Written in the Stars | Lucarry Soulmate AU

| Bridging the Divide

Harry felt a mixture of relief and confusion as he walked out of the room where he had met with Lucius Malfoy. The encounter had been tense but surprisingly civil. He still couldn't wrap his head around the idea that Lucius Malfoy was his soulmate.

Back in Gryffindor Tower, he found Ron and Hermione waiting for him, their faces etched with concern.

"How did it go?" Hermione asked immediately.

Harry shrugged, sitting down on the couch. "It was... strange. He wasn't as hostile as I expected. We agreed to try and figure this out together."

Ron frowned. "I can't believe it. Lucius Malfoy of all people. Are you sure there isn't a mistake?"

Harry shook his head. "I'm sure. The name is clear as day. We have to deal with it."

Hermione put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We'll help you, Harry. Whatever you need."

Meanwhile, Lucius returned to Malfoy Manor, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He found Narcissa in the garden, tending to her roses. She looked up as he approached, her expression softening with concern.

"How did it go?" she asked.

Lucius sighed, sitting on a stone bench. "It was... enlightening. Potter is willing to try and make this work. I did not expect such maturity from him."

Narcissa smiled gently. "He has been through much. Perhaps this bond will bring something positive for both of you."

Lucius nodded, though uncertainty still gnawed at him. "Perhaps. But we must tread carefully. This bond will not be easy to navigate, given our history."

Narcissa took his hand, squeezing it gently. "You will find a way, Lucius. I have faith in you."

The following weeks were a whirlwind of emotions and adjustments for both Harry and Lucius. They began exchanging letters, attempting to understand each other beyond the prejudices and enmity of their past. Slowly, they found common ground, though the journey was far from smooth.

One afternoon, Harry found himself in the Room of Requirement, a place he often went to clear his mind. As he paced, the door opened, and Lucius stepped inside, his demeanor as composed as ever.

"Potter," Lucius greeted, closing the door behind him.

"Malfoy," Harry replied, trying to hide his surprise. "What brings you here?"

Lucius looked around, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I thought it might be useful for us to meet in a more neutral setting."

Harry nodded, appreciating the gesture. "Alright. What do you want to talk about?"

Lucius sighed, looking momentarily unsure. "I want to understand more about you, Potter. About what drives you. We are bound together by fate, and if we are to make this work, we need to start somewhere."

Harry was taken aback by the sincerity in Lucius's voice. "Okay. What do you want to know?"

They talked for hours, sharing stories and experiences. Harry spoke about his life with the Dursleys, his years at Hogwarts, and the struggles he had faced. Lucius, in turn, shared glimpses of his own life—his upbringing, his marriage to Narcissa, and the pressures of being a Malfoy.

As the conversation flowed, they discovered that they had more in common than either had expected. Both had lived under the shadow of great expectations and had faced immense pressure to conform to the roles assigned to them.

By the end of the afternoon, a tentative understanding had formed between them. It wasn't friendship, not yet, but it was a start.

A few days later, Harry received a letter from Lucius inviting him to Malfoy Manor. The invitation was polite but formal, and Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Nevertheless, he knew this was an important step in their journey.

When he arrived, he was greeted by Narcissa, who welcomed him with a warm smile. "Harry, thank you for coming."

"Thank you for having me, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry replied, trying to hide his nervousness.

"Please, call me Narcissa," she said, leading him into the drawing room where Lucius was waiting.

Lucius stood as they entered, nodding in acknowledgment. "Potter."

"Malfoy," Harry replied, taking a seat.

Narcissa poured them tea, and they settled into a surprisingly comfortable conversation. Harry found himself relaxing, despite the strangeness of the situation. Narcissa's presence seemed to ease the tension between him and Lucius, allowing them to communicate more openly.

As the evening progressed, Harry realized that this visit was a significant step forward. It was one thing to talk in neutral spaces, but to be invited into Lucius's home was a gesture of trust.

When it was time to leave, Lucius walked Harry to the door. "Thank you for coming, Potter. I believe this was... productive."

Harry nodded. "I think so too. We'll figure this out."

As he left Malfoy Manor, Harry couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope. It was a long and uncertain road ahead, but for the first time, he felt that perhaps, just perhaps, they could make this work.