One always hears the echo of their soulmate's heartbeat, and can only recognize them by feeling the person's pulse match up with the rhythm in their head. Erik never heard the echo until he was in his thirties. Christine has heard it for as long as she remembers.

When circumstances force Hermione to put her fate in the hands of Draco Malfoy, she doesn't think any good will come of it. Only time will tell whether she's right... HG/DM. EWE.