The Betrayal
The plan worked as they predicted. Henry Mills managed to deliver a message to his birth mother so that she and her two companions were able to sneak into the Mayor's garage.
"Be careful and don't touch anything". Harry and August both smiled and showed her their gloves. August and Harry showed that they had gloves on.
"You would think that the Sheriff would put on some gloves if we're not supposed to touch anything, just in case". Harry teased.
Emma snorted and they got to work. Harry was still wary around August. It was still a mystery to him how August had made it into Storybrooke without inside help. None of it made sense. He had the feeling that August didn't trust him either. They were strangers to each other. However, both knew the reason why Emma was doing this. Regina was a dirty Mayor who was abusing her power to condemn an innocent teacher to the penalty of death. That wasn't the main reason though. The real reason was to protect her Henry. Harry knows what's like to be raised in a hostile environment and he personally likes the kid. August's motivations were still a mystery to him. Was it to help Emma or Henry or is this all part of the game to defeat Regina? Harry continued on and until Emma found the damaged shovel.
"August, Harry, come take a look at this". Harry took out his shovel fragment and gently fit fit into the shovel.
The three investigators smiled. Regina was finally going to get what she deserves.
"I'd say we have a winner". August said smugly.
"Damn right! We finally got her but we should do this by the book. We should all leave. I'll request Regina to open her garage. I'll find the shovel and prove to the mayor that it's a perfect match. Regina won't be able to prove that I'm wrong. Mary Margaret will be released".
And Regina goes to jail. That's a solid plan Emma". August voiced his approval.
"Indeed but Emma, you should know that if we win this and Regina goes to jail then the responsibility of Henry will go to you. Are you ready for that"?
Emma sighed, "One thing at a time Harry. I just wanna focus on saving my friend". She didn't want to admit it but part of her knew that Harry was right.
The three left and went their separate ways. It was night and all of them decided to get some sleep. Harry attempted one last time to call Hermione. He got nothing. He was so mad, he almost threw the damn phone.
"Hermione, please tell me you got this message, otherwise this curse is stopping me from reaching you. Either way, I need you to come here to Storybrooke. I could really use your help here"! Harry hit the send button when he was done. He went to sleep then afterwards.
He was very unaware of what Henry just did. The boy believes that this could help the side of good. It was just a question of when she would get here.
Emma was trying hard to hide the smug smile on her face after mocking Regina into letting her into the same garage she had snuck into last night. What Emma didn't expect was to find that the same broken shovel wasn't there. Betrayal had almost clouded her vision until she managed to regain herself.
"Where is it? What did you do with it"? Emma launched both questions at the Mayor.
"Do with what, Ms Swan"? Regina asked calmly.
"Mary Margaret is innocent! She's a good person"! Emma retorted back desperately.
Regina answered sharply, "Ms Blanchard is a liar and a murderer. If you weren't so close to her, you'd see that and stop wasting my time".
Emma quickly left, muttering quietly to herself, "How could she have known? How could this happen"?
August and Harry were with her when they broke into the Mayor's garage. One of them had to have tipped off the Mayor on what she was doing. That wasn't the worst part though. The worst part was that she wasn't sure which one actually sold her out. August has been elusive with her when they first met. She's not even sure why Harry still sticks around. It had to be more then just him wanting to get even with the Mayor. She could tell that much from him. Yet, the Mayor had threatened to get rid of Harry if he didn't leave town. She had to give him some credit for having the balls to defy her which is why she still couldn't get behind the reasoning on why he sell her out to the same Mayor.
She ultimately decided to confront August first. She furiously knocked on his door. A few minutes later, he opened the door, looking like he just woke up. Emma looked upset and very pissed,
"Why did you do it"?! August looked confused as hell and was about to respond but Emma beat him to it,
"Regina knew about the shovel! She knew I was coming because you tipped her off! How could you"?! Emma's voice mixed with anger and desperation.
August said in bewilderment, "I can't believe you would think I'd be capable of that"! Emma asked back confusingly,
"Why? What makes you think I would believe you"?
August replied back, "I would never lie to you".
Emma scoffed and said with a low voice, "That's exactly what a liar would say". She left the house and drove over to the Sheriff's station. She found Harry there. He had a phone in his hand. He looked at Emma and said,
"Hey Emma! I was just about to call you. Regina hasn't been arrested yet so I figured something went wrong".
Emma grunted and replied, "Yeah, you could say that. Madame Mayor knew I was coming for the shovel. She moved it. I don't where but it's gone now".
Harry cursed and said angrily, "Someone tipped her off".
Emma nodded and was about to reluctantly ask him a question she hates but he beat her to it,
"If you're about to ask, I'll answer for you. No, I didn't tell Regina a bloody thing. I already told you why I was helping you and besides, Why would I work with someone that wants me gone"?
