Beauty and the Beast

by 52wbending52

Shy reserved Tara Banks has stolen the heart of Marauder Remus Lupin during the Hogwarts Masquerade Ball, only Remus doesn't know what her name is or who she is. He is afraid she'll find out his secret and think him a Beast, and Tara is afraid she won't be the beauty he met at the ball. I own nothing.

1. Chapter 1

It was a rainy Tuesday when Professor McGonagall announced that an upcoming ball would take place for all fifth, sixth, and seventh years. And said ball was to be a masquerade ball. All the boys groaned and all the girls squealed in excitement.

"A masquerade ball! Sounds like fun," said Alice.

"Sounds annoying to me," mocked Lily Evans.

I personally thought it to be like a romantic faery tale. Like Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, even Donkeyskin that chance and ability to be someone else and create a new identity.

My mind wandered upon this topic for weeks, but not necessarily like the other girls. I was excited-yes! I secretly adore, as I call it, 'grown-up dress-up.' But I didn't focus much on the males who would attend the ball nor what the other girls at Hogwarts would wear. I already knew I'd stand out that night. Most girls would wear a certain popular style and I personally didn't like that fashion. I liked princess dresses and French buns and panty-hose. They liked curled hair and high heels. To each his own. Or her own.

I was so embarrassed to be this excited about a silly ball, but how many balls am I going to go to in my life? Not many.

By Charms I was able to inform my best friend about this Masquerade Ball.

"Elle! Guess what!"

"I don't know, flying buttresses!?"

"No stupid! There's going to be a masquerade ball at the end of this month!"

"What? Really? That'll be a sight to see."

"Yep! And you're coming!"

"Merlin No! No way am I going to some grope fest to be molested by drunk arse-holes! No way in hell, Tara."

"Please! Please!" I gave Eliza my best bug-eyed face and pouty lip.

"I'm not going."

"You're awful, Eliza."

"I know," she responded but added at the end, "I'll help you with the dress though."

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"You better love me for this Tara."

"'Course!"

I might not have been able to get Elle to come with me, but I did get her blessing to go. It was strange for a Hufflepuff to not jump for joy over a ball, but Elle didn't like dances. Bad experiences with muggle dances, turned her off forever.

I did get the crazy sweetheart to help me with my weird gown tastes. This'll be great!