The next few weeks were more peaceful. Rumple and Belle had been sure to be careful about their talks to be sure they didn't lead to arguments. It wasn't hard considering there was nothing for them to argue about. Rumple also made an effort to be a bit more careful with the deals he made with people. From experience himself, he knew that the future doesn't always happen they think. By trying to change the future, it could end up worse. Rumple didn't want to think of what could be worse than what they saw. Knowing the future could be very dangerous. They would have to be extra careful of what they try to change.

It was getting close to the end of the month and Quasi was preparing for his leave. Rose was sad that he was leaving, but she knew he couldn't stay forever. She enjoyed having a friend. Quasi promised that they could always write to each other to keep in touch. She figured that either Rumple or Belle would have to write most of her letters since her handwriting wasn't completely legible. She would be sure to keep practicing so she could write her own letters. They were out playing in the garden. Quasi had planned to leave the very next day, so Rose wanted to squeeze as much fun time with Quasi into that day. She even skipped her nap to spend more time with him. After hours of running around the garden, they decided to take a break under an apple tree. Quasi picked an apple and they split it.

"I'm really gonna miss you, Quasi. It was fun having someone to play with when Mama and Papa are busy." He smiled at her.

"I'm going to miss you, too. You were my first ever friend. You've done more for me than I can ever say. You gave me a home and you gave me the childhood I never had. When I was young, I was never allowed to have this much fun. It was always either performing at the fair or lessons. Being here, I never had to think about it, all thanks to you. You're a very special girl, my Esmeralda." She gave him a quizzical look.

"I wanted to ask you, Quasi. You keep calling me that. Why?" He chuckled.

"Well, when I first met you, you never had the chance to tell me your name. The first thing I remember about you was your bright emerald eyes, so I called you Esmeralda."

"So, what does that mean?"

"Esmeralda means the emerald gemstone. Your eyes are emerald and they shine like gemstones. I've never seen any like them."

"And that's a good thing, right?" He chuckled again.

"Yes. It's a very good thing. I know that I'll never meet anyone else that is half the person you are." She smiled at him.

"Thanks, Quasi. And I know I'll never meet anyone like you either because I can't leave the castle." He laughed.

"Yeah, I figured that. After what happened last time, I don't think you'll be let out ever again."

"Maybe, but when I get older, I bet Papa will let me leave."

"Maybe, but you'll have to wait a long time for that."

"I know, but I don't care. I got Mama. I got Papa. And I got you. I don't need to leave. Everything I want is right here at home. Until you leave, but we will write to each other, right?"

"Of course. I might even send you some souvenirs from each place I visit. You could start a collection."

"That sounds like fun!"

"And I've already got my first piece." He reached into his pocket and pull out a strange necklace. It was made of two small pieces of woods tied together into an oval shape. There was a blue oval in the center made from thread and a white cross centered it. Off to the side, there was a white circle with a black X on it. "I made this for you, as sort of a late birthday present."

"Wow, neat. What is it?" He put it around her neck.

"It's a pendant that I made. It's sorta a map from my home in Notre Dame. This white cross is the Notre Dame Cathedral where I would stay when the fair was on vacation. It's in the center of the town. The blue oval is where the town market was. There was blacksmiths, bakeries, rug weavers, everything. I could see it all from the tower of the church." Rose pointed to the black X off to the side of the church.

"What's that?"

"Oh, that is a special place. They call it the Court of Miracles. It's a safe haven for the outcasts in town called gypsies. They're seen as lower class citizens and are treated worse than everyone else. I've been there once and it's amazing, but it's a secret. No one can know about. You promise not to tell anyone?"

"Who can I tell? I can't leave!" He chuckled at her.

"I know, but just promise you won't tell a soul, not even your parents. Okay." Rose thought for a moment. She told Rumple everything, but she could guess why Quasi wouldn't want to have him know. Belle, on the other hand, wouldn't be able to do anything with the information. She was stuck in the castle just as much as Rose was. Still, Quasi didn't want anyone to know and she would keep the secret.

"Okay. I promise and I won't ever break it."

"Good. Thank you."

The next day, Quasi was preparing to leave. He packed everything that he would need. He had clothes, water, some treats that Belle had prepared, and a few books that she let him have as reference guides for each new land he visited. Rumple gave him one of his horses and a pouch of gold that would never run out. Everyone was outside as Quasi saddled up his horse. He finished up and turned to face them with a smile.

