Archive of Our Own

There are many different versions of the story you are about to embark on.

Many people would call this type of story a fairytale.

A tale written for children, a story full of imaginary beings and magic and overly happy endings.

But no one ever thinks about the emotions and feelings of the people involved.

This is the story of two young people thrust into a situation many would describe as scary and unfortunate when in reality, these two scared young boys battle through tough emotions. Two men from completely separate sides of life but together they share the same wishful thinking.

To find adventure and love.

Somewhere to belong and feel seen.

🥀

We enter this tale on a cold and wintery evening, like any other day the occupants milling around the multiple rooms are going about doing their daily tasks. Candles are being lit, chandeliers are being hoisted back into their correct places. The beautiful and one of a kind artwork are being lightly dusted. The brass and silver are being buffed and stored away carefully and correctly. The kitchen staff are finishing off washing the objects used at dinner. Quiet mumblings can be heard throughout the castle as the staff converse in the grand corridors. The staff are happy and content in their work.

There is soft music being played in one of the rooms off the left side of the keep. Maids are carrying multiple sheets carefully folded in their arms as they walk towards the double helix staircase that is situated in the grand entrance. Many of the maids and butlers enjoy using the staircase as it consists of two spirals that intertwine that look like one structure but in reality two people can walk up the grand stairs to go to the many rooms above at the same time but never pass each other. They would catch a glimpse of the other person through the many windows that travel up the middle.

The West Wing is where you will find the Queen when she insists on peace and tranquillity from the hussle and bussle of her day. Her chambers house a beautiful balcony where she can be found reading by her husband many days during the week.

The East Wing of the main part of the castle is where the King resides. There are many rooms that are used for his meetings with important high society people.

Chateau De Chambord is a majestic building and this is where our story begins…

“Ugh not this story again papa!” the little boy mumbles into his papa’s side.

“Ah but is it a story…if it really happened?”

Grumbling, the little boy looks up with a pout “No its a memory”

“Exactly!...Now where was i?”

🥀

December 1991…Château De Chambord, France

The sound of boots hitting the white marble floor is the only sound the King has in warning before there are loud two knocks upon his door to his chambers.

“Enter”

The large dark brown door squeaks as it opens, revealing the King's personal butler. He stands at attention in the doorway. The King raises his head from the papers on his desk to face him with a raised eyebrow.

“What is it Kenneth? Why come running when you know you shouldn't be?”

A look of shame crosses Kenneth's face as he bows his head. Taking a subtle deep breath, he stands up straight, squares his shoulders and looks up at the King.

“Your Highness, The Queen has begun her labour. She is asking for you Sir”

The King hurriedly stands up, takes long strides out of his chambers and makes his way towards the West Wing. As he gets closer his strides become faster as he hears his Queen's screams. The guards standing outside the door are wincing at the volume. They bow as soon as they see the king approaching.

Once he throws open the door to the Queens chambers he is met with the sight of blood and two maids trying to calm down the hysterical woman on the bed.

“My Dear I am here, No need to worry”

At the sound of his voice the Queen stops screaming and looks up with tears running down her face.

“My love, it hurts unbelievably so, please come and hold my hand”

Hearing her request he comes to her side in an instant, taking her small hand in his. He smooths her hair away from her sweaty forehead. He leans forward and leaves a long kiss in replacement of her hair.

“You can do this my dear, you take my strength and lets deliver our child together”

“I can’t do it” The queen shakily whispers “the pain is too much to bear”

As time went on the room was filled with screams and low voices of encouragement. Until thirty minutes later the screams suddenly stop and the small first cry of a baby is heard.

“It's a boy! We have a prince my love”

As the maid who helped deliver the little boy handed him over to the King, he failed to notice that his Queen didn't reply.

Staring down at his son and heir he was filled with so much love that he promised himself then and there that he will do right by his son and wife no matter what.

Turning back towards his Queen, he noticed more blood seeping into the bed linen. He walks back to the head of the bed to see his wife had gone a deathly pale colour.

“My love?”

With no reply he quickly turned towards the maid in the room. “Why is she not replying? What is wrong?”

The maid jumped at the loud sound of the King's voice and quickly went to check on the Queen. “She has lost a lot of blood, Your Highness, she is just resting I'm sure” she says in a voice that he could tell was being used to try and calm him down.

Another maid came over to the King, bowed her head and quietly spoke “Let us take care of your Prince and the Queen, Your Highness. Maybe you could go sit down and regain your breath and then come back”

Nodding his head he passes the small bundle over to the maid without looking and walks out of the room into the next smaller room where his wife sits and reads.

He sits down with a hard thump in his exhaustion and takes a deep breath. He is scared, the birth was traumatic to witness, no one told you to expect that much blood!

🥀

An hour later the door to the Queens chambers opens and in walks the maid who is in charge of the labour. She has a grief stricken face when she looks up to the King.

“Your Highness, you should come in and say your goodbyes”

At that statement the King stands up so fast he makes himself a bit dizzy.

“What do you mean goodbyes? What's going on?”

“I'm sorry, my lord but we couldn't stop the bleeding. Something must have happened when the prince was born. The Queen is dying and there's nothing I can do to stop it” The maid has a tear falling down her cheek while she explains herself.

The King huffs and barges past the maid to get to his wife's side as fast as he can. What he is met with is the Queen covered to her shoulders by her royal blue bed covers. She looks peaceful. She looks like she is asleep. Her uneven breaths is the only way the King knows she is still alive.

Taking her small hand in his, he bows his head “My love, why do you leave me? We have a son to raise together. I can't do this on my own. I-I don't know how to raise a child'' Tears stream down the King's face as he sobs into her frail hand.

“The boy doesn't have a name, my love. You were to name him not me. I cannot do that for you. You must name him and stay with us!”

The King sits on the bed holding his wife's hand in silence. The prince is asleep in his small cot on the other side of the room. The maids have left the room to give the family some time. The King talks quietly to his Queen about what they should be doing and how they should be organising a ball in celebration of the Prince's birth. The sudden small movement of the Queen's hand has the King sitting up straight.

“My love? Are you here with me?”

The Queen makes a small sound and opens her eyes.

“Louis..”

The King stares in confusion. “What was that you said”

“Our Son…Prince Louis..”

As the last word was spoken, the Queen closed her eyes and took her last breath.

The sound of heart breaking screams fill the suddenly quiet castle.

That was the day that changed the lives of the people in the castle…

In many different ways.

One became cold and resentful while the other just wanted to feel loved.

🥀

Since the passing of his mother, the beloved Queen, Prince Louis has grown up without the normal love and happiness he thought he would receive.

“Papa!” Louis squeals seeing his father coming out of a big room. Louis stumbles when he gets up from playing with his toys. Once he is up on his two little feet he tries to go and walk to his father.

The king looks around at the little squeal but doesn't smile. He doesn't wait for his son. He turns and walks away.

“Papa…gone” Louis whimpers when he sees his father has disappeared. “Where papa? I want my papa!” He cries.

Mary, the housekeeper runs to him and swipes him into her warm embrace. “Hush little prince, he is a busy man. He will be back soon”

Looking up at her, Louis whispers “you..pr.promise?”

Letting out a quiet sigh, Mary looks down at the little boy in her arms. “I promise love” She didn't like lying to the boy but he was a little innocent boy. He was getting older and was already beginning to ask questions she was finding harder to answer every day.

Over the years, the King had become stone faced and strict behind closed doors.

“Louis! Put that damn book down and go finish your schooling!” The king shouted when he found Louis sitting in the window reading his favourite book.

Louis tensed but couldn't help whine “But father I'm nearly finished the chapter, I will go when I have finished” He quickly sat up seeing his fathers face start turning a dark shade. “I swear”

“You will go now! Do not disobey me!” The king growled. Seeing that Louis had not moved, his anger came in full force. “IF YOU DO NOT MOVE THIS MINUTE I WILL BURN ALL OF YOUR BOOKS AND MAKE YOU WATCH”

Louis hasn't moved as quickly as he did the minute the threat left his fathers mouth. He cared for his books safety. Those books were his only escape from his lonely life. He didn't manage to hide his tears from Mary as he rushed passed.

He would belittle Louis every chance he got, especially if he had been drinking.

“LOUIS!”

Louis could hear his fathers clumsy footsteps coming closer to his hiding place.

“Boy! Answer me when i call you, you worthless swine”

At the insult, tears prickle louis’s eyes. It had become a regular thing for his father to spit horrible words at him. It still hurt no matter how much Mary tried to reassure him that his father didn't mean it.

“LOUIS! Get out here now!”

The words were suddenly very loud and the next minute the door to the library was being slammed open so harshly that it dented the wall behind it.

Louis jumped at the noise but didn't make a sound from his little hiding spot in one of the stacks of books.

“God, this boy is wasting his time reading these silly little books” The king mumbled as he walked into the room. “Pathetic boy, reading when he should be out courting some princess. No woman would want a man who reads! Disgusting!”

Louis couldn't help but scowl at those words, he wasn't old enough to be ‘courting’. He wasn't interested in that stuff.

Suddenly the stack of books he was hiding behind was pushed over and then next minute Louis was roughly tossed towards the library door with his drunk father following.

“Useless, whiney, pathetic boy! I will show you how to be a Prince! No more books, no more playing out in the gardens! Get out of my sight boy before you regret it! The king roughly pushed Louis out the door and onto the marble floor. Due to being very intoxicated he failed to notice the members of staff watching the scene in front of them.

“Father, please I need my books for my education. And I need fresh air. Don't ban me from that. Please” Louis begged from the floor.

The king stares at Louis for what felt like forever until he scoffed and turned around and walked off muttering “you are no son of mine! You are weak. Time to grow up little boy”

He laughed cruelly at any idea that Louis had. So Louis learnt not to go seek out his father and stop trying to please him.

“But father, why can't we go out to the neighbouring villages and meet the people. They could tell us of any help they may need!” Louis stood in front of his father in his office.

The king burst into loud bitter laughter. “Go out and mingle with the commoners. Not going to happen boy”

“Father come on, I've been told you used to always go out in your carriage with mother years ago and go say hello to people. You loved the people!”

The minute the words were out of his mouth, he knew he had messed up. He had been told multiple times not to mention his mother. He didn't know her for obvious reasons but he made the staff that watched over him tell him stories of the time before he was born. He wondered where that noble and humble king was now when he looked at his father.

“Do Not Mention Her In My Presence! You know better than that” the king snarled. “We don't not mingle with the common folk anymore and that's the end of the conservation”

“But..”

“GET OUT!”

Louis bowed his head in shame and left the room, vowing to never ask for anything from his father again.

Every year on Louis’s birthday, his father would become even more angry towards Louis. Giving him the silent treatment until he had enough alcohol in his system that the words and actions controlled him, and Louis had to deal with his fathers actions the next day.

“Happy Birthday! Young Prince!” The staff crowded Louis and presented him with a beautiful cake with many candles flickering on the top.

Louis looked to the end of the large dining table to see his father slumped over nursing a whiskey tumbler in his hand. He looked away and returned his gaze to the smiling faces around him.

“Thank you all, this cake looks delicious!” He tried to smile but failed.

The scraping of a chair being pushed stopped all the excitable chatter happening by louis. Everyone whipped their heads around to watch the king wobble out of the room without saying a word.

Noticing Louis's mood dampened, Mary came and cradled him in her arms “do not worry love, he will be in a better mood later i’m sure” Louis scoffed and shook his head in disbelief. “He does love you young prince, he just doesn't know how to show it. '' Mary tried her best to sound positive and truthful but everyone had watched the way the king treated louis.

They saw the bruises and the hollow look in Louis's eyes when he was near his father.

Later on that day, Louis was in his chambers writing in his journal. Writing little poems and stories helped Louis release some pent up anger and sadness. When suddenly his door slammed open making him jump.

Standing in the doorway was his father, drunk and wobbling. “You”

“Me?” Louis asks quietly.

“Yes, YOU! It's your fault!”

Confused for a moment, Louis doesnt reply and that seems to anger his father more.

“Nothing to say? It's your fault she's not here” The king snarls as he walks right into Louis's room and pulls him up from his chair.

“I'm sorry! Father, I didn't mean too!” Louis struggles to breath as his father has a tight grab on his shirt collar.

“IT'S YOUR FAULT SHE IS DEAD!”

The words jump around the room and are on repeat in Louis's mind as he realises what his father is talking about. It's the same every year since he was little. His father blames him for his mothers death.

“I didn't ask to be born father, I can't be to blame. I wish she was still here. I miss her”

The grip on his shirt loosens as his father takes a step back. Before he is able to take a deep breath he feels a sudden sharp pain across his cheek.

“You didn't know her! Don't talk about missing someone you killed! No son of mine would be so cruel murdering his loving mother”

The king walks out of the room, leaving a sobbing prince clutching his throbbing cheek.

After that incident his father kept himself locked away in his chambers, wasting the days away drinking and Louis grew up with the servants around him as usual. Spending his days in the kitchen with Mary who was the closest thing to a mother he had ever known.

“Why doesn't he love me Mary?”

The sound of a plate smashing makes Louis and the other staff in the kitchen jump. Louis turns his head and watches as Mary bends down to slowly pick the pieces up.

“Who are you talking about?” she asked when she had finished.

“Father!” Louis shrieks “Come on! You have to see the way he talks to me or even when he doesn't even acknowledge me”

Everyone stares at him in silence. It takes Mary a couple of minutes to speak. She hated seeing what the king was doing to this young boy in front of her.

“Young prince, he is a complicated man. He..he still grieves for his queen. I'm sure there is love for you in his heart. He just doesn't know how to show it” she pleads for him to understand,

Louis tries to stop the tears that form in his eyes. He shakes his head in disbelief. “No..no he has no love for me Mary. He wouldn't tell me I killed mother if he loved me”

With saying that he got up and glumly walked out of the kitchen.

The staff continued to give him his education and as the years went by he grew to learn to not get close to anyone.

He closed his heart to protect it.

He stopped reading. Ordering to have the doors to the library to stay closed.

“ZAYN!”

Zayn rushed into his master's chambers knowing that the prince hated having to wait. “Yes sir. Do you need something?

Louis stood in his chambers surrounded by many books. “Of course I need something, I wouldn't have called for you if I didn't. You idiot!” he growled.

Zayn bowed his head in shame and fear “Im.. im sorry sir. How can I assist you?”

“Get rid of these!” he gestured to the books. “I don't want to see them. They are taking up space. I need the space for the new art pieces arriving in a few days''

Zayn looked at the books in shock. “But sir you love these books. Are you sure you want them gone?”

Louis spun around and snarled “Books are for the weak Zayn. I am not a weak person, I no longer need them!” He then spun around again to face the window.

His hands were shaking and his breathing was picking up as he stood there listening to Zayn and the maids remove his beloved books.

As Zayn closed the doors behind him with a sympathetic look, Louis crumbled into a heap on the floor, his quiet sobs wracking his body.

Even though he grew up into a handsome young man, He became cold and heartless. He became what his father was to him. He had to, to survive his pain. Over the years he learnt to show that he only cared for the outer beauty and material things. He made sure he was surrounding himself with priceless paintings, extravagant riches and only beautiful things.

As he grew into his teenage years he took great pleasure in showing off his beloved treasures and boasting his wealth by hosting many over the top parties, which were attended by the most privileged members of high society.

Many would call him cruel and so unlike his parents. The people had loved his parents but they didn't see what happened after the balls and parties had finished. He would be ignored and grunted at by his father. There was no love shared between them.

He felt shunned.

Even after his father passed, he didn't even batter a eyelid in emotion. No tears were shed at the funeral. He walked around the castle with a face showing no emotion.

No one knew of his journal hidden away behind one of the pieces of artwork in his chambers. Written inside where paragraphs how he really felt about things happening around him.

“Is it wrong that I'm glad he has passed? He wasn't a kind man to me!”

“Everyone is upset and a bit angry at me for showing no emotions at his funeral, but I couldn't show them. No one cares really”

“I'm all alone now in this place. I can't stand it but I can't run away. I'm trapped”

“I wish I had known my mother, everyone tells me stories about how kind she was and how much my father loved her ... .where was the love for me? Was i not important or even wanted”

“WHY AM I EVEN HERE! I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!”

The writing in the journal got more and more angry, the Prince didn't show any emotion to the people around him, but if anyone ever found the journal they would realise how isolated and emotional Louis truly is.

He snapped at the staff daily, so everyone in the castle started to fear him. No one stood up to him. No one denied him anything.

He still had no one.

He was now on his own in a big cold castle surrounded by material things that in reality meant nothing to him.

No one saw him crumble the minute the door to his chambers closed. No one witnessed him destroying his room every night in a fit of rage and then spending the rest of the night fixing the room back to the way it looked before while struggling to see through his tears.

No one saw the glint in his eyes fade until all was left was a shell of a boy who just wanted his papa to love him.

His life would have continued in much the same way, being parentless and unloved. Dancing his days away and caring for nothing. Had it not been for one fateful night in late December a couple of years later.

December 2009…Château De Chambord, France.

On the evening of his 18th birthday, Louis had decided to throw himself an elaborate masquerade ball. The guests had to wear white, their faces hidden behind many different masks. Louis had of course dressed up himself but instead of wearing a mask he had Zayn his maitre’d paint his mask onto his face as he detested the stuffy masks that he was offered. He also had Zayn attach delicate blue and golden feathers to frame his piercing blue eyes. He wouldn't be wearing white though. It was his birthday so of course he had to stand out against all the other people in attendance.

“It is MY ball, i need to look radiant Zayn! No one can look better than me!” he stated to Zayn while the maitre’d carefully helped pull the suit jacket over Louis’s shoulders.

“Of course sir”

His suit consisted of royal blues, gold trimmings and a deep plum coloured waistcoat. The Jacket had a beautiful peacock tone to it. Whenever he raised his arms the lights would make the jacket seem to shimmer in colour.

Liam knocks on the door to his chambers. Louis turns around and sees him looking at a pocket watch attached to his jacket.

“What is it liam?”

“It is time, sir”

Louis takes a deep breath and walks out of his chambers leaving Zayn and Liam behind.

He looked breathtakingly handsome and he basked in the compliments he received wherever he walked.

As the evening wore on, Louis watched the beautiful subjects around him. He had danced with many maidens and men of his choosing, never going further and walking away making the person wilt in distress of not catching the Prince's attention for more than one song.

He just wasn't interested in the fake gushing that would continue if he lingered.

As he sat himself down in his throne, at a flash of bright light he saw in the corner of his eyes, he turned to the window and watched as raindrops slowly rolled down the window pane. Secretly wishing he could be somewhere else instead of in this stuffy ballroom with these attention hungry people.

🥀

As the gate quietly closes, a small stooped figure stops and looks up towards the castle, The sound of thunder in the distance makes them jump and let out a small peal of laughter.

“Here we go”

They continue their walk up towards the large oak doors that will gain them entry to the castle and the festivities inside. As they get closer, the sound of music can be heard with the constant rumble of voices.

The storm builds in strength and that seems to encourage them to quicken their steps. The rain drips onto their haggard face through the hood of the cloak that they have around their shoulders. Once they arrive at the doors they notice there are no guards.

