Disclaimer: MINE!!!!!!!! IT'S ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... ::ahem:: *looks around furtively in hopes that no on saw that* hehe... not really. The only things I own in this are part of the storyline, Hope, Harry and Athena Weasley (not Potter) and a few house-elves.

~*Beauty is Found Within*~

"Miss? Miss? Please wake up miss. It is time for eating." A small, squeaky voice jolted me out of my dream. It had actually been a good one too, but now I couldn't remember what it was.

I rubbed my eyes sleepily and sat up. I was to be lying on a deliciously soft feather mattress, a house elf hovering above me. Wait… a house elf?

I bolted upright, shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked up again. Yep, definitely a house elf. She looked stricken and was apologizing profusely. "Lucy is very sorry misses. Lucy is not meaning to frighten misses."

"It's all right," I gasped, "you just startled me, that's all."

She brightened considerably and said, "Well then misses, breakfast is ready for eating."

For the first time I looked at my surroundings. My jaw dropped, I was lying in a gigantic four-poster bed, completely made of rosewood and covered with rose colored and rose patterned sheets and blankets. The rest of the room was no less amazing. It was huge, with an enormous window letting in the bright sunlight. Snowy white, lacy curtains hung at the sides, held back by light pink sashes. The golden sunshine washed over the various cushy armchairs, beautiful tables, and the numerous silver mirrors. As I sat down in a comfortable chair before a small table, I noticed that everything in the room was covered in a light pattern of roses.

I ate my breakfast in silence as Lucy pottered about, making the bed and rearranging the roses on the dresser. I wondered what the beast wanted. If he was able to provide such a wonderful room for me, what would he possibly want with me?

Before I could think about it any more, Lucy said timidly, "If you please, misses, master is wanting to see you now."

I stared down at my plate; all at once I had lost my appetite. Was I ready to see this… beast? The one who had forced me to leave all my family behind?

Lucy's tremblingly spoke again, "Please, misses, master is not wanting to be kept waiting."

I nodded numbly and stood up, following her outside into a star shaped rotunda that led to a long, wide corridor. After walking for ages, we stopped in front of a large, wooden door. Lucy turned to me and said, "Miss is to go in alone. Master is waiting inside." And with a loud crack, she disappeared.

I placed my hand on the doorknob and gently eased the door open. Inside, I could see a dark room, the only light being provided by a flickering fire. A large figure sat in an armchair before the fire. A sudden spark threw a ray of firelight on the creature, showing a glimmer of silver fur.

"Welcome, Virginia," came a deep, rumbling voice.

My mouth opened, but no words came out. The figure rose and started towards me. I backed away automatically. "Don't be afraid," the voice continued, "I mean you no harm."

I could now see its face and I gasped. It was just as Ron had described it, so wild and yet with such a sorrowful and remorseful expression that it couldn't be anything but human.

He studied me carefully, "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing, sir, it's just that… I'm wondering why you want me here." I said, hardly believing my own daring.

"I already told your brother," he replied, "I'm lonely and I want a companion."

"B-but the house elves sir ---"

"I want human companionship." he cut me off. "You are to have dinner with me every night. You may do what you wish with the daytime. Call me Beast, I will not answer to Sir."

I nodded my agreement and fled out of the room. I ran for who knows how long, only stopping when my lungs burned for air and my heart beat painfully in my chest. I leaned against a wall; gasping for breath, and let the tears flow down my cheeks. Why was I crying? He hadn't done anything to me. But seeing the oh-so human expression on his wild face was utterly confusing.

I composed myself and looked around, I was in a corridor that I had never seen before. I walked along it, occasionally looking into the rooms that lined it and turned a corner. All of sudden I saw a white door, covered with faint dustings of light pink roses. A small sign by the door said 'Ginny's Room'.  Puzzled, I opened the door, only to find my beautiful, rose-covered room. I looked outside again, to see that the corridor had changed to the original star shaped rotunda.

I tried to go exploring, but every time I got lost, I would always end up outside 'Ginny's Room' again. It was very frustrating. I could never get anywhere. How was I supposed to "do as I like" if everything kept moving?

Finally, I was able to find my way to the Entrance Hall. Outside, the sky was a clear azure lined with fluffy clouds. The sun shone down softly on the expansive gardens and orchards. I walked around the giant maze of flowers, marveling at the many exotic buds and flowers. At the orchards, I picked a peach from a tree and bit into it, the delicious juice running down my chin.

After a while, I returned to my room, strangely happier than I had been in months. Lucy and another house elf name Fizzy brought me my lunch and stayed for the rest of the day, chatting a bit. I found their presences to be very uplifting; they eased the loneliness and silence somewhat.

When night fell, Lucy led me to a large armoire, where she pulled out a beautiful dark blue, velvet dress. It clung neatly to my body and flared out softly at the bottom. Fizzy snapped her fingers and my hair was arranged in an elegant bun. She snapped her fingers again and a delicate silver necklace and earrings appeared on my neck and ears.  

Soon after, I made my way to a large dining room, where one place was set at the head of a long table. Hesitantly I sat in the only chair present. Then, a deep voice came from the shadows, "I'm glad you came, Virginia."

"Please," I called out, "call me Ginny."

"Very well," it said, "Ginny."

The beast came out from the darkness and sat down in a chair that had been conjured out of thin air. Soon, some food appeared on my plate. Slowly, very aware that the beast was staring at me, I started to eat. It was very delicious but I ate sparingly; I could feel the beast's bottomless silver eyes upon me, watching my every move.

Finally, I put my fork down and said to the beast softly, "I don't think I can eat anymore. I'm afraid I've never had much of an appetite, nothing like my brothers."

I heard the beast emit a low, rumbling sound. I was unsure of what it was at first. Then I looked at his face, the teeth were bared in what could almost be called a smile. The beast was laughing!

I didn't know why I was so surprised. Every creature should be capable of laughter and merriment after all. But the seriousness on his face had misled me to believe that he was incapable of laughter.

I smiled back at him, glad that I had been able to make him laugh. I stood and started walking out of the room. About halfway to the door, I paused and turned around. The beast was no longer there. Surprisingly, I was almost disappointed that he had left so quickly. But so did you, I reminded myself.

I walked slowly back to my room and stood at the window for a while, looking at the beautiful gardens bathed in milky-white moonlight. My breath hitched in my throat. What were Ron and Hermione doing now? I wondered if they had had any news about Hope.

I offered a silent prayer to the stars, wishing for the safety of my family. I surprised myself by praying for the beast; he had seemed so lonely and sad that I couldn't stop myself.

I walked over to my bed, where I found a nightgown waiting for me. I slipped it on and crawled into bed. The last thing I heard before I drifted into dreamland was Fizzy whispering softly, "Don't worry Lucy, they will learn to love each other."

A/N: Well there you go!!! First contact between Ginny and the Beast! Next chapter, explanations and new discoveries! REVIEW!!!!!!!

*gohansfan*  Thanks so much for your continued support! Don't worry, I'm still posting this chapter……… the 5 review thing was only an incentive……… hehe. ^.~

*riverchic1998* hehe……… I'm glad you like it!

*Angie* Many thanks. I really like the original version too. That's why I chose it over the Disney version. Lucius turned Draco into the beast because he betrayed him (see chapter 4).