(A/N): And welcome back once again my lovely readers! I would like to once again give a shout-out to everyone who has read, favorited, and/or followed this fic! Special thanks to cheyeneb, SennaCousland, dixie326, and for reviewing- you're praise feeds my muse and helped get this out as fast I did.

Just like last time, I have split up the next episode into two chapters because it was monstrously long otherwise. I don't plan on doing that for the other chapters unless they also end up being over 20 pages.

Lyrics from this chapter are from "Dust Bowl Dance" by Mumford and Sons. I just thought it was really a good fit for post-war Hermione!

Any familiar dialogue comes directly from OUAT Season 1 Episode 2 and belongs solely to its creators.

Thanks so much to Hannbells for all your help!

The young man stands on the edge of his porch

The days were short

And the father was gone

Emma started awake and glanced blearily around the room. "What're you doing up?" she asked Hermione, who was already awake and reading Henry's book in a chair by the window.

"I woke up a while ago and couldn't get back to sleep," answered Hermione, her tone blank.

"What's wrong?" Emma asked, becoming more alert the longer she looked at her little sisters drawn face.

Hermione looked up at Emma, a million thoughts going through her head, before she managed to focus on her sister. "I'm not sure," she admitted before glaring back down at the book. "There's something wrong with this book though."

"What do you mean?" Emma climbed out of bed and walked over.

Hermione saw her shiver from the corner of her eye and silently cast a warming charm over her before handing her a cup of coffee. "This is book is filled with magic."

"Thanks," said Emma, taking a sip. "And so? It's a magical book, so what? You have tons of magical books and we already knew there was something stupid going on in this town."

Hermione shook her head. "It's not a magical book, Emma. There are no charms or hexes on the book; the book itself is magic. This thing is saturated in untempered magic. Almost…" Hermione hesitated.

"Almost what?" Emma asked, beginning to worry.

"Almost like a horcrux," Hermione slowly answered.

Emma's eyes widened; she remembered when Hermione told her about horcrux's and about one in particular that had been placed inside a seemingly innocent journal. "Henry's had that book with him for who knows how long!"

"I said it's like a horcrux, not that it is," interjected Hermione. "This book isn't a vessel for someone's soul. I just meant that the magic surrounding it feels similar; it almost feels like it's alive."

Emma felt some of her panic subside. "You're sure it's not a horcrux?" she double-checked, a frown on her face.

Hermione nodded. "Positive. Though, I do plan on holding onto it until I can figure out what's going on."

"Be careful," Emma ordered. "I'm going to change and then we can go get breakfast."

"Alright," Hermione agreed, turning back to her book. "Oh," she called out, as Emma was walking away. "You should probably know that the clock started working again."

Emma turned to face her. "What?" she asked, walking back towards her and moving around her to look out the window. "I thought Henry said the clock didn't work."

"Henry said that time is frozen here," Hermione corrected, also glancing out the window. "Looks as though our presence here has set things in motion."

Her sister scowled at her. "The curse isn't real."

"Reserving judgment," she reminded Emma. "We don't know what's going on and until we do, we can't say with certainty whether or not there is a curse."

Emma didn't say anything, just waved her hand at Hermione as she went back into the bathroom. Hermione smiled slightly at the closed door before turning back to the book. She frowned, staring at the picture of a sword sailing through the air towards the Evil Queen, who really did look like Regina. She wished she could just believe it to be a coincidence but the last few years had taught her the importance of paying attention to and investigating everything, no matter how seemingly impossible it was. She just hoped that this time around she wouldn't have to rely so heavily on a book of fairytales as a guide.

There was no one in the town and no one in the field

This dusty barren land

Had given all it could yield

Emma came back out of the bathroom, muttering about forgetting to bring a change of clothes with her when they heard a knock at the door. They glanced at each other and Emma went over, glancing through the peephole to see who was visiting so early in the morning. She turned back to Hermione and mouthed, Mayor.

Hermione nodded, climbing off the chair and moving off to the side of room so that she couldn't be seen from the doorway. She set the book down on the small table near the bathroom and covered it with Emma's jacket just to be safe.

Emma opened the door, wearing only her white tank top and red panties. "Did you know the Honeycrisp tree is the most vigorous and hearty of all apple trees?" Regina asked before Emma could say anything. Emma tilted her head slightly in confusion. "It can survive temperatures as low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl and to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers." Hermione saw the Mayor hand her sister a dark red apple.

"Thanks," said Emma, a confused look on her face.

"I'm sure you and your sister will enjoy them on your drive home. Where is she, if you don't mind my asking? Considering that you just got out of bed, I wouldn't think that she would be out and about yet." Emma stiffened and the hand on the door clenched into a fist.

