Rumpelstiltskin and the Guardian

Storybrooke

Belle groaned as she slowly awoke, her head pounding. Gently she rubbed her eyes, trying to bring herself some relief from the pain when she suddenly froze. She was lying on the floor.

Had she fallen off the couch?

She racked her brain to remember, but her mind was sluggish. Sitting up, she slowly opened her eyes, but all she could see was an inky blackness. The more she stared into the darkness, the more she noticed how the darkness swelled and ebbed. Almost like breathing.

Trembling, Belle squeezed her eyes shut and called out, “Hello!”

Nobody responded, leaving her in deafening silence. Swallowing her nervousness, Belle once again opened her eyes and strained to see if anyone was there. Unfortunately, she could barely see an inch from her own face. Her fear grew and as she began to shake, her breathing turned ragged.

She couldn’t be locked away again. She just couldn’t.

She wrapped her arms around herself, panic squeezing her heart, when she suddenly heard footsteps. They were faint at first but quickly grew closer. A loud creak ripped through the darkness and a light erupted a few feet from her face, making her wince and turn away.

“Mr. Mills!” a familiar voice shouted, “Mrs. Gold is awake!”

“Henry?” Belle whispered, rubbing at her eyes again, “Mr. Cogsworth?”

Blinking in the light, Belle slowly stood, wobbly on her feet. Stumbling forward she grasped slender metal bars and gasped.

She was locked inside a cage.

Again.

“What’s happening?” Belle asked as she stumbled away from the bars, confused and scared. She felt her heart in her throat as her fear spiked, but she forced her breathing to remain normal. Since being released from the mental institution, Belle couldn’t abide being held against her will.

“Why am I in a cage?” Belle asked, her voice shaking. Looking frantically around, her eyes landed on Henry silhouetted in the doorway. Shooting forward, Belle wrapped one hand around the metal bars and reached toward her step-grandson with the other.

“Henry? What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry about this,” He replied, his voice strained.

He then walked toward her and Belle gasped when she saw he was carrying the Dark One’s dagger. He was holding on to it so tightly his knuckles were a sickly white in the lamplight. It was as if he were afraid someone would rip it from him.

Which was a reasonable fear. There had been many times over the past few months where she would catch herself clinging to the blade. It wasn’t until recently that she questioned why.

Seeing the fearful look on Henry's face, her heart went out to him.

“We were sure grandpapa would have answered the phone before you woke up,” Henry continued, “but he hasn’t, and we couldn’t afford you escaping and telling my mom's where I’m at.”

“Why are you hiding from your mothers?” Belle asked, eyeing Cogsworth suspiciously, “Has HE been filling your head with lies?”

“Mr. Cogsworth?” Henry asked, startled, “Of course not. He’s been helping me.”

“Henry, you don’t know what he is,” Belle said, taking a step away from Cogsworth. He had slowly crept closer while she was distracted and she found his close proximity upsetting.

“Of course,” Cogsworth sneered, “According to you, I would be subhuman.”

“I….” Belle sputtered, “That’s not what….”

“Spare me,” Cogsworth replied, “ You hate magic users. You always have.”

“I don’t like it when magic is used improperly,” Belle defended herself, “but I hardly hate magic users. I married one!”

“And you banished him soon after!”

“I had to!” Belle yelled, her voice cracking along with her heart. She knew Cogsworth was loyal to Rumple, but she hadn’t realized it was of his own volition. She had always assumed that Rumple had made a deal with Cogsworth; one that he would be happy escaping.

Clearly she’d been wrong.

Cogsworth snorted, his agitation leaking into the shadows, causing them to darken and twist violently in the lamplight.

“I don’t care what you think of him,” Henry said, his eyes trained on Belle, “Grandpapa trusts him and that’s all I need to know.”

“He trusts me,” Belle began but Henry just rolled his eyes.

“He doesn’t,” Henry said, cutting Belle off, “Which is why you’re in a cage. At least until he gets here and tells us what to do with you.”

“What to do with me?” Belle echoed, her voice lost. Would they….kill her?

“Oh for fucks sake,” Cogsworth said, his usual polished accent turning thick, “We arn’t gonna hurt you.”

