Trademark smirks and Temperamental redheads

Chapter 21 - How to handle Rejection (Sixth Year)

Spending a week at Malfoy Manor with Death Eaters dropping by for midnight tea sessions was enough to sober any lovesick fool - Draco included. He returned to Hogwarts after the Christmas holidays with his arrogant sneer in place and a confident stride, no hint of the soulless corpse he had been.

The girls at Hogwarts were both surprised and gratified, to find that Draco Malfoy was once again available - by appointment only, of course. And so things at Hogwarts returned to normal, with Draco Malfoy once again dominating the most eligible Bachelor charts. Pansy Parkinson remained silent about his affairs, and the Trio reverted to hating his presence.

This is the way it ought to be, Draco thought to himself, as he sauntered down to breakfast. Never mind that he had had another dream about Virginia, it'd soon be forgotten after his date with a pretty Ravenclaw sixth-year.

He sat down at the Slytherin table and began his breakfast slowly and methodically, looking about the Hall for any noteworthy news. He nearly missed his bacon as his head jerked slightly at the sight of her. Virginia...No, it wasn't Virginia, just some Hufflepuff. He cursed himself silently as he watched the little redhead laughing with her friends. Must he jump every time he spotted a redhead? Why was it that every flash of red that caught his eye sent his pulse racing?

Draco finished his breakfast quickly and left, not at all pleased with where his mind had wandered off to. It was Saturday and Hufflepuff had booked the Quidditch pitch for try-outs, he wanted to go and see their new recruits. Hufflepuff needed two new Chasers, and everyone knew it was the Chasers who were the foundation of the team.

An hour later, Draco was smirking triumphantly as he watched the try-outs above him. The Hufflepuffs could barely keep on their broomsticks, let alone tuck a Quaffle under their arm. It was painful just watching them cling on for dear life each time the Captain threw the Quaffle for them to catch.

"Okay, Naomi, your turn," the Captain shouted.

Draco jerked involuntarily as the redhead he had seen at breakfast flew out to meet her Captain. Well, at least she looked like she had experience on a broomstick, she managed to catch four out of the five Quaffles thrown at her, albeit awkwardly. Draco watched with interest as she was instructed to try scoring against the Keeper, the first time, she nearly lunged into the Keeper, forgetting to swerve away. The second time she dropped the Quaffle just as she raised it and had to go into a dive to retrieve it.

She was terrible, but compared to the others who had tried out, it was clear she had potential, if she trained more. The Hufflepuff captain was clearly thinking along the same lines as Draco, for he announced her as one of the new Chasers, before shaking his head and moving toward the change rooms.

At lunch, Draco made his way slowly to the Hufflepuff table, seeking her out. She was sitting near the end with her friends. He sat down next to her, much to the dismay of her friends who scuttled backwards a few inches in surprise.

"Hello Naomi," he whispered in her ear. The girl ducked her head, a blush emerging across her cheeks.

"H-Hi," she managed to squeak.

"I hear you're the new Chaser for Hufflepuff," Draco continued. The girl nodded her head in acknowledgement. "You're terrible with the Quaffle," Draco stated matter-of-factly. She nodded again.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" he asked, unfazed by her lack of response.

"Y-Yes, he's over there," she replied with a bit more confidence. She pointed a finger down the table at a brown-haired boy currently shovelling food into his mouth.

"Hmm, must be a terrible kisser," Draco mused; he made a disgusted sneer as the boy wiped his mouth with the cuff of his shirt.

"He's not so bad really," the girl replied defensively, her face going redder.

"I'm sure," he drawled. "How about we go for some flying lessons together?"

The girl looked up at him in surprise, her blue eyes opened wide and staring at him. "Tomorrow morning at six, I'll meet you on the pitch."

