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Learning of the Dementor's existence, fainting due to their mere presence and then being informed that they would be stationed around Hogwarts for the foreseeable future all because of Sirius Black had certainly put a damper on Harry's mood.
Even though the chocolate Professor Lupin had given him had helped immensely, he still felt sullen and poked at the mash on his plate listlessly.
Even news of Hagrid's promotion didn't help.
Ron was heartily eating as always, as if he had three stomachs, not one, perhaps that's why he was so tall, Harry mused.
Hermione was shooting him concerned glances but Harry purposely didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he was too busy staring across the Hall at Malfoy.
The blond was a little less animated than usual, Harry could tell, but clearly nobody else could. His eyes were pinched and his nose slightly pink even though they were in the warmth of the Great Hall.
He carried on holding court as usual with his Slytherin buddies, but his gestures lacked their usual flair. It all seemed perfectly normal.
Except, Malfoy hadn't looked toward him once.
Harry supposed it shouldn't be surprising, considering Harry had taken the olive branch Malfoy had offered him and beat him upside down the head with it. Still, Harry couldn't recall the other boy ever ignoring him before.
From the moment they had first met at Madam Malkins, to last year when the entire school thought he was the Heir and unleashed a Baillisk on them, Malfoy had never hesitated to meet Harry's eyes. Except, for now.
Harry clenched his jaw and looked away. He didn't know why he was so bothered really. He said he didn't want the blond as his soulmate hadn't he? So, wasn't it for the best that they stayed away from each other?
His heart gave a strange twist at the thought and annoyed, Harry resolved to stop thinking about soulmates. He had made his decision, hadn't he? So what if that meant that Malfoy would ignore him altogether? It was better for everyone if the blond git wasn't being a nuisance.
He didn't indulge Hermione in her quest to speak to him on their way up to the Common Room and ignored Ron's concerned glances as he went up to quickly unpack his invisibility cloak.
He thundered back down the stairs, avoided both of their concerned gazes and headed towards the library.
Trying to suppress how much being at the library the first night back made him feel like a cheap Hermione copy, he snuck in and began looking.
There were hundreds of books about soulmates. Harry didn't understand how obtuse he could have been to not realize they were real.
He scanned through the various titles, most of which sounded like the titles to a romance rather than anything educational until finally, a book caught his eye; A Guide to Become the Perfect Soulmate. Not thinking any deeper he grabbed it and quickly made his way back to Gryffindor Tower.
He settled into an abandoned corner of the Common Room, most of them busy unpacking their trunks but some groups clustered here, enjoying the last night before term truly began. No sooner had he opened the book, than Ron and Hermione settled beside him.
"Harry, did you steal that from the library!?" Hermione chastised.
"I'll give it back okay, Hermione? I just- I need to know." Harry implored.
He caught Ron shaking his head at her and she acquiesced, "Well, that is a good choice if anything, very informative."
Giving the two of them a tight smile, Harry began reading.
A Guide to Become the Perfect Soulmate
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Soulmate Magic
The first recorded case of Soulmates goes back to the Ancient times of Merlin.
It was in fact, the Great Merlin and the Legendary King Arthur themselves who are recorded to be the first known case of soulmate magic.
When the then-Prince, turned thirteen years of age, he discovered the name 'Merlin' scrawled on his wrist.
The significance of that name was not immediately realized, and when the King met Merlin later in life, there was animosity between them.
However, as the story goes, Merlin and King Arthur went on to accomplish their greatest achievements together.
Legend has it, that only once his beloved King began his eternal slumber, Merlin, the Greatest Wizard to have ever lived, realized the significance of the names they bore on their wrists.
Magic itself had granted a gift to him, a gift of friendship, a gift of loyalty, a gift of love. A love so enduring that Merlin used it to ensure his lover lived on, waiting for the day his kingdom needed him once again. And in his infinite kindness, Merlin passed that blessing onto all wizard-kind.
Now, over 2000 years later. Soulmate marks and consequently soulmate magic is ingrained in wizarding physiology.
Sometime during puberty, between the 13th and 17th birthday of the couple, a witch or wizard will have the name of their soulmate inked onto their wrists.
Once a soulmate bond is properly established, only death can break it.
