtatiously at herself in the mirror. After buckling her left heel, Ginny straightened up, and picked a small black handbag up off of her dresser, and put a few galleons and her wand inside.

Ginny turned to her full-length mirror and took several deep breaths, summoning up her courage to go downstairs. She smoothed the skirt of her dress, swallowed, and then turned to face the door.

Before she could even move to touch the handle, however, it burst open, and a jumble of limbs, fiery red hair, and hideously ugly lilac suits toppled into her room.

"Gin!" George exclaimed, "Let's go!"

"I'm coming," Ginny replied, "I was just…touching up."

Ginny surveyed her brothers in a state of amused shock. They were wearing well-fitted tuxes in a violent shade of bright lilac, over ruffled black shirts. Seeing Ginny's wide eyes, Fred tugged at his lapels, straightened up, and asked, "How do we look?"

"Um…Well," Ginny twisted her mouth into a grimace, "Really, really bad."

"Why thanks, sis!" George grinned, clapping her on the back, "Ready to go?'

Ginny nodded and let George steer her out of the room and down the stairs. Molly, Arthur, and Sirius were sitting at the table finishing up supper. Everyone glanced up when she came into the room.

"Mummy!" Sirius exclaimed, jumping off his chair and running to Ginny, who scooped him up into her arms, "Mummy, why aw you so dwessed up?"

"Mummy's going out, remember?" Ginny said, hefting him against her hip, "So you have to be a good boy with Grandma and Grandpa, all right?'

"Of cowse!" Sirius chirruped, his emerald-green eyes dancing in a way that made Ginny sure that he had no intention of behaving well while she was gone.

"Good," Ginny said, kissing his rosy cheek, "I won't be back to tuck you in, so you have to go to bed when Grandma says."

Sirius pouted.

"Don't worry, Ginny," Arthur said from the table, "We handled the twins. We can handle anything."

"Yeah…" Ginny said, reluctantly, not taking her eyes off Sirius, "Do you have everything?"

"Ginny, it's just watching a toddler, not stocking up for the end of the world," Fred laughed.

Well, you never know Ginny thought to herself.

"Okay, honey, I'm going now, all right?" Ginny asked Sirius.

"O – kay!" Sirius exclaimed. He wrapped his arms lovingly around his mother's neck, and gave her a sticky kiss on the cheek.

"Good night, sweetie," Ginny kissed him back, and then set him down. Sirius rolled himself under the table, and crawled back out on the other side, plopping himself in Arthur's lap. Arthur smiled at his daughter, but Molly, Ginny noticed, was carefully avoiding her gaze. Something shifted in Ginny's stomach.

"Well…" Ginny hesitated. She wondered briefly why no one had said anything about how she looked, before feeling ashamed that she even cared about it. This was the first time in his life that Sirius was going to be without his mother there to put him to bed, save for when he was a newborn.

"You have a good time, dear," Molly said, watching Sirius help Arthur with his potatoes, "Don't worry about a thing."

"Okay," Ginny turned and went over to her brothers, who had already put on cloaks and hats, and were fidgeting to go. Ginny picked up her own black cloak and fastened it around her throat. To add to her nervousness about Sirius, she was feeling a little hurt that no one had commented on whether she looked good or not. I must just look bad, then, Ginny thought, Or just old. An uncomfortable image swayed through her mind, of some other beautiful young woman getting all the attention at the party, while Ginny sat morosely at the bar and drowned her sorrows in a cocktail. Ginny fought of the jealousy that was nipping at her stomach. Who cared, anyways? It wasn't as though she was looking for a boyfriend.

But even so, it's nice to know you're appreciated.

George turned the handle of the door, and pushed it open to reveal a cool, crisp evening. The sky was just turning an inky bluish-black, dotted with sparkling stars. The trees and hills surrounding them were dark shadows against the sky. Ginny felt the cool caress of the evening breeze brush gently against her cheek.

"Good-bye," She said, turning to her parents and her son. They all smiled, her mother now avidly watching the flowers on the table sway gently in their vase.