Draco stood up and brushed off his robes, before strolling across the Hall to the Slytherin table.

~~~

Draco walked out of the change rooms in his Quidditch gear, holding his broomstick in his left hand. He was not surprised to see her there already, shifting from foot to foot anxiously.

"Boo," he said quietly in her ear.

She jumped, startled, and turned around to face him.

"Hi," she said, nervously.

Draco nodded his head. "Ready?" At her nod, they both flew to the centre of the pitch.

Noting Draco's empty hands, she blushed and whispered, "Won't we need the Quaffle?"

"Not yet, the most basic requirement of a Chaser is to have excellent sense of balance. In a game, half the time you will be flying one-handed, you need to have your concentration on the Quaffle and the positions of your teammates as well as those of the opposing team. Which means you need to be able to fly as if the broomstick is a part of you, or else you'll spend too much effort just trying to keep on your broomstick."

She nodded silently, surprised at his insight. "We'll start off easy, just make laps around the pitch, one hand on your broom, the other held out away from your body. Keep your eyes focused ahead of you, don't keep looking down at your hand."

The first few laps were torture as her other hand unconsciously went back to the broomstick when she felt herself falling off.

"Don't worry, I'll be right beside you," Draco assured her. With newfound confidence, she did a few more laps, surprised at how easily she got the hang of things. After Draco deemed her flying satisfactory, he went down on the pitch and took out the Quaffle, tucking it under his arm as he flew back to her.

"Okay, now we try with the Quaffle," he said. "Tuck it under your arm like this. You need to keep your grip firm, keep your fingers ready to throw the Quaffle."

They flew around the pitch once more, tossing the Quaffle back and forth. It was a lot harder keeping your balance while concentrating on catching the Quaffle at the same time. She kept missing the Quaffle, either that, or she'd slide off the side of the broomstick and end up half in Draco's arms. Her passes weren't much better, her aim was off and Draco had to swerve down to retrieve the Quaffle.

"Sorry," she squeaked in embarrassment, after what felt like the hundredth time she had sent him racing for the Quaffle.

He grinned at her, "You're getting better, we'll just keep practicing."

She could feel herself turning red, who would've thought, Draco Malfoy teaching her to play Quidditch and grinning at her!

"Alright, we'll stop here for today. Same time tomorrow," Draco said, before landing lightly on the grass and making his way to the change rooms.

~~~

"But he's so nice to me," Naomi protested to her friend.

"This is Draco Malfoy we're talking about, it's obvious why he's doing it," her friend replied.

"But why would he choose me of all people?" Naomi asked in confusion. Her friend shrugged.

"Who knows, just enjoy the attention for now. It's not everyday you get Draco Malfoy as your personal trainer."

She blushed at the comment. "We didn't do anything you know, really, he was totally professional about it," she insisted.

"Well trust me, the professional attitude isn't going to last. And besides, isn't Matthew getting angry about you and Draco?"

"Matthew's just being an idiot, it's just training, I don't see why he's making such a big deal out of it," Naomi huffed.

"Of course he's making a big deal out of it, his girlfriend is out every morning alone for two hours with Slytherin Prince Draco Malfoy."

"But we haven't done anything!" she protested. "Besides, I don't think Draco's half as bad as he's rumoured to be. He's a gentleman around me, and he's a great trainer, he knows everything about Quidditch."

