This is a soul-mark AU. Fem!Harry. Slytherin!Harry. One-Shot that is now being expanded. I try to update every Friday, but please subscribe/follow/favorite for updates.

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Holly Potter watched as Hagrid loped down Diagon Alley, before she turned and pushed open the heavy door of the robe shop.

There were piles of fabric, trim, and accessories as far as the eye could see. Holly looked down at the massive hoodie that swamped her petite figure. It had once belonged to her cousin Dudley. Perhaps it would be best to purchase a few extra outfits while she was here.

She trailed her fingers along the luxurious bolts of fabric, heading towards the back of the store where she heard feminine voices speaking back and forth.

Holly swept a piece of her long black hair that had escaped its braid behind her ear. Her Aunt and Uncle had tried their best to cut her wild hair off repeatedly, but it would just grow back thicker and longer overnight. Eventually Petunia had given up and taught Holly how to braid her lengthy hair into intricate braids to keep it tidy.

Hagrid had briefly explained to her that a witches hair was considered sacred, and a symbol of her magical power. Extremely long hair like hers was indicative of a very powerful witch. It was what prevented her Uncle and Aunt from being able to keep it short. He instructed her to keep it up at all times, as it was a great honor for her to allow someone to see her hair let down.

Hair now secured, she peeked behind a curtain that separated the front from the back of the store.

There were several women standing around chatting while a blonde boy stood on top of a raised platform having black school robes fitted to his tall form.

A small witch that had a measuring tape looped around her neck looked up from where she knelt pinning up the hems of his robes.

"Hogwarts dearie?" she asked and Holly flushed at the term of endearment. She nodded her head shyly. No one had ever called her something like that before, and the kindness would take some getting used to.

"Pop up on the platform then, I'll be with you in just a moment."

Holly walked over to the platform next to the blonde boy and rose to stand on it. In front of the platforms were a long series of mirrors that allowed her to view her own reflection as well as his.

The boy on the opposite platform was taller than Holly, and bigger. She knew she was skinny and short for her age, an effect of not being well cared for by the Dursleys. Yet her hair was always long and thick, and her skin always flawless and pale.

The boy next to her had skin as equally pale as Holly's and his hair was so blonde it was almost white. His posture was immaculate, and he carried an air of refinement that made Holly feel drawn to him.

He turned to look at her, and Holly blushed furiously as she realized that she had been staring at him for several moments. He smiled back confidently at her and she tried her best to meet his gaze and not look shy.

He was wearing upscale clothes, and Holly wished she was not wearing Dudleys' hand me downs. She wanted to be refined and confident like him.

"What house do you think you'll be in?" he asked, and Holly struggled to think of a response. She didn't know anything about the different Hogwarts houses, except for their names.

"I- I'm not sure. What about you?"

"Slytherin. Malfoy's are always in Slytherin," he said with a haughty smile. Before Holly could question him further another witch came over to her platform to discuss her needs.

"Well, I need the school robes for Hogwarts, but I think I also need several extra outfits. I don't really have any clothes that are just for me...but I have lots of money,"she said, opening her coin pouch to show the shopkeeper.

The woman took a step back upon seeing the large amount of coins in Holly's purse.

"What did you say your name was?" she asked politely, though Holly knew she was probably wondering why a child was wandering around alone with so much money. Holly noticed that the boy and his mother were watching the scene unfold from their platform, while trying to remain their facade of indifference.

"Lady Holly Potter," she recited quietly while giving a small curtsy, as Hagrid had taught her on their way to London. Apparently she had inherited her parents title when they passed all those years ago.

The shopkeeper did her best to tramp down her obvious shock and pleasure, and returned her curtsy. "Lady Potter, it is a pleasure to serve you. Welcome back to the wizarding world, my dear. It will be my pleasure to help dress you, but to get your proper measurements I will need you to remove this baggy hoodie."

Holly nodded and reached up to pull the oversized hoodie up and over her braided bun. She was left in her tank top and baggy jeans, that she had rolled over in an attempt to make them fit a bit better.

Holly could see the concern in the shopkeeper's eyes as she looked at her. It was obvious to the shopkeeper that Holly was significantly smaller than other children her age.

"Don't worry Lady Potter, we will get you fully outfitted for your return to the wizarding world. Now hold out your arms to the side, hands forward, so I can get to work."

