Following the sound of the organ music, Hermione re-entered the castle. However, once she was inside, she discovered that it was hard to figure out where the music was coming from. She stepped back outside and walked alongside the edge of the castle, tracing the sound of the music. It appeared to be coming from the second floor and 3 windows from the castle's edge. Hermione went back inside and climbed the stairs to the second floor and found her way to the correct side of the building. She could hear the music now that she was closer. Hermione followed the music to a small antechamber, which led to a much larger room.
Stepping inside the antechamber, Hermione saw a gigantic organ playing music animatedly while the Beast sat nearby. His body was turned away from the organ facing a fire in the larger room. His eyes were closed and he sat slumped in an armchair.
The volume of the music went from earsplittingly loud to softer.
"Tell me what's on your mind, master," the enormous organ said, continuing his music at a softer volume. The organ filled up an entire wall and the room already had a high ceiling. At the top of the organ, was a face. His eyes were fixed on the Beast, but Hermione was concerned she might be spotted by the organ, so she looked around for a place to hide. She found a shadowy corner in the room and sat behind a table.
"I don't understand what's going on," the Beast growled. "Two days ago, a girl named Belle came here and took her father's place. I saved her from wolves and I—" his voice broke off, emotion clogging his throat. He cleared it and continued, "I thought we were getting somewhere. I had started to hope she might be the one to break the spell."
"Indeed?" the organ said. "And what happened?"
"The next day, Belle acted completely different and claimed that she was not Belle. That she's an enchantress who switched places with Belle," the Beast said angrily. "Something did feel off about her, but I ignored it until I saw that her horse no longer recognized her and caught her speaking English."
"That is fishy," the organ said. "Poor master, getting taken advantage of by another enchantress. What are you going to do?"
"I don't know, Forte," the Beast said. "I don't know what to think."
"Don't worry, master. I'm here for you, just as I've always been," the organ called Forte said. He continued to play his music for a few moments and then said, "Well, if you ask me, this sounds very suspicious. You must not let her come close. Force her to leave if you must."
His words sent a chill down Hermione's spine. He said to force her to leave. What kind of power did this organ have over the Beast? Did he have any?
"She claims she can break my spell," the Beast said. "The others think I should give her a chance."
"You can't trust anyone who does magic," Forte declared, emphasizing his point with a loud chord of music. "Look what an enchantress did to us."
"I know," the Beast said. "I'm still thinking about it." He rose to his feet. "Thank you for listening, Forte. You're my closest confidant."
"Anytime, master," Forte said. "It is my pleasure and honor to do what I can to help you. After all, I'm the only one who understands how you feel. Trapped. Isolated."
The Beast prowled out of the room. Hermione sat there, holding her breath that he wouldn't spot her. He didn't.
"Fife!" Forte yelled once the Beast had left the room.
"Yes, sir?" a small, high-pitched voice said. From Hermione's vantage point, she couldn't see the owner of that small voice. Hermione could hear the metallic echo of something hopping across the room.
"Find out more about that girl who came here," Forte said. "See if she truly is an enchantress. If what the master says is true, she might be just as dangerous or even more dangerous than the master falling in love with a girl."
"Why is it a bad thing?" Fife asked.
"You imbecile! Right now, I'm the master's closest confidant. If we go back to being human, he'll look down on me again," Forte declared, playing a run of notes.
"Oh right," Fife said. "But she's really pretty and seems nice. Why can't you find out?"
"I'M BOLTED TO THE WALL!" Forte yelled. Hermione could hear chains shaking as if emphasizing his point.
"Remember, Fife, that I've been working on a piccolo solo for you," Forte continued, playing a higher-pitched tune. "It'll be perfect for the opera I'm composing."
"I'll start investigating right away, sir!" Fife exclaimed, and Hermione could hear the metallic sound of him hopping coming closer. As he passed into the antechamber, Hermione saw a small golden flute – a piccolo – hopping with determination through the door.
The music that Forte had been playing crescendoed and reached a volume that made Hermione's head hurt. She made to leave and heard the organ talking to himself.
"I must keep the master coming here to see me at all costs," he said to himself. "The music helps him. He confides in me."
Hermione took a peek at the organ and saw his eyes were closed as he played and talked to himself. She dashed out of the room. Once she was out of sight, she stood against the wall breathing hard.