“No,” Henry said, “but we may have to obliviate her.”

“Obliviate?” Cogsworth asked.

“It’s a spell to suppress memories,” Henry replied and Belle whimpered.

Not her memories. Not again.

“Please Henry,” Belle begged, “Please don’t fall into Darkness. I know the dagger is powerful….” Belle swallowed, realizing how much lighter she felt without it, “but you have to resist it.”

“Which is why I’m waiting until grandpapa gets back,” Henry replied, turning his back on her.

“He can’t come back!” Belle yelled, “He’s banished Henry! Please let the dagger go!”

“You don’t know as much as you think, Mrs. Gold,” Cogsworth sneered, moving toward the door.

Belle watched helplessly as Henry and Cogsworth left, shutting the door firmly behind them and leaving her in the swirling darkness. Whimpering, Belle stumbled backward until she bumped into a cold wall. Crumpling to the ground, she curled in on herself and began to sob. Her worst nightmares were once again coming true and she was powerless to stop it.

Again.

Why was she always so useless?

Hogwarts

“Why would you do this?” Harriet asked, her voice strained as she paced in front of Teddy’s hospital bed.

“I don’t know….” Teddy replied, shrugging. He refused to look at his aunt which only seemed to agitate Harriet further.

Rumple cocked his eyebrow at Teddy, “The truth, lad.”

“I don’t care for the tone you’re taking with my son!” Remus snarled, glaring at Rumpelstiltskin.

“Stop!” Teddy yelled, startling Remus and causing Harriet to pause midstride.

Silence descended upon the Hospital Wing until Remus overcame his shock and glared at Rumpelstiltskin, “What did you do to him?”

“He has done nothing to your son, Remus,” Albus replied in irritation, “I was here for their entire conversation.”

Rumple glanced at Albus while the Headmaster eyed him with unconcealed surprise, “He was good with the boy.”

“Of course he was,” Harriet said protectively, “He’s good with children. Rose and Hugo adore him.”

Rumple smiled softly at Harriet’s protectiveness, but as his eyes landed on Teddy, his smile dropped and he turned serious, "You need to listen to the boy. He has some hard truths for the both of you.”

Harriet blanched, “Truths?”

Remus swallowed, “Hard?”

They both stared at Teddy, their eyes filled with expectation, when he suddenly sat up and bellowed, “I HATE YOU!”

Remus took a step back while Harriet stood rigidly at Teddy’s side. Swallowing, she asked, “Is that why you worked with Draco? Because you hate us?”

“Just you,” Teddy snarled, his face twisting in anger and frustration. He wanted her to yell and scream, to cry even. Yet, she remained stoic as she stood by his side.

Rumple leaned forward in his chair, “Lad, why are you trying to get a reaction from your aunt?”

Teddy snorted, “She would have to care first.”

Harriet narrowed her eyes, “And you don’t think I do?”

“Of course not!” Teddy yelled, “ You act like I don’t even exist! Like you were never a part of our family!”

Deafening silence rang throughout the Hospital Wing. Tears pricked at the corner of Harriet’s eyes, but she refused to allow herself to cry. She stood rigidly next to Teddy, her gaze never wavering from her godson.

The least she could do was witness the pain she’d caused.

“That’s my fault Teddy,” Remus finally said, his voice low. Glancing at Harriet, who refused to look at him, he continued, “She’s been sick.”

Teddy snorted, “She looks fine to me.”

“That’s because you’ve never seen her well.” Rumple gently reminded him.

Teddy just shrugged, twisting the bedsheets in-between his fingers, and refusing to meet anyone’s eye. It reminded Rumple so much of Harriet that his heart burned. She may not have birthed the boy, but she had left her mark on him.Teddy was hers, just as much as Bae had been his. If he cared for Harriet, he knew he must extend that same emotion to the boy.

No matter who his father was.

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Rumple stood and sat on the boy’s bed, giving Teddy no other option but to meet his gaze. Uncomfortable with the Dark One’s close proximity to his son, Remus growled low in his throat, prompting Albus to place a restraining hand on Remus’s shoulder.

