Disclaimer: My only ownership in this story is how I fuse the characters into our well-known fairy tales.
A/N: This is quite a bit longer than the other chapters, but I know you won't mind. Please review! Thanks!
Once Upon a Time at Hogwarts
Beauty and the Beast
Hermione sat up and wiped the bit of drool from the corner of her mouth. It appeared that she had fallen asleep over a book. Nothing unusual, then. A pair of annoying giggles brought her attention to the two girls across the room from her in their ill-fitted finery. It was Padma and Parvati Patil, and she would have thought she was seeing double if it weren't for the different color of the dresses, though the style was exactly the same. She smiled at them, but the girls just rolled their eyes and left the room in tandem.
"Beauty," a voice called from the room that the girls had disappeared to. "Beauty, please come in here."
It took a few seconds before Hermione realized it was her that was being called into the room. She had never been called a beauty before. Curious, she gently set the book aside, which appeared to be a fascinating read on the old English kings of the past. She treaded over to the entry way and peeked in to find a small but cozy room with a lighted fireplace. Mr. Weasley greeted her with a smile from his threadbare armchair and beckoned her over to the adjoining one. Hermione sat, and only then caught a glimpse of the Patil sisters and their twin glares at her before they left the room.
"Ah, don't mind them. I don't think they ever liked your nickname, Beauty. They don't realize that they have grown quite beautiful as well. I suppose it may be a difficult thing for each to realize that they will always have someone just as beautiful as they are. They don't see that their inner traits can add more to their beauty, and diversify each from the other in that respect," He sighed, as if it was something he thought about often, to the point of weariness, and Hermione's heart went out to him. Arthur Weasley was always a kind man.
"Now," he mustered himself, and Hermione saw he had something important to tell her, "I have received word that one of my lost trade ships has found its way back to our port in town. The other girls have asked for some new dresses and such. What shall my Beauty wish for?"
Hermione smiled at him, "Nothing more than your safe return, of course."
Mr. Weasley smiled, "That is a kind sentiment, daughter, but I would look the worst of cads to come home with only enough for two daughters. Really, what do you wish for? New books, a piece of jewelry, some new clothes for yourself?"
Hermione glanced at the clothes she had on. She could tell they had seen better days. It was not wise to get one's hopes up, though, and Hermione knew what would come of this story. "A rose," she said, and tried to keep the pain out of her smile. She knew what it would cost this honorable man in the end.
Mr. Weasley patted her knee with a grin, "A rose it will be then, my fair daughter."
Hermione got up and went back to her book, feeling that the conversation was now at an end.
Mr. Weasley was trembling, from cold, weariness, and fear. In his despair from having to come back home and face his daughters empty-handed, he had gotten himself lost in the woods. The sun had set an hour ago, and the darkness was starting to settle in. It was close to winter, and days didn't last so long as they used to. The draft horse beneath him snorted and shifted uncomfortably at the sounds of the forest nightlife and the twigs snapping around them.
He patted the horse and smoothed a hand down its neck, "Don't you worry, girl. We'll find home soon. My luck can't be that bad."
He felt he should eat his words, as within the next few minutes, the distinct call of a werewolf started up, howling to the moon from across the woods. This brought no comfort to the poor draft horse, which stamped nervously and hesitated. Mr. Weasley took a firmer hold of her reigns and prayed for aid. The prayer was answered when he saw a flicker of light. It was too low to the ground to be mistaken for a star, and he steered the horse towards it through the trees. She was still hesitant, but sensed the confidence of her master and mustered her bravery.
"That's a good girl," Mr. Weasley encouraged, squinting through the woods to make sure his target was still within sight. After a few minutes, they came to an iron-wrought gate, which, mysteriously opened by itself when they approached. Arthur saw a stable just beyond, and so did his horse, snorting in happiness and trotting towards it eagerly, earning a chuckle from her master.
Once his horse was settled, warm and munching away happily at some food left conveniently in one of the stalls, Mr. Weasley headed out to see if there was anyone to whom he could thank belatedly and beg off some sort of shelter for the night. He felt a bit overwhelmed at the castle that loomed in front of him. To think that this hunk of rock had been hidden in the woods all this time! He'd never heard of it, nor seen it before, but was too exhausted from his travels and disappointment for curiosity.
