Lights
“I should have explained how to use a portkey properly, ” Harriet thought as they began to spin faster and faster; blue lighting cracking around them. The longer Belle refused to let go of the portkey, the faster they spun.
Harriet hadn’t even considered Belle would have a problem with the portkey. After all, she was married to a wizard and lived in a magical fairytale world. On the flip side, Henry had found the whole experience exhilarating and had let go exactly when told, laughing the entire time.
At least she didn't have to worry about him.
“It’s alright,” Harriet yelled over the wind, “It won’t hurt! Henry already let go!”
As they started spinning even faster, Belle screamed and squeezed her eyes shut. Fear spiked through Harriet as she adjusted her grip, her arms aching. She had never held on to a portkey this long and had no idea what could happen. Straining her forearms she pulled herself closer to Belle.
“Belle!” Harriet said urgently, “It’s alright to be afraid. Portkeys are terrifying. I should have explained how to use it properly. I’m sorry!”
Her eyes sprang open, and she looked searchingly at Harriet.
Finally she nodded and asked, “On three?”
“One!” Harriet yelled.
“Two!” Belle screamed, her voice shaking.
“Three!” They shouted in unison before letting go at the same time.
Harriet hit the ground hard and rolled, bones protesting. Coming to a full stop, she groaned, before pushing herself into a sitting position to see where they were.
She sighed in relief when she saw her own backyard.
“They’re here!” Henry shouted as he ran toward them. Rumple followed closely behind, glancing worriedly between the two women.
“Do magical people travel like this often?” Belle asked as she shakily stood and wiped dirt off her dress.
Harriet absently glanced at the other woman and barely hid a grimace. Her hair stood on end, her clothing was stained and torn in places, and her face had begun to bruise. Yet, despite her rumpled appearance, Harriet was faced with the sinking realization that Belle was remarkably beautiful. Next to her she looked like an emaciated waif.
Mistress of Death indeed.
“In large groups,” Harriet replied, also standing and wiping herself off, grateful she had changed her clothes before being summoned. She would have looked ridiculous spread across her backyard in the red and gold dress, “Wizard travel is stupid and horrifically dangerous. I prefer muggle transportation whenever possible.”
“Muggle?” Belle asked
“Non magical people.”
“Like me?”
Harriet shook her head, “People from the Enchanted Forest know about magic, even use it to some extent. Here, magic is kept secret and away from muggles.”
“Oh….” Belle winced as pain shot through her nose “That seems complicated.
“It’s the price of magic.” Rumple dryly replied as he began to wipe dirt off Harriet’s back. Leaning in, he whispered, “What happened? We were worried.”
“Belle didn’t take well to the portkey,” Harriet replied, voice low “but I didn’t explain how to use it properly either.”
Rumple sighed and looked at his wife, “Are you alright?”
“Do I look alright?” Belle aggressively bit out, clearly upset by his lack of care.
Rumple glared at her for a moment, before sighing dramatically and taking out his wand. Belle stiffened as he approached.
“I can heal you…” Rumple began but Belle cut him off.
“I want Harriet to do it.” She announced a sour expression on her face.
“I can’t.” Harriet replied, “I’m rubbish at healing spells.”
“It won’t hurt,” Rumple insisted, taking a step toward Belle. He winced when his knee pinched.
“I don’t trust you,” Belle said, her voice breaking. She knew she was being contradictory; wanting him one minute and then leery of him the next, but she couldn’t seem to settle her churning emotions.
Rumple stared at her in frustration. Taking a deep breath, he carefully said, “I’m sorry about what happened before.”
“Are you?” Belle asked, skepticism in her voice.
“While you shouldn’t have taken my dagger,” Rumple replied through clenched teeth, “I shouldn’t have reacted so badly.”
“Why did you?” Belle asked in a small voice.
Rumple swallowed as he looked away. Gruffly he said, “Zelena was…. less than kind and that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.”
“Oh Rumple,” Belle whispered. She knew Zelena’s control of the dagger had affected him, but she’d never realized to what extent. She had never asked, frightened that Rumple wouldn’t tell her; afraid that it was something she couldn’t fix.
She itched to reach out to him, and might have, had Harriet not slipped her hand into his. Belle watched as the other woman gently squeezed his hand and Rumple's face softened into a gentle smile, one that Belle had never seen before. She gripped her stomach, suddenly feeling nauseous at the state of their marriage.
