Junsui- I know it! It's so crazy… I'm just hoping I'll be able to keep them realistic while doing what I want to with them.
MiKaYGiRl- Hmm, me too… ; )
PottersChick7- I suppose so, yeah; I just like writing time-turner fics. But thanks for reviewing; I'm glad you like it!

Chapter 6- The Secrets of Dark Corridors

"Jabber!"

The little house-elf came scurrying at Ginny's call and skidded to a halt before the open door to her room.

"Mistress called Jabber?"

"Can you tell me where to find Xavier's office?"

"Oh, Jabber is more than happy to take you there herself!"

Ginny shook her head. "I want you to stay with Cassie; I'm not comfortable leaving her alone. Just tell me how to get there; I'm sure I'll be able to find it."

Jabber looked doubtful but relayed the instructions, making sure they were ridiculously clear. Ginny nodded, running through them in her head to make sure she knew them.

"Alright, I'll be gone maybe an hour, probably less. Stay with Cassie until then, okay?"

The little elf nodded furiously, and Ginny started down the dark corridors of Malfoy Mansion.

Ten minutes later, Ginny decided that it had been a bad choice to leave Jabber behind; she was hopelessly lost. Just when she'd settled on trying to retrace her steps back to the bedroom, another little house-elf darted into her line of sight.

"Grappa!" Ginny's half-shout carried a lot of relief. "Can you take me to Xavier's office?"

The elf nodded and motioned with a hand full of loose papers. "I is just on my way now!"

Ginny smiled and followed the weaving elf just a bit farther down the corridor. He stopped before a large statue depicting a snake winding itself around a vertical pole. Grinning impishly- or rather, elfishly- Grappa pulled the snake's tail and watched the entire statue- and the floor panel beneath it- move to the side. The movement revealed a small square notch in the wall, and Grappa pushed his finger into, depressing a hidden button; a moment later, the floor dropped out from under their feet.

Ginny hit bottom hard, wincing as the hand she'd thrust out to catch herself cracked against the stone; that was going to leave a mark.

"Ginny?"

Ginny glanced up to see Xavier moving quickly toward her, his worried expression ruined somewhat by the amusement twinkling in his eyes. The red head stood, brushing imaginary dust from her robes.

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, nothing much, just brainstorming all the possible ways to kill that elf slowly and painfully."

Xavier grinned and spoke to his shamefaced elf. "You should've warned her, Grappa."

Grappa's ears wilted, and he handed the papers he carried to his master. "Grappa will go now, Master."

Ginny watched in fascination as the elf stood directly beneath where they'd dropped through the floor, held one hand skyward, and jumped. At the very height of his leap, his outstretched hand stuck in the ceiling and something pulled him through the hole and into the corridor above. At the last moment, Ginny thought to yell, "Don't you dare go punish yourself!"

After her little outburst, she just stood at stared at the ceiling, fascinated. "Wicked."

"Isn't it?" Xavier smiled at her amazement. "It looks like nothing's there, but there's really a sucking gel of my own invention. All you have to do is put a finger in it, and it'll pull you right up."

"That is so cool." Ginny knew she sounded like a simpleton, but it really was cool. "But why don't you have a regular ceiling there?"

"I wanted a window out of my office, and it's a good way to spy when I don't want people to see I'm watching."

Ginny made a mental note to be careful what she did in this corridor, and Xavier looked back up through the window to see his house-elf sticking his fingers into his eyes.

"Grappa, stop it! You're forgiven!"

The elf jumped, obviously surprised, and ran out of the viewing window; Xavier shook his head long-sufferingly.

"He never learns."

Ginny thought back to Dobby and Winky and smirked. "They never do."

Xavier only looked mildly curious, and his next words left the current subject behind. "So, what can I do for you, Ginny?"

"I was just wondering if I could borrow your office for a little bit to write a letter."

"Of course. Just let me clean a few things up and I'll be out of your way."

Ginny nodded and didn't even blink as he gathered up a stack of papers, waved his wand over them, and was suddenly holding nothing but air. Xavier opened a drawer and took out a quill and ink.

"It's all yours."

"Thank you."

Ginny's smile was so sweet and sincere as she sat down that Xavier couldn't help but lean over and kiss her cheek.

"You're very welcome."

Ginny's head whipped around, but Xavier was already rising into the ceiling. She watched through the window until his feet disappeared from view, then turned back to the desk to stare at nothing. Why had he done that? He'd just said last night that he wasn't going to tempt her to do anything she'd regret. 'Oh, Remus, I need you here.'

A moment later, Ginny jerked and shook her head, blinking away the pathetic tears that had begun to rise in her eyes. Decisively, forcefully, she dipped her quill into the ink and began to write.

Dear Professor Dippet

Ha ha, cliff hanger. Yeah, sorry it's so long between updates. I'm super busy with school and shows. Plus, the uploader thing has been crap lately. It took me, like, three days to get this chapter uploaded. : )