Soul Mates

“Please Hermione!” Ginny implored again. “I need to do this and you’re the only one who can help me.”

They were sitting on Hermione’s bed. It was Saturday, which meant no classes. Everyone else was outside, playing in the snow. Hermione had been on her way out to watch when Ginny had rushed in and asked for Hermione’s help.

“Ginny, you already have your perfect match. You and Harry love each other; you don’t need magic to prove what's in your hearts.” Hermione sighed. Ginny didn’t know how lucky she was to have a man who adored her and loved her. She had thought Ron would be her man, but then he decided he loved Lavender Brown. That still hurt.

Ginny looked taken aback. “Of course I don’t need to prove anything. I know that Harry is The One, but I want to make it more…official. The Soul Mate spell is perfect.” Ginny practically jumped on the bed as she said this. Her eyes filled with a love so strong, Hermione could never dream of comprehending it.

Really, Hermione thought, it was a wonderful spell in theory. You simply brew the correct potion, say a simple spell, and voila…instant soul mate. It was really too good to be true. Why didn’t everyone use it?

“OK Ginny, I’ll think about it. Let me do more research, I’ve never even heard of this before and I want to know every angle, every side effect. I don’t want this to end up hurting you in the long run.”

Ginny grinned, knowing she had won. “No need, I’ve researched and I have everything you need.” She hastily grabbed her bag to show Hermione the contents. “Here are the potion instructions, and here is the spell. Everything you need is in there.”

Hermione looked over the instructions carefully. She had never seen these items mixed together before. Usually, basic potion types required the same type of ingredients. For instance, belladonna was in every love potion she could think of. This potion had no rhyme or reason the Hermione could fathom.

“Ginny, it say’s you must put in your own blood.” Hermione stated quietly, looking at Ginny carefully.

Ginny looked confused. “I know, don’t worry, I’m not afraid of needles.”

Hermione closed her eyes and slowly counted to five. “Ginny, any amount of blood in a potion is called a blood sacrifice. They are only used in very dark potions. Where did you get this spell?” She demanded.

“I overhead Pansy talking about it. She wanted to perform the spell and was sure that she and Draco would be matched. She said that she wanted there to be no doubt that they were meant to be together. That’s what I want with Harry. Please Hermione; it can’t be all that bad.” Ginny began again, this time with tears in her eyes.

Hermione grimaced. Damn. She could never say ‘no’ to a friend in need. Now that she had friends, she intended to do everything possible to keep them.

“OK Ginny, you win. Let me look over this and run a few tests. If it’s OK, we can do it before Christmas. If I think it’s dangerous, we won’t do it. OK?”

“Of course Hermione, I trust your judgment. Oh, thank you thank you thank you!” Ginny cried bouncing and hugging Hermione roughly.

Hermione sighed and hugged back, she had a bad feeling about this.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

That night at supper, Ginny was much more exuberant than usual. She was chatting and laughing with everyone while Harry looked at her with pure adoration in his eyes.

Sitting next to them was Ron and Lavender. They were sucking face as usual. Hermione tried not to let it bother her but couldn’t help but feel a small twinge of regret.

Perhaps if she had tried harder, dressed better, Ron would have looked at her as more than a friend. This thought angered Hermione. Why should she change herself for a man who didn’t love her as she was?

Hermione looked up to see everyone looking at her. “What?” She said.

Ginny laughed. “Harry asked you if you were staying for Christmas. Where were you just now?”

Hermione smiled back and quickly thought of an excuse for her lack of attention. “Sorry, I was thinking about our Potions essay. I will be staying here for Christmas. My parents are visiting my grandmother in France.”

“That’s just like you Hermione,” Ron said as he tried to suck in some air to breathe. “Thinking of school work when you should be having fun.”

“Oh Ron, stop being obnoxious. We love Hermione just the way she is.” Ginny defended. She was also angry with Ron for choosing Lavender. Ginny had wanted Hermione for a sister-in-law so very much. Ron shrugged and went back to kissing Lavender.

Hermione rolled her eyes and grinned at Ginny. “I think I’ll up to my room and look over some notes. Good night everyone.”

She stood and laughed off the inevitable groaning and pleading. “Come on Hermione, we never get to hang out anymore.” Harry said.

“Harry, we see each other every day, and we’ll see each other tomorrow. Good night.” And with that, she left the great hall.