As the gates had done, the heavy front doors opened before he could lay a hand on them to knock, and Mr. Weasley hesitantly stepped in, searching for servants. He found none.
"Curious," he muttered, before walking in. He followed the firelight to a large dining room with a large fireplace that beckoned him with its warmth. Once he felt thawed and warm enough from the fire, he noticed the exquisite smell of food. A look to the table revealed a place set for one, with various covered dishes surrounding it.
He sat hesitantly, saying a silent prayer, both in thanks and forgiveness to the owner of this grand place. Lifting the lid from the nearest dish revealed one of his favorite foods, and his appetite flourished with abundance. Indeed, by the time he was finished eating, he was quite unwilling to get up from his chair.
He ruefully patted his belly. It might be best if he searched the castle for someone to thank. Mr. Weasley hated nothing more than seeming ungrateful. He walked through several rooms, all well lit, but none with occupants. After about half an hour of fruitless searching, he stepped into a room, and, seeing the bed, gave into the temptation to sleep.
He woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed and unworried than usual, considering his situation. He patted the bed in silent thanks and proceeded to make himself as presentable as possible, hoping to find the master of such a generous household. He found, to his surprise, an outfit laid out for him, and upon trying it on, relished in its fit. He had lost quite a bit of weight after his descent from gentility, and was not able to afford much in the way of a new wardrobe. Hence, most of his clothes had been a bit baggy. Surely this was magic! He looked out the window to see what kind of weather he would be facing on his journey, and saw, to his amazement, what looked like a garden in full bloom, as though it was spring, and not the beginnings of winter, as he knew it was.
"Amazing," he muttered to himself in wonder. Surely he had not slept that long!
After seeing to himself, he ventured out, searching once again for anyone to whom he could give his thanks. He found nothing but a breakfast set out for him, to which he thanked his host aloud, even though no one was around. He wondered if the castle was sentient.
Disappointed, he set out to get his horse and leave, not wanting to impose on such a generous host more than he had to. He found his horse as hale as she had ever been, tossing her head in greeting and neighing happily. He chuckled when she butted him gently with her head as he untied her from the stall.
"Had a nice night, did you, girl?"
Both horse and master cheerfully made their way across the grounds, not feeling so helpless about their journey now. Arthur had the feeling that they would be able to find their way home this time. They were heading past the entrance to the gardens when Arthur did a double take. He stopped the horse and dismounted, heading to the garden. Within where all sorts of flowers, but his eyes were only on the abundance of roses, in every color, spread over the whole garden.
He smiled. There was at least one daughter he wouldn't be disappointing. Maybe the other girls would accept some flowers as well in apology. Some marigolds, perhaps?
He stepped towards a bush on which roses of deepest red grew, almost black at the edges. He rubbed a velvet petal in approval, and set about cutting a small portion away, small enough not to be too noticeable. He was just about to look over the surrounding area to see what could appease his other daughters, when a snarl from behind set his hair on end and his whole body trembling in fear. He grasped the stems of the roses hard, their thorns biting into his flesh, and turned to see a beast. Horrified, he backed away, hands in front of him in supplication and protection, though it looked as if he would be receiving neither from the beast, who stalked closer, its large form looming over him and blocking the cheery sunlight of the day.
"Ungrateful wretch," it growled, its mouth distorting to form words that no normal beast should be able to say, "After the hospitality I have reluctantly given, you have the nerve to take what has not been offered." A snarl ended this sentence, and Arthur trembled at the fanged scowl and the dark burning eyes that seemed to pin him to the spot.
The beast looked him over with distain, "I'll give you a few minutes to say your prayers." His sarcasm was not lost on Mr. Weasley.
"Please!" He called after the beast desperately, who had turned to leave him. The beast stopped, and Arthur took this as a sign that he was listening. "Indeed, I am not ungrateful. I have come upon hard times, and have found it hard to disappoint my daughters, especially my youngest, who truly deserves better than her situation. Her only request was a rose, and I found the temptation too great to resist as I passed your garden. I will do anything to gain my charitable host's forgiveness for this slight."
"Do not call me charitable," the beast grumbled, his back still turned. "I will forgive on one condition: that you send a daughter to take your place. If none are willing, you will return here in three months. Make sure to say your final goodbyes before you return, if that is the case."
"I promise," Arthur's voice warbled weakly. He knew he couldn't give up any of his daughters to the beast, and therefore was resigned to the fact that his life was going to be quite a bit shorter than he had planned. Tears pricked his eyes. He had so wanted to see all his daughters happily established in their own households.
