Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart and Soul ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Heart and Soul
By: Tassana Burrfoot

Chapter Three



Draco now understood why he had never heard of bowling. It was a Muggle sport. He looked down at the ugly shoes Granger had given him to put on. She was mad if she thought he'd wear such ridiculous things.

He glanced around him at the many people there. The bowling alley seemed to be a very jubilant place. People of all ages and sizes were there, bowling, playing something called "pool", eating "pizza", and drinking "beer." Loud music performed by bands he had never heard of played from "speakers" overhead.

However, the most intriguing part was the game itself. At first, Draco had bulked at it, thought it would be more boring than reading books in his room. (Which is what he had been doing before.)

He watched Granger in fascination as she rolled the ball to the pins. In one hit, the ball managed to knock down every pin. "Strike! Yes!" she exclaimed, as she did a small victory dance.

Draco had to stop himself from smiling at her as she walked towards him. "Bowling is easy," she told him. "My father and I used to come here every weekend. He was part of a league and I..."

"Interesting," he drawled sarcastically, interrupting her.

She shot him a dirty look. Thankfully, she made no comment. Instead, she looked down at his feet. "Why haven't you put on your shoes?"

He sneered, "I refuse to wear something so hideous. How Muggles can stand to wear them is beyond me."

She rolled her eyes. "If you're going to bowl, you have to wear them. If not, then there's no point in us being here. We might as well leave."

"This was your idea," he reminded her. "I would've been content to stay at the house."

"So, why did you agree to come?" she retorted, hands on her hips.

She actually looked cute when she was annoyed. He caught himself before he could think further. He had to be going mental. Granger look cute?

Why couldn't he think she was cute? Regardless of her heritage, she was still a girl. And he was a guy. As long as he didn't follow through with his thoughts, he could think anything he wished. He smirked as he answered her in a whisper, "I couldn't get over the look in your eyes when you saw me shirtless." Then, a bit louder, he added, "Besides, I was bored."

Why he was teasing her, he would never know. He bent down and began putting the wretched shoes on. After all, he wasn't ready to return to the house. He was having fun with her.

She was a Mudblood. She was a member of a race of people he wouldn't never be caught being around. And yet, here he was playing a Muggle game with a Mudblood. And he was enjoying himself. Not being able to do magic was starting to take it's toll on him.

He walked over to the ball deposit and picked up a green ball. Immediately, he felt the weight of the ball as he nearly dropped it. He knew she stood behind him, blushing and surprised, but he paid no attention to her. He didn't need to start anything with her.

"Good God," he said, changing the subject, "this thing is heavy!"

"What look?" she demanded.

He turned to look at her, confused. "I didn't say 'look'," he replied. "I said 'heavy'. This thing is heavy."

She snapped, "You know that's not what I'm talking about."

And she was right. He knew exactly what she was talking about. He just preferred not to talk about it. "Are you going to show me how to bowl?" he questioned, annoyed.

"Are you going to answer my question?" she shot back.

"What question?" he growled, pretending to be oblivious.

She rolled her eyes as she responded, "You said I gave you a look earlier when I saw you without a shirt. What look are you talking about?"

He shook his head as he turned the ball in his hands. "If you don't know what look I'm talking about, then there's no point in discussing it," he answered.

He knew he had to put his fingers in the three holes. He had seen Granger do it moments ago. He looked at the pins at the end of the lane. He knew he had to roll the ball to the pins, as well.

Draco stopped himself from smiling when he heard her aspirated sigh. She stepped up next to him. "You're holding that ball the wrong way," she fussed.

"Only because you won't show me how," he retorted. He didn't know why, but seeing her flustered amused him.

She took the ball from him and groaned. The ball nearly fell from her grasps. "First, you need a much lighter ball," she instructed. "This ball is way too heavy. If you've never bowled before, it's always best to start with a lighter ball. At least until you get used to the weight."

She put the ball back on the rack and looked over the other balls. She selected a bright orange one, which she handed to him. "This is much better," she said.

"It's orange," he complained, scowling. "Why is everything so ugly? Do Muggles not have a sense of style?"

