Bad Guy
Hogsmeade
Harriet ambled her way through Hogsmeade, looking at shop windows and making small purchases every few stops. If anyone in the crowd were questioned as to her activities, they would all simply agree she was running errands. She whistled as she wound her way through Hogsmeade, nodding and smiling at the people she passed. Pausing briefly at the Quidditch shop, she stared longingly at the racing brooms on display before she continued toward Honeydukes. Harriet’s shoulders slumped as she fingered the broom charm on her necklace.
She hadn’t been on a broom in years, and she missed it.
“What’s wrong?” Rumple whispered only for Harriet to “accidentally” smack him as she “stumbled”.
“Shut-up!” Harriet thought frantically.
“Sorry, I'm not accustomed to this.”
“Aren't you supposed to be the expert in this type of magic?” Harriet teased, cheekiness oozing from her as she sashayed into Honeydukes. Rumple smirked as he followed close behind, desperately trying not to notice how well her pants fit her figure. He knew their connection was more open at the moment and he didn’t want her to hear his thoughts.
They were not gentlemanly.
He watched the customers carefully as Harriet slowly meandered through Honeydukes, stopping to inspect candy along the way. She lingered by the alcohol flavored chocolate a few seconds too long, making Rumple tense, before she physically shook herself and moved toward the basement.
“Nobody is watching,” Rumple thought as he carefully scanned the store. She quickly opened the door as he swiftly enveloped her within the invisibility cloak, both hoping that nobody noticed the door moving on its own. They stood there for a moment, pausing to see if anyone would sound the alarm. When nothing happened, Rumple breathed a sigh of relief only for Harriet to slap her hand over his mouth, frantically motioning for him to remain quiet.
“Someone may be down here!” Harriet thought loudly, making Rumple wince in pain.
Harriet flinched in sympathy and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”
Rumple nodded, lightly kissing her palm in forgiveness. Startled, Harriet pulled her hand away and gave Rumple a puzzled glance before she tugged on his wrist for him to follow her. As they slowly crept down the stars, Harriet couldn’t help but once again marvel at her invisibility cloak. It shouldn’t have been large enough to fit both of them, but Harriet had long ago accepted that as a Hallow, it was unique.
It was much safer to focus on her cloak, than the tingles left by Rumple’s kiss.
By the time they reached the bottom of the stairs, they were both certain that the basement was deserted. Taking off the invisibility cloak, Harriet threw it over her shoulder and hurried for the trap door. Opening it quickly, she motioned for Rumple to follow her when the basement door abruptly opened. As fast as his leg would allow, Rumple dashed forward and threw himself into the dark opening. When he landed, he clenched his teeth together to keep from grunting as his ankle twisted. He grabbed the side of the wall before he fell and listened as Harriet locked the trap door. She tugged his arm and he pushed himself from the wall to follow her, hobbling after her as best he could. Neither spoke until it became obvious that they’d left Hogsmeade all together.
“Damn, my leg,” Rumple muttered as he stopped and leaned against the passage wall.
“You okay?” Harriet asked as she watched Rumple rub his ankle
“I’ll be fine,” Rumple muttered, resting only briefly before limping forward.
“Why didn’t you bring your cane?”
“I’m sick of it!” Rumple shouted, his voice echoing off the stone walls. His frustration with their situation was mounting and he felt a bit of a headache coming on from their open connection.
“Don't yell at me, Rum.” Harriet warned, her voice low and unnaturally calm as she stopped and glared at Rumpelstiltskin.
Rumple turned toward her, searching her face for a moment before his shoulders slumped and he sighed. Rubbing his eyes he said quietly, “I’m sorry Harriet.”
She continued to glare at him, her eyes narrowed, before she allowed herself to relax. Her shoulders slumped and she nodded before they continued to walk side by side down the tunnel.
“Really, I am sorry” Rumple apologized again, watching Harriert from the corner of his eye.
“It’s alright,” Harriet smiled, lightly bumping his shoulder with her own. Grinning, he bumped her back and watched as Harriet laughed. He could feel her joy through their connection, and he basked in it for a brief moment before strengthening the barriers between them. Not that they would do much good, but they did allow them some privacy from each other.
“You could summon it,” Harriet suggested.
“I’d rather do this,” Rumple stopped and placed his hand on his leg. He felt his pain ebb to a dull ache and he sighed in satisfaction as he began to walk without his limp.
“You do much more of that and you’ll turn,” Harriet warned.