“Tut tut little prince, no protection at the doors.” They mutter to themselves “Anyone could wander in”

Pushing the doors open just enough to gain entrance inside, they slide inside and quietly shut the doors. Looking around the keep they see many pieces of artwork upon the walls, but notes there is nothing making the castle seem inviting or homely.

The castle feels cold and that's not because of the weather.

A cold hand makes its way into their cloak to make sure what they need is still there and intact. As soon as their fingers touch something soft they retract their hand and smile. They turn towards the room where they can hear the music coming from and walk towards it.

Taking a deep breath, they raise their wrinkled hand and give one hard knock.

“Showtime”

🥀

As a song was about to finish there was a loud knock at the ballroom door, silencing the band and making everyone stop and stare at the door in wonder. Louis got up from his seat with a frown on his face, displeased about having his ball interrupted.

“Who disturbs my ball? Enter at once!”

A moment later, a large gust of wind ripped through the open windows causing the candles around the room to flicker and the ladies in the room to let out panicked screams.

Louis became furious that his guests had become fearful from this interruption so he started down the three stairs in front of him so he could go and confront the person responsible. Only as his guards opened the ballroom door he was met with an old beggar woman. Her face was wrinkled and her skin was covered in spots. She couldn't stand up straight due to her back being hunched.

Recoiling in disgust and shock, Louis made sure his voice rang through the room.

“I demand an explanation for you to be interrupting my ball! Speak!”

At his loud voice the beggar woman fell to her knees, she slowly brought her hand out from beneath her robe.

In her hand was a single red rose.

“I come in peace, my lord, I'm only looking for shelter from the storm outside. You can have this rose as payment for my lodge. It's the only thing I have.” She whispers “Please”

Louis looked down his nose at the woman on the floor in disgust. He made a hand gesture to two of his guards by the door.

“Leave us at once, no beggars are welcome here”

As the guards came towards the woman to help her off the floor and towards the castle doors, she looked up at the prince once more with a determined look of her wrinkled face.

“You should not be deceived by appearances, Your Highness. For beauty is found within” She warned as she was picked up under her armpits by the guards.

At her statement, Louis couldn't do anything but throw his head back and laugh cruelly as he lowered his head and glared at the beggar woman.

“Beauty is found within, what a load of crock you silly woman! Beauty is found in my collection of art and the people who fill this ballroom. And you are certainly not beautiful! Be gone from my sight”

He turned his back on the woman and the whole room in front of him let out a collective gasp and wide eyes.

He spun round to see what had happened, just as the room burst into a bright white light.

Once the light had dimmed, Louis was shocked to see the old beggar woman had disappeared and in her place was a beautiful enchantress.

She looked to be floating magically in the air.

Louis suddenly fell to his knees at the sight before him in fear. He knows that being in the same room as an enchantress, there would be a chance he would be in trouble. His multiple books had led to that warning many times. He is embarrassed that he only now realises he had been put to a test and unfortunately he had failed big time.

Nothing he said was going to save him from her spells and curses.

‘No harm in trying’ he thought to himself.

“Please My Lady” he cried “Please forgive me..i am but a fool, a child not worthy”

The enchantress listened to his cries and him begging for forgiveness but she could tell that his words were as hollow as his cold heart. He was only trying to save himself, not really caring for anyone else in the room. He was looking out for only himself.

With a flick of her wrist, she cast her spell.

The air surrounding Louis filled with magic and then suddenly it was gone. When it cleared the people in the room screamed.

Prince Louis was gone, In his place was a hideous beast.

A beast as terrifying and cruel-looking on the outside as the Prince had been on the inside. As the people scrambled out of the ballroom and away from the castle, the enchantress gifted Louis the same rose as she offered before but gave him a warning along with it.

“You will remain a beast until you learn to love, and find someone who can do what you certainly can not. They will look deeper than appearances and will need to love you for who you are and not what you appear to be!”

As the enchantress turned to leave she suddenly turned back around and looked Louis in the eye and spoke lowly only for him to hear.

“If the last petal on that rose falls before that day comes, then you will remain a beast forever and everyone who lives here will be forgotten, mark my words young Prince”

Once the words were spoken, the enchantress disappeared in another bright white light.

Leaving Louis and everyone who lives there cursed and forgotten by the people they held dear to them, until someone could do the impossible.

Louis looked down at the rose in his shaking paw with tears rolling down his face.

He was doomed.

For who could fall in love with a beast.

Ten Years Later…Loire Valley / Alsace, France

In the nearby valley is the small village of Alsace, there are many little shops, a bakery, even a small school and in the market square you will find a few food stalls and a small jewellery and clothing stall. The people mill around with smiles on their faces and the children run around chasing each other with sticks. Wherever you look there is laughter and sometimes over friendliness.

There is not a bad word to be said about anyone.

Well maybe not everyone…

The early morning light wakes Harry from his slumber. Tucked away in his small room he is surrounded by many books that he just can't let go of. He has always been a reader much to the amusement of Niall who is more interested in using his knowledge with his hands making small trinkets. He even dabbles in a few inventions that he keeps in the shed outside.

Harry got up and went through his normal everyday routine. Got dressed in the same mundane clothes. Styled his long curly hair the same way. He was getting restless with his days.

Since they were young and their parents had passed, the two boys had lived in the same cottage, in the same village. Everyday is the same as the previous. He saw the same people. Read the same books. Walked the same streets. And every single day Harry yearned for some kind of adventure.

Once he was dressed and ready to go, he stepped out of their cottage and took a deep breath. Niall might be content with his hobbies and little side business, he loved the village and couldn't understand how Harry wanted to escape. Harry knew that if he stayed in the village, the only adventure he would have could be found in the pages of his favourite book. With that thought he braced himself and headed into the market square.

“Be back in a while Ni, don't break anything during my time out” he called as he shut the cottage door. He didn't wait for Nialls comeback as he knew what he would say.

“Don't trip into the fountain today”

Everyday he said the same thing and Harry tried his best to block it out. He had fallen in once because he was so caught up in his book he wasn't watching where he was walking. The worst part was that the book he was reading so intently was ruined by the water. That was a sad day.

As he makes his way through the streets he is surrounded by the villagers shouting “Bonjour” to everyone they see.

People were arguing about the prices of bread and eggs as Harry walked towards the fountain with his book secured in his pocket. In his own world. He ignored the stares he knew he was getting from the people around him. People thought he was a weird guy, they didnt know why he would rather read his books instead of helping build things or look for a life partner.

He wasn't looking to be tied to someone who he didnt love, just to please the villagers around him.

He wanted to find love, and for that person to help him do what he wanted to do. Not be held back.

For many years he has been unfortunately on the receiving end of the slightly creepy attention from one of the villagers and he hoped everyday that the guy would back off but he was never that lucky.

The man's name was Nicolas.

Now while Harry is a generous and kind hearted man, Nicolas is quite the opposite. He is vain and very arrogant. He loved fighting nearly as much as he loved himself. He walked around the village smugly knowing that all the men wanted to be like him and the women wanted to marry him. In Nicolas’s mind Harry was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. So of course that, Nicolas reasoned, made Harry the best in the village, and seeing as he believes himself to be the most handsome man in the village he obviously deserved the best.

Harry thought he needed a swift punch in the nose, but that's his wishful thinking.

However, no matter how hard Nicolas tried to win Harry over, He wanted nothing to do with him. Every attempt he made was met with a polite yet firm rejection. Despite Harry's clear disinterest, Nicolas was very determined to claim him as his own - no matter what it took. And Nicolas had been in war so he wasn't scared of the battle he had ahead of him.

Harry made sure to ignore him every time he caught the man watching him from across the market square.

He felt the unwavering stare travel down his back wherever he went.

After his morning walk through the village plus his stop at his spot at the fountain with his book, Harry made his way back to his cottage. He is so far in his thoughts, He doesn't notice that he has been followed until he hears a cough behind him.

“Good morning Harry”

Turning around he comes face to face with Nicolas and Aiden, his right hand man.

“Good morning gentlemen” he tries to smile but doesnt think he was successful by the quiet chuckle he heard coming from behind Nicolas. Damn.

Aiden bows his head without saying a word. Nicolas looks down to Harry's hand seeing him holding a book.

“Wonderful book you have there” he says with a sly smile.

Looking down at the book in question, Harry turns it around to show Nicolas “You’ve read this one?”

Aiden scoffs but covers it with a cough when he gets a glare from Nicolas. “Well, not that one. But you know, books” he waves his hands around him. He nudges Aiden in the side and he hurries to hand over the flowers he had forgotten he had in his hand.

Nicolas hands them to Harry and bows his head “For your dining table. Shall I join you this evening?”

Harry looks down at the flowers in his hands and then back up to Nicolas. “Sorry, not tonight”

Nicolas starts to frown “Busy?”

“No” Harry shakes his head, shoves the flowers back into Nicolas’s hands and turns around and walks off towards his cottage.

Watching Harry walk away, Aiden turns to Nicolas “So..Moving on?”

Nicolas scoffs “No Aiden” as he watches Harry walk up the garden path “It's the ones who play hard to get that are always the sweetest prey” He turns back to Aiden with a glint in his eye “That's what makes Harry so appealing. He hasn't made a fool of himself just to gain my attention. What would you call that?”

Aiden thinks for a minute and then shrugs “Dignity?”

Nicolas laughs and turns around and starts walking towards the village square again “It's so outrageously attractive isn't it?”

Aiden watches Nicolas walk off laughing. He shakes his head in disbelief mumbling “Run for your life Harry…dear god run” then follows Nicolas once again.

🥀

As Harry opened the front door he heard music coming from Nialls workshop. Niall had always made beautiful music boxes that depicted exotic lands even though neither of them had travelled the world. Harry loved to hold them and dream of travelling to the islands to see if they really looked like how Niall had craved them.

Today Niall was putting the finishing touches on a delicate music box. Inside the box were four figures - a family composed of a father, mother and two little boys. Harry couldn't help but smile sadly. He knew those figures were his family as it had once been many years ago.

“Tell me what you can remember of our mother” Harry said walking over to stand behind Niall. He can't help but ask as he can't seem to remember much about her, yet he knows Niall remembers a lot, seeing as he was older than Harry when she died.

As Harry put his hand on Niall's shoulder, he looked up in thought. “Our mother was…fearless,” he said. “To know anything more, you just have to look in the mirror brother”

Harry smiled softly, his brother's words touched his heart fondly. Niall turned back to his work and set the last gear into its proper place and then closed the lid of the now finished music box. They both knew that this piece would be his greatest work at the market, where he travelled every year to sell his creations.

“And you, dear brother, are the spitting image of our father. He would be very proud of you” Harry said as he hugged Niall from behind the chair.

“Now enough of the sappiness, go make me some dinner before I have to leave!” Niall shouted as Harry walked away. Harry knew he wasn't being rude by asking for dinner as Niall couldn't cook to save his life.

He would be a shell of a man if left to feed himself.

After a few hours, Harry helped Niall load his creations into the cart. Not forgetting the big basket full of nibbles for Niall and Phillippe. Lifting his hand in the air, he waved goodbye to his beloved brother. Niall waved back and then steered their horse, Phillippe, and the cart onto the path leading out of the village.

Niall turned round before he disappeared and shouted “I will bring you a rose back as requested dear brother! Don't miss me too much!”

That was their thing. Every year Niall would cart his creations into his cart and go off and sell them so they had money for anything they needed. And every year Niall would bring Harry back a rose because he knew that the gift made Harry blush. Harry loved beautiful things and a rose was the best gift he could ask for.

It was simple but effective.

“Be safe dear brother” Harry whispered as he lost sight of the cart as it rounded the corner.

With Niall away to the market, Harry resumed his daily tasks and chores. Grabbing his basket of laundry and headed back into the village. Harry might not be as experienced as Niall with his creations but he knew what he needed to do to make his idea work. He devised a contraption that made doing laundry easier. While the clothes soaked in a barrel pulled by a mule, he opened her next book. As time went on and Harry was waiting for his clothes to be washed, a young girl approached him.

“What are you doing Harry?”

“Oh, I'm washing my clothes and reading a book, would you like to read with me?” he asked shyly. The young girl looked around her and when she saw they were by themselves she turned back to Harry and nodded.

That was how Harry spent the next hour teaching the young girl to read until their bubble burst.

“What on earth are you doing?”

Hearing the angry voice, Harry looked up from his book. Across the street stood the headmaster of the school. The man was staring down at Harry with a scowl on his old face. “Girls dont read!” He barked.

“Oh for god's sake” Harry whispered to himself.

The headmaster was joined by the scornful fishmonger and many of the other townspeople. They were all shouting at Harry all because he wanted to help a young girl read a book. He couldn't believe the stupidity of it all.

Before he could answer, the angry villagers pulled the young girl away from him and ripped Harry's laundry barrel from the water and turned it upside down to spill all over the street and make the once clean clothes dusty from the ground. Having interrupted Harry's lesson with the young girl, the villagers all had smug looks on their faces. But Harry was absolutely furious.

“How dare you touch what isn't yours. Also there's nothing wrong with girls learning to read, you are all narrow minded and old fashioned!” he shouted as he picked up his belongings and stormed back towards his home.

As He neared his cottage, he was stopped by Nicolas.

“I saw what happened back there Harry”

“I was only showing that young girl how to read!” Harry nearly shouted. Why does everyone think it's so wrong to allow girls to be able to have a hobby or some education.

“The only children you should concern yourself with are your..own” Nicolas smirked as he came closer to Harry.

Harry couldn't believe Nicolas had said that so bluntly so to try and shut him up Harry looked him straight in the eye and said “I'm not ready to have children”

Nicolas didn't seem to take the hint that Harry wasn't interested. “Maybe you haven't found the right man.”

“It's a small village, Nicolas. I've met all the men here” Harry sassily replies.

“Maybe you should take another look”

Harry rolled his eyes and looked up at Nicolas, who stood like he was constipated but trying to hide it. This idiot in front of him wasn't taking the hints he was bluntly dropping. “What can I do for you again Nicolas?” he sighed even though he had a feeling he knew what he wanted.

Nicolas grinned widely and said “For you to marry me of course darling” he bowed his head “If you are my husband, the people will leave you alone. Don't you want that!”

Harry's reaction to the proposal was to scoff. “Im sorry Nicolas but i will never marry you, please for god's sake and my own sanity, stop asking and please leave me alone”

Without another word, Harry turned round and walked up the front steps of the cottage, marched inside and slammed the door.

He put his back to the door and slid down until he was sitting on the cold floor, breathing heavily.

After a while Harry opened the door again and made sure that Nicolas had gone. Once he was sure he was alone, he made his way to the top of the hill behind the cottage. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh. Why couldn't anyone understand him? He wanted more than Nicolas or this small town could ever offer!

He wanted an adventure.

As he made his way back home, lost in his own thoughts he didn't notice the sky becoming darker and a flash of lightning that lit up the sky.

🥀

Meanwhile…

Niall was lost in the woods.

As lightning flashed in the sky, Phillippe whinnied in fright and tugged on his harness.

“It will be alright, Phillippe” Niall said, but his voice was shaking. Just then, another bolt of lightning struck. It hit a tree right in front of them, splitting it in half and blocking their way out.

“Whoa!”

Looking around, Niall could see that he was stuck. He had no choice but to lead Phillippe down an older, overgrown path that had appeared when the tree split.

“Okay, it's okay boy. One path closes, another one opens i guess. Walk on Phillippe”

They had not gone far before Niall realised he had made a big mistake. Even though it was summer, it had begun to snow. Phillippe whines and snorts.

“Its alright boy, it's just a bit of snow…in June”

A couple of minutes later he heard something that made shivers run down his spine.

In the near distance there was a loud howl.

Phillippe whinnied high in his throat at the howl and started trying to back up, making Niall quickly grab the reins and try to calm the poor horse down. While he was busy trying to sort the horse out he failed to notice that he was now surrounded by a large pack of hungry wolves.

The sound of a snarl made Niall whip his head up in shock. He counted at least ten large wolves. The pack started to come closer, snarling and snapping their teeth at Phillippe.

Without thinking Niall scrambled from his cart, unhooked it and leapt onto Philippe's back. The minute he landed he grabbed Philippe's mane and kicked his boots into the horse's side. The action made Phillippe rear up on his hind legs and whine.

“GO PHILLIPPE GO!”

The action made the wolves suddenly pounce. Phillippe kicked his legs trying to get the wolves away from him. Niall got control back and encouraged Phillippe to turn and bolt, away from the pack and towards the deeper part of the forest.

As they rode away the wolves followed close behind, nipping at Philippe's hooves. Trying anything to get the horse down so they could attack.

Just when Niall thought him and Phillippe were doomed, a large gate appeared in front of them. Without thinking Niall encouraged the horse forward and they raced through the gate. Seconds after they were through, the gate slammed shut. Stopping the wolves in their tracks.

“Well done boy, you saved my life back there. They will have to get their food from somewhere else”

Niall was breathing hard as he watched the wolves from behind the gate. How did the gate shut? Where were they?. As he looked back he watched as the pack slowly made their way back into the forest. After they disappeared he turned forward and the first thing he saw was a large castle.

In the dark, the castle seemed to loom over them spookily. There were no lights coming from the many windows. The place looked abandoned. The silence around the castle was thick and made Niall rub at his chest as if he was in pain and having trouble breathing.

He encouraged Phillipe towards the castle. Even though he had no idea where he was or whether he would even be welcome in this ominous place, he found stables where he left Phillippe to settle.

“Water, fresh hay. Looks like you are all settled my boy. Rest here while i go pay my respects to our unwitting host…whoever that may be”

After making his way up the front steps of the castle, Niall took a deep breath and knocked on the front door.

The door creaked open “Hello?” Niall called out, peering in.

“Anyone Home?”

No one answered. Nialls words echoing around the room. The first thing he saw was a large white staircase but it looked like a tower in the middle of the room.

Shivering, Niall stepped inside. “Forgive me” he said “I don't mean to intrude. I'm in need of shelter from the storm. Hello?”

Still no one answered.

Niall looked around the large room. It was hard to see anything in the dim light but he did notice the coat rack. He took off his hat and coat and hung them up. Then, with a shrug, he moved further into the seemingly abandoned castle.

As he made his way into the empty room, unseen by the weary man, the coat rack came to life and shook the snow off Nialls jacket before hanging it once again and going still once more.

On a table that Niall walks quietly past sits a candelabra and a mantel clock. Unknowingly by Niall the candelabra turns slowly as if it's watching Niall.

“Must have got lost in the woods in the storm”

“Shut up you idiot” whispers the mantel clock.

Hearing the hushed voices Niall spins round looking at the room thinking someone was there. Realising no one was behind him, his attention goes to the table. He leans down and looks at the mantel clock in wonder

“Hmm…extraordinary”

He then picks the candelabra up, turns it around in his hands.

“This is beautiful” he says to himself before he puts it back on the table.

As Niall walks away the candelabra mumbles “A man of taste”

“He was talking about me of course” replies the mantel clock.

