The Unlikely Marauders - A time travel story

~ Ginny Interlude ~

(Well this book needs a lot of work, so while I do that.. have a random short story from Ginny's perspective!)

Ginny raced through the corridors, her auburn hair flowing behind her. Every once in a while she glanced over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed. She gripped her wand tight, ready to fire off a spell at any second. She barrelled through a crowd of chatting first years, sending them scattering and not even bothering to apologize. Over the yells of the first years, she heard the dreaded sound of pounding footsteps. She glanced back again. Still empty. She looked back ahead just in time to see herself collide with someone and fall onto her backside.

She looked up at the boy leering at her. He was small and pale, with dark hair and a haughty expression that reminded her of Draco.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing?" He asked. His voice was still high pitched and childlike, but he sounded like he was putting a lot of effort into sounding older in spite of it.

"Running, obviously." Ginny stood up and brushed herself off. 

He raised an eyebrow, "It's Saturday, we don't have any classes today."

Ginny shook her head, "Why would I run to class?" She glanced over her shoulder at the corridor behind her. Still empty. "I need to go..."

"Ah. Well, if you're attempting to outrun something, I would recommend you take the passage behind this portrait." He pressed a flagstone and the portrait swung open, revealing a dark passage. 

"Oh," Ginny smiled and stepped into the passage, "Thanks."

He gave her a small smile. "I am Regulus, by the way. Regulus Black."

Ginny froze in shock. This was Sirius's infamous little brother. He winked and pressed the flagstone again. The portrait swung shut, plunging her into darkness.

"Lumos." The tip of her wand lit up, shining a soft glow over her surroundings.

She was standing on some stone steps in a narrow, vaguely wet, tunnel that stretched on and down seemingly into eternity. It was like something out of a fantasy novel. Ginny just now realized that she had no idea where this passage was supposed to lead, or how to get out.

"Well, there's just one thing for it, then," Ginny muttered to herself. She started down the staircase.

The stairs were a bit slippery. Ginny walked as fast as she could without falling. She did not want to be stuck in this creepy place forever. After what felt like hours, the stairs finally plateaued and Ginny was faced by a stone wall with no visible door.  

She ran a tired hand through her hair and waved her wand in the general direction of the wall. "Revelio." 

The appearance of the stone wall shifted and blurred, then cleared to reveal a wooden door with a brass handle. 

Ginny opened the door and stepped out....directly into the path of the one person she had been trying so hard to avoid.

She stepped back quickly with an awkward chuckle. "Ah. James."

The boy ran a hand through his lime-green hair and shoved his wand in her face, smirking evilly, "This was easier than I thought it would be."

"Sorry to disappoint." Ginny shrugged, "I got some rotten advice from a friend of yours." She glanced around the hall as she talked, looking for a way out.

"Yeah, that secret passage tends to drop people off where they don't want to go. You should learn to not listen to my friends, they give terrible advice."

Ginny grinned. This gave her an idea. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Now," James held the point of his wand against her temple, "I need to get rid of this ridiculous hair color."

"Are you sure?" Ginny batted her eyes and put on her most charming smile, "It really brings out your eyes."

"Yeah, no, I think I prefer the black. I'm sure green will look much better on you."

Ginny shook her head, "I'm much more of a redhead, actually. Hey, I've got an idea!" She ducked under his arm and pushed him into the passage she had just come from. "Have fun!" Before he could stand up, she slapped the keystone on the wall and the door shut, locking him in. 

"And that's why I am the queen of wizard tag." She skipped off down the hall with a triumphant grin, off to get revenge on that sneaky little Slytherin boy.