MiKaYGiRl- Ha ha, thanks for reviewing.
eye-of-the-wolf- Oh my gosh, I was just like "Wow, there's someone on here with the exact same sn of that girl from Nightly." Wow, talk about a brain fart. Thanks for reviewing :D
Junsui- Xavier is supposed to be Lucius's father. I'm not sure if that would fit correctly with timelines and whatnot, but that's what he's supposed to be ;)
J e n n y- Thanks for reviewing!
notsosirius- Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Pandora40- Thanks! Am I correct in assuming that your sn refers to the Pandora's box from Greek (or is it Roman?) mythology?
Cattt- I love the way you phrased that review. I don't know why I like it so much, I just do. :D Thanks for reviewing!

Chapter 5- Discussions of a Sensitive Nature

Ginny heard the door creak, and she looked up from the extremely outdated copy of Hogwarts, a History propped open in her lap to find Xavier Malfoy and Tom Riddle entering the library, talking quietly. They didn't notice her, and as much as Ginny didn't want to draw attention to herself, she wanted even less to overhear whatever horrors Tom Riddle might be discussing.

This thought in mind, she turned to the next page of her book, making sure the paper crinkled loudly. When she got no response, Ginny sighed inwardly and pushed the book off her lap, wincing at the volume of the slam as it hit the floor. The action had, however, accomplished her purpose.

Tom and Xavier started a bit and looked up from their conversation. A smile split Xavier's face when his eyes landed on Ginny, then faded when he caught the worry on hers. Tom's features, however, held nothing but slightly lustful pleasure at the sight of the blushing redhead.

"Miss Lupin, isn't it?"

Ginny bristled at the blatant interest in his tone, and her back was somewhat stiff as she straightened from retrieving the book from the floor. "It's Mrs., Mr. Riddle. Excuse me, won't you?"

Tom's smooth voice caught her as she was stalking toward the door. "Don't let us chase you out, Mrs. Lupin. I find myself quite anxious to speak with you."

Ginny turned with pursed lips, the rising of her trademark redhead temper evident by the color in her cheeks. "Mr. Riddle, I have neither the time nor the inclination to do anything but bid you goodbye."

The surprise on Xavier's face was evident as he closed the distance between himself and his guest, speaking for her ears alone. "What's wrong, Ginny? What's going on?"

"I. . . I'm not sure I can tell you." Tears slowly pooled in Ginny's brown eyes, and she shuddered as she took her next breath. "I want to, Xavier, but I don't think I can."

His brow lowered just a hint in concern, but Tom spoke before he could even open his mouth.

"Mrs. Lupin, I am most anxious to get to know you."

Ginny couldn't help but give a little, humorless laugh. "You are bold, aren't you?"

Tom gave her a winning smile that by no means won her over. "Subtlety has never been my strong point."

Ginny thought back over the mass numbers of people he'd killed, the boldness of the Dark Mark hanging in the sky, and couldn't help but agree. "No argument here."

Tom raised his eyebrows, a small smirk playing across his lips. "My reputation seems to precede me; you know a great deal."

Ginny smiled, the deadness of her eyes managing to send a single chill down Tom's spine. "I am in possession of quite a bit of knowledge that you, Mr. Riddle, are very much lacking."

Tom's eyebrows threatened to disappear into his hairline. "Care to inform me, Mrs. Lupin?"

"All the dementors in Azkaban couldn't suck it out of me."

"Then we have nothing to discuss."

"Now you're catching on."

"You may go, then."

Surprise hung in Ginny's eyes for just a moment before annoyance took over. "Thank you, Master, because I really needed your permission." Sarcasm dripped from her voice, and Ginny turned to stalk angrily out of the room. As she left, though, her indignation was replaced by fear as she felt his eyes follow her through the door and into the corridor, probing for information. Had she said too much?

"Xavier, I don't know what to do. I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"I. . . I just can't, okay?"

The blond head sitting in her fireplace sighed and shook back and forth. "Why not, Ginny? Give me something to work with here."

"All I can say is that it could seriously mess some things up if I told you. That's it."

Xavier sighed again but let the subject drop, seeing the fatigue in Ginny's small frame. "Do you feel safe when he's here?"

"Yes and no. I. . . um. . ." Ginny sighed and gave up censoring her words, accepting that Xavier was just going to have to put up with being confused. "I'm better prepared than I was before, because I'm older and I've been an Auror for a year. Still, I. . . I can't help being afraid. He's an extremely powerful wizard."

Xavier nodded in agreement but didn't speak.

"Plus, I. . . I. . ." Ginny groaned in frustration and looked Xavier square in the eye. "Can I be perfectly frank with you?" At his nod, she continued. "The thing that scares me more than anything is that I can't help being attracted to him. I'm a happily married woman, I've been fighting his kind of people for years, I. . . I know what he is, damn it! But every time I see him, I get as giddy as the schoolgirl that I was." Ginny tucked her head and rested it on her knees, guilt running through her. "I'm a horrible wife."

Xavier was quiet for a few moments. "No. . . no, I'd say you're a woman. That's all. I've been watching women fall under his spell for years; you're not the first, and you certainly won't be the last."

"Yes, but the difference is that I know what lies beneath that handsome shell, and I don't like it."

Xavier only shrugged, somewhat more subdued than usual.

Ginny studied the knee of her pink satin pajamas for some time before looking up again, youth and vulnerability written all over her face. "And what's my excuse for you? Why, every time I look at you, it's like I'm really falling in love all over again?"

"Because I'm ruggedly handsome, and hopelessly charming," he said easily, pushing aside the subconscious realization of how beautiful she was with her hair in riotous curls around a fire lit face.

"Xavier, please."

He was quiet for a long time, looking down into the flames beneath him. When he did speak, it was with a restrained longing in his eyes. "I don't know why you feel the way you do, but I do know that I'm feeling the same way about you. You're right here, and so beautiful, and so. . ."

"Vulnerable?"

Xavier nodded.

"Xavier, I. . . I'm a married woman, I-" She cut off, not knowing what to say.

"Why do you think I've got my head in a fireplace instead of connected to a body standing in your room? You're forbidden fruit, and I'm not going to tempt you to do something you'd regret later."

The relief in Ginny's eyes was somewhat ruined the by the guilt-ridden disappointment there, too. "Thank you." She was silent for a few moments, then a very slight smile lifted the corners of her mouth. "You remind me of my husband sometimes, Xavier. You have the same unknowing sweetness, the same manners, the. . . uh. . ." Ginny blushed and looked down at her legs.

"The love of the same woman?"

Ginny just flopped back miserably onto her bed. "I am a horrible wife."

"I would probably tend to agree at this point."

Ginny threw a ball of parchment at the fireplace, smiling in spite of herself. Xavier dodged it without a problem and grinned. "Sweet dreams, Ginny."

Ginny waved him away, shaking her head good-naturedly. "Goodnight, Xavier."