After the Battle of Hogwarts, Hermione decided to go on a holiday. France had always been her favorite place, ever since her parents had taken her there.

Hermione picked a very remote muggle town in the central part of France. She had heard it was very beautiful there that time of year. There were lots of flowers and green fields, which ensured a fresh and calming experience after the bustle and horrors of the war.

With that in mind, Hermione packed and was gone the next day. She reached the town at midday, found herself an inn and, after settling everything with the owner she went out to explore.

The surrounding area was indeed beautiful. Large green fields of flowers and orchards covered the hills as far as the eye could see. A forest began where the fields stopped. With a tinge of curiosity, Hermione decided to explore the forest as well.

After walking for a while through the forestry, bending down and avoiding the lower branches of the trees, she soon found herself in a glade.

She stopped and rested on the grass. She could see two paths opening in front of her, one to the left and one to the right. Even though the left one looked clear and inviting, she felt strangely attracted by the right-side path. Sure, it looked dark and ominous, but it had something almost magical in its appearance.

With a deep breath she took a few tentative steps on the narrow, shadowy path. She soon found herself almost completely engulfed in darkness, even though the sun was still up on the sky. The trees were so tall, and their crowns pressed together so tightly that no light reached the damp soil.

Feeling slightly nervous, Hermione stopped and looked around for a moment. That's when she heard an eerie music coming from up ahead. A few more steps took her in front of a tall iron gate. Behind it, Hermione could see a large garden, ending at the steps of a French style castle.

Hermione looked at it in awe. Its tall walls were covered in ivy and on each tower stood guard gargoyles and stone statues representing monsters and demons. She felt a shiver crossing through her body. Just as she was about to turn and leave, she heard the same eerie music again, coming undoubtably from the castle.

Hermione reached a trembling hand and touched the gate, only to snap it back quickly. There was no doubt, magic surrounded the place.

What does a magical castle do in the middle of a forest, in a muggle part of France? she wondered.

As if to answer her question, the iron gate opened with a loud creek, making Hermione jump.

This is getting weirder and weirder.

Pulling herself together she entered the vast gardens that apparently surrounded the entire area of the castle. After half an hour of walking she finally reached the stone steps that took to a pair of oak doors. She pushed them open and found herself in a large room, a grand staircase facing the entrance and a fireplace to the right. Two comfortable armchairs faced the warm flames, a small table between them.

Hermione stared in bewilderment at the interior of this strange castle. She had expected it to be vast, therefore she wasn't impressed by its sheer size. No, something else gave her a chilling feeling that something wasn't quite right. Despite the cracking fire and the warm light it emanated, there was a bone chilling cold that penetrated Hermione's clothes. The place was definitely touched by magic. But she couldn't decide in what way exactly.

A voice coming from her left made her jump in fright, losing all pretense and letting out a small yelp.

'Welcome, mademoiselle. Please come inside and warm yourself by the fire.' the voice said.

Hermione peered around, squinting her eyes in an attempt to see farther than what the firelight revealed. When a second voice followed the first, Hermione felt the hair at the back of her head rising in panic. She turned on her heels and tried to open the door, but it stubbornly remained closed.

'Don't be afraid, mademoiselle.' the first voice said reassuringly. 'We won't hurt you. We're just glad to see a new face around here.'

'Indeed, my dear. There is no need to be afraid. Come and get yourself warm by the fire.' a third voice said calmly. It was a woman's voice.

Hermione felt slightly calmer but was still looking around apprehensively. She took a few uncertain steps towards the fire, when she heard a growl coming from the staircase and the three voices gasped in unison.

A robust figure appeared from the shadows, pushing Hermione into a wall, a clawed hand grabbing her by the throat. The figure leaned forward and when it entered into a cone of light, Hermione's stomach lurched. She saw a huge beast, with long sharp fangs instead of teeth and light-brown fur all over its head and body. But what shocked Hermione the most was realizing just how human its eyes looked. They were a soft blue color, like the summer sky. Hermione stared into them bewildered, unable to make a sound.

A low, dangerous growl pulled her out of her daze, just as the creature tightened its grip around her neck. She fumbled with her hands, managing to grab her wand from her pocket. She threw a stunning spell at the creature and staggered backwards.

'YOU!' the creature said with a bloodcurdling growl. 'You're just like HER! YOU'RE A WITCH!'

Just as the creature was about to pounce on Hermione, the owners of the three voices she had heard appeared into the light, positioning themselves between her and the raging monster.

'Master, please, calm down.' said the first voice, who Hermione realized with another shock, belonged to a candlestick.

'Indeed master. I'm sure there is an explanation for all of this.' said the second voice, belonging to a table clock.