"Do you know where to go?" George asked as he closed the door.

"Yes, George. I have apparated before," Ginny smiled, trying not to look through the windows.

"All right, we'll see you there, then," And with a whirl, Fred disappeared. George followed suit, and Ginny afterwards, disapparating with small pop.

-------------------------------------------

When Ginny opened her eyes again, she found herself on a small, well-lit street just off of Diagon Alley. She was standing in front of a small bookstore, which had closed down for the night. Most of the shops and restaurants on the street had darkened windows, except for a couple of pubs down at the corner, whose lights were shining onto the pavement out of large windows. Other than the sound of laughter and talk from those pubs, the street was very quiet.

Directly across from Ginny was an elegant pair of doors, above which swung a sign: The Golden Phoenix Suites. The Golden Phoenix was a very upscale, ritzy hotel favored by wizarding dignitaries and celebrities staying in London. Ginny grinned as she saw her brothers waiting for her in the lobby, being watched by a doubtful-looking concierge. A sudden chill of nerves swept over Ginny's body. She was actually going out. She was away from Sirius. Ginny thought briefly of how easy it would be to just apparate back home to the Burrow. Then, shaking herself, she ran across the street, and into the warm, well-lit room to meet the twins, her heels clicking against the floor.

"There you are!" Fred said, looking a little relieved, "Was everything fine?"

"Fred," Ginny frowned at him, "It was fine. Really."

Before Fred could reply, Ginny turned to the concierge, who looked a little more relaxed now that she had shown up, but was still regarding Fred and George (or more likely, their suits) with a measure of distaste.

"We're here for the Department of Commerce party," George told him.

"Your names, please?" The concierge asked.

"Fred, George, and Ginevra Weasley."

"Oh!" The concierge's eyes widened slightly. Gathering himself, he pointed down the hallway to his left, "It's the only door on the right down that hallway. The cloak room is on the other side."

"Cheers," Fred said.

They walked down the hallway, which was lit with flaming sconces, and found the open cloakroom door. The witch inside took their cloaks, looking, as the concierge had, rather alarmed at the twins' garish attire. Ginny smothered a smile, but Fred and George looked openly delighted.

Ginny was a little surprised when, as they turned from the cloakroom, Fred put a protective hand under her elbow. There was no one in the hall to guide her through, and Ginny strongly suspected that the party be much less than a teeming mass of uncontrollable rioters. She was distinctly unaware that she, in her well-fitted strapless black dress, was very attractive. Fred and George had managed to overlook this fact at home, but now the idea of very rich, rather creepy men seeing their younger and only sister was making them a little unsettled.

The trio walked through the opposite door. A man checked their invitations, and then courteously directed them into the room. Ginny wasn't sure what to expect, and was quite relieved when no one announced their names. She took a moment to look around.

It didn't seem as bad as Fred and George said. The room was large, and hung with swaths of creamy white cloths, which swung gently from the vaulted ceilings. The room was semi-circular, the curved wall lined with tall windows, flung open to catch the cool breeze. There were a fair number of people, including several famous wizarding figures, as well as the Minister of Magic, Rowland Honeybourne, the party's host. There were several chairs and sofas along the walls, but most people seemed to be milling about and having engaging conversations.

"It doesn't seem that bad," Ginny murmured to Fred, who had yet to release his grip on her elbow.

"Hmmm," Was all Fred managed in reply. He and George had both taken a rather defensive stance on either side of Ginny, and were busily scanning the room for potential creeps.

"Are you two okay?" Ginny asked, noticing her brothers' odd behavior. She had expected them to bounce off immediately, leaving her to find someone to talk to. Ginny had planned on an evening with Percy, who, boring though he was, would at least be someone she knew. She hoped he could introduce her to some interesting people. But now it seemed that Fred and George were permanently affixed at her sides.

"We're fine, we're just looking for…" George's voice faded, and then he nudged Ginny and gestured to the bar, "For guys like that."