Emma looked down in shame, "I figured and I'm sorry for suspecting you Harry. I didn't want to think that you could do that".
Harry sighed, "I'm not happy about it but I know you had to consider every possibility so I forgive you. I know what it's like to be betrayed. It's not fun".
Emma decided not ask Harry what meant by that. His scowl was enough of an answer. No need to dive into any unpleasantness right now.
Sooner or later, Regina and DA Spencer had arrived and arrested Mary Margaret. Mr. Gold was there too but he didn't do anything. Emma struggled to even look in the eyes of her best friend. They were cold and full of hopelessness. Emma couldn't believe she had failed to protect the one friend she had in this town. Harry was furious that he had failed the case. He felt like he should've seen this coming. He felt bad for both of them and he wanted even more to tear down the Mayor for this.
"Mary Margaret, I'm so sorry". The response was complete silence which hurt even more.
Regina left with them while holding a sadistic smile on her face. One that Harry would love to hex to oblivion. When they left, Emma and Harry realized that Gold was still there. Emma walked over and stared at him with anger in her eyes. She said,
"You told me you would help her. You told me that we could stop Regina"!
"It's not over yet dearie. Ms. Blanchard's life still lies in the balance". Gold replies
"What the bloody hell does that mean"? Harry asked angrily.
Gold gave his signature creepy grin and said, "It means, I believe that it's time I whip up some magic of my own". Gold left after that as if that would ease their minds.
Harry did not like the way Gold said 'magic' as he winked at him when he said it. Harry knew what that meant. Gold knows Harry's secret which was not a good sign. Harry had a sneaking suspicion on who Gold was and if it was true, then him knowing would be even worse. Meanwhile, Emma was even more pissed then Harry as she took her anger out on the desk and threw the flowers on the table into the wall. The base cracked and the flowers were ruined but what struck Harry odd while Emma was trying to calm herself from her rage was that he found a weird looking device on the floor. Harry bent down and picked up the device and looked at it and his heart almost skipped a beat.
The device was a bug. A type of bug he had seen too many times on muggle cases. They used to record private conversations to get dirt on certain people. He turned to Emma and said sarcastically,
"Please tell me you bugged your own office". Emma shook her head no in response as her mind caught up.
"I was afraid you'd say that. Who sent you those flowers"? Harry asked.
Emma couldn't believe with her own eyes, "Sidney! Sidney Glass sent them"!
Harry asked in a confusing tone, "Wasn't he the bloke who was fired from the newspaper"? Emma nodded and explained,
"Regina fired him after he failed in campaigning to be Sheriff. She fired him after he lost to me. He offered me help to stop her by getting inside information. I should've known it was him. I should've known that he was lying"!
Harry sighed. He knew that feeling of thinking like you could've done better when their was nothing you could've done.
"Emma, look at me". Harry said as he attempted to reassure her, "You couldn't have known that he would stab you in the back. He was the guy behind the press in this town. He knows how to spin a good story. How to wrap a lie around a truth to make it believable. He's probably been selling lies on Regina's behalf ever since he was hired".
Emma argued back, "Then why go back to her when she dumped him. She ruined his reputation! Why go back to her"?! Harry had to admit, their was no answer for that.
"I don't know Emma. Maybe she had some dirt on him and forced him to. I don't know for sure but we at least know that he did it". Harry said.
"You're right, he did and I'll make sure he knows that he'll pay for it". Emma said with confidence in her voice.
Harry chuckled and said, "I'm with you there". Harry wouldn't admit but he was secretly liking the idea of scaring a corrupt newspaper guy, even if the guy wasn't working for the press anymore.
They quickly left the station and Harry was about to get in his car but Emma stopped him and said,
"Don't bother, it's faster if we drive in my car". Harry nodded and went inside the passenger seat of Emma's bug.
He had to admit that he was surprised that Emma's car was this. He struggled to fit in the sit for a minute or two.
"Sorry, I'm not used to driving with others". Emma admitted as she started the engine.
Harry chuckled, "No worries, I'm just used to something ugh, bigger".
Emma snorted and teased, "You making fun of my car"?
Harry laughed and Emma continued, "Don't bother, this baby has been with me through a lot of things. I imagine your car is the same to you".
Harry laughed and said truthfully, "Actually no. Not this car anyway. My precious vehicle is actually a sweet looking black motorcycle but the car allows me to carry more stuff for my job".
Emma smiled, "A motorcycle huh. How fast"?
Harry answered with a fond smile, "Extremely fast. It was given to me by my Godfather before he died. One of the things that I have left of him". Harry's expression turned confused. He normally doesn't talk openly about Sirius to another person.