She just couldn’t stand it anymore. Everyone had someone, everyone but her. Ginny and Harry, Ron and Lavender, Seamus and Pavarti, even Neville had found someone in Luna. All of her friends were in the throngs of young love.

As she made her way to the dormitory, Hermione began to flip through the pages of her life. Where had she gone wrong? She couldn’t bring herself to regret the hours of constant study, it made her Hermione. She also couldn’t regret her lonely childhood; it made her appreciate her friends even more.

So why was she so unhappy? She had friends, knowledge, and loving parent. What more could she need? Hermione knew exactly what she needed, a man to love, who loved her no matter how she looked and wouldn’t mind if she spent most of her time reading. She needed a man who would make her feel beautiful and wanted.

Hermione walked into her room and shut the door before moving to the full length mirror beside her dresser. She made a thorough assessment o her outward appearance. Her hair was huge, a nest that dominated her head. She could probably do something with that. Her large hazel eyes were acceptable, as was the rest of her face. Her teeth were perfect, no longer buck-toothed.

Hermione grimaced as she looked beneath her head. Her body was nothing close to a super model. She had large breasts and tried to hide them as much as possible. She covered her body habitually. She looked frumpy in her school uniform. Making a face at the mirror, Hermione made a decision. She was going to make a concentrated effort to look better.

Ginny would love this. She had wanted to give Hermione a make-over for years. Hermione hadn’t wanted to accept the help before. She loved to study and didn’t care how she looked. She had assumed that love would find her…now she wasn’t so sure. She needed to look her best; after all, if she loved someone, she would want to be better for him, right?

Smiling at this logic, Hermione readied herself for bed and fell asleep. She dreamt of a faceless stranger who held her. She felt safe and loved.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The next morning, Hermione woke feeling happy. She was going to start living her life in a new way, and better, way. She hurried to Ginny’s room to tell her the good news.

“Ginny…Ginny wake up!” Hermione spoke softly, gently shaking the girl. She didn’t want to wake anyone else, she wanted her new look to be a surprise.

“Wha…what?” Ginny groaned. “Hermione? Go away, tired.” Ginny turned her back away and tried to pull the covers over her face.

“Ginny, I want you to give me a make-over before breakfast.” Hermione whispered.

That woke her up. Ginny sat straight up and stared. “Really? Now?”

“Yes, now. Please?” Hermione begged.

“Of course, I’ll be over there in two minutes. Let me get a few things first. You’re going to love this Hermione. I’m going to make you the knock-out you have the potential to be.” Ginny nearly squealed as she jumped out of bed and began rushing about.

Hermione grinned and left the room, this was going to take a while, but she could wait.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Three hours later Hermione almost wept when Ginny told her she was finished. Hermione hadn’t expected the torture Ginny had put her through.

First, she tweezed Hermione’s eye brows. Apparently, magic couldn’t do it properly so it had to be done by hand. Then, Ginny started to work on Hermione’s hair. She performed several spells before pulling out an odd shaped bottle and pouring a toxic smelling potion over Hermione's head.

The stench had made her eyes water but it didn’t last long. Ginny used a drying spell and the smell went away, leaving her hair to fall in silken waves. It looked amazing.

After that ordeal, which Hermione thought was almost worth it, Ginny pulled out the make-up. It went on and on, and endless ordeal that had them both yelling. Foundation, powder, eye liner, eye shadow, lip liner, lipstick, blush, on and on and on and on it went.

Then, it was time for the clothes. Ginny opened Hermione wardrobe and looked through everything. “Hermione, do you own any clothes that are actually your size?” There were piles of clothes all around her.

“They are my size.” Hermione defended. There was nothing wrong with a little comfort room in our clothes.

“Hermione, they’re all two sizes too big. We’ll have to go shopping. You need a whole new wardrobe!” Ginny complained, but Hermione could see a gleam in her eyes that said she would love to go shopping.

“Fine, we’ll go. What should I wear in the mean time?” Hermione asked, amused by the look on Ginny’s face. Really, you’d think Hermione had offered a million Galleons instead of a day of shopping.

Ginny looked back at the piles and pulled out a black skirt and a white tank top. “Here, put these on.”

Hermione did as asked and looked back at Ginny for further guidance. The evil smirk on Ginny face should have been a warning, but Hermione didn’t think fast enough.

