A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Writing Club March

Just My Luck: Write about a character being spooked by one of their fears.

Word Count: 829

Hermione made her way through the aisles. She looked down at her list and sighed. It had been a nearly fruitless shopping trip. They were out of most of the things she'd needed. She knew it was because of the huge storm the news was predicting. People always panicked when there was even the slightest mention of bad weather. She had already seen several people with their trolleys full of toilet paper, eggs, bread and milk.

The last three times the newscaster had said it would rain, it had merely sprinkled a few drops and been done and over with. She shook her head. If only this many people had panicked when Lord Voldemort had returned. Instead, they'd stuck their heads in the sand. Now, the war was over. Now, she could barely go shopping at the grocery without someone rushing up to her. She knew she was a war hero, but all she honestly wanted as to be treated like everyone else.

She finally reached the check out and picked the shortest line. From where Hermione was standing, she could see the sky darkening outside. Maybe they would be right this time, maybe there really was a storm coming. She slipped from her place in line. She had seen a rack of umbrellas near the front door. Even if it didn't rain, she still should pick one up. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen hers.

Hermione had reached for the umbrella, a bright red one, when her fingers touched someone elses. For a brief moment, the whole store seemed to fill with sparks. She shook her head. Someone must have been setting off fireworks.

"I believe that is my umbrella, Miss Granger."

"I was touching it first," she stated, trying to wrap her fingers around the umbrella. Her advisory's hand was already there.

"And I have it now."

"Only because someone set off a bunch of fireworks. You saw the sparks."

"I did, but that has nothing to do with fireworks or your claim on this umbrella. I need it to keep my ingredients dry. You need it to keep your hair dry."

"I couldn't care less about my hair! As for your ingredients, put a charm on them. This is my umbrella! And what do you mean the sparks have nothing to do with fireworks?"

"Soulmate sparks, Miss Granger, or have you neglected your reading?" he snarked, a smile crossing his face. Hermione growled at him.

"Soulmates don't exist and even if they did and you were my soulmate, you'd let me have the umbrella."

"It's in my hand. It is mine."

"It's red. You hate the color."

"I hate getting wet more."

"Why? It would wash the grease from your hair?" Hermione snapped. This was insane. She had to be getting home. Crooks would be wanting his dinner. A clap of thunder seemed to shake the store.

"Guess they were right about the storm this time," she said softly. Her entire body had tensed at the loud noise.

"So it seems. I highly doubt this umbrella would do much good against the wind."

"No, I don't think it would. I should get going anyway."

"Miss Granger, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because, you're shaking. Your left hand is clenched so tightly in a fist I'm certain your nails are digging into your palm."

"I am fine," Hermione said through gritted teeth. Another clap of thunder echoed and Hermione felt her entire body tense.

"War does things to the mind, Miss Granger. We are not in the war now. You are safe, other than fighting with me over this umbrella."

"I... I'm fine," Hermione argued.

"Only those who claim to be fine never actually are, now are they? Here, take the umbrella," he said, handing it to her. She wrapped her hand around it, her eyes meeting his. Their finger tips touched. Lightening flashed as sparks filled the area.

"Soulmate sparks, you said?"

"I did, apparently they appear when one makes skin to skin contact with their soulmate."

"I know what they are, I have not, as you put it, 'neglected my reading'. I just, I figured they were something made up is all."

"They are not. It looks like the universe thinks we belong together," Severus stated. Hermione was about to tell him exactly what she thought of the idea, but instead her mind had an epiphany.

"You don't care that I'm a war hero."

"No."

"Then maybe the universe does have some clue what it's doing. Here's a proposition, we share the umbrella, go to my flat, drink tea until this storm passes and you can explain the latest article in Magicka Practica to me, since I'm sure you understood every single word?"

"I did, are you saying you didn't?"

"Not a word. Do we have a deal?"

"Fine," Severus stated, following Hermione to the check out while the whole world seemed to glitter and spark around the pair.