Harry walked into Charms with Hermione and Ron, looking forward to an exciting class period seeing as how he had just come from Potions. Snape, being his usual self, took off 10 points from Harry's Forgetfulness Potion even though it was dead on correct. Neville lost 30 points when his potion melted his third cauldron. Hermione was trying to help Ron's be at least better than it was, and lost 10 points too, for trying to assist someone else. So all in all, it was a very bad Potions class that day. Harry was ready for the end of the day to come already, so was Ron and even Hermione agreed it was sucky that day.
Hermione grabbed a seat beside Ron who had placed himself beside Harry. They got out their wands and books, listening to the instructions for today from Flitwick.
"Now today, we will be discovering new things about ourselves we never knew about. Last period, I discovered that the reason I am this tall is because I missed my growth spurt when I was younger!" The class laughed. "Well, that's a good response. Last class missed the joke entirely. But anyway, how do I know these things. One spell that takes a minute to gather the information and then pops out a scroll full of interesting information about you. The incantation is 'Parentis' and when we all have them accomplished, we will go through it together because some of yours may be different than someone else's. Reason being is that we're all different in our own way and some of us will achieve great things and others… not so much. These scrolls will enlighten us on that fact. Now get started!"
Harry grabbed his wand, took a deep breath and said, 'Parentis'. Next to him, Ron and Hermione did the same. His came a minute later and so did theirs; before he knew it, the room was filled with the sound of scrolls appearing. When everyone had theirs, Flitwick began again.
"Excellent! Now open them, and let's go down the list together." Flitwick then pulled out his own scroll and unwound it, and cleared his voice to begin. "The first two names should be familiar to you; they are your parents, the next name; your godfather if you have one, date of birth, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc…"
"Sir? What if you have names crossed out on yours under your aunts or uncles?" said Ron from beside him. Flitwick looked up from the scroll at him.
"Well then Mr. Weasley, it means that someone was shunned from your family tree. It happens when someone is normally kicked out of the family." Ron nodded his head seriously. (siriusly J)
"After them, is your likes, dislikes, pet peeves, friends, and if you're lucky, your soul mate. Most people don't meet their soul mate so it's never put on their scroll. The people who do have them are very rare." Ron turned to Hermione.
"Do you have that on yours too, Hermione." She nodded weakly. "Wow, so we're supposed to be soul mates. Weird." Harry wasn't paying attention to them though. He was looking at his own paper, right where the soul mate name was, beneath the names of his true friends (Ron and Hermione). Did the paper say what he thought it said? Because if it's right, then his soul mate… was Tom Riddle! Harry stared at the name for at least 5 minutes before he shook the shock away from him. Harry looked up at Flitwick and raised his hand.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Harry motioned for him to come here. The tiny professor jumped off his stack of books from behind his podium and walked over to Harry. Harry handed him the letter and pointed to the bottom as the professor's mouth dropped open. Apparently he recognized the name.
"May I go to the headmaster's office to speak with him about what to do about that?" Flitwick stared up at him. He quickly shook his head and regained his composure.
"Of course, Mr. Potter, you may go at once. But take your bag with you; class will be over soon." Harry stood up with his bag on his shoulder and walked out the room, feeling the stares of his classmates on his back. He walked down the corridor, thanking Merlin that Dumbledore's office was on the same floor as Flitwick's classroom. He went up to the gargoyle but remembered he didn't have the password. Great, Harry thought. Now I'm going to be here rattling off sweets till it opens. Like I have enough to do.
"Um… Lemon Drops?" The gargoyle remained still. "Let's see, Chocolate Frogs, Fizzing Wizbees, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans…wait he doesn't like those… Blood Lollipops, Skiving Snackboxes… wait that's one of Fred and George's products…" but Harry was silenced when the gargoyle stepped aside to let him through. I will have to tell Fred and George next time I see them that Dumbledore's using their products as passwords! Harry thought in passing as he entered Dumbledore's office. The man in question was behind his desk and his eyes twinkled as he looked up and saw Harry.
"Ah, Harry, my boy, what can I do for you?" Dumbledore put his pen down and motioned for Harry to sit across from him. Harry obliged and pulled out the scroll out and began telling the old man everything from Flitwick's classroom. When he came to the part of what the scroll said he handed it to him and watched as Dumbledore read what it said. When he was finished, he sat in silence waiting for what Dumbledore had to say. The headmaster didn't answer immediately but when he did, it was to bad news.
"I'm afraid my boy, there's nothing we can do. You and him are apparently destined to be soul mates."
Harry sputtered. "What?! Professor, you have to do something! I can't be soul mates with…him. That is completely wrong to even think about!"
"There is nothing else we can do about it, my dear boy. I would suggest owling Tom and explaining what has happened. Perhaps he will have an idea on what to do…"
Harry sighed. "Alright, Professor. I'll do that," before turning out the door, muttering "doesn't mean I will like it…"