I posted this earlier to my Tumblr and thought I should post it here as well. This was inspired by a picture edit made by reggiephelps on Tumblr which depicted Belle and Rumple as Hogwarts students. I had a lot of fun writing this and would gladly do more, so if you like it and want to see a specific Hogwarts AU for Rumbelle (or any AU for them) let me know! I'll be happy to try it =)

It all started when Professor Snape assigned Belle French and Rumple Gold to be Potions partners. Seventh years were required to master very complicated potions, and some demanded a second person chipping in. A few students were seen inching forward each other, much to Snape's displeasure. As punishment, he picked their partners by going in alphabetical order. French and Gold were right next to each other.

Everyone was afraid of Rumple, save the professors and a few older Slytherins who just outright disliked him. People avoided him in the corridors, and students sat as far away as possible in the Slytherin common room. Only a few days ago he had almost made Mary Margaret cry (It was a weak moment for her.).

Belle's fellow Ravenclaws gave her sympathetic looks as she moved her stuff over to Rumple's table. He greeted her with a sneer and curt nod. Belle had muttered hello, pulling her book towards her in an effort to distract herself from his stare.

Both of them prepared for an incredibly uncomfortable period, but somehow, they worked wonderfully together. Rumple was one of the most accomplished Potions students at Hogwarts (which was the only reason Snape liked him) and Belle was just brilliant. They passed the assignment with flying colors, getting the highest grade in the class.

They left the room with barely a glance at the other.

Next time they had to work together was three weeks later on a draught that needed someone stirring for a solid twenty minutes. Belle grabbed the spoon and began to swirl the bubbling liquid. Rumple added the ingredients. After five minutes, Belle began to feel an ache in her arm. Rumple noticed her discomfort.

"Lemme take it," he muttered. Belle looked up in surprise.

"Really?"

"I don't mind," he insisted. "We can alternate." Belle shrugged and handed the spoon off to him. She gave him a grateful smile, which he returned with a shrug.

Two weeks later, Rumple was so caught up in the potion that he didn't notice a piece of boomslang skin was stuck in his hair. Belle plucked it out, causing Rumple to jump.

"Sorry. It was bothering me," said Belle apologetically. She looked rather flustered.

"Thanks," he murmured in response, willing his heart to stop beating so furiously.

It was from that class on that they would say hello to each other in the corridors. Belle was the one who initiated it at first, but eventually Rumple would say it before her. Belle would never admit it to anyone, but it made her day whenever he greeted her. Rumple felt the same way.

Their "hellos" earned them odd looks from classmates, but they chose to ignore them. It made them happy, so why should they get worked up over others' opinions?

The next shift in their friendship - if you could call it that - was when Belle spotted Rumple sitting alone in the library. He was hunched over a sheet of parchment, alternating between scribbling facts down and checking them in a thick book.

Belle hesitated a few feet away, then squared her shoulders and walked over. She needed a place to sit, and all the other tables were filled. Besides, they were friendly enough to sit in silence and work. They did it in Potions every day.

"May I sit?" she asked. Rumple froze and slowly raised his eyes. For a split second Belle was afraid he would say no.

"Yeah, I guess. Knock yourself out." He returned to his Transfiguration essay, though every now and then he would glance at her from the corner of his eye. Belle took a seat across from him, pulling out her own homework. Neither of them heard the whispers that had started the moment she approached the table.

Studying in the library together became a habitual thing. They always sat at the same table in the back corner, far away from everyone else. Just as with the "hellos," Belle was usually the one to make contact. And every time she sat down, Rumple would gaze at her in wonder, as if he couldn't believe she was there.

One day in mid-Decmber, Belle was sitting alone in the library, reading a Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook. She wanted to do some extra studying, but none of her friends wanted to come. Luckily, she didn't mind being alone every once in a while.

She didn't notice Rumple sidling up to the table. She also didn't notice how he stared at her for a moment, admiring her look of concentration.

"This seat taken?" he asked finally. Belle's head shot up, and Rumple took a step back.

"I'm sorry, you scared me. Of course you can sit. You know that."

Rumple seemed pleased at her response. He set his bag on the ground and settled into his chair. Belle smiled, and he found himself unable suppress a grin.

"Then maybe I should apologize," he suggested. "After all, I scared you." Belle laughed, and Rumple felt his grin grow.

"If you want to. You don't scare me, Rumple Gold. I just wasn't expecting anyone to talk to me."

"I don't scare you?" He was stuck on that notion. Belle furrowed her eyebrows.

"No. Does that surprise you?"

He gave a little shrug. "I scare everyone else."

"Yes, well, they don't know you, do they?"

He stared at her with such intensity that Belle began doubt what she said.

"And you do?" Belle swallowed and fidgeted with her book.

"Well, I'd like to." She wouldn't meet his eyes. Rumple mulled it over.

"I'd like you to, too," he confessed. Belle looked up, her eyes brightening.

"Good." An impish grin appeared on her face. "You can know me too, if you'd like."

"I would like." A genuine smile slid across his face, and Belle felt her heart flutter in that cliché sort of way. He looked really handsome when he smiled. She wondered why she didn't notice before.

From that moment on Belle and Rumple were friends. They spent more free time together, and they would help each other with homework as opposed to working separately. They still enjoyed their study periods in the library, and Potions wasn't dreadful like before. It was actually fun, adding ingredients, watching the liquid bubble different colors, laughing at Snape chastising Regina Mill's potion.

This was all to the chagrin of Belle's friends (seeing as Rumple didn't have many). They didn't see why she wanted to waste her time with the creepy Slytherin boy with a weird name.

"Belle, he's no good. You know that," her best friend Ruby said one day. Belle shook her head.

"You don't understand. He's not that bad, honest." Ruby gawked at her like she had three heads.

Belle just couldn't describe it to anyone else. There was something about Rumple that made her feel comfortable and safe. He could make her laugh and smile. He wouldn't mind her telling him about whatever book she was reading. Once, when they were outside and it was freezing, he conjured up a pair of gloves for her. No other boy made her feel the way he did.

It was the end of January when Belle began to suspect her feelings for Rumple we're more than platonic. And while she wanted nothing more than to act on them, she kept them to herself. Rumple was not one for romance. He told her that several times. He always said "I'm a difficult man to love." Belle always shook her head in response.

"There is someone out there for you. You just have to believe it." Rumple merely scoffed and returned to his book.

Unbeknownst to Belle, Rumple was hoping that someone for him was her.

Hope you enjoyed it! =) Please let me know what you thought!