Holly complied and tried her best not to blush at the extra attention. It was nice to have someone concerned about her, even if she was unused to it. In the mirror she could see the blonde boy had continued to stare at her, and his mother was looking at her with sympathy.

Suddenly the look on their faces changed. Their gazes were locked on her outstretched right arm, and Holly summoned all of her courage to hold her head up with pride. She could not help her birthmark, even if her Aunt and Uncle told her it was freakish and weird.

The shopkeeper finished up her measurements quickly, and told Holly she would be back in a few moments with a selection of fabrics and styles for her to choose from. When she left the room, the boy and his mother came over to speak with her.

His mother was a vision of beauty. Her long platinum blonde hair was braided into an elegant updo, an emerald and diamond studded comb keeping the whole thing in place. Her emerald green robes set off her pale complexion flawlessly.

She curtsied to Holly as her son bowed slightly, "Lady Potter, I am Lady Narcissa Malfoy, and this is my son Heir Draco Malfoy," she said with a soft smile. Holly smiled back at her, enraptured with her presence. She wanted to be just like Lady Malfoy one day - powerful, confident, self-assured.

Draco was still smiling at her as if she was something magnificent, and Holly relished in the warm feeling that flooded her when she caught his eye.

"I know it may seem unusual Lady Potter, but may I ask if you are treated kindly by your guardians? Why are you here alone?"

Holly looked at her feet. What could she say?

No. They think I'm a freak. They hate me. They hurt me.

She could deny it, she could tell them she was fine. Holly knew that she was not a liar, however, and this could be her one chance to get help.

Clearly, Hogwarts must know, and not care. They had watched her closely enough to know she lived in a cupboard under the stairs, but never intervened. That must mean that they knew how terribly she was treated by them. They couldn't have missed the days she spent locked inside the cupboard without food, or all the injuries she incurred at their hands.

"My Aunt and Uncle, they- they hate magic. They never told me about my parents, or that I was magical. They tried to forbid me from coming. They tried to hide my Hogwarts letter, but the school sent Hagrid to find me. He went to run an errand while I got my robes."

Lady Malfoy's friendly gaze had darkened as she spoke, and Draco looked positively furious. Lady Malfoy looked down at Draco, whose hands had balled into tight fists, and placed a calming hand on his shoulder.

"Summon your father," she told him softly. Draco pressed his thumb into a large signet ring on his finger before he looked back up at his mother, face set resolutely.

"Now, if you don't mind my interference, I can help you pick out some styles while we wait for Draco's father to join us. I know exactly what you'll need for the coming year," she offered with a kind smile, and Holly agreed readily. She had never had someone take so much interest in her, let alone be so kind to her.

While Lady Malfoy consulted with the shopkeeper, pointing out different cuts and colors that would look good with Holly's coloring, Draco was regaling her with stories of his childhood escapades. Occasionally Lady Malfoy would hold up a fabric or a design illustration for Holly's approval or disapproval, and Holly revelled in the feeling of freedom she got from being allowed to make the final choice on every outfit.

Draco's face lit up when he talked about his family, and his adventures at Malfoy Manor. Holly determined that she would do almost anything to keep that look of joy on his face. He had just finished telling her all about why Slytherin was the best Hogwarts house when his father walked through the door.

His mere presence commanded respect. He stood well over six feet tall, wore all black and carried a cane in his right hand that had a snake's head for a handle. He glided to Lady Malfoy's side immediately while he looked over at Draco, making sure he wasn't injured. It was most unusual for Draco to summon him. Lady Malfoy waved away the shopkeeper, and rolled onto her tiptoes to whisper in her husband's ear.

Lord Malfoy's eyes snapped to Holly, where his gaze softened infinitesimally at the sight of her. His eyes flicked to the birthmark on her arm and then between her and Draco, who was now sitting silently, waiting for his father to speak.

"Lady Potter, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Lord Lucius Malfoy." He bowed at the waist and Holly curtsied in return. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to, but she figured it couldn't hurt. Hagrid hadn't had time to get into the finer parts of etiquette on their trip to Diagon Alley.

"I hope you will forgive the impertinence of this question, but do you wish to return to your muggle guardians?"

Holly sucked in a breath, shocked.

What did he mean, exactly!? Her Aunt and Uncle had been very clear that no one would ever want her, that there was no one else out there to take care of her, or they would have gotten rid of her at the first chance. Could Lord Malfoy truly help her? At best she hoped someone might be able to convince the school to let her stay there over the holidays, or force the Dursleys to stop hurting her. Could he truly make that happen?