How had they come to this?
Suddenly, the back door slammed open, startling the whole group. Turning, Belle watched warily as a man stalked toward them, his robes billowing behind him. He came up short however, when he noticed Belle and Henry.
His dark eyes flashed as he sneered, “How many more damn people are you going to shove into this house Potter?
Harriet sighed in exhaustion, “Good Morning Severus. What brings you here so EARLY in the morning?”
“It’s nine, Potter,” Severus snapped, his attention on Belle and Henry.
“As I said,” Harriet bit out, “Early. Especially as I’ve not slept in over 24 hours.”
Dragging his eyes away from the newcomers, Severus glared, “Albus has informed me of your little misadventure. You’ve been busy.”
“Unfortunately,” Rumple muttered; his bad leg shaking slightly.
“Why are you here, Severus?” Harriet asked, feeling Rumple’s wave of exhaustion. Their mental walls were bleeding together, both too tired to keep the other out. If they didn’t rest soon, both would be passed out on the ground.
“I wanted to check on you.”
“We’re fine,” Harriet replied, shaking off the Potion Master's concern.
“I don’t care about HIM,” Severus harshly replied, motioning in Rumpelstiltskin’s direction as he took a step closer to Harriet, "It's YOU I’m worried about.”
“I appreciate that Severus,” Harriet said quietly, surprised at the concern she could see in the Potion Master’s dark eyes, “I just need to sleep.”
“It would help move things along if you had a healing potion.” Rumple interrupted gruffly.
Severus’ eyes landed on Belle, taking in her injuries. Turning to Rumpelstiltskin he asked, “And who is she?”
“My wife.”
“Excuse me?” Severus sneered, his voice filled with mocking laughter, “Someone married you?”
Belle gaped at Severus, his utter rudeness leaving her speechless.
“Severus.” Harriet warned, feeling Rumple’s anger spike.
Severus ignored her, “What happened to her face, Dark Lord? She said something you didn’t like?
“Excuse me?” Rumple bit out, enraged at the accusation.
“Then why is her face….?.”
“I hit her!” Harriet shouted, causing Severus to glance at her in surprise, “Can you help her, or not?”
Severus grumbled before turning back to Belle, “Your full name?”
Belle scowled at the rude man in front of her, “Belle French.”
“Not Gold?” Severus mocked, as he took out a small notebook and hastily wrote her name down.
Belle’s scowl deepened, and her patience snapped. Pointing at Harriet, she angrily yelled, “Considering my husband just shoved his tongue down her throat! I would say not!”
Severus stiffened, then slowly turned his head to stare at Harriet in disbelief.
“My god Potter,” Severus said faintly, “If I had known you were that desperate, I would have offered you my services.”
“Severus!” Rumple thundered, “You’ve gone too far!”
Severus eyed Rumpelstiltskin impassively before coldly replying “What other reason could Potter possibly have for engaging in a dalliance with the man that killed her parents?”
Rumple’s face paled but he refused to respond to Severus’ question with anything other than defiance. He wouldn't give the bastard the satisfaction of seeing him upset.
Harriet sighed and rubbed her eyes, “Could we not Severus? I’m tired.”
Severus sighed in annoyance and pulled a vial from his robes. Brandishing it at Belle he barked, “Drink this. It will help with the pain and speed the healing process.”
Belle eyed the potion suspiciously before snatching it, pulling out the stopper, and drinking it in one gulp.”
“Yuck,” Belle said as she shook in disgust. Severus only sneered as he snatched the vial from her hands. She glared at him in disbelief, shocked once again, by his audacity.
Glaring at the group, his eyes landed on Henry, who quickly stepped next to his grandfather for protection. Rumple placed his hand protectively on Henry’s shoulder, “Severus, this is my grandson, Henry Mills.”
Severus sneered at the boy before he turned his back on the group and barked, “Potter, we have much to discuss.”
Harriet hung her head, “Fine.”
Taking a deep breath, she hollered for Kreacher who instantaneously appeared right next to her. “Yes mistress?”
“Could you please show them to their rooms?” Harriet asked, pointing in the general direction of Rumple and his family as she followed Severus into the house, “Henry will be rooming with Rumple for the foreseeable future. Make sure he has a bed.”
