Standard Disclaimer: I own nothing in regards to Harry Potter or Once Upon A time. All properties therein are those of their creators. I am only a writer working on my skills with worlds and characters that I love.
Note: This chapter will get a bit descriptive with a couple lemony acts at the start, but worry not for those that are squeamish, they will not turn into full lemons this time around.
Note: Not sending Henry to New York. Sorry, just seems unnecessary at this point for what I have planned.
Note: Also trying a Corra here with a different motivation. The one she had in the show was a bit convoluted in my opinion and I like the idea of a rather devious grandmother being involved in Hadrian's and Henry's life.
Chapter Four - Reunions and Farewells
Mr. Gold, formerly Rumpelstiltskin of the Enchanted Forest, stared down at the objects on his desk with twin looks of wonder and pride. He'd done it. He'd finally done it. After all the centuries of planning, scheming, and preparing it was finally time. The first was a heavily enchanted globe. A small pinprick of red light depicting a particular zoomed in borough of New York. The current location of his missing son, Baelfire. The second was a wool stole, enchanted with potions that would allow him to keep his memories after crossing the town line. He'd tested it the night before and discovered with delight that it had worked perfectly. Belle had wished to come with him, but he'd deemed it too much of a risk to allow her that close to the boundary line and she'd seen the reason behind his argument well enough.
Now the time had come to travel to the desired location, but first… he needed to call in a favor.
Storybrooke Harbor
Corra stared across the choppy expanse of water before her to the harbor ahead. The large sign at the registration office was visible through her borrowed telescope, and with it she could see the name of the town. Storybrooke. Yes, that seemed quite like a name her daughter would have chosen.
Dimly she reflected on the course taken to get this far. Procuring a magic bean, while challenging, had not been impossible. The main issues after all had been finding a directional aid and devising a way to deal with the giant guarding it. Of course once Hook had retrieved the poisoned sword it hadn't taken long at all. Speak of the devil…
The leather clad man swaggered up to her with his annoyingly steady sea legs (she'd never quite gotten the hang of sea travel in all her years.) and said, "Well your majesty, there it is. Our destination, and the end of our arrangement. I trust you have been 'satisfied' with the service provided?" He waggled his eyebrows at the last.
Corra simply raised one of her own at the remark. "I'd say I was more 'mildly entertained' by it, but that is neither here nor there. You stood by your end, as have I. You brought me to my daughter, and I have brought you to your mortal enemy. If she is here, then Rumpel should be as well."
"Good." Hook snarled as he rubbed the back of his metal appendage with glee. "Finally, I get to skin me a croc."
Storybrooke Town Line
The Order of the Phoenix stared in wonder at the magnificent forest surrounding them as their muggleborn students paid the cab fair for the shuttle vehicles that had transported them from the airport to their current destination. Each member was born and raised in England, and though some had traveled to neighboring lands, none had experienced anything like this.
The forest was dense, immense, and it practically radiated with magic. To many it almost seemed as if they were stepping onto the surface of a foreign planet. Only the distant view of a town far down the road behind proving that belief false.
"Well, is everyone ready?" Dumbledore asked as the muggleborn returned to the group. They were not present in force, as even for magical travel getting visa's was a pain, but they had brought those who mattered most. Dumbledore himself, Minerva, Mad-eye, Remus, Snape (Albus had insisted regardless of the objections of pretty much everyone else that had come.), Molly, Nymphadora Tonks, Hermione, Ron, and Luna.
When he got approving nods from his group he took the first step of wizard-kind across the boundary line of the town, passing the large Storybrooke sign and setting on down the way. It was time to reunite with their wayward wizard and try to convince him to come home. Weather or not Voldemort was gone presently, he still had a destiny to fulfill.
Cabin In the Woods
Hadrian closed his eyes and groaned with pleasure as he leaned back on the mattress beside Emma as she did the same. Not particularly surprising considering the similar positions they found themselves in. Each was naked, full of lust, and had a beautiful woman between their legs. The black prince was just enjoying that trick Maleficent did with her serpentine tongue when the mood was shattered by the ringing of Emma's cell phone.
They obviously let it ring and go to voicemail, but then it started up again, and again after that. Until eventually even Ruby couldn't keep her singular focus and just got up from under the blond and retrieved the phone herself, handing it over with a roll of her eyes that just said, 'answer it now so we can get back to the fun stuff.'
