'Mother, I'm going on a walk with Killian, I'll be back soon.' Emma said hurriedly as she fastened her cloak and attached her leather pouch of coins to her hip.

'You know, he is welcome back to the castle any time you'd like. You don't have to only meet up with him in the village.' Snow told her with a proud smile, and Emma wondered why it was so important to her mother for her to find a husband.

'So that you can harass him about proposing to a woman he barely knows? No thank you.' She scoffed, fixing her braid in the grand mirror of the foyer.

'The invitation isn't simply because I wish for you to wed him, because I know how oppositional you are and will do everything you can for that not to happen. I'm inviting him to visit because I see how happy he makes you.'

Emma's hands froze in the middle of weaving her hair, her green eyes meeting her mother's in the mirror. 'Killian doesn't make me happy, at least not in that way, I just enjoy having a friend who doesn't call me 'Miss Emma'. Her mother nodded and said nothing more, but Emma knew she kept every little detail at the back of her mind for later use, and Emma was already dreading that moment.

She left the castle swiftly, looking up at the blue sky as she crossed the courtyard. She was happy, in a strange way. Her life was still overshadowed by the Dark One, but now she was actively doing something about it, and despite her dismissal of magic, she was actually looking forward to learning from Grace. Emma found the old woman interesting, the way she seemed to know everything about magic and charms and potions and the elements. It was a whole new world Emma had never even considered, and it allowed her to escape from the claustrophobic life she was used to.

'Well look at you all happy and smiling, lass.' She heard as she walked down the path to the village, shaking her head when she caught sight of the leather-clad pirate.

'I'm in a good mood, Hook, don't ruin it.' Emma replied, her voice light despite her delivery.

'I wouldn't dream of it, Princess.' He grinned, coming to her side and walking with her. She smiled at him briefly, noticing how he seemed in an equally good mood.

They headed down to the village and found the stall Grace had instructed (Emma was surprised to find out it was the herb stall that the kitchen staff visited frequently). The woman studied them closely before uncovering half a dozen boxes behind her that were kept under a blanket. There were all kinds of objects and items hidden in them, like shriveled bat wings and rat tails, gem stones and strange eye symbols. The woman expertly rounded up everything on the list for them, which came at a steep price but Emma added two extra gold coins for the woman's discretion (the last thing she needed was gossip that the princess was dabbling in magic).

They carried everything with them into the woods towards Grace's house, Emma following the pull of magic this time and not the sound of the stream.

'You're excited, aren't you?' Hook asked, breaking the silence that had fallen between them as they tackled the overgrown nettles in the path.

'Perhaps.' Emma answered with a smile, unable to deny it.

When they reached the house, Grace was ready for them, tea already made and a plate of crackers and cheese out. 'You're going to need the energy today, my child.' Grace told her as she set down the bags of strange magical items the woman had requested.

Hook raised his eyebrows at her comically and Emma bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. She enjoyed the sense of familiarity she already had at the little house, and her happiness surprised her. Maybe her mother was right.

They started by Grace laying everything out and explaining their uses. Emma discovered that Grace made a ginger root mixture for Hook to help with his travel sickness (she also thoroughly enjoying teasing him about it) and lavender oil to help him sleep (she didn't tease him about that; there was something about the thought of him restless at night that made her sympathetic).

She learned that mint was supposed to help with memory as you age, but Grace sneered at that and said she only uses it to sooth a headache every once in a while. The fact that vanilla could be used as an aphrodisiac send Hook's eyebrows all over the place and she made sure to check the little bottle was still on the table and not in his pocket.

Once Grace had explained the basic natural herbs, she moved to the items in the next box. To Emma they were just trinkets, but Grace said they held significant meaning for witches. There were various talismans used for protection and warding off evil spirits (which Emma wasn't overly convinced about but Grace was very serious). There was also a ring that apparently gave the wearer good luck and a necklace with a miniature gazing ball that protected the wearer from evil spells.

This was the superstitious stuff most people considered was witchcraft, but Emma had seen and felt Grace's real power and was eager to move on, which the older woman must have sensed.

'Relax, young one, we will get to the exciting part eventually. Today is about understanding the basics and respecting the nature of all kinds of magic.' Hook chuckled at Emma's impatience and she frowned, curling her hands as she felt them itch with need around all the magical items.