Hearing the sound of a crackling fire, Niall made his way down an empty hall. He stopped in front of a large pair of open doors. Through them, he saw the fire roaring. Unable to help himself he made his way inside the room. He reached his hands towards the flames. He turned around and pulled his jumper up so the flames could also warm his bottom. He let out a long breath as warmth flooded through his cold bones.

Niall had not been standing there too long before he smelled something delicious wafting through another set of doors to his left. Niall being Niall he followed his nose, he found himself walking into a very large dining room. Standing in the doorway, he noticed a long table had been set with plates of steaming food. “Do you mind?...i'm just going to help myself…” he called out to the unseen host of the dinner. He thought to himself that this means there is someone around here. The place isn't as abandoned as he thought. But where are they?.

Reaching out, Niall picked up a piece of bread and a hunk of cheese. As he stuffed his face with the food, a cup of hot tea slid into his hand to help wash it all down.

“Mum said i wasn't supposed to move because it might be scary, but you looked like you needed a hot drink”

“Oh thank you that's very kind” Niall answered and looked around to find the owner of the voice. But the only thing in front of him was a small teacup.

Niall choked on his food and let out a loud yelp. The teacup had just talked to him! Looking down, he saw a small face in the china staring up at him. If he looked around the room hard enough he would see a bunch of cutlery and a teapot hiding behind the large bowls on the table.

Letting out another yelp, Niall put down the food in his hand along with the cup and got up as fast as he could. He ran out the room.

As he backs away from the room he makes his way to the front doors bowing as he goes. “Thank you. Thank you for your hospitality and…and kindness” as he turns he misses the large shadowy figure standing at the top of the stairs.

A flash of lightning flashes and the shadow shape is gone.

Pushing open the castle's front door. Niall hurried down the steps, ran into the stables and fetched Phillippe. He paused as he passed the white rose bushes. He remembered that he promised Harry a rose. It wasn't a red rose but these roses were beautiful. He was sure that Harry would love one.

“Roses! Can't go home without one. I promised Harry. I thinks it will be alright to take one”

He steadied Phillippe, climbed down and walked over to the bushes.

He reached out and plucked a rose.

🥀

A pair of icy blue eyes watched wearily as a strange man appeared in front of them.

He was walking towards the rose bushes! He wouldn't touch them would he?

The eyes watched as the man plucked a rose from the bush.

How dare he touch what isn't his!

The eyes narrowed while the fanged mouth opened to speak.

🥀

“Those are mine!”

Those words echoed off the castle walls surrounding the bushes. Niall jumped and dropped the rose as he began to shake. Before him, a giant beast appeared out of the shadows. It walked on its hind legs and wore a long tattered cloak. Niall stumbled backwards towards Phillippe.

“You entered my home” the creature growled, dropping to all fours and started to circle Niall, “and this is how i am repaid”

“I-I-Im S-s-sor” Niall tried to apologise, but before he could get the words out, the creature lifted him off the ground.

Getting close to Nialls face the creature snarled “i know how to deal with thieves”

Then with a loud growl, he turned and headed back into the castle, dragging Niall along with him; the two of them didn't take any notice as Phillippe galloped away.

🥀

…The Next day…

Back at the village, Harry was up early. He was out the front of the cottage tending to the garden when out of nowhere, Phillippe galloped towards the front gate. He was alone, breathing heavily, and his sides were dirty and soaked with sweat.

Rushing over, Harry saw that the horse's bridle was ripped and he had several scratches along his side. As Harry examined Phillippe, the horse let out a sad little whicker.

Something was very wrong. Harry's heart dropped.

“Where's Niall, Phillippe!”

Phillippe whined.

Quickly, Harry put a saddle on the horse's back and threw on a new bridle. He needed him to take him to his brother. Harry and Phillippe raced through the forest. When they reached the overturned cart, Harry got off Phillippe to search the area but couldn't find any sign of Niall.

With new determination in his eyes, Harry got back on Phillippe and urged him forward, running through the forest. A few minutes later, they arrived at the castle gate.

“Is this the place?”

Phillippe snorted, becoming restless.

Once they were through the gate it slammed closed again, Harry led Phillippe forwards. Harry found the stables and left to go find his brother.

He looked at the castle in front of him. Its appearance made a cold shiver run down his back making him shudder as he walked up the steps.

Taking a deep breath, Harry walked through the large heavy front doors, knowing his brother must be inside.

As Harry's eyes adjusted to the dark room, he thought he heard whispering.

“Look Liam, a handsome man” a voice whispered

“I can see it's a man, I lost my hands, not my eyes!” a second lower voice said

“But what if he is the one?” the first voice said. “The one who will break the spell?”

“Who said that?” Harry asked, turning towards the noise.

No one answered.

Instead, Harry heard someone coughing. “Niall!” he shouted, running towards the sound of coughing.

Harry grabbed a nearby candelabra and raced up a grand staircase and through the castle without thinking. Reaching the very top of a smaller staircase, he realised where he was. He was in a prison tower. In front of him there was a single door made of iron, Harry heard the coughing again.

“Niall?” he called out “Is that you?”

“Harry?” Nialls' muffled voice answered. “How did you find me?”

Racing over, Harry dropped to his knees in front of the door. “Oh, Niall” he said, reaching his fingers through the narrow openings in the rusty iron. “We need to get you home, your freezing”

To his surprise Niall started to shake his head “No Harry, this castle is alive!” he cried. “You must get away before he finds you too!”

“He?, who?” Harry repeated with confusion on his face.

Before Niall could answer, there was a loud roar that filled the tower. Harry shrank against the prison door as a deep rumbling voice came out of the shadows.

“Who are you?” the voice said “How did you get in here?”

Harry stood up and bravely said “I've come for my brother, release him”

“Your brother is a thief” the voice replied, sounding closer this time.

“Liar!” Harry shouted. His brother was a loving and kind man, not a thief.

“HE STOLE A ROSE” the voice roared suddenly.

Harry's breath caught in his throat. He knew the only reason Niall would have taken the rose was because of him. This was his fault.

After a few tense minutes followed until “Punish me, not him” Harry said shakily. “I asked for the rose”

“No Harry No!” Niall protested. “He means forever, apparently when you pick a flower here, you get imprisoned”

“A life sentence for a rose?” Harry asked in complete shock.

The beast growled “i received eternal damnation for one”

Ignoring Nialls quiet protests, Harry looked back towards where the voice was “Come out of the shadows” he asked quietly.

When the owner of the voice stepped into the light, Harry gasped. Standing in front of him was a huge creature. It had horns and fangs, and its entire body was covered in golden brown fur. It stood upright, its two front paws clenched into fists.

The word beast flashed in Harry's mind as he gazed upon the creature. Lifting his eyes to meet the beasts, Harry is surprised to see that his eyes were a bright blue and looked almost human.

Then the creature roared again.

Harry was at a loss. His brother would not allow him to take his place, but he could not leave Niall behind knowing that he would soon perish in these conditions. Forced to make a terrible decision, he agreed to leave but before he departed, Harry asked the Beast to allow him one last moment with his beloved brother.

The beast didn't move.

Harry narrowed his eyes and screamed “Are you so cold hearted that you wont allow two brothers to hug goodbye? Forever can spare a minute!”

As Harry took a deep breath to calm himself down, the beast just stared at him. Harry's shoulders slumped and he looked back up to the beast “Please” he whispered.

They stared at each other for a while. Harry couldn't seem to look away from those eyes.

To his surprise, the beast turned and slowly opened the iron door.

“Once this door closes, it wont open again”

Staring at the beast in shock, Harry shook himself out of his surprise and rushed towards Niall and embraced him.

“I should have been with you” Harry said, hugging Niall as tightly as he could. Niall tried his best to comfort Harry. “I love you Harry, Don't be afraid, you should go live your life” he whispered into Harry's shoulder.

“Im not afraid” He whispered, his voice barely audible. “And i will escape, i promise”

“Wha-” Niall shouted as Harry suddenly pushed him out of the cell and slammed the door shut, locking himself inside. He had made his choice and there was no going back.

The beast watched it all happen and he was shocked to see how one man would give up his life for another.

Who was this man?

“NO! Harry, what have you done!” Niall was screaming through the door as Harry sat down and hid his face in his knees.

Harry heard Nialls screams fade away as the beast dragged him away and threw Niall out of the castle.

🥀

Once the beast had thrown Niall into the magical carriage that was waiting for them in the courtyard and watched it take the man away. The beast let out a shaky breath.

He decided to walk towards his rose garden, where he would escape from the dark castle when he couldn't cope with being inside anymore. The overwhelming scent of the new blossoms were making him feel dizzy but he continued until he was hidden from the castle windows.

His rose bushes always seemed to have a life of their own, as if the twisting, thorny vines could wrap themselves around his racing heart and put an end to his anxiety. There were times over the years that he wished that they actually could but right now all he could think about was the handsome young man that was currently inside his castle.

Harry, he had heard the other man, Niall call him when they hugged, seemed to be a noble and brave man as he willingly took his brother's place as a prisoner in the prison tower.

“Why did he do that?” The beast ran his paws over his face, suddenly feeling exhausted with everything that had happened the last two days.

Why had Harry given up his freedom just so his brother could go free? How could anyone be capable of doing that, giving up themselves so unselfishly?

The beast paced backwards and forwards while his mind went into overdrive with questions, making him more and more confused.

But also he was becoming more intrigued about the handsome man in his castle.

He stopped pacing and looked at the view of his castle from the garden he was in. He tried to recall how the castle had looked before the curse had hit. It was different now, it looked menacing and alive. Even the spires of his castle seemed to pierce the night sky with a violent fervour.

He wondered what the castle looked like from a distance.

It was tall and imposing, perched on top of a hill surrounded by a thick green forest filled with dangerous creatures. It probably screamed “KEEP OUT”

“No wonder no one had set foot near the castle in years, if it looked as menacing as it does now” He said as he made his way back towards the castle.

He reminded himself that there was a handsome young man inside his castle. He was a willing captive, someone to talk to and yet he couldn't even face the idea of seeing him again.

He was scared.

He was full of fear.

The fear was gripping him harshly. Would his fear now keep him outside, when once it had shut him in?

He was petrified at the idea of going inside and facing this man. He was a wise man, had he really no idea that the beast’s and everyone in the castle’s fate was now in his hands?

“Only one way to find out” the beast mumbled to himself as he walked through the castle doors.

🥀

Harry had not been in the cell long when he suddenly heard voices. Moments later, the cell filled with light and to his surprise, Harry found himself looking at a small mantel clock and a candelabra. They were alive like Niall said!

“What are you?” he shouted in shock.

“I am Zayn” the candelabra replied, smiling broadly.

“And you can talk?” Harry asked.

“Of course he can talk, that's all he ever does!. oh forgive me sir, I am Liam'' the mantel clock said as he bowed.

As Harry watched, the two began to argue. It was only a moment before Zayn took charge, to Liam's dismay, and opened the cell door.

“Ready, Sir?” he asked, pointing one of his candles towards the exit.

“Ready for what exactly?” Harry tilted his head to the side in wonder.

“We are here to escort you to your room, of course sir” Zayn says excitedly.

Harry looks at the two objects in front of him in confusion. “My room? I thought–”

Zayn stopped Harry's rambling by a wave of his arm so the candle whooshed in the air. “What? That ‘once this door closes, it wont open again’” He made a roaring sound imitating what the beast had done. “I know, he gets dramatic”

Harry couldn't help but laugh at Zayn at his dramatics. While Liam looked at Zayn in horror.

“Zayn! Don't mock the master!” he exclaimed.

“He isn't here Liam calm down” Zayn mumbled.

The odd pair led him back through the castle.

“Please don't be too frightened of this place. First Impressions aren't great i know” Zayn speaks as he is being held by Harry as they walk through the corridor.

“Why would I be frightened? I'm talking to a candle!” Harry sassily replies.

Zayn does an over the top gasp. “I am a candelabra! A completely different thing to a candle! How very dare you!” a few seconds later Zayn quietly says “this is your home now sir, so feel free to go wherever you like”

“Except the West Wing” Liam pipes up from in front of them.

Zayn whips his head round and gives Liam a look that Harry would describe as ‘shut the hell up’. Niall used to give him that look alot.

Seeing Zayns expression Liam coughs and quickly says “which we do not have so..”

Harry looks between the two of them “What's in the West Wing?”

“Nothing, just storage space” Zayn says quickly. Maybe too quickly for Harry to believe.

They kept on talking quietly between the three of them until they stopped in front of a huge set of doors.

“Welcome to your room sir”

When the doors opened, Harry found himself looking at a beautiful bedroom. It was a large room with a high ceiling. There were gold trimmings all around the room. There was a large four poster bed in the middle of the room with what looked like the most cosiest bed covers draped over it. The room was painted in a nice soft cream which made the gold trimmings stand out proudly.

As Harry looked around he couldn't help but ask “Does everything in here talk like you”

He picked up a hairbrush that was on the dressing table “Hello what's your name”

“That is just a hairbrush sir” Liam said while Zayn burst into light laughter at the embarrassed look on Harry's face.

Up against one of the walls was a large wardrobe. Hearing the laughter in the room, it let out a very human sounding snore and came to life. Harry was shocked but quickly covered it with a small smile.

Zayn and Liam introduced the wardrobe to Harry. Her name was Madame de Garderobe.

“Pretty eyes” the wardrobe said, eyeing Harry. “Proud face. Yes! I will find you something worthy of a prince!”

The wardrobe began to pull out clothes willy-nilly. Before long, Harry was standing in the middle of the room in the most enormous and garish suit he had ever seen. Zayn and Liam started backing out the room while sending slightly over the top compliments to the wardrobe, Harry watched with concealed glee at the two objects trying to keep peace while also trying to escape the room.

“Hmm this is…an interesting design. But what about a…dress? I've always loved the idea of trying a dress”

The sound of a wardrobe joyfully squealing will be engraved in Harry's mind for the rest of his life.

It was clear to him that the castle staff was thrilled to have someone new in the castle, though each member had a different way of showing it.

🥀

Back at the village, Nicolas was brooding. Even though he was sitting on his favourite chair in his favourite tavern, he was miserable. No one has ever said no to him before. No one except for Harry.

What was he doing wrong? Was he too beautiful? Was it his dashing good looks that scared Harry away? Was he not Harry type? No…no that's not it he was everybody's type.

“There are plenty of other people around here,” Aiden pointed out to his friend. He nodded towards the group of good looking men and women sitting in the corner, looking over at Nicolas with hopeful eyes.

Nicolas barely noticed.

As Nicolas’s best friend, it was up to Aiden to cheer him up. So he decides to run around the tavern, throwing coins at people to join him in the festivities…

Gosh, it disturbs me to see you Nicky, looking so down in the dumps

Nicolas glares at Aiden for the use of the nickname but doesn't say anything.

Every guy here’d like to be you Nicky, even when taking your lumps.

He smirks at that.

There's no man in town, as admired as you, your everyones favourite guy!

A few villagers grimace at that part but Nicolas doesn't notice.

Everyones awed and inspired by you, and it's not very hard to see why…

No one's slick as Nicky

No ones quick as Nicky

No one's neck as incredibly thick as Nicky (a few scoffs were heard but quickly muffled)

For there's no man in town half as manly

A couple of bimbos stood up and sang Perfect, a pure paragon! Making Aiden smile as he sees the tavern joining in.

As the song continues Nicolas gets more smug at all the compliments he is receiving. So why did Harry refuse to marry him? He sighs. He needs to think of a way to get Harry to change his mind - some kind of leverage where he would have no choice but to say yes. Yes, that's it! He needs a plan.

Just then, the door to the tavern flew open just as the singing stopped.

Niall stumbles inside. He was shaking and his clothes were torn.

“Help!” he cried “Somebody help me! We ha-have to go…no time to lose…”

Nicolas watched the young man. He looked crazy - his eyes were wild and he couldn't stop shaking.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa” the tavern keeper said “Slow down Niall”

Niall shook his head “He’s got Harry…locked in a dungeon!”

Suddenly Nicolas sits up straighter, his interest piqued. “Who has Harry?”

“A beast!” Niall shouted “A horrible, monstrous beast!”

Instantly, the tavern filled with laughter. Niall looked around with wide eyes. He couldn't believe they were laughing at him.

“This isn't a joke! His castle is hidden in the woods'' He screamed, looking at the people surrounding him “WIll no one help me?”

As Nicolas listened to the man ramble on, he had an idea “I'll help you Niall” he said, getting to his feet. “Lead us to the beast!”. As they headed out of the tavern, Nicolas smiled. He would help Niall save Harry from this so-called beast. Then he would have no choice but to marry him.

🥀

In the castle kitchen, the staff are excited at the fact that there is another person for them to cook for. After all the years of only having the master to cater for.

Cara, Mary's daughter, comes skidding into the kitchen “Mama there's a man in the castle!”

Mary turns towards Cara watching her skid all over the counter “Yes love, we know. SLOW DOWN!”

Suddenly Cara stops in front of her mum “Is he handsome? Is he nice? What kind of tea does he like!?”

Huffing Mary turns to the staff behind her “We will find out soon enough love, please slow down before you break your handle”

Cara scoffs and skids off again. That tea cup can't stay still for long.

🥀

The beast makes his way towards the dining room after being outside. He stops suddenly when he realises that there are TWO plates set up on the table instead of the normal one plate. He huffs when he notices the candles that are sitting in the middle of the table. What is going on? He turns sharply away from the table and goes on the hunt for his staff. They will tell him exactly what is going on.

“ZAYN”

Zayn turns around on the counter. He knew this was coming; it was his idea for Harry to join the master for dinner.

“Yes master?”

The beast looks at his closest staff and can't help but feel stupid for not realising what they were doing.

“You’re making him dinner!?”

Zayn looks up “We thought you would appreciate the company master”

Liam, who can't lie to save his life turns towards the beast but one look from the beast and Liam starts blurting out Zayns plan “Master, i can assure you i had no part in Zayns plan. Preparing dinner, designing an outfit for him, giving him a suite in the east wing..”

“YOU GAVE HIM A BEDROOM!”

That made Liam stutter “NO, no master, he gave him a bedroom” he looks at Zayn.

“That is true” Zayn sighs “But if the man is the one who can break the curse, maybe you can start by using dinner to charm him!”

The beast looks at Zayn and Liam in utter shock. Charm him! Oh god, it's a bad idea!

“That's the most ridiculous idea i've ever heard” The beast shouts in bewilderment. He can't do that. He doesn't know how!

Zayn looks at the beast with sad eyes. “You must try master, with every passing day, we become less human. You must feel it too”

“But…but he is the brother of a thief, god knows what his father is like. What kind of person do you think that makes him!?” the beast stutters over the excuse he can think of.

Upon hearing that statement, Mary turns around and glares at the beast “Oh master you can't judge people by who their brother or father is, now can you?” The loaded silence follows Mary's statement until the beast grunts and then turns and walks out of the kitchen.

🥀

Upstairs, Inside the beast's castle, Harry sat in his new room, feeling sad and frightened. He was all alone in a strange castle full of enchanted objects and he was sure he would never see Niall or their cottage ever again.

He was also very very hungry.

Just as he was thinking of a way to shimmy down the castle walls from his room's window, there was a loud knock on his door.

