It's not that Draco didn't know about the family curse, it's just with the war and then the trials right after them it was the furthest thing from Draco's mind. The family curse had been started by Draco's many times great grandmother Violetta Malfoy in 1492. Having discovered her husband being unfaithful only days after delivering their son, she took her own life to create the curse. For her husband it was a death sentence when his beastly form was found crouched over her body the guards acted swiftly and brutally. It was only after that they found her diary that they discovered the truth and not until her grandson was struck by the curse was the scope of it known.

The curse was relatively simple but had proved impossible to break outside the confines it set. A Malfoy heir would be 'tested' and if he failed he would become a beastly subhuman creature. At first his mind would remain intact but as time passed they tended to devolve unable to completely resist the baser instincts of 'the beast'. They had a time limit to either 'Learn to Love or Be Loved in Return' or they would be forever trapped. All of that with the assumption that your family members don't have you put down and you aren't killed by an angry mob of muggles. 'The Beast' has no magic but has a highly resistant hide. Draco's Great Uncle Perseus had to be subdued by no less than five auror's after he failed to break the curse and turned feral.

Breaking the curse was often just as bad however. Often this resulted in embarrassing relationships and disownment. There were cases of Malfoy's finding love with muggles and creatures, the most embarrassing incident involving a centaur. Luckily the test was simple and never changed so Malfoy's began warning their children. It was simple if an old woman ever shows up and offers you a rose for a room. Give her ANYTHING she wants. Simple. Unless you've only just spent the day being harassed. Trying to restore the family name and redeem yourself for your terrible choices. So when Draco stepped out of his floo, having closed up early because the protesters were scaring customers away, the last thing he wanted to do was have to answer his front door.

He heard the knock and ignored it but after a moment they knocked again. This really should have been his first clue. The elves can't interfere with the curse, but just then Draco was too annoyed to think about it. He stood with a huff and strode angrily to the house. He didn't even let the old had get a word out, assuming she was just there to spew more spite.

"GET OUT YOU HORRIBLE OLD HAG!" He screamed only to widen his eyes in shock when he saw the rose clutched in her hand. He wasn't even surprised to see her morph into great grandmother Violetta.

"Draco, your heart is cold as ice and I see no love there. You will wear the face of your ugliness until you learn to love-"

"Yes grandmother I know the rules but you must know I'm engaged. I love Astoria," he told her. Violetta gave him a sad smile.

"You do not love Astoria and she does not love you. Your heart is Ice my child. Your rose will begin to wilt on your twenty first birthday." As she started to vanish Draco felt the transformation begin, it was not as painful as the cruciatus but definitely a close second. There was also rather a lot of blood. The hair and claws tore from his body at a rapid rate tearing the skin open in wide cuts. The only mercy was it ended fairly quickly and once the transformation was over a swift burst of healing magic provided as part of the curse healed his wounds.

Draco came to several minutes later laying on the front stoop of the manor. He stood slowly and swayed as he adjusted to his new height. While before Draco had been a respectable six feet tall he seemed to have put on another foot at least. Looking at his arms he discovered himself covered in white blond fur exactly the color of his hair as a human. His hands were at least twice their usual size and vicious claws curved out of each finger. It was done Draco was an animal, in a fit of rage he threw back his head and let out a furious roar.

"Draco really! Just because you look like an animal doesn't mean you have to act like one!" his mother's chiding voice jolted Draco around and he turned to stare. His mother was standing in the doorway, arms crossed over her chest and frowning at him. Draco immediately straightened his shoulders and tried to pull himself together.

"I apologize Mother," Draco paused, his voice was deeper and gravelly where before it had been more refined.

"Well don't just stand there dear come inside and don't forget your rose." his mother pointed toward the ground and Draco bent to gather up the delicate flower as carefully as he could before following his mother into the house.

Draco was tense as he waited in his mother's tea room. Astoria had been invited and would be there soon. His mother would meet her at the floo and explain the situation so as not to shock her with Draco's changed appearance. Draco was to remain in his seat at all times and not growl or initiate physical contact. Narcissa, seemed to think the situation was salvageable as long as they eased Astoria into it. Draco hoped she was right if only for convenience sake, he only had six months until his twenty first birthday and then perhaps another six after that for the rose to wilt, if previous accounts were to be believed.

The door creaked open and Astoria stepped in. She was impeccably dressed as always in the most fashionable clothes, which in the post war fervor meant a purple muggle skirt and sweater set with little black shoes and white socks. Her blond hair was held back with a matching headband with a small bow to accent it. She looked lovely and Draco smiled, causing Astoria to flinch back in surprise. Draco quickly rearranged his features, his mother had warned him not to smile because it showed off his sharp fangs.

"I apologize Astoria. I know I look rather fearsome at the moment but I assure you I would never hurt you." Astoria straightened up and gave him a brave smile before moving forward into the room. She sat in the chair furthest from Draco and removed her wand from her bag to summon her tea. Draco noticed she didn't put her wand back in her bag as she drank her tea. After a few bracing sips Astoria looked at him again.

"Draco, how good to see you." She said finally and Draco took this as an opening to begin speaking.

"I'm glad you came Astoria. I believe you may be able to help me break this curse." he told her in an earnest voice forcing himself not to lean forward in his chair and risk frightening her again. Astoria gave him an awkward smile and took another sip of tea before setting her cup down and playing with her wand in her lap. Having it in hand seemed to give her confidence because for the first time she turned and looked him in the face. Her expression was apologetic as she spoke.

"Draco darling, I'm sorry but I don't think that will work."

"What?! But you're my fiance! We're supposed to get married next year!" Draco couldn't help the slight growl in his voice. Astoria flinched but her face was firm.

"Yes because when I was thirteen and you were fifteen our parents signed a contract. I seem to remember that when you found out about it you told me you'd rather marry a blast ended skrewt."

"But we were children then. Surely you can't hold that against me now?"

"Oh Draco I don't. I was willing to put that all behind us. We get on quite well and the manor is large enough we'd only see each other occasionally I think it could have worked. This curse changes things darling we have to be in love." Draco was offended.

"Are you saying you can't love me?" he demanded but Astoria quickly shook her head.

"No Draco you're not understanding me. I'm just not your type Draco. I wouldn't have minded you know once we had our heir, if you'd had someone on the side. As long as you were discreet and allowed me the same freedom but well as I said this is a different matter." Draco gaped at her.

"What do you mean not my type? Of course you're my type! You're lovely Astoria." She gave him a look a moved to stand up.

"Play ignorant if you like Draco but you know there are much worse things to be. Imagine if instead of fancying men you fancied giants or centaurs. As it stands dear I'll just be going and I wish you the best of luck. My father no doubt will have the contract voided by this evening." As Astoria spoke she moved to the door so that she was closing it behind her as she called out her farewell.

Author's note: This story is inspired by one to many re-watches of the classic Disney movie beauty and the beast. It should be fairly short and I'm mostly writing it to clear up my writers block on my other two ongoing stories Summer Lovin' and The Knife in the Soul. I really hope you like it and I bet you to review.

REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW

Because that's what get's me up and writing again.