Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Heart and Soul ❯ Chapter Five ( Chapter 5 )

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

Heart and Soul
By: Tassana Burrfoot


Chapter Five


Draco stared at himself in the full-length mirror. He was quite pleased with the way he was dressed. The black slacks and black dress shirt fit him well, He had his hair slicked back and his gray eyes shown brightly. He looked good.

As he stood there, he went over everything that had happened the past few days. The new direction he had taken with Hermione was challenging, but interesting. It was difficult, very difficult. There were moment when he would have to catch himself before saying something particularly nasty. Thankfully, he had arranged with the florist to deliver fresh cut roses every morning.

The hardest part for him, aside from his general dislike of Muggles, was learning all the Muggle things. But, Hermione was a good teacher. In no time, he learned how to use the "television" and "microwave." Though the computer was beyond him. So, he satisfied himself by watching Hermione "surf the web" and "check her email."

He missed home terribly. He worried about his parents, wondering if they were okay. Was his father still in prison? Or had the Dark Lord forgiven him?

Hermione had suggested writing to his parents. He almost took her advice, but then decided against it. He did not want them to know how good things were going. Hermione was, after all, a Mudblood. His parents wouldn't be too thrilled learning their pureblood son was having fun with a filthy Mudblood.

But, he was having fun. He thoroughly enjoyed himself with her. This start over, though it was challenging, was entertaining. When she wasn't studying, Hermione was an enjoyment to be around. They laughed, joked, and did things together. Mostly it was playing Muggle "board games" and talking, but it was still fun. And, thankfully, Hermione had decided against returning to the bowling alley.

He pushed back a stray hair and smiled to himself. A couple days ago, one of Hermione's Muggle friends had invited her to a party. Hermione had asked Draco to join her. "Not as a date," she had quickly rectified, "but as a friend. Otherwise, I'll be the only one there without someone."

He shouldn't have cared that she didn't have someone to attend with her. And yet, he agreed to go. Course, he did not know the first thing about Muggle parties. Hermione had tried to introduce him to Muggle music, but only managed to confuse him. She then tried to show him Muggle dancing, which was like wizard dancing, but without the flair.

Draco found he enjoyed the time he spent with Hermione. She was not as bad as he had originally thought. She was a bit spoiled and bossy, but so was he.

Now he was going to a Muggle party.... Yeah, what his parents didn't know, couldn't hurt them...

He stepped out of the bathroom and made his way downstairs. Mrs. Granger greeted him with a smile and a camera. "Oh, you look so handsome," she commented. "Come now, I must get a picture."

She took him by the hand and led him to the fireplace. "Now, just stand there and smile for me," she directed.

He raised an eyebrow, but did as he was asked. "Is Hermione ready?"

"Are you kidding?" she laughed. "Women take thirty minutes alone just to fix their hair. Not to mention showering, finding the perfect outfit, and doing our makeup. All of that takes at least two hours. And that's if we get it right the first time!"

He looked up at the clock and groaned. It was all ready a quarter to six. The party was for seven. "This party isn't far, is it?" he inquired.

He took a seat on the couch as she answered, "Only about a ten minute drive. Hermione told me you'd walk home, but she asked if her father and I would drop you off."

He nodded as Mr. Granger walking into the living room. "So, are you ready, son?" the older man inquired.

Draco raised an eyebrow. He bit his tongue to keep himself from reminding the man, quite nastily, who his father was. Instead, he replied, rather tightly, "Yes, sir."

"And you know to treat my daughter with respect? She's a young lady and is to be treated as though she were a princess," Mr. Granger informed Draco.

The teenage boy could not miss the underlying message: Paws off. He gave the old man a cocky smile as he responded sarcastically, "I shall worship her like a goddess."

The sound of footsteps on the stair caused Draco to stand and look up. She wasn't dressed in a lavender gown and this wasn't the Yule Ball. But, she was beautiful.

She wore a deep red V-neck blouse that had billowing arms and a matching flair skirt. Her red heels were missing their toe and strapped themselves delicately around her ankles. Her hair was much tamer than usual, with bouncing curls accenting her heart shaped face. A delicate silver heart hung on a silver chain around her neck.

Draco could not move as she approached him. "You look beautiful," he thought he heard himself say. But, he hadn't felt the words come from his lips. Perhaps, he hadn't said them?

She smiled. No, he had said them. "Thank you," she replied. "You look nice yourself."

Now, more than ever, he remembered their first kiss. He wanted to taste her soft painted lips. Just once more.

