I got the idea for the elves from Kreacher - he went a bit mad like the Blacks, so I thought that the elves belonging to a slightly insane castle would be very odd, too. Glad you liked Ginny - I don't enjoy Ginny-bashing that much, she was a victim of both Voldemort and The Plot - Harry had to have someone to rescue and protect and she drew the short straw. Of course we know who he REALLY needed to protect...