Disclaimer: Let's see… if the HP world was mine, I would be a mega-bajillionaire and live somewhere exotic… perhaps Paris… But alas, I am a minor-dollarnaire (I have about 3 bucks right now) and live in Hickville… sure… I own Draco Malfoy… (only in my dreams)… yummy… ^.^
~*Beauty is Found Within*~
Chapter 8As the days passed, I fell into an automatic routine. I would wake up, eat breakfast and go out to the greenhouse. Afterwards, I would spend time in the library researching about seers, prophets and the like. To my chagrin, there was barely anything to be found.
Nightly I joined the beast for dinner. Beneath his terrifying and rough exterior, he still had the soul of a human being. He knew a lot about magic, the dark arts, and even Muggle literature. I had discovered about the latter when I stumbled upon him in the library on my daily excursion to my book-laden sanctuary.
He was settled into a large, comfortable armchair, two small books perched on his knees, one of which he was writing in. He was so absorbed in his work that I couldn't bear disturbing him. Instead, I hid behind a bookshelf silently, one eye watching him and one eye looking for new books.
After a matter of minutes he stood and snapped his fingers, causing one of the books to disappear into thin air. I gasped softly, did he just do wandless magic? In all of the history books I had read, I only knew of three wizards capable of wandless magic; Godric Gryffindor, Merlin, and Voldemort.
Hesitantly, in case he should return, I edged toward the armchair where the minute volume lay. I picked it up and began flipping through the pages. To my immense surprise, it was a collection of poems from the most notable and renowned Muggle poets of all time, William Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, even Phyllis Wheatley were just a few.
An image caught my eye around the middle of the book. It was the profile of huge, white and black striped tiger. As I watched it in wonder, the great cat began to move, the millions of delicate strands of fur gleaming silver in the moonlight. A poem was printed on the opposite page. Sinking down into the soft chair, I began reading the timeless words.
The Tyger
By: William Blake
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears
And watered heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
I shut the book slowly, fingers grazing slightly over the silver fur of the graceful feline. I sat still for a while, hands unconsciously stroking the smooth leather cover. Cocking my head to the side, I wondered why this poem, this simple twenty-four line poem, affected me so much. Something about it struck close to home.
I stood unsteadily, unsure of where I should place the book. As I rose, one of the gorgeous hairpins Fizzy had conjured slipped from my hair and fell to the ground. In the midst of my search, I managed to kick it beneath a heavy table. I drew my wand and prepared to banish it, praying fervently that it wouldn't go sailing across the room like Professor Flitwick when Colin missed the cushion he was aiming for.
To my great relief, the table only scooted back a foot or two. I suppose that I was growing spoiled from having my every whim granted but I was surprised to see that the floor where the table had been previously was covered with dust balls and dirt. Then again, the library was suspiciously dusty. And, I had never seen a house elf go inside. Perhaps they were afraid of the looming bookshelves and dark draperies. Or, the beast could have forbid them from going in.
I spotted my pin beside a crumpled piece of parchment, yellowed with age. Due to my elephant's curiosity, I couldn't help picking it up, smoothing it out and reading it.
At first the parchment appeared to be blank. Then, elegant letters began forming in blood-red ink. I dropped the parchment in fear, immediately reminded of my second year. The parchment lay on the ground completely harmless as the words continued to appear in their graceful hand.
Yet again, curiosity got the better of me and I stooped to
pick up the parchment again. But before I could read it, a shaft of golden-red
light from the opening in the curtains played across the words, reminding me
that it was time to go to dinner.
I returned the table back to its
original spot and ran back to my room, stuffing the parchment into my pocket.
In my room, I found a gorgeous garnet colored dress with an elegant scooped neck and a fashionably flared skirt. As I lifted up the gown reverently, I noticed a beautiful set of ruby jewelry with a chain of rubies set in gold and a pair of delicate hanging earrings.
All Gryffindor colors, I noticed with a smile, the beast must have a sense of humor after all.
After dressing, I made my way to the dining room where I knew the beast would be waiting for me. He didn't often talk so I tried to fill the stillness with my chatter. Occasionally he would offer a sentence or a little tidbit of information but mostly he just sat and watched me. This night was no exception.
As soon as the food was served, I summoned up my courage to ask him, "Why don't you eat beast? Everything is so delicious."
He replied, "My hands are not built for handling silverware. The most precise work they can do is to turn pages."
I asked him again, "You like to read?"
"Of course," he answered, "it's the only thing that can distract me."
From what? I asked him silently. Then a thought struck me. If he spent time in the library, maybe he knew something about seers! I toyed with my food as I debated internally whether I should ask him or not.
He must have noticed my silence for he stood and said, "Thank you for joining me Ginny, sleep well."
I nodded detachedly, he had said the same thing nearly every night.
***
Later that night in the safety of my bedroom I pulled the parchment from my robe pocket and spread it out in front of me, hands trembling with both excitement and fear. I watched in fascination as the crimson letters began appearing again.
Speculum Magus
I show not your words nor your face
I show not your desire
I show the person in your thoughts
I show them to you, no more no less
What does this mean? I sighed, "I bet Hermione would know what's going on." I said softly.
Suddenly the parchment began to shimmer. I dropped it in surprise and backed away as it continued to spark and fizzle. As soon as it stopped, a picture materialized on it.
Trembling, I picked it up. What it showed me nearly made me drop it again.