“I demand that you will join me for dinner” The beast snarled through the thick door.

“You’ve taken me prisoner and now you want me to dine with you?” He shouts “Are you mad? You're a monster!” he scoffs and shakes his head in disbelief.

The minute the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He really needs to think before he speaks. Way to go Harry!

It turns out he was right as the beast reaction to his words was to let out a door shaking loud roar. Harry sat on his bed listening to the beast behind the door shout at his servants

“If he doesn't want to dine with me, then he doesn't eat at all!”

With that Harry listened to the heavy stomping of the beast's feet? Paws? Getting softer as he is obviously walking away from Harry's room.

🥀

“He thinks I'm a monster!” The beast snarled as he turned around and walked away.

He felt his anger mounting, raging out of control as he stormed his way to the West Wing.

Monster!

His claws gouged the wooden bannister as he went up the long staircase, weirdly wishing it was flesh and blood not splintering wood.

Monster!

There was very little light in this part of the castle. It was completely dark apart from the moonlight that came through the tattered red drapes in the windows of his chambers. Leaning on the far wall were stacks of different shaped mirrors covered in white cloth. Among the mirrors were many portraits, some which he had destroyed in his fits of anger and frustration.

Monster!

He couldn't light a fire in the staggeringly large fireplace or even the torches on the wall brackets. His paws couldn't master tiny things like matches and he refused any of his maids or servants into the West Wing.

He stumbled over to the stack of mirrors to find the one mirror that wasn't broken. The one that the enchantress had left in his room when she cast the curse, with a note telling him that the mirror can be used to watch the oldside world move on without him.

It had been many years since he looked at his own reflection. He had to see how he looked now that he knows people see him. He grabbed onto the white cloth with his paw, then with one movement he tore the sheet away and tossed it aside. He looked up into the looking glass and to the tarnished reflection that stared back at him.

He gasped in shock.

Monster!

The only thing that was proof of what he was before, were his soulful blue eyes, which teemed with humanity. That hasn't changed. They were still his.

But he couldn't say that about the rest of him.

He had become exactly what he feared. And of course, to make him feel even worse, his reflection was worse than he had ever thought.

“Oh fuck! I AM a Monster!”

His knees buckled as his world started to close in. His scope became narrower until he found himself spiralling into darkness as fresh tears rolled down his face.

🥀

After a few minutes the door was pushed open and in came a teapot, Zayn and Liam on a tea trolley.

“My dear, don't listen to the master, he is having a bad evening that's all” she said politely. “Oh how rude of me! I haven't introduced myself. my name is Mary but you can call me Mrs potts if you’d rather”

Harry couldn't help but smile, a genuine one as well. These objects were lovely to him and didn't make him feel like a prisoner. He found out that Mary was the housekeeper and had a daughter called Cara who was around somewhere in the castle “causing mischief no doubt”.

“Cheer up love, things will turn out in the end. You will better after some dinner”

Harry looks at Mary in surprise “But he said “If he won't dine with me, he wont eat all”

Mary shakes her head which turns out to be the whole teapot, Harry can't help but stare in wonder. “People say a lot of things in anger. It is our choice whether or not to listen. Now are you coming?”

🥀

Zayn and Liam are in the dining room getting the staff to get everything ready for when Harry comes down for dinner.

“If the master finds out you violated his orders again and fed the young man Zayn he will blame me” Liam whines as he stands there watching Zayn order the staff around.

“Yes, I will make sure he does my dear Liam, but did you hear him stand up to him?I am telling you, that this man is the ONE. they must fall in love if we are to be humans again and they can't fall in love if he stays in his room!” Zayn exclaims. His plan has to work!

“You know he will never love the master” liam sighs

“A broken clock is right two times a day, and this is not one of those times” Zayn says as he passes by liam.

Liam watches as Zayn starts rushing around as much as he can, being a candelabra and shouting orders.

“Not so loud!” He shouts “Keep it down or the master will hear!”

Zayn turns and looks at Liam with a glint in his eye “Of course my dear Liam but what is dinner without some magic and…music!”

🥀

Before he knew it Harry found himself sitting at the head of a large dining room table. Suddenly the lights dimmed and Zayn stood in the middle of the table. He looked straight into Harry's eyes and said

“Be our guest..”

The next thing Harry saw was Zayn leading the plates, cutlery and the rest of the staff in a grand musical presentation of the most elaborate and delicious meal he had ever tasted.

He had never witnessed magic before but he had read about it in his books. It was definitely an experience.

After sitting at the table for over an hour having a lovely time being surrounded by all the staff, Mrs Potts led Harry back towards his room. Harry couldn't help asking “Don't you ever want to escape this place?”

“The masters not as terrible as he appears, my dear” Mrs Potts answered “Somewhere deep in his soul, there's a Prince of a fellow, just waiting to be set free”

Harry thought about asking her what she meant by that but then he remembered Zayn saying something earlier and he was intrigued.

“Zayn mentioned something about the West Wing…” he said, side eyeing the teapot.

Mrs Potts huffed “That candle stick needs to keep some things to himself” She looked over at Harry and shook her head “The West Wing is off limits to everyone but the master. So I wouldn't worry about it and go and get some sleep my dear” Mrs Potts stopped a few paces away from the stairs that led to Harry's room and bid him goodnight before she turned and made her way back towards the kitchen.

Harry waited until Mrs Potts had disappeared from view. He turned around and looked at the stairs in front of him. If he turned left, he would continue back to his room. But if he turned right…He gazed up at the set of stairs as he made up his mind.

He wanted an adventure didn't he?

Taking a deep breath, he started the climb towards the West Wing.

Soon Harry found himself walking down a long, dark hallway. At the end of the corridor was a single door. He noticed it was slightly ajar.

His curiosity was growing. Harry pushed the door open and walked into a large room. He could tell that it was the beast's suite. On the floor was a nest of a bed, crumpled blankets, torn bits of hay and ripped fabric. The walls had been slashed by deep claw marks. In one corner, a portrait of a royal family lay, ripped apart. The only feature he could make out was the striking blue eyes that he knew instantly belonged to the beast.

As he turned away from the ripped painting, his attention was caught by a table standing in front of the balcony doors. Atop the table was a beautiful glass jar.

Inside, a single red rose hung magically in the air.

Mesmerised, Harry reached out with his hand, his fingertips grazed the etched glass.

🥀

The beast slowly woke up and came back from the darkness he had fallen into. The room was dark except for the pink glow of the enchanted rose he was given when he was cursed. Its light was hazy from under the protective glass jar that covered it. There weren't that many petals left, he noticed sadly.

His previous anger and anxiety had seemed to have subsided after hearing what Harry had called him and his refusal to dine with the beast.

He sat up slowly as the noises of the castle and its staff came back to him in full force.

Talking.

Why was there talking near the West Wing! No one came down here. They knew not too!

The beast got to his feet as quickly as he could. He looked around the room looking for somewhere to hide, as he didn't want anyone to see him in a vulnerable state. He found a hiding place behind a changing screen that was in the corner of the room. He had just got himself settled when the door to his chambers opened with a quiet squeak.

His heart started racing.

He watched in silence as Harry walked into the room slowly. Harry seemed to be drawn towards the rose.

The rose!

The beast started to panic at the open curiosity that Harry had while getting closer to the glass jar.

His anger and panic rose to dangerous proportions.

He couldn't stop the roar that escaped him even if he tried.

🥀

“What are you doing here?”

The beast's roar made Harry jump and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Looking over, he saw the beast appear out of the shadows. Terrified, Harry backed away from the table.

“No..not..nothing” he stuttered.

“Do you realise what you could have done!?” the beast growled. In his fit of anger one of the beast's arms hit a thin column causing it to crumble, pieces falling close to the glass jar. Panic suddenly filled the beast's eyes. He threw his body over the rose to shield it, screaming at Harry.

“GET OUT”

Harry ran.

As he ran towards the castle doors the staff tried their hardest to get him to stay.

“Sir! Don't leave!” came Zayns shout.

“Please, the master didn't mean to do that!” Mary tried to reason.

“It's too cold to be going outside Sir!” Liams reply came quietly.

For a moment Harry was worried he was trapped…again. Then he saw pow pow, a little dog who got turned into a piano bench, raced past him and out through a small door.

Before anyone or anything could stop him, he slipped out the same way. Moments later sitting on Philippe's back he raced away from the castle as fast as he could.

The sound of Philippe's hooves hitting the ground didn't cover the sound of an almighty roar coming from the castle.

🥀

“MASTER!”

“He Has Gone!”

"WHAT DID YOU DO!”

The sound of rushed and panicked voices rang out in the empty West Wing as the beast stayed hunched over the glass jar protecting the enchanted rose. The beast watches as another petal falls slowly to the bottom of the jar through blurred vision.

‘What have i done’

He stands abruptly and runs out the room, down the staircase and out the castle doors without looking back.

If he had he would have seen three shocked faces.

🥀

Harry and Phillippe hadn't managed to get far into the forest when they heard wolves howling from somewhere behind them. Looking over his shoulder, Harry saw at least ten wolves chasing Phillippe.

A moment later, the horse raced onto a frozen lake.

As Phillippe slid to a stop near the other edge of the lake, the loud cracking sound of the ice surrounded them. Harry looked around in horror as the ice on the lake began to crack and break apart.

“Oh god! Phillippe! The Ice is breaking!” Harry screamed.

Suddenly Phillippe bucked and Harry had to hold on for dear life as the horse tried everything to get away from the lake and the pack of wolves snapping jaws from closing on his legs. Looking around Harry saw a snow bank near the edge of the lake, he looked back at the wolves and then towards the snow bank.

He jumped.

Grabbing a nearby large branch Harry swung it in front of him to try and keep the approaching wolves away from him. But no matter what he did, the wolves were creeping closer and closer. Harry watched as the seemingly alpha wolf of the pack got in position to pounce.

Time seemed to freeze as the wolf pounced, Harry closed his eyes expecting to get pinned but nothing happened. Breathing heavily he slowly opened his eyes to witness the wolf get thrown into a tree by the beast.

The beast who just saved Harry from a hungry wolf.

The same beast who roared at Harry to get out of the castle.

Harry was shocked and frozen in fear.

Suddenly Harry was being pinned but not the kind that he thought he was expecting. He was staring into the icy blue eyes of the beast being pinned in place, not knowing how to move.

Seconds later, the beast whipped his head around and jumped into the middle of the wolf pack. Snarling and snapping his powerful teeth, he fought the wolves one by one. Wolves were growling and swiping their claws at the beast but he was giving back more force and the wolves were being thrown everywhere.

The beast was bigger than the wolves, but all of a sudden he was seemingly outnumbered and the leader of the pack was back and fighting harder. Harry watched as the beast and the pack leader went head to head. There were growls and snarls, claws hitting bodies, jaws snapping and teeth being barred.

Then, with a burst of strength, the beast managed to throw the leader of the pack to the ground and pin them. Seeing their leader hurt, the other wolves took off running.

When the lake clearing was void of wolves and he realised he was safe, Harry turned to get back on Phillippe and leave. But when he glanced over his shoulder, he noticed that the beast had collapsed in a heap on the ground. He seemed to be badly hurt from the fight. Harry stopped in his tracks.

The beast had just saved his life.

But he also told him to leave.

Harry let out a loud sigh, he knew the only thing - the right thing - to do was to help him. So with that decided he walked over to the beast lying on the floor and helped him stand. With great difficulty he managed to get the beast onto Philippe's back, even when the horse tried to back away.

“Come on Phillippe, he just saved us! Behave yourself!” he huffed as he tried to keep the beast up on his legs while trying to get his horse to cooperate.

Once the beast was lying over Phillippe, Harry began the long, slow walk back towards the castle, while thinking about the choices he had over the last couple of days.

🥀

In another part of the forest, Nicolas was beginning to think that Niall really was crazy. They had been riding through the woods for hours and had not seen a castle yet.

After another hour of nothing, Nicolas stopped the horses and cart. “Niall, enough is enough” he said, turning to look at the young man “we have to turn back”

Shaking his head even before Nicolas had finished talking, “No, no can't you hear those howls? That means we are close! The castle is around here somewhere! Niall looked around and exclaimed “Look! That's the tree!”. The tree, he told Nicolas and Aiden, was where he turned down and made his way into the enchanted forest.

The castle had to be close by!

Nicolas’s eyes narrowed. He was trying very hard not to lose his temper, so this young man was making it very difficult. “There are no such things as beasts, or talking teacups or…whatever!”

Niall looked at Nicolas in confusion. “If you didn't believe me, then why did you offer your help?” he asked.

“Because I want to marry your brother!” Nicolas shouted, with no attempt to hide his plan any longer “now let's go home”

“I told you he isn't at home! He is with the —”

“If you say the word ‘beast’ one more time, I will feed you to the wolves!” Nicolas screamed in Nialls face.

Nicolas’s behaviour was not lost on Niall. “Captain” he said, backing up a step, “now that i have seen your true face, you will NEVER marry my brother”

There was silence as the two men glared at each other. Until Nicolas pulled back his arm and hit Niall so hard, he was knocked unconscious.

Aiden was sitting in the cart silently, in shock at what he had just witnessed.

“If Niall wont give me his blessing” Nicolas mumbled, picking up the younger man and carrying him towards a tree. “Then he is in my way!”

He pulled a rope out of the cart and tied Niall to the tree. “Once the wolves are finished with him, Harry will have no one to take care of him but me” he snarled.

Without a second glance, Nicolas climbed back into the cart and turned towards the village.

Aiden watched over his shoulder at the slumped figure tied to the tree as the cart rounded the corner. He turned around and glanced at Nicolas with a worried expression.

What had just happened.

Who was this man sitting beside him?

He had never seen Nicolas act like this towards an innocent person before.

This fascination with Harry was making Nicolas go slightly unhinged, Aiden was worried.

🥀

Meanwhile, upstairs in the castle, the beast was proving to be a terrible patient. Ever since Harry had taken him back to the castle, he had been exceptionally cranky.

The beast let out a loud roar. “That hurts!” he snarled, as Harry tried to clean one of his cuts.

“If you held still, it wouldn't hurt as much,” Harry said, grabbing the beast's arm and yanking it towards him.

“If you hadn't run away” the beast said, his jaw clenched. “This wouldn't have happened!”

“Well, if you hadn't frightened me and roared, I wouldn't have run away!” Harry retorted.

“Well, you shouldn't have been in the West Wing!” the beast countered angrily.

“Well. you should learn to control your temper!” Harry snapped. With that the beast went quiet and still.

Harry had made his point.

Once all the cuts and scrapes had been cleaned and then bandaged, the beast drifted off to sleep. Harry turned to leave, To his surprise, he saw that Zayn and Mary had been quietly watching them the whole time.

“Thank you Sir,” Mary whispers.

Zayn bows a little “We are very grateful”

“Why do you care so much about him?” Harry asked softly.

“I have looked after him for his whole life,” Mary says quietly.

Harry stands there in shock “But he has cursed you somehow!” when he didn't get a reply to that he huffed “Why? You did nothing to him”

In response, Mary began to tell him the beast's story.

“You are right Sir. The castle had been a happier place back when the Queen was pregnant, everyone was excited for the upcoming birth. The king had loved his wife dearly and was very happy during the pregnancy, but after the Prince was born the Queen lost a lot of blood and sadly passed away.” Mrs Potts sighed. “Nothing was ever the same after that. The king was all the Prince had, but when the Queen died, the king became cruel hearted and ended up shaping his son in his image. The castle grew dark and cold and so did the boy's heart. And we did nothing to help, and then…” she shook her head and if she could cry she would be wiping tears away. “The enchantress cursed the Prince”

As Mary had finished the story, they were so invested in her tale they all failed to notice the beast opening his eyes and peering up at Harry.

A small smile appears on his face before he succumbs to sleep once again.

Harry's eyes fell to the glass jar. Inside, the rose was fading, a petal drops “What happens when the last petal falls?” he asked softly.

“The master remains a beast forever” Zayn replied. “And the rest of us become…”

“Antiques” Mary finished.

Then, with a heavy sigh, she turned and left the room. A moment later, Zayn glumily followed. Harry's heart grew heavy for his new friends. He wished there was something he could do to help.

As Harry leaves the room, the beast opens his eyes, releasing the hidden tears down his face. He had heard everything they had said. As the guilt and shame of what his actions have done wash over him he succumbs to his tears.

🥀

Gentle hands.

He can feel hands tugging at his ropes.

Under his closed eyes, Niall feels himself being slowly lifted up to lean on a warm body. His feet feel heavy under him, but he makes them move with the help of the body he is leaning on.

Suddenly the body he is leaning on stops.

Niall feels himself being lowered to the ground again.

He lets out a small sigh.

Sounds came back to him slowly, he could hear some rustling and the sound of stone being ground together.

“Drink”

The cold metal touches his lip and he greedily swallows the mixture,

Blinking his eyes open he sees a hooded figure in front of him but cant see their face.

“Thank you…”

🥀

For the next few days, Harry remained by the Beast's side. Watching over him as he slept, doing whatever he could to help him heal. While he passed the hours in silence, Harry's mind drifted until he found himself reciting lines from a Shakespeare play aloud.

“Love and transpose to form and dignity, love looks not with the eyes but with the mind, and therefore…”

To his surprise, the beast woke up at the sound of Harry's voice, finishing the lines as he spoke them.

“And therefore is winged cupid painted blind” he finishes with his gruff voice.

“You know Shakespeare?” Harry asked in awe.

“I had an expensive education” The beast waves his paw around the room.

“Of course you did” Harry blushes, lowers his head “Actually Romeo and Juliet is my favourite piece he has written”

Ignoring the first comment The beast playfully scoffs “why is that not a surprise”

Looking up, Harry can't help but frown “sorry?”

The beast looks up to the ceiling “All that heartache and pining…” He shudders and sticks his tongue out “there are so many different things to read than that”

Harry looks at the beast with a challenge in his eyes “Like what exactly”

The beast just smiles.

Harry sits there in shock at the fact that even though the beast is bloody scary, having him smile at you is even more frightening.

Harry can admit that he likes that smile.

There is a bit of a human in the beast after all.

🥀

A few days later, the beast is feeling better. So he leads Harry towards the large double doors down the corridor from the main hall.

As they stop in front of the doors, the beast stops and takes a deep breath before he lifts his paw up and pushes the doors wide open.

“Should be something in here you can start with” He says as he leads Harry inside.

As Harry lifts his head from looking at the beasts back, he finally takes in where he has been led. His jaw drops when he looks around the biggest and grandest library he has ever seen. The room is filled from floor to ceiling with many many books. There are aisle upon aisle of books. A large window in the middle of the room with multiple sofas and armchairs scattered around for the use of natural light. A large chandelier hangs in the middle of the room. Gold trimming can be seen around the edges of the shelves and the ceiling. It's a grand room for a grand library.

He is in written word heaven.

When he turns back towards the beast he can't help but notice that the beast is standing there with a shy but guarded look on his face.

“It's….oh god it's wonderful! I can't believe it” He gushes, turning in a full circle again with a wide smile on his face.