"You two stand in front of the fireplace so I can get a picture," he heard Mrs. Granger say.

He let Hermione lead him to the fireplace. When their hands clasped together, he felt a bolt of electricity shoot through his body. His need for her overwhelmed his senses.

"Why do you keep staring at me?" she whispered to him during the short trip to the party.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I didn't realize I was staring."

Of course, he continued to stare at her. He loved the way she looked. When she smiled at him, his heart melted. All he wanted was to remain by her side.

***

They stepped into the night, her hand on the crook of his arm, and walked up to the house. She reached over and pressed the doorbell. A soft chime was quickly followed by a short, plump Muggle girl opening the door. She looked about their age. She had straight brown hair and was wearing a simple blue party dress. "Hermione!" the girl squealed, hugging Hermione.

Hermione returned the hug. "This is my friend Draco Malfoy," she introduced as Draco held out his hand for the girl. "Draco, this is my old schoolmate and friend, Martha Jones."

When Martha placed her hand in his, he briefly kissed the back of the girl's hand. "I'm also a schoolmate of Hermione's," he told her.

The Muggle girl giggled, "A dragon of ill faith? That is an interesting name you have there, Mr. Malfoy."

He suppressed the urge to comment. Instead, to his amazement, Hermione explained, "His family is actually of Roman and Greek decent. His father's name is Lucius. His mother is Narcissa."

Martha nodded her head. "A Roman Emperor and a Grecian flower. You know, Rome conquered Greece, Mr. Malfoy? Your family is living proof."

Draco did not quite know how to respond. Was she insulting him or complimenting him? He gave Hermione a confused look. She laughed merrily, "Martha's being silly, Draco. Think about it. Rome conquered Greece and bore modern ways. Your father conquered your mother and bore you."

He pierced his lips as the words sank in and he understood the connotations. "I did not expect to think about my father conquering my mother. Not tonight or any other night."

"Some thoughts are better left unspoken," Hermione agreed, wrinkling her nose.

"Then what fun are they?" Martha asked as she led them inside.

The sights and sounds amazed Draco. Muggles were every where, laughing and joking. Loud music was played by a "DJ" and the den had been turned into a dance floor. The kitchen and dining area had been turned into a bar and buffet. The living room was a sitting area for people to chat. "My mum set up the backyard as a sort of garden," Martha explained. "That's for the more serious couples who want a little bit of privacy, though."

As the music changed from a fast song to a slow song, Draco asked Hermione, "Would you like to dance?"

Hermione nodded and he led her to the dance floor. He did not know the song, but apparently Hermione did. She was softly singing it, "There's such a fooled heart
Beating so fast in search of new dreams
A love that will last within your heart
I'll place the moon within your heart."

When he smiled charmingly at her, she blushed sheepishly. "What song is this?" he asked her, noting the pale pink of her cheeks. So beautiful.

She laughed, "Martha is a huge David Bowie fan. This song is from the Labyrinth soundtrack. It's called 'As The World Falls Down.' You'll hear a lot of David Bowie tonight. As well as the Spice Girls and Elvis Presley."

He just looked at her befuddled. "I would ask, but I don't think I will," he told her. "Instead, I think I'll just enjoy the music and the company."

She nodded appreciatively.” One day, I will introduce you to all the more interesting Muggle bands. There are quite a few good songs out there that even a pureblood like you would appreciate."

He cocked a smirk. "I'm still impressed from earlier. How did you know so much about my family?" he asked as he twirled her on the dance floor.

"Research," she said, simply. "Besides, Draco is a Latin name. As is Lucius. It wasn't hard to figure out. So, I did my research. Before Hogwarts was built, your family lived in France. An Italian noblewoman, by some name I haven't been able to find, married a French nobleman. They had heard of Salazar Slytherin, though I have no idea how, and traveled to England to meet him. They became fast friends for they all had something in common. They disliked Muggles and Muggle-borns. So, when the school was built, your ancestors sent their children there. Malfoys have been in Slytherin House ever since.

"As for your mother, well, her mother's family is descended from Greece. Hence the names, Narcissa, Bellatrix, and Andromeda. Your mother's father didn't worry about what his wife named their children. He was just happy to have a Grecian pureblood bride. His family, the Black family, were also friends of Slytherin, of course. So, really, it explains a lot."

He nodded in agreement, impressed with how much she knew. Truth was, he didn't know how close his ancestors had been with Slytherin. He just knew all his family had been in Slytherin.