“Well,” Rumple pointed at the invisibility cloak, “Good thing we have that.”
“You’re such a smartarse,” Harriet muttered, and Rumple chuckled.
The passageway began to slowly descend, leading them further under Hogwarts. The walls changed from natural rock to stone and Harriet could see ancient scaffolding that she hadn’t noticed when she was a student. It felt like hours before they came to the rock slide that led to the trap door.
“Of course,” Rumple muttered as Harriet took a running start and nimbly made her way up the slide. Rumple just rolled his eyes and began to levitate slowly upward. Despite his magic, his leg ached far too much for a running leap.
“Arsehole,” Harriet grunted as she clutched the trap door’s handle to keep her balance. There was a small ledge between the door and slide that kept her from falling backward, but it was tight, “Why didn’t you teach me that?”
“You didn’t ask. ” Rumple smirked.
Harriet stuck out her tongue and then took out the Marauder's Map, whispering, “I solemnly swear that I’m up to no good.”
She smiled in satisfaction as the map unfurled, revealing Hogwarts in its entirety; complete with the whereabouts of everyone in the castle.
“Did you make this?” Rumple asked as he looked over her shoulder. It was a magnificent map.
“I can’t take credit for this one,” Harriet replied proudly “My dad, Remus, Sirius and Wormtail made this when they were at Hogwarts.”
Rumple made an impressed noise in his throat yet kept his thoughts to himself, preferring to allow Harriet to pursue the map unimpeded. Discovering the corridor before them was deserted, she quickly opened the door and motioned for Rumple to follow her. They made their way out of the cramped passageway and Rumple sighed in relief as he closed the hump of the One-Eyed Witch.
“What's next?” Rumple whispered as he quickly threw the invisibility cloak over them. Anyone could discover them without it.
“Seventh floor,” Harriet quietly muttered, and Rumple made a face They weren’t uncomfortably cramped beneath the cloak, but as they trudged up the stairs, he became overly aware of her body; the way she walked, the feeling of her arm against his, and the light bump of her hips.
It was maddening.
Yet, despite this, Rumple made no outward sign of distress or attraction, and they ascended the last staircase quickly. Making their way down the seventh-floor corridor, Harriet pulled off the cloak as they came to Dumbledore’s office. She folded it into a small square and shoved it into her jacket pocket to keep it safe.
“Invisibility cloaks don’t normally do that.”
“It’s a Hollow,” Harriet replied as Rumple’s eyes widened.
“You…..had another Hollow?” Rumple whispered, staring at Harriet in surprise, “I thought you just had the Elder Wand’s allegiance.”
I also used the Resurrection Stone too,” Harriet replied but held her hand up to silence him before he could start asking questions, “We can discuss this later Rum. Focus.”
Looking as if he’d swallowed a lemon, Rumple nodded and returned his attention to the task at hand. Harriet whispered, “mischief managed” and the map was once again hidden from sight.
Taking a deep breath Harriet whispered, “Lemon Drops.”
The gargoyle sprang to life and quickly revealed the stairs leading to Dumbledore’s office.
“He really needs to change that,” Harriet muttered as they made their way up the stairs to the familiar oak door. Knocking, Harriet felt anger and annoyance flair inside of her. If Dumbledore knew how to communicate properly neither Rumple nor Harriet would have had to sneak into Hogwarts.
“Come in!” Dumbledore yelled and Rumple smirked as Harriet burst into the office with more force than was strictly necessary.
“Harriet!” Dumbledore yelped; surprise etched on his face.
“How did you……?” Albus began but then his eyes landed on the Marauders Map, “Of course.”
Harriet carefully placed the map into one of her many pockets as Rumpelstiltskin sat casually across from Albus, loosely crossing his legs, a smirk firmly in place.
“Unfortunately, sneaking in was the only option that guaranteed you would be here.”
“That seems rather undignified for you.”
Rumple laughed darkly, “I’m rather passed dignity at this point Albus.”
Dumbledore glared as he took in Rumple’s altered appearance, "A new haircut won’t change your monstrous nature.”
Rumple narrowed his eyes.
“And dressing yourself in outlandish clothes won’t hide how vile and manipulative you’ve become,” Rumple sneered watching in satisfaction as Albus flinched, “Yet I think we digress.”
“Quite,” Dumbledore replied, his voice acidic.
“We don’t have time for a pissing contest!” Harriet interrupted, trying to keep the snarl from her voice. Dumbledore glanced at her and she squared her shoulders, preparing herself for the inevitable penetration of her mind, when he glanced away from her; as if in shame.