Rumple forced himself to ignore the wolf and focus solely on the child in front of him. Gently he asked, “Do you know who I am?’

Teddy sat quietly for a moment before answering, “Mr. Malfoy said you were He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

“Correct,” Rumple replied, his voice stiff as a shiver ran up his spine. It’d been so long since he’d heard that moniker, he’d almost forgotten it.

“Ah .... they’re still afraid of us,” The Darkness whispered smugly.

Rumple watched as Teddy bit his lip, obviously uneasy with Rumpelstiltskin’s presence. Forcing himself to relax, Rumple hoped his open demeanor would encourage the boy to speak.

“My influence,” Rumple continued, “Left a mark on your aunt and eventually led to her illness.”

Harriet gritted her teeth and rolled her eyes. Why were they all tiptoeing around her problem? By not naming it, they were giving it far too much power, and she was tired of being beholden to it.

“She’s tried very hard to keep it from you,” Rumple continued, hiding a grimace as pain began traveling up his right arm, “To protect you as much as possible.”

“Oh fuck this,” Harriet muttered to herself. Clearing her throat, she cut Rumple off. “Teddy, I’m a drunk.”

“What?” Teddy sputtered, startled by Harriet’s interruption.

Rumple was relieved she’d taken over the conversation as his chest began constricting. He forced himself to remain calm, so as not to alarm anyone, yet he couldn’t stop his hands from balling into fists or his face from grimacing. The heart attack was painful, but Rumple didn’t fear for his life this time.

“Do you know what an alcoholic is?” Harriet asked, sitting next to Teddy. Her entire attention was, for once, on her godson, blinding her to Rumple’s pain

“Yeah,” Teddy replied with a frown, “One of my housemate’s dad drinks too much.”

Harriet smiled sadly but before she could reply Remus interrupted her with a long, suffering sigh. “I didn’t want you to see that, Teddy.

Harriet glared at him as he continued, “So unless I was there, I kept you from being alone with her.”

“Which I’m grateful for,” Harriet interrupted, “I wasn’t…. I couldn’t have taken care of you properly.”

Teddy shifted nervously and asked, “So you were….drinking?”

“Yes,” Harriet replied.

“Why would you do that?”

Harriet swallowed “It was just…. everything Teddy…. everything just became too much.”

“I don’t understand,” Teddy whispered, his voice small and sad.

Harriet grimaced, “It’s….my relatives weren’t the nicest people. They mistreated me.”

Teddy nodded, he knew about the Dursleys. He had overheard her yelling about them once. Looking back, he wondered if she was drunk.

“When I came to Hogwarts, people treated me differently because they thought I’d defeated Lord Voldemort. Some people wanted to be my friend, some were indifferent, and others thought I would be just like him.”

Teddy frowned but didn’t interrupt.

“The entire time I was at Hogwarts I had to deal with Voldemort, his death eaters, the Ministry, other students, and a lot of attempts to kill me.”

Teddy glanced at Rumple. His face was twisted in a grimace and his fists were clenched. Taking a ragged breath, he said tightly, “She isn’t exaggerating either. I was rather a menace.”

Harriet bit her lip and reached out to Rumple, but he shook his head slightly causing Harriet’s hand to fall limply to her side. Now that her attention wasn’t solely on Teddy, she could feel Rumple’s anxiety. Reaching out, she could even feel his pain, however faintly.

The heart attacks were happening so frequently. Would they even be able to make it to Storybrooke?

Breathing deeply, she focused on Rumple’s feelings and pushed them to the back of her mind, preferring to focus her attention on Teddy. He needed to understand, at least a little, what had happened to her, “Not only did I have to deal with Rumple, but Delores Umbridge was the single worst teacher we ever had. She would abuse her students.”

Professor Dumbledore interrupted, his voice solemn, “It was my single greatest failure as the Headmaster of Hogwarts.”

Rumpelstiltskin snorted and rolled his eyes, not buying Dumbledore’s flimsy excuses, but not feeling strong enough to fight with the Headmaster about it. His heart attack had left him feeling drained and tired; so tired that he was unsure his usual spinning would help him recover his strength. He hadn’t felt this tired since before Emma had broken the Dark Curse.

