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“Today is the first time in twenty years in which witches and wizards all around the world will be able to find their soulmate. For twenty-four hours the blue string tying one to their soulmate will be visible. Now, folks, use this to your adva- ” Harry switched off the wireless and adjusted his jumper, determinedly not looking at the glowing blue string encircling his wrist. He grabbed the broom leaning against one of his bed-posts, flinging it over his shoulder and exiting the dorm. Nothing like a fly to clear your mind. Or in Harry’s case, to think about the fact that he and Ginny weren’t actually soulmates.
Whispers followed Harry as he walked through the halls, and he could practically feel their eyes on his wrist as he walked along, ignoring them. As he passed the courtyard, he spotted Hermione and Ron sitting side by side on a bench, their fingers intertwined and a glowing blue string tying their wrists together. Harry turned away and continued to the massive oak doors, pushing them open and walking out, relishing the cool air. Perfect for flying.
Breakfast had been interesting . Harry had left the eighth year dorms in high spirits, eager to see Ginny. But when he entered the Hall and glanced over to the Gryffindor table and saw her flaming hair, and how her string definitely wasn’t connected to his, he grew unaccountably angry, even though they weren’t really dating , per say. Luna was sat next to her, and the string around her wrist connected to Ginny’s. Harry couldn’t help glancing down at his own wrist, where it twisted behind him and out of sight. He stood there for what felt like ages, having no clue what to do.
In the end, however, he left the Great Hall altogether and made the trek to the kitchens instead. The house-elves stuffed him full of bacon, eggs, and tea, but that did nothing to stifle the emotions roiling about in his chest, but at least he wasn’t hungry anymore.
Shaking off the thoughts, Harry swung a leg over his broom and kicked off, soaring through the crisp November breeze. Beautiful and cloudless, he flew until the chill made his hands and nose numb, and was about to do a couple more loops about the pitch when his string gave a tug. He hadn’t even known they could do that. He touched down and followed the insistent tugging to the doors of the castle.
The string led him past the Great Hall and up winding staircase after winding staircase until finally he was at the base of the spiral steps leading to the Astronomy Tower. Hesitant, Harry ascended slowly, marveling at the way the tugging of the string seemed to get more insistent the closer he got. He pushed the door at the top open and looked around, gasping when he spotted a very familiar mess of pale hair.
“Hello, Draco,” Harry called out softly, crossing the room in a few quick steps. Draco had his legs drawn up, and his head was laying face-down on his crossed arms resting on his knees. Harry’s heart was pounding. Lost for words, he joined Draco and slid down to join him against the wall. “Are you okay?”
Draco’s response, while quiet, echoed in the silence of the tower. “Hello, Harry. I’m fine.” He didn’t lift his head when he spoke, and the words were muffled against his arm. “I heard about you and the Weaslette, how she’s not your soulmate.”
Harry sighed. “Yeah. That hurt a bit, I won’t lie. But you know we’ve really only been friends lately. Us dating was really just to keep the press happy. But I guess now that’s ruined. It’s probably for the best, though.” He shrugged.
Draco lifted his head and looked in the opposite direction. He smiled, bittersweet. “You know, I—” he stopped. Took a deep breath, as if steeling himself. Started again. “The reason I’m up here, and have been all morning, is because I was terrified of who my string was tied to. I was—well—I was afraid it wouldn’t be you.”
“Draco, look at me. Please.” Harry reached out and gently touched Draco’s jaw, turning his head towards him. Draco averted his eyes, looking anywhere but at Harry. Harry huffed. “You know, I’ve liked someone for a bit now. And… I’m pretty damn glad they’re tied to me.”
Draco looked up then, finally. He held up his wrist, and could only muster a small “Oh!” of surprise before Harry wound the hand tied to Draco’s around his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.
“I’m glad you’re tied to me, Draco.”
“Me, too.”