"If you say so..." her friend trailed off, a mischievous grin on her face.

~~~

"Is that a Comet two-sixty?" Draco asked, pointing at her broomstick.

"Yes, my dad bought it for me so I could tryout for the team," Naomi replied, looking at her broomstick nervously.

"You won't be needing it today," he said, waiting. She frowned in confusion, but obediently placed her broomstick on the grass. When she turned around, Draco was already mounted on his broomstick. "Get on," he instructed.

"You need speed as well as skill to be a Chaser, if you're too scared to go fast then you will lose the Quaffle easily," Draco said, after she had mounted behind him.

They rose into the air and Draco took off around the pitch, the scenery turned into a blur around them as they picked up speed. She screamed and held onto him tightly, her heart racing as her hair flew into their faces.

Draco's eyes widened in surprise as red surrounded him on both sides, relaxing only when he realised it was Naomi's hair. Cursing himself for thinking about Virginia again, he put on an extra spurt of speed, causing the girl to scream louder.

When they finally landed, Naomi quickly got off the broomstick and darted away from him. "Don't you ever do that again," she said, slightly out of breath.

Draco smirked, "Like I said, you can't be afraid of using speed when necessary."

She was leaning on the wall of the stands, one hand over her heart, trying to calm herself down. He walked over to her, standing closer than necessary, he felt her tense at his presence.

"I saw your boyfriend the other day, he didn't seem too happy with you," he said in a low voice.

"He's an idiot, he doesn't think we should - " she stopped suddenly as she felt Draco step closer.

"And he's right too," he whispered in her ear. She looked up at him startled, and he took the chance to place a light kiss on her lips.

"You know what I want from you, Naomi. If you love your boyfriend then don't come here anymore." He straightened up, and broomstick in hand, made his way across the pitch, leaving a confused and blushing girl behind.

~~~

"He what!!" her friend exclaimed loudly.

"Shhh! Do you want the whole world to find out?" Naomi whispered desperately.

"Sorry," her friend whispered. "But you're not going back right? I mean, it's so obvious what he meant!"

"I know, but...I think he's changed." She paused as her friend looked at her as if she had just sprouted three heads. "I mean it! He doesn't act like he used to anymore."

"I think you've lost it Naomi. What about Matthew?"

"I guess I'll have to talk to him, won't I?"

~~~

"You're dumping me for him?!" Mathew asked incredulously.

She stayed silent, her face red as students along the hallway turned to stare at them.

"Fine Naomi, but I'm warning you. He's just using you, he's going to hurt you."

~~~

Draco made his way down to the Quidditch pitch, would the girl show up? If she did, it'd just prove his point, girls were untrustworthy. She'd dump her boyfriend and throw herself at him, just like Virginia. He stopped halfway to the pitch as she emerged into view, wearing her Quidditch gear and holding her broomstick.

She waited patiently as he slowly walked toward her. "Your boyfriend?" he questioned, coming to a stop in front of her.

She looked away. "We broke up," she said in a quiet voice. Ha! His mind thought triumphantly, girls were all the same.

His hand brushed the collar of her Quidditch robes, skimming her jaw line. "Let's practice then." She nodded and followed him out to the pitch.

That night, after dinner, Draco met her outside the Hall and led her down to the dungeons. As they crossed into the Slytherin common room, she stayed close to his side, shuffling behind him nervously as the other Slytherins glared at her.

He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly, leading her into his room.

"You have your own room?" she asked, looking about the room in awe.

"Yes," he replied easily, shrugging off his cloak and removing his tie.

"Oh."

"Come," he said, sitting down on the bed and gesturing beside him. She obediently sat down and turned to him with a questioning expression.

He leaned in to kiss her, his hand unclasping her cloak and trailing down her back, to her hips.

~~~

He sat up on the bed, studying her sleeping profile beside him. Now that he thought about it, she didn't look much like Virginia at all. Her hair was much more of an orange, carrot colour compared to Virginia's titian locks. Her pout was smaller than Ginny's, her jaw too square.

Draco sneered. They were just the same, dumping their boyfriends for another guy. No loyalty, jumping at the opportunity to be with a better guy. Draco scowled, had he just admitted that Harry Potter was better than him? Of course he was better than Potter, she was just blind; blind and stupid for not choosing him.

But then, how big of a fool did that make him? Dreaming about her every night, heart pounding every time he saw a girl with red hair. His behaviour was despicable, totally unacceptable for a Malfoy.

~~~

Naomi sat down on the grass; dread slowly filling the pit of her stomach. She had been waiting out on the pitch for over an hour now; he was late. Making her way to the Hall for breakfast, she saw him seated at the Slytherin table eating breakfast with Crabbe and Goyle on either side of him.

She was waiting for him when he walked out, but he didn't even glance at her, walking past her and up the stairs through the Charms corridor. She hurriedly followed him, wanting to talk to him, yet unable to open her mouth to form the words.

