Chapter 8

For the second year running, Reece boarded the Hogwarts train with Draco. They both pushed and shoved other young students out of the way in search for a quiet compartment. Neville Longbottom seemed to be making is way through the door, struggling to get through it with his robes in hand. Draco simply brushed past the small Gryffindor, but Reece couldn't just walk past. It was simply too tempting. His casual stride was interrupted by a quick step, and Reece pushed forward with power – evidently shoulder barging Neville. Neville bounced roughly into the far side of the door frame, squeaking in pain as he stood up straight after the impact.

"Watch where you're going Longbottom." Reece chided mockingly. Draco had carried on in search for a place to sit, but Reece stayed in case Neville wanted to spit out a silly retort. He looked like he was about to say something to the Slytherin, but another voice cut in from inside the compartment.

"You were the one that bumped into him." Said the bossy Hermione Granger.

"Not you again." Reece rolled his eyes as Neville stepped back quickly, allowing Hermione to take up residence where he stood. "Learn to keep your fat mouth shut. It already got you into trouble at the bookshop, don't let it trip you up now." She stood her ground sternly, glaring fiercely at one of the main Slytherin bullies.

"It's called sticking up for your friends." Hermione fired back bluntly. Reece's jaw locked at he placed one arm on the frame, causing his blazer to rise slightly. He was wearing exactly what he had worn at Diagon Alley, but this time his shirt was black not white.

"Don't push me Granger. Sit down, shut up, and let me talk to Longbottom." The tone was so harsh that she took a step back. Reece's eyes had darkened noticeably, and although the golden trio wouldn't admit it to anyone – he was quite scary. Malfoy was a prick, but Reece was intimidating. "I believe he and I have a few family disputes to settle." With that disgusting comment about the Longbottoms, Neville shot forward.

"Don't talk about them!" Neville screeched as he stuck out both arms and pushed Reece with as much force as possible. Reece stumbled back in shock, but regained his balance and composure within seconds.

"Perhaps I should follow in my father's footsteps, send you there as well Longbottom." Neville made a dive but Reece was prepared for it. He caught the Gryffindor by the front of his robes and swung him round powerfully. Neville hit the corridor wall across from the compartment roughly and Reece held him up so that they were eye to eye. "Maybe not yet though." He muttered as he dropped Neville so that his feet were back on the ground. Reece let go of the robes, straightened them out, and then without warning planted a forceful punch right into Neville's ribs. Neville fell to the floor instantly, winded by the sheer impact of the fist.

"Go away Lestrange." Hermione somewhat howled as she swooped down to Neville's side. Reece didn't argue as he fixed the position of his shirt cuffs. He turned casually and went to find the compartment that Draco had gone into before the whole fiasco.

"Well, what happened?" Draco asked with his nose high as Reece sat across from him. Next to Malfoy was Goyle, and opposite was Crabbe and now Reece.

"Knocked the air right out of him." He replied smugly while fixing his green tie. Draco chuckled, therefore the two behemoths also laughed.

"Father said that your father would be proud of you Lestrange." Draco informed.

"That means a lot." Reece said quietly. He did not expect Malfoy to come out with something like that. "All I want is to live up to the family name. Stay on the family tree."

Reece next to Blaise and Daphne at the feast. Across the table was Draco, Pansy and the two large boys whom were eating like animals.

"It seems Pansy has decided to take a different approach." Reece commented to the blonde girl beside him as he subtly observed the way that Pansy was flirting with Draco.

"She's gone for a more full on method in hope he'll now notice her." Daphne replied quietly. "How do you think Draco's going to react to it?"

"Not well." Reece muttered dryly. Pansy was now leaning over him, trying to reach the potatoes that were clearly too far down the table for her to reach. "Although sometimes it doesn't look like it, he's quite a reserved person. Don't get me wrong, she's alright, but I don't see Draco taking an interest in the near future."

"So you're saying he might eventually warm up to the whole, in your face attitude?" Daphne raised an eyebrow questionably and Reece shrugged in reply.

"Only time will tell."

"I guess so." Daphne sighed. "I don't think a little rejection will stop her advances though. She's got her heart set on him."

"Why?" Reece asked. It was quite strange that she was already focused on him in Reece's opinion. Pansy was quite pretty, definitely one of the better looking Slytherin girls. So why should she waste her time on Draco so soon?

"Not a clue. It's like the idea of someone fancying you." Daphne pouted playfully and Reece frowned at her. "There's no reason anyone would fancy a Slytherin meanie such as yourself."

"That hurts. I'm good looking though; way better than Draco." Daphne laughed and shook her head. Reece smirked one of his best smirks at her and lifted his eyebrows. She soon shut up.

"You're alright. But you know it."

"What's wrong with me knowing that I'm attractive?" He frowned, ignoring the fact that she only said he was okay.

"There's a fine line between confidence and arrogance." Daphne had started speaking as if she were giving him a life lesson. "You've crossed the line and probably walked a mile." Reece shrugged. So what? "For a lot of girls confidence is attractive, but arrogance is a huge turn off. No girl wants to compete for time in the mirror."

"Well then I'll buy my future girlfriend a mirror so we can both have one." He said casually, picking up his goblet and taking a sip.

"A good suggestion, but no. Girls need to feel comfortable around you, so it can't seem like you're judging their hair because yours is perfect." Daphne lectured.

"You think my hair's perfect?"

"No." She fired quickly. "I think it would be cuter flat to be honest." He thought about it. Longer than he thought about it when Arrow had suggested it.

"But it looks smarter when it's in a quiff like this." Reece argued.

"Yeah, it's smarter. But the bed-head look could be quite attractive on you." Daphne was silently critiquing his hair as she spoke. "All in all it's not as bad as Malfoy's, but maybe you should just brush it forward with your hand when you wake up tomorrow. If I see you in the common room and I'm wrong, I'll tell you. Deal?"

"Deal." Reece mumbled reluctantly after a few moments.

"I'll have you know I'm never wrong when it comes to fashion." She added once the deal had been set. "Say goodbye to the porcupine Lestrange." Daphne was incredibly smug, and Reece just glared at her jokingly before turning and cutting a small slice of cheesecake.

"You don't want a bigger slice?" Blaise Zabini commented once he had swallowed the large piece of chocolate cake he had shovelled in moments before.

"I don't like to eat large portions of sweets and stuff. Like, I'll have a huge roast dinner, or a giant full English but I'd rather not get fat." Blaise snorted at the answer and Reece simply shrugged at him as he ate the piece that was on the end of his fork.

"You sound like one of those fitness gurus. A large breakfast is fine, but not much sweets as they will make you gain weight much faster." Blaise said mockingly. What was it? Pick on Reece day? Comments about his hair? Now about his eating habits?

"Laugh now but you'll be the one sitting on your arse when all of the girls are chasing after the hot, Slytherin Quidditch beater." Reece said without even a hint of humour. Blaise had no retort, and just turned – in defeat – to talk to Theodore who was sitting to his right.