He almost felt human.

Focusing his attention back to Teddy and Harriet, Rumple rubbed his chest with his knuckles. The pain was slowly receding, and Rumple was thankful it hadn’t been worse.

Harriet's shoulders slumped and once again her heart broke where Albus Dumbledore was concerned. Of course, he wouldn’t deem her death as his failure. To him, it had been necessary. Feeling vulnerable, she no longer wished to discuss her shortcomings in front of the Headmaster, “It’s late. We all need to rest.”

“We aren’t leaving him here?” Rumple asked, caught off guard by the abrupt subject change.

“I…” Harriet began but Remus cut her off.

“You’re not taking my son from me.”

“Of course not, you idiot,” Rumple sneered, “You’re coming too.”

“Excuse me?”

“For some reason,” Rumple stood and winced at the soreness in his chest, “Draco Malfoy has set himself against Harriet. Until we can understand why, we should all work together. Grimmauld Place is unplottable, isn’t it? We can all stay there until we can decide our next steps.”

Albus started at Rumple appraisingly for a long moment. Finally, he said, “The wards may have fallen, but Hogwarts is still safe. Teddy should stay in the Hospital Wing tonight with Remus.”

Remus gently placed his hand on Teddy’s arm. He stiffened for a moment before he leaned against his father’s side and silently cried.

“I will have Remus show me the trapdoor that you used,” Albus continued, “That way we can be sure that Hogwarts is completely secured.”

Rumple frowned but nodded. He saw the wisdom in Albus’ words, but losing the extra way into Hogwarts was a blow to any future espionage he and Harriet might have to engage in. He glanced in Harriet’s direction, to see how she was taking the news, and felt his stomach clench. She was staring at Teddy and Remus with such longing that Rumple had to look away.

Harriet ached to hold Teddy like she used to. Yet, she was beginning to see that it was no longer her place. As much as she would always feel like Teddy’s mother, she was beginning to realize that Teddy may not feel the same. Not that she could blame him. She had pushed him away. He had needed her, and she hadn’t prioritized him.

Why would he prioritize her?

Harriet sighed and absently reached her hand out to Rumple, “Let’s go, Rum. We have a lot to discuss.”

Rumple impassively looked between Harriet and the Lupins. The naked longing on Harriet’s face made him wonder just what Harriet longed for. Was it just Teddy that she wanted? Or was it Remus too?

Was his presence keeping her from her family?

As much as he disliked Remus Lupin, if he was her true love…..

“She is ours,” The Darkness hissed, and dread pooled in his stomach. Was it too late to pull away? To stand aside?

Did he even want to? They had almost kissed. Harriet must feel something for him too.

Unless she was ashamed of it?

His thoughts plaguing him, he firmly took her hand in his. Tugging her close, he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes as he smelled her hair. It was a moment of weakness, one born out of his jealousy. He was sure nobody would have noticed, until he opened his eyes to a shocked Albus Dumbledore.

Refusing to feel ashamed, he nodded once to Albus and apparated them away from Hogwarts.

Storybrooke

Henry paced Cogsworth's living room as the voices in his head became louder. The more he doubted himself, the more the voices tried to manipulate his feelings toward Rumplestilskin.

“He doesn’t love you.” The voices hissed.

“He doesn’t want you around.” They shouted.

“He’s only using you.” They chuckled

Shaking his head to silence the voices, Henry shouted, “Shut up!”

He then threw the dagger on the couch and took a few steps back. Cogsworth listened from the hall, lingering by the bedroom door to make sure that it was locked. His shadows were guarding the door, and he was reasonably sure the cage illusion would hold, but he would be remiss if he didn't simply lock the door behind them.

Henry couldn’t understand why the dagger was affecting him so quickly. With Belle, it had manipulated her passively, taking months to latch onto her. Yet, it was responding to him in full force. Was it because he was the truest believer? Or was it something else?

Was it responding to his familial connection with Lord Voldemort? Or was it latching onto his own darkness? Was he more prone to darkness being Lord Voldemort’s grandson?

