After an awkward, yet successful meal in that Hermione had managed to have a full meal and conversation with the Beast, Hermione decided to try to find Fife again.
She wandered over to the West Wing, but hesitated at the top of the stairs, listening to the faint organ music. She had been told over and over not to go there. She wasn't sure if the Beast had left the castle or if he were still there. She stood there, feeling suddenly indecisive. Her basic nature of not wanting to break the rules held her in place, but her need for a solution drove her forward. Wishing she had Harry's Invisibility Cloak, she crept towards the double doors that she'd entered before to find Forte's lair. Opening the doors, the sound of music doubled in volume.
As she entered, she noted her surroundings anew. It seemed to be a large bedchamber. Though it was hard to tell because everything was destroyed. Not wanting to linger, she followed the music to Forte's chamber. As she peeked through the open doorway, she discovered that the Beast was, in fact, sitting there.
Hermione had to know what they were talking about. Taking a risk, she found her previous hiding place.
"What ails you today, master?" Forte said, over the loud organ music.
"Nothing ails me," the Beast said gruffly.
"Oh, come now, master," Forte said. "I can always tell when something is on your mind."
"Oh, all right," the Beast said. "It's that girl. She says that you're manipulating me."
"Does she now?" Forte said, a discordant note playing before going back to the somber tune. "But why would she say such a thing, master? Have I not been loyal to you, guiding you through these difficult times?" Forte's words slithered smoothly through the air, wrapping around the Beast's thoughts like a cunning serpent.
The Beast furrowed his brow, his gaze shifting uneasily. "I... I don't know. She just seems so sure of it. And now that I think about it, there have been moments..."
Hermione held her breath, straining to catch every word exchanged between the two.
"Perhaps she misunderstands our bond, master," Forte continued smoothly. "I only seek to help you unlock your full potential, to embrace the power that lies within you. Do not let her foolish words cloud your judgment."
The Beast shifted in his seat, a flicker of uncertainty dancing in his eyes.
Confused by the conflicting thoughts echoing in his mind, the Beast abruptly stood up, causing the organ music to halt with a dissonant screech. His gaze searched the room as if trying to escape the invisible grasp of Forte's words. Hermione shrank further into her hiding spot, feeling a strange mixture of guilt and urgency swirling within her.
"I... I need some air," the Beast muttered, his voice heavy with doubt.
"Very well, master," replied Forte into the eerie silence. "But do consider what I said. Trust in our bond."
The Beast turned and strode out of the room, leaving behind a tense silence that seemed to linger in the air.
"FIFE!" Forte blasted once the Beast had left the room. The suddenness of the organ's yell startled Hermione.
"Yes, sir?" Fife said, his voice trembling.
"Do you see what that girl is doing to the master?" Forte's pipes practically vibrated with rage, the discordant notes reverberating throughout the chamber. "She's planting seeds of doubt in his mind, poisoning his thoughts against me."
Fife fidgeted nervously, the high notes of his piccolo quivering in response to Forte's wrath. "But sir, what can we do?"
Forte's pipes let out an ominous rumble, the sound akin to distant thunder rolling across a darkened sky. "You must bring her to me," Forte said. "I'll take care of her."
"You aren't going to hurt her are you?" Fife squeaked. "She's actually really nice."
"Idiot!" Forte yelled. "You've been deceived by her treachery, her pretty face. Who's cared for you all these years? Who's writing a solo just for you?"
"You, sir," Fife mumbled.
"Then do as I say and bring her to me!" Forte declared.
"Yes, sir," Fife said. The music crescendoed to a deafening volume as the organ became enraptured in his own music.
Fife entered Hermione's line of sight. She waved at him to catch his attention and beckoned him over. Fife looked nervously between her and Forte. Seeing that Forte was engulfed in playing his music, he made his way over to Hermione.
"Miss!" he whispered. "You shouldn't be here."
"I know," Hermione said. "I was looking for you, but didn't know how to find you."
"You were looking for me?" Fife asked, astonished. "No one ever looks for me."
"I told you that we were friends, didn't I?" Hermione said, smiling. "Why don't we go somewhere else so that we can talk."
"You aren't mad that I'm supposed to bring you to Maestro Forte?" Fife asked.
"No," Hermione said truthfully. "I'm not. There was nothing you could do. Besides, I'm glad for an excuse to talk to him. Let's get out of here though."
"Okay," Fife said. "I'll go make sure the coast is clear."
Fife left the room and returned a few minutes later.
"The coast is clear," Fife said. "Follow me. And be careful!"
Fife hopped towards the exit, stopping to make sure that Forte was still playing music. Hermione followed, keeping a careful eye on Forte. As she left the room, she found herself able to breathe more freely.