Countdown

I do not own the Harry Potter books

Chapter One

I wake up from my slumber and immediately look down at my countdown, 7 days, 21 hours, 3 minutes, and 46 seconds until I meet them. Let me explain what I'm talking about, ever since anyone could remember the countdown existed, no one has ever figured out how it works or how it began. The countdown is on the inside of everyone's right wrist. The little words and numbers written in black ink just like a tattoo, except you can't get rid of it like you can a tattoo. It counts down to the exact moment that you will meet your soul mate, when they meet both of their countdowns go from one second left to zero. They can be anyone boy or girl, younger or older, like it or not they are your other half, the most compatible person for you on the planet. But just because they are your soul mate doesn't mean they have to except you, some people look at their soul mate it decide they would rather not have it or just don't believe in the whole thing all together. I believe in it though, and all I can hope is that my soul mate does too and accepts me.

I am Hermione Jean Granger, 22 years old, and in my third year of college to become a doctor. I live in the dorms of the college with my roommate Ginny Weasley, who is currently buried in her covers snoring like a grizzly bear in hibernation. Being the early riser I am its six o'clock in the morning on a Monday as I hop out of my bed to get ready for my routine morning run. After throwing on a pair of black shorts, a sports bra and a tank top, I gather up my curly brunette hair in a ponytail. Grabbing my iPod I slip on my sneakers and head out the door. I start running on the trail that leads into town from the college. The cool November air rushes past my face, waking me up better than any shower ever could. Not many people are out at this time in the morning, usually just the older people and business men who I see every morning. I smile at one of the elderly couples who always greet me as I run past them having coffee at the café.

They look so sweet together, sitting close with their fingers intertwined just enjoying being together. I guess you would call me a hopeless romantic, not just for hoping my soul mate accepts me but also for reading all the silly love stories that I do. The thing is while growing up I watched my parents openly show their affections for each other, whether it be by holding hands, pecking each other on the lips, or simply just having their arms around each other. It made our house feel much more like a home and our family much more happy. I want that with my soul mate whoever they are, but of course after I've gotten to know them. Just because we are soul mates doesn't mean that immediately after meeting them that I want to marry them, they are still a stranger to me. Some people though plan what they will do when they meet them, picking them up and kissing them or even dropping down on one knee to propose. I could never do that I would much rather go out with them and talk and once we both feel like we know everything about each other then, we would get married.

I pass the local bakery and smell the amazing muffins they make every morning. It's about three miles from the dorms and I haven't eaten anything, so I decide to pop in. The little bell above the door dings as I push open the door, the warm divine smelling air hits my face and I breathe it in deeply. Behind the counter the baker Matt smiles at me, "Hey Hermione, out for your early morning run?"

Plopping my iPod on the counter I smile back at him, "Yeah, but I simply could not resist the smell of your muffins baking. How could anyone live without their amazing taste I'll never know."

"One amazing muffin coming right on up." He announces walking back towards the trays of fresh muffins. "I know you love running and all but ya might wanna start thinking of bundling up, your cheeks and nose are as pink as a rose bud."

"The cool air wakes me up. I think my nose and cheeks will survive." I joke handing him a five in exchange for the muffin and a water.

He just tuts and puts the money in the register while I go sit down. When I sit I take a bite of the still warm muffin and look at the magazine that was at the table already. The page it's open to reads, "Top Ten Hottest Men" rolling my eyes I look at the page and see nothing too special and turn to the next page and bold silver eyes catch my attention.

It reads, "Draco Malfoy is our number one hottest man. He's 26 and the CEO of Malfoy Inc. originally from London he moves to the US to take over the company after his father passed. If any ladies out there want him his countdown as of November fist at two thirty in the afternoon had 8 days 9 hours 33 minutes and 40 seconds left. Good luck!" Thinking quickly I do the math in my head and I'm shocked to find out his countdown is the same as mine. That means he could be my soul mate, wait Hermione don't get ahead of yourself people can have the same countdown and not be soul mates it just means that he will meet his soul mate at the same time you will. Still I look at his picture and his white blond hair that falls in front of his beautiful grey eyes and it entrances me.

After finishing my muffin I finish my run. By time I get back to the dorm, its seven twelve and Ginny is already gone. My guess is that she left to go see her boyfriend/soul mate and my best friend Harry. She was lucky enough to already met her soul mate and have him accept her. They met each other in my second year when Ginny became my new roommate and Harry came to visit. Ginny was telling me how excited she was about her countdown only having thirty minutes left while she looked her things. She was planning on going in to town to pick up some last-minute school supplies, but she couldn't seem to find her wallet. I told her how my best friend Harry was coming over and that his countdown also ended today, though I wasn't sure about the exact time. Just as she found her wallet and was leaving Harry came in the door at the same time and their eyes met while both of their countdowns ended. I can remember how happy and embarrassed they both were as I took a picture. Ginny asked if it was alright for her and Harry to go in to town together instead of him hanging out with me so they could get to know each other and of course I said yes. Now they spend most of their free time with each other either walking to class or just sitting in our room.

Conscious of the time I have left before my first class of the day I quickly take a shower, dry my hair, and throw on some jeans and a green tee-shirt. I grab my bag and slip on my black shoes then leave, making sure to lock the door behind me. Looking down at my phone I see that its quarter to eight, damn I only have fifteen minutes to cross the campus and make it in time. Thinking that if I run I'll make it on time I start to sprint towards class. After almost running into many oncoming students I make it to the building and run up the stairs, by time I'm in class sitting I have a couple of minutes to spare.

"Cutting it close again 'Mione?" Laughs out my blond-haired friend Luna. "Well what can I say it takes a while to get here from my million dollar home." I reply sarcastically. We both dissolve into a fit of giggles as the teacher walks in and begins class.

Walking back into the room I throw my things on the floor next to my bed while I fall on to it, letting out a sigh. "Long day studying to become the world's next best doctor?" Jokes Harry from across the room on top of Ginny's bed. Rolling my eyes at him I roll over on to my side, "I'm usually fine, but all day everyone has been talking about making preparations for the big donor coming next week."

"Why is that making you stressed? Aren't you happy that their donating so much money?" Asks Ginny, now joining in on the conversation.

"I'm happy about the money, but me being at the top of the class has to make a speech and all this other stuff. So now on top of all the class work that I have I need to write a speech and make sure that everything is going smoothly with the planning." I state with a pout.

"So by the eleventh you need to write a speech, make sure all the things are running smooth, all while completing your class work?" Harry asks

"That is what I just said isn't it? I have a long eight days ahead of me." I state with a sigh.

After spending an hour talking with Ginny and Harry and hearing their calls of good luck I'm out the door to head to a meeting for the event. The meeting just gives us general knowledge about how it's on the eleventh at four in the afternoon and how I'm in charge of setting most of the things up. When it ends I'm bombarded with questions about the event and what need to be done by when, telling everyone to sit down we go around and start on the plans for everything. When everyone gets a turn to speak I tell them that they can leave. I on the other hand sit for another two or so hours going over the budget and making sure that we have enough money to do everything. At ten o'clock I have the whole event planned out in my notebook, I get up and gather all my things and place them in my bag. I leave building, walk back to my room in the dark, and change for bed. Falling into my bed with a headache, a dull throb in my right hand, and a brain full of thoughts of the next eight days I close my eyes and fall asleep.

A/N I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! And before any of you tell me yes I know this is a Tumblr prompt I just wanted to take a crack at applying it to Dramoine. Feel free to leave a review, follow, or favorite!

~Tardislover