Belle stared at her Arithmancy homework, the numbers blurring before her eyes. Draco's words echoed in her mind: "What about what's best for you?" She glanced at Ginny and Luna, who were engrossed in their own studies, unaware of the turmoil brewing within her. She watched how Luna's silverly blonde hair shone in the light. How Ginny's quill scratched rapidly against the parchment.
Belle sighed, trying to relieve the tension building in her chest that threatened to suffocate her. It was as if both her mind and heart were trying to overwhelm her. She shook her head to try to clear it.
"Are you alright, Hermione?" Ginny asked, noticing Belle's distraction.
Belle forced a smile. "Yes, just... thinking about something Draco said."
Luna looked up dreamily. "Malfoy often says things that make you think."
"Don't let that prat get to you," Ginny said. "He's always trying to twist things to his advantage. Let me know if he bothers you again."
Belle nodded absently, her quill tapping against the parchment. She'd always valued honesty and being true to herself. Back home, she'd stood up to Gaston and the townspeople, refusing to conform to their expectations. Yet here she was, living someone else's life — albeit not by her own choice.
As the evening wore on, Belle's concentration waned further. The weight of her situation pressed on her mind. She thought of all the people who believed she was Hermione. What would they think if they knew the truth? And was it fair to them to keep up this charade?
Belle tried to focus on her work. She jotted down explanations she found in the book about the numbers. She knew it wasn't her best work. She knew she could do better. But in truth, the professors already had low expectations of her because they knew she wasn't Hermione.
Finishing her essay, Belle decided to call it a night.
"I think I'll head to bed now," Belle announced, gathering her books.
Ginny looked concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Just tired," Belle assured her, forcing another smile.
"I'll come with you," Ginny said. "I'm pretty much done for the night anyway."
"Good night," Luna called to them as they left.
Ginny talked to Belle about what they'd seen in the forest. "I've never seen anything like it," she said. "I wonder now if Hagrid will try to 'civilize' Cliffa like he did Grawp."
Belle hardly listened. Her mind was still on Draco's question. The experience in the Forbidden Forest seemed like a long time ago now. How had he been able to get under her skin that much?
As Belle and Ginny passed through the Gryffindor common room, a mix of emotions washed over her — wonder at the magical world she found herself in, excitement at the knowledge she was gaining, but also a twinge of longing for her own life and identity.
"Hey," Ginny said as they reached the spiral staircase. "Try not to worry too much about what Malfoy said."
"I'm not," Belle lied. Ginny raised her eyebrows. "Okay, I am," Belle said. "He just got to me."
"He has a way of doing that," Ginny said bitterly. "I wish I could tell you something better. It's a tough situation for all of us." Emotion and weariness tinged Ginny's voice.
Belle felt a rush of empathy for Ginny. Ginny hadn't asked for this either. Her friend had left and replaced her with someone else, leaving Ginny to take care of the aftermath.
As she prepared for bed in the dormitory, Belle caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. Hermione's face stared back at her, so like her own yet different somehow. Belle's uncertainty and conflict reflected in Hermione's eyes.
She climbed into bed, drawing the curtains around her. In the darkness, she whispered to herself, "Is it right to keep pretending, even if I didn't choose this?"
Belle tossed and turned, her mind racing. She thought of her father, of the Beast, of her life back home. She'd always longed for adventure and learning, and she was getting that in droves. But at what cost to her sense of self?
Then she considered the kindness shown to her by Ginny, Luna, and the others. Their world was recovering from a terrible war and stability was crucial. Was her continued impersonation truly helping maintain that peace?
As sleep finally began to claim her, Belle made a decision. She would continue her role for now, appreciating the incredible opportunity to learn and experience this magical world. But she would also try to be as true to herself as possible within the constraints of her situation and work harder to find a way to switch back with Hermione.
"I'm grateful for this chance," she murmured into her pillow. "But I need to find a way to be myself too."
With that resolution, Belle drifted off to sleep, her dreams a swirling mix of enchanted castles and magical spells, of home and of Hogwarts, of who she was and who she was pretending to be.