"In the room you stayed last night, there is an empty chest. Fill it with what you desire and it shall be sent to your home," the beast stalked off, and Arthur mused distractedly that he still did not know his host's name. He did as the beast bade, and soon had enough finery for all his children to be satisfied. They never even need know that he had been here. He could have just as easily gotten such goods from the ship.
His journey home was a bit somber, as he thought about the consequences of his actions, and what his daughters' reactions would be, if they were to ever find out.
Hermione welcomed Mr. Weasley back with a smile. It was a relief to have someone home that was in her corner. Her sisters were disdainful of her at best, and her brothers, who turned out to be the Weasley twins and Percy, where either obnoxious or pompous. He returned the smile, though it did not seem to be his regular easy going grin. Hermione escorted him to a chair by the fire to recover from his journey. She didn't notice until he handed them to her, that he had a handful of roses.
"Thank you," she took them, but gasped and set them on the side table when she noticed the puncture wounds stained with blood that were caused by the rose thorns. She fetched a bowl of Murtlap Essence and proceeded to wash his hand, being gentle. The wounds healed after a few seconds. "What happened?"
Hermione made sure to have a no nonsense tone about her, as she had seen Molly take on when wanting answers. She saw as Mr. Weasley's lip quivered.
"It appears I won't be around for much longer."
That brought attention from his other children, who had all been exclaiming and delighting in the things within the trunk that had been brought home.
"Papa, what can you mean? Surely we aren't that bad off, now that you've received this wonderful blessing?"
This broke Arthur's resolve, and he proceeded to tell them of his ventures. After the tale had been told, Parvati and Padma glared at Hermione.
"If Beauty hadn't requested something so odd from you, nothing like this would have happened."
Hermione thought it would be too cruel to say in front of their father that the girls wouldn't be blessed with such finery if he had gone about it any other way.
"Don't worry, I will go."
Arthur looked at her, ready to protest, when the Weasley twins interrupted him.
"'course you won't."
"Seeing as we're going to slay that wretched beast."
"No worries father," they ended in tune, as always. Arthur seemed more appalled at this solution.
"The beast is too powerful for either of you to be able to kill, and even if he could be killed, I would not do such a thing. I am the one at fault here, and so I must pay the price."
All his children protested this.
"Let me at least go with you, papa," Hermione said at last, and the Patil twins smirked to each other. This would take her out of their way, for a while at least. "I am determined." A stubborn Hermione was an implacable Hermione. She would go with him even if she had to sneak out and follow in secret.
Mr. Weasley obviously knew her, as he relented reluctantly.
The Patil twins managed to cry at their leaving, but Hermione wondered whether they were not tears of joy, or if they had found some use for the onions in the kitchen.
The draft horse on which they both rode seemed to know where to go, and so father and daughter spent the time talking.
"You'll be interested to know that some suitors came by for Parvati and Padma while you were gone. I think it would be excellent if you would be there to give them your blessing."
Arthur almost agreed, but caught himself.
"You know that I won't be able to go back. You'll just have to tell them in my place."
"And you know how much they'll enjoy that," Hermione muttered, and both chuckled ruefully. They were soon at their destination. The horse made its own way to the stables, much to Arthur's and Hermione's amusement. She was in awe of the castle, which quite resembled Hogwarts, in a certain way.
The table was set for two, but Arthur felt he couldn't eat, not with the thought of meeting the beast again at any minute, and his fate short after.
"Come on," Hermione coaxed him, "It's your favorite."
He managed a little, for her sake.
Suddenly, they were not the only ones in the room. Arthur trembled and gripped Hermione's hand before letting go and standing up.
"Have you come willingly," grumbled a deep intimidating voice from the shadows beyond the light of the fireplace.
Suddenly Hermione wasn't quite so confident. Was it careless that she assumed the beast would be Snape? It could be Voldemort himself, for all she knew, ready to rip her to shreds if he didn't Avada her first!
Except, that wasn't how the story worked.
Hermione paled in mute horror at the thought of possibly having to pretend she was in love with a Voldemort-beast. She snapped out of it when Mr. Weasley nudged her.
"Y-yes," Hermione stuttered, not knowing whether she could stand, so she stayed seated.