The beast watches in silence as Harry turns. When Harry is facing away from him, the beast finds the courage to say

“Oh yes i suppose it is…Well, if you like it so much, then it's yours”

Harry stops spinning and sharply turns and looks at the beast in utter shock. Did he just give him the whole library? What?

He stutters but can't find the words. The beast watches in silence but when he realises that no words are being said he bows his head, turns around and walks towards the doors.

“Have you really read every one of these books?”

Harry's words stop the beast in his tracks. He turns back around and looks at Harry. He looks around the room and then back to Harry humming. “Not all of them…some of them are in greek”

Silence follows his words and he sees Harry's eyes widen and a small smile appears on his face

“Was that a joke? Are you telling jokes now?” Harry smirks at the beast.

Standing there looking at the boy in front of him, the beast lets a smirk of his own tug at his lips but his eyes fill with mirth. “Maybe” he says over a huffed laugh.

At the the beast walks out the room leaving Harry shaking his head while giggling. He turns around again and can't believe all these books are now his.

What is his life right now!

Harry spends the rest of the afternoon looking through the whole library, touching the spines as he walks past. Wondering where he wants to start.

Unknown to him, the beast watches him through the doors with a smile on his face.

Also unbeknown to the beast, the servants watch the beast from behind a corner in the corridor.

“It's starting..” Zayn whispers in awe.

The others can only nod in agreement.

🥀

Later the same day, Harry finally agrees to dine with the beast.

He walks into the dining room with three books under his arm, noticing that the beast is already sitting at the table with his own book.

When the food is served, Harry picks up his spoon to start eating his soup when a noise makes him jump. He looks up to see the beast forgo the cutlery and plant his face straight into the bowl in front of him.

The spoon is frozen in front of Harry's face as he stares in shock.

When the beast has finished eating he lifts his head to see Harry staring at him with wide eyes. He slowly lifts his paw to his face to wipe the food from his face.

Harry tries to smile but it's more of a grimace, then looks down and carries on eating with his spoon.

The beast looks away and picks up his book.

🥀

A few days later Harry and the beast are walking in the gardens, Harry has one of the books he found in his library and the beast asked him to read aloud as they walked.

“The air is blue and keen and cold And in a frozen sheath enrolled”

As Harry walked slowly over the stone footbridge they came too, the beast suddenly stopped in the middle of the bridge looking out into the large gardens in front of him. Harry hasn't noticed the beast has stopped.

“Each branch, each twig, each blade of grass Seems clad miraculously with glass”

Harry looks up when he realises he hadn't heard any mumblings coming from the beast, as he would normally be when Harry read out loud. He looks up from his book to where the beast is quietly standing. As he approaches the beast, the beast sighs.

“I feel as if i'm seeing it for the first time”

Harry follows the beast gaze and is surprised to see that they are surrounded by what Harry was just reading from his book. He is in awe of the gorgeous landscape in front of him.

After a few quiet minutes the beast turns to Harry “Is there more?”

Harry smiles to himself as he finds where he had stopped reading.

“But in that solemn silence Is heard the whisper Of every sleeping thing: “Look, look at me Come wake me up For still here i be”

As Harry finishes the poem he looks up to see the beast watching him with a soft look on his face. Harry can't help but notice the hidden meanings in the poem when he looks into the sparkling blue eyes of the beast.

The words are out of his mouth before he even realises.

“What's your name?”

🥀

The beast stands straight at the question. He wasn't expecting it.

He stands there looking at Harry in shock. It's been years since he last heard or even said his name. Why does it feel like a big moment revealing his name?

He notices the slight downturn on Harry's lips when he doesn't reply. He just stands there looking at the man in front of him in shock.

When He watches Harry close the book in his hands and sees his shoulder deflate, his brain finally catches up to him.

“Louis”

He clears his throat when he realises his name came out croaked. When did his throat go dry? What is happening right now?

Harry looks over to him when he clears his throat again.

“My name is Louis”

🥀

Louis.

His name is Louis

Harry stands glued to the spot in amazement as he never thought that the beast – Louis – would actually tell him. To be honest he looks shocked to have revealed it as well.

“Well it's nice to meet you formally then Louis. I'm Harry” He holds out his hand in front of him.

Louis looks from Harry's face to his hand. He gently takes Harry's hand in his paw. Wow his hand looks small against the paw. Louis bows his head in greetings.

“Nice to meet you Harry…formally”

Harry can't help the giggle that comes out of his mouth at watching Louis act so prim and proper.

It's such a strange sight but also it sends a warm feeling through him.

🥀

Over the next couple of days Harry and Louis seem to be getting closer. They spend the days walking outside together, just walking through the gardens.

One day Harry decides to take Louis to meet Phillippe..

It didn't start off well.

Harry brings Phillippe out of the stables and into the large outside area in the front of the castle. Louis stands stock still as Phillippe is brought closer to him.

The horse snorts and whines.

Harry mumbles soft words to try and calm the horse as they get closer to Louis. Harry watches as Louis starts to ring his paws together seemingly nervous.

“Don't be nervous Louis, Phillippe will sense it on you”

Louis huffs and shakes his head.

“How can i not be nervous, he is huge and could easily stomp on me” he whines, shocking Harry into a loud laugh.

“You're much bigger than he is! Stop being silly and come here” He giggles as Louis walks ridiculously slowly towards where him and Phillippe had stopped.

Harry can't stop thinking how soft Louis actually is now that they are slowly getting to know each other. He understands why he acted the way he did at the beginning of whatever this situation is. But now he is seeing a completely different side to this man / beast.

He likes the side of him.

When Louis finally gets to Harry's side, Phillippe tries to back off but Harry holds him firmly.

“Shh Phillippe it's just me and Louis. He isn't as scary as you think” He glances at Louis next to him and watches as his eyes get wider and wider as Phillippe whines and huffs.

Once the horse has settled down, Harry starts to brush his coat to keep him calm. Louis watches in awe at how Harry handles the large horse. He jumps a mile when Harry grabs his paw.

“Try and give him a stroke down his side”

He watches as Louis takes a deep breath and raises his paw towards Phillippe. The minute his paw slightly touches the horse's side, phillippe snorts. Louis jumps back in shock which makes Harry giggle.

“Come on just put your hand on him he isn't going to buck i promise”

Louis looks at Harry with an unamused look on his face but he does what he is told and puts his paw on Philippe's side.

“I did it!”

The look of pure glee on Louis’s face makes Harry's breath hitch.

After a few minutes of watching Louis petting Phillippe, Harry decides to walk away a bit to see how they react to each other without him there.

The look on Louis’s face is pure fear but when he sees that Harry has not gone far he seems to relax into properly petting the animal in front of him.

“Please don't stomp on me…please” Louis mumbles quietly. Phillippe just huffs in reply.

Suddenly Louis is hit in the face with something wet and cold. He looks up in shock to see Harry laughing to himself with glee at having managed to hit Louis with a snowball.

“Oh you're in trouble now..” Louis says as he bends down to grab a handful of snow.

Harry isnt quick enough to duck before he is hit in the face with a huge amount of snow, large enough to knock him off his feet.

He is staring up to the sky in shock but starts laughing when he hears Louis shout

“Oh fuck…Sorry!”

🥀

Louis can't believe how much he actually looks forward to seeing Harry everyday. He wakes up thinking about him and what he wants to do that day.

Actually he can't believe that he told him his name!

What was he thinking?

“You’re an idiot that's what!” he mumbles to himself after watching Harry walk towards his chambers after dinner was finished.

Harry is just so…

Louis has no words.

Literally.

“You seem to getting on well with Harry, master”

Louis jumps in surprise at the voice behind him. Turning round he came face to face with Zayn, Liam and Mary.

“I don't know what you mean, I'm just tolerating him. It's not like he is going anywhere is it” he sighs when all he gets in response is a smirk and raised eyebrows, well eyebrows is a bit much seeing as they currently don't have eyebrows to raise.

“Master, don't do that. We can all see how you two are getting on well. It's a good thing! You should be happy to have someone new to talk to and get to know'' Mary says as she skids in front of him.

Louis’s shoulders deflate as he sighs again “Mary, come on you have to see that he can't be the one to break the curse! How can a man like him fall in love with a monster like me!”

“You don't know that love, and I will keep telling you that you are not a monster everyday if you keep thinking that. Harry doesn't think you're a monster. He didn't know you when he called you that. You had just thrown his brother out into the snow after locking him up” she tries to get Louis out of his dark thoughts.

Louis stands up from the dining table and walks towards the staircase to his chambers. His body feels heavy with all the thoughts running through his head.

Harry won't break the curse.

You’re a monster!

Louis looks back at his staff to see them all have the same sad look on their faces.

He decides there and then to at least try to be the person they think he is.

🥀

Harry feels the bright sun rays on him even before he opens his eyes. He turns over and hides his face in the cold pillow behind him. He can hear the snores coming from the wardrobe in his room and he can't help but smile at the fact that a wardrobe is snoring.

This place is incredibly strange but then again so is Harry, so maybe that's why he is starting to feel like this is where he is meant to be.

Icy blue eyes appear in his mind's eye, taking him by surprise.

Louis

Those eyes…

Harry sighs he can't get over how different it is knowing his name. It's like he is seeing Louis in a different light. At first all he saw was a large beast like creature who growled and snarled and was horrible with his actions towards Niall but now..

Now Harry sees a scared man trapped in a castle with no way out. He understands why Louis acted the way he did at the beginning but over the last few days he has noticed small changes.

Harry is already at the dining table when Louis walks in.

Harry keeps his eyes cast down on the book in front of him but he can see Louis in the corner of his eye. Louis stops at the end of the table where his plates and cutlery are placed but he doesn't sit down.

Harry slyly watches as Louis lets out a quiet sigh and notices a slight tremor to his paws.

“Good evening Louis”

Louis visibly jumps at Harry's greeting. Harry can't help the smile that comes onto his face at that.

“Good evening Harry” Louis clears his throat “Have you had a good day?”

Harry felt a light tingling down his neck when Louis asked. He has never asked before, so Harry is a bit shocked and doesn't reply straight away.

Louis’s shoulders deflate in the silence but Harry watches as he seems to stand up straighter as he obviously decides something.

Harry goes back to his book so he doesnt see when Louis collects his dinner plates and cutlery in his paws.

A few minutes later a cough startles Harry from the page he was reading. He looks up and widens his eyes in disbelief when he sees Louis right next to him.

“May i?” Louis nods to the open space right next to Harry.

Harry sits there with his mouth opening and closing but no sound comes out. Something in the way Louis is standing there looking at Harry makes him finally close his mouth and clear his suddenly dry throat.

“Of course”

Once Louis is settled in his new place, Harry smiles and goes back to his book in hopes to calm his beating heart.

Louis has never done this before. Why now?

Before long Mary comes out of the kitchen on a trolley full of bowls. The food smells amazing. Mary looks up and sees the new place settings but doesn't say anything.

“Evening Sirs, Enjoy your food”

Once the bowls are placed in front of them, Mary leaves but not without a final look at the two men.

Harry puts his book to one side and as he turns back to his food he sees Louis trying to pick up the soup spoon.

Trying but failing.

He watches as Louis gets slowly annoyed at the spoon and his paws so Harry does the only thing he can think of.

He picks up his bowl with his hands.

Louis looks up at the action and Harry sees the moment he realises what Harry is doing. A small smile appears on his face and his eyes light up.

Harry waits as Louis carefully picks his bowl up. Once both bowls are held in hands he lifts the bowl to his mouth, glancing at Louis to see if he does the same. He does.

A loud slurping noise fills the room.

Harry has to put his bowl down before he spills it everywhere when he bursts into giggles

Louis looks proud of himself at making Harry laugh, so he continues to slurp at the soup just to make the laughter go on.

He can't help but join in with the laughter once he puts his bowl down.

Harry decides there and then that he wants…no needs to hear louis laugh more often.

Harry lets out a small laugh at the memory of that dinner. As He finally gets out of bed and gets dressed he can't help but feel calm and looks forward to going out into the castle to see everyone. Including Louis.

Especially Louis.

He leaves his room with a smile on his face.

🥀

She watches the man in front of her sleep soundly on the ground on a blanket she put down after he had finished eating and drinking what she gave him.

“Oh my dear boy, how i've missed you” she whispers as she lets a few tears fall down her face.

The man sniffs and rolls over in his sleep.

“I hope you can forgive me for what I did. But it had to be done, he became his father and let us folk struggle while he sat in his palace surrounded by riches” she scoffs quietly.

“Honestly, it should have been the king but the plan changed when he died from liver failure.the prince turning out like his father was good enough for me to teach those royals a lesson!”

She shakes her head as she stares into the forest around them. She did what she had to do even when her husband tried to make her see reason. Oh her lovely husband. She couldn't help but smile as the memories flooded her mind.

Over 30 years ago…

She was going to knock this son of a bitch out if he carried on. This tall, brute of a man had come over to her outside the tavern she was drinking in. He started all nice and they were having a lovely conversation before the man stated that witches are unnatural.

She was stunned at the force he had said it but then she got angry.

Nothing is unnatural about us! She stated loudly “Anything God makes is natural - by definition. And we, all of us, are the children of god”

She watches as shock crosses over the man's face until his eyes turn cold when he notices her wand in her tight fist.

“You are the children of the devil” he screeches “put here as a test! You shall be wiped from the earth like the unnatural dragons of old, you..you mouthy hag!” spit falling from his mouth as he rages through his speech.

She just stands there with her wand in one hand and a glare on her face, silently letting the man rant but then he says “you need to purify yourself”

“Purify?” she spits…actually spits with rage. How dare this brute say that to her. “I was baptised by the father himself! So that is at least one more bath than you’ve ever had, you son of a pig!”

With that she raises her wand and a bright white light surrounds them.

As she walks off she looks over her shoulder to see the man standing statue still but where his nose was is now a pig's snout.

She can't help but giggle as she turns the corner.

And then graciously falls over something in her path. As she slowly gets up from the floor she looks up to see what she fell over.

It's a man.

A bloody good looking man at that.

He was staring at a piece of what looked like metal in his hands. He didn't react when she fell over him it seems. Too invested in his tinkering.

She could see a frown on his face as he turned the metal piece over in his hands. She didn't want the man to be frowning so she can't be blamed for randomly blurting out the first thing that pops into her head.

“You know, you need to speak to the metal”

The sound of metal hitting the ground fills her ears. She looks down at the man as he looks up at her. Blue eyes…wow those eyes are lovely.

After a minute of silence he clears his throat “speak to it?”

She nods her head slowly. “What do you mean?” he asks in confusion.

“Ask it what it needs, to do what you want it to do.” she shrugs her shoulders ``at least that's what a friend of mine who knows about such thing says”

The man stares at her in bewilderment but then shrugs “well, i've tried everything else” he mumbles. He then sits up straighter, picks up the piece off the floor, holds it up in front of him and clears his throat.

“HELLO, METAL. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET YOU TO WORK?”

She stares at him with wide eyes as he finishes shouting at the metal.

Then she can't stop the burst of laughter that comes out of her.

The man smiles and chuckles along with her and shrugs a shoulder.

“Not like that, I don't think” she giggles “at least not in our language. You need to know the language of metal” she smiles at him and hold out her hand “im Sophie by the way”

“Edward” the man says as he takes her hand and kisses her knuckles.

Present time…

Sophie looks over at the man on the floor. She sighs in annoyance at herself. She knew she shouldn't be here but she couldn't sit back and watch one of her sons be left for dead by that brute of man.

But then again is Niall her son still, after all these years of not being there for him and his brother. Watching from afar instead of in their family cottage, they moved too from Paris where they lived before she decided to carry out her plan. Being a witch was helpful at times especially when she needed to stay hidden and have people walk past her as if she was only a beggar woman on the streets.

And Harry, her baby boy…in that blasted castle! He has always been the brave and adventurous kind. But she never thought he would give up his life just to have Niall free.

Their brothers, they should be together especially now that their father has passed away. But no..no Niall had a near death experience with a pack of wolves and found himself in the one place she didn't want him to be! And now Harry is stuck there with a beast…of her own creation!

Damn Prince!

Damn Castle!

Fifteen years ago…

Looking around their tiny attic room they called home, Sophie and Edward knew it wasn't going to be long until they had to move to somewhere bigger.

The boys slept in beds that were too small for them and there was no privacy for any of them. Niall was nearly a teenager and Harry had just turned eleven. They needed their own rooms.

Sophie turned to Edward “My love, i think it's time we found somewhere new to live”

Edward jumped at the sound of her voice as he was busy making his latest creation. He looked up from the box on the table with a frown. “Where would we go? We don't have that much money saved. What's brought this on all of a sudden?”

Letting out a deep breath Sophie stands up and goes to the only window in the room. She looks out over the near city of Paris. It's a beautiful place to just look at but there were murmurs of a new disease making its way through it. She didn't want her boys anywhere near something that could be deathly.

A sniffle and the noise of sheets rustling brings her out of her mind. She looks over and sees Harry curled up in a ball but his feet still hung over the edge of the bed while Niall was spread out over his bed with his head hanging over the top edge. She chuckled at her boys.

A pair of warm arms wrapped around her waist and a barely there kiss was pressed into her neck. “My love, what are you thinking?”

Grabbing the arms around her, she turns in the hold so she can face her husband. She wraps her arms around his neck and looks into his bright eyes. Those eyes are her weakness, she can admit that to herself.

“Our boys deserve somewhere safe, somewhere where Niall can tinker with you in a room out the back of the house. And Harry deserves to be able to walk freely and find his happiness. I can see he is itching to go explore but he can't do that here” she shakes her head “Not with the disease spreading”

Edward stands there watching his wife for a few minutes. He sighs “Well there is a little village, not that far from the market I go to every year. It's surrounded by a large forest and the people seem welcoming when I travel through it. Would you prefer it if we went there? I have been looking in the nearby villages for a home for us” he smirks when he sees her face light up in wonder.

“Oh a forest! I love trees and the fresh air and earth would do wonders for my roses!” she points to the three clay pots in the window “my babies havent grown as well as they should in those little pots” pouting she turns back to edward “Can we go see the village?”

Edward laughs at her excitement, he hasn't really understood her love for roses but lets her be. “Well actually the last time i travelled through i stopped at the tavern that was there.” Spohie raises her eyebrow at that, but before she can say anything edward cuts her off “I know, i know but i got speaking the owner and he was telling me about this little cottage at the edge of the village that had been vacant for a while”

Sophie lets out a happy noise.

“Let's go, my love. It sounded wonderful!”

One year later..

Everything can change in a year…

Sophie watches from the shadows as two rowdy boys and their father finish packing up their cart.

Tears fall down her face and she sees the younger boy look up at the windmill in front of him. He raises his hand and sends a kiss up to the window. He turns round and snuggles into the other boy's side. Sophie can hear his cries as the cart is pulled away by the large white horse attached at the front.

“Im sorry” she sobs quietly “Im sorry, i promise to never forget you even when you forget me”

She kisses her palm and blows a kiss towards the cart.

A gold shimmer settles over the cart, unnoticed and unseen by those who are in there.

She walks away from her previous home with a plan to execute, instead of being in that cart starting a new life with her family.