'Master, I am sure the girl meant no harm. Maybe we should let her rest for a bit and hear her story out.' the third voice said softly, with a tinge of motherly concern. It belonged to a teapot.

'You're all bewitched, aren't you?' Hermione dared to ask, slightly lowering her wand and looking at the three small figures that stood on the floor in front of her.

'Indeed, my dear.' the teapot said. Hermione could feel her smiling and just noticed she had a very pronounced British accent.

'We've been cursed years ago by someone like you. A witch!' the creature snarled, taking a step closer to Hermione.

'Sir, I am sorry for what happened to you and if indeed a witch put a curse on you, I apologize in the name of my kind.' Hermione said, as politely as she could, given the circumstances.

The creature merely scoffed, letting out another growl in the process.

'If you calm down and talk to me, perhaps I will be able to help you.' Hermione said patiently.

'Help me?' the creature said in a distinctive mocking tone. 'And how do you think you can do that?'

'Well, like you said, I am also a witch, and therefore with a bit of research I might be able to find a cure.'

'Good luck with that!' the Beast said sarcastically. 'The witch said only true love would save me from this curse. So, unless you are my true love, I don't really see how you can help me.'

Hermione's eyes widened in surprise.

'True love.' she mumbled. 'I have only heard about curses like this in fairytales, to be honest. I never knew they were actually real.'

Hermione looked up at the Beast, wondering what happened and who would possibly do something like this to those people. Without wasting another second, she started questioning them all on what happened.

Apparently, on a stormy night an old woman reached the castle and upon requesting lodgings for the night was turned down, quite rudely. She tried again to persuade the master of the castle and being refused again, she then transformed into a beautiful enchantress, who cursed every living soul in the castle to live like objects, while their master was transformed into that hideous beast.

'I might be able to help, if you give me a chance.' Hermione said quietly. Being a witch myself I might be able to figure out a counter curse.'

The three figures on the floor looked from their master to Hermione and at her words they stared nodding fervently. Their master, on the other hand, didn't seem convinced.

'Or you can stay like this.' Hermione finished, crossing her arms.

After a moment of pondering, the Beast nodded and growled his approval.

'Very well. But know that I will have my eyes on you for the entire time you are here. You are not to wonder about the castle unaccompanied. I don't trust you!'

Oh, the arrogance! He reminds me of someone. Except for the fact that HE is a beast on the inside, while this poor guy looks like one on the outside.

'Alright.' Hermione agreed.

'Follow me' he said gruffly.

They went up the staircase and to the first floor. The three small figures followed them shortly and they merrily talked to Hermione, presenting themselves. Hermione found out their names were Lumiere, Cogsworth and Mrs. Potts.

After a few minutes they stopped in front of a pair of big wooden doors.

'Here is where you can start your research.' he said, pushing the doors open.

Hermione let out a gasp and forgot about herself for a moment, as she took in the breathtaking view. Thousands and thousands of books were stacked neatly on bookshelves that reached from the floor up to the tall ceiling. Hermione entered and spun around, trying to see as much as possible.

The Beast cleared his throat pointedly. Hermione blushed and bowed her head slightly. She wondered if she would find what she needed there. It was, after all, a muggle library.

They slowly advanced through numerous stacks of books and finally reached the far end of the vast library, where there was a fireplace, faced by a large table and two armchairs. In the meantime, Mrs. Potts had prepared tea and served them each a hot cup, presenting Hermione a small, cute looking cup, that apparently was her son, Chip. Lumiere made sure all the lights were lit and Cogsworth positioned himself on the table, supervising everyone.

'They seem nice.' Hermione said with a small smile, looking at the animated objects and hardly imagining they were actually people.

The Beast followed her gaze and stared at his companions.

'Yes, they are.' he said in a low voice. 'They have accepted their curse better than I have. It's not fair they should live like this. Their only crime, after all, is having me as a master.'

They poured over the books, reading one after another. Hermione soon realized he wasn't so bad after all. He loved books, just like she did, and he seemed to have a kind heart.

After hours of reading, Hermione took a break, dozing off on an armchair. She unwittingly whispered a name in her sleep, attracting the Beast's attention. He moved closer quietly and watched her sleep.

'Someone who already has a special person in her heart cannot truly love another.' he said, sadness in his voice. 'Thank you for your kindness, Hermione.' he added brushing a hair out of her face.

Hermione woke with a jolt. She looked around blinking confusedly. She was back in the glade, laying on the grass.

'What the... was that just a dream?'

She looked around but could no longer see the magical looking path that took her to the Beast's castle. When she tried to get up, her hand brushed against something. A single red rose laid beside her, its crimson color resonating against the green of the grass.