Pride
Walk Away – The Script
He shouldn't love her, he knows that. But he does.
And yet, that doesn't mean anything, because she will never be with him. He knows that – she has too much pride.
Yet he can't bring himself to give up on her, and so he tries. He asks her out, again and again. He always meets the same response, the same refusal. But he won't give up.
Until one day, when he breaks.
"Fine walk away! Do what you always do! Don't give me a chance – just give up. Save yourself the heartache."
It's the worst thing he's ever said, and he wishes he could take it back, but at the same time, it's wonderful, because she really sees him.
Real Thing – Boys Like Girls
The moment when you leave your pride behind is tangible, clear as day. As he walked through the deserted corridors towards what was inarguably hostile territory, he knew that. He was walking towards certain disappointment, but his feet, and his will, wouldn't listen to him.
He reaches the entrance to their common room and pauses – he can't get in. He'll just have to wait until someone comes through.
His pride is screaming at him, yelling at him not to do this, because, let's face it why should he?
But his heart wins, because he knows how much he has to lose. For him, at least, this is the real thing. And despite his upbringing, he knows that love will always win out over pride.
Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
He's drunk. He's very drunk. And he shouldn't have punched the other man.
But he insulted him, said he was no different to his father. He wouldn't distinguish between the two, wouldn't recognise James as his own person.
And he lost his temper. A lot. He'd never been in a fight like that before, never felt that angry before.
He'd put it down to his anger, but it was more than that. It was an expression of all the pain he was feeling.
Because, like his father, and his father before him, there was an unspoken expectation that he would fall in love with a beautiful red-head woman.
And he hadn't.
You Really Got Me – The Kinks
Scorpius stares at the canopy above his bed, and reflects on the situation he has gotten himself into. He can't sleep because she's all he can think of, all he can ever think of. And it's tearing him up.
His best friend's cousin.
He shouldn't like her like he does. Though he's not his father, he can't shake off the family pride. There's only so much change that can occur. And there's one fact he can't escape.
He's a Malfoy. And she's a Weasley.
When I'm Sixty Four – The Beatles
He's famous for his insecurities. So who can blame him for doubting her when she says she loves him? Who can blame him for questioning his luck that she loves him?
He worries that she'll get bored, that she'll leave him, that she'll see what little he actually has to offer.
But more than that, he worries that she's made the wrong decision. He'll never regret marrying her. But he worries that one day she'll realise that she deserves so much more than him.
Worse than that, he worries her pride, her stubbornness, will make her stay with him. Even if it makes her unhappy.