Emma did so, listened to the message, grimaced with distaste, promised to be there soon, and hung up before looking at her three partners regretfully. "I'm sorry you guys. Gold called in a favor I owe him and he insisted that I need to pay it today. I need to head to the pawn shop ASAP."
Harry frowned, not liking the idea of carnally enjoying the others without her. This was as much her vacation as his. "Are you sure, Emma? I can always call my old man and-"
He was interrupted by the ringing of his own phone, which Maleficent retrieved in this instance. The prince checked the caller ID, sighed and answered. "Yes, mother? No, I wasn't that busy, I… What! How! No, no, I get it, not the time to freak out. Look I need to tidy up a couple things here but I'll be there as soon as I can. In the meantime try to get her to the town square if things get violent. I imagine we'll want an open space to work with." He hung up.
"The hell was that?" Both Emma and Maleficent asked.
"Apparently my grandmother somehow found a way across the realms. She's here, and historically whenever she and my mother end up in the same place bad things happen."
"What's she like?" Ruby asked as she adjusted her position to sit cross legged on the bed. A rather amorous sight considering her current nude state.
Hadrian shrugged. "I've no idea. I never met the woman, at least not that I can remember. My mother was very particular about not letting her ruin my life the way she did hers. Either way, she'll probably need me to deal with it so I need to head out too."
Seeing the same disappointed looks on his women's faces that he knew was reflected on his own, the prince opened his arms wide and somehow managed a smile when they all joined him in a group hug.
"I'm sorry our vacation is getting cut so short. I really wanted to spend this entire weekend with you all."
"So did we." Ruby agreed before kissing them both. "And we still can after the two of you take care of business. Worst case we just do it again next weekend."
"Ruby is right." Maleficent nodded before wrapping her arm over the younger girl's shoulders. "We're together now, finally, and we have all the time in the world. Go handle your responsibilities."
Hadrian and Emma nodded their thanks before rushing to get their clothes.
"Hadrian, can you do that teleporting thing and drop me at Gold's shop?"
"Sure thing, babe. Just let me find my boxers."
Two minutes later they were ready and the blond took her boyfriend's hand. An instant later they disappeared in a plume of flame, only a small pile of ash remaining to mark their passage.
A short time later Emma was making her way into Gold's pawn shop and marveling more than a bit on what her life had become. In the matter of less than a year she'd gotten the son she gave up for adoption back in her life. She'd both tracked down her own parents and learned that they were literal fairy tale characters. She'd fallen in love with a wonderful, if a bit misunderstood man, and managed to enter into a foursome that she adored. Maleficent was hot as hell and had a great sense of humor, while Ruby had pretty much become her new best friend.
When her mom had found out about that little tidbit of her relationship she'd gone ballistic, wondering if her proclivities were in some way a contrivance to get back at her for being absent in her life. Well, Emma had set that record straight right quick. She liked the people she was with and enjoyed spending time with them. What was more, she felt a lot more comfortable giving her heart to multiple people than only one. Her relationship all those years ago with Neil had taught her that only loving one person can leave you shattered and heartbroken when they leave. However, if you give your heart to several people and only one leaves, there are others to help you pick up the pieces. She felt safer that way.
Now here she was, in the best relationship of her life, and her weekend of pleasure and relaxation had been utterly ruined by the interruption of this store's proprietor. Slamming her hand on the front desk bell, she waited. When no one came after five minutes she rang again. Finally, Gold came out of the back room. A strange stole over his shoulder and a traveling bag in his hand.
"Patience, my dear Ms. Swan, is a virtue." He stated, earning an unamused glare for his trouble.
"After what you just interrupted for me and your son be glad all your getting is a lack of a certain virtue. Now why did you call me here? What's the favor you need?"
"Yes, follow me." He led her outside to the curb where his car was parked and promptly threw his bag in the back seat. Then he reached into his pocket and produced a pair of plane tickets to New York. "There is someone in New York that I need to find. It's a matter of deep importance to me and I need a person well versed in the subject of tracking their fellow man to bring me to him. You owe me a debt, and I'm calling it in for this purpose."
Emma ran her hand over her suddenly tired face. "Alright, so we're heading out now? Can I run home and grab my stuff first?"
"We'll get what you need on the way if need be. Come, there is no time like the present."
"Fine." Emma groused, knowing full well she couldn't risk saying no. As the girlfriend of Gold's son she knew he'd allow her a bit more leeway than most, but wriggling out of a deal was something he'd allow no one. And with access to his magic she had no intention of pissing him off. She got in the car, and the two of them took off, heading towards the main street of the town to make their exit. Hm… the main street, didn't Hadrian say something was happening there today?
