Monster and the Maiden Fair

[seethers]

the monster & the maiden fair meme There's a long precedent in folklore and myth of beautiful young people - both men and women - being kidnapped by monsters: dragons, beasts, goblins, demons, elves, vampires, wolves, or even evil humans. In the end, however, these prisoners are almost always rescued and brought back to civilization to live a normal and happy life. But what if they didn't want to leave their jailor? They've seen behind the surface and have begun to sympathize with this "monster;" no, more than that, they've fallen for them. Will this story have a happy ending? Will the monster believe that anyone could love them? Most importantly, though, can the two of them be left alone without any attempts at a "rescue?" how to play Comment with your character, your preference, and what role they'll play. Feel free to AU characters to your desire role. Reply to others. Thread anything that could remotely fit under the umbrella theme. Was the kidnapping just that, or did both parties know (and care) for each other before, making it a collaborative, mutual effort? Perhaps you'd prefer to play the actual Beauty and The Beast-style getting to know each other or seeing behind the grizzly facade. What about an attempted "rescue?" Or maybe you could thread out a scene where the prisoner runs away from the society they were forced back into and returns to their beloved beast! It's all up to you. You could even do smut if you wanted to, but this isn't a smut meme.

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[mudblood_andproud]

[She sits up slightly. A small smile at the we. It would be too much trouble to ask him to go alone. She couldn't do that now]

A new wand would be lovely.

[bloodpure]

I'm sure that it would. [A pause as he considers merely leaving it there. But-] I have never had to suffer the inconvenience of using another's wand. But I still remember keenly the year that I was forced to go without. It was...humiliating.

[No less because at the time he was surrounded by Death Eaters and other of Voldemort's followers - his former compatriots, who openly mocked and jeered at the idea of a wizard without a wand. A wizard who had been denied the very right to cast magic.]

We'll have to see if there isn't some way we can set this to rights.

[mudblood_andproud]

It might sound strange... [But they have shared so much already]

I would swear that the thing makes my nightmares worse.

[bloodpure]

[He's not entirely sure he wants to hear about her nightmares. But after another moment of consideration...]

Some people are skeptical of wand-lore, I know. Think it's sentimental. Akin to believing something out of a children's fable book.

I was never one of them. In all my studies I have only found things to support the ideas, not disprove them. [He can't keep the bitterness entirely from his voice as he describes his own wand.] Elm, and dragon heart-string. Potent, dutiful, excellent for charm-work...and yes, very easy to attune to the Dark Arts. A wand says something, perhaps, about its wielder. Helps shape what kind of a wizard they will become.

There is a bond. It goes both ways. I have no difficulty believing that a long-time owner leaves something of themselves behind in a wand that's been their companion. I've always held to the traditional idea that a wand should be burned or buried with its owner.

[mudblood_andproud]

Do you still have claim to those studies? [Hermione is very alert right now. Just the thought of additional lore out there...]

[Then he starts to describe his wand. And she has to ask...]

Is your wand still with your family?

[bloodpure]

[The pause this time is even longer. He turns his head to meet her gaze across his shoulder, slow.]

No. The one I had for years was destroyed, of course, when the Dark Lord took it from me - I obtained an identical replacement the very day I was pardoned. Couldn't bear to go another day empty-handed.

[He sucks in a breath, almost a shudder.]

But it did me no good at all the night I was killed. The vampire that killed me pocketed it, gave it back to me after I rose again. Of little point, then. Of course I couldn't use it any more. You need to be alive to cast magic.

[mudblood_andproud]

[She remembers the feeling when her wand was destroyed. And that empathy is reflected in her eyes, when he meets her gaze]

I'm sorry to hear about the one you had for years. It is never easy when a wand gets destroyed.

[She rises when he describes what happened to the replacement wand. This is very important information that might make that project downstairs even easier to complete. If the answer is what she prays it is]

Did you claim it from him? Do you have it now?

[bloodpure]

I considered burning it. [He avoids her gaze again. Also Lucius that is not an answer.] I am dead, after all. It would be fitting...

[mudblood_andproud]

Then you do have it. [She moves quickly, up to him. Her eyes bright. Very excited]

Oh Merlin! Don't you see! This was meant to be.

