Hermione sat alone in the dining room for dinner with the enchanted household servants keeping her company.
"Your master won't be joining me for dinner then?" Hermione asked as she ate her soup.
"We're not sure, dearie," Mrs. Potts said. "He's been out all day."
"He should be hungry after a day in the woods though!" Cogsworth chimed in.
As if on cue, the door burst open and the Beast prowled inside.
"Master! You're here!" Lumiere exclaimed. "Excellent."
"I'm starving," the Beast said by way of reply and threw himself into his seat at the other end of the table. His cutlery had assembled itself the moment he walked into the room. He tore into his food, devouring it with a ferocity that made Hermione glad for the long table—she could avoid the food spray.
When he slowed somewhat, Hermione broke the silence. "Did you have a nice time outside?"
The Beast grunted but made no reply.
"I'll take that as a yes, then," Hermione said wryly.
Hermione watched as the Beast continued to eat with an almost primal intensity, his focus solely on the food in front of him.
"Your castle is truly magnificent," Hermione tried again. "There are so many hidden nooks and crannies, I doubt I could find everything in 10 years."
The Beast paused mid-bite, a glint of something unreadable flickering in his eyes as he slowly raised his gaze to meet Hermione's. His expression softened for a fleeting moment before the mask of indifference settled back onto his features.
"Magnificent?" he echoed, his deep voice rumbling through the room. "To you, perhaps. To me, it feels like a prison."
Hermione frowned, taken aback by his unexpected admission. "But it's so grand, so rich with history," she ventured, gesturing to the elaborate tapestries adorning the walls and the intricately carved furniture that filled the room. Hermione noted Cogsworth puff up with pride at her words.
The Beast's gaze swept around the dining hall, lingering on the opulent decorations before returning to Hermione. "Yes, it may be grand on the surface," he conceded, his tone tinged with bitterness. "But every corridor, every room, every shadow holds memories of my past mistakes and regrets. It feels confining and suffocating. A reminder of everything that I've lost."
"And what, precisely, have you lost?" Hermione asked.
"My freedom," the Beast said. "My ability to leave this place and be among others."
"Well, you have me now to keep you company. If you'll let me," Hermione said. "And you have a castle full of staff who care deeply for you."
The Beast flinched. "They are constant reminders of my failures. What I cost all of them," he said so low Hermione almost didn't hear him.
Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere exchanged surprised glances and then a silent agreement passed between them. Clearing her throat gently, Mrs. Potts spoke up, her voice taking on a soothing tone. "Master, we had no idea you felt that way. Please know that we don't blame you for this." She sighed. "If anything, we blame ourselves."
"You blame yourselves?" the Beast said, astounded. "How could that be?"
"We did nothing to protect you from your father," Mrs. Potts explained. Lumiere and Cogsworth hung their heads and nodded their agreement.
"Indeed," Cogsworth said. "We could have done so much more to help you. Kept you from getting so jaded."
"Oui," Lumiere agreed. "We should have done more to honor your mother's memory."
"You can't possibly blame yourselves," the Beast replied. "There's nothing you could have done. I let myself go down that path of negativity."
"Even so," Mrs. Potts said. "We want you to know that we're always here for you and care deeply for you. And, if I may be so bold, I see you like another son to me."
"…You don't hate me?" The Beast said. "I was sure that—I thought that everyone but—I thought everyone resented me."
"Hate you!" Cogsworth exclaimed. "Heavens no."
"You're our beloved master," Lumiere cried.
"I thought that only Forte understood me…" the Beast mused. "I guess I was mistaken."
Hermione observed the entire exchange with fascination. Hearing that the Beast was reconsidering Forte's trustworthiness on his own made her happy. This would make things much easier.
Hermione addressed the Beast, her eyes filled with compassion. "It's understandable why you would feel that way, but please believe me when I say that you are not alone in this castle," she said softly. "You have friends here who truly care for you, who want to support you and see you happy."
The Beast looked at Hermione, his eyes reflecting a mix of doubt and longing. "But how can I trust that?" he asked, his voice heavy with uncertainty.
"You can start by trusting in the goodness of those who stand by your side," Hermione suggested, her voice gentle yet firm. "Let go of the past mistakes that weigh you down and embrace the possibility of a brighter future."
Mrs. Potts nodded in agreement, her warm smile reassuring. "We're all here to help you find your way back to the light, Master," she said. "You deserve happiness just as much as anyone else."
Cogsworth added, "And remember, true strength comes from within."
The Beast furrowed his brow, "I thought that my anger made me strong," he said. "But maybe relying on others is a different type of strength."
"Indeed, master!" Lumiere exclaimed. "It takes courage to trust others."
