Hermione had always thought that the best thing in the world is finding your soulmate, even though it might not even be a real thing. She had always thought about whether she would find hers, how would it be like to have one, how would they meet each other? What the connection between them would be? Would they be totally in sync, like they were made for each other? Would their relationship be easy, without any drama or hassle whatsoever? There were many questions and no answers at that time.
Had she already met him? Was it Ron? One part of Hermione thought it might and maybe even should be. Nonetheless, they have been together through thick and thin, even if they have rarely been on the same page. Always torn apart between short moments of finally understanding each other and their feelings towards one another and absolutely opposite - hating each other's guts, may it be lead by jealousy or their frustrating inability to share their most intimate thoughts. The other part of Hermione subconsciously prayed it is not Ron. As she never really had felt that deep-seated longing for him. That ache to be near him. To feel his touches, to hear his voice, and to divulge into the inner intellectual wars behind his sky blue eyes. Even if they sometimes only went as far as how to get that last Chocolate Frog collectable card.
And even though Hermione certainly did not consider herself a romantic or a mushy-love type, she could not help herself, but sometimes wonder whether she will experience the relationships she had caught slight glimpses of when reading her Aunt's romance novels, that she had mistakenly left at Hermione's parent's house while visiting. The covers, of course, being in awkward pastel pinks with scattered heart shapes flying in. Nothing Hermione was used to indulging in during her free time. Yet the women characterized in them certainly differed from Hermione. No, their feelings towards their romantic interests were entirely contrary to those of hers. She definitely did not feel her blood rush, nor her heart race when being near Ron, nay any other bloke she had had encounters with.
And maybe that was not even something necessary to a working relationship between two people. Sparks eventually simmer down, and what you are left with is never lasting care for the other person, a want to know every last detail about them, about their mornings, days, and evenings, an unconditional love, which does not require overwhelming lust and that embedded craving for the physical touch.
However, there had never been any butterflies in the pit of her stomach during times when Ron's large masculine hands had cupped her cheeks and caressed her jawline.
Yes, Ron had seemed like the right choice once. They have been friends for many years. The safe haven. They knew an awful lot about each other. The sure thing. But did she really fancy the easy way? Knowing Hermione Granger, the answer was an obvious no.
Or had it been Viktor Krum? With whom she had shared just a few stolen kisses after the blissfully spent night together filled with unforgettable spins under the thousand mid-air floating candles in the Great Hall. She remembers that evening with a playful grin. Viktor was delicate with her, and in his strong arms, she had never felt so safe and cared for. And even though most of her friends mocked how he discarded a few consonants when pronouncing Hermione's name, she adored it. Viktor made her smile, laugh, and feel carefree. They still exchanged comforting words once a month through Owl Post. However, that is how far it goes with her and Viktor.
Or had it been Cormac McLaggen? He is, as she reckons, one of the most handsome boys in Hogwarts. In her opinion anyway. And while she had always had a soft spot for light-haired blokes, he had only been spiteful revenge to Ron's fling with that daft Lavender Brown. And there had never been a tingling sensation in her lower abdomen when being held in Cormac's hands.
Not that she was sure, that there should be any, but that is what Patil twins always seemed to gush about when they caught themselves in yet another lustful yield towards the older Ravenclaws.
At once, Hermione knew, that none of these boys was her soulmate.
And at the back of her head, she couldn't help but wonder, was there something more to a soulmate than just the platonic sync and the phenomenal relationship that it could bring.
She was right, there was.
And here's why.