As the night progressed, they danced to various songs, chatted with different Muggles, and drank a lot of punch. Draco was astounded by the Muggles. He had always believed Muggles were like sheep. All the same, doing all the same things. But, he learned that they weren't. In fact, there was hardly any difference between the Muggles he met and many wizards he knew. Each Muggle had a different personality. They were... people.

"Oh my God!" Hermione gasped suddenly, grabbing Draco's hand and pulling him to the dance floor. "This is my favourite song! We have to dance to it!"

He allowed her to lead him onto the dance floor. He pulled her close as they began to dance and asked her, "What is it called?"

She blushed slightly, "It's called 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You.' Silly, I know. But, it's my favourite song in the whole world. "

He smiled. "It's fine," he assured her.

All that mattered to him was being with her. To him, the song was perfect. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't help himself. It no longer mattered that she was a Muggle-born or that he was a pureblood. She was beautiful. And she was dancing with him.

More than that, over the past couple weeks, he had gotten to know her better. Each moment he spent with her, he found himself falling deeper and deeper. He loved everything about her. She was smart, funny, pretty, and kind. She was everything he wanted to be and more. They had a lot in common, too. They were both only children who yearned for a sibling or two. They were both spoiled, snotty, stubborn, and self-conscience. There was so much he wanted to learn from her. So much he knew she could teach him. Had already taught him.

He gazed down into her sparkling brown eyes and was mesmerized. "Like honey," he whispered, huskily.

She tilted her head slightly and asked, "What's like honey?"

Not taking his eyes off hers, he answered, "Your eyes. They remind me of honey. Golden and sweet..." Keeping his eyes on her, he bent his head down. "As sweet as your lips," he whispered softly before kissing her.

Like before, everyone disappeared. He and Hermione were alone and he drank her like a sweet wine. She did not protest nor attempt to stop him. She graciously accepted his lips and invited him into her mouth to taste the delicious fruit there. He kept the kiss tender, savouring every bit as if it were a rare wine he could only sample once. Even though it was their second kiss, he felt as if it were their first.

Electricity sparked around them and he could see the fireworks go off in his mind. The entire world had stood still for them. Nothing else existed.

Draco knew, in that moment, there was no turning back. But he was all right with it. He had no desire to go anywhere. He was content to remain in this moment forever.

Like before, she had gently broken the kiss. He opened his eyes and gazed at her. A long moment passed before he rasped, "I am not apologizing. I meant to kiss you and I intend on doing so again."

Before she could protest, his lips captured hers for the second time that night. He held her close, cupping her face with one hand. She did not fight him.

He was hungry and needful. He wanted more of her. Every inch of her. And his kiss spoke of his want. He wanted to drink in every last drop of her honey until he was drunk with passion. Never had he wanted something or someone as badly as he wanted her.

She broke the kiss again, pulling away from him as much as she could. So, he kissed her cheek, her forehead, her ear. He trailed kisses to her neck until she whispered hoarsely, "Draco, please stop."

Her small plea brought him back to the present. He glanced at her curiously. "What's wrong, darling?" he questioned, confused.

Hermione blushed. "We are still at the party," she reminded him, glancing at the people who were staring at them in awe.

Draco looked around and was surprised. He had forgotten they were still at the party. Everyone had formed a sort of circle around them and was staring at them.

Martha pushed through the crowd until she was standing in front of them. Her smile almost split her face in half. She wheeled around to face the audience and announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present the hottest couple in town. Our very own, very beautiful Hermione Granger and her handsome, mysterious hunk of man flesh Draco Malfoy!"

As the crowd applauded and whooped, Draco and Hermione glanced nervously at one another. They were not a couple. Never had been. It had just been a kiss.. or two. As Draco pondered this recent development, Hermione tapped Martha on the shoulder. When the Muggle turned around and smiled, Hermione glared at her. "I don't recall giving you permission to make such an announcement, Martha," she snapped. "Draco and I are just friends. We don't need it going around that we could possibly be anything more."

We don't need it going around that we could possibly be friends either, Draco thought, but kept it to himself.

Martha's smile vanished as she tilted her head to the side. "And what you did just now was just a friendly peck on the cheek?" she asked, sarcastically. "Get off it, Hermione. The two of you were snogging as if it were the only thing left in the world to do. Everyone had stopped dancing just to watch you two. I was just trying to save my party."

Hermione grabbed Draco's hand. "We are leaving," she hissed at him as she practically dragged him out the house.

