'Words have always had the power to change the world.'
Terry Pratchett – Soul Music
…..
Harry stared at the words on the page trying to take in what he was being told. He re-read the passage and looked up at his friends, 'Mione this isn't right, it can't be what is happening to me,' Harry shook his head sadly, 'I'm almost 18 and this is definitely the first time I have heard this song.' Hermione smiled and leaned forward, she drew his attention back to the book turning the page as she did,' keep reading.'
In exceptional circumstances it is possible that the soul song will not make itself known immediately if it believes the 16 year old witch or wizard is not ready to meet there soul mate. The song will remain hidden until it deems that the wizard or witch emotionally ready to accept their soul mate. Due to this, in rare cases, some people will never hear their song.
Harry looked, wide-eyed at the serious faces of his friends, 'Some people never get one?' Hermione's face took on a sombre tone, she shook her head sadly, 'No, not everyone is destined to find the one that complete them.' Harry hung his head , 'and you thought I was one of those people?' he asked, so softly that Ron and Hermione had to strain to hear him. Hermione decided to be honest, 'We did worry Harry. Honestly, we talked about it a lot and I'm sorry that we did that but, well we just couldn't bring ourselves to talk to you about it with you, just in case…' 'Yeah mate,' Ron interrupted , 'and what with old moldy pants…' before Ron could continue he was stopped with a sharp dig in the ribs from Hermione's elbow, but it was too late. 'Voldemort, what about him?' Hermione sighed and shot Ron a dangerous glare at Ron who merely shrugged in response. 'You see,' Hermione began, 'It was widely believed that Voldemort never had a song, causing what sould he did have, to be destroyed and well, you know the rest'. Harry's eyes widened as he realised the implications of what they were saying, 'You thought I was the same?' Ron decided to answer this time, 'It was the connection mate, we were worried, there was no way to tell what it had done to you.' Harry nodded slowly understanding what they were saying although it did hurt. Hermione reached out to touch his arm gently, 'The pint is, that no matter what we thought it's not true is it.' Harry looked in to the earnest brown eyes in front of him, 'Do we though. I mean how do we know I really havn't just got a song stuck in my head and this time tomorrow it will be gone and forgotten . Once again it was Ron who spoke up, 'Tell me a bit of the song mate.' Harry looked at his friend, 'What?' 'Go on' Ron urged, 'see if I know it, maybe I can help.'
Harry sighed, 'Well it's really rocky, a guy singing it, it's really good I can't stop tapping my foot to it, It's a good beat.' Ron nodded with a smile on his face, 'right ok, but what's it called ? If you don't know tell me some of the words.' Harry opened his mouth as if to reply but no words came out, he frowned; 'they were right there. On the tip of my tongue, but now they've gone.' At this, Ron gave a smug smile, 'Told you, it's your soul song.' With that he sat back and folded his arms across his chest, satisfied he had won this one, 'But..' Harry began but was interrupted by Hermione clearing her throat, he watched her sit a little straighter and grimaced and when he realised Hermione was settling in for lecture mode.
'That's how we know Harry, the rules of the soul song are simple, the first person to hear it will be your soul mate. The first time you sing it will be in their presence and their song with immediately answer with their half, it's sweet really.' Hermione had a dreamy look on her face and Harry had to stop himself from laughing. He couldn't help wondering who his soul-mate was, who had the other half of his song. It literally could be anyone, after fifth year Harry had realised that he was looking at men as much as, if not more than he was looking at women, so it really could be anyone. Where on earth was he going to start?
'Mione how will I even know who it is?'
Hermione's face lit up. 'Well that is actually the easy bit, obviously they are in the castle somewhere… ' 'What?' Harry interrupted, 'how can you possibly know that?' Harry was surprised when it was Ron who answered, 'Easy, the humming and all the bloody drumming, you wouldn't be able to even do that much if you were any further away, the closer you are the more of the song comes through, the longer it goes on the closer you are and when you're close enough one of you will sing and the other will answer.' Harry was shocked at this, 'What if we are in the Great Hall? That would be awful.' Ron leaned over and slapped Harry on the shoulder, 'Mate seriously, have you noticed people randomly bursting in to song all over the castle?' Harry blinked and thought about it, 'Well no.' 'Exactly.' Ron said with a nod as if that was the end of the conversation. Hermione rolled her eyes, 'Harry, what Ron is trying to say is that the very first time it happens only the two of you will hear it.' Harry nodded and then caught up with what Hermione had said, 'The first time?' 'Well yes,' Hermione continued, 'the first time is involuntary so it is just between the two of you but after that you can sing it whenever you want so therefore it will be out loud.'
Harry was relieved when he realised that he wouldn't suddenly burst in to song in front of the whole school, he just really wanted to find his soul mate now, he had already waited too long it seemed. It was typical that after everything he had been through he would be made to wait longer to find true happiness. He realised Ron and Hermione were watching him and waiting for his response, but, before he could utter another word Seamus and Dean burst through the dormitory door laughing loudly about something or other. They caught sight of the three on the bed and with a nod of his head Dean made his way over to his bed, throwing his bag down he began rummaging around as Seamus walked over and slumped down next to Harry, 'Alright?' he asked. The three exchanged a quick glance unsure of what they could say in front of Seamus, Seamus caught the look and rolled his eyes , 'What, ya up to now you three? I thought you're adventures were over now snake face is dust?' Harry looked at Hermione in question, he had figured that the soul song was a taboo subject, just in case someone had not got theirs yet, she merely shrugged leaving the rest up to Harry, it was his decision to make. After a moments thought Harry turned to his Irish friend, 'I can tell you, I don't mind but I'm worried it might upset you.' At this Seamus sat up a bit straighter, concern etched on his face 'Well you have to tell me now,' he asserted eyes darting between the three friends, 'Shay', Ron started in warning, Seamus looked up, 'I can take it what is it?' Harry looked at the sandy – blond next to him and swallowed, he had warned Seamus, he hoped Seamus had got his song or this could get very awkward, 'apparently I have found my soul song.' He said quietly. In an instant Seamus had wrapped a strong arm around Harry's shoulders, 'Mate that's fantastic, an don't you worry about upsetting me, I got mine years ago,' he whispered as though conspiring At the questioning glances he received Seamus merely said, 'here watch this,' he beckoned the three others on the bed to come closer, and in a low voice, as quietly as he could, sang the words, 'With brown cocoa skin and curly black hair.' Then from where he head his head buried in his sketch pad, without any acknowledgment that he had heard or, even a glance in their direction, Dean sang his own words in reply to Seamus, 'It's just the way he looks at me, that gentle loving stare.' Once again Hermione's hand flew up to her mouth as she gave a little squeak, realising what she was being allowed to see. As they watched, Dean became aware of what had just happened and glared at his soul mate from across the dorm, 'For heaven's sake Shay will you stop bloody doing that it's really distracting.' Seamus rolled his eyes and pushed himself up from the bed , 'sorry baby,' he said although he didn't look remotely sorry, he sauntered over to Dean and Harry noticed that Dean eyes never left Seamus, they watched every move the shorter boy made with a sort of reverence that made Harry's heart ache. As Seamus reached the other boy he leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips, 'I'll make it up to you.' He said silkily, reaching his hand out to grip on to the heavy velvet curtain at his side.
As the curtains were drawn around Dean's bed Harry realised with a start that somewhere in the not too distant future there was a very real possibility that he would be able to have something just like that.
…..
AN – Seamus and Dean's soul song: 'Finally- by Ce Ce Peniston.