When he was born, there was a soulmate timer seared on his wrist. It was continuously counting down - and down - until he found his soulmate.

At least, that's what his mother had told him.

"When your timer runs out, you'll see your soulmate for the first time," she'd said.

"What happens if no one's there?"

She'd laughed. "Oh, Jamie, that's blasphemy. It's not going to happen, believe me. It's not happened to anyone."

He hoped it didn't happen to him.


"James, we need to leave!" his mother called urgently. "You don't want to miss the train, do you?"

He threw the last of his things into his trunk. "I'm coming, Mum!" he called back. He side-eyed his timer - it read twenty-nine minutes.

Twenty nine minutes until he met his soulmate.

He couldn't wait.

He ran downstairs, lugging his trunk behind, and dragged it through the hallway, nearly knocking over one of his mother's prized vases.

"I'm here!" he puffed. "Let's go."


James waved to his mother as the train whistle blew and the train itself started moving. He waved until the station was out of sight, until she couldn't see him anymore, and then he went to go find his mates.

He found them at one of the compartments near the front and was immediately tackled by Sirius.

"Jamie!" Sirius yelled. "Finally!"

"Ignore him; he's already had his chocolate quota for the month," Remus said from behind him, rolling his eyes affectionately.

James struggled against his best mate's grip. "Geroff me!" he shouted, and Sirius reluctantly pulled away.

"But I've missed you," he pouted. James noted with amusement that he had chocolate all around his mouth and more splattered on his shirt. The compartment was full of sweets and snacks.

"Save any chocolate for me, Pads?" he asked jokingly.

Suddenly, his arm burned, forcing a gasp out of his throat. He pulled up his sleeve to reveal his soulmate timer, bright red and pulsing.

One minute.

"Would you lot mind-"

"-clearing off?" Remus filled in for him. "Of course. Won't we, Sirius?"

Sirius, who'd been stuffing jelly beans in his face, nodded.

Remus practically dragged his other friends out of the compartment as James waited with bated breath.

HIs soulmate timer hit zero. James froze.

He waited. And waited. And waited some more.

No one showed up.


Dear Mum,

I was right. My soulmate timer expired and no one showed up. Guess I don't have a soulmate.

Love,

James

.

James, sweetheart,

There must be some explanation. When you come back for Christmas holidays, we'll sort it out.

For now, just don't panic.

Love,

Mum

.

Mum,

Why aren't you upset? Or panicking? How are you so calm?

James

.

James,

To be honest, your Dad and I are panicking. Well, it's more your father than me. Just hang tight, sweetie, and we'll figure this out, okay?

Love,

Mum

.

Mum,

I met another girl just like me. Her name is Lily Evans, and her soulmate timer malfunctioned too, just like mine.

Maybe she could be my soulmate, since both our timers don't work.

Love,

James


512 words

Garage Sale - 2. Vase

Romance Awareness - Soulmate prompts where things go wrong a whole bunch (The timer runs out and there's no one else around that you can see)