Neither said a word for the first couple of blocks. Finally, Hermione gave a frustrated scream that made Draco jump. "I can't believe her!" she shouted into the night. "Why couldn't she just keep her mouth shut?"

Draco, not understanding, gave a shrug. "She's a Muggle," he replied, thinking that alone explained everything. "What else can you expect?"

She glared at him. "I thought that by bringing you to that party, you would learn that Muggles are just like Wizards. It doesn't matter that she's a Muggle, Draco. She still should've known better. What she did was spiteful and horrible and rude and tactless and inconsiderate and..."

He pulled her into an embrace. He could feel her body shudder convulsively as sobs racked through her. He did not understand why she was so upset. Who cared what a bunch of Muggles knew? Or what they thought? They were just Muggles.

"It's going to be all right," he gently assured her, stroking her hair.

She broke away from him. "No, Draco. No, it's not going to be all right. Muggles weren't the only ones at that party. Dean Thomas was there, too."

He gave her a quizzical glance. The name sounded awfully familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. "Who is..."

"Dean Thomas is from Gryffindor," she explained. "He's a Muggle-born like me. He shares a room with Harry and Ron."

Draco's face hardened. "What was he doing there?" he questioned, immediately suspicious.

She sighed, "I don't know. I didn't see him until Martha made her bloody announcement. He and I made eye contact. I think he was just as shocked as I was."

"Really?" he sneered, sarcasm dripping from his lips. "I wonder why? Let's think this through. Here's this nasty little, fat Muggle announcing that Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger are a couple. Hm.. I wonder what got his attention?"

"Don't insult my friend, Malfoy," she growled. "She doesn't know about our world. She doesn't know what we are nor our positions in Hogwarts. It's not her fault."

"Not her fault?" he repeated incredulously. "We didn't ask her to say anything. We were perfectly content to..."

"Snog in the middle of the dance floor," she finished for him. "Let's face it. Even if she hadn't said anything, everyone was watching us. It's not that difficult to notice two people snogging in the middle of a crowded room. Especially when everyone has parted away from us and taken to watch us instead of dancing."

"I all ready told you I'm not apologizing for that kiss," he growled. "Nor for the one after."

"I'm not asking for an apology, Draco," she replied, obviously frustrated. "It's just... Dean Thomas and Harry are friends. I can promise you that come September, Harry, Ron, and probably the rest of the school, will know about it. And probably think we are a couple."

"No, they won't." he told her as he turned and began making his way back to the party. He had a reputation to protect.

"What are you doing?" she demanded, following him at the brisk pace he set.

"Thomas and I are going to have a chat," he answered.

He could not risk word getting out that he, Draco Malfoy, had kiss a Mudblood. Though Draco's feelings towards Hermione were changing, he did not need the rest of the Wizarding Community finding out. Especially seeing as his father was in prison, his escaped aunt was staying at his house, and the Dark Lord... well, doing whatever it is he's doing. All of which could get both Draco and his mother into no end of trouble. He did not need to put Hermione through that.

He felt Hermione tugging on his arm, but he did not stop. "I'm not going to do anything to him," he promised her. "I just want to talk to him."

He knew she was worried, but he felt her hand relax slightly. She chose to follow him instead of argue, for which he was relieved. As they reentered the party, Draco wracked his brain to try to remember what Thomas looked like. He really needed to learn to pay more attention to those around him.

"There he is," Hermione said, pointing to a tall black boy.

He was black. How could Draco forget that detail? Approaching the boy, Draco straightened his throat and spoke up, "Thomas, we need to talk."

Thomas turned and looked at Draco. The boy's eyes narrowed dangerously. He glanced slightly to Draco's left and saw the girl Draco was with. "Hermione!" he exclaimed, forgetting Draco was there. "Have you gone mental?"

Hermione let go of Draco's arm. "It's not what you think," she tried to explain. "Martha was exaggerating and making assumptions. She knows nothing."

Thomas threw Draco a nasty look which the pureblood gladly returned. "I couldn't believe it when I saw it at first. I thought perhaps there were two people here who looked like you. Or perhaps I was imagining, because the Hermione Granger I know would be caught dead before snogging Draco Malfoy. But, when my cousin announced..."

"Martha's your cousin?" Hermione questioned.

"It doesn't matter," Draco interrupted. He stared at Thomas coldly. "You can't tell anyone what you saw tonight. Especially no one from school."