"Well, I suppose that's everything. I must thank you again for allowing me to stay." Rumple smiled.

"No thanks needed, hunchback. It was an honor to have you stay." He nodded to him and turned to Belle.

"And Belle, thank you for opening my eyes to everything out in the world. Without your teachings, I don't think I would ever know what to do." She giggled.

"Well, I'm glad I was able to teach you. It was very nice having you as a student." He smiled and knelt to Rose.

"I think I'll miss you the most. Without you, I would still be with that fair. You set me free and I can't thank you enough for it, my Esmeralda." She smiled.

"You know, it's easier to call me Rose." He chuckled.

"I know, but to me, you'll always be my Esmeralda and I'll never forget you." She hugged him and he hugged her back.

"I won't forget you either, Quasi." They broke apart and Quasi went to mount his horse. "Quasi! Wait!"

"What is it?" She went to him.

"I got something for you." She took out a gold thread from her pocket that was tied together. It seemed to glow for a moment.

"What is it?"

"It's a bracelet. Put it on!" Not thinking anything of it, he slipped the bracelet onto his wrist. The bracelet glowed and he felt a familiar warm magic flow through him. The magic tingled and he started to feel something change. His usual unbalanced eyesight became clearer and leveled out. He saw his nose shrink to a normal size and look. He felt his hunch recede and he stood a few inches taller. His unusually large arms evened out and shrunk, but he still had his muscle. Rumple and Belle looked on in shock. The man that now stood before them was different. Quasimodo looked...normal. He looked like any average man. He looked himself over and noticed his changes.

"What...What happened?" Rose smiled at her work.

"You look like everyone else now." Rumple was both intrigued and confused.

"Flower, how were you able to do that?"

"I found the spell in that book from Mama's library." Rumple then cursed himself.

"I knew I should have taken that book from you. You shouldn't be practicing that sort of magic by yourself." Quasi was still in shock and looking himself over.

"But...How? Why?"

"Just because I'm little doesn't mean I don't know stuff. I saw how people treated you at the fair. I don't want people to do that to you. I didn't want you to be sad because people were mean to you about how you look. So, I found something that can make people see you how I see you."

"And how do you see me?" She smiled.

"Just like I see my papa. Nice and fun and...and...a big word I can't remember." Quasi knew what she wanted to say.

"And misunderstood."

"Yeah, that. You're really nice, but people won't know that if they think you're scary. I still don't know why people are scared of you." He chuckled.

"Well, you grew up with the Dark One. I suppose abnormal to others is normal to you." He looked to Rumple. "Not to be offensive."

"No offense taken." He looked back to Rose.

"Thank you for this. This is the second best gift you've given me." She was confused.

"What was the first?"

"Your friendship. I couldn't ask for a better friend than you." She smiled and hugged him again. He hugged her back tightly. They broke away and Quasi mounted his horse. He looked down at the bracelet. "How does the bracelet work?"

"If you wear it, you'll look like this. If you don't, you'll look like you again."

"So as long as I wear it, I'll look normal?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Thank you. Thank you all. I won't forget my time here."

"And remember, hunchback. You are not to breathe a word of your time here to anyone. I have a reputation to uphold." Quasi chuckled, even knowing Rumple was stone serious about it. No one could know of the Dark One's family.

"I won't tell a soul. I promise."

"Stay safe on your travels, Quasimodo." Quasi smiled at the mention of his name. Since he got to the castle, Rumple had only addressed him as "hunchback."

"Thank you. I will." Belle smiled to him.

"You'll be sure to be back for the wedding?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it. Just let me know when you have decided a date."

"We'll be sure to. Safe travels." He nodded to her and looked to Rose one last time.

"I'll miss you, Quasi."

"I'll miss you, too, Esmeralda. I'll send you a letter when I reach my first destination."

"Okay. Bye!"

"Bye! I'll see you." He took hold of the reigns and led the horse to the front gates. They watched as he ventured off into the forest. Once he was out of sight, they all went back into the castle. Rumple took his daughter by the hand.

"Now that we've finished with that, flower, we need to have a talk about that book of yours." Rose had a feeling that was coming. He warned her about the dangers of the spells in that book she found. So far, she's perfected two of them. Rumple himself couldn't even perfect one. It was evident that she was much more powerful than him, but she didn't care about that. She didn't regret what she did. She wanted to make Quasi happy and she did. She was ready for Rumple to scold her.