A Tale As Old As Time
Summary: A loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, within Marauder Era Hogwarts. A James and Lily romance.
Slightly AU. i.e. Remus Lupin is NOT a werewolf.
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J K Rowling and Beauty and the Beast belongs to Disney. I don't own anything!
Prologue
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young wizard, heir to a magnificent fortune lived in a great manor. Although he had everything his heart desired, the wizard was spoiled, selfish, and unkind.
But then, one winter's night, an old muggle woman came to the manor and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold. Repulsed by her haggard appearance and lack of magic, the wizard sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty and true magic are found within. And when he dismissed her again, the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The wizard tried to apologise, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no compassion in his heart.
And as punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast. However his true form would only be revealed when the moon waxed full. His handsome face became only a mask, hiding the monster within.
The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted rose, which would bloom until his entrance into the Wizarding World as an adult.
If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell, then the spell would be broken. If not, he would be doomed to become the beast permanently for all time.
As time passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope. For though girl after girl threw herself at his feet, he could love none, neither did they truly love him.
Only one could break the curse. But who could ever learn to love a beast?
Hope you like the idea!
cloth-of-gold