“What have you found, Headmaster?”
Albus cleared his throat, “I haven’t found much.”
“But you’ve found something,” Rumple prompted, working hard to keep his voice neutral. He was desperately trying to keep his temper in check, something he was once again finding extremely difficult to do in the Headmaster’s presence.
“Yes,” Albus answered carefully. He glanced between Harriet and Rumple and then looked at the open book in front of him. His face was impassive, but the sparkle was gone from his eyes and Harriet knew that never boded well, “I haven’t discovered the reason for the continued mental connection, but I do understand Tom's heart attacks.
“Rumplestilskin,” Rumple hissed.
Albus didn’t take the bait. Instead, he continued to stare at Rumpelstiltskin like he was a fascinating bug. Clearing his voice, he continued as if he’d never been interrupted, “According to Herpo the Foul, the only way for horcruxes to be reunited is for the host to feel remorse. If the horcruxes are destroyed before that should happen, then the soul pieces are gone forever.”
“That’s not right,” Harriet interrupted, “I destroyed his horcruxes, yet the soul pieces weren’t destroyed with them. They went back to Rumple.”
“The wraith that was Lord Voldemort,” Albus corrected, closing the book and placing his interlocked hands-on top of it, “He was not in a human body, but in one of his own creation.”
“That shouldn’t matter,” Rumple interjected, tapping his finger against his cheek, “The pieces should have been destroyed with the horcruxes, unless…..”
“Unless?” Albus asked, frowning and reopening the book to see what he’d missed.
“Unless Herpo was wrong,” Rumple continued with a thoughtful look, “and you can’t destroy a soul; even if it is in pieces.”
“Possibly,” Albus said thoughtfully, continuing his research, “Herpo wasn’t a particularly religious wizard. I’m not sure he would have taken into consideration that souls could be eternal.”
“I hadn’t considered it either,” Rumple replied dryly, “Although, considering how many ghosts are at Hogwarts, that seems rather short sighted on my part.”
Albus made a noise of agreement as he turned a page.
“Yet, it still doesn’t make sense,” Rumple muttered. Standing, he walked toward the tower window, surveying the castle grounds as he considered Albus’ information.
“What do you mean?” Harriet asked, perplexed.
“I was incapable of remorse,” Rumple turned to look at Harriet, a saddened expression on his face, “When I died, it should have been the end. How did I become reincarnated to begin with?”
“Well…..” Harriet began, but then frowned, trying to remember what happened after she died. Pain suddenly seared her forehead, making her wince.
“Harriet?” Rumple asked, taking a step toward her.
“Maybe when I died….” Harriet desperately tried to remember even as the pain intensified, “Could I have done something?”
“I don’t see how,” Albus said thoughtfully, doing his best to ignore her discomfort as he looked through the book. Rumple glared at him as he reached out to support Harriet, “Your death was prevented by Lord Voldemort’s soul inhabiting your body.”
“She’s the Mistress of Death,” Rumple quietly announced, causing the Headmaster to freeze. Looking up, Albus’ lips pressed together as he saw how close Harriet and Rumple had become.
“But I didn’t have the Elder Wand or the Resurrection Stone in my possession when I died.” Harriet frowned in frustration as she leaned into Rumple for support. She felt his arm snake around her waist and she practically purred as he tucked her under his chin, “Only the cloak.”
“Did you use the stone, Harriet?” Albus gravely asked, his teeth clenched tightly as Rumpelstiltskin comforted her.
“Yes,” Harriet closed her eyes and nuzzled into Rumple’s chest, “Right before Rumple killed me. I hid it in the Forbidden Forest so nobody would be tempted to use it after I died.”
Albus winced.
“What?” Harriet asked desperately, pulling slightly away from Rumple to look between the two wizards.
“A human horcrux has never been created,” Albus turned to a specific page, “It was postulated that using a human could pervert the process.”
“Which we uncovered,” Rumple muttered, “but we never discovered why.”
Albus turned to another page, “The purpose of a horcrux is to store a soul piece as it is. It can neither learn nor grow stored in an inanimate object. However, if a human were to be used as a horcrux…..”
“Then the soul could learn,” Rumple frowned, but then his eyes widened as the implications began to dawn on him, “It could potentially become something new…. someone new.”
“Correct.”
“And if you couple a human horcrux with being the Mistress of Death,” Rumple looked at Harriet with wonder in his eyes, “Then, yes Harriet, you could have done something.”