"You have kept your promise. You may part ways tomorrow. Whoever is to leave can never return." With that, the presence was gone, and Hermione felt slightly relieved that she hadn't seen the beast, and therefore, didn't know exactly what she was getting into.
"Daughter, you had better go tomorrow. I will stay."
"Nonsense," Hermione frowned, "You have unfinished business to take care of at home. Let us leave it up to providence whether I am to survive this." Hermione was stubborn in this as well, and they parted for the night with no words, but a tearful hug.
In the morning, after a surprisingly good sleep, Hermione met Mr. Weasley at the front of the castle. It was a bittersweet parting, Hermione leaving blessings with him to give to her sister's marriages, not even venturing to think how her future situation would be.
When he was out of view, lost to the forest, she sat at the steps of the castle and cursed, even as she knew that she had to follow the story line. She would not see Mr. Weasley end his life without a bit more happiness given him.
She was determined to make the best of the time she had left, and so gave herself a tour of the castle. She was surprised to find a door on the third floor that had her name on it. She opened it to find a room as tasteful as she could ever have wanted. It had a luxurious bed, a nice wardrobe, and her own bathroom, but all these were dwarfed significantly by the fact that most of the walls were covered in bookshelves that reached to the ceiling. A cheerful fire crackled in a fireplace, and Hermione warmed at the thought that she would not have received such fine apartments if she were to die.
"If only I could see how Mr. Weasley is faring," no sooner had she said it, than a giant mirror in the corner of her room flickered. She ventured forward cautiously, but gasped when she saw through it that her father had made it home safely, if looking a bit depressed. Her sisters certainly didn't seem so sad to see that she was not there. Hermione snorted. Good riddance.
Hermione sat at the dining table, feeling a bit spoiled, as it appeared that her favorite foods were provided, and there was a soft music in the background. She squeaked in fright when she heard a chair being pulled out from down the table. It was the beast. His back was facing the fireplace, and she could only observe his profile, noting his large hulking stature, broad shoulders, and big nose.
"May I?" he grumbled, as though reluctant to be polite.
"It is your castle. You may do as you see fit."
"No," his growl caused her to tremble a little, and so he toned it down, "You are mistress here now, and if my presence distresses you, I can leave. If you'll answer me, do you find me very ugly?"
Hermione was shocked at his question. Was the beast vain? Maybe it was Lockhart again? She had never thought much of her own appearance, and so didn't feel she was the best judge.
"I cannot say, as I have hardly seen anything but your profile, but I know from my father and my experience thus far that you are a very generous host, if a little covetous about his greenery."
She saw one of his large eye teeth glint in the reflected firelight as he gave a beastly smirk. "Yes, but other than that, I fear I am a useless creature, a fool."
"One who understands himself will never be called a fool," she replied, wondering whether she should be stroking the beast's ego. She said what was honest though, and it appeared he liked her the more for it.
The beast seemed a little surprised at the complement, for he hemmed and bade her eat, which she was already doing. She smiled and continued to enjoy her supper.
"I hope you will be content here," he grumbled after a while, as if he had gotten his nerve back. She almost chortled to herself, amused at the thought that she could ever be able to unnerve one such as him. She was almost certain the Beast was Snape. She decided to experiment, while still staying truthful.
"Indeed, in your kindness, I hardly notice any deformity."
"I'm still a monster," he muttered, as if trying to remind her of how intimidating he could be. Hermione wasn't falling for it. She decided to push her luck even more.
"There are many people I have met that deserve that name more than you do, for all their beauty. In fact, their beauty seems to disfigure them all the more, at least in their attitude and actions."
"Thank you," he growled out, and she guessed that he was quite embarrassed, to her delight. He didn't say anything else for the remainder of the meal, and she was almost sorry for it. It wasn't often that she had decent conversation, considering who her siblings were, and what their situation had been for the last little while. The beast had its redeeming qualities to be sure.
"Beauty, will you marry me?" He growled out reluctantly and abruptly, once she had finished her meal. Shocked, she could only stare at his profile for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry, but no," she replied. She felt bad, but knew she couldn't. She didn't even know which person he was behind the beastly exterior!
The beast growled, and she was a bit afraid of him now, but he only bid her goodnight before leaving, stopping at the doorway to look back before he disappeared.
Hermione felt bad, but knew she wouldn't be able to marry the beast at this moment, even if he were the most handsome man on earth. From her experience, outer looks were a fickle thing.