Finally, he stopped at the end of the corridor and told Crabbe and Goyle to go ahead. He turned around and leaned against the stone wall, an eyebrow raised in question.

"I-" she began.

"I don't like Hufflepuffs following me around. Especially those who are as easy as you have proven yourself to be," he said, his face expressionless.

"What are you talking about?" she asked, her eyes pleading for an explanation.

"I don't particularly like trash, if you're that desperate for more, I'm sure Blaise Zabini wouldn't mind giving you a go," he drawled.

She could feel the tears sliding down her cheeks at his remark, how could he say that to her? "I thought you changed," she said softly, wiping at the tears trailing down her face.

"Ah, yes. 'Malfoy, he's not as bad as everyone makes him out to be, he's nice and he's cute and he even helped me with Quidditch. Much better than my old slobbering boyfriend, besides, it's not like he'll hurt me. Maybe I can change him to be nice and caring and take him home for the holidays to show Mum.' Don't be thick you useless Hufflepuff," he said, sneering at her surprise. "I only did all that to get you to sleep with me, I'm as mean and nasty as everyone says I am, possibly even more, and the one thing I hate most is clueless airheads stalking me. So keep your distance from me."

He turned to look down at her and was met with a slap in the face. Tears were clouding her eyes and she held onto the hand that had slapped him as if she had been burned. He sneered again and turned the corner, fuming as his cheek stung.

~~~

He stared at the fire, silently brooding. He didn't even notice as Pansy walked into the room and took a seat across from him on the couch.

"You are the biggest lovesick fool I've had the displeasure to know," she said, her voice penetrating his thoughts. He raised his head to meet her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" he demanded.

"I saw you and that Hufflepuff, I can't believe you're still not over Weasley," she said, an expression of disgust on her face.

"I'm handling it," he replied flatly.

"You're not handling it, you're just avoiding it hoping it'll go away. You know better than anyone that it won't just go away. Taking it out on other girls who look like her isn't going to help," she said evenly.

He glared at her. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, don't I?" she asked, her eyes penetrating his.

"I'm fine," he muttered, taking his gaze away from her.

"You're an idiot who deserves a good rap on the head," she corrected.

Wonderful, now he was being read like an open book. When had he become so painfully obvious? He voiced this question aloud.

"You forget, I've known you since we were five. No one knows you better than me," she replied. He stared at her. "I know I'm not exactly a work of art, but you don't have to stare."

"You're beautiful," he said without a trace of deception.

"Just not as beautiful as the redhead you have imprinted behind your eyelids," she countered dryly.

Draco was silent at this. What was the point of denying if she knew he was lying anyway? He was tired of denying, denying it to everyone else and mostly, to himself.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked.

"That Hufflepuff was serious about you, she didn't deserve to be hurt just because you wanted to get back at Weasley. I want you to apologize to her," she said.

"Apologize? Are you serious?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "Since when did you go about defending Hufflepuffs? Looks like Pansy is growing soft," he mused softly. She snorted.

"Don't start with me, we both know who's the worst of us here," she replied, pushing him out of the common room. "Now go and apologize to her."

~~~

Draco wandered the hallways of Hogwarts aimlessly, silently wondering if he really should apologize to Naomi or not. Voices from around the corner echoed in the silence and disturbed his thoughts.

"Ron! Calm down, where are you going?" A female voice could be heard saying.

"I'm going to find that ferret and make him apologize to Naomi!" Ron's voice bellowed.

"It's okay, really, I'm fine," a small, uncertain voice said.

A party of six rounded the corner and Malfoy met them with his smirk in place.

"Well hello there, quite a crowd here," he drawled, silently counting heads. Potter, Granger, Weasley, Ginny's friends Sara and Melissa, and Naomi.

"You!" Ron shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Draco. "Apologize to Naomi! How could you do that to her?"

"Weasley, didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to point," Draco asked in a bored tone.