She rolled her eyes. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, Malfoy," she commented. "Besides, as long as it's functional, who cares what it looks like?"

He raised an eyebrow. There were so many comments he could have made, would have made, but he checked himself. He did not care to argue his point at the moment.

She turned the ball around in his hands until the three holes pointed upward. "Your thumb goes in the big hole while your index finger and middle finger go in the smaller holes. Like this," she explained as she demonstrated.

Again, he restrained himself from commenting. It seemed his hormones were trying to take over. He was having a very difficult time keeping them in check. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him. She was a Mudblood, after all.

She then demonstrated how to hold and roll the ball. "At this point," she told him, holding the ball at about a forty-five degree angle, "you let the ball go. Your wrist should naturally bring your hand forward allowing the ball to move forward. Be careful not to step on the lane itself. It's very slippery, designed for the ball to pick up speed as it rolls down then lane."

He nodded in understanding, not trusting himself to speak. There was something slightly erotic about the way she explained bowling. Even though she hadn't meant it to be erotic, it was nevertheless. But, she was a Mudblood.

She handed the ball back to him and he stepped up to the lane. He could feel her eyes on him and, knowing she couldn't see his face, allowed himself to smirk a bit. Then, he silently berated himself, blaming his hormones for the smirk.

He pulled his arm back into the sweeping motion Granger had shown him. As he brought his arm forward, he let go of the ball. Too soon. The ball dropped and rolled the opposite direction. The sound of Granger's giggle caused him to turn on her in fury. "You think that's funny, do you?" he hissed.

She waved a hand as she shook her head. Her laughter stopped as she apologized, "I didn't mean to laugh. I've done that before myself. Several times, actually. Here."

She retrieved the ball and approached him. She handed him the ball and turned him around by the shoulders. Curious, he started to ask, "What are you..."

"Shh," she whispered in his ear.

The feel of her breath so intimately close sent a shiver down his spine. It was a pleasant feeling and it almost caused him to moan in delight. Before he could, however, he stopped himself. The damn Mudblood was starting to get to him.

He allowed her to guide him through the motions. The feel of her hand gliding down his arm threatened his self control. She stood really close to him, too. He could feel the small gap between his back and her front. He had to stop himself from turning around and pulling her close. Stop himself from kissing her. She was a Mudblood.

She pulled the arm that held the ball. Then, with her other hand pressed firmly on the small of his back-- which caused another shiver to go through his body-- she began to push him gently forward. At the last moment, she let go.

His arm swung forward and he let go of the ball, all the while stopping in his tracks. He watched as the ball rolled towards the pins. He had done it! He had managed to bowl! Then, the ball made an unexpected turn and rolled into the side of the lane and passed the pins.

"Oh, no!" he heard her groan. "A gutter ball! That's okay. You get another shot."

He turned and looked at her curiously. "What's a..."

"Hey, beautiful," interrupted a voice, which was followed by a wolf whistle. "Teaching' yer boyfriend 'ow to bowl?"

The teenagers turned to see three men watching them. Well, they were watching Granger. Draco found he did not like the look they were giving her. He could tell they were all middle-aged. Sick bastards. Probably married, too. With kids Granger's age. They probably knew Granger was too young for them, too.

"Well, lassie," said the second man. "Per'aps, ye should let us show 'im 'ow real men bowl."

The third smirked sardonically. "And how real men treat fine girls like yerself," he added.

Coldly, Granger replied, "Not interested." She turned to Draco and whispered, "Just ignore them."

But, he couldn't. His eyes narrowed as he glared at the three men. He told himself that their lecherous looks at Granger did not bother him. Nearly convinced himself of it. No, it wasn't that that annoyed him. It was the fact they had referred to him, Draco Malfoy, as her boyfriend. As if he would ever date a Mudblood!

Though Granger ignored them and Draco shot them dirty looks, they continued to approach the teens. Draco knew he was no match against three burly Muggles. Especially being magic less. He grabbed Granger's arm and hissed in her ear, "Let's go, Granger."

