Author's Note: I apologize for the late update, now that spring has come My fellowship at the living history village has picked up immensely. So here is the late and edited version of chapter three.
Chapter 3
"Hey watch him for me, I need to go to the bathroom." I wondered if she would stop there and go to Oregon, or Cuba to get away from the small kid.
"Ok, hey let me get you a glass of juice." I pulled out a plastic cup and poured juice for him which he drank greedily.
"I'm Henry what's your name, and why do you live with my mom?" I heard a bit of jealousy in that question.
"I'm Harper. I'm Emma's adopted daughter." He frowned and looked away muttering something.
"What was that?" I said pointedly.
"Nothing this just changes things a little that's all." I frowned now and wondered what this crazy kid was talking about.
"What are you talking about kid?" He sighed and took out a book.
"I come from a town where everyone is from a story like Snow White, or Red Riding Hood. The thing is there was a curse and now they don't know who they are. My mom knows who she is though she's the evil queen" I would have laughed but I knew magic and I knew about dark curses.
"Ok but how do you know all of this?" I asked curious.
"This book, it tells their story." He flipped open the heavy cover and showed me the first story about Snow White and her handsome Prince Charming. Emma came out of the bathroom and over to us.
"Alright kid I'm taking you back to your mom." She found her red leather coat and tugged it on.
"But your my mom, and my name is Henry not kid. Tell her Harper, tell her what I told you." I stood and went over to mom.
"Henry says there is a curse on the town. That the people living in it are from fairy tales but don't know it due to the curse. I don't know if its true but I think we shouldn't just not believe him in case it's true." I said all this in a whisper to her as Henry nibbled at a slice of cake, my slice of cake.
"Fine but he needs to go back to his adopted mom. Let me get things straightened out in here and you get anything you think we might need in that handy trunk of yours." I went to my room and pulled the trunk from out of my closet. It was a family heirloom I had gotten when I visited my family vaults last year. I went to Gringotts once a year to update my vaults and to go through papers. This chest had been in the back and magically extended to include even a set of rooms in case of emergency.
I tossed clothes in and then my potions kit, my cauldrons, quills and paper. I went to mom's room and tossed in the things I knew she would need. I went into the bathroom and found our travel toiletry bags and filled them then tossing them in. Lastly I struggled but was able to put the owl's large cage inside. I had put an organizing charm on the trunk since the one before had faded. Now everything was read. I got out my satchel and stuck some books in that for reading. My wand went into its holster on my leg, and I finished by adding a blanket and some pillows to the also magically extended bag. The trunk was light and so it was easy to pick it up from the floor and carry it out into the living room. I found my dark blue leather jacket and slung it over my shoulders. My purse came next with pockets for both American and Wizarding money. I was ready to go as Emma stuck the leftovers in a cooler and left later leftovers in the fridge..
If we weren't back in a week Cleo would have people come over and clean it out for us. I was used to getting read in a short about of time due to the obscene amount of times we traveled for mom's work. I loved it though and enjoyed road tripping the most.
"Are you ready kid?" I nodded and finished fiddling around with things.
"Alright all of us in the car." I took the trunk and Emma took the cooler. We trooped downstairs and into mom's yellow bug. We stowed the food and trunk into the boot. Henry sat in the back seat and I sat shotgun. Emma started up the car and pulled out heading for the street. I heard Henry yawn and looked back.
"Are you tired, I have a pillow and blanket if you want?" He yawned again and nodded. I pulled out the pillow and a blanket from my bag and handed them over to him. He got comfortable and soon I heard deep breathing. I looked over at his dark head and his sleeping face.
"He's sleeping, I can't believe he actually found you." I murmured looked at mom, she glanced back at the sleeping boy.
"Yes he must be my kid seeing that I'm far too stubborn for my own good." I chucked and nudged her.
"Do you think he is happy at his house?" I wondered, knowing the Dursleys I didn't trust anything at face value.
"Thats one of the things I intend to find out. I want you to check on what he said about this town." I nodded and fingered my wand wondering how magic worked in this town especially if there was a barrier of some kind.
"He told me his mom is the evil queen. I don't know if this is true but I suggest that you avoid anything apple and keep your eyes sharp." She nodded eyes centered on the road as the white lines slid by. I wanted to drive so bad but know I had to wait until next summer. I had been looking at different magically modified cars and found a porche convertible with an expanding charm and the ability to fly. It had cloaking charms and other accessories. It had to be pre ordered.