"Worried your Slytherin friends will call you 'traitor', Malfoy? Worried about your precious reputation as Muggle and Muggle-born hater?" Thomas sneered. "Personally, I think people would be shocked to hear that Draco Malfoy is dating none other than the Muggle-born, 'know-it-all' Hermione Granger."

"But we aren't dating," Hermione insisted. "Please, Dean, you have to promise not to tell. Not anyone. Not even Harry or Ron."

He raised an eyebrow. "If you aren't dating, then why are you at a party snogging on the dance floor?" he asked her.

She opened her mouth and then closed it. Finally, she answered, "It's complicated. Just please, Dean. Promise me."

"Why don't you just put a memory charm on me? Then I'd never even know you were here," he suggested.

Draco sneered, "You know we can't do magic outside of school. We're underage."

"You never put much stock in the rules before, Malfoy," Thomas commented. "Why start now?"

"Why you disgusting little Mud--"

"Malfoy, stop it!" Hermione interrupted before he could finish the sentence. She placed a hand on his arm and he quieted. Draco threw a seething glare at Thomas.

"Think about what you're getting yourself into, Hermione," Thomas advised. "People like Malfoy don't change... I won't say anything to anyone. But, if you're serious about this, you need to tell Harry and Ron. Just promise me you'll think about it. You're a smart girl. Don't set yourself up to be hurt."

Draco and Hermione walked side by side out of the party and onto the street. They were silent for a while, both lost in their own thoughts. Draco's mind whirled with Thomas' warning.

He knew his reputation. He knew he had hurt Hermione in the past. More times than he cared to admit, in fact. He also knew he wanted to do everything he could to redeem himself.

"Hermione, I'm sorry for what I almost said back there," he whispered. He was no longer seething in anger. The walk was effectively calming him down.

He glanced sideways at her and could tell she had been hurt. She had been hurt, again, by him. He had almost called Thomas a Mudblood. The idea that he still used that word hurt her. And he knew it. He would have to work hard to ensure he refrained from using it again.

"It's okay," she finally said, shrugging slightly. "I know it's a big adjustment for you. You grew up in a very conservative setting. It's understandable."

He admired her courage, her understanding. He didn't know where it had come from. Perhaps it was something you learned growing up so... different from everyone else?

They approached the house and he stepped in front of her, stopping her from walking up the stone walkway. Bringing her close, he placed a tender kiss on her lips. This time, he was careful to keep himself from going further.

"The truth is, I'm scared," he admitted quietly. "I've never felt this way about anyone and I'm not entirely sure how to handle it." He could not deny his feelings any longer. "A part of me wants to shout out to the world. I'm in lo... in lo... I'm in love with you."

He saw her lip quiver as she let out a small gasp. He placed another gentle kiss on her lips before turning away from her. He stared hard at the stone walkway. "Another part of me wants to be ashamed," he told her. "I am a pureblood from a long line of purebloods. My family is one of the oldest wizarding families. You. You're a Mud-- Muggle-born. We're complete opposites. Your best friend sent my father to Azkaban. I should hate you. I'm supposed to hate you. It's how I've been brought up. It's what I've always known. But, I can't."

He turned to look at her. Tears had welled in her eyes and he understood why. "I tried so hard to ignore it. To deny my feelings. I can't risk it. There's too much at stake. It the Dark Lord finds out, I will lose everything, including my life. But, worse still, I will lose you."

He did not know what she was thinking. She stood there, staring at him. Tears now poured freely from her eyes. He pulled her close in a tight embrace. "I wish things were different," he whispered, holding her tightly.

Before he could say more, she pulled slightly away from him and kissed him. Her kiss was timid, shy, and unsure. He allowed her to lead, to explore the wonders of their kiss. She drew back, ending the kiss, and gazed up into his eyes with her honey coloured eyes. "We should make the most of our time together, Romeo," she whispered, a soft smile playing sweetly on her lips.

He tilted his head slightly to the side. "Romeo?"

She giggled. "A Shakespearean play. Romeo and Juliet. Two star-crossed lovers separated by conflicting houses. Both wanting nothing more than to be together, but terrified of the consequences of their actions. So, they sneak off at night and spent every moment in each other's arms."

He returned her smile. "I like this story. What ends up happening to them?" he questioned.

Her smile faded into a tragic smile. "They die in a lover's embrace."



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Author's Note: There are several songs and such in here that are mentioned that I cannot take credit for. There's "As the World Falls Down" sung by David Bowie and "Can't Help Falling in Love With You" sung by Elvis Presley. Also, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.