It was my family! Mum, dad, Ron, Hermione… everyone was there, even my older brothers! As far as I could tell, they were all standing in the kitchen of the Burrow.
Mum was crying into dad's shoulder as Ron seemed to be explaining something to them. Even dad's eyes were glimmering strangely. I wondered what they were saying. I held a finger inches above the parchment hesitantly. I touched it lightly and instantly felt myself plunging headlong into a deep chasm.
When I "landed", I found myself in the very kitchen where I had seen everyone, except now I could hear them.
Ron was still speaking but I could barely hear him over mum's loud sobs.
"I've tried to go and find her," Ron beseeched mum, "But I can't make my way back to the castle."
Find? Who are you trying to find? I tried to ask them, but no words came out.
"Are you sure Ron?" Dad said, his voice strangely constricted, "I mean… you could have just made a mistake."
Hermione stepped forward shaking her head. "There's no mistake dad. Ginny's nowhere to be found. I tried all sorts of tracking spells and devices. I even went to a Muggle tracker for help!"
I gasped. They were looking for me! I opened my mouth again, desperate to say, "I'm right here guys! I'm right in front of you!"
Mum turned and glared at Ron, eyes still red and puffy. "She's your baby sister Ron!" She half shouted, half sobbed. "You're supposed to take care of her!"
Ron hung his head in shame and I wanted more than anything to tell mum that it wasn't his fault, that I had come of my own accord. But before I could, the room spun before my eyes and a new scene swam into view.
It was the park where I was supposed to make my speech. Several Ministry officials and my dad were seated at a long table. Behind them was a huge figure shrouded in a velvet cloth. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a very nervous Ron being reassured by Hermione as he shredded a pile of note cards to bits. Dad must have chosen Ron to take my place, as he had been Harry's best friend.
I watched as Ron stumbled up the stairs to the podium and shakily pull out his wand to cast a Sonorous spell on his throat. I watched in anticipation but before Ron could speak, I felt a small tap on the small of my back. I turned and looked behind me but no one was there. Puzzled, I looked back towards the high table. Another tap. I whirled around again, looked down, and gasped. Fizzy was standing there, a worried scowl (A/N: Is there such a thing?) on her normally cheerful face.
"Misses is very bad not to come to bed." She scolded, shaking her long finger at me. "Me and Lucy is looking for you all over!"
"Sorry Fizzy," I apologized sheepishly, "I didn't mean to stay so long."
Fizzy nodded and said, "But we is needing to get back now. You is needing to get your rest."
I nodded and she held out her hand. As soon as I grasped it, I felt a small tug around my collar, as if an invisible hand had picked me up. I landed on my bed with a small 'oof'.
"Now," Fizzy said, "I is needing to clean you up misses."
Not wanting her to lose her temper, I allowed Fizzy to fuss over me while I pondered over the mystery of the paper. Why had it shown me those visions? What did I say to activate it? Suddenly it all clicked. The paper was meant to show you anyone you wanted to see! Before the picture appeared, I had said, I bet Hermione would know what's going on. The paper must have recognized Hermione as a name and had shown her to me.
Strangely giddy at the thought of solving the puzzle, I settled back onto my pillows and closed my eyes. With luck, I thought as I drifted into sleep, I might be able to get to the bottom of this mystery after all.
A/N: IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow… I can't believer it… it's been nearly a month since I updated… I feel so
lazy and stupid… but since it's spring break and my projects are over and done
with… I'll be able to update much more frequently. But I'm having a few
technical difficulties… FF.net italicizes some of my things and leaves the
other ones… not italicized. If anyone knows how to fix it, PLEASE
let me know!
Now… I decided that it isn't Malfoy Manor… I'll explain where and what the
castle is later on. But for all you B&B buffs, when should the Beast start
asking G if she'll marry him. Should he ever?
Also, for Shakespeare fans… after this fic is over, I'm thinking of starting an
adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. I've already gotten some of the
characters. Ron for Don Pedro, Harry for Claudio, Ginny for Hero, Hermione for
Beatrice, Draco for Benedick, FrednGeorge for the constable, and Arthur for the
father (can't remember his name now). If anyone has suggestions for other
parts… let me know.
And now for all the Remus/Severus shippers. I'm attempting to write my first ever slash fic. Look for it. It will be called Painter and may have a few companions or sequels.
Time for Reviewers!!!
*Iden's Garden* Thanks for your suggestion! But I decided to make it a
different castle. But I REALLY value your opinion and thank you millions for
your help!
*gohansfan* Thank you for you undying support! You make me want to cry (for joy)! This chapter is solely dedicated to you! Without your help I don't think I could have come up with it! Your ideas and emails helped so much!
*JS12* XOXOXO girlie!!! Thank you thank you. ::bows, then looks up sheepishly::
*Spiriteth* I am continuing!
*Pegasia Silverfeather* I love your name!!! Hehe… Well I hope you like this chapter… it's a glorious 5¼ pages…
*Angie* Let me put it this way… Ginny's still kinda in shock and she can't really put it together. She's not stupid or anything… she'll get it soon. Anyway… it's good that we got that A/N thing cleared up!
*Moi* You haven't read them??? You HAVE to! They are soooo good! The books are called Rose Daughter and Beauty, both by Robin McKinley. Read them if you have the chance!
And as always… REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! O___o