Frightened, Henry sat on the floor. He was loath to touch the dagger, but unwilling to leave it alone. He wanted to protect his grandpapa, and he could only do that if the dagger was safe from others. Grimacing, he brought his legs up and leaned his chin on his knee. He glanced at Cogsworth, but the older man’s phone began to ring and he hurried to the kitchen to answer it.

“Please,” Henry whispered to himself as he stared at the dagger, “Please let it be grandpapa.”

From the kitchen, Cogsworth watched Henry rock back and forth. He didn’t want the lad to hear his conversation with Rumpelstiltskin, but he was leery about leaving the boy alone. He felt oddly protective of his young charge and wanted to minimize any backlash the boy might face. Quickly, he answered the phone and braced himself for the Dark One’s temper.

“Sir….” Cogsworth began, but was quickly cut off.

“What in the hell is going on Cogsworth!” Rumplestilskin yelled, causing him to pull the phone from his ear.

“We had to, sir,” Cogsworth hurriedly replied.

“Why?” Rumpelstiltskin snarled and Cogsworth was suddenly grateful he was relaying the news over the phone.

“Henry overhead Regina planning to steal the dagger,” Cogsworth replied quickly, “So he ran away. We needed to make sure that both her and the dagger were safe sir.”

Rumple went quiet and Cogsworth winced.

“Sir?” Cogsworth began, but Rumple cut him off.

“Get the scroll,” Rumpelstiltskin commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.

“Yes sir,” Cogsworth agreed, “I’ll go and collect Dr. Hopper.”

“No,” Rumpelstiltskin growled, “I will call him. You stay and protect my family.”

“Sir….” Cogsworth began delicately, “Please encourage Dr. Hopper to hurry. Henry said…. he has your dagger sir and…. well…the boy doesn’t look good.”

There was a chilly silence on the other end before the line went completely dead.

Cogsworth stared at his phone for a moment and then left the kitchen to check on Henry. The poor boy was folding in on himself, tears cascading down his face.

“Henry?” Cogsworth muttered as he kneeled next to the boy.

“I just want Grandpapa,” Henry whispered, “The dagger…. it’s whispering to me.”

“Your grandfather is on his way,” Cogsworth placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, struggling to hide how alarmed he was becoming, “He’s calling Dr. Hopper now.”

“I don’t think I can wait,” Henry whispered.

“You are going to have to Mr. Mills,” Cogsworth replied, and Henry leaned his forward against his knees, effectively ending their conversation.

Cogsworth sighed and glanced at the dagger.

It was never good when a Stilskin started hearing voices.

London

As soon as they appeared in the foyer, Harriet sprang into action. She called Kreacher and Winky and instructed them to gather supplies for herself and Rumpelstiltskin. While they hadn’t spoken of their next moves, Harriet wanted to be prepared. Draco had been two steps ahead of them, but now they were on an even playing field and she wanted to keep it that way.

Pulling out the camera film from her pocket, Harriet stared at it and sighed. Her heart was screaming at her to stay and protect those she loved, but her instincts were telling her to go to Storybrooke. She didn’t know if it was wishful thinking or if she really believed that Storybrooke held the answers. It had been such a long time since she’d listened to her instincts, and she worried they weren’t as sharp as they used to be.

Feeling torn, Harriet marched into her bedroom and threw the film on her vanity. She was interested to see what was on it, but acknowledged now wasn’t the time. She needed to speak with Ron and Hermione. Searching through her pockets, she winced when she realized she left her phone in the forest.

“Damn,” Harriet muttered.

“Kreacher!” She yelled.

Kreacher appeared and said, “Yes Mistress?”

“I left my phone in the Forbidden Forest,” Harriet replied, running her fingers through her hair in irritation, “Will you please get it for me?”

Kreacher bowed, “Of course Mistress.”

Smiling tiredly at Kreacher, she gave him detailed instructions on how to get to the clearing. Once he left, she flopped onto her bed and groaned in satisfaction. She was so tired, and it felt wonderful to get off her feet.