“Of course Mistress,” Kreacher bowed. Turning to Rumpelstiltskin he said, “Your room is the same Dark One. Kreacher and Winky only moved it.”
“Thank you.”
Kreacher bowed and then beckoned them forward.
As they followed the house elf inside, another wave of exhaustion made Rumple wobble on his feet. He nodded in Hermione’s direction as they passed through the kitchen, her brown eyes worriedly following him. He grimaced in distaste as they ascended the stairs, his knee pinching with each step they took. By the time they reached the second landing, his entire leg was throbbing in pain.
The second floor was dark and grim, with only four doors dotting the hallway. Recognizing his door from the apartment, Rumple was thankful it was the nearest to the stairs. Directly across from his room was what he hoped was a bathroom. A third door was adjacent to his own, while a fourth was tucked farther down the hallway. He knew one of them must be Belle’s room, but what the other could be, he didn’t know. He was positive Harriet’s door wasn’t among the four that dotted the hallway.
Disappointment blossomed in his chest at the realization.
“Please rest,” Kreacher said as he ushered them into the hallway, “Lunch will be served all day in the kitchen. ”
Then he disappeared.
“What in the world was that?” Belle asked, looking to see where Kreacher had gone.
“A house elf,” Rumple dryly replied.
Belle wanted to ask a million questions, but when she glanced at her husband, she stopped herself. His shoulders were dropped, his face was pale, and he was shuffling his feet. It surprised Belle to see that he was utterly exhausted. Rumple had once told her that ever since he'd become the Dark One, he never felt tired. He didn’t even sleep.
Now, he was clearly two seconds away from passing out.
“Come,” Rumple said as he opened his door, “We have much to discuss.”
“Rumple…,” Belle began but he cut her off.
“I’m tired, Belle. Please, just come in.”
She swallowed and nodded as she followed Henry into the bedroom, certain she wouldn’t like what she was about to hear.
“You kissed the Dark Lord!” Severus shouted as he slammed the library door behind them. Harriet rubbed at her eyes as she swayed on her feet, exhaustion slamming into her as she tried to remind herself that the unnerving transformation of her house was a necessity.
When she’d instructed the house elves to change Grimmauld Place back to its original state, she’d forgotten what that would exactly entail. While she didn’t have to deal with the house elf heads (she’d buried them) or Mrs. Black (she’d sent her to live with Narcissa Malfoy) or even the troll leg umbrella stand (that had been transfigured into her couch), she did have to deal with her growing claustrophobia.
She’d forgotten how cramped and out of place she’d felt in this house.
When she first moved into Grimmauld Place with Remus, they’d made many improvements; mostly centered around the kitchen, carpet, and Teddy’s nursery. The narrow and dank hallways, old fashioned gas lamps, snake chandelier, and creepy staircase had unfortunately been kept.
And they were now back, much to Harriet’s chagrin.
“Yes,” She replied, refusing to flinch as Severus glared at her. She would not be cowed by the likes of Severus Snape, exhausted or not.
“What in the world were you thinking?”
“I wasn’t, but I don’t regret it!”
“You should!” Severus yelled, “It is a direct betrayal of your family! Of everyone that fought alongside you!”
“And where were they when I needed them?” Harriet sneered, her mounting anger pushing her exhaustion to the back of her mind.
“I was there, Potter,” Severus bit out, pointing at her aggressively as he took a step forward, “Every step of the way! I was there!”
Harriet crossed her arms as she glared at Severus, unable to dispute his claim. He had been there for her over the years, even when she was at her worst.
They glared at each other for a moment before Severus pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Potter…Harriet…please listen to me.”
Harriet looked away, refusing to meet his eyes. Pressing forward Severus said, “I know what it is, to be seduced by darkness.”
“That is not what this is.”
“No?” Severus asked, throwing his hands in the air, “Then what is it? Because right now I have no idea what you’re thinking!”
“It’s….” Harriet floundered for a moment, before her face softened, “It’s coffee and blueberry muffins.”
“Excuse me?”
Harriet bit her lip. How could she get him to understand?
“Severus…Rumple’s attentive, kind, and patient. He’s taken the time to understand me in a way nobody else has.” Blushing she continued, “He’s pain and rage and fire and desire and….”