Ginny glanced over and saw a middle-aged man, eyeing her with interest. A blush bloomed in her cheeks. She was simultaneously embarrassed and pleased that someone had noticed her, even if it was some bloke who was going bald and a little on the chubby side. Ginny suddenly felt a burst of confidence, accompanied by an unbidden feeling of sensuality.

"You two are adorable," She said, reaching over and detaching Fred from her arm, "But really. I don't want you to think that I can't fend for myself. I'm your sister, remember? And I'm still the best bat-bogey hexer you'll ever know."

Fred looked at her reluctantly, "Just watch out. There's lots of very rich, very powerful men in here, who love to collect pretty things, and then trash them as soon as they're bored."

"It'd be best if you just stuck with us, or Percy," George added earnestly.

"Not Perce!" Fred exclaimed, "He's be all for her marrying some nasty old man, especially if he was some law-abiding prat."

"As if I could marry some old man, when I'm still waiting for…" Ginny let her voice trail off. She clenched her jaw very tightly as a vision of emerald eyes swam through her mind, causing her own brown eyes to well momentarily with tears. Turning her face, back towards the door, Ginny took a deep breath. The image of emerald eyes and the lightning-bolt scar faded.

"Why don't we first find our host," Ginny suggested as she turned back, her voice measured and calm, "And then we'll see what happens, all right?"

Fred and George looked at each other, seemed to hesitate, and then nodded.

"All right, this way," Fred said, taking Ginny's elbow, "And don't get all impudent. I'm just doing this to be polite."

They navigated their way through the crowd towards Honeybourne, who seemed deeply involved in a conversation with an elderly woman wearing gorgeous purple velvet robes and pearls. The three Weasleys waited patiently until the Minister noticed them. He looked up, jumped slightly when he saw Fred and George's clothes, and then grinned.

"The Weasleys!" He exclaimed, "Oh, how wonderful to see you!"

Ginny had never personally met the new Minister of Magic, but she liked very much what she saw of him in the paper. He was a jolly man, tall and robust, with a cheerful manner. Despite his jovial disposition, his was also a hardheaded politician with fierce integrity. Now, he shook Fred and George's hands and introduced them enthusiastically to the witch he had been talking to. Then, he turned his kind eyes on Ginny.

"And who is this lovely young woman?" He asked, his face dimpling as he smiled.

"This is our little sister – our only sister, Ginevra Weasley," George said.

Ginny winced at George's reference to her as his "little" sister. If only she felt as young as she was…

"A pleasure, Miss Weasley," Honeybourne said graciously.

Ginny extended her hand, basking in the warmth of his smile, and as she did, she saw something change in Honeybourne's eyes. It was as though he had been searching for something, and suddenly it dropped into place in his mind. His mouth opened slightly, then closed again. He took Ginny's hand, shook it, and then patted in comfortingly. His smile had changed. It was still warm, still genuine, but now sympathetic.

"You are Ginevra Weasley?" The witch in the purple robes asked, looking at Ginny critically over her spectacles.

"Yes…" Ginny suddenly felt very conspicuous. She noticed that several people nearby also appeared to be looking at her. But it was different than how they had looked at her before. Instead of admiring her for her looks, or just for being with the twins, they were analyzing her, or just smiling compassionately, with pity, like the minister. Ginny turned questioning eyes on Fred and George as she felt the heat rise in her face. They both looked rather distraught.

"Well, we're going to go get something to drink," George said, grabbing Ginny's arm, "It was lovely to see you both."

And with that, the twins turned, pulling Ginny after them towards the bar.

"What was that all about?" Ginny asked breathlessly as they emerged from the crowd.

"Two Blue Velvets and a Gang Green, please," George said to the bartender, who glanced at Ginny before turning to concoct the drinks.

"Ginny, I'm so sorry," Fred said earnestly, his warm brown eyes looking down into Ginny's, "We just didn't think what this would mean."

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't you realize?" Fred asked, "This is the first time anyone has heard of you

since…Well, since Harry went missing."