The Beast nodded slowly, seeming to ponder everyone's words. "Thank you all," he said. "I'll take my leave now."
He stood up and exited the room. Hermione wondered if he was going to visit Forte.
"I'm finished as well," Hermione said. "Thank you for a delicious dinner. I think we made some real progress tonight."
"Agreed," Cogsworth said.
"Anytime, dearie," Mrs. Potts said with a wink.
"Good night," Lumiere said.
Hermione waved at all of them and headed out the door, the scurrying of the enchanted household staff clearing the table echoing behind her.
Walking in the direction of the West Wing, Hermione hoped to find Fife along the way to have an excuse to visit Forte. As if her thoughts had summoned him, she saw him hopping around a corner in her direction.
"Ready to bring me to the maestro?" Hermione asked Fife with a smile.
"Y-yes, miss," Fife said, his voice trembling. "Are you sure? Something's off with him right now and he's in a terrible mood."
"Yes," Hermione said, her grin widening. "I am completely sure."
Fife led Hermione up the stairs and through the corridors until they reached the West Wing. The double doors opened immediately for Fife, as if they knew him. Hermione supposed that the door did know him and that it was enchanted like everything else in this castle seemed to be.
Hermione realized that she hadn't heard the sounds of music like she normally had on other visits. Had her interference worked?
Fife led the way to the organ's antechamber. As Hermione crossed the threshold, she realized she could hear music, but it was very faint now. She also realized they weren't alone. The Beast was there.
Hermione slowed, wondering if she should come back another time, but the Beast saw her. He rose from his seat and prowled towards her.
"What are you doing here?" he asked a note of anger creeping into his voice, but nothing like before.
"I apologize for intruding," Hermione said. "But Fife here told me that Maestro Forte would like to meet me."
Upon hearing his name, Hermione saw that Forte's eyes opened and fixed upon her, blazing with surprise and irritation. This was the first time she'd stood face-to-face with the intimidating organ.
"Ah, so this is our new guest in the castle," Forte said. "Master, you mentioned she is an enchantress. Perhaps she would know why I suddenly cannot play my music to its fullest. Why it is so subdued, barely a shadow of its true brilliance."
The Beast looked at her curiously. "Yes, Forte and I were just discussing this. His music is much quieter than normal."
"While I do know quite a bit about magic, I don't know much at all about music or musical instruments," Hermione said truthfully. "How did this change come on?"
"I was playing my glorious music as normal this afternoon when the sensation of not being able to breathe came upon me," Forte explained, as he continued to play his music. "While it has been so long since I physically had lungs, it feels as if what should be my lungs are constricted and I cannot draw a full breath. Each note I try to play comes out stifled and weak, lacking the force and clarity I'm accustomed to."
"Really?" Hermione said, inwardly glad that her and Cogsworth's plan had worked. "To me, you sound incredible."
Forte's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Do not try to placate me, enchantress," he growled, the notes in his voice falling discordantly. "I know when my music is not at its peak. There is foul play afoot, and I will not rest until I find out who is behind this treachery."
Hermione raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He was showing his true colors and she would let him.
"Forte, let's not point fingers just yet," the Beast said. "From what I can tell, Hermione genuinely wants to help us."
Forte's gaze shifted between Hermione and the Beast, a malevolent glint in his eyes. He continued to play, but the melody now had a sinister undertone that sent shivers down Hermione's spine.
"Didn't you tell me only yesterday, master, that this enchantress deceived you?" Forte asked. "That she took away the sweet girl you'd come to admire?"
"I didn't do it on purpose!" Hermione exclaimed. "Well, I did, but I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I didn't realize how much I'd be affecting other people. I'm truly sorry for that and want to make amends in any way that I can. That's one of the reasons why I'm determined to help you break the spell that's preventing all of you from being human."
"The other staff seem to trust her," the Beast said. "I've decided to give her a chance."
Hermione beamed at him.
"Don't be foolish, master," Forte said, playing soft soothing music. "Nothing good can come of magic. Look what happened to us."
"If a spell can be cast, it can also be broken," the Beast replied. "I've decided to let her try."
"Thank you," Hermione said. "I am most grateful to you. Perhaps in the morning, we can talk strategy?"
"Yes," the Beast said. "Let's do that."
"I look forward to it," Hermione said. "I will take my leave then. It was nice to meet you, Maestro Forte. Your music may sound different to yourself, but to my ears, it is lovely."
Hermione nodded her head at both of them and walked towards the exit. She saw Fife staring at her in awe. She gave him a smile and a wave as she exited the room. From behind her, Hermione heard Forte mutter, "She must be tone deaf."
Hermione smiled. She had done it what she'd sought out to do. She had weakened Forte's influence on the Beast and had gotten him to accept her help.