Harriet pulled away from Rumple, still unsteady on her feet, and glanced between the two wizards. Swallowing, she quietly asked, “Is there any way for me to remember?”
“Not in this world,” Rumple’s voice rang with confidence, “but in another…. very likely.”
“What do you mean?” Albus frowned, “Magic is magic.”
“No, it’s not,” Rumple replied, straightening and giving his full attention to the Headmaster. Albus Dumbledore may have been his Transfiguration Professor, but Rumpelstiltskin had much more experience with magic and the universe at large.
He refused to be cowed.
“Every world uses magic differently,” Rumple replied, drumming his fingers against the windowsill in thought, “In the Fairytale world, magic is strongly tied to emotions with a few rules here and there to govern how magic works. In Wonderland everything is nonsense, magic most of all. Oz seems to be an odd mixture of nonsense and rules. In Neverland, whatever you believe comes true.”
Looking out the window Rumple continued, “This world, the Land of Hidden Magic, seems to be the most logical of all worlds.” Rumple paused before he thoughtfully muttered, “The magic here seems to be the hardest to use.”
Looking at Albus he continued, “Which is probably why magic is hereditary in this world.”
“It isn’t in other worlds?” Harriet asked, intrigued.
“Magic can be learned by anyone who resides there, “Thinking of Elsa and Ingrid he added, “how that magic is expressed, however, can be hereditary.”
Uncertainly, Albus asked, “I suppose you think one of those worlds would have the key to unlocking Harriet’s memories?”
“Yes,” Rumple replied with a defeated sigh, “However, world traveling is very difficult.”
“How difficult?”
Rumple’s shoulders slumped, and he walked over to Albus’ desk and sat down in one of the chairs; defeated.
“It took me manipulating generations into creating the correct circumstances for the Evil Queen to cast the Dark Curse that brought part of the Enchanted Forest here” Rumple admitted, feeling his chest begin to ache. He didn’t want to admit to Harriet his hand in creating Storybrooke, especially not in front of Albus Dumbledore, but he had no choice. “I used to believe it was because this world was the “real world” where all stories are told. Now, it may be because this world is the most logical.”
Albus pressed his lips together while Harriet stood quietly next to Rumple. She had already suspected that he had a hand in creating Storybrooke, she was rather good at reading between the lines, but to have him admit it was rather hard to hear.
“You said you didn’t remember being Voldemort until recently,” Albus growled.
“My son was lost,” Rumple replied, his voice soft. He wasn’t looking at Albus or Harriet, but at the floor, his mind going back to Bae and all the choices that contributed to their separation, “A seer told me I would find him here.” Looking up, he said with conviction, “And I damn well made sure I was going to be here.”
“Still no remorse for your actions, I see.”
“Oooh, that is where you’re wrong, dearie,” Rumple replied, his voice turning ugly. He turned to Harriet and unashamedly said, “but I would do it all again for my boy.”
Harriet and Rumple stared at each other, both waiting for the other to say something. Finally, she looked away and sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair, “I know, Rum.”
Rumple nodded curtly and looked back at Albus, who was staring at him thoughtfully.
“It seems our next step should be traveling to Storybrooke,” Harriet said quietly, making Rumple stiffen, “Maybe we can get Hook to lend us the Jolly Roger,” Harriet suggested, “you said it could travel between the worlds?’
“Hook isn’t going to help us Beauty,” Rumple sneered.
“Hook?” Albus asked.
Harriet sighed, “Captain Hook.
“I’m the Crocodile. Tick-tock!” Rumple tittered, moving his hand in a grandiose gesture, “And he’s the naughty pirate that stole all of those boys for Peter Pan.”
Albus looked between Harriet and Rumple, confused.
“We should go,” Harriet said softly, taking Rumple by the arm. She could see that he was near his breaking point and they needed time to process the information. She could feel his growing frustration and she knew he was very close to changing into the Dark One.
“Before you go,” Albus said, his voice grave, giving Harriet and Rumple pause, “I should warn you both, that you are treading dangerous ground.”
“What do you mean Headmaster,” Harriet stiffened, bracing for a fight; her hand ready to summon her wand from its sheath.
Albus cleared his voice and announced, “Herpo believed that if the soul pieces should reattach themselves, it would kill the host.”
“What do you mean, kill?” Rumple’s voice hardened and Harriet felt him stiffen next to her. A lump formed in her throat and dread gripped her heart as she felt Rumple’s emotions darken. He was already frustrated, but now she was starting to feel his fear.