"What do you mean, heard of me?" Ginny was extremely confused. As far as she knew, no one had ever "heard of her" before.

"Ginny, well…You never saw this, but everyone in the wizarding world knows your name, because after Harry went missing, the papers all talked about how he left behind this beautiful young witch who was pregnant with his baby."

Ginny felt as though someone had hit her on the side of her face. She stretched a shaking hand out to the bar, to balance herself. So that's why everyone was looking at her so strangely? Because she was the "beautiful witch that Harry Potter left behind?" Ginny had no idea that her name had even come up in the papers when she was pregnant with Sirius. She had been too sick, and then too busy, to even read a paper, and certainly her family wouldn't tell her.

George handed her the Gang Green. Ginny took a sip, and found it refreshingly cool. Despite the breezy air coming in from the large windows, she had been feeling very hot. Ginny sipped the drink again.

"This isn't alcoholic, is it?" She asked, regretting that she had never had the chance to go out with friends and learn all the fun names of drinks. It seemed so trivial and stupid, but…Ginny felt a hot surge of shame rise over her. How could she regret now knowing what a Gang Green was? She had been raising her son. Her beautiful, wonderful, darling son, who was a carbon copy of Harry…Ginny was alarmed to feel tears welling up her eyes again.

"No," George answered, looking at her sadly, "Ginny, we can go home if you want."

Ginny shook herself, fighting back the tears, "Oh, this is stupid. How will it look if I go home now? Probably a million articles will come up about how brave I am, poor little me, to go out in public, and I just couldn't handle the pressure. I'm fine."

Ginny swallowed the last of her tears and took another drink of her Gang Green.

"Are you sure?" Fred asked. When Ginny nodded, he continued, "Okay. But if

you want to go home, just let us know."

Ginny felt her heart swelling with affection for her older brothers.

"I'm fine. You guys can go…talk, if you want. I think I'll stay here and just relax for a minute."

"All right…" George looked at Fred, who nodded, "Just scream or something if you need us."

Ginny laughed, and watched her brothers disappear into the crowd. She leaned against the bar and sipped her drink, watching the people around her laugh and chatter. Well, if she was worried about any kind of competition as far as looks went, there was no one there to cause her any concern. All of the women were at least in their fifties, and probably all millionaires. Most of the crowd was sufficiently older than her and the twins. Ginny grinned as she thought of what the twins were probably doing at that moment. She reminded herself to keep her ears open for any bellowing or shrieking that might occur.

"Can I buy you another?" A deep voice said, quite suddenly, in Ginny's ear.

Ginny stepped back and looked at the man to her right. It was the same man who had been eyeing her when she first came in. He was leaning sideways against the bar, leering at her, his large belly sagging over his belt. Ginny didn't say anything. It had been so long since someone had hit on her, and her snappy comebacks were a little out of practice.

"What is it? Daiquiri?" The man asked, signaling the bartender without taking his eyes of Ginny's face.

"Oh, no," Ginny replied, a little breathlessly, "A…Um…I don't know."

"Yes, sir?" The bartender asked, leaning towards the man. Ginny felt his eyes flicker towards her for the briefest moment.

"What is this young lady drinking?" He asked, his eyes still on Ginny. Ginny, in her figure-hugging dress, felt very uncomfortable as his eyes raked her form. He made her feel as though he had completely undressed her.

"A Gang Green, sir," The bartender replied.

"Oh," The man glanced at the bartender, who, Ginny noticed, was watching him with narrow eyes, though the rest of his face was perfectly polite.

"Would you like something a little stronger?" The man asked, "Maybe…A Black Russian?"

Ginny had no idea what a Black Russian was, but she felt sure that, whatever it might be, if she drank it, she would become very inebriated. Ginny suddenly felt very angry. Who the hell was this man, anyways? He hadn't even introduced himself, and he was already trying to get her drunk? Why? Because she was the girl Harry Potter left behind, and she couldn't do better than him?

