A/N: Obviously AU as to how the war is coming together and the outcome. Trying to keep it as close to the books as possible though as well.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. It all goes to J.K. Rowling.
"Seriously Harry, are you really worried Malfoy can catch the Snitch before you? That git would be too busy trying to get a glimpse of his face in it to actually catch it." Ron barely even looked at Harry while shoveling eggs into his mouth causing quite a mess on the table.
"Come on Ron, he is actually a pretty good seeker as much as I hate to admit it. Besides, did you see the new brooms his father bought for the whole Slytherin team? I don't even think they are released to the public yet!"
Owls fluttered around the Great Hall delivering letters and packages while Hermione Granger sat discontentedly stabbing her own eggs. Really, how much could anyone discuss Quidditch before they just started repeating themselves? She let out a groan before stabbing another piece of egg and bringing it to her mouth. She wasn't shocked when Harry and Ron completely ignored her obvious frustration and kept on with their prattle about the match coming up.
The first match was going to be next week, add that to the fact it was Gryffindor vs. Slytherin and it was enough to give Hermione a nightmare. Normally, she was inclined to want Gryffindor to win. It was her own house after all and the Slytherins could be absolutely boarish, but with all that was going on with Voldemort she could just not bring herself to care at all.
It was their last year at Hogwarts and the tension between Voldemort and the side of the Light was growing daily. Attacks were happening everyday on wizards and muggles alike. Harry had admitted to her that Dumbledore himself had said they didn't know how long they could make sure the castle was one hundred percent safe.
She knew she shouldn't get mad at Harry for divulging in Quidditch. With all he had on his plate it was probably a good thing he had something to take his mind off it and keep him sane. She couldn't help it though. People were dying, people they knew were going to die, and here he was worried about a stupid match against Slytherin.
Angrily, she threw her fork down on her plate and grabbed her bag off of the floor storming out of the Great Hall, noticing as she did that Ron and Harry still were arguing back and forth. She wanted to hex them, hit them upside the head, anything to knock some sense into the two boys. If this was what they had to depend on to save the wizarding world she was beginning to think Voldemort would win.
Instantly, she felt horrible for that thought. Of course Harry would step up when the time came. Right now though, Dumbledore was still being secretive about much of what would finally defeat Voldemort so there just wasn't anything to go on. They might as well try to relax while they still could.
Still feeling frustrated, Hermione decided to go to where she always went when she felt like she was losing control on matters; the library. Snatching the doors open, she walked over in the direction of her favorite place to study towards the back when she heard quiet choking sounds to her right.
She quietly put her bag down on the table beside her and continued to listen. After listening for several more seconds she realized with alarm someone was crying and from what she could tell it wasn't silly crying over a boy. The sobs sounded raw and ragged, like whoever it was couldn't control the sounds and had been crying for quite some time.
Hermione slowly walked in the direction that the crying was coming from. She felt like it would be wrong to just sit down and ignore whoever it was and at the same time felt a slight apprehension at approaching them. What would she say once she saw them? How did you comfort someone that was so uncontrollably upset?
Rounding the corner of a bookshelf she was shocked to see who was leaning heavily against the stone wall under the window at the end of the row of books. His back was towards her with his hands and head pressed against the wall where he was kneeling but Hermione would know that hair anywhere. It was Draco Malfoy.
Hermione felt her heart lurch for the man in front of her wondering what could cause the normally cool attitude he carried to be brought to this. Never in a million years would she have guessed he would succumb to this kind of emotion and took a step towards him.
As she walked towards him she tripped over a book lying on the floor and cursed whoever left it carelessly laying there as Draco tensed up and quickly tried to control his sobs.
Turning around quicker than Hermione thought possible Draco turned his face towards her keeping his hands on the wall. "What the hell do you want, Granger?"
Hermione stood there for a second before responding with the only thing she knew to say. Reaching out to put a hand on his shoulder she looked at him with nothing but compassion. "Oh, Draco."
It was the first time she had ever called him by his first name and she didn't know if she was more shocked that she called him by Draco or that she actually rested her hand on his shoulder.
Draco looked at her strangely seeming to hesitate before his eyes were snatched to where her hand rested on his shoulder. His eyes widened and Hermione questioningly followed his gaze wondering what he looked so shocked about before hers widened as well.
Hermione couldn't believe what she was seeing but couldn't bring herself to snatch her hand away. Where she was touching Draco there was a large green aura glowing. What in the world? She had never heard of anything like that happening before and found her breath coming out quicker from amazement and a slight bit of fear.
What was happening to them? She let out a gasp and tore her eyes from where her hand laid back to Draco, meeting his eyes. A warm sensation was spreading through her body at an alarming rate and from what she could see in Draco's eyes the same, or at least something similar, was happening to him.
Finally, it seemed Draco snapped to his senses because without warning he turned around, standing up causing her hand to be snatched off his shoulder. Just like that the sensation stopped as well as the green aura.
Looking up to Draco she saw he was breathing heavily pressed against the wall.