Her musings were interrupted by her radio going off and the station receptionist calling her name. She clicked the receiver and said, "Yeah?"
"Sheriff Swan, we just got a report of a burglary at Sherman's hunting supplies." Sheryl notified.
Emma blinked. "Hunting supplies?" The clocktower was coming into view ahead of them, and standing right in front of it was a tall man in a long leather jacket, and he was holding something out away from his body toward their car. She saw the light glint off something metal and immediately pulled Gold down below the dashboard, "Get down!"
She was just in time as a moment later the windshield erupted into a shower of shattered glass and the car careened off the street to impact a nearby lamp post. They weren't going near fast enough at the time to cause themselves injury so the savior dragged her temporary boss out of the car and leaned against it for cover as fresh shots impacted the frame as the attacker kept firing. What the hell was going on?
Meanwhile
Hermione's head shot up at the sudden cracking sound coming from the nearby clocktower. "Was that a gunshot?"
More cracks came and Tonks nodded. "Sounds like a lot of gunshots. We should take a look."
For his part, Dumbledore wasn't exactly thrilled at the detour this would represent. "Surely the local constabulary can handle such an event as this. Our mission is to find Harry, nothing else matters."
The Order members shared some strained looks at that statement, each not agreeing with the words, but unwilling to gainsay their leader.
Luna however didn't really care about who was leading who. "If you think Harry is in this town do you really believe he'd not investigate gunfire in his home?"
The group was silent for a moment before Dumbledore turned to make his way to the clocktower without another word.
Meanwhile
Hadrian went to the docks as fast as he could and arrived to find his mother pacing back and forth in front of a strangely 'piratey' looking ship. "Mother, where is Corra?"
Regina jumped at the interruption and pointed down the street leading to the central clocktower. "I've been watching this ship since it docked. A leathery pirate with far too much fondness for eyeliner came off a while ago, but just a few seconds before you arrived I saw her walking down the street that way. I thought about going after her, but without you beside me…" her face fell, "my mother has a way of getting under my skin when it's just the two of us. I was afraid."
"Hey," Hadrian pulled his mom into a tight hug before saying, "there is no shame in waiting for backup when confronting one such as this. Now I am here, and if she intends us harm we can face her together."
It was as he said that last that they both heard a series of loud cracks split the air from the direction that Corra had just walked. "Was that what I think it was?" He asked.
"Probably." Regina groaned. "Let's go."
Together they took off running and found to their surprise, three events in need of their attention in the form of a standoff. On one end, the one Hadrian assumed to be the pirate with a fondness for makeup was holding a pistol on his father's car. Strangely enough one of his hands ended in a curved hook. Emma and Gold were taking cover behind the vehicle. On another stood a stoic, beautiful, older woman that the prince could not have dismissed as his grandmother if he'd tried. She resembled his mother far more than he was comfortable with. And on the last… dammit the wizards had found him. And faster than he'd planned.
Well, nothing to do here but diffuse one situation at a time. Starting with the asshole pointing a lethal weapon at his girlfriend. Breathing deep he exhaled enough smoke to make Maleficent proud, and the prince felt his magic fill him along with his rage until a palpable aura of malice began to fill the space of the town's center. The effect was instantaneous.
The hooked man's gun hand began to shake, his skin to crawl, and as he turned and beheld the tall, dangerous, mage in the suit stalking toward him, he froze. It was like staring into the eyes of a dragon, he found himself captured on some primal level that seized all of his motor functions.
Hadrian stopped less than a foot away from the stranger, smirked at the fear practically radiating off of him, then gently removed the pistol from his hand, and used it to smash his jaw and remove him from consciousness. "All clear!" He called to Emma, and started making his way to Corra, who was watching his actions with a strange mixture of approval, and curiosity. Though he found himself temporarily interrupted by the speedy arrival of an aged pain in the ass.
"Harry my boy, we must speak." Dumbledore hurried as he rushed up next to him. "It is imperative that you return to England and-"
Hadrian interrupted him by placing a hand on his chest and promptly launching him back across the ground to his group, who caught him easily, with levitation charms. "I'll deal with you later, old man. I've got more important shit to do right now." Dumbledore didn't even have time to look properly affronted before the prince was across the ground and stood before the older woman. His hands in his pockets and hers crossed over her chest.
"Can I ask what you are doing here, grandmother?"