Hermione stepped over to sister and looked out at Regina, giving her an insincere smile. "Good morning," she greeted her. "And we'll actually be staying for a while but thank you for the apples."

Regina's gaze instantly lost its fake friendliness. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Henry has enough issues; he doesn't need you confusing him."

Emma straightened. "All due respect, Madam Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened us twice in the last twelve hours makes me want to stay more."

"Since when were apples a threat?" Regina asked with an air of innocence.

"I can read between the lines." Emma's face turned serious. "Sorry, I just want to make sure Henry's okay."

"He's fine, dear," her entire demeanor condescending. "Any problems he has are being taken care of."

"What does that mean?" asked Hermione.

"It means I have him in therapy," Regina told them with a condescending smile. "It's all under control. Take my advice; only one of us knows what's best for Henry."

"Yeah," Emma told her with a severe look in her eye. "I'm starting to think you're right about that."

"It's time for you to go."

"Or what?" challenged Emma.

"Don't underestimate me, Miss Swan," Regina warned her, her eyes cold and dark. "You have no idea what I'm capable of." She shoved the basket of apples into Emma's hands before turning back down the hallway. Emma and Hermione watched her go before Emma swung the door shut.

"How did someone like her become mayor?" Emma wondered aloud as she walked over to the window and looked down into the square, watching as the Mayor left the inn and walked down the sidewalk.

"She's baiting you," Hermione informed her sister as she retrieved the storybook from the table.

"What?" Emma asked, turning away from the window.

"Regina is baiting you," Hermione repeated, setting the book on the bed as she dug around in her beaded bag for a change of clothes. "She told you about Henry being in therapy for a reason; most likely so that you would go speak to his therapist about Henry."

"So? What's the big deal if I do?" Emma challenged, annoyed that Hermione had immediately figured out her plans.

"If you go down to the office and he tells you anything," Hermione informed her as she traded her pajama shirt for a plain v-neck and jacket. "That would be a breach in patient confidentiality."

"That would get him in trouble, not me."

"Unless he says that you forced him to tell you or made him give you Henry's file," Hermione said as she sat down on the bed so that she could tie the laces on her boots.

"Don't you think you're being a little paranoid?" Emma asked as she drained the last of her coffee and grabbed a change of clothes for after her shower. "I highly doubt Regina has that much power, even if she is the mayor."

Hermione frowned at her sister. "Not only has she tried to threaten us into leaving town twice so far since we got here, she may also be responsible for the magic that is surrounding and imbedded in this town. You know better than to underestimate an opponent when you have no idea what they're capable of doing."

"She's not an opponent," Emma said with a frown as she headed to the bathroom. "I'm not here to fight her, I just want to make sure Henry is being taken care of." She closed the bathroom door and Hermione heard the shower turn on.

Hermione sighed and left the room, shutting the door gently behind her. She made her way down the stairs and into the entryway of the inn. There was no one at the main desk and she guessed that Ruby and Granny were at the diner, though she was surprised that they didn't hire someone to work the desk at the inn while they were out. She remembered what Henry said about no one ever visiting the town and then the surprise on Granny's and Ruby's faces when they asked to rent a room and decided that there was probably never a need for someone to watch the inn before since there were never any guests.

I've been kicked off my land at the age of sixteen

And I have no idea

Where else my heart could have been

She headed out the front door and down the walkway to the main road, glancing both ways before crossing the street. Hermione pushed the door open into Granny's Diner, nodding at Ruby as she took a seat in the booth closest to the door. "Good morning," she greeted Henry, who hadn't noticed her come in and sit down because he had been focused on the paper in front of him. Hermione saw that the headline read Strangers Destroys Historic Sign: Alcohol Involved with a picture of their car crashed against the welcome sign and couldn't help but give a snort of derision. Seems Storybrooke had its own Rita Skeeter running around. Lovely.

Henry jumped slightly and looked up with wide eyes, which lit up once he saw her and a large grin spread across his face. He scrambled off his seat and slid in next to her so that he could give her a hug. Hermione's heart clenched; again, he reminded her so much of Harry in that both seemed starved for affection. She hugged Henry back. "How are you this morning?" she asked.

"Good," he told her. He let his arms drop but still leaned against Hermione, his head resting on her shoulder. "The Queen left early this morning so I was able to escape. Is Emma coming?"

"She should be over after her shower," Hermione told him as she ran her fingers idly through his hair. "We were going to come here together but I decided to leave before she was done so that her breakfast would be here when she arrived."