Yet, she was worried about Ron and Hermione. Standing up, she grabbed a notepad and pen and explained what she could. Calling for Winky, she gave the note to the elf with instructions to allow no one else but Ron or Hermione to read it. Winky bowed solemnly and then left, leaving Harriet to fall back onto her bed.

Snuggling into her pillow, she felt her eyes begin to droop. She knew she shouldn’t sleep, but it was late, and she was exhausted. She was in that wonderful place between sleep and awake, when the front door slammed shut. Springing up, Harriet stumbled into the living room only to be met with an irate Dark One.

“What’s wrong?” Harriet asked tiredly, wiping at her tired eyes. It struck her as odd that she hadn’t felt Rumple’s emotions. He was clearly angry. Confused, she focused on their connection and felt her temper suddenly spike. Quickly, she pulled away from his emotions and slammed an invisible door between them. Her feelings were once again her own.

Well…. fuck...she had finally learned Occlumency.

“Won’t Severus be proud,” Harriet thought, dryly.

“They kidnapped Belle!” Rumple yelled, pacing the length of the living room.

“Who?” Harriet asked, confused, “Draco? How could he have gotten into Storybrooke?”

“No,” Rumple scoffed, looking at Harriet in annoyance, “Henry and Cogsworth.”

“Come again?’ Harriet was suddenly fully awake, despite feeling like she was wading through concrete “Henry…. he’s just a boy?”

“Yeah,” Rumple snarled in reply, “So was I.”

“Are you saying Henry….” Harriet began, but Rumple cut her off.

“No,” Rumple stopped and sighed, running his hand wearily down his face, “No Harriet I’m not saying he’s like me.” Halfheartedly smirking, he said, “He’s more like you.”

“I have never kidnapped someone in my life,” Harriet replied indignantly.

“Maybe not,” Rumple replied, “but you’re about to learn.”

“Excuse me?” Harriet was not liking the direction of this conversation.

“Regina is looking for my dagger,” Rumple replied, his sarcasm dripping, “and Cogsworth in his infinite wisdom thought kidnapping Belle was the only way to protect her and the dagger.”

Harriet groaned and put her head in her hands. She was far too tired for this added complication.

“They’ve been trying to call me all night,” Rumple continued his pacing, “I called Dr. Hopper to steal the scroll, but I’m worried there will be additional problems.”

“Rum….” Harriet reached out and interrupted his pacing. As she took his hand in hers, the events of the night replayed in her mind. The way his hands had felt on her hips, the way his body moved seamlessly with hers. Their eyes locked and her newly erected barriers were quickly overwhelmed by Rumpelstiltskin’s emotions. She felt his anger, which was nothing new. He was always a little bit angry, but the anger was quickly doused by fear.

“Why are you afraid, Rum?” Harriet asked.

“Henry has my dagger,” Rumple said, his voice quiet. Choosing to ignore how his pulse raced with Harriet so close, “What if…. what if it corrupts him? Cogsworth said he isn’t doing well.”

Harriet winced while Rumpelstiltskin continued, “I can’t just wait here for Dr. Hopper to get the scroll, Beauty. My grandson needs me.”

He pulled away from her and began pacing again. His nerves not allowing him to stand still for long, “Eventually Regina and Emma are going to notice that Henry is gone.”

Harriet’s head began to pound from lack of sleep, but she determinedly ignored it. There was too much to do to rest, yet she knew if she didn’t, she would collapse. She had only just recently started gaining strength. She needed everything to pause.

“Bring Belle here,” Harriet said, inspiration striking her.

Rumple stopped and slowly turned, “What?”

A plan began forming in Harriet’s mind, a way for both their families to remain safe.

“Grimmauld Place is already unplottable,” Harriet said, her arms crossed in thought, “Cogsworth can bring the dagger and Belle to the town line. All he would have to do is push her over with the dagger and you can take possession of it. Both will be safe from Regina here.”

“I….Rumple swallowed, “What about Henry?”

“Without the dagger in Storybrooke,” Harriet said with a shrug, “There isn’t anything to fear from Regina.”

“She could use Henry against me,” Rumple muttered, but he also knew that Regina would rather die than hurt Henry. He would be safe without the dagger in town. His wife…..not so much.