Ginny was just reaching for her wand, intent on hexing through the ceiling, when he said, smoothly, "I'm so sorry. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Alan Landry. I'm the vice president of the International Treaty Department. Direct advisor to Honeybourne."

"Oh," Ginny suddenly felt her mouth go dry. So this was what her brothers had wanted her to look out for, "Oh…It's very nice to meet you."

"Very nice to meet you also," Alan Landry said, stepping forward so that there were only a few inches between them. Ginny smelt alcohol on his breath, as well as sweat, and very musky cologne, "What's your name?"

Ginny considered giving her last name, but she doubted that Fred and George, or even Percy, were more powerful than this man. Her last name would have no effect on him. She doubted that any last name short of Christ would have any effect on a man like this.

"Ginny," She said.

"Ginny," Alan Landry repeated, rolling in off his tongue in a grotesque way, "Is that short for Jennifer? Or, maybe…Virginia?"

Ginny felt her drink rising in her throat. This man was disgusting. She found herself, once again, reaching for her wand, as her mind ripped through the list of hexes that she had memorized when she joined the D.A., searching for one that could knock this creep out, or maybe just castrate him.

"Miss," The bartender leaned in, interrupting Ginny's thoughts, "Miss. The man who was asking about you earlier? He's over there."

Ginny and Alan Landry both looked at the bartender questioningly. Ginny followed his pointing hand and saw, thankfully, blessedly, her older brother Percy, talking with a tall, fit-looking man.

"Percy Weasley?" Alan Landry demanded, "Why does he want to talk with her?"

"I have no idea," The bartender replied smoothly, "But he asked earlier if I had seen her. I told her I'd point him out if he came near."

"You liar," Alan Landry hissed, "You haven't spoken to her at all since she came here with those two other fellows. Who's your boss?"

"Sir, I assure, I have spoken with her."

"I'm going to get you fired, sir," Alan Landry spat, looking livid, "If you think that you can lie straight to my face. I know for a fact that you haven't talked to her at all because I've been – "

"Watching her all night?" The bartender finished. Ginny, who had been watching their volley with keen interest and a little bit of fear, was both shocked and pleased to see that the bartender's face had hardened into a look of malice and disgust. Alan Landry was left gritting his teeth as he turned a very bright shade of red. The bartender arched one eyebrow before turning to help someone else.

Without even saying good-bye, Ginny made a beeline for Percy.

"Sir, I'm afraid that I have to disagree with you on that," Percy was saying, "Only when Luxembourg agrees to give us what is our due can we allow them such freedom in the market."

"Perce," Ginny said quietly.

Percy glanced at her, and then looked again.

"Ginny!" He exclaimed.

Ginny rushed into his arms, suddenly feeling very safe and secure. Percy enveloped her, a little awkwardly, but with great affection. The man he was talking to looked taken aback, if not touched by the open display of affection.

"Mr. Weasley, is this a friend of yours?" The man asked.

"This is my younger sister - my only sister - Ginevra Weasley," Percy said, turning Ginny to face the very tall man, "Ginny, this is Hugh Southcott. He works in International Relations."

"Very nice to meet you," Ginny said, shaking his hand, this time feeling a warm glow at being addressed as a younger sister, "I'm really sorry to interrupt, but it's been so long since I've seen my brother, and we're very close."

"Yes, well, if you two have things you would like to discuss, I'll leave you to it," Hugh Southcott said courteously, "It was good to see you, Mr. Weasley. Miss Weasley, a pleasure."

Percy shook his hand, and Ginny nodded politely, and then he turned and waded into the crowd.

"Oh, Perce," Ginny said, turning back to her brother, "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Let's sit," Percy suggested, gesturing to an empty sofa. As they sat, he asked, "It has been so long, Ginny. How is Sirius?"

"He's wonderful Percy. You have to come visit some time."

"Oh, but Fred and George are much more entertaining uncles to have around, I'm sure," Percy said, looking a little discomfited.

"Well, they are fun," Ginny admitted, "But Sirius knows his story, Percy. He knows that we owe you everything."