“The heart attacks?” Albus asked, “When do they happen?”
Rumple pursed his lips, his face impassive, but Harriet gently took his hand and asked, “Rum?”
Rumple squeezed her hand and hoarsely replied, “Every time I feel remorse for what I’ve done.”
“Eventually, that remorse will kill you,” Albus warned, his smile acidic, “A fitting punishment don’t you think?”
“Not if Harriet’s mind is still connected to mine!” Rumple snarled, launching himself at the Headmaster. She felt pain slam into her temple as Rumple changed into the Dark One but she didn’t let it stop her from grabbing his arm. She wouldn’t allow him to pummel the Headmaster.
“Rum no!” Harriet shouted, making Rumple instantly pause. Albus watched them in fascination.
“It won’t help anything.” Harriet tugged him back toward her, “We’ll figure out another way for you to become one with the Darkness, without it killing you.”
“I don’t want to become one with it!” Rumple roared, pulling from Harriet’s grasp.
They stared at each other; his eyes fiery and wild, hers sad and gentle.
“You don’t have a choice.” Harriet whispered brokenly.
He took a step away from her, a look of betrayal on his face, before he spun on his bad leg and disappeared. Harriet winced as she felt the school’s wards shake and tremble. Nobody could apparate in and out of the school and she fully expected Rumple to reappear, but instead the wards broke and the castle trembled dangerously before settling back into place.
Albus sighed as he stood up, “The students and staff will be alarmed.”
Harriet put her head in her hands and screamed in frustration.
“Harriet,” Albus began but she cut him off.
“I don't want to hear it, Headmaster!”
“You’re playing a dangerous game with Tom.” Albus took a step in her direction. He needed to attend the school, but the frustrated woman in front of him took priority.
Harriet glared at him, “His fucking name, is Rumplestilskin.”
Albus straightened as Harriet’s eyes flashed. Now that her magic wasn’t fighting to keep her alive, she was growing more powerful. It was something that he’d never really seen Harriet embrace before now. When she had been a student, her magic had been protecting her from the horcrux. After she’d been fired from the ministry, it had protected her from herself. There had been a few years in between where Albus had heard of her growing power. A power many had begun to fear, but once her mental health had declined, that power seemed to have disappeared. Now, it was slowly building inside her. Yet Albus worried that with Rumpelstiltskin’s influence, she would choose to wield it poorly.
“I will do everything I can to help you,” Albus swallowed, worried he was making the wrong decision, but choosing to place his faith in Harriet’s inherent goodness, “It’s the least I can do.”
Harriet narrowed her eyes in suspicion but nodded curtly. Turning to go she paused at the door; her hand on the doorknob.
“Please make sure to contact Ron and Hermione. They’re worried about the children.”
She looked over her shoulder at Dumbledore, “They still believe in you.”
Albus flinched, “And you don’t?”
“No,” Harriet’s voice was hard, “but I think you know that.”
“You forgave him,” Albus gestured toward where Rumple had stood, “but not me?”
“Rumple never lied to me,” Harriet replied heartbrokenly, “ He never betrayed me. He didn’t raise me to die. He didn’t give me to the Dursleys….” Harriet trailed off, “He didn’t watch me drown myself in alcohol and do nothing.”
Albus flinched
“In time I will forgive you,” Harriet whispered, her voice sad, “I can do that with alarming ease, but I won't trust you ever again.”
She licked her lips as she continued, “So don’t help me because you think it’ll get you back into my good graces. Do it because it’s right.”
Then Harriet turned the doorknob and strode out the door.
Bowing his head, Albus felt his own heart ache in remorse and winced when he realized he had more in common with Rumpelstiltskin then he was comfortable with.
A dark figure fell out of the trap door of the One-Eyed Witch and quickly slipped into an empty classroom. He’d been sure there was a passageway between Hogsmeade and Hogwarts but hadn’t been close to finding it until he spotted Potter.
He slowly followed her into Honeydukes and watched as she suspiciously disappeared into thin air, right before the basement doors opened and closed on its own. Nobody in the shop seemed to notice, but he’d made sure to act like a regular patron so the staff wouldn’t become suspicious when he too disappeared into the basement.
By the time he reached the bottom, there’d been no sign of Potter. It had taken him quite some time to find the trap door, as a look-at-me-not spell was cast on it. Unless you knew the trapdoor was there, you wouldn’t see it. Only the fact that he knew Potter had used it allowed him to find it.
