"What? No—" Astoria protested hurriedly, utterly perplexed by his reaction. "Someone who feels romantically about you, I mean. You've been a good friend to me, but that's all. I just don't feel that way about you." She repeated this again slowly, trying to sound even more sympathetic and regretful over the fact this time around. The corners of her mouth flickered in what she meant to be a gentle smile, but the expression didn't reach her eyes, which had finally met Malcolm's gaze squarely. Anger had always made her uncomfortable, most particularly when it was directed at her, and she felt as if she were no longer on certain footing where Malcolm was concerned.
"Of course I know you'd never date a Muggleborn, that's beneath you." Astoria added after a minute, struck that he seemed to be taking her rejection as a personal slight.