Fifty feet from the old converted apple barn, surrounded by sunlight through ancient trees that tower above them, Ron suggests to Harry, "What about a boggart?" and then realizes his mistake even before Harry begins to shake his head.

"Just because the boggart in school took the shape of a dementor for me, does not mean…"

"Right, right. Sorry, I was just randomly tossing an idea out."

Wand in hand, Regina, passing a look between the two men. "What the hell is a boggart?"

Harry blows out a puff of air before explaining, "A boggart is akin to a shape-shifting poltergeist who enjoys taking up residence in unusually dark and confined spaces. When confronted, they take the form of whatever a person most fears. Ron was just about to suggest using one for training purposes because when we were boys in school, for me, one took the form of the dementor. If we could guarantee the same outcome for you, it would be a useful training tool, but…"

Regina shakes her head. "Sorry, you turn one of these boggarts loose on me, it's not going to take the form of a dementor."

Ron studies her curiously for a moment. "You seem pretty certain."

Regina nods. "Don't get me wrong, those things are scary enough. But, even so…"

Harry guesses intuitively, "Not your greatest fear."

Regina laughs dryly as she shakes her head again. "The thought of spending the rest of my life in Azkaban driven mad by the dementor's kiss…" She shrugs. "I don't relish it, not even remotely, but sorry, it doesn't make the top of the list."

Ron doesn't know whether to squint in confusion or laugh. "Well then, what the bloody hell does?"

Regina shoots him a look so intense that he literally itches to take a step backward. "Mr. Weasley, the most revealing knowledge about anyone is what frightens them most. To know the answer to that question is to have enormous potential for control over a person. I don't know you well enough to risk giving you that kind of control over my life. But I will tell you this. I do know what frightens me most. I'm well acquainted with it. I face it every day."

While Ron forces himself to stand still and not fidget under her scrutinizing gaze, Harry clears his throat. "Well, if you're certain you know what frightens you most, you're ahead of most people. Whatever the answer to that question is, that is what the dementor is feeding on when it encounters you."

"Believe me, I've become aware."

"The way to combat that is to think your best and brightest thoughts. Choose the memory of a place or an event where you were happiest. I'm not talking about happiness that comes with a rush of adrenaline. Those moments may be great but they're usually ephemeral. Instead, choose something strong, something incredibly powerful, something deep and abiding that stays with you always; even in your darkest of moments. Memories like that are the only ones bold enough to help you shield yourself from the dementor's assault."

Closing her eyes, Regina nods and gives her shoulders a gentle shake as if she's trying to loosen tension hiding there. For a long moment, she breathes deeply and paces in a tight circle as she silently searches through the finite, but precious, collection made up of her best moments.

"When you think you're ready, lift your wand, give it a definitive flick and, enunciating clearly, try the incantation, "Expecto Patronum."

When she stops pacing, Regina lifts her wand and recites the incantation with intense feeling. "Expecto Patronum."

Absolutely nothing happens.

Mildly annoyed, but not terribly surprised, Regina remembers that while studying magic under the tutelage of Rumpelstiltskin, her first attempts at anything new, either with or without a wand, were usually fruitless. She tries again. "Expecto Patronum."

Nothing.

She closes her eyes, concentrates, and, willing something – anything - to happen she tries a third time.

An embarrassingly pitiful bit of dark magic pinpointed with light quite literally hiccups from the end of her wand. Lowering it, she groans in frustration.

Harry instructs patiently, "Again, but relax, don't try so hard."

Sighing, she raises her wand again as Harry steps around behind her and offers her firm but gentle correction for both the presentation of her wand and her stance. She raises an eyebrow but says nothing in response to his touch. She's just about to try the incantation again when the back door of her house opens and her daughter steps onto the back porch.

"Mama? You do magic?"

Regina turns but before she can say anything, Robin quicksteps out onto the porch, right on the heels of their girl and gently tries to shoo her back into the house.

Norah complains. "No Daddy. I watch Mama. Mama's learning new magic."

Robin smiles as he kneels and picks his daughter up. "Yes, I know. That's precisely why my little firefly needs to wait in the house." He carries her to the back door and sets her on her feet. "Don't come back out here, Norah." He gently tugs at one of her curls but says firmly. "If you do, you're going to be in big trouble. You can watch from the window, but you stay inside until Daddy tells you it's okay."

Norah crosses her arms over her small chest and pouts as he closes the door soundly between the two of them. It takes ten long seconds but, soon enough, he sees her adorable little scowl through the kitchen window. She's not at all happy but, she grudgingly does as she's told and in very short order, Snow is seen standing beside her, obviously trying to cheer the unhappy child up as she pulls double duty; taking it upon herself to help keep her indoors where it's safest."

Regina exhales noisily and eyes her husband with gratitude. Although she says nothing, he nods in response.

She closes her eyes, trying to clear a bit of headspace. Opening them once again, she gives it another go. "Expecto Patromun"

When the wand finally chooses to react with a genuine display of power and backfires on her, Regina screeches painfully in shock and drops the wand to the ground, kicking it away from herself in panic and frustration as if she's just been snakebitten

"Damn it!" She hisses angrily through clenched teeth and stares in disgust at the scorched and jagged wound running grotesquely through the palm of her hand.

Robin rushes to her side, gently taking her hand in his and carefully holding it open so he can determine the extent of the injury, he cries out, "Regina!" her pain mirrored back to her in his blue eyes.

Harry and Ron hardly have time to react before Snow, who is still watching from the kitchen window, notifies her daughter of the situation and Emma hurries from the house and wastes no time taking Regina's injured hand carefully between both of hers and tapping into her own magical reservoir. Her hands glow a brilliant golden white as the visiting wizards watch in fascination. While she heals the wound, Emma grits her teeth as if the mere sight of it somehow causes her to hurt.