She stopped herself before she could share too much of her feelings.
“I don’t follow,” Severus dryly replied.
“I know he’s older,” Harriet continued, trying to explain herself, but not knowing how, “I know he was evil. He’s killed me and I’ve killed him; even reincarnated he found his way to darkness, but there is something in him. A strength….a willpower that I….that I really need right now.”
“And when you no longer need it?”
Harriet said nothing. She wasn’t sure that would ever happen, but she knew better than to tell Severus that.
When it was clear she wouldn't speak, Severus said dismissively, “It's only been a week, Potter. There is plenty of time for you to see him for the monster he is”
“Do you think I’m blind Severus?” Harriet asked, frustrated, “That I only see what I want to see?”
“You see the monster?” Severus asked, shocked, “And still…?”
“He’s a Beast,” Harriet replied with a fond smile, “I understand that about him.”
Severus turned his back to her as he faintly replied, “Then I suppose there is nothing more to say.”
“Severus….” Harriet whispered, reaching out to him, “Please don’t… I value your friendship…”
“As I value yours,” Severus replied, cutting her off, shocked to realize it was true. So much had changed between them, that only now did he realize just how dear to him she was.
Turning back toward her, with shaking hands he cupped her cheek and whispered, “I’m frightened for you.”
Harriet swallowed back her tears, touched by the depth of Severus’ friendship.
“I know you're lonely,” Severus continued, his silky voice becoming stronger, “While the wolf is an utter fool, I would be a liar if I said I didn’t understand his trepidation. He watched you grow up, the same as I. It would be difficult to see you in a romantic light.”
He swallowed but pressed on, “I know that has hurt you. The wolf never should have allowed the two of you to become so enmeshed. I can understand why Rumpelstiltskin's…. attentions.... attractive to you now.” Begrudgingly he said, “He is a charming man.”
Harriet tried to pull away, but Severus refused to let her. Taking her hand, he squeezed it, and continued, “But Rumpelstiltskin is married, and his wife now resides in your home. Are you sure he is done with her? That he’s not trying to…manipulate you?”
“I….” Harriet bit her lip, “It’s complicated.”
“An excuse,” Severus replied dismissively, “The Dark Lord has never been shy about what he wants. Why would he now?”
“He’s a very different person now,” Harriet replied, “Voldemort would never have married a non-magical woman, but Rumple has twice. His son was a squib, and his grandson’s powers are mostly unexplored.”
Severus said nothing as Harriet pressed on, “He has feelings now, Severus. Real and true feelings. I can FEEL them. ”
Severus let go and stepped away from her, disappointed by Harriet’s single mindedness. It was clear she would not be swayed.
“I see I cannot convince you of his distrustful nature.”
“No.”
“Then I will see myself out.” Severus replied, with a nod in her direction.
“Severus,” Harriet said as she followed him out of the library and down the dark hallway, the gas lamps casting long shadows across the hall, "Please don’t go!”
“I’ll be back to check on you, Potter,” Severus replied dismissively.
“But…,” Harriet trailed off, disappointed at the use of her surname. It was clear Severus meant to place distance between them.
The front door suddenly opened, and Remus walked through, quickly stepping out of the way as the Potion Master charged toward the door.
“Wolf,” Severus sneered as he stalked out the door, “This is all your fault.”
Then the door slammed shut, leaving Remus confused.
“What was that all about?” Remus asked, before wincing at his surroundings, “Did we have to go back to this?”
“Talk to Kreacher about it,” Harriet replied, her shoulder’s slumping, “I’m tired”
Remus tried to follow her, but she waved him off and trudged up the stairs before he could say anything more. As she approached the first landing, she could hear Ron and Hermione’s voices coming from further down the hall. She smiled fondly as she listened to them, their voices washing away some of her anxiety, before climbing the rest of the stairs. The second landing was dark, and the hallway was gloomy. She could hear Rumpelstiltskin’s Scottish lit followed closely by Henry’s childish voice and Belle’s worried one coming from the first door off the landing.
Knowing that her room had to be on the second floor, she quietly walked down the hall and began opening doors. She found a bathroom directly across from Rumple’s room and a sitting room beside the bathroom. Opening the last door, she was disappointed to see that Belle’s room was right next to Rumple’s. She knew it was irrational, but she wanted to keep them as far apart as possible. Even having them on the same floor was too close.