She has a king to meet.

Present time…

Niall starts to wake so Sophie does the only thing she can do and turns herself in the beggar woman that has been seen around the village.

A stranger.

A nobody.

🥀

Harry finds Louis outside sitting on a bench surrounded by white roses. He looks calm as he turns the pages of the book he has in his paws. Harry can't help but smile at the image in front of him. A beast of a man sitting within roses reading a book.

It's not something you would ever see in the village. He can't help but giggle at the picture his mind makes of Louis sitting on the edge of the fountain in the village square reading, surrounded by the folks all around him with wide eyes and shocked faces.

Harry would do anything to see that actually happen!

He must have laughed louder than he thought as now Louis has hidden the book next to him and is looking straight at him.

As he walks towards Louis he can't help but inquire “What are you reading?”

Louis looks away quickly “Nothing” he mumbles trying to be sneaky and hides the book in his jacket but as he does Harry catches a glimpse of the book's title. He hides his smile behind his hand.

“Guinevere and Lancelot” he quirks an eyebrow at Louis, who looks around not giving Harry eye contact.

He shrugs but stutters out “Well, actually, King Arthur and the round table. You know Knights, and men, and swords and…and things”

Harry sits down next to Louis who looks straight ahead of him, but Harry can see him throwing side glances at him and when he looks back Louis looks straight again. He laughs

“But still…it's a romance” he can't help but tease.

It's fun to see Louis squirm.

After a while Louis nods his head slowly and then quietly states “all right! I felt like a change” they look at each other and end up laughing at the silliness of it all.

When their laughter quietens down, Harry looks over to Louis and sees the happiness radiating from him.

“I never thanked you for saving my life” he mumbles, Louis turns towards him and there's a small smile on his face.

Louis bows his head and when he looks up Harry can't look away from his eyes. They look full of honesty and awe.

“Well I never thanked you…for not leaving me to be eaten by wolves” Louis shudders in jest.

Harry laughs quietly again. He seems to be doing that alot around Louis lately. They end up sitting outside together for a while. Just looking out to the gardens in front of them. Shouts and laughter can be heard through the open window behind them. The castle staff seem to be having a good time inside.

“They know how to have a good time, don't they?” Harry says when a crash sounds from inside followed by loud laughter.

Louis turns towards the window too but has a frown growing on his face “Yes. but when i enter the room, the laughter dies” he turns to look sadly at Harry.

Harry suddenly feels the urge to gather Louis up in his arms and hug him tightly. “Me, too. The villagers say that I'm an interesting weird guy, but I don't think they mean it as a compliment” he chuckles to himself.

When he looks over at louis he sees him looking bad with a sad tilt to his mouth “I'm sorry your village people sound terrible”

“Almost as lonely as your castle” he mumbles to himself but Louis still hears him. Suddenly Louis stands up, walks in front of where Harry is sitting. offers his paw and bows.

“What do you say we run away?” he asks as he looks up. Harry is confused at the question but one look at louis’ eyes and sees the mischief hiding in them.

He takes his paw and nods.

🥀

Louis takes a deep breath when he walks over to the desk cabinet in the far corner of the library. He left Harry standing by the table in the middle of the room and had told him to wait there.

He opens the cabinet door. Inside resting on top of a velvet box is a gold trimmed thick book. It shimmers lowly with magic. If you looked closely you would think it had a gold shimmer around it. Louis knows different.

He gently picks the heavy book up and shuts the cabinet door.

Walking back towards where Harry is, he tries to calm his breathing. He has never shown this to anyone. Only him and the enchantress know this book exists.

As he lays the book on the table in front of him Harry quietly watches, feeling the tension in the room.

“What's this louis?”

“This is another little ‘gift’ from the enchantress” Louis scoffs to himself. He slowly opens the book which creaks with age. Inside is not a normal book like Harry was expecting but instead when louis lays the book flat on the table, what is revealed is an antique world map. The gold shimmer covers the whole thing making it sparkle. There are no countries on it, just land and sea.

“A book that truly allows you to escape”

The words slowly sink into Harry's mind as he watches the atlas come to life. Waves lap the beaches. The green trees sway in the invisible wind.

“How amazing” he mumbles in awe.

Louis scoffs at the comment which makes Harry look up in surprise. Louis nods to the book “it was her cruellest trick of all. The outside world has no place for a creature like me. But…but it can for you”

“What do you mean?” Harry can't help but ask as he looks from the book up to Louis. In answer to the question Louis offers his paw to him and Harry takes it cautiously.

Louis places Harry's hand on top of the atlas, puts his paw on top holding the hand in place.

“Think of the place you’ve most wanted to see. first , see it in your mind's eye.” Harry nods his head and closes his eyes. Louis watches quietly. “Now feel it in your heart” he whispers into Harry's ear making the man shiver slightly.

As Harry takes a deep breath, Louis closes his eyes as the gold shimmer grows in size until it covers both of them.

When Harry opens his eyes, he isn't in the library anymore.

They are standing in the attic room of his childhood home.

In Paris.

To say he is shocked would be an understatement.

Louis snaps him out of his shock.

“Where did you take us?”

“Paris,” Harry sighs. He can't believe he is here. Looking around the room he sees two small beds and a large bed next to them.

Louis walks over to the small window and looks down to see the lights of Paris all around. “Oh I love Paris. What would you like to see first? Notre Dame? No? Too touristy?”

He turns around when he doesn't get a reply to his rambling. Harry is standing in the middle of the room silently with tears rolling down his cheeks.

God his eyes are so..so green.

Harry shakes his head “It's so much smaller than i imagined”

Louis watches quietly as Harry starts moving around the room, taking everything in. Harry's hand traces over the table in the middle of the room as he walks towards the corner of the room where an easel is slowly crumbling away. There's a tarnished mirror up on the wall and Harry walks up to it and seems to stroke the edges in awe. When he bends down and lays a hand on one of the beds and starts to quietly sob, Louis has to look away.

It physically hurts him to see this lovely and kind man break down in front of him.

When Harry comes and stands next to Louis at the window, he notices him holding a small rattle. But what he can only focus on is that it's shaped like a red rose.

A rose!

What the hell!?

“What happened here?” Louis looks back up to Harry as he turns away from the window and sighs.

“That's the only story I don't know the ending too in all honesty. I don't remember this place much but Niall is older than me so he remembers things i don't.” he sighs again but more in annoyance this time. “Niall never talks about this place. And i knew better than to keep asking”

As Harry talks, Louis notices something on one of the chairs. He walks over and picks up a small notebook. He holds it up to show Harry. Harry takes the book in his hands and opens it.

“Im sorry, my loves but i must leave Please forgive me…just remember i love you all very dearly”

He stares at the page in shock. It's his mothers handwriting, he is sure of it.

It can't be though, Papa told us she died of the disease in Paris! That's why we left. He doesn't understand.

But if she didn't die, where did she go? Why did she go?

Louis watches as Harry closes the book and holds it to his chest with the rose rattle. He feels this overwhelming urge to console him. He looks heartbroken.

“I'm sorry Harry…I'm sorry I ever called your brother a thief. He was only looking out for you and wanted to give you something that means something to both of you” he hangs his head in shame for his actions. Tears well up in his eyes at his cruelty towards Harry, the only family member he has left.

“Take us home”

Louis snaps his head at those words. He sees Harry with tears falling down his face and holding the two items in his head so hard that his knuckles are white.

Home.

He walks over to Harry and nods. He takes Harry's hand and they close their eyes at the same time.

The gold shimmer falls away and leaves the room empty once more.

🥀

Rain falls down on two men walking through the village.

As they get closer to the tavern, the sound of music and loud laughter can be heard coming from one of the open windows.

Aiden shakes his head roughly to get as much of the rain off his hat as he can. He looks over to Nicolas and sees him staring off into space.

“Wow, this is some storm! At least we’re not tied to some tree in the middle of nowhere, right?” he glances at Nicolas to see his reaction. There isn't one. “You know..” he edges closer “it's not too late, we could go back and get him..”

Nicolas walks through the tavern door and down the steps without saying a word. Aiden follows him quickly.

“It's just..every time I close my eyes, I can see Niall stranded out there. And then when I open my eyes..” he trails off when he looks up from watching where he was walking to see…

“Niall!”

He stood closer to the fire in the large room surrounded by the tavern owner and some of the villagers.

Nicolas glances at Aiden before locking eyes with a stern looking Niall. But before he can speak the tavern owner walks forward “Nicolas, did you try to kill Niall?”

Nicolas decides to ignore that question to instead put a large smile on his face. “Oh Niall! Thank heavens. I've spent the last five days trying to find you!”

Everyone stops talking and glances between Nicolas and Niall. Aiden stays behind Nicolas trying to blend in with the wall so no one would notice him.

“No Nicolas! You tried to kill me! All because I said you wouldn't be marrying my brother! You left me for the wolves!” Niall is furious at the man in front of him. He can't believe he would do such a thing to someone.

“Niall, it's one thing to rave about your delusions. It's another to accuse me of attempted murder, don't you think?” Nicolas makes a big deal of sighing really loudly.

Niall looks around the room noticing the looks he gets after what Nicolas says. He knows that they are starting to doubt him.

The tavern owner Jean turns to Niall, with an accusing look on his face. “Niall, do you have any proof of what you are saying?”

“Ask Joan! She was the one to rescue me!” Niall shouts, shocking the people as they have never seen him so angry before.

People look at the woman in the corner of the room who hasn't said a word since they arrived.

Nicolas laughs loudly “Joan? You’d hang your accusation on the testimony of a filthy hag!?” he then turns to Joan “No offence”

Joan narrows her eyes at Nicolas but doesn't say anything.

Niall looks from her to where Nicolas is standing, noticing Aiden trying to hide.

“Aiden was there! He saw it all!” he points angrily at Aiden who had stopped moving once his name was said. He stands there wide eyed not knowing what to say.

Nicolas turns round and looks at Aiden with a knowing smile, he turns back towards the group of people, “You’re right. Don't take my word for it” he walks back to Aiden and puts his heavy arm around the man's shoulders and grips his arm tightly.

“Aiden, my dearest friend, did I, your oldest friend and most loyal compatriot, try to kill the brother of the only man I've ever loved?” he says with a side eyed glare. Aden knew he was going to the shit kicked out of him if he went against Nicolas.

He looks pleadingly at Niall and takes a deep breath. “It's a complicated question on a number of accounts, but..” he glances at Nicolas and sees him glaring “No. no he did not”

The room erupts in shouts. Nicolas slaps Aidens arm with a big smile on his face. Niall looks shattered like he can't believe this has happened. Aiden notices tears welling up in Nialls eyes as he shakes his head in defeat.

Suddenly Niall runs at Nicolas with his fist raised. Ready to strike.

Nicolas stops the attack by grabbing Nialls arm.

“Niall, it pains me to say this, but you’ve become a danger to yourself and others. No wonder Harry ran away from you. You need help sir. A place to heal your troubled mind” Nicolas looks across the room to three men who he nods to and they block the entrance while one of them disappears out of the tavern.

Niall watches this happen with wide eyes. He knows who those men are and what's going to happen next. He tries to get out the hold Nicolas has on his arm but to no success.

“Everythings going to be fine” He whispers cruelly into Nialls ear, as a man in black clothing starts to walk down the steps.

🥀

A couple of days after the trip to Paris, Louis finds himself in his bathroom. Grumbling to himself.

Louis is definitely out of his damn mind! Why did he do that!

Sitting in a bathtub that is too small for his current body, cursing himself off over what he said, he thinks about earlier that day..

Walking into the ballroom to find Harry standing in the middle looking up at the massive chandelier in awe.

He stands there looking at this handsome man and can't get over the feeling of contentment. He feels like he can be a better person when Harry is next to him. Sounds corny but that's how Louis feels. He has hidden his true emotions for so many years that he really is struggling with himself.

He must have made some kind of sound because the next minute he locks eyes with Harry.

“You don't mind me being in here do you?” Harry says while cocking his head to the side.

Louis finds this adorable.

Shaking his head to try and clear his mind “No of course not”

Harry sends him a full on dimpled smile and bashfully ducks his head.

He is pulled from his memory by the arrival of Zayn. who comes into the room with staff following behind with towels and other ‘important’ things that Louis has no idea what they are.

“Zayn” he whines “I can't believe myself right now” he slumps down into the tub but doesn't succeed to go anywhere but make water splash over the sides.

“What exactly happened, master?” Zayn asks while trying to stay away from the water escaping the tub.

“We were in the ballroom and I saw him standing there and I said ‘you're making this ballroom look beautiful, we should have a dance tonight’” he grumbles from behind the curtain keeping him from being seen in the tub. “I never thought he would actually say yes! What was I thinking?!”

Louis shakes his head at his dramatics but he can't believe his brain to mouth filter decided to stop working when he was in that blasted ballroom.

Zayn lets out what can be only described as a squeal “No, master, it's perfect! The rose only has four petals left. Which means tonight…you MUST tell him how you feel!”

Louis suddenly stands up in the tub and puts his paws on his hips.

“I FEEL like a FOOL Zayn! He will never love me! Look at me!”

Zayn looks up at the naked creature in front of him, shaking his head to try and contain the laughter he is trying to hide.

Louis looks like a drowned cat. All wet fur and wide scared eyes. He only just contains the laughter.

A smile can't be stopped though “Do not be discouraged master!”

Instead of answering Zayn, Louis shakes his whole body and water goes flying everywhere.

It extinguishes Zayns candles.

After giving Louis a glare, Zayn waves his arms and the candles are lit. “He is the one, I know it!”

The noise that comes out of louis is very loud it makes Zayn jump.

“I wish you would stop saying that!”

Once Louis is dry and dressed in a robe, he sits in a chair in front of his dresser.

“There is no ‘the one’” he mumbles at himself. He knows that Harry couldn't love him. He has never been the lovable one.

Zayn sighs “You care for him, don't you?” he doesn't give Louis time to reply “Well, then, you have to woo him with beautiful music and romantic candlelight..”

“Yes and when the moments right..” Zoe the maid who is a feather duster joins in.

Louis looks from Zayn to everyone else in the room and sighs deeply “But how will I know?”

Liam pipes up after watching quietly “You will feel slightly nauseous”

That earns some laughter and Liam looks down to the ground bashfully.

Zayn brings Louis back to the moment “Don't worry master, you will be fine”

Mary comes into the room suddenly and levels Louis with as much as a glare as she can, being a teapot.

“Just stop being a coward and tell him how you feel” Louis opens his mouth to talk but quickly shuts it when he receives a huff and stream spurts out of Mary. she waits a few seconds “And if you dont i can promise you you will be drinking cold tea for the rest of your life!”

Zayn nods his head “In the dark”

Zoe jumps in again “Covered in dust”

“Dark and very very dusty” Zayn stands tall and gives his best ‘dont fuck with me’ look. Louis has seen that look many times over the years.

He even has a bit of singed hair because of that look.

Louis looks at his staff again with wide eyes. They mean every word they say. He slumps his shoulders in defeat. “Fine but what should i wear”

🥀

Harry stands in front of his wardrobe in awe as gorgeous silk material wraps around his body. He can't believe that this is really happening.

He is getting ready to go dance in an absolutely beautiful ballroom with someone who he has begun to see differently. When Louis stood there telling him how beautiful he was in the ballroom, Harry couldn't believe his ears.

Louis thought he was beautiful!

No one had ever called him anything but weird for most of his life. It's a nice change. Now he is standing in his chambers getting dressed in material he has looked at from afar. After a few minutes the material stops moving and Harry is left standing in what he can only describe as an breathtakingly golden yellow silk dress that goes right down to the floor in a ballgown shape.

It's a proper princess dress and Harry is in love.

Now he knows its slightly strange for a man to wear a dress but who gives a flying fuck!

He looks stunning and he is extremely happy. That's all that matters.

Well actually he hopes Louis likes the dress, he doesn't want him to look at harry and not like what he sees.

“Beautiful! Hmm but something is missing!” Miss Garderobe exclaims. The wardrobe looks up to the ceiling in thought. She notices the gold trimmings dusted around the room.

“Ah yes! The finishing touch!”

She sweeps out her arm which is actually the bottom part of the door and the gold trimmings start to trickle down and land gracefully on the bottom of the dress in a swirled pattern.

It completes the gown off perfectly.

Once he is fully dressed there's a knock at his door.

“Come in”

The door opens and Harry sees Zayn and Liam standing in the corridor. The look on their faces makes Harry preen at the attention.

“Oh my…Sir! You look incredible!” Zayn shouts in glee. Harry welcomes them into the room.

Harry turns around for them to see the full outfit until Zayn gasps. “Your hair! We need to sort your hair sir”

He is pushed into the chair in front of his dressing table with Zayn climbing up and standing in front of the mirror.

“Hmm yes, up! I think…oh no half up! Let the ringlets down…yes yes!”

Harry hasn't seen Zayn this excited before and he can't help but feed off the excitement. He watches as Zayn instructs Liam into putting his hair into the correct style. No candles near the hair!

After twenty minutes Harry is standing in the corridor by the staircase waiting for his cue from Zayn that Louis is on his way. He can't stop fidgeting with his dress.

He is nervous.

🥀

Louis is shitting himself.

He can't help but pace around his chambers while he waits for Zayn to return. He starts muttering to himself while he fidgets with his jacket and shakes out his paws.

Paws…ugh what is he doing this…he must look ridiculous with his furry body stuffed into a tight dinner jacket and trousers. His legs look like two thick tree trunks with his big clawed feet sticking out.

He isn't even wearing shoes for god's sake!

How can Harry be even interested in wanting him like this! He is a monster in tight clothes and poofy hair!

While Louis is busy talking to himself he misses Zayns arrival until he clears his throat.

“Sir…he is ready”

Louis feels like he jumps ten feet in the air and spins around so fast he nearly falls over, he looks down at Zayn with wide eyes and short breaths.

“Oh Shit, here goes nothing”

🥀

Harry is standing where Zayn left him but he can't seem to calm his heart down, it's beating so fast. He shakes out his sweaty hands before he starts ruffling the beautiful dress he is wearing.

He starts counting in his head to try and pass the time before he has to walk down the stairs. He turns around and faces the wall behind him so he doesn't lose focus.

When he hits 1200 he is interrupted by the sound of metal hitting the marble floor over and over again, getting louder every second. The sound suddenly stops but is replaced by hurried whispering.

“Oh god, is he there? I can't see him, Zayn! Did he decide to not come?”

“Sir! Calm Down! He is there I promise you, I told him to wait for you to arrive before coming down the stairs!”

“But…But..”

“Seriously Man! Buck up! He is here. I'm going to go get him. Take a breath before you pass out…Jeez!”

Harry can't stop the loud laugh that bursts out after hearing Zayn tell Louis to calm down. He slaps his hand over his mouth to try and muffle his giggles.

“Shit! I can hear him!”

“I'm going now okay Sir? Deep breaths…your going to need to not pass out when you see him”

“ZAYN! Don't tell me that! I'm nervous enough”

By the time Zayn arrives in front of Harry, he has a massive grin plastered on his face. Zayn looks up and shakes his head in esparation. He can't help letting a quiet laugh out over the way Louis was acting.

