When Souls Collide

Chapter 1: Hermione's Plan

"Hello, welcome to Fake Soulmates Company, the number one place for finding a fake partner in the magical community, how may I be of service?" The receptionist beamed up at the young woman standing at the front of the queue, who fidgeted nervously.

"I- I booked a consultation" the customer murmured

"Excellent," the receptionist turned to her notebook, "And your name is?"

"Hermione, Hermione Granger"

"Perfect," the receptionist ticked Hermione's name off her long list, "Your consultation will be with one of our specialists, Lydia Herman. Please await your appointment in the waiting room at the end of the hallway."

Hermione thanked the receptionist and made her way down the corridor. Her long cinnamon curls were pulled back in a simple yet elegant braid, a few strands fell around her face, framing it perfectly and giving her a look of effortless beauty. Her chocolate eyes were accentuated by a light layer of mascara, but her naturally rosy cheeks and smooth pink lips meant that she didn't need makeup. Since her Hogwarts days she had grown rather more curvaceous, her hips swayed enchantingly as she walked over to the bench, which she daintily sat upon.

"How did I get into this mess?" She muttered to herself as she pulled her favourite book – A Brief History of Time Turners – out of her satchel.

(2 months earlier...)

Hermione sat, bored out of her mind, on a stool in the corner of the flower shop, an expression of feigned interest plastered on her face for the sake of the bride-to-be, who pranced around the shop, determined to examine every inch of every piece of flora.

"Oooh!" Luna came rushing over to Hermione's side, thrusting a large prickly plant into her face, "What about this cactus for the centrepiece, it lets out a smelly odour when you touch it, it'll be great for warding off flies!"

Hermione knew that Luna's fiancé, world famous quidditch star Harry Potter, had a more traditional taste than her, so gently pushed her in another direction, "How about lilies? For Harry's mother?"

"But the flies- "

"I know a spell for that" Hermione reassured Luna, smiling forcefully.

"Lilies it is then!" Luna pecked Hermione on the cheek, "Thanks Mione, you're the best maid of honour a bride could ask for"

After placing their order of lilies – white to fit in with the space theme of the wedding – Luna insisted on walking Hermione back to her flat, a cosy abode above her bookshop. The London streets were quite empty, the streetlights illuminated the cobblestone road near to Hermione's Flat.

"Why are you unhappy?" Luna asked suddenly, breaking their reflective silence.

"Unhappy? Why would I be unhappy?"

"Your soul is hurting," Luna said wisely, "It longs to be joined with a soul that matches it."

"Don't be silly-" Hermione started, but then she saw that her friend had tears in her eyes.

"I don't want you to be lonely Mione" Luna sniffled, her eyes glistening

Hermione couldn't bear to see her friend upset, "Well... I'm not lonely. I'm... seeing someone"

Luna immediately perked up, "Seeing someone! Who! What are they like?"

"Well... He's blond... tall... intelligent" Hermione tried to think of more adjectives, "A kind guy" She finished, unconvincingly. But Luna didn't seem to notice the vagueness of her description.

"How long have you been together?" Luna's interrogation continued, "And why didn't you tell me?"

"About a month," Hermione lied again, "I didn't want to distract you from the wedding plans"

They both came to a stop in front of Hermione's bookshop.

"The wedding of course!" Luna squealed, "You must invite him! No, I don't want any objections, you're bringing him. Ooh I have so much to do, I have to reorganise the seating plan. Harry will be so thrilled! So much to do, bye bye love you!" Luna blew a kiss then disapparated before Hermione could object

(Back in the Fake Soulmates' company...)

"...And that's why I need a fake boyfriend for my best friend's wedding" Hermione concluded.

Lydia Herman was avidly taking notes on her clipboard, "Tall, blond and intelligent you say..." She looked up at Hermione, "and when did you say this wedding was"

"Two weeks' time on Saturday" Hermione blushed, "I hope that's not too short notice" Hermione had sort of hoped she could get a perfect boyfriend by the wedding day without actually putting in any effort, but surprisingly that plan had not worked out.

"Not at all, Miss Granger" the consultant was typing something into her computer, "I think I have the perfect candidate, if they're available... aah yes he is"

Ms Herman pointed her want at a slip of paper and an email address appeared on it in red ink. "Here are the contact details for your fake partner. "

Hermione took the slip of paper.

"Of course that isn't his personal email, we respect the privacy of all of our actors. Because of this we will also give you a randomly generated name by which you can call him for the duration of your fake relationship."

Hermione nodded as Ms Herman took the slip back and pointed her wand at it again, more text appeared this time in bold red letters.

"Henry Miles Atwood" Hermione read

"We recommend you meet with Henry at least 5 times before the event, in this time you can work out details of your fake relationship, how long it's lasted, his career, nicknames et cetera. Of course, our actors are specially trained to be able to convincingly play any role you wish of them and are very good at making recommendations in order to make your performance more convincing. "

"Great" Hermione smiled weakly, still not entirely sure of this plan.

"And remember, you can change your actor if things aren't working out, but you can't change partner within 5 days of the event, or else we won't be able to find you a replacement. This is also a non-refundable service, as most likely if the service fails it is as a result of the client and not the actor, is this all ok with you?"

"Yes, that's fine"

"Ok, so for a 24-hour booking... and with the prices of the actor you've been matched with... that will all come to 170 galleons, we can charge this straight to Gringotts."

170 galleons! Hermione thought, was she really willing to spend that much money on this ruse? She had never got much money from her bookshop, although it was something she enjoyed running greatly. But then she thought of how hurt Luna would be if she cancelled now, she had confirmed that she was bringing a plus-one, and there was no one else she could invite who wouldn't already be at the wedding. She didn't want to mess up her best friend's wedding plans.

"That's fine" Hermione said.

After filling out some forms and giving over her bank details, Hermione disapparated home, feeling very apprehensive about the weeks to come.