She bit her lip and quietly shut the door, confused as to where Kreacher and Winky had placed her room, when she noticed an alcove at the far end of the hall. Curious, Harriet went to investigate and found a small staircase that led to her bedroom door. Sighing in relief, Harriet quickly scaled the stairs, entered her room, and locked the door behind her. Glancing around, she saw everything was exactly as she left it, except for an additional doorway on the right wall. Poking her head in, she found her old apartment’s bathroom.
Chuckling at Kreacher and Winky’s ingenuity, she fell face first onto her bed, her body barely touching the mattress before she fell asleep.
Rumple glanced around his room, gratified to see that Kreacher had been true to his word. It was exactly the same except for the two beds that lined the walls and an additional wardrobe. Immediately, Henry had chosen the bed closest to the window and was happily kicking his feet back and forth, the bed too high for his feet to rest properly. His book bag was sitting beside him, and he was grinning at Rumple, who found himself grinning back.
Despite their current situation, it was going to be nice to spend time with Henry. They had been allowed so little time before.
Belle stood nervously by the door, looking at everything in the room except for her husband before she quietly asked, “Rumple, where are we?”
“London, England.”
“That’s so far from Storybrooke,” Belle said as she sunk onto the seat of Rumple’s spinning wheel.
“You wanted adventure,” Rumple reminded her.
“What are we going to tell my moms?” Henry quietly asked, his excitement doused by how far he was from home.
“I don’t know,” Rumple replied, running his hands through his hair, “I didn’t expect you to come along.”
Henry hung his head, “I’m sorry grandpapa.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about.” Rumple said as he sat next to his grandson. His heart swelled at the very sight of the contrite boy, proud of how caring he was.
“I wasn’t strong enough,” Henry replied, sniffing, “The voices were so loud.”
“Voices?” Belle asked, furrowing her brow. She hadn’t heard any voices, except her own ugly thoughts.
“As soon as I touched the dagger, I heard them.” Henry insisted.
“I didn’t.” Belle replied in confusion.
Rumple glanced between the two and asked, “Both of you had different experiences with the dagger?”
“Yes,” Henry and Belle replied in unison.
Rumple frowned as he stared at his cane. Twisting the handle, he pulled the dagger out and watched it twinkle in the lamplight. Henry and Belle both stiffened as they stared at it.
“Do you hear anything now?” Rumple asked, blinking against the dark spots that were threatening his vision. His exhaustion was becoming alarming, but he refused to focus on it.
“No,” Belle replied, feeling itchy and jumpy.
“Are you sure?” Rumple asked as he stared hard at Belle, “You don’t seem comfortable.”
“I…no…I don’t hear anything.” Belle replied, surprised by how obvious her own emotions were.
“I hear….” Henry finally said, “Something.”
“Whispering?”
“Yes…but” Henry shook his head, “I don’t know….it feels different.”
“How so?” Rumple asked, fascinated by how different their experiences were.
“I don’t know,” Henry replied, frustrated, “It just doesn’t feel like English, but it clearly is.”
An idea struck Rumple as he shoved the dagger back into the cane. Looking at his grandson he asked in parseltongue, “Henry, do you understand me?”
Belle looked between Henry and Rumple, frowning as her husband made sinister hissing noises.
Henry just looked confused as he replied, “Well….yeah….why wouldn’t I?”
“Henry, he was hissing,” Belle replied, frowning at Rumple, “Like a snake. How can you understand that?”
“Because he can speak Parseltongue,” Rumple replied proudly, “It’s a power that runs in my bloodline.”
“Your bloodline?” Belle asked.
“I can speak to snakes?” Henry exclaimed excitedly; his eyes sparkling.
“Yes.” Rumple said as he ignored Belle’s question, “It’s a power we share.”
Henry beamed at Rumple, who patted his grandson’s leg and said, “Now, why don’t you try and sleep. Belle and I need to speak privately.”
He nodded and watched the adults begin to leave, Belle shuffling nervously behind Rumple, when he remembered the Once Upon a Time book, “Wait!”
They paused at the door while Henry grabbed his bag and pulled out the book. He then shoved it enthusiastically at Belle.
“Make sure you read the last seven stories, it will explain everything!” Henry exclaimed.
