could you do a soulmate au? preferably either you know when you first touch them or you have matching Marks like a tattoo or smth that represents ur soulmate? thank you so much, I love your fics!
-anon

There was an ancient magic in the world that went far deeper than differences between incantations and educational styles. It had been hypothesized by some that it had been the downfall of the Dark Lord that night in Godric's Hollow.

Centuries before, some wizards had studied it, learned from it. And as they did, they started to learn how to harness that power.

Over time, that harness saw multiple forms - charms, pendants, coins. But in the end, wizards realized that if they were harnessing the ability to identify a soulmate, it shouldn't be a decision that would be made too lightly, or be an object that would be easily misplaced or transferred.

That was when wizards started utilizing ink and skin.

Hermione was listening to Professor Flitwick's every word, despite the fact that she had already read the chapter weeks ago. The powers of love and the identification of soul mates was something so abstract that she had been surprised to even find the chapter in her charms textbook.

When a wizard came of age, they were allowed to make a choice to have a charm inked into their skin that would alert them when they had finally met their soulmate.

But it wasn't a decision to be made lightly and it wasn't an easy process. There were consequences in denying the charm once it activated that were different for each wizard. Someone who was naturally open and loving would find themselves much more cold and detached, while a wizard who typically staying in the shadows would suddenly trip over themselves falling in love.

There was a charm, similar to a patronus, that the wizard recited, sending an animal representative of themselves erupting from the tip of their wand. It would find itself fastened into their skin for the rest of their lives.

Hermione, fascinated by the magic involved, as well as the process, hadn't been able to help herself. She had gone over Christmas after coming of age.

Harry and Ron had been simultaneously horrified and awed that she had actually done it.

"Blimey, Hermione," Ron said, inspecting the otter that seemed to shine an inky onyx on her upper arm. "You know what'll happen if that goes off around Malfoy, right?"

Hermione rolled her eyes, but she had to admit, it was a very big fear.

And then there was the fear that the person out there with the other half of her tattoo didn't even have the tattoo. What then?

They hadn't seen much of Fred and George since the summer before and for Ron especially, that was what was to be looked forward to when it came to Bill and Fleur's wedding. Fred, George, Charlie. The quidditch to be played.

And the food.

Hermione sat under a tree in the Weasley's backyard, book in hand, two days before the wedding. It had been a morning of preparations and Hermione was happy to have a minute to sit in the quiet. Merlin knew the inside of the house was anything but.

"You two are the last people I expected to get marked," Charlie said as he, Fred and George emerged from the kitchen, brooms over their shoulders. They were heading to the orchard for some impromptu quidditch.

"I wasn't about to let Georgie do it alone," Fred said, laughing. "He was dead set on it."

"You do realize there are consequences if you don't follow through, right?" Charlie asked, eying his younger brother with concern.

Fred shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal, Charlie," he said nonchalantly. "She might not even have a mark."

"Or he. Hullo, Hermione," George said, waving. "Will I ever see you without a book?"

"Not until you pry it from my cold, dead hands," she replied, smirking. "So what's this I hear about you two getting marks?"

George nodded while Fred shrugged. Charlie just rolled his eyes.

"I mean, worth a shot, right?" George asked, while Fred glanced sideways at Charlie.

"It'll work out real well when she finds out it's a blast ended skrewt on your ass," Fred said, laughing.

Before George could respond, Hermione closed her books and crossed her arms. "So where's yours, tough stuff?" she asked, eyeing Fred with interest.

"I'll have you know it's a fox on my shoulder and it's...getting..." Fred dropped his broom and reached out to touch the ink with his fingertips, feeling the warmth coming from the tattoo. George gasped.

"Fred! It's turning blue!"

Charlie nudged his confused-looking little brother and nodded toward Hermione who was now holding her upper arm.

"No way," George muttered, looking from Hermione's now glistening blue otter to Fred's fox. "You guys?"

Fred gulped and Hermione looked shocked. He smiled, though, and reached out his hand. There were far worse people he could have been matched up with and he had always enjoyed her.

"Looks like we have some things to talk about."