Snow watches quietly through the open back door with Norah held tightly in her arms.

When Emma's done rendering aid, she teases as Regina flexes her newly healed fingers. "Whatever you just did. I wouldn't do that again if I were you."

Regina laughs and snaps sarcastically. "Thanks for the pointer. Really very much appreciated."

Harry admires Emma's handiwork. "Nicely done."

Emma nods her appreciation for the compliment and steps toward the house. "If you're okay now, Regina, I'll go inside and let them know that. Unless you need me."

Regina shakes her head. "I'm good now, thanks."

As Emma steps through the back door, assuring both her mother and Regina's father that she's good as new, Harry walks over and, bending at the waist, he retrieves Regina's wand from the grass and looks it over."

With an odd mix of uncertainty and admiration, he glances at Regina. "Is this Acacia wood?"

Nodding, Regina shrugs. "It is. Why?"

"How long have you had it?"

"My mother bought it for me when I was 14."

Harry squints. "If I'm understanding you correctly, this was your first wand?"

"Yes. Why does it matter?"

"Do you have any other wands?"

It's Regina's turn to squint. "Why would I need any other wand. I mean, you can only wield one at a time, and I barely use that one. In fact, I don't think I've touched it for more than three years."

"You said your mother bought it. Do you remember where it was purchased?"

"From the wandmaker's shop in Covarachia. I think the shop owner's name was Tillie, but I won't swear to it. I don't recall her last name. Why all the questions?"

"Well, mind you, I'm an auror, not a wandmaker; but I do know that acacia is the rarest wood for wand-making. Most shopkeepers only keep a few in stock. The average witch or wizard finds acacia wands rather unsuitable. When partnered with the right person the wand exhibits unparalleled power. However, the wand is extremely tricky to master. It's very temperamental. Usually, these wands are only given to people who are in the market for a new or replacement wand. Most often when they've outgrown their first wand; undergone the significant changes that life can bring. At age 14, you were just a teenager and, I mean no offense, but teenagers are not often known for the stability of their emotions. Typically, it's considered a bad idea, if not outright dangerous, to partner such a temperamental wand with one who is often just as excitable; and you say you've never felt really comfortable with the wand?"

Regina shakes her head. "Never."

"I think I'm beginning to understand why. I don't understand how it happened, but I suspect you were poorly matched, and even if you weren't, you say you've only had the shadow casting ability for what; five years?"

"Nearly that, yes."

"Something like that; a completely new manifestation of power…" Harry runs his fingers through his hair. "After undergoing a change like that almost anyone needs a new wand.

"My mother insisted that I have that one. Now that I think about it, I don't think the shop owner wanted to give me the wand. She wanted to try others. My mother refused."

Harry nods speculatively. "Can you remember why the shop owner wanted you to have a different wand?"

"No. What I remember is that I was so excited to be getting a wand; at least at first. But, I didn't like that one. When Mother refused to let me try others, I lost all my enthusiasm for the event. I stopped listening to the wandmaker. I tuned her out. That's probably why I don't remember."

"It's alright. Most people withdraw when they are unhappy. It's understandable. Has this wand ever injured you before?"

"No, but…"

Harry nods; anticipating her next words. "You've seldom used it. Can you recall why your mother was so set on you having this particular wand."

"She just insisted. I didn't know why. Not until today. If Acacia is the rarest of all wood for wand making, if it's difficult to master, that's why she insisted. Only the best for her daughter; only the best possible chance for the greatest power. That was how her mind worked."

"And what's at its core; do you know?"

"Dragonheart string."

"Did she encourage practice of the dark arts?"

Regina laughs bitterly.

"I'll take that as a yes. Of the three most common cores, dragonheart string is the easiest to turn toward dark."

"So, I was paired with the wrong wand?"

"I believe so, yes. Even if I am wrong, even if this wand was right for you at the age of 14, it certainly isn't anymore. You need a new one."

Regina laughs dryly. "I don't know if you've noticed this, Harry but there isn't exactly a wand shop on every corner of this town.

"Well, if you're agreeable, I can certainly suggest one in Diagon Alley. That is, if you don't mind another quick trip?"

Regina looks to Robin inquiringly.

He shrugs. "If you need it, then you need it. But, I'm going with you."

Regina turns to Harry once more and nods. "Just let me tell my father. He'll watch the children and Emma came be on dementor watch.

Harry nods agreeably and Ron offers, "I can stay here. Two's better than one when it comes to dementor patrol."

It's at this moment, before anyone can carry out their plans, that Hades and Zelena appear, walking arm in arm.

Regina offers her a knowing smile. "You look whipped, Greenie."

Her sister grimaces. "I wish. I'm so tired. We barely got to make up after our little tiff. This awesome little god is kicking my bum."

Hades lectures gently. "Well, what do you expect? Putting him in positions where he feels like he needs to use his power to protect the two of you is not helping. You need rest. I wish you'd let me take you back up to Olympus."

Zelena's shakes her head stubbornly. "I was just up there yesterday. Those people up there seem as if they actually might like me. I don't want to wear out my welcome. And, you need to go get Eliana. I don't want your brother thinking I'm using Olympus and all its inhabitants for free babysitting."

Hades shakes his head. "I'm not leaving you here alone like this."

Zelena eyes her sister beseechingly. "Are you going to make me ask?"

"No, I won't make you ask, but Harry and I need to go back to his realm; just a quick trip. I'll do that and then ring up Zeus for help getting to Olympus. I'll bring her back. Of course, I'll feel a lot safer doing it if Ron and Emma can manage to catch the other two dementors before she gets here. Think that's doable?"

Ron nods. It should be. As long as Emma's on board."

"She will be," Regina assures. "She doesn't like those things running around this town any more than I do; especially not with our son living here."