“Everything?” Belle echoed as she took the book and opened it to the table of contents. She gasped when she saw Harriet’s name on the last seven stories.
“Yeah!” Henry chirped. He wanted to say more, but one glance at his exhausted grandfather quieted him. Rumpelstiltskin needed to rest, but he couldn’t do that until after he spoke to Belle. .
Smiling fondly at his grandson, Rumple bent forward and kissed his forehead, surprising Henry, before leaving. Belle bid Henry a “good nap” before following Rumple out of the room and closing the door.
He bit his lip, while he desperately wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation, he knew better than to test his grandpapa. Tiredly, Henry took off his coat, shoes and socks, pulled down the covers and slipped between the sheets. They were just the right kind of soft and it helped Henry quickly fall into a deep sleep.
Rumple chuckled as he pressed his ear to the door, “That didn’t take long.”
“Poor thing,” Belle replied, “He was exhausted.”
“No thanks to you and Cogsworth,” Rumple muttered as he led Belle the short distance to the adjacent door. Opening it, they found a tastefully decorated sitting room, but no additional doors. Irritated by the useless room, he shut the door with a bit too much force, and hobbled to the last door.
The bedroom was a pleasing shade of white, with delicate lace curtains and a comfortable looking bed with a pale blue bedspread. A wardrobe stood against the far wall while a light blue rug decorated the middle of the room. It was sparse, but comfortable.
“This room is yours,” Rumple said as he stepped aside for Belle to enter, “You should get some rest. The other people living here can be lively.”
“Lively?” Belle asked, already feeling exhausted by the thought.
“The Granger-Weasley household are a particularly loud and boisterous bunch.” Rumple replied, “Remus and Teddy Lupin are far quieter, but there is animosity between us.”
“Why?” Belle began but Rumple held up his hand, “Rest, Belle. Then I will answer whatever questions you have.”
She nodded, before hesitating at the door. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I love you.”
Rumple stiffened, “Do you really?”
“I…” Belle began but Rumple turned on his heel and hobbled away. Shutting the door to his room with more force then was strictly necessary.
Belle hung her head as she stared at the book in her arms, before glancing at her borrowed bed. She knew she should rest, but her racing thoughts refused to slow. Needing relief, and some answers, she decided to read in the sitting room.
It was a perfect copy of her room, white walls, delicate lace curtains, and a pale blue rug that matched the pale blue furniture. Pulling a chair toward the window, she opened the blinds and began reading in the morning light. Hoping to discover just what her husband was reluctant to talk about.
Storybrooke
Archie paced Micheal’s living room, too upset to sit. By the time he’d made it back to his apartment and rescheduled his patients, there had been just enough time to take a shower and drive to the meeting.
“Do we know why the dragon attacked Sheriff Swan?” Cogsworth asked, taking a sandwich from the pile Micheal had left for them. Politely, he took off his hat, ran his fingers through his hair, and began to eat.
Ruby watched him in disgust.
“What?” Cogsworth asked.
She just sniffed as she grabbed another sandwich, reluctantly sitting across from him.
“We do not,” Michael said as he glanced between the werewolf and the former monster hunter.
Clearing his throat he asked, “Are you two going to be a problem?”
“I’m fine.” Ruby replied, her voice a tad too harsh.
Cogsworth rolled his eyes.
“As soon as we discover who the dragon is,” Cogsworth said, “The quicker Ms. Lucas and I can part ways.”
“Please don’t forget we are on the same side.
“Emma could have died!” Archie burst out before he rubbed at his face. The more his thoughts lingered on how small she’d looked in the hospital bed, the more upset he became. Tears pricked the back of his eyes but he refused to cry.
Cogsworth rolled his eyes again, “Get a grip man!”
“Leave him alone,” Ruby bit out, “He’s upset.”
“It does no good having emotional outbursts over things we can’t change.” Cogsworth lectured.
“Maybe it does his heart good,” Ruby snapped, “Have you thought about that? Or are you really as heartless as you appear?”
“Enough!” Micheal shouted. Archie paused in his pacing and Cogsworth took an aggressive bite from his sandwich while Ruby bared her teeth at him.
“We have enough to do without you three falling to pieces!” Micheal lectured.
“At least we don’t have to worry about the dagger,” Archie muttered as he sat next to Ruby and half heartedly ate a sandwich.