"What about my sister?" Ron demanded.

"What about your sister?" Draco countered.

"You know perfectly well what Ron means. Why are you acting like this? Don't you care about Ginny anymore?" Harry demanded.

Draco narrowed his eyes at him. "She abandoned me. I have no problem with my own behavior, I don't owe anyone an explanation," he finished, glaring at Harry.

"You're right, you don't owe us an explanation; you owe it to Naomi. Nothing can excuse what you did, none of us here can or have the right to explain your motives to Naomi," Hermione said, staring at him, studying his expression.

Draco paused a while before speaking. "I was looking for Naomi anyway, now I believe you can all leave. Naomi, can I talk to you for a moment?" he said, turning to Naomi.

Ron scowled, while Naomi nodded her head, unwilling to meet Draco's eyes.

"Come on," Hermione said, urging the others to leave. As they moved along, Ron's voice could be heard complaining.

"Stupid ferret, don't know what Ginny sees in him anyway. Wait till I tell Ginny about this."

"Ron, you're not saying anything to Ginny, this is between Malfoy and her," Hermione reprimanded.

Draco stood leaning against the wall of the corridor, waiting until the others had left. Naomi was standing on the other side of the corridor, staring at her feet.

"You reminded me of her," Draco began. "I...I was angry, and I took it out on you. That's it. I apologize for my behavior, but what's done can't be undone. Next time, don't be so trusting of people like me, we don't change, no matter how much you want to believe in me. Your boyfriend has atrocious table manners, but I'm sure he really does care about you. Go back to him," he finished, turning around and preparing to walk away. Naomi's next words halted his stride.

"You can change, just not for me, you'll only change for her. I was wrong to put my trust in you, but I think you should trust her, she won't let you down," she said quietly. He listened as her footsteps sounded behind him, fading away as she turned into a stairwell.

"Trust her?" Draco repeated. "How is it that you all expect someone like me to be able to trust, to have faith, to believe? I can only deny my feelings and doubt her, that's all I'm capable of, why can't I even do that in peace? When did all of you develop these expectations of me?" He sank down to the floor, leaning his back against the wall and staring at his hands.

I can't change...I can't.

Author Notes: Yes, well this is the last chapter for sixth year, so next chapter we move forward to seventh year. I know, it's a bit of a weird place to end the year, but just imagine them carrying along in this fashion ok? I'm sure you don't want to know all the nitty gritty details. Besides, I need to hurry up and get this fic finished, another brilliant scheme is forming in my mind already and I want to start work on it as soon as possible. I have a good feeling this is gonna be another wonderful creation =) Yes, I have no sense of humility, can't you tell? wink*wink. Haha.

I'm actually quite disappointed at myself for Ginny's Beauxbatons development. I didn't show her new start very well at all did I? But then, sending her off to France wasn't so much for her to develop a new personality like so many other fics do, but to just give everyone some time apart. Oh well, if I get enough complaints about it, I'll consider rewriting sixth-year. So, for those who aren't satisfied, review and let me know, I'll see what I can do. It'd be good if you all gave me some suggestions too.

Sorry about the choppiness of this chapter, there's lots of short scenes and stuff, hope I didn't confuse anyone. I just, you know, needed to move along at a rapid pace. =)

I hope this chapter has made you all feel for Draco, I think that sixth year Draco may seem a bit too emotional, much too lovesick, overly dramatic. Sorry, if you can't stand this Draco, please review and let me know, I'll make sure to review the past few chapters and rewrite the bits that are over the top. But this chapter, I don't know, especially the last part, I really wanted to show you all Draco's conflict. He's not used to people having expectations of him, all he's ever known is be a good heir of Malfoy, rich, arrogant. If anyone gets in the way of that, then they have to go, hence he will just forget about Ginny. But as if his feelings for her aren't enough to get in the way, this whole new expectations thing just blows him right off course. He doesn't understand how they can have faith in him, to believe in him even after he's tried show them he hasn't changed.