It appeared to be a nightly routine for them. A pleasant conversation, a pleasant meal, a terse proposal, and a stilted parting.
Hermione was a bit sick of it after a while. One night she told him up front, "I wish I could say yes, but it wouldn't be an honest answer. You are a good friend to me, but I cannot."
"Promise you will never leave me then, Beauty," He replied after a few seconds.
Hermione hesitated. She knew from the mirror that Mr. Weasley was doing very poorly, still in regret and agony over his decision. She wished with all her might that he could see her situation. "I would love to stay forever, but my father is still ill at the thoughts of how he has left me. If I have no way to assure him, I'm afraid I won't ever be truly content to stay forever."
The beast thought on this for a while before replying, "As I said before, I wish you to be happy here. If it will make you easy, you may go back to him, but I don't think I will live much longer afterwards."
This shocked Hermione, as he seemed healthy enough. "You are a great friend of mine. How could you think I would leave you to die? I promise I will only be gone a week, and will then be with you forever, if you wish. My brothers and sisters are well enough. It is only to my father that I wish to bring relief."
The beast consented, giving her a ring. "This will take you to your father's house. Take it off when you get there. When you are ready to return, put it on and think of me, and you will return."
Hermione nodded and accepted the ring. She recognized it as a Portkey and slipped it on, vanishing and then appearing seconds later in front of her house.
Needless to say, Mr. Weasley was pleased to see her alive and well. They had a tearful reunion (on his part), before he summoned her brothers and sisters, as well as their husbands, to visit. Hermione snorted when she saw that one had married Draco Malfoy, who appeared just as vain as in real life, and that the other had married Michael Corner, who seemed to be quite a nuisance to her sister. Neither looked very blissful at their marriage, and Hermione found herself grateful for her own fortune.
She told them about her adventures, and how kind the beast really was. She didn't mention him asking her nightly to marry her, not wanting the beast to be ridiculed, even if he wasn't there to hear. Mr. Weasley was only disappointed that she could only stay a week. It appeared, to Hermione's surprise, that her sisters missed her as well. They did everything they could during her visit to make her feel happy, and begged at the end of the week for her to stay a bit longer. Hermione, not expecting this from anyone but her father, was surprised at this, and decided that a few more days wouldn't be bad. Surely the beast would understand.
On the third night past the week she had been granted, she woke from a terrible dream, in which the beast was dying. She gasped and grasped for the ring, not caring that she was only in her nightgown. A second after it was placed on her finger, she was back in the castle. She ran all through the castle, searching and calling for him, with no answer. It was all just a bad dream, right? She eventually made her way to the gardens, where she finally found him, close to a small stream.
She had no breath to speak with so she fell to the ground and checked for a pulse, her hands trembling. She found a heartbeat, and sighed in relief. She splashed some water on his face to revive him, and was relieved that he was not in some coma.
The beast blinked up at her. "Ah, Beauty," he spoke, voice gravelly from disuse and blinking as if not sure he was still dreaming, "I could not eat, knowing you were gone forever, but now I can die content at seeing you one last time."
Hermione snorted, "Nonsense. Stop the dramatics. I didn't come all this way to see you die. I've realized I can't live without you." With those words, it seemed the castle was in celebration. Hermione saw fireworks shoot off into the night sky, the lights in the castle seemingly dancing in each of the windows. She looked back to see how the beast was faring, only to realize a prince was in her arms. In her shock she dropped him and stood up. He grunted, but looked up at her and smirked in a way that was very familiar. It was Severus Snape.
"Where is the beast?" Hermione asked faintly.
"Right here, you know-it-all," he replied, gesturing to himself, his smirk growing more smug. "It appears you broke the spell placed on me. I suppose I owe you a favor." He offered a hand and she took it, but found herself pulled down into his lap. She blinked up at him and couldn't stop the thought that Severus Snape was quite charming as a prince.
"Kiss me," he breathed, his face looming closer, dark eyes burning, and Hermione nodded, even as she closed her eyes to accept his kiss. It felt like a dream, but she couldn't deny how much she enjoyed the pressure of his lips on hers, before she was lost once again to the mist.
A/N: Hope you liked it! The tale I based this on was the one written by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont. A fitting name for the author of this tale, I'd say. Anyways, please review! Thanks!