Emma grimaced. She muttered, "I'm sorry for your loss".
Harry nodded. He had to admit that he was surprised that he openly admitted that,
"It was a long time ago. I got to believe that he's in a better place".
"You believe in God and Heaven". Emma asked curiously. It was also a good attempt to change the subject.
"Not really but I do believe that when good people pass on, they travel to a better place then this. It's a nice sentiment to believe that one day, you'll see them again. What about you"? Emma nodded. She got to admit that she kind of liked Harry's outlook on the afterlife. Unfortunately, besides Henry, Emma didn't really have a lot of people to want to see again, except maybe her parents.
"I guess it's better then believing that it's all for nothing". Emma said with a chuckle.
Harry nodded and said, "A wise man once told me that death is not the end but the next great adventure".
Emma snorted and said bitterly, "I don't know about that. Life for me hasn't exactly been an adventure. I doubt the afterlife would give me that either".
Harry chuckled and said, "Neither has mine but who knows? You're fighting for your kid now. An adventure might be in store for you".
Emma stared at him for a minute and scoffed as she looked at the road. She couldn't think about adventures right now. All she cares about is Henry. They were nearly at the diner.
They walked into the diner and they both found Sidney sitting at a booth.
"Emma, what are you" Sidney asked but Emma slammed the bug on the table.
"Is that a bug"? Sidney asked innocently.
Emma snapped, Oh, for gods sake Sidney!
"Emma, I don't understand this". Sidney lied nervously.
Harry snorted and said, "The bug was found in the flowers that you gave to her at the Station". Sidney finally looked at Harry, finally noticing the man himself. Harry continued with his fists clenched, "You've been lying to Emma this whole time and snitching on her to the bloody Mayor".
Sidney looked at Emma with a shocked look on his face. His face then turned into acceptance.
Emma decided to go straight to the point, "What does she have on you Sidney. It'd have to be something big for you to come crawling back to her".
Sidney was about to argue back but Harry intervened, "Seriously mate, the woman ruined your reputation and took you out of a job. What dirt does she have on you that you're terrified of".
Sidney said defensively, "I'm not terrified. You need to understand..." Harry and Emma narrowed their eyes, waiting for an explanation.
He was avoiding Harry's intimidating stare and looked at Emma and confessed his desire, "You don't understand... she's an amazing woman".
Harry snorted while Emma was dumbfounded at the revelation, "Oh my... You're in love with her".
"Wait, What"! Harry shouted at the insane implication.
Harry was both shocked at the implication and angry at himself for not considering that the man was obsessed with the Mayor.
"Oh... Wow but like it or not Sidney, their is a piece of evidence tying you and her to this case and I'm gonna find it and you'll go down with her. It's only a matter of time". Emma promised as she left her seat, leaving the bug on the table. Sidney sighed at these terrible turn of events. Harry scoffed and said before leaving,
"Mate, I know you find her attractive and all but she doesn't care about you. She only cares about what you can do for her. Go find somebody else".
Harry left the Diner with Emma. She said nothing as they got into Emma's bug.
Harry asked, "Are you okay Sheriff"? He knew it was stupid to ask but he knew that she was under a lot of stress after what happened with Sidney.
Emma took a deep breath, "Look Harry, I need to be alone for bit. It's nothing to do with you but I need to think this over alone". Harry nodded and Emma drove all the way back to the station. He needed to see what Gold knows about him.
Harry bid goodbye to Emma. She wasn't looking at him but he could see the stress on her face. His shoulders slumped. He knew how she felt. Nothing seemed to be working. Despite that, He was never one to give up. Hermione once said that it was both one of his most admirable qualities and his most annoying.
He was about to walk over to Gold's pawnshop until he heard a familiar voice,
"Just when were you going to call me, Potter"? A British voice he knew all too well came from a few blocks east away from him.
Harry turned around, his eyes wide in disbelief. He only said one thing in response,
"Hermione" Hermione Granger did not look happy to see her best friend. Harry knew right then that he was in for a scolding,
"I told you to call me as soon as you found the town. Do you know how long I drove to find this place"!
Harry muttered in disbelief, "How did you get into the town"?
"I helped! Hi Harry"! Henry Mills appeared right beside Hermione. She did not seem amused.
Hermione furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "This boy was waiting for me at the edge of town. Don't dismiss me Harry, why didn't you call me when you got in. Henry told me that you've been here for days"! Harry snorted in annoyance,
"I have been calling you, Hermione! You never answer or you never got it"! Hermione shouted in frustration,
"What Calls! You never called me! I was waiting for you to call me"!
Harry decided to cut right to the chase, "You never got my calls because the boy was right about this place. There is a curse on this town. A big one and I think that it's stopping me from reaching you".