“Are you ready Sir?”

Harry takes a deep breath in and slowly lets it out.

“Born Ready Zayn…Let's go!”

Zayn bows and moves out the way so Harry can start to walk down the stairs.

🥀

When he hears footsteps on the stairs Louis snaps his head up and his eyes land on a beautiful vision. Harry isn't looking at him but at his feet, making sure he doesn't trip on the stairs. Louis gulps as Harry gets closer and He can finally see him fully.

“Beautiful” He whispers when Harry is nearly at the bottom of the stairs.

As soon as he is two steps away from Louis, Harry looks up and stops. He looks shocked at first but slowly a shy smile appears on his face. Louis bows and offers his hand to help Harry down the rest of the stairs.

When Harry's hand touches Louis’, he feels a shock run up his arm. He jolts slightly but doesn't release the man's hand.

“Good Evening Harry. You look breathtaking!”

A blush warms Harry's cheeks at the compliment.

“Good Evening Louis, Thank you, you're looking very dapper yourself” He cheekily replies with a wide smile.

Louis huffs a laugh and shakes his head. He lets go of Harry's hand and watches as his face falls slightly. Until he turns and offers his elbow for Harry to take, Harry can't help the blush from returning brighter as he grasps Louis’ arm.

“Are you ready to dance?”

As he looks up from where he is connected to Louis, Harry looks into the gorgeous blue eyes and all he can do is nod his head in agreement.

Arm in arm they enter the ballroom in front of them. The room had been cleaned, dusted and scrubbed of any cobwebs and debris so it now gleams and shines back to its former glory. Harry can't help but gasp in awe at the beautiful room. The chandelier is sparkling sending light into every corner of the room. The Windows are squeaky clean and he can't take his eyes away from how clear he can see the night sky twinkling away. He turns to look over at Louis, who is looking around the room in shock as well. He looks down at Louis’ Jacket and sees the light bouncing off the polished gold buttons, making Louis seem to shine in his handsomeness.

Once the doors close quietly behind them, they hear the sound of music playing softly in one of the corners of the room. As they arrive in the centre of the room, the music swells suddenly making the two men turn to each other.

Harry releases Louis’ elbow and falls gracefully into a low bow, making his dress flow out and cover his feet and Louis’ paws. As he rises Louis stands up straight and returns the bow. Once they both are back to standing, Harry offers his hands to Louis.

Taking a noticeable large deep breath making Harry smile, Louis takes the smaller hands into his wide paws and gently positions them in the correct stance. The music rises in tempo and Louis takes the lead and moves towards Harry making him take a step back. They glide across the ballroom floor without taking their eyes off each other.

Shy smiles and small laughs are heard when they both mess up some of the dancing. Harry tries not to slip, making Louis grip him tighter bringing Harry closer to his chest.

Harry can't believe this is happening, he is in a gorgeous dress, dancing with a wonderful but guarded person. He can't believe how gentle Louis is being with him while they move quietly across the room.

Suddenly the music slows as the lights start to dim. Louis looks over to Harry to see a lovely smile on his face and he can't help but step closer and carefully moves his hands to Harry's hips. Without warning he lifts Harry up and spins around. Harry looks down at Louis and can't help but let out a laugh at the look on Louis’ face.

“Put me down you great oaf!”

Louis smirks and slowly and carefully let's Harry down from his hold until he is back on his feet. He doesn't move though and Harry lands on his feet, chest to chest with Louis.

Both of them are breathing deeply but dont move away from each other. All of a sudden the music comes to a stop and the terrace doors are slowly opened. Louis looks over to the doors and then steps back.

“Would you like to join me on the terrace Harry?”

Harry steps forward and grasps Louis’ elbow “I would love too”

Once they arrive out on the terrace they let go of eachother and stand by the railing. Harry watches as Louis looks out over the darkened gardens surrounding them. He is shocked out of his staring when Louis clears his throat.

“I haven't danced in years. I had almost forgotten the feeling you get when you do”

Louis looks over at Harry and takes a leap of faith. He swallows loudly and turns around to look at Harry fully,

“Its got to be foolish, i suppose, for a creature like me to hope that maybe one day he might actually earn your affection”

God when did he start talking like that!

He just can't seem to find the words he wants to say and then ends up rambling…

He is brought out of his musing when Harry looks away and simply says “I don't know”

“Wait…Really? So you think you could be happy here…with me?” He can't believe it, does Harry want to stay here with him, Oh god this is amazing. Louis can't help but smile at the idea.

“Could anyone be happy if they're not free?”

Louis’ smile falls at that.

Harry doesn't see the way Louis reacts to his statement as he is looking towards the dark forest at the edge of the gardens beyond the large gates. He thinks about the dance he just did, but it makes him also remember how Niall used to try and teach him how to dance, making him smile.

“My brother taught me how to dance. I used to step on his toes…a lot” He giggles at the memory of Niall wincing and hobbling away.

Louis looks over at Harry “You must miss him”

Looking back towards Louis, Harry sighs “Very much”

They both sigh and look out into the night again. In their own heads. Louis really wants Harry to stay and be happy but he can see he obviously can't when he knows his brother is out there somewhere. Harry can't stop thinking about how close they have gotten over the last few days but in reality he knows he wants to see Niall and make sure he is okay, Maybe even bring him here to meet Louis properly.

Louis looks over at Harry, looks at his profile and how beautiful he sees. He nods to himself and takes a deep breath, knowing that what he is about to do might change everything.

“Would you like to see him?”

Harry looks over to Louis in shock “How?”

“Come with me” Louis offers his arm to Harry and once they are connected he leads him back through the ballroom and up to the west wing. When they arrive at Louis’ chambers, Louis brings Harry to his balcony and leaves him there.

Harry watches silently as Louis walks back into the room and he sees him pick something up from the table with the glass jar on. When Louis is back outside with Harry, he hands him a golden hand mirror.

Harry looks down at the mirror and then back up to Louis. The silent question is noticeable in his eyes.

“All you have to do is ask the mirror to show you what you want to see” Louis makes a gesture to show Harry to go ahead and do it. He looks down again at the mirror, back up to Louis and then back down to the mirror. He shrugs his shoulders.

“I'd like to see my brother”

When Harry says the last word, the mirror begins to glow a shimmer. Harry looks up at Louis in shock but Louis looks sadly back at him. “Have a look, love” Louis nods down to the mirror as it stops glowing.

Upon looking down Harry sees where the mirror should be but in its place is a scene he can't understand. What is happening? He looks back at Louis with wide eyes “Is this really happening?”

Before Louis can answer, Harry looks back down to the mirror and watches as two bulky men seem to be manhandling Niall into the back of a carriage. Niall is screaming and struggling to get away.

“NIALL! What are they doing to him?”

Harry grips the mirror so tightly, his knuckles turn white. Watching this happen Louis is struggling to contain his anger. He steps closer to Harry and puts his paw on the man's shoulder, noticing that Harry is shaking. Louis takes a deep breath and utters the words he didn't think he would have to, but the situation has changed.

Screw the curse.

“You must go to him, right now.”

It's like the air is sucked out of him when he says it but watching Harry like this, physically hurts him. He can't see the life being sucked out of this gorgeous man in front of him.

Harry snaps his head up in shock “What did you just say?” he whispers

“You need to go to him, Harry. Go now before it's too late” Louis looks out to the gardens again. Not being able to watch Harry leave. He knows he will, Niall is more important than him. Suddenly the mirror is placed in his paw but before Harry can let it go, Louis pushes it away and back into Harry's hand. Shaking his head and trying his hardest not to let the tears he can feel slip he turns to Harry and says “No. Keep it with you. Then you will always have a way to look back on me” He tries to smile but it doesn't work.

“Thank you”

He feels Harry run out the room, instead of watching him leave. Louis can't do that to himself. It hurts too much to watch him walk out of his life.

A single tear runs down his cheek.

🥀

Harry can't see through his tears as he runs out of the West Wing and down the staircase. The castle is eerily quiet and he can hear every single step he makes. He grips the mirror in his hand so hard so he doesn't drop it. He can't drop it. He wont drop it. It's his link to Louis. As he gains speed down the stairs he runs towards the grand castle doors and sees the coat rack silently bowing to him.

He stops.

He bows.

He chokes on his tears and bursts through the door.

🥀

As Louis is unclasping his jacket, Liam bursts into the room.

“Well, Master!. I may have had my doubts about this, i'm sorry to say that but nonetheless everything is moving like clockwork. True love really does win the day!”

Silence.

Louis sighs and continues to get out of his outfit he doesn't want to look at anymore. He turns to see Liam standing in the doorway looking around for something, or someone.

“I let him go”

Silence ... .until

“You..WHAT!?”

Louis spins round to see Liam staring at him in absolute shock. Then he sees Zayn, Zoe and Mary enter the room behind Liam. all of them have grave looks on their faces. Louis has to look away, he can't see them break down when they realise he has screwed them over. Yet again.

After a couple of minutes Zayn walks towards Louis “Master…how could you do that?” he gestures to them all and raises his eyebrows at Louis.

Louis turns to look at them all properly but can't keep his sadness from his face “I had too alright”

Liam stutters “But…why!?”

Louis opens his mouth but no words come out. He huffs and looks out the window. He can't say anything. He starts to shake with his tears.

Mary has been silently watching them all react to Harry's departure but she sees what this is doing to Louis. The man in front of her has grown so much in the last few weeks. She has Harry to thank for that and she prays she will have the chance to tell him. She wobbles forward towards Louis and watches as he tries to hide his tears but she basically brought him up as her own so she sees everything.

“Because he loves him”

Everyone turns to look at Mary but she is looking at Louis, so she sees his shoulders slump and his head bow in shame. Her attention is caught by Zayn as he walks over to her and looks between Louis and herself.

“Then why are we not human?” he quietly says trying to figure it all out but nothing is helping him.

Liam shocks them all with his next outburst “Because he doesnt love him back! And now, it's too late! Damnit Zayn!”

Zoe tries to calm Liam down by saying that Harry may come back, but they all know it's a small hope.

Louis looks back towards them all and shakes his head “No. i set him free.” he starts to choke on his tears and has to look away again before he really breaks down “Im..Im sorry i couldn't do the same for you all. Now go, our time is almost up. I think” he turns away and walks toward his balcony so he doesn't see his staff members' faces and see the devastation they all feel as they crowd each other and walk out the room.

Once the door clicks shut behind them, Louis goes out onto the balcony and looks across the castle grounds.

He sees a golden spot in the distance racing towards the gates at the end of the grounds.

Harry is leaving.

He knows that but actually seeing it with his own eyes hurts so much. He can't stop the choked roar that erupts from within him. His last chance of breaking the curse has gone.

The actual love of his life is gone, and there's nothing he can do about it.

As he watches Harry burst through the gates on Philippe's back, he cant stop his knees giving in and he crumbles to the ground, tears streaming down his face as he gives in the pain.

🥀

Niall tries his best to get out the tight hold that three men have him in as he is dragged out of the tavern. They follow the man in black clothes towards a horse and carriage but the back isn't a normal carriage it's more like a cage. A cage that Niall knows he is about to be shoved in.

He struggles harder.

The men grip on harder and when they get to the cage they literally lift him off the ground and throw him inside. The villagers start to crowd the cage all shouting and murmuring to each other as they watch the scene unfold. Nicolas pushes his way towards the carriage and Niall watches as Nicolas leans inside the cage.

“Have you ever seen the inside of a mad house Niall? You wouldn't last a week.” Nicolas turns his head and looks out towards the crowd. When he turns back he has a horrible sneer on his face “Just give me your brother's hand and I will set you free!”

Niall looks Nicolas in the face with the best hard look he can muster in the moment.

“Never”

Niall watches Nicolas clench his jaw and climb out the cage. He looks Niall in the eye as he slams the door with a loud SLAM.

“Take him away!”

Niall is thrown back as the man whips the horses into moving forward. He watches as the villagers all stand there in silence as he is taken away. He looks eyes with Aiden and watches the man gulp and bow his head in shame. He thinks about Harry and hopes to everything above that his dear brother is safe in the castle and stays away from Nicolas.

“STOP!!”

The loud shout makes everyone turn in shock as they watch Harry come around the corner upon Phillippe in a beautiful golden dress. The villagers part like the red sea and watch as Harry races to the front of the carriage and makes the man pull on the reins to stop before they collide.

Niall blinks making sure he is seeing what he is seeing correctly. His little brother is here.

Harry is here!

In a dress

On phillippe

HARRY IS HERE!!

Niall gets up onto his knees and watches as Harry dismounts and runs towards the carriage.

“Harry? I thought I'd never see you again!”

Harry looks inside the cage and sees that Niall is bleeding from a gash on his head. He spins round and walks up to Nicolas with a glare.

“Open that door! He’s hurt!”

But before Nicolas can answer, the man on the front of the carriage climbs down and walks over to Harry. He places his hand on Harry's shoulder to get his attention.

“I'm afraid we can't do that, sir. But i can assure you we will take good care of him”

Harry stares in shock at what the man had said. Niall isn't dangerous. What the hell is going on? He looks over his shoulder to see Nicolas with a smirk on his face. He turns back to the man.

“My brother is not crazy! Nicolas…tell this man he is wrong!”

But when he turns round expecting Nicolas to jump in and help, he is met by a horrible look and Aiden kicking the dirt ground trying to hide away.

“Harry…you know how loyal I am to your family, but your brother has been making some unbelievable claims!” Nicolas raises his voice so everyone can hear him. God that man loves the attention!

The villagers start to talk all at once at Harry.

“Its true, Harry”

“Nicolas is speaking the truth”

“Harry, Niall said you were trapped in a castle in the woods and that there's a beast who made you his prisoner”

When Harry hears the last statement, he stops and turns around and raises his voice.

“I have just come from the castle and there is a beast!”

The villagers all start to murmur to each other as Nicolas scoffs and pulls Harry to the side.

“We all admire your devotion to your brother, but you'd say anything to free him. Your words are hardly proof!”

Harry can't believe no one is believing him! He stares at Nicholas in shock and then back at Niall who is still in the cage. Harry looks over to Phillippe, remembering what's in the sack on the horse's back. He runs over and grabs the mirror.

He walks calmly back towards the large crowd and stands in front of the carriage. He straightens his shoulders and raises the mirror.

“You want proof? SHOW ME THE BEAST!”

Once Harry shouts those words, the mirror shimmers and the image of Louis is broadcast to every single villager and Nicolas. They all gasp in shock and then they all scream. Nicolas stood stock still.

“Here's your proof!” Harry says when he lowers the mirror and turns to look at Niall. He is distracted by the look on Nialls face so he doesnt register that Nicolas snatches the mirror from him.

“This is witchcraft!” Nicolas shouts, he holds the mirror up for everyone to see. Louis is shown to be lying on a stone floor.

“Look at this beast, look at his fangs, his claws!”

The crowds start muttering as they recoil in shock and fright. Harry snaps his head around to see everyone looking scared.

“No, don't be afraid. He is gentle and very kind”

He tries to make them understand that Louis isn't who they think he is.

“The monster has put him under a spell! If I didn't know better, I'd say he even cares for the beast!” Nicolas scoffs at the way Harry reacts.

“He isn't a monster! Nicolas YOU are the monster!” Harry screams as he storms towards the man but before he can get any closer, he is grabbed by some tall men. He struggles against them.

“I have heard of the effects of dark magic, but never seen it with my own eyes before! This is a threat to our existence!” Nicolas holds up the mirror as the crowd starts chanting his name. He turns to the men holding Harry. “We can't have him running off to warn the beast. Lock him up with his brother!”

The men drag Harry towards the cage where Niall is sitting wide eyed. They open the door and throw Harry inside and slam the door in Harry's face.

“You won't get away with this Nicolas!”

As Nicolas shakes his head, he turns to his right hand man. AIden is standing watching everything get rowdier and more dangerous. The villagers start breaking barrels and making pitchforks. They crowd around Nicolas who hold the mirror high to encourage the mayhem.

“Nicolas, with all due respect…”

He doesn't finish the sentence as Nicolas snaps his head to Aiden with a murderous glare “DO YOU WANT TO BE NEXT? Fetch my horse!”

Aiden scurries away quickly. Harry and Niall watch in horror as the villagers follow Nicolas and Aiden out towards the dark forest. The last thing they hear is Nicolas shout…

“SHOW ME THE CASTLE”

🥀

In the dark forest, inside a quiet castle sits a few of the staff members in front of the castle's large windows. They are all staring into the night, Zoe’s head is lent on Zayn’s shoulder while Mary nuzzles her daughter Cara. Liam is silent and watches the wind pick up outside.

Zayn breaks the silence “At least he has finally learned to love”

Liam scoffs and shakes his head “A lot of good that does us if he doesn't love master in return”

Mary looks up over at Liam and frowns “No Liam. this is the first time i've had any real hope that he would, we all watched them get closer and how Master was with him”

But before anyone could reply to Mary, there was a distant rumble heard coming from outside. Cara lights up and bounces to the window.

“Did you hear that mama? Is it him? Is he coming back?”

At those excited words, they all jump up and race to the window. But what they see is not Harry arriving back on his horse, but a crowd of angry people carrying torches and other weapons.

“Oh Shit!”

“Invaders!”

Liam puffs out his chest as much as a mantel clock can “Well, there you go. So much for true love! Man the barricades and hold fast!”

It's silent for a few seconds before they all jump into action. They all run as fast as they can to the castle doors. They stand as tall as they can and form a sad looking barricade.

Suddenly the ballroom door slammed open and the grand piano crab walked over to them “Move aside!” They all watch as the piano stands up on its back legs and falls across the castle doors forming a solid block. Everyone else forms around its legs.

BOOM!

The door rattles but doesn't move.

BOOM

The piano holds their position against the door but everyone else backs away wide eyed.

CRASH!

They watch as the piano is knocked down and the crowd outside slam into the door and crack it open.

Liam starts running towards the stairs

“WE NEED HELP!”

🥀

Harry stares out the cage door watching the man outside pacing around with nothing to do. The horses were taken by the villagers so they are all stuck there. He turns away and looks at Niall.

“I have to warn him…”

Niall looks at Harry in shock “Warn him? How did you get away from him?”

Harry can't help but look back out the door, he slumps his shoulders “He let me go. He sent me back to you”

He misses Niall frowning “I don't understand Harry”

When he turns round he holds up the rose rattle and a little black book. “He took me there Niall, I know what happened to mother”

Niall reaches for the rattle and book. While he looks through the book, Harry sits next to him quietly. When Niall looks up he has tears in his eyes, Harry grabs his hands "She didn't die, She left!. Why? Did Father know?”

Niall wipes his eyes and shrugs. He has no clue what actually happened. But he knew that their father asked him to watch over Harry before the man passed away. He did not question him.

“I've always tried to protect you, you know. Maybe too much”

When he looks at his brother, he sees that Harry understands. Harry takes his hand and kisses the back of it “Will you help me get to him?”

