Malcolm's voice shook, even as he struggled to control it, and he could feel anger flushing his normally pale cheeks. He was too far gone even to think again how lucky he was not to have any audience for his rejection, especially the merciless students that dominated Slytherin.
"Some other girl?" Malcolm repeated incredulously, devastated this had devolved so quickly from what he had hoped and planned. "Someone I'm actually worthy of you mean? Some unimportant Mudblood who would appreciate me?" He fairly spit the word out, the slur sounding unfamiliar on his tongue.