Hermione was certainly glad that she was right in sending Harry to Storybrooke but she couldn't figure the logic of this curse.
"He's right! I told you that he's called about four or five times already. My Mom is weakening the curse and it doesn't want Harry bringing outside help". Henry attempted to reason with the seasoned witch.
Harry calmed down and looked at Henry and said, "Henry, you need to get back to your mum's house. I'll get Hermione up to speed".
"But I can help"! Henry complained
Harry nodded his head, "I'm sure you can but I don't need your mum, the mayor to go breathing down my neck or Emma's because you're spending time with another stranger". Hermione stared at Harry, mouthing one question, "Who's Emma"?
Henry reluctantly shrugged his shoulders and sighed, "All right". He was about to leave but Harry called out to him. The Wizard kneeled down and looked into Henry's eyes and said, "We're still in the fight lad, I promise you". Henry nods with a smile and says, "I understand".
Harry thanks the kid and asks him, "One more thing for me, Henry"? Henry looked at quizzically.
"In public, we can't use Hermione's name because" Harry was immediatly cut off by an enthuatiastic Henry.
"I thought the same thing"! Henry exclaimed, "We can't risk The Evil Queen to find out that she has more enemies in Storybrooke.
Harry beamed and said, "Exactly! So if she asks who the new stranger in town is then we must refer to her as Jean Watson and that she's a dear old friend of mine".
Henry nodded, albeit confused by the choice of the name, "I promise! See you later Harry"!
Henry left quickly to Regina's mansion while Harry mentally cursed his bad luck. He now has to deal with an angry Hermione and effectively convince her that all of these cursed people are from another world.
He heard Hermione chuckle and say, "You're good with him".
Harry snorted and said, "He's a bright fellow. Brighter then me when I was his age".
Hermione snorted and Harry laughed at his comment.
Harry turned around and said, "Look, I tried to send a Patronus but my magic doesn't work here. Most of the spells I've used have no affect. The Curse has somehow interfered with my magic and probably yours too". Hermione went from confused to exasperated,
"That doesn't make any sense Harry! No curse, no matter how dangerous could cancel someone's magic"! They were walking into an empty alley as they talked.
Harry retorted back, "Try a spell then". Hermione nodded and pulled out her wand and said,
"Lumos". To her surprise, the wand did not light up like it was supposed too. She tried multiple times but her wand did not light up. She tuck her wand back and asked Harry angrily, "How could a curse nullify magic"?!
Harry took a deep breath and told Hermione everything he knew from the moment he stepped inside Storybrooke. It was a lot to swallow, to say the least.
"Other Worlds! Do you hear yourself Harry? How does that make any sense"? Hermione questioned Harry's sanity.
"As much sense as an entire cursed town nullifying our magic"! Harry retorted in frustration.
"This is a lot to believe, Harry! Especially if what the boy says is true"! Hermione argued back.
"It is true"! Harry snapped, "Henry and the Sheriff and the Mayor are the only ones that remember their lives before Storybrooke. That doesn't strike as strange"!
Hermione stuttered for a second, "Well maybe they were Obliviated by another wizard. You know that memories can be modified". Hermione argued back.
Harry answered back, "There hasn't been an Auror or any wizard in Storybrooke and you know it. You found out about it because of a muggle newspaper"!
Hermione stopped. Harry knew that he was getting to her. She spoke softly, "But Other Worlds Harry? Do you any idea how insane that is"?
Harry shrugged his shoulders, "You thought the idea of The Deathly Hallows being real was insane and look what happened".
Hermione stopped and laughed then she playfully slapped Harry's shoulder, "You are never going to stop teasing me about that"!
Harry laughed and said, "Never". They both hugged until they heard a horrible scream.
"What was that"? Hermione asked bewildered.
Harry looked around, clearly going into what Hermione had often referred to as "Auror Mode" and said, "It came from over there" He pointed forward out of the alley. He said, "Let's move". Hermione followed him and the two war heroes ran in pursuit. They stopped when Harry saw a familiar young woman kneeling over a frightened older woman. The younger one had dark long hair and wore a red jacket. She looked frantic but the older woman laying on the floor looked terrified.
"Ruby, who is it"? Harry approached the two women. Just then another blonde woman in a leather jacket had appeared. She was followed by another man who had a scruffy beard.
"Harry? What are you?" The blonde woman asked.
"We heard the same thing as you". Hermione managed to connect the dots that the blonde woman in the leather jacket was the Sheriff.
Emma knelt down and gently turned the terrified woman around to meet her face. She could not believe who it was.
"Kathryn" Harry felt the shock go through his bones as he realized who they found.