"I don't....I don't want to return...but I don't have anyone else. No one cares about me. I have to go back," she trailed off dejectedly.

Lord Malfoy's gaze softened once again, and he held out his hand to her, and she took it.

"Dear Lady, I don't know what those muggles told you, but that is not true. There are many in the wizarding world who would have helped you had we known where you were, or how you were being treated. I care, my wife cares. Draco obviously cares about you," he said with a knowing smile.

"Do you know about soul marks?" he asked, leading Holly to a chair in the corner, with Lady Malfoy and Draco in tow. She nodded in the negative, and the Malfoys exchange loaded look as she settled in the chair. Lady Malfoy took it upon herself to explain.

"In the wizarding world, witches and wizards are lucky enough to be given soulmates by Mother Magic. Every witch and wizard is born with a soulmark. For example, I have a mark on my back in the shape of a peacock, an animal synonymous with the Malfoy family."

Holly gasped and stroked her "birthmark". Lady Malfoy smirked down at her knowingly.

"Yes, my dear, that is a soul mark. Did you know that Draco is named after the dragon constellation?"

Holly took in another sharp breath, "Does he-," she couldn't finish her sentence. Could it be possible that Draco could be her soulmate? That she could be cherished by someone and taken care of by this family?

Lady Malfoy patted her hand reassuringly, "Draco has a Holly leaf on the back of his left knee, dear. You have a legal right to be under the guardianship of your soulmate's family until you turn seventeen, if you wish. We are not perfect, as many may think, but we will never hurt or neglect you. You will be safe and cherished."

Holly was in shock. Was this true? Could she finally be safe? Could she be cherished?

She looked around, and saw that Lord Malfoy and Draco had wandered off to look through a large stack of emerald green fabric. Holly knew they were trying to give Holly and Lady Malfoy a little space to speak privately, and allow Holly to make her decision.

"Yes," Holly whispered, "Yes please. I don't want to go back there. Please don't let Hagrid take me back to them. They aren't kind people."

Lady Malfoy embraced her briefly, and then turned to Lord Malfoy and Draco. "Alert the lawyers, Lady Potter would like to invoke her right to stay with us until she comes of age. And send the house elves to collect her things."

Holly tugged on Lady Malfoy's hand gently, "There's nothing there that I want from there, Lady Malfoy. The only things worth saving are the things I bought today."

"Of course," Lady Malfoy said easily, though Holly could see that it saddened her that she had been treated so badly.

"Well my dear, once Lucius gets those missives sent off, we can go. It would be best to return to the manor for now. We can have your supplies delivered to the manor, or come back another day. The lawyers will have to sort out the paperwork, but it would be best to avoid any scene with Hagrid or Dumbledore. They can be stubborn when they don't get their way."

"Let's go then!" Holly said nervously, as she began to shake in fear. She did not want to go back to Privet Drive.

Draco took that as his chance to return to the conversation, as his father was still sending out owl after owl out with letters to the headmaster and family lawyers.

"Mother, I added some of the Slytherin spiritwear to Lady Potter's selections. She'll need them for quidditch games!"

Holly blushed, flattered that Draco thought she was worthy of Slytherin, based on his glowing praise of the Hogwarts house. She didn't know what quidditch was yet, but she had every intention to find out as soon as they had a spare moment. Narcissa smiled down indulgently at her son, "Of course she will dear, thank you for thinking of her."

Lady Malfoy looked to the shopkeeper who was using her wand to wrap the clothing and accessories into various wrappings, and boxes with emerald ribbons wrapped around them. "Please bill everything to our account, and have it all delivered to the manor."

"Of course, Lady Malfoy," the shopkeeper rattled off absentmindedly while she continued to wrap the packages.

"Oh no, I couldn't let you do that Lady Malfoy-" Holly began, before she was cut off. "Save your money for something more exciting than the bare necessities my dear. It is our pleasure to provide for you! I'm ecstatic to have a girl to buy for!"

Holly gave into her insistence, and allowed herself to be taken care of for the first time. Lord Malfoy finally finished up sending off her owls, and rose to his feet.

"Let's depart dear ones, it's best that we don't dally."

Holly nodded and when Draco offered his arm to Holly she took it with a broad smile on her face as he led her towards the fireplace. When the flames turned green he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Holly snuggled her face into his robes as she closed her eyes and heard him shout "Malfoy Manor".