"What are you thinking about Harp?" I loved the nickname she used. I looked up grinning and handed her a handful of trail mix which I always had handy due to the fact that I had been malnourished most of my life I ate little bit frequent snacks.
"I'm thinking about my car and how when I get it I'm going to go on a long road trip." She laughed quietly and ate a peanut.
"I can only imagine the antics you will get up to in your own car." I yawned and decided that maybe I would take a nap as well since we did have an hour left to go.
"Do you mind if I go to sleep?" She caught my second yawn and smiled.
"Nope Harp go on sleep I'll wake you when we get in town." I nodded and pulled out a second pillow and my favorite quilt. I snuggled in and fell asleep listening to John Denver tell me I fill up his senses. I listened and felt my mind drifting away. I dreamt I was in a great palace a throne stood in front of me and I circled around it curiously.
"Welcome." A female with caramel skin and midnight hair stepped out of the shadows. She wore a dress of silver and light green that clung to her waist and high breasts but then dipped and flowered into a full skirt.
"Who are you, where am I?" I felt like I aught to curtsey but refrained.
"I am Merlin, or the sorceress as you like it. This is my palace, I brought you here in your dreams so that I could speak to you."
"I thought Merlin was a man, why do you want to talk to me?" I peered through a window and saw a vast garden spread out in front of me.
"An Illusion I maintain so that none will suspect me." She waved her hand and two chairs and a table appeared. She beckoned me and we sat.
"Now the reason I wished to talk to you is that I need a new apprentice, my current one is very old and once the curse breaks the Dark One will find him and kill him."
"The Dark One? Why do you want me as your apprentice? So then the curse is real." She offered me a cup of tea and I took it actually feeling the warmth in it.
"The Dark One is a very powerful dark wizard, your Voldemort looks like a boy playing at magic compared with the Dark One who wields magic effortlessly and is deadly. I need you because you know how to instinctively use magic and you have a truly good heart. As my apprentice I can teach you much and in time once the curse is broken, I can help you defeat your enemy. Would you like to be my apprentice?" I didn't know what to say, I didn't know if this was an elaborate dream or what not.
"How do I know this is real and not just my dreaming?" I looked at her and listened to my instincts. They were saying safe, and trustworthy.
"Well technically you are dreaming, it's just that using my magic I was able to pull you dream into this dimension. I'm sorry I can't explain it better but this is real and I do need your help." I thought it over and looked at her.
"So then is everything that Henry said real?" She nodded sipping her tea.
"Yes it is and Emma is the savior but she must believe in it or she will save nothing. She needs your protection." I bit my lip still feeling uncertain.
"I'm only fifteen what can I do to help her?"
"You can help her see what is actually real. Now do you agree to be my apprentice." I again listened to my gut and everything was saying yes.
"Fine, yes, but how will I learn?" She chuckled which was like water burbling over stones.
"In your dreams I will tutor you. Beware of Regina she is not to be trifled with. She may have little magic but she is cunning. Find the man named Mr. Gold, he is the Dark One tell him nothing not even to your adopted mother."
"What do I do when I find Mr. Gold?" I felt very overwhelmed and confused but let it lay for now.
"Do nothing but watch him. I will come to you in your dreams. Be brave my young apprentice." I got up and bowed to her and the room started to fade. I woke up suddenly as we passed through something that felt like a cold slap in the face.
"Fuck!" I gasped as we drove on in silence mom only noticed my expletive.
"Harper Lillian Potter Swan watch your mouth." I frowned and checked my magic core, it was fine. I pulled out my wand and muttered lumos under my breath. The wand gave off the same steady bright light and then died when I muttered nox. Ok so I still had my brand of magic which was a relief. The welcome to Storybrooke sign passed by my window and there was only forest left on either side.
"So does it work?" Emma murmured looking pointedly at my wand. I stowed it and then spoke.
"Yes it works." I heard a voice from the backseat and froze wondering if he saw my wand.
"Does what work, and what was that light?"
"It was a flashlight I wanted to make sure it works just in case we get in trouble." Henry handed me the blanket and pillow. I stored them along with mine and shifted myself so I was sitting properly. I was glad that it was dark and so Henry couldn't tell where the blanket and pillow had gone.
"Oh ok, you don't have to worry though there it is." We drove into the main street where only a few buildings were alight with signs. A man walking a Dalmatian crossed the street and looked back at us as if new people didn't come here at all.
"Welcome to Storybrooke." Henry smiled and pointed out different buildings and such. I could feel the curse now, like a scent in the air it clung to everyone. I had a very bad feeling that Merlin was right and I was in for one hell of a journey.