Laying in her bed in the Gryffindor Tower, Belle felt absolutely exhausted. She and Ginny had spent the day completing the Potions essay and working through Ginny's incomplete homework. Belle had attempted to read through Hermione's homework for the other subjects to familiarize herself while Ginny worked. She'd been completely lost. It seemed to help Ginny with her homework though, so Belle saw that as a bright side.
In general, this homework business seemed like a lot of extra work. She loved to learn and read, but having to write down arguments and document things seemed perhaps a bit unnecessary. Belle never had a formal education. Her parents had taught her to read and write. Belle helped her father with his inventions and sometimes came up with her own, but nothing so formal as this.
Ginny still hadn't figured out who she knew that took Arithmancy or what to do about that homework. Hermione had started it but had not completed it yet. Ginny had suggested just turning that in and speaking with the professor privately when Belle had a chance. It seemed like the best option so far.
As Belle drifted off to sleep, her thoughts turned towards her father. She hoped he was doing okay.
Belle dreamed of her parents in their apartment in Paris. They were sitting on either side of Belle, discussing everything and nothing. She loved being between them and feeling their love.
Belle's mother stood up and Belle followed her to another room. The door opened into a cool, peaceful forest. Belle's mother smiled at her and disappeared. Belle took in her surroundings. She'd never been to these woods before but felt immediately at home as she strolled across the path. Belle ran her hand along a tree trunk. "Hello," she murmured, to the tree. "How are you doing?"
Belle enjoyed talking to trees. They were some of the best listeners. When she held her hand against the trunk of the tree, she could always feel an emotion from the tree. Generally, trees were very positive, but sometimes she could detect other emotions such as fear or anger. They loved hearing her stories. Trees don't move after all and rely on information from others about the rest of the world.
"Hello, Belle," a familiar voice said from behind her.
Belle turned to see Hermione. Belle patted the trunk of the tree and walked over to Hermione.
"Hello," she said. "Is this somewhere you chose this time?"
Hermione looked around a soft smile on her face. "The forest of Dean," she said. "I came camping here with my parents a long time ago."
"Where are your parents now?" Belle asked.
"Australia," Hermione said. "Under different names than the ones they were born with. I modified their memory."
"Australia…" Belle mused, the name unfamiliar to her. "I'm not sure where that is. Is it quite far?"
"Very far," Hermione confirmed. "It's over on the other side of the world. Perhaps you know about China? It's a small continent in the Southern Hemisphere below China."
Belle racked her brain. "I believe I came across a place called New Holland when I was reading a book written by Dutch explorers that meets your description."
"That's it," Hermione confirmed. "It was later claimed by the British and I thought it would be safe for my parents but also familiar enough language-wise."
"It must be hard to not be able to see them," Belle said.
"It is," Hermione said, her eyes filling with tears. "I miss them so."
"I was just thinking of my father," Belle said. "I hope he's all right. Have you heard anything?"
"I'm afraid not," Hermione said. "I still haven't mended my relationship with the Beast and I don't think I can get very far without his help."
"Did you learn more about the organ?" Belle asked, disappointed that there wasn't more news of her father.
"Yes," Hermione said. "His name is Maestro Forte and he indeed has an influence over the Beast. I intend to break that influence."
"Good luck," Belle said. "Do you have a plan?"
"Not yet," Hermione said. "But I'm sure I'll figure something out. How are things going with you?"
"Well, I spent most of today with Ginny in the library working on homework. We have no idea what to do about Arithmancy or Ancient Runes as she doesn't take those subjects," Belle said. "Oh, but this morning I took a wrong turn and ran into Draco Malfoy. We walked to breakfast together. I was so scared he would discover me."
"I wonder if that would be a bad thing," Hermione mused. "Ron and Harry would say it would be, but in the past two weeks of interacting with him, Draco seems very different than before. I think the war changed him for the better."
"He seems to suspect something is off about me," Belle said.
"Keep your guard up," Hermione advised. "And watch to see how he behaves. Now, as far as Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. I'm afraid I don't have a better answer for you. I have extensive notes about them on my desk. You mentioned having extra lessons with the professors. Maybe they can advise you on how to catch up."
"That's okay," Belle said.
The landscape darkened suddenly and Belle woke up to the meowing of Crookshanks who sat perched on her bed.
"What is it?" Belle asked, sleepily.
Crookshanks seemed to give her a scathing look.
"I know I'm not your mistress," Belle whispered. "But I was just talking to her in my dream. She's the one who switched us with her magic spell."
Crookshanks sniffed Belle once. He didn't seem happy, but he jumped down from the bed and trotted off.
Belle fell back onto the pillows. Classes started tomorrow. She felt both excited and nervous. She was excited to learn, but also nervous because she knew she'd have no idea what was going on.