Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count - 538

Pairing - HarryKingsley

Whistling A Different Tune

Harry had known that (hopefully) one day he'd repeat days to find his soulmate. It was the way wizards found their soulmates, and he'd been looking forward to it since Hermione had come to him, book weighing in her arms, to tell him about it.

He really did think that Hogwarts should teach people about things like this; especially the muggleborns who wouldn't have a clue otherwise. Harry was just lucky he had such a studious friend.

What threw Harry for a loop—quite literally in this case—was that he woke up on his twenty first birthday for the second time.

The time loops only happened after a wizard was fully matured at twenty one, but to have one so soon was unexpected.

Harry walked into work, whistling as he looked around at his coworkers. He knew that there would be a 'surprise' cake waiting for him in the office, and he knew that they wouldn't be sent out on any cases and also that he and Ron would be let off early to go and meet the rest of the Weasleys, but he wasn't really interested in that at the moment.

He was more interested in looking at the people around him to try and work out which of them was also repeating their day.

…

"Harry?"

Harry looked up, blinking when he saw Kingsley standing in the doorway. "Can I have a word?"

Confused, because this hadn't happened the first time, Harry nodded and then shrugged at Ron when the redhead raised his eyebrow. The most obvious explanation was that Kingsley was his soulmate, but he couldn't actually get that lucky, right?

He'd had a crush on Kingsley since he was nineteen and had still been learning the ropes as an Auror. Watching the older man in action, even though Kingsley was Minister and didn't get much time to come and work with the recruits, had been a masterclass, and Harry had relished every session.

He followed after Kingsley all the way up to the Minister's office, and when gestured, took the seat across from Kingsley's own.

"Happy Birthday, Harry," Kingsley said, smiling as he took his own seat.

"Thanks. Uh, you didn't bring me all the way up here to tell me that, did you?"

Harry knew he hadn't because the first time around, Kingsley had simply popped his head into the office to offer Harry birthday wishes.

"Ah, no. I… appear to be repeating my day and—"

"Holy shit," Harry muttered, and then felt his face heat up as he blushed. "Sorry. I just… I didn't expect it to be you."

Kingsley grinned wider. "It was a bit of a shock to me too, in all honesty."

"How did you know?"

Kingsley smirked. "I was in the lobby this morning when you arrived at work. You were whistling a different tune than you did the first time around."

Harry stared at him for a long moment and then he snorted, laughing. "You must pay close attention to notice something like that."

Kingsley softened and nodded. "I do."

Harry ducked his head, suddenly shy.

"I know you have plans with your family, but perhaps after... I'd like to celebrate your birthday with you?"

"I'd like that."

Written for:

Romance Awareness, Day 22 - When you're near your soulmate, time begins to loop (think Groundhog day) until you actually meet.

Romance Awareness, Extra - 25. Celebrating a birthday

1000 - 333. Going to work