Word Count: 346
"What's this?" Ron asks when the numbers on his wrist begin to glow with warmth, drawing his attention to the fact that they're nearly at a zero. "What does this mean?"
But he already knows; his mind just has trouble wrapping around the possibility that, at age eleven, here at Hogsmeade station, preparing to cross the lake to the school for the first time, he might meet his soulmate. Sure, over the past week or so, he's thought the countdown looked strangely close to the end, and he knows his parents met in the same way, but it's still so much.
"How much longer?" Harry asks?
"Twelve… eleven… ten…"
He thinks he might pass out. What if he meets her, and she hates him?
"Six…"
"Five," a girl's voice says. "Four… I can't believe it's happening."
Ron looks up the moment his countdown ends, and his heart skips a bit. Finding his soulmate is one thing. Learning that she is absolutely beautiful and has the warmest smile is something else entirely. He takes a deep breath, still trying to make sense of this revelation.
"I'm Ron," he tells her. "I think I'm your soulmate."
"Lavender," she says, tucking her honey-blonde curls behind her ear. A soft blush paints her cheeks. "It's nice to meet you."
Ron doesn't know what happens next. Are they supposed to fall in love instantly? She's lovely and all, but he doesn't even know what that sort of love feels like. Should he kiss her? He's never done that before. Why don't they tell kids these things? It would make this so much easier.
If Lavender is having the same difficulties, she doesn't show it. Instead, she reaches out and takes his hand. "You can sit with me in the boat, if you'd like." She offers Harry a smile. "Your friend can come too."
As they walk away from the station, Ron glances down at their hands. The zeroes on their wrists, so close that they're almost touching, is all the proof he needs. He has found the girl he's destined for.