“Reducio.” Ginny said smugly. Instantly, Hermione's clothes shrunk a size. “Reducio.” And another size. It felt uncomfortable, to have her clothes so close to the skin.

Ginny grinned. “That looks much better. You’re a knock-out Hermione.”

Preparing herself, Hermione slowly turned to look in the mirror. She nearly gasped. Who was this staring back at her? The woman in the mirror had long flowing hair that looked perfect with her sun kissed skin and dark eyes. Her lips looked full and beautiful. Her body was a dream. Her C-cup breasts tapered into a small waist and then flared into her hips. The skirt reached her knees but made her legs look good.

“Wait,” Ginny said, “I almost forgot.” Ginny again took out her wand and mumbled something under her breath. When Hermione turned back to the mirror, her skirt was several inches shorter.

She gasped. “Ginny, this is indecent!” She cried, trying to pull down her skirt.

Ginny merely laughed. “That’s how everyone wears it, mid thigh. Don’t worry; you have the legs to pull it off. The guys are going to be all over you today.”

Hermione blushed. She didn’t know how to respond to that kind of attention and hope Ginny was wrong.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ginny was NOT wrong. When Hermione had walked into breakfast late, everything had stopped. Most people would have like this, but not Hermione. She flushed bright red and walked hurriedly to her seat. Before anyone could speak she prepared a plate and began eating.

Ron stared the most, his mouth hanging open slightly as Lavender chatted on obliviously.

Hermione tried her best to keep her eyes down and eat, but she could feel eyes on her and it made her nervous. Finally, exasperated, she looked up. “What?!?!” She asked violently.

Harry was the first to answer. “Nothing, it’s just…you look fucking fantastic Mione.” Everyone else nodded their agreement, even Ron. That got Lavenders attention.

Blushing, Hermione responded, “Thank you, I just thought it was time for a change. Ginny is a miracle worker.”

She looked at Ron and saw that his glazed look was turning to lust. Confused, Hermione looked away and began chatting with Luna. She hoped that everyone had gotten over her new look and would leave her in peace. What was she thinking?

“Why have you decided to dress like a harlot? Hoping to snag a man? Sorry Hermione, but no matter how you look, you’re still boring and frigid on the inside.” Lavender declared snidely. All conversation ceased as Lavender laughed.

Harry looked like he was about to stand up for her, but Hermione had had enough. It was time to put this bitch in her place.

“Lavender, I don’t regret a moment of study. Because of my research, I know how to make a man cum in 20 seconds using the tip of my tongue and my tits. I think I’ll be able to get a man and keep him happy. Can you?” And with that she stood and walked away before she could see anyone’s reactions. She wanted to look at Ginny’s Soul Mate Spell anyway.

She did feel a little bad. Ron had told Harry, who told Ginny, who told Hermione that Lavender sucked at…well, sucking. All she was good at was laying there and allowing Ron to flop on top of her. Ron really wanted her o take some initiative, but it wasn’t happening.

Hermione really did know how to make a man cum. She studied the sexual arts extensively because she wanted to be able to try everything when the time came. She knew exactly what to do with a man, though she had never practiced. Maybe she was frigid; she was the only Seventh Year with her maidenhead still intact.

Brushing off unpleasant thoughts, Hermione mad her way to her room. She was eager to begin brewing Ginny’s potion. It would be a challenge, which excited Hermione to no end. Gathering everything she needed, raced to the Room of Requirement, hoping no one had seen her. She would need a fully stocked potions lab to complete her task.

She hoped this was safe, Hermione had not found a single mention of this spell in any of her books. Perhaps it was new? She would hate to give Ginny a faulty potion.

Perhaps I should try it on myself. Hermione thought. She did want boyfriend, someone to love who loved her back. Why not do it magically? She would get what she wanted without the hassle of searching for a proper mate. She would have a soul mate. It was perfect.

Yes, Hermione would do it, she would find a soul mate…today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Well? This is a long chapter and I'm almost done with the next one. Should I bother writing more? I hate everything I write but, since my friends begged me, I'm posting this fic.

If you've read my only other fic on this site, I hate to disappoint you. I will finish it, I just can’t promise when. My muse left me and I have no desire to write about Hermione and Draco. I’m on a Voldemort kick right now.

Be brutally honest in your reviews, I need to know what I’m doing wrong and what I’m doing right.

If you’re interested in being my Beta, let me know. I need one desperately...as you can probably tell.