One of the men must have heard him, for he questioned, "Granger? As in Henry Granger?"

Granger turned to the man curiously. "Yes. That's my father," she answered him.

"Well, slap me silly!" he exclaimed. "I've not seen Granger in ages! Ole friends 'e 'n I. Went ter school wit' 'im. Damn fine bowler. Bet 'e taught 'is daughter a trick or two."

"Just a few," she admitted sheepishly.

Before Draco could blink, the three men had changed. Their leering had stopped. They wanted to be friends. To shake Draco's hand. These Muggles had a few screws loose. Like hell was he going to be nice! "Wait a minute!" he stopped them, pulling Granger even closer to him. "Are you daft? First you were hitting on her and disregarding me. Now you wish to be mates? All because you know her father? Sorry lot you are. She's fifteen years old. Furthermore, she's with me. We were playing a game which you rudely interrupted. Not to talk about her father, but instead to..."

"Malfoy!" Granger interrupted, trying to yank her arm out of his grasp to no avail. "Let go of me. You're acting like you're my boyfriend or something."

The second man asked curiously, "Is 'e yer boyfriend?"

"Yes," Draco replied at the same time Granger said, "No."

The teenagers glared at each other. "He's my distant... cousin," Granger tried to explain.

"Don't lie, Hermione," Draco reprimanded, sneering. He glanced at the three men. "We've been together for about five years now. Met in school. She likes to claim relation when she's angry with me."

"If you think I'm angry now, wait until we get home," she hissed.

The second man raised an eyebrow and smiled. It was clear he did not believe Draco. "Prove it. Iffen she's yer girlfriend, then kiss 'er. She shouldn't object."

Draco hesitated. Kiss Granger? What did he have to prove to these men? It was a lie anyway. He didn't date Mudbloods.

He looked at Granger. She was just as surprised by his lie as he was. She was probably shocked he had said it. He glanced around him. Muggles were everywhere. There wasn't a single schoolmate in sight.

He had to do something. To linger longer would prove his tale was a lie. But to kiss Granger was unthinkable. "I don't have to prove anything," he growled. "Besides, she's angry with me. If I try to kiss her, she's liable to slap me."

The men laughed. "So, she's not yer girlfriend, then?" the first man asked.

Draco could feel his face redden with anger. "She is my girlfriend," he confirmed.

"And yet, ye won't kiss 'er?" the third man questioned. "What a sad boyfriend ye are!"

Draco couldn't take it anymore. He wasn't dumb enough to resort to throwing punches. The men were twice his size and obviously stronger. Granger, it was apparent, had no intention of leaving.

He pulled her close to him and stared down into her honey orbs. Frightened, she stammered, "M-Malfoy? Wh-what are you doing?"

He didn't answer her. Instead, he cupped her face with his free hand and kissed her softly on the lips. What happened next was beyond his control.

All the tension he had felt from the moment he had opened his bedroom door seemed to overcome him. He slowly tried to deepen the kiss, teasing her lips to part with the tip of his tongue. He felt exhilarated when she responded to him, parting her lips a bit to invite him inside. He accepted passionately. Her taste, the feel of her tongue running along his was incredible. The entire world seemed to stop and center itself on their kiss.

And then, it was over. He felt her give him one last kiss, then she broke the kiss by turning her head away from him. He slowly opened his eyes (when had he closed them?) and looked down at her. Electricity still sparked in the air around them. He was sorely tempted to pull her into another kiss.

"Was tha' yer first kiss?" the second man's question broke the trance.

Draco glanced up to the man while holding Granger around the waist. He had just kissed Granger! "Every kiss feels like the first kiss," he responded hoarsely, unable to grasp the idea he had just kissed the Mudblood. "Now, if you three don't mind, I would like to return to my date."

The men nodded, but the first one growled, "If ye 'urt 'er, I'll 'elp Henry hunt ye down. 'E's a good friend and I will not.."

"So good you were able to recognize his daughter?" Draco interrupted, with a sneer. "I don't have time for your lame threats."

He felt her tug on his shirt and he glanced down. He was slowly reclaiming his control. He had to stop himself from kissing her again. The pleading look in her honey eyes was almost enough to make him lose it.