“Why do you say that?” Micheal groused, “The dagger is now in the Dark One’s possession.”
“I don’t understand why that’s a problem.” Cogsworth snipped, swallowing and taking a drink of his water.
“He isn’t…” Archie began but Micheal interrupted, “ Rumplestilskin is a reincarnated evil wizard from the Land of Hidden Magic.”
Cogsworth looked at Michael, Ruby, and Archie. When it became apparent that they were not joking he asked, “Come again?”
“It’s…a lot to take in,” Ruby acknowledged.
“Rumplestilskin is many things,” Cogswroth replied, “But I wouldn’t categorize him as truly evil.”
“Rumplestilskin is not evil,” Micheal acknowledged, “but he used to be the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. Lord Voldemort was so extremely vile he was able to split his soul into seven pieces in order to become immortal.”
“Those pieces were destroyed by Harriet Potter, the savior of the Land of Hidden Magic,” Archie said, taking up the thread of the conversation, “Ultimately, she killed him.”
“Then how was he able to…. come back?” Cogsworth asked carefully.
“That we don’t know,” Ruby replied, “Gold said he was split down the middle. That part of himself became the Dark One and the other became Rumplestilskin.”
“The rest is a mystery,” Archie said as his phone buzzed. Glancing at it, he sprang to his feet, “Shit!”
“What?” Ruby asked as she slowly stood.
“They discovered Henry’s missing,” Archie replied as he headed toward the door, “Emma needs me.”
“Why does Sheriff Swan need you for that?” Micheal asked.
“He’s Henry’s psychiatrist.” Ruby groaned, realizing they had a new problem.
“Are you going to be able to deal with this?” Cogsworth asked, giving Archie an appraising look, “It’s going to require you to lie Cricket.”
Archie paused at the door, his hand on the knob, “I wasn’t always a conscious Mr. Cogsworth.”
Then he opened the door and left the house before anyone else could say anything else.
“Shit,” Cogsworth said as he stood, “We better figure out who that dragon is Wolf. Or we’re all going to have to deal with the Mayor and Sheriff Swan’s wrath when Dr. Hopper gives us up.”
“Archie would never!” Ruby insisted.
“Have you noticed how he looks at Sheriff Swan lately?” Cogsworth asked as he replaced his hat on his head.
Ruby didn’t say anything for a moment and then, "Well fuck.”
“Precisely.”
“Where do we even start?” Ruby asked as followed Cogsworth toward the door.
“You go to work,” Cogsworth said, “And listen to your patron’s conversations. If you hear someone’s missing, then you call me.”
“And what will you be doing?” Micheal asked.
“I’ll do what I do best,” Cogsworth said with a smirk, “Snoop.”
Micheal watched them leave, once again left alone to his own devices. He didn’t care to be left out of the action, but he wasn’t sure what he could do to aid the search. Glancing at his small library, he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. He had exhausted his own books, it was time to utilize his Masters. There had to be something there to aid them.
As he walked, an idea began to form in his mind; a way to gain more time. It wasn’t the best idea he’d ever had, but it wasn’t his worst. If done correctly nobody would notice the disruption to their lives. Storybrooke was separate from the rest of the world and if he could find a way to keep Ruby, Cogsworth, and Archie from being affected then not even Rumplestilskin would know until he arrived.
Still, it didn’t seem like something a hero would do.
A loud crash resounded from behind him. Micheal spun around, spell on his lips, when he realized it was just a small fender bender. Sighing in relief, he was about to continue his walk when both residents got out of the car and began screaming in each other’s faces. Before Micheal could decide to intervene or not, they began pushing each other.
Micheal’s shoulders slumped forward and he whispered a spell in their direction, one to calm them. The two men shook their heads and confusedly separated, calmly checking their cars before sharing their information and leaving the scene.
He couldn’t keep this up. The calming of angry residents was now an everyday occurrence. The last two days he’d spent time just roaming Storybrooke’s streets muttering calming spells. It was ridiculous that he was the only magic user doing this. The fairies, at the very least, should be out trying to calm the residents, but Blue had her fairies hiding in the damn convent.
Angry, Micheal stomped the rest of the way to his Master’s library, sure that his idea was the only way forward. He just hoped that the others would forgive him.