Corra blinked with shock at that term of address and rapidly looked between him and the sight of her daughter, hiding slightly behind the corner of the library. "Grandmother? Then you're…" she trailed off and gently unfolded her arms to place a hand on his cheek, "you are Hadrian?"
"Yes."
A warm smile came across the older woman's face and she promptly removed the hand from his person, reached into the pocket of her cape and pulled out a glimmering heart that she promptly shoved back into her own chest.
Hadrian blinked. Regina gasped. Gold laughed out loud. The wizards all blanched at the sight and Ron nearly threw up.
"Why did you do that?" Hadrian asked with clear bewilderment. The way Regina told it Corra should have wanted that heart nowhere near her being let alone back in her chest. "Because." Once more the hand came to his face. "I've always wanted to meet my grandson, and I want now to 'feel' this moment."
"Why have you come here?"
"Because the Enchanted Forest is a desolate place and I missed my daughter."
"Are you planning anything nefarious, devious, or destructive?"
She smirked, "I wouldn't be your grandmother if I wasn't planning anything devious, but I can promise I have no immediate plans to cause destruction here."
"Would you swear it on your magic?"
"Of course." Corra raised her right hand for all to see and it solemnly glowed with eldritch light. "I, Corra, former Queen Mother of the Enchanted Forest do hereby swear by my life and magic that I hold no plans to destroy or take over the town known as Storybrooke. So mote it be." Her hand flashed brightly at the conclusion of her vow and a second later she cast a hovering flame spell to show her abilities still worked.
Hadrian was impressed, and Regina was floored, as shown by the rapid walk she used to catch up to them and stare into her mother's eyes. "I don't believe it. Not for one second. Why are you really here?"
Corra simply gave a mysterious smile and said, "I already passed the test of your son, oh daughter of mine. Anything else you'll just need to wait and see. Who knows, maybe I just missed my family."
"And him?" Hadrian gestured to the downed pirate that Emma was currently handcuffing.
"A temporary traveling companion. Rather boorish in my opinion so it seems right to have him jailed. I swear he was drunk on rum for half the journey. I cannot even fathom where he found the stuff considering the state of the world we were in."
Hadrian ran a hand over his face, already tired of this situation. "I have too much shit to deal with today. Are you okay with being housed on the ship until other arrangements can be made?"
Corra pouted, actually pouted. "Could I not stay with my lovely daughter?"
Regina nixed that idea right quick. "Absolutely not!"
"Fine. Yes, I'll stay on the ship. For now. But I won't be caged there. This new world interests me and looking around I think I definitely need a change of clothes."
"Just don't cause anymore problems, and we'll talk more later." Hadrian muttered.
"Ditto." Regina muttered before poofing away in a cloud of purple smoke.
Hadrian turned to approach his father and girlfriend, and found an annoying redhead in his way. "Harry mate, we really need to talk to you."
"Not right now." Another force of will and the British contingent found themselves playing goalie once more to a red haired soccer ball as it flew back at them. Meanwhile Hadrian finally managed to make it to his lover and father. "You alright?"
"Yes indeed." Gold smiled. "Nothing like a bit of excitement to start a journey. Speaking of which, could I impose on you to come along?"
The prince's keen eyes took in the stole, the traveling bag in the back seat and the plane tickets sticking out of Rumple's suit pocket. "You found Baelfire?"
"Yes."
"Then of course I'll come."
"Good, then I didn't waste my money on a third ticket for nothing."
Hadrian waved his hand at the still comatose Hook and nodded with satisfaction when he disappeared to the Storybrooke Sheriff's Department cells. Then he took Emma's hand. "Seeing as the car is currently nose deep in a telephone pole, would you be okay with teleporting to the airport?"
The blond pretended to think it over for a moment. "Hm? Drive in a confined space with Gold for a couple hours or instantly get to our destination where I can order drinks? Whichever one should I choose."
"Smartass."
"You love it."
"Hell yes I do." He reached out his other hand to his father and it was promptly grabbed. Turning his head to the wizards he announced, "I have more important things to deal with today than you. Chances are I'll be back in a couple of weeks tops so I suggest getting a few rooms at Granny's and making an appointment at my office. If I have time when I get back I'll see you then." Having said his piece, the trio found themselves consumed in a vortex of flame and promptly disappeared, leaving only a small mound of ash in their place.
In typical fashion, Luna recovered from the swift dismissal first. "Well, last one to Granny's is a rotten egg." The waifish blond took off running, and the adults slowly roused themselves to follow. This day had definitely not gone the way they expected.