Soulmates are considered sacred in all wizarding societies. A soulmate grants you a lifelong friend, an everlasting love and a loyal family.
A soulmate compels you to grow and be better. To acknowledge your vices and turn them into virtues. To turn your weaknesses into your strengths.
A soulmate is your other half, one soul split into two beings, united at last. It is said, that you have not known true contentment until you are with your soulmate.
It is considered a great taboo and is illegal in most wizarding societies to harm one's soulmate. It is often punishable by death.
If properly nurtured a soulmate bond can be one of the most powerful manifestations of magic.
It can heal wounds, lengthen lifetimes and according to the Legend of King Arthur and Merlin, triumph over death itself.
Harry sat in stunned silence as he finished reading the chapter.
It was hard to accept that. Accept all that a soulmate was. His soulmate would give him everything Harry had ever wanted. Unconditional love.
Unbreakable loyalty. A family. And his soulmate was Draco Malfoy. He tried to reconcile how the cruel bully he was familiar with could give him all of that.
Then his mind flashed back to Malfoy on the train, and how he had approached Harry. He had offered Harry his love and companionship and offered Harry's friends an apology.
Was it possible that the simple knowledge of Harry being his soulmate had convinced Draco Malfoy to reconsider his prejudices, to turn his vices into virtues?
How much did Malfoy truly value a soulmate for him to even consider an apology Harry wondered.
He thought back to the Slytherin's pale teary-eyed face on the train. Was he hurt by what Harry had said? By his rejection?
Harry screwed his eyes shut in frustration. He wished he could ask his parents about this. No more than anything. Ask them if they thought he was losing something irreplaceable if he decided not to approach Malfoy.
Did they value their bond like Merlin and King Arthur did? He thought of a green light and a woman screaming, a horror brought on by the dementors.
Surely they must have.
Would they be disappointed Harry was throwing away his soulmate before even giving him a real chance? Not even allowing anything to blossom between them? Not possibly steering Draco Malfoy to his side?
Harry hid his face in his hands with a frustrated groan.
Hermione reached over to gently rub his shoulders and Ron shuffled over to sit next to him. Nobody spoke for a long moment.
"Harry, you need to talk to Malfoy again," Hermione said, a determined glint in her eyes.
"No, Hermione, I can't, not after what I told him," Harry shook his head stubbornly.
He stood up grabbed the book and made his way up to the dormitory before they could stop him.
He didn't bother to unpack his trunk merely undressed and climbed into bed, ignoring the calls from Neville and Dean.
He closed the curtains sound his bed and slid under the covers. He heard Ron come up and uttered something to assuage Seamus's concern.
He could see his best mate's silhouette hovering next to his bed but made no move to reach out or to say something. His mind and heart felt heavy. He didn't know what to think.
He didn't know what to do. It felt like the rest of his life could change if he decided to accept this.
He wasn't sure if it would be for the better or the worse though.
x.
Harry had been quiet and sullen throughout breakfast and the early morning. He barely had an appetite and abandoned his breakfast halfway through, sipping slowly at his pumpkin juice instead.
He tried not to be bothered by the concerned looks Ron and Hermione shared over his head.
He tried not to feel hurt when silver eyes still wouldn't glance his way once no matter how long he spent staring at the Slytherin table.
With a sigh, he headed off to class.
Hagrid's first class as Professor had started well.
He led them into the Forest, and after seeing Neville get attacked by the Monster Book and a taunt from Malfoy, finally revealed how they could open their books.
Speaking of Malfoy, the blond had continued to ignore Harry, choosing to level taunts about Hagrid at Hermione instead.
Harry had felt a spike of anger at Hagrid's competence being questioned and another at the fact that the blond was still ignoring him. Ron had pulled the both of them away, a frown twisting his features as he glanced back at Malfoy.
They were introduced to Buckbeak, Harry somehow being roped into volunteering and he had taken a remarkable ride around the castle on her.
As he landed back on solid ground, he felt immense pride in reassuring Hagrid of how brilliant of a teacher he was.
Of course, then it all went to shit.
Malfoy, who was seemingly insistent on terrorizing Harry without looking him in the eye, sauntered up to Buckbeak, insulting her the whole while.