“It….will you be okay with Belle here?” Rumple asked, nervously licking his lips.

Harriet stiffened and turned away. Would she? The feelings she had developed for Rumpelstiltskin were intense. Would she be okay sharing her space with his wife? Would she be okay sharing him?

Did she even have a choice?

“I…don't know…...but we don’t really have a choice, Rum.”

“In the clearing….” Rumple began but Harriet cut him off, “I…we can’t talk about that right now Rumple. Not…. not while you’re still married.”

Rumple felt like he’d been slapped, “Why not?”

“Because I don’t want to be the reason you divorce,” Harriet bluntly replied, “We only just started……. we…we are barely even friends, Rumple! Do you really see us as lovers?”

Rumple took a step back, ignoring the Darkness in his head yelling at him to say something; to share his suspicions that they may be more than just mere lovers…. that they could be true love.

“I don’t know….” Rumple replied, thinking about everything that lay between them. His wife, her parents, his impending death. Did he want to break her heart that way? Make her fall in love with him, only for him to die? At best, he would be leaving her alone; at worst he would be taking her with him.

What was the right move?

For once, Rumple didn’t know. All he knew was the idea of denying his feelings for Harriet was repulsive to him. It made him feel physically ill.

“But what I do know is apart from my son and grandson, you are the most important person in my life!

“You are married!” Harriet yelled, more to herself than at Rumple, “I can’t be involved with a married man!”

“We are separated,” Rumple quickly replied, stepping toward her as if to embrace her, but Harriet put space between, “We are going to divorce.”

“You can’t know that Rumple,” Harriet began but Rumple cut her off.

“She’s fucking another man!”

“She had the dagger,” Harriet replied, her voice low, “It was influencing her.”

“It didn’t influence her to banish me,” Rumple said, “That was Belle’s decision.”

Harriet didn’t reply so Rumple continued, “When she finds out about my past, that’s it Harriet. The marriage is over. She will not stand with me.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Harriet asked, choking on her words.

Rumple stared at her for a moment before he slowly walked toward her. She was hunched in on herself, distress written across her face, yet she didn’t pull away from him. Placing his hands on her elbows, he drew her to his chest and said desperately, “No. I take no joy in my failure of a marriage, but….” Rumple paused and swallowed, his throat dry and husky, “but the feelings I feel for you…. the admiration and respect……the ...need to be around you…. I can’t explain it, Harriet. It’s….overwhelming.”

Desperate to know what he truly felt, she allowed his emotions to overwhelm her own. The admiration he felt, the respect and caring were all there.He was being honest. Yet……as his feelings wrapped themselves around her mind, she felt a darker emotion spike through the rest.

Possessiveness.

Her heart rate spiked, and she flushed in excitement. Yet, she was also repulsed by her own feelings. Overwhelmed, she ripped her mind from his, causing Rumple to wince in pain. Tightening his hold on her elbows he whispered, “Harriet?”

“I’m not a possession,” Harriet’s voice shook. What the fuck was wrong with her?

“I know,” Rumple began, appalled that she had been able to feel his darker emotions, “The Darkness….”

But Harriet cut him off, “The Darkness is you, Rumple.”

Some part of him wanted to possess her. Was it…..like before? Like in her fifth year or had it been….something else?

“Of course it had been something else,” She thought, “Or you wouldn’t have liked it.”

Rumple just stood there and swallowed, “I wouldn’t act on it.”

Harriet felt an overwhelming urge to flee into her bedroom. Everything was far too complicated, and she was exhausted. Yet, the front door sprang open, and Ron rushed into the living room.

“Draco. Fucking. Malfoy?” Ron shouted, only to abruptly halt his tirade.

Harriet and Rumple sprang apart. Needing some space, Rumple hobbled toward the kitchenette determined to master his emotions. It wouldn’t do for Weasley to see him overwrought.

Harriet hugged herself and said, “Yes Ron.”

“Draco?” Ron asked again, yet he was looking between Harriet and Rumple suspiciously

“Yes,” Harriet replied, refusing to look at Rumple, “We don’t know where he’s at, so you, Hermione and the children should stay here.”

