* So Gaston *

School started three weeks ago and he was already bugging her every chance he got. She wasn't at all fond of him: he was egocentric, arrogant and a complete jerk. He thought that being in 5th year and part of the Quidditch team made him a catch for every girl at school. She had tried to tell him many times that she wasn't interested. In fact, she had emphasized it so much that she thought he had finally taken a hint, but there he went again, trying to chat her up in the library of all places.
"So, Belle... how did you enjoy the Quidditch practice yesterday?" he asked, leaning against the bookshelf and blocking her way out. Belle just sighed.
"I was just there for my friends. I'm not a sports fan, really." she said as she tried to move left. He moved again, smiling. She didn't look at him in the eye. That smile actually made her shudder.
"I heard you're an excellent seeker." he said. She rolled her eyes.
"Liam, I appreciate the compliment, but I really need to go." she said. Liam wouldn't budge. He just stared at her, smiling greedily and moisting his lips with his tongue. Belle tried to move forward but he moved closer to her.
"You know... Hogsmeade weekend is soon. I was thinking we could..." he started before someone cut him in.
"There you are, Belle! I've been looking to you everywhere. I have the table set and everything for our study session." Adam said, reaching out his hand to Belle. The 16-year-old boy between them looked at him. Adam looked back, defiant. Liam sighed and moved against the bookshelf, giving Belle space to finally walk away. The redhaired girl quickly took her friend's hand and made her way to him. They both left quickly to their table in the corner where Teddy Lupin was already reading a Potions book.
"I owe you big time. I've been trying to get rid of him for 15 minutes but he doesn't take a hint. He's just that thick!" she exclaimed, annoyed, and she plumped herself in the nearest chair.
"He has a thing for you, you know. He's been talking about you during Quidditch practices." Adam said, a note of annoyance in his voice.
"And I couldn't care less! I'm not interested in that git at all. God! He's so Gaston!" she exclaimed covering her face with her hands. He looked at her a bit confused.
"Gaston?" Teddy asked, confused. She took her hands off her face and looked at him.
"You know, Gaston. From 'Beauty and the Beast'. He's the guy in town who's trying to woe Belle into marrying him because he's so handsome, but he's nothing but an arrogant, egocentric and selfish prat who doesn't take her seriously." she explained. Adam smiled and nodded. After four years of friendship, he was very familiar with Belle's 'Beauty and the Beast' references. "I don't care if he's the king of England or the last man on Earth. I would never date him." she stated. Adam nodded, secretly relieved that Liam's courtship wasn't working on Belle. She sighed, took the nearest book and opened it. "I ran out of ideas on how to get rid of him. I hope he finally takes the hint someday and leaves me alone." she said.

On Saturday morning, students were all eager to finally enjoy a weekend outside the castle. Belle was in the gates reading. Teddy and Victoire had left 15 minutes before as they were having a date, leaving Belle and Adam alone.
"Wonderful book you're reading." someone said from behind her. She startled and turned her head to the voice. To her unpleasant surprise, Liam was looking at her with that eerie smile.
"Have you read it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well... erm... I... read many books in my life." he stammered. She rolled her eyes. "So... I noticed you're alone here. How about we head to Hogsmeade for a butterbeer? Maybe a little escapade to the alley?" he suggested. She shuddered. The mere thought of being alone with him made her sick. Unfortunately, she had ran out of excuses and everything she told him to dismiss him just made herself more and more desirable to him. She was about to say something when she saw Adam walking to them.
"So sorry I took so long, sweetheart. I couldn't find my scarf and then Professor Flitwick stopped me in the hallway." he said. Belle could feel his hand in hers, his finger intertwinning with hers in a very visible way. At the sight of this, Liam backed down a bit and looked at them confused. "So, ready to go?" Adam asked, then he did something she didn't think he would ever do: he kissed her cheek. She felt her face getting flushed and she just nodded. "Thanks for keeping my girl company, man." he then told Liam, and off him and Belle went. They were halfway through the road and to the carriages when Belle realised that they hadn't said a word since they left the castle.
"Erm... thanks for helping me with Liam." she said. Adam just nodded.
"He's been getting quite insistant. I hate that he wouldn't listen to you when you say no." he told her. She nodded, then looked at him and raised and eyebrow.
"You called me... sweetheart?" she asked, half smiling. He blushed and shrugged his shoulders.
"I thought that, if he saw that you were with someone already, he would leave you alone. Like the wolves left Belle alone when the beast came to her rescue." he said.
"So... you're my beast now?" she said, smiling. He blushed even more.
"Maybe." he said, smiling. She looked down and noticed they were still holding hands.
"You can... let go of my hand if you want. Liam's not around to see us." she said, secretly hoping he wouldn't want to let go of her. He looked at her.
"oh. yeah. Right. But... your hand's cold. I noticed you didn't bring your mittens with you." he said.
"I forgot them in the castle." she said.
"I... I wouldn't want your hand to freeze, you know. At least, until we get to the Three Broomsticks." he said. She smiled and nodded as they kept walking down the snowy road hand in hand. She was certain she didn't need a Gaston in her life. But she certainly wouldn't mind having Adam as her beast.