Your wand will help bring you back to magic. It can be the focus of the spell!

[bloodpure]

[He spins around so they're facing one another, not entirely comfortable having her so close by his back just now for some reason.]

What do you mean?

[mudblood_andproud]

[Well now they are just close and facing each other]

To have the spell focused on your wand will work so much better than having it focus on my magic. It will bind with you.

[bloodpure]

[At first he only blinks. She's gotten much further with the parchment than he had, then - he saw no reference to any of this in his frustrated attempts to decipher it.]

You think that that will make a difference?

[mudblood_andproud]

Of course. I had been concerned. Firstly, I didn't want to use Bellatrix's wand to cast the spell. Too much of a risk that things wouldn't go right. And I had calculated that if I just concentrated more of my magic into the final spell, then it would work better. But just take longer.

But now... [Hermione sweeps up her hair. She goes to grab the bag of ingredients that he had gathered. Removing an orange, she starts peeling it as she returns to the doorway]

With your wand as the focus. It will focus on your magic. And won't take as long. This is incredible.

[She smiles softly] You should get some rest. I am going downstairs. I am so glad that this will expedite the process.

[bloodpure]

[His thoughts churn sluggishly as he tries to process what she's telling him. Does she really mean this could work, and much sooner than he'd anticipated? It could only be a matter of weeks now, maybe even less, maybe...

As she starts to walk away however he reaches out to grab hold of her by the forearm.]

Wait.

[He doesn't know why, but when she smiles at him like that...it feels as if his heart is in his throat.]

This can wait, for a few more hours. If things really are as promising as you say. The last thing I want is anything to go wrong with a spell you're going to be casting on me, magic that could restore my humanity.

[His voice softens, a bit.]

You should get some rest. I daresay you need it.

[mudblood_andproud]

[She stops when he grabs her forearm. He is right. She knows that. But...]

I would rest better with you close by. And I can't ask that of you.

[bloodpure]

I don't think it's been often said that somebody thinks they would sleep better with a vampire within arm's reach.

[mudblood_andproud]

I realize it is foolishness.

It is better this way. It is better if I just concentrate on the spell.

[bloodpure]

[He's silent for a moment, considering, frowning.]

...Try to explain it to me. Why do you honestly seem to think you'd be better off with me here.

[mudblood_andproud]

[She bites her bottom lip slightly. Then turns to face him.]

This won't make you happy to hear it. But you don't frighten me. In fact... [She reaches out to touch his shoulder] You make me feel safe.

[bloodpure]

[He looks to her hand, then back to her face again.]

I? I make you feel safe?

How many times in the past have I threatened you, your kind, your friends? How many times have I directly or indirectly tried to harm you? And now I have fangs.

[mudblood_andproud]

[She chuckles slightly]

See. Nothing that makes sense.

[Hermione lifted her hand to caress her thumb down his jawline] And I don't believe you would bite me. Not when we are working on completing that project.

[bloodpure]

[He blinks dazedly, then despite his better judgement lets his eyes remain close, allowing himself to linger in the sensation of her touch.]

At least now you're being practical.

[mudblood_andproud]

Practical. [Hermione smiles. She had thought that trying to direct her attention to the spell downstairs had been practical. But here they are again. So close together. The peaceful look on his face as he lingers to her touch.]

[She feels her heart race slightly]>

That would only be wise. Wouldn't it?

[bloodpure]

Very.

[He doesn't entirely realize what he's doing as he lifts one hand to hers, fingers gently closing around her wrist as she continues petting him. His skin is cold to the touch, his fingernails sharp - but its not a threatening move, if anything he's caressing her. Somewhere between possessive and protective.]

Intelligence has always been a trait I much more preferred in those I associate with.

[mudblood_andproud]

[That bag of ingredients slides to the floor, forgotten with his touch. And the orange drops out of her other hand, in favor of placing that hand on his waist]

[She blinks at his hand on her wrist. The touch is a strange chill. But she feels comforted by it. Protected]

It would be wise of me to rest undisturbed. I know this. But it has been so long. It is almost second nature to want to work. To want to lose myself in the project at hand.

[She leans in, her head resting against his chest] I'm just so tired.