“Here?” Ron looked around and then sighed, “We’ll have to return the house to its original state Harry.”

“I know,” Harriet replied, “But I’m exhausted. I don’t think I can.”

“Don’t worry Mistress,” Kreacher said as he appeared beside her, holding out her phone, “Winky and I will start on it.”

“Yes miss,” Winky agreed as she suddenly appeared at Kreacher’s side. She glared at her Mistress and said nothing more.

“Just make sure Remus and Teddy keep as much of their home as possible,” Harriet replied absently.

“Yes, Mistress,” The elves chorused. Harriet nodded and then headed toward the back door, “Come on you two, it’s easier for them to work if we’re outside”

Rumple felt his phone buzz, pulling it from his pocket, the color drained from his face.

“I have to go,” Rumple announced and before Harriet could question him, he was gone.

“Make sure you add four rooms Kreacher,” Harriet said dryly, knowing where he went without being told, “We’re going to have another guest.

“Who?” Ron wondered but Harriet just shook her head and walked into the backyard.

“Make sure your family has everything Ron,” Harriet tiredly replied, “I would help, but I need to rest.”

She left Ron in the living room, staring after her in dread.

Malfoy Manor

Draco slammed the empty film tube against a wall while yelling in frustration. He had been so close in destroying Potter. Everyone knowing that she had succumbed to Voldemort’s charms would have been the ultimate revenge. The film would have proven that she was no better than the rest of wizarding society.

That she wasn’t a real hero.

Yet the little half-blood wolf tricked him! At the last moment he’d been distracted, and the brat had the presence of mind to steal the film. He knew he shouldn’t be so surprised. Potter was his guardian, after all. Despite how absent she seemed now, something of her nature must have rubbed off on the little monster.

Anger coursed through him as he paced the length of his childhood bedroom. He knew he needed to calm down. If his mother found out what he was doing, she would disapprove. Since the war, she’d been able to move past her loss and see the world anew. His father, however, refused to let go of the pureblood ideology that had sustained him, becoming a shell of his former shelf.

He blamed Potter for that too.

Glancing at himself in the mirror, Draco rubbed at his eye. Since leaving Storybrooke, they had become irritated, dry, and generally uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure why and every time he tried to focus on it, his mind would spiral back into obsessed thoughts of revenge.

Shaking his head, he made himself focus on his girlfriend. The sudden urge to destroy Potter had been overwhelming and he had immediately abandoned her despite the sudden chaos that had erupted in the town. He could still hear her scream for him as he apparated to the townline. Sudden fear spiked through him. The town had been in chaos when he left, and he didn’t know if Lily had been hurt.

Why hadn’t he realized that before now? Why hadn’t he worried before now?

Pulling out his phone he called her.

“Draco?” Lily whispered on the other end of the phone.

“Lilith,” Draco breathed in relief, “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lily replied, her voice uncertain, “Are you?”

“I’m fine love,” Draco replied, smiling for the first time in weeks, “I’m in England.”

“Why?” Lily asked and Draco frowned as he heard the fear in her voice.

“I have business with Potter,” Draco growled, unable to keep his hatred to himself even when saying her name.

“But Draco I thought….” then Lily stopped.

“What?”

“Where are you in England,” Lily asked. Draco heard rustling on the other end, “I’m coming to you.”

Draco felt his pulse spike and he glanced at his door. While it was surprising to find out cell phones worked in Malfoy Manor, he didn’t want his mother or father to know he had one.

Or to know about Lily.

“I don’t think,” Draco began but Lily cut him off, “I have to come see you Draco.”

“I’ll be back soon,” Draco said.

“I’m coming, Draco,” Lily firmly replied, and Draco frowned.

“I’ll meet you in London then.”

“Fine.” Lily replied, “I’ll call you when I get there.”

Then she hung up the phone.

Draco looked at the phone and then at himself in the mirror. For the first time, he realized how terrible he looked. He was sickly pale and the skin around his eyes were red and inflamed.

What was wrong with him? Draco felt sure he should be worried, but his thoughts once again spiraled toward revenge.

He was going to destroy Harry Potter, if it was the last thing he ever did.