"That's nice," Henry commented, and Hermione could tell from the excitement in his voice that he was looking forward to seeing Emma again.

"You should probably know that your mother paid us a visit this morning." Hermione knew that Emma would probably prefer that she didn't say anything to him about it but she felt that it would be better if Henry found out what was going on from her rather than whatever twisted version Regina gave him later on.

Henry pulled back at that. "What did she want?" he asked, seemingly alarmed at the news.

Hermione pulled him back to her. "It's alright," she told him softly. "She didn't do or say anything new; she just wanted to try and get us to leave town. Her plan backfired though," Hermione said with a small laugh. "Emma is more sure now than ever that she needs to be here for you."

Henry relaxed against her. "Good," he sighed. "You can't leave until the curse is broken." Ruby came over at that moment and set a plate of eggs and bacon in front of Henry.

"Can I get you anything?" Ruby asked as Henry pulled away from Hermione and began eating.

Hermione glanced at the menu options by the counter and said, "I'll have the French toast and could I get a breakfast sandwich to go?" At Ruby's surprised look she added, "The sandwich is for Emma when she gets here." Ruby nodded with a smile and then walked off.

"That's weird," said Henry, his mouth full of food. "Ruby usually talks a lot more."

"Don't speak with your mouth full," Hermione gently chided him. "And she's probably not as open since she doesn't know me."

Henry made sure to swallow his mouthful of food. "No, I don't think that's it." He thought for a moment before an excited look crossed his face. "Maybe she's starting to get her memories back! Red Riding Hood is really different from Ruby so maybe she's starting to go back."

"Well, the Red Riding Hood in the book is very different from Ruby. They do look very similar though," Hermione agreed, glancing over at Ruby as she bent over rather provocatively and flirted with a customer at another booth.

"You read the book?" asked Henry, almost bouncing in his seat with excitement.

"I did."

"And?!" demanded Henry.

Hermione sighed. "I want to examine things for myself before I make any decisions."

Henry seemed to grow even more excited, if that was possible. "You believe me!"

"I didn't say that," Hermione disagreed.

"You didn't say you didn't either!"

Hermione had to laugh at his logic.

The bell over the diner's door dinged as another Graham walked in. "Good morning, Sheriff," called Hermione, eager to change topics.

Graham walked over to them with a smile. "Morning. I see you decided to stay. Is Emma with you?" He glanced around as if hoping that Emma would appear.

"Yes, we have and not at the moment, though she should be here soon." Hermione smiled at the small spark that had appeared in the Sheriff's eyes when he had mentioned Emma.

Graham just nodded, seemingly trying to act casual. He then glanced at Henry. "The Mayor know you're here?"

Henry shrugged. "Probably."

Graham sighed, but the small grin he had gave away his amusement. "When did you get to be such a troublesome lad?"

Henry just grinned. "I'm 10, it's my job to be troublesome."

Both Hermione and Graham laughed. Emma walked into the diner then and paused at the sight of the three of them. An odd, warm feeling started bubbling in her chest but she automatically pushed it down. She made her way over to them and sat down across from Henry and her sister. "You could have told me you were leaving," she told Hermione in lieu of greeting.

Her little sister just grinned at her. "I figured you'd be intelligent enough to figure out where I went."

Emma failed to smother her grin. "Brat."

Hermione laughed. "I'm your little sister."

"Are you trying to imply that your brattiness is somehow my doing?"

"Of course," Hermione said primly. "I absorbed all my brattiness from you."

I placed all my trust at the foot of this hill

And now I am sure

My heart can never be still

Emma just rolled her eyes while Henry giggled. Graham continued to stand by the edge of the booth, seemingly hesitant to continue speaking with them now that Emma was there but still not wanting to leave.

"So," Graham finally started, giving Emma a hesitant grin. "Your sister tells me you're going to stay. That's good news for our tourist business though it's bad for our local signage," he finished with a sad shake of his head. Emma just frowned at him. "It's- it's a joke. Because you ran over our sign."

Hermione was almost shaking at this point with suppressed laughter and leaned over to bury her face in Henry's hair. He leaned into her and she could feel him smiling as well against her shoulder.

Ruby came over then with their food and set the plates down in front of Emma and Hermione. "I forgot to ask if you guys wanted anything other than water to drink."

"I'll just have a coffee," Emma told her.

"Make it to go," Henry interrupted, shoving the last of his eggs into his mouth. Ruby grinned and walked back to the counter.

"Why?" asked Emma. "And why are you even here? Don't you have school?"

"Duh." scoffed Henry. "I'm ten. Walk me." He handed her a few napkins before getting up. "Could you pass me my backpack? I left it on the bench next to you."