"What the bloody hell did you just do to me?" he shouted at her whipping his wand out, pointing it at her face.
Hermione found her gaze being drawn to his wand taking note of its simple design. She was shocked by it, despite the current situation and silently wondered if whatever had just happened had affected her sanity.
She continued to stare at his wand though thinking how unusual it was that Draco Malfoy, pompous, arrogant, Draco Malfoy had a wand that was so plain and lacking any real design or flare to it. She remembered the words Ollivander had told her once. "The wand chooses the wizard, Miss Granger."
Why did such a plain wand choose Draco? Was it an insight to the boy standing in front of her? Was he really not what he portrayed himself to be to everyone else? Of course, that thought was confirmed when she thought back to the state she had found him in. That was certainly not the Draco Malfoy everyone knew.
"Well? Are you going to answer me or do I have to force you to?" Draco moved his wand slightly bringing her attention back to what was going on.
Hermione looked back up at him, peering into his eyes where he would see she was telling the truth. "I have no idea what just happened, but I think we need to go see Dumbledore."
She was expecting him to resist when she suggested they see Dumbledore. Not only would it mean a trip to the Headmaster's office, but them being seen walking together in the halls. It was the only idea she could come up with though, because no matter what people would say she knew they had to find out what happened and why. The only person that might know would be Dumbledore.
Needless to say, she was shocked when Draco lowered his wand and nodded his head. Motioning for him to follow her, she grabbed her bag off of the table and left the library walking briskly with Draco easily keeping up with her.
When did he get so tall? She had to admit to herself there was something charming about the young man beside her, even if he was a straight git. Looking at him thoughtfully, she wondered again who he really was.
The walk to see Dumbledore continued in silence until they got to the stone gargoyle. Hermione was about to open her mouth to say the password when Draco cut her off.
"Sugar creams."
He must have noticed Hermione's incredulous stare because as the staircase started to appear he looked at her with his signature smirk in place. "What, didn't think a slimy Slytherin like me would know the password?"
Before she could come back with a remark he was already walking up the stairs. Gathering her senses about her she quickly followed him to catch up to him right when he knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Grasping the handle Draco opened the door and held it open for Hermione to walk through. Well, one good thing about Malfoy's was that they were gentlemen above all else, Hermione figured.
Walking in the office, she realized Professor Snape standing in a corner looking agitated. Soon Dumbledore pulled her attention back to him.
"Ah, Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy, I wondered when I would be seeing you two in here." He gazed at them knowingly over his half-moon spectacles and Hermione glanced questioningly at Draco. He was looking at Dumbledore like he had grown to heads.
Hermione decided to take charge no use in just standing there staring at each other.
"Professor, something just happened that we don't quite understand," she paused glancing at Snape staring at her, "but if we need to come back another time-"
"No, no, not at all. Severus can wait a moment. Go on Miss Granger, tell me what happened."
Hermione looked at Draco nervously realizing he wasn't going to explain what happened before continuing on. "Well I came across Draco in the library," she paused again not wanting to divulge how she found him. No matter who she was talking to she didn't think that was something he would appreciate being told. She glanced back at Dumbledore. "Well, I ended up with my hand on his shoulder after I tripped over a book and suddenly a green aura appeared where we were touching."
Here she paused slightly, blushing. Did Draco feel the same sensation she did? It didn't really matter it had to be told to fully understand what had happen. Draco must have sensed her hesitation because he looked at her before picking up where she left off.
"Suddenly there was a warmth that spread through me. I believe Granger felt it too."
Dumbledore slowly peered back at Hermione. "Did you feel the sensation Mr. Malfoy just described, Miss Granger?"
"Yes, sir."
"I see." Dumbledore looked at them with a small smile played at his lips.
Draco obviously wasn't as patient to wait for the professor to divulge any information as Hermione was. That or he was more freaked out by what had happened than he was letting on.
"What do you mean, I see? See what?" He was fidgeting with his wand looking quite like he was ready to curse the older wizard if he had to.
"Have a seat Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy. What I say next will be a shock to both of you."
Hermione looked nervously at Draco realizing he was doing the same at her before sitting down in one of the chairs. She knew whatever was coming couldn't be good. Nothing was ever good when Dumbledore said there would be a shock. Yet, why did he still look as if he was amused by their current situation? She took a deep breath and steeled herself against what was to come.
"Mr. Malfoy, I believe we have discussed whether or not you are going to follow in your father's footsteps or not?"
Draco stared at Dumbledore a moment seeming to be trying to catch his meaning. Finally, seemingly giving up, he gave a short nod of his head.
"And we came to the conclusion that two sides would have to be played if you truly wanted to step away from his path, am I correct?"
Again Draco gave another short nod. Hermione didn't fail to notice he seemed to tense up though when Dumbledore mentioned playing two sides. What were they talking about and why were they being so cryptic? Hermione wondered what any of what was being said had to do with what just happened and was just about to ask when Dumbledore directed his attention back to both of them.