Niall takes his hand back and stares at Harry in shock “Its dangerous”

“Yes it is. Please brother”

As he looks at Harry, he sees the courage and determination in his eyes. Suddenly an idea pops into his head. “I could try and pick the lock. After all it's only gears and springs.” he sighs “But i would need something long and sharp…”

Harry stops his rambling by removing a hair pin from his hair and lets his hair down loose. He holds the pairpin up to Niall with a smile and a raised eyebrow.

Niall grins widely “Perfect!”

He gets to work.

🥀

Liam is breathing hard when he gets to the top of the staircase and out onto the balcony where he finds Louis leaning up against the wall, staring into nothing.

“Pardon me master, I'm sorry to disturb you but..”

Louis doesnt turn to look at Liam but he sighs “He isn't coming back Liam”

“It's not that master…the castle is under attack!” Liam shouts trying to get some kind of reaction out of Louis. But all he gets is Louis turning to look at him with hollow eyes.

“It doesn't matter anymore, let them come” and then he turns back to staring at nothing and listens to Liam hurrying out the door.

As Liam makes it back to the front of the castle, he sees his family backing away from the door and they watch the crowd outside breaking the door more. The crowd hadn't made it inside yet.

Mary shouts “Nothing is working!”

Suddenly Zayn stops and turns to look at everyone behind him “I know what to do! Follow me!”

They all stare at him as he walks away from the door.

“Come on!”

The barricade disappears as the crowd continue to smash the door in. Suddenly the door unlocks itself and the crowd of people tumble inside. They stop and look around and notice that the place seems to be completely empty.

The crowd started to look around in wonder. They see a lot of furniture in the room but no sign of life anywhere. One villager stops in front of the large staircase “This place seems familiar…like I've been here before…”

Aiden stops in front of a teapot and cup, he bends down to look more closely. “You must be the talking teacup. And you must be the grandmother”

Mary's eyes pop open and looks at Aiden furiously.

“GRAND-mother! ATTACK!!”

AIden jumps back in shock. Suddenly the room erupts into chaos. The furniture comes alive. The chairs kick the shins of some of the villagers. Zoe shoves her feathers into villagers' faces causing them to start sneezing. As more villagers stumble inside the ‘lend an hand’ lanterns hit them over their heads knocking them out.

Aiden looks around in horror. The castle is alive after all!

A coat rack spins Nicholas round and winds up to land a hit when Nicholas grabs Aiden and puts him in the line of fire. Aiden becomes a human punching bag just as the shadow of a grand piano falls over him.

He looks up and screams “Nicholas!!”

The piano falls on him, pinning him to the ground, he looks over at Nicholas who just looks at him calmly.

“Help..”

Nicholas shakes his head “Sorry old friend…it's hero time” and he strides away without looking back.

Aiden watches him run up the stairs before everything turns black and he passes out.

🥀

The man from the asylum is pacing the ground in front of his carriage when he looks up, he notices the door to the cage is wide open. He runs over and looks inside.

It's empty.

He slams the door and jumps out of his skin when he sees Niall standing next to him.

Niall smiles. “Hello. I believe this is yours”

He hands the man the carriage's padlock just as Harry rides past them, the golden ball gown floats to the floor as he rides away in just his undergarments.

Niall waves him off proudly and then turns back to the man,

“He is very headstrong. Do you have a family?

The man stares at Niall in shock and very very confused.

🥀

Cara is enjoying herself firing saucers left, right and centre. Counting them off as she goes.

“One! Two! Three! Four! Five!”

Above where Cara is, Liam stands and watches her hit the villagers every time “Good show Cara!”

All of a sudden, books are flying over Liam's head and into the crowd knocking people over. The wardrobe from Harry's room arrives and attacks three men at once and they come out of it all dressed in big poofy dresses. Two men scream and run out the castle while the last man looks down at himself and smirks. He bows to the wardrobe and walks off nice and calmly

“Go! Be Free!”

He walks out the castle and doesn't look back.

Behind the wardrobe, Mary leaps on the chandelier “How do you like your tea? Piping hot or boiling?” then she douses the crowd below. She looks down and gasps.

It can't be!

It's her husband!

Suddenly she slips and falls from the chandelier

“MAMA!”

Just as she's about to shatter on the floor below, two human hands catch her. She looks up and sees Aiden who has a surprised look on his face that matches hers.

“Thank you!”

The next thing she knows there are two knocked out villagers lying on the floor around Aiden. He shrugs modestly.

Mary looks at him in awe “Nicely handled”

Aiden blushes and shrugs again “well i used to be on Nicholas’ side but we are in a bada place right now”

“You're too good for him anyway love” Mary says, making Aiden nod shyly.

“Shall we get back to it then” she says laughing.

Zayn runs past them with gunpowder falling behind him, making a trail around the crowd. He sends a spark down at the end and shouts “Watch your toes!”

The crowd starts scrambling and running out the castle when the fire explosions begin.

As the staff celebrate watching the crowd run out the castle, they miss seeing Joan the beggar woman walk up the staircase where Nicholas was last seen going.

🥀

Nicholas walks the corridor towards the West Wing looking for the beast. He sees a door ajar so he pushes it open. The room is empty apart from the door to the balcony is wide open.

He walks towards the door and sticks his head out. He looks to his left and sees the beast standing by the railing looking down at the villagers running away.

He must have made a noise because all of a sudden he is looking into the beast's eyes. He fumbles for his gun.

“Hello beast. I am Nicholas. Harry sent me”

Louis looks at the smirking face one last time, having no hope left. He knew he was going to die so he didn't answer the man. He turns away not wanting that face to be the last thing he sees.

He closes his eyes and thinks of Harry.

“Were you in love with him? Nicholas scoffs and begins to chuckle. “Did you honestly think he would want you, when he has the choice of having me?” Nicholas brings his gun up and aims for the beast.

When he doesn't get the reaction he wants. He pulls the trigger.

He watches as the beast tumbles over the edge of the railing.

Nicholas goes to the railing and looks over, he sees the beast is clinging to the slanted rooftop, breathing heavily. He smirks as he stands back and reaches his hand to the crossbow he has on his back.

When he goes to pull out an arrow from his quiver though, his hands meet nothing but air.

Turning on his heel to see where his arrows have gone, he is met with the most furious look he has ever seen from Harry.

Harry who should be on his way to the asylum with Niall.

Harry who is practically naked

Harry who is holding Nicholas’ arrows.

Nicholas is stunned for a second before he shakes his head and holds his hand out “Harry? Give me my..” but before he could finish his sentence, Harry shouts

“Where is he!”

Nicholas watches as Harry scans the balcony and doesnt see who he is looking for. Harry looks back to Nicholas, shakes his head and then proceeds to snap the arrows in his hand over his knee, while not losing eye contact.

They stand there in silence until Nicholas lunges forward and grabs Harry's arm in a tight grip.

“When we return to the village, you WILL marry me, and that BEAST’S head will be hung on our wall!” He snarls.

Harry rips his arm out of the man's grip, gets into his face and with every ounce of venom he can muster he clenches his fists.

“Never in a million years will I EVER marry you!”

As he pivots to turn away, Harry lunges for the gun in Nicholas’ hand, but the other man is too quick and they end up in a tug of war with the loaded gun between them.

Suddenly Harry uses all of his strength and yanks on the gun hard, Nicholas stumbles backwards and his foot hits the railing and he flings his arms out to steady himself but he can't control his footing.

He falls over the railing.

The gun falls out of his hand as he falls and tries to latch onto anything on his way down. He manages to grab onto a gargoyle and swing himself through an open window below him.

Harry watched from the balcony as Nicholas saved himself.

“Fuck!”

All that Harry can do is watch in horror as he sees Louis who is clearly wounded, stumble and jump from rooftop to rooftop trying to get away from danger. He sees the castle turrets start to crumble around Louis.

The castle is imploding around them.

“I'm coming for you beast!”

The sound of Nicholas’ voice makes Harry jump and he looks around for some way to help Louis.

He runs.

Meanwhile Nicholas runs down the staircase he found himself on until he reaches the bottom. He looks around and sees a window. When he looks out he sees the beast jumping from another rooftop. Tiles fall around the beast making him struggle.

Nicholas walks backwards and then takes a running jump out the window and lands on the outside window box opposite.

Harry runs as fast as he can down the staircase and manages to jump over to the other side where there is a balcony he can stand on. When he gets there, he looks over at where he last saw Louis.

He watches as Louis swings from one rooftop to another, he notices that Louis isn't going towards Nicholas. He is trying to get away from the man. Harry holds his breath as Louis wobbles before he makes a big jump onto another tower.

Louis loses his grip.

“NO!”

Louis manages to grab on tightly just as Harry screams. Louis snaps his head towards the voice that he has come to love.

“Harry?”

He looks around in shock, not wanting to believe that Harry came back. It is his head playing tricks on him before he dies. Louis scans all the windows he can see until finally he locks eyes with the man he loves.

“HARRY! You came back?”

Harry tries to smile and shrugs “I tried to stop them!”

Louis looks around to see if there's some way he can get to Harry. “Stay there! I'm coming to you!” Louis spots a slim bridge between towers. He lets go and lands roughly. As he gets to his feet though, Nicholas jumps down and lands in between Harry and Louis.

Nicholas snarls and looks around him for a weapon he can use. He spots a crumbling stone spire so he uses his strength to rip it off.

Louis sees the man with the spire. He looks around for another way to get to Harry.

There isn't one.

Harry runs from where he is. He needs to get to Louis. He runs until he gets to the West wing balcony which brings him a bit closer to the two men but it's still a long distance.

Nicholas gains on the beast. As he sees the beast looking around distracted, he takes his chance. He lifts the stone spire and swings.

The stone connects with Louis’ back, over and over again. He roars in pain. Making the small bridge shake. But somehow he manages to push past Nicholas to try and get away.

The blows keep coming.

Louis stumbles down a few steps on the other side of the bridge. Harry watches in horror as it starts to crumble around the men.

“Stop! Nicholas NO!”

Harry watches as Louis manages to reach the other side of the bridge which is directly opposite to where he is. There's a massive gap between him and Louis. All of a sudden Louis spins just as Nicholas is lifting the spire to deliver the deathly blow.

Louis manages to snatch the spire out of Nicholas’ hand. Throws it against the wall and watches as it crumbles to dust. With a low growl, Louis grabs Nicholas by his throat.

He swings the same arm and drags Nicholas over the edge so he is dangling with nowhere to put his feet.

Nicholas grabs onto the arm that is around his neck “No. Don't let me go! Please. Dont hurt me, beast! I’ll do anything” he tries to show how scared he is.

Louis growls in anger, he tightens his grip making Nicholas choke. Louis looks behind the man and locks eyes with Harry. His grip loosens. He looks back to Nicholas and roars.

“I AM NOT A BEAST!”

He swings his arm back around and sets Nicholas back on the bridge. He lets the man go but before he moves, Louis grabs his arm “Go!. Get out!”

Nicholas scrambles on his feet until he is running down the bridge away from Louis.

Once Louis doesn't see Nicholas anymore, he turns to see Harry smiling at him. He looks behind him and then in front of him. The gap is large but if he gains enough speed he will make it over to Harry.

Harry can see Louis looking around him and watches as he takes a few steps back and gets down on all fours.

“NO! It's too far!”

Louis jumps.

Harry screams.

🥀

Louis leaps as hard as he can. He needs to get to Harry.

He is airborne for what feels like a few seconds before he lands on the railing to the balcony. He stumbles down and gets to his feet. He smiles widely at Harry, who cant help but laugh through his smile.

BOOM!

Louis roars in agony.

Harry looks behind Louis and sees that Nicholas had found his gun and as he spots Harry watching him. He raises the gun once more.

Harry screams “NO”

BOOM!

Louis drops to the floor at the same time as the bridge Nicholas was standing on, gives way and in an instant there's nothing stopping him from falling. Nicholas screams out as he disappears in a cascade of stone.

Harry runs to Louis, falls to the floor and cradles Louis’ head in his lap. He can't stop the tears from falling as he sees Louis struggling to breathe. Louis shakily lifts his paw and cradles Harry cheek, making the man push into the paw.

Louis looks at Harry so softly that it makes Harry cry harder.

“You came back” Louis struggles with the words but manages to say it quietly.

“Of course I came back! I’ll never leave you again!” Harry leans down and rests his forehead on Louis’ From this angle Harry can tell that Louis is really struggling to catch his breath. He notices that Louis is shaking like a leaf.

“Im…afraid…its…my…turn…to…leave…love”

Shaking his head, Harry doesn't want to believe it. “No, we're together now! It's going to be okay, you’ll see!”

Taking a shuddering breath, Louis manages to wipe tears from Harry's face and cradles his face in his paws. He takes one last long look at Harry, trying to take in all of his beauty.

“At least i got..to see you…one last…time”

As he says that, his eyes close and his paw drops to the floor.

Harry grabs Louis’ paw as he watches his chest come to a stop.

“No…Please! LOUIS NO!”

🥀

Meanwhile, down in the castle entrance, the staff watch as the last of the villagers stagger away in defeat. Zayn turns to Zoe to grab her into his arms. But she's stiff..and unresponsive.

“Zoe? We did it love!...Zoe?”

He looks at her face and sees nothing but a feather duster in his arms.

“Oh…my dear Zoe…”

Liam helps Zayn lower Zoe to the ground but looks up to see the grand piano be reunited with his wife, the wardrobe just as they lose their humanity and turn into the furniture they are.

Suddenly Mary wobbles towards Liam and Zayn “CARA! Have you seen Cara? She ran off! Oh god, where is my girl!”

They watch in horror as Mary’s face disappears into the painted teapot.

“MAMA”

Zayn spins around looking at Liam panicked that Cara will see her mama has gone.

“Oh no”

Cara leaps but before she can land safely, her features fade away and gravity takes over.

Before she hits the ground, she is caught by the coat rack and they place her lovingly next to the teapot on the trolley. As the coat rack straightens and then becomes still.

All around them Zayn and Liam watch as one by one the castle staff become still.

“Zayn..i..TICK..cant…CHIME…speak…”

Zayn looks on sadly. “It's all right, liam”

“I..can't…TICK…Zayn, my friend…TOCK…it was an honour to serve…with you”

The sound of a mantel clock takes over and Zayn is the last one standing. “The honour was mine”

He twirls and stiffens.

Human no more.

🥀

In a glass jar in the West Wing, the shimmering red rose stands.

The last petal drops.

A shadow comes over the glass jar. Harry doesn't take any notice instead he focuses solely on Louis.

“Please…don't leave me…Come back”

Harry bends and kisses Louis forehead with tears running down his face. As he pulls away he cradles Louis’ face in his hands.

Takes a deep breath and shakily says

“I Love You”

Suddenly the glass jar explodes.

Rose petals rise and fall around Harry and Louis.

Harry looks around in shock and sees a golden light coming from a shadow figure in the room. He brings Louis closer to his chest and hugs him tightly.

The bright light gets bigger until it encircles Louis and pulls him from Harry's arms.

Harry quickly gets to his feet as he watches Louis rise into the air surrounded by lights and rose petals.

The golden light burns brighter until it forces Harry to close his eyes.

As the golden light burns, Louis’s body hangs in the air until his paws become hands and his feet change to human feet.

The light starts to fade as it is consumed by Louis' body.

Louis is lowered back to the ground. His eyes blink open and as the golden light fades the blue in his eyes shine bright.

He stands there touching every part of his body. In shock he gasps and turns to look for Harry.

“Harry”

Upon hearing his name, Harry opens his eyes.

The first thing he sees is that Louis is gone but a shorter man is in his place. He watches as the man slowly walks towards him, he can't help but stare.

As the man comes to a stop in front of Harry. He can't help but raise his hand and run it through the soft light brown hair.

While looking everywhere, Harry finally looks into the man's eyes.

Icy blue eyes

Louis’ eyes.

“It's you!”

Tears fall from Harry's eyes as he takes in all the new features but those eyes, those eyes are what made him fall in love.

Louis stands still as Harry grabs his face. They lock eyes until suddenly Harry dips and carefully puts his lips onto Louis’.

The second their lips touch, golden light explodes from Louis.

The light washes over them and then out the windows over the castle.

Harry pulls away to see what happened, he looks back down at Louis.

To see him looking at Harry with love.

Louis pulls him back in for a more urgent kiss.

Harry throws his arms over Louis’ shoulders and smiles into the kiss.

Louis wraps his arms around Harry and spins him around.

Laughing into eachothers shoulders.

“I love you too”

🥀

The golden light washes over the castle, turning it back to former glory.

As the light lands on the furniture, one by one they start to turn back into their human bodies.

The sound of a dog barking can be heard as the light starts to fade.

A tiny bichon frise runs over to the coat rack, lifts its leg and relieves itself, until it turns into a foot that shoo’s the dog away. As the dog turns to run away it bumps into the tea trolley holding the teapot and cup. It starts to roll towards the stairs.

As it rolls, it passes a mantel clock who shimmers until a body appears. He turns around and looks over to where Zayn was.

“Zayn..”

A shadow falls over Liam and he looks up to see the dark hair and slim body of his friend.

“Liam!”

They run to each other and embrace until they hear the squeak of the trolley gaining speed rolling to the top of the stairs behind them.

They lunge for the trolley.

Together they manage to stop the trolley from going down the stairs but they couldn't stop the teapot and cup from flying off into the air.

“Oh god!”

Suddenly two bodies land on a tray and slide down the stairs until they fall into each other at the bottom.

“Mama?”

“Cara?” oh cara!” Mary and Cara hug so tightly, everyone cheers and takes a deep breath at the fact that the two women are safe.

Once they are all back to being humans. They all gather in front of the castle and they all hug each other and the volume gets loud as excited chatter starts.

They are all so busy reuniting that no one sees Harry and Louis appear in the doorway.

They have their hands gripping each other, not wanting to let go.

Louis clears his throat.

The crowd goes silent as they all look over to where the noise came from.

Zayn breaks away from the group he is standing with, to walk towards the two men. Not believing in what he is seeing before him.

“Oh my! My Prince” But before he can bow he is engulfed in a hard embrace.

“Hello, old friend”

Louis pulls back from the hug to clap Zayn on the shoulders. He smiles widely at the shocked look he receives.

Zayn bursts into tears.

All of a sudden Harry and Louis are surrounded by all the staff members.

They are hugged within an inch of their lives.

Zoe walks over to Harry and curtsies. “You saved our lives, we are forever grateful”

Emotions get the better of Harry and he bursts into tears and hugs Zoe tightly.

“You all saved mine”

Louis walks over and kisses Harry’s cheek. He looks over the crowd and when he looks back to Harry, he can't help but smile brightly.

“We saved each other, my love”

🥀

Sophie watches as her sons reunite and she feels like everything is finally where it's supposed to be.

The prince let love into his heart.

Harry was always the key to him unlocking all the love he could give out.

Niall can now finally stop being so protective and let himself find love.

As her family waltz around the ballroom in celebration, she takes a deep breath, smiles and fades away.

Harry and Louis deserve all the happiness they can receive and together they will..live happily ever after.

“A tale as old as time, true as it can be”

🥀

“There is the great lesson of “Beauty and the Beast” that a thing must be loved, before it is lovable” G.K Chesterton.