Re-posting from AO3!
Hermione was about six months old when the strange markings first appeared on her body. Her parents were horrified to find foreign symbols across her left bicep in a bright silver color. They went to multiple doctor's offices who could provide no answers before they gave up and bought her some concealer.
The second mark appeared three months later, this time along her right collarbone in a deep gold. Her parents once again took her back to the doctors, who could still give no insight. They recommended her to specialists who were just as unhelpful.
The final mark appeared a month later, a deep silver on the inside of her right wrist. Her parents didn't bother taking her to more specialists this time, just gave her more concealer and prayed no more markings would appear.
No more did, and when Professor McGonagall came to tell Hermione and her parents that the young girl was a witch, she also informed them that the three marks were the names of her soulmates. The names had been translated into runes, with the silver ones meaning platonic soulmates and gold representing her romantic soulmate.
Of all the things she was told that day, Hermione was the least interested in the soulmate marks. The way she saw it, if this was something only witches and wizards had she'd meet these people hopefully soon enough. Moreover, she was 11 and not at all interested in romance, although the idea there were people out in the world that were fated to be important to her was comforting in its own way.
McGonagall also told her that the special runes that made up soulmate marks were not taught until fifth year and there was no information Hermione would be able to access until then.
With that information, Hermione stored the information about soulmates away in her mind, happy to start her journey into the wizarding world.
Draco Malfoy was born with three marks on his body. One bright, silver line stretched across the right side of his stomach, another silver line on his shoulder blade. His romantic soulmate mark curled around his left ankle.
Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy (mostly Lucius) decided it was important to know what sort of people their son would grow close to. They were happy to see the silver marks belonged to Pansy Parkinson and Theodore Nott, respectively. When they got to the gold mark, however, Narcissa grew quiet after translating. The surname was one neither she nor Lucius was familiar with.
When Narcissa suggested it might be a muggle-born, Lucius flew into a rage and swore no son of his would have a mudblood as a soulmate.
Once he'd left the room, Narcissa started to cry, rubbing the hip where her unfulfilled soulmate mark burned against her skin. Mourning for the pain her boy would have to feel, being apart from his soulmate.
When Draco was older, he often asked his parents what the runes on his body said. His father told him not to worry about it, that he would interact and marry the "proper sort", chosen by his father.
Since he wasn't going to get the chance to make his own choices, Draco tried to forget about his soulmate marks. Whenever it was discussed by his friends, he shrugged it off, no point in getting his hopes up or entertaining any kind of fantasy that he'd get to make his own choices. No reason to imagine he could one day marry for love.
By fifth year, Hermione was a lot more excited to learn the identity of her soulmates. She was fairly confident Ron and Harry were two of three, although she was unsure if Ron was going to be silver or gold.
Professor Babbling handed out the textbooks and the shared Gryffindor and Slytherin class went to work quickly.
Hermione decided to start with the silver mark against her bicep. A few hours of translating later, she looked down at her work to see Ron's name. Her heart sunk slightly and then she gave her head a small shake, 'If the soulmate mark says he's supposed to be platonic, that just means there is someone better out there for me,' she told herself.
Looking over at her two best friends, Harry was smiling at his paper, turning it so Hermione could see he'd been working on his golden name. He had clearly translated the words to say 'Ginny Weasley'.
Ron made a face at that and then showed his paper that said one of his silver names was Harry Potter.
Hermione showed hers to the two boys and then hugged Ron.
A scoff interrupted their hug. Looking up, Hermione saw Draco Malfoy sneering down at them. "How sweet, as if we need soulmate marks to know that you two are perfect for each other. A mudblood and a blood-traitor that'll populate the wizarding world with disgusting sub-humans."
He was cut off from saying more by Professor Babbling snapping, "Mr. Malfoy! 10 points from Slytherin. Sit back down before I give you detention."
Draco sent one more glare, straight at Hermione, before sauntering back to his table.
The professor allowed the students to take their books to finish their translations for next class.
Hermione immediately rushed out of the classroom and headed towards the library to continue translating.
She translated the other silver mark as Harry and then turned her focus to the golden mark. She breathed shakily and started on the translation.
Three hours later, just before curfew, she put the pieces together and looked with despair at the name on her parchment: Draco Malfoy.
Her head fell into her hands and she felt tears pricking at her eyes, 'This can't be right! No way would anyone put me and Malfoy as soulmates.'
"Finally translated it, did you?" Draco's drawl came from behind her.
The witch stiffened and slowly straightened her spine, removing her head from her hands. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
The boy moved around her to sit across the library table across from her. His face was stone, though Hermione thought for a moment she saw something akin to pain in his eyes before he masked it.
"I wanted to tell you that this changes nothing. The fates must have a cruel sense of humor and I refuse to be stuck with a mudblood for the rest of my life."
It was said with such conviction, Hermione felt her eyes getting teary again before she whipped out her wand and pointed it at the Slytherin.
"Enough, you foul git," she said angrily, "I won't listen to you speak to me like this. I didn't want this mark either."
"So we agree then?" he asked, "You'll say nothing about this."
She nodded fiercely, tears threatening to fall, "Only if you stay quiet too. I don't need everyone knowing I've been tied to a horrible prick like you."
Draco's eyes flashed but he stood and moved to leave. As he passed Hermione, she could've sworn she heard him say he was sorry, but when she turned around he was leaving the library without a backwards glance.