"The light between you two that occurred, I have no doubt, during the first time you had true physical contact with each other has just confirmed a prophesy that I believed was about the two of you and of which now I am certain pertains to you two."
Hermione looked at Draco, her eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. There was a prophesy about her and Draco? Hermione looked back expectantly towards Dumbledore waiting for him to continue.
"Auras between a witch and a wizard are ancient magic. It is very rare that it ever occurs. The last time I believed it did occur was over 300 years ago. An aura occurring between you two means only one thing. You are destined for each other, you two are soul mates."
Hermione felt like all the air had just left her lungs and she gripped the arms on her chair turning her knuckles white. Her eyes darted all around the room not really seeing anything before looking back at Dumbledore. Soul mates, she and Draco were soul mates. How could that be?
While Hermione panicked inwardly, Draco took another approach entirely. The minute the words left Dumbledore's mouth he jumped out of his chair. "Soul mates? You mean to tell me she's," he used his wand to point at Hermione, "my soul mate. You really have lost it old man. I'm not soul mates with her, we've never even talked, much less am I madly in love with her!"
His yelling brought Hermione back to what was going on around her. Until then she had been completely zoned in on her own thoughts. "Being someone's soul mate does not mean you are madly in love, at least, well at least right off. Sometimes soul mates never fall in love."
Draco looked at her like she had lost her mind but she continued to stare straight at Dumbledore. The headmaster meanwhile calmly looked at Draco as if he knew he would react the way he did.
"Miss Granger is correct, soul mates aren't all about love as time has warped people's beliefs to think it is. Sit down, my boy, and allow her to continue. I'm sure she doesn't mind explaining."
Draco looked back and forth between Hermione and Dumbledore and even over to Snape before slowly sitting back down.
Hermione started to speak again, still staring straight at Dumbledore, feeling as if she were in a trance. "Soul mates are two people whose being bonded as one is necessary for a larger importance than just a connection between them. The two people being together is necessary for the world. There is no choice in the matter. Once soul mates are identified, refusing to come together can lead to catastrophic events. Sometimes soul mates can go their whole life not having the remotest feelings for each other. If they do develop feelings for each other though, they will have a stronger love than any other could ever experience. This is where the myth of soul mates being true loves came from when, in reality, it really has nothing to do with love, that is just a possible side effect."
Dumbledore smiled at her before resting his eyes on Draco.
"Now you see, Mr. Malfoy, that you having no feelings towards each other is completely natural. The fact is, that you being together is imperative. If you do not come together the results will be devastating."
Draco looked like his world had just been turned upside down and in a way it had. He looked at Dumbledore frantically, stuttering. "But, we are just teenagers, how can we have such an effect on the world?"
"Harry Potter is fated to defeat Voldemort. That much everyone knows, but there is more. What do you think will allow Mr. Potter able to defeat such a powerful wizard? What will bring the last piece of the puzzle together that allows the war to go the way it should?" Dumbledore calmly gazed at Draco allowing him to process what he was saying.
"But, but how does us coming together have anything to do with the outcome of the war? A mere couple doesn't mean anything in a war!" Draco protested loudly.
"That I cannot tell you, it could mess up the whole balance but trust me. It is prophesied. You two must be together."
"What does together require? Just dating? If so I still don't see the big deal?"
Dumbledore here gave a small cough before continuing explaining to Draco what him and Miss Granger would be required to do. He quickly glanced at Hermione. Her face was turning red making it obvious she knew what was coming.
"You two must be married and consummate the relationship immediately."
Draco jumped out of the chair again. "You have got to be fucking kidding me!"
"Professor, please, this is a lot to process. Is there any way we could have time to think about it and maybe talk before we rush into things?" Hermione finally spoke again looking at Dumbledore with pleading eyes.
"Of course, Miss Granger, but you are aware the outcome will not change?" Hermione looked at Draco before nodding. "Then I will give you the weekend. I expect you back in my office Sunday evening after dinner. That gives you all day tomorrow and most of Sunday uninterrupted. I suggest you use your time wisely."
Draco must have sensed they were dismissed because he immediately bolted towards the door without looking back. Hermione was about to get up and follow him when Snape finally spoke up.
"I believe it would be wise if nobody else knew about this so please be discreet. If you two are the key to Potter defeating the war, we wouldn't want it leaking back to Voldemort. It is better that nobody knows."
Draco paused long enough to nod and then yanked the door open storming out. Hermione looked back at Dumbledore with a watery smile. "Thank you for giving us time." With that she left following her soon to be husband's trail.
After they left Snape looked at Dumbledore. "So you aren't going to tell them what they must do? What they must go through?"
"No, if I did they would fight their hardest to change it. It is better this way."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it so far! Quite honestly this whole plot line came to me in a dream and I am super excited about it.
Now a request. I originally planned to keep this story completely in Hermione's viewpoint but of course I'm getting curious to what is going on in Draco's head. So I am asking you to please review and let me know if I should stay completely in Hermione's or split/switch out chapters between the two?
Reviews are my lifeline so please be nice and type a few words