He had just made it to the end of the passageway, when Hogwarts began to tremble and shake. Rock and dirt fell on him as he ran toward the slide, sure that the passageway was about to collapse. He hadn’t slowed down until he’d escaped the passageway. Leaning against the empty classroom’s wall, he sighed in relief. He hated being underground.
It felt too much like being buried.
He waited until his breath evened out and then returned his attention to the corridor. He peaked out the door, trying to get his bearings, when he realized there was no way he was going to be able to find the wolf’s spawn until later that night. The boy had been sorted into Hufflepuff and he wasn’t stupid enough to try and get close to the kitchens. He vividly remembered the final battle and how powerful the house elves had been.
He wasn’t about to piss them off .
Hopefully, the boy was prone to late night wanderings like his godmother. He needed Teddy Lupin. Without him, his plan would fall apart.
Storybrooke
Robin frowned as he watched Regina pace the length of their bedroom. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest and her eyes were wild.
“Why isn’t he answering my calls?” Regina snarled, glaring at the phone discarded on their bed.
“It’s late Regina,” Robin tiredly replied, “and who knows where he’s at or what he’s doing. I’m sure he will eventually.”
“We need to know his price,” Regina muttered.
“There is no price,” Robin replied for what felt like the thousandth time.
“There is always a price with him,” Regina snarled glaring at the mirror in front of her. She’d tried to see where he was, but she was having difficulty piercing the barrier around Storybrooke.
“Not this time,” Robin replied with conviction, his mind wandering to how they had supported each other upon Zelena’s death. He knew that held weight with Rumpelstiltskin.
“You don’t understand,” Regina began but Robin cut her off. He was tired of having this conversation.
“No, you don’t understand,” Robin replied, frustrated, “We split amicably. Something called him away, but he and I are fine. You need to let this go!”
“I can’t!” Regina yelled, hugging herself. She desperately wanted Robin to hold her, but he was sitting on their bed glaring at her with poorly concealed frustration.
“Then it's on you what happens next,” Robin replied as he stood up. He grabbed his pillow and brushed past Regina.
“Where are you going?” Regina asked plaintively, barely stopping herself from reaching out to him.
“I’m sleeping with Roland tonight,” Robin replied as he strode out the door, “I’m tired of having this same conversation every night.”
The door slammed behind him, leaving Regina vulnerable and shivering in her bedroom. Panic gripped her heart and she felt her breath quicken.
He was going to leave her!
She would kill Rumpelstiltskin if he did. Nobody was going to take her happy ending away, not even the immortal Dark One. She just needed to get her hands on his dagger.
“Belle will be easy to deal with,” Regina mumbled to herself as she stared into her mirror. She passed her hand over the reflection and an image of Belle rippled to the surface. She was drinking alone, staring at her and Rumple’s wedding picture. Regina could see tears sliding down her cheeks and dripping onto the picture frame.
“Yes,” Regina mumbled, “She will be easy to get the dagger from.”
Henry gritted his teeth as he pulled away from the door. He had heard Regina and Robin yelling from his room but hadn’t been able to understand them. When Robin left the room Henry had snuck over and put his ear to the door, wondering if Regina needed him. Instead, he heard her plotting against his grandpapa.
He shouldn’t be surprised. She was the Evil Queen after all.
Pressing his fingers into his eyes, Henry snuck back into his room and pulled on his blue jeans and jacket. He left his pajama top on, too much in a hurry to change it, and grabbed his backpack with the Once Upon a Time book in it. He stuffed his bed with pillows and opened his window.
Taking a deep breath to keep his fear away, Henry snuck onto the roof and then climbed down the trellis just under his window. He wasn’t coming back. His mother was slowly going crazy. Would she use him against his grandpapa?
Henry feared she would.
He finally felt the ground against his feet and ran quickly out of the yard. He knew Belle had stayed in his grandpapa’s house instead of moving back to her apartment. It wasn’t far from the mayor’s manor, yet his mother was watching her. He wasn’t sure what to do.
Frowning, Henry stopped running and hid himself behind a bush. He needed help.
But should he call Archie or Cogsworth?
Stealing himself, he punched a button and put the phone to his ear. In the end there wasn’t much of a choice. Archie was a wonderful man, but he wasn’t used to making someone disappear.
But Cogsworth on the other hand……
“Mr. Cogsworth,” Henry whimpered as the older man answered the phone, “I’m in trouble.”