'How about trying to enchant some tea? My leaves aren't up to scratch but if you succeed the quality of the ingredients shouldn't matter.' Grace bustled about rifling through her collection for the ingredients, batting away Hook's hand as he tried to help. 'Killian, you would be of more help if you put the kettle on.' She ordered, and Hook grinned and mockingly bowed.

'Of course, Madam.' His grin widened as she frowned at the name, disappearing into the kitchen before she could use her magic to rile him up in some way. Grace shook her head as she brought the ingredients over to Emma at the table.

'Alright, you should use two teaspoons of the loose tea leaves, four teaspoons of lemon extract and three of honey. Stir them in with the stick of cinnamon until everything is mixed thoroughly together. Then comes the magic. You will need to hold your hand about three inches above the cup. You will feel the heat from the water, but don't mistake that for magic. You may need to hold your hand out for a few minutes, until a prickling itch spreads through it. You should feel it travel up your arm and through your body. Because your magic comes from purity, I suspect your end point is the heart, so when the warmth reaches your chest, it should be done.'

Emma nodded along, but secretly she felt anxious inside. This was the first time she was doing magic, and even though it was incredibly basic, there was doubt in her mind. Hook came in then with the kettle, and after taking one look at her he decided to pour the water in the mug himself. He set the kettle down and looked at her expectantly, and she felt the pressure of both of their stares.

'Is it okay if I do it alone?' She asked quietly, and they both nodded in understanding and went into the kitchen. She exhaled deeply and stretched her arms before doing as Grace instructed. First the tea leaves, then the lemon and honey stirred with the cinnamon stick. She held out her hand above it, feeling the heat rise and warm her skin instantly. She closed her eyes, focusing only on the magic she was trying to summon, willing that itch to return.

Trying not to be disheartened when she didn't feel it immediately, Emma evened her breathing and tried to clear her mind of her anxiety, letting the heat and the smell comfort her. A prickly sensation began to spread in her hand like pins and needles, but she knew it was because of the magic and not her blood circulation. It traveled up her arm as Grace said, spreading across her body quickly as the power increased. She felt a soft pulse of heat where her heart was and she knew she had done it. She smiled to herself and rested her arm by her side, enjoying the strange sensation of the magic slowly fading away.

'I did it!' She called out, her voice shaking with relief.

Hook followed Grace into the kitchen, looking back at Emma before closing the door to give her privacy. 'Do you think she can do it?' He asked quietly and was shocked when Grace snorted.

'Of course she can. That girl has more power simmering in her than the entirety of my old coven. What's important is the belief she has in herself. The mind can be just as powerful as any magic.' Hook watched as Grace brushed through her grey hair, the strands standing up statically. He was always amused by her hair, the way it outwardly showed her emotions, but he knew the bushy appearance occurred when she was stressed.

'You're an excellent teacher, Grace, you needn't worry about Emma when she is in good company.' He said softly, and she rounded her grey eyes on him intently.

'I see the way you look at her. Be careful, Killian.' She warned, and Hook closed his eyes and inhaled.

'Why, because she is a princess?'

'Because the prophecy is true!' Grace whispered harshly. 'Did you even tell her the truth?' Hook's eyes flashed back to hers quickly for a moment before he looked away in silence.

'I thought not. You should tell her before a lie turns into betrayal.' She said exasperatedly.

'What's that supposed to mean?' He questioned, brushing his fingers through his hair with unease.

'If you tell her now, it will just be a lie between acquaintances, but if you don't, she will begin to trust you, and when she finds out, which she will eventually, it will seem like a bigger lie than it is. You know what that girl has been through, don't be cruel by misleading her.' Grace pressed her lips together when she was finished and Hook groaned, knowing she was right.

'I did it!' He heard Emma call from the next room, and he looked back at Grace before opening the door to find her smiling and holding the mug proudly. Grace bustled past him to test the tea, but he stayed back, watching the way Emma looked so happy and please with herself. Grace took a sip of the tea and nodded with approval, saying she was already feeling the soothing effects of the magic. Hook watched Emma smile and flex her hand in awe of her own magic, and he knew she deserved the truth from him.