Disclaimer!!! All characters, and such stuff belongs to JK Rowling. The plot is mine.

A/N I'm really sorry about the eons it took to write this chapter. See, having two stories going at the same time is making my effort on each lots less. Anyway, here it is!

Tears In The Rain

Chapter 3

Ginny, fuming with anger, jumped out of the carriage and started for Hogwarts. Seconds later, someone grabbed her arm, and she nearly fell down. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Malfoy?" she said angrily. "Isn't it enough that you think I'm worthless, or do you simply insist on causing bodily harm as well?"

"Well, I see we're in no mood to exchange pleasantries. You've almost got the hang of being sarcastic." Draco looked slowly down at her dripping hair, and a smirk came onto his face. "But I don't think you're in a position to argue about your worth. You look like a drowned rat."

Ginny slapped him across the face, then brushed back her long red hair. "Better? Or do you want me to slap you again?"

"Actually, perhaps we can continue this some other time, as there's only one carriage left, and I want to be at Hogwarts some time before classes start tomorrow."

Ginny turned to stare at the one gloomy looking carriage standing nearby, and didn't reply. The sky was darkening, but it finally stopped raining, and she could see a sliver of moonlight shining through the clouds. This is no time to get sentimental about how beautiful this looks. I can't believe I got stuck with Malfoy. I should thank my friends for that. God, it's as if they wanted me to be with him. No, that's impossible…

"Weasley, do you want to walk to Hogwarts? Because I really have no problem with that. You can even stay out here forever if you want."

"No thank you."

"Well then I suggest you climb in."

Once Ginny was inside the carriage, it pulled away, and she immediately regretted climbing back in. Stupid thoughts. Why is it that Draco pops into my head at the worst times? Oh no! I've started calling him 'Draco'. This is a tragedy! What am I going to do? Damn him. I wish he wasn't here at all. I wish he was a million miles away, about to be tortured by the Muggle version of Voldemort's supporters. Something like the Nazis Harry told me about a few weeks ago. Oh, wouldn't that be fantastic! No more Draco thoughts!

"Killing me in your imagination, Weasley?" He smirked at her surprised expression, then continued. "I hope you at least included a rather fancy ceremony where I get to, oh I don't know, kill off all my servants so they can serve me in the afterlife. Don't look so shocked. I know what you're thinking. By the way, what is it about me that makes you fantasize about me so much?"

"Why are you here? As far as I recall, 'a Malfoy will never disgrace himself by being in the company of Weasleys'. Perhaps you should leave, for the sake of your family honour."

"What do you want me to do? Jump out of the carriage? And I'm here to return your journal." He pulled the worn book out of his pocket, and studied it with a look on his face somewhere in between mild curiosity and amusement. "Quite interesting things you have in there. I never knew you had erotic dreams before."

"Hey!" Ginny reached for her journal, but Draco smacked her hand away. "Now now, don't be so impatient. 'Good things come to those who wait.." He started chuckling quietly.

His chuckle died the instant Ginny's hand connected with his sore cheek. "How dare you read that? It's mine!"

Draco looked at Ginny, rage playing on his face. He tossed her the book, then said calmly. "You're not an angel. Once in a while, take a good look in the mirror. Maybe you'll see that." The carriage jerked to a stop, and Draco stepped out into the falling rain.

He didn't see the tear slipping down Ginny's cheek.