Emma studied him for a moment before sighing, taking the napkins from him to wrap her sandwich in and grabbing his bag. "You coming?" she asked her sister.

"No," Hermione told her. "My breakfast isn't as mobile as yours." At her sisters look of hesitation, Hermione gave a soft smile and waved her hand. "Off you go. Make sure Henry actually arrives at school today. I'm sure the Sheriff would be more than willing to keep me company."

Graham gave the sisters a grin brimming with boyish charm and slid into Emma's recently vacated seat across from Hermione. "Of course, I'm more than willing to keep a lovely lass like yourself entertained."

Hermione laughed. "While I'm sure your accent is more than capable of drawing in many a woman in the past, it unfortunately is all too common for me." Ruby came over then and handed Emma her to-go cup while placing a mug in front of Graham.

Emma hesitated for a moment before turning to Henry. "C'mon kid, let's go."

Henry gave a grin and a wave before pulling Emma out of the diner with him.

So collect your courage and collect your horse

And pray you never feel

This same kind of remorse

Hermione returned her attention to Graham. "So," she asked as she began to eat. "Locked away anymore accident victims since we last spoke?"

Graham blushed and gave a weak chuckle. "No, can't say that I have. I do apologize for the mix-up yesterday."

"Why did you just lock Emma up?" Hermione asked, having wondered about his actions. "Isn't it procedure to take anyone found at the scene of the accident unconscious straight to the hospital, as you did for me? Even if they were the one driving?"

He frowned in thought before slowly replying, "I don't know; this has never happened before."

Hermione blinked at him. "Never happened before?" she echoed. "How is that possible?"

"I guess Storybrooke is just filled with safe drivers," he replied with a chuckle, but she could see the hint of unease in his eyes.

She nodded in agreement with a smile, while hiding the stab of worry she had felt. It was impossible that no one in the history of the town had ever been in an accident, not in a normal town at least.

But an entire town, cursed? The level of power needed to evoke such a spell would have to be astronomical. Hermione remembered the part of the book where the Evil Queen had enacted the spell by crushing the heart of the thing she loved most. Dumbledore had always said that love was the most powerful of magics so in theory, taking that love and channeling it into a dark spell could do quite a lot of damage.

Why did no one stop Regina though, if she had created a curse? The Snow White in the book had seemed almost obsessive about the Evil Queen having the capacity for good if just given the chance. That belief was seen in the times she refused to have the Queen executed. Hermione couldn't help but believe that Snow's conviction wasn't rooted in the idea of the Queen's goodness, but rather in the naïve ideology that killing should never be done. Snow couldn't bear the idea of a death weighing on her conscious so instead allowed, not only her kingdom, but all the kingdoms of the Enchanted Forest to suffer so that she wouldn't be burdened. It was very selfish, in Hermione's opinion.

"Everything all right?" Graham's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She flushed at the concerned look he was giving her and silently scolded herself for starting to take Henry's theory as fact without the further evidence she'd told him she needed.

"Yes, sorry. Just lost in my own thoughts. You're not going to get something to eat?"

He allowed the unsubtle change of subject with nothing more than a good-natured grin. "No, I was just stopping in for a cup of coffee before I headed down to the station."

"Ah, wouldn't want to be late then. After all, who else but you can save the citizens of Storybrooke from the crime-riddled streets."

"Yes, well, things have gotten significantly busier after you and your sister arrived. How long are you staying for?"

Hermione wondered if he was asking for just himself or if the Mayor was pushing him to find out. Most likely both, she decided. "We're not sure yet. For as long as we feel it's necessary, I suppose."

Graham nodded before draining the last of his drink and standing. "I had best be off. Hopefully I won't be seeing you later in an official capacity." He raised his eyebrows at her and failed at giving a stern look.

She smiled serenely up at him. "I make no promises I cannot keep."

He laughed and then turned to go. "Wait," she called out, remember something she'd been wanting to ask. Graham turned back towards her. "Could you tell me where the library is? There's something I was hoping to look up."

"It's supposed to be under the clock tower," he told her, nodding his head towards the building. "However, it's been closed for as long as I can remember."

"Of course it has," Hermione muttered, as Graham finally made his way out to his car. "Couldn't have this done the easy way. Fine then."

Dropping enough money on the table to cover their food and a tip, Hermione made her way outside and stopped a young woman walking by. "Excuse me, could you tell me where I can find the office of Storybrooke's Daily Mirror?"

Seal my heart and break my pride

I've nowhere to stand and now

Nowhere to hide

Align my heart, my body, my mind

To face what I've done and do my time

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