Harry barely registered Hagrid telling him to stop before Buckbeak reared up with a ferocious bellow and swiped down with her talons.
Malfoy crumbled to the ground, his shirt darkening with blood, rolling around due to the pain.
"It's killed me! It's killed me!" he cried.
His breath caught in his throat; the sight of Malfoy's spilt blood was almost too much to handle for him.
Harry watched in horror as Hermione shouted for him to be brought to the Hospital Wing, and Hagrid carried Malfoy away, the blond muttering pained threats the whole time.
Harry couldn't help the way his breaths caught and his insides twisted. He felt as if he was the one suffering through pain; he could almost feel phantom blood seeping down his arm.
He wrenched his eyes shut with a grimace, trying to lessen the ache in his heart.
"You okay, mate?" he startled at Ron's soft question and stared up at the taller boy who had a peculiar expression, halfway between a comforting smile and a grimace.
Harry debated if he should be honest or not, as Hermione came to flank his other side, her warm eyes equally concerned.
"Why do I feel like this?" He wasn't sure how to encapsulate the warring emotions he was feeling, "Like I'm the one Buckbeak injured?"
"Because you're soulmates, Harry," Hermione explained, her voice gentle and kind.
The three of them stayed back as the rest of the class started making their way out of the Forest, abuzz with the mauling they had just witnessed. Soon, the others had disappeared into the trees their voices fading.
Ron broke the silence with a frustrated groan, dragging his hands through his fiery hair and mussing it up. With a determined glint in his eye, he turned to Harry.
"You need to talk to him." He commanded, mouth set into a firm line.
"What?" Harry blinked in surprise, out of everyone, he didn't think it would be Ron encouraging him towards Malfoy.
"Harry, it's barely been a full bloody day! And you are miserable! And now that the git's gotten himself hurt, you'll be even more miserable!" Ron's cheeks reddened as his rant intensified.
"What do you mean?" Harry, meanwhile, was as clueless as ever.
Hermione butted in, "Harry there are consequences to rejecting a soul bond like you did, especially since the two of you already know each other.
You have to talk to him properly and sort it out or it'll affect your mood, your health, hel,l even your magic!"
Harry stared at his two furious friends in shock. His magic was at risk?
"Soulmate magic is ancient magic, Harry, and everyone receives the name they do for a reason.
It's rare to get it on your thirteenth birthday you know but rejecting it at first chance has terrible consequences," Hermione continued, "It will affect him, and more importantly, it will affect you."
Harry blinked, "I don't understand. The two of you want me to pursue something with Malfoy?"
He couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice if he tried.
"Mate," Ron began, "Do I wish it was someone else? Bloody hell do I! But he was the one chosen for you, and if I have to put up with him for you to be happy and healthy I will!"
Harry's eyes watered at his impassioned speech, there was no doubt Malfoy was cruel to them both.
But Ron's problems with Malfoy were generational. For him to be willing to disregard that for him. How could Harry be so lucky to have them both?
"Besides," Hermione piped up, a sly smirk on her face, "he did say he would apologize and we will certainly not make it easy for him to get our forgiveness."
Hardy huffed out a genuine laugh, struck once again by the kindness of his friends. He looked between their encouraging faces.
Even faced with the prospect of Harry's potential relationship with Malfoy, they were still supportive of him. They only cared about his happiness.
He threw his arms around them both and pulled them into a hug, squeezing tight.
"Should I go talk to him then?" Harry asked as they made their way out of the Forest, "Right now?"
Now that the option was presented to him, Harry was eager to get going and have a proper conversation with Malfoy, his soulmate.
The other two shared an amused smile before Ron threw an arm around his shoulders and tugged him along.
"Not now! Honestly, Harry! He's likely still with Madam Pompfrey, besides we have Transfiguration now! You can go visit him at the Hospital Wing after dinner!" Hermione declared before she too grabbed onto his other arm.
"Yeah, mate," Ron joked with a grin, "Surely you can wait a couple of hours before abandoning us for Malfoy."
Harry huffed with laughter as Hermione giggled. The two teased him as they continued to make their way up to the castle.
Tonight, Harry thought determinedly. He was going to go talk to Malfoy tonight.
X.