Chapter 4

A/N: I'm pleased so many of you are enjoying the story! A huge thanks to Muggle Jane and Krissy for being my awesome betas! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters and canon situations in the following story belong solely to JK Rowling, Scholastic, and WB. I also don't own Beauty and the Beast, which serves as the inspiration for this story. I am not making any money from the publishing or writing of this story.

Chapter 4

"Please, Miss, eat."

Pipsy was begging her once more to eat, but Hermione refused. It had been a day since Remus had yelled at her. Pipsy brought food every other hour, but Hermione didn't touch it. She was too angry. How dare he tell me what to do! He can't keep me here. He has no right.

She had gotten most of her strength back and was now able to get up and move about the bedroom. She took a long shower earlier and reveled in the feel of the hot water on her sore muscles. Hermione had then spent the rest of her day looking out the window. The garden went out for as far as she could see.

Pipsy had left, realizing that nothing she said would make a difference to Hermione. Hermione felt a stab of pity at the house-elf. It wasn't Pipsy's fault that she was trapped here. The elf was only trying to help.

Hermione looked back out the window and watched as two bluebirds flew around each other. She chuckled silently as the male chased the female around. She wished she could be free as well, flying around to her heart's content.

There was a loud banging on the door, and Hermione immediately frowned. She didn't want to see him right now.

"Hermione, open the damn door!" he growled from the other side.

Since Hermione had lost her magic, she had pushed the dresser in front of the door because she didn't want to see him. "Go away," she mumbled.

"Damn, Hermione, let me in," Remus ordered angrily once more.

"No." She crossed her arms stubbornly, knowing that he couldn’t see her.

"Stop pouting and open the door. We need to talk," Remus said, a bit more softly this time.

"I have nothing to say to you!" she shouted angrily.

"Hermione, you need to eat something," he said, his voice sounding like normal now.

Oh, so that's why he's here. To make sure I eat something. Hermione pursed her lips. "Why do I need to eat? Eating is stupid."

Remus huffed. "You're acting like a child. Hermione, you'll never get fully better unless you eat something."

"Why do I need to get better? It's not like you're going to let me leave."

"Damn it all, Hermione! You need to get better so I don't have to worry about you constantly."

Hermione froze. He was worrying about her? That didn't make any sense. She didn't understand any of this.

Remus groaned at the silence. "Hermione, I just want you to get better. Please come out and eat dinner with me tonight? Please?"

Hermione bit her lip, tears falling down her face. "I can't."

Remus growled, pounding on the door. "Fine! Why can't you realize that I'm doing this for your own good? You're so stupid sometimes, Hermione."

She breathed a sigh of relief as it was quiet. She moved back towards the bed and crawled beneath the covers. Once there, the tears poured freely once more.

Hermione felt so confused. This whole situation was so confusing, and she didn't even know what to think. Feeling as if she were being pulled in two directions, she let out a frustrated scream.

She cared for Remus. He was so brave, smart, and he was always so selfless. He was handsome and always smelled nice. She was head over heels for him, but why? Sure, they had some things in common, but there were so many negative things that would get in the way. He was much older than her, old enough to be her father. She didn't care but knew he would. He was a werewolf, and while that frightened her, she would never turn him away strictly because of that.

A part of her was so touched that he cared about her safety so much. She didn't really think he cared, but this was proof that he did. He might not care for her the same way she did for him, but he cared in some way. And that was all that mattered, right? She strived for his acknowledgment, but not in this way.

Another part of her burned in anger. She wasn't a child. She was an adult, one who could make her own choices. And yet here he was, bossing her around. He had no control over her. He wasn't her parent.

He couldn't keep her imprisoned here; surely there was some law against that? Could the Order really agree that this was the best course of protection for her? Did the Wizarding World really decay so quickly? She shuddered at the thought of it.

But that was why she needed to be with Harry and Ron! They needed her help! She was the brains, after all.

Her stomach growled loudly, and Hermione pressed her hands against it. She was getting hungry, but she refused to let herself eat. No, she was trying to prove a point. However, she wasn't sure how long her hunger strike would last. But for now, her resolve was strong. Her emotions were giving her strength. However, there was one major drawback.

Her anger was blinding her.