A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or any related characters.
Severus stared at the name on his wrist. It wasn't hers.
"James. What kind of name is James? There must be a dozen guys named James our age," Lily whined. "Who did you get?"
"Hermione."
"At least it's unusual. Hopefully we'll find them quickly." Severus nodded. They would be leaving for Hogwarts tomorrow.
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The station was crowded. Lily stayed close to Severus, still in awe of the magical world.
"Are all of these people magic?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"Most. Some are like your parents, here to drop off a magical child."
"Seriously, James, I doubt we'll be split up, there's no way I'm going to Slytherin!" Lily turned to Severus.
"Did you hear that? He said James, right?"
"Yes, they went that way." Lily nodded.
"Wish me luck, Sev," she said before darting off towards where the pair had gone.
There was no Hermione in their year, or the next, or the one after that.
"I don't think she exists, Lily," Severus sighed as the pair neared their sixth year.
"Maybe she's a muggle? Or doesn't go to Hogwarts?" Lily suggested. Severus couldn't help but notice she was wearing James' tie.
"So it's serious? You and him?"
"Yes, he's my soulmate. I wish you could find yours."
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Dear Lily,
Paris is lovely. Still no Hermione. I've going to try Germany next. I've been offered an apprenticeship when I return to England. Congratulations on your son. Remus wrote me, if you can believe it. We became sort of friends since neither of us could find our soulmates.
His Nymphadora is fourteen years younger than him, imagine that! Could Hermione still be in school? Can you ask Nymphadora if she knows her?
Severus.
Dear Severus,
there is no one named Hermione at Hogwarts currently. You'll be a great potion master. I know Slughorn's looking forward to retiring. You're going to be amazing!
Lily.
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Severus had finally settled into his new role teaching potions. Dumbledore had defeated Voldemort ten years ago. Lily and baby Harry had survived. James had not. He wasn't particularly sad about this fact, he'd never cared for Potter. His soulmark still read 'Hermione'. Therefore Lily was still not meant for him.
He couldn't believe Harry was starting school this year. Lily was quite excited about this. His eyes glanced at the list of first year students and stopped in shock.
"Hermione Granger," he whispered.
"It's not a common name," Lily had commented. No, after all these years? It couldn't be her, could it? She was a child!
"She'll have my name, if she doesn't then it's not her," he stated calming a bit.
The first year Gryffindors filed into the dungeon. Severus watched them. Harry looked like his father, but Severus could tell the boy was not like James, not really. Severus nodded at him and Harry flashed him a smile.
Severus turned his attention to the rest of the students. Which one was Hermione? Was she the blond with too much make-up? The dark haired girl, no, he remembered she was one of the Patil twins. That's when he saw her; brown hair, brown eyes, rather average looking. She wore a fabric bracelet over her wrist, hiding her soulmark.
"Pair up, please." He watched the blond pair up with the Weasley boy. Harry paired with Longbottom. The girl, Hermione, paired with Patil.
"Let's begin."
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Dear Lily,
could you do me a favor and ask Harry about a classmate of his? Her name is Hermione Granger. No, I do not know if my name is on her wrist. She keeps it covered. If I knew...for certain...she's a child, Lily. I don't know what to do.
Severus
Dear Sev,
Harry says she keeps it covered at all times, so no, I don't know if she's your Hermione or not. Harry does say she's very smart, like you. She won't always be a child, remember Dora is fourteen years younger than Remus. For now, even if she's not, let her dictate things, treat her like everyone else. If she does have your name, she'll come to you. You've waited this long, Sev, what's six or so more years?
Lily
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Severus watched the witch grow, keeping her a slight distance, no more than any other student. She still kept her wrist covered and he had to agree with Harry. Hermione was very intelligent, the kind of thing he would look for in a partner.
At the start of her sixth year, she approached him.
"Excuse me, sir?" He turned to face her.
"Yes, Miss Granger?"
"I'd like to show you something, sir." She nodded towards his office and he felt his heart flutter in his chest. He lead her inside, she sat on the edge of desk facing him.
"As you know, sir, I had a time turner during my third year."
"Yes, I am aware of this fact." What did that have to do with anything?
"I came of age early, sir, this year in fact."
"I see." She smiled and gently pulled the fabric from her wrist. His name artfully graced her narrow wrist. He let out a sigh of relief.
"Please, could you show me yours? Just so I'm certain, I mean, you do have an usual name." He nodded rolling back his sleeve. She let out a sigh similar to his.
"Thank Merlin," she whispered. "I was terrified you wouldn't have my name. It must have been impossible for you, wondering if I even existed. Now what do we do, sir?"
"Miss Granger, now that we know, would you like to accompany me to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
"I would love to, sir. I didn't know for certain, but I hoped, well, could you sign this for me, please?" He looked at the sheet of parchment she'd handed him.
"Permission to take your potion N.E.W.T early?"
"Yes, sir, if I pass, which we both know I will, I will no longer be your student. Just your soulmate."
"Very well," he replied signing the page with gusto.
"Thank you sir, see you this weekend." She slipped from the office leaving Severus smiling.
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Dear Lily,
thank you. Miss Granger is, in fact, my soulmate. We are going to Hogsmeade this weekend. She will be testing out of my class to avoid any unpleasant accusations. I can't believe I finally found her, and you were right, five more years was nothing. Thank you,
Severus.