When he heard the men leave, muttering curses under their breath, he broke the hold he had on her. Stepping out of the embrace, he straightened his throat and turned his attention back to bowling. She was a Mudblood.

He picked up his orange ball and aligned himself with the lane. It was still his turn according to her. The kiss was still sizzling on his mind when he let go of the ball and watched it roll towards the pins. This time, it made contact and knocked down five pins. He smiled to himself, pleased.

His smile changed into a frown when he turned and saw her staring at him in shock. "What?" he felt compelled to ask.

"You kissed me," she whispered in disbelief.

He raised an eyebrow. "So?" he replied. "I had to make my story believable. Otherwise, they never would have left."

"You kissed me," she repeated, clearly not believing the words coming from her mouth.

And such a wonderful mouth it was too. Tender and perfectly refined for his tastes. He scowled, "Get over it, Granger. It's not like I enjoyed it," he lied. "I just wanted them to leave. Kissing Mudbloods is not my idea of fun. I promise it won't happen again."

He watched as her face went from shock to anger. "There you go with that bloody name again!" she shouted. "I'm so sick of you saying that word. My name is Hermione Granger. You can call me Hermione or you can call me Granger. But, call me a Mudblood again and I swear, Draco Malfoy, I will hex you!"

She turned on her heel and stormed out. Knowing she was leaving, Draco followed her. He had to grab the exit door to keep it from swinging in his face. When they got to the pavement, he grabbed her arm and turned her around.

"Let go of me, Malfoy!" she snarled, trying to yank her arm away. He held her firmly, forcing her to look at him.

"I didn't mean to call you that," he told her. "I call all Mud-- Muggle-borns that name. It's just a habit."

"You don't kiss a girl like that and then call her a Mudblood," she scolded. "It's tactless and rude."

He could see the tears in her eyes and it surprised him. "You actually enjoyed it?" he found himself asking without thinking.

She huffed, "Of course not. It was horrible. The worst kiss in the world," she snapped. He could tell she was lying, but he still felt the daggers. "Viktor Krum was a much better kisser. And he was a lot more tactful about it."

Being compared to another guy was more than Draco could handle. "Then you should kiss him more," he sneered. "Or better yet, why don't you kiss Weasel? We both know how much he loves Muggles. Hell, Potty might like a good snogging from you. His mother was a Mudblood, so you know he..."

Her slap echoed off the walls of the building. He lifted a hand to his face where she had connected. He could feel the slight sting and knew it was probably turning red.

She reached into her pocket and took out a small box. Thinking she might try to hit him with it, he readied himself. Instead, to his utter amazement, she pressed a few buttons on it and put it up to her ear. She then started talking... to herself. "Mum? Yeah. We need you to come pick us up.. I'm fine... No... All right. See you in a bit."

She pressed another button and tucked the object away. "What was that?" he asked her.

She rolled her eyes as he stared at her in confusion. "A cell phone," she answered. "Muggle communication. You wouldn't understand."

Like her, Draco was still seething from their argument. "I'm not apologizing again," he told her. "I said it once and then you slapped me."

Her face contorted in anger. "You call that an apology? I've heard better apologies from snakes!"

"Yeah, well, you didn't have to start talking about snogging Viktor Krum," he snapped.

"I wasn't talking about..."

"Don't lie!" he interrupted. "You said Krum was a better kisser than me. I heard you say it. I never meant to kiss you. It was a stupid mistake that I don't intend to repeat."

She furrowed her eyebrows. "Are you jealous of Viktor Krum?"

"No!" he denied. "I'm just pissed because of what you said. You talk about me being untactful, but yet you're a tactless little bitch."

Just then, Granger's mother pulled up. He waited for the girl to slap him again, but she didn't. Instead, she wretched the passenger door open and got in the car, slamming the door shut. Draco climbing into the back seat.

"Seat belts," the older woman chimed.

The teenagers locked themselves in as she pulled away. As they